If I Told You…
If I reported back from the future after the Leafs‘ first 17 games and told you before the season started:
Joffrey Lupul has been out injured since game three, Jake Gardiner has only played two games and is in the minors, Phil Kessel went on a 10-game goalless drought to start the season, Dion Phaneuf recorded only one assist and no goals in his first 11 games, James Reimer has been out injured for several games and we haven’t acquired Roberto Luongo or any form of goaltending help, our only player acquisition since the lockout ended is Frazer McLaren, Colton Orr has been playing on the third line the past few games, and John-Michael Liles has been a healthy scratch while Korbinian Holzer, Mike Kostka and Mark Fraser are playing significant minutes on the backend…
Would you have put the Leafs record at 10-7?
I think that’s a testament to some pretty good work by Randy Carlyle and the coaching staff from a systems play standpoint and a big credit to hot starts from the likes of James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Matt Frattin, James Reimer, Ben Scrivens, and some of the new role players we’ve seen come to the fore. The million-dollar question is: Is it sustainable? Either way, a good start is a good start and a better start in a short season, so let’s hope the Leafs keep themselves in it and that their cause is boosted when the likes of Frattin, Reimer, Gardiner and eventually Lupul return to the lineup.
Onto some Thursday Morning Links…
The Leafs’ looming PDO demon
Cam Charron says nope to that last question.
Leafs/Sabres Preview from NHL.com
Bad news: According to this report, the game is only available on Sportsnet-Ohio.
It’s time for Jake Gardiner to return, but it’s not that easy
Complicated by Kostka and Fraser being waiver prone. Holzer is exempt.
Our opponent tonight fired their very long-tenured head coach
Andy Boron at Die by the Blade has his analysis on the firing of Lindy Ruff.
Maybe the most famous loss in Maple Leaf history
Michael Langlois with a not-so-pleasant trip down memory lane.
Toronto Maple Leafs understand Rebecca Marino’s situation
Nice story here.
Tarasenko gets labeled
Scary looking eyes on Vladimir as he tries to figure out where he is.
Flyers end Penguins’ miracle comeback as Voracek notches hat trick goal
Game was circa 2012 playoffs.
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@Uncle Otis I’d say McLaren handled himself quite alirght!
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Uncle Otis•3 mths ago
Not bad, but Orr >McLaren IMO.
Should be interesting.
@B_Leaf There’s nothing to base most of this on. Reports I heard were that he got fired because he wasn’t willing to get Luongo at all costs. I don’t believe any of those nonsense reports. Burke was Quoted, “Kadri is going nowhere”. He signed Holzer to a one way indicating that he thought he was ready to challenge for a job. That’s how you credit Burke.
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B_Leaf•3 mths ago
How exactly do you credit Burke? Reports are that he was going to deal for Luongo. And that may have cost us Kadri and Frattin. Also there is no guarantee Burke would have allowed all of Fraser, Kostka, and Holzer to make the team ahead of Komi and Liles.
@BorjeSundin You should stop listening to “Something”, he’s not telling you anything worth knowing.
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BorjeSundin•3 mths ago
Man this is a serious demotion for Brian Burke. To work as a scout?
Watching junior games in Plymouth and Sarnia and staying at the Best Western. Being a scout is one step up from a ticket usher.
Something tells me his reputation in the NHL has taken a huge fall.
Lets hope the boys have the energy to go out and play “Carlyle” hockey tonight. Finish your checks, don’t turn it over at the opposition blue line, own the key spaces of ice.
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@Shift_Disturber Well you know how I feel about McGill.
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Shift_Disturber•3 mths ago
So Pashley and Bonhomme or McGill and Osborne?
@BringbackYushki lolll, its hard to say, it looks like he knew what he was doing though haha. Still though, Carlyle did alot for that city just didn’t seem like the time but thats just me. I’m sure the kid in the picture is pissing on a leaf and thats what he wanted to get across but who knows.
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BringbackYushki•3 mths ago
it is distasteful , hardly knows if he meant it how it looks from here , jets fans arent that hateful
@Radar O'Rielly Lol :)P
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Radar O'Rielly•3 mths ago
Is Ted Nugent doing the cheking?
didn’t i saw to someone on here the other day that burke would go back to ANA?
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http://mapleleafshotstove.com/2013/02/21/preview-and-gdt-sabres-at-maple-leafs-7-p-m-sportsnet/
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@wiski I thought so. LOL
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wiski•3 mths ago
Very nice smile ;)
@Shift_Disturber Very nice smile ;)
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Shift_Disturber•3 mths ago
<------- There ya go @honesthockey:disqus
<——- There ya go @honesthockey:disqus
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@Mind Bomb Sorting out gang affiliations?
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Mind Bomb•3 mths ago
There still checking everyone for fire arms .
So Pashley and Bonhomme or McGill and Osborne?
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@Radar O'Rielly The Great White Buffalo
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Radar O'Rielly•3 mths ago
Is Ted Nugent doing the cheking?
@Loric76 I try and follow most Toronto teams. Leafs are my #1 Jays #2 and then theres everything else
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Loric76•3 mths ago
I keep hearing acronyms like that and am left wondering what they are...NBA, MLB, NFL, etc.
As far as I know there's only two seasons around here...hockey and summer...
@Mind Bomb Is Ted Nugent doing the cheking?
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Mind Bomb•3 mths ago
There still checking everyone for fire arms .
@Loric76 You got that right…….Jack!
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Loric76•3 mths ago
I keep hearing acronyms like that and am left wondering what they are...NBA, MLB, NFL, etc.
As far as I know there's only two seasons around here...hockey and summer...
@BringbackYushki I keep hearing acronyms like that and am left wondering what they are…NBA, MLB, NFL, etc. As far as I know there’s only two seasons around here…hockey and summer…
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BringbackYushki•3 mths ago
NBA?
@Mind Bomb lol
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Mind Bomb•3 mths ago
There still checking everyone for fire arms .
@Mike_84 There still checking everyone for fire arms .
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Mike_84•3 mths ago
anyone else find it odd that trades from the NBA trade deadline at 3pm still haven't been confirmed
@Mike_84 NBA?
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Mike_84•3 mths ago
anyone else find it odd that trades from the NBA trade deadline at 3pm still haven't been confirmed
anyone else find it odd that trades from the NBA trade deadline at 3pm still haven’t been confirmed
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@Mike_84 That would add a new dimension to their rivalry LOL
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Mike_84•3 mths ago
If it wasn't for the rivalry between COL and DET there could be a fit. Well the wings could use ROR
@Shift_Disturber or not. Looks like they’re Jets fans. You’re right @Skip2myYOUUUUUUTH:disqus I think we should burn these little pricks at the stake. ;)
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Shift_Disturber•3 mths ago
It might be Calvin pissing on the habs logo, or the sens logo
@Shift_Disturber If it wasn’t for the rivalry between COL and DET there could be a fit. Well the wings could use ROR
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Shift_Disturber•3 mths ago
sure that too. Detroit, Buffalo or Toronto? All relatively close to home. LOL
@Skip2myYOUUUUUUTH it is distasteful , hardly knows if he meant it how it looks from here , jets fans arent that hateful
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Skip2myYOUUUUUUTH•3 mths ago
Lol anybody else notice that douche behind Carlyle in the picture above? With the poster of the kid basically peeing on him? Classless in that moment of recognition.
It might be Calvin pissing on the habs logo, or the sens logo
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Lol anybody else notice that douche behind Carlyle in the picture above? With the poster of the kid basically peeing on him? Classless in that moment of recognition.
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@rustynail Lucky he didn’t bleed out
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rustynail•3 mths ago
James Mirtle @mirtle
Jets defenceman Zach Redmond underwent surgery for three hours today to repair a laceration to his femoral artery and vein. Horrific injury.
