Leafs Lose 4-2 to Close Out the Preseason
by Bower Power on Oct 1, 2011 10:28 PM EDT
in Game Recaps
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PrintThe Leafs lose to Ty Conklin and the Red Wings, 4-2. The only thing left between now and the regular season is a handful of roster cuts, as Ron Wilson needs to "make some tough decisions," which have probably been made easier given some injuries to the team. After the jump, some thoughts on tonight's game:
- Welcome Back, Matt! 353 days after his injury, Matthew Lombardi took the ice. He didn't make any awful mistakes, but was weak on the faceoffs. He mentioned during an intermission interview that he's looking forwards to getting "back into game shape," so after a little conditioning, it looks like we'll have another useful forward from trading Brett Lebda's buyout.
- Early in the game, Keith Aulie and Jay Rosehill both crunched Fabian Brunnstrom on hard, but penalty-free hits. If you're still worried about not getting big hits during the reign of Shanaban, you should be okay.
- After fighting Mike "The Moustache" Brown, Garnett Exelby took a penalty leading to a PPG off the faceoff by John-Michael Liles. It felt weird to be on the other side of this.
- If anyone knows Joffrey Lupul or Phil Kessel, please let them know that now is a good time to start trying. With any luck, Kessel's performance is related to his groin issue (in which case, why is he playing now?), and should clear up when the game matters. I'm a little concerned that Lupul may not have the same excuse available.
- Mikhail Grabovski took a shot off the foot. No word on whether there's an injury, but it put an end to his night - hopefully just for precautionary reasons.
- Glenn Healy was under the impression that this preseason game meant something. It's so nice that he provides such unique
insightwhite noise.
- Goodbye, Matt. In a contract year, Matt Lashoff looked more the musician than the NHL player tonight. He might see some ice time as a buffer between injured players and prospects in the Marlies, but unless he really tuns around from his performance in camp, it's hard to see the Leafs re-signing him at the end of this year
My take on the four goals against Reimer: You'd like to see Reimer come away with one of these, but each had some massive defensive breakdowns. I'm not too worried. Yet.
- On the first goal, Helm crashes the net with speed, Reimer makes the first save, and Abdelkader gets inside Gardiner to bang home the rebound. Lashoff was on ice, but nowhere to be seen on the play.
- A bounce off the end boards kills Reimer on the Wings' second goal against. Helm picks up the rebound, Reimer, down from the initial shot, slides to cover the short post, then gets beat on the wraparound. Detroit, whose home rink has some very active end boards, does a lot of work with play off the kickplate.
- On the third goal, Gardiner and Komisarek are on the PK helping Patrick Eaves screen Reimer, who makes the initial save, but Eaves feasts on the juicy rebound, which bounces to the off side of Gardiner. Komisarek should strap on some pads - if he cut down the angle a little less, he could be Reimer's backup.
- On the fourth goal, Aulie failed to win the puck and failed to tie anyone up or to take away the passing line. Reimer scrambles after making the first save, and the rebound heads out to a wide open Tatar. Aulie simply hasn't looked NHL-caliber through this pre-season. He's only 22, and there's no shame in him starting another season in the AHL. Besides, the Sun could recycle a tabloid cover.
Game In Six Highlights
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What could you possible hate about Phil “I’m playing with a groin injury” Kessel?
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.
Why is Phil playing with a groin injury anyways. plus playing Grabovsky 6 of 8 psg’s is just stupid. Wilson should have managed some of these guy’s games a bit better, But he’s an idiot.
One issue is that the Leafs need to dress 8 veterans for every preseason game. Because of the youth of a lot of the players, a lot of them don’t count towards those 8 veterans which is why a guy like Grabovski had to play so much.
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.
I always forget about that rule. Surely I am not the only one who thinks it’s stupid?
by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 1, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
The only thing stupid is the amount of pre-season games.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
I think it’s also pretty stupid to compel coaches to make personnel decisions they may not want to, especially in the preseason, and especially because shockingly, as it turns out, veteran players can get injured in the preseason. Nevermind the additional debate of “what constitutes a veteran anyways” and how arbitrary that definition might be.
by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 1, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Nevermind the additional debate of "what constitutes a veteran anyways" and how arbitrary that definition might be.
It isn’t arbitrary at all. You only need 8 vets, which are any player over 100 NHL GP, over (I think it was) 30 GP last season, goalie over 50 career starts or 30 last season, and any first round pick from the most recent draft.
The Leafs could’ve theoretically played Percy and Biggs, with Gustavsson on the bench as a backup, and then just had to ice five players who meet the lax “veteran” standards. Hardly forcing major personnel decisions.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
And actually yeah, that definition of veteran is quite inclusive.
by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 1, 2011 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Did you see the line Detroit iced. I don’t think they were compelled to play anyone.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 2, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions
For a team like the Leafs, where pre-season tickets would be sold regardless of who’s playing, it’s dumb. For someone like the Panthers, they’d rather not have fans feeling ripped off – “I paid for a ticket just to see third and fourth stringers.” Considering that it’s 8 players on a 20 man roster, that the backup goalie and first round picks from that draft year can count as “veterans,” it’s an extremely flexible rule, and hard to get mad at.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
Correction: Why Grabovski has to be on the bench for so many games. He doesn’t have to log a lot of minutes.
by Tickle Me Aulie on Oct 1, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
to be fair to Wilson
Grabovski’s last few games saw him play 7:34, 16:54, 16:55, 22:02, 22:25…
he obviously wasn’t playing as much in the last few games as he was in the games against Buffalo.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions
This statement is why I hate most hockey fans.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions
How can you hate Phil Kessel? What is there to hate about a perennial 30 goal man who’s dangerous on practically every rush. Who’s also 23 years old and has shown the grit to come back from cancer and still be so good. People in Toronto (I don’t know where you’re from) are a bunch of negative nincompoops who hark on Kessel because he cost 3 picks. Or because he doesn’t bodycheck. Or because he “floats” whatever that means. That is asinine. I sometimes wonder how in a city with so many hockey players both serious and hobbyists can know so little about hockey.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 10:55 PM EDT up reply actions
He’s playing in a meaningless game with a stained groin, and people feel like if he doesn’t score, they can hate him. Until clark said “why?” I thought his original post was a bad stab at humor.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
Although I knew he had a strained groin, I didn’t remember that when I typed the message so maybe this isn’t the best game to have reminded me why I dont like him. But, I’m not one of those fans who gets upset at one game. This game simply reminded me of what I have seen from him so many other times. All those other games from the previous seasons have made me dislike him – not this one.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions
So who on the Leafs do you like? because he’s our top scorer. So if he sucks then my god the rest of our team are a bunch of reanimated fat zombies with Rita Macneil physique.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Shit man, I didn’t realize I was dealing with Superfan 81 here. Don’t feel like going through the whole team here but I like Kuli and Grabo way more than Kessel.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions
You got it. I am a Kessel superfan. I enjoy good hockey players. Kulie is my fav only because he is an undeniable beast. But to hate Kessel is just weird. Forgive me for trying to convert you but I think he gets an unfair rep mainly because MSM likes to shit on all things Leaf and he was an instant easy target because OMG Leafs traded their 1st rounder again! Insta Tom Kurvers flashbacks. He ain’t no fucking Kurvers.
I’ve had to endure this with Sundin for 13 years. A city that shitted on a legend that is Sundin is now shitting on the glorious fucking hockey god that is Kessel. Open your eyes.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m the biggest Sundin fan there is. I defended him all the time but there is no comparing him to Kessel.
Agreed, Kessel is not Kurvers.
And please never tell me to open my eyes after typing a sentence that says “the glorious fucking hockey god that is Kessel”.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Exaggeration for effect. Either way as you can probably see by now no one is here agreeing with you. Majority isn’t always right but really bro you gotta realize what you’re asking of the guy. 40-50 goal guys are rare diamonds. We have a consistent offensive weapon here and you’re hating on him for not being a major superstar.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Its an unnecessary comment and for the most part, most if not all comments about Phil are unfair and simply not true. People just don’t understand how big it is to have a player that can score 30+ goals every season. Most “good” players can’t do that. Understand… and btw because there are 82 games, him scoring say, 35 means there will be 45-50 where he wont score.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
probably more like
55 since he will have multi-goal games in 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 Oct 1, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s hard to score when you have a stained groin.
Either you have an enviable memory, or a pitiable life, to know nothing of regret.
- Sten, of the Qunari
by GreatKingRat on Oct 2, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions
I hate him because he is a perennial 30 goal man who instead of putting in more effort to become a 50 goal scorer like he could be, he ’’floats’’ around the ice half the time until he gets a chance for a rush in which he usually attempts a move which defenders have seen a million different times. I understand he’s not going to go out there and crush defencemen that’s not what I expect from him. I also don’t hate him because he cost us 3 picks. I hate him because he could be so much more than he is. He could also set a better example for the other guys on the team by not just trying at one end and then getting visibly upset by throwing his hands up in the air and gliding back either to the defensive zone or to the bench. Ya, he is only 23, and as a huge Leaf fan, my biggest hope for him is that he matures and gets better.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I challenge you to find me some clips where he floats. Also find me some clips where he ‘throws his hands up in the air’ and coasts. Also 50 goals? What? Do you know who scores 50 goals? Lets see.
Last year – Corey Perry.
2 years ago- Stamkos, Ovechkin, Crosby
3 years ago -Ovechkin
4 years ago- Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Iginla
5 years ago – Lecavallier, Heatley
So he’s not in the top 3 players in the league, so lets hate him. He’s 23 man. He’s had cancer and a shoulder surgery. He plays with horrid linemates. Yeah he sucks. You need to go back to bantam and learn hockey all over again. I’m serious
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I think the word we’re all looking for is BUST.
by Tickle Me Aulie on Oct 1, 2011 11:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Unfortunately people dont generally record players floating around the ice and put it on youtube. That’s why you should watch full games rather than sit at your computer and watch “Phil Kessel” highlights over and over – they only show his 1 dimension. As for 50, fine I’ll even give you that, it’s probably too high. I’ll settle for 40-45.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Settle for 40 lol.
The Leafs should trade for Gretzky incarnate, but I’ll settle for Lemieux.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s funny. I’m actually saying how good he is but you guys keep knocking him down a level. I think he is good enough to score 40 – like it or dont.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:28 PM EDT up reply actions
good enough to score 40?
he probably is talented enough, but whether he works hard enough to score consistently and produce at that level is debatable.
He might not hit the 40 goal plateau for another 2 years…. and he’d still be following a pretty normal career trajectory.
It’s still pretty bizarre to hate a guy that’s scored 30+ goals for 3 years in a row who is only turning 23 this season.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions
You just slightly touched on the thing I hate about him. His work ethic. If he worked hard in each end of the ice, he could surpass a “pretty normal career trajectory” and become a much better player – even at age 23.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions
by normal career trajectory
I meant when he peaks… not how high he peaks.
Guys scoring 30 goals at his age isn’t remotely normal. But then neither is scoring 40 goals.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I like how you seem to know how hard Kessel works when you’ve probs never even met the man.
by Tickle Me Aulie on Oct 1, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I think saying “I’ll settle for 40” might make you seem like you do really how hard it is to score in the NHL and not many players score 20+ goals a season so a 30+ goal scorer is something extra-ordinary. What Kessle has done so far is beyond extra because he is still only 23. Maybe in a couple of years and a real good center, we really don’t know what he would be capable on a consistant basis.
I use consistant because that’s what I call someone who has consistently scored 30+ the past 3 seasons, two of which was on a rebuilding team where his line mates where not what I would call NHL caliber players.
A dose of tempered exceptions are in order here. We all want to see him succeed but like all good things, it takes time.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
this sort of comment
is comparable to the frustration Leaf fans felt for years at Wendel Clark, who instead of working harder at becoming the 50 goal scorer like he could be, he “floats” around the infirmary half the time until he gets a chance for a game in which he usually attempts to kill someone or shoot a puck through the goalie into the net which we all saw a million different times. I understand Wendel isn’t going to go out there and crush defencemen so much as annihilate them – that’s what we expect from him. I also don’t hate him because we picked him 1st overall. I hate him because he could have been so much more than he was. He could also set a better example for the other guys on the team by not just scoring goals and curling up in pain when his back caused him problems. Ya, he was only a kid when he first scored 30, and as a huge Leaf fan, my biggest hope for him was that he’d somehow get a back transplant and play a full season.
You play the hand you’re fucking dealt… Phil Kessel is what he is, and hating him for it is ridiculous.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Burtch, this is the best thing you’ve ever written.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if serious but if you are....
that makes no sense at all. You are comparing a guy that worked as hard as he could on the ice but had serious injury problems to a guy who (yes he`s had injury problems in the past) just doesnt try but has way more talent than most other guys on the ice. Nice try though.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Wait. Are you a geneticist? Have you actually studied Kessel DNA and this is why you’re so sure ‘he can be more’. Where do you get this more from?
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
because I’m a true hockey fan that can see skill when I watch. And he shows flashes of insanely good offensive skill. That`s why. Don’t need to be a scientist – you just need to wake up and watch a season or two.
by clark_gordon on Oct 1, 2011 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
wait
insanely good offensive skill? but you said he busts out the same moves that defenders have seen a million times before.
If he’s so skilled why is he doing the same shit over and over again?
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I think what you mean
is he has amazing physical gifts… speed, great shot… but beyond that… what do you really see? Is he an amazingly stick handler? Can he undress every defender he comes across?
Personally all I really notice is great speed, and a great shot… that’s about it.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
so he’s insanely skilled but you hate him. hmmm..
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
You could say the same thing
about Alex Ovechkin… difference is, he shoots 450 times a year… but he scores even less frequently when he shoots than Kessel does.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Like 35 flashes a season you mean?
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions
your arguments are funny. Could only be put together by a TRUE hockey fan who watches the game.
I watch the game too. Kessel is often the fastest guy on the ice and has scored 98 goals in three seasons. He’s one of 15 players to do this in the last three years (an article was written on this very site about this topic).
But yeah, lets all hate him for coasting
yeah
I wrote that article… of course I also just showed below that odds are that Phil Kessel isn’t going to increase his goal production – he’s probably already reached his peak with 36 goals at the age of 21…
so people shouldn’t assume he ever hits the 40 goal plateau.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I will be happy as a pig in shit if Kessel scores 30 goals consistently for the remaining years of his contract
wouldn't bank on that either
but it’d be ok if he comes in around that level.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions
im too tired for numbers right now, but you think he’ll dip below 30? even with the leafs hopefully improving?
in looking at a lot of those players
they didn’t necessarily stay 30 goal guys for their careers.
Kessel’s low numbers early on (for being in that group) make me wonder where he goes from here.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I'm not serious
but I think whining about Phil Kessel not being anything more than an offensively inclined speedster that floats a bit is ridiculous.
To me it’s comparable to complaining that Wendel was never healthy. Both situations suck, and both result in serious problems for the team.
Neither complaint is worth making to my mind.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe people are indifferent to Kessel and hate is exaggerated euphemism. I bet he is a great guy in person, has lots of talent but until his play wins people over he will be lacking that.
His play has already won over every reasonable, knowledgeable hockey fan. 12 year olds need not be won over.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I appreciate Grabbo’s game more than Kessel’s, even though Grabbo may not have the raw skill of Kessel. My preference is different from other 12 year old fans.
That’s fine. Appreciate Grabbo, appreciate Kulie but don’t tell me Kessel is to be hated because he is not scoring 40-50 as a 22 year old.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:01 AM EDT up reply actions
Who is saying for you to hate him? I made my opinion known and you got ur panties in a knot, If anything ur telling me to love him for who he is.
Glenn Healy’s last line of the night before they cut his mike (no joke): “coaches hate losing preseason games.” He even put an emphasis on the word hate. Good to see he’s in mid-season form.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 1, 2011 10:42 PM EDT reply actions
Can anyone here
explain wtf Damien Cox is referring to with this comment in tonight’s article?
Matt Frattin, meanwhile, subbed for MacArthur on last year’s very successful second line alongside Grabovski and Nik Kulemin. The Leafs hadn’t been particularly enamoured of MacArthur’s camp anyway, so Frattin might have ended up in that spot with or without the suspension.
Last I looked MacArthur’s play had been a-ok on the MGK line… and implying otherwise is asinine.
"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.
Cox likes to stir the ol’ shit pot by making shit up.
by Tickle Me Aulie on Oct 1, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah
what I find most absurd is… we’ll talk about demoting the 2nd leading scorer from last year off the 2nd line, but Joffrey Lupul? he’s set on the top line no problem.
That’s fucking logical.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:44 PM EDT up reply actions
Damian should change his middle name to sucks.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL! Now I know that Burke and Wilson say they don’t read the crap like this written about the team and wonder why when Wilson is in a media scrum he is such an ass. Wouldn’t you be? I’m personally surprised at how much he refrains himself. There is a lot of dumb shit written about this team, that’s for sure.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
Seriously coaches restraint in answering the same dumb question all the time is pretty remarkable.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean in the same media scrum, right? Like the very next question being the exact same quest just worded differently? That’s smart reportering right there!
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
they can't ask serious questions
because that would require them to work at writing something that takes more than 30 minutes.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions
for instance
Damien Cox can’t actually determine whether or not management is upset with the pre-season form of Clarke MacArthur, so he’ll just fabricate the idea and run with it.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Macarthur has been great in all the games I’ve seen, not sure what there would be to criticise him for, particularly.
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull
by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions
MAc has been solid to better than solid in camp. He just doesn’t wow anybody. Makes smart, fundamental plays.
Pension Plan Puppets
I hope YouTube comes down to film this.
Damien Cox
Has there ever been a surname that sums up a person so well?
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
maybe Jack Lemmon
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions
And the sad thing?
He’s pretty good at what he does. He starts shit up, and runs with it. Easy money.
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
I’m still baffled by this comment. I know the Toronto Star is a rag but even they must have fact checkers. Frattin never subbed for MacArthur. He only play one game that wasn’t NCAA and it was alongside Bozak and Kadri in game 82. Like seriously what the fuck is he on about here.
by scott tubbesing on Oct 2, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Phil Kessel
frustrates fans because he LOOKS like he could score at any moment. Unfortunately he scores on roughly one out of every 10 shots he takes, and even then it’s not completely equally distributed. He goes hot and cold, so sometimes he scores on every 3rd shot, and other times he won’t score for every 30 shots he takes.
People need to get over that.
"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.
the fact that he looks like he can score every moment is why he does score so much. A guy like Mike Brown who looks like he can’t ever score isn’t as frustrating, but then he’ll never even score 5 goals in a year in his lifetime.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:47 PM EDT up reply actions
But Steve we traded away 3 future hall of famers for him! He owes us!!!1
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
until Jared Knight
plays a regular shift in the NHL… I’m not going to stress.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
Just glad to see Reimer was flawless again tonight apart from those 4 goals that were totally the fault of the ineptitude of others around him.
WORD to yo Momma
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 1, 2011 11:51 PM EDT reply actions
3
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
lol
he looked pretty bad on at least 1… possibly 2.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
he didn't get a lot of help though
and the Leafs offense died on the vine when Grabovski left.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
fun fact, every goalie lets in bad goals time to time
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions
He did, but I understand why he did, and I don’t think it’s a common mistake for him.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
players cutting in off the blocker side wing and going five hole on the other hand……
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Aside from the wrap-around, I would blame the goals on mostly the efense in front of him.
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
i missed the 2nd and 3rd
how was Reimer?
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 1, 2011 11:51 PM EDT reply actions
he wasn't particularly bad
but the Leafs D was horrid. Slow, missed assignments, poor decisions, incapable of clearing the zone, etc.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
watch the
game in 6 on the link above. you’ll get the picture.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
he was flawless except for the ineptitude of those around him
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Someone said it in the GDT – pedestrian. He didn’t look great, but there was a really glaring Leafs D error on just about every goal against. Probably the only one where I wanted to say “y’should’ve been faster” was Helm’s wraparound PP goal. He loses the puck on the kickplate rebound and covers the short side, which is a good plan, but with Helm’s speed gets him burned.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
the inability
of the Leafs D to control the wings around the crease was pathetic frankly.
"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 Oct 1, 2011 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously pathetic. All their goals came in from 2 feet because no one was clearing the net.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 1, 2011 11:57 PM EDT up reply actions
It's like there's a turn off button every time the puck enters the crease.
Once it enters, every defender within the vicinity shuts off.
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
certainly seems like they either don’t give a shit or flail around like Komi did in the 1st almost tipping it in himself.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Puck in the crease?
PANIC!!1
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
makes me pine for the days of Rouse and Lefebre.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions
Keep in mind its hard to really get a gauge of what’s what simply because most of the lines and pairings wont be in certain situations that they are exposed to in the pre-season. This is the time to test players in roles where you want to see if they can play with certain talent or not. I like how Wilson threw players in roles they wont normally see and see how they faired.
"There's been four different Cup winners the last four years, and I got one of them (Anaheim) and it was a fighting team. We're playing it that way regardless." - B. Burke, Toronto Maple Leafs GM
except this is our NHL team, playing against AHLers, so they should be dominant no matter who they’re playing with.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
The PK certainly wasn’t great
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
See the problem for Reimer is
he has to cover up all those mistakes if we’re going to go anywhere… right now he isn’t doing that so much.
Gustavsson looked better Friday night than Reimer looked tonight.
"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.
that’s what I was sensing. without really seeing the whole game.
i still wish we saw a full game of Scrivens.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 12:08 AM EDT up reply actions
I really think some sensible expectations for Reimer would do the kid a world of good – same as a fair reading of Gustavsson would. Reimer doesn’t quite yet have shoulders broad enough to set the whole team on (and may never), while Gus really isn’t the write-off that some seem to think.
R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.
by not norm ullman on Oct 2, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
This is exactly part of the problem with fans. Over analyse everything on a game to game or period to period basis.
During the summer fans were crying for an experienced goalie instead of the tandem there now. Ty Conklin was a name that came up several times as an option. Dude put up an .881 last yr and is a career .908 goalie. If he did that as a Leafs people would have shit on him all yr
WORD to yo Momma
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 2, 2011 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions
No one’s forming an opinion on Gustavsson a couple of bad periods in the preseason but rather on his entire body of work.
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.
seemed like his rebound control has suffered this year. definitely needs to get better soon.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
On the question of Phil Kessel
62 NHL players since the 1970-71 season have recorded three 30+ goal seasons by the age of 23 or younger.
The only ones to peak at 23 or younger were:
Steve Vickers (41 goals at 23)
Rick Vaive (54 goals at 22)
Perry Turnbull (32 goals at 23)
Sylvain Turgeon (45 goals at 23)
Tony Tanti (45 goals at 21)
Mats Sundin (47 goals at 21)
Eric Staal (45 goals at 21)
Jeremy Roenick (53 goals at 22)
Dan Quinn (40 goals at 22)
Brian Propp (44 goals at 21)
Barry Pederson (46 goals at 21)
Steve Payne (42 goals at 21)..
ok the longer I do this analysis the more I’m wondering if Kessel has already peaked… the number of guys that DIDN’T peak early in this group is at the small end so far as I work my way up (Sakic, Recchi, and possibly Bobby Ryan – who hasn’t gone past 23 yet)
Maybe Kessel will never develop further? Just saying that’s possible as I look into it.
"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.
btw
the guys listed are the bottom 15, there’s still 47 to go before I’m finished looking at it… but so far 12 of 15 peaked before the age of 23.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
one thing you can’t really account for is how many of those 62 did it when Goalies were trying to kick at pucks while standing up.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions
you'll recognize
most of the names… don’t worry.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Yeah but as he’s only played the one season, we can’t be sure whether or not he’s peaked yet in terms of his goal scoring produciton.
by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 2, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
3 times or more
before the age of 23… Skinner is only 19 this year and has only played 1 season… how can he be on the list?
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
surprised selanne isn’t on this list
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
he only had
two years prior to turning 24, and his first 3 years went: 76, 25, 22… so he wouldn’t qualify on either front.
"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.
and he still
peaked at 22.
"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.
of course he's scored
40 on seven occasions in his career, and 50 three times… and he hit 48 goals at the age of 36… so he’s not exactly crappy… but he only hit 76 in that rookie season at 22.
"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.
yeah, he’s still a legend
it’s just crazy to me that he went from 76 to 25
imagine drafting him in your fantasy pool the year after 76?
elephant shell
never question our ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory - yardly
This is the very definition of regression to the mean here
You are selecting players purely on the basis of statistically abnormal production, and then looking at them the next few years to see if that production kept going up, or dipped back to the mean. Guess what is mostly happening.
To score > 30 goals at an age under 23 requires a combination of luck and skill. The players with real skill will tend to end up on that list, but so will a lot of players who just got lucky (and if you trawl through hundreds and hundreds of players you’ll see quite a few sustained strings of luck). And the funny thing about luck is how unsustainable it is.
I’m not too worried.
To clarify further
try this exercise: Select players who scored more than 30 goals/season for 2 seasons when they were, oh, say, 27/8. I bet that you’ll find most of them didn’t repeat it when they were 29, or when they were 24,25,26 either (i.e., still in their peak).
How fast can you type out the other 47?
GO… GO… GO… GO!
R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.
by not norm ullman on Oct 2, 2011 12:12 AM EDT reply actions
ok add Owen Nolan
to the list of guys who peaked after … 47 goals at 27.
continuing with guys who peaked at 23 or earlier…
Nieuwendyk (51 goals at 21 and 22)
Nash (41 at 19)
Mogilny (76 at 23)
Modano (50 at 23)
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Messier
(50 at 21)
ok Dennis Maruk is out, he had 60 goals at 26
Malkin (47 at 21)
Larmer (46 at 23)
Lafontaine is out, he had 53 at 27
Klima’s out, he had 40 at 26
Gillies is out, he had 38 at 27
Danny Gare is out, he had 56 at 25.
Ok it’s starting to swing the other way a bit.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:18 AM EDT up reply actions
so far
it’s 19 peaked early to 8 that didn’t… so far it’s pretty heavily towards the peaking before 23 group.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Paul Gardner
didn’t until scoring 36 at age 25.
Fleury did, scoring 51 at 22.
Gaborik didn’t, he’s scored 42 twice at 25 and 27.
Fedorov didn’t, he scored 56 at 24.
Cicarelli did, he scored 55 at 21.
We’re up to 21-11 that peaked early.
Carson scored 55 at 19. Early.
Carpenter scored 53 at 21. Early.
Bure scored 60 at 21 and 22. Early.
Mike Bullard didn’t – he scored 48 at the age of 26.
24 early, 12 later.
Brind’amour early, 37 at 22.
Bossy early, 69 at 22.
Bellows later – 55 at 25.
Andreychuk later – 54 at 29 (latest peak so far).
Yzerman early, 65 at 23.
Pierre Turgeon early, 58 at 23.
Denis Savard later, 47 at 24.
Luc Robitaille early, 53 at 21.
Ok so we’re at 29-15… this is looking like a 2:1 ratio the longer I do this. roughly 2/3rds done also.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:32 AM EDT up reply actions
woops
Robitaille was later… 63 at the age of 26. change it to 28-16.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Ovechkin
early – 65 at 22.
Rick Martin early, 52 at 22 and 23.
Lindros early, 47 at 22.
Linden early, 33 at 20 and 22.
Kurri later, 71 at 24.
Kovalchuk early (sort of) – 52 at 22 and at 24 (which is later I’m counting him as both)
33-18 at this point for early peak.
Jagr early, 62 at 23.
Goulet early, 57 at 22.
Gartner later – 49 at 31 (latest so far)
Crosby early (so far) – 51 at 22 – but he’s got a ways to go yet.
Barber early – 50 at 23.
Glenn Anderson early – and late – 54 goals at 23 and 25 (counting him as both like Kovalchuk)
Trottier early – 47 at 22.
Lemieux early – 85 at 23.
Hawerchuk early – 53 at 21.
Gretzky early – 92 at 21.
Ok so that sort of settles it on the side of earlier peaks. 42 guys peaked at 23 or younger, 20 peaked later.
basically odds are 2 to 1 that Kessel has peaked already.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions
gotcha
ok thanks… I missed that one… he also had 48 at the age of 28… so he was more than consistently productive… he was still scoring 30 regularly until he was 37… so yeah… he was more of a model of consistency.
"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.
Marois almost makes this list but he didn’t really peak as much as completely and bizzarely flame out. He’s 9 goals short in his 3rd year to make your list.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:19 AM EDT up reply actions
Selanne peaked in his rookie yr
WORD to yo Momma
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 2, 2011 12:24 AM EDT up reply actions
right
so far we’re looking at 2:1 odds that Kessel has already peaked… based on the guys I’ve looked at so far.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
does this change
the “Kessel is a future stud” debate?
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe those that peak early turn 21 in the US and start drinking. Blame it on the alcohol.
WORD to yo Momma
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 2, 2011 12:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Well before the general idea was players peak at 27 and ride out their peak until 31 or 32. Last season you and the other posters showed that it’s more like 25-29 and then after that the decline starts. Now you’ve kind of shown that it’s even earlier. But we still don’t know what group Phil belongs to.
October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin
by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I was looking at guys
that scored a lot early in their careers… it’s not like their production drops off a cliff… but they don’t continue to increase generally speaking.
2 out of 1 guys that hit 30 goals three times before the age of 24 never got to their highest level of production again… that’s worrying – or it should be – to all the people that think he’s going to keep getting better just because he’s 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:45 AM EDT up reply actions
ALSO
I think it’s important to point out that his 36 goal peak is tied for the second lowest of anyone on the list.
Only Trevor Linden’s total was lower…
I’m thinking Phil Kessel never really develops into an elite 40+ goal guy…
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:47 AM EDT up reply actions
2 out of 3
I mean… not 2 out of 1… obviously.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:48 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he’s Mike Gartner v2.0 and has 15 30+ goal seasons.
WORD to yo Momma
by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 2, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
possible
dont’ see it personally… but possible.
"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 Oct 2, 2011 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
So
while it’s obviously not guaranteed that he’s peaked… he might do so in the future, it looks like it’s MORE likely that Kessel has already hit his single season high in goal production.
If people think it’s LIKELY that he’ll keep developing as a goal scorer please remember this… 2/3rds of the goal scorers to hit 30 goals three times before their 24th birthday never hit the highs they did in their early careers ever again.
"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.
i am also curious as to how these scores assist totals fared?
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 8:08 AM EDT up reply actions
Like Jared mentioned, what did their assist totals look like? Also, would this also imply that alot of younger players begin to focus on a two way game, more defensively oriented, as opposed to constantly pushing offensively? That could hurt their goal totals as they mature as an NHL pro.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 2, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Ok, so. Now that we are finally through this way too drawn out preseason how is everyone feeling about the upcoming year?
Personally im very nervous about how this year is going to shakedown. We enter this year as a darkhorse for the 7th or 8th seed in the playoffs based on how the leafs played out their final 45 or so games last season. Im not very optimistic about the playoffs frankly and i think that this year will be more of a development year for alot of our young kids, i dont see enough of a solid, productive, veteran presence on this team to get through the rough stretches we will have to go through.
Connolly already seems unreliable, Lupul has not looked good, Kessel looks like he is in for another year of not having a steady group of linemates who are productive again.
Grabbos line is going to carry this team all year, heaven help us if any of tose 3 miss long stretches of time, especially grabbo and Kulemin.
Nazem Kadri and Matt Frattin are still developing as NHL players, its hard to see either one of them crack 40 points this year, if Kadri can (with some PP time perhaps) that would be a huge boost to our playoff hopes. We are going to need point production from players other than M-G-K and Kessel. Not sold on anyone else in the bottom 6 to produce much at all, even Armstrong and Bozak. Lombardi is obviously a wildcard.
Our defence is shaping up nicely, really like what Burke has done in that area, but a nice chunk of it is very young. They are goin to make alot of mistakes this year and I dont think our Vets like Phaneuf and Liles are solid enough defensively to carry this team on their back for the whole season. Schenn, Aulie and Franson are all going to be big parts of this leafs team for a long time most likely, but each still have some warts in their game that will pop up during this year. I guess it remains to be seen whether or not they can as a group of 7 or 8 play consistantly well enough to help keep pucks out of the net and the PK out of the basement of the league.
Reimer still unproven over a full NHL season, but I have alot of faith in that kid, maybe he dips a little this year when we compare how he looked last year, but moving forward I like him as our #1.
Anyway, maybe im a little negative here, but im very excited about our future, just not the immediate one. Its going to take monster years from a nice chunk of our roster to make the playoffs and hopefully that happens.
Am i way off base here or what?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
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