This is from today’s Toronto Sun, in a classy move from ex-Blue Jay Roy Halladay.

And really, it’s Toronto that has a lot to be thankful for. Not for the overall performance of the Jays, of course, but for Halladay’s effort and consistency over the majority of 12 years with the team. At least the fans had a reason to watch the Blue Jays play, at least with Roy on the mound. And there was always a special buzz in the often-quiet Dome when Halladay pitched, regardless of Toronto’s (likely low) spot in the standings or (non-existent) place in the playoff picture.

When Roy was on the mound, you were in for a clinic. He always knew what pitch to throw and constantly carved up the league’s best hitters. Patience got them nothing but 1-2 counts, while aggressive swingers were in for an easy ground out. Innings were quick and the bullpen had a nice view of the action. That’s because they generally had the night off, save perhaps for the closer. Complete games were ordinary, with others crossing into unbelievable – take Halladay’s 1-0, 10-inning win over Detroit a couple years ago.

So while one of Toronto’s most storied athletes moves on, Blue Jays fans should be thanking him. Yes, we’re screwed, but he did his best. The incoming prospects have a chance to legitimately improve this team, but the trade will linger over the Jays. Fans will cringe while this young team rebuilds, while cheering on Halladay as he pitches Philadelphia into the World Series.

At least I hope they do.

If so, Toronto will have a big-time sports star (no, not Mo Peterson) leave on good terms for the first time in a long time. We all know how Vince Carter worked out, while even Mats Sundin was booed by a portion of Leaf nation who felt his no-trade clause hurt the franchise. If Chris Bosh leaves, many will resent him… and so on.

So it’ll be nice to have a guy in Halladay who goes on to be successful, while remaining attached to the Blue Jays organization. When he comes to town, half the Dome will probably cheer for the Phillies, and when he goes into the Hall, Toronto will share in the moment.

But it still won’t be easy to stomach this for the next while…

So Toronto Fans- WE have seen our share of stars bolt the big smoke. Each one hurts, some more than others. Which image of an ex Toronto sports star hurts the most? Roy Halladay in Philadelphia Phillies Red or Mats Sundin in Vancouver Blue/Green

OR

Quick tour around on the night after a huge win vs the beast, Detroit Red Wings.

“I see people who I have always admired for their work within and on behalf of the union, good people who have worked together for a common, necessary and progressive agenda in a time in which the NHL has amassed more management power than any time since the 1960s, I see people like Ian Penny, Steve Larmer, Glen Healy, Eric Lindros and Chris Chelios cannibalizing one another, and I quite frankly couldn’t be more sad about it.”

is that cause your sources are soon going to be out of loop Larry? The biggest union topologist is sad??? does anyone care?

Still with Brooks, I love this gem?:

“I’m sorry, but Phil Kessel became Frank Mahovlich, when?”

Umm, right after you won your first Pulitzer. No seriously, who – no really, who is labeling Kessel the savior??? The media is way more gaga over Kessel then Leaf fan is…

You see this from Damien Cox?:

“Much of that is owed to Gustavsson, possibly a genuine Calder Trophy candidate. He’s a wall along the goal line and in 462 minutes of NHL play has yet to give up a soft goal.”

If any fan mentioned Calder and Gustavsson in the same sentence ,the fan would have been all over them.. No Cox is saying it himself????

No, i’ts not just Leaf fans who liked what they saw from Kessel so far:

“Kessel off and running
An absolutely electrifying season debut Tuesday for Phil Kessel in Toronto’s blue-and-white silks. Back from offseason shoulder surgery, he darted around the ice as if he hadn’t played a game since May (well . . .), and though he didn’t record a point, he landed a career-high 10 shots in a 2-1 OT loss to Tampa. Seven more of his shots were blocked. Leaf fans hadn’t seen that kind of excitement since the likes of Alexander Mogilny or Mats Sundin (makes one wonder when they’ll have a good Canadian-born lad work them into a lather). Frightening, though, to see the ex-Bruin transition toward the offensive end, with head down, and get smoked by a thunderous straight-on check from Tampa defenseman Mattias Ohlund in the first period. “Clean hit, he got me good,’’ said Kessel, who needed a couple of minutes in the dressing room to gather himself and return only slightly worse for wear (cut lip). Kessel’s play was far bolder and more relaxed than anything we saw of him in Boston – reminiscent of Joe Thornton’s first few games with the Sharks when Jumbo flashed unfamiliar speed and zeal in the offensive end. If that’s the Kessel the Leafs get every night, they’ll have the best bargain in the NHL, even at $5.4 million a year and the possibility of yielding the No. 1 draft pick to Boston next June. Thornton has continued to be pretty much the same player who infuriated Boston management. Kessel is young enough (22) to keep pushing the envelope, and it looks as if coach Ron Wilson will make him a permanent fixture on the left half-wall for power-play duty. His development, or stagnation, will be fascinating to watch.”

That’s from Kevin Paul Dupot. Hard to say anything after 2-3 games about the trade itself. We do know this, when he is on the ice, he is so far above and beyond the next best maple leaf that it’s scary.

From Simmons:

“The minute by- minute Phil Kessel updates, what he ate for lunch, how many shots on goal he had at practice, how many towels he uses, are a little much and a whole lot over the top. One word to remember people: Perspective …. ”

People??? umm who is reporting all Kellse all the time??????

“What a terrible hockey market Long Island is. The Islanders are actually winning games, John Tavares is contributing and the Isles still aren’t drawing”

I thought this was all about a lousy arena deal? I don’t remember the deispute about being much less than that. If the arena sucks, one can imagine how years of mismanagement would stop the fans from coming out. When you build the arena that is why people come right???

http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/articles/2009/11/08/in_relief_role_raycroft_shows_the_canucks_that_he_still_has_the_goods/?page=full

Brooks is here

Kevin Paul Dupont is here

Simmons is here

More from London.

So Tie Domi was on Hockey Central At Noon the other day. Here is a recap (the interview is below). it’s pretty funny and for the Sundin Lover in You, you will love it. Tie rips Bill Watters and takes lots of jabs at John Ferguson Jr. and even one at Howard Berger…

Tie Domi: wow does that guy still have the city fooled (Bill Watters)

Was very very close to Mats Sundin- Sundin used to buy dinner for Domi for taking care of him on the ice. Domi last speaker at the wedding. Took the high road, he made everyone feel comfortable from top to bottom, treated everyone the same, wanted to have family atmosphere like Messier did in New York. Sundin’s stats speak for themselves. We had good teams but we didn’t have the luck. Mats is going to live in Sweden so retiring in Toronto not as important to him. Thinks have to change here with the whole culture, Burke is going to do that. Why was it Mat’s job to fix the disaster that John Ferguson Jr. did here? People could have protected Mats better and I think Burke would have done it better. Mats Sundin’s wedding was the best wedding I have ever been to. It was UNBELIEVABLE. Sundin “crushed” that Kaberle didn’t come to the wedding.(likely kidding).. No head table at the wedding, his parents and his wife’s parents sitting together with him and the bride. 140 people at a golf course. When Roberts and Nieuendyk came to Toronto they changed his career, how they prepared and acted, when they left he was crushed. If there was ever a day he wanted to run over John Ferguson that was the day. New guys they brought in are all character guys. It’s been tough watching this team for a long time. Having guys being accountable. Colton Orr had dinner with Tie Domi, they have become friends, he is a good kid. “Berger couldn’t scoop ice cream berger”

Kypreos thinks Sundin is bitter on how things ended here. “wait till maclean is on in the 2nd hour…that guy doesn’t shut up” Colton Orr loooooves to fight..he reminds me of Tie- a little koo-koo.

tiedomi-hc-20090930

Listen to the Chat here

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.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

Here’s your bikini of the day from bikinibeat.org:

On Fan 590 Tonight- thanks to Mike S.

5:05-5:30 Brian Burke IN STUDIO
6:05 Dan Shulman, ESPN
6:30 John Ferguson JR, Sharks Pro Scout on the Mats Sundin retirement
6:45 Iain Page, The Golf Channel…

On 640 with Brady and Watters:

- Jean Perron, former head coach of the Habs
- Rod Black of TSN
- Plenty of discussion about Mats Sundin’s retirement
- Hockey insider Scott Morrison at 6:10

So Mats’ agent couldn’t convince him to come back for another year. I guess JP’s kids aren’t going to get that play structure this year after all. So the end of a brilliant career officially begins. Or does it? Don’t get me wrong, it was a brilliant career. The talking heads will most certainly fill the hours today already asking questions about his Hall of Fame eligibility/selection etc. The question that really should be asked today is do we believe him. I mean, defend the player all you want. How he left Toronto, the whole no trade clause “thing” if nothing else can’t instill an ounce of confidence in the words he chooses to use right? I have written here before that Mats lied. When he said you have to be there from the beginning of training camp and then signed with Vancouver way after, it was a in complete conflict with what he said when he refused to waive his no trade clause(which he had EVERY right to do). Mats lovers around the world claimed that he changed his mind (which he also has every right to do). So at the very least, Mats has the penitence to change his mind, at the worst is a liar.

Either way, it says here that we should bank on at the very least rumblings on his return. You already know what the stories will say. Apparently, the goats in Sweden are telling sources that Mats is disillusioned with retirement, that he has started skating in earnest and is talking to no less than 6 stanley cup contending teams, and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The question isn’t if the rumours will hapen but when. We all know they will appear on at least one website. The question is will he “change his mind” again. I suspect right around the time of the Olympics we will start to hear the drumbeats. You know when visa bills post Christmas start to arrive. That’s likely the time his agent will start calling Mats and saying, are you sure you are retired?? I can probably get us, I mean you a couple million prorated for the rest of the season!

Kudos to Mats on a great career. Hell yes he will enter the hall of fame. I just don’t believe it’s time to call it over just yet. I mean a man can change his mind right?

The headline in the National Post is almost laughable: “Agent says Sundin’s NHL future will be decided soon” doesn’t that sound familiar? I mean this must be very hard on Mats, especially after last summer, he hasn’t been mentioned at all this summer. I mean after the summer of Mats last year he must be very jealous of Dan Heatley this summer.

““I’m going to talk to him about his future when I get there,” said Barry, of Calgary-based CAA Sports. “Hopefully, I’ll get a good idea where he’s at. He wants to hear about what Vancouver has to say. He really enjoyed his time there last season. He loves the city and the team.”

hahahahhahahhahaha

Barry must still be laughing all the way to the bank on the commission Mats paid him for half the season last year. I am sure he is going to “talk to him”. “Hey Mats, why not go for another 4-5m this season, hahahahhah”

The best part of the article:

“Barry said Sundin has received serious inquiries from “four or five” NHL teams, including the Canucks.”

SERIOUS….

Not just inquiries, but SERIOUS inquiries….

I’m thinking J.P took a look at his home and said, you know, I could use a new deck, let’s call Mats and see if he wants to play again this year..

In all seriousness, I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Mats takes until December to decide where he is going to play. I mean he is getting married. Then there will be a honeymoon and clearly he won’t be ready for training camp. So, in December he will decide which team he will play for. Why retire? Just don’t come back to Toronto

You can read the awesome article in the National Post about Mats Sundin’s impending decision on where to play next year here.

Sometimes a sign says it all. Coors, the brewer of perhaps the worst beer every made (Old Milwaukee and Steeler included) is running a that campaign throughout British Columbia. I didn’t realize folks in BC had a Toronto complex, must be something new since Sundin hung out in Whistler instead of practicing with his teammates over the all star break.

Yes, this is true, yes i know that we didn’t “send” Sundin to Vancouver, YES this is tongue in cheek (all but the ad part).

photo from Mike Boon’s photostream at Flickr.

Amazing what time in a mall waiting for my wife can do for deep thoughts. It occured to me that with about a month a change left in the Maple Leafs summer/off-season that Brian Burke has one major thing on his to do list, provide his team with 1 guy that fans will cheer for, the guy that will give the team an identity. Every great team has at least one, the Leaf didnt’ have that last year and I know this is going to be really unpopular, haven’t had one for a long time. Mats Sundin was not universally loved, and in fairness may that isn’t possible today. However, Brian Burke, if he wants to build this team in to something that fans of all ages can identify with then he needs someone. At least one guy.

As a parent, I can tell you that there wasn’t one guy on the Leafs last year that little TSM knew. In fact he never once asked for Leaf jersey with a name on it. In contrast, he wanted an Ovechkin, he wanted a Crosby. On the basketball side, only a crow bar could take away his TJ Ford Raptors jersey and he is dying for a Bosh jersey. Neither he nor I may be the Leafs target audience but I can’t imagine we are too far off. I am not going to suggest that Burke hasn’t gotten that guy, or that the guy may not emerge from his current roster. Schenn may become the guy, I think it’s too early for that though.

Someone said on the radio the other day that no matter how good things sound to Leaf fans now, if the team is in the shitter again next year people are going to be pissed. The inverse is that if the team is winning, all will be good. I think in either case the team needs the guy. I don’t think Burke has found him yet. That isn’t to say that every time someone scores, throws a big hit or a Maple Leaf is in a fight that the place isn’t going to go hog wild, it will. It doesn’t mean that you won’t see Leaf jerseys throughout the ACC, you will. However, I saw as many Sundin’s, Mccabe’s and Gilmour’s last season as any other player (in total) that was on the roster.

Burke has a couple of weeks to give this team an identity. If you were printing the media guide, who’s face is going on it? In my book Schenn isn’t that guy. Kaberle may not be here, he isn’t that guy. The kid they drafted this year likely won’t be here, he isn’t that guy. Toskala certainly isn’t that guy. None of the free agent acquisitions nor the the guys picked up via trade are that guy either. Burke knows it too. When he gets asked about a captain and he says it’s likely there won’t be one this season, it’s because he doesn’t have the guy. Think about this, if Kaberle goes, and Joesph is already gone and May doesn’t come back, who is the Leaf veteran guy? Jason Blake????!!! Poni?????

If Burke wants the fans to really get behind this team, he needs the face of the team. He needs to find the guy. He needs to find the guy we all root for, we all want the jersey and we all want to win here. So far, he hasn’t got em. Do you think he will?

TSM