The Day After (I will not tell a pun FTB edition)

by mf37 on Jul 2, 2008 8:28 AM EDT

Good morning Leaf fans, some of you may know me from my blog bitter leaf fan, and some of you may know me for my legendary community work. I'm going to be your host here at PPP this morning.

I've just come back from two weeks traveling the west coast from Seattle to Tofino. Usually I return from my annual vacation refreshed, full of new insights, and ready to take on the world. But not this year.

I have no idea why, but I've come back from holidays feeling soft and out of game shape. To put things in a larger context - as I sit here typing this I'm actually contemplating ordering the shamwow.

That thing looks ridiculously good. And it's German...

My new found love for super-absorbent shammies aside, here's a quick look at the White Noise in Leafs Nation:

Steve at Hockey Analysis provides some nice insight into the trio of UFAs signed by the Leafs
Raking Leafs (welcome back Ninja!) puts up a post speculating on Sundin's future
Down Goes Brown is not down with the Finger contract
Over at Sports and the City, Navin posts his UFA wish list
Former Little Lebowski Urban Achiever MF37 (hey, I know that guy!) offers his thoughts on the Leafs UFA signings (and unlike your other co-hosts here, likes what the Leafs have done).
Cliff Fletcher tells Bill Watters that Bryan McCabe is not in the Leafs' plans for next year (and Watters responds with a powerful, insightful monosyllable: "Oh.")
Working Class Howard chats with the Silver Fox and finds out the Leafs will be signing a D-man from Europe who hasn't played in the NHL yet and acquiring a centre via free-agency or trade. Anyone have any guesses as to who this might be?
Adrian Dater of the Denver Post thinks the Jeff Finger signing is so crazy that it merits the rarely used "crazy-crazy" tag. Speaking of crazy, I'd like Dater to explain how a guy logs an average of 20 minutes a night gets "gassed" 20 seconds into a shift (other than by playing 60 shifts a game...)
In the "write-your-own-punch line" category the Avalanche have signed Andrew "exploding glove" Raycroft to a one-year deal. I can only conclude they can't get Centre Ice TV, the Internet, radio or newspapers in Denver.
Avalanche blog In the Cheap Seats gets input from Down Goes Brown on the Raycroft deal and DGB was very diplomatic.
The Avalanche also signed Darcy Tucker to a two-year deal. No word yet on how feistiness, heart and agitation compare to god-awful GA60 and a declining ability to play at ES and PP.
**UPDATE** Die Hard Blue and White puts the Finger deal into context by looking at some other zany UFA signings (and compares the Raycroft deal to rancid Salmon. I think he's being too kind as that Salmon was once a palatable option)

0 recs | Comment 63 comments

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Comments

“and unlike your other co-hosts here, likes what the Leafs have done”

That’s it, you’re out of the rotation smart guy.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 8:31 AM EDT 0 recs

And you also linked to “he who shall not be linked”, and I’m not talking about Moose. I am, however, all alone down here in the comments.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 8:39 AM EDT up 0 recs

there were rules?

Who shouldn’t I have linked to? Did Navin do something to get himself blacklisted?

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Jul 2, 2008 8:43 AM EDT up 0 recs

I predict that you’ll figure out the blacklist (e3).

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 11:51 AM EDT up 0 recs

Googlebombing

When are all of you folks going to help me get this page ranked higher on Google?

This site is the 27th result for “toronto maple leafs blog”. There are four defunct blogs and a San Jose Sharks blog ahead of us.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 8:32 AM EDT 0 recs

idea

Hey Chemmy, if I set up links on my site that go directly to mine or other people’s Fanshot/Fanpost Blog in their SB profile, does that help? It would look like this: more toronto maple leafs blogs

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 9:03 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe. I outlined it in my last FTB, but the best thing we could do would be to get google to associate “toronto maple leafs blog” with www.pensionplanpuppets.com, like this:

toronto maple leafs blog

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 9:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

existentialism

is the 404 intentional? I think I get the point.

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 9:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

What do you get a 404 on?

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 10:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

up here on “toronto maple leafs blog” ...and also the second link to DGB on the Raycroft deal

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up 0 recs

I get a 404 on the DGB link, but my link works half correctly, it just redirects to this page.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 10:40 AM EDT up 0 recs

DGB Link

I’ve tried to correct the link…it should work now.

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Jul 2, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yep, works now, thanks.

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 2, 2008 12:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

this one gets this, should be this?

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 10:44 AM EDT up 0 recs

sorry, I’m tring to help but not I feel like I’m making a mess.
Hagman and Finger, eh? Welcome back Cujo.

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up 0 recs

i'm so confused!

am i blacklisted like elaine’s boyfriend at hop sings?

“she name names!”

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 11:25 AM EDT 0 recs

No, you’re not “he who cannot be named (e5)”.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up 0 recs

phew.

is the mooseonian one?

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 1:27 PM EDT up 0 recs

Odd man out

I know its not me, I never get linked.

I also never say anything interesting, so I’m not surprised.

PANTS!

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 2, 2008 12:12 PM EDT 0 recs

I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.. Oh wait I already do.

Also: the radio station here is running a poll on “is it a good idea to be offering Mats $20mil..” Results so far: %83 on the “no” side.. People are all freaked he’s gonna be another messier!

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

Linkage

You’re in the links now – I did the round-up around 8 this morning, so I missed your post. Sorry.

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Jul 2, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up 0 recs

No worries

I wrote the post after you wrote yours, so if you’d had it linked, I would have been a bit scared.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 2, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Timing

I was actually thinking that I may have posted too early, but I desperately needed a haircut before I went back to work this morning or else I would have been in danger of being mistaken for a young Robert Hegyes.

A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com

by mf37 on Jul 2, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up 0 recs

I throw up the GDT early and just edit in links as they trickle in every morning. :)

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

You guys

From an Avs fan:

If you can get past his salary (which I admit might be tough to do) I think you guys will like Jeff Finger. I think he will make your team better on the blueline. He plays a very fan-friendly style (big hits, decent offense, shot blocking). I’ll warn you.. he doesn’t skate entirely well and will look slow at times.

Almost everyone in Avs country wanted the Avs to re-sign Finger (not at $3.5M/season) and he was a fan favorite. When he came into the lineup for the first time our defense had: Skrastins, Leopold, Sauer, Clark, Ken Klee and Ossi Vaananan. He made the entire unit better by a) dumping Vaananan from the lineup permanantly but more importantly b) providing a physical presense and mindset on the blueline.

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jul 2, 2008 12:47 PM EDT 0 recs

I agree..

As someone who watches pretty much every televised NW division game NOT featuring the mad defensive stylings of the Wild, I was impressed with Finger. He’s definitely a presence, and while he might not show up on the stat sheet a lot, he definitely crashes and bangs with the best of them.

Still too expensive, but damn, it could have been worse. Looking at what Chicago paid for Campbell and NYR for Redden.. Obviously both would command a higher salary than Finger, but cripes.. I am amazed. It’s like the CBA never happened!

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

jesus

Hossa to Detroit.

Sundin should take a huge paycut to fit under the cap and go win a cup.

Darcy Tucker Fan Club*
* Blog contains less than 2% Darcy Tucker by weight.

by Chemmy on Jul 2, 2008 1:01 PM EDT 0 recs

wow…didn’t see hossa going there…hopefully this means mats comes back to t.o…he’s making enough money in interest to worry about vancouver…come back home mats, come back home…

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up 0 recs

compare...

Hossa 7.4m$ for 1 year vs. Sundin 10m$ for 2 years
I’m just surprised it’s that far apart. Hossa seems low, Sundin high, but that’s me.

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up 0 recs

He's a big Star, now

Avery Does Dalls

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 1:35 PM EDT 0 recs

Cox's Blog

anyone read it?

what the fuck did he want the leafs to do yesterday, absolutely nothing? just sit around and pick our noses?

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 1:55 PM EDT 0 recs

I felt it was extra dick-ish with the repeated (who?)s.. What an ass. Once, fine. Beat a dead horse much, Dame?

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 2:15 PM EDT up 0 recs

seriously man, what a douchebag.

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up 0 recs

i just read

Cox’s column…

everytime he wrote “Jeff Finger” he followed it with “who” in parenthesis…

cox is such a slut sometimes. ugh.

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 2:14 PM EDT 0 recs

Odd..

From here:

The best decisions? Lou Lamoriello got a proven offensive performer in Brian Rolston, and a player who has played in New Jersey before. Edmonton’s decision to bring in winger Erik Cole for underachieving Joni Pitkanen could pay major dividends.

and from here:

Jamal Mayers was brought in because he’s a good guy, and maybe that’s the reason for repatriating Joseph, too, once again establishing the Leafs as the NHL team most likely to employ the same player twice.

MAKE UP YOUR GOD DAMN MIND DAMIEN

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 2:22 PM EDT 0 recs

oops

Scratch the last sentence in the first quote. Too much quotage!

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 2:23 PM EDT up 0 recs

I’m way too lazy, but I wonder if Cox’s statement about the Leafs being the team most likely to bring a guy back is true. It sure seems like the Avs love to bring back their stars, and the Devils did it twice yesterday,

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 2, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

Finger

When you guys buy him out we’ll probably bring him back. (j/k)

"A witty saying proves nothing."
- Voltaire (1694-1778)

by Jibblescribbits on Jul 2, 2008 2:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

no need to buy him out cuz there’s no no-trade…

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

everyone does it. you name the sport, it happens.

the jays brought back tony fernandez a couple of times…

italy just brought back their coach who led them to world cup glory. it happens all the time.

cox just lives in his own little bubble.

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up 0 recs

the jays brought back tony fernandez a couple of times…
Fun trivia: there are seven players who won at least one world title in Toronto who later came back for a second stint with the team.

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 2, 2008 3:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

damn, i’m struggling with this one…

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 3:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hint: None of them are Mats Sundin

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 2, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up 0 recs

thanks for the tip…

www.sportsandthecity.com

Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...

by eyebleaf on Jul 2, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up 0 recs

Senators...

... sign Jarkko “Backhand Wraparound” Ruuutuuuuu. They must have really been impressed with how he eliminated them.

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 3:16 PM EDT 0 recs

their douchebag quotient went up 1000%

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up 0 recs

Cujo

Am I the only one who thinks it’s not entirely outside the realm of possibility that at least a small part of the reason Fletcher brought Joseph back (aside from him still being a major upgrade on Raycroft, being good value dollar-wise and selling all kinds of Leafs crap) is that it might possibly help influence Sundin’s decision to return, as they’re pretty tight with each other?

THE3TARDS

by Wendel's Moustache on Jul 2, 2008 4:12 PM EDT 0 recs

also

Could I possibly have qualified that question any more times?

THE3TARDS

by Wendel's Moustache on Jul 2, 2008 4:12 PM EDT up 0 recs

I think it serves the dual purpose of a solid, problem free backup (he was awesome backing up kipper in the playoffs) and as fan service. It worked completely on me, and I bet a lot of people are really happy they can dig their Joseph #31 jerseys out!

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

What about Kubina?

Kubina v. Joseph for #31. Or does Kubina go back to #13?

by Evening News Team on Jul 2, 2008 4:37 PM EDT up 0 recs

Kubina number

he could be 4 (3+1), 3 (3/1 or 3^1), 2 (3-1). Unfortunately, the NHL has yet to allow decimals or minus signs, so we can’t have all the other possibilities, like -2 (1-3) or .333 (1/3) or anything REALLY complicated such as square roots.

by loser domi on Jul 2, 2008 6:11 PM EDT up 0 recs

Oh absolutely

I agree that Fletcher wouldn’t have done it if there weren’t a lot of hockey-related and fan-related reasons to do so… but I still think maybe that Joseph’s friendship with Sundin was at least a minor consideration here… like the Caps and then the Rangers used to do for Jagr with bringing in his Czech buddies… if you have a team like the Canucks looking to make Mats the highest paid player in the league, and the Leafs obviously not willing to go that high (and having blown any chance of getting him to take a hometown discount by basically hanging him out to dry with the press last season), that the only advantage Fletcher might see the Leafs having is an appeal to his history with the team and the ability to bring his old buddy back to town… maybe I’m out to lunch, but fuck, it makes sense to me… Joseph could be on the phone right now with Mats trying to sell him on coming back…

THE3TARDS

by Wendel's Moustache on Jul 2, 2008 4:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

Could very well be! Fletcher might be shoveling the “problem” guys out the door while getting the good guys in who would gel better with Mats..

As for Kubina, I would hope Cujo gets to keep 31.. He’s been in the league for longer than kubina, so it would probably be the case..

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 4:50 PM EDT up 0 recs

hmmm

I don’t think so… Kubina’s a Cup winner, and from the looks of it a top-2 defenseman… Joseph’s never won shit and he’s the backup goalie… I think Kubina wins here, regardless of Joseph’s longevity or history with the Leafs… besides, wouldn’t Peddie and Tannenbaum love Joseph to wear a different number so all those old Cujo fans have to go out and buy new jerseys instead of just pulling their old ones out of mothballs?

THE3TARDS

by Wendel's Moustache on Jul 2, 2008 4:53 PM EDT up 0 recs

Any cup won by a SE division team doesn’t really count.. Those are the NHL’s blackout years, like it had been drinking too much!

It would be interesting though, I think Cujo deserves it more anyway based on seniority.

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 2, 2008 6:13 PM EDT up 0 recs

some perspective

Atlanta Thrashers sign UFA defenceman Ron Hainsey(who?) to a five-year, $22.5 million contract.
Toronto signs UFA defenceman Jeff Finger to a 4 year deal worth $14 million.
Hainsey: 8G, 24A, 32P, – 7, 25PIM
Finger: 8G, 11A, 19P, +12, 40PIM

by general borschevsky on Jul 2, 2008 4:22 PM EDT 0 recs

Hainsey was the guy who Cox said was looking for 6 years at $30M. He also claimed the Leafs were looking at him.

Let’s just say I’m happy that Atlanta got him.

Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 2, 2008 4:26 PM EDT up 0 recs