Well, it started out being just another ordinary day in Leaf land. I got up, fed kids, dressed kids, brushed kids teeth, and put my wonderful six year old boy on the school bus.
The Leafs however weren't so lucky. Thursday night was their second in a string of 4 games in four nights, a game in which Toronto scored four un-answered goals and saw good performances from all including Leaf hopeful Jason Allison, who reportedly got 2 assists in the 4-0 shutout victory. It was an entertaining affair, that saw the much maligned Mikeal Grabovski take a couple of really good hits, and bounce back immediately. This is good because last year, those kinds of hits would have taken him out of the game!
Friday night saw the boys in blue on the ice again, this time from London Ontario, where they faced the Pittsburgh Penguins. Another day, another victory! This one in the guise odf a 4-3 come from behind win on the backs of Jason Blake and John Mitchell , who each posted a goal and an assist. Joey Macdonald and James Reimer both turned in solid performances, stopping 10, and 15 shots respectively.
I, don't remember if anything else happened of note today.......OH, that's right, the Maple Leafs got Phil Kessel from the Bruins today. Amid a whirlwind of speculation, that the deal to get him was in fact going to wind up being a 3 way deal involving either the Rangers or thrashers, at the end of the day, the Leafs acquired him for what is the standard compensation for presenting an (*)offer sheet to a restricted free agent of Kessels pay scale. Which incidentally was according to Leafs president and GM Brian Burke was a steep price of two number one and a number two draft pick.
This in my opinion was a good deal,( although he is not expected to join the Leafs until mid-november as he is still rehabing from having shoulder surgery in June ).Kessel signed a multi year deal with the Leafs following the acquisition. Although only 21 years old, Kessel is already a proven NHL Star, and looks to be a big part of the Leafs plans for the future.
My only concern in regard to the deal is, what to do with him. Kessel is a very talented young winger, the problem is, in Toronto , there isn't that #1 kind of center to feed him the puck. Certainly not of the calibre that enjoyed in Boston. I wonder though, could this signal the return Matts Sundin to Toronto? Hmmmmmm.
(*) When compensatory picks are awarded to a team who is losing a restricted free agent, the number and quality of the picks varies with that particular players pay scale. Because Kessel is scheduled to make around five and a half million dollars this season, that compensatory package consists of, 2 first rounders and one second rounder. If however, Kessel was to make over 6.4 million, they Leafs would have been forced to give up 4 first round picks
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Leafs Drop Pre-Season Opener
As the puck dropped on another pre-season, there were fists and bodies flying all over the Air Canada Centre ice were examples of the ``truculence'' the team's general manager is so fond of.
However, there wasn't quite enough offence from the home side as former Maple Leaf Andy Wozniewski's third-period goal gave the Boston Bruins a 3-2 win on Wednesday night.
The Maple Leafs elected to keep their skilled veteran players out of the game. Instead, they started mostly rookies and tough guys who were all eager to make an impact in most cases a physical one. Here is the Box Score
``People aren't going to notice what I do on the ice unless I fight,'' said forward Andre Deveaux, who dropped the gloves twice. ``I'm not flashy.''
The Leafs kicked off a hectic pre-season schedule that will see them play nine times in 12 days and dressed 10 players that have been acquired since Burke took over as general manager last November. The GM hasn't made any secret of the fact that he thinks the team needs to be tougher to be better.
A couple newcomers made their presence felt early as Garnet Exelby and Colton Orr each came out hitting on their very first shift wearing a Leafs uniform. Shortly after, Deveaux squared off with Steve Begin in one of five fights on the evening.
By then, it was pretty clear to Boston what kind of night it was going to be.
``You could really tell they wanted to send that message that they're going to be a big, tough team,'' said Bruins forward Brad Marchand. ``They were running all over the place, trying to take guys' heads off, there was five or six fights out there.
``They really want to show guys can play that style of game and I think for every team that comes in here it's going to be the same way.''
Wozniewski ended up spoiling the party by beating Joey MacDonald high at 7:02 of the third period.
He obviously felt pretty good about getting a rare goal against his former teammates.
``Absolutely,'' said Wozniewski. ``That's obviously nice, doing it anywhere, but obviously playing here and stuff, it definitely feels good.''
Begin and Marchand also scored for Boston while Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stalberg replied for Toronto.
Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson was pleased with the play of guys like Bozak, Stalberg, Nazem Kadri and Christian Hanson. All young guys with limited or no NHL experience.
Toronto was at its best during a spirited first period that was not only puctuated by hits and fights, but also Bozak's highlight-reel goal.
The highly-coveted college free agent was on solo short-handed rush when he turned Bruins defenceman Matt Hunwick inside out and beat Dany Sabourin high at 13:38. Moves like that will certainly increase his odds of cracking Wilson's lineup.
``Luckily, I got through and saw the open spot there,'' said Bozak.
A pair of power-play goals gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the second period.
Begin beat Vesa Toskala from the side of the net at 3:18 while Marchand roofed a shot over MacDonald _ who relieved Toskala midway through the game _ at 13:16. The Leafs struggled mightily with their penalty killing last season and will need to be much better this year, especially since they'll likely spend plenty of time in the penalty box.
``If you want to win a game you have to play hockey a little bit, too,'' cautioned Begin.
Stalberg managed to tie the game before the period ran out, taking a pass from first-round pick Kadri, stepping out from behind the goal-line and sliding it under Sabourin at 16:03. Stalberg is another young player who is on the bubble.
The Leafs pressed hard after Wozniewski put the Bruins back ahead in the third period but were unable to solve Sabourin.
Jason Allison, trying to earn a contract after playing just one season over the last six years, didn't make much of an impact for Toronto. He found it tough to get in any kind of rhythm.
``I'm trying to create things down low off the cycle and stuff like that,'' said Allison. ``Tonight we really didn't have much of that. (There was) a lot of back and forth in the neutral zone. For myself, I need to get few shifts down low to really get myself in a groove.''
Added Wilson: ``He looked like he pooped out in the second half of the game.''
Notes: Announced attendance was 16,872 - and the tickets were given away for free ... Toronto was 1-4-1 against the Bruins last season ... Kadri's assist came in his first NHL pre-season game ... Ex-Habs coach Guy Carbonneau, now an analyst for CBC, watched from the press box ... Only one Boston player wore a jersey number lower than 22 (No. 6 Dennis Wideman) ... Francois Beauchemin, Ian White and Wayne Primeau were the Leafs alternate captains.
Canadian Press
However, there wasn't quite enough offence from the home side as former Maple Leaf Andy Wozniewski's third-period goal gave the Boston Bruins a 3-2 win on Wednesday night.
The Maple Leafs elected to keep their skilled veteran players out of the game. Instead, they started mostly rookies and tough guys who were all eager to make an impact in most cases a physical one. Here is the Box Score
``People aren't going to notice what I do on the ice unless I fight,'' said forward Andre Deveaux, who dropped the gloves twice. ``I'm not flashy.''
The Leafs kicked off a hectic pre-season schedule that will see them play nine times in 12 days and dressed 10 players that have been acquired since Burke took over as general manager last November. The GM hasn't made any secret of the fact that he thinks the team needs to be tougher to be better.
A couple newcomers made their presence felt early as Garnet Exelby and Colton Orr each came out hitting on their very first shift wearing a Leafs uniform. Shortly after, Deveaux squared off with Steve Begin in one of five fights on the evening.
By then, it was pretty clear to Boston what kind of night it was going to be.
``You could really tell they wanted to send that message that they're going to be a big, tough team,'' said Bruins forward Brad Marchand. ``They were running all over the place, trying to take guys' heads off, there was five or six fights out there.
``They really want to show guys can play that style of game and I think for every team that comes in here it's going to be the same way.''
Wozniewski ended up spoiling the party by beating Joey MacDonald high at 7:02 of the third period.
He obviously felt pretty good about getting a rare goal against his former teammates.
``Absolutely,'' said Wozniewski. ``That's obviously nice, doing it anywhere, but obviously playing here and stuff, it definitely feels good.''
Begin and Marchand also scored for Boston while Tyler Bozak and Viktor Stalberg replied for Toronto.
Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson was pleased with the play of guys like Bozak, Stalberg, Nazem Kadri and Christian Hanson. All young guys with limited or no NHL experience.
Toronto was at its best during a spirited first period that was not only puctuated by hits and fights, but also Bozak's highlight-reel goal.
The highly-coveted college free agent was on solo short-handed rush when he turned Bruins defenceman Matt Hunwick inside out and beat Dany Sabourin high at 13:38. Moves like that will certainly increase his odds of cracking Wilson's lineup.
``Luckily, I got through and saw the open spot there,'' said Bozak.
A pair of power-play goals gave the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the second period.
Begin beat Vesa Toskala from the side of the net at 3:18 while Marchand roofed a shot over MacDonald _ who relieved Toskala midway through the game _ at 13:16. The Leafs struggled mightily with their penalty killing last season and will need to be much better this year, especially since they'll likely spend plenty of time in the penalty box.
``If you want to win a game you have to play hockey a little bit, too,'' cautioned Begin.
Stalberg managed to tie the game before the period ran out, taking a pass from first-round pick Kadri, stepping out from behind the goal-line and sliding it under Sabourin at 16:03. Stalberg is another young player who is on the bubble.
The Leafs pressed hard after Wozniewski put the Bruins back ahead in the third period but were unable to solve Sabourin.
Jason Allison, trying to earn a contract after playing just one season over the last six years, didn't make much of an impact for Toronto. He found it tough to get in any kind of rhythm.
``I'm trying to create things down low off the cycle and stuff like that,'' said Allison. ``Tonight we really didn't have much of that. (There was) a lot of back and forth in the neutral zone. For myself, I need to get few shifts down low to really get myself in a groove.''
Added Wilson: ``He looked like he pooped out in the second half of the game.''
Notes: Announced attendance was 16,872 - and the tickets were given away for free ... Toronto was 1-4-1 against the Bruins last season ... Kadri's assist came in his first NHL pre-season game ... Ex-Habs coach Guy Carbonneau, now an analyst for CBC, watched from the press box ... Only one Boston player wore a jersey number lower than 22 (No. 6 Dennis Wideman) ... Francois Beauchemin, Ian White and Wayne Primeau were the Leafs alternate captains.
Canadian Press
Monday, September 14, 2009
Welcome to the New Season!
Hello everyone out there in Leafs land! Here we are after a much too long off season, and I am PUUUUUUUUUMPED! I hope everyone had as great a summer as I did! Time to get down to business.
While the boys in blue had quite a busy off season, I have to tell ya, I'm really not sure what to make of this " new look team ". I'm excited, to say the least. We gained a little toughness, and a little more veteran leadership, but I really don't see that the forward contingent has drastically improved.
The Leafs, last season allowed the most goals per game in the league, so, the obvious absence of a defense, coupled with the on again off again romance of Vesa Toskala has hopefully been sorted out with the addition of Swedish sensation Jonas Guvstason, and Joey MacDonald. Although, the whole MacDonald signing has me a little puzzled. Perhaps a replacement for Justin Pogge who was traded not so long ago.
The defensive corps, has also been bolstered with the additions of Garet Exelby,Francois Beauchemin,Michael Komisarek, and Phil Oreskovic.
On the other hand, Brian Burke and the Leafs appear to be just fine with pretty much what they had in the way of forwards. With the exception of veteran Wayne Primeau, (who has always been a bit of a defensive liability), Burke hasn't been able to do much to bolster a forward group that was tenth in the league last year in goal production. Tenth?!, wait a minute tenth isn't that bad you say? Well, you're right of course, the trouble is that the Leafs were 30th in goals allowed! While there scoring was actually pretty good, their defense/goaltending was, well to say the least, bad.
Having said all of that, I really am excited about this coming season! Look for Jason Blake, Mikeal Grabovski, Tomas Kaberle, Alexie Ponikarovski and Vesa Toskala to have very good years!
Yes, I said it,Vesa Toskala, and good year in the same sentence. I think that a year more mature, and removed from the circus that hass been the Maple Leafs organization for the last couple of years, Toskala has the chance to be a premier goaltender in this league. Add to that the confidance that comes with having a more stable defense in front of him, and you just never know do you?
I will have a little more in depth analysis of all of the new players once the final roster has been set. I will return to break down the games for you all, starting Wednesday, September 16th, when the Buds play their first pre-season game at home against the Bruins!
Until then....PLAY SAFE you kids!
Oh, I almost forgot, look for a couple of exciting new additions the site this season!
While the boys in blue had quite a busy off season, I have to tell ya, I'm really not sure what to make of this " new look team ". I'm excited, to say the least. We gained a little toughness, and a little more veteran leadership, but I really don't see that the forward contingent has drastically improved.
The Leafs, last season allowed the most goals per game in the league, so, the obvious absence of a defense, coupled with the on again off again romance of Vesa Toskala has hopefully been sorted out with the addition of Swedish sensation Jonas Guvstason, and Joey MacDonald. Although, the whole MacDonald signing has me a little puzzled. Perhaps a replacement for Justin Pogge who was traded not so long ago.
The defensive corps, has also been bolstered with the additions of Garet Exelby,Francois Beauchemin,Michael Komisarek, and Phil Oreskovic.
On the other hand, Brian Burke and the Leafs appear to be just fine with pretty much what they had in the way of forwards. With the exception of veteran Wayne Primeau, (who has always been a bit of a defensive liability), Burke hasn't been able to do much to bolster a forward group that was tenth in the league last year in goal production. Tenth?!, wait a minute tenth isn't that bad you say? Well, you're right of course, the trouble is that the Leafs were 30th in goals allowed! While there scoring was actually pretty good, their defense/goaltending was, well to say the least, bad.
Having said all of that, I really am excited about this coming season! Look for Jason Blake, Mikeal Grabovski, Tomas Kaberle, Alexie Ponikarovski and Vesa Toskala to have very good years!
Yes, I said it,Vesa Toskala, and good year in the same sentence. I think that a year more mature, and removed from the circus that hass been the Maple Leafs organization for the last couple of years, Toskala has the chance to be a premier goaltender in this league. Add to that the confidance that comes with having a more stable defense in front of him, and you just never know do you?
I will have a little more in depth analysis of all of the new players once the final roster has been set. I will return to break down the games for you all, starting Wednesday, September 16th, when the Buds play their first pre-season game at home against the Bruins!
Until then....PLAY SAFE you kids!
Oh, I almost forgot, look for a couple of exciting new additions the site this season!
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