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.

TSM

Happy Labour day to all. So LT is still kicking it up north, the man is a vacation MACHINE! Here in city, we have finally had an awesome weekend.

There are 3 good things about summer ending:

1. Fall tv kicks off
2. NHL/NBA/NFL Football
3. Mrs. TSM goes back to work.

DL will be providing us a good look at the National, Football, League in days and weeks to come.

Mrs. TSM is driving everyone nuts as school kicks in tomorrow.

Damien kicked off the day with a juicy rumor that Brian Burke remains intent on landing Boston Bruins free agent Phil Kessel. Burke made a minor deal yesterday to clean up his draft pick house, reacquiring the Maple Leafs 2nd round draft pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft in exchange for two other picks. Cox, like many others feels that this move is a “shot across the Bruins bow” that Burke is now in a position to sign Kessel to an offer sheet. Man would that be ironic. Cox states that Burke is prepared to over pay for Kessel which is reason enough for caution. What is more troubling is Cox’s theory that Burke is going to forgo the proper building plan and put his foot firmly on the gas pedal to speed things up. The punch line is of course that first round picks and prospects could be thrown overboard in attempt to accelerate the building process. It’s an interesting read for sure, and certainly better than anything we have seen in the sports section Leaf related in weeks if not months. For some reason I am not buying it. I don’t see Burke following in the footsteps of others before him.

Worse yet, another article about Kadri’s religion. I have no problem with anyone’s religion or practices. What they do is what they do. The only reason this is the least bit of an issue is because certain media keep making an issue out of it.

More later

Have a great labour day

@yyzsportsmedia