Viktor Stalberg

Leafs/Flyers Preview

by on April 6, 2010- 437 Comments

Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to even themselves up with a few clubs by securing two points in a win against the Philadelphia Flyers in their final home game of the season. Meanwhile, Philly is trying to keep their playoff hopes alive in a crucial night in which the Rangers, who trail the Flyers by two points, are also playing and looking to oust the Flyers from the post-season picture.
[more…]

Tuesday Prospect Report – Stalberg

by on April 6, 2010- 68 Comments

We determined the listing of the prospect reports to produce every week. Seems with each new video, the prospect shines.

This week is no exception, [more…]

Stalberg: A Cautionary Tale

by on April 6, 2010- 30 Comments

Prior to the lockout, undrafted college free agents were a rare, straight to NHL commodity. Either serving out their apprenticeships as minor league signees or plying their trade overseas, few players transitioned directly from the ranks of college hockey to the NHL without enduring prolonged development curves. However, in a post-lockout landscape where GM’s clutch their most valued assets and superstars to their clubs with dynasty length deals, and where dollars and ice time are apportioned in equilibrium, graduate aged (or younger) players progressing from the NCAA as free agents are providing comparatively cheap labour in an increasingly scrutinized marketplace.

Not too surprisingly, considering both his hockey heritage as a former captain of the Providence College Friars and his somewhat condensed timetable for rebuilding the Leafs, Brian Burke has been one of the first to plunder the verdant college market in recent seasons, in turn providing a quantum shift from the conventional dominance of the CHL at the junior level. [more…]

Week 24 Torontosaurus Rex

by on April 5, 2010- 109 Comments

The Week 24 Torontosaurus Rex is ....
[more…]

Pre-Game: Phil Kessel vs. Tuukka Rask

by on April 3, 2010- 445 Comments

Phil Kessel has but one point in five games against his former side while recurrent Leafs nightmare Tuukka Rask, league leader in goals against average and save percentage, stands 3-1-0 against the club that drafted him. This match-up tonight marks the final opportunity this season to get a little bit of that sour taste out of the fan base's collective mouth and perhaps symbolize that we, too, can make good trades.

[more…]

Sabres at Leafs: Pregame

by on April 1, 2010- 472 Comments

Lost amidst all the drama of today's Tomas Kaberle situation is the game between the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs tonight at the ACC (7pm, TSN).

Coming off a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Thrashers, the Leafs will look to reverse their fortunes with a better defensive performance against their rivals, who lead the Northeast division.

[more…]

Burke Finally Gets Brayden

by on March 28, 2010- 73 Comments

Irwin that is. It was reported last night that the Maple Leafs had agreed to terms with 23 year old free agent forward Brayden Irwin, [more…]

Top Seven Reasons To Watch The Rest of The Leafs Season

by on March 12, 2010- 21 Comments

First and foremost, let me apologize for my absence.  As some of you may know, I am in school completing my Sports Marketing degree, and things have gotten really hectic in crunch time.  I am also organizing a golf tournament for this summer in Strathroy, Ontario.  Anyone who would like to golf can get in touch with me anytime.

You know, another season of hockey is winding down.  At least, it is in Toronto with the Maple Leafs.  While the sun has been shining and treating us to above average weather the past week or so, it does come at a price.


It has become all to accustomed.  As soon as the sun begins to melt the snow, and the grey, dull sky is replaced by a ray of sunlight, you know that the Maple Leafs aren’t long for this world.  That the season is just about wrapped up, and lockers will soon be cleaned.

[more…]

Retain One, Or Trade Both?

by on March 2, 2010- 108 Comments

With the National Hockey League's trade deadline looming, names like Alexei Ponikarovsky and Lee Stempniak are becoming increasingly popular in the Toronto Maple Leafs brass.

Fans of the Blue & White have been playing armchair general manager and have formulated a number of trades since the Olympic break. But amidst the excitement of the yearly spectacle, I'm beginning to wonder if it's in the Leafs' best interest to trade both Ponikarovsky and Stempniak.

After all, were they not serviceable players for the Leafs?

[more…]

Blockbuster Breakdown – The Forwards

by on February 2, 2010- 455 Comments

We have all had a few days to digest Sunday's trades, but there is still a well of untapped implications.  Here's a closer look at the forwards involved: both the outgoing Leafs and our lone newcomer.  Be sure to check out Garrett's excellent pre-game analysis here before tonight's tilt with the New Jersey Devils.

[more…]

What’s Next For The Toronto Maple Leafs?

by on February 1, 2010- 239 Comments

In the wake of Sunday's blockbuster trades, one cannot help but wonder what's next for the Toronto Maple Leafs? Who's next to go? Who stays?

In any case, I think that it's pretty safe to say that this season is a write-off. We're not making any moves to make a run at the playoffs this season. So, let's look forward and take a look at what the Maple Leafs should look like next season. [more…]

Flyers-Leafs: Pre-Game Notes

by on January 14, 2010- 496 Comments

The Toronto Maple Leafs, spiralling of late with a 2-7-1 record in their past 10 games, will to right the ship at home tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers.   The Leafs will also be looking for revenge in this matchup, having been on the receiving end of a 6-2 thrashing at the hands of the Flyers only a week ago.

[more…]