Thank you, Bettman
by Karina on Jul 22, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
in From The Branches
415 comments
So this off-season, until recently, had been shaping up as one of the most painful, boring off-seasons I could remember. Last year there was a flurry of free agent signings, interesting trades (I still can't believe the Habs gave up their best prospect for Gomez), and optimism around the Leafs. This year, the UFA market was pretty boring (although I should thank the Sens for their outrageous Gonchar signing), the Leafs' only UFA signing a questionable one (I miss the headiness of KOMIKAZI!!!!1), and the only trades that have happened were because the Blackhawks had to dump massive amounts of salary to be able to ice a team next year (thanks for Versteeg, BTW).
Then, the Kovalchuk saga ended... until Gary Bettman waded into it. Suddenly, Bob McKenzie was tweeting from a Kid Rock concert and everyone who's put their blog on summer holiday was back to their computer. All of this has made finding FTB links far more fun and much easier. I'm no longer scraping the bottom of the barrel for something interesting to post for you guys. So today, I tip my hat to Gary Bettman in thanks for giving people something to write about. Links are below.
- 2010 Fortunate 50
Sports Illustrated released the highest paid athletes lists yesterday. No hockey players are listed. Maybe this is why Kovalchuk is obsessed with that $100 million contract? - Top 10: Biggest NHL contracts
The Hockey News looks at the ten biggest NHL contracts that were actually approved. - How many current Maple Leafs would make a six-team NHL?
Vintage Leaf Memories has a really interesting post - who do you think would be talented enough to be in a 6 team NHL? - 102 million dollars, but it’s about the Stanley Cup
Vintage Leaf Memories shakes his head at players who sign massive contracts and claim all they care about is winning the cup. - NHL finally wages war against long-term deals
Mirtle on why it was a good thing for the NHL to not approve Kovalchuk's deal. - NHL GMs must take team approach
The Hockey News has an interesting story about how it's no longer a one man show in NHL front offices. - Report: MacArthur becomes unrestricted free agent
The Thrashers walked away from MacArthur's arbitration award yesterday. I have a feeling this will be more common this year than it has been in the past. - I love the Maple Leafs
Loser Domi reminds us of something very important. - A Call for Calm Regarding the NHL's Rejection of the New Jersey Devils Contract with Ilya Kovalchuk
In Lou We Trust is trying to calm down Devils fans. Including some conspiracy theorizing in the comments. - Simmonds and Neal Aren’t The Answers
Jeffler thinks we should stop fantasizing about Wayne Simmonds and James Neal. At least, putting them on the Leafs roster fantasizing. - Monster of a Season?
LeafsWire.ca looks at Jonas Gustavsson, and just how important he is to the Toronto Maple Leafs. - 2010-2011 Maple Leafs: Contender or Pretender?
Leafs Wire on whether or not the Leafs can be in the playoff hunt this year. - What Was Wrong With The Leafs Part One: Penalty Killing
Yakov Mironov starts a series of posts reviewing what was wrong on the Leafs last year. This could be a long series.
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Ehhhhhh don’t think I can thank Bettman. Maybe be slightly pleased with the situation that was collateral from one of his decisions.
The podcast this week is crazy. It’s an hour plus of mf37 and I listening in awe of mc79.
He’s a smooth talker of the highest order. Talking to him makes me never want to be a lawyer.
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by Chemmy on Jul 22, 2010 8:14 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Why should you go to jail for a crime someone else……noticed? You don’t need double talk you need Bob Loblaw.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 8:48 AM EDT up reply actions
So, Scott Burnside is saying that Lou knew the NHL was going to reject the Kovalchuk contract before the Devils presser.
In loving memory of #21 Chris Higgins......I never even got the chance to say "I Love You"
Hence the whole “throwing the ownership under the bus” thing Tuesday.
by The '67 Sound on Jul 22, 2010 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Suddenly, Bob McKenzie was tweeting from a Kid Rock concert
Highlight of the summer
Resident Capologist
ba witwa bob
You may be taking Jared a little too seriously
by JaredFromLondon on Jul 22, 2010 8:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Can you form a mental picture of Bob Mckenzie flailing about – dancing?
Truncated truclence
by Future_considerations on Jul 22, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions
So THAT’S why he said this site is only for millionares.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 9:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for linking to my post, but it wasn’t just for Devils fans. Though, I’d like to make a clarification. It’s for everyone discussing the issue; regardless of who you support. It emphasizes, among other things, explaining reasoning (preferably with the CBA) over glib statements without backup. That’s why the main message was general for everyone to take a deep breath.
Devils in my heart! Devils in my mind! Devils in my eyes! Devils until I die!
In Lou We Trust - The New Jersey Devils SBN Blog
by John Fischer on Jul 22, 2010 8:58 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah, I think the CBA leaves plenty of room for interpretation (and therefore backroom negotiating). We can all speculate as to what happens next under the CBA but I think it most likely this is driven by good old fashioned horse trading (between Kovy and the Devils, the Devils and the league, the PA and Grossman, etc etc.).
I guessed yesterday that the contract would be rejected, the PA wouldn’t grieve, the Devils and Kovy would do a new deal for 15 yrs, ~$100MM, and Bettman wouldn’t seek sanctions for circumvention before the Systems Arbitrator. I’m sticking with that guess, but it’s just that—a guess. There are no clearcut answers in the CBA.
by The '67 Sound on Jul 22, 2010 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I think you’re right. $100M is the magic number here and I don’t see Kovalchuk agreeing to less in order to save face for turning down Atlanta’s offer of $100M over 12 years; which at $8.33M per can hardly be deemed cap circumvention.
Right now the contract that takes a player to the oldest age is Luongo’s which takes him to 43. Factor in that goalies can usually play for longer than skaters, and you figure 41 or 42 will be the NHL’s acceptable cutoff point; right at the 15 year mark for Kovalchuk.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Yeah, I just took Hossa’s age 42 deal as the NHL’s cut off point.
That one should have been rejected IMHO, and technically they could still reject a similarly structured deal for Kovy (a decision not to reject isn’t binding on future cases), but I doubt they would for obvious “fairness” reasons.
by The '67 Sound on Jul 22, 2010 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah turning down a contract that takes him to 42 like Hossa’s would create a shit storm the likes of which have never been seen in the NHL.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I don't think age is the main focus
Hossa wil be 42 and Luongo will be 43, but Kovalchuk will also be 43 on the last day of his last regular season.
I’d wager that the league is arguing that the 7 years of sub-minimum wage paycheques are evidence that he intends to never honour them.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Last day of the regular season doesn’t matter, he will be 44 by the end of his contract. Only June 30th matters.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
My point is
I doubt that is what the league is focused on, seeing as how the difference is so slight.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:07 AM EDT up reply actions
It's not slight at all
taking 2 years off of Kovalchuk’s contract (putting his ending age in line with Hossa’s) increases his cap hit from $6M to $6.7M right away.
The age matters.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Matter of opinion
The fact is, the league is not concerned with age at the end of a season, but rather at the beginning, as evidenced by Pronger’s contract being ruled a 35+, but the point is that I am not concerned with age, as my initial comment was meant to stress that I believe the league would argue that the Circumvention complaint was based on the obvious intention to never play for less than minimum wage.
So take two years off the end if you like, but that still leaves 5 years of sub-minimum wage – the key difference between Hossa’s contract and Kovi’s, IMO.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
You’ll want to listen to our podcast tonight or tomorrow. We have a pretty interesting legal opinion (from a lawyer) on the Kovalchuk cap circumvention issue.
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Vintage Leaf’s article is pretty interesting. Makes me think: we only have one sure-fire guy that would be on an six-team league.
What would we have to do to get Crosby on the Leafs...?
Wishful thinking never ends in Leaf Nation
Yeah, I liked six-team league article too.
What about Phanuef as a top36 defender? That gives us 2 sure-fire guys.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea, I’d have to say Phaneuf is a sure-fire guy. Kabby is close too.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 9:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Could see Kabby being a FWD in a 6 team league. He’s almost too much of a luxury on D.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
See I think that Kaberle wouldn’t have a shot at it. With all of the crazy offensive talent that would be playing, I think his offensive skills would be redundant and lacking compared to the other players; and his “defensive skills” would be a liability were here playing against top tier competition every minute.
I’d say that Kessel, Phaneuf, and Komisarek would make it.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I’m just thinking that teams would still be built in the “traditional” way. Like the Canadian Olympic team, which left Green off, so you’re right.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Kaberle would likely be an AHL all-star. There were a number of guys like him in the old days.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Skilled but undersized and too soft?
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Even the guys who would be 4th liners in a 6 team league (Pavelski, J. Staal, etc…) would completely embarrass Green and Kaberle on defense.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Although I will say that if one thing continually impresses me whenever I watch the old games, it’s the mobility of the defensemen. They could skate and bring the puck up a lot better than you’d expect.
But they could hit and play in their own end. That was key.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
All around good defenders, all three zones.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions
To retain the spirit of the 6-team hypothesis
It should be remembered that only 16 skaters were allowed in the final 7 years of that era, so maybe 4th liners should not even be counted.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Three lines, two pairs of defensemen, one spare forward and one spare d, one goalie plus a kid from junior in the stands.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
“kid from junior” = “spare goaltender in case one from either team gets injured”
Only Montreal and Toronto actually carried a spare goalie with them. What a luxury! :)
Leaf, the universe and everything.
At the risk of insulting you
You wouldn’t be old enough to remember back when home teams were allowed to dress an extra player, would you? ;-)
I think it was like 15 skaters for home teams and 14 for visitors.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s a fun timeline that shows the roster size evolution.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions
This was the crowning moment of my birth year:
I just read a lot. And watch a lot when I can.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Now I'm blushing
I’m practically older than you ;-)
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
That’s a good one!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions
You can come see the statue in Boston if you’d like.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
yes.
But good puck movers would find a role. The AHL was a pretty solid league. NHL teams would often play exhibitions against their AHL affilitates and it was no guarantee that they would beat them.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
The difference between AHL and NHL was often a case of opportunity. It was nothing unusual to annoy a coach and spend the next 6-7 years in the minors, or to lose a spot due to injury, etc. Particularly for the AHL guys, there was a ton on the line when they played the big club.
And you can bet the big club was not prepared to lose to the minors, or else they’d find themselves there. Pretty intense.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
NOW THAT is competion for jobs. Burke is a throwback, and I bet he wished things were a little more old school.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s likely a lot of these players wouldn’t exist due to reduced opportunity.
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Yes and no. They’d be playing senior hockey and things like that. There were a finite number of paid jobs that is less than today, but the senior leagues were a really big deal.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Doubt a lot of these guys would put in the brutal workouts they do to maintain their fitness to play senior league hockey.
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They would and did. It was huge. One of my great uncles spent more than a decade there. The Allan Cup winner was almost as well known as the Stanley Cup winner, and it was those teams that went to the Worlds or the Olympics.
Teams like the Trail Smoke Eaters, the Kimberley Dynamiters, the Quebec Aces, these were all senior teams. You’d have ex-NHL players, up and comers, you name it, plus a bunch who were die-hards and this was their life passion.
Senior hockey today is more beer league-ish. No resemblance at all to the senior hockey of the 40s.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Part of the dynamic too was that these were local town teams. With only 6 NHL teams and most of them far away, it was senior hockey that most people went to see. These would be pretty pitched battles, followed really intently. The players would be local heroes and when you went up against a rival town, it was a big deal.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Its interesting that the game sped up a bunch once the league expanded.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 10:02 AM EDT up reply actions
Biggest reason IMO is that the top defenders became more spread out, plus the rigid discipline that allowed systems to work fell apart. There were more jobs, fewer threats.
A lot of old-timers felt that hockey in the 60s and 70s was awful – almost unwatchable. The best system-driven hockey, they felt, was in the 40s. Most 40s players felt they would wipe the walls with a 70s team.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
well, 60s and 70s were two different times – pre and post expansion. I can understand a 40s team thinking it could take on the 1970 Kings or whatever, but what about the Bruins or Habs or Hawks?
Side-note: organizing the league standing by points percentage is crazy in 1969-70. The only original six team not in the top six is the Leafs, but the Habs also didn’t make the playoffs. That original six/new six conference thing was pretty ridiculous.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
There was a great interview I read with Teeder Kennedy talking about Bobby Clarke. Clarke was the best faceoff man of his day, and Teeder is picking apart the things he does wrong and finishes by saying “I’d put that guy on his ass.”
Fun read.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Link at all?
Also, is there perhaps some crumedgeon bitterness in there? (On Teeder’s part? or in general among the ’40’s players)
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
It’s my old out of print book. Click the link for “hockey books.”
In the 70s, too, it wasn’t just the 18 NHL teams, you had up to a dozen WHA teams. The talent dilution was pretty severe and the quality of play really suffered.
The common thread was that the only teams they liked watching were Boston and sometimes Montreal.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Yeah – talent dilution I can imagine.
More paid jobs for playing pro sports, and the North American population was rapidly growing – though that probably means we need more doctors, not pro athletes necessarily.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Talent dilution is a short term effect. Over the long term I don’t think it exists.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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Long term, no – but you saw the top level of pro hockey go from six teams to 30 in the span of about 10 years. It all got caught up eventually, particularly by the emergence of first Europe and then the States, but there was a fairly significant lag.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
People complain about 80s hockey, but you really saw the loss of 9 teams and the continued influx of Europeans. I think a lot was pretty good.
It’s masked by the fact that the shooters were ahead of the goaltenders. Allaire and his disciples weren’t on the scene.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Watching pre-butterfly goaltending is depressing.
See also: Vesa Toskala.
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Watching 60s goaltending is almost impossible because of the way they’d change cameras in mid-shot.
I can barely see how most of these guys made the stops. Just have to trust that they did.
The improvement in camera work and game production between then and now is staggering.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
There were a number of goalies that basically played the butterfly before it was so named, though. A number of others who also played the modern “shot blocker” game and would adapt well.
Mid-70s/80s reflex goalies? They likely get eaten alive.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Give Giguere a pair of Dryden's pads
or make Ryan Miller stand there without a mask ….
or give Jacques Plante a full helmet with neck guard ….
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Since you’re my age-ish…
The Monster reminds one a bit of Dryden, no?
Leaf, the universe and everything.
When he's leaning on the knob of his stick
I can’t tell the difference
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to mention
A future Prime Ministerial vibe.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
My feeling is that at any era, you have the athletes best suited to the game that is being played.
You can take someone and throw them into a situation out of context, but they really aren’t playing the game they’re trained to play.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
It’s sort of like how NFL players are no sure thing to succeed in the CFL. Despite being “better athletes,” the game is different enough that a lot of their advantages don’t come to the fore. Some will succeed, others won’t.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Like the wider playing surface and less time between plays. Same reason why smaller Euros don’t excel, I guess.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Reminds me of that dumb ad a few years ago, where one team wore throwback jerseys AND equipment.
What I’d like to see at the ASG is a game where both teams dress like 1967ers
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions
That commercial always made me chuckle.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Some of the worst ads are the most memorable
But I don’t recall what product they were hawking
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Pro-line.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah yes
Funny as Hell, despite the continuity error.
How is watching the first period supposed to help me formulate my wager?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Well, it’s telling you that anything could happen so you should bet all your money.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions
That's nice and ethical
I especially hated those OLG ads back when they’d print an Encore number on your ticket even when you didn’t buy it.
The ad showed people banging their head against the wall when their number came in, but I suspect they stopped the whole practice after a certain number of actual suicides.
At least Pro Line never makes me want to kill myself (much).
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
Hey – what’s wrong with the way I dress? I even wore pants today!
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Pants?
In my day, we called them trousers.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions
I seem to recall
A team other than the Flyers who wore them. Am I crazy?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Wow, that wasn't even that long ago
Ron Francis in long pants
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions
those would go well with tux jerseys
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll kindly ask you to leave now
And you can drop my keys on the chesterfield.
No not there, does that look like the divan?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
They actually saw it slipping as early as the 50s, once all the old soldiers retired.
Part of it is undeniably the old “things were better in my day,” but the gist of it is that the guys coming back from the war played to a standard of discipline that was really never seen after that.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Soldiers playing hockey – yeah discipline sounds about right
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 10:21 AM EDT up reply actions
On the other hand I’d love to see some of today’s athletes who have trained and exercised at a much higher level go against the famed D of the 40s systems.
I think a slick puck handler would turn a lot of those guys inside out.
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A guy like Kris Versteeg would be considered god back in the 40s.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I don’t think Alex Kovalev in his prime would have ever been touched back then.
Pension Plan Puppets*
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Ovechkin would have single handedly killed every other player in the league while also scoring 300 goals.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Or he’d run into a guy who actually understood the hip check and been finished half-way through his first shift.
Ovechkin is a great player and a bull on skates, but he’s hardly the first. How fast is he on tube skates, and how hard is his shot when made with a straight-bladed wooden stick?
It’s hard to separate the accomplishments from the technology.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Yea, you would have to level the playing field.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Most of those guys were pretty solid puck handlers as well.
The training is there, but by the same token, all those guys played more minutes because the benches were shorter.
What always comes into play is the equipment. Hockey has allowed it to change a lot more than baseball ever did, which makes a lot of comparisons meaningless.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
To me, the mental exercise of matching today’s players against those of any other era always comes down to the circumstances under which the games would be played.
For example, if you wanted to take Ovechkin and any number of other players and throw them up against the Ottawa Silver Seven, Ovie gets killed if we’re playing 1905 hockey. His conditioning works against him because he’s a sprinter running a marathon.
There isn’t a single modern goaltender who wouldn’t spend the entire game in the penalty box.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Komisarek – didn’t think of him, either.
Now I want a comprehensive list of the leagues top 36 defenceman, 72 forwards and 12 goalies.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
A lot of that would be subjective though.. Again, those intangibles come into play.
Like choosing the Canadian Olympic roster, or the whole “who’s the best player in the League” debate.
What would we have to do to get Crosby on the Leafs...?
Wishful thinking never ends in Leaf Nation
No kiddn’ I was just thinking – what would the criteria be for “the leagues top 36 defenceman, 72 forwards and 12 goalies.”
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Much the same as now.
You’d actually have a lot of offensive talent in the minors because you still needed penalty-killers, etc.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Pickin’ your brain is lots of fun. More please
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Who are the five best defensemen in Canada?
Doughty
Doughty
Doughty
Doughty and
Doughty
Pension Plan Puppets*
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He spits hot fire.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Dy-Lon!
Finally on the Twitter train, @j6events. Follow me, I swear I'll have interesting thoughts soon!
by BetterThanBester on Jul 22, 2010 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
What you tended to see, though, was that with that crazy offensive talent on the ice, teams tended to play it a little closer to the vest. Defensive systems were taken a lot more seriously, and teams actually played systems because there were ample replacement players out there if you didn’t.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
yep
from what I’ve read, the Leafs won their cups based on solid D. Montreal was for most of its existence all about the flashy O.
Definite “team identities”
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
Montreal was underrated defenseively because they were so bloody good on offense.
To me, the surprise is always Chicago. Offensive talent seven ways till Sunday, but they’d hit Toronto or Montreal in the playoffs and get the life choked out of them.
There was an interesting article with Elmer Lach talking about who was better, Howe or Richard. His comment was that you couldn’t even really compare them using their stats, because if you didn’t know the systems their teams played, their stats were basically meaningless.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
You also have to consider whether this is just a “right now” hypothetical or a future one. There are players who at this moment would be there, but not two or three years down the road.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions
You're basically arguing
that Kaberle isn’t in the top 36 blue liners because his “offense” is redundant? There are only 30 D men to have recorded 50+ points in a season since the lockout. Kaberle is one of only 18 players to do it more than once… and one of those is Sergei Zubov who is retired. Of the 17 remaining offensive blue liners, he is one of only 7 to do it 3 times since the lockout. Those 7 players are Nik Lidstrom, Sergei Gonchar, Dan Boyle (4 times each), Mike Green, Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, and Tomas Kaberle.
He’s in the same echelon offensively as the best 7 offensive defenders in the NHL… and you think his offensive skills would be “redundant”???
"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 22, 2010 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup. In a 6 team NHL, Kaberle would be eaten alive in his own end.
Of those players listed, I don’t think Gonchar or Green, along with Kaberle would make it through.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
See: Mike Green being left off team Canada.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Ah
But that’s Canada… and considering that list I gave you includes Niedermayer, Pronger, AND Boyle… that’s 3 offensive guys to play ahead of Green? I think Green makes it if he plays in almost any other country.
Playing for Canada isn’t like playing anywhere else in the world. He would have been #7 on team Canada, which means he’s in the top 6 anywhere else.
"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 22, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions
As evidenced by his long sought-after Norris nom
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Green is a 2nd line winger playing on the blueline of an offensive juggernaut. He’s not a defenseman.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
You won't find me arguing his merits
But if that many PHWA members think he’s top 3, I could defintely see him getting one of the 30-36 jobs in a 6-team league.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Points are sexy and writers gobble them right up because they are dumb. If I had 5 minutes of PP time a game with Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom, and Knuble I could put up 30 points and I’m a terrible hockey terrible.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
urrr player*
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Good point
But if enough writers were touting his merits as a junior player, then wouldn’t one of the six owners give him a shot?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
A shot, maybe. But after a half season of getting undressed and put on his ass, he’d be gone.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Or moved to wing, where he belongs ;-)
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Exhibit A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F7GQR2mZzw
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Yeah that really is Exhibit A… Nice little reminder why Team Canada overlooked you,
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
I still feel John Carlson is to blame as well
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
so do I
although Green is the vet in that situation and should realize he’s playing with a rookie
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
agreed. However, Carlson was floating.
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
Oh sure both share blame. I remember at the time it happened, I argued the whole Caps system is actually to blame. No one cares about defending
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
this is true
I found it very curious they brought up Carlson, an offensive defenseman, for the playoffs, instead of Alzner who seems to actually play defense.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Yeah OCD for offence in Washington last year. It was crazy. It’s okay, whatshisname in net and thatnewguy on D should really round out their defence this year.
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously. Varlamov is still young and Alzner is a rookie. The answer to their defensive problems was probably best found in Hamhuis and/or Volchenkov…So much for that.
So you're saying only the 36 best
“all around” blue liners get in…
I suppose if you follow the logic that the top 6 teams in the world would play amazingly defensive hockey… I still think there’s room for offensive skill. Also if you have 5 great defenders, an offensive skill like Kaberle’s wouldn’t be useless.
"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 22, 2010 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Let’s say team have what, two puck moving defensemen, one on each Top 4 pairing? That makes 12 total for the 6 team league:
Pronger, Lidstrom, Doughty, Keith, Weber, Campbell, Boyle, Chara, Rafalski, E. Johnson, Markov, Phaneuf, Bouwmeester, maybe even Myers, McCabe, and Timmonen. All just as good at moving the puck and way better in their own end.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I wouldn't include
Johnson, or Rafalski ahead of Kaberle… and probably not McCabe either.
"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 22, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
because you don’t need offense from the blueline when your third line has Phil Kessel on it.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Phil Kessel
is not a top 50 forward in the NHL offensively, and I don’t think he’s in the top 200 defensively… so I’m not sure he makes a team … although if he develops he might.
He finished 53rd in ppg last year, right between an aging Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth and a happy Rene Bourque.
Kessel isn’t the elite guy we think he is (just yet)… he’s still too young.
"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 22, 2010 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
picked a name out of a hat
how about Alfredsson?
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Only Thornton outscored him in the ‘Oughts, so there’s about nine seasons in a row where he’d have made it.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions
“is not a top 50 forward in the NHL offensively”
uh
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
He’s 20th in goals, probably something like 10th in goals per game and played with a much lower QTEAM than people ahead of him.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
A tougher exercise is to recreate the type of team each of those franchises had.
Toews would be a Leaf, probably RIchards.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
please don’t start that, you’re going to make me cry
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Would you adjust for newfound availability of homegrown talent (i.e. Michiganders getting a look in Detroit)?
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Oh – that would get really nasty.
Who’d be signed to which C-Form?
Leaf, the universe and everything.
There are more NHL players from the GTA than from the entire USA, so the Leafs would be stacked.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Except they rarely had Toronto guys. They had a lot of northern ontario and some Manitoba. Sid Smith was the oddball, being local.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Anyone have a list
Of all the junior leagues sponsored by the Leafs and Habs?
Basically, give the OHL and WHL to the Leafs (minus the American teams and players), and the Rangers and Hawks wouldn’t stand a chance under that system.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Wings were all over the west and picked the odd gem out of southern Ont. Chicago got some mileage out of northern Ont and the Niagara region as well as the west.
Boston picked up what they could find, and snared one kid out of a backwater named Parry Sound.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Guy named Alex Faulkner was I think the first Newfoundlander. He was a Wing.
Al MacNeil came to the Leafs from Cape Breton.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Well
The Habs did draft Troy Crosby, but that was after the dissolution of the C-Form era.
by Spezzal Teams Playa on Jul 22, 2010 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
not on a ppg
basis amongst players that played in 45 games last season. He finished 53rd in the NHL.
"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 22, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
You’re weighing assists heavily for a guy who played with nobody.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
I'm not weighing them
any more heavily for him than I am anywhere else. Are we going to get into offensive production based on QTEAM? because his QTEAM wasn’t as bad as you seem to think it was.
He had a better QTEAM than Rick Nash, Daniel Alfredsson, Jussi Jokinen, Vincent Lecavalier, Marian Hossa, Alex Frolov, Patrick Marleau, Shane Doan, Matt Cullen, Antoine Vermette, Nikolai Kulemin, Claude Giruoux, Devin Setoguchi… etc. He also played a BOATLOAD of PP time…
"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 22, 2010 11:43 AM EDT up reply actions
Better QTEAM
than Umberger, Stajan, Morrow, Hejduk, Clowe, Lombardi, Oshie, Kane, Pavelski, Hagman, Grabovski, Tanguay
"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 22, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Most of those players had 1.5 times as many assists as goals, if not more. Who could Kessel pass to that would score? Stajan, Kulemin and Bozak?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Ummm
or Hagman, Blake, Ponikarovsky… Stempniak?
"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 22, 2010 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Phil Kessel's assists from 09-10
Blake – 1
Mitchell – 1
Stajan – 5
Finger – 1
Hagman – 1
Kulemin – 3
Kaberle – 2
Poni – 1
White – 1
Wallin – 1
Bozak – 5
Gunnarsson – 1
Exelby – 1
25 total – http://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/kesseph01/scoring/2010/
So he got a third of his assists in the last 1/3 of the season with Kulemin and Bozak.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
yeah I couldn’t handle a BOZAK sophmore slump too well
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions
50th place in goals was 25; Toews, Kesler, Plekanec, Zajac, Sharp, Brunette, Laich, and Fisher. They averaged 81 games played.
Kessel had 30 in 70 on the 29th place team with crappy and rookie centermen.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
There's more than goals to offense.
If you look at this list… and don’t just worry about GOALS… then you might see my point.
"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 22, 2010 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
There are guys there clearly out of Kessel’s league (Ovechkin, Crosby, Kovalchuk) and then a lot of guys who play with amazing linemates. (Getzlaf/Perry, the Sedins, Backstrom…)
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Yes
I remember thinking while H. Sedin was lighting it up with Burrows and Samuelsson how lucky he was to have such excellent linemates.
"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 22, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Burrows scored 28 last year and 35 this year.
Samuelsson scored 19 last year and 30 this year.
You don’t think playing with two 30 goal scorers on his line would make Kessel look a little bit better?
Pension Plan Puppets*
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No
I think playing with Sedin made them 30 goal scorers… not the other way around… but hey you think what you want.
"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 22, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Put it this way
if Kessel was a superior passer, he might have made 30 goal scorers out of 20 goal line mates… but he didn’t.
"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 22, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
And before you say none of his linemates would have scored 20
he played with Kulemin who scored 16 without ANY PP goals, and Stajan, Ponikarovsky, Hagman, Blake, and Stempniak were all capable of or DID hit 20 goals last year.
"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 22, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
He’s the finisher.
Rick Vaive didn’t pass much either. Nor did Wendel. Pretty good goal scorers both.
Leaf, the universe and everything.
I also don't think
Nathan Horton or Tim Connolly were playing with far superior teammates.
You guys seem to over-rate Kessel, and under-rate his line mates… is all I’m saying.
Kulemin and Bozak really weren’t that bad last year… and Kessel really wasn’t a one man wrecking crew.
His PP numbers suck, he doesn’t pass enough (although that improved later).
Right now he’s a quick player with some stickhandling skills who has a great wrist shot.
He’s still developing.
"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 22, 2010 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I think that’s a pretty fair and objective analysis
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Daniel sedin missed what? 20 games with his broken foot? 15?
Sorry, but Heinrik’s linemates weren’t Burrows and Samuelsson, they were Daniel and Burrows.
Truth
41.26% of his EV shifts were with Daniel and Burrows.
He played 7.47% with Smauelsson and Daniel and only 4.58% with Burrows and Samuelsson.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
I didn't say
he played the year with Burrows and Samuelsson… in fact I specifically said WHEN HE WAS LIGHTING IT UP WITH BURROWS AND SAMUELSSON… which was when people first recognized he could play without Daniel…. early in the year when Daniel was injured.
I know he played over half the year with Daniel, I’m just saying good players produce no matter who their line mates are… whether it’s Daniel Sedin or Mikael Samuelsson, and the best players make those around them better.
I honestly think Nik Backstrom makes Alex Ovechkin a better player. I also think Malkin and Crosby make eachother better… I don’t think any of the four would be as good in a pair as they are on their own.
"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 22, 2010 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
According to dobber hockey he put up 1 Even-strength point playing with those two, 1.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmm
Ok, then maybe I’m misreading… I guess it wasn’t Burrows on his line… it was Samuelsson and that other Swedish kid… whose name I’m forgetting
"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 22, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
misreading
= misremembering.
"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 22, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m pretty sure the Canucks only other swedish kids are on the blueline (Edler).
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Jannik Hansen
I’m looking at the numbers now and I’m wrong…
"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 22, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly
I thought Henrik actually scored without Daniel last year… at least I remember it that way when Daniel was injured… but looking at the list on Dobber Hockey 85 points were scored while Daniel was on the ice.
"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 22, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
he did score without Daniel last year, but not at nearly the same rate. Their PPG while playing together were off the charts this year. I expect them to regress back to their normal PPG next year, which is why I question people who think they’re really elite players.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Yeah he still put up better than a PPG without Daniel in the line up.
1.28 without Daniel in the lineup
1.34 with Daniel in the lineup
something like that
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
He put up 82 of his 111 points with Daniel. 73%.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions
85 by my count
but whatever… I guess he was a bad example.
Either way, my point about QTEAM stands… Kessel’s was higher than a lot of superior offensive talents… Patrick Kane being the most obvious.
"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 22, 2010 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Basically we should make Henrik share his Hart trophy with Daniel.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:50 PM EDT up reply actions
the scary thing to think is just how many more points he’d have had if Daniel had not been injured.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Not enough to get them past the second round.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
which is my reasoning
for why he shouldn’t have got it at all.
by Death_By_Leafs on Jul 22, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
He played 4.58% of his ice time with those two, his third highest total, and put up 1 point with them.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m guessing Daniel – Burrows
and then Daniel – Samuelsson
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Uh that’s right.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Backstrom isn’t on that list without Ovechkin, Henrik without Daniel, St Louis without Stamkos, Thorton without Heatly. It’s funny you bring that list up, because the top 10 are practically paired off: Passers and scorers. kessel is in the latter category, and it’d be dumb to ask him to bridge both – none of the above did.
I think you mean Stamkos without St. Louis.
Thornton also doesn’t need Heatley.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
thornton can turn anyone with a better than average shot and decent hockey sense into a 30+ goal scorer
You may be taking Jared a little too seriously
by JaredFromLondon on Jul 22, 2010 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
SIGN THORNTON NEXT SUMMER
PHIL KESSEL 600 GOALS
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
at least we get playoffs
What would we have to do to get Crosby on the Leafs...?
Wishful thinking never ends in Leaf Nation
sure but tandems or not, I’m pretty sure some of those guys would be on regardless. Especially Thornton and Heatley.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
That’s very true. Thornton is very good at assists, and would likely be on that list if you put a 3 year old out there with him. Likewise, Crosby made those goals with no one really feeding him assists (sorry, but Billy Guerin ain’t no playmaker).
My point is that – even at the top level – no one is really both a noted playmaker and sniper in any individual season. That to knock kessel for not having enough assists is like knocking Thornton for not having enough goals. The best players specialize and have specialized complements.
I’d love nothing more than to see Kessel with 50 goals and 10 assists and Bozak vice versa. And there’s no way I’d dock Kessel because “there’s more to offense than goals,” or Bozak because he’s not lighting the lamp. Even if they’d both make it on the list on their own, it’s the specialization that puts them there.
Or to put it another way, I just don’t see a lot of players on that list that I’d call “well-rounded.” They’re either clear snipers or clear playmakers.
I'm not KNOCKING Kessel
I’m saying he isn’t a top 50 offensive talent in the NHL. That isn’t the same damn thing.
There are a lot of great players that aren’t in the top 50 offensively. And I’m sorry, but I think to be one of the best 50 offensive players in the league you have to be able to get goals AND assists… not just one or the other.
There are a few guys that can post 30 goals and 60 points, it’s harder to me to put up 80+ points than it is to score 30 goals…. and the fact that there are more 30 goal scorers than there are 80 point players would support me on that. 17 guys put up 80 points last year, but 24 of them scored 30 goals… there’s more of one than the other. Also… 12 guys made both lists… and a lot of players that were injured didn’t make either one but they should have.
I’m not sure I think Kessel deserves top 50 in the NHL status YET… he probably will next season… but based on last year, I wouldn’t put him there.
"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 22, 2010 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I think to be one of the best 50 offensive players in the league you have to be able to get goals AND assists… not just one or the other.
Actually, to be one of the best 50 offensive players in the league, you just have to be better than all but 49 of the other players.
And I say that only half-jokingly. Yes, to be an “elite caliber” player, you should probably be producing both goals and a healthy number of assists, but I think when we’re talking about 50, somewhere along there, we’re getting to just pure snipers or pure playmakers. And I think – especially if you throw age in as an influencing factor – you’ve gotta consider Kessel somewhere in that 40-60 range.
17 guys put up 80 points last year, but 24 of them scored 30 goals… there’s more of one than the other. Also… 12 guys made both lists.
And I think this highlights my point. 17 more than 80, 24 scored 30 goals…but you’re still not even halfway to 50.
WOW!
Did everyone just read that? Rene freakin’ Bourque
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Fra -gee-lay
Must be Italian.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
So he plays 40 games, and we get some other perpetually-broken guy for the other 40. What could possibly go wrong?
Leaf, the universe and everything.
Everything
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Connolly for the other 40 games!!!!
BS
by MapleLeafMole on Jul 22, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Antropov was in the top 50 in ppg are you claiming he’s a better offensive talent?
A Nation of Masochists
1967 - Owning the drought since 2010
is that basically not an Olympic tournament?
you’d have to rejig a bit i guess to factor in guys rejected from Canada/Russia and maybe USA/Sweden who would have made it in any other country.
So I’d use a guideline of who made the Vancouver Olympic teams as a rough guide. To me, Kessel’s there. I would say Phaneuf too, and maybe one of Komisarek ior Kabby, but likely not both.
You do a league-wide repechage draft and our talent pool is not nearly as dire as it was, say, a little over a year ago.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
he had an abysmal season, but let’s not forget he would have been a top 4 Dman on the second-greatest hockey team in the world, were he not injured.
Unabashed fan of the surprise 2012 Stanley Cup champs
No it's not an Olympic Tourney
since the Olympics has 8 top teams really… Canada, Russia, USA, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Sweden, Finland, and possibly Germany…
Then you have to factor in the fact that the Canadians could field two or three teams that are superior to the entire entry from Germany, and over 50% of the rosters from Slovakia.
the fact that Komisarek is a top 4 blue liner on the US team, doesn’t mean he’d be a top 4 blue liner on one of the top 6 teams in the world. I can name 36 blue liners who play for Canada, Russia, USA, Slovakia, Czech Rep., Sweden, Finland, and Germany who are superior to Komisarek.
"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 22, 2010 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions
The “fortunate 50” list is cool, but it only includes American athletes. I would be interested to see if any hockey players made the list if Canadians were included, I could see Crosby’s edorsements easily putting him in the top 20 (9mil salary plus probably another 15mil endorsements?), Ovechkin would probably be in there too if it included Russians.
They have an International Top 20, but no hockey player make that one either and #20 is Sharapova with $19.923M. So we know everyone makes less than that. If you actually look at the endorsement dollars for players, you realize that only the very very select few actually make any substantial money from them.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Congrats!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
We got tshirts with the rink’s name on them!
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Love swag.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions
In honour of our boy Eyebleaf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukO9AS5eqfM&feature=avmsc2
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iTsbnr8e_8
Mook.
Wham Wham! Kabam Kabam! A Double Kabam! And It's A Double Dion!
by realcanadianbacon on Jul 22, 2010 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Jim Thome joke on the front page.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Is it just me, or is Bettman starting to look a lot older?
I think his age is catching up to him. Maybe his crotchetiness is what pushed him to cancel the Kovy deal.
by Peter Raaymakers on Jul 22, 2010 11:26 AM EDT reply actions
Think Gus' deal had anything to do with this?
The Atlanta Thrashers have come to terms with restricted free agent goaltender Ondrej Pavelec on a two-year contract worth $2.3 million.
Goalies are getting the screws lately. The “don’t overpay a goaltender” philosophy has really spread fast, Luongo was the last big name to get one I think. Could be the last for a while.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
J. Hanssen of the Canucks’ arbitration award was $825,000.
Letting Mitchell go UFA so we could sign him at $725,000 is looking better every day.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Socks!
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Damn.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s from the same town as my dad.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions
He’ll probably get like 2-2.5 which is actually pretty reasonable.
Can I interest you in a Michael Ryder in a contract year?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Didn’t he make 2.8 this season? Can me make less?
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
2.8 cap hit
but that includes all potential bonuses… kind of like how Luke Schenn “makes” 3.75M
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
I believe arbitration cannot give a salary less than either 1 million or your current salary, whichever is lower. As wheeler made 800,000 last year (i think), he can’t make less than that.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
If he gets less than $1M I will eat my hat.
His stats aren’t THAT bad. He shouldn’t be forced to take a massive paycut because Boston couldn’t keep their cap under control.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
no, he’s not, just letting you know the bounds.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Jack Skille
took a paycut for the Blackhawks… yeesh. They must have GUARANTEED him a roster spot. 1-way contract too I guess helps.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
No
But we’ll pick up Wheeler once you walk away from arbitration.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
He might have other bidders too... but i'd give him $2M or so.
Honestly I only know his stats, I never paid attention to him when he was playing.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
HE’S BEST FRIENDS WITH KESSEL THAT’S ALL THAT MATTERS.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
most common overlooked stat
is his age, followed closely by his experience level.
I have nothing interesting to say.
Also
he’s like 6’5".
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
(He’s 23, and has played 2 years in the NHL. 21-24-25 in 81with 13:41 atoi and 18-20-38 in 82 with 15:37 atoi)
So yeah I likes him.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I think expectations for him were higher
because he was a high draft pick… #5 overall I think in 2006
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Eep
2004 I mean.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Except that in his first year, he played 2nd fiddle RW to Phil Kessel, and this year the Bruins were anything but an offensive team. Kid’s got great potential.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
I think "great" might be a reach, but at 23 there's still lots of time.
plus the most important part is HE LOVES KESSEL
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Boston Goals per Game
08-09 Bruins – 2nd place – 3.29
09-10 Bruins – 30th place – 2.39
The team took a huge nosedive and became way more defensive.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
We were always pretty defensive.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Truth, but when you can’t put the puck in the net it has a big impact on the team.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
From my own personal experience it involves a lot of drinking either way.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
That’s why the went out and got Horton.
Seguin, depending on how his rookie campaign goes, could help out too.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe a nice puck moving defenseman to get the whole thing moving.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s actually not a bad idea on the whole. Besides Chara, Seidenberg, and Hunwick we don’t really have guys who can move the puck that well
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
hahahahaha
hahahahahaha
Seidenberg and Hunwick
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
I’d be okay with Wheeler and for Kaberle, but if anything we’ll sign him after he the Bruins walk from his arbitration ruling.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Biggest problem is that Boston is right up against the cap without having Wheeler signed, trading him for Kaberle would make the situation worse.
Now if it was Wheeler + Savard…
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
would make the situation worse.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh man, could you imagine. What if we tossed in one of our prospects we don’t like, that usually works out well for you.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
as long as he can play on the other wing with Knight (next year) and Seguin (this year)
2011-2012 starting lineup for Boston in Toronto for maximum trolling:
Knight-Seguin-TOR1st
Kaberle-somebody
Rask
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
The Calgary Flames already tried that, look how it worked for them.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
You’re ruining it.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I saw toskala play with the flames in Boston. He gave up 0 goals because the flames had a 7-minute powerplay while he hung around the goalie.
The flames are so bad that I think even with an extended powerplay the Bruins matched them in shot totals for it.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I was watching that game where they scored 3 shorthanded goals on the same PK, that was insane.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I was watching that game where they lost a playoff series after having been up 3-0 both in the series and in the game.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Wha? When did that happen? Jeeze, that sounds really bad. Makes me glad I’m not a Bruins fan. That would be embarassing.
That’s the thing about playoff hockey: It-
Actually, I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I do alright.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I was there!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
It sucked!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It was goddamn awesome is what it was.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Against that we’d roll out:
Ross – Armstrong – Orr
Phaneuf – Komisarek
Schenn in goalie pads
And go completely apeshit with a line brawl and destroy all your delicate little flowers.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Goddamn, it would be fun if it turned into a line brawl every time the Bruins played….well, anyone, really.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
So long as Schenn learns the knuckle-puck this can’t fail.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Seidenberg kicked ass for us.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Even Chara…he slaps the puck hard, but move it? I can’t remember thinking “Ooooh, what a great pass by Chara, he really threaded defenders there.”
His slapper can pass through defenders.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Now that said, I’d really rather not see a powerplay that involves Kaberle tee’ing up Chara’s slap shot…at least…not in my division conference.
Really hoping the “insult” burke got was a legitimate trade from Boston but Chiarelli was chuckling to himself the whole time.
p.s. you could see that shit live!
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
RE: seeing that shit live, I seem to remember being in the rafters and laughing as Chara got picked off by one of The Kids right after they’d gotten called up…one of Irwin’s early games or something like that.
My roommate made it a point to call Chara on screwing anything up, claiming he was massively overpaid. I hope he gets a raise next season!
Raise is doubtful but I don’t think his next contract is going to do us any favors per se
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe we can knock off 500k because his finger is crooked.
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
no shit, right?
Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)
by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 22, 2010 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Except bigger, better, and Kessel’s BFF.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
WHEELIE-MAN LOVES KESS
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
@OnFrozenPond: Panthers send C Jeff Taffe to the Blackhawks for former ATL C Marty Reasoner
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Marty Reasoner is still playing hockey?
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Chicago knows it still has to ice a team, right?
Roster: 16
Cap space: $138,410
Even sending Huet down… that’s going to be tight.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Niemi arbitration result is going to really make their cap situation interesting.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
They are, what’s the word I’m looking for? Ah yes, fucked.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Still can’t believe they matched Hjalmarsson.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
They’ll walk away from anything over $2M for Niemi and sign a UFA goalie late in free agency for like $1M. Niemi was barely above replacement level.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Ya but who? Turco still available... but yikes beyond that it is weak ass.
Theodore too I guess.
and TOSKALA.
They’re going to need 2 goalies if they send Huet down… take both Turco and Theo for $1M each and make the old men battle for starter? Might be their last chance to get an NHL job
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait til the very end and goalie desperation. I’m thinking someone like Ray Emery, Yann Danis, or even a last hurray for Manny Legace.
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
Poor Yann Danis
he’s had like 10 starts in his NHL career because he was behind Brodeur.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Brodeur’s backup is pretty much the most irrelevent job in the NHL. (maybe not so much anymore, though!)
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
If Jersey wants to make a transition, Brodeur’s backup’s job should be “ease in to the NHL and be very good.” If they have anyone over the age of 26 backing Marty up, they’re probably dumb. (I say this having no idea what their goalie prospects look like).
Heh
As much as we make fun of Raycrap, the guy keeps finding jobs as a not-brutal-backup. At least he’s not under the same delusion that Toskala is that he’s a #1 goalie.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s not like this offseason has a lot of opportunities to take flyers on goalies either.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
really???
dammit
I developed a fondness for him when the Sens ran him out of town unfairly.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
Found it
TheGoalieGuild: @So_Truculent Emery’s career is over, not sure if you knew this but he has Avascular Necrosis.
wow. that sucks…
interesting that alcoholism and excessive steroid use are listed among the potential causes, and the list of notable individuals with the disease are musicians or athletes.
I have nothing interesting to say.
1.1 million was just too rich for chicago.
On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Tyler Ennis: Freed from Portland!
Core (Doesn't want to move, or can't):
Toews, Kane, Hossa, Sharp (I know people speculating, but I doubt he moves), Campbell (by sheer contract alone), Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson
Chicago players who aren’t on ELC’s or being paid close to league min.
Bolland (3.375M), Kopecky(1.2M), Brouwer(1M).
Hmm…. not a lot of fat left to trim before gauging into that core.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
From Puck Daddy
Meanwhile, we’re all left wondering if Perry, Getzlaf and Ryan want to be the NHL’s answer to LeBron, D-Wade and Bosh come 2013.
Great, now all I can do is assume they want to be re-united with Burke and become gods in Toronto. Thanks a lot.
The Guess Who sucked, the Jets were lousy anyway
by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Jul 22, 2010 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
Only Kessel, Phaneuf, Komisarek, and Tucker’s buyout have contract through the 2013-2014 season. Make it happen Burke!
I've always wanted to be a PPP Princess. You see kids, you can be anything you want to be; so long as Jay Leno doesn't also want to be that.
yes! lets have a big ceremony and 1 hr tv special in 2013!!
Truncated truclence
by Future_considerations on Jul 22, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
it would never hit the air because he wouldn’t be able to decide on what time slot he wanted
You may be taking Jared a little too seriously
by JaredFromLondon on Jul 23, 2010 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions
He had tons of shows here.
“Touched By A Fletcher”
“Mats Sundin’s Journeyman Winger Variety Hour”
“So You Think You Can Play On the First Line?”
“Swede and the City”
“Mogilny’s Got Talent”
“Calgary Five-O-O”
“Lost”
“Muskoka Five Survivor”
“How To Play: PokerStars.net Texas Holdout”
by Death_By_Leafs on Jul 23, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
No wonder Burke didn't want to waste that cap space on Kovy....
He’s going to need it all for the Stanley Cup Champions Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/2014 season
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
You know who else is a UFA in 2013?
Sidney Crosby.
Just sayin’.
Tick Tock, Tomas. Tick Tock.
A drinking team with a hockey problem.
by nhlcheapshot on Jul 22, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Damien is making sense again today
DamoSpin Easy solution to Kovalchuk-like contracts is to make annual cap hit match length of the contract, even in case of retirement. Seems fair.
"The only way out is in a body bag. Go Leafs Go." - Blinky
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