Looking To The Past

by PPP on Sep 5, 2011 7:00 AM EDT in From The Branches

Courtesy of Hockey Inside/Out, here is video of the Toronto Maple Leafs facing off against the Montreal Canadiens in 1932 narrated by Foster Hewitt. It's a neat bit of video with quite a few startling differences including the absence of a red line, face-offs being done with the centres facing the boards, and both teams wearing their darks on television. This peek back at Leafs' history made me think about this site's history. This summer we celebrated five years of being a going concern which is like 80 years in internet years so let's take a look back at this day in history:

In 2008

I hope that Tlusty will get a shot playing with Antro and Poni but that's top line land and wasn't Kulemin promised that? More likely, he'll end up slotted on the third line with the big club.

In 2007

Now, you're probably thinking to yourself "How can God's Team have 20 games without television coverage?!". Well, fear not. Just dish out the cash and you can get the other TWENTY games on LeafsTV. That is up from the 12 games that MLSE's flagship channel showed last year.

In 2006

Imagine (and this will not be too much of a stretch) 20 years down the road the Leafs are still Cup-less. What easier way to remind the fans that their club has a rich history than to retire a jersey. The Leafs have 35 Hall of Famers and only two retired jerseys and ten other honoured players. Which of the other 23 would have their jerseys retired and who would decide which of those Hall of Famers did enough to merit having a jersey retired?

And, as always, more links after the jump

1932 video: Habs Morenz scores to tie Leafs | Hockey Inside/Out

The write up details the background and action on screen.

NATION RADIO - SEPTEMBER 3, 2011 | The LeafsNation
I go on Nation Radio and talk about my memories of Wade Belak as a Leaf...and some other people are on the show too.

What Monkeys and Hockey Fans Have in Common | The LeafsNation
There's no hope with dope. Or something like that.

VINTAGE LEAF MEMORIES: Does trading Kadri give the Leafs options?
If he had not been drafted by Burke I'd give the thought more time.

Optimism Run Amok - Cult of Hockey
David Staples' reaction to Jay Feaster's hammering of the Oilers came under fire by Robin Browlee. The funniest part was when he called Staples a 'booster'. 2nd funniest part? The 38% of fans that think the Oilers will finish above the Flames this year.

Is The CIS An Underutilized Resource? - The Copper & Blue
Why are there so few CIS players at the highest levels of hockey?

Should The Oilers Consider Adding A Defenseman Just To Be Safe? - The Copper & Blue
You might be surprised by the identity of their suggested target.

Tweet Comment 81 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Trying to distinguish one team from the other while watching that video gave me a headache, the only way I could do it was when Hewitt would say a name I’d know which team had the puck, but then the shot would change again.

Flugenweb, space code, twit zone, ass mode, check ze tweets.

by Shield on Sep 5, 2011 8:04 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah

It’s so back and forth and then he’s behind the play sometimes.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 5, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s still really cool though.

Flugenweb, space code, twit zone, ass mode, check ze tweets.

by Shield on Sep 5, 2011 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Hope you are enjoying a great Labor Day weekend PPP.

I find this strange. Every time you post something I see about 10-50 comments at most. When Chemmy, Nikota, Skinnyfish etc…. post something they get hundreds of comments. Weird.

Whaddup with that man? Strange. At least to me it is. Have you alienated your flock somehow?

Cheers to ‘centuries’ more of interweb PPP and laughs.

GO LEAFS GO! Can’t comment on the old hockey YouTube footage because that is banned where I live.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 8:36 AM EDT reply actions

It's the long weekend

People are out and about enjoying the last long weekend before the cold kicks in. This place doesn’t get that much weekend traffic anyways, most of the non-GDT comments I’ve seen happen at around 10:00am when everybody’s settled into work

Personally, I’m working right now and probably shouldn’t be on my phone, but who cares cause it’s Labour Day right?

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 5, 2011 9:01 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

It’s too bad you can’t see the video.

It’s been a relaxing weekend. Hope you’re getting the same.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 5, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

It has been a mostly relaxing Monday here PPP.

But the nature of my labours made me labour far far too much on this Labour Day weekend. This holiday does not exist over here in the PRC. But I had today off so that was great. Nearing midnight on Monday night here now.

It really is a pity that Beijing bans YouTube and Facebook, but there are semi-valid reasons for this. None of which I agree with, but I can see their line of thinking to some degree. Awfully paranoid gang though is the CPC.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Do you like my new signature that I stole from not norm ullman?

I certainly do.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Sweet signature upgrade!

I’ll have to think about whether it can be escalated further!

Not liking the Habs since 1959.

by not norm ullman on Sep 5, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Please do so not normie please do so.

I am wondering about the every “fibre” of my being bit though. Do we have fibres in our beings as in bodies? Any doctors in the house?

When I first started posting here a few years back I called myself HabHater. I had been away and have been away from N. America for a long long time now, and was blissfully unaware that “hater” had become some kind of horrible awful pejorative term. So I changed my handle.

I was gonna change to HabsDisliker or UnholyHags etc… but finally decided to honour Red Kelly and pyramids.

Anyway, work on that escalation nnu and let’s see an even better signature.

Oh, and thank you for letting me kinda steal your signature. I am glad you are not prosecuting me for that theft.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Excuse me. Suing me for that theft. Or pressing charges for that grand theft signature.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 6, 2011 12:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Chris

I get that and what you are saying. I just find it strange that seemingly every post PPP tosses up gets very little feedback. Whaddup with that is all I can reiterate? He is our CBO (Chief Blogging Officer) man!

Should he not get a little more respect, and by that I mean commentary on what he is writing?

‘Working’ on ‘Labour’ Day? How DURST you lad?

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 9:33 AM EDT reply actions

Durst ?

LOL

I know what your doing with the names but it immediately made me think of Madea (Tyler Perry’s Fictional Woman Character) and how she says things like “Come eat for Dint-er.” or “Hallelujaher”

LOL

FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! ~ ~ ~ Lori Wilson Gray ~ ~ April 07th 1967 - May 27th 2011 ~ May you rest in Peace ~ I love you and miss you big Sis ! I cant believe at 44 yrs of age .. you went to sleep and never woke up. I promise to take care of Matt and Emily for you. With Love, your baby Brother.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Hey FlyerRob. Top o’ the mornin’ to ya!

Well, I have to sheepishly confess I do not get even one of your cultural references,but I can give out the weak excuse that it is because of where I reside can’t I?

What did you think of Holmgren giving JVR that unholy extension? HUGE dollars. Have you seen Holmgren or heard of Holmgren frequenting any Philly crack dens this summer?

Too bad Burke did not pry JVR outta Holmgren’s mitts when Holmgren was actually sane. He apparently tried to get JVR for Versteeg, Mouthguard Boy, now plying his trade in Miami. He will fit right in there with all the other overpaid stiffs.

Lot of chatter about the Eagles and their chances of going all the way this year. I think I can safely assume you are both a football fan and an Eagles fan yes? Would love to see my Steelers go up against the Eagles in an all Penn Super Bowl.

Very happy for Vick and HIS contract btw. Where I live killing canines and eating them is all good. OK, OK, I do not condone what Vick and his cronies did by any stretch of the imagination, but I am glad he has redeemed himself after some freakin’ hard time at Leavenworth. 18 months for slaughtering dogs? Pretty freakin’ harsh if you ask me. Anyway.

Football thoughts? JVR contract thoughts? Holmgren insanity thoughts?

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions

Response 2 Pyramid Power

> This Is Madea – Enjoy !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P9z2vX-WJA&feature=related

> The Eagles – I am a 4 for 4 kinda philly sports guy. That means that I root for all 4 pro Philly sports teams (Eagles Phillies Sixers and FLYERS) but my Favorite sport is NHL and FLYERS is my fav team of all time. If the Eagles first playoff game is on tv and a Bruins Maple Leafs game is on at the same time. ~ I am watching the NHL Bruins vs Maple Leafs game and during commercials I check the highlights. I like the fact that Vick got his big paycheck and I am glad that he got a second chance. I don’t condone what he did in the past but as a Christian I am all for people being forgiven and having an opportunity to repent and atone an move on. The Steelers are my second team because the Eagles always falter in the post season and the Steelers are an AFC team and not an NFC rival to Philly. I would love to see an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl and it almost happened a few times.

Holmgren thoughts ~ he aint insane ~ he just goes Apeshi+
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vt5dhc2nv4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8AdpDKwr8Y

JVR ~ Yeah I am happy he has an extension but I am not sure I would have done it for 6 years and for that amount of money. I think a 3 year 2Million would have been the most we could have done but Homer is into giving long term contracts.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

Don’t know how Hunter didn’t get killed on the ice by someone. He is the original Matt Cooke.

WORD to yo Momma

by ThickSkinnedAlive on Sep 5, 2011 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Hunter vs Tocchet were some serious serious WAR Battles in the 1980’s man !

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions

YouTube :(

Bummer I do not get YouTube over here, but upon further reflection I have HEARD of Madea. Does that count?

You must be one of the few Philly sports fans who pays more attention to the Flyers than the Eagles, Phils or Sixers. Good for you sir.

I hate the Phils I have to say. Was down at the old Vet for the ‘93 World Series, and have hated them for a long time especially with all the cash they are now spending. They are the NL version of the Banks and Blowsox. MLB needs to address this salary cap or lack thereof bullshit in some way shape or form. It’s just crap that these squads can buy titles, but I guess I am pot calling the kettle blah blah because Gillick and the Jays essentially did the same thing in 1992 and 1993.

Steelers are your second favourite squad? WOW! Did NOT expect to hear that. You well know the loathing between interstate rivals generally extends to all sports squads. I love Pittsburgh for so many reasons btw, and ONE of them, one of the key reasons, is they do NOT have an NBA team. Good. Basketball is for pussies. Baseball is generally for pussies too. Amazing to me how easily they get hurt. I hope the NBA goes away and stays on strike forever. Beautiful.

Yeah, Holmgren does love him some long term deals eh? Wild. Bryzgalov better go wild for him this year or else? And he had better pray Little Schenn, Simmonds and other pickups do very well for him and Philly. I gotta beleaf sic even Snider is scratching his head over some of the wacky moves and deals Holmgren has pulled.

Good to get Carter and Richards out, but I just don’t think they got enough for them. Anyway.

Cheers! Oh, by the way I never get all the Flyer hatred at this site. People need to remember that this team takes care of their business when it matters in the playoffs against the hated Habs AND serenade them with ole ole ole when they smell victory near the end of the game.

Hey. Quiz for you Flyer Rob. I loved Philly during their Broad Street Bully days. Without going to Google how many Flyers can you name from that team or teams that won two consecutive Cups? I can name them all off the top of my head because I LOVED those teams. I mean almost as much as I love the blue and white.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Without going to Google

Lets See – LCB Leech, Clarke and Barber, Andre Moose Dupont, Bob the hound Kelly, Dave the Hammer Schultz, Joe & Jimmy Watson, Bernie Parent, Wayne Stevenson (I think he may have been here in 1976 & Not 74 & 75) Gary Dornehoeffer Cowboy Bob Flett, The Count Bob Dailey, Rick the rifle MacLeish, Ed Van Impe (check heard around the world) …. Thats All I got off the top of my head.

Basketball ~ I Dislike it very much as well ~ Cant Stand it ~ I think they should spot each other 100 points and play for 2 minutes. I root for a championship if the Sixers are in Post Season.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

How can you forget Orest Kindrachuk? One of the greatest hockey names of all time.

Imitation is the most sincere form of mockery.

by ciri jrha on Sep 5, 2011 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I forgot him. Sorry “O”. He called Philadelphia Phantoms games in Philly for a brief while with Gene Hart in the 1990’s…

That was off the top of my head. so I knew I was going to miss a few.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Vernon Fiddler with the Preds.

Possibly the most appropriate name on a hockey team ever?

Too bad Pete Peeters did not play his junior with the Peterborough Petes. Petes should have drafted him for his name.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Not bad brother, not bad.

I may have the advantage of being older than you are, and I suspect I am considering you were recently in the American military.

Houng Dog Kelly or Battleship Bob Kelly just to get that straight. Don ‘Big Bird’ Saleski. How could you forget him? lol Tom Bladon. Mel Bridgman. Orest Kindrachuk. Terry Crisp. Larry Goodenough. Ross Lonsberry. Jack McIlhargey. Bill Clement. Ted Harris. Think I got everyone.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

It was off the top of my head… I would have gotten everyone but Ted Harris.

Big Bird was cool.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

And it was very well done.

This Bullies fan salutes you.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

One of the joys of working the weekend shift is having to cover the holiday. I got yesterday off instead

Thank Grabbo I start college tomorrow.

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 5, 2011 10:04 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Thank Grabbo I start college tomorrow.

LOL So I think I can safely assume you equate Grabbo with God? Yessir, I can get onboard with that.

Did you see his interview over at Puck Daddy recently? Excellent stuff. Really happy the little Belarussian seems like a quality individual and is VERY motivated to do well again this year. Very well-spoken I thought and a thoughtful intelligent guy. I was really impressed to say the least.

A little worried about his comments that he loves Colorado and has long dreamed of playing there. I will not be worried if he stinks it up this year and leaves, but I do not think he will. I expect him to crack the 30 goal mark and put up hhmmmmmm 70 points if Mac and Kool do well too and all stay relatively healthy.

Expecting even bigger and better things from the MGK line this year. I said on this site a long long time ago that I thought Kool would either develop into a star power forward, or a pure scorer or both. It would seem he is both and is just going to get better.

Will be interesting to see if that line actually outperforms the Kessel-Lupul-Connelly line. Very interesting.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions

every post PPP tosses up gets very little feedback.

I’m too thorough. There’s nothing left to say.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 5, 2011 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

Enlightenment. Thank you good sir for educating me.

There really is just nothing left to say is there? Your cogent insightful analysis in all of your posts really do just say it all.

I get it now.

Thank you PPP for being all that you can be and doing all that you do.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

If you’re gonna do this time-travelling PPP, TRY not to disturb anything.

Last time you went back, you just felt you HAD to release Kerry Fraser from that cell, and he returned to the job he had before being declared criminally insane, and the Leafs lost the 1993 Cup (bizarre though that may sound to those of you who were there.)

So whatever you do, do NOT mess with 2007’s win. Captain Grabovski put on a quite a performance, and Ovechkin makes one hell of a winger.

Not liking the Habs since 1959.

by not norm ullman on Sep 5, 2011 9:54 AM EDT reply actions

Not liking the Habs since 1959.

AWESOME!

I may have to plagiarize and put up a signature saying, "Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963. Would you take umbrage to me doing that?

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

I think I am just going to go ahead and do that right now OK not norm ullman.

Not Normie Ullman? So are you, uuhhhmmmmm, Ron Ellis? Weak I know, I know.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions

No problem!

BTW, is Pyramid Power from the Red Kelly episode? Great days, with Darryl and Borje and the damned Flyers…..

Not liking the Habs since 1959.

by not norm ullman on Sep 5, 2011 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

It most certainly is.

Great days indeed. Remember those awesome series well. Well, I was a kid so names kinda escape me all these decades later but it was freakin’ awesome. We almost took them out two springs in a row, and talk about motherfreakin’ truculence!

Those Flyers I swear had such an impact on elite level hockey when I was a kid at that time living in, ugh, Montreal. Everybody including me went batshit violent, high sticking, fighting even if you got a suspension, nasty nasty hockey. Can’t say the Flyers were a good influence on Montreal minor hockey at the time that is for sure. But I loved ’em anyway.

And of course the glorious blue and white for giving them everything they could handle and more during those two legendary playoff series in the mid-70’s with Red leading the charge with his pyramids under the Leafs bench at the Gardens.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

PPP I watched the Video and It was pretty cool

There was no team in Philadelphia Back in 1932 Had I been alive back in 1932 and in Philadelphia I probably would have been either a Leaf or a Hab fan I guess. Had I been around in the 1940’s I would have been a Detroit Fan because Gordie Howe was so dang incredible !

A few things I noticed about that 1932 game :

It is an Illusion but it appears that the ice was so huge, but what it really was, .. was the fact that the players are smaller and wearing hardly any equipment and most importantly the ice had no advertisement on the ice or along the boards ~ hence therefore as an illusion it appears that the ice looks like Olympic size ice.

The players all had Flat Sticks because this is Prior to Bobby Hull.
The players all had what appeared to look like actual wool like sweaters on for their jerseys. that had to be hot and also heavy when they got wet with sweat.

Very Fun to watch those old games sometimes

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

So in Jeff Marek’s column today, he suggests that a contract for Schenn will likely cost about $4 million per year, and will likely not include any of his UFA years. I definitely agree with the second part, but does anyone else think $4 million sounds too high? My end-of-season prediction was that he’d get about $3.25 million per year, maybe a bit more, but $4 million for a 2nd pair defender who’s only 21 years old seems way too high to me.

And speaking of Schenn’s UFA years, this is the big downside to bringing him into the league when he was 18; he’s only got 4 more seasons until he’s eligible for UFA status, meaning he could be a free agent at just 25. That could all change in the next CBA, but that’s not something that I’m particularly pleased about.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Schenn.

Who does Marek write for? Would like to read his column.

I predicted awhile ago that Schenn would get a four year deal at about $4 mill a year. I just think with Burkie’s history of overpaying, the Weber contract for $7.5 mill NOT that Luke is anywhere near what Weber is at this stage in his career, and the fact that Doughty is likely to get something in the range of $5 mill+ in my opinion puts that number about right for what Loiselle, Burke, Nonis and the gang will settle on with Meehan and Schenn.

Yeah, not happy about the early UFA thing too and bringing Schenn in with the big boys at age 18. Big mistake imo. Had Schenn gone back to junior I think he would be a better defenceman now.

Others feel very very differently I know of course, but I think Toronto made a mistake keeping him with the big club. You can bet Burke would have sent him back to junior had he been the maestro then.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I just think with Burkie’s history of overpaying

What RFA has he overpaid? Some may argue Kessel @ $5.4M, but other than that?

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

General reference not specifically referring to RFA's.

I thought Army was overpaid. Komisarek, Beauchemin to some degree, Lebda for a buck would be overpaying etc……

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes all those are UFAs. I don’t consider those comparable for Schenn’s situation as there is a huge difference from UFA to RFA….

His RFA contracts are more like Grabovski, Kulemin, Gunnarsson, Gustavsson, Reimer, Bozak…. hard to say there is any history of overpayment there.

Kessel’s is a possible debate, as I think that is one of those “paying for potential” a bit but he also just came off a 36 goal season in Boston.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Schenn’s next contract isn’t going to be that high but it will be a bit higher than it would normally be just simply because it will be short on term, just like all the other contracts current Leafs are on: a one year, a two year or 3 and under or slightly around 3M.

"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 Sep 5, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

a one year, a two year or 3 and under or slightly around 3M.

That’s the consensus guess, but the fact that it’s taking this long is making me think we should be ready for anything, and as high as $4M isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Do we even know if anything has even been offered? I mean they could of spoken and all that could of been said is, “lets do this in Sept.” or something like that, right? There really is no way of knowing if they even started discussing numbers and maybe all the while reassuring the young player not to worry that a deal will be done where both parties will be happy.
Just wondering.

"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 Sep 5, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Leafs and Schenn’s agent have kept it very hush hush especially with regard to dollar figures. $3M seems appropriate based on comparable deals for players his age/potential. We know there have been discussions and both sides are saying it will get done, but no details at all.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed in full.

And he got Brown for a fifth round pick from the Kings. Did Burke give Brown his contract which I believe is a mere pitttance?

Did not like all the bonus money Bozak earned, but that was the way that worked. Thought he earned too much for too little but that is getting off topic.

Kessel worth every penny imo. $5.4 mill just fine with me as I see him hitting the 40-50 goal mark this year and playing a more complete, ugh cliche, 200 foot game.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Brown, 3 years at ~726k. Ya, but Brown is a 4th liner, it’s a good price, but it’s not like Brown is setting the world on fire either.

Did not like all the bonus money Bozak earned,

Again, he was UFA. Had to overpay to get him.

Kessel worth every penny imo. $5.4 mill just fine with me as I see him hitting the 40-50 goal mark this year

That’s the very definition of paying for potential though. I think Burke thought he’d already be hitting those totals…. I hope he can too, but the fact is he hasn’t yet.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Brown.

For what he brings to team night after night and the proverbial sandpaper and grit I love the guy especially at that price.

I defer to you re Bozak.

I think Kessel would be hitting those totals or would have hit those totals given better linemates, better net luck which I thought he did not have much of last year.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Bozak didn’t actually earn the entire cap hit. I think we figured out it was around a third of the cap hit based on the bonuses he would have hit.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 5, 2011 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions

As per this piece that I wrote, I had Bozak only making $1,087,500 out of his possible $3.75 million.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Good stuff.

I find all that bonus stuff and keeping up with capgeek and the economics of hockey to be such a drag but to be any kind of serious hockey fan nowadays you have to do that. Bummer. I just wanna watch the hockey and love the hockey.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Kessel’s might be a bit debatable, but I don’t think $5.4 million is an overpayment for a 36 goal scorer if you think he can do it again.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Debatable no doubt.

I just think Philthy is gonna go wild this year, and get a little luckier around the net IF Lupul and Connelly stay healthy and they gel with Kessel. BIG if.

So many many if’s and hopes and prayers with this squad. We need so much to go right starting with King James in nets playing solid hockey.

God bless the blue and white, and say our prayers as Leafs fans because we will surely need them just to make the playoffs.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Here’s Marek’s column:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2011/09/05/sheet_rfas/

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions

but $4 million for a 2nd pair defender who’s only 21 years old seems way too high to me.

His agent Don Meehan seems to be holding out with his big clients this summer (except Stamkos for some reason).

He may well get $4M. Everything that needs to be said has been said between the two – I would guess it is going to come down to who will cave first. I will be sad if this holdout makes it to the regular season. Ugh I just wish it was done already.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad?

Yes, that would be an understatement to say the least. I keep reading a deal will get done before training camp. Clock ticking now. Am getting a little nervous, but am still convinced they are not gonna do a deal until Doughty is signed. Hope that happens soon. I also just wish it was done already.

Luke’s a good kid. I think he will take a fair offer and not be a punk and demand too much. And I don’t think Meehan is a bad agent from what little I know of him – bad as in greedy and demanding etc….

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

when i was living in Brantford for a brief stint .. I loved Leafs lunch with Jeff Marek on Mojo Radio. He is very knowledgeable about the game.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Brantford?

Huh? You lived in the same town as Waynederful? Wow! When?

Why did you move to The City of Brotherly Love?

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 6, 2011 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s an unfortunate situation with Schenn. He isn’t a four million dollar player yet, and if he and his agent price him at $4 million plus, he will be the new whipping boy this season because he will be played as if he is a $4 million plus shutdown defender— a role he isn’t ready for.

If he holds out and wants $4 million plus, Burke should look at his options because if Schenn doesn’t reach his potential the Leafs could have another $4 million third pairing defenceman.

"Wham...Wham...Kabam...Kabam... A double kabam! And it's a double dion!"

by DoubleDion on Sep 5, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

$4M is high but it could be another (ugh) "paying for potential" a la JvR

I hate that (and I’m assuming Leafs mgmt does too). I’m assuming that’s why the holdout is happening.

I can’t even fathom what type of deal he’s trying to get for Doughty.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions

I read Doughty is demanding more than Kopitar.

Kopitar highest paid King at $6.8 mill. Doughty apparently, and I stress apparently, wants to be the highest paid King. Outrageous at age 21 coming out of his entry level deal.

Will see how it plays out.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

To be honest...

If Schenn continues to hold out, I don’t really mind. The team has depth at defence and at this point Schenn is fairly easily replaceable. He doesn’t play the top competition, he doesn’t do PP much, he has been a mainstay on one of the worst PKs in the league, and he gets 20+ points with good, easy ice-time. Not exactly irreplaceable. His value is his projected upside but if he gets greedy let him watch a few of the prospects play in his spot during camp and maybe preseason.

"Wham...Wham...Kabam...Kabam... A double kabam! And it's a double dion!"

by DoubleDion on Sep 5, 2011 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Good points.

Have to agree with that as much as I would hate for there to be any kind of bad blood between Schenn and Leaf management.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

The team has depth at defence and at this point Schenn is fairly easily replaceable.

I agree that if he isn’t available at the start of the year it would be the end of the world, but I wouldn’t call him replacable. He’s obviously our best young defenseman for his age, and the one with still the best potential at 21. Gardiner and Blacker look decent but Schenn is still head and shoulders the best one.

I think the fact that it isn’t the end of the world is why Leafs mgmt feel like they don’t have to cave to insane demands. If Schenn isn’t playing at the start of the season, he may have a little conversation with his agent to come down in price. When was the last time players actually missed games at the start of the season due to a contract holdout?

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree that if he isn’t available at the start of the year it wouldn’t be the end of the world

ack, fixed

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn good question.

I can’t off the top of my head think of anyone who has actually missed games due a contract holdout. Not recently anyway.

Hhhmmmmm. Time to put on my thinking and recollection cap.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t think our defence has much depth at all, and I also don’t think Schenn is easily replaceable. Who do we give his minutes to if he’s not ready? Aulie? Komisarek? Lashoff? A top 4 of Dion + Liles + Gunnar + Aulie/Komisarek absolutely terrifies me.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I’ve probably messed up RD/LD again, but you get the point.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions

W/O Schenn (assuming for only a few games)

We could easily run

Gunnar-Phaneuf
Liles-Franson
Aulie-Komi/Lashoff/etc.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

And I agree Schenn isn't replaceable. But if his agent is holding the Leafs hostage?

What better way to show Schenn’s agent that he has to earn his pennies, than by showing that they can run a defense without him?

I’m obviously thinking worst case scenarios as I dont think/hope it would go that far. We all know Schenn will remain in the blue & white, just when he signs and for how much are worrying.

Crazy would be NOT overanalyzing everything.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 5, 2011 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Those defensive pairings would be a trainwreck. I’m happy with the return we got for Beauchemin, but we really need to find another guy like him to play some tough defensive minutes.

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

by Draglikepull on Sep 5, 2011 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I should have been more clear, I meant at this point in his development he is fairly easily replaceable. His value as a prospect is not. My point was basically that for a few games (preseason) someone could play his role as he has yet to flourish into the projected top shutdown defenceman and as it stands he is a decent 2nd pair defenceman.

"Wham...Wham...Kabam...Kabam... A double kabam! And it's a double dion!"

by DoubleDion on Sep 5, 2011 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s way too high of a number if true.

Pension Plan Puppets
I hope YouTube comes down to film this.

by birky on Sep 5, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Future Habs Player

He has the brains and the Height for the Maple Leafs.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 1:41 PM EDT reply actions

CORRECTION .. For the Canadiens

Man I screwed that up.. Excuse me my wife was kissing me and distracted me.

by FLYERROB on Sep 5, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions

LOL

Beautiful.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I hate when my wife does 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 Sep 5, 2011 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions

It really IS irritating ain't it?

Wife wants a little attention and luvin’ while a guy is simply trying to put up monkey gifs making fun of the Hags. Not cool. These are the things that lead to the high divorce rates we see today. A real pity.

Loathing the Habs with every fibre of my being since 1963.

by Pyramid Power on Sep 5, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah but me and my wife, we’re cool.

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 Sep 5, 2011 11:30 PM EDT up reply actions

She’s probably not, cause she’s a paedophile

"I prematurely shot my wad on what was supposed to be a dry run, if you will, so now I'm afraid i have something of a mess on my hands."
"There's just so many poorly chosen words in that sentence."

by PKSube on Sep 6, 2011 5:59 AM EDT up reply actions