Random talking points on a variety of topics including Giguere’s shutout streak, a refreshing new attitude, the Schenn/Phaneuf connection, pending UFAs and more.
- Two games into his Maple Leafs career, Jean-Sebastian Giguere already has more shutouts (2) than Vesa Toskala had this season (1), and has the same number of shutouts as Toskala had in his past 95 games. Yeah, I’d say the Leafs won that trade.
- Interestingly, Giguere’s two shutouts as a Leaf also give him the same amount of shutouts as Gustavsson and Toskala combined this season.
- On that note, should he perhaps be re-christened “Jean-Shutout Giguere”?
- Something that really irks me is all this talk lately, mostly driven by MSM, over how much money Gustavsson might demand on a new contract and – more importantly – how a reduction in playing time would affect that. But wait just a second: wasn’t the original plan for him to only play 25-30 games? Never mind that some quick math will tell you if he plays once a week the rest of the way, he is going to end up in the neighborhood of 38 games played. Something tells me his bargaining position is going to be just fine.
- Another signifier that there is nothing to worry about in terms of Gustavsson or his willingness to re-sign? His comments in the wake of the trade with Anaheim, where he expressed his eagerness to work with, and learn from, J-S Giguere. Sounds as though this kid will have no problem being a backup next season, if he believes it will make him a better player in the long run. And so far, there has been no evidence whatsoever to the contrary.
- Speaking of players with a great outlook, Ron Wilson pointed out in his presser following the victory over Ottawa that what encourages him most is the young players’ willingness to learn. According to Wilson, “they make a mistake, they want to know what they did wrong, and what they can do to get better” (4:15 mark of the clip linked above). Refreshing, isn’t it?
- I can’t talk about attitude without bringing up this little gem: it took Vesa Toskala all of a week to start complaining about being a backup in Anaheim. He also can’t wait to “wash that blue and white out of [his] gear”, either. Don’t let the door hit your blocker on the way out, Vesa. Lord knows the puck never did.
- Andy Frost told an interesting story during Saturday’s post-game show. When Phaneuf was in the WHL, Luke Schenn idolized him and would beg his father to drive him to games in which Phaneuf was playing. Since the arrival of Phaneuf, Schenn’s game has, not coincidentally, improved by leaps and bounds.
- By all accounts thus far, Phaneuf has been nothing but a model teammate, bringing a confident, winning – and supportive – attitude to the team. Those close to the team suggest he has fully embraced a leadership role from the outset, and have summarily dismissed the “locker-room cancer” talk as fan-created scapegoating, similar to what the likes of Larry Murphy, Mathieu Schneider, and Bryan McCabe had to endure here.
- For all the talk surrounding the acquisition of Dion Phaneuf, Frederick “Shoestring” Sjostrom may be the real steal in the trade with Calgary. He won’t put up many points, but he knows his role and is steady within it. His positional play has been tremendous, in both 5-on-5 and PK situations. A smart player and an even smarter acquisition.
- Some have wondered why John Mitchell is playing the wing these days, as opposed to his usual spot at centre. Many feel that due to the lingering effects of the knee injury that shelved him earlier in the year, he has yet to regain the footspeed that made him so effective previously. The injury he suffered was quite serious, and although he may be ready to play without the risk of re-injury, the recovery period to the point where his game is 100% back to normal can take much longer. Hence the shift to the wing where top speed is less critical than it is at centre.
- On that note, you may ask, why not put him in the AHL? His contract will be up this year, and the Leafs need to figure out what they have in him. The NHL is a far better learning experience, and to his credit he has been much more effective since the switch was made.
- Andre Deveaux’s call-up should not come as a surprise. The Leafs have only been carrying 12 forwards and 7 defensemen since last week’s trades, so there have technically been two roster spots open for the past few games. Deveaux has certainly earned a look with his play this season, but beyond that the move also gives the coaching staff some flexibility with the lineup.
- One pending UFA I would like to see return is Lee Stempniak. True, his shooting accuracy has left something to be desired, but the rest of his game has actually been quite sound and his effort has never come into question. If the price is right, he could be a nice fit moving forward as a veteran presence on the 2nd or 3rd line.
- Wayne Primeau is another guy I also wouldn’t mind seeing back. Like Sjostrom, he is a player who is comfortable with his role and plays an effective game within it. He is also a good leader for a young squad.
- Approaching or at the deadline, look for Ponikarovsky to draw the most interest, with Exelby and Stempniak also likely candidates to be moved. At this point the Leafs’ primary interest is to gather draft picks, and the team is more than willing to bury a bad contract if it means a better pick comes their way in the deal.
- Tomas Kaberle. Don’t even want to go there, other than to agree with the general consensus: if he does not waive his NTC by the trade deadline, he is a very good bet to be traded at the draft. Simply put, (a) $27.7m is too much money to have tied up in the defense; and (b) no other defender on the roster could return the same value as Kaberle.
Looking forward to your thoughts as always,
garrettbauman@mapleleafshotstove.com
twitter.com/garrettbauman
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February 8th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
You know that he’s going to let in a goal tonight by calling him Jean-Shutout Giguere.
Great analysis as always Garrett.
February 8th, 2010 at 3:59 pm
@ Garrett:
Great article. Didn’t know that Schenn idolized Phaneuf. That’s great to know. I agree with pretty much everything there.
@ KKM:
I would’v esaid that before he named him that way. Thornton, Marleau, Heatley, Boyle. I think that’s all I really have to say. Toughest test since the trades, and should be for the rest of the year as I think we’ve played our 4 games against Washington already.
Pitts could also be a problem, but we aren’t there yet.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Good to see Deveaux getting called up. His stats kind of surprised me: only 4 fights, and 30 points (currently leading the team).
February 8th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
And Stempniak had one of the best shifts of the season on Saturday night. Great to see the Leafs on the bench whooping it up and cheering him on.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Nice random thoughts Bauman!
Can’t wait for the game, especially since I’m going.
JSG better give me a good show.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
@ Charlie:
f u
February 8th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Jordan wrote:
Yeah! Chuck you Farlie!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:23 pm
TuckerThomas wrote:
Yeah! Farlie you Chuck!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Great write up, couldn’t agree more!
February 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
While Kaberle, Phaneuf, Beauchemin, Komisarek, Schenn, Finger and Gunnarsson make a very formidable defence crew – in this salary cap world – One of them (and perhaps two) simply must go.
Obviously the most likely candidate is Kaberle who MUST be used to bring in that big centre (hopefully)if we are to move forward. Think he will be moved for a “young gun” like Mueller or Brassard (+) or a veteran like Brad Richards or Lecavilier? My choice would be for a young gun (not necessarily the ones mentioned above although Mueller is a favorite choice of mine) plus a 1st rounder.
Finger will also likely be traded or waived.
Getting rid of Blake’s contract was almost like getting a 1st rounder! Poni, Stempniak and Exelby – goners – but for what? Will they be packaged with Kabs for the “home run” or will they bring draft choices? We simply can’t keep them and “hope” they sign – and then walk away. Poni – 1st or 2nd; Stempniak – 3rd rounder; Exelby – 5th or 6th rounder? Time to move these UFA players out! Maybe Gainey’s replacement will make an offer?
February 8th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
fuck vesa toskala. Good riddance, asshole.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Hey Garrett: how about these random thoughts – The Monster has a lot more to prove to get any kind of raise in pay for next year or any other year. If Dion is such a great leader that the Leafs need, maybe he should be Capt. And maybe Primeau and Stempniak should come back for a lot less next year – Stajan can come back also.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:35 pm
Phaneuf would look fantastic with a C on his jersey.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Nice article Garrett….I agree with all your thoughts except about Stempniak, as I find him week along the walls, but he defintely has been better this year than last year!! I think we can find someone a little stronger on the boards to take his spot on next years team. IMO
February 8th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
@ 27leafs:
No argument with any of those suggestions.
Monster: I think he gets a 2 year deal averaging 1.5m – 2m per.
Phaneuf: I could see him getting strong consideration for the role, although ideally he should be here a while longer before being handed the letter.
Primeau: If he comes back I’d expect it to be in the neighborhood of 1m (makes 1.4m this season).
Stempniak: 1.75m – 2.25m range would be fair (has 2.5m cap hit this season).
Stajan: If he comes in at less than 2.5m (makes 1.75m now & is in line for a moderate raise), he’s welcome back. However, I think he is the least likely to return … he will be a 60 point player, and someone will offer him a contract in the 3m/per neighborhood. To which I say “thanks, it was fun and best of luck to ya.”
February 8th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
kingkessel wrote:
Who is Vesa Toskala?
February 8th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
but seriously, it will take me forever to forget about how god damn shitty this guy was.
February 8th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@KK.
Nope he was awesome ! Dont you know that is was all the organizations fault? What a douche bag he is.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
Im pretty sure Gainey got fired for the trade he didnt do, Kovalchuk. He truly was a lousy GM. Knew how to draft but really sucked at deals, setting up proper coaching and motivating his people. Good riddance. Now the ugliest man in hockey is gone. I am looking forward to Montreal improving and us meeting them one day in the conference finals and leaving them on the side of the road enroute to the cup.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Hi Garrett: Stajan is a TO boy and wants to be near family. I hope Matt doesn’t make the same mistake that Dominic Moore made – he should come back and take the hometown discount.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
The best hometown boys have gone far afield to become a man, then they can return. He should first contribute to a few rounds in the playoffs before he tries to come back here. Show he is a winner.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Garrett Bauman wrote:
<blockquoteStajan: If he comes in at less than 2.5m (makes 1.75m now & is in line for a moderate raise), he’s welcome back. However, I think he is the least likely to return … he will be a 60 point player, and someone will offer him a contract in the 3m/per neighborhood. To which I say “thanks, it was fun and best of luck to ya.”
Y’know (RW reference there), after all the talk about how much better the atmosphere in the dressing room is, how much more comfortable the young guys are, etc, I don’t want to see Stajan back. It’s possible that the team/RW wasn’t referring to him in all the recently made comments (ie. people talking about what they did four years ago, etc), but I doubt it.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Maaan, I was just looking at the leaders in the NHL for defensmen in stats, Kabs is 3rd!!, ahead of the likes of: Pronger, Lidstrom,Niedermayer,Weber,Chara, Boyle, like we better get a huge return, like bigger then we were thinking lol, I have not been keeping up where Kabs was in stats, but thats just crazy!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Kabs value just went way down. Another elite d-man on the market…
http://twitter.com/andystrickland/status/8820809610
February 8th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
@tt,
Ha, I read that earlier. Poor Carlo……just shows how much we do tend to overrate our own talent.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
@ TuckerThomas:
LMAO, Another elite defensemen, please, Carlo can’t stay healthy enough to play hockey. Leafs and Burkie have nothing to worry about.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Interesting interview with Allaire on PTS. Francois gives a little shot back to Toskala, felt good to hear after the ‘blue and white’ comment. Basically said Toskala didnt want to work with him and that BB and Allaire had been trying to get rid of him ever since training camp finished. He also gives some good insight into Gustavsson explaining some of the setbacks he has faced but he believes that he has the talent and the desire to become a good number 1, unlike toskala.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
TuckerThomas wrote:
lol… Kabs value probably just went up once GM’s know they have to settle for Souray of Colaiacovo if they don’t scoop up Kabs.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
Anyone who mentions Toskashitsthebed again should be banned from mlhs.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Kadri is in the lineup tonight, Cliff Fletcher on AM 640.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
ingy56 wrote:
Impossible
February 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
ingy56 wrote:
Haha!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I hope dion and Schenn Sandwich fuck the heater. lol
February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
TuckerThomas wrote:
No, it’s true. He’s on an emergency recall because Hanson and Sjostrom are down with the flu. They’ve recalled Deveaux and Kadri.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
OMFG it is FUCKING TRUE !!!!!!
KADRI! YES!
http://twitter.com/am640Brady
YES!YESYESYES!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:39 pm
Unreal
February 8th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
One game….Woopie… Truth be told…We needed him the whole damn season.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:42 pm
So:
Ponko / Bozak / Kessel
Kulemin / Kadri / Mitchell
Stalberg / Wallin / Stemps
Deveaux / Primeau / Orr
February 8th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Cameron wrote:
Yes!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
He’s gonna be sooooooo pumped!!, Imagine he gets like 4 points lol, Wooo I’m even more excited for tonight!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
RT @am640Brady: Nazem Kadri to play for the Maple Leafs tonight. Emergency recall.
5 minutes ago from web
February 8th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
It’s scrolling across the screen on Sportsnet … I thought I was dreaming so I had to come on and check.
How is this possible? It’s an emergency callup?
February 8th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Nevermind … just see the flu comment. Gonna be fun to watch for sure.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:53 pm
Apparently he will probably play Friday in St. Louis as well.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
He must just be loving it, I’m happy to see him atleast get a game or 2 this year. He will be flying that’s for sure
February 8th, 2010 at 5:54 pm
Marlies Man wrote:
Yes. Emergency. But I don’t think it has to be an emergency. The rule applies to the AHL not NHL. Kadri can be recalled to the Leafs at any time. Just not the Marlies. If he plays 10 games then it’s a year of entry level applied. Not sure if emergency recall means this doesn’t count towards his 10 games though. Someone correct me if I’m wrong!
February 8th, 2010 at 5:56 pm
TuckerThomas wrote:
Greg Brady on AM 640 said it is permissible only if his OHL club is not playing. Not sure if it is technically an emergency recall, but there are limitations.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
TuckerThomas wrote:
That is not correct.
He may not play for the Leafs until his junior team is done for the season.
This is an emergency recall which is why it’s allowed.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
Just say no to Matt Stajan… no matter what the price. Burkie even said that the trade helped get rid of the old attitude (or something close to that) …Stajan will never be back, no matter how little he asks.
February 27th, 2010 at 12:46 am
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