Leafs at Bruins: Blah blah Kessel blah Rask blah blah
by Chemmy on Mar 4, 2010 2:34 PM EST
in Maple Leafs Game Previews
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PrintPuck Drop: 7PM ET TSN / Versus
J.S. Giguere gets the nod in net tonight across from Tim Thomas in the "Old Goalie Battle". Some kid I've never heard of named Tuukka Rask has all but won the starting job in Boston so the Bruins are running out their defending Vezina winning backup against our stacked offense including Phil Kessel and that other guy who hopes to play with Phil Kessel.
Expect Kessel to be lustily booed for returning a king's ransom on the trade block to a fanbase that thought he was a useless crummy player. My high school French teacher always said to hate something you have to love it first which sums this up pretty well.
Luca "Dorian Grey" Caputi will seek to inspire comparisons to Doug Gilmour in his Leafs debut tonight. He'll be skating on a line with Hanson and Mitchell. It'd be nice to see him contribute offensively but that line seems to be set up to bang and crash.
Patrice Bergeron pulled his groin during the Olympics presumably while pretending to be Sidney Crosby while alone in his hotel room. No word on Crosby's missing gloves and stick.
A reminder from the NHL: Gamecenter (their computer streaming app) should be free tonight and all week long Center Ice is on a free trial on your cable system if you wanted to watch a different game than this one. I wouldn't blame you.
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Days like today, I’m glad I live on the west coast and that means the game will likely be almost over by the time I get home.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 2:37 PM EST reply actions
Days like today, I’m glad there’s booze.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
Days like today, I’m glad there’sbooze4:20.
Fixed
...Being surrounded by Sens and Habs fans makes me lose faith in humanity...
Not me!
I’m going to try to leave early so I don’t have to do too much catching up on the PVR during dinner.
I think it’s Leaf-jersey night for me and the boy.
Proud supporter of Leafs/Flames trades since 1991.
by Sergei Puckizin on Mar 4, 2010 2:57 PM EST up reply actions
So why not Gustavsson?
Neat note from Twitter (lookit me, I gots Twitter now) – John Mitchell is our third-highest (Twitter is wrong, he’s really fourth) goalscorer amongst forwards. He has four.
If Grabs is out, then he might be third-highest in the lineup.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
that is endlessly depressing when you remember how brutal mitchell has been this year
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I think Orr has three
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
Somebody get Frycer’s name on a contract!
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
I can think of no better coach GM combo than Burke and Brophy. The team would be short-handed 55 minutes a game.
Bitter Leaf Fan: because sometimes there's no option but to be bitter...
Seriously, though
If we’re saving Gustavsson from games in which there’s a chance of getting smoked, he might never play again.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
LET'S GO BRUINS
CLAP
CLAP
CLAPCLABOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
is about how I expect the crowd to react to any current or former bruins touching the puck.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:41 PM EST reply actions
This blowout is going to be legendary
I can’t wait.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
In which direction?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:44 PM EST up reply actions
if the Bruins get blown out by the post deadline leafs they should just stop playing this year and auto take 30th,
this will not look good
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:45 PM EST up reply actions
What I’m saying is the only way they scored last game was for Sturm to sit on price’s lap and tap a puck 6 inches into the net.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:46 PM EST up reply actions
our first line is phil kessel and two college rookies
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
point
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
Your first line is Marc Savard and a bunch of other guys who aren’t college rookies
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"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 Mar 4, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
Just looked it up
Your offense is worse than ours was before everyone got traded. Maybe now it’s a tie.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Our Offense is worse than EVERYONE.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 2:59 PM EST up reply actions
Soooooo looks like its going to be 1-0 victory in the 42nd round of a shootout then?
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
79th round with J.S. Giguere scoring the shootout winner
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"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 Mar 4, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
The Leafs win the shootout when Boston inexplicably takes a too many men on the ice penalty.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Don Cherry’s coaching the B’s tonight?
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)
He will be there, actually.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
…when a tired and bored Bill McCreary just kicks the puck in the net behind Tim Thomas, and does the “I’m pointing at the net because it’s a goal” thing.
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)
yeah, but our defense is worse than everyone AND our offense is worse than anyone BUT you
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
The Leafs 3rd leading scorer hasn’t played a single game since Late december i think
Cheers, Complaints, homerism and bashing of mediocre pop musicians in 140 Characters
"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 Mar 4, 2010 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
I’m trying really hard to click that
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Hey all other NHL teams
if the Bruins get blown out by the post deadline leafs they should just stop playing this year and auto take 30th
this goes for you too.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
except the oilers, they get a pass
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:49 PM EST up reply actions
So they would get the first overall pick then?
by Leaf in Habland on Mar 4, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
who ever gets blown out the worst!
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
My secret hope (should survive at least three minutes into the game) is that this team will play with great youthful abandon and somehow overachieve.
Not sure what qualifies as overachieving, though.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Right now
the benchmark has been set at NOT losing 5-1.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
if this ends in a 2 goal game (baring those 2 goals being absolute stinkers) I will be satisfied
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
there is always a chance that the defence and goalie could play well….. i mean you would think that phaneuf, kaberkel, beauch, schenn and giguere have some decent hockey left in them before calling it a summer….
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Hahaha woooo boy that’s a goodn.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
yeah, and the Bruins have a year off viezna and olympic goaltender, marc savard, Chara and a 1st over all pick to beat out of the leafs
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
I am vaguely serious about that
Youthful exuberance can be fun, even if not ultimately successful.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
the older you get, the more they stay the same age
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
Is my memory foggy or was that a Dazed and Confused ref
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
We can’t be less exuberant than the last couple games.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 2:54 PM EST up reply actions
Woooooo 20 exhibition games!
It’s like we’re an AHL team getting a shot at the bigs for the rest of the season!
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
I say fuck you Jobu, I do it myself!
Proud supporter of Leafs/Flames trades since 1991.
by Sergei Puckizin on Mar 4, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
Phaneuf = Cerrano?
Proud supporter of Leafs/Flames trades since 1991.
by Sergei Puckizin on Mar 4, 2010 3:00 PM EST up reply actions
AND I scheduled a gamethread that will post automatically.
IT’S THE FUTURE
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
everytime i laugh now i feel sick…… coincidence?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
weird
That’s like evertime a feel sick I laugh
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
OPTIMISM!!!1
Anybody? Anyone? Bueller?
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
blah blah optimism blah blah blah
we’re all hiding out during the draft
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Optimus?
Professional cusser causer.
by T is for Truculence on Mar 4, 2010 3:52 PM EST up reply actions
GO DRAFT!
oh ya wait…
Go Free agent frenzy….
what, who’s available?
Can we just mulligan the 10-11 season and skip right to 2011-12?
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:25 PM EST up reply actions
Hey! Let’s give Jason Allison another shot!
Anybody?
Theo Fleury?
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
you are crazy
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 3:35 PM EST up reply actions
crazy
but I like you
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
I'm optimistic
But the Bruins have our number. We will likely lose. Maybe Burke’s tongue lashing regarding ‘being worried about where you will play’ will sink in for a game or two. then we will win.
"Windows 7 was my idea--and I am suing"
Ya Bozak and Stalberg, if you don’t play better i’ll send you down to the Marlies and replace you with…. oh wait. Shit.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Exactly
So much for competition for jobs in training camp.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 4:06 PM EST up reply actions
Just like any of us winning a footrace with Usain Bolt. Could happen, but let’s not bet the farm on it.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
The youth movement and rebuilding is all well and good, but I really wish MLSE would give the fans a bit of a break on the price of tickets to go along with the diminished probability of winning.
Seriously, this is going to be like watching the Marlies for the rest of the season and possibly next season, it would be a real show of good faith to cut the price of tickets by 10-15% to start.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
HAHAAHAHAA
that would never, ever happen. Not in a million years.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Ya I realize that. I’m just trying to imagine the outrage next year when they jack the prices again.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
meh. The great majority of season’s ticket holders are corporations who don’t really seem to care whether the Leafs win or lose anyways.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 3:46 PM EST up reply actions
Win or lose, they still write 50% of it off.
If the gov’t ever changed it so corps could write off more if the team won and less if the team lost, MLSE would be shitting itself.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
“Leafs go undefeated for ten years after the Clrkaitken bill passes”
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
can you get into politics?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 4:33 PM EST up reply actions
I wouldn’t make it a week, because I’d spend the whole Question Period telling people to go fuck themselves.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
They pretty much do this now. All those rabbles and shouts from above aren’t dinner invitations.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
Yes, but I’d either be the first guy or the last guy screaming. My voice will be heard, damnit.
Also, I’d call press conferences just to tell people they’re idiots.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
I am becoming more and more interested in your candidacy.
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)
I, as well.
Can you nominate an unwilling person?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
If you bring a paintball gun in to those debates, you have my vote
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:26 PM EST up reply actions
Ya
I’d actually wanted to go see the Marlies when it still had Gunnar, Stalberg, Hansen and Bozak on it.
Now… not so much.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Are we using guys on our ECHL affiliate to fill out the Marlies roster?
If so… how bad is THAT team?
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
I hear they are scouting local highschool teams
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:43 PM EST up reply actions
This is probably so close to the truth it’s scary
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
we’re filling out the Marlies with Ducks minor leaguers, like Joey MacDonald.
Big crop of players incoming next year from junior. We’ll actually want to watch the Marlies next season.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
Only if Kadri is there.
It’s looking more and more likely that he will crack the big club roster, unfortunately. I was all down with him spending a year in the A first.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
I might light myself on fire if they burn a year of Kadri’s contract on the lost cause that is next year.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Not that I disagree that Kadri should start with the Marlies, but I think because he’ll be playing pro next year, his EL contract kicks in regardless.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
This
However, he should start in the AHL unless he gains at least 20lbs and is heads and shoulders above all the other centers on the team
Fairweather fans can go to hell
i think he has to play the 9 games in teh bigs for the EL to kick in
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
I think that’s only for when you send someone back to junior.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
eh, thats what I remember hearing but who knows?
does someone know?
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
Marlies will burn a year.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Bummer. And I guess no chance of an overage year—would set him back developmentally even if he were eligible (I have no idea).
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
ah, well boo, but better burn a year than cripple his development
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Nice, Marlies would definitely be worth seeing then.
leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.
and hopefully Stephanovhich and Champagne make the jump to the A
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:48 PM EST up reply actions
Also Aulie, Mikus, Reimer
The 2010-11 Toronto Marlies official slogan:
PROSPECTS!!!1
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
TIM BRENT!
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
PATIENCE!!1
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
I’m seriously considering buying one of these shirts.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha, Likely might have hit upon a winner(the closest thing we have to a winner right now) with that shirt
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions
when does Grabbo come back??
...Being surrounded by Sens and Habs fans makes me lose faith in humanity...
PATIENCE!!!1
I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Mar 4, 2010 4:04 PM EST reply actions
Screw that, let’s play Hungry Hungry Wellwoods
by Jo4nny on Mar 4, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
side note:
I grew up playing hockey with Brad Boyes. We played on the same team for a season as 11 year olds on the Mississauga Senators in the GTHL. He left to play for Young Nats and Miss. Reps after.
We we’re buddies – trick or treating, street hockey, videya games and all that…and stayed half-decent friends after he left the team.
This kid – along with Cammalleri and Ott – dominated the GTHL for that age group.
Fast forward about 10 years – I’m in Uni, working at a sports store at Square One, and Boyes just finished having a break out season, scoring a pile of points with Bergeron in Boston.
My Point:
Playing Boston always reminds me of the Leafs whiffing on Boyes. He was a Leaf fan growing up and could’ve been great here.
My heart was swollen when the Leafs drafted him, and broken when they traded him for Nolan.
Anyways… thanks for listening
Wendel Killer Joseph
It makes me feel better knowing the Sharks gave up on him quicker and got much less in return (Curtis Brown & future considerations).
...rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony...
by My Poor Friend Me on Mar 4, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
He’s having a rough go this year but I sure would’ve liked to have had him the last four years. Odd how he’s bounced around so much.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
He plays a soft game. Pre-lockout that was a huge strike against. There’s more room for that type of guy these days. Sharp hands and a wicked accurate shot.
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Ever since the Phaneuf trade i’ve been keeping my eye on dynamic players from the last few years who have fallen out of favour.
I know right now we’re completely out of assets to trade, but it’s interesting to see which players – who were previously thought of to be un-gettable – could become gettable under the right circumstances.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Didn’t you make a fanpost (and great comments by you and everyone else all around) about players outperforming their contracts? Boyes’ cap hit is north of $4 million for some goals and very poor peripheral statistics. I like Boyes, but the Leafs wouldn’t be that better with him.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
I would have liked him before he signed that deal.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
think sundin would come back for $500 000? Hed be our best player……after kessel i guess
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
I wonder what he’s doing these days. Probably just chilling the eff out, fishing, golfing…y’know he could be on PPP and nobody would even know. (E0)
Poker
He’s a real athlete now.
Warning: Grammar and spell checking is foreign concepts to me...
by Peanut Butter Rally Time on Mar 4, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
Eating as much soup as he wants.
...rely a bit to heavily on alcohol and irony...
by My Poor Friend Me on Mar 4, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
I know you are addressing The ‘67 Sound, but that break out-season (05-06) to now would’ve been great. I’m obvioulsy biased
last year his contract looked good to me – $4mill cap hit for 33G 39A 72Pts. Consider we pay Kessel more for less.
This year Boyes’ contract looks like an anchor. He could have a re-birth in Toronto. anyways, dreaming.
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
Biased or not (I don’t have the personal connection, but I like him, too), Boyes is a good player for what he does, which is score goals. But he’s not one of the Blues go-to guys, and he seems to struggle a lot on the defensive end. Normally, that’s not a big deal for a top-6 forward, but he’s become such a liability I guess that the Blues are very careful with his ice-time and match-ups. But yeah, in any case, Boyes won’t be a Maple Leafs player anytime soon, so exercise in fantasy.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
Speaking of exercises in fantasy – the remainder of this season should be one.
(Yeah he didn’t backcheck as an 11 year-old either)
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 5:17 PM EST up reply actions
The Blues are apparently open to trading him.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions
i dont think the lines of coke will last very long
and the lines we slice into our wrists will be overflowing with precious body fluids
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
God who knows, RW has his work cut out for him
They could possibly reunite the frat line, but I’m betting on them keeping bozak with kessel for the rest of the season. He’s the only one who has a reasonable chance of ever developing chemistry with him.
Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.
Hopefully the lines at the grocery store aren’t too bad. That’s where I’m going to be hiding during game time.
The Star has these lines but they could have been made up by the author:
Nikolai Kulemin — Tyler Bozak — Phil Kessel
John Mitchell — Christian Hanson — Luca Caputi
Fredrik Sjostrom — Rickard Wallin — Jamie Lundmark
Colton Orr — Wayne Primeau — Viktor Stalberg
youd think that mitchell and stalberg would trade spots…..
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Mitchell scored last game and wasnt brutal (as least not comparably) and Stalberg was invisible last game
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:31 PM EST up reply actions
In the short time we’ve seen Stalberg, he strikes me as a player who’s really dependent on his teammates. He’s pulling a lot of 1 against 3 moves and going wide on almost every rush. Could that be he’s playing on the 4th line? Either way, Stalberg seems plateaued right now.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
it seems like a confidence thing, he was playing well up till he got tuned by volchenkov. It was like he’d never been hit hard before and now is always worried it is going to happen again and he is playing scared
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
I understand that, but he needs to get out of his funk fast. He’s auditioning for a spot on this team and his skills don’t translate as a 4th line plugger.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
He’s struggling with the physical aspect. The guys up here hit way harder than they do in the NCAA. And he’s been yanked back and forth so much out of necessity that he hasn’t had an extended stretch to get accustomed to it in the AHL.
I see him as a 3rd line player anyways; someone who ultimately uses his speed to create mismatches against other teams’ bottom 6, and to forecheck/backcheck like a demon.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
I think this season is pretty much a wash for him at this point, hopefully he hits the gym and packs on some muscle, it may reduce his speed in the short term but with some more strength he might gain some mental edge going into the rough spots
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:45 PM EST up reply actions
What sucks is that the first two big hits he’s taken knocked him out with injuries.
Volchenkov ran him over, the shoulder one was a total fluke. If he’d gotten drilled by Volchenkov and shook it off (like Kessel was able to after Ohlund hit him in his debut), I think it’d be very different.
Resident Capologist
Toskala Cap Counter - RIP
yeah, getting your brain rattled as your first real NHL hit isnt fun.
Reminds me of the first year they had body contact in hockey growing up. One kid on my team who was pretty good (for a 12 year old) but always skated with his head down got absolutely dummied in his 2nd or 3rd game of full contact. he quit hockey the next day because he didnt like being hit
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM EST up reply actions
I’m hoping Stalberg’s transition goes better than that kid.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
yeah, he is a big guy too, he shouldnt be affraid of the corners
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
hahaha
am I cruel for laughing?
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 4:59 PM EST up reply actions
nope, i openly mocked him when he told the team he quit,
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 5:00 PM EST up reply actions
he does just drive wide every rush, he has to find a way to get to the middle of the ice more and drive the net. guy has a good shot too, someone needs to find him in the slot. they are playing jason blake style hockey
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
Stalberg likes to carry the puck, it is his forte if you will…. as a winger in the NHL he can’t carry the puck as much as he likes and is required to forecheck and play away from the puck more. He’s still learning playing away from the puck.
JMHO
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
For me, it’ll just be a shame if Stalberg doesn’t end up on the team in the future. Raw hockey and physical skills aside, he instantly makes our team better dressed and dapper.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
His raw skill set can be formed…he still needs work. You can’t teach speed (or size, obviously) like that
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 5:18 PM EST up reply actions
Oy vey
How many of those guys, right now, could crack the lineup of a good team? Kessel and…
I hope Wilson’s been reviewing Swiss National Team game tapes.
by The '67 Sound on Mar 4, 2010 4:57 PM EST up reply actions
does it really matter?
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."
Albert Einstein
by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Mar 4, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions
Im not gonna lie, I’m excited that the Leafs grabbed Caputi. He is a Toronto kid, LOVED the Leafs, his favourite players were Gilmour and Clark.
I tweeted this earlier but,
"I don’t care the number they give me, I’ll put on a jersey and be happy with it"
How can you not love a kid who is excited to be playing for his home town?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
That’s super encouraging. I really hope that these first ~20 games he’ll get don’t kill that enthusiasm.
Prefers pugnacity to truculence.
ill tell you right now that caputi is a keeper, watched him played for Niagra in the O and he stood out big time
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
hopefully it translates, he is still a littler lighter than I’d like a 6’2 “power forward” to be, I just want him to not look out of place and chip in 10 or so points and id be tickled pink
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:52 PM EST up reply actions
that means anywhere from 6-14!
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
im generous like that
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 5:01 PM EST up reply actions
and the booing that he’ll face
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 4:51 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah, I’m digging his enthusiasm. I’m excited to see what he does tonight, its the only real selling point of the game tonight. That and there is a high possibility of a few quality tilts.
Imagine DiDo comes along eventually and you have him center a line with Caputi… the Dino’s from Woodbridge would go bananas.
Warning: Grammar and spell checking is foreign concepts to me...
by Peanut Butter Rally Time on Mar 4, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
SO
Any jobs out there in Ontario? Anyone need a passable Flash animator/produce clerk/electronics salesman? I think my time at the Source is approaching its end.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Mar 4, 2010 4:50 PM EST reply actions
Also
Watch our kids blow the Bruins out just to make everyone in the entire hockey world facepalm. I am going to be very emotional tonight.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Mar 4, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions
>:-[
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 4:54 PM EST up reply actions
where?
ok, all joking aside, where are we going to get any forwards from for next year. has anybody taken a stab at trying to figure out burke’s plan for acquiring at least one top six forward? make it up i don’t care it will make me feel loved.
by mick mcgeough on Mar 4, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions
plan A – trade Kaberle for one
plan B – panic
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:58 PM EST up reply actions
honestly, I’ve tried thinking this through, and realize I can’t. He managed to get us Phaneuf, he’ll get that much needed top 6 forward to play with Kessel too.
Although, I am very uncomfortable with this blind faith thing and most of the time I just yell “MARLEAU!!!1” instead.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
by Karina on Mar 4, 2010 5:02 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I’m off to the game.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Mar 4, 2010 4:55 PM EST reply actions
HOPE YOU HAVE A TERRIBLE TIME!
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 4:55 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
The correct wording is “ME like hockey”.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Mar 4, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
yeah, but what about that game that the Leafs play?
The Artist Formerly Known as...
by JaredFromLondon on Mar 4, 2010 5:19 PM EST up reply actions
Improper as well
the correct term is “more a person with a mental disability than hybrid”
:P
Wendel Killer Joseph
by MapleLeafMole on Mar 4, 2010 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
“Special needs” is most politically correct, but Leafs are a special exception.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
I was going to say mongoloid but that just doesn’t sound PC…
by Bloge Salming on Mar 4, 2010 5:28 PM EST up reply actions
Hah
Mongoloid…isn’t that the purple spot just above your butt crease that new born babies have, which eventually goes away as you grow older?
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
It’s possible. I confused shingles with rickets the other day. Somebody told me their grandmother had shingles and i was like “Are her bones all bent???”
by Bloge Salming on Mar 4, 2010 6:05 PM EST up reply actions
No
Mongoloid is how they used to refer to kids with Down Syndrome
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.
by PPP on Mar 4, 2010 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
Which reminds me...
…i’m working on a new video that I promise will be funnier than “Precious”.
by Bloge Salming on Mar 4, 2010 6:34 PM EST up reply actions
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