Have you ever played a really shitty round of golf. You know, you lose a ball a hole at least, can’t drive, chip or putt. Until the last hole you drive the shit out of the ball- longest drive of your life- straight down the fairway. You then chip the ball on to the green only to be followed by the greatest putt ever. To the point that as you walk off the course, you say to yourself, hey, I’m not so bad, next time I will kick ass.
Now, consider our beloved Maple Leafs. Every time the sky seems to be falling, you know they can’t win a game, let alone kill a penalty, the are free falling in the standings, everyone including the press is writing them off and what do they do???? They go on a mini streak. Pucks start going in when they shouldn’t, goalies are making saves they have no business making and guys like Colton Orr actually win a fight or two.
Don’t get me wrong, they don’t rise meteorically to playoff levels, no, they win enough games to be considered back into the hunt, do well enough to draw us back in and then, they will return to their mediocrity that we know so well. They will lose like they are losing now….and all will appear almost lost again.
So that is where we are today. The Toronto Sun has an article which basically says Ron Wilson is starting to realize that he doesn’t have the troops to win the battle. The Toronto Star has one that says kids are so bored with the Maple Leafs they are playing video games as opposed to watching Leafs games. The Globe and Mail has one questioning whether Ron Wilson actually deserves the reputation of being a good penalty killing coach.
Every blog around (this one especially) has written this team and players off as crap. The stage is set. Get ready to be teased as we get every year. Its about to happen again. Yes Maple Leaf fans, this is the time when the Leafs are supposed to complete the swan song and nose dive right to the bottom. But no, instead I am certain they will do exactly what they have done in the past, they will pull it together just enough to get our hopes back up. You know, they will hit that tea shot, chip and putt to get us all thinking maybe they aren’t that bad after all…
Unfortunately, for us, like the beginning of Major League, when all the locals comment on just how shitty the Indians actually are, we too know the truth. This team is devoid of real talent. The wholes are big and numerous.
When Mats Sundin arrived, after the Gilmour era, every problem the Leafs revolved around the fact that the Maple Leafs were one dimensional. Every single forward of any name or value that was brought in was done to play with Mats. Only one problem. None could play with Mats. None were as good as Mats. Now, the pressure is on Burke to find someone to play with Kessel. Kessel won’t be a superstar here unless he has someone of equal value to play with. None of the role players will be able to play roles as long as we don’t have depth. It’s really that simple.
You know it’s coming when Damien’s latest article talks about the reason why the Leafs won’t tank this year. The Leafs never tank. They tease. This is the time they do it, at our darkest day, when all looks lost, they will become our short term oasis. Enjoy it while it lasts, but don’t get sucked in….it’s not real, and let’s hope our own talent evaluators know better.
28 games in, 11 and 17. 11 games from the top, yet only 1 game out of a playoff spot. 9 games from the bottom. 4 and 6 in their last 10. Losers of their past 2. The one thing that we have learned from our ice friends is that teams with new components can take a while to mesh. Michael Grange in the Globe and mail has a good article looking at the Toronto Raptors and the tipping point they are quickly approaching. Grange points out that, “Through 28 games the Raptors have been blown out nine times already. Their average margin of defeat is 16 points. ”
This, as it sits today isn’t a good basketball team. I who know nothing about basketball now that. Grange goes on to talk about the difficult schedule the Raptors have faced and the necessity to give them time to prove themselves- coach included.
Here’s the question I have Raptors fans. They have changed the coach, they have changed most of the parts. The result appears to be the same. Am I wrong? Does Bryan Colangelo get another shot at another coach? Does he get another shot at changing the deck chairs? The guy totally rebuilt the team this past offseason, to the delight of most who cover and root for the team. What are the 2 constants in this every changing franchise? Colangelo and Bosch. Really, what else am I missing? BC said that the best way to keep Bosh was to build a winner around him. So much for that plan, at least so far right? What’s the next option? Should Triano go? Those who cover the team have been very very polite. Those who go to the games have been very very loyal.
So, the season isn’t over yet. There is time to salvage things. What should BC do? What can be done? What does a fan think?
So like their hockey brothers, the Toronto Raptors are in a tailspin. The Raps have lost their last 5 in a row, including an absolute spanking in Atlanta last night. So, 20 games in, roughly one quarter of the way, players are pointing fingers at their coach. So Raptors Fans, should the Raps dismiss Jay Triano?
Maple Leafs would be ecstatic but for that whole September 18th trade. While alarm bells shouldn’t be sounding after 5 games (they should be blarring) the fact that the Maple Leafs have no where to go but up should be music to us Maple Leaf fans. I mean so many times we have been told the only way to improve is to shit the bed- literally- finish dead last and get the top pick. Problem is, we never had the right person at the top to assemble the right combination of talent to get us to the bottom. Cliff and Brian did too well last year and we didn’t get to the bottom. Like many years prior bad simply wasn’t bad enough.
Now, however, 5 games in Leaf fans it looks like we may just have the right group. These guys are, without a doubt the worst group the Leafs have assembled in a long time. No, 5 games does not a season make. However these first 5 have been preeeeeeeeeeety telling. Let’s see, the forwards can’t score, and they can’t come back to take a pass or help the d. The d, they, for lack of a better word Ssssssssuck. No really, they suck. Ian friggin White is the best of a bad bunch right now. In net?????? baaaaaaaaaaaaah The bright side is that this could be a good draft year…
What?????
We did what with our first round pack????????
So, what’s a coach and GM to do? I mean where do you turn?????
Cox suggested demoting Toskala and Blake to save some big $. Ok, let’s say for a second we are going to do that. Who or what are you going to spend that money on???? Personally I don’t think Blake has been in the bottom half of the forwards in terms of performance. I know Wilson benched him tonight, but he appears to be the only guy forechecking. Who do you bring up from the Marlies???? Those offense powerhouses Hanson and Bozak??????? They are kids. The answers have to lie in that locker room. The coaches have to find a way to reach this guys. There really is no other way. Unless there are some real hidden gems who have yet to be signed that I am not aware of this group is it. Burke has dealt the first round picks for this year and next. The young kids aren’t worth moving. The answer is currently on a plane likely freaking out. It’s a long season and Burke and Wilson should support the bunch they went with. If this continues for long then, as a friend used to say- throw a bomb in to the room.
It is amazing though how are perspective has changed due to one day when one trade was made. If Burke doesn’t make that deal the level of panic is dialed way down- except at all the local media outlets where wait till next year wouldn’t be good for ratings. With the picks gone, the negative tone of the media will continue to carry the day. Wait for all the i told you so’s in the paper tomorrow.
this is a coach who looks exasperated. Ron Wilson has to find a way to reach the Toronto Maple Leafs. His team is playing a lot like Paul Maurice’s Toronto Maple Leafs…
So yesterday you read the post about how the Maple Leafs won’t make the playoffs. Today, I am here to tell you why they will make it. A slam dunk? Hell no. However I think the pieces are in place to get this team to the MLSE payday. Here is why:
First and foremost, the Dream Tream. Burke and his disciples have been at this for long enough in their current roles. This is Burke’s team now and he and the rest of his management team will find a way. These guys know what they are doing, they know what they have and they know how to acquire what they need. The Leafs actually have a hockey department which they haven’t since, well since EVER. Does this mean a cup? No, no cup, but it does mean there should be results.
Next there is accountability and attitude. The Mats Sundin/Tie Domi country club appears to be closed. Wilson and Burke will not allow the players to hide anymore. Losing doesn’t appear to be acceptable anymore.
The additions to the lineups are obvious. Did they add the best players in the league? Maybe not. However the Leafs now have something they haven’t had in years, depth. Their defence from top to bottom should be amongst the best in the league. Consider Luke Schenn. Where does he fit in? There are bodies ahead of him who are going to be getting a lot more ice time than him this season simply because of depth. Up front there are more character players who will help create the type of style Burke want’s his team to play. The younger guys like Stalberg will be fun to watch and he has surrounded them with quality people who play the game the right way.
Goaltending, the coach can’t play, but hopefully he can help those who do. Toskala is in put up or shut up mode. Either he is a number one goalie or he isn’t. If he returns to form from 2 years ago, the Leafs will be in great shape. The Monster seems to have the tools to be a much more reliable backup then Cujo. With the defensive core around them, playing net should be a little bit easier than last year. Now they maybe killing more penalties than in years past, however I think their goaltending will be much improved.
The number one reason the Leafs will make the playoffs is in the numbers. Eight teams make the playoffs. The Leafs finished 12th. 4 teams finished ahead of them. Who makes up the top 8? Well, Pittsburgh and Washington appear to be the closest things to locks. Boston and Philadelphia round out the top 4. New Jersey always seems to make the playoffs and so far there is no reason that I can see that this changes this year. Carolina did well under Mo towards the end of last year so they too will be in the running. So there you have your top 6. That leaves 2 playoff spots left and the pack to fight for them. I refuse to think that the Isles will be all that much better this year. Tampa and Atlanta are crap shoots at best. I am willing to go out on a limb that the Leafs will have at least an equal season to last year. I find it hard to fathom that the three teams who finished behind them will improve enough to pass them. Ottawa traded away Heatley. How much of a cancer was he in the room? Will there be a positive effect or a negative one in having him in San Jose. I am thinking they continue their decline. I am not sure there is team in the league that I am less impressed with their off season than Buffalo. I think Buffalo nose dives this off season. I am not thrilled with the moves the Panthers made either, I don’t see them making the playoffs again this season. Jay Bo was a horse and they haven’t replaced him. That leaves Montreal and the Rangers. I don’t like the moves the Habs made this off season at all. I think they are going to have a tough time getting back to last seasons mark. The Rangers on the other hand should be able to hold ground. I think they did just enough to remain in the hunt.
So as we get closer to the deadline I think Burke will be able to add the pieces needed to get the team to the money making round. I think the addition of Kessel will be a huge moral booster for the Maple Leafs. The pieces may not be there now, but I think they will be. I think there are enough quality guys on the pharm to push those on the big club that they will keep the team moving forward. A lock? No. A team that is interesting as hell to watch this season? For sure. Intriguing will be the word I think we use a lot to talk about the Leafs.
Training camp doesn’t start until September 12th, but already expectations for an intense camp are running high. Burke is saying all the right things in the month leading up to camp. This is not going to be your father’s old Maple Leaf camp, that’s for sure:
“One of the biggest problems last year was the sense of entitlement here, I want every player under contract to realize that I will not hesitate to send a player on a one-way to the minors if he’s not prepared.”
YES!!! Finally!!! Chez Country Club Maple Leafs may finally be over! Funny how, the coach wasn’t able to get that done, but that’s a different story!
“I believe that toughness and fear are contagious,and I think we have some young players that got kicked around last year for no good reason at all. And I count on improved performance from some of those kids just because we’re bigger and meaner.”
I think that’s right. An NHL scout I spoke to told me that many of the new guys the leafs acquired weren’t as tough as people have said, however, he said, they will play much bigger with other tough guys around them. That should bode well for the littler guys in the lineup. Seems to follow the top 6 bottom 6 plan to a T no?
The good news is that Burke has the right perspective:
“Our goal is to make the playoffs and if this group isn’t good enough to do that, we’ll make more changes.”
Fans get the most frustrated with GM’s who refuse to admit they made a mistake. We don’t mind the mistake nearly as much when it is admitted and correct quickly. Here’s hoping that Burke is one who isn’t afraid to say I screwed up.
In any event it will be a very interesting camp for sure.
Question of the day for you all:
In which jersey did the following players perform better in:
Rocky Saganuk, was he better in 7 or 8?
Nik Atropov was he better in 9, 11, 19 or 80?
“It’s anyone’s guess as to how the dispute will be won, but I am most intrigued by Balsillie’s accusation in a separate lawsuit that the NHL is operating an “illegal cartel”. For many years, I have wondered about the unilateral territorial claim that is common in all professional leagues, but doesn’t appear to be constitutional. In a free-enterprise system, competing factions are encouraged to exist in proximity to one another; it’s the reason a Burger King restaurant can set up shop across the street from an existing McDonald’s franchise. Such an arrangement satisfies anti-trust regulations by discouraging monopolistic tendancies.”
Now you see, this is why guys like Howie shouldn’t try to analogize with the law. This analogy with two competing Burger joints is totally irrelevant. The better analogy would be with multiple McDonald’s franchises within one city. There would be no way to keep a burger king from opening up wherever the hell they want! It’s not possible. That has nothing to to with anti-trust. A law firm in the US has a good article that explains antitrust cases at length. Here is a good snippit of the famous Kodak case:
“At one point in history, Kodak has controlled as much as 96% of the film and camera market in the United States. Through the years, Kodak has seen and weathered several antitrust suits and claims brought by both private and federal parties. The two suits that would shape and reinforce antitrust law in the United States were brought on by the U.S. Government In 1921 and in 1954 and would result in two consent decrees. In accordance with the 1921 decree, Kodak agreed to not sell private-label film – it was disbarred from selling film under any other label but it’s own. In 1954, following the development of its’ Kodacolor film, Kodak’s became not only the only manufacturer and seller of Kodacolor, it was also the only company that knew how to process the film as well – and parlayed that into its’ business strategy. As part of the purchase cost of Kodacolor, Kodak included a fee that would allow the customer to send in the film for processing and delivery. Accused that the “tying” together of the film and the finished product constituted a violation of the Sherman Act, Kodak was forced to license the color finishing process to third parties. In 1994, citing changing international economic conditions, both consent decrees were terminated.”
The US has laws that prevent “monopolies” or unfair business practices with respect to competition. The Coyotes are arguing that the NHL’s rules with respect to moving franchises is anti-competitive; it isn’t allowing others to compete and therefore is preventing their owners to succeed.
“The reversal of such a long-term practice could affect the most routine elements of sport – those which are overlooked in legal circles for being internally policed. If you smacked another person on the street, or rammed that person into the side of a building, you’d quickly be charged with assault. But, hockey players can fight one another and rigorously hammer opponents into wooden boards that surround the playing surface. If you sprinted toward a stranger during a walk in the park and violently propelled that person to the ground, you’d quickly be in handcuffs. But, football players are encouraged to tackle opponents with all the brutality they can muster. In a friendly neighborhood baseball game, purposely winging the ball at an individual’s head might get you in loads of trouble if it connects, causing serious injury. In the major leagues, such action – though frowned upon – is considered legitimate strategy. The most profound anti-societal sport is boxing, but matches are sanctioned by commissions that are loosely affiliated with government.
It’s interesting to imagine what could transpire if someone challenged the minute legalities of sport.”
I have no clue the relevancy of this point by Berger. Whether or not a league is in violation of the antitrust laws has little to do with the fact that there are different standards in sports vs. society. I am not sure what he is trying to get at. I can’t imagine he is trying to suggest that there could be a slippery slope here; that is, that if the NHL is said to be in violation of the antitrust laws therefore it is possible that a hockey player who bodychecks another player could be charged with assault! In fariness to Howie, I heard other sports media members on the radio and television trying to wax poeticly about bankruptcy law, and it’s just nuts. A trustee in bankruptcy has nothing in common with a hockey game. To ask a hockey insider what he thinks is going to happen is totally irrelevant. One of the downsides of the economy is the jack of all trades media members…you do remember the last part of that saying right….
“Leaf fans are smitten by anything that resembles a top prospect, and most are unwilling to even consider the notion of trading the big defenseman. But, if Burke truly wants a legitimate shot at Tavares, he’ll have no choice but to dangle Schenn as bait. An argument can be made that Schenn is likely to evolve as a facsimile of veteran Adam Foote – a solid, reliable blue-liner that can diffuse opposition advances. Such players do not grow on trees, but neither has a club ever built a team around Adam Foote. A natural goal-scorer such as Tavares could provide the Leafs the caliber of building block they’ve lacked since drafting Darryl Sittler almost 40 years ago. That’s why I believe Burke is serious about pursuing Tavares. And, why he may have to consider all options at the draft table.”
If you have followed this blog, you know that I have said for some time that Luke Schenn isn’t Burke’s guy. Burke future isn’t attached to Luke. Does that mean he should be thrown overboard? Hell no. I think Burke would move Schenn in the absolute right package. I don’t know any leaf fan who has said “thou shall not trade Luke under any circumstances”. Clearly this is a market for everyone, and even the biggest Schenn lover (family excluded) would break at some offer. I think there is great banter out there as to what Garth Snow is thinking, same with Brian Burke. Does anyone believe that these guys are going to share anything of substance? Didn’t think so.
You all saw this hit right? Aaron Ward got clobbered. Walker, several minutes in penalties:
Damien through out his prediction on what would happen when the league met with Walker:
“Will the league do anything? Its sounds unlikely, although there will be a hearing on the matter today in New York. In fact – you’re gonna love this – the league will probably RESCIND part of the in-game punishment handed down to Walker for the instigator penalty he receivedSo it may not just be that Walker won’t be suspended. He may be partially vindicated, with some of the 17 penalty minutes he was given taken away. Basically, the thinking may be that it was up to Ward to defend himself, not up to Walker to restrain himself. Hard to believe, but that’s where this may be headed. Moreover, Ward and Helm both showed that the players on the team that is winning a lopsided game basically become pinatas for the sore losers on the other side. Solution? Well, if Brookbank had to serve his two-minute minor to start Game 6 in Anaheim tomorrow, do you think his own coach, Randy Carlyle, would allow him to get away with his cheap shot? Walker got his 17 minutes worth of penalties with only 2:47 left in the third period. What if he had to serve those penalties at the start of Game 6 in Raleigh tomorrow night? This we know. Suspensions don’t seem to slow these guys down.”
He was bang on. Collie Campbell punted. I have said this too often. Colin Campbell seems to follow the Canadian justice system when it comes to handing out punishment. There is no precedent, no track record, no rhyme, no reason.
Congrats to the Caps on an amazing game 6 win. Good luck back in DC. Can’t wait to watch the Jays vs the Yankees tomorrow night. I really home the barn is full. AJ vs. Doc. Does it get any better right now? What is the over under on how many pieces ask whether or not the Jays fans will boo or cheer AJ, and then how many will question or comment on the “correctness” of booing AJ? I am curious, have we seen the last of Mats Sundin? Can you believe, no really, can you believe that he could have taken the Canucks for $20 million?????? Ask yourself this. You are an NHL GM, your phone rings on July 1, it’s Sundin’s agent, he wants to play for you- what do you offer?
Deepest sympathies to the Canucks faithful. I don’t care what anyone says, losing in the playoffs isn’t nearly as bad as not playing at all.
There were a myriad of responses after he Toronto Raptors removed the interim tag by giving Jay Triano a three-year contract. I spoke with many media and non-media people all with different takes on things. Whatever their opinion, was it really a surprise? Not really.
Brian Colangelo has supported Triano throughout a tumultuous season. He said Triano was dealt a bad deck of cards from the start. This is what he said today:
“It’s been a great opportunity to see what he’s made of, and see what his basketball mindset is,” Colangelo said of Triano’s years as an assistant. “But then to see it put into action when he was named the interim head coach, he was given not the most ideal circumstances to fight through. Yet each day he showed up with a positive attitude.”
Weather you like or hate this move, at least he put his duckets (or MLSE’s) where is mouth has been all year.
In 2004 Mike D’Antoni was 21-40 in his first season with Phoenix. He stuck with him and was rewarded with a 62 win season the next year. It helped to have a guy named Steve Nash on your squad, but he didn’t pull the trigger and fire him after that awful season.
Colangelo puts the blame squarely on himself.
“Any deficiencies in the roster I’ve already talked about, that falls on me,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, there’s no deficiencies here with Jay as the head coach of this basketball team.”
Colangelo said he plans to spend a lot of time with Triano over the next couple of months talking about the roster. Triano will have a major say in the direction of the team, Colangelo said.
Let’s hope this doesn’t come back to bite him.
The players have respected Triano since his arrival in 2002 as an assistant under Lenny Wilkens. Let’s face it, players get coaches fired in the pros. To have a team that respects a coach is big, although that didn’t work out too well for Sam Mitchell in the end.
If the Raptors have another year like this past season, they could both be gone.
Regardless of the outcome, it’s nice to see someone practicing what they preach.
Ask yourself this. You are an NHL GM, your phone rings on July 1, it’s Sundin’s agent, he wants to play for you- what do you offer? 
