Chomping at bit.

A little video from the "skirmish" during Leafs scrimmage. Either Komisarek is on steroids or he just really really really wants the season to start.

One can relate.

Cash Grabbin' on Grabovski!

This is quite the story. No charges, no police evidence, but a lawsuit against a guy who makes $2.7M a year. You go Langley!

The best part is the guys job. He's an Autobody Finishing Technician.

Hmm. They just call them "body guys" where I come from, but when you're suing and in front of a judge you do want to be perceived as more polished, I suppose.

Ok Sens fans, let us Leaf fans have it.
You know you want to.

Another camp day another scrap.

Just saw this on sportsnet.

Rosehill again, this time with Komisarek.

In Sens camp news, Alfredsson and Karlsson left the dressing room quickly to go to ikea and shop for matching bed spreads.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...

Good morning. It's the last day before pre-season games start. I recommend you catch up on work, perhaps take your girlfriend or wife out to dinner tonight and pay the hydro bill. After this, it's all hockey all the time!

Of course, the Toronto Star wants this to be a sour day for BOTH Leaf and Sens fans.

First up, Damien Cox puts a stake into the heart of the Ottawa Franchise stating what I've been saying for two years now.

Second, Kadri kicks off scrimmages yesterday with more than enough evidence that he's more a Marlie than a Leaf at this point. Excuses on the 2nd day of camp don't bode well young man.

McKenzie sets em straight.

Enough of that politics crap.

If you haven't already read it, here's a nice heartfelt article by Bob McKenzie on our former fearless leader Pat Burns. Keep up the good fight Pat. Our thoughts are with you.

Also... Check out my new digs.

Good god it is awesome. I wore it briefly but had to take it off when I got the sudden urge to play with stones and club someone over the head... and for some reason Sean Avery's ex-girlfriends kept hitting on me.

If you thought the Parti Quebecois were pissed off yesterday...

You probably read about this ongoing saga already. In short, the Parti Quebecois have called the Habs a "Canadian Propaganda Tool" because of the lack of french players on the team these days.

What's really going to get their goat is that Montreal look to be announcing Brian Gionta as their next captain. Gionta, of course, is American.

To any Parti Quebecois members out there who agree with the comments made by Pauline Marois this week, this should actually be good news for you. It would have been worse had they made Toronto-born Mike Cammalleri captain right?

GAME DAY THREAD! Diaper Edition.

It's been a while since we could say a BoO game is on tap. So what if it's a collection of prospects in a game with no real bearing, it's a hockey game!

Chicago and Pittsburgh play today at 2pm so at this point we're not sure if the Ottawa/Toronto game is for first place or second. The way the Hawks have played, I think the safe bet is on the latter but you never know.

Getting line-ups for this thing might be a task. If anybody can find them before the game starts do drop them in the comments. Leafs-wise, it does look like Kadri & Mueller will play and Keith Aulie will make his first start on the blueline as he was only recently cleared to play. Aulie vs Cowen will be fun to watch.

What else can one say about a meaningless game that will be forgotten in a few days as real camp starts and exhibition games get under way?

I guess it's still the BoO and I think both sides will enjoy a victory.

If you're away from the broadcast range, MapleLeafs.com will be showing the game on tape delay starting at 8pm.

Prediction: Leafs 6 Ottawa 2. Kadri with a pair.

Cheers!

Baby Battle

The Sens-Leafs rookie tourney game goes tomorrow.

Both teams are 1-1 so far with losses to the Pens and wins over the Hawks.

Desire to win from day #1.

"It's a different team. A lot of young guys, they're all very excited about the season. Everybody is here two weeks before training camp. I've never seen that in my life, ever. It's almost like training camp here right now so it's great to see that. I think if we can keep that mentality and energy all year we can do something good."
-Giggy, September 9th.

I was hoping to see this kind of intensity and commitment from day one of camp, but to have the whole team in Toronto training together this far before camp is good. Very good. As a fan, I think you have to be happy that whatever lies ahead this season, these guys are here to play in 2010/2011.

Also, not that anybody in their right mind would look to me for schedules, but I did say that Toronto plays on Saturday at 2pm to kick of the rookie tourney. That is incorrect according to the website, says on mapleleafs.com that the game is at 7pm vs Chicago. I think this means DiDomenico and Paradis both could be on the ice. Gives the game some added incentive as far as viewing pleasure doesn't it?

Two things about this story...

Perhaps you just read this "headline" news on TSN.
The gist: Kaberle was on the ice with Leaf teamates today, after which he said there is no issue with Wilson, he doesn't agree with his Dad, and that it's a non-issue.

While most of us don't care much about the actual story, there were a couple of things that caught my attention:

1. Read down to Komisarek's comments near the end and his nickname for Wilson. Why must every hockey player and coach make up a nickname for each other? Does this happen in other sports to the extent it does in the NHL?

2. If you enjoy things like laughing, check out the trade rumour in the comments section by BobbyT911.

Has Burke crossed the line for some fans?

In the name of rebuilding his hockey club, Brian Burke has been to a lot of places in search of Toronto Maple Leaf players. He's canvassed college hallways from Denver to Indiana, he's made pitches to players in Berlin and Danderyd and he's been on the phone for days on end to GM's in Calgary, Anaheim and Chicago to name a few. Yes, MLSE has spent a fair chunk of change on long-distance phone bills and Air Canada flight passes to ensure Brian Burke could leave no stone unturned. It's an investment Leaf fans have been more than happy to see their team willing to make.

Burke's latest traverse in search of free talent may be the one that does cross the line for some fans - rookie camp invitee Mike Liambas. While the name might not immediately ring a bell you only have to hear "that guy who was suspended for all of last season in the OHL for that gruesome hit to head on a 16 year-old", and you know exactly who I'm talking about. I can remember where I was when I heard that news - in my car on the DVP in the northbound lane on my way to a tile shop, listening to the Fan 590. It takes a special amount of stomach turn for level of pinpoint recollection doesn't it?

Now Mike Liambas will share the ice with the likes of Jerry D'Amigo and Nazem Kadri starting Saturday in London as the Leafs rookie tourny kicks off at 2pm. I just had a quick scour of MapleLeafs.com and while Liambas is indeed mentioned on the roster, it was only because of the good folks over at PPP that I knew this was the same Erie Otters player who ended his own junior career with the vicious hit. No talk about his past at all on the Leafs site.

The Star just a few minutes ago published their own story about Liambas, one I haven't read yet but you can find it here.

So how will people in Toronto and elsewhere feel about this? Does everybody deserve a second chance? Should the Leafs have a certain standard as far as character of players allowed to wear our jersey and if so has Burke crossed the line?

I'm not sure how I feel about it just yet. We probably all agree that mistakes are a human condition and that most people deserve a second chance, but from what I can tell this kid had been pretty dirty most of his career and while everybody likes an agitator or a good scrap, has this kid ever played the game right?

One thing is for sure, this is bound to cause some waves and for the sake of Burke and his team, I hope this kid is worth it.

BoO Pre-Season Games

TUE, 21 SEP 2010 - SENATORS @ MAPLE LEAFS - 7:00 PM on Sportsnet
WED, 22 SEP 2010 - SENATORS @ MAPLE LEAFS - 7:00 PM on TSN

Not far away now folks!

Thanks to Ken Beckett over at hockeybuzz for the schedule.

$1 million a year

Colton Orr brings the life of an NHL player to us on Twitter:

Finally managed to buy my Dad a new TV for his birthday after nearly 2 hours dealing with the dumbest Future Shop employees in the world.
6:56 PM Aug 21st via web

If I say I am looking for a TV please do not try to sell me a fucking computer.
7:01 PM Aug 21st via web

Proof that Kabby and Wilson have some issues...

Kaberle's father over in the Czech spilled some insight into Kaberle's feelings about this whole trade circus and his relationship with Ron Wilson.

You can read an edited version of the story here.

I read the raw story and what's missing from the sportsnet version is that when Kabby's Dad said "players don't want to come to Toronto", he goes on to say it's because the fans and media put too much pressure on these guys.

Take it for what you will.

Kaberle clearly has some issues with Wilson. Apparently Thomas did not like being criticized for his defensive game last season. I personally don't agree with coaches and management who call out players publicly because it seems to always cause a ruckus, but they continue to do it in every sport at every level. Clearly somebody thinks it's a strategy with some value. Maybe it does work sometimes. I know last season Kessel got some heat from the coaching staff and down the stretch he played with more urgency and even a little piss and vinegar.

Back to the trade part of all of this, clearly Kabby will waive his NTC during the season which means Burke might have a trade and sign option at some point. Frankly, this is better for the Leafs who will be more likely to get max value for the player. Only problem is, how much of a distraction does this become if the media continue to get a hold of trade discussions between GM's?

I think I speak for everybody when I say I can't wait for training camp. It will be nice to talk about actual hockey that happens on the ice and pay some attention to some of the other 47 or so players in the Leafs system and on the team at camp.

Center of the hockey universe? What ever gave you that idea?

I didn't even read this story. The subhead and the photo kind of says it all.

Summer over yet?

Muppet has no off-season but I haven't been into blogging during the summer. Lately though, I've been thinking a bit more about hockey. I guess because the kids start their team selection camps soon and the nights are getting cooler.

My favourite Sens blogger Milks must be getting the itch again - a couple of good posts over at his site.

Of course, we all wait for the miracle trade that Burke will create with Kaberle. Dustin Brown? Bobby Ryan? Nope. I'm thinking a 2nd rnd pick and 3rd liner (top line in Toronto).

Clarity on where D'Amigo can play.

It's official. D'Amigo has signed an entry level deal with the Leafs and will participate at training camp now only weeks away.

Some have questioned if he can play in the AHL or must he play in the OHL if he doesn't make the Leafs. It would appear by this transcript I found over at HF Boards (thanks ratsgirl) that D'Amigo can play in the AHL.

There is a private agreement in place between the NHL and the CHL that governs when a player coming from the CHL can play in the AHL. A player from the CHL has to either turn 20 by December 31st of the season (ie a player born in 1987 can start playing in the 2007-08 season, a player born in 1988 can start playing in the 2008-09 season etc.) OR have completed 4 seasons of junior eligibility. This agreement also covers European players if they are drafted out of the CHL (Examples would be players like Petr Vrana and Ivan Vishnevskiy). Also - CHL players are eligible to play in the AHL once their junior season is over (either by virtue of their junior team not making the playoffs or being eliminated from the playoffs) even if they don't yet meet the age or eligibility criteria listed above.

College players and European players (provided they are drafted out of Europe--even if they later play in the CHL) are not covered by this agreement. They only have to abide by the AHL's age requirement, which is that a player has to turn 18 by September 15 of any given season to be eligible to play. While you won't see many 18-year olds in the AHL, some European players have played at that age (e.g. Niklas Bergfors)

D'Amigo will have a crack at line-up afterall...

Jerry D'Amigo was a 6th round pick, his name called 151 spots after Kadri in 2009. And yet, ever since the world juniors when he led team USA to a gold medal, he's been talked about like he was chosen a hell of a lot higher.

At the Leafs orientation camp in early July, D'Amigo was showered with praise by the Leafs. However, it was a foregone conclusion that he would return to college and not jump to the pros.

Yesterday that changed:

The Toronto Sun is reporting that prospect Jerry D'Amigo is set to leave Rensselaer Polytechnical Institute (RPI) to sign a pro contract with the Leafs.

"If it ends up that he does leave, he's leaving for the right reason," RPI coach Seth Appert told the Schenectady Daily Gazette. "He's leaving because he has a chance to go make the Maple Leafs. He's made it very clear he has no interest in leaving to go to the Ontario Hockey League. But he is interested in looking at his opportunities with Toronto."

And on the 7th Day God Traded Thomas Kaberle.

The most anticipated and talked about trade in Toronto Maple Leaf history will go down in the next week and I think I speak for most Leaf fans when I say I hope it doesn't take the full 7 calendar days. I don't think I can stand another week of talking or hearing or reading about this.

We live in an age where every single thought that crosses our mind becomes a status update, tweet or comment on a blog. If you want to indulge in just about anything, there is somewhere to do it 24/7 - countless stories, a million opinions - it’s all there for us to consume. In the case of this Kaberle trade it has reached the point where we have read his name so many times it starts to trigger something uncomfortable because we know we’ve reached a new low.

Kaberle. Kaberle. Kaberle. See, makes you feel a bit sick now doesn’t it?

If the folks over at PPP could give us a statistic on just how many “Kaberle” mentions have shown up on their site over the past year, I would wager that the sheer volume might rival "Haiti Earthquake" on the rest of the internet. We’re obsessed with this potential deal, and it shows, a million times over.

Even Mike Ulmer - paid by the Leafs to talk about the Leafs - has reached his end. He has sworn he will not type a single character more about this trade until it either does or does not go down. Eklund too has published two Kaberle-free stories in a row. It would appear that for Leaf fans and writers the universe has a distinct edge and we're stepping back from it in fear of what we’ve become.

When this deal finally goes down, brace yourself for a let down. Nothing short of Toronto getting back Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty in a package will feel as big as we’ve made this thing to be. No “top-six forward” that Toronto is likely to land will fulfill the prophecy that we have all co-created. No forward will be able to carry the weight of all of this and I warn you fellow Leaf fans that it is perilous to expect otherwise.

This hockey team is a work in progress. There is no rule that says by training camp this is the team we will all live and die with for the season. So much can happen. Injuries, promotions, more trades, buyouts, rival teams falling on hard times or good times. Kaberle, an exceptional player in the league was never able to sway the teams fortunes on his own and neither will the player that replaces him. This deal is only a fraction of the equation, and I hope for all of our sake that once it's done we can go back to seeing it that way.

Ross invited to WJC camp. Cowen in limited role.

Leafs 43rd overall pick from this years draft Brad Ross will audition in Newfoundland for a spot on the Canadian WJC team. Not too bad for a 2nd rounder. Leaf fans hope this is just the beginning for this kid. If Toronto can get a guy to punch above his weight out of the 2nd round, it's a coup.

In other WJC news, Jared Cowen will attend camp but is recovering from mononucleosis so he won't be allowed any contact. A minor bump in the road right? Why would a shutdown d-man need to make body contact?

Somebody explain this to me, please.

Anaheim trades Wisniewski to the Islanders for a conditional 3rd round pick?

What the hell is this all about?

So are the Leafs better off?

This via Mike Augello at hockeybuzz:
An interesting fact from the Toronto Star’s Damien Cox: “(Matt)Stajan and (Ian)White now have combined cap hit of $6.5 Million, same as (Dion)Phaneuf.”

Obviously you can cut the trade in ways other than this comparison since Hagman was in the deal, but dollar for dollar dos the above scenario benefit more the Flames or Leafs?

You know it's almost August when...

1. Eklund starts posting rumour charts from his vacation home which makes us all hate him a little more because he's actually making money off this crap.

2. Gary Bettman is fighting somebody in court who is trying to screw the league over in some fashion.

3. Mike Fisher knocks on your front door collecting for his church. If you don't donate he makes you listen to one of his girlfriends songs.

4. Dion Phaneuf starts to cut down to a pack a day knowing training camp is just around the corner.

5. Vesa Toskala hasn't allowed a face palm inducing goal for over a week.

6. Somewhere in Ottawa a Daniel Alfredsson mannequin is being driven around in the passenger seat of a car so that Ottawa fans spot it and think the guy actually lives there in the off-season.

7. They announce ticket sales to the Leafs/Pens/Sens rookie tournament in September and you think "I'm going to go this year" and then of course you don't.

8. The Jays are mathematically eliminated from the post-season.

9. Ron Wilson's skin irritations clear up and Howard Berger takes his summer leave from reporting. There is no connection.

10. Bloggers start doing pointless lists because absolutely nothing is happening in the NHL...

The Curious Case of Colby Armstrong

When the Leafs signed Colby Armstrong I remember thinking it was a great signing and that he would be a fantastic addition to the 3rd line.

And then I saw his salary.

Is $3M really a 3rd line salary in Toronto? Consider that the Leafs fought Kulemin's agent to get his salary further from that number and closer to $2M. And Kulemin has clear top two line pedigree. Last summer once the dust had settled on the Kessel trade they paid him just over $5M a season, a player Burke and many others believe has 40-goal seasons in him by the dozen. He's first line all the way.

So $3M salary to me means that Armstrong is definitely considered by Toronto to be in the top 6 forward unit. You just wouldn't go out and sign a guy at that price unless you think so.

Is Armstrong actually a top 6 forward who can produce like one?

His first season in the NHL looked like this:

2005 Pittsburgh NHL 47GP 16G 24A 40PTS +15

Those are outstanding numbers but didn't he play on a line with Sid that season?

His most recent season looked like this:

2009-10 Atlanta NHL 79GP 15G 14A 29PTS +6

Those are 3rd line numbers if I ever saw them. His +6 is pretty impressive considering the team he played for, and 15 goals is solid, but to me the only way you pay $3M year for his production is if you've traded for him in February, in the last year of his deal as you add depth for a playoff run. No, based on last season alone $3M appears to be a substantial overpayment if you go by his numbers.

This is one of those signings that has Leaf fans a little white knuckled going into the season. Which Armstrong will show up and could this money have been better spent elsewhere or is this guys character, defensive play and offensive potential worth the investment?

Performance bonus Leafs

Jumbo shrimp. Plastic glass. Open secret.

$1.4 million penalty for the Leafs. I'm guessing the performance bonus would be trulence based?

Do you believe Jason Spezza?

He's finally spoken about his meeting with Murray at the end of last season.

I'm not sure if he's being honest here or just covering his ass before the season starts, but I'm sure glad he's staying in Ottawa. It just wouldn't be the same if Ottawa misses the playoffs this year and Spezza wasn't there!

Kovalchuk a Devil.

Thank God it's over. The bad taste in my mouth is gone.

Now lets get some trades going huh!

Borrrrrriiiiiiinnnnggg!!!

Not much going on.

Here's a link to a freakin awesome video that JaredFromLondon posted on PPP last week.
Kudos to Kessely Snipes for putting this together. Sweetness.

Fuck you Kovalchuk.

More twiddling our thumbs....

It's the Leafs turn. Now I'm getting sportsnet updates on my phone featuring such ground-breaking signings as Joey Crabb and Mike Zigomanis.
I'm sure they are nice guys and just really want to make an NHL team and stick, but the longer I wait for Ilya (Mats Sundin) Kovalchuk to make up his freakin' mind, the more I despise these updates.

I realize this doesn't make for much conversation on the blog so how about a few Eklund rumours?

Savard and Wheeler BOTH to Ottawa for players yet to be named?
Wow. What could be going back?
Leafs talking to the Flyers about two players, one being Gagne and the other unknown?
One season of Simone Gagne? Come on, does this make an inkling of sense?

At least the Savard to Ottawa rumour has legs since we know he named the Sens as one of his preferred destinations.

Sound of finger popping out of cheek...

drumroll...................

Ottawa has signed Roman Wick.

... holy crap, Kovalchuk better sign soon because I need better sportsnet updates on my mobile device than this crap.

Who the hell is Roman Wick? Can we swap the w for a d as the season wears on?

Finger anybody?

In my last post I touched on the possibility that Jeff Finger might not be the defenceman traded alongside Thomas Kaberle because of his contract.

By the way it's $3.5M per season through the next 2 seasons.

A few people have mentioned that teams who are at or near the cap floor might be potential suitors for Finger so I went to NHLnumbers.com to see who these potential teams may be. The cap floor is currently set at $43.4 Million.

Here are three teams that could possibly trade with Toronto for Jeff Finger based on their cap situation and defence core.

COLORADO: Sitting at $36.615 with 18 players already signed. The only key RFA yet to sign is Mueller, but they might add some UFAs to replace Tucker and/or Svatos. They don't have a very deep blue line.

LONG ISLAND: $35.993M cap hit with 16 players signed. Since they are in on Kovalchuk this could change drastically. Otherwise they have Moulson still to re-sign and a weak blue line.

ST LOUIS: $38.023M cap hit. They have a few RFA players to re-sign and 16 players signed overall. The defence core in St Louis is painfully inexperienced.

I think the best fit for Finger is Colorado. They know this player well, they have shitloads of cap space and Matt Duchene isn't up for his next contract until the summer after Finger's contract expires.

Trading only Kaberle doesn't make sense.

As it stands the Leafs have 8 NHL defenceman signed for the coming season. Everyone assumes that number will hit 7 as soon as the much anticipated trade of Thomas Kaberle is finalized.

It's not unusual for teams to carry 7 defenceman during the season. Burke said it himself, you need depth on the blue line if you want to get through an NHL season on the winning side of the ledger.

But do we really think that Burke went out and spent $1.4M on a defenceman so that he could share that 6th spot with Jeff Finger all season? If that was the case, Burke probably would have went cheaper. Much cheaper.

Something else is cooking and I think it's unwise to assume that a Jeff Finger buyout is the only answer. Finger has two years left on his deal. I don't get the impression that Burke is the kind of guy who will ruin a players career by sending him to the minors and never calling him up for two years, just because his predecessor gave a decent depth defenceman top 4 d-man money. If he did call him up, Toronto would be on the hook for $1.75M for two seasons. No matter how you cut it, Jeff Finger must be traded or he plays here.

Which makes me think that two defenceman are going to be traded at some point, and one of them probably won't go by the name Jeff.

LUKE SCHENN: A couple of reasons why Luke should be a little nervous any time his cell phone rings and one of the Leafs GM's are on the display screen. First off, if Toronto really want a top 6 winger with star power, Luke Schenn is going to be asked about by a rival GM. If the package gets sweet enough, Burke may be tantalized. Second reason, Schenn is in the last year of his entry-level deal. If he has the kind of season this year that he did as a rookie and in the latter stages of 09/10, he will get a raise. Probably a good one. Which means cap decisions will shortly follow.

CARL GUNNARSSON: Everybody loves this guy and for good reason: who can resist a late-round draft pick who walks in, steals a job, and plays like a seasoned pro for an entire season. Here's the thing, he was a 6th round draft pick. He was never considered a major asset by the team but right now he has become one. If a GM can turn a 6th rounder into a top 6 forward, that's pretty good. Gunnarsson is also an RFA after this season and like Luke Schenn, he could be looking at a raise. And also like Luke Schenn, he is young and attractive to other GM's for that very reason.

MIKE KOMISAREK: When Burke signed Komi, it was pretty clear he had hopes that Mike would be the teams leader on the blue line. Immediately handed the assistant captain role, Komisarek represented everything Brian Burke likes about a player and I think most Leaf fans saw him as a cornerstone signing. But then Dion Phaneuf came along, and this leaves Komisarek vulnerable to being moved in my opinion.

FRANCOIS BEAUCHEMIN: A minutes eater, never complains and always gives it his all. His salary is reasonable for a player with a cup ring and who was invited to Canada's Olympic camp. He had a tough start to the season (along with everybody else who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs), but he's clearly a solid top 4 guy on most teams. He's also signed for the next two seasons at $3.8M, which is a certainty some GM's might want when dealing away a forward to Toronto.

While I don't pretend to know what Brian Burke is thinking, a part of me wonders if two players he convinced to sign in Toronto, Komi and Beauchemin, would be pretty much untouchable only because Burke doesn't like to dick players around. Then again he bought out Bertuzzi after one season in Anaheim, but a buyout gives a player the chance to choose his next destination. A trade means these guys have no choice and could leave a bad taste in their mouths it being so soon after they signed here.

The other side of the coin is that despite being up for raises, Gunnarson and Schenn could provide very cost effective defending for many more years and this would be more ideal for the Toronto Maple Leafs long-term salary cap situation.

What it comes down to in the end is this. How badly does Burke want a top six forward and how willing is he to have a $4.9M 6th and 7th defence combination?

Stay tuned...

Whoever says Leaf fans wear blinders...

Go check out the reaction to the Brett Lebda trade over at PPP.

You would think that Burke just signed Kovalev for $10M or something???

I don't see any issue with the trade. $1.4M is peanuts in the NHL for a veteran player. Don't believe me? Eklund doesn't just think it's a good deal, he thinks it might be Burke's BEST deal yet! How can you argue with that?

Expect the Kaberle trade to go down as soon as today. One rumoured deal that I could actually see happening is Wayne Simmonds and a prospect from Los Angeles. One thing is for sure, Toronto will get a good player back.

Red Wings Re-sign Eaves. Remember him?

Any Sens fans care to recommend a new Senator for Armstrong to feast on now that Eaves is long gone?

Lets get on with it already!

Is it just me, or is this the weirdest UFA season ever? Kovalchuk still not signed while 100 free agents wait for this supposed "domino effect" to start. Meanwhile over in the NBA, LaBron James will use ESPN for an entire hour just to announce the team he is signing on with. What the hell will the other 59 minutes comprise of, exactly? It would appear that this is the summer the unrestricted free agents took us all hostage.

Pat Quinn used to say about his players: "They are the show". I suppose this is true, although I happen to believe that while you can't have a game without the players you also can't pay those players without the fans. Right now, as a dedicated fan, I'm getting kind of sick of being strung along by kazillionaire athletes trying to decide where they will play for maximum allowable contracts and in the case of the NBA, which of their buddies they can bring along.

Lets face it. It's more than a little stomach turning isn't it? And while the NBA can't officially close the books on their UFA's until tomorrow, the NHL has had the ability for a whole week. And yet, we all wait.

As a fan of the game and a guy who is getting (maybe possibly ok yes very) obsessed (anybody else refreshing TSN every 11 minutes every day since the draft?), I really need this stuff to end. I need to focus back on my job. I need to attend to the Carpal Tunnel in my mouse hand. I need to get exercise. I need to finish renovating my bathroom. I need to mow the lawn. I need to re-establish a relationship with my wife. I need this thing to end, for my sanity!

So I'm using my get out of jail free card today. I'm begging you:
Sign a god-damned contract Ilya Kovalchuk so the rest of the NHL and more importantly us fans can get on with our lives.

Really, is it so much to ask?

Free top 6 forward? No thanks says Burke.

Rumours that Toronto were in discussions with Nicolai Zherdev have been quashed by TSN.

Zherdev is 6'2"and 205lbs, 25 years old, and in 365 NHL games has 239 points, including 99 goals. O

And yet, Brian Burke doesn't want him?

I don't know much about this player other than he took off to the KHL.

What's the deal with this guy? Why would a 29th place team short on top-6 talent say no to a free sniper?

Change of heart on the OTT-NJD-PIT 'trade'

I like to think of this as a three way deal between OTT-NJD-PIT, i.e., Volchenkov-Martin-Gonchar.

Ok, so THM was originally down on the deal given to Gonchar (3 yrs @ $5.5M)as a replacement for Volchenkov who signed for 6 yr @ $4.25M).   THM felt bitterness that A-train turned down 5 yrs @ $4.0M from Ottawa and that Murray hadn't appeared willing to tack on a quarter mill and an extra year.  THM also looked at Gonchar's age and recent injury history and thought 'this could be another $5M Russian goat'.   Let's hope not.

However, it's come out that Volchenkov wanted to test the market regardless of any Ottawa offer.  So be it; we've maintained our Russian defenseman quotient and added another Stanley Cup winner who will play a major role on the power-play and keep the puck out of the hands of an opponent's forwards.

On another point, Ottawa appears to have taken the Montreal Canadiens' success as an example in letting some of the toughness out of the locker room.  This, of course, is assuming Sutton does not return (sadly, the surprisingly impressive Cullen has departed).   It does cause a bit of concern but, then again, Chicago lacked any measure of toughness.   On this note, Philly-NYR games are going to be a treat now that Boogard is a Ranger, filling the spot left by Shelly's jump to Philly.   We'll just have to see how well reliable, playoff-OT-goal-scoring, 15 min TOI Carkner does against the 3 minute gang of Shelly, Boogard & Orr.

F**k Brazil!

THM's WTF moment

$5M is too much for a defenseman who plays defense. But $5.5M for a defenseman who plays an offensive game is fair? Because we need more offensive D-men? Ok, Murray, there's got to be something else in the works. Lee is on the way out, right? Right?? And the plan must be for Cowan & Weircoch to be roster players with the big club and miraculously be NHL-level from the get go, right? Right?? And that new dynamo from St. Louis - you're going to convert him to a shot-blocker, right? Right??

This may be the beginning of what I shall coin "The Karlsson Effect".

Seriously, good bye $5M A-Train, hello $5.5 M old man....

....wtf?

Versteeg now a Leaf. Kaberle still a Leaf.

Quite incredible really. A young top-six forward lands on the roster and the Leafs best trade bait Thomas Kaberle hasn't even been dealt yet.

Tomorrow is gonna be cool. I will be checking my phone for UFA updates from a beach in Barbados!

Happy Canada day and enjoy the long weekend.

Mike Van Ryn sitting for the year.

According to both TSN and Sportsnet.

What this really means is that he'll rehab until February and then when the Leafs d-core has injuries he'll proclaim himself fit and join the buds.

This also means there's one less UFA d-man for Murray to sign.

Leafs could look to LA for trade opportunities.

If the rumours are true, The Kings will be the team signing Ilya Kovalchuk to an $8-$9M long term contract this coming Thursday morning. And why wouldn't they? Acquiring one of the most prolific goal scorers in the NHL without giving up assets doesn't come around often. Los Angeles are poised to rise up the Western Conference rankings and as far as a major hockey market is concerned, Kovalchuk could be the best thing since Wayne Gretzky to put LA back on the radar.

But can the kings realistically make this signing and not lose assets indirectly from this deal? Signing Kovalchuk will (according to NHLnumbers.com) move their cap number up into the $52M to $54M range. The salary cap this year is around $59M. The Kings would be getting close to the cap and yet only have 17 one-way contracts on their roster including Kovalchuk. Soon to be urgent will be the re-signing of Drew Doughty who will be up for an astronomical raise plus Jack Johnson isn't far behind and if they bring up Brayden Schenn this season he has a bonus structure that could fetch him upwards of $3M. Looking at the team they had last year, they are losing about $13M worth of talent this summer (Frolov, Modin etc) which will need to be replaces in some shape or form just to ice a full team come early October.

Suffice to say, LA are heading for some real problems and depending on their ambitions for this season, they may already be in the weeds. If you look at their roster it's pretty plain to see they have some anvil's as far as contracts. If you look at their prospects you'll see they have a fantastic group. The magic combination if you're the GM of a rebuilding team with some cap space. Like Brian Burke.

Would Toronto take on Ryan Smyth's mind boggling $6.25 cap hit for the next three years? Or Scuderi's $3.4M, or Hanzus's $4M for next season? I think Burke would consider it so long as LA put a package together that includes a young talent who Burke and Nonis can't live without.

Dare I dream and say Brayden Schenn playing with his brother is still not completely out of the question?

Hey, somebody wants to be a Sen!

He also wants to be a Leaf.

Marc Savard has said he'll waive his no-trade clause to come to Toronto or Ottawa.

So for the Sens fans who last season said Kessel was a locker room cancer and hated by Bruins players, their best player wants to come here and play with Kessel? How do you explain that??

Secondly, I clearly am also gravely misguided. I didn't think anybody would actually choose to be an Ottawa Senator except for a salary increase.

I guess we can all be wrong.

Allegedly, of course.

Penner include Eberle

Supposedly the talks continue wrt Spezza being traded and we hear the Oil are again a possible partner. I would have rather seen Murray deal with this thing completely different from the start - say start with after the end of season meetings standing up to the media and defending his number one center, etc, etc.

But, if we have to consider trades, and with the Oilers specifically I think we are looking at a few certainties. One, the Sens want players back and will take salary in return. Two, they want a good young prospect.

I've been playing with CapGeek and would propose the following:
Spezza (7.0), Kelly (2.1)
for
Horcoff (5.5), Penner (4.5), and Eberle

We get a premium prospect and two top six forwards. The Oil save a million in cap space and get a number one center for Hemsky/Hall. We'd have 6.2 in cap space still for a Volchekov. I didn't put Cheechoo's salary in the calculations for Ottawa btw.

Maybe I've been reading Lowetide too much but I don't think Horcoff's contract is that bad (the Oil have simply been horrendous and he's asked to play against all the top lines). He can still play as our top center with the right linemates.

Michalek/Horcoff/Alfie
Penner/Fisher/Kovalev
Foligno/Regin/Eberle
Ruttu/Winchester/Neil
Butler

Kuba/Karlsson
Phillips/Volchenkov(or UFA)
Carkner/Lee

I'll say again - I'd prefer we didn't move Spezza but maybe that train has already left the station.

Kaberle trade value up

Who will Alfredsson shoot the puck at now that this guy is retired?

If Anaheim is looking for an offensive defenceman I think I know where they can get one.

Let me just throw this idea out there...

Kaberle, Stalberg and Mitchell for Bobby Ryan and a 3rd.

Schedule released and Horton won't be a Leaf when it starts...

Sens and Leaf fans you can mark October 9th on your calendars. Leafs and Sens will play at the ACC at 7pm, their first meeting of the year.

Also, Nathan Horton was traded today to the Bruins ending rumour #1267 as far as who will be coming to the Leafs (basically everybody if you believe Eklund). Interesting package. A 1st round pick, a 3rd round pick and Dennis Wideman.

Wideman is a 30-50 point Dman. That 1st overall pick is the 15th. The 3rd round is well, the 3rd round.

When this all shakes out, has Boston paid all that much less for Horton than Burke paid for Kessel? I know, we have to wait a few years to really find out but Wideman and a 1st rounder is pretty comparable to two first rounders. Throw in the 3rd and consider Horton is no Phil Kessel and you have an argument.

Thoughts?

Murray pulling a heavy!

I'm sure you've all read this.

The part I like this this:

"He didn't come in and say, 'I have to be traded.' He didn't object to that fact that, 'Maybe it's time. The way I've been received now and that maybe it's time that I look around.'

"I said, 'Well, unfortunately, that just doesn't happen. You've signed a long-term contract. We've committed to you. You've committed to us. We will look at everything that's going to help our hockey team, but I'm not going to make a bad trade."'

I think what Murray really means is that he won't make a bad trade again. Nice that he's learned from the Heatley thing but why didn't he stand his ground the same last year?

Strike Early!

The Flyers traded for the rights to Dan Hamhuis this morning. A player that was headed to UFA status and one I've heard a few Sens fans mention as the D-man they would like if Volchenkov leaves.

More bizarre, this trade happened only a few hours after Damien Cox wrote this story, claiming that the Leafs were interested in Hamhuis.

So how does this work exactly, this trading for pending UFA players rights? My guess, and it is only a guess, is that the Flyers would have had Nashville ask if Hamhuis wanted to be a Flyer first. Philly after all did trade Parent for a player who they could sign for nothing in less than two weeks.

Here's the question of the week then: Can anybody name a player whose rights were traded for leading up to July 1st, but that player DID NOT sign with the team that traded for them?

I'm not sure it has even happened but one of you might...

I'm gonna miss the Kaberle trade drama when he's gone...

This the latest from Dreger:

"Pre-draft trade speculation isn't complete without an update on Maple Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle and his future in Toronto.

Although teams continue to call, most are reluctant to table an offer before Kaberle's no-trade lifts at the draft, in fear Toronto will shop the proposal for a better offer.

As many as eight teams are expected to engage with Toronto, however, at the moment; teams are still trying to piece together what, or who, is legitimately available".

Smart move by other GM's. They clearly respect his ability to get a better deal back.

How does this one sit with Ottawa fans?

It's a rumour from you-know-who, but I thought the package was interesting:

"I talked to an Ottawa source and was told that yes, Spezza would welcome becoming an Edmonton Oiler.

The asking or price would be either Cogliano or Gagner, 2 prospects, (one who will be in the NHL for sure this season) and a third or fourth".

Phaneuf speech

An announcer on the Team1200 likened his delivery to this guy. Pretty close. I was expecting Dion to break out the Piano Man though.

April flowers bring June optimism?

Kessel yesterday telling the world he can score 40 goals this upcoming season.

Looks like Phaneuf's cockiness is already spreading through the team.

Tell ya what Phil, score 32 goals but play well in your own end and help this team make the playoffs and I think we'll all be quite content.

Phaneuf Captain - New Jerseys kind of sweet.

Phaneuf to be named Captain today.

He will be the 18th in the club's history which started with Bert Corbeau in 1927.

While Phaneuf being granted the "C" will come as news only to those just blinkingly emerging a coma, it's still an occasion for the franchise.

When Phaneuf was traded to Toronto his outgoing media scrum in Calgary didn't exactly warm the hearts of Leaf fans. He seemed shocked, visibly upset and not at all excited to be coming to one of the worst teams in the NHL. I remember seeing him speak in Calgary somewhere in the bowels of the Saddledome and wondering to myself if this guy even wanted to report to his new team.

By the time he arrived in Toronto his tune had changed. The remorse and shock he has expressed only hours earlier was replaced by optimism and excitement. While never jovial in front of those bearing press passes, there was a certain tone in his voice that suggested his mourning period lasted the 4 or so hour flight. He was ready to be a Leaf.

What happened in the next 24 hours, in my mind, put Dion as the frontrunner for the captaincy. You all read the story about how Dion walked into the dressing room and asked who was in charge of music. It was a matter of minutes before that role was his. Then, in his first game Phaneuf made perhaps his boldest statement, stepping onto the ice and laying two large hits before handily winning his first fight as a Maple Leaf on the same night. Throw in a few booming shots and his voice heard above all others on the bench and that this day has arrived should not be surprising.

The biggest question after this announcement is made will of course be this: Can Dion lead this team to a Stanley Cup? Here are the players who have captained this team since 1967 in no particular order: Wendel Clarke, Darryl Sittler, Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, Dave Keon, Rob Ramage and Rick Vaive.

Leafs fans hope so. Sens fans hope not.

While we all focus on Heatley...

The guy he was traded for is partying with the Stanley Cup today. Not that I'm a big fan of Hossa but he has a ring... not so shabby.

Leafs have contract problems of their own...

Comparatively, the contract impasse now brewing between the Maple Leafs and Nikolai Kulemin will not have the impact on the franchise that the Sens/Spezza drama will. No matter which way this thing goes.

But, for the first time since Burke took over as GM of the team there appears to be trouble between him and a player agent. Kulemin's agent's side of the story goes something like this: My player was your 1st line winger and he should be paid accordingly. Burke's argument is: He was a 1st line winger by default and lets not forget he has yet to hit 40 points in an NHL season.

Kulemin had 16 goals and 20 assists last season in 78 games.

This is a strange position to be in for a Leafs fan. Anybody who watched Nik play last year saw that this guy has all the makings of an impact player. I stop short of "star potential", because while playing on the top 1 or 2 lines on any NHL team is one hell of a feat and an exclusive club indeed, Kulemin only showed flashes of star material with a few highlight reel goals and some incredible work in his own end of the ice that may some day translate into playoff heroics if he's given the chance. But as of right now, the safe money is that he becomes a very valuable 2nd line player who could crack 25 goals if all goes exceptionally in his favour. I could see him on the 3rd line once this team is fully designed and ready to compete for a cup. You simply can't afford to overvalue this guy right now if you're Brian Burke.

I'm not sure what kind of money Kulemin and his agent are asking for. Grabovski signed a contract for $2.9M last summer and perhaps Kulemin is looking for something closer to that figure instead of the rumoured $1.8M that seems to be flying around the blogs as the figure Burke is offering. Thing is, Grabovski was injured a good part of last season and in almost 20 fewer games he scored as many points as Kulemin give or take. That's playing on the 2nd and sometimes 3rd line, it should be noted. While I think most Leaf fans would value Kulemin about the same as Grabs, statistically Grabovski has contributed more to the cause.

One could also look at Gustavsson's contract as a signpost. Sure, it's hard to compare goalies and skaters as far as compensation, but Gustavsson was for some stretches the #1 goalie on this team and while he may or may not be that #1 guy down the road, right now that is the plan for him. Yet, he signs a $1.35M/per year deal based on what he's actually accomplished.

One wonders if this thing is going to get uglier before it is resolved? Kulemin is a restricted free agent which means arbitration is an avenue he and his agent can explore but can anybody see an arbitrator rewarding 36 points with any more money than he's making right now - about $1.5M with bonuses? There is of course the KHL which is always a threat when it comes to European players and especially a Russian like Kulemin who has represented his country 5 times internationally. But how much of a threat is it, really? The allure of the KHL for NHL players is dropping faster than public opinion in Ottawa about Jason Spezza. Of course Burke could also change lanes completely and package this kid out in a trade or wait for the possibility of an offer sheet from another team.

I don't envy Burke right now. He's in a tough position and frankly he caused this mess. In his year-end media scrum he called out Kulemin as being one of the teams best and most consistent forwards and applauded his physical play and work in his own end. Yet here he is a few months later negotiating with Kulemin based not on intangibles or hard work or potential but based on his goals and assists. I'm sure Burke would like to keep a player like Kulemin around but he also has to manage his future cap spare. Every $$$ extra in cap space he can save now is going to come in handy when the Leafs need to bolster a competitive line-up with UFA's. Thing is, he needs to think about these things before he talks up a player like he did with Kulemin. It's nice to reward your hard-working players with great reviews, but be prepared for them to expect pay increases that match the praise.

Stay tuned...

Sigh

Milks with a passionate take on the Spezza 'situation'. It is a situation now I guess.

Nicks channels Alfie.

Been there, done that

We don't need another t-shirt to remember it.

Burke has two trade offers for Kaberle.

That was an incredible playoff game last night wasn't it? Truculence and tenacity every shift, the character guys making all the difference while the skill guys attacked and the goalies made great saves.

How fitting that Burke was on the radio today talking about his new assistant GM and answering questions about his immediate plans for a hockey club that he intends to build very much like the two teams now in the finals. Give or take a few superstar forwards, of course.

Mostly he talked about Kaberle.

Now, nobody thinks Kaberle is going to fetch a Toews or Kane and help Toronto become the Hawks overnight, but Burke did confirm there are two teams who have given him a rough idea of who they might send over for Thomas as a starting point in discussions. That's basically all Burke would say. He then followed that up with his now very well-rehearsed speech that only a great deal will do the trick and that they would be more than happy to keep him... but does anybody really believe that anymore?

Lets face the facts here though. Kaberle is gone if a good deal comes along. And while the dream of a blow-the-doors-off return has probably passed as the odometer on Kaberle's contract has clicked down to a single season remaining on it, Burke may still get himself a solid 25-goal power forward if another team decides that their blue line is only complete with a guy like Kaberle on it.

It will be interesting to see what kinds of deals present themselves once teams sign their pending UFA's and RFA's and all the cap issues teams annually face come boiling to the surface. It's here that the best opportunity for Toronto to get a special player back for Kaberle probably lies, although it might take more than just Kaberle to get something substantial done. While Toronto don't have a crop of sure-fire star prospects coming up the pipeline, there are some very interesting players that other teams might have a bit of a liking for and before you know it Toronto has a player we can all get excited about.

At least Murray knows he'll have a job after Ottawa...

Leafs sign yet another assistant GM in Claude Loiselle.

He was apparently up for the Lightning GM job but as we all know lost out to Yzerman.

Word is he will come in as the salary cap expert and do most of the contract writing for the team, joining Nonis, Poulin and Fletcher as assistants to Burke.

I mean, I'll applaud any additions to the Leafs who make us better, so long as those $18 beers don't become $19 beers. But it's kind of crazy to have this many heads at the table. How will they ever agree on anything?

2010/2011 Schedule Highlights.

We're still waiting for the full upcoming schedule, but the NHL announced some key events and it would appear the Sens and Leafs will partake in a few.

KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE
On September 28, Dundas, Ontario will host a pre-season game between the Senators and Sabres.

NHL FACE-OFF
This launches the NHL season in North America (6 teams are opening the season in Europe), and it will take place in Toronto with all-day celebrations and festivities. Then the Leafs and Habs will play at 7pm followed by a Flames-Oilers tilt for the late CBC offering.

HALL OF FAME GAME
Toronto will play either the Sabres or Blackhawks. Lets hope it's the Hawks. Buffalo do my head in.

HOCKEY DAY IN CANADA
Best day in the schedule opens with Sens facing the Oil in Edmonton for the 2pm game and then Leafs vs Habs at 7pm followed by the Flames and Vancouver in that time slot where you're already far too drunk.

2011 PLAYOFFS
Will start April 13th next year. This will also be the day when THM and I will financially settle our bets. Be nice to THM that day please, he will be in a bad mood.

Happy Monday

What the F#@%???

Reports coming in that Habs and Flames and Penguins and Caps will play the TWO Winter Classic games.

So let me get this straight, the Habs get their 2nd outdoor game and Ottawa/Toronto/Vancouver haven't even played in their first?

I'm saying it. This is horse shit.

Look who's climbed up to #6

If you put any stock into the Hockey's Future Organizational Rankings, the Leafs have made quite the climb when it comes to prospects in the system.

Ottawa are still down in 21st place, close to where the Leafs were a year ago.

Breaking Big Time BoO hockey news!!!!!

Ok, I lie.

The Sens have signed Mike Brodeur to a one year 2-way contract and for the Leafs Wallin will be returning to Sweden, joined by Jonus Frogren.

Sorry if I got you excited.

Winnipeg vs Kansas City?

Gary Bettman chose yesterday to announce that the City of Glendale have until December 31st to find a buyer or else the NHL will sell the Yotes to an owner who will have free reign to move the pulverized franchise elsewhere.

Since we needed last night and most of today to celebrate the end of the Habs stupid playoff (like it should have 3 weeks ago), this Bettman thing kind of sparked my post-lunch interest.

As always, Winnipeg is back on the radar as the country collectively rubs our hands together in anticipation of a 7th Canadian team. We OBVIOUSLY assume that a Canadian city is the best place for the Coyotes and the choice is a no-brainer right? Hey, nobody will ever argue that hockey is more important in Canada than it is in Kansas City or Las Vegas (who are also rumoured destinations), but the fact remains that Winnipeg is a hockey town that already lost an NHL franchise and still has only 680,000 or so folks to draw on for seat fillers and to lure TV contracts - and that includes the greater Winnipeg area (according to 2006 census).

Meanwhile both KC and Las Vegas have closer to 2 million in their greater areas. And while basic population numbers is not everything (how many of those people will care about hockey right?), Las Vegas has a giant retiree population and is growing substantially with families and lets not look past the draw of the desert for poker-loving NHL players. It's also a wealthy city and has all kinds of draw for those who want to make an NHL game part of a bigger night on the town. Think of the Canadians on stag nights in Vegas all winter. You could fill half the seats with them alone.

Kansas City is even a bigger threat to the 'Peg if you ask me because unlike Las Vegas there is a history of professional hockey in KC along with other pro sports. Just like Winnipeg, the Missouri capital also lost an NHL franchise (The Scouts who left for Colorado) as well as an NBA team (now the Sacramento Kings), but this was 30+ years ago. Perhaps things have changed. They have a very stable NFL team (attendance-wise), an MLS team along with strong college and high school sports team followings. KC is also a good location for flight paths in either conference and I understand they already have a modern Arena ready to go. Plus, they want a team.

My vote is still with Winnipeg, but if you were the guy on the hook financially for the business side of this ordeal, you would have to at least weight these other places seriously. They both have bigger upside if it could ever be realized.

Of course in the coming months we'll beat this dead horse (and really, lets be honest, June through August is an ideal time to talk about this issue as actual hockey news quiets to a barely audible hum), a conversation that will be shared with Hamilton and Quebec too, but I think this time around I will try and see this thing as more than a "lets get a team in Canada" issue because for the health of the league there may actually be other very good options for the Coyotes who are almost certainly on the move.

Is it bad if I kind of agree with the IIHF on this one?

Read the story here.

Would you or wouldn't you?

Inspired from a conversation with Anshu in another thread talking about the quick rebuild Philadelphia did a few years back, I have a question:

Does anybody think Murray should at least consider trying to refresh this roster this draft day and through the summer? This is a team that hasn't won a playoff series in three years, after all.

Lets face it, Danielle isn't getting any younger, Spezza seems to be falling short of expectations and Ottawa do indeed have some very attractive pieces for any team with cup aspirations (Fisher, Phillips, etc). That's a group of players who really could get Ottawa younger and cheaper in a hurry (if the deals are there to make of course) and it would give Murray some cap space to go out and get some players he might covet (Kovulchuk?), while adding some cost efficient young players to go along with Michalek and Karlsson and Cowen. Ottawa could be vastly different in a very short period of time.

I for one would do it. Ottawa had a real nice stretch in the regular season (was it 11 wins in a row), but otherwise they were a very average team. In fact had they went 7-4 over that 11-0 stretch, they would have missed the playoffs. How represented by their record are Ottawa, really? How confident are Sens fans that bringing back essentially the same team is the way to go?

Get used to it.

The Monster took down Canada yesterday at the Worlds (booooo) but for Leaf fans it's pleasing that he's sporting a .954% and a 1.67GAA and withstood almost 13 minutes of Canada in the Swedish zone in the 3rd period.

Also:
Gunnarson with 2 points and best +/- on Sweden.
Kulemin with 4 points and +4.

The kids are doing pretty well.

You know who isn't doing well? Montreal. What a beating. I actually stopped watching at 3-0. It would appear that the Habs choice of signing only midget's as top 6 forwards has hit its wall.

WHC BoO Update

I was just saying in a reply to DC that I'm not all that fussed about the tourney, but what I AM is not that busy this week at the office.

So... here's a quick update of what the BoO players have been doing:


Gustavsson: 1-0 in net for Sweden.
Gunnarson:1 goal, +2.
Beauchemin: 0 points, leads Canada in ice time.
Kulemin: 2 assists for Russia (playing 15 minutes a game).
Grabovski:1 assist for Belarus.
Hanson: 0 pts +1 for USA.

As for Senator players, as far as I know Karlsson, Regin and Foligno are playing for their respective countries. If I missed anybody let me know.

Karlsson: 1 goal, +2
Regin: 1G 1A for Denmark and +1.
Foligno: 0 points and even +/-, playing about 15 min a game

All in all, not too bad for either team's players since it's only 2 games in.

There are a lot of Leaf fans, but come on...

Seriously, this ranks higher in importance than the Flyers/Bruins and the Jays/Red Sox?

I'm embarrassed... although still happy we resigned Nonis.

POTENTIAL TRADE PARTNERS FOR TORONTO.

Here are some teams that Burke might be talking to over the next month or so.

1. LA KINGS: One only has to look at the Leafs depth on defence and the Kings recent draft history to see potential for a Luke Schenn trade to Los Angeles, uniting the brothers as Brayden enters the NHL. One could also see a trade done that would send Brayden to Toronto. What players could be involved? I don't know, what do I look like, someone who has thought this through? I would take Wayne Simmons though.

2. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: The Jackets are probably open to trades to acquire defence. Their top scoring blueliner this season was Anton Stralman and highest paid D-man is Mike Commodore (at 3.75M), so there's room for growth. What makes them a potential trading partner? They have Samuel Pahlsson and Jakub Voracek, both of whome Burke would be interested in. Pahlsson as the Leafs shut down centerman is a no-brainer for Burke, I'm sure. Who goes back? Obviously Kaberle if Voracek is in the deal, but for Pahlsson could Jeff Finger and a prospect do the trick (since Finger makes $1M more than Pahlsson)? Is Scott Howsen (Columbus GM) related to Daryll Sutter by any chance?

3. ATLANTA THRASHERS/BOSTON BRUINS/ANAHEIM DUCKS: These teams each hold two picks in the first round this June. Which means one or all of them could be open to moving one. BOSTON have already tried to trade for Kaberle and there's the added element that they have Toronto's own pick this June. ATLANTA are probably willing to give up picks since the draft hasn't helped them much lately and they wanted roster players for Kovulchuk so how interested in the draft can they be? Nobody would blink if ANAHEIM and Toronto made another deal so they need the least explaining.

4. PHOENIX COYOTES: This will be an interesting summer for GM Don Maloney as he has only three defenceman signed for next season and a whopping $25M or so in cap space (if I've done my math right). While much of that money will have to be spent on forwards, Kaberle could be a potential target and Maloney was the busiest GM at trade deadline so he's not afraid to make a trade. Phoenix also has TWO 1st-round draft picks to use in any deal.

5. TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING: If Burke and Nonis are serious about getting themselves a 1st round pick the Lightning might be worth calling. They have the #6 overall position, which is smack in between the last two positions the Leafs drafted (Kadri 7th, Schenn 5th). Good omen? Not sure about that, but one would think that after drafting #1 and #2 the last two years perhaps they are willing to trade this years pick. It's not like they've been all that lucky at the draft outside the 1st overall spot anyway. I mean, look at this heinous draft history???

Anyone else got any ideas?

Chris DiDomenico

Next to Nazem Kadri, this is the prospect I'm most excited about.

For those who don't remember, DiDomenico busted his femur a year or so ago and despite some folks saying he may never skate again, he was back to finish the last 12 games of the 2009/2010 season and playoffs for Drummondville of the Q.

In those 12 regular season games he had 22 points.
In 14 playoff games he scored 21 points.

He's not a huge guy at 5'11", but he plays with an edge. You may remember him from the gold-medal winning junior team a few years ago when he enraged team USA by skating by their bench yapping after a Canada goal. He's got personality. To go along with his scoring prowess he's excellent on faceoffs, already known for his defensive play and trained with the Leafs staff for the last year at Mastercard centre adding muscle and strength to his frame.

Brian Burke in his outgoing interview was asked about DiDomenico (I think Berger asked him) said that DiDo missed a whole year and is behind in his development. However all his numbers since the injury have been excellent, and at 20 years old he'll be on the Marlies and as far as I'm concerned will be on the Leafs this season at some point to stay.

What about Marty Turco?

Lots of talk about offer sheets to Montreal goalies. Got me thinking. What about some of the UFA goalies out there, or the defenceman and forwards available? Both the Leafs and Sens will be actively going after at least some players on this list.

Who do you want?

I could see the Leafs looking at a guy like Tyler Pyatt perhaps? Or Aaron Asham. Frolov?

Back to the Turco thing, do the Sens need a big time UFA goalie or just a solid veteran guy to come in and solidify the position while Leclaire or Elliott decide who is the guy?

TIME TO RETHINK GRABOVSKI?

Remember when Mikael Grabovski and Sergei Kostitsyn had their feud and everyone was saying Grabovski is trouble in the dressing room and everybody hates him in Montreal and the Leafs were fools for trading for him?

Perhaps it wasn't Grabovski after all?

In the 3rd round the Leafs select....

This is an article by Mike Ulmer that sheds some light on the draft positions of those players making some of the biggest noise in the NHL playoffs so far.

Read it here.

While the Leafs would love to have Kessel AND their first two draft picks this June, we maybe shouldn't discount what can be harvested from rounds 3 through 7. In other words the Leafs (and everyone else) still have a lot to benefit from the 2010 draft beyond the top ranked picks.

****

With the 7th overall pick the Maple Leafs select...

The OHL playoffs have wrapped up and what's not surprising is that the Spitfires were victorious with Taylor Hall as the tournaments leading scorer. What is perhaps surprising to everyone except maybe Bryan Murray and Brian Burke, is that Nazem Kadri finished 4th in scoring - only a handful of points behind Hall and yet he played 9 to 11 games less than anybody else around him on the list. He couldn't help his team get out of the 2nd round, in the end, but he certainly made his point - he's outgrown the junior ranks. Now lets hope he's busy right now, as I write this, putting on 15 pounds of Senator hate.

Canucks or Blackhawks?

I have Chicago in my pool going all the way but it would be pretty tough not to cheer for Vancouver to get through to the conference finals in the west. Burke and Nonis still have their fingerprints all over the team, they are of course Canadian and far enough away that no Sens or Leafs fan can honestly dislike them, and they've never won the cup, ever.

Chicago haven't won a cup since 1961 and you have to love how they play and the fans in Chicago most certainly deserve it for coming back to this team and supporting them so strongly. A series between them and Pittsburgh would be a dream series if you ask me, some of the youngest stars in the game fighting it out...

Based on the Sedin's who I can now see why Burke flew to Sweden to try and court had they become UFA's in July 2010, I think Vancouver may get through this series. It would be a great year for Vancouver who have had a lot to cheer about since the beginning of the Olympics.

So much for winning my pool though...

Throwing it out there

Anyone think Murray should drop an offer sheet on Price or Halak? Multi-year deal at 3.9 per? Compensation would be 1st and a 3rd.

Montreal is tight to the cap - they can't pay both that much.

We'd have 3.0 mil or so left to pick up a UFA defenceman - not enough for Volchenkov obviously.

Brian Burke is a genius.

Was signing Francois Allaire the best move Burke has made as the Leafs GM? I think it's up there, right next to the Phaneuf trade.

Yet another player chooses Toronto because of Allaire.

This from a story in the Star:

"As a college graduate, Ben Scrivens can obviously do the math. And he understands the Leafs have already been adding some impressive netminders to their depth chart.

But that didn't stop the Cornell goaltending star from signing a one-year entry level contract with Toronto on Wednesday. Not when it meant a chance to work with coach Francois Allaire.

Through a connection last summer — one of Scrivens' teammates at Cornell was the son of former Swiss team coach Ralph Krueger — the 22-year-old was invited as a last-minute fill-in at an elite goaltending camp in Switzerland run by Allaire; a camp attended in the past by the likes of Jonas Hiller, David Aebischer and Martin Gerber.

Scrivens was impressed.

“(Allaire) has got the reputation he has for a good reason. You don't have that many people develop without doing a whole lot of things in the right way,” Scrivens said in a telephone interview.

“I was very happy I was given the opportunity to work with him. ... He was very influential in the past season I had. I learned a ton in one week so I'm very excited to see what I can do with him this year.”

How about those Habs?

I'm actually quite excited about it. No no, not because I like the Habs or dislike the Caps. I couldn't care less which team got through and if it makes some of my Montreal buddies happy for a few days than so be it. Did I think they would beat the Caps? Absolutely not, so It was surprising and you have to tip your hat.

No, what's really exciting for me is that 95% of people took Washington players in my office playoff pool. This little upset just positioned me to win some money on hockey. A trend I do believe will continue with my bets with THM here at BoO. Although we'll have to wait more than a few weeks for that one.

+++

Just had a quick peak at salary cap for next season. Leafs have $44M committed and the Sens $49M. Sens have 16 players signed while the Leafs have 13, although that number is skewed since it does not include anybody who didn't play on the team last season. Both teams could be bringing along a prospect or two this year.

What is the cap ceiling supposed to be this season? Anybody?

Leafs signing

Only days after signing finnish goalie Jussi Rynnas, the Leafs sign ECAC All-Star Ben Scrivens.

Looks like Reimer has his work cut out for him next year.

A-Train interview

Saw the link to this Puck Daddy interview on Sens Chirp.

The simplest roster to return

The easiest thing for Murray is to bring back pretty much the same team - I've put in some estimates for Volchenkov, and the RFAs Foligno and Regin. Don't see any way Cullen, who should see about 4 mil, can fit under the cap even without Volchenkov unless you think a Wiercioch, Cowen or Lee and Campoli can play regularly - I don't. Butler will also be looking for a spot at camp.

Something to take away the pain...

I was hungover well into the 17h00 timeslot Sunday evening and am only now looking through newspaper sports pages, processing what happened Saturday night.  It's all terribly depressing and I'm sure other Senators fans feel the same.  

It's time to start healing, folks.  And we need to get this underway so we can start speculating about and discussing things like A-Train's future in Ottawa, Karlsson's 10/11 Norris, Chris Neil having more playoff goals than any member of the Maple Leafs in the last 6 years, the stunning overachievement of the Senators this year and the affects Alfie's month-long stomach tear.

Let's begin the healing with this

Check it. Again.

This worked for the last game. As mentioned the first time, it's going to appear before each game. Here's hoping it becomes a meme!

Infiltration success

There's a must read over at the centre of douchbloggery (I kid, PPP, I kid).

Sens Army has gained a centurion in Dave Daytona.  Welcome Dave!  The writeup that appears in that link is worthy of a glass case along side the Treaty of Versaille.  Balls, dude! 

Oh, you all thought I was referring to Dave's post as the must read, right?  No, no... I was referring to the comments following the article.  There's some gold in there!  Pure hatred and loathing; as pure as the sap from a Northern Maple untouched by Toronto's pollution.  I tip my feathery centurion hat to Jared & PPP themselves for remaining true to their beliefs much like a deep-south pastor visiting the Smithsonian's evolution exhibit.    

To introduce you to Dave, I've attached a photo of him in the uniform he received this morning:

DaveDaytona:  warrior poet.  1st class officer in Sens Army.

Update:  Dave attempts to punk former fellow leaf fans @ 13:42 in an effort to deflect the dangerous situation he has placed himself in with a weak denial.  Don't worry buddy, we've got your back.  You're a Sens Fan legend now!

An Invitation to Adam

Dearest Adam,

Please commence bashing the next Senator player on your list.  I've proven my worth.

Yours in truculence responsible defensive play and GWG OT goals,

Matt Carkner.

_____________________________________________

Pascal Leclaire:  57 saves on 59 shots.   Game Star #1

Matt Carkner:  28:59 TOI; +1; zero PIM, 1 GWG,... in OT.   Game Star #2.  Suck it Colton.

And here it is:

Lines for tonight?

Wallace from TSN has practice lines today:
Regin-Spezza-Foligno
Cullen-Fisher-Shannon
Ruutu-Kelly-Neil
Winchester-Smith-Donovan

Aflie not practicing today. Based on how they practiced the other day (Donovan practicing with Spezza/Regin) this might mean Foligno will sit, Shannon gets on a scoring line (much better spot for him than the 4th line) and Donovan gets in to bang.

THM Update:   Leclaire gets the call for tonight.

Check it

Five-O dropped it in the comments and we're going to promote it.
If the Sens win, this gets played before every game.

Leafs sign...

The next Tuuka Rask?

Maybe this means PLAYOFFS!!!1...

for the Marlies.

Brightside

Only 62% of teams with a 3-1 lead going home win game 6.

I like those odds.

In other news, Clouston won't name starter until tomorrow. Like it matters?

Pile on!

Feschuk:

The scene: occupied France.

The time: 1943.

Jason Spezza is an allied spy during the Second World War – a man charged with protecting at all costs a code-breaking device that could shift the balance against the Nazi menace and preserve freedom for all. Imagine what happens next…

Spezza [handing over code-breaking device]: Here you go.

Hitler: Thanks.

Trolling thread

No reason to have the Leaf fans bury their comments within another thread.  They'll all be here in a moment so here's my little gift to you folks who wish to troll and for those who will get sucked in.  Have at 'er. 

I'll summarize all of the following blue and white comments:

"blah, blah, blah"

"Yak, yak, yak."

That pretty much ends the Leafer contribution there.

Really? You're serious?

Oh well, what the hell...

ALL ABOARD!!!!

Rise of the Phoenix?

Fuck the 'Yotes for interfering with my headline;  this isn't about them or Buttman.  

This is about the Ottawa Senators and potentially Jonathan Cheechoo.   The Senators are down 2-1 against the Sidney Crosby and some teet-suckling fanboys who join him on the ice.  It's apparently time to let go of reason and bash the crap out of anything that moves.  Desperation hockey rarely results in victory.  I'm personally hoping they elect controlled chaos.  Biig hits can be quickly replaced by big misses.   

The Ottawa Citizen has it right in their headline.   Crosby need merely be contained - not maimed.  When hit, he gets revenge; when contained he gets his soother out.  

One aspect the Senators may be bringing back (gone away with the loss of Michalek) getting to MAF.  Cheechoo and Donnovan may dress tonight in place of Shannon and (???) and achieve that goal.

Could Cheechoo be Ottawa's rising phoenix (fuck you AZ) today?    Wouldn't that be quite the story.

Lineup

One change I've thought maybe the Sens need to try is the line they played with one time against the Caps/Ovechkin. They had Kelly center Alfie/Fisher and they effectively shut down the caps top line.

Who'd play with Spezza? Regin and Cullen? Or Regin and the Cheechoo train? Am I that desperate?

Ten Things: First Round Playoff Edition

1. It's 8:49am and already three people have stopped by my desk to talk about Crosby. His moves, his hit on Afraidsson and his domination of hockey in general. "He's the best in the world" was one man's coffee-rattled opinion. And yet, I think I read at least two Sens fans yesterday who called him a "puke", and a few more more who called him a diving something or other. That's the playoffs for you. It's perfectly normal during a series to hate a player who may just be the best on the planet right now. The question is, will you keep hating him after the series or is this temporary?

2. In the last ten NHL playoffs (since 1999) EVERY team in the NHL has made the playoffs at least once. What's more interesting is that every single team in the NHL has been eliminated in a 1st round series during that stretch.

3. In the same stretch, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Ottawa are the NHL leaders in first round exits. 5 times each. The only question now is who will fall for a 6th time?

3. San Jose lost in the first round twice since 1999. Neither of those series were under Ron Wilson's watch.

4. The Leafs have only lost in the first round once since 1999. Helping to ensure the Leafs have a league low in this category over that stretch? Sucking ass and not making the playoffs in the first place.

5. If you actually think Karma exists I offer this retort: Daniel Carcillo.

6. The Sharks are looking like crap again this playoffs. If they fall in the first round or even the second, it will be a colossal failure for that franchise. I officially declare today the day we officially all agree that Ron Wilson wasn't the problem.

7. Speaking of failures, who if anybody will wear the Sens playoff failure if they do go out in the first round? One would assume that Clouston is safe since he's done a fairly good job all things considered. Afraidsson is getting pre-game celebrations thrown at him so certainly Sens fans will never blame him for their 6th first-round departure in 11 playoffs. Will this be Murray's head, or will Sens fans and more importantly Melnyk even see a first round exit against the Cup champs as a failure?

8. I like everything about Phoenix going far in the playoffs except for one thing: It will make Bettman right. He said this franchise could turn around and it has, remarkably fast. More proof on that whole karma thing.

9. It's only the first round and already my wife is getting a little edgy about how much hockey I'm watching in the den. She can't understand why I care so much now that the Leafs are eliminated? So I said I would cut it back and follow in full on TV only one series per round. I feel OK with this since starting next season I will be watching the Leafs in the playoffs and won't even be home most nights.

10. It's been six years since there's been a playoff game in Toronto. I figure at some point today somebody will mention it on this blog. Lets just get it out of the way now huh?

GDT: Eastern Quarter Final game 3. 6:30 start

Ottawa exceeds expectations first by making the playoffs (preseason expectations were to miss)  then splitting the present series against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.  Coming home from Pittsburgh where the match-up saw a dialing up of the physicality, we can foresee a continuance of the smash-n'-bash highlighted by the best clean hockey hit of the year followed shortly thereafter by the best 1st assist of the year (fuck you Chris Campoli - learn how to block a shot). 

Pittsburgh has become our post-lockout nemesis and this series looks to take the rivalry to a 2nd level.  ScotiaBank Place will be insane this evening and, unless we get the post-aggressive lameness we've seen in match ups of the past, there will be tonnes of hits.  

There is absolutely nothing like watching your team in the playoffs.    You hear that Leafers?

Post-game comments

While it was disappointing seeing a loss last night, one can't be disappointed in a split heading home.

Bob McKenzie gives sufficient commentary for the Crosby/Spezza action on the Letang goal and a few words about Sutton's hit on Leopold.  Not much else needs to be said on either of those except to all who are jumping all over Spezza for not containing Crosby:  Remember when we all called for Spezza to be more responsible defensively?  Yeah, fuck all of you now complaining about him behind his own net trying to contain the world's best hockey player and doing a damned fine job of keeping up with the shiftiness.  Whomever should've been watching Letang and not being mesmerized by the pairs dancing exhibition behind Elliott is the guy who should be held responsible.  

I (heart) Sutton

Update:

Quote from Crosby:

"Somebody was on me, I don’t know who was following me around, but they were tracking me pretty good,” he said. “Finally I got a step, and I tried to get to the net, but they had a ton of guys there and I think a couple of our guys were there as well. So I just tried to make the play[.] [Tanger] had tons of time and he did a great job of getting it through.”

Big game?

It's such a cliche of course after the first game in a seven game series but if Pit loses this game they have a very big hill to climb.

Whowins.com has the odds for these sorts of things and shows that 70 times in the NHL a visiting team has won the first two games and 76% of the time they go on to win the series.
Finer resolution shows it's happened 24 times in the 1st round and 67% of the time they win the series.

As for winning the first game on the road in a first round series? 71 teams have one the first on the road and 36 have gone on to win the series for a 51% winning percentage.

I'm thinking this game goes big either way - either Elliot or Fleury implode. I'll be overly optimistic and say 5-1 Sens.

Cheechoo up?

Michalek out for the year.  

Shannon likely to take his spot, but we might be closer to seeing Cheechoo back on the ice.

I've got a feelin'

Ruuuuu-tuuuuuuuu

Guest post - Yoda

Our resident Pens fan writes in...

So with the playoffs around the corner I want to throw my views out there. I know Duff will whole-heartily agree with everything I say here. :)

First My prediction, Pens in 5 games. First 2 go to the Pens in Pittsburgh, then they Split in Ottawa and the Pens put the nail in the coffin back at home in Game 5.

I’m basing this on being a Pens fan and the fact that:

• Goaltending
Elliot wins all the Stats except for Games won. But with 12 fewer games played it’s a close call.
Playoff Experience: Fleury wins

• Centers: (Top 4) Overall Edge Pittsburgh
Points: Pittsburgh wins 260-171. This one isn’t even fair. Jordan stall the 3rd line center has 4 fewer goals than Ottawa’s top goal getter in Mike Fisher. I think someone misses Heatley!
Face Off %: Ottawa Wins. Crosby wins this battle at 55.9%.
+/- : Pittsburgh wins with a combined +38 for the top 4 centers. Ottawa was +4

• Wingers: (Top 8) Overall Edge Pittsburgh
Points: Pittsburgh Wins 191 to 158. Though Alfraidsson leads the way with 71
+/-: Pittsburgh wins -5 to -21. Matt “One Punch” Cooke leads the way at a plus 17

• Defense: (Top 8) Overall Edge Pittsburgh
Points: Pittsburgh Wins 199-139. The Sarge wins the individual at 50 Points
+/-: Pittsburgh wins +22 to -10. Phillips wins at a +8

Enough with the stats. The only advantage Ottawa has is maybe their top shut down pair but that is negated by having to go up against 3 solid scoring lines. Anyway you cut it I can’t see Ottawa winning unless Elliot can become the next coming of Patrick Roy & Ken Dryden. Pittsburgh has the advantage of last change should the series go long along with the Home Ice factor

THM Addendum:  Much past commentary makes a lot more sense now :)