Maple Leafs 1 v. Avalanche 4: Better's Not Good Enough
by PPP on Oct 14, 2009 12:39 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintThe Toronto Maple Leafs fell 4-1 to the Colorado Avalanche which should come as no surprise to anyone that has ever had hope that the Maple Leafs would improve. The mittenstringers are already talking about the worst start in franchise history but as 1967ers pointed out the team started 1-12-3 in 1985-86. Things could definitely still get a lot worse. Not to mention that the Damoclean Sword of a traded first round pick is still hovering over the head of this team.
When the biggest saves of the night are made by Ian White, a defenceman (nice to see the moustache back in force), then you know that your team is in trouble. When the goals against include a kicked in goal (at least logically speaking not by the ridiculous NHL rule) and an absolutely ridiculous one that will never be repeated that goes in off of Mike Komisarek's head then you know that your team is not getting the bounces. I'd make a joke about having to suffer before reaching the promised land but the Leafs have been wandering the desert for even longer than the Israelites and they made Golden statues of their false idols instead of photoshops.
Right now this team is playing like a group of guys terrified to make mistakes and when a bounces goes against them you can see the energy sap out of the team. At this point it's hard to say what the team needs other than to get a bounce to go their way. They were going gangbustes until the first goal was scored. The coach benching players had a marginal effect on the team's play as did changing the goalie. The Leafs have made baby steps in improving their game but it has not been enough. Some are clamouring for a captain to be named but wouldn't a candidate have stepped up before now with the play needed to change the team's momentum?
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Based on later play Ian White should have stayed in front of this shot instead of trying to get out of the way because all he accomplished was to screen Joey MacDonald more completely than any Leaf forward has done to the opposition.
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What do you think is more painful to watch on this goal: Tomas Kaberle's pathetic stick check attempt or Joey MacDonald's slide out of position. Just an absolute killer of a goal at a horrible time
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Hey! Leafs score! MO-MEN-TUM! MO-MEN-TUM! What is Ponikarosvky doing?
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Fuck. Not only is it a kicking motion for anyone that's ever seen a game of soccer but it's Darcy Tucker scoring. I kept waiting for the Leafs to get a second so that it would be the GWG.
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DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN DID THAT PUCK GO IN OFF OF HIS FUCKING HEAD?!?! Kill me now.
I mean, look at this goal:
g/t Puck Daddy
Honestly, without sounding too "woe is us", who the hell does that happen to but the Leafs?!?! And if I feel like that it's pretty damn certain that, especially judging by Komisarek's downtrodden visage, the players feel the same way and that's a lot of trouble.
But there is some good news:
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Joey MacDonald was an improvement over Vesa Toskala if only because .857 is indeed better than .812.
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The team forechecked aggressively and cleared rebounds well for the first 10 minutes of the game which actually stands among the longest (if not the) stretch of hockey from the start of a period that the Leafs have gone without giving up a goal.
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Viktor Stalberg is back and he looks like he's shaken off the effects of the concussion.
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Tyler Bozak looked ready for the NHL and now we hopefully won't have to see him leave
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The forwards managed to draw some penalties because of their aggressive play
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The Leafs are going undefeated over the next three days
You guys probably saw at least a few things to give a bit of hope. Let's hear 'em or we'll all end up with ulcers. Not to mention that Jonas Gustavsson should be back by Saturday and the team has only one game in 10 days. Ron Wilson's at a bit of a loss but if he's worth his salt this should give him the chance to get this team back on track. Jonathan Willis has a good post over at Hockey or Die! looking at the Leafs' shooting and save percentages and he notes that like all averages they'll eventually regress to the mean (terrible news for Kessel, great news for this team):
None of this is to say there aren't problems that need to be dealt with, but right now a lot of the panic is being caused by a team so unlucky that it's like they're playing the best goaltender since the lockout every night and icing a guy worse than the worst goaltender since the lockout every single night. It won't continue.
But that's not all of the silver lining:
In other words, simply by changing the percentages to those of the worst team in recent memory, the Leafs improve their goal differential by 62%. That's almost two-thirds of the way to being an even team right there. In other words, there's simply no chance that they aren't a far better team than they've shown to date.
We're currently in the midst of a slice of the schedule that would be painful to endure during the middle of the regular season but it is outright torture to have it come at the beginning of the season. I refuse to believe that this team is as bad as it has looked on the ice for the majority of the time this year. There are still lots of changes that can be made and lots of time to make them.
So it's back to the drawing board for Ron Wilson and the Leafs as they wait for the bounces to start going their way or, most importantly obviously, look for ways to make the bounces go their way.
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I love that Hockey or Die! article.
I want to print it and frame it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions
"Jonas Gustavsson should be back by Saturday"
Really? Source? This would make me a million times happier to watch the Rangers game.
That’s been the timetable all along I believe.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
No Source
Just that he was put on the IR for a week and I haven’t heard anything about any setbacks.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Kypreos was on HC@N and said that Gustavsson wouldnt be back until the Vancouver game most likley.
Also…. Toskala is badly bruised and will be out probably 2 weeks…..
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 14, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh brother
Ok, Joey Mac! It’s on you!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Win one for the Joey Joe-Joe Junior Shabadoo
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d for Joey Joe-Joe Junior Shabadoo.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Dick Trickle? (NASCAR driver)
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 14, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Tyler Bozak looked ready for the NHL and now we hopefully won’t have to see him leave
If so, then who sits now?
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions
Blake. Mitchell.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Bozak won’t leave.
Btw good post PPP
Space Weed Says Now Endorsed by Tyler Bozak
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Kevin Sellathamby on Oct 14, 2009 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
that's nice
who sits in his place…?
he’s up because Hagman and Stajan were benched.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions
link?
Also, that’s fine, he needs to keep playing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him back on Sat.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
BartsBytes said he was at practice today with the Marlies
Resident Cook and IT Superman
Truculence FTW
ah
that’s fine, I don’t think he’d benefit from a rest.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn’t read too much into Bozak being with the Marlies. Could be a salary cap move. A team’s cap hit is calculated on a daily basis. By sending Bozak down to the Marlies, the Leafs don’t count his salary against the cap.
Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...
Or burn time against his waiver ineligibility.
Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.
by puckurgently on Oct 14, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
This
Bozak’s contract is big enough to make it worthwhile.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
imbiciles
i DO NOT BELIEVE in Brian Burke (at the moment, management reserves the right to change this opinion at the first sign of a win)
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The Leafs don’t play until Saturday. Bozak will get to play against Rochester in the AHL on Friday.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
who are his AHL wingers?
Tlusty and … ?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I like.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
A propos of nothing
Sword of Damocles? Israelites? Fucking kudos.
If I could just make a general comment, it’s posts like this that make me love blogs. I dont go to The Star or The Globe sports sections first thing. I come here. I go to mirtle’s. DGB’s. I read the rest when I get around to it, if ever.
Writing like this, and an ability to cut through the bullshit are what I want, and i think, what most fans want. So well done. I dont’ so much think the mainstream media is doomed as much as its going to just start aping good blogs.
That said, HOLY HELL did you nail it. The Leafs need some freaking luck. I’m sorry to sound like a broken record, but they just absolutely need that first goal. Ugly if necessary. Hopefully quickly followed by a nice goal, so they can get some swagger.
The baby steps of on ice performance are nice (Bozak, slightly better D, MacDonald being less shitty than Vesa) but you can just see them deflate when anything bad happens
A goal off your prize free agent signing’s head to extend a 5-game winless streak to open a season? I mean, honestly. How perfect.
I’m near bottom as a leafs fan and I lived through Tom Goddam Watt and Peter Freaking Ing.
postscript
and i say this as a member of the mainstream media.
although mercifully i dont cover sports.
I could do THIS all day. I wouldn’t want to do THAT all day for all the tea in China.
in addition to the always high-quality blogging, there are a lot of fellow bloggers that post comments in here often as well. the conversations that follow the post are often just as good if not better than the original post.
this place is the complete opposite of sportsnet forums and TSN’s ‘your call’. i don’t know how i functioned before i found it.
I’m glad you guys like it. I think the next big challenge PPP and I are going to have is going to be keeping a high level of discourse here as we grow.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I like to think that those of us who already appreciate this place can assist in that…
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I can’t speak for the rest of us, but you and PPP have never really had a high level of discourse…oh wait, you mean as a community not the back and forth between the two of you. Gotcha.
Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...
He means the good cop-crazy cop routine.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
i prefer phone book cop, baton cop
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
FIRST!
wait, what?
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree. it would make me sad if this place devolved into another online version of the leafs post-game call-in show. there’s enough of those already.
oh, and i apologize in advance for game day threads where my contribution to the discourse is stuff like ‘fuck this’. things said in the heat of the moment shouldn’t count against you.
i stuck around the Avs thread after every one bailed.
they got freaked out at the fast and furious nature of our GDT’s. maybe i didn’t get the jokes afterwords, but it got dry for me. i love the GDTs. Unfortunately, sometimes I blurt out things because i’m annoyed and don’t think things through…
I’d agree, heat of the moment can be tough, and we should all get a little wiggle room there.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
a lot of wiggle room. i’m an optimistic guy, but i get emotionally hijacked during games. every goal against gets some sort of expletive from me, usually in my outside voice. no doubt that is how my daughters will hear the f-word for the first time.
I think saying those things in the heat of the moment is understandable… you’re reacting to something.
it’s the constant negativity in the continuing conversation that is getting too much.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s hard to be positive watching the on ice product.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
true
but you don’t have to beat up on others because of it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn’t see anyone getting “beat up on” last night.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
you weren’t in the post game thread (during the game I don’t really mind the negativity, I get it… it’s after when we’re processing things that it gets to me)
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
then maybe my phrasing is what’s wrong.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s the nature of the beast in GDTs for the most time. It’s hard to sit back and reflect on what happened when you’re watching a train wreck unravel before your eyes.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
precisely why i enjoy them. you guys have done a fantastic job of creating a virtual sports bar environment.
if any of you get the chance, try and go back and read the Avs thread after the PPPers left. It goes from 5th gear to first real quick…
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
You too champ! You’re just as much to blame :)
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
In my mind the GDT is people sitting around bullshitting during a game.
When we post articles and things aren’t moving fast there’s time for reflection and good comments. In the GDT things happen, people react.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
agreed
i never bail on them, sometimes, i’m just watching the game and listening to the idle chatter.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
HOLY SHIT!!! CHEMMY POSTED A REPLY!!!! WHAT A REPLY BY CHEMMY!!1
/am I doing this right?
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by truculent osmosis.
/rolls up newspaper
Where’s that nose? Can’t see it through the beard
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
that’s a crazy ass beard if his nose is lost in it…
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks!
I really appreciate it.
I don’t know if the answer to change luck is animal sacrifices or what but I suspect it’s harder work and more confidence. Too bad the latter usually comes after the lucky bounces start going your way.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Only if they are tortured slowly first.
"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09
and only if they are albino
"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 14, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions
and smashed
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions
eating popcorn on a pianoooo
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 8:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Playoffs!!!1
Every team goes through a tough stretch.
We’re just getting ours out the way.
A Toronto sports blog, where unabashed homerism is alive and well...
yeah, it’s getting done early.
The Canucks went through an 8 game losing streak last year. We can turn it around.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
indeed
I was really happy to see you post that, as it also gives me ammo if the hubby decides to be a dumb dumb (he’s being good right now, but isn’t Oct 24th our 8th game of the season?)
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
i believe every year since the lockout the leafs have had at least one winless stretch of 8 games or more. those teams didn’t make the playoffs, but a couple of them were damn close.
this isn’t over yet. keep the faith.
i believe every year since the lockout the leafs have had at least one winless stretch of 8 games or more.
In my house we call that stretch January or February.
Bitter Leaf Fan: a life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...
oh you, dont ever change
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
your point being?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I always say that losing builds character.
"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help." Calvin and Hobbes
We’re overflowing with character!
But hopefully a successful end to this streak can help the team going forward because a lof of the big pieces are going to be in place for a long time.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
“Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won’t help.” Calvin and Hobbes
That’s one of my internal “having a terrible day” quotes.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Personally, I’m waiting for the “we just don’t give a fuck about pressure anymore” phase. When they can laugh at the total ridiculousness of a goal going in off of Komi’s head, and never lose a second of momentum.
I hit that phase about 2 games ago- not because I quit (or would ever) on the team, but because the ability to laugh at your worst circumstances is a powerful tool to have in your arsenal. See “300”.
"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09
good point
I don’t think the emotional make-up of our GM or coach is conducive to this, however.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Spot on, Triple P.
This team isn’t as bad as it has looked. It has looked exceptionally bad. Things will improve. I’m not sure the playoffs are a realistic possibility anymore – the math on that one is kind of intimidating – but that’s kind of beside the point, as much as I want to watch Leaf hockey in the post-season.
The important thing here is for Wilson to rally the troops and get them to stick together and believe in the plan. They need some puck luck, and they need to get it before they start pointing fingers and doubting one another in the dressing room; if the blame game starts in the dressing room, the team has heart disease and is toxically doomed.
The way to make the puck luck is to get some decent goaltending and circle the fucking wagons on the defensive side of the puck. Recognizing the fact that we can’t buy a fucking goal right now, we play defence first, foremost and always. If we build good defensive habits, work hard and just shoot the puck on goal when they have a chance, the turnaround will come, and the team will have built a foundation for continuing success.
I will name one encouraging thing I’ve seen so far: if you had told me, before the season started, that Lee Stempniak was going to play the way he has – generating speed and chances, buzzing around the net, getting lots of shots and some quality scoring chances, I would have been giddy with anticipation. I haven’t noticed him as a particular defensive liability either (though he is a 2, it’s tough not to be a "" on this team right now). In short, if Stempniak has any kind of luck at all to begin this year, he’s already got two or three goals and is well on his way to bidding for twenty this year. It is encouraging to see that he CAN still do it.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
This team can’t be as bad as they look mostly because of how bad they’ve looked. This could still be a wretched team.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I was thinking, the way the Leafs lost last night was perfect for them. A few bounces go the other way, and it’s an entirely different game.
I’m hoping they see that last nights loss was not due to lack of effort, crappy goaltending, or anything else. it was a puck bouncing off the head. it was a kicked in goal (borderline, looked like a kick to me as well, but i’m not what you’d call unbiased…) These things should be beacons of light for them.
That said, there are still some lazy penalties being called. but that can be worked on…
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Joey Mac out of position on Kaberle “defensive” play.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Stempniak has created a turnover and turned it into a partial breakaway in each of the past two games.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
That’s an excellent solo effort: a strong defensive play and single handedly generating a scoring chance.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Chemmy, rein in the horns of your negativity for a minute, man :-)!
I didn’t claim that Stempniak was playing perfectly. I wasn’t nominating him for the Selke, and I didn’t even claim that he wasn’t a defensive liability. All I said was that I hadn’t noticed him being a particular defensive liability – in other words, he didn’t really stand out among his colleagues as being exceptionally shitty. The whole team has been a pile of crap in terms of defense; that’s how you get to be 0-6 and outscored a bazillion to six. I believe I was pointing out the team’s horrific defensive work as long ago as the GDT on opening night, and making the argument that the exceptionally poor defensive play was making Toskala’s bedshittery academic.
All I’m saying is that the guy has shown signs of improved play as compared to last year.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Easy JR
I think he was talking about creating a turnover in a good way. I know it’s hard to see good things attributed to the Leafs right now, but…
Yeah, Stempniak has stripped an opposing defender of the puck and almost scored twice in the past two games.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Oops.
My bad. I guess I need to get the negativity filters out of my own mind. I read “created a turnover” and thought “gave the puck away”. My apologies, Chemmy.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Godd: thanks for setting me straight on this one.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
Does anyone still think that trading away our first 2 picks this year was a good idea…. even if it was for Kessel….
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Who knows, haven’t seen the team play with him yet.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
But he has seen the team play which for the moment is one scary sight
"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help." Calvin and Hobbes
he's seen the team play
without him.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Phil Kessel ain’t gon’ fix what ails us right away.
Neither would two players who wouldn’t even know we were drafting them though.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
nope
and he wasn’t traded for to play net or as a shut down d-man.
Gustavsson and Bozak are sure fire first rounders. People keep forgetting this. We’ve already drafted.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Also, we drafted Kadri and Schenn. That’s adding four first rounders in a year. Thank fuck for that.
well we could have had all of those guys plus more 1st round picks… stock the f’n cupboards!
I think burke will get a 2nd or two back at the deadline though…. probably toss in another 3rd, 4th….
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 14, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions
and no Kessel, who right now, and until all other three players are drafted and played at least one season in the NHL, is a better end game
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
wrong
Bozak was courted by TWENTY different teams. If he were draft eleigible (which I have no idea if he was) i can’t see him lasting long enough for us to draft Kadri or Schenn (depending on his draft year) and him. Gustavsson would be the same.
In the past two years we’ve add 5 first rounders, with two draft picks.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Only if the Leafs finish dead last and one of those picks is Tayler Hall
Wings fan by birth. Leafs fan by truculent osmosis.
Is Hall even really THAT great?
Would you take him or Kessel if you were given a straight up choice?
And would you take a 100% of kessel vs. say, a 30% shot at Hall?
I want to trade players between my teams. Spoon can go to the Leafs (truculossity!), and Vesa can go to the Tigers, where conceding 6 points a game puts you at the top of the league, not the bottom.
2007-08 Regular Season Windsor Spitfires 63 45 39 84 40 22
2008-09 Regular Season Windsor Spitfires 63 38 52 90 29 60
2008-09 All-Star Classic Western Conference All-Stars 1 1 1 2 0 0
2009-10 Regular Season Windsor Spitfires 11 10 12 22 7 10
he sucks
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions
thats games, goals assists, points +/- PIM
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Remember that saying, whoever gets the best player wins the trade?
The Leafs are TERRIBLE at drafting. We’ve done pretty well the past two years (I think) in drafting Schenn and Kadri, but either of them could have been a bust.
Last year Phil Kessel scored 36 goals in the NHL, while Taylor Hall scored 38 in the OHL. Which one of those is a safer bet?
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Let’s all ignore the fact that Taylor Hall has 10 goals and 12 assists in 11 GP right now. Also you all know that even if we finished dead last we’d lose the draft lottery anyways and it the media would proclaim it a one player draft.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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Also, Hall’s play in the Memorial Cup wasn’t overly inspiring last year. He didn’t get the Spits that championship, his team-mates did.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
dale motherfuckin Mitchell!
we need a player like him (only NHL ready) right now
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by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus Taylor Hall is kinda stupid looking I hate him already.
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this Seguin kid looks impressive
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 14, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
we won’t know for quite a while, there are so many factors in play. Will Kessel perform long-term? Will the picks be in the top-5? Will the Bruins draft future superstars?
There is just no way of knowing for at least 2 -3 years.
the answer that will keep me sane is yes
and it remains yes until proven other wise
except for the bruins drafting superstars, thats a big no, they get daigle and berg
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by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically the only way this is a bad trade is if the Leafs purposefully tank and win the draft lottery twice. Kessel’s a top five pick who delivered on his promise. I think he’s more dangerous than Toews (3rd in that draft) offensively though not as good defensively.
If we end up giving away say, Taylor Hall and a 10th overall pick the trade is probably about even.
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Why do i feel like the leafs first win will be kessels first game…
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
holy crap, id don’t think i can handle going winless in october. i might be bald by then from pulling out all my hair.
"Sanity is not statistical." - George Orwell, a Leafs fan...
Stalk me here...
by blurr1974 on Oct 14, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Through all these losses my dad’s words (he’s the only reason I became a Leafs fan) from the last time they were eliminated in the playoffs seem to be confirmed : " I have doomed you to a life of bitter disappointment"
"Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants won't help." Calvin and Hobbes
hah
I like your dad.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
My dad says any self-respecting Leafs fan’s motto is “There’s always next year…” I have to agree.
Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.
fuck the cubs
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by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
lol2
Leafs, Argos, Blue Jays, Toronto FC, Raptors, did I miss one? Oh yea, Rock.
and isn’t ‘self respecting Leaf fan’ an oxymoron?
its right up there with attractive canucks fan
;P
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
um
I take offense to that.
Unless you mean women.
In which case I still take offense to that, as i have many very attractive friends who are, unfortunately, canucks fans.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
there is no pleasing you is there?
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by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Attractive Canucks fans? Pics or it didn’t happen.
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well, I’ll give it to alix
exceptions to the rule and all
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Do you want pics of attractive women or not? Shut. Up.
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she’s a girl, she’d probably post pictures of dudes
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
haha!
yes!
Indeed, Jared has disproven his own point!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
better me than someone else!
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
heh
really? if you really need proof… e-mail me
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions
haha
please note, you will not receive anything until I get home.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe Ms_Canuck is a Leafs fan.
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shhhhhhhh, your ruining it
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I’ve decided we need to cheer ourselves up, and so I provide you a saved copy of the best Wikipedia vandalism ever:
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Please incorporate this into your daily vernacular, so we can make Griddlin’ jokes.
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hehehehe
thanks…… Christopher.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
That dude didn’t write that, he just copy pasted it out of Wikipedia before they reverted it.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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I know, but I’m glad was stored.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
interesting
at one point last year the Leafs lost 12 of 15 games (10 of them in regulation). they still drafted 7th. i’d be shocked if we (boston) ended up with a pick higher than 7th this year.
me too
we tried to be bad and couldn’t draft higher than 7 (without making a trade to move up). We tried to be a bit better, and still couldn’t draft higher than 7.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions
From Mirtle...
“Well, I think it’s absurd. This guy has coached over 1,000 games in the NHL. Did he suddenly forget how to coach? I can tell you this, there will be numerous, multiple player changes before the coaching staff would even be looked at, let alone considered. The players are at fault here. We’re not getting it done. It’s not the coaching staff. It’s the players not executing.”
- Burke on Wilson
Good
I like to hear that.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
yes
this gives me some peace of mind.
one less possibility resolved.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
also
“Well, if I had known we’d be 0-6, I still would have done that trade,” Burke told ESPN. “I can’t draft a player who is going have that kind of impact this year in this draft. This is about being better this year. But I’m not annoyed at any reaction from the fans. When you’re 0-6, you should be grateful they’re still coming to the games.”
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
From the Hockey or Die post:
Again, for perspective, the worst goaltender since the lockout was Andrew Raycroft, who in 2005-06 managed a pathetic .879 SV%.
That was the season before JFJ traded our best prospect for him, in case you were wondering.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Oct 14, 2009 4:26 PM EDT reply actions
I wasn't
but thanks for that little ray of sunshine!
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Oct 14, 2009 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Toskala may be bad....
but he’ll never by Raycroft bad.
The home of truculent opinions about the Maple Leafs. 100% Nazem Kadri approved.
"Never give up. Never surrender."
by Marc Pilgrim on Oct 14, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
it sickens me to no end that raycroft shares the win record
Refusing To Bow To Your Standards Since 2006
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 14, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Is anyone actually..
going to buy tickets for the skills competition, or is that just a morbid joke? The maplesleafs.nhl.com website even has spelling mistakes, probably laughing too hard while typing.
Welcome
Thanks for joining. And no, I am not buying tickets to the skills competition. I barely watch the all-star game one
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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