Preview: Leafs at Hurricanes

by Chemmy on Nov 2, 2008 1:03 PM EST

The Leafs look forward to winning a game without a ridiculous comeback tonight at 5pm on Leafs TV.

Toronto (5-3-3) heads to Carolina (5-3-2) for the first leg of a home and home that finishes on Tuesday night, after one of the most inspiring third period rallies I've ever seen. It goes to show what good coaching gets you, last year's arguably more talented team routinely was on the losing end of third period comebacks. The best part about this is players on the Leafs have seen amazing results come from buying into Wilson's system.

Riding high, let's hope the old men boys in blue and white pull another one out, instead of laying an egg like they did in the Tampa game.

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Schenn

Birthday for his first goal? On the heels of last nights +3, it would be a great way to get him on the positive side of the Coxometer

by Johnny Thunder on Nov 2, 2008 1:47 PM EST reply actions

You’ll be able to feel the scorn pouring through the screen if he manages to do it.

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

by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 2:00 PM EST up reply actions

I’m almost hoping the ’Canes take a two goal lead in to the third period.

What a wild couple of games! I wish I was around here more often to soak up the love…

GO LEAFS GO!

by Likely on Nov 2, 2008 2:38 PM EST reply actions

hey guys

Go Leafs!

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 2, 2008 3:12 PM EST reply actions

Something of interest perhaps

prospect audit

by lordosis on Nov 2, 2008 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Just read it as well

While interesting, I take everything from HockeysFuture with a grain of salt. I realize it’s known as the preeminent hockey prospects site around, but aside from a handful of teams, not every team has a dedicated writer. The Leafs for the longest time had no such writer, so a lot of their articles were from people not associated with the Leafs and thus, much of their assessments were simply from looking at whatever data they had on hand.

And while the Leafs didn’t have the best prospects around (and many would argue still don’t), the undervaluing of Leafs prospects were curious at best, and unabashedly biased at worst. The fact that Kulemin and Stralman were both ranked lower than Robbie Earl at one point by HF staff says everything about the amount of Leafs info on that site. The poor Leafs coverage was even more evident when the Leafs traded Rask, and suddenly, his stock immediately rocketed up to top 10 status when for the longest time, he was neck and neck with Pogge as the best Leafs prospect. Pogge? He isn’t even ranked in the top 50 anymore.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions

I was not aware

of a lot of that, thank you for informing me. It’s too bad that a lack of a team writer has caused an undervaluing of the Leaf’s prospects, while at the same, the excessive amount of team writers following the big league team results in that same negativity.

by lordosis on Nov 2, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Montreal had like 3 writers at one point if I remember correctly

It always struck me as odd that the Leafs didn’t have a devoted staff for prospects. I guess I could argue that the Leafs never had a stash of prospects worth talking about, but it was pretty much tee off time on bashing the Leafs’ prospects and young players whenever they came into conversation. I remember when Kulemin was drafted, people were laughing at how the Leafs reached for him. Only until a bevy of Russian posters vouched for Kulemin did the HF staff finally come around that the Leafs may have drafted a good player.

And you’re absolutely right when you say that it didn’t help matters when the amount of big league reporters just added fuel to the fire by constantly screaming out “Luongo! Niedermayer! Johnsson!” whenever prospects and Leafs came about.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

Pretty interesting read (only read the LW part so far since I’ve got other stuff to finish lol). I am not too fond of the decision to not give Kulemin more time – at the same time he needs to earn it or it will just be like years past where players got PT based on salary and seniority.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

Kovalchuk rumors.

I posted in the other thread but since I love attention and all the other fun stuff lol I’ll repost it … what do you guys think it would take?

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 4:03 PM EST reply actions

Atlanta won’t get half of that. Even if Kovalchuk gets traded, he’s definitely going UFA. If Atlanta locks him up to a long term low cost deal (hahahahaha) then maybe he’s worth that.

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by Chemmy on Nov 2, 2008 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

I wholeheartedly agree

That actually seems like overpayment for the Leafs, especially since all indications point to Kovy not wanting to re-sign with Atlanta when he becomes a free agent anyway.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:08 PM EST up reply actions

It’s going to take league max for six or seven years to get Kovalchuk, nothing more nothing less.

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by Chemmy on Nov 2, 2008 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Well Kovalchuk turns UFA in 2010-2011 and is only earning $6.4 million per year until then. I think other teams would be willing to shell out prospects and picks for 2 years of Iya. LOL, yeah I don’t think he’s going to give a home town discount either hahah.

At same time, maybe the Thrashers would be willing to take Kaberle and lesser prospects? But don’t they already have enough D? What about Toskala – I’m not sure how they’re liking Lethonen (I like him, but his poor numbers could be due to lack of a good defensive system).

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

If the Thrashers trade Kovalchuk they’re going to want an additional lottery pick and amazing prospects (ie. that team’s last first rounder).

Picking up Kovalchuk in trade is a horrible idea for any team that’s not close to a cup.

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by Chemmy on Nov 2, 2008 4:18 PM EST up reply actions

The Thrashers may want that, but Kovy can undercut them

If Kovalchuk explicitly states he is not re-signing with the Thrashers, Atlanta will have little choice but to get at least something for him, rather than nothing. You also can’t discount that Waddell is one of the worst GMs in the NHL and his track record for getting equal value isn’t strong. So while I agree the Leafs are better off ttrying to sign him as a FA, I’m not sure Kovy will take a mega package.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

But it’s still going to be atleast another year before Kovalchuk can threaten with the “I’m definitely not resigning” bit. A lot can happen in a year, or even a year and a half.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:22 PM EST up reply actions

Right

I’m not sure what I said that disputes that fact? I was just responding to Chemmy that all it may take for a trade is a high first round pick, an established player, and a young prospect next year.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

I was responding with the notion that that’s not all it would take for the Leafs to acquire him this year – next year, yeah it’s possible that’s all it may take.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:40 PM EST up reply actions

Atlanta’s D has been among the worst in the league since its inception.

Atlant could get a good deal if they trade Kovalchuk right now. The longer they have to wait and the longer the team shows that it has no direction the less return they’ll be able to demand.

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by PPP on Nov 2, 2008 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

I think Waddell will try to land better players to make up for the loss of Hossa and try to appease Kovalchuk. If that doesn’t work AND Kovalchuk explicitly states he won’t resign – only then will Waddell trade Kovy for a cheaper price. Until then the ball is in his court imo.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions

So if the ball is in Waddell’s court, why should the Leafs even bother to offer a trade for Kovy in the immediate future? As you said, wouldn’t it be more prudent for the Leafs to inquire about Kovalchuk at a cheaper price later on?

I’m just not sure what these Kovy rumours really accomplish right now, aside from providing more ammo for all those “draft smaft, Leafs are failz @ rebillding! LOLZ!” articles.

by bkblades on Nov 2, 2008 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

No I didn’t say that lol, I think it would be more expensive for the Leafs to acquire him later on because there would be a bidding war and more teams would have cap space if they know Kovy is avaliable.

I meant to say that Waddell isn’t going to give up Kovalchuk for a crappy package – because he has a lot more time and leverage this time around than when he traded away Hossa.

The kovy rumors are interesting only because the Leafs haven’t been rumored to trade for star calibre players like Kovalchuk (at a young age mind you) for a long time, so even a rumor is good enough for now.

by WildWolfdog on Nov 2, 2008 4:43 PM EST up reply actions