From The Branches

by PPP on Aug 11, 2008 5:00 AM EDT

Lots to read as you stare a 5 day workweek in the face. Also, check out Maple Leaf Blue's recent addition to the growing amount of anti-Berger literature. On to the links:

LD is writing from the players' perspective now. First up Evgeni Malkin. I can't wait for Raycroft's: "Please don't put me in, please don't put me in, is that a pink hat?, please don't put me in."
It's open season on Al Strachan.
If this was a fight then Berger would be getting boot-f*cked: more piling on. And a look at how The Fraud investigates his rumours. Hint: it rhymes with 'mullfit'.
In light of the good news, Koopa Kid wonders who might want Bryan McCabe aside from his mother.
Another Leaf blog.
Hockey Analysis gets a makeover.
Steves looks at some storylines that will make us want to kill ourselves. Tucker and Wellwood won't bite the Leafs in the ass, Finger does deserve a second chance, and Mats...well who the hell knows.
A look at the 15 worst trades in Leafs' history (Parts one, two, and three). This makes the Cross trade worthwhile. The funniest/saddest part about the Paiement trade was that Ballard made him wear 99 so that the Leafs' faithful would think that they got a superstar in return for Lanny. And Sean would like to have a word with the list about the Russ Courtnall trade. Although the top trade will probably make you feel something akin to what you felt when you woke up this morning and knew that you were 5 days away from the next rained out weeekend.

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Defense of the Courtnall Trade

Sean makes some interesting points regarding the trade. But a no-skill enforcer is something you pick up for a marginal prospect, or a mid-range draft pick. Case in point; the Leafs got Tie Domi for Mike Eastwood (a marginal prospect) and a 3rd Round Pick in 2003 (a mid-range draft pick). You don’t trade a still-developing forward who scored 86 goals and 204 points over four seasons, especially when that player was on the verge of becoming a strong 25-goal, 70-point man. Courtnall wasn’t an all-star, but he scored had six 20-goal seasons (and three 70-point seasons) after leaving Toronto, and the Habs turned him into Brian Bellows. While I respect Sean’s arguments, there’s too much that says trading Courtnall for Kordic (and a 6th round pick) was an awful, awful trade.

by JT @ Urbane Entertainment on Aug 11, 2008 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

First off, thanks for dropping by.

You also have to give something up in order to get something. The Leafs were in a tough spot because everyone knew their weak spot. I think Sean’s main argument is that at the time it was a deal that had to be made to give the rest of the skill players some breathing room.

It’s similar to the way that the Nolan trade is slammed now but at the time it was a bold move.

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

by PPP on Aug 11, 2008 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

An addition to the 15 Worst Trades In Leaf history

I came across this awful trade as I was reading about Best Leaf Drafts Ever:

In 1975 the Leafs drafted Doug Jarvis, 24th overall, then traded him, before he played a single game as a Maple Leaf, to Montreal for Greg Hubick. Jarvis is the NHL Iron-Man having played in 964 consecutive games! He won 4 Stanley Cups, the Selke, and the Masterton, scored 403 career points, and is today an assistant coach with the Habs.
Greg Hubick played one full season with the Maple Leafs and then played the next three seasons in the minors. He then appeared in 5 games with Vancouver in 79-80 and finished his NHL career with 15 points.

by general borschevsky on Aug 14, 2008 11:09 AM EDT reply actions