Introducing the 2009-10 Maple Leafs Annual

by on August 7, 2009 in Uncategorized - 151 Comments

Share

UPDATE:
Some changes in information:

  • Hits newsstands September 8th, available at all Indigo Chapters stores in Canada as well as wherever magazines are sold in the greater Toronto area, including Walmart, grocery stores, drug stores, newsstands, etc. Apparently the the only magazine outlet in the GTA it isn’t available at is the Toronto airport.
  • Should you wish to PREORDER, the SHIPPING FEE has been dropped from $11 to $5.00. Everyone who has already preordered will be credited the $6 difference.
  • Pre-ordering not only guarantees you a copy but will get you one a week in advance as preorders are shipped August 25th with a 2-5 day waiting period for arrival.
  • My apologies for the mistakes in my original information.

Debunking growing speculation that I’ve been kicking my feet up on the beaches of Cancun and ignoring all of you for the last month, myself alongside publishing company Maple Street Press are very pleased to introduce the inaugural Maple Leafs Annual. Before we get into the thick of it, I’d like to first of all thank MSP for offering me the opportunity to edit, and contribute to, this project. Although at times taxing, to see this Annual come together has been an extremely satisfying and mostly fun endeavour. I was put in the unique position of being able to unite the prominent and growing voices of the Leafs’ blog-o-sphere into a consolidated project, and for that I’m very thankful. The final product is one that I think all of Leafs Nation can be proud of.

Description:

Maple Street Press is an independent publishing company that works to produce high quality, authoritative, analytical, and insightful sports publications for the serious fan. More than your generic team guide, the Annual is the first of its kind to offer a variety of comprehensive viewpoints on the topics concerning the Leafs loyalist. We’ve assembled a cast of many of the web’s most knowledgeable Leafs and hockey writers, each of whom offers a unique and insightful perspective with a finger firmly on the pulse of Leafs Nation all the while. Collectively, we offer 128 ad-free pages of relevant Leafs content; analysis, interviews, scouting expertise, in-depth statistics, key information, humour, colour photos and nostalgia included.

Details:

  • 128 pages
  • No ads
  • Stunning coloured photos and layout
  • $12.99 USD
  • Trim Size: 8 x 10.1
  • Available in Indigo Chapters stores throughout Canada September 8th.
  • Also available wherever magazines are sold in the greater Toronto area, including Walmart, grocery stores, drug stores, newsstands, etc. The only place in the GTA it isn’t going to be available is the Toronto airport.
  • Preorder available here to guarantee copy, includes $5 USD shipping fee. Ships September August 25th, and will arrive in 2-5 days, guaranteeing you an advanced copy at least a week in advance.

Contributors Include:

PPP & Chemmy of Pension Plan Puppets, James Mirtle of From the Rink and The Globe and Mail, Down Goes Brown, Alec Brownscombe, Gus Katsaros, Garrett Bauman, Alex Tran, Nikhil Daljeet, Richard Steven-Williams of Maple Leafs Hot Stove (as well as the rest of the cast in a MLHS Writers piece), Dirk Hoag of On the Forecheck, Patrick King of Sportsnet, Joe Pelletier of Greatest Hockey Legends, Eyebleaf, Torontosportsmedia, Cox Bloc, Bitter Leaf and Junior of Heroes in Rehab.

Topics Covered:

  • Individual player profiles for the entire Leafs roster, including expert scouting reports by Gus Katsaros and in-depth statistics and statistical graphics provided by Behind the Net.
  • A Season in Review and Season Preview
  • A Breakdown of the Northeast Division rivals for the ’09-10 season
  • An overview of the off-season additions and subtractions
  • Analysis of the eight place versus lottery pick debate
  • Top Fantasy Leafs for the upcoming season
  • 2009-10 Breakout Candidates
  • A list of the Leafs’ Top 10 Prospects + Darkhorses as of Fall 2009
  • An overview of the Leafs’ 2009 draft picks
  • In-depth interview with head of amateur scouting Dave Morrison about the club’s 2009 draft choices as well as the scouting process
  • A look back at the 2008-09 Marlies season that was
  • An in-depth look at Burke‘s model, and the precedent set by Peter Chiarelli’s Boston Bruins
  • Analysis of Burke’s tenure so far
  • Analysis of size and toughness as a key to success in recent history
  • How new media is changing the perspective in Leafs Nation
  • Underrated Truculent Leafs of the past with Down Goes Brown
  • The story of the nearly dynastic Leafs of the 1930s
  • Maintaining hope despite the ongoing Cup drought
  • An exploration of the validity of the MSM’s “blame the fan” mentality

Trust me when I say that this is truly unlike anything else out there: 128 pages devoted solely to the Leafs and the diehard fan. Borrowing from the MSP website, here’s a breakdown of what makes these MSP annuals so delicious and different:

  • Focus on one team exclusively as opposed to covering every team in the country like national previews
  • Provide unmatched coverage of the teams they focus on with over 120 ad-free pages of coverage on a specific team while national preview magazines provide 3-5
  • Feature articles from writers and analysts that care and know about the team/program more than anyone else
  • Focus on the present, future, and past of each team with articles highlighting the upcoming season, future stars for the team, as well as historical essays on the great moments and players of the past
  • Feature in-depth, thorough, analytical, and exhaustive coverage of the team aimed for an intense and loyal fan
  • Quality makes it able to be kept easily on a bookshelf or archive without corners bending, smudging, etc.
  • Printed in full color on high quality paper stock
  • Printed ad-free to maximize the content for the fan
  • Feature significant voices from online writers that are familiar to avid fans of the team
  • A true companion to the season for a diehard, avid fan
  • High production values make it pleasing to the eye as well as interesting reading

PRE-ORDER HERE.

VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Print article

  • The King

    We must move Kaberle. He is wasted on this team and his return is worth more to the Leafs then he is. Someone please email that to BB.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Falcon

    That is why I trust that the Maple leaf Annual will have something new and refreshing with new information and indepth analysis.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • IBleaf

    Why have the leafs not signed zherdev yet? Toronto needs a superstar, hes right here for the taking!!! I know its a risk but watch and see if they dont sign him he will be a 50 goal scorer this year. The guys a 24 yr old stud ppl, this is our best chance at a superstar drop the kessel,Lecavalier talks you’d have to dismantle the team.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • The King

    @ Charlie – Fleury? Joke right

    @ IBleaf – Id sign Zherdev and gamble as well. I feel if the Leafs wanted him he’d be a Leaf already

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    @ Charlie – seriously? where did you hear that? Fleury and Wendel are my two all time favs… talk about the little engine that could… i can’t wait for his autobiography to come out in October.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • The King

    Mc Coy – Fleury does have a book coming out in October??? Will he tell all? Should make for some reading. I’ll be some coaches are not happy this is coming out. The world needs to know!

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Snots

    Signing Zherdov is a John Ferguson Jr. move. Forget it, he ranks right there with Kessel.

    Go with what you got Burke and forget the public outcry for players no one else wants.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • http://mapleleafshotstove.com Garrett Bauman

    @IBLeaf:
    They’ve talked to Zherdev’s agent, there wasn’t a formal offer though.
    .
    The rumour is they were feeling out Zherdev’s interest and the term and dollars that may be involved … the rumour is that the Leafs let his agents know that they would be willing to consider a two-year deal, if Zherdev is interested in coming to Toronto.
    .
    That’s where it stands now as far as I am aware. From what I understand, Zherdev is going to take his time to evaluate all offers and expressions of interest before making up his mind. For him, there is no rush to be signed prior to training camp anyway.
    .
    Burke is being very smart with the media by saying he isn’t interested … if Zherdev does agree to sign with Toronto, they can then spin it as the player and his agent approached the team … looks good on everyone. And if he signs elsewhere, well, we weren’t interested anyway. Playing coy with the media is not exactly something new in the NHL, let alone any sports league for that matter.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • The King

    ah, found the Fleury returning link

    http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=287047

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    @ the King – yeppers. October. i did get to read a little bit of it already though. he talked about his days with the Rangers, that after the games, he’d change into his Armani suit, jump in his car, hit the liquor store, grab a case of wine, and then go drink with the wino’s and the bums under the bridges and down by the docks. he said that was what made him feel alive. and, you know, i get it. been there, done that. fuck, i can’t wait for that damn book!

    .

    Theo’s stats from his brief tenure with the Belfast Giants – 34 games, 22 goals, 52 assists, 270 pim. i don’t know how he packed all that into his 5’6 frame, but me thinks the book will give us quite a bit of insight..

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • The King

    So BB is being careful. But I dont think that is the case with Kabs B4 August 15th. Im praying a 11th hour deal is struck with Kabs

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • The King

    Will the book go back to his jr years? Thats what caused all of his problems. Its well known he was the other player involved with the improper conduct of his coach. The other guys name escapes me, Kennedy maybe?

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    yea – Sheldon Kennedy…

    .

    i found this link though, about his upcoming book – http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/story.html?id=c8d87d3a-8727-4470-ad9d-2d2fd516bfc4

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Falcon

    @Surreal McCoy Re Fleury, intersting very intersting. Some how you love guys like that. Reckless, cavalier, fun and most of all drinking with all those have-nots, says a lot about the person. Guys like that are great fun.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    @ Falcon & TuckerThomas – agreed, and agreed..

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Dan J

    First of all, I’d just like to state that this is my first post in the “registered username” era of MLHS so I’d like to also take this opportunity to address several things that I’ve read on this site over the course of the last week and a half or so (I may not have been posting because I’ve been extremely busy working 50+ hours a week, but I’ve definitely been caught up reading everyone elses posts and so on.)

    Firstly, I believe Charlie had the original suggestion (excuse me if I’m wrong), about a MLHS roadtrip. While I’m totally down, I don’t like the idea of devoting that much time and effort into one Leafs game. Maybe a Buffalo game towards the end of the season, as it’s only about an hour away from my house, otherwise. the counter-suggestion offered by several posters was meeting up at a local bar in Toronto/GTA and having a few drinks while catching a game. For that suggestion, I’m 110% down and willing to attend. My suggestion is that we should find a local place, one that isn’t too busy and possibly call them in advance, informing them of our plans to attend as a group to enjoy a couple cold ones and check out some Leafs hockey because if we tell them in advance, we could possibly get a good seating arrangement, and maybe a slight discount on pitchers ;)

    Secondly, for all those who think Theo Fluery is just gonna come back to the NHL and make any kind of impact – it’s highly unlikely. With all due respect to a man who had his fair share of problems, take Mats Sundin for an example. He didn’t even encounter half as much adversity as Fluery did, and he only took a year off, as opposed to the 5 or so that Theo’s taken off, and Sundin himself still had a very difficult time readjusting to the game. If you watched the playoffs at all, you would have noticed that he was unable to compete with the other players on the ice and I believe the same will go for Fluery, albiet he’s a bit smaller and more agile. The bottom line is, I never liked the guy because he was a headcase, but if he’s down for another chance at hockey, all the power to him, unfortunately I don’t see this stint being a particularly glorious one in his regard. If Burke however signs Fluery, without watching him play on ice against real competition, I won’t be impressed that’s for sure.

    Lastly, this comment is mostly for the staff here at MLHS, as well as all of those who contributed to the creation of this Maple Leafs guide, please know that all of us who visit this site several times on a day-to-day basis are extremely thankful for all of you guys’ devotion of your insights into this book, which by the way is sure to be epic. I love how you guys stated that the only place that will not be carrying it is the Airport….which is unforunate for people like me who just happen to work there :( oh well, come Sept. 8 I will definitely be heading over to my local bookstore to purchase a copy for myself.

    Oh, also in relation to the MLHS pub night gathering, is anyone down to pitch on a plane ticket for Jordan? ahaha, poor guy’s gotta make it out here for one of these.

    Another quick question – does WP support HTML? Thanks

    That is all for my ranting for now, once again congratulations to all of the staff here and other contributers on publishing such a worthwhile piece of writing. I predict it will hit 10,000 copies sold in just under 2 days (E5)

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    @ Dan J – i gotta say, that although i respect your opinion regarding Theo, and that i agree with you 100% about his chances of making any impact on a team, i think that calling him a ‘headcase’ is pretty damn harsh, considering.. and, actually, i don’t recall anyone here posting any comments expressing a belief that he would make an impact on any team. Fleury was one of my all time favorite players, and there’s no way in hell i’d want BB to sign him, for the very same reasons you mentioned regarding Mats… besides, the chances that the NHL allows him to come back are somewhere between slim and none..

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Dan J

    @the Surreal McCoy

    You’re right, I didn’t see anyone saying he’d make an impact, but I feel that, if you think Bertuzzi is just a faded image of himself in his glory days, Fluery will make people sick with how little his contributions to any club he plays for will be, but then again, I hope he proves me wrong because what he’s done for the NHL already warrants him another chance to come back, if not play reasonable minutes on a team willing to give him an opportunity. As for him being a headcase, you’re also right, I don’t think I used the proper term there, what I really meant was he’s a hot head (or was anyways) who might not a positive influence on his teammates, even though to be honest, if he plays again, which, if he feels he can, he should, I don’t see him making the same mistakes he made that eventually lead to his dismise as a player. The NHL should not hold Fluery back from attempting a comeback, as he, from what I remember as a kid seemingly put the Calgary Flames back on the map in the mid-late 90s. prior to Jarome Iginla and I feel that that accomplish alone should allow him another chance in a league that he has given so much to.

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Ron Guillet

    I have nothing to add…I just kept seeing that 67 at the end for comments and I died a little inside each time…. 168 FTW!

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • the Surreal McCoy

    lol Ron! …but it looks like someone’s been doing some editing!

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Pingback: Central Station - August 10th | TML Central - Maple Leafs reporting, Leafs rumours and Kaberle rumours

  • Pingback: Quick Interview with Alec Brownscombe of MLHS | TML Central - Maple Leafs reporting, Leafs rumours and Kaberle rumours

  • carts

    went to my local chapters today and was disappointed to not find a copy of the Maple Leafs Annual :(

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)
  • Pingback: Heroes in Rehab: the blog » Maple Leafs Annual 2009-2010

  • Slipfox

    Was delighted to find this at my local Walmart (Calgary, AB) when I was grabbing the latest Hockey News. Bought one to read and one to keep mint. Amazing what bloggers can accomplish when organized!

    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0.0/5 (0 votes cast)
    VN:F [1.9.22_1171]
    Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)