...There is Nothing That Cannot Happen Today

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 5:00 AM EDT in From The Branches

Eyebleaf, my patron saint of optimism, would probably agree with Mark Twain's quote above. Me, not so much. Of course, after the reaction of Gomez for Higgins by Habs fans, they may be wishing nothing would happen...

I'm approaching today with equal parts trepidation, excitement and apathy. I'm nervous about the potential for "Do Not Want" free agents (Chris Neil for example) to be signed today. However, the potential for Cammalleri(!!!1) to come home to roost is something I'm openly rooting for. But then, there's the fact that after a very small handful (four to be precise) of free agents that interest me, there's a sea of mediocrity that really doesn't do much for me.

How will this day shake down? As Leafs fans, we're all accustomed to preparing for the worst. The thing is, today, what is "the worst" for some, is the greatest thing that could happen for others. So, suffice to say, I guarantee at least one Leafs fan will go to bed disappointed. Will it be you?

DGB has a few thoughts as we approach free agency. Every other one revolves around Chris Neil. Obsess much?
Having not read DGB's post, Norman James has a Chris Neil prediction.
The Old Guys in Blue and White hate Dany Heatley. So do trees, and Ferraris, and sens fans...
TSM has a few words he'd like to share with the Monster, or at least his agent (ɟlǝsɹnoʎ ¡#*ɟ oƃ.) Nothing to see here, moving along.
The Meatriarchy makes peace with what, more and more, appears to be the inevitable.
MLHS has a series of stories to watch as draft day begins, including the remaining barriers to a Kaberle trade.
Cycle Like the Sedins speaks with our beloved overlord PPP about, amongst other things, Chris Neil.
The Bleacher Report runs down a list of free agent possibilities for the Leafs. The good news: no Chris Neil.
Lastly, this corner of nonsense is quickly becoming my most favoritest sight in all the interwebs. If you're needing a break from the insanity, click here.

To catch all the free agency action, check out SBN's NHL Free Agency hub. Click below now!

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Wow..

From the “hits” section of hits and misses of last year’s free agent season on thestar.com:

3. Maple Leafs: LW Niklas Hagman, four years, $12 million. Provides solid offence, leadership at a reasonable price for a player in his late-20s.

Amazing to see something positive about Leafs moves on there..

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 1, 2009 5:34 AM EDT reply actions

Also

Will there be a FREE AGENT FRENZY!!11one open thread/liveblog deelie going on? I need peeps acting as my TSN surrogate..

by LeafFanInVan on Jul 1, 2009 5:40 AM EDT up reply actions

we’ll start the insanity here in the FTB’s, and as the chatter increases, we’ll move it along.

We’ll all be posting Twitter updates, as well as links throughout the day.

Also, Happy Canada Day to my fellow countrymen and women!

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for linkin

Sedins be signin I’m thinkin

by The Meatriarchy on Jul 1, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions

Would

like to see Burke sign the Sedins but not for 12 year contracts…

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Jul 1, 2009 9:26 AM EDT up reply actions

Meat with the draft day poetry. Nice!

"We've had an ongoing problem with Grabovski this year." Bob Gainey, 4/04/09

by kidkawartha on Jul 1, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions

CONFIRMED!!!

Raycroft will not be re-signed by Colorado

HAW!

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 9:13 AM EDT reply actions

stunning…I figured he’s going to the KHL or ECHL

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Shock-a-roony

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Jul 1, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Cammalleri just feels like one of those guys who’s going to get ridiculous money from some team nobody’s even thinking about. Can’t you just see him signing a 7yr/$49M deal with Atlanta?

Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.

by Down Goes Brown on Jul 1, 2009 9:27 AM EDT reply actions

Or Nashville

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

St. Louis?

by general borschevsky on Jul 1, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

St Louis might actually fit him well

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh

Sportsnet got a message from JP Barry saying Heatley didn’t reject the deal to Edmonton, more like he hasn’t responded yet and is “sleeping on it”…

Still a douche.

"God's in His heaven. All's right with the world." - Robert Browning (1812-1889)

by Winkle on Jul 1, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

no kidding…full douche…glad he’s going out west now

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

I feel bad for Cogliano though, its gonna suck to have to hate him AND Cowen now

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah…that blows…but think of how lazy Spezza and Penner as linemates is

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

oh god, shut up about how Calgary has “one of the best if not THE best in the NHL” I know its probably true, but i dont need to hear it every 5 mins

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions

don't sweat it

all the “experts” claimed they were the big winners on trade deadline day…

in other words, they don’t know squat

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions

i cant wait to see the Flames all cap crippled

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions

again...

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

it is a vicious and hilarious cycle

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions

i was fantasizing last night that somehow this made the Flames need to trade Iginla, and he ended up with the Leafs.

NOT GOING TO HAPPEN…I know, but still, I was so pretend happy for about 5 seconds…

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

dear god…. Imagine a Iggy Hags Camallari line?

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

They still have Olli Jokinen.

So they’ll go down in… well, Flames.

Support Your Local Coyotes Blog! -
Five For Howling

by Travis Hair on Jul 1, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions

I should have noted this when I was writing it

but I was thinking it goes without saying.

If we sign Chris Neil, we all lose.

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions

/sad panda

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Whomsoever Burke signs (even Neil), I’m sure they’ll be of benefBWAAHAHAHAHAHA, man…nearly made it all the way through with a straight face there.

You should wash your beard, then shave it off, nail it to a Frisbee and fling it over a rainbow.

by Mattblack on Jul 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

maybe burke will sign komeserik just to distract Lucic from crippling VanRy again

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

I think MVR just needs one of those big plastic bubbles, like John Travolta had that one time.

You should wash your beard, then shave it off, nail it to a Frisbee and fling it over a rainbow.

by Mattblack on Jul 1, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

There we go, my thanks blurr.

You should wash your beard, then shave it off, nail it to a Frisbee and fling it over a rainbow.

by Mattblack on Jul 1, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

ruutu would just bite through it

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Lucic would go after Komisarek first, giving Van Ryn time to hurt himself.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 1, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Heh. I shouldn’t laugh, but it is so true. Poor MVR – he really is Splodeybones 2.0.

"If this is another one of your lectures about how we should all blah blah blah and whatever, well you can save it because we all know it by heart."

by Mabel on Jul 1, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions

ill call it an off year, he officially gets knighted his first long term injury this season though

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I think Van Ryn would be collateral damage in that confrontation.

He’d probably get speared by a bone fragment after Lucic hit Komisarek so hard he exploded.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Jul 1, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I approve of this series of events. Let’s schedule it for…first game in Boston between the two?

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure!

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 1, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I've always loved Bob MacKenzie

but after reading his twitter I love him even more:

I can’t write this in my articles or say it in my INSIDER reports, but now Dany Heatley is just being a flat-out asshole.

After killing a guy, you’d think Heatley would learn to put others in front of himself. What a shame.

by lordosis on Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

but he did put someone ahead of him, through the windshield

what?

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Jul 1, 2009 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Ouch!

by lb71 on Jul 1, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

zing!

Mee-Mee-Meep Meep Go Leafs Go Meep Meep! MEEP!!!

by blindfolded tank driver on Jul 1, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions

i can’t believe that’s his.

it’s linked to TSN, so you’d think he’d need to have a modicum of journalistic detachment and minimal personal editorialization.

Not that I don’t agree with him 100%

Cammallerri!!!1
Stalk me here...

by blurr1974 on Jul 1, 2009 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Who cares? He speaks the truth.

"We can categorically state that we have not released man-eating badgers into Iraq"
- Major Mike Shearer

by article1 on Jul 1, 2009 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Uhhhh guys...

I seriously can’t tell if it’s real or not. I mean half the posts make sense from McKenzie, but then there’s crap like this:

The Tim Hortons breakfast sandwich….a poor, ugly cousin of McDonald’s Egg McMuffin. This is the way to start a day!!!4:46 AM Jun 24th from web

Had a great nap this afternoon. That’s what happens when you read one of Dreger’s chats. Ha. More on this Kaberle thing later.1:37 PM Jun 25th from web

On Sportscentre last night, we led the show with an item describing how Thrashers GM Don Waddell and Brian Burke are longtime friends.4:39 AM Jun 26th from web

For Burke, I suspect it’s one of those friendships you have when you’re a child. You don’t like him, but he might let you play with his toys4:42 AM Jun 26th from web

Well, time to make the most of my day in MTL. That means smoked meat and poutine. I’m guessing TOR trades up for #5 and grabs Schenn.4:46 AM Jun 26th from web

Oh, and a sad goodbye to Michael Jackson. The first song my wife and I made love to was “Don’t Stop ’Til You Get Enough.” He’ll be missed.4:52 AM Jun 26th from web

Also, a sad goodbye to Farrah Fawcett. While I never really watched Charlie’s Angels (I preferred Cagney & Lacey), she was 1 sexy woman.1:33 PM Jun 26th from web

I won’t elaborate too much, but boy can Gord ever drink. He was our Montreal nightlife MVP. Surprisingly good with the ladies as well.4:51 AM Jun 28th from web

The wife and I got KFC’s new Kentucky Grilled Chicken tonight. While its new, it has the same old effect. I’ve been on the can all night.7:50 PM Jun 29th from web

Aww. I was halfway thru a lobster when i got called in tonight, making me angrier than a Habs fan after getting Gomez instead of Lecavalierabout 12 hours ago from web

Speaking of hunger, as I do every year on the day before FA Frenzy, I’m going to Red Lobster tonight. Wood grilled seafood…I can’t wait!about 18 hours ago from web

"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

- Sir Winston Churchill

I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.

by Steve Burtch on Jul 1, 2009 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions