NNN: Surprise!

by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 12:00 PM EST

Step one: Score your first NHL goal
Step Two: FIST PUMP!

"I came out of the box and I didn't know if I had to change lines," Mitchell said. "I got no sign from the bench so I stayed out. The puck was bouncing all around like crazy and it came to me and I was happy that I got the shot in."

Then, he said, his mind went blank.

"I just fist-pumped as many times as I could. I was so excited that nothing was really running through my mind, just, `I scored, I scored, I scored.' It was great."

Seriously, what would you do if you grew up in Oakville and scored your first goal at the ACC for the Maple Leafs? Probably ask for another Mercedes but you'd also fist pump like crazy.

The Rangers, their fans, and the media seem completely stunned by the game. Actually, to be fair, I think we were all stunned too.

It's as if that power play completely broke their rhythm. John Mitchell went to the bin for holding. Then he broke the shutout. Then he stuck the dagger in. And then he almost completed the hat trick when Steve raced to of the crease.

How do you explain it? It's not as if I can point to this and say "Ahah! There's the disaster I've been predicting!"

The Hockey Rodent

As I mentioned in the recap last night, Mitchell is the kind of player that probably wouldn't have had a chance under previous administrations. Talk about an impact last night though, seven minutes of euphoria for Leafs fans and an entire night of confusion for Rangers fans.

For close to 53 minutes Steve Valiquette was pitching a shutout and the Rangers were playing their rope-a-dope style, defense at all costs game and then the house of cards collapsed. The culprits? The team and the clueless coaching staff.

The Ranger Pundit

Was this game symptomatic of a larger problem for the Rangers? Larry Brooks certainly thinks so:

They'd been living on the edge all season, so it's not all that surprising that the Rangers finally fell off. It is, however, shocking the way they melted under the tiniest bit of adversity late in the third period of a game they seemed destined to win.

The tiniest bit of adversity? I think that everyone watching the game could see that there was a lot of pressure on the Rangers throughout the game. The end result was, to say the least, surprising. So much so that even The Omen recognizes that they are surprising the league:

The Leafs will need all those legs this afternoon in Raleigh for a weird 5 p.m. start. But they keep surprising the NHL, and if they were to let you in on a secret, probably keep surprising themselves.

Tweet Comment 13 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Birthday greetings

With all due respect to the deity who must have had some input into his arrival among us, we must now recognize the powers that be have let loose a Schenndel.
Plus, after some 40 years following the boys (if we include the time spent wearing the George Armstrong baby bib), disaster is always just a board member away. The future is now. Enjoy the ride and lets see where it goes.

by blue with age on Nov 2, 2008 12:49 PM EST reply actions

Kovulchuk Rumours

Anybody read about this in The Star? Fletcher and Waddell apparently were chatting it up at the GM meetings. Could mean nothing, but keep in mind Kovulchuk is only 25 years old. It’s not as if this would go against a rebuild strategy per say.

So long as they don’t trade Schenn or Mitchel to get him!

by The Muppet on Nov 2, 2008 1:08 PM EST reply actions

Or Kulemin...

I think this kid is going to break out before the year is done. He has it all.

by The Muppet on Nov 2, 2008 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, but you want to talk about guys that look like they are about a break or two from becoming really good players it’s Mikhail Grabovski. Sometimes he looks like he is playing with kids the way he speeds up to take the puck away, shrugs off opponents, and is all energy.

I’ll tell you what, get Kovalchuk, put those two on a line together, and we’ll have sexy parties a lot more frequently.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 1:28 PM EST up reply actions

The shape of the idea is great and Fletcher is doing his patented “I am not working on a blockbuster…yet” denials.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

Hey, since the problem is getting Kovalchuk to re-sign, maybe the Leafs could send them someone with a few years left on his contract in exchange. A real speedster with flash – some might say “waterbug” – and American to boot. Surely getting a former 40 goal scorer would soften the blow?

I’m kidding. But seriously: look at what Waddell got for Hossa. He’s going to be expecting a Schenn-level prospect for Kovalchuk as well.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 2, 2008 2:36 PM EST up reply actions

Here is what Waddell got for Marian Hossa

Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, Angelo Esposito and a 1st Round Pick

Nothing Schenn-like on that list. Could the Leafs put together a package that approaches that? I think that they could. Would they want to part with the pieces that it will take? That’s another story.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

I think it will take something like an Antropov/Poni + Steen + Kulemin/Tlusty (or Cola/Van Ryn if they’re interested in D) + 1st round pick.

At the same time, looking at it from a non-leaf fan perspective I don’t think that’s enough (plus the circumstances are different – Hossa was a deadline deal when the Thrashers NEEDED to make the playoffs, Kovalchuk, if he’s even available, can be traded for a better package. Then again if he has any say in it “packed crowds” then it might make it a little easier.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 3:57 PM EST up reply actions

Not really Schenn-like, but I’m not convinced the Leafs have another prospect as good as Esposito.
Moore, Steen, Kulemin, and a first rounder from the Leafs? Maybe if Waddell figures the Leafs pick will be top five…

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 3, 2008 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Better than Espo...

Angelo Esposito

Chris DiDomenico

There’s a trading chip that can be used.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 3, 2008 2:12 PM EST up reply actions

I'll admit two things

(1) Never really heard of him (obviously didn’t do enough research)
(2) His numbers are certainly better than Esposito’s

On the other hand, there may be a good reason that he was left available in the sixth round (or possibly, not). And Esposito’s value has been falling for a while; it’s an easier and easier target to hit. Does he have the upside that Esposito may still have been thought to possess last season?

If he is that good a prospect, I’d want to keep him and the first round pick. I know Kovalchuk’s not that old yet, but just once I’d like the Leafs to screw up by being too cautious with their prospects.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Nov 3, 2008 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

Esposito is widely seen as a huge draft bust.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Nov 3, 2008 5:15 PM EST up reply actions

I'm a convert!

I’m a skeptic and not the type to jump on and off that Leaf bandwagon after ever win or loss. I was at the game last night (my second game this season) and I have to admit now that even if Cliff Fletcher’s plan was to tank this season, its not going according to plan. Ron Wilson is just too good of a coach to let that happen. And Fletcher’s push to fix the the Leaf dressing room has provided the lineup with hungry, eager young players that are more than ready to follow the direction provided by the coach.

So perhaps last season was the year the Leafs bottom out. I had been preaching that the rebuild wouldn’t really begin to happen until next season but I was wrong. The Leafs may have already turned to corner. Certainly the lack of front line forwards may hurt the team in the long run. And they are healthy right now so the lack of depth has no impact at the moment. But missing the playoffs isn’t important if the team continues to play to their potential, What more can you ask from them?

By the way the last 10 minutes of last night’s game was electric. I haven’t felt that type of energy from the crowd since the last time the Leafs were in the playoffs. It was incredible to watch.

by Pseudonym on Nov 2, 2008 4:36 PM EST reply actions