Archive for 2009
Despite modest numbers in terms of offensive production, winger Nikolai Kulemin has made great strides in becoming a indispensible, two-way threat that all winning teams require. The young Russian worked up the hopes of Leafs Nation with a dazzling array of speed, skill and finishing ability in various Youtube highlight reels prior to coming over to the NHL, but it’s been his tremendous effort, work ethic and defensive play over here that has won me over thus far this season. +Continue Reading
Team Canada has officially released their Olympic roster, but there are a few surprises as to who was left out. Find out why Todd Bertuzzi and Andrew Raycroft were not selected! Click here to read the article.
Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@mapleleafshotstove.com
The Leafs face up against their old bench boss Pat Quinn tonight hoping to get back on a winning streak of some sort. The big lineup change seems to be a demotion for Grabovski to the fourth line. Rickard Wallin benefits from Mikhail’s demotion with a undeserved look on the second line.
+Continue Reading
My Team Canada Roster selections may seem a little vanilla, but they’ve been selected to play out various situations. Penalty killing, power play and balance on all the forward units took precedent over sheer offensive/defensive ability.
+Continue Reading
Despite the many talking heads who continue to suggest that Ian White is not a top-four defender anywhere other than Toronto, a growing number of personalities both in the blogs and the mainstream media are beginning to recognize his value as a hockey player as he continues to consistently provide outstanding effort at both ends of the rink.
Although much of the talk has centred around White’s play looking so good because of the lack of talent around him, and that on a deeper team he’d be buried, I say let’s spin that argument on its head. The fact that he doesn’t have a ton of talent around him is evidence of just how good a hockey player he is, dare I say one of the more underrated players in the entire league. Before you write me off completely as some fanboy lunatic for suggesting that, let’s take a look at the numbers first.
+Continue Reading
Per Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star:
Jonas Gustavsson’s roller coaster ride through the very early part of his NHL career hit another high Sunday when he was named a backup goalie for Sweden’s entry into the Vancouver Olympics.
Said Gustavsson, upon learning of his selection:
“It’s an honour, it will be my first time at an Olympics … the Olympics are one of the greatest things you can be in.”
Congratulations to the Monster on this great achievement, as he joins a team that many predict will be a lock to reach the final stages of the tournament. Sweden versus Canada in the Final could be a definite possibility — imagine that!
With just 6 more games to go for the GFWE contest, get in your predictions and shoot for the chance to win some Leafs tickets! Let’s all hope our team gives us a late Christmas present by taking the win tonight against Pittsburgh.
+Continue Reading
I hope you’re all enjoying your holidays. Let’s see if the Leafs can top it off with a win over the Habs.
Happy Boxing Day, hockey fans!
It’s a great day for hockey here in Leafland. The World Junior Championship Tournament, featuring the Leafs’ highly-touted Nazem Kadri, officially gets underway this afternoon as Canada takes on Latvia. Following the tournament opener, we are in for a treat Leafs take on their long-standing rival, the Montreal Canadiens. And for those who are able to remain awake after all the holiday parties of the past two days, the Edmonton Oilers will visit the Vancouver Canucks in what should be a typical Saturday night Western Conference barn-burner. Does it get any better?
Now, onto the Leafs-Habs preview:
+Continue Reading
To all in the MLHS and Barilkosphere community. Thanks for your continued support, and I look forward to what we can accomplish together in the new year.
On a Leaf-related note this afternoon, sixth round draft pick in 2009 Jerry D’Amigo has been named to the WJC Team USA team. The winger has started off his rookie NCAA campaign strong with 14 points in 14 games for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His qualification for a highly-touted WJC U.S. squad comes after D’Amigo, as a member of Team USA at the 2009 Under 18 World Championships, led the team and finished tied for third in the tournament with 13 points in 7 games en route to a U.S. gold medal win.
