Chicago

Maple Leafs Player Power Rankings: Week One

by on October 11, 2010- 199 Comments

Week one of the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule is in the books, and while it only featured two games, there is plenty to talk about as far as the season goes.  The Maple Leafs are off to a 2-0 start, having won their second game of the season nearly one month ahead of the time they got win two last season.

Through week one of the season, here are the Maple Leafs player power rankings, as seen by me. [more…]

Preseason Game #7: Toronto at Ottawa

by on September 29, 2010- 823 Comments

The Leafs head to the capital tonight to take on their bitter provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators, for the third time in seven preseason games.

Tonight's game figures to be the last chance for players on the bubble, including highly-touted Nazem Kadri, to make a lasting impression. When asked about these players, head coach Ron Wilson was emphatic:

"When the puck drops on the first day, you better be ready to go. No tip-toeing around. No ‘oh, the water’s cold, I’ll wait until it warms up a bit’. Nope, you’re diving in and the guys who didn’t, as [Leafs' GM Brian Burke] said, they’re waiting by the bus stop. Well, they missed it, the bus already left. Now their job is running down the road hoping they can get on." (via)

With the pre-season set to end with a home-and-home against Detroit to open the month of October, the general sentiment is the Leafs will use a roster for those games comprised of the players who are expected be with the NHL club on opening night. For Nazem Kadri, John Mitchell, Jay Rosehill and Mike Zigomanis, tonight (or by a slim chance the first of the two Detroit games) may be their last shot.

[more…]

Toronto-Pittsburgh: Live Game Blog

by on September 12, 2010- 946 Comments

The following is a live, up to the minute game blog featuring the rookie tournament game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Pittsburgh Penguins.  Remember to hit refresh for the latest updates.

[more…]

Ottawa-Chicago: Live Game Blog

by on September 12, 2010- 33 Comments

The following is live, up to the minute coverage of today's rookie tournament game between the Ottawa Senators and the Chicago Blackhawks.  Remember to refresh the page to get the latest updates.

[more…]

Blackhawks-Maple Leafs: Live Game Blog

by on September 11, 2010- 605 Comments

The following is an up to the minute, live game blog of tonight's rookie tournament game featuring the Chicago Blackhawks and the Toronto Maple Leafs.  Remember to hit refresh to see the absolute latest updates. [more…]

Rookie Tournament: Game Day

by on September 11, 2010- 107 Comments

Finally the day many of us have been waiting for has arrived.  The NHL Toronto Maple Leafs rookie tournament kicks off this afternoon in London, Ontario, and for many it's a chance to catch on ice hockey for the first time in quite a while.

Today's action features the Pittsburgh Penguins rookies taking on the Ottawa Senators rookies in afternoon action.  Also on the bill today, the Maple Leafs rookies will play the Chicago Blackhawks rookies in the nightcap.

Here is all you need to know about today's games.

[more…]

Rookie Tournament Preview: Who To Watch

by on September 6, 2010- 289 Comments

The Toronto Maple Leafs will host their rookie tournament this year in London, Ontario from September 11th to the 14th, and Maple Leafs Hot Stove will have unprecedented, wall-to-wall coverage of the event.

Join us here for live game blogs, game previews, game reviews, exclusive interviews, and more!  Today, we will look at the top ten Leafs players who will be worth paying extra close attention to at this weekend's event.

[more…]

12 Burning Questions: Will The New Faces Fit In Their New Places?

by on August 23, 2010- 173 Comments

In part seven of his 12 burning questions series, Derek Harmsworth takes a look at how the new faces will fit in with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brian Burke has always argued the fact that July 1st is his draft, the time where he does his best work in bringing in key pieces that will push his team to that next level.  While he isn't inept on the draft floor, it isn't his strength.  To his credit, it's something he doesn't necessarily hide either.

And while this summer's free agent frenzy is more calm than in the previous years, there is no doubt that through free agency, and the days leading up to it, that Burke took steps towards continuing to shape this team in his vision.  The moves have been made, and barring any sort of changes, this may well be the team we see enter training camp in under a month.  With that in mind, it's time for Leafs Nation to ask, exactly how will the new faces fit into place in Toronto? [more…]

MLHS To Have Exclusive Rookie Tournament Coverage

by on August 19, 2010- 39 Comments

The Toronto Maple Leafs 2010 rookie tournament is coming to London, Ontario and Maple Leafs Hot Stove is pleased to announce that we will have exclusive, unprecedented coverage of the event!

Just confirmed earlier tonight, I will be in attendance at the John Labatt Centre for the duration of the tournament, providing up to date news from the rookie tournament for the Toronto Maple Leafs, as well as the other competing teams (Pittsburgh, Ottawa, and Chicago.)

As part of our exclusive coverage, I am pleased to announce that we will have game day previews, game day recaps, live blogs, live tweeting, as well as exclusive interviews with some of the Leafs biggest rookies and prospects. [more…]

No Pity for the Hawks Tallon Built

by on August 5, 2010- 1,011 Comments

 As the systemic dismantling of this summer’s Stanley Cup champions continues in earnest, league watchers are crying foul. Where detractors of the current, hard revenue based cap once denounced the communistic, unilateral sharing of league revenue as the prime illustration of illogic in the CBA (alongside the long-long term contract loopholes), Monday’s exit of Antti Niemi from the Chicago Blackhawks has helped turn the club into the latest martyr’s of the cap.

[more…]

The FanPost

by on August 1, 2010- 298 Comments

A Comparison of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Defensemen

By: Byron Nelson (aka: DefenseWinsChampionships)

Bored at work on a Monday afternoon, I found myself wondering which current Maple Leafs’ defenseman had the best season in 2009/2010. While the obvious pick would be a flashy, high point-producing player like Tomas Kaberle or Dion Phaneuf, it seemed as if a greater deal of investigation would be required to come up with an informative answer. Needless to say, investigate is exactly what I did. [more…]

Notes + FanPosts

by on July 26, 2010- 50 Comments

- If the TSN reports that Frolov could sign a 1 year deal comparable to that of Afinogenov last season ($800,000) are true, then why weren't the Maple Leafs heavily involved in discussions with Frolov's agent? He's a big guy who can win some pucks, plays a well-rounded game and would fit perfectly in the top line left wing role at a bargain basement price. Remember a few weeks ago when I talked about a deteriorating market? This potential signing may just be the beginning.

- The Toronto Sun reports that the Maple Leafs' Rookie tournament will take place at the John Labatt Centre in London from September 11th-14th this year.

- The Hockey News makes the case for the Maple Leafs as a surprise playoff team this coming season.

- On to the FanPosts. Andrew Edwards (AKA Crazyaces) proposes a solution for these ridiculous long-term contracts, while Michael Cuttell continues his preseason synopsis by evaluating the Leafs' current forward group. [more…]