Montreal
... they didn't give up the fight.
Maple Leafs' fans should be very pleased with the effort displayed in last night's 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Â Although another loss is disappointing on the surface, there is much to feel good about in regard to the team's play following a week's break. Â It is not often that one can look at a loss as a game to instill confidence; however, last night's game should serve to do exactly that, among both players and fans alike.
Make sure to catch Daniel’s Rangers/Leafs preview.
I'll be attending my second Marlies game of the season today at Ricoh Coliseum at 3:00 PM. They try to avenge a loss last night to divisional rivals, Rochester Americans in the second half of a home-and-home.
Watching games, got me to thinking about perspective.
EDIT: Brad has a great take on this situation as well!
[more…]
I often have to deal with a lot of commentary that seems when the Leafs skid, becomes more and more of the 'I told you so' variety. I don't get many 'hey great job' comments when things are going well, however. With this six-game funk, there's a boatload. But a couple made me think about why Schenn should be a candidate to sit on Saturday night.
[more…]
0-2-1 after 3 games, and the sky is falling.  Or so chicken little would have you believe, anyway.
3 games in and panic?  Seriously?  You'd think the Leafs just traded away a handful of high picks for a relatively-unknown goaltender with an injury history.  Wait, scratch that -- they did that a couple years ago and as I recall the move was far more heralded than denounced, at the time.
Which is exactly my point:Â you can't know, early on, exactly how things will turn out.
It seems just a few months after an investigation was done on the Maple Leafs regarding the Vancouver Canucks Sedin twins prior to free agency day, the Leafs face yet another potential charge for tampering. Once again, it involves the Canucks, and Vancouver's GM Mike Gillis is not standing back this time.
[more…]
The Maple Leafs are creative. You have to hand it to them for finding new ways to lose games all the time. In the home opener against Montreal, it was sloppy turnovers and poor special teams leading to a blown late third period lead. On Saturday night, they decided to pack it away early against the Caps before going on a late run at the end to make the score more respectable. Tonight, it was a listless effort physically and emotionally, creating virtually nothing in the way of offense and falling victim to a pair of strange plays. [more…]
Time to shake off the lingering effects of a rough Saturday night, by taking a peek at some of the stories headlining today's Leaf news. A peek at Wilson's coaching cheatsheet, a case for the Monster to start on Tuesday night, random notes from the games, and some quick prospect updates for Kadri, Blacker and Stefanovich. [more…]
It feels strange to have the similar attitude of Bill Watters on Leafs Lunch towards prized free agent acquisition, Mike Komisarek’s regular season debut against his former club. But … here we are.
[more…]
According to TSN, Stalberg has made the team and even found himself on the top line. Talk about getting the opportunity to showcase your talent. He'll start Thursday's opener against Montreal on a line with Jason Blake and Matt Stajan.
[more…]
Earlier today I was able to catch up with the Leafs at their new practise facility, a day before training camps officially open. I had just arrived and pulled into a parking spot and just as I was about to step out of my car, a beast of a Cadillac Escalade pulled into the spot right beside me. I had noticed the New York plates as it drove in, and was quite pleased to see new Leaf Mike Komisarek step out. It was my first time meeting the former Hab in person and it didn't take long to figure out why he was so popular and well liked amongst his peers and fans in Montreal. He was more than willing to sign any autograph demands from his new fans, and was quite easy going. Any questions regarding his relationship with Grabovski, and if there were any ill feelings between the two can be put to rest. During skating drills and the scrimmage that followed, Grabs and Komi were often laughing it up and joking around with each other with playful jabs and hooks. If there is any animosity between the two, it was far from evident. It was a pleasure watching Komi having a good time with his new team and cleary getting comfortable and fitting in with the group.
[more…]
Last season in a draft, I chose Evgeni Nabokov for an H2H league organized by James Mirtle. It seemed early, but I had reasons. To win in fantasy GMs must find an edge using unconventional analysis and strategy.
That's what I try to do.
Facts don't lie and I liked Nabokov (and Backstrom from Minnesota) better than any goalie last season. It's also why Tim Thomas ranked higher. This season both Nabby and Thomas weren't ranked as high. Maybe the Bruins and Sharks struggle this season.
Why? Find out here.
An article in the London Free Press explains that the reasons for the earlier 7pm ET start times for home games this season: to cater to a younger audience and to allow for more efficient getaways in the case of a road game the following night. A slew of other small headlines including contract details for Komisarek, the Grabovski-Kostitsyn feud, and Justin Pogge. [more…]
