Can’t Beat Cujo!
Remember the way back in the day when the “Can’t Beat Cujo” signs filled the ACC on those passionate, rambunctious (always wanted to use this word) Saturday nights? Well tonight, we got a brief glimpse of the glory days as Joseph turned in a magnificient performance down the stretch to steal a point away from Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.
Joseph didn’t even end up reaching 6 minutes of ice-time but made brilliant save after brilliant save, turning away 8 shots in the overtime period and all 3 breakaways in the shootout. No signs of rust, no lack of confidence, just the poise and lightning quick reflexes of 3-time all-star and Olympic Gold Medalist that we had come so accustomed to seeing at the turn of the millenium.
After coming out flat for the better part of the first period, the tides seemed to turn after defenseman Milan Jurcina took a tripping penalty that sent Toronto to its first powerplay of the game. The Leafs buzzed around the zone for most of the 2 minutes, generating a slew of quality scoring chances and playing a very strong passing game. After that, the Leafs dictated the pace of the game which included an agressive forecheck that kept the already thin Washington defense constantly on its toes. Halfway through the period, it was nice to see the rook, big Phil Oreskovic net his first career NHL goal. Good instincts by the young defenseman just to get the puck on the net and good things happen from there. It’s a deflection off the Washington defender for everyone who saw the game tonight, but in about 30 years time, when Phil tells the story to his grandkids, expect there to be a brilliant rush down the wing and a perfectly placed laser to the top corner.
Speaking of rookies, John Mitchell turned it yet another quietly solid performance today, generating a shot and making grabbing 3 key defensive takeaways. The young forward has gained more and more confidence from Wilson, who has been consistently upping his ice-time over the last little while. Despite averaging only about 12 minutes through the first two-thirds of the season, John has earned 18, 21, 20, 22, 18, and 18 over his last 6 games. With the Antropov and Moore trades clearing up a chance for Mitchell to grab some more minutes at the center position, he’s taken that opportunity and has done very well for himself.
Matt Stajan turned in a gutsy performance tonight with 4 hits, 2 blocked shots, 0 giveaways, 3 takeaways, and a 60% clip in the faceoff circle. He also made a great play near the end of the game to tie up the stick of Alexander Semin and prevent an easy tap-in into the open net and even had the presence of mind to kick the puck out of the crease shortly afterwards.
The wildly inconsistent Mikhail Grabovski has now switched from “Cold” to “Hot” mode and recorded 2 assists and a +1 rating. He has now scored 10 points over his last 5 games played.
Jeff Finger had a good night as well, checking in with 23 minutes of ice-time, no giveaways, 2 hits and a team-leading 4 blocked shots. The guy who was thrown under the bus by many, the moment he put pen to paper and inked that large multi-year contract has shown that he can handle the criticism and the pressure. He hasn’t strayed away from what made him such an effective player for the Colorado Avalanche, and that’s quietly do your job (unappreciated for the most part), keep the puck out of your net while you’re on the ice, and continue to stat stuff those defensive categories.
And last but not least, “Mr. Underrated”, Ian White played a team leading 25:43 minutes, hammering home the fact that with he is now the logging the 2nd most ice-time on the Leafs next to Tomas Kaberle, with a robust 22:45 minutes/night, despite starting off the year as a healthy scratch and then a handful of games as a 13 minute/night forward. Good for him.
For a big-time draft enthusiast, two points further away from a top 5 pick is always a tough pill to swallow, but it’s nice to see the right systems being put into place, a high standard of intensity and character, as well as development from the young players. Phew, my first time covering the Game Night stuff, so I apologize if it’s a little different than what you guys are used to. Great game.
Always a pleasure,
Alex Tran
alex.tran@mapleleafshotstove.com
March 25th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
On the topic of winning, because that is what this is really about…
As you said daniel, “When you look at Chicago, Pittsburgh and Washington. They are all well ahead in their development because they drafted in the top-5 for the 2-3 years in a row. In fact, all of those teams drafted a player first overall (Kane, Crosby and Ovechkin).” All I can say is, And how many cups do they have? Or you mentioned Tampa, sure 1 cup and then what? How shitty where those teams and for how long? You think I or anyone that cares about this team would accept the team tanking of the likes of Pittsburgh or Islanders? I don’t think so.
I know and so does just about anyone know that the higher in the draft the better you are at obtaining a future successful player, not necessarily a superstar or franchise player, but a player that will be a dominate player on your team… in a yr or two…maybe. Such a big deal is made on the draft, that’s its almost forgotten to the point of neglect that scouting has a bigger role or that free agency signings or non signings make or break teams, both long and short term. The draft, like many other factors in hockey planing has its limits of success, failure and weight it bares on the making of a team.
In short, as many positives you can have, ie lower/many draft picks, cap space, attractive city/organization, great coach/gm, etc, the better chance of reaching the ultimate success and win a cup…
I like to close with:
IF YOU DRAFT PROPERLY, YOU’RE GETTING A GOOD PLAYER, REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU DRAFT.
FUCK THIS TOP 5 SHEEEEEEEEEIT.
PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!1
March 25th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Yep, forget where you draft its all about scouting…it’s too bad our scouts weren’t good enough to pick Ovechkin when it was our turn to draft.
March 25th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
“I miss that moment in time….I miss watching my team with not only my eyes and ears, but with my heart.”
Well said bro.
March 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Has anyone noticed that Kabs isn’t in the line up, we usual win at least 75% of the time. So I can guarantee that Kabs will be gone at the draft…..Stralman is looking more and more solid out there and i think he’s ready to walking into a second dman pairing and also White has been the man with the stach all round dman that really surprised alot of us this year. And I’ll put a stake that Kabs will be moved before next season.
ps.
time for the beatings….lol
March 25th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
The problem with the tanking is, that it should have happened before the current regime came in to power. Guys like McCabe, Tucker, should have been dealt at the end of their contracts, and when the return should have been extremely high. Maurice, and Quinn should have been fired before their futile late runs that cost us some decent players in the draft.
Ron Wilson, and Burke will not tolerate losing, and with some teams preparing for the long playoff run, the Leafs, for better or for worst, will keep winning.
To answer a question in a previous topic, I see us drafting 9Th or worst.
Can we get a good player there? Sure, but do I trust the Leafs scouts to pull that off? I’m really not sure. Tank nation is right when they say that the odds are higher at the top five that you draft a franchise player, but so are the ones that say that instilling the right attitude in your club gives you better odds for long term success too.
I hope Burke gets a game-breaker UFA like Nash, ’cause I really don’t see us getting one through the draft.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
How about Gaborik folks?? He seems to have jumped right back into game shape with ease and is pouring in the points. Is he finally fit? Should we sign him in the summer? I say we should along with Cammaleri.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
He’s played 3 games since his injury..I’d hold off on the praise just yet.
March 25th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
I’d be pretty content with little to no free agent signings this year.
.
I don’t want the Sedins, Gaborik, Jay-Bo and Cammi are probably going to be asking for too much. Let the kids play and improve. Keep rebuilding.
March 25th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
I wouldn’t mind getting either J-Bo or Cammi if they would come for a decent price. However I doubt either of them would want to come to a rebuilding project let alone for less then they probably could get elsewhere.
March 25th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
I like Pierre Mcguire.
March 26th, 2009 at 5:34 am
Theres no way to tank a season, unless you bring in 6 or so different players from the minors every few games so the team never knows a system. It is just unheard of and silly. You want your players to learn to win, not to lose. This coaching staff has to be applauded for what they have done with all the injuries, suspensions, trades and line up shuffling. They traded away their top scorer and how often does that happen?
As far as signings, I agree on not signing Sedins (yeck). Others intrigue me though. I think a Nash would fit in nicely. I might try and find a goalie however.
I guess I am one of the “few” that applauds what the team is doing this year. I love the energy and the system. I want players that do the same and I not sure Gaborik or even Bouwmeister fit that mold.
I am looking forward to next season already.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Just something to ponder: Bill Watters on the Leafs Breakfast says that he believes BB has a trade in place, mostly likely with Tampa Bay, probably involving Kaberle in order to catapult up the draft order. Take it for what it’s worth. I’m not starting rumours, but yesterday BB had some great things to say about Matt Duchene. Let’s hope that there will be some action on draft, judging from his history I’m sure it won’t be a dull day for Leafs fans.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Thanks for the rumour Roacho. I really hope it comes through! Love to get Duchene in Blue-and-White!
March 26th, 2009 at 7:53 am
interesting rumour there Roacho. Matt Duchene would be amazing to have in Toronto, a top level sniper, who can pass the puck with the best of them.
March 26th, 2009 at 7:58 am
Tampa bay is really missing that good outlet pass on the backend and a PP QB since Boyle left. I would hope it doesn’t involve trading our current 1st to get theirs, we need the two high picks. If we could select Duchene with the TB pick and trade up with ours to acquire Schenn, we’d be starting to have a very bright future.
March 26th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Hey Roacho.I listened to Watters this morning too and heard the same thing.
The fact that according to BB that Cliff Fletcher has gone to watch Duchene twice this season leads me to believe they really like this kid but know he will not be available by the time they pick at the draft.
I knew that trade with Tampa at the deadline might have a trickle down effect at the draft.
Including this season, Tampa will miss the playoffs two years in a row. They cannot afford to miss for a third time next season. They are in a dire need of a puck-moving dman since they let Kubina walk and traded away Boyle. They are also up against the cap so I can see BB trading Kaberle to Tampa for their first round pick and some roster players to give them cap relief. Tampa knows they owe the Leafs for helping them qualify for revenue sharing by dumping all those players at the deadline.
So Toronto could get the third or fourth pick overall from Tampa (depending on where Tampa ends up after the lottery draft) and still hold on to their eighth or ninth pick overall.
Wow, two picks in the top ten? I am SOLD!!
March 26th, 2009 at 8:15 am
Hey Roacho.I listened to Watters this morning too and heard the same thing.
The fact that according to BB that Cliff Fletcher has gone to watch Duchene twice this season leads me to believe they really like this kid but know he will not be available by the time they pick at the draft.
I knew that trade with Tampa at the deadline might have a trickle down effect at the draft.
Including this season, Tampa will miss the playoffs two years in a row. They cannot afford to miss for a third time next season. They are in a dire need of a puck-moving dman since they let Kubina walk and traded away Boyle. They are also up against the cap so I can see BB trading Kaberle to Tampa for their first round pick and some roster players to give them. cap relief. Tampa knows they owe the Leafs for helping them qualify for revenue sharing by dumping all those players at the deadline.
So Toronto could get the third or fourth pick overall from Tampa (depending on where Tampa ends up after the lottery draft) and still hold on to their eighth or ninth pick overall.
Wow, two picks in the top ten? I am SOLD!!
March 26th, 2009 at 8:25 am
There would be no way a trade happens with TB that would not involve swapping 1st rd picks (and then some), keep dreaming.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:19 am
That would be great, but what are the odds that Tampa stays ahead of Colorado because I highly doubt this would happen if Tampa was in a position to draft Hedman.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:42 am
At this point I believe it’s purely speculation I’m not going to preach this as absolute truth or an E5 à la Eklund. But let’s not discount how truly valuable Kaberle could be to a team that should be in a better position in the standings. Would this not be a reasonable trade? [to Toronto tampa's first overall pick/ to Tampa Tml's two 2nd rd picks and Kaberle.] Some team is bound to overpay for Kaberle and as daniel marois explained Tampa needs to make the playoffs and owes BB a solid. Two top 10 picks would fastrack this rebuild.
March 26th, 2009 at 10:24 am
lol for a second there I thought you were saying our first, two seconds and Kaberle for Duchene. That would be a ridiculous overpayment. Realistically, we have to ask how valuable is Kaberle compared to Duchene? Realistically Tampa already has Vinny and Stamkos at 1-2 for center. Ever since they traded away Boyle their biggest problem has been the transition game. Kaberle would be huge for Tampa, especially considering his very market friendly contract. I don’t think it would be unreasonable for Kaberle + 1 or 2 of ours 2nds for the 3rd or 4th pick. This however is based on the assumption that Tampa doesn’t get the 2nd pick or win the lottery and get Tavares.