Good News: Tyler Bozak Edition.
Tyler Bozak is Happy. You Should Be Too.
Twice in the last week – once after the Tampa Bay game, once during the first intermission of the Oilers game – we’ve had the opportunity to watch Tyler Bozak do interviews for television. Twice during the past week, he’s stood there in the hallway outside the Leaf dressing room, spiky hair soaked with sweat, talking first to Paul Hendrick, then to Elliotte Friedman, with a giant freaking grin on his face. The big grin on his face tells you that Tyler Bozak is a happy young man. He’s got six goals and eleven assists in twenty-three games as a twenty-three year old rookie centreman for the Toronto Maple Leafs, and he’s making $875,000 with another 2.8 million dollars worth of bonuses on the table. Of course he’s happy. Why the hell wouldn’t he be happy?
The big grin also tells you he’s a young man. Those of a certain age can’t help but be struck immediately by Bozak’s youthful appearance. He seems to have a little acne here and there, which makes him look even more like the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell than he otherwise might, but more than anything else you can see the excitement of a young man in his eyes and in the corners of his mouth when he simply cannot supress the grin that wants to get out. Doing those interviews, you can tell that he is absolutely stoked, the way only a young player – who hasn’t been doing this sort of thing since Chelios was a child – can possibly be. Continue Reading >>
Oilers at Leafs: Preview
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their homestand tonight against the visiting Oilers, in a game that marks former Leafs’ coach Pat Quinn’s return to the Air Canada Centre.
The Oilers have had a disappointing season, to say the least, and are the leading contenders for the Hall/Seguin sweepstakes this summer. Edmonton fans are salivating at the thought of Taylor Hall one day lining up alongside Canadian Junior team hero Jordan Eberle, wearing copper and blue.
For the time being, however, the Oilers are a team in the midst of yet another rebuilding phase, a process with which Leafs’ fans can certainly relate. In many ways, the two teams are quite similar: inconsistent youth, underachieving veterans, untimely injuries and weak goaltending have plagued both rosters throughout the season. The Leafs look to have begun the process of righting the ship; the Oilers will look to make similar moves (purging of veteran contracts in favor of youthful exuberance) during the summer.
Leafs to Sign Gysbers
Brian Burke has announced that they are on the verge of signing defenceman Simon Gysbers of the Lake Superior State University NCAA team. Once announced, he will play for the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the season. A 6′4″ 185lbs defender, he has 6 goals and 15 points with 46 PIMS in 38 games this season. He has tallied 19 goals and 49 assists for 68 points in 115 games in the NCAA.
Micheal A. Aldred
Top Seven Reasons To Watch The Rest of The Leafs Season
First and foremost, let me apologize for my absence. As some of you may know, I am in school completing my Sports Marketing degree, and things have gotten really hectic in crunch time. I am also organizing a golf tournament for this summer in Strathroy, Ontario. Anyone who would like to golf can get in touch with me anytime.
You know, another season of hockey is winding down. At least, it is in Toronto with the Maple Leafs. While the sun has been shining and treating us to above average weather the past week or so, it does come at a price.
It has become all to accustomed. As soon as the sun begins to melt the snow, and the grey, dull sky is replaced by a ray of sunlight, you know that the Maple Leafs aren’t long for this world. That the season is just about wrapped up, and lockers will soon be cleaned.
Lightning at Leafs
(On the road … so here is a quick thread for tonight’s action.)
The Toronto Maple Leafs (21-33-12), who are coming off a hard-fought overtime win over the Boston Bruins, are host to the Tampa Bay Lightning (27-27-11), tonight at 7pm.
The Leafs, who are all but officially out of the playoff race, are playing for jobs next season. To that end, the young players on the roster have put together a string of impressive efforts, and if their resilient play continues, few players will anonymously refer to them as an “AHL team”.
Hit to Head Rule
The NHL has finally done something right this decade. Hits to the Head will now officially be punished in the league, which offers up the option of suspending players more frequently should the violent collision continue.
Maple Leafs And Bruins From A to Z
Just some quick thoughts after the Maple Leafs’ 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins:
Assist for Phil Kessel is his first point in 5 games against his old team
Bozak continues to progress
Carl Gunnarsson had another solid game with a goal and a +3 rating Continue Reading >>
Leafs/Bruins – 4-3 OT Win Live From ACC Press Row
KULEMIN with the game winner, and that’s all folks!!! Leafs win 4-3 in a thrilling overtime victory!
Now, wasn’t that an appropriate Torontosaurus Rex?!
That was the Leafs first OT victory of the season. (1-9)
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It feels like a spring day, almost like a playoff date.
This isn’t a playoff game by any stretch .. There are some interesting scenarios playing out even before puck drop.
Here’s the game thread … you can also follow along on Twitter, @KatsHockey
This is the first game At home for newest Leaf, Luca Caputi (Now with his first goal as a Leaf!!).
This is the first game after the devastating hit my Matt Cooke taking out Savard.
This is the first game At home that will not feature Alex Ponikarovsky as a Leaf.
This is the first game in which Phil Kessel scores his first point as a Leaf against his former club (maybe) … (Yes! After a change in scoring on the second goal, he got his first assist versus his old team)
The Leafs have given up powerplay markers in consecutive games after going five games without letting in a power play goal.
Despite being one season removed from having won the Vezina Trophy this is the second consecutive start for Tim Thomas I the last games.
And the Puck has dropped .. I’ll be refreshing about every 10-15 minutes
Look, I’m not saying I’m a good luck charm, but I attend the game in the press box and a whole lot of good happens .. Caputi’s first as a Bud, Kessel registering his first assist .. Just call me lucky Kats.
End of Regulation 3-3
Continue Reading >>
Luca Caputi – Tuesday Prospect Report
Everyone should know Bloge Salming and his extraordinary ability at visual arts.
His skits are over the top funny and when in collaboration with Down Goes Brown, the comedy has resonance beyond video.
They’re not only funny, but legendary. True comedic (and patriotic) genius.
I was proud to add a prospect scouting report to his creative visuals for a Tuesday Prospect Report. Leading up to the draft in June, we’ll be looking at a Leafs prospect in a unique way. the first one features newest Leaf, Luca Caputi originally on the Bloge Salming site.
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A reminder, I will be Live blogging the Leafs/Bruins game from the ACC press box tonight. Make sure to come on by and have some fun with all of us at Maple Leafs Hot Stove. Jonas Gustavsson gets the start and according to MLHS’s own Daniel Santos Mikhail Grabovski also returns to the lineup from a wrist injury.
katshockey@mapleleafshotstove.com
twitter.com/@KatsHockey
Week 21 – Torontosaurus Rex
Before we get to the T-Rex, make sure to stop by Maple Leafs Hot Stove Tuesday night.
I will be live blogging the Leafs/Bruins game from the press box at the Air Canada Centre.
Stop by, bring the funny and join us for a good time. Boston will be without Marc Savard after the devastating headshot from Matt Cooke, and the Bruins have had scoring woes all season long. Will this be the game Phil Kessel finally get his first point against his former team?
Continue Reading >>