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So Who Gets to Stay?

The Leafs turned in a somewhat lackluster performance last night against the Grand Rapids Griffins (presented by Amway) and I'm not sure there was any definitive solution to the logjam on defense.  I still expect Jake Gardiner to wind up on the Marlies, but we should find out sometime later today or tomorrow for sure.  Vintage Leaf Memories is having similar thoughts on the young American:

I have little doubt he can play in the league now from an overall talent perspective.  I just remember too many times in the past when we rushed kids.  Not to raise the spectre of the early '80s, but we did it then, to the detriment of good young defensemen.  More recently, people forget that Carlo Colaiacovo looked great one pre-season and "made" the team.  Then he made a few errors, became tentative and ended up being sent back down.  That can rock your confidence.

Ultimately the decision falls to Brian Burke, Ron Wilson, and the rest of the deep front office staff.  If Gardiner does stay up, you have to think we'll see a move to open up a roster spot.

Links after the jump...

Star-divide

Phaneuf eyeing big team, personal goals

NHL.com has a little piece on el Capitan

MacArthur thinks NHL turning into no-hitting league

No Mac, just a no headshot league

10 most important players to the Maple Leafs success

Lukas Hardonk of the Hockey Writers on "the core"

Post Game Primer: Leafs 2 - Wings 4

MLHS has a bit of a recap

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Comments

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I hope the team was told to ‘take it easy and not get hurt’ before that game and just took it a little too far in the first period because that was pathetic.

http://bluechipprospects.blogspot.com

by Curt S on Oct 2, 2011 8:53 AM EDT reply actions  

I think both Aulie and Gardiner need time in the AHL, but right now I think Aulie needs to start the season there. He hasn’t looked great.

Very happy to see Lombardi out there last night. It’ll take a while for him to get in shape and regain his form, but it looks like we could actually get another useful player out of the lebda trade. it’s nothing short of a miracle.

What’s the deal with Connoly? Do we know what his injury is, or how long he’s out for? I was cautiously optimistic about his signing in the summer, but I’m starting to get a bad feeling about him.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 9:30 AM EDT reply actions  

all I know about Connolly is that that he was banged up and they were keeping him out as a precaution

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions  

He tripped over a stick

and careened into the end boards head first at full skating speed. Apparently he wasn’t concussed but he did screw up his neck a bit… this is based on an interview I watched between him and Paul Hendrick on Leaf Space on LeafsTV the other evening.

He’s not participating in practices, and is skating on his own, so that implies to me it’s fairly significant. But he also isn’t given a concrete time table for returning as far as I know.

"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 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

Holy crap, I had no idea it was that serious. Head first into the boards for a guy who has concussion problems. Screwed up his neck a bit? Damn.

by scott tubbesing on Oct 2, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

the fact that he's skating

and that nobody uses the word concussion implies to me that it’s not enough to keep him from physical activity which means I wouldn’t worry that it’s a huge concussion like Crosby or Lombardi are recovering from… I’m guessing it’s more muscular than head related.

"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 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

They should just give Connolly every 5th game off as a preventative measure for injury. This guy needs to where a sticker that says handle with care.

by scott tubbesing on Oct 2, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

So I guess Wilson gets what he wanted, an excuse to send down gardiner. Nice. I guess all he had to do was play him enough times and the kid would slip up eventually.

Eat your waffles, kid.

by HomeMadeWaffles on Oct 2, 2011 9:50 AM EDT reply actions  

Wilson’s diabolical plan to get Gardner off the team was to let him play games? So he should be not playing Gardiner so he can’t make any mistakes? The best way for Gardiner to make the team is not playing.

by Primitive_ on Oct 2, 2011 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah, that’s a bit silly, He was playing Gardiner to evaluate his play, see how he did in all situations with big minutes. It is a pretty effective way to evaluate a young player

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions  

If his diabolical plan was to “keep playing him”… he must be some type of evil coach, giving him minutes and chance to prove his worth.

Man what a dick.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah

this reminds me of “diabolical” teachers that give children a “chance” to fail by letting them actually do work and apply their knowledge and ability to think. How dare they actually allow students the opportunity to fail (or succeed).

"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 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

I take it you’ve had some unpleasant parent-teacher interviews?

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

lol

more just the reactions from students… parents usually understand.

"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 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

with no sarcasm font I am having a hard time determining if you are serious

Bam Bam.- digga digga damm

by Eterrible on Oct 2, 2011 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions  

There’s no shame in being on the Marlies. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Gardiner being sent down so that he can play 25 minutes a night against the AHL’s best, rather than 12 minutes a night against fourth line grinders. This idea that there should be a pacifier in his mouth just because a guy gets sent down is ridiculous.

RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter

by Bower Power on Oct 2, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

the thing about Gardiner…. he really does seem to be one of (if not the best) skating, passing, offensively gifted defencemen on our team. His first pass, his decision making, his instinct on the PP, all seem to be ahead of everyone else except for maybe Liles. his kid is realllly good, and if he gives us a better chance at winning every night than say Aulie, Komisarek or Gunnarrson would then why wouldnt Wilson want to play him?

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Oct 2, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

he's also

the least defensively capable defenseman on the team… you don’t want him playing D in the NHL right now.

"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 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

for every offensive chance he produces

and last night there weren’t very many… he gives up another 1 or 2 at the other end… we need that to improve… drastically.

"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 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions  

To wit

despite having 2 points in the last 2 games, Gardiner was a -1 overall in the two games against Detroit.

He was a +1 against Buffalo when he had an assist in the second game, but he was -1 against Ottawa in the first game a 4-2 win where he had 2 points… he was -1 overall in the pre-season.

He isn’t producing more than he’s giving up… particularly at ES.

"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 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

good point. makes sense for him to start in the marlies then

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Oct 2, 2011 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions  

if you're worried about offense from the blue line

you’ve got Phaneuf, Liles, Gunnarsson, and Franson… that’s 4 offensively skilled D men… Gardiner isn’t addressing a desperate need right now with his offense.

"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 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

And on the powerplay we’ve also got Connolly, so Gardiner might not even get any PP time.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:23 AM EDT up reply actions  

sure, but aside from liles none of those guys really stood out on the PP to me at least. Gardiner really stood out, but it could be pro gardiner bias.

Youre point is well taken and understood.

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Oct 2, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions  

I'm sure it already came out last night, but i'd already fallen asleep
@jonasTSN1050
Jonas Siegel
Bruised foot for Grabovski. X-rays negative.

Whew.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 10:06 AM EDT reply actions  

I offer Jobu cigar and rum. He help.

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog

"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator) CERTIFIED GRABBO LOVER

ON TWITTER: warwalker

by jrwendelman on Oct 2, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

HAH

Toronto Maple Leafs: All about the Lemon Grabs
Twitter

by LeafFan1989 on Oct 2, 2011 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions  

Glad to see Grabbo will be fine.

by RJinSoCal on Oct 2, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions  

Best news of the day

we actually still have a No. 1 C.

"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 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

ankle bruise sucks hard too though, luckily we have until thursday before any action.

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Oct 2, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

OK

so by game 3, we’ll have our top line – MGK… and Kessel is still playing with Lupul… hopefully Lombardi rounds into form eventually.

So that means we have the makings of 2 top lines. Our 3rd line with Armstrong and either Bozak or Boyce or Dupuis with Frattin is an alright option (and far from the end of the world). Our 4th line with Orr, Rosehill, Boyce/Dupuis and Brown will be decent also.

So really the issue we have right now is our goaltending and our D which has been pretty awful so far. Liles and Phaneuf look ok, Gunnarsson and Schenn will be fine also in all probability. Franson and Lashoff/Komisarek is what I would do for the bottom pairing, and I’d ship Gardiner and Aulie back to the farm… hopefully the “brain trust” reaches the same conclusion.

"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 11:00 AM EDT reply actions  

Yeah we all keep saying “these goals aren’t on Reimer” but at some point he’s just gotta start making saves that we don’t expect. Thats how you help a team.

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions  

huh?

what does that have to do with what I typed?

Reimer wasn’t stellar, and he needs to stop shots more often than not if we’re going to win games, but he hasn’t been horrible.

He made 22 saves on 26 shots last night… that’s only an .846 SV% so not great… but he did better than that in some earlier games, and he won’t set the world on fire in every game he starts.

"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 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions  

the issue we have right now is our goaltending and our D which has been pretty awful so far

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

fair enough

I wasn’t defending Reimer with that though.

"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 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t think he was disagreeing with you.

by 9 Dollar Beer on Oct 2, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions  

he probably wasn't

I’m just clarifying…

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

Gustavsson

made 26 saves on 29 shots on Friday… which is an .897… again not wonderful… but not bad particularly.

"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 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions  

Reimer

made 22 saves on 26 shots yesterday…which is an .846, pretty bad particularly.

by theninjagreg on Oct 2, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah I mentioned that earlier

it’s not good… but considering how bad the Leafs D was and how much of those shots were on the PK.. it’s not as bad as it seems.

he only allowed 1 goal at ES, so his ES SV% was actually .938… which is pretty damn good.

"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 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

and on the PK

it was .700… which is pretty damn bad, but I think a lot of that is on our shit special teams.

"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 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

That’s another way to look at it. I won’t start panicking until the season really matters.

by theninjagreg on Oct 2, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

against Ottawa

on Tuesday his ES SV% was .931… so he was better last night at 5 on 5 than he was against Ottawa when he won… I’m not stressing at all yet.

"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 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

but his PK SV%

against the Sens was .800… which seems far better, but he allowed 1 goal on 5 shots rather than 3 goals on 10 vs. the Wings.

Again… ES SV% is far more indicative of how a goalie is generally playing than PK SV%.

"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 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

Don't worry Steve, Burke has this figured out

He is going to trade away our surplus of D, by trading away the useless Gunnarsson which will fix all of the problems!

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 2, 2011 4:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

Unless the player coming back is named Loui Errickson or Joe Fucking Pavelski, that is going to be my response.

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 2, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Meh, I’ll wait to see the return, if we even trade him, before saying that.

Popped a Colboner - Certified Joe Colborne Fanboy

I'm telling you I was the King of Spain (now I eat humble pie)
Now the Leafs call me up to drive the Zamboni

Twitter me this.

Welcome home Chaim Weisswasser!

by happiergilmore on Oct 2, 2011 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

The problem is the whole he’ll leave as much as anything else. Gunnar is the only defensively responsible LD we have…

Aulie/Gardiner are not ready for NHL hockey against any decent competition IMHO
Lashoff is a bottom pairing dman
Liles is adequate defensively (very good offensively, I like the guy).

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 2, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions  

What’s Kadri’s timetable again? 3-4 weeks?

by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 2, 2011 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions  

as of last week... yes.

he should be ready by late October.

"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 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

I guess where exactly he fits in when he returns will depend on a handful of other injuries, but I’m guessing likely he slots in on that third line with Bozak and Armstrong still? (Ideally)

by Self Destructive Zones on Oct 2, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah

that would be ideal.. Lombardi probably still works better as a top line C from a defensive standpoint if nothing 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 Oct 2, 2011 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

Last I heard, they still planned to have Connolly in the lineup for opening night, so right now Lombardi’s playing on the 3rd line.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

well

I think Lombardi is more likely to play on the PK than Connolly… and he gives them an option if they need to mix things up if Connolly isn’t showing well.

So I guess right now it depends on when Bozak is healthy. If he is, then I guess the 3rd line is Bozak, Armstrong, and Lombardi… with Frattin, Boyce, and Brown on the 4th? maybe Orr?

"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 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

or else

it’s Frattin, Bozak, Armstrong, with Orr, Brown, and Lombardi?

"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 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions  

If Connolly, Bozak, and Lombardi are all healthy, I think it’s unlikely Frattin plays at all. One of Rosehill or Orr is almost certainly going to be in the lineup, and I don’t think they’d scratch Mike Brown either.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions  

With the ability of Lombardi to play either centre or wing, I think Bozak is in a real fight for his job this year. If Bozak’s not playing great, the Leafs could easily shift Lombardi to centre and slot Frattin or Kadri in on that 3rd line LW slot.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

the faceoff thing last night

indicated to me a problem in Lombardi’s game right now though, and it’s an area that Bozak excels. He sticks as the top faceoff guy for now if nothing 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 Oct 2, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions  

Keep Ziggy up just to take draws. After the draw he bee lines it off the ice.

WORD to yo Momma

by ThickSkinnedAlive on Oct 2, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

I’ve been saying all summer that people have been over-rating our “depth” on defence. We still don’t really have anyone who can play with Phaneuf on the top pair (though I think Gunnarsson is the best current option), and other than maybe Schenn, none of our guys are really defensive specialists (well, there’s Komisarek, but . . . he’s Komisarek).

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

Last night was pathetic. There were so many potentially good scoring chances that were just squandered. Bad puck handing and just throwing the puck into the giant crowd in-front of the net that Detroit seems to like creating.

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 11:02 AM EDT reply actions  

who were you expecting to score those goals?

Kessel and Lupul both had a few chances… didn’t pot one though. Kulemin definitely had his share… beyond that, which player were you counting on for offense?

"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 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions  

Anyone really, it just seemed that every time the Leafs had a good change at scoring they mishandled the puck in some way.

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

yes

and sometimes that will happen. 2 goals on 22 shots is 9% shooting which for a team is actually pretty damn good. We needed more shots… it isn’t like we shot poorly on the shots we actually got through.

"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 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions  

NHL average

shooting for a team is usually around 8%, so really what we needed was more shots on goal than we got.

"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 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions  

Just needed 28 more shots, if going by league average, just to tie the game.

MOAR SHOTS!!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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions  

I thought total NHL SH% was closer to 10%?

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

The highest percentage was 10.1% last year (Anaheim), so I doubt 10% is the average.

"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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions  

Looking at past years

It looks like the league average is closer to 9.0% than 10%.

"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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

team shooting percentages

are usually around 8-9%…

"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 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions  

Right after the lockout, it was around 10%. Then, it began to decrease annually until it hit ~9% last year. Likely means nothing, but interesting nonetheless.

"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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

Fewer power plays.

by Shift on Oct 2, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

that'd be the main cause

pretty much entirely…. particularly since PP shooting percentages are way higher… usually around 15% or something.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

6721 NHL goals last year

on 74759 shots… 8.99% shooting league wide.

"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 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

so the Leafs

2 goals on 22 shots = 9.1% shooting = above league average.

"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 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

It was right around 9% league-wide, Leafs were getting approx 10% after Jan 1

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Against

Ottawa when we won 5-3, Reimer made 32 saves on 35 shots for a .914… which is superior. In the 2nd game against Buffalo Gustavsson made 34 saves on 37 shots… .919 save percentage.

Let’s not just bash the goaltending on the basis of two sub-par games against Detroit with different line ups in front of them.

"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 11:12 AM EDT reply actions  

We can bash the PK though right, man it was terrible last night.

The Leafs are my Rushmore
Certified Grabbo Lover and member of the PPPPP
I also write things about stuff over at the Leafs Nation

by Plea From A Cat Named Felix on Oct 2, 2011 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah it was bad

but there’s lots of room for improvement in personnel… defensively at least.

"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 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions  

Phaneuf

Komisarek, and Aulie all played around 3 and a half minutes on the PK last night… Gardiner played 2 and a half minutes – THAT is a problem.

Armstrong, Dupuis, Zigomanis and Lashoff also all saw regular PK shifts.

"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 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions  

and

Brown, Lombardi, and Kulemin all played around 1:30 in SH ice 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 Oct 2, 2011 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions  

Lashoff

Gardiner, and Aulie were each on the ice for one goal against on the PK.

"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 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

Lashoff

and Gardiner were both on the ice for 2 goals against.

"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 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

as was

Phaneuf.

"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 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah, but Phaneuf never stuck out on any of the goals against as the guilty party, he was (if memory serves) doing what he was supposed to while someone else fucked up

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

It tended to look like Aulie, Lashoff, and/or Gardiner were responsible for the goals allowed.

"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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

right

which is why I mentioned them first… Kulemin was on the ice for 2 goals against as well, but he wasn’t really at fault either.

I’m just saying we’ve got guys on the ice in situations they won’t normally be out there for during the regular 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 2, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think Kulie/Grabbo is likely our #2 PK unit this year after Bozak/Armstrong.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

yeah probably

and I’m fine with 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.

by Steve Burtch on Oct 2, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

and on D

I think Gunnarsson + Schenn and Phaneuf + Aulie/Komisarek is likely our top 2 D pairings.

"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 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions  

or perhaps

Phaneuf + Gunnarsson and Schenn + Komisarek/Aulie… whichever.

"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 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

I think Lombardi/Armstrong might make for a good PK unit. Lombardi is fast and is supposed to be pretty good defensively. But I think Bozak’s superior face-off skills get him the nod there.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

Just out of curiosity

I was checking Lombardi’s PK time in his last 2 seasons with the Coyotes.

In 2009-10, he only played an average of 0.78 TOI/60 that season, which ranked 8th among forwards on that team. He also faced the 10th toughest competition (-1.212 Rel Corsi QoC; -0.018 QUALCOMP).

In 08-09, he had the 3rd highest PK time with an average of 1.79 TOI/60, while facing the 15th toughest competition (-4.110 Rel Corsi QoC; 14th if looking at his -0.501 QUALCOMP).

It seems to me that he faced slightly tougher competition while playing less time on the PK. What do you think of this? Is there more I should look at?

"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

by Frag on Oct 2, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

he went

from being a 3rd line checking guy in 08-09 to their top line C in 09-10… he was playing bigger ES minutes, and that has a lot to do with playing less on the PK.

"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 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

it's like wondering

why Grabovski and Kulemin aren’t our top PK guys… they’d probably be the best players on the team at it, but we count on them so much at ES and on the PP that we don’t want to ruin them in short handed situations.

"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 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

and this is why

it’s good to have reasonably talented guys like Lombardi, Bozak, and Armstrong to play on the PK … they skate well and can maintain possession or get takeaways defensively… that’s key to the team being competitive.

"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 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh and

on the subject of using Corsi on the PK… it’s sort of meaningless because teams have such a huge swing in possession towards the PP team the differences between Corsi QoC can seem way larger than is relevant.

They’re ALL going to have huge negative Corsi’s in a PK situation… I’d just look at GA/60 on the short handed end of things realistically… and make note of the TM SV% they’re playing in front of.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

you can also look at

blocked shots, and missed shots… that strikes me as relevant.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

for me, the most disappointing part of the preseason has been that Reimer hasn’t looked like a #1 goalie. It’s like 2008 all over again. And 2009. And 2010.

it’s not to say that he won’t be as good as he was last season, he just hasn’t looked it so far…

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions  

truth be told, lots of legit proven starters looked like ass this preseason, Price is probably the best example

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

part of this

is the D in front of them… has anyone looked at how goalies NORMALLY perform in the pre-season? I mean this might be a totally typical 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

he was good

against Ottawa… not that that’s saying much. Again this was one particularly crappy game… I’m not that worried just yet.

"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 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions  

I feel the same. Between that and our penalty-killing, my offseason optimism is already waning.

I’m also not feeling good about opening night…. they’ve been decent games the last two years, but with injuries and suspensions I don’t like the line-up we’re likely going to have out there.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

it's too early for this guys

we know the teams we’ve been icing haven’t been full strength. Wilson is giving big PK minutes to Jake Gardiner and Matt Lashoff? Is that really going to be the norm in the regular season?

These aren’t performances to judge the team’s performance on… wait a week or two before we start panicking.

"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 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions  

the Leafs

lost 2 close ones to Buffalo, but we beat a near full Detroit side in OT, we topped Ottawa and Philly… I just don’t think it’s as doom and gloom as it’s sounding from some of you already.

Gustavsson has looked better than he did in his lowest points last year… we knew Reimer was likely to take a step back… we don’t think of Komisarek, Lashoff, and Gardiner as our top D men (or we shouldn’t)… Aulie is still a raw work in progress (shockingly)… our top line still isn’t productive and Connolly is injured (what else is new?)… MGK was great in the pre-season as per usual…

What are we really freaking out about?

"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 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

I wouldn’t say I’m freaking out. Just less positive going into the season-opener than I have been the last few years. Which may work out for the best – I’ve been pretty positive the last few seasons and we know how that turned out.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions  

as a defense mechanism, I go into the season expecting the worst case scenario, that way, anything above that is a positive!

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

I feel exactly the same way.

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

as I said

in my MLA article… for the Leafs to make the playoffs we need to improve both our goals for and our goals against… we aren’t increasing goals for the way we’re playing… and our goals against looks like it’s about as bad as it’s been historically… if not worse…

So realistically? We’re not a playoff team right now.

"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 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have the same expectation for the Leafs I had last year – 7th to 10th. Our offensive depth is better but our defence is worse and our goaltending is uncertain.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm not sure I'd say

our D is worse.. it’s younger… needs to make strides though for sure.

"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 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I mean

Liles = Kaberle from a defensive perspective realistically.

Gunnarsson is slightly worse than Beauchemin… but… that can change

"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 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

We still don’t know who’s playing the tough minutes with Phaneuf. It could still be Aulie. The dropoff from Beauchemin to Aulie is huge.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah I'm aware

but I hope the Leafs coaching staff (particularly Wilson in his desperation to win games) recognizes that Aulie is part of the problem right now and not the solution.

I mean if he’s successful defensively, then it’s fine, but I don’t see that lasting long if he’s screwing up with regularity… his minutes will be ratcheted back pretty quick.

"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 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know I know. I’m usually a lot more positive and reasonable. For some reason I’m just getting bad vibes.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions  

ok fair enough

I’m not saying we’re set to make the playoffs even… I’m just saying most of the problems I see were still there last season… things didn’t really get much better… which isn’t a good thing… but it isn’t particularly surprising 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

me too

but to me that’s actually a good thing. The last two pre-seasons and season starts were all chock-full of optimism and that brutal winter slump hit the team and it was all over but the crying.

 the only thing I don’t want to see Burke doing is trading away our first; if we tank for a high pick, then so much the better. what we’re really missing on this team, and this was obvious from playing Detroit, was a PPG + forward like Zetterberg. and unless Kessel goes through a Grabovski like growing-up transformation and suddenly decides to start giving a shit, we’re not going to get one. except through the draft.

also, a slump to start the season means Wilson gets fired, which can only be good for the team.

Scoring by committee FTMFW!

by Peter de Chatham on Oct 2, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

as i explored last night

since 1970-71, of the 62 players (including Kessel) that had three 30 goal seasons before the age of 24, 2/3rds of them had their highest goal output season by the time they were 23.

The odds indicate that Kessel is never going to score more than 36 goals again… he MIGHT… 1 in 3 isn’t horrible as far as chances go… but it’s not likely.

I think we should all be more than prepared to accept that he is a 30 goal guy, and that’s about it.

Also of note is that amongst those 62 players, his pre-24 output is remarkably low. The only player with a lower peak than 36 goals was Trevor Linden who only posted 33 goals. So basically two factors are at play here… 1. He isn’t likely to drastically increase his output, and 2. His output isn’t particularly high for a player of his caliber.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

Gotta put up a few points in defense of Phil here, because I don’t think you’re being fair:

-27 of the 67 players I pulled up on hockey-reference using your criteria achieved their multiple 30-goal seasons in the 80s. There is more than a small era effect in this comparison.
-BTN has pretty compelling evidence that point production (which I realize is not precisely the same thing as goal production) peaks around 25 years of age. When I look at the very best players in history, many of them have peak seasons earlier than this, so I don’t strictly disagree with your comparison… but if we’re only comparing against the best players in history, we’ve already punched Kessel’s ticket, and I’m not sure what we’d argue about in that case.
-Given that you’ve cut off your comparison group almost exactly at Kessel’s parameters (30 goals/season for 3 seasons by 23), I’m not terribly surprised that he scores “remarkably low”. In the current decade-plus-one, Kessel’s peer group is Crosby, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Gaborik, Stamkos, Malkin, Nash, and Staal. I’d put him easily behind each of those players, but I’m struggling with the point where that becomes a problem. His goal output is extremely high, and cutting off the peer group so that he’s the losingest winner in the club doesn’t change that.

He might not score more than 36 goals again; history says that he’ll probably start to decline in a few years. I don’t see a Marc Savard in the Leafs’ system, and while Kessel has some room to improve, he doesn’t actually have that many years left on the climbing side of the rollercoaster.
But I just don’t buy “His output isn’t particularly high for a player of his caliber”. Mario Lemieux’s output isn’t particularly high for a player of his calibre.

Oh, I'm sorry, just one moment. Is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?

by Nirbo on Oct 2, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions  

You tell ’em Burtch.

I’m reserving most judgement for regular season.

by Jack rides ducks on Oct 2, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

I was at the game last night and I had some observations:

1. What a lacklustre game, it looked like I was watching Sunday afternoon shinny.

2. I love the way Detroit D squeezes out oncoming forwards by steering them into the boards and simultaneously eliminating the passing lanes into the slot. Too often I see Leaf D men giving people the boards in an effort to protect the slot, which most of the time eliminates opportunities off the rush but giving them the boards and not breaking up the play allows opponents to gain the zone and set up a scoring chance.

3. Lombardi is really fast, like wow. If Connolly is as hurt as people say he is, I think Lombo should start on the Kessel line, some good speed there should lead to some scoring chances.

4. we still have a gaping problem on our PK, where the D- men don’t clear or tie up forwards in front of the net. They allow the opposing forwards to stand in between the goalie and themselves, which I believe lead to at least 2 of the 4 goals last night. It’s been an ongoing problem all preseason and it really worries me coming into the season. We’ve had two Scapegoats coaches fired from the coaching staff, yet players are still using last year’s systems. I just don’t get it.

5. Down Goes Brown will be happy to know that the “disembodied clapping hands” from MLG have made their way back to the ACC scoreboard ( albeit, the 2011) version.

6. The new goal song is kind of goofy, but we’ll get used to it.

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 11:57 AM EDT reply actions  

on the subject of "systems"

on the PK… the Leafs have had all of like 4 or 5 practices to implement new systems on special teams, and players fall into old bad habits when something is unfamiliar.

I’m not surprised you noticed the issue, and I think you should also realize that Gardiner, Lashoff, and Aulie all played significant PK minutes that they might not during the regular season (Aulie will possibly but he hasn’t looked that good 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 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

Gardiner and Aulie were the two big culprits that I saw letting forward come in between them and Reimer while not tying them up ( Komisarek also does this a lot as well), so that makes sense

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

I know our PK

has been bad in the pre-season… but a lot of that is the guys playing on it and a lack of consistency… some of this is to explore who can do what when there’s no real risk to the team involved. Don’t expect it to continue in the regular 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 2, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

maybe it was the slightly different roster, but for a while during Friday’s game in Detroit, which I was at, I swear the PK was much more effective and used that “defensive pressure way higher up the boards all the way up the neutral zone” method to some success.

Scoring by committee FTMFW!

by Peter de Chatham on Oct 2, 2011 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

that may have to do

with who was on the ice at the 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Least shocking move so far
@jonasTSN1050
Jonas Siegel
Leafs assign Ben Scrivens to the Marlies.

I guess they want a few more days to figure out who else to send down.

Surprised Crabb, Rosehill, etc. aren’t already gone. Maybe they have a bunch more practices before Thursday that they want them all to take part in.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 12:11 PM EDT reply actions  

the injuries

make this hard to do also. Having a guy like Crabb around isn’t the worst plan if you decide you need some more forwards for the top 3 lines… he did play that role last year without allowing much defensively. And he looked ok in the last few pre-season matchups… so I’m not opposed to him being on the ice on thursday in a bottom six role.

"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 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

Crabb is also a guy you can make a healthy scratch without worrying you’re messing up his development by not giving him minutes. At this point in his career, he is what he is – a depth forward who plays a physical game and is reasonably good defensively.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

exactly

that’s how I feel about Lashoff and Komisarek also… which is why I’d rather send down Aulie and Gardiner.

"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 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'm also

uncertain if we should keep up Frattin for the same reason… I think if he’s on the team you have to play him.

"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 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Play him at least until Kadri comes back(after kadri does a 2 week conditioning stint in the A)

Kadri then has some arbitrary number of games to prove he is more ready than Frattin before the decision on who to keep up has to be made.

Also a bit of insurance if we have another forward injured in our top line-like lombardi or Armstrong. Hopefully both kadri and Frattin are both playing well and makes it a good problem to have.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 2, 2011 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well this is interesting
@kevin_mcgran
Kevin McGran
Confirmation form Leafs — @coachrw63 is Ron Wilson

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions  

lol

his followers is going to ramp significantly after that.

I still don’t have twitter for the record… I’m actually worried I’d spend too much time looking at 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 2, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

plus

you guys can see how I am in here with the endless messages… it would probably be just as bad on twitter.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

Actually Steve the way you write is already perfect for twitter

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

perhaps

but I do need to devote time to other things… like my job… and the rest of my life.

"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 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

His one and only tweet so far:
@coachrw63
Ron Wilson
Need hybrid icing rule change! Have seen too many horrific injuries!

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Currently at 706 followers… let’s see how fast that jumps

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Assuming exponential growth…. Great Scott! He’ll have a million by breakfast!

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

he probably just added twitter

and that was in relation to the injury in the Wild-Oil game the other night.

Which frankly WAS horrific.

"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 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

they really do

need a new icing rule… the injuries from that sort of play are completely preventable and “racing” for the puck would still happen with hybrid icing.

"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 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

Can anyone here actually picture Wilson using an exclamation point?

RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter

by Bower Power on Oct 2, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

The Leafs have confirmed it’s him, so I guess I now can picture him using an exclamation point.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

The exclamation marks! I can’t imagine him talking like that in real life!

Get well soon Sid, Naz, Connolly, Bozie and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed Prime Minister of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit.

by Leafer87 on Oct 2, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh my god, this is going to be awesome

OLD PERSON USING TWITTER

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Old person who is loathed by probably millions of people on twitter.

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Oct 2, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions  

HELP, I CAN’T MAKE THE LETTERS SMALL oh, there we go. How did I do that?

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

According to Mike Brophy

(consider the source):

Considering Toronto has been decimated with injuries at centre in recent days with Tim Connolly, Nazem Kadri, Tyler Bozak and, on Saturday night Mikhail Grabovski, that is good news. Even better news, though, is the fact Connolly, Bozak and Grabovski should all be ready for the season opener.

"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 PM EDT reply actions  

oh and that

is in reference to Lombardi being healthy for the opener…

so frmo the sounds of thinsg we’ll have 4 NHL C’s + Boyce and Dupuis for the opener… so make that 6 NHL C’s.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

*sounds

and *things.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

*and puppy dogs wings?

R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.

by not norm ullman on Oct 2, 2011 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh

and on the subject of Lombardi… his faceoff numbers picked up by the end of the night… he won 5 and lost 7… but considering he lost a lot of the early ones that’s a good thing… he was winning more than he was losing towards the end of the night.

"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 12:20 PM EDT reply actions  

And here are MacArthur's comments about his suspension
“I barely hit him,” said MacArthur. “I was disappointed (with the suspension and loss of salary). It’s such a grey area; I glanced off his shoulder and then hit his head. He comes after me and throws some sucker punches. It would be different if he was left lying on the ice. I just think there’s going to be no hitting in the game anymore. Guys don’t want to get 10-game suspensions. The puck carrier has no responsibility anymore.”

I kind of agree with MacArthur’s last point… but we’ll see how much of an issue that becomes going forward.

"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 PM EDT reply actions  

and let's remember

MacArthur forfeited like $35,000 as a result of that check… that’s a pretty hefty penalty… if anyone here lost 1/41st of their salary over a bang-bang decision like that I think they’d also be upset.

For instance, for me that’s equivalent to an entire pay cheque roughly… I’d rather not see that go down the tubes.

"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 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

And he added this
“Obviously if I could do it over again, I’d just turn away and don’t even go near him,” said MacArthur. “What’s done is done.”

"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 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think he’s just venting because he’s angry to get suspended. Players will learn to adjust to the new rules, and we’ll still see lots of hitting. I didn’t really think MacArthur’s hit was particularly dirty, looked pretty accidental/incidental to me, and I think in time we’ll see the application of the rules become more clear and hits like MacArthur’s will just be a minor penalty and no suspension.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions  

right

I just think it’s a huge amount of money to lose over an “incidental/accidental” hit.

It’s not like breaking the law by speeding… you don’t do that “accidentally”.

"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 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

I guess I just think

that since hitting IS an accepted and encouraged part of the game, that you have to accept that accidents are going to happen… from a timing or positioning perspective… punitive actions on accidents don’t necessarily prevent them in the future… it’s just sort of a random application of “non” justice… at least to my mind… but that’s just my opinion and I can see why people disagree 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 2, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

I’m fine with a minor penalty for accidental head shots, just like we have with accidental high-sticking, tripping, etc. I just don’t want to see suspensions for guys who aren’t being reckless.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions  

well frankly

high sticking is often reckless, but guys wear visors and injuries are rare… virtually nobody gets suspended for a “reckless” high stick… which is sort of silly if you can blind a guy or cause him a serious brain injury (hello Perezhogin?)

"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 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

Marian Hossa

never suffered supplemental discipline for blinding Berard, but obviously the onus is on the guy swinging his stick “recklessly” that takes out the other player’s eye.

It’s a double standard, and it’ll still always be one. If Sidney Crosby hadn’t had a serious concussion, and a bunch of enforcers hadn’t killed themselves this summer, none of this would be happening… and it’ll fade eventually.

"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 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

It is generally true that we take action after incidents indicate that there is a problem, yes.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

right

but it’s not even “incidents” nobody suggested anything after Thornton’s hit on Perron, or the hit that eliminated Lombardi for a year.

We talked about Cooke’s hit on Savard… because it was Matt Cooke on Savard…

I just think the League cracking down in this fashion screams pandering to me… that’s all.

"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 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

It’s about a collection of incidents. People have been talking about a total head shot ban for years (I know I have), but as we learn more about concussions and see more players having their careers and post-career lives ruined because of them, more and more people are starting to come on board.

And anyway, I thought it was widely acknowledged that the Richards hit on Booth was the driving force behind the rule change.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

the rule change

amounted to a re-wording… the application of it is the real change… that’s the part I expect to fade.

"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 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

of note

he went from playoff teams to NON playoff teams… and despite the fact that his role increased, the teams got worse… I’d be getting angrier too.

"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 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

7 games

6 games, 7 games, 5 games, 0 games, 0 games, this 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

phaneuf looked like a happy kid at one time.
imagine if he smiled.

by jeffgm on Oct 2, 2011 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Phaneuf: Blue’d

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Oct 2, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

my god….he is turning into Gary Roberts

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think this

is 100% the best thing possible we can hope for.

"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 PM EDT up reply actions   2 recs

look at the eyes


and expression

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I don’t know if I could handle something that awesome happening.

"If you've ever questioned whether or not @dboyce47 is a gamer, well, the answer is as plain as the nose that used to be on his face." - Sean Boulton

by AM18 on Oct 2, 2011 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

ha ha. amazing.

i’m happy to see the faux-hawk gone.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

I just spent the last 3 minutes laughing at this with my suitemate

Get well soon Sid, Naz, Connolly, Bozie and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed Prime Minister of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit.

by Leafer87 on Oct 2, 2011 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is fantastic… just afraid that a few more years trending like this and he will have a prisoners number at the bottom of the picture.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 2, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions  

Ok I just watched

Wilson’s presser… they won’t be announcing the majority of cuts until Monday – can’t put players on Waivers on a Sunday apparently. That might explain why Scrivens is the only one that’s been mentioned.

He quite specifically said they’d announce them on Monday.

"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 PM EDT reply actions  

Wilson

also said quite pointedly when asked about the special teams that they were mixing and matching all night and throwing out people on the PK that wouldn’t normally be there… specifically in the middle of the ice (i.e. C’s).

"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 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mike Ulmer

rates Jake Gardiner as one of the “best” on the Leafs in the pre-season… thus cementing my opinion of why Mike Ulmer is out to lunch. He called Gardiner the best Leafs D-man of the pre-season… something about going -1 over the course of 5 games when you put up points doesn’t scream “best D man” to me.

He actually lists him ahead of Phaneuf, Liles, and Gunnarsson… which is frankly absurd.

"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 PM EDT reply actions  

A lot of people have been saying Gardiner has been the best Leafs’ defender so far, which makes me wonder:

Do you even watch the games?

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions  

Has he scored the most points out of our D? If so, you can say he’s been our best defenceman in that respect.

<insert 200 posts about defencemen needing to play defence first since ‘defence’ is actually in their position name>

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions  

yes

he did… but he also played bigger minutes in situations where you could expect him to score than guys who we know will be getting that opportunity in the regular season … i.e. Liles and Phaneuf and Gunnarsson.

"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 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

saying he's better

because he played more is putting the cart before the horse.

"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 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

like I said

he had like 5 or 6 points… but he ends the pre-season with a -1 rating… that worries me if he’s a D man.

"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 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

and if you want to keep him around

as a PP specialist… then what does that do to the playing time of Phaneuf, Liles, Franson, and Gunnarsson… ?

"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 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

and lastly

he doesn’t have to clear waivers… all the others do… so if you’re sending someone down, and you aren’t making a trade… he’s one of the guys you play on the Marlies.

"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 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

I wasn’t agreeing with the assessment. I was saying that in a simple way, saying the defencemen who’s scored the most points is your ‘best’ defencemen isn’t technically incorrect. He was the best at scoring points.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

ah ok

I’m rebutting what you said… which I’ve obviously been harping on and doing far too much… I think we all are in agreement that he wasn’t the Leafs best all around D man… nobody seems to be disagreeing with me.

I’m sitting in my in-laws kitchen and it’s pouring rain outside… I’m entertaining myself… no harm intended.

"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 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

none taken. i know how you operate.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

and no, he definitely wasn’t our best all-around D man, but he definitely showed enough to get me excited about his future. and he also looked better than Aulie, Komi, Franson, Lashoff, and probably about as good as Gunnar.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd agree with your list

other than Gunnarsson… but yeah… I’m excited about him coming up later this year and how he’s likely to look in a year or two.

"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 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

it’s probably not even fair to compare Gardiner and Gunnar, I think they’re going to bring pretty different things to the table.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think Gunnarsson

is more of an all-around top 4 type guy… sort of like Chris Campoli… but offensively he’s no slouch.

Gardiner is more of a pure offensive guy at this 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 Oct 2, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

yep

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Oct 2, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

Oh and I know

you’ll all be dying to know that the Marlies season opener is tonight against Syracuse.

"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 12:56 PM EDT reply actions  

pre-season

opener even… Rynnas and Owuya to split duties in net.

"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 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions  

difference between

NHL and AHL? 8 pre-season games vs. 2 pre-season games.

"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 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions  

You really should just be tweeting all these…

"To be a Leafs fan is to know your heart will be broken in the end."
–Seamus Borschevsky

by Berezin's Spleen on Oct 2, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

...

should be is perhaps an overstatement.

"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 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Greg Scott

is getting a shot at top line minutes this year… he’s a 3rd year AHL player hoping for some more offensive opportunities this 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 Oct 2, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions  

Expected Marlies Lineup tonight.

FORWARD LINES

Caputi – Ryan – Scott
Wilson – Irwin – Brenner
Neuber – Acton – D’Amigo
Painchaud – Caruana – Devane

DEFENSIVE PAIRINGS

Gysbers – Urban
Engel – Blacker
Cowan – Macias

"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 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

Scratches

for the Toronto Marlies are forwards Joe Colborne, Ryan Hamilton, Dale Mitchell and Marcel Mueller as well as defencemen Jeff Finger, Korbinian Holzer and Juraj Mikus … Mike Zigomanis, after attending a week of Marlies camp, played both Friday and Saturday in Maple Leafs preseason action

"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 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

looking at those lists

I’m guessing Colborne, Hamilton, Mueller, and Zigomanis are all guaranteed spots on the Marlies opening night roster, and Mitchell is on the bubble… that means Acton, Painchaud, Neuber, and Caruana are likely out.

On D, Finger, Holzer, and Mikus will all be in the opening night lineup barring injury, so Urbn, Macias, and one of Engel, Blacker, or Cowan will be in the press box. I’m guessing Cowan… but that’s just a guess.

"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 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

curious

to see how Brenner looks in a full season of play.

"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 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Me too. He is my dark horse prospect for regular NHLer (eventually not necessarily this season)

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 2, 2011 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

They are playing Ryan as C. That is very interesting to me.

Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!

by BCapp on Oct 2, 2011 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

Haha

Ron Wilson’s twitter is following only ONE current NHL player who isn’t a Leafs or Marlies player.

Any Guess as to who it is? Here comes the trade speculation….

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 1:56 PM EDT reply actions  

hahahaha

giving shit away much Ron?

"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 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

too bad he isnt following Bieksa

Resident Internet Tough Guy

by JaredFromLondon on Oct 2, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe he just really likes fucking with the media

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

maybe

someone should tell Brian Burke that his coach is messing up trade possibilities.

"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 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions  

He should just pick a new high-profile player to follow every week (like a Bobby Ryan) just to fuck with fans

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol

how long has he been on there… maybe he’s just adding people as he goes?

"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 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

Well his first tweet was yesterday, so im thinking only a few days

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions  

also worth noting

Ron Wilson’s followers include Taylor Hall.

"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 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions  

and the list

of his followers is growing by the second… it was 23 when I clicked on it, and in 2 minutes it’s gone up to well over 50 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 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

It’s over 6,000

No. Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise.

by article1 on Oct 2, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

wow

that’s fast… when I loaded the page it was 23… lightning quick.

"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 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions  

I still only see

23 everytime I load it … weird.

"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 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

that is who he is following, i believe.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 2, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

no

he was following 26 at the time I loaded it… he had 23 followers… now that I recheck it it has gone up astronomically.

"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 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Weird.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 3, 2011 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

Missed it on the first pass.

Assumed you were talking about a Gary Valk comeback.

by potvin vs hextall on Oct 2, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions  

see

now I’m going over the 36 people Turris is following to see if the interest is mutual.

"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 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions  

and no

only NHL players on there are Bissonette, Kesler, Upshall, OE Larsson, Bobby Ryan, Ryan McDonagh, and then Bob McKenzie for shits?

"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 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions  

Every player follows the TSN guys (Bob McKenzie, Darren Dreger) in case they get traded

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

It’s kind of sad that that’s true. Can you imagine finding out about major life events from a reporter?

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

or to find out

who else is getting moved… I think it makes sense.

"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 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

but yeah

Wilson following Turris? kinda random… and not that well thought out.

"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 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

you should send him a friendly tweet

and let him know that he’s the only non-Leaf wilson is following… and it kinda raises questions… he might want to un-follow Turris if he’s worried about getting asked lots of questions about it alter.

"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 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

and i meant

send the tweet to Wilson… not Turris.

"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 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

If the Leafs do end up trading for Turris, there is going to be so much talk about tampering.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

TAMPERING!!!1?

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

why?

he’s following him… not tweeting him…

"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 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

I guess

people will look for any excuse.

"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 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

also

it’s not tampering if Turris is an RFA without a contract.

"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 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

other teams

can talk to him if he’s not signed to a deal.

"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 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

otherwise

how else would RFA deals get signed?

"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 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

I keep forgetting that Turris is an unsigned RFA. For some reason I keep thinking he’s under contract.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

yeah, i’m sure someone can make a case that it’s tampering.

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

again

HOW?

"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 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

That or he’s fucking with the media. which I wouldn’t put past him

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

lol

I wouldn’t put it past him… but do you really want to see Ron’s reaction to the questions he’s going to get? He’s definitely going to get them now…

"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 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

plus

he’s going to get annoyed by all the messages asking him about it on Twitter.

"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 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

He’s one of the last people I expected to join

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not sure following some one is expressly against tampering policies, he isn’t discussing him or even talking to him.

It’s just kind of hilarious

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions  

he can talk to him if he wants

Turris is a FREE AGENT… am I talking to a bot 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 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

tampering

isn’t ever going to come up.

"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 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

No, I get it

But Coaches shouldn’t be talking to free agents anyway, GMs should be

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

If Turris follows Wilson, then they could message each other privately.

No. Not even in the face of Armageddon. Never compromise.

by article1 on Oct 2, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

but he's NOT

under contract… so it’s not tampering… OTHER teams can talk to an RFA player. He is a free agent.

"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 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

if the Leafs

want to talk to him they can… thus they can negotiate contract… and Phoenix has the right to match… that’s all…

they also get compensation if they decide not to match the offer… but they can’t prevent other teams from talking to him.

"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 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions  

Heh it’s already been brought up by several other people… if he understands how to read messages about him, he surely already knows.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Oct 2, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

Malkin’s following me :D

Get well soon Sid, Naz, Connolly, Bozie and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed Prime Minister of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit.

by Leafer87 on Oct 2, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

Gino’s in love

October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin

by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

*Geno

Get well soon Sid, Naz, Connolly, Bozie and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed Prime Minister of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit.

by Leafer87 on Oct 2, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Sorry, didn’t mean to misspell your future husband’s nickname. I’ll just call him Mr Leafer87 instead.

October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin

by Chuck Diesel on Oct 3, 2011 2:10 AM EDT up reply actions  

does anyone else kind his display picture kind of hilarious? that Golf cart is amazing.

Dion Phaneuf: turning the tunes up since '10

Follow Me On Twitter!

by thenumber14 on Oct 2, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

The golf cart says “Celebrate the USA!” More proof that Wilson and Burke are turning the Leafs into Team America!!!

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

That wouldn’t be such a bad thing right? We can then be Canada’s and America’s team! But seriously, having American players and thus maybe having a few more (American) fans as a result is just good for hockey. I always insist that the Leafs winning the cup would do more good for the game of hockey in terms of awareness and attention than it would for any other team in the league because of our team’s diverse make up throughout the organization.

"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

by BlueBuds on Oct 2, 2011 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions  

I probably should have put that in the sarcasm font, I thought the three !s would have given it away, though.

The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull

by Draglikepull on Oct 2, 2011 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions  

LOL I just saw the 3 !!!. duh on my part. But I still stand behind what I said in terms of the advantages of having the team being a winner.

"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

by BlueBuds on Oct 2, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions  

if there isn't someone

working on a Team America style parody of Ron Wilson and Brian Burke working out the Leafs roster then someone needs to do this.

"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 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions  

TAMPERING

Oh I hope he follows some Canuck players.

I will email every sports beat reporter and news outlet in Vancouver to light the match.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 2, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions  

ok that's it

since I’m now behind Ron Wilson it’s official… I’m going to sign up to Twitter.

"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 2:26 PM EDT reply actions  

Overheard at Burtch’s highschool Monday October 3, 2011

“Did Mr Burtch grade your paper?”
“Yeah, he gave me a B and then scribbled ‘no time to explain, add me to twitter’”

October 25, 1966. Thank you Lord Kelvin

by Chuck Diesel on Oct 2, 2011 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

haha

yeah not likely… my students already ask for things like facebook and email addresses… they dont’ get access to that stuff.

"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 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

Who knows? he might already be on there

Professional cusser causer.

by T is for Truculence on Oct 2, 2011 8:58 PM EDT up reply actions  

doubt it, I searched for @FLYERROB, @IGNORANTROB and @FLYERROBOT. nothing

Popped a Colboner - Certified Joe Colborne Fanboy

I'm telling you I was the King of Spain (now I eat humble pie)
Now the Leafs call me up to drive the Zamboni

Twitter me this.

Welcome home Chaim Weisswasser!

by happiergilmore on Oct 2, 2011 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

it would’ve been in his sig

Get well soon Sid, Naz, Connolly, Bozie and Marc
Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed Prime Minister of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub. Now a twit.

by Leafer87 on Oct 2, 2011 11:31 PM EDT up reply actions  

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