Alex Tran
According to Darren Dreger, the Toronto Maple Leafs are closing in on a contract with Notre Dame senior Christian Hanson, son of the legendary Dave Hanson from the cult classic "Slapshot". This move is just the beginning of what should be a very busy offseason for Brian Burke as he attemps to replenish the Maple Leaf farm system. [more…]
As the goals against continue to pile up, so do the questions regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs' future between the pipes. Last night's 7-5 drubbing at the hands of the Boston Bruins officially moved the Leafs to the basement of the NHL in terms of goaltending and defensive play with an astounding total of 274 goals allowed (3.41 GAA). Combine that with a league worst 88.4% save percentage and you've got some serious issues. The team directly above them? Andrew Raycroft and the Colorado Avalanche. Ugh. [more…]
Remember the way back in the day when the "Can't Beat Cujo" signs filled the ACC on those passionate, rambunctious (always wanted to use this word) Saturday nights? Well tonight, we got a brief glimpse of the glory days as Joseph turned in a magnificient performance down the stretch to steal a point away from Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. [more…]
International Scouting Services (ISS) has released the March edition of their monthly top 30 rankings for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in June. Much of the names at the top remain unchanged, while a couple new players begin sneaking into the top 30. In Canada, Major Junior playoffs are about to begin, and it's crunch time for draftees as they prepare to make one last impression on NHL scouts. [more…]
In the first column of this two-part series, we took a quick look at Leaf prospect Jiri Tlusty's breakout campaign in the American Hockey League this season. Entering a season where expectations were tempered and hope and patience were preached, we've been privy to a few oustanding seasons by Leaf youngsters across all levels of junior, minor, and collegiate hockey. Today, the spotlight's on Mikhail Stefanovich of the Quebec Remparts. [more…]
From the Leafs webiste: "The Leafs announced Saturday that forward Chris DiDomenico has been signed to a three-year entry level contract. The 20-year-old native of Toronto was selected by the Leafs in the sixth round, 164th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft." [more…]
When was the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs produced a bonafide star calibre forward through their development system? Sadly, the only one in recent memory, Brad Boyes, doesn't even play for the Leafs, but rather for the St. Louis Blues (where Toronto 1st rounders go as they mature). [more…]
John Tavares has emphatically put a stamp on what will likely be his last season of junior hockey by netting a hat trick today, including the game winner to propel the London Knights to a 4-3 victory over the powerhouse Windsor Spitfires. [more…]
Elliotte Friedman of CBC is reporting that the Toronto Maple Leafs have expressed interest in putting in a waiver claim on veteran goaltender Martin Gerber. It's speculated that this surprising interest may be a result of two possible scenarios:
#1 - The Leafs have lined up an appropriate trading partner for Toskala and need a veteran goalie to stick in the net for the rest of the season.
#2 - As rumored for the past few weeks, Toskala may indeed be hurting and the Leafs may choose to shut him down for the rest of the season as he undergoes surgery. [more…]
With the rebuild process in full effect, the Toronto Maple Leafs are exhausting every single possibility when it comes to bringing quality young players into their system. Dave Nonis, senior VP of hockey operations for the Leafs, was just on the Bill Watters show earlier this hour and discussed a number of topics pertaining to the Leafs, including the team's approach to handling its NCAA prospects as well as possible interest in some of the prized college free agents. [more…]
As the trade deadline looms ever closer, the Ottawa Senators have just completed the second major trade in the last few days, by sending San Jose's 2009 1st round pick acquired from Tampa in the Andrej Mezaros trade along with center Dean McAmmond to the New York Islanders in exchange for center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli. [more…]
I can't provide anything more than rumours and speculation at this point, but there appears to be a story of considerable magnitude brewing tonight concerning several Montreal Canadiens players. Earlier tonight, RDS, the main television station for the Habs reported that there would be a "huge bomb" dropped on the city of Montreal tomorrow.
Update: Sportsnet will have the entire breaking story starting at midnight. [more…]
