Stephen Burtch

So the Leafs made it to OT and Grabovski scored a beautiful game winner. I'm not talking about this much because I'm drinking and have company, you guys can do the rest. I'm drinking Champagne to celebrate... you all should also. P.S. -

Juraj Mikus and Korbinian Holzer are a pair of 23 year old defenders with the Toronto Marlies. Mikus was drafted in 2007 in the 5th round, 144th overall, 50 picks before Carl Gunnarsson. Holzer was drafted in 2006, in the 4th round, 111th overall, 12 selections after James Reimer and

Despite a 3-0-1 record, there are a lot of questions with the current edition of the Leafs. Aside from the top pairing of Phaneuf (+8) and Carl Gunnarsson (+4), the Leafs D has proved to be a bit of a conundrum so far this season. Mike Komisarek has continued to

Earlier this spring, I compared Carl Gunnarsson to Keith Aulie, following the logic that Gunnarsson was more deserving a top pairing role than Aulie. Looks like - for the moment at least - that's how it's shaken out. Aulie was demoted to the AHL's

The Preseason is over, the final demotions have yet to happen (wait until Monday), and the Leafs now have the regular season on the docket.  It looks like some of the injuries to our centres will sort themselves out prior to Thursday's opener against the Habs, but we&

The mainstream press in Toronto (and across Canada) often has a bit of an axe to grind when it comes to things Maple Leaf.  They dislike the way the team is built, or the people running it, or the coach, or the fans, or the colour of their uniforms, etc.

The other day, I did a break down of the comparison between Luke Schenn and Dion Phaneuf based largely on their play last season defensively. That discussion largely focused on which of those two should be "leading" the Leafs defensively, and really the results came out in a

A few days ago, there was a fairly drawn out debate over whether or not Luke Schenn is a superior defender to Dion Phaneuf. Some would argue Phaneuf is "easily" the superior blue liner, and I feel it's quite easy to concede that fact on an

The Nose versus ... the new french guy that might rub people the wrong way with his personality. So what can we expect this season out of the two players that are likely to enter camp this year as potential 4th line centres? Darryl Boyce is a hard working, former CIS

Yesterday we ran through the first four selections of the Leafs 2011 Draft, describing statistical comparables and running through some ideas of their potential. I may have come across as a tad harsh with respect to the Leafs first of two first round selections, Tyler Biggs. Before the angry e-mails

Ok, I know a lot of these draft picks are being analyzed from various perspectives around the Barilkosphere already. I'm also aware most of you may have already looked into some of this information. That being said, I'm going to attempt to do a bit of

I find it interesting to read tales of greatness.  Often we are given glimpses into the stepping stones, skill sets, and strengths of those conquering geniuses of sports management whenever they reach the pinnacle of their craft.  The local and national Canadian media are likely to fall all over themselves

Much ink (pixels?) is being devoted to the upcoming contract of Leafs D cornerstone Luke Schenn. Little has been devoted to Carl Gunnarsson, who is the only one of the two playing in the World Championships Gold Medal game. Both young men have acquitted themselves well in the NHL thus

How Optimus was Optimus Reim? How often did Reim Time occur? If we check the OR, will we like it so far (pardon the use of a line from a mid-90's Ottawa Rap Group featuring Tom Green... the letters just fell into place). Well, using the Quality Start

With the draft drawing scheduled for TSN later today, Tuesday, April 12th, it seems fitting that the NHL's Central Scouting Bureau has just released it's final rankings for the 2010-11 season, with a few major shifts since the Mid-Term numbers were released.  Ryan Nugent-Hopkins made the

Tyler Bozak is a second year forward playing big minutes. He's a 24 year old playing a bit out of his depth on the top line, but he hasn't shirked his responsibilities all season long. He's likely suffered as a result of the raised

Corsi and Fenwick | EV Face Offs | H2H Time On Ice Game Summary | Event Summary The Leafs defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in Raleigh tonight. Dion Phaneuf and James Reimer get the lions share of my respect for their efforts on the evening. Late night continuation of the game thread convo

So the Marlies topped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (1st in the AHL) by a score of 2-1 on Friday night, and Nazem Kadri was easily the most noticeable player on the ice from either team, despite not registering a point. He was a plus 1 on the night, but his

So after a long drawn out debate over the Leafs shut out loss against the Senators last Saturday, I decided that I honestly didn't know enough about where the Leafs were taking most of their shots on goal this season. 10 shots from dangerous parts of the ice

Today's AHL matchup is being aired live on CBC nationally.  Hopefully Glenn Healy isn't sitting in on this one.  The Marlies look to continue their recent dominance of the Moose, as they have won 3 in a row over their North Division opposition. The Moose have

Baby Buds vs. Baby Canucks in a different version of an All Canadian matchup today at the Ricoh in the first of back to back matchups.  This is yet another chance for the Marlies to make a push for the Calder Cup playoffs as the Moose are currently 2 points

The Marlies are at home tonight to face the Hershey Bears.  Hershey just signed Washington's 2009, 2nd round draft pick (55th overall) Dmitri Orlov to an amateur try out contract.  Orlov was an Alternate Captain, playing D for the Gold Medal winning Russians at the WJC in Buffalo

Toronto playing another home game on Family Day. 1:00 PM start so we're 5 minutes into the 1st at this point. Watch to see Joe Colborne continue to light it up, and push the play of Nazem Kadri. Andrew Engelage is back in goal, and the Marlies

Have at it guys. Joe Colborne's first game as a Marlie.

Just figured I'd post an AHL equiv. to the GDT so people can continue the trade convo. I'm not posting a serious preview of the game, but I will mention that this is the first game of Aaron Voros' career in the Leafs organization. Scrivens