from Doc Holliday 
"What a post....what a statement!
I totally agree with you, iggy! Absolutely!"
"What a post....what a statement!
I totally agree with you, iggy! Absolutely!"
The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
- Start date
Aint any MOLEHILLS gonna keep us down!
MONTREAL - The Maple Leafs are aware there’s still a mountain to climb if you hope to make the playoffs when you’re No. 10 in the conference with only 21 games remaining in the regular schedule – even when you’re only four points away from No. 8. What I’m saying is the Leafs still remain a long-shot to make it to the Top Eight, but give them full credit for their 5-4 victory at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.
We’re talking about a team that arrived here with a 7-2-2 run, lifting them to within half a dozen points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand on No. 8 Carolina. Now, they’ve moved past the Atlanta Thrashers, are only one point behind No. 9 Buffalo, which has two games in hand – and ain’t life grand since they’re doing it without defencemen Tomas Kaberle and François Beauchemin, as well as forward Kris Versteeg.
The reason: Toronto GM Brian Burke has made it abundantly clear he’s not interested in acquiring a player who could help the team make the playoffs simply to be ‘blown out’ in the first round.
I’ve got news for my friend Brian: the Toronto team that last night trailed the Canadiens 1-0, went into the first intermission leading 3-1, was tied 3-3 four minutes into the second, but still managed to take a 4-3 lead into the second intermission, would not be simply ‘blown out’ in the first round.
The team that extended its lead to 5-3 fewer than five minutes into the third period and held it until Max Pacioretty scored the game’s final goal with less than three remaining in regulation, would not be ‘blown out.’ Not by a long shot.
Win or lose, the Leafs I watched last night are not going to roll over for anyone. For example, Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf needed only eight seconds to land in the penalty box after delivering a message that anyone thinking of roughing up his goaltender would have to go through him. On the other hand, I’m betting Canadiens captain Brian Gionta couldn’t have enjoyed any part of this game – particularly in the first period when, only six seconds after taking a hooking penalty, Phil Kessel lifted the Leafs into a tie. Gionta also watched from the box (delay of game minor) when Kessel moved his colleagues into a 2-1 lead.
You should know while GM Burke is thinking long term, last night’s outcome must have shone an even brighter light on the optimism Leafs players brought into the game in a place where they failed to score a goal in their two previous visits. It didn’t look good at the start when goaltender James Reimer, (4-0-2 with a remarkable 1.72 goals-against average in his recent appearances) was beaten only 5:43 into the game on a Jeff Halpern deflection of a Roman Hamrlik shot.
Five minutes later, the Leafs had stilled the crowd with the two power goals from Kessel and defenceman Brett Lebda’s first of the season.
Pencil this one in as a surprise in many ways – the first being that after falling 2-0 and 3-0 in their two previous visits this season, the Leafs scored quickly and often in the first against a shaky Alex Auld. He was gone 13:02 into an important game for both teams – as he should have been after allowing three goals on nine shots. The Leafs also got a Tyler Bozak power-play goal against Carey Price after the Canadiens had rallied furiously for two power-play goals early in the second to tie the game. They got another from Bozak early in the third, which turned out to be the eventual winner.
You had to like Toronto’s enthusiasm last night … had to admire their grit when the Canadiens wiped out the Leafs’ two-goal lead so early in the second period. And it takes a special performance from a visiting team to hold off the Habs in the final period.
Coming into the game, centreman Bozak was telling reporters: “We think we’re right in it (the playoff race.) We’ve got to win games. We’re not expecting other teams to lose games. That’s not what we’re basing it on. We think we can win. And we’ve got to win a lot down the stretch here.”
Thursday night, they looked like winners.
"For those who have NOT caught onto Brian Burkes persona, when he tells the media that the Leafs would get "blown out" in the first round, you do not understand reverse psychology".......... GO LEAFS GO!
[email protected]
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Habs+only+molehill+climbing+Leafs/4343732/story.html#ixzz1Ewi4XHwu
MONTREAL - The Maple Leafs are aware there’s still a mountain to climb if you hope to make the playoffs when you’re No. 10 in the conference with only 21 games remaining in the regular schedule – even when you’re only four points away from No. 8. What I’m saying is the Leafs still remain a long-shot to make it to the Top Eight, but give them full credit for their 5-4 victory at the Bell Centre on Thursday night.
We’re talking about a team that arrived here with a 7-2-2 run, lifting them to within half a dozen points out of a playoff spot with a game in hand on No. 8 Carolina. Now, they’ve moved past the Atlanta Thrashers, are only one point behind No. 9 Buffalo, which has two games in hand – and ain’t life grand since they’re doing it without defencemen Tomas Kaberle and François Beauchemin, as well as forward Kris Versteeg.
The reason: Toronto GM Brian Burke has made it abundantly clear he’s not interested in acquiring a player who could help the team make the playoffs simply to be ‘blown out’ in the first round.
I’ve got news for my friend Brian: the Toronto team that last night trailed the Canadiens 1-0, went into the first intermission leading 3-1, was tied 3-3 four minutes into the second, but still managed to take a 4-3 lead into the second intermission, would not be simply ‘blown out’ in the first round.
The team that extended its lead to 5-3 fewer than five minutes into the third period and held it until Max Pacioretty scored the game’s final goal with less than three remaining in regulation, would not be ‘blown out.’ Not by a long shot.
Win or lose, the Leafs I watched last night are not going to roll over for anyone. For example, Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf needed only eight seconds to land in the penalty box after delivering a message that anyone thinking of roughing up his goaltender would have to go through him. On the other hand, I’m betting Canadiens captain Brian Gionta couldn’t have enjoyed any part of this game – particularly in the first period when, only six seconds after taking a hooking penalty, Phil Kessel lifted the Leafs into a tie. Gionta also watched from the box (delay of game minor) when Kessel moved his colleagues into a 2-1 lead.
You should know while GM Burke is thinking long term, last night’s outcome must have shone an even brighter light on the optimism Leafs players brought into the game in a place where they failed to score a goal in their two previous visits. It didn’t look good at the start when goaltender James Reimer, (4-0-2 with a remarkable 1.72 goals-against average in his recent appearances) was beaten only 5:43 into the game on a Jeff Halpern deflection of a Roman Hamrlik shot.
Five minutes later, the Leafs had stilled the crowd with the two power goals from Kessel and defenceman Brett Lebda’s first of the season.
Pencil this one in as a surprise in many ways – the first being that after falling 2-0 and 3-0 in their two previous visits this season, the Leafs scored quickly and often in the first against a shaky Alex Auld. He was gone 13:02 into an important game for both teams – as he should have been after allowing three goals on nine shots. The Leafs also got a Tyler Bozak power-play goal against Carey Price after the Canadiens had rallied furiously for two power-play goals early in the second to tie the game. They got another from Bozak early in the third, which turned out to be the eventual winner.
You had to like Toronto’s enthusiasm last night … had to admire their grit when the Canadiens wiped out the Leafs’ two-goal lead so early in the second period. And it takes a special performance from a visiting team to hold off the Habs in the final period.
Coming into the game, centreman Bozak was telling reporters: “We think we’re right in it (the playoff race.) We’ve got to win games. We’re not expecting other teams to lose games. That’s not what we’re basing it on. We think we can win. And we’ve got to win a lot down the stretch here.”
Thursday night, they looked like winners.
"For those who have NOT caught onto Brian Burkes persona, when he tells the media that the Leafs would get "blown out" in the first round, you do not understand reverse psychology"
.......... GO LEAFS GO! [email protected]
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/Habs+only+molehill+climbing+Leafs/4343732/story.html#ixzz1Ewi4XHwu
Doc, not sure you saw this on the TSN boards, but in the Leafs/habs thread after the game last night, there was a really good post that sums up the game, and really, the difference between Leafs/habs fans.... let me know what you think, here it is below
Leafs fan: "We played with the eye of the tiger, the heart of a lion and like a team too young to know any better".... habs fan: "refs screwed us, again"!
Leafs fan: "We played with the eye of the tiger, the heart of a lion and like a team too young to know any better".... habs fan: "refs screwed us, again"!
What's the word on Reimer? Hope he's able to return this wk. Giggy's relief appearance was tough to watch especially the way the Leafs bailed on him.
So you guys think you're the biggest Leafs fan ?
Check this guy out !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7XibC2N73U&feature=related
Check this guy out !
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7XibC2N73U&feature=related
He is "Ok" .. Yes, Giggy's performance was painful to watch, and the Team just does not play the same with him in net vs. Reimer.
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2011/02/28/17445251.html
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2011/02/28/17445251.html
A Statement Game
Leafs go into boston, won, buffalo, won and now go into the toughest place of the three in Philly, and WIN! .... Look out boys and girls, the Leafs are now just 3 points out of the playoffs with 17 games to go.... Even if the Leafs dont make it, they are clearly on their way to being a very good team, and everything i have been praising both Burke and Wilson for, well, i was correct and could see it happening before our very eyes. All i ever said was give Burke time, that he is a great gm and will prove it, and he is doing so... Still a long ways to a Cup, but clearly headed in the right direction.
GO LEAFS GO!
Leafs go into boston, won, buffalo, won and now go into the toughest place of the three in Philly, and WIN! .... Look out boys and girls, the Leafs are now just 3 points out of the playoffs with 17 games to go.... Even if the Leafs dont make it, they are clearly on their way to being a very good team, and everything i have been praising both Burke and Wilson for, well, i was correct and could see it happening before our very eyes. All i ever said was give Burke time, that he is a great gm and will prove it, and he is doing so... Still a long ways to a Cup, but clearly headed in the right direction.
GO LEAFS GO!
Muhammad AULIE!
Tonight, the rookie sensation took matters into his own, FISTS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE2akwOU10Y
(ps, thanks Calgary!)
Tonight, the rookie sensation took matters into his own, FISTS!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE2akwOU10Y
(ps, thanks Calgary!)
I'm enjoying this Reimer-run... impressive performances. I think he's only had a couple of bad games this time around. Seems like each Spring the Buds make a late playoff push like this.
This one is totally different, as they were also saying this on Sirius 97 yesterday. It has a entirely different feel this time, leaders are leading, new heros every game scoring the winning goal and a young team maturing together before our very eyes. Time will tell, but if nothing else, "Burkes" Leafs have arrived like was the plan. (now that i said that, they will probably get killed tonight, lol) But really, whether they make the playoffs, go on a run like the flyers of last season or miss the "dance" this year, things are looking awesome for next season and well beyond. Exciting times to be a Leafs fan.
I guess you know your own power(s) too well. So we'll just chalk that loss up to you Igna! LOL
Still, Buds r sitting prettier than they were 2 mths back and are threatening to get ahold of the 8th and final playoff spot. At this pt, the developing side story is Aulie and how much he'll show us in the final weeks of the season.
Flyers vs. Leafs tonight. Chris Pronger is out. Brian Boucher & James Reimer between the pipes. Go Leafs Go!
Ugly game against the Bolt last night dropping it 2-6.
Reimer looked tied... looking at his GP record... buddy only played more than 37gm X1 since 2003-04... that was Midget AAA. That's a surprise!
12 games to catch the Rangers or Sabres who are 6 pts ahead. Will take lots of luck and 2-3 teams to start sliding. Montreal has been good at sliding this time of yr recently.
Reimer looked tied... looking at his GP record... buddy only played more than 37gm X1 since 2003-04... that was Midget AAA. That's a surprise!
12 games to catch the Rangers or Sabres who are 6 pts ahead. Will take lots of luck and 2-3 teams to start sliding. Montreal has been good at sliding this time of yr recently.
I agree with your assessment. Personally, i think it's gonna take a miracle to get the Leafs in the playoffs. Colby Armstrong broke his foot last night & i can't see the team continuing to make a run without him in the lineup.
Watch out for the Devils!
maybe calling the "Kid" up today will give them a boost. Good to let Kadri get a few games in, i think he will be a full time winger with the Leafs next season IF we get a Centre this summer. Otherwise, he will probably start out in the AHL next season.
Colby has had a tough year with the injuries. Monika must be upset lol,
Colby has had a tough year with the injuries. Monika must be upset lol,
I agree with your assessment. Personally, i think it's gonna take a miracle to get the Leafs in the playoffs. Colby Armstrong broke his foot last night & i can't see the team continuing to make a run without him in the lineup.
Watch out for the Devils!
Nadri seems to need more maturity and be more defensively responsible before he earns a full-time gig. Love the talent and the potential they drafted. No need to rush him until he's ready or the Leafs's season is consistently above .500. I have him pegged for 2011-12 Holiday call-up.
Igna69xxx I've never seen Armstrong get hurt this much. He's been good whenever he's suited up. He would be welcome on just about any team. Can't wait to see him on a stronger Leafs team next season and staying healthy - love the clutch scoring and hitting.
Doc Holliday - we all know it's not going to end well for Toronto if the Leafs have to rotate Giggy and Reimer instead of playing a once hot Reimer. agree with you RE NJ - I catch myself pulling for the Devils - everyone loves a good hot streak and they're on fire!
RE Doc Holliday telling me I'm no Leafs faithful... LOL, true... I'm faithful to no one.
I only follow Toronto because I lived there and like watching Burke build a winning team. The latter is why it's frustrating for me to watch the Burke's Leafs.
I only follow Toronto because I lived there and like watching Burke build a winning team. The latter is why it's frustrating for me to watch the Burke's Leafs.
Leafs dip into NCAA talent pool again
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed U.S. college prospect Tyler Brenner to a two-year contract on Monday.
The 22-year-old forward spent the past three years with the NCAA's Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, registering 26 goals and 41 points in 37 games this season.
Brenner will report to the AHL's Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the year.
The native of Linwood, Ont., finished his college career with 102 points (55-47) — making him just the fifth player in RIT history to reach the century mark.
The Toronto Maple Leafs signed U.S. college prospect Tyler Brenner to a two-year contract on Monday.
The 22-year-old forward spent the past three years with the NCAA's Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, registering 26 goals and 41 points in 37 games this season.
Brenner will report to the AHL's Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the year.
The native of Linwood, Ont., finished his college career with 102 points (55-47) — making him just the fifth player in RIT history to reach the century mark.
The Leafs, The Cap and the Summer Ahead
by Damien Cox, The Star
One of the least mentioned elements of the Maple Leaf season has been the fact that for the vast majority of the campaign, the club spent well below the league's salary cap.
Really, since demoting Jeff Finger and his awful contract to the Marlies in October, the club has operated $4-6 million below the league's $59.4 million cap all season, unusual for a team that has consistently spent to the max since the salary cap was instituted after the lockout. Other than Joffrey Lupul, the team hasn't added a large contract this season, while Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin were sent packing.
Compare that to Buffalo, which added the $4 million contract of Brad Boyes at the trade deadline, the proceeded to stay ahead of the Leafs in the fight for the last Eastern Conference playoff spot. Seventeen teams will spend more than the Leafs this season, a group led by the Calgary Flames, a team that may not make the post-season and has an enormous number of no-trade/no movement contracts.
Clearly, Brian Burke and Co. were trying to avoid bad contracts and maintain roster/cap flexibility going forward, particularly with a new CBA coming sometime after September, 2012. But the amount of money the Leafs had to spend before the deadline could have in theory added two more players to the roster to help the club's late season playoff push.
That said, the reluctance to do that does put the team in a better position for the off-season, with only approximately $37 million committed to 13 players and the cap expected to rise by $2-3 million. It also means that while the whining never seems to end about Mike Komisarek's contract (3 more years at $4.5 million) it's really not a deal that poses a major problem for the Leafs right now.
Could they buy him out? Theoretically, sure. but remember they're still looking at a cap hit of $1 million for each of the next three seasons for buying out Darcy Tucker. These decisions last. It would make a heckuva lot more sense to work with Komisarek and get him back to playing where he was two or three seasons ago.
Even after signing some key restricted free agents, the Leafs could still have upwards of $15 million to spend. It would be hard to believe that they won't go back to being a team spending to the maximum next season.
The five key restricted free agents are:
--D Luke Schenn. This is the only situation that could result in a big contract, and even that is ameliorated to some degree that Schenn's current contract, his entry level deal, comes with a cap hit of $2.975 million per season. The likelihood is he'll be able to command a salary somewhere between $3.5-4 million on a long-term deal, likely four or five years.
--G James Reimer. This is a tricky one. How do you fairly compensate a goalie who has played extraordinarily well, but in less than a half-season. Reimer makes $597,000 now, and the most sensible approach would be something like the Leafs did with Jonas Gustavsson last summer, with Gustavsson receiving two years with an annual cap hit of $1.35 million. No reason to break the bank. Media calls for a deal of five years, $25 million are preposterous.
--LW Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur has had a career season, but he has injured his off-season bargaining power by going cold since the trade deadline. He's at $1.1 million now, even arbitration seems unlikely to bump him above $2.5 million. The Leafs could live with a one-year award at that figure.
--C Tyler Bozak. In less than two years in the league, Bozak has proven he's an NHLer with upside. There's more skill than 29 points in 76 games suggest, and a minus-27 rating doesn't alter the club's thinking that he's a good penalty killer and generally sound defensively. He'd be a nice fit at the No. 3 slot. Like Schenn, his current cap hit is inordinately high for a young player - $3.725 million - so there will be cap relief on the way if he is signed. Something like $1.5 million per season on a short-term deal makes sense.
--D Carl Gunnarson. His minutes and responsiblties have skyrocketed since Kaberle's departure, and the fact he is an even plus-minus player after 62 games, best among the regulars on the club's blueline, is a positive stat. He's 24 years old and currently makes $800,000. That doubles next season, quite probably, but stays below $2 million.
So say the total cap hit for those five RFAs comes in around $12 million, or below. That should still leave about $15 million to sign four more players to get to 22, whether that includes UFAs like Tim Brent and Joey Crabb, or significant free agents.
So while it might have helped the club short-term to take on contractual committments beyond this year to help fuel this late season playoff push, not doing so will be enormously helpful going forward. Now, the trick will be finding players worth spending on.
Leafs in great salary cap position next season
by Damien Cox, The Star
One of the least mentioned elements of the Maple Leaf season has been the fact that for the vast majority of the campaign, the club spent well below the league's salary cap.
Really, since demoting Jeff Finger and his awful contract to the Marlies in October, the club has operated $4-6 million below the league's $59.4 million cap all season, unusual for a team that has consistently spent to the max since the salary cap was instituted after the lockout. Other than Joffrey Lupul, the team hasn't added a large contract this season, while Tomas Kaberle and Francois Beauchemin were sent packing.
Compare that to Buffalo, which added the $4 million contract of Brad Boyes at the trade deadline, the proceeded to stay ahead of the Leafs in the fight for the last Eastern Conference playoff spot. Seventeen teams will spend more than the Leafs this season, a group led by the Calgary Flames, a team that may not make the post-season and has an enormous number of no-trade/no movement contracts.
Clearly, Brian Burke and Co. were trying to avoid bad contracts and maintain roster/cap flexibility going forward, particularly with a new CBA coming sometime after September, 2012. But the amount of money the Leafs had to spend before the deadline could have in theory added two more players to the roster to help the club's late season playoff push.
That said, the reluctance to do that does put the team in a better position for the off-season, with only approximately $37 million committed to 13 players and the cap expected to rise by $2-3 million. It also means that while the whining never seems to end about Mike Komisarek's contract (3 more years at $4.5 million) it's really not a deal that poses a major problem for the Leafs right now.
Could they buy him out? Theoretically, sure. but remember they're still looking at a cap hit of $1 million for each of the next three seasons for buying out Darcy Tucker. These decisions last. It would make a heckuva lot more sense to work with Komisarek and get him back to playing where he was two or three seasons ago.
Even after signing some key restricted free agents, the Leafs could still have upwards of $15 million to spend. It would be hard to believe that they won't go back to being a team spending to the maximum next season.
The five key restricted free agents are:
--D Luke Schenn. This is the only situation that could result in a big contract, and even that is ameliorated to some degree that Schenn's current contract, his entry level deal, comes with a cap hit of $2.975 million per season. The likelihood is he'll be able to command a salary somewhere between $3.5-4 million on a long-term deal, likely four or five years.
--G James Reimer. This is a tricky one. How do you fairly compensate a goalie who has played extraordinarily well, but in less than a half-season. Reimer makes $597,000 now, and the most sensible approach would be something like the Leafs did with Jonas Gustavsson last summer, with Gustavsson receiving two years with an annual cap hit of $1.35 million. No reason to break the bank. Media calls for a deal of five years, $25 million are preposterous.
--LW Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur has had a career season, but he has injured his off-season bargaining power by going cold since the trade deadline. He's at $1.1 million now, even arbitration seems unlikely to bump him above $2.5 million. The Leafs could live with a one-year award at that figure.
--C Tyler Bozak. In less than two years in the league, Bozak has proven he's an NHLer with upside. There's more skill than 29 points in 76 games suggest, and a minus-27 rating doesn't alter the club's thinking that he's a good penalty killer and generally sound defensively. He'd be a nice fit at the No. 3 slot. Like Schenn, his current cap hit is inordinately high for a young player - $3.725 million - so there will be cap relief on the way if he is signed. Something like $1.5 million per season on a short-term deal makes sense.
--D Carl Gunnarson. His minutes and responsiblties have skyrocketed since Kaberle's departure, and the fact he is an even plus-minus player after 62 games, best among the regulars on the club's blueline, is a positive stat. He's 24 years old and currently makes $800,000. That doubles next season, quite probably, but stays below $2 million.
So say the total cap hit for those five RFAs comes in around $12 million, or below. That should still leave about $15 million to sign four more players to get to 22, whether that includes UFAs like Tim Brent and Joey Crabb, or significant free agents.
So while it might have helped the club short-term to take on contractual committments beyond this year to help fuel this late season playoff push, not doing so will be enormously helpful going forward. Now, the trick will be finding players worth spending on.
Leafs in great salary cap position next season
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