The Quest for Proline Success (Leafs/Caps Preview)
It was a dark night on Friday, and I thought I could accurately predict who will win tonight's game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals. What occurred over the course of the night is nothing short of the truth in a world full of lies. Am I lying about that? Read on for the ultimate truth by drinking my honesty serum with your mind gullet.
It was a dark and stormy night. That's not true, see, I kicked things off with a lie. Let me start over.
It was a dark and kind of cloudy potentially rain coming on but due to the fact that it was nipple-hardening freezing outside it would likely be snow kind of night. There, now we all feel better. I was out to seek the truth on the Maple Leafs. They have become a team of irregularity every time I have bet on them in a proline before. I held the ticket in my hand on the corner of the street in my dark-like cloak. That's also a lie, I was wearing my Toronto Maple Leafs jacket, but it has a hoody and I covered the logo with duct tape and attached a garbage bag to the back with stables to give it more of a cape style looking jacket that would look so wicked cool in the dark, and hide the fact that I was wearing something TML related. Trust me, it was awesome.
I was standing outside Alec Brownscombe's house and used my LED key-chain flashlight to signal his office room window. I had intended to signal "S.O.S. Help Proline", but instead he informed me once he came outside that I had actually signaled him "Pants to the ground, balls in the mouth." "My bad," I said to him. This could also be a lie. My grin likely gave that away though.
Alec did well to stand at least 8 feet away from me at all times. I think he was embarrassed by my cape, but the fact that I was wearing no pants could also have factored in here somewhere. I advised him of my problem and he said "I'm not too sure what to say. The fact that Toskala has been rather decent lately still hasn't earned them a win but if Gustavsson plays, they'll likely have a better chance." I knew he'd say that, and I had been thinking that all night, but the Leafs are a different team when Gustavsson is in net. "Yes," I began to reply. "But when Gusto is in net, the Leafs defense core seems to turn up the suck because they believe he'll stop everything." Alec pondered that, then gave me a great idea. "You're right," I knew this already, I'm always right, he should know that by now. "Let's go see G-to-tha-Batman." Agreed. Off we went.
Garret Bauman waited on his front porch, as per usual. He created new hiding places to sneak up on people in the dark when they approached his home. It makes a lot of sense as to why he's always up late and commenting on MLHS. He has his laptop wirelessly connected and built a trap in front of his door. The strange thing is that the only people who visit him this late are half naked guys in makeshift cape-coats.
"Bauman!" Brownscombe shouted. It wasn't necessarily to get his attention but rather a sign not to jump out and hit us with things, or even, so help us, his trap which just leaves you stuck in his porch until the morning.
"Who goes there?!" he yelled back. He had found a way to make the porch echo so it was always impossible to tell where he was.
"It is us, the Knight's of the Blue and White table" I shouted. For the last year we had made him believe that there actually is a big blue and white table that he's never seen. It's why he tends to use the majority of his sources to seek it out rather than chasing down most of his rumors. His sources find this to be frustrating, but he repays them with the perks in his back shed. I'll get to that.
"The password!" he shouted. "Matt Stajan Sucks the Honky Tonk" was Brownscombe's reply. Out jumped Bauman as if to surprise us, but the fact that he too was wearing no pants made me understand why Alec was still 8 feet away and growing more uncomfortable. "I really gotta buy pants," I said to myself.
We explained the proline/Leafs situation again, to which he replied as expected. "But if Gustavsson plays they'll have a better chance at winning." Again, I repeated the way in which the Leafs do not back check when he is in net, and Bauman nodded. "You're right, where the hell is Aki Berg when you need him?" Alec slapped himself in the forehead and began to understand that the majority of writers he had on his site were half naked wearing coat-capes and always referred to previous shitty teams as "the good old days." Ahh, Clark and Gilmour and Andreychuk and Potvin and Anderson… to be that young again.
"Jonas Hoglund sucks!" Bauman screamed at the top of his lungs. We didn't flinch and endured an awkward stare from him for about 5 minutes. He tried to make sure he wasn't blinking and once I did, he screamed "I win, I win" then directed us behind his house. There it was, all amazing and beautiful and awesome and beautiful and sexy and beautiful. His back shed, where dreamers come to live and livers come to drink more.
He knocked not once, not twice, but thrice and soon the "Artist in the Ambulance" began to play. A strobe light turned on and the door swung open. There they were, the beautiful women he stored for such an occasion. Whenever a writer at MLHS had run out of ideas, they would come here to figure out what to write. There, in the left hand corner, was Ron Guillet. He was sleeping quietly in the fetal position, and was shaking mildly. It was likely he had hypothermia but we just let him be and pretended it was the fact that was engulfed with so much writing awesomeness that his body was trembling with ideas. On the other side lay Gus and Andrew, coddling each other. “They’ve been there since the shootout loss against the Hurricanes,” said Bauman.
Bauman directed us to the back of the shed and opened up the door. A beam of light hit us, and there danced the Portuguese woman. She was beautiful. She was born the very night the Leafs had last won the cup but didn't look a day over 20. In fact, her green card stated she was 22 years old, but we all still believed she was born in 1967. After all, the Portuguese women are untruthful on occasion.
She came over to me and informed Alec and Garret to each grab my arms. They held me tight and things got confusing. She put on a hockey skate and began to repeatedly kick me in the groin. Over and over and over and over and over. Finally I had collapsed to the floor. "You're right!" I screamed in tears. "You're right, please, no more! I won't buy the ticket, there's no way to every know! Oh God!"
Alec rushed me to the hospital and dropped me off. "See you on Tuesday. Seriously dude, every single time you try and bid on a game you make us take you to her to get kicked ten times."
"I know, I like the attention," I replied. I tore up what was going to be my ticket and walked inside.
If you should dare bid on this game, here is the team by team breakdown. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to repair my genitals.
Team Comparison:
Powerplay: TOR 4th (25.0%), WSH 6th (24.7%)
Penalty Kill: TOR 30th (72.3%), WSH 22nd (77.5%)
Faceoff % – TOR 20th (48.9%), WSH 4th (52.1%)
Average Shots For: TOR 2nd (33.2), WSH 6th (32.0)
Average Shots Against: TOR 21st (30.8), WSH 16th (29.8)
Average Goals For: TOR 20th (2.60), WSH 2nd (3.59)
Average Goals Against: TOR 30th (3.75), WSH 24th (3.00)
5 on 5 Goals For/Against Ratio: TOR 29th (0.69), WSH 3rd (1.31)
Micheal A. Aldred
michealaldred@hotmail.com
November 21st, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Wow. I’m not sure what to say…
November 21st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Anyone else notice that we were on a bit of a roll before Mike Komisarek got injured? Since he’s been out we have been horrible.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
When’s he back anyways??
November 21st, 2009 at 6:08 pm
lol i don’t even know where to start with this. sounds like you had a very… “interesting” afternoon
good call on not getting the ticket though. of course, tonight’ll be the night they pull another Detroit-esque game outta their asses, just cuz you didn’t get it
November 21st, 2009 at 6:09 pm
Im not sure who to root for… the leafs cause their my team or the Caps cuz Green, Ovi, and Semin are on my fantasy team… If the leafs could win 10-9 id be fine with it.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Komisarek is back early next month i believe
November 21st, 2009 at 6:16 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzlG28B-R8Y
November 21st, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Carlson scores his first NHL goal, OV gets one and Varlomov shows why he is in the race for rookie of the year 4-1 Wash.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Toskala starting per HockeyCentral
November 21st, 2009 at 6:42 pm
HAHAHAHA! Great blog man! I needed a little light hearted humor in these desperate times. Heart……that’s a word that only Ian White knows the definition of.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:47 pm
Look at those stats FFS. My God this team is so fucking brutal. Second in shots for, just goes to show you how much skill our forward corps lacks. Just a joke.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:52 pm
LMAO!
Aldred, I did NOT expect the pre-game to be this awesome hahaha… there’s no way anyone will be able to top this now. Very imaginative, dude. hahahaha
Epic.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:53 pm
Just saw the Tyler Myers profile on HNIC and when they start saying that this kid could be a Norris candidate, it makes me sad that we gave up 2 draft picks to get Schenn when we could have stayed right where we were and draft Myers at #7.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:08 pm
LOVE THE BLOG!!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!
NOWWWWW. Im gonna try to be as optimistc as I can about the game tonight…..here goes
I am looking for a huge momentum building win from the Leafs tonight. It might be had to imagine, but if somehow they pulled it off, and got 1 or 2 points, it would be huge. The next 3 games are totally winable, and we could get 7-8 out of 8 points. Not much right? But it would give us .8 points pergame, and if we were at .8 right now we would be out of the lottery postition. So let just get back to trying to win one game at a time. I mean like fuck, how are those little pussy Habs ahead of us anyways? Fuck that lets get some points!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
Boudreau gave Ovi a kick in the ass last night saying he can play way better than he did against the Habs so he’s going to be out for blood. Also Burke said that if the Leafs dont get their shit together changes will be made by tuesday.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
WALLIN IS SITTING BOYS!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:13 pm
WTF IS WITH THESE STUPID PREGAME BULLSHIT
November 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Smart move by MLSE… Bring back the players from the teams that could win, just to give the fans some hope again.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
the only cheers you will hear from this crowd tonight i think. haha
November 21st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Should be White at centre ice.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Stanowski should lacem up again… He’s be more effective than Wallin.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Hey gang, first time poster, long time lurker. Love the site! And Jordan, couldn’t agree more, another BS pregame show.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Where the hell are Tuckethomas, lonsmo, peterbleafs, and all the other regulars to watch another epic leaf loss? Im scared, theres no way it finally got to them and they arnt watching these pitiful games is there?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
chantal’s much prettier than baun.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:18 pm
wow she looks rally impressed to be there… lol
November 21st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
@Jademan
Great to have another on the MLHS train. But ya the pregame things just seem to make us slow out of the gate. But yet they keep pouring them in
November 21st, 2009 at 7:20 pm
i love how even the announcers are getting sick of these ceremonies
November 21st, 2009 at 7:20 pm
I call first goal by Washington at 2.31 into the first. Any other betting people?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
“they lead the league in ceremonies – just not wins”
November 21st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Just hear Elliot say leading the league in ceremonies, but not wins! That was funny.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
@ jordan
that’s a pretty safe bet so i’m gonna pass. thanks though…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
6:19 first goal lol
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
K, wendal types faster than me!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
can we trade the whole team for Green?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
6:19? You are watching the game right? Toskala is in lol give your head a shake
November 21st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
“mitchell has really shown some speed in the last couple of games….”
that’s hard to do on one stork leg.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
It will be a fluke… look Toskala just made a save
hahah We’ll stave off the first goal for 6 mins and 19 seconds haha thats my call
November 21st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
@ wendal
lol i was totally thinking that too. nice!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
can we just put our alumni in the lineup? they’d probably do better than half the guys we have now
November 21st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Schenn with the big hit. He has to keep that up
November 21st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
And the announcers are all ready jumping on Ovechkin’s dick….
November 21st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Did you see that long episode of Ovechkin snozzling the smelling salts before puck drop? Does that complement sudafeds?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:30 pm
seriously, WTF!!! argh!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:32 pm
I hate playing a team that I have 2 players in my Pool…..I feel divided….LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Well Jordan we were both wrong. haha
November 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
wtf was that schenn??? you call that a shot…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
wuts up with schenn’s shooting? that’s the second weak shot he’s already taken in this game that didnt even come close to getting through
November 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Im in total shock….I was thinking 2-0 by now…..or 2-1 by the very least
November 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
@Schenn’s last shot: That was a pass to the slot.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Confidence is gone….time for a few months down below…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:40 pm
nice PK… pretty good
November 21st, 2009 at 7:41 pm
I like the way they are pressuring them quickly.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:41 pm
did they seriously just call that?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Bad penalties!!! Going to kill us
November 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Is it just me or does Blake seem to find a way to make things difficult on every play?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Okay we get it.Ovechkin is a good player.Enough of the verbal bj’s from the commentators.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Smart… keep giving OV chances on the PP, boys… that’s not suicide at ALL!
*sigh*
November 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Breaking News: Crashing the net now gets you penalties…. This has been done on the Leafs so many times and NO CALL.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:43 pm
if you tired of not scoring goals – it’s easy to fix.
1. go to the top of the crease.
2. stick on the ice.
3. take multiple elbows to the face/cross checks to the kidneys
4. never, ever, leave.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
what a bullshit call. Pushed in by D
November 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Thats bullshit….seriously bullshit. Thats exactly what we WANT from Blake
November 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
Um.. is Toskala being a badass right now? Because… I haven’t seen since like two years ago..
Although he’ll probably blow it with a weak goal soon..
November 21st, 2009 at 7:44 pm
HUGE SAVE!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
I’ll take a verbal bj. That’s not gay, right?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
nice to hear the words “toskala” and “save” in the same sentence
November 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
“Ya, Im gonna have to ask you to not call bulshit penalties against us anymore. If you could do that, that would be great…” – Bill Lumbar
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
OV Sucks…..but hes in my pool…LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
there it is
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
The floodgates have been opened.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
@ chebucto
nice timing… u made him angry
LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Francois Beauchemin
Captain Giveaway.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
Yep…he really sucks….but I got one pt tonight…shit
November 21st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
shit now we will REALLY hear about him
November 21st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
FUCK. We play good and still cant get success
November 21st, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I’m sure that is somehow Schenn’s fault lol
November 21st, 2009 at 7:50 pm
HMMMMM dont check the goalie…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Dam it,good first period ruined by Ovechkin!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:50 pm
green & ov are as deadly as H1 N1.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Call the game…not Ovechkin play-by-plays
November 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Those commentators are giving Ove a 3 way I think.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
@wendel over mats
Been saying that for awhile now. Can;t score garbage goals or goals remotely near the net. How many empty nets have we missed? That’s why we lose.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Thats my 2 players in my pool….sucks (tonight anyway)
November 21st, 2009 at 7:51 pm
Blake should try passing or holding the puck rather than taking weak shots from the perimeter without some sort of screen put up… he needs to be waived.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Did Elliot Freedmen say that Burke said he would give the Leafs two more games to get some wins or else he’s going to make some changes?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Ovechkin’s dick is gonna be pretty sore tonight after everyone of the announcers are done with it
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Maybe a little too soon, wendel over mats.
We’re still in this, boys… let’s stay strong!!!
*chugs more beer while in the fetal position in a dark corner rocking back and forth*
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Yep, thats what I heard in the pregame.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
haha after commercial first thing:
“Guys, I’ve watched Ovechkin.”
OMG! GET. OVER. IT.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:53 pm
@ Ron Guillet ….How did you know what I was doin?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
hahahahhaha they are still fucking going
November 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
whats the over under on number of time s Ovetchkin gets name mentioned 200?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:54 pm
for gods sake, plz shut up about OV…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
You’d think thier mouths would be full to even talk.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
**their**
November 21st, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Toothless asshole…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:56 pm
Well they are taking tuns…..so it kinda make sense
November 21st, 2009 at 7:56 pm
11-10 in shots are the first period.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
A rumor: For what it’s worth: Sharp and Campbell to the Leafs for Kaberle, Stempniak +++
November 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Ohh Ove you’re so fine you blow my mind Oh Ove Oh Ove!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:57 pm
@Micheal
Whos that commin from????
November 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
I’d do it just for Sharp. But I wouldn’t be jumping off the walls with excitement, either..
November 21st, 2009 at 7:58 pm
@Michael Aldred
I wouldn’t take that trade just becuase of Campbells contract.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
I know Burke’s been jamming away for a pick as well to be included, but the Hawks would rather lose Sharp at 3.9 I believe that’s his figure, than a pick that is basically 850K for 3 years.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
If a 1st rounder/Skille came back I would do it for ssurre
November 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm
man cherrys suit is so normal
November 21st, 2009 at 8:00 pm
@Micheal Aldred
If they added a 1st rounder I’d like it more.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Fuck I love Cherry. Hes got so much heart and hes such a great man it gives me chills
November 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I truly believe that’s the frame of the deal that burke is talking about to shake things up by Tuesday.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:01 pm
I think we’re walking away with more skill, however the pricetag is high. i think Id rather have a chicago propect then pick as the pick will be so long in the round it might as well be high in the following round. Try and pry Beach away
November 21st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
Jademan 7:17: I have a feeling your first post will not your finest moment here. I happen to differ with your opinion of the pregame show. Those Leafs like Wally Stanowski and Bobby Baun, we’re Toronto Maple Leafs who accomplished winning the ultimate prize, by any one’s standards. They know what it takes to be champions, and are good examples of winners, for this team. I don’t begrudge them a few minutes. They brought the fans, in their day, exactly what we want now. I also liked the anthems. I look forward to some thoughtful conversation in the future.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:02 pm
* sorry, not pricetag to get them but the combined salary is high moving forward. although if we dont sign a bunch of our UFA’s…which we shouldnt we should have some room to play with
November 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
@Micheal Aldred
That isn’t much considering that Kaberle is better than Campbell and our best chance at getting a first rounder at the deadline.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I’d like to hear Bauman’s thoughts on that trade rumor if his sources have heard anything. As far as I’m concerned, it’s likely just rumblings, but it has been brought up a few times by the Satelite Hot Stove, as well as TSN and even a few rumor sites that are not Eklund lol
November 21st, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Sharp is entering his prime, though… would look alongside Kessel. Another sniper to the fold would help SO much I think..
November 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
pair luke to bueachemin? Is this algebra ?2 negatives make a positive?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:05 pm
But Campbell contract is just so much.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Thats a good deal. Kabberle is out playing Campbell right now, but I think Campbell is a bit better because he is alot more physical. Maybe Im wrong but its just something I noticed from watching him
November 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@Blackhawk
I use to be like you, but then I started thinking, in 2 years when we want to compete, Kaberle’s contact will be up and we will need to pay him about 6 mil anyways, so hes really not much of a higher number.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:09 pm
@Jordan
I see your point.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
yep… white says it all ” changes are innement (spelling)…
November 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
White on OV: “gotta maintain a really tight gap on him” ….
wicky wow, wicky wow woww….
November 21st, 2009 at 8:11 pm
@Michael Aldred,
.
Without a prospect and/or a 1st round pick coming back, it really doesn’t help at all. We end up with an older D-man who’s contract will kill us for many years, and as good as Sharp is, it doesn’t make up for the noose that is Campbell’s contract, plus Sharp is in his prime now. Besides, the numbers don’t work – we’d have to shed another $4 million to even consider it. (Please be Blake).
November 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Although 7 mil is still scary. But Sharp is no joke. He is a legit top line winge who can put up 30+ goals
November 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
@ Bob is your uncle
Hey, I appreciate your respect an admiration for the greats of the past, but every Saturday night? I think it cheapens it and takes away the passion. There are a lot of great players from other teams, but I don’t see ceremonies happening in Detroit or NY every Saturday night. Just my 2 cents.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
@kb
Campbell is 1 year younger then Kaberle
November 21st, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I think we’re forgetting Kaberle’s No trade clause.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
did you see hap day’s skates? He deserves a trophy for even stepping on the ice in them. They look like somebody tied some file blades to the bottom of a pair of converse.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
I think Healy has concussion-like “syndrome”
November 21st, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Kaberle was also quoted as saying “if they dont want me here, I wont stay” or something like that lol. You really think he wouldnt take a trade to one of the best teams in the league?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Who would you rather play for when you are 30 years old? The current Hawks or Leafs?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Kabs, Poni, Tlusty OR Kulemin
For
Spezza
Highly doubt Ottawa would do that but if they could work something out that would be great Spezza could be setting up Kessel all night Lol, just a thought
November 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Sharp-Kadri-Kessel next year?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Good save
November 21st, 2009 at 8:19 pm
nice save!!! thank god…
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
yea…..nice one
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I’d do the deal … hate to see Kabs go but we really need a shakeup, at the end of the day advantage to us solely because of Sharp, Kabs and Campbell are pretty similar but I’d give Kabs the advantage in skill but Sharp definitely is a step up from Stemps.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Needed that save!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
GREAT SAVE!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
@Jordan,
.
Yes, he is a year younger, but he’s 30 now and signed at 7.1M cap hit until he is 37. My point is that I’d only consider doing that cap hit on a younger D (Shea Weber, etc.), but not someone who is currently in their prime and will probably be on the downside of his career when we are ready to contend. Sharp is in his prime now too….makes us better now, but we’re building for the future. I just don’t think it is enough of a return for us to get the Hawks out of their issues.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
@kinger
i dunno… he just one of those players you cant picture in a rival’s jersey.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Gabby…..find the net…
November 21st, 2009 at 8:21 pm
can Pj please be put on the same crew as Millen for West Coast games only please?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:22 pm
crap…crap…crap…
November 21st, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I dont think we should trade for Campbell… Look at the Blake situation now, and that’s where we will be when Campbell is 36/37 years old.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:25 pm
@kb
ya getting weber would be sweet, but right now I dunno if we have many options. Maybe if Blake went back to them the deal would be sweet. Blakes money would replace sharp, they save 2.8 from Kaberle, and stemp’s is off next year so they end up saving it for next year
November 21st, 2009 at 8:26 pm
I don’t know how Ovechkin’s line can stand that a**hole.They do all the work in their
own end and he’s standing on the the opposing team’as blue line waiting for a breakaway
pass.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
shit shit shit
November 21st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
I’d take Campbell’s contract as long as you promise me that the cap is 100mil by 2014
November 21st, 2009 at 8:27 pm
@jordan
but dont they need the cap room now in order to sign/announce signings for keith, toews, and kane?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:28 pm
@Jordan,
Definitely need a roster shakeup of some sort. It’s almost like everyone on the team is waiting for the inevitable….
November 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Even White hinted at it in the intermission. Something needs to happen.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Now there are playing……but pllllssssss find the net
November 21st, 2009 at 8:29 pm
This is where the fans need to get loud.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
9 shots on goal for TO…that’s almost one for every letter on Varlamov’s chest.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
ya they need the room next year. Its explaned on TSN, go check it out
November 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
lol 4 on 2 and not even a shot on net.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Seriously…. we take a lot of shots… but they aren’t quality. Just makes the other goalie look good.
Jeeezzzz..
November 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
hi guys, wow we’re only down by 1 goal and we look like we are really playing early in a game instead of at the end, if we could actually finish some of these plays we’d be an awesome team.
Is it just me or does Schenn look more confident in this game?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:31 pm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/chi-21-blackhawks-chicago-nov21,0,876373.story
They call it taagging
November 21st, 2009 at 8:32 pm
Schenn is playing alot more too
November 21st, 2009 at 8:33 pm
bet Perrault gets one for Caps tonight, good looking player.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:33 pm
Wow the ref is just letting Wash get away with everything.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
fuck why did we have to mention his name…
November 21st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
what a BS call
November 21st, 2009 at 8:34 pm
lol Of course we get the penalty.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
I see another “encouraging” loss coming.
Shouldn’t have spoke about how good he was playing…
Perrault looks like a keeper… where are our “Perraults”?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
@ Micheal Aldred
That trade rumour screams, “We want to make the playoffs at ANY cost.” You are telling me you are trading the leading point scoring defenceman in the league and you are not even getting a pick or prospect in return? Burke is in the driver’s seat if Chicago is desperate to shed salary. Getting something for Stemps is gravy, but getting Campbell’s contract in return for Kaberle is a horrible deal that I would be shocked if Burke went through with. Burke wants to fleece a GM in his next trade and this one certainly doesn’t.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
fuck, shoot Stempniak!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
shoot the fucking puck on that 2 on 1
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
whoo white! highest save percentage on the team… lol
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
that wasnt his fault though, he didnt even fucking hold him, the refs are always trigger happy when theres a brakeaway of any sort
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
STOPPPPPP SHOOTING THE FUCKING PUCK WIDEE.. HIT THE FUCKING NET THAT DOESNT INVOLVE THE GOALIES CHEST.. RAGEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Shoot me now,,,,get me out of this misery>>>>
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
SHOOT STEMP! SHOOOOTTTT!!!! FUCK….
November 21st, 2009 at 8:35 pm
nice take down by finger
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
@jordan – tagging for the Blackhawks. Teabagging for the Leafs.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
LMAO “The most dangerous guy in the world is… drumroll please… Ovechkin.” Glen Healy is the worst of them all haha
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
How is that only our qusetionable fouls are called and with 5 minutes in their end countless holds aren’t called.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 pm
is OV ever off the ice?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
@ Jordan
The refs missed 2 blatant on the play before that call on Schenn, it’s such a joke.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
To be fair, good butterfly goalie’s position themselves to be hit in the chest… but I agree that were not helping things.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:37 pm
*2 blatant infractions
November 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
@wendel over mats
Hilarious! Actually that is very relevant to the blog too….
November 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Why do I feel I’ve seen this movie already? Deja vu?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Agreed Eraser, but the Leafs are notorious for taking perimeter shots, or simply lacking the accuracy to snipe home a couple of goals in a game.
We need another finisher. Badly.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I’m afraid that if we lose a close game BB may hold off pulling trigger on anything.
So do you think Hanson or Stalberg can get less points than Blake. No, well then why not send him and his $4m down.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I just want them to lose tonight and Monday in regulation so SOMETHING can happen. Of course, winning the next 2 games will not make a differnce one bit. Just lose lose lose so Burke can get off his “This is a playoff team” ass and finally make trades for the future and not take on salary without getting 1st or 2nd round picks back.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:40 pm
I can’t wait for this game to go to a shootout.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
@ Ron Guillet
I agree Blake is famous for that haha
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
“all you have to do… is believe”
i wasn’t aware we wandered into a disney movie
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
MLHS needs to work on having the comments read aloud so i can mute the tv. This site has way better colour commentary.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Why is it that we always play better than the other team,but we always lose.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
As long as White, schenn, kessel, kadri, Gustavsson and the collage kids arnt involved, I wouldnt mind anything to shake this hell up
November 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
If the Stroumphs fluke off another win I will go ballistic!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
finally
November 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm
yeeeessssss
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Yes!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
FUCK YES!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
fuckin right they all count even the lucky ones
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
holy shit!!! a fluke goal actually went in for us…
buy the devil a toque… lol
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Speak of the devil… Blake gets a lucky bounce haha
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
oh my god…..it finally happened! a bounce!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
yes….”shoot the puck”
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
See……they believed.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Watch no goal… lol
November 21st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
even if he directs it in with his arm, doesn’t it count anyway?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
and they didn’t revoke it!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
that may be the first time I’ve seen Grabo go to the net after he passes off. He must’ve had a brain fart or something.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Looks like the Hakws/Leafs rumor is starting to gain some ground. Assistant GM at the Marlies and now Leafs game.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
not if he directed it in intentionally. only if it hits him but there’s no intent to bat it in
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
the Blackhawks are trying to unload Sopel… great, he would be an “excellent” pickup. Can’t wait.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Are the commentators turning on OV?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Now we have to keep up the pressure
November 21st, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Now please…. do NOT let Caps score next goal… especially OV.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:45 pm
holy christ, Toskala looks good, please NO weak goals.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Great. Hold off the trade talks…cue the Leafs 10 game winning streak. Interesting that the asst GM of the Hawks was both at the Marlies game today and now at the Leafs game tonight.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Hey boys, does anyone know why when there is a lot of comments in a post i cant see no more, like my screen just goes black after a lot of them, thanks
November 21st, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Play grabs with Kessel… that was a creative little pass he made.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
See, Gabby,,,,that was easy….just shoot
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Is that PAUL MORRIS as the ACC PA announcer??????
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
@kinger- try any browser other than firefox.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Was that the old Gardens PA announcer?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
It is Paul Morris, they did this last week too.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
Oh ok thanks, ye that’s what i was using firefox
November 21st, 2009 at 8:48 pm
@ Kinger….ive seen that alot here…ive stopped login in a couple of times a night. Ive been on since the game started and so far no Black Spots.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I think Boudreau just ate a baby.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
@ Meanstreak
I know, I think I caught that too! Should he not have been the announcer last Saturday’s game at 80′s night??
November 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
Daniel….beat me to it.Think it was.I don’t like Andy Frost cause he thinks he’s
Vince McMahan announcing player’s names.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:49 pm
that announcer was at the game last saturday too. where the hell does andy frost keep going during the second period?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Meanstreak
Haha. I hear ya. But after so many years, it was tiresome listening to Morris’ montone voice whenever the Leafs would score a big goal at the Gardens
November 21st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
@Meanstreek – Frost has an out of control addiction for those tiny donuts.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:51 pm
That’s cool…brings back memories.It’s too bad they got rid of Morrison when
they moved to the ACC
November 21st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Although, I hope it’s not a recording the Leafs are using……they wouldn’t do that, would they?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Is Paul Morris actually at the game or is it just a recording? I actually miss the monotone announcements he would make. (In a Paul Morris voice) Toronto goal scored by number 17 Wendel Clark. Assist to number 11 Gary Leeman, and number 17 Ed Olczyk.
Heck, I miss the way the Gardens looked on TV too. You seemed closer to the action. And the atmosphere was fantastic!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Hahaha! Oops! that would be 16…Ed Olczyk!!! Oopsie!
November 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
wow they are just ripping this guy! lol
November 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
pulver is a pussy. democracy is good, bunnies are cute, yada yada
November 21st, 2009 at 8:58 pm
@Micheal Aldred
Did you hear anything else on the Leafs/Hawks rumours?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
“big markets are tired of transferring dollars to smaller southern markets, players are tired of 18 per cent escrow”….there finally some sense.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Brent Sopel…..NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!. He’s no better than what
they have already.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
“Burke working feverishly”
November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Please! Shut the f*ck up about the NHLPA…!!! Hot Stove is so way beyond off-point to what they ‘should’ be doing during HNIC it’s not even funny…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Brent Sopel? I hope that’s a joke. :S
November 21st, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Not just breat sopel a pick too.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
yeah but only a 2nd
November 21st, 2009 at 9:01 pm
Sopel is making 2.333 M, not a fan of that acquisition at all. He’s almost 32, has just 2 points on the year. Why abso|rb more defensive contracts for guys who are weaker or just as good as the Leafs bottom 4?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
Sopel is a dog….dime a dozen
November 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
WTF do we need Sopel for, we have enough D-men, and we would just be getting a 2nd with him
November 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
i’ll take it. we need as many picks as we can get
November 21st, 2009 at 9:02 pm
And Sopel, I believe, has played a max of 50+ games during a season since the post-lockout….
No thanks.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
If Pho is looking at moving Mueller, please Burke get on this. Getting Sopel and 2nd round pick for say Stempniak and someone else would be enticing. We certainly need more d-men on this team. But, I wonder if the Hawks want a Marlie in return. Say Tlusty?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
does sopel still sport a mullett?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
how many years left does sopel have?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Now Sopel, Beach, and 2nd I’m all for that haha
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
Fuck Sopel, that is all. I think I have another adventure to go on lol Mike’s trip to the meeting between Chicago and Toronto for a trade and how I’m thrown out for announcing I have a bomb.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
If it gets us a 2nd, bing him in!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
It is just a Rumour,might not even happen.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:03 pm
He’s signed through the 2010-11 season.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Maybe we could then turn him for another pick like a 5th-6th?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
I’d take it only if the pick is a First.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:05 pm
The sopel trade that is
November 21st, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Jordan has the right idea. Grab him and flip him at the deadline. This is very dependent on who the prospect is.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I know it’s highly improbable, but if the Caps were to lose tonight can you imagine how red Gabby’s face will be. I mean they lose at home to the lowly Stroumphs and then they lose the next night to the worse team in the league…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:07 pm
omg did they actually just say something negative about OV?
and nice wrap-around blake… sigh
November 21st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
yep, take Sopel, bury him in the minors this year and buy out the contract next summer
November 21st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
Burke said he will not bring in over ’30′ something players to the lineup, even if it is taking salary back for draft picks. Let’s see if he is going to live up to his word.
.
Boy I hope Ovie can pot another 2 goals and ice this game so Burke can walk over and start talking with the Hawks assnt GM.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:08 pm
STOP TALKING ABOUT OV……
November 21st, 2009 at 9:09 pm
nice to see white playing against the top lines…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:10 pm
This is the best the 4th line has looked all year.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:11 pm
wtf do we want with Sopel … taking on salary for a 2nd rounder? fuck we need some legitimate deals to improve this team
November 21st, 2009 at 9:11 pm
LOL @ Stajan..
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Wow
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Yeah, Stajan looked like an idiot.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
WTF
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Diving
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
Wow, nice acting Schultz..
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
nobody in front, nobody in front, nobody in front.
It’s worse than the french army in ww1.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:12 pm
How can we control the entire game and have less PP time than Wash.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:13 pm
If we have to give a prospect for sopel I would leave it.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Hagman your an idiot
November 21st, 2009 at 9:13 pm
Supposedly we do not have cap space to bring up Bozak and yet we have space to take on salary… how does that work?
Howard pulled a Toskala for the Wings… the Stroumphs are about to fluke out another extra time win… book it!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:13 pm
LOL @ Wendel
November 21st, 2009 at 9:14 pm
@long_suffering_leaf
-
I’m telling you guys, the deal is going to be Stajan, Exelby, and a 4th for Brouwer, Sopel and a 2nd. Sopel will never play a game (just like Exelby), and then he’ll be placed on waivers and thrown in the Marlies for the last year of the contract. So it’s essentially Stajan + 4th for Brouwer + 2nd. They lose the trade long-term, but that’s the price of trading salary…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:14 pm
I wud take Sopel, put him in the A and yes buy him out next year, all we would be doing is buying a 2nd round pick, what’s wrong with that?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Thank you Toskala
November 21st, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Is it just me or does Toskala look a lot better now that the team has nothing to lose…?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Tosk knows he’s getting traded if he plays well.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:16 pm
Alright what’s your guys guesses… IF the leafs lose, who chokes/coughs it up?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:17 pm
Toskala is looking like a top 10 goalie….im scared
November 21st, 2009 at 9:17 pm
@the eraser
im gonna play it safe and say stajan
November 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
@eraser
stajan’s my guess
November 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
so do you think Blake is worried about waivers and demotion? Sure looks like he’s playing much harder and if you noticed he curled out from behind net and didn’t shoot into goalie’s chest or curl to the blueline, he passed it into the corner…the little shit can play if he tries, unfortunately he doesn’t do it enough and I don’t think he is a good teammate, still bury him and bring up Stalberg or Hanson.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Plezz no overtime tonight…..I’m runnin out of BEER !!!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Chicago are about to announce the extensions of Toews, Kane and Keith… but supposedly want to shed some salary before doing so…. why I don’t know, as the extensions will not effect them until next year… so what’s the hurry?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Should be 2 calls.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
finally…a call
November 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
here we go boys, kessell on the PP
November 21st, 2009 at 9:19 pm
Please no overtime. I want a REGULATION loss for the Leafs.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:20 pm
@Cameron
I understand that we are in it for the long haul and I guess a decent prospect and a draft pick for salary dump and Stajan is OK but maybe I’m getting impatient, I would like to see a larger deal to really shake things up.
I was liking the sounds of the Sharp and Campbell deal … yep Campbells salary will limit us in the off season but we will still have lots to spend on UFA’s
November 21st, 2009 at 9:21 pm
Can’t you just feel the collective cringe when Blake carries the puck… the turnover is inevitable.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:21 pm
That wasted PP is going to hurt.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Too many men
November 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
ov cant be far behind…..LOL…give us a **** break..
November 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
F off easy call. Nice miss.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
can we complain to CBC about Hughson somewhere
November 21st, 2009 at 9:22 pm
That was a sad pass by beauchemin
November 21st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
who said Kulimen isn’t playing well? he looks hard working to me…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Crap…Crap….Crap….
November 21st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
the Stroumphs have tied it… two for the mighty mite Cammalleri… they make me sick… what a boring team to watch.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
neverlosehope
that’s Jacques Martin’s style
November 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
can Mitchel ever hit the net?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Looks like everyone of those Leafs out there are fighting for their JOBS….LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Mitchell missing the net… what else is new
November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I wonder if the Leafs played that way how many more wins would we have? Not winning with this system.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:26 pm
It was blocked Healey…. STFU.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
oh shut up do we want to know how he went for a shit too?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:27 pm
@ lonsmos2
I know. I didn’t have to have another reason to hate them… but now they are one of the most boring teams to watch… Martin’s signature (Mr. Trap)
November 21st, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Mitchell would be deadly if he could hit the net
November 21st, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Detroit really looks disinterested… I just don’t see this team getting back to the finals again… they are missing something.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
F off Stajan, he could have unloaded on Green.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:29 pm
With all that skill and their PP looks pathetic
November 21st, 2009 at 9:30 pm
why don’t we knock guys down around our goalie?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Schenn’s not moving his feet one on one.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
I want to apply to work for CBC, I can be anymore of an idiot than these guys
November 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Anyone notice how long it took for the ref to blow the whistle once Toskala covered it?
Brutal. They blow it when the puck is within ten feet of the opposition goalie..
November 21st, 2009 at 9:32 pm
o2baleaf
You’re way too smart to work there…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Gun with Kabs looks good tonight.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Find the fucking net…shit……kill me know
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
holy shit…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
If this goes to extra time I don’t like our chances… another shootout loss?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
THAT close… eesh.
Someone just score a garbage goal on Varlamov already….
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Really liking Gun’s game. Keeping it simple and getting some decent chances.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
luke
unless it’s in the opposition net then they blow it late but say they meant to blow it earlier and then it’s no goal.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Sadly they can’t Ron.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
I wanna see if we can beat the record for overtime losses. Think we can?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
yeah overtime or god help us a shoot out we’re done.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Whitey gets the Gwg
November 21st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
I say Kessell gets winner.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:36 pm
You guys know whats coming right?… A game that TO deserved to win, but gives up a bad GWG.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
White is a machine, does anything to keep that puck out.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
hope they don’t go high on Toskala it’s wide open
November 21st, 2009 at 9:37 pm
haha… you guys almost called the Stajan giveaway
November 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
OMG Stajan!….GTFO!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Fuck
November 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
did you guys see the hook of the blade from OV when he went around the net>>>
November 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
We have to win it in OT
November 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm
Ahhh shit..Overtime ..I will need more beer….
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
lol damn… so close on the stajan call.
thank god we were wrong though
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
maybe RW should call for a stick measurement in OT?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Stajan up to his usual thing….lol.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Dam it carolina won
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Yeah Chebucto.He tried a slew foot too which likes to do but never gets caught.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm
ya white!! god i love this guy more an more each game
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
@ Meanstreak
So true, I hate that.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
@ Meanstreak so you saw it too…what a little dirty **** player he really is…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Win it in overtime… no one wants to see the shootout
November 21st, 2009 at 9:41 pm
oh no stajan on the ice…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
im so torn. we win this game and burke starts thinking “yeah, we’re contenders.” Huff. TRADE!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
Wow no call!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
wow this is bullshit…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
holy fuck no penalty hit from behind and ref just looks at it.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 pm
haha at stajan
and how was that not a trip?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
2 no calls… cant believe this shit.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
i fucking hate the NHL
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
what the fuck no trip?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
penalty coming to the leafs for nothing, guaranteed
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
They missed 2 calls, yet again. Such a joke.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Gunnarson with the dangle….nice.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
wtf poni get it deep
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
bullshit refs again or should I say still.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:43 pm
well, at least they remember what offside is….
November 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
@ Cameron
The NHL should get a taste of no TML money.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:44 pm
2 blown calls
November 21st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Well at least it’s less than 3 gaa.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:45 pm
If this goes to the shootout… It’s over.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
fuck
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
holy shit
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Question: If a team loses in SO, does the goal that was counted against them for losing the SO affect their SV%? My guess is yes but just making sure.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Come on… Really no call? Yet again.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Kessel trying to single-handedly win this….and almost succeeding.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
@DJBB
does that mean that toskala night actaully have a sv% over .900? amazing!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
@DJ
-
no kidding. you would think they would want the leafs to make the playoffs. leaf playoff revenue = more money for everyone else = cap increasing…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Well… game over lol
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
Sorry boys, were done like dinner.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
well, good effort boys. lol
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I hate shootouts. Always have, always will.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
I can’t watch…. I’ll just follow it on here…
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
We outshoot them.We outplay them.We lose again.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
who goes for the leafs,kessel kaberle and who?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:48 pm
and Blake
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Good game. Unfortunately it goes to a shootout so I’m not exactly opptimistic. Way to go refs! Some great no calls on the Capitals there in overtime.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
@black hawk
stempnak!!!! lol god i hope not
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
@ Cameron
That’s it. You hit the nail on the head. Higher cap is bad. If we stopped going to games and they lost all that money, the NHL would fix crap quick.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
6 and 13 on shootouts for vesa….wow
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Good call on the shootout, Meanstreak!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Kulemin should be shooting
November 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
* Oh, the NHL is a business first and foremost. Bettman knows that.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
The Stroumphs are about to go 9-0 in extra time games… its gone to a shootout also… raaaage!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:50 pm
We’re done hahahah..
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Thanks HHT……seems like a long time ago I said that.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
And I think most of those six wins happened some time ago.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
LOL love it!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
I say Schenn should shoot…. remember when Domi shot way back in that pre-season game?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
wtf? shootout before the game? healey ur a joke!
lol rally caps!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
They should be wearing their jocks on their heads.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
every freakin one lookin like an idiot
November 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
where do Montreal get the ugly uniforms every week/
November 21st, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Nice rally caps!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Schenn scored in shootout in preseason game in season one
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Who is this douche raging about ice on the TV? He needs some Ativan.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
I wish the commentators would get over it. “That’s unacceptable.” Shit breaks down.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
woo kessel!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Nice Kessel
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
1
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Money!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
yes
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
lucky he fanned
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
yes
November 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Eric who? Fehr? Never hearda him.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
hopefully mitchell hits the net lol
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
mitchell stopped
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Mitchell? wtf
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Yep… Ovechkin.. done deal.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Glove side?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
oh oh
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
lets go tosk
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
good effort Mitchell…geeez
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
phew
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
smurfs lost in shootout
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
The stroumphs lost in the shootout… yeah!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
come on leafs… just 1 more
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
yeeeesssss
November 21st, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Mitchell screams first-line centre. heh
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
YEAAAAAAAAAA
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Yes!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
OMG!!! we actually won!!! damn right!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
holy fuck we won one in OT rally caps worked
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
HOLY SHIT we won.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Finally!!! Why was Mitchell shooting?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
yeeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssssssssssss!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
How do we lose against Carolina, and beat Washington?
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
THERES NO FUCKING WAY WE JUST WON A SHOOTOUT AGAINST THE CAPS
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Love it! The old Hag scores! Definitely the second most skilled offensive forward on the team.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Cue playoff talk. j/k j/k
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
A miracle!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Oh my jesus mother of pearl cock sucking heaven for bid pussy licking christ…. they won in OT.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I know Jordan. Totally crazy.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Toskala starts monday FTW
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
wow those are creepy masks on the kids
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
I think we need our rally helmets on everygame
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSSSKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Do you believe in Miracles??? lol
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Ahhh…The Sundin backhand
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
This team is unstoppable!…. LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 9:56 pm
only if carolina lost
November 21st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Actually, Sundin backhanded the Leafs when he rent-a-playered for Vancouver …
November 21st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Best of all … Les Stroumphs lost!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:57 pm
wooooooow! what a finish!! Leafs deserved this… well done!
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there still better be a bunch of trades!!
November 21st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
65-11-6 BOYSSSSS LOLOLOLOL
November 21st, 2009 at 9:58 pm
McKelvie
good rant.
Kinger
I agree rally caps rest of year.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
I agree: what was Mitchell doing in the shootout?
That was embarrassing.
Time for RW to go.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
@ HHT
so who plays wilson in the movie? lol
November 21st, 2009 at 9:59 pm
Hey Burkie, tell the Hawks we don’t need your piece of crap players now and hang up
on them.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:00 pm
“sit there for a minute” lol cherry u rock
November 21st, 2009 at 10:02 pm
did he just compliment a russian? holy shit!
November 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
@frito
Pee Wee Herman.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
1 game winning streak…… the sky’s the limit!
November 21st, 2009 at 10:06 pm
LOL
November 21st, 2009 at 10:07 pm
I’m sick of this stop the tv tax shit, if local channels can’t make money through advertising and good management then fuck them.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
I have 2 tickets to the dec 26 habs game… I live on the eastcoast and will drive 18hrs to TO to see this game. They will have to show me a reason to do this…
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Toskala looked really calm in net tonight. He wasn’t all over the place like he usually is. Good to see.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
@ HHT
If only they had lost in regulation like they deserved… but yeah it was a satisfying evening.
Or
Rodney Dangerfield
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Going to PVR the highlights. Who knows the next time we’ll see a win especially in the shootout.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
lol wow RW just showed how amazing a coach he is and one of the first comments after the game is “RW needs to go” washington was outcoached out played out hit and the list goes on now i dare someone please oh please post something about how this team has no heart. Heart and motivation has not been a factor in there horrible record so for the love of god can we put the ron wilson needs to be fired to bed along with this team has no heart watch the game do some homework and come up with some interesting posts about how to make this team better…
November 21st, 2009 at 10:08 pm
who would have thought good comments about Vesa…
November 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
No, I’ve got it…
Woody Allen… definitely, the paranoia factor is perfect.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:09 pm
@ lonsmos2
I have to disagree, look at what and how much these telecom companies are making. It’s actually quite disgusting.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:10 pm
@ lonsmos2
Hey, it happens to the worst of them….
November 21st, 2009 at 10:11 pm
still think Blake needs to go down…I don’t know this for a fact but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn he isn’t good in the dressing room?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
HUGE game for Vesa, and we actually got bounces tonight. I feel like im high or something…..not sure what it is…..love for my favourite team? nooooo
November 21st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
congrats fellow leafs fans…nice goals by kessel and hagman…we can breathe for another saturday night.
just an offside question for some of the stats ppl….
How Much $$ have the Leafs poured into ‘Revenue Sharing’ for the weaker financial teams ?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Toskala finally had a good game
November 21st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
djbrianburke
kind of the chicken and egg thing though, TV companies charge advertising rates based on viewership, so if cable companies decide not to broadcast their channels then no viewership and the stations can’t charge higher rates, I would say the TV stations need the Cable or Sat companies more than Cable and Sat need the local stations.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Toskala has had a few good games in a row now, but just bad luck and we didnt play good infront of him
November 21st, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I think it’s good for the Monster to see that Toskala can actually win a game … takes a little pressure off of him
November 21st, 2009 at 10:15 pm
@ lonsmos2
That’s not what’s happening here.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Toskala will get the start on monday
November 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
seems like TV stations want Cable companies to pay to carry their signals?
So why can’t the local stations just go with a pay as you go type of thing, like leaf tv 1.99 month, if you want to see it you will support it, why should a station like the CBC get anything more from us, which is what it amounts to the cable companies would just pass it on to the viewer, Doesn’t CBC get enogh public money?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Crap! Just looking at the sched and there’s no Saturday game next week for the Leafs.
The smurfettes will probably be playing then.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:18 pm
yea theres nothing wrong with toskala getting hot gustavson has all the tools only natural for him to struggle anybody hear anything about the chicago rumors there assistant gm watched the marlie game then the leaf game the hot stove on cbc said it was about how toronto was going to take sopel off there hands for a second round pick but im hoping its something a little bigger like a potential deal for beauflyien or sharp??? and this would explain why he watched a marlie game… as well ive heard that blake for jay pandolfo is being considered right now what do you guys think? pandolfo salary is quite a bit less he doesnt have the potential to put the puck in the net like blake but hes a good pk guy and could be a great 3rd 4th liner?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:19 pm
LOL Michael, that’s the funniest article I’ve read in a long time. But did you have to spill all my secrets???
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You forgot to mention the lovely floral pattern on my kimono. You should try one sometime — complete freedom of motion, and, as an added bonus, allows you to walk down the street pantless without getting arrested. Going to go broke if I have to keep bailing you out dude.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Played another all around solid game, or should I say with a huge effort? This is the identity the Leafs showed prior to the Hurricane loss. I thought a few calls that didn’t go our way would bite us in the ass, but persistence and hard work prevailed. I have no problem when this team actually shows an effort and some sound decisions. Whats with Luke pinching a few times he looked ok out there tonight.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:20 pm
the english cbc gets quite a bit but the FRENCH CBC makes a crap load more…
November 21st, 2009 at 10:21 pm
@ Doc_yqx: probably enough to support a 2nd team in toronto.
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toskala was good tonight, leafs got some bounces in their favour, and ovechkin wasn’t playing well. love it so much that i had a couple tears roll down my cheeks after hagman’s shootout goal. hopefully this gives them some confidence and they can win the next 3.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
that’s the point, they already are getting subsidies from us and don’t kid yourself the other networks do OK too.
It’s almost like going to a home show or something where a number of companies are showing there products to sell them and then charging you an admission for the pleasure of seeing products to buy. The people selling the products should be the ones paying not the buyers.
I would have no problem paying more if I could choose not to see any commercials.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:24 pm
The thing that has baffled me so far this season is the lack of bounces that we have had go our way … it has to balance itself out at some point right?
It must be hard when you have the skill that Ovechkin has to keep yourself grounded but tonight I sould see prima donna syndrom setting in …
November 21st, 2009 at 10:25 pm
definatly great win i think if burke makes a decent deal with chicago to get a good potential player and we ship blake to florida for a pick then this is a whole new team and its a whole new ballgame i mean hockey game lets go maple leafs!!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Burke. Please move Toskala when his value is going up. Don’t wait till he eventually starts sucking again. Leafs have NO finish whatsoever and were fortunate Caps were not on their game tonight. Hopefully this does not stop Burke from making trades. It’s not as if this win has allowed them to gain any ground on any of the teams ahead of them as they all won tonight too.
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I fully expect Tavares to light up the Leafs in his hometown Monday followed by losses to TB and Florida. That should be enough to get Burke to make a move. Hey even with the win tongiht, they are still last overall in the league.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:30 pm
As for the Hawks rumour, I don’t know for sure if it’s Campbell … the deal suggested above (Campbell, Sharp for Kaberle, Stempniak etc) works from a cap perspective for the Hawks but not the Leafs. The Leafs would have to make another move to accomodate the salaries (trade or ship a guy to the minors).
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For those who want to play conspiracy theorist, remember the hot rumour is Burke is supposedly working on two trades … it’s an interesting situation to say the least. We all remember the HNIC panel refuted the rumour the other week, but info coming out of Chicago has insisted all along there may be something to it.
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My guess is the Hawks would rather move Sopel to enable themselves to sign Kane, Toews, and Keith. Less impactful to the team, from a chemistry perspective, to do it that way. If – and this is a big if – if they are talking to Toronto, I would imagine it is a “Plan B” scenario if they are (a) unable to move Sopel or (b) the contracts amount to enough that more than Sopel must be moved. They are still negotiating with the players so this is entirely possible.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
What kind of draft pick would Chicago be willing to include in that type of trade? Why would Burke bring in a 32-year old defenceman? Didn’t Burke say he was NOT going to bring in 30 something old players on big contracts?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm
@daniel marois
I hope it would be a First rounder.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:41 pm
can’t see a 1st-rounder being included unless chicago is incredibly desperate… i can see a 2nd-rounder though.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Damn you Garrett just let us dream … Sharp _ insert centre here _ Kessell
November 21st, 2009 at 10:42 pm
@Only Crime
No offense, but are you high?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:43 pm
James Reimer is outplaying Joey Macdonald in the minors
November 21st, 2009 at 10:45 pm
If it is a 2nd-rounder with Sopel, yes siree. Actually no, I don’t want an 32-year old defencemen because that second round pick will be high, just like those second round picks the Leafs got for the past summer’s draft. I would start sniffing about the availability of Filatov in Columbus and Mueller in Phoenix as both players are unhappy with their respective teams.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:45 pm
@Almo89
Yep Joey has has a few bad games but he has a shitload more experience … he will bounce back
November 21st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
idiot November 21, 2009 5:47 pm
I really dont understand this repetitive drivvle
I dont know who you are or what your credentials are but you have NOOOO clue what you are talking about.
IT’S ALL ABOUT FINANCES.
Burke so far has done a perfect job with following his “Stanley Cup” template.
Everything is in place. The only problem is the water bugs he has for players are fucking everything up. Guys like Stajan, Blake, Stempniak, kaberle, etc will all be gone by trade deadline, whether via trade for a draft pick or sent to the minors for the rest of the year.
Sending these players down and bringing the kids up right now (An obvious solution that everyone including Burke would like to act on) is not realistic
Think logically, say we send down Stajan, or Blake. Someone will pick them up for half their salary and we are stuck with a hit to our salary cap as well. (Im not gonna get into how the waiver wire works, look it up)
So unless your idea is to basically send these players down and get nothing for them its the dumbest thing Burke could do.
His plan ultimately was to cruise around the 500. mark until the deadline then drop 4-5 players via trade and pick up at the least a 2 or 3rd round draft pick. But now they are all playing like shit their value is drastically dropping, meaning Burke has to wait even longer to make a trade. You never want to be the person desperate to trade, because you know you are gonna get a shit return
You have to be patient. The leafs realistically could be one of the best teams in the league had they not had the WORST luck I have ever seen since the Chicago Cubs. Honestly people, anyone who has actually watched all their games knows they are not playing that bad they have just have no bounces what so ever.
Give it to the deadline. Burke will talk the talk.
Dont be suprised to see the likes of Dustin Bufghlin (how ever you spell it) or Nathan Horton in a leafs jersey this year.
In Burke we trust
@idiot: Hey, idiot. (thanks for that). I agree with a lot of what you say, although Stempniak and Kaberle could still fit in the Leaf’s plans. Also, let’s just call him Buffy. I’ve thought about Horton, but I’m not completely sold on him, right now. I’d rather have cap room to sign Marleau, or maybe even Vinny. Blake-54.7pt. projected, Matt Stagan-53.3pt. projected. What do you think of sending Luke back to junior, for Dec. or part of, only if his play is poor in the next 5-6 games? I know he was better tonight. I wouldn’t have said this early in the season, but with Komi back, Beauchemin, Kaberle and White, that’s a solid top 4. Finger can play until a trade is made. Gunnerson looks capable. Exelby can play 6-7, or possibly end up in Chicago. Frogren would be lost on recall waivers, I think. Orescovic or Mikus are depth as a 7. Or the Leafs could take back a 7th D-man in a trade. Perhaps I’m only considering this now is because it would allow the team to bring up Tyler Bozak on a tryout, without cap problems as they have similar contracts, concerning bonus money. So why not? It gives the Leafs an offensive option without doing anything drastic or irreversible. Also, I think allowing Luke to go back and play the game in a more relaxed and fun atmosphere might be of benefit for 2-4wk.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:48 pm
If Muellar is really unhappy in Phoenix,Burke should try and get him instead of sopel.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:49 pm
stagan and tlusty for mueller
or stagan and kulemin for mueller
November 21st, 2009 at 10:50 pm
@Marois
Do you mean the Campbell rumour, or the Sopel rumour?
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The Leafs won’t deal for Sopel (no need for another excess defender) so there are no worries there.
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As for the other rumour involving Campbell …
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Campbell is 30 (born May 1979). Kaberle is 31 (born March 1978). So you’d actually get younger by a year in that deal.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:52 pm
bobs is your uncle
If a player is picked up on waivers on the way down the other team assumes “all” of the players salary only when you try and bring him back and if he is claimed then yes we would be on the hook for half the salary. So don’t recall the player.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Leafs aren’t going after Sopel from what I hear. Hawks won’t give up a high pick just to move him either. They would only give up a pick in a deal if they were getting an impact player (Kaberle) back, hence the Campbell rumours that have been floating around for a few weeks now.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:53 pm
If Sopel comes he will get burried in AHL and therefore we will eat his salary this year and buy him out next year so we basically will have bought a 2nd round pick
November 21st, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Burke should investigate the availability of Mueller or even Filatov because nabbing either one of them, would give the Leafs yet another top-10 pick on their roster. But, unless Kaberle is part of the deal, which he won’t because he would never agree to go to one of those teams, there is no way Toronto gets one of those players unless they can convince swapping another first rounder like Tlusty would make it work.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pm
If all else fails, the Hawks can always send a guy to the minors to solve the contract issue. Obviously they’d rather try to get an asset in exchange for the player, hence the trade talk, but if worse comes to worse and no deal can be made, they will clear the salary via the AHL.
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All signs point to the Campbell rumour being tied to the rumour that the three contracts (Toews, Kane, Keith) may come out to a dollar figure whereby it would take more than moving a contract the size of Sopel’s to avoid violating the tagging rule.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Well all i know if were taken Sopel, Burke should make them include Beach on depending what we would be sending back, I’d LOVE to have Beach big power forward, but not likely Chi would part with him, never know with Burkey though
November 21st, 2009 at 10:58 pm
@lonsmos2
Hawks would rather bury Sopel in the minors in that case. Why give up a 2nd round pick when they can just send the guy down themselves? Makes no sense, which is why people are saying it’s a longshot that deal would happen. Mind you, stranger things have gone down … but it would be a head-scratcher, from a Chi perspective, if they were to do that.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Anyone else REALLY liking what you have seen of Gunnarson so far?
and I have to admit … Whitey is really winning me over, last season I would rather have seen White go to St. Louis than Colaiacovo but fuck Whitey is proving me wrong, fucken balls of steel
November 21st, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Hawks are trying to move Sopel straight up for a pick, from what I hear. 5th or 6th is likely the best they can expect … if they can find a team that wants to pay 2.3m for a third-pairing defender. Remember he is on a one-way contract, which means the team that picks him up still has to pay his full salary regardless of whether he is in the minors or the NHL … that is what is makes it a difficult deal to pull off … teams are tightening their purse-strings these days regardless of whether they have cap space or not.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:02 pm
If Luke was sent to Kelowna, could he be recalled no problem?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
I was referring to the Sopel rumour. But by dealing a Kaberle and getting a Campbell and a first in a package, is that enough for Kaberle? What happened to the 1st round pick plus prospect that Burke said must be part of any offer for Kaberle? Seems to me that Chicago dealing Sharp and Campbell and a 1st for Kaberle (and whatever else would be coming back) is a win for Chicago since they get the cap space they are looking for and free themselves of Campbell’s contract. Campbell coming to Toronto would be a disaster as he would never put up the offensive numbers to justify his contract and he would be booed out of town like Larry Murphy.
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Aside from getting a roster player like Sharp, why would TO let CHI off so lighty by only including a 1st round pick? I would be sniffing to include Kyle Beach at least. Beach currently has 18 goals in 19 games for Spokane this season. Would u not agree Garrett?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Hey Boys, is Schenner allowed age eligible for the WJC?, i thought i heard them talking about that on sportsnet
November 21st, 2009 at 11:06 pm
@ daniel marois Exactly!, Power forward/goal scoring, Beach would be AWESOME!, wishful thinking haha
November 21st, 2009 at 11:09 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
Any word what the second deal Burke is working on? What other rumoured team is involved in trade talks with the Leafs? Also, what is the chances Burke inquires about the availability of Mueller or Filatov? Both players are not happy with their respective teams so perhaps they could be on the block?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:10 pm
@lonsmos2: Yes, that is my point. we won’t bring back Frogren because we would lose him, and add a $500,000 cap hit.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
Until Burke makes some major changes here are some minor changes that should be made in the meantime:
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Wallin or Primeau to the Marlies. Call up Tyler Bozak.
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Ponikarovsky-Bozak-Kessel
Blake-Grabovski-Hagman
Kulemin-Stajan-Stempniak
Mayers-Mitchell-Orr
November 21st, 2009 at 11:17 pm
@ Kinger
It is wishful thinking but after wasting time drafting Jamie Devane in the 3rd round of the 2009 (a supposed power forwrd who has done nothing in Plymouth this season) might as well try to trade for a young power forward and Beach would embody all the truculence and pugnacity that Burke craves. But can’t see Hawks dealing him unless Kaberle is part of the deal.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:23 pm
@daniel marois
I think the other team burke is trying to make a deal with is St.Louis.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:25 pm
@ daniel marois yeah your right, but I thought Burke took Devine for his fighting, also I could see a trade involving Kabs + and a couple Hawk players with Beach coming back, It helps both teams both teams out, I’m just high on Beach he is everythnig Burke wants in a player and we need.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:25 pm
@Marois
I don’t disagree, let’s put it that way. There’s so much conflicting info right now that I really don’t know what a deal would encompass. Unlike many rumours, the basis of the Campbell-Tor rumour is at least somewhat logical (unlike Sopel-Tor), for what it’s worth.
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Second team? Not entirely sure. St Louis was mentioned at one point … Phoenix was too … not sure how real those are, though (no players were mentioned, just team names, which makes me go “hmm”). Haven’t heard thing one about Columbus. I do know they have no intention of moving Filatov … they agreed to send him to Russia, felt it was best for his development. Everything I’ve heard about him suggests the team still has very high hopes for him.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
@ Black_Hawk
Geez, what would the Blues be willing to offer? They could use a Kaberle but would they be willing to deal a 1st and top prospect? Perhaps they will take one of Toronto’s castoffs and offer a 2nd round pick. Curious what Blues young player the Leafs are interested in. St. Louis sure needs to eat it this time by ponding off that useless Stempniak on us.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:27 pm
did the leafs just win in a shootout? i think im still in shock.
while i definitely agree with people saying we can’t bury every underperforming vet in the minors as it loses any potential (however remote) trade value we have for them, I think there are a couple of moves that can be made now and should be made, and a bunch that will have to wait:
- mitchell, kulemin, wallin (or just release wallin) to marlies. bring up bozak (if the cap allows it) and hanson/stalberg. I do not see any team wanting to add mitchell to their lineup, and I’m still holding out hope for kulemin as he is playing a more physical game and is quick, so let him further develop in the minors.
- stajan, poni, blake, stempniak, mayers, primeau, finger, exelby, toskala remain in the lineup until some type of value can be acquired for them; I would jump at any opportunity to move these guys for picks, as none of these guys (maybe jeff finger) are in the long term plans of the leafs, atleast I fucking hope not.
- leave gunnarson up here, the kid is looking GREAT; has poise with the puck, solid positionally and clearly learning out there when he does make a mistake defensively.
- tamper the hell out of savard, marleau and kovalchuk and announce all of their signings 10 minutes into free agency.
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i think that its almost comical how frustrated kessel looks shift in shift out at his linemates, but he better realize things aren’t getting better anytime soon unless the kids are called up and he plays with them.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:33 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
Seems to me after the Leafs got the stiff-armed in giving up a 4th-rounder to Florida to get the McCabe contract off their hands and the Leafs unable to get a draft pick for Kubina when they wanted to get his contract off their hands and had to take back Exelby who cannot secure a top-6 role on defence.
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My point is, Toronto needs to receive a high draft choice in any transaction involving taking back a contract.
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Also Garrett, much like Burke sniffing around for a young high-skilled player like Kessel, what is the chances Kaberle is moved (either now or more likely the trade deadline) to a team for their top-prospect?
November 21st, 2009 at 11:39 pm
Got a msg re Sopel
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“TML interested in terms of the player is available, is there an opportunity there? So from that standpoint CBC was partially right. Minor leagues not an option actually b/c he is under contract for one more year so it would still count in terms of tagging. But what CBC neglected was this: Hawks won’t move a prospect or pick unless they absolutely have to. They will exhaust all other options first, would rather take a 7th rounder, a journeyman minor leaguer, or an expiring contract for him before giving anything up with him. Will only do a deal like what CBC suggested if there are no other options. Sopel still has value, Hawks are banking on teams needing a point shot on the PP to bail them out on this one.”
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Interesting perspective. I was wrong about the minor league thing, he would count as under contract for next year even if sent down this year, so it looks like they do have to deal after all.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
leafs effing won!!! i will now go dance on my neighbours lawn who said leafs will lose by 5 minimum tonight!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 11:41 pm
The other question, of course, is whether moving Sopel would free up enough $$$ to get the other contracts done in the first place … this all may be moot if it turns out the Hawks need to free up more than Sopel’s 2.3m.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:45 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
If pushed to it, what kind of pick or proscpect to go along Sopel in a deal? As high as a 2nd round pick? Would they ever consider moving Kyle Beach in such a deal? That is pending if Chicago deals with the Leafs. I still can’t see any team helping out the Hawks with taking Campbell’s contract.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:47 pm
@ Garrett Bauman
I think that is why a guy like Sharp might have to part of a deal with Sopel so enough $$$ is coming off Chicago’s books.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
@Marois
Maybe. But I don’t see how that works for the Leafs, cap wise. Unless both Blake + Sopel were going to the minors … but … the ramification of that deal would be that the team could not call up Bozak.
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Odds are you’re looking at a pick in that scenario. Chi won’t move a 1st to do that deal, and they won’t move Beach as they know what they have in him already. History suggests a 4th rounder would be the best to hope for (maybe a 3rd if Hawks are desperate) … usually you don’t see any higher than that in deals like this. Witness the 4th the Leafs gave up to move McCabe, and the 4th they got from TB at the deadline last year.
November 21st, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Kaberle
Stajan
For
Sharp
Beach
something along thoughs lines, prob would have to take more then that, but it’s a start lol
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:04 am
@ Garrett Bauman
Taking back salary in a trade and only getting a 4th rounder makes no sense to me. The TB trade at the deadline made sense since all of those player’s contracts were expiring at the end of the season.
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Might as well concentrate moving a Stempniak or Stajan for a 2nd or 3rd rounder to some team at some point during the season (keep in mind TO does not have a 4th round pick of their own this season).
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Fogetting for a moment that Kaberle has said he refuses to waive his no-trade clause and Burke saying he refuses to ask him to waive it, are teams around the league asking about Kaberle’s availability? And if so, regardless if Toronto is uninterested, are teams willing to give up a 1st rounder and prospect for Kaberle? Is it possible Toskala has slowly begun to raise his trade value?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:11 am
Teams are asking about Kaberle, yes. Why wouldn’t they with the season he’s had? It all comes down to the NTC … but NTCs don’t prevent teams from asking.
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It will take a lot more than this recent run for Toskala’s value to rise. It’s only been a stretch of 3-4 games where he’s been decent. Yes he was outstanding tonight, but he needs to keep this sort of effort up over a much longer span before teams will have any sort of interest.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:15 am
Geez, what kool-aid is Burke drinking if he thinks that this win is going to change anything. They won and they are still 9 points back of 8th-place. If they lose to the Isles on Monday, they go right back to 11 points back, and could be more than 11 points if some of the teams ahead of them win in the next couple nights. They will never make up the difference in the standings and quite possibly never make up enough points to get out of a lottery position based on the teams they have to pass who are in a lottery position like TO.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:24 am
@ Garrett Bauman
Yes i agree but if Toskala strings some wins together and gets the Leafs on a roll, won’t Burke drink the kool-aid and think Toskala is more valuable hanging on to for a playoff run, rather than trying to deal him when his value finally starts to go up? Look, it’s 97% the leafs will not re-sign Toskala and let him walk.
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But the Leafs already invested a 1st and 2nd round pick for Toskala and will have nothing to show for it if he walks at the end of the season. Hell, the Leafs have nothing to show for buying out Raycroft so that would be two goalies the Leafs have waved bye-bye to and in the process it has cost them Rask, a 1st round pick and a 2nd round pick. Is that not a steep price to pay for letting Toskala walk for nothing?????
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 am
I will fucking puke if BB sends Kaberle to CHI for Cambell (and his ball and chain contract) and what amounts to Patrick Sharp. BB has to remember that every other team than CHI holds the cards. Their the ones that are FUCKED from a cap perpsctive, not us. We DO NOT need another D-Man with a MASSIVE contract. For us to do that we would need at least TWO of their first rounders as we are assuming all the liability in a trade like that and doing THEM the favour.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 am
The only way Sopel is a reality is if the second deal the Leafs are rumoured to be working on is one to clear some salary space. Can’t see Burke dealing for a guy who has actually been playing pretty well – for a winner, no less – only to stick him in the minors. If my numbers are right (and they may not be) sending Exelby down wouldn’t clear enough space for Sopel by itself. That second deal would have to clear additional space for a Sopel pickup to make any sense.
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Further, what would the Leafs give the Hawks for Sopel? Hawks would want an expiring contract (to avoid the tagging issue) … so maybe Exelby would be the guy. Still would have to clear additional salary, though. Can’t see the Hawks moving a decent pick in that deal, though … hmmm … maybe a three-way deal?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:46 am
You’re right Garrett
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The leafs don’t have the space to take on extra salary. Lets please not add Campbell, he’ll hinder our ability to sign a decent FA next season. We already have Blake and 2 extra defenseman takeing up enough cap space.
Kaberle
Komi
White
Schenn
Finger
Beau
Gunnarsson
Exelby
Frogren
How much is too much?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:52 am
gunnarsson is looking very good so far.
i say send luke down to the marlies for an entire month. he WILL come back his old self if they do this.
leave gunnarsson up. he is earning it. pretty solid at both ends so far.
i could see these two both becoming very good for the leafs over the next 5 years.
said it before and i’ll say it again……we are one more VERY skilled player (for Kessel’s line), and one VERY good power forward away from being a very good hockey club.
the leafs have not played bad since that first couple of weeks. not mentally tough enough, too many stupid giveaways. the worst has been that it seems every giveaway at a bad time results in a goal. we are peppering many goalies and just not finding the net. some more skill and a big body to drive the net and look for garbage will help out immensely in this dept.
i don’t think burke should hit the panic button just yet.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 am
hey im pretty drunk did i see the leafs win a shootout orr……. what happened
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:55 am
but i would trade kaberle to the first team that offers me a top line forward prospect, and a 1st round pick……
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:55 am
@Garrett
The whole thing here is that the trade has to fundamentally exchange at least two UFA’s from the Leafs for at least one Mid-Term contract from the Hawks and a PICK; again, we are the ones essentially taking the risk and doing them the favor. I think BB knows it and so does SB. I’m confident if their is a deal, BB will get his pick. It’s the only way I can see this deal actually working. My gut tells me that BB could be throwing Tlusty out there to really force their hand and possibly pry away a first….just pure speculation and conjecture on my part.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 am
@Almo89 11:17: Your proposal does not appear possible. Adding Bozak to the team would add up to 3.725mil to the cap, with $2,850,000 bonus money. With Schenn’s 2.1mil bonus money, and 1mil bonus for Kulemin and Gunnarsson and a small bonus for Gustavssen, that’s 6mil bonus money. Too much. I think the limit is 7.5% X 56.8mil = 4.26mil. Also Wallin $800,000 or Primeau 1.4mil don’t solve the problem, and would create more.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:13 am
@Bring The Cup Home 12:55: That might give you a headache.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:29 am
I would only take on Campbell if:
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a) We can unload Finger.
b) Chicago overpay’s large.
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I would consider moving Kaberle for Campbell because he may not be better then Kaberle, but he is at least in his category for sure. Plus Campbell is a year younger, More gritter, from ontario, and put’s up similar statistics. If they both were making 4.25, who would you take? Probably Kaberle, but it’s not a significant down grade. Plus it seems to me we have two guys who are trying to run the powerplay. Kessel and Kabere. Maybe we could go in a different direction and let Phil run the power play.
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Campbell + Kyle Beach + 1st rounder for Thomas Kaberle.
Finger to who ever for anything.
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Campbell – Komisarek
White – Beauchamin
Schenn – Gunnarson
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 am
Campbell has a no trade clause. Would you leave the young powerhouse that is chicago, ever?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:53 am
If the Leafs trade Kaberle for Campbell and a Chicago first – not a high pick, then Burke will be getting ROYALLY HOSED.
Taking on Campbell’s contract will prevent us from signing UFAs or acquiring players we need for years to come.
Therefore, CHI would need to provide us some of those players.
And as good as Sharp is – he is 27 and by the time the Leafs no longer inspire vomit – he’ll be 30 or 31 and you;d have to think his own salary will increase and handcuff the Leafs even more. Not the smart way to go.
We need to get 1 or 2 young prospects.
And if it’s Beach, I hope Beach can score because I haven’t seen him win a fight on any Youtube clip
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 am
^
That’s why Cambell is not even in the negotiations.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 am
There shoulda been a smiley with that last comment on Youtube
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:58 am
By the way Christian Hanson is in full BEAST mode right now.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:00 am
@ Chance – if your not wanted why stay?
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 am
^
To go to the Leafs???
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:13 am
Toskala was “outstanding” tonight. I am in the midst of watching the replay and unless they cut all his “outstanding” saves, I have not seen anything that would merit the use of “outstanding”. Solid, steady and gave his team a chance to win… My God, amazing how after one decent game people are already throwing around accolades as if he stole the game. Perspective please.
Although I haven’t jumped on the Burke for Universal Emperor bandwagon, even I would hope he has more smarts than to take on Campbell’s albatross contract… that would put him right down there with Uncle Bob on the dumbest GM moves of the last decade.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 am
@ Chance
If that is true, thank you for mentioning that (Campbell’s no trade clause), because hopefully that will help put to rest these stupid speculations about taking on his idiotic contract, just like all that silly JSG talk…
Can we discuss something that might actually help this team and not bury it in futility for the next decade?
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 am
lol this is why I NEVR bet for or against the Leafs, I always stay way the fuck away from their games
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 am
Can anyone explain how they loose against the worst team in the conference (other then us) and the next game win against the best team in the conference?
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:36 am
@LeafsRyan
-
They’ve played well enough to win all about 5 or 6 games this season. The fact that they’ve been to overtime 7 times illustrates their ability to hang with most teams in the league. The reality is that the Leafs of 2009/10 have been faced with three problems: 1.) No leadership for the forwards, 2.) inconsistent goaltending, and 3.) a defensive group that has not had time to gel properly. On top of that, they’ve just been extremely unlucky. This is a team that needs a bounce or two to win. They could easily be 11-7-4. They could win 8 of their next 10, or lose all 10. They’re just an enigma.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 am
and if it’s any consolation, the Hurricanes defeated the Lightning tonight as well – and they have played far better hockey than the Leafs. The Canes were just jacked up for a comeback, and the Leafs don’t have the confidence to stave things like that off. It’s going to happen with a team that’s teetering between being a good, solid, potential playoff team, and finishing last place. It’s such a fine line…
November 22nd, 2009 at 8:26 am
If TB wins Sunday (tonight), Leafs will be 10 points back of 8th, even though they are already 9 points back of a playoff spot. Yes, even Burke knows the impossibility of making the playoffs this year. I know he wants this team to win enough games so they are not in a lottery position, but winning a game here and there should not take away the focus of moving the dead weight last night.
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I know Varlamov was excellent last night, but Leafs have no finishers byond Kessel. Please Burke, don’t drink the kool-aid and think this team will round out into a playoff team by March and not unload the pending UFAs.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:01 am
wtf this teams plays one of the best games theyve played all year and we still dump on them yes they shouldve scored more and that has been the problem with this team since day one but give credit where its due. As well i have said it a million times this team isnt as bad as there 4-17 record suggests and almost every night they battle hard they just dont come away with a win so before you start to dump on this team or state how bad the coaching is or how bad all of our players are just stop because our team isnt that bad our players arnt that bad and our coach and GM are actually quite good at what they do.
With that said changes are needed because the team is 4-17 but dumping players is not the change they need. they need to move some some of there players like blake for a pick preferrably a second pick from florida if you watch a game hes played quite good just not great and the leafs have too much just good players ive even heard hes been considered by new jersey for jay pandolfo that would be nice deal to start with. second you need to make something happen with chicago maybe a kaberle and poni for campbell and beaufylien and a 1st you get a crazy contract but a pretty good player in return on campbell and a nice power forward in beaufylien and also a 1st round pick then id trade hagman for a 1st round pick or a prospect he has played wonderful but has had too many costly give aways for my liking like in ottawa to michalek that turned the momentum in ottawas favor and they ended up losing because of it. this way you open up a spot for ONE or TWO rookies and you alternate between the four we have which are really playing well on the marlies and i wouldnt start with bozak id call up hanson and tlusty hanson deserves it and tlusty should get a week or two to see if he can get things on track at the NHL level.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:08 am
@ daniel marois, Very good points and I totally agree. We are not in a position to challenge for the cup any time soon, so what is the need or rationale to take on Campbell’s or for that matter any one else’s onerous contracts?. Since we do not have our own picks, we have to find players by acquiring and playing prospects in the hope that some will pan out.
I hope BB will not compound his woes by bringing in multi-year and muti million dollar contracts. This may be the time to suffer, experiment and learn, and if it is, so be it. Let’s not panick. We should stick to the rebuilding plan and try and move payers one by one including burying one odd in the minors and improving incrementally.
Let’s not make the messy situation unsalvageable for years by adding muti-year multi-million dollar contracts which will handcuff this or any other management.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 am
@ Only
Blake for a second? Yah, ok. Like a team is goign to give a second for Blake. And where did you read anything about Pandolfo for Blake?
Chicago is ripping us off on your Campbell deal.
Hagman for a first? Where do you come up with your crap?
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:21 am
HockeyBuzz ban #3!! It’s a reallllll long one this time. And all because I said his real name. I’m surprised it wasn’t for calling him a douchebag:
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Shame on you for doubting Dwayne Eklund.
- nhlscout_2000
Dwayne Klessel to be exact.
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November 22nd, 2009 at 9:52 am
@Only_crime
Regarding Bozak! Gunnarsson was not the best option for call-up and didn’t deserve it either. Sometimes a player doesn’t have to score points to be the best option.
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BTW From Dreger. The only Leaf with zero value is?
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http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=299199
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The season can’t go by fast enough to get 14 out of this lineup.
November 22nd, 2009 at 9:53 am
Good to see Toskala performing to his potential again. I just know he’s going to re-sign somewhere dirt cheap next year, probably as a backup, but end up taking over the starting gig and posting insane stats.
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What was Boudreau thinking leading the shootout with Fehr???? There’s at least a half dozen other guys I would select before Fehr. Washington should have been able to win in regulation, but that shootout loss lies with the coach.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:00 am
@ Blair
Yeah, I didn’t understand Fehr starting that either. Especially with a loss in Montreal the night before, they really needed the win.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:01 am
@ hh
I don’t get it…. Dreger says Stajan will be a prime target. How does that translate into no value?
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:06 am
@Charlie
The article is about how to most teams all the UFA’s would be a challenge but to the Leafs it’s a great opportunity. An opportunity to get rid of under-achieving no value players. And Stajan is the prime target. He goes on to say Ponikarovsky has some value but the remaining players value is shrinking.
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He pointed at Stajan as being the only one not being re-signed. Believe me anyone watching him play closely would get that there is no value there.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:12 am
@ hh
Interesting way of interpreting his article. I saw it more as starting sorta fresh, and being able to trade guys, with the prime target OF OTHER TEAMS being Stajan. I get that to us he’s a suck, but bottom line is, he’s got some value around the league still.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:18 am
@Charlie
If he had value then why not be on the re-sign list? At least look like you have interest. The article clearly states he will not be re-signed yet clearly states that Ponikarovsky in all likely hood will be signed and the others are still under review. The article is about opportunity for the Leafs to make changes with Stajan being the prime change.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:20 am
Now that was a good effort, thats all I want to see, leave it all on the ice. Particularly, I liked how Luke Schenn took more chances, its as if he has finally understood to just play his game and have fun. I did not see a single player who didnt put out his best efforts. Well done Leafs.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:26 am
@ hh
So Antropov, Moore, Hossa had no trade value… I mean, the list goes on. People get traded. Stajan might not be valued on this team, but that doesn’t mean he has no trade value.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:27 am
all you stajan bashers are like old men who drool….constant dribble coming out of your mouths and fingers. Stajan is again on pace for 55 points. Be thankful that at least one of our centers is going to get to 55 points. Now if we had a top flight center well then maybe the criticism starts to be warranted. But for now, he is the best we have…and he is better than Grabovski in the eyes of Wilson. Here you old droolers…have a paper towel.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:29 am
I think Stajan will be traded and I believe thats who theChicago brass were looking at last night since their AGM was watching the game. Stajan could very well be a Blackhawk in a week or so to replace Bolland.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
@ peter
Who the hell uses paper towel to wipe up drool?!
There’s a difference between bashing him and saying we need to move him.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
Stajan, Finger for Campell, 1st rounder, Kyle Beach
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
Charlie, youre drooling. Here use a cup cause theres quite a bit there.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:36 am
@peterbleafs
And all you Stajan fans have never seen a real hockey player. Grabovski has more points but hey maybe you count him as a winger. Oh and that’s without Kessel on his line. Think before you post. Better then Grabovski? Based on what? Gimme a break. All indications point to Stajan not returning to this team (ZEISBERGER also has it in his article). So the 30th place team in the league has no room for him but other teams are lining up. Gimme a break.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:38 am
hh
I have always had a bit of an allegiance with Stajan but thats pretty much over. But I do see that he has more talent than he is given credit for but for the Leafs to win a cup he does have to be moved this year so I agree he will not be back. But he is no liability on the CURRENT team because they simply have no one better.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:42 am
Anyways no time to whine today because frankly last night was fun and I am proud of the work our team put out. I love seeing effort and it was there.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:43 am
Wow HonestHockey… I thought you were dumb, but not this dumb. Apparently, you can’t even fucking read. You bring up something written by Dregger and say:
”
BTW From Dreger. The only Leaf with zero value is?
http://www.tsn.ca/columnists/darren_dreger/?id=299199
The season can’t go by fast enough to get 14 out of this lineup.
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It said Stajan is most likely to be traded… NOTHING about him having no value. If he had no value, how would we expect to trade him? It’s sad that you can rip on people for being idiots, but you are the biggest moron of them all.
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2 MINS OUT!
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:46 am
sorry for not posting in a while…. have been away… who here agrees we need north american players taht will stand up for themselves and protect each other? whenever they crash the net, they alwys get pushed around and look like a bunch of pussies…
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:48 am
We need a Dustin Brown.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:49 am
Grapes, that you?
But yeah, I agree. I wanna see a bruising Canadian.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:52 am
@peterbleafs
If Stajan were a first, second or hell even a third year Leaf I would give him a break. But he’s not. His game has no value. He has not proven to be a first or second line player as the Sun article and no one close to any hockey organization see’s him as a 3rd or 4th.
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Alas it is not just the on-ice that pisses me off about him. Read what others on a losing team have to say to the press. Kessel in his first Leaf game “I need to be better”, Schenn “I have to do the little things better”, hell even OV last night “I didn’t play well”. But with Stajan, who never is to mad after a loss to talk, say’s things like “We need to be better” or “We didn’t play well”. He never ever, ever says ‘I’ to anything.
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GM’s are not blind. The other night with the goalie out Stajan won 4 faceoffs in a row. Good for him. What he did after the faceoff is what anyone who would scout this guy would see. Everytime he went to the net he was easily out muscled and of no value. That is because of his lack of work ethic. He never fights to win those battles ever and is a big reason why Kessel hasn’t scored an in close goal in awhile.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:53 am
If I were Burke, I’d be making a trade for David Backes. He’s a beast and is struggling right now.. if we could flip another struggling player for him, it could be a good move for both teams.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:54 am
@ Charlie
Yes! a bruising Canadian is exactly what i meant.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:57 am
@Hockey_Guru
Again clueless. Where does it say anywhere in the article anything about trades. And you say I can’t read. Absolutely clueless and still can’t hide behind the name change.
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Still looking for where it says Stajan most likely to be traded. Nope still can’t see it!!!!
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No Hockey_guru or 2 minutes for being a moron. You are an idiot.
November 22nd, 2009 at 10:59 am
Read between there little stars there, idiot. Also, where do you see anywhere in there that Dreger says Stajan has no value?…. yeah, that’s right… once again you are wrong. I must be the idiot, even though you can’t read and comprehend at a grade 5 level.
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On July 1st, the Toronto Maple Leafs may have as many as 17 free agents to contend with, and 11 of those players will be unrestricted.
For many teams this would be considered a horrendous challenge.
The Leafs look at it as a great opportunity.
The corps of the 11 unrestricted free agents includes Alexei Ponikarovsky, Lee Stempniak, Matt Stajan, Vesa Toskala, Garnet Exelby, Wayne Primeau and Mike Van Ryn.
****************************************************************
Matt Stajan is believed to be a prime trade target and isn’t likely to be back.
***************************************************************
Ponikarovsky is valued and will likely be offered an extension, however after that the interest in those remaining is quickly fading.
Under Cliff Fletcher’s supervision, Toronto acquired Stempniak from the St. Louis Blues for Alex Steen and defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo.
Unless Stempniak’s play warrants a renewal, any contract he’s offered from Toronto will be at significantly less than the $3.5 million he’s being paid this season.
The rest as they say….are history, through trade if possible, or simply contract expiration.
Close to $15 million could be saved.
However, some of that money will be reinvested in the Maple Leafs’ crop of restricted free agents, such as current NHLers Ian White, Jonas Gustavsson, John Mitchell and Nikolai Kulemin.
At the moment, White is the most deserving of a big raise on his $950,000 salary, while the jury is still out on Gustavsson, Mitchell, Kulemin and Jiri Tlusty, who will also be looking for a new deal.
Brian Burke is expected to embrace the opportunity to clean house this summer.
With Victor Stalberg, Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and Christian Hanson promising a brighter future, Burke will again scour the college free agent market, and likely target one or two NHL free agents and continually kick tires on trades.
However, one thing is certain: the 2010-2011 Toronto Maple Leafs will have a much different look.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:00 am
hey they arent idiots.. it says right in the middle (about) that stajan mostly likley traded
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
Correct Moron. Every other Leaf UFA is still under consideration to be re-signed but Stajan. If the 30 place team see’s no value why would any other team in there right mind see value.
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I’m done you are an idiot.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
idiot
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
LOL… you are so clueless. Don’t post things and act like other things were said. You are totally wrong, and I can’t believe you are going to sit there and still call me the idiot. I would expect you are done, since you once again have been proven wrong.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
I want Matt Stajan off this team just so we don’t have to argue about him anymore.
That’ll be the day..
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:04 am
@2 minutes for looking so good
Im in ur side lol
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:05 am
How? Where does it say Stajan will be traded? It says he won’t be re-signed. Period. Keep trying to make it something else.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:05 am
Who is the idiot who puts this Fantasy site online? http://www.forecaster.ca/thestar.com/hockey/depthchart.cgi?Tor
Look at who they consider HOT on the Leafs? Marked by Red squares:
Toskala – one game, fine (but until yesterday, it felt like he hadn’t won a game in a month!)
Poni and Grabo – okay
Blake – BLAKE??????
Kulemin – What????
Beachememin – after one decent game??
Stajan – wtf?
Mitchell – invisible and then a brutal shootout attempt!
But who’s cold, you ask? Blue Square:
Finger – he’s not Bobby Orr, people!!!
(Only one Leaf on this dreadful 4-17 team is considered cold, versus 8 hot players)
LOL!
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:07 am
@ lukethenuke:
lol… I would hope so… it’s sort of impossible not to be since the facts are right there…
@ honesthockey:
lol…look in the middle of the article and see where I cleverly put stars around the phrase “Matt Stajan is believed to be a prime trade target and isn’t likely to be back.” for you? It’s funny because that also shows how wrong you are… but the original point was, there is NOTHING in that article that says Stajan has no value, as you claimed.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:11 am
ya Honesthockey your an awful lot like my girlfriend you just hear what you want to hear and disregard everything else… Melissa is that you…
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
lol Tim, I think you need a new girlfriend. Atleast your girlfriend would be interested in hockey if that was here… but it would also clear she doesn’t know much about it! LOL
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:14 am
if that was her*
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
honesthockey, the article says stajan is considered a prime trade suspect – it does not say the leafs think he is worthless and can’t wait to get rid of him. he is a prime suspect because other teams actually want him. dreger has reported on this before. there was apparently interest in him from other teams in the training camp, when we thought bozak might oust him. the reason he isn’t being considered for resign is because we are deep at center in the coming years with Kadri, Bozak, Grabovski, Mitchell, etc…
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
So the 30th place team doesn’t want him back but somehow you geniuses read it as he has value. OK then.
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Hey Timmy, I doubt you have a girlfriend.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
@Cameron
Where does it say anything about a prime trade suspect. It clearly states he will not be re-signed. The prime suspect clearly says he is the only one at this point! That’s it. Nothing more.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
I hate to play the mediator here, but jesus… do you think you guys can argue without throwing insults at each other?
You can disagree on something and not try to belittle one another. An argument doesn’t have to be personal.
Just saying… :S
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:21 am
HE’S OUR MOST LIKELY TO BE TRADED AND BURKE IS LOOKING TO MAKE A DEAL… HOW DOES THAT MAKE HIM A PRIME TRADE SUSPECT? THE WORD IS SUSPECT! DO THE MATH ON THAT!..
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@ Cameron:
Good explaination… glad to see some people get it lol
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
@ Ron:
Honestly, I usually try… but this guy…. but this guy is like UG at hockeybuzz. He brings the site down!
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:28 am
@Ron, I know eh… the guy said my girlfriend doesn’t exist, you can’t get much more personal than that.
@2Min ya it’s a lost cause, Iv’e never seen someone proven more wrong in my life and it still doesn’t stop… Plus I thought 2 MINUTES was OUT!
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:30 am
@honesthockey
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im really confused about why you can’t find the line where it says he is a prime trade suspect. other posters have put it up here, and high-lighted it for you, and you still can’t find it. different teams have different needs. the leafs don’t need a 1st line right winger, for instance. in the future, they will not need another 2nd line center, as they already have 4 signed for next year. on the other hand, chicago has just 2 NHL calibre centers on their roster next year, and only 3 this year (Toews, Bolland and Madden). Bolland is gone for the season, so Stajan seems like he would be a good fit.
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likewise, the penguins don’t need centers, but they would love some wingers. if they end up trading Jordan Staal for a pair of wingers, or a puck-moving defensemen, it doesn’t mean they had no use for Jordan Staal – it just means that the asset was better used elsewhere. contrary to your beliefs, not every team has a 2nd line center on pace for 55 points, and capable of 40 assists.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:37 am
Guys…it’s come to the point where we’re all on the same page re: Stajan except one person who keeps pushing our buttons (ie. trolling). The concensus stands; you’re effecitvely promoting the troll by feeding him.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:46 am
Don’t pay attention to “2 minutes” little rants… he get’s cranky in the mornings. He only argue’s about things that don’t matter… As for hockey is there any truth to the Campbell rumours? People are throwing his name around like no tommorow, so I was just wondering where this is coming from. I posted a trade scenario way up there, but common we have to stay away from this guy. His contract is riduclous.
November 22nd, 2009 at 11:59 am
@ hh
I really hope you’re joking, otherwise I ‘mhonestly worried for you.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
@ LeafsRyan
What started with Campbell was the Hawks would have to overpay us to take his contract to the point where we would have to say yes. For some reason that turned into a Kaberle + Stempniak for Campbell + Sharp. I would stay so far away from that deal.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
LOL… I guess I am just cranky. That solves it
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@ Charlie:
I totally agree… Stemps + Kabs for Sharp and Campbell is a rip off. That just bones us for cap room later, and Stempniak hasn’t been as brutal for me to consider him a cap dump just yet. I wouldn’t mind getting Sharp, but if we are taking Campbell with him, we are going to be in some cap trouble sooner rather than later… Kessel-Kadri-Sharp would be a nice first line though.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 pm
yea, I think we could acquire Campbell without giving up Kaberle – so why wouldn’t we keep Kaberle for a separate, more beneficial transaction? of course, i’m no longer in favor of acquiring Campbell and trading Kaberle anyways – that contract is simply too massive.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Chicago COULD NOT GIVE AWAY Campbell with the contract he has. You would give up Kaberle for it now. Kaberle is the only thing that will get the Leafs a 1st and maybe a decent prospect.
Therefore, in return for TAKING Campbell – you negotiate something like Stempniak for Sharp.
That is, Campbell + Sharp for Stempniak (or someone whose contract is expiring and otherwise has no trade value). Yes, Campbell’s contract is that bad.
If they ask for something more valuable in return, you walk away and wish them good luck.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:15 pm
@ 2 minutes
Yeah, Stempniak’s played hard usually. If he is going to be a dump in a Campbell deal it would have to be because we come out so much on top that Chicago needs to save some face.
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@ Cameron
I’m completely against it as well, unless it’s just too good. The chances of that are slim to none though.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
@ JK3
I don’t disagree, but Burke would have to have at least two dman deals ready to go, one of them being a Kaberle deal, cause that is way too much on defense.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:17 pm
Exactly. I’d be all over Florida right now to take Kaberle + Stajan for Horton + Kulikov/1st. Then to cover up the hole that Kabs leaves, make a move with Chicago to take Campbell of their hands, but have Sharp included in the deal. They’d want cheap roster player and picks/prospect maybe. Not totally sure, but I would love to see something like that go down.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@ 2 minutes
I would be allllllll over Kaberle + Stajan for Horton, Kulikov + 1st. Like a pig on shit.
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I’m not so convinced we wouldn’t survive without Kaberle. Don’t get me wrong, he is a premiere talent when it comes to carrying that puck, but I don’t think taking on Campbell is necessary because we don’t have Kaberle, rather because a deal for him would be too good to pass up.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
@charlie
The deal (as proposed) would have to happen in the summer since Chi will need them to make a cup run this year and the Leafs would need to move two dmen to accomodate Campbell. Kaberle will be traded this year when the window opens. Hopefully Finger plays well enough to deal him, otherwise White has to go – I would hate to do that as he is the heart and soul of the team right now – but you have to sell high and get a good return from your players.
The Leafs don’t have the luxury to be sentimental anymore and I don’t think they will going forward.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
@ I probably don’t always agree with you, but in this case you are obviously right, as others have confirmed. Willful or inadvertent misreading of media information by some posters, (in this case honesthockey) is counter productive to the kind of thoughtful, fact based, and stimulating conversation this site allows us to engage in witheach other, about our Leafs. honesthockey has displayed an unfathomable and stubborn willingness to cling to a banal interpretation of Dreger’s article. Perhaps he is desperately looking for some more ammunition with which to dump on Matt Stajan. Just enjoy the day between wins. If someone can’t or doesn’t want to interpret the written page, we can’t help.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
The Leafs were 6-3-4 last year when Kaberle missed those 13 games right before the deadline. Not too shabby.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
@ 2 mins
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Was that someone else using your name, peterbleafs?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I don’t think we need to make Chicago our trading partner. When the time is right there will be 10-15 teams interested in Kaberle, maybe more. We won’t have to exchange salary to make a deal. Kaberle is an elite player, its not like we’re trading Finger whom we would probably have to take some salary back (not that I have anything wrong with Finger). When push comes to shove we’ll get a 1st rounder, prospect, and roster player for Kaberle. If that doesn’t work, we’ll throw in Stajan.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
In those 13 games, 8 of the 38 goals were on the power play. way too lazy to do the pp percentage though….
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:34 pm
@JK3
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you have to be sentimental sometimes though. when burke traded andy mcdonald from the ducks, it killed his team. he was the same kind of player that White is. you don’t trade guys like that. the team understands a lot more if you move Kaberle, a veteran, who can massively improve the team. you don’t trade away young guys who are contributing at a high level, unless the return is too massive to ignore.
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i think i have faith that burke can move blake. i also think he will be able to find a taker for finger. finger’s putting up points, and he is fine defensively. he is a top 4 d-man on a lot of teams with his play, and a 5/6 on a lot of better teams. moving these guys for nothing, or salary dumps that we can throw in the minors, means we don’t have to trade valuable guys like white. instead, we can use the extra cash to go to town in free agency.
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I really hope that Blake is a St.Louis Blue before long. I think that is a team that really makes sense for him. They are currently committing 8.15 million in cap to Kariiya and Tkatchuk, but next year, would likely be able to have Blake, Kariya and Tkatchuk for the same price. That’s three pretty solid veterans to go along with Backes, Berglund, Perron, Oshie, Steen, Winchester, Crombeen, McClement, and of course, McDonald and Boyes. And it all fits in their cap so easily. I believe Blake would be highly effecitve for a team like this, where he is buried in offensive depth, and does not draw the attention of checking lines…
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:39 pm
@ Cameron
How is Blake going to be playing with Backes, Berglund and Oshie? Isn’t that who we’re going to get for him?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
@Charlie
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We also had Kubina, who is a PP wizard in his own right. During that time, Wilson moved Stempniak to the point, and he had much the same success as he did with it earlier this season. We don’t have a Kubina anymore to replace that offense – or even a Stralman.
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If we move Kaberle out, he has to be replaced, and I would suggest replacing him pre-emptively. If Burke is at all leaning towards trading Kaberle, either at the deadline, or at the draft, than he should do something like this at the deadline first:
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To Minnesota: Grabovski or Hagman
To Toronto: Zidlicky
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The Wild need more offense, and Zidlicky is an expiring contract. Burke would then immediately resign Zidlicky to Kaberle’s deal (3 or 4 years at 4.25 million), and effectively open the floodgates on offers for Kaberle. Next season:
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Komisarek / Zidlicky
Beauchemin / White
Gunnarsson / Schenn
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Three solid tandems that can provide offense and defense.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Ha, I wish. The nice thing about trading with St.Louis is they don’t have any salary to dump. So if they wanted Blake, it would just be a pick coming back, or maybe a less than useful prospect or something.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:42 pm
If you were a GM – would you take Blake? Honestly.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
@Charlie: When I looked at TB’s cap #’s, they have lots of space. Why do they need to dump salary (Vinny?, Malone?) as the perception seems to be?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:49 pm
@ hh
“Zeisberger reports trade talks have already been held involving the Leafs with Matt Stajan believed the likely target.”
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
@JK3
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It depends on my team. It’s like I’ve been saying with pretty much any of our players – we have different expectations of them than opposing GMs. We expect Blake to be a top six scoring threat, but he just isn’t without a good center he has chemistry with. Even without,he is still putting up points, and is actually our best player at working the puck along the boards. to a team that could afford to put him on their 3rd line (ie. St.Louis, because half their team is on entry-level deals, and will be for some time), and still surround him with talent, he would be a phenomenal acquisition.
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THis is pretty much what Brian Burke said about Blake when he first got here. He acknowledged that he struggles on the Leafs, but that he would have loved to have him on the Ducks. When you have a true first line, the effect trickles down through the roster. How many times do you see a player from a good team, move to a crappy team, and put up less than stellar numbers in comparison? It’s the same in reverse wth a guy like Blake. So yes, I would take him, if I could afford him, and also had the right team for him. He would be cheap as borscht.
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@Bob
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It’s their financials, not their cap. The building is empty almost every night, and the attendance is actually shrinking. They can’t literally afford to pay the bills, and are constantly having to lay off staff and what not.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 pm
To All,
I have re-read and I am totally wrong. I miss read the line “Matt Stajan is believed to be a prime TRADE target and isn’t likely to be back.”
.
Having said that it does not change my opinion. If the 30th place team does not want him back and is the only one on the list, according to Dreger, that they are not still considering then why would any other team want him? Oh I know I’ll here the “because he’s really a 3rd liner” but where is that proof?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:53 pm
@ JK3
Honestly, if I was a GM of a team struggling to score and I had the space or Toronto would be willing to take back salary, then I think I would give him a shot. One important aspect is wherever he goes to needs to have solid leadership with a good captain. You can’t argue with his speed and past production. Yes, he is overpaid now, but he wasn’t last season when he got over 60 points. He badly needs a change of scenery, which may OR may NOT get him started. I really think Florida would take interest in him being that Moore sucks right now. Obviously we’re not getting back anything too valuable, but on our part we are happy to get rid of his salary and on Florida’s, they would love to get Moore and Blake producing like they did on the Leafs. And Florida has new ownership that is probably looking to right the ship, which may be incentive to make a deal that doesn’t necessarily cost them the future. Blake would be just that.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
oh, and also on that note, this is the exact reason i wouldn’t want to acquire versteeg, and would even be cautions about byfuglien or bolland – are they the products of their surroundings, or are they legitimate stars in their own right? you know what you’re getting from blake, and as a GM with a better team than the Leafs, you know he can’t possibly be worse on your team.
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I remember an interview with Bobby Clarke after the Kesler incident with Vancouver. After Kesler’s disappointing offensive season in Vancouver, someone asked him if he was happy he had let him go. He said “No, he’s still a great player, and he would have been far more useful and offensive in our system, with our players.”
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:54 pm
@ hh
We have too much depth down the middle. Well, too much less than first line depth. Where does Stajan fit now, when you have Grabovski, Mitchell, Wallin and Primeau on the roster and Kadri and Bozak ready to come in next year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
#29 3 – 0 – 3 – 0
#35 40 – 20 – 4 – 16
#50 39 – 20 – 4 – 15
82 – 40 – 8 – 32 = 111pts
oxygen tanks on the bench at all?
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
I can appreciate what you are saying about Blake but:
- not effective as a scoring forward
- not useful in shutdown roles
- unfortunately he is just too expensive in a salary cap world
I am not saying he doesn’t belong in this league – what has to be considered though is his financial burden (both time and money) and his alleged off ice issues (being a malcontent).
Given all of those things, why bother – there are alot of other players that bring just as much to the table, and are 15 yrs younger.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
POSSIBLY INTERESTING NEWS:
“jonas640: Jason Blake and Jeff Finger absent from #Leafs practice Sunday. Finger suffered a lower body bruise on Saturday and didn't play in the 3rd.”
Ok, but no mention on where Blake was………….. It’s not like Blake played well enough that Wilson said, hey Blakey, take the day off cause you’re the only bright spot on this team.
Let the speculation beginnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn…. My Sunday just took became a lot more interesting.
Oh, and if Jonas updates something like Blake was just in the shitter, I will cry.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
@ Cameron
NO TO ZIDLICKY.
Thank you.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
@ Bob
Yeah, what Cameron said. They have a self-imposed cap. Plus Stamkos and Hedman are going to cost a pretty penny soon anyways.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
@hh
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it’s because other teams have different needs. we wouldn’t give up kessel to get bobby ryan – they perform the same function. pittsburgh wouldn’t give up staal to land filppula – they play the same position. we have kadri, bozak, grabovski, mitchell, didomenico, and possibly free agents to play the position stajan currently occupies. a team like chicago however, is currently icing a team with only 3 legitimate centers, and are missing david bolland. perfect fit. they have an excess of big strong wingers, and we have an excess of middling centers.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@Charlie
Agreed but when you look at that and Stajan is still the odd man out you have to call a spade a spade. As Zeisberger said in his column “Stajan’s a stand-up guy who has shown modest chemistry with Kessel. Having said that, he never has consistently proved to management that he can be a full-time first or second-liner.” There is nothing to say he could be a good 3rd or 4th liner either.
.
So if he can’t do it here on a 30th place team getting opportunity after opportunity why does anyone think someone else would want him?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
@JK3
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like who though? answer that, and you will answer your own question….
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
@Cameron
What need would a team want in a guy who can’t play 1st or 2nd line on the 30th place team, and has given no indication he could be effective in a 3rd or 4th line role?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm
@Cameron
Also what makes Chicago’s centers any less legitamate then Toronto’s?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Stajan is useful from the standpoint that he is a decent player that can give a team some depth down the stretch. He has an expiring contract – so the aquiring GM won’t have to pay too much if they feel like they made a mistake (see Antropov, Moore, etc). Stajan will be re-priced in the off season as a UFA. Question is: What is the insurance that Stajan provides worth? A second? (probably not, but its a low second so possibly). A third? (more likely).
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
@ hh
You’re begin so stubborn it’s making you so focusedo n what you don’t see. Stajan has decent numbers and on a better defensive team would make a solid penalty killer. This isn’t the team to utilize him most. Mitchell is faster and hits more so the third line role on the Leafs is his, in my opinion. Like we agreed, he’s not a bonafide first or second centre. And he most certainly isn’t a fourth line centre. On a good team, I think he would make a solid third line centre.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:07 pm
@Jademan: Sorry, I’m late with this response. I do agree with you, in general. Too many ceremonies. I just enjoyed last night’s.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
@Charlie
Stajan has better numbers playing on a top line. On any other team he wouldn’t have those numbers. The last time he wasn’t on the top line he produced 33 points and was a minus 11. Please show me anything that would suggest Stajan would make a good third line center and be good on the PK.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Cameron, ‘they’ are everywhere and mostly available for a much lower price.
Not to harp on Blake constantly but he takes up too many prime minutes (ie. playing with Kessel and until recently on the pp) and takes too many useless shots (ie. prematurely ending scoring opportunities). Now, if he could back that up with a 70% face-off percentage, it might be a different argument.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Mitchell has been disappointing for me. I realize its a sophmore year. Not a good enough playmaker/scorer to be on a top line (up to this point). Not good enough in a third/fourth line shutdown role (look at the +/- for last year and this year – awful). The speed is intriguing but he has to be able to use it effectively. The Leafs, to their credit, are trying to find out what they have with him.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Reassuring:
Bruce Boudreau was a confused man last night.
“I have no idea why (the Maple Leafs) are in the position they are in, but they’re dangerous,” the Washington Capitals coach said after a 2-1 shootout loss to Toronto. “They had a lot more territorial possession than we did. They’re going to turn it around very shortly. They’ll be a hard team to play against.”
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:33 pm
@ hh
On the contrary, if he was able to put up those numbers with the lack of talent Toronto has, perhaps he can even turn into a second centre on a good team.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I would like to see Hanson get a look with the big team.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:35 pm
JK3
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again, who?
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hh
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playing on the ‘top-line’ in toronto has meant playing with ponikarovsky and stempniak (until kessel returned), for 16-17 mins per night (2nd line minutes), against the oppositions best lines or shutdown units. on chicago’s roster, he would be hidden behind an awesome top line, and given very good wingers (possibly ladd and hossa).
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currently the roster looks like this in chicago:
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sharp – toews – kane
byfuglein versteeg – hossa
ladd – madden – brouwer
eager – kopecky – bickell
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versteeg is a LW, and Kopecky is a RW. acquiring stajan gives them 3 solid scoring options, and a center-man who has been good on the draws, and paces himself to finish the season about 18 points ahead of the guy he’s ‘covering’ for (bolland), despite his much worse situation in toronto.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:36 pm
@Charlie
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thank you for posting that. it just goes to show you that coaches, scouts and management see the game much better than ignorant fans who just want change now because they are tired of losing.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Brain Campbell + Cam Barker = 10.2 million for Kaberle + Finger = 7.75 million. We don’t get burned cap wise and if they still need more cap space, Finger is a lot easier to buyout/trade then Campbell.
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Campbell – Komisarek
Beauchemin – Barker
Schenn – Gunnarson
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Keith – Seabrook
Kaberle – Sopel
Finger – Hjalmarsson
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:38 pm
@ Cameron
Thanks for busting me… I’m really Burke… Damn!
I think he’d be a really solid fit in Chicago with Bolland out.
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@ Bob
Agree 100000%!!!
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Why is it that smiley’s get put at the beginning of the line it’s written? Drives me nuts….
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:42 pm
@ LeafsRyan
You, my friend, are fired as armchair Leafs GM. And no severance package, as this is termination with VERY just cause.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:43 pm
ok….lol
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Stajan is not good guys, he is a top-6 mold player without the skills to truly play in that capacity. He would be a good fit with Chicago because I think he can only be useful in a top-9 situation where he plays 3rd line minutes in a top-6 like role (Detroit’s way too as Filpulla is not a 3rd line center). The argument about points is stupid, he puts up decent 2nd liner points playing 1st line minutes, that does not equate to the same success in a lesser role as a 3rd liner. If he is playing third line minutes he doesn’t even come close to scratching 50 points but playing first line minutes he does. Let’s end this Stajan talk because it is a pointless feud where people ridicule others opinions.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:49 pm
Hey charlie, was it you that said no to zidlicky? How come?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:51 pm
@JFJ
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that’s not true though – he doesn’t play 1st line minutes, and he has to kill penalties. it’s a detriment to his stats that he plays on the top line, not a boon. stajan isn’t good enough to play against the best lines in the league, and the top checking units. in chicago, he’d play the same minutes (16 or so), but have better linemates and play against lesser opponent, and that equals win.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm
@Charlie: Usually 110% is enough in this game. The problem I’m seeing in bringing up Hanson right now is that even his contract doesn’t fit under the cap, without a trade to free up space. Even demoting Kulemin (waiver exempt), who seems to be developing into a useful 3rd line winger (so I wouldn’t do it), may not open up enough cap room for Hanson because of the structuring of bonus monies in each contract. Do you see any other alternatives?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Playing 19 min a game is first line minutes
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
I don’t think Hanson has any significant bonuses in his contract. I’m a little confused about his contract on the whole though. He signed a 2 year deal with the Leafs, and the first year apparently was only the 6 games he played last year? I though that entry-level deals did not become active until 9 games had been played – or is that only for under 20′s or something?
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
@Charlie: What are you talking about? I thought I was Burke.
November 22nd, 2009 at 1:58 pm
@JFJ
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until the last two games, his TOI avg. was 16 mins this season, and it has now jumped up to 18, but again, the man kills penalties and plays on the 2nd PP unit, if it all…
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Anybody else have a bad feeling about bringing up the kids I mean, Stalberg: 14:13min a game with as much PP time as Mitchell, Tlusty: 12:13min a game with even less PP time than Stalberg. I would hate to see Hanson get that treatment he seems to be morphing his game very well in the AHL becoming basically Antro with his net pressence.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
@Cameron
Wrong again. Stajan played the first portion of the season with Blake and Stalberg. When Kessel returned it was Blake and Kessel. Only recently Stajan has played with Ponikarovsky.
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Second line minutes which still translate into top line minutes on this team. If he was better he would get more ice.
.
What makes you think hidden behind anyone he could produce anything? When hidden behind Sundin he scored 33 points and was a minus 11.
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Blake scored 40 goals and the next season played most shifts with Stajan. Blame cancer or a fluke previous season all you like but the fact is once Blake escapes Stajan he produces something.
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I am amazed at how you write things like Stajan being on pace to outpoint Bolland. What part of Stajan playing top minutes on this team and 1st PP time aren’t you getting? He wouldn’t be anywhere near these numbers.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:08 pm
@ Bob
Hanson’s hit is $925,000.
You’re Nonis, silly.
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@ Cameron
I would assume because of Hanson’s age and that he was never drafted.
Firstly, you want to give Zidlicky a $900,000 raise and I’m not sure why. Zidlicky’s career year was SIX years ago when he had 53 points. He’s strictly a pp guy. I don’t see a need of wasting an asset on him AND paying him $4.25 million a year. He would cream his pants the second he heard that offer was on the table. There are guys out there, lke Bergeron, who are free agents. Habs needed someone and they signed Bergeron for cheap. Why would we trade for Zidlicky.
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@ jfj
He’s 23…. he should be able to translate that without the amount of time an 18 or 19 year old would need.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Just as I thought:
jonas640 Blake is probable for Monday’s game vs. NYI, Finger is questionable, was held off the ice today for precautionary reasons.
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And also, Toskala starting Monday. No big surprise there.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:10 pm
@hh
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that supports my argument even more, thanks. so rather than playing on the top line with ponikarovsky (who he has produced with), they put him with the one winger he has no chemistry with whatsoever, and a rookie. what do you expect from him in this situation? like really, what the hell was matt stajan supposed to do about it? he isn’t sidney crosby, get over it.
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that was 2 years ago, and he has since broken out of his shell. what happened then is irrelevent. andrei kostitsyn looked like a 30 goal scorer that year, and bobby ryan couldn’t hold a job in the NHL – It means nothing!
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Bolland averaged over 19 minutes a game (much more than Stajan), and was playing with Patrick Kane and Dustin Byfuglien on the 2nd line! He didn’t kill penalties, and he was 2nd PP unit – so what exactly are you talking about?
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:14 pm
@Charlie
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good point, i am paying him too much. still, the theory stands – if we are going to move Kaberle, we need to find someone to replace him first. If we trade him, and then start shopping for a puck-mover, we’ll be at the mercy of opposing GM’s looking to ram us hard. we could go young, and try for someone like jon blum. we could hope there’s truth to the phaneuf rumors, and try to pry him away, or we could middle of the road, and see what it takes to get ryan suter out of nashville.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
@ Cameron
I think we should look for within to replace him. White looks like he will be capable and Beauchemin is supposed to be. Gunnarsson is showing a lot of promise. And Zidlicky is a UFA, so why the trade? He’s going to be a rental and hit free agency.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Yea, I guess you’re right, we could look within, but eventually we’re looking for someone just like him. White is already on pace for a 50 point season, so we can’t expect much more from him – it’s not like he can step it up a couple notches. It will just be Kaberle’s offense gone if he leaves, and nothing more. We could look within if we were pretty sure Kaberle would be back in FA the following season.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
@ Cameron
Right, that’s the other thing. If Kaberle hits FA in 2011, I would not be surprised if he came back, I’m sure he understands his value to the club and that they trade him because they need to, not because they want to. My guess would be, if the Leafs were on their way to contending and offered him the term to make him retire a Leaf, he would come back. And for the right cap hit, we’d all want him back.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Not a basketball fan, but this Raptors game is good.
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Of course, first they give up the ten point lead.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
honesthockey, your still doing this… There are sooooo many players with more ice time on other teams that don’t put up the numbers Stajan does so stop beating that ice time point, Bolland was a good example Gomez as well like come on, give up.
Charlie I don’t think we have the defensive depth in the organization… look at the marlies problems
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:25 pm
@Cameron
Bolland’s 2:30 TOI/G on the PK begs to differ. And Bolland did not handy cap the production of Kane like Stajan did with Blake. In fact his style complimented it.
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BTW Bolland had more PP TOI/G then Toews. As you pointed out he was on the second PP unit. The opposite of Stajan in Toronto.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Ugh, you don’t even watch the games apparently. Sometimes Stajan isn’t even on the PP. And Stajan didn’t inhibit Blake – they just don’t work together. THey have both produced with other partners, so why aren’t you telling me that Blake inhibits Stajan? Your arguments don’t even make sense.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:30 pm
as if you could even compare jason blake to patrick kane too, like really, how stupid do you think we are?
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:38 pm
@ Tim
What issue are you directing that at…?
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@ Cameron
For some reason, hh is hung up on this and no matter how wrong he will refuse to give in. In the best interests of all our sanity, there’s just no point. No personal offense hh.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 pm
FFS, let me know when you guys are going to talk about something worth reading.
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Nvm i thought you were talking about for the future not to replace kabby….
November 22nd, 2009 at 2:47 pm
@ luke
FFS?
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:39 pm
for f***s sakes.
I’m trying to procrastinate from studying, and all I see is pointless bickering with someone who refuses to acknowledge that they are wrong. Painfully reminds me of the old saying: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”. By which I mean, we all know he’s not going to change his mind. We’re wasting our time (and making fools of ourselves by trying) to enlighten him.
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I’m being a hypocrite by even discussing it/adding to this ‘conversation’.
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Man, I need a new hobby. Maybe I should take up studying.
November 22nd, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Screw it, I’m bored:
Matt Stajan, the antichrist incarnate, is currently ranked #200 in the Yahoo/NHL Sports Fantasy League. Who is he ranked ahead of?
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Mikhail Grabovski
Joffrey Lupul
Devin Setoguchi
Saku Koivu
David Krejci
Paul Kariya
Slava Kozlov
Raffi Torres
Drew Stafford
Daymond Langkow
.
…the list goes on.
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