The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread

[lgna69xxx]

Not really,

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2012...kessel-still-scoring-despite-defensive-focus/

Once Carlyle has a chance to mold the team into "HIS" team, the shots on goal and scoring will come, (actually they had 32 sog last night, Cam ward was just "ON") they have skilled players that will produce next year (Kessel, Lupul, Grabo, Kadri, Gardiner, Phaneuf.....) they just wont forget how to create offense, just need time. They have 17 games this season under RC learning his systems, and 9 preseason games and camp this fall, I would think by then they will have a very good idea as to postioning and responsibility that they need to play under RC to be successful. We need a top 3 pick, A Vet goalie, and hopefully a Nash OR Parise, then some guys need to go like you said and bring in a cpl other Carlyle type guys, btw, look for Parros to be a Leaf next season , Carlyle loves the big guy... Call it the battle of the stash's between Brownie and Parros! hahahaahh...

Your Phil Kessel jersey just lost half its value the moment Carlyle was named as coach.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Leafs Ink Hobey Baker Finalist Spencer Abbott

The Maple Leafs have dipped into the U.S. college hockey free agent pool again, landing Hamilton native Spencer Abbott.

The 23-year-old left winger from the Maine Black Bears signed Wednesday with the Toronto Maple Leafs — the team he grew up idolizing.

He signed a one-year, $925,000 deal that kicks in starting in September. He’ll report to the AHL Marlies on Thursday on an amateur tryout contract. He turns 24 on April 30.

Abbott is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in NCAA hockey. He led the Black Bears with points (21 goals, 41 assists) in 39 games.

“It’s something I never thought would happen,” Abbott told the Hamilton Spectator about signing an NHL contract. “Especially growing up as a small guy who never got drafted anywhere.”

Abbott, who grew up a fan of Doug Gilmour and the Leafs, said he was also offered a contract by the Calgary Flames and elected to follow his heart: “Lying in bed last night, I finally made the decision.”

Too small to play major junior, Abbott played Junior A with the Hamilton Red Wings. He had a late growth spurt to reach 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, and was an alternate captain on the Black Bears.

The Leafs have had mixed success in signing undrafted free agents from the U.S. college ranks. No. 1 centre Tyler Bozak may be the team’s most successful. Goalie Ben Scrivens is another who’s under contract and appears to have a bright future. Others, including Christian Hanson and Brayden Irwin, haven’t lived up to the hype that accompanied their arrival

http://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/article/1136912--maple-leafs-sign-ncaa-free-agent-spencer-abbott

http://www.collegehockeynews.com/stats/overall.php

 

[lgna69xxx]

Who is Justin Schultz you ask? This is who.....

A very interesting story is beginning to develop out west. The Anaheim Ducks top prospect, defenseman Justin Schultz, has been the best blueliner in college for the past two seasons. We’re talking about a 6’2 well-rounded defenseman with strong skating ability, slick passing ability, a very good point shot and a boatload of upside. During his age 20 and 21 years in the NCAA, he’s scored 34 goals and 91 points in 78 games played for Wisconsin. There’s the potential here for a future top pairing defenseman. Remember the Gardiner-Lupul trade last season? Schultz was a big reason that trade happened because the Ducks believed (and they may be right) that Justin was the better of the two talented young blueliners. Now here’s the thing: he has not yet signed with the Ducks and is due to become a league-wide free agent this coming summer.


So where does that put the Maple Leafs? You better believe they should and will make a tremendous push for Schultz’s services. Schenn brings the defense and Gardiner brings the offense, but Schultz is one of those true bluechip two-way blueliners. Justin is NHL ready and could probably slide comfortably into top 4 minutes next season ala Jake Gardiner. If Schultz were going in this year’s draft, I’d put him right there at about 8th – 10th overall. We’re likely looking at a two-year entry level contract with maximum bonuses (see Tyler Bozak’s 1 year deal). That could be as high as $3.75 million so some accommodations would have to be made.


After the Ducks traded away Gardiner in February 2011, GM Bob Murray reportedly made a strong push to bring Schultz over to the NHL this past summer but was rebuffed. And now it’s happening again. Now here’s where things get really interesting. Schultz’s defensive partner in Wisconsin? Yeah – that would be Jake Gardiner. I’m guessing both of them thought it would’ve been pretty neat to carry on their friendship and play together at the NHL level as well. Now Jake, it’s time to give your old buddy a call and see if he still wants to make that happen.

If it does, that Lupul-Gardiner trade could very well be the defining trade of the next decade for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

 

[lgna69xxx]

This coming from a habs fan? :lol:

Ok, so which one? Phaneuf or Lupul/Gardiner? Either of the 3 makes the habs better than they are now and if you think otherwise, you need to brush up on your hockey knowledge. Dion is 12th in the entire NHL in points by a Dman, and is 6th overall in TOI, despite all the extra time spent off the ice that comes with being a NHL Captain. (multiple interviews everyday, appearances, etc) Lupul was a ppg player this season and until he got hurt last month was top five in scoring in the league and still sits 21st out of roughly 600 players while missing the last 11 games. Gardiner is as raw a talent as they come and having a strong rookie year and the sky is the limit for this kid, he is the best of all three, talent wise long term, and will be a star for years (health wise of course) once he gets more experience. Yes my fairweather hockey fan friend, smart habs fans would kill to have either of these three....... Next?

Let's hope that the next defining trade of the next decade is better than the last defining trade of the last decade.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Hobey Baker trims list to final three, Abbott makes the cut

Spencer Abbott – University of Maine, Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario
From a recruited walk-on four years ago to a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Spencer Abbott has had a remarkable four-year collegiate career. Already recognized as the Player of the Year in Hockey East as well as a First Team all-star, the Black Bear assistant captain leads the nation in scoring and in assists. In 39 games this season, Abbott scored 21 goals, assisted on another 41 for 62 total points. His unselfish scoring exploits earned him the conference scoring title and he was named player of the month twice while piling up 18 multiple-point games. Abbott is a Family Relations major and has been on the Dean’s List three times. Spencer is active in the community helping with Special Olympics, assisting at youth hockey clinics and participating in charity games. Abbott, a pro hockey free agent, just signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jack Connolly – University of Minnesota-Duluth, Senior, Forward, Duluth, Minnesota
A repeat Hobey top ten finalist, the Bulldog captain had a fantastic season winning the WCHA scoring title, being named a First Team all-star for the third straight season and capped it off as the league’s Player of the Year. A two-time All American, Connolly is second in the nation in points and assists accumulating 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in 41 games. Duluth was the second highest scoring team in the nation this past season and Connolly never missed a college game, having played in 164 straight. He was held pointless in consecutive games only twice in his illustrious four-year career. The hometown hero is active in community endeavors helping with trash clean-up in the Adopt-A-Highway program, visiting Duluth hospitals, volunteering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and working with various cancer fund-raisers. He’s a Communications major with a 3.3 GPA. He is a pro hockey free agent. Hockey runs deep in the Connolly family as Jack’s older brother Chris, was the captain and second leading scorer for Boston University this past season.

Austin Smith – Colgate University, Senior, Forward, Dallas, Texas
Austin Smith completes the trifecta of Hobey scoring whizzes as the nation’s top sniper with 36 goals to go along with 21 assists for 57 total points, third best in the country. Dangerous at all times, Smith leads the nation in short-handed goals with six and scored seven power play goals as well. Winning the ECAC scoring title this past season, Smith was named the conference Player of the Year and a First Team all-star. Along the way, Smith scored 30 goals this season faster than any college player in the last 12 years and is currently third in the nation with a plus-25. A Sociology and Anthropology major, Smith helps out with the Hamilton, NY Food Cupboard, assists with food and toy drives during the season and is involved with the local Goals for Good program. He is a fifth round draft pick of the Dallas Stars.

 

[Techman]

Nice to see that those three have other interests besides playing hockey because they will have lots of time on their hands every spring.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Today really is like Christmas for you isnt it? LOL...... Nice to see Santa was good to you my man. Be thankful you AT LEAST had Price this year or even Columbus would of had more points than your team. Gainey made a lot of horrible decisions, but Price was his best, and oh yea, Halak was pretty darn good as well.

Nice to see that those three have other interests besides playing hockey because they will have lots of time on their hands every spring.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Great signing by the Leafs!! The best news i've heard in over a month!! Spencer Abbott will be a good one! :thumb:

As for Bob Gainey, i agree that Price was a good pick, so was Jaro Halak. But that's about it, and he tarnished his reputation by trading superstar Halak (the best goalie on the league's best team) for lowly Lars Eller. Trading away Ryan McDonough & Christoper Higgins for Scotty Gomez was an organizational disaster and the main reason why Robert Gainey no longer has a job.

It'll be another long off-season for the habs and their fans. As for the Leafs, the future looks very bright and the recent signing is a very good example of good things to come. As for the Habs, i have one wish: that Patrick Roy be their next coach. It'll be a dream-come-true for me! Can you imagine even more drama/soap opera atmosphere than we've already had this season? It'll be great!!! :lol:

 

[Techman]

When they traded Halak, I said that he would win the Cup before Price would and I still believe that. He may actually win it this year! Price is a good goalie but I think he's over rated.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I agree, Price is overrated. But he's a very good goalie and if it weren't for him, the Habs would be in LAST PLACE in the entire NHL, behind Columbus.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Iggy, your hero Ben Scrivens in between the pipes tonight. Celebration time if he gets a shutout? :lol:

 

[lgna69xxx]

Shutout gone, but he is playing better than any Leafs goalie i have seen in the last 15 games! ... We are winning dammit, we are supposed to lose these last 4 games for a top pick. Nice to see Kessel set a career high in goals by shelving his 37th tho.

Iggy, your hero Ben Scrivens in between the pipes tonight. Celebration time if he gets a shutout? :lol:

 

[JLB]

Shutout gone, but he is playing better than any Leafs goalie i have seen in the last 15 games! .

Scrivens looks like the real deal ! (I'll pre-apologize for this a**hole comment)

 

[lgna69xxx]

Actually Scrivens has a lot of raw talent and should be a good one, just needs some more time in the AHL. He was not named Goalie of the year in college for nothing. He went to the same University as his hero did, Ken Dryden, ever heard of him?

 

[JLB]

Scrivens has a lot of raw talent and should be a good one, just needs some more time in the AHL. He was not named Goalie of the year in college for nothing. He went to the same University as his hero did, Ken Dryden, ever heard of him?

I have heard of Dryden . Your future looks bright !

Look just don't put too much pressure on this kid like they did with Reimer - your team should tank now and start a re-build.

 

[lgna69xxx]

Reimer started off great this season until that prick gionta landed a flying elbow to Reimers head, concussing him. He was never the same since.

I have heard of Dryden . Your future looks bright !

Look just don't put too much pressure on this kid like they did with Reimer - your team should tank now and start a re-build.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I must admit that i was impressed by Scrivens tonight. At least he moves around & just doesn't stay there. He's an improvement over Reimer & i now realize that they should have called him up sooner. However, the day they called up Carter Ashton for good was the day that the organization showed me that they didn't believe they'd make the playoffs. Why not call up Nazem Kadri? Why not Mike Zigomanis? Oh well.....we'll get 'em next year!

 

[Jman47]

With spring training and all I have been locked into baseball and lost touch with the end of hockey season...today I looked at the curent playoff matchups and couldn't find the maple leafs listed.

SURELY there is a mistake? Right...:help:!?

 

[lgna69xxx]

No mistake, the rebuild is still on and the lottery pick we just got will surely help. Did you notice "your" (I say that strictly with a grain of salt btw) team finished in the basement that leads directly to the sewer? Pee U!

With spring training and all I have been locked into baseball and lost touch with the end of hockey season...today I looked at the curent playoff matchups and couldn't find the maple leafs listed.

SURELY there is a mistake? Right...:help:!?

 

[anon_vlad]

No mistake, the rebuild is still on ....

Since you probably watch more Leafs game than I do and indubitably know far more about them than I do, how many years do you think the rebuild will take? To be more precise, how long to make the playoffs and how long to seriously contend for the Stanley Cup?