Common Mistakes in English - You're vs. Your
http://esl.about.com/od/grammarintermediate/a/cm_your.htm
The Official LEAFS NATION Hockey thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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Common Mistakes in English - You're vs. Your
http://esl.about.com/od/grammarintermediate/a/cm_your.htm
Yes lg this is "the first real season as Burke's team".
Like you, I am saying Go Leafs Go since as you may recall I bravely predicted that if all goes well they might finish as high as 25th this year, vastly improving on last year's 29th place finish.
I must confess that I am beginning to be a bit nervous about my brave - but perhaps overly optimistic - prediction. Still, with Phil Kessel out of his slump and on a new one game scoring streak I am hopeful that your heroes might STILL make it as high as
25th overall, so - one more time: Go Leafs Go!
I was a bit hesitant to drop $200 to see a hockey game when that money could easily be spent on Elena of Devilish. I'm wondering given the events of the last few weeks if the price of Leafs tickets has fallen under $50? Again, I don't know much about hockey but I do know that typically Kansas City Royals tickets go for less than NY Yankee tickets in Fenway.Nov. 20th Rumples, Satruday night, Bell Centre, 7pm, national broadcast on Hockey Night In Canada, be there. Bring $200 for a seat in the reds and experience the intensity of the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry,NHL style!. (wow, what a first game to attend, you will be forever spoiled) Hey Doc, you should of bought that Phaneuf jersey last month so Rumples could of worn your Beauchemin jersey.
Also, I don't know a whole lot of French but iisn't Toronto Maple Leafs French for Kansas City Royals?
haha!, Leafs/Habs tickets NEVER go down in price... should be a great game, are you still thinking of going?
Young Leafs team will learn from the growing pains
TORONTO - Mired in an eight-game losing streak in which they’ve averaged 1.75 goals a game, and with their power play and penalty kill in the bottom five of both categories, there doesn’t seem to be much for the Maple Leafs to rally around.
And yet their dressing room is not the morgue one would expect after their latest loss — a 5-3 defeat to the Vancouver Canucks — dropped them to 0-6-2 in their past eight games.
True, the Leafs have gone from a 4-0 start to 27th overall in the past month, but netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere believes their current woes are a lesson in team building rather than a sign the whole place is falling apart.
“Being a young team, we’ll get out of this a much better team, a much more experienced team,” Giguere said. “I can see it coming.”
The result against the Canucks wasn’t totally unexpected, given Vancouver is presently battling Montreal for supremacy among Canadian teams. But it’s the coming week that affords Toronto a chance to regain traction.
The Leafs have home games against Nashville and New Jersey, teams near them or, in the Devils’ case, behind them in the standings. Then it’s a trip to Montreal, where the staunchest Habs’ supporter will admit the Leafs take on a different persona.
Toronto took five of a possible six points at the Bell Centre last season.
“Things can’t be pretty all the time, we’re learning that quickly,” winger Kris Versteeg said Sunday. “And we’re learning how to get out of these ruts right now.
“We came out with a great effort (Saturday), came out the way we wanted to. We gave up the (2-0) lead, which you don’t want to do, but we battled back and fought hard the whole way.
“We really need to come back and give that same effort next game.”
Nashville is first up on Tuesday night, just the ninth visit in 12 years by the Tennesseans, who feature ex-Leaf Steve Sullivan, and, possibly, one time enforcer-favourite Wade Belak.
After a sluggish start, Nashville has won a pair, including a shootout over Chicago in a rematch of their hard-fought playoff series.
The Devils just won an overtime game with the much-maligned Ilya Kovalchuk netting his fourth goal of the season to win it.
“Every team in the league is so close, you don’t want to take any team lighter than the next,” Versteeg said.
Of Toronto’s 11 losses, nine have been by two goals or less and three came in overtime or shootouts.
With the exception of 48 hours in Florida last week, where it seemed the Leafs were skating in sand, it can be said the team has been in almost every game so far.
“All teams are going to go through this,” winger Fredrik Sjostrom said. “Obviously eight in a row is a lot of games to lose. But keep battling is the only way to go. We’ve shown we can play, we just have to finish games off.”
Sjostrom had a welcomed goal against the Canucks on a neat tip-in, his first of the year and first since April 1, a sign that secondary scoring is not a totally foreign concept to the Leafs. And Mikhail Grabovski now has goals in consecutive games and three in his past four, meaning all the pressure isn’t falling on Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur.
Those two have 15 of the club’s 35 goals.
“We’re obviously in a struggle, but trying to get out of it,” Kessel said. “It was 3-3 with six minutes to play Saturday and we have to find a way to win, where we find a way to lose.
“We’re still not out of it (playoff-wise), everything is still close when you look at it. You win four or five in a row and you’re right back in the playoffs. You have to go out there and work hard and get things done.”
The club took Sunday off from practice for its annual skills competition for charity, but the two home dates and three practices prior to Montreal will give coach Ron Wilson ample time to better assimilate forward Nazem Kadri and defenceman Keith Aulie into the lineup.
Kadri was quiet on the scoresheet in his first game on Saturday, but played a clean defensive game, which is what the club wanted him to concentrate on while with the Marlies.
Aulie was effective as well in his NHL debut and when Dion Phaneuf returns next month, the Leafs will be able to go with a more hard-hitting blue line staff as the games dictate.
TORONTO - Mired in an eight-game losing streak in which they’ve averaged 1.75 goals a game, and with their power play and penalty kill in the bottom five of both categories, there doesn’t seem to be much for the Maple Leafs to rally around.
And yet their dressing room is not the morgue one would expect after their latest loss — a 5-3 defeat to the Vancouver Canucks — dropped them to 0-6-2 in their past eight games.
True, the Leafs have gone from a 4-0 start to 27th overall in the past month, but netminder Jean-Sebastien Giguere believes their current woes are a lesson in team building rather than a sign the whole place is falling apart.
“Being a young team, we’ll get out of this a much better team, a much more experienced team,” Giguere said. “I can see it coming.”
The result against the Canucks wasn’t totally unexpected, given Vancouver is presently battling Montreal for supremacy among Canadian teams. But it’s the coming week that affords Toronto a chance to regain traction.
The Leafs have home games against Nashville and New Jersey, teams near them or, in the Devils’ case, behind them in the standings. Then it’s a trip to Montreal, where the staunchest Habs’ supporter will admit the Leafs take on a different persona.
Toronto took five of a possible six points at the Bell Centre last season.
“Things can’t be pretty all the time, we’re learning that quickly,” winger Kris Versteeg said Sunday. “And we’re learning how to get out of these ruts right now.
“We came out with a great effort (Saturday), came out the way we wanted to. We gave up the (2-0) lead, which you don’t want to do, but we battled back and fought hard the whole way.
“We really need to come back and give that same effort next game.”
Nashville is first up on Tuesday night, just the ninth visit in 12 years by the Tennesseans, who feature ex-Leaf Steve Sullivan, and, possibly, one time enforcer-favourite Wade Belak.
After a sluggish start, Nashville has won a pair, including a shootout over Chicago in a rematch of their hard-fought playoff series.
The Devils just won an overtime game with the much-maligned Ilya Kovalchuk netting his fourth goal of the season to win it.
“Every team in the league is so close, you don’t want to take any team lighter than the next,” Versteeg said.
Of Toronto’s 11 losses, nine have been by two goals or less and three came in overtime or shootouts.
With the exception of 48 hours in Florida last week, where it seemed the Leafs were skating in sand, it can be said the team has been in almost every game so far.
“All teams are going to go through this,” winger Fredrik Sjostrom said. “Obviously eight in a row is a lot of games to lose. But keep battling is the only way to go. We’ve shown we can play, we just have to finish games off.”
Sjostrom had a welcomed goal against the Canucks on a neat tip-in, his first of the year and first since April 1, a sign that secondary scoring is not a totally foreign concept to the Leafs. And Mikhail Grabovski now has goals in consecutive games and three in his past four, meaning all the pressure isn’t falling on Phil Kessel and Clarke MacArthur.
Those two have 15 of the club’s 35 goals.
“We’re obviously in a struggle, but trying to get out of it,” Kessel said. “It was 3-3 with six minutes to play Saturday and we have to find a way to win, where we find a way to lose.
“We’re still not out of it (playoff-wise), everything is still close when you look at it. You win four or five in a row and you’re right back in the playoffs. You have to go out there and work hard and get things done.”
The club took Sunday off from practice for its annual skills competition for charity, but the two home dates and three practices prior to Montreal will give coach Ron Wilson ample time to better assimilate forward Nazem Kadri and defenceman Keith Aulie into the lineup.
Kadri was quiet on the scoresheet in his first game on Saturday, but played a clean defensive game, which is what the club wanted him to concentrate on while with the Marlies.
Aulie was effective as well in his NHL debut and when Dion Phaneuf returns next month, the Leafs will be able to go with a more hard-hitting blue line staff as the games dictate.
The hidden gem of the Phaneuf trade
As a sometimes clumsy teen, Keith Aulie thought playing with a shorter stick would make him a smoother puck handler and therefore a better defenceman.
That all changed the day he arrived in the Brandon Wheat Kings dressing room to find his junior coach Kelly McCrimmon had other plans.
“I always thought a shorter stick would help my stick-handling,” the strapping rookie Leafs defenceman said following Monday’s practice at the MasterCard Centre. “I came to the rink one day and my sticks were already made up for me and they were a lot longer.
“(McCrimmon) made it mandatory that I had to use a longer stick. He told me if I got used to that, it would help me with poke checks and in the lane and that I’d be a lot better player.”
Turns out McCrimmon was on to something.
As raw as he is, the first impression of Aulie is a giant one. To go with that 6-foot-6 frame (yes, he has grown an inch) are long arms and legs that when matched with the tallest stick in the Leafs dressing room helps form quite a package.
A solid skater and passer, the Leafs are enthused about Aulie’s future, a big reason general manager Brian Burke insisted the Saskatchewan native be included in the deal that brought captain Dion Phaneuf here from Calgary.
The big edge Aulie may have if and when he develops into a bonafide NHL blueliner is his reach. It’s why when he watches hockey on the tube, he pays close attention to other big D-men Zdeno Chara of Boston and Philadelphia’s Chris Pronger.
“I watch the game more to learn from it than for entertainment value, but to watch the little things those guys do to defend top players is key,” Aulie said. “You learn in a hurry that if you can get in the right position or cut down a passing lane or a shot lane you can really take away time and space and take away an opposing player’s options.”
It doesn’t hurt to have a stick that reaches his mouth while on skates. Aulie takes the standard issue stick and adds a six-inch plug to get it up to size. It may not be as long as Chara’s but when used properly, it’s an effective accessory.
Just ask a forward who has had to go up against some of the league’s giants of the blue line.
“If they learn how to gap up properly, it’s damn near impossible to get by them,” Leafs winger Kris Versteeg said of tall defencemen such as Chara and Pronger. “If they are beat, they still know how to use their stick and get back in the play.
I think that’s something (Aulie) can learn from them over time and he will.”
In his Leafs debut Saturday against Vancouver, Aulie logged 14 minutes, including some crucial situations in the third period when whatever jitters he had were gone. Leafs coach Ron Wilson already knew about Aulie’s strong skating ability, but what impressed him most in his NHL debut was his command with the puck.
“When you can skate, you can get yourself out of trouble a lot,” Wilson said. “I was impressed with his poise with the puck. It was on his stick and he moved it right away. To be honest with you, some of our veteran (defencemen) don’t move it as quickly as he did.”
With just one NHL game under those impressive wings, Aulie knows he’s just getting started on what he hopes will be a long journey.
After Monday’s practice, there was extra work to be done with Leafs skating coach Graeme Townshend plus plenty to soak up with defensive assistant Rob Zettler and his first NHL playing partner, Brett Lebda.
“The more experience I get up here playing, the more calm and composed I will be out there,” Aulie said. “It’s all a valuable experience and I’m just trying to soak it in.”
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/11/15/16158376.html
As a sometimes clumsy teen, Keith Aulie thought playing with a shorter stick would make him a smoother puck handler and therefore a better defenceman.
That all changed the day he arrived in the Brandon Wheat Kings dressing room to find his junior coach Kelly McCrimmon had other plans.
“I always thought a shorter stick would help my stick-handling,” the strapping rookie Leafs defenceman said following Monday’s practice at the MasterCard Centre. “I came to the rink one day and my sticks were already made up for me and they were a lot longer.
“(McCrimmon) made it mandatory that I had to use a longer stick. He told me if I got used to that, it would help me with poke checks and in the lane and that I’d be a lot better player.”
Turns out McCrimmon was on to something.
As raw as he is, the first impression of Aulie is a giant one. To go with that 6-foot-6 frame (yes, he has grown an inch) are long arms and legs that when matched with the tallest stick in the Leafs dressing room helps form quite a package.
A solid skater and passer, the Leafs are enthused about Aulie’s future, a big reason general manager Brian Burke insisted the Saskatchewan native be included in the deal that brought captain Dion Phaneuf here from Calgary.
The big edge Aulie may have if and when he develops into a bonafide NHL blueliner is his reach. It’s why when he watches hockey on the tube, he pays close attention to other big D-men Zdeno Chara of Boston and Philadelphia’s Chris Pronger.
“I watch the game more to learn from it than for entertainment value, but to watch the little things those guys do to defend top players is key,” Aulie said. “You learn in a hurry that if you can get in the right position or cut down a passing lane or a shot lane you can really take away time and space and take away an opposing player’s options.”
It doesn’t hurt to have a stick that reaches his mouth while on skates. Aulie takes the standard issue stick and adds a six-inch plug to get it up to size. It may not be as long as Chara’s but when used properly, it’s an effective accessory.
Just ask a forward who has had to go up against some of the league’s giants of the blue line.
“If they learn how to gap up properly, it’s damn near impossible to get by them,” Leafs winger Kris Versteeg said of tall defencemen such as Chara and Pronger. “If they are beat, they still know how to use their stick and get back in the play.
I think that’s something (Aulie) can learn from them over time and he will.”
In his Leafs debut Saturday against Vancouver, Aulie logged 14 minutes, including some crucial situations in the third period when whatever jitters he had were gone. Leafs coach Ron Wilson already knew about Aulie’s strong skating ability, but what impressed him most in his NHL debut was his command with the puck.
“When you can skate, you can get yourself out of trouble a lot,” Wilson said. “I was impressed with his poise with the puck. It was on his stick and he moved it right away. To be honest with you, some of our veteran (defencemen) don’t move it as quickly as he did.”
With just one NHL game under those impressive wings, Aulie knows he’s just getting started on what he hopes will be a long journey.
After Monday’s practice, there was extra work to be done with Leafs skating coach Graeme Townshend plus plenty to soak up with defensive assistant Rob Zettler and his first NHL playing partner, Brett Lebda.
“The more experience I get up here playing, the more calm and composed I will be out there,” Aulie said. “It’s all a valuable experience and I’m just trying to soak it in.”
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/11/15/16158376.html
Kessel or Kovalchuk?
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/11/19/brophy_kessel_over_kovalchuk/
The two teams that made the most significant -- and riskiest -- moves in an effort to secure instant gratification, hooked up at the ACC Thursday night.
You could have almost dubbed the game Big Mess I vs. Big Mess II.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who traded away two first-round draft picks along with a second-round pick to acquire Phil Kessel, have shown no signs of moving up the ladder toward respectability.
The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, dealt away a first-round draft pick as well as a handful of prospects to acquire impending unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk for what they hoped would be a long and fruitful playoff run last season. That did not occur as New Jersey was bounced in the opening round in five games. Kovalchuk led the Devils in playoff scoring with six points but, as has been the case throughout his NHL career, his individual results have never been tied to team success.
RELATED
Thursday: Leafs dump Devils Brodeur leaves with injury Devils coach on the hot seat Still, the Devils clung to the hope that Kovalchuk was their ticket to a bright future and in a long and convoluted negotiation that resulted in the Devils being severely punished ($3 million fine and the loss of a first- and third-round draft pick) by the NHL for trying to circumvent the collective bargaining agreement, they got their man.
Now the Devils are a team in disarray: 28th in the NHL's overall standings with a very bleak future facing them tied to a loafer for the next 15 years.
Frankly, if I had to choose to be in the middle of one of these messes, I'd pick Toronto's in a heartbeat.
The funny thing is both Kessel and Kovalchuk are similar players. Both are exceptional skaters who want the puck every time they are on the ice. They each try to do too much on their own; rarely make those around them better and neither will ever challenge for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward.
So why Kessel over Kovalchuk? That's easy.
For starters, Kessel is only 23-years old compared to Kovalchuk, who is 27. Also, there is only four more years left on Kessel's contract after this season compared to 14 more for Kovalchuk. There are kids just learning to skate who could be Kovalchuk's teammates if he plays the entire duration of his contract.
Also, Kessel may not possess leadership qualities, but I have never heard him referred to as a dog. The same cannot be said for Kovalchuk who often seems disinterested, especially when he doesn't have the puck.
That much was evident Thursday night. In a game that could be described as life or death for both clubs, even though it's early in the season, Kessel thoroughly outplayed Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk played 22:50 and had an assist to go with four shots on goal. However, he often seemed lethargic and there was no desperation in his game to get the Devils back into the contest when they fell behind. Kessel, on the other hand, played 20 minutes and finished with one goal -- the game winner. He had six shots on goal and hit the goal post on another. He was engaged on virtually each and every of the 21 shifts he skated.
In an effort to try to spark better performances out of their $100-million man, the Devils concocted an entire Russian line playing Kovalchuk with Dainius Zubrus and Alexander Vasyunov…to no avail. It is hard to imagine what the Devils will try over the next decade to try to get him motivated.
Say what you will about the Maple Leafs giving away valuable draft picks to take a chance on Kessel; New Jersey also surrendered high picks and the Devils will probably lose their best player, Zach Parise, after this season because they can't afford to re-sign him. Talk on the street is Parise wants out regardless.
While few would have made the deal Brian Burke did with Boston to acquire Kessel, you could on some level justify the Toronto GM's attempt to bring a proven goal-scorer to town. He paid a huge price, but Kessel has at least done what the Leafs had hoped. How exactly the Devils imagined Kovalchuk would fit into their scheme remains a mystery. Under celebrated GM Lou Lamoriello, the Devils have always been a team-first outfit and Kovalchuk is anything but a team player.
Overall this season, Kessel has nine goal and 13 points (72nd in league scoring) in 18 games and is minus-3. Kovalchuk has four goals and 10 points (136th) and is minus-9. You could make the case that neither is playing to the level of his paycheck, but if you had to hitch your wagon to one over the other, is there really any argument?
Kessel wins hands down.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/11/19/brophy_kessel_over_kovalchuk/
The two teams that made the most significant -- and riskiest -- moves in an effort to secure instant gratification, hooked up at the ACC Thursday night.
You could have almost dubbed the game Big Mess I vs. Big Mess II.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who traded away two first-round draft picks along with a second-round pick to acquire Phil Kessel, have shown no signs of moving up the ladder toward respectability.
The New Jersey Devils, meanwhile, dealt away a first-round draft pick as well as a handful of prospects to acquire impending unrestricted free agent Ilya Kovalchuk for what they hoped would be a long and fruitful playoff run last season. That did not occur as New Jersey was bounced in the opening round in five games. Kovalchuk led the Devils in playoff scoring with six points but, as has been the case throughout his NHL career, his individual results have never been tied to team success.
RELATED
Thursday: Leafs dump Devils Brodeur leaves with injury Devils coach on the hot seat Still, the Devils clung to the hope that Kovalchuk was their ticket to a bright future and in a long and convoluted negotiation that resulted in the Devils being severely punished ($3 million fine and the loss of a first- and third-round draft pick) by the NHL for trying to circumvent the collective bargaining agreement, they got their man.
Now the Devils are a team in disarray: 28th in the NHL's overall standings with a very bleak future facing them tied to a loafer for the next 15 years.
Frankly, if I had to choose to be in the middle of one of these messes, I'd pick Toronto's in a heartbeat.
The funny thing is both Kessel and Kovalchuk are similar players. Both are exceptional skaters who want the puck every time they are on the ice. They each try to do too much on their own; rarely make those around them better and neither will ever challenge for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward.
So why Kessel over Kovalchuk? That's easy.
For starters, Kessel is only 23-years old compared to Kovalchuk, who is 27. Also, there is only four more years left on Kessel's contract after this season compared to 14 more for Kovalchuk. There are kids just learning to skate who could be Kovalchuk's teammates if he plays the entire duration of his contract.
Also, Kessel may not possess leadership qualities, but I have never heard him referred to as a dog. The same cannot be said for Kovalchuk who often seems disinterested, especially when he doesn't have the puck.
That much was evident Thursday night. In a game that could be described as life or death for both clubs, even though it's early in the season, Kessel thoroughly outplayed Kovalchuk.
Kovalchuk played 22:50 and had an assist to go with four shots on goal. However, he often seemed lethargic and there was no desperation in his game to get the Devils back into the contest when they fell behind. Kessel, on the other hand, played 20 minutes and finished with one goal -- the game winner. He had six shots on goal and hit the goal post on another. He was engaged on virtually each and every of the 21 shifts he skated.
In an effort to try to spark better performances out of their $100-million man, the Devils concocted an entire Russian line playing Kovalchuk with Dainius Zubrus and Alexander Vasyunov…to no avail. It is hard to imagine what the Devils will try over the next decade to try to get him motivated.
Say what you will about the Maple Leafs giving away valuable draft picks to take a chance on Kessel; New Jersey also surrendered high picks and the Devils will probably lose their best player, Zach Parise, after this season because they can't afford to re-sign him. Talk on the street is Parise wants out regardless.
While few would have made the deal Brian Burke did with Boston to acquire Kessel, you could on some level justify the Toronto GM's attempt to bring a proven goal-scorer to town. He paid a huge price, but Kessel has at least done what the Leafs had hoped. How exactly the Devils imagined Kovalchuk would fit into their scheme remains a mystery. Under celebrated GM Lou Lamoriello, the Devils have always been a team-first outfit and Kovalchuk is anything but a team player.
Overall this season, Kessel has nine goal and 13 points (72nd in league scoring) in 18 games and is minus-3. Kovalchuk has four goals and 10 points (136th) and is minus-9. You could make the case that neither is playing to the level of his paycheck, but if you had to hitch your wagon to one over the other, is there really any argument?
Kessel wins hands down.
I'm torn on who to root for tomorrow night in Montreal! WTF. Sadly, I think I have to go with the Leafs on this one, I just despise the Habs and their fans a tiny bit more.
Absolutely great article!!! I totally agree with everything written & i'd like to add that not only did New Jersey give up high draft pricks & players for Kovalchuk when they obtained him from Atlanta, but they also had to give up (or will) players this season in order to make room for Kovalchuk's huge salary. This also includes, as reported, the fact Zach Parise likely won't be able to re-sign with the Devils because of Kovalchuk, meaning that in the long run, they not only lost draft picks & players, but also Parise. Shameful!
????????????? what?????????? are you driving around in that white corolla again jhfan? drinking and driving is illegal btw!
How can u be torn if you despise both the Habs and the fans ?
Other than posting BS !
Wow! I thought there wasn't supposed to be any negative stuff in this thread lg?
While the article does rate the Leafs over the Devils and Kessel over Kovalchuk, it sure as hell isn't very complimentary to EITHER team or to EITHER player.
Careful: You might have to give back your "I Love the Leafs" badge!
How can u be torn if you despise both the Habs and the fans ?
Other than posting BS !
It's quite simple JH Fan, but I still don't expect you to get it. I despise both teams equally, it's just that Habs fans are the worst fans in the entire world of sports, so the Leafs will get my backing in this game.
You have a strange way of posting sarcasm JH, I'm usually pretty good in reading between the lines but there was nothing sarcastic about your earlier post.
Regarding the fan rankings, you are certainly correct. In a State flourishing with winning teams the Bruins unfortunately come in 4th out of the 4 major sports teams in regards to most fans, behind the Sox, Pats, and Celts. It's unfortunate. However, I'd still rather have 4 competitive teams than just the 1 that Montreal has. It's a shame really.
As for the Habs fans being the ones who eat, sleep and work as a team they are also the first ones to turn on them and boo the shit out of their beloved family!
Regarding the fan rankings, you are certainly correct. In a State flourishing with winning teams the Bruins unfortunately come in 4th out of the 4 major sports teams in regards to most fans, behind the Sox, Pats, and Celts. It's unfortunate. However, I'd still rather have 4 competitive teams than just the 1 that Montreal has. It's a shame really.
As for the Habs fans being the ones who eat, sleep and work as a team they are also the first ones to turn on them and boo the shit out of their beloved family!
Second, you forgot about Philly.
Again, I don't know much about hockey, but I know a lot about sports in general. When I read from iggy that the Leafs traded away three high draft picks for a star, I was flabbergasted. That is simply not something any intelligent team would do unless they're that one star player away from contending for a Stanley Cup. If what I'm reading is true, the Leafs have mortgaged their future for the honour of finishing fourth, if they're lucky. That's not just stupid, that's joe.t stupid.
First, if you REALLY knew alot about sports, then you know it takes years to decide who actually "wins" a trade such as this. Remember, Kessel himself was a top five pick, and has scored 100 goals already and is only 23 yrs old, not many have done that before his age. His game is improving and the skys the limit for this talented kid. Also with the way Burke fleeced the college teams for guys like bozak scrivens and hanson, he added young talent to the roster and farm to allow giving up a first rounder and second rounder, which is what it comes down to since kessel was a first himself. only time will tell who won this trade, long term. if you really knew alot about sports, then you would of realised this.
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Yes, but...how far are the Leafs from being a contending team? A little research tells me that he's under control for 5 years. Maybe they'll be a contending team for the last 2-3 years of his contract. Is that worth giving up 3 high draft picks? I think not. This is a rebuilding club, albeit one that's been rebuilding since the latter stages of the 17th century, and that's where the focus should be. Trade for Kessel? Sure...2-3 years from now when and if they're on the threshold of contending for a cup.
Somebody wrote complaining that Andre Dawson shouldn't have gotten the 1987 NL MVP because the Cubs "could have finished last without him."
Whether the Leafs "win" the trade or not is moot. The real question is has the trade made them into a contender? The answer to that is no? A wiser general manager would have kept the draft picks, developed the players, and made this trade or a similar one a few years down the road rather than waste 2-3 years of Kessel's prime.
I'd be curious to see what the people at puckprospectus.com have to say about the trade. This site falls under the same management as Baseball Prospectus, though with different analysts. I'd bet they're as smart as their baseball people. I'm not enough of a hockey fan to drop $20 on a subscription, but I'd also bet that it's a good investment.
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"I absolutely love the job Brian Burke's done," Richard Peddie
Richard Peddie the CEO of the Leafs is impressed with the Leafs.
http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/B...urke+high+marks/3637256/story.html?id=3637256
Richard Peddie the CEO of the Leafs is impressed with the Leafs.
http://www.windsorstar.com/sports/B...urke+high+marks/3637256/story.html?id=3637256
I'm aware that this thread is once again going off-topic. But i feel i need to chime in. I'll admit that such a trade is & always was a gamble. As Iggy mentionned, in hockey, it takes years to find out if a trade was successful or not. The points Iggy made in regards to the rationale of the trade are valid onces. Kessel was 21 & already a proven scorer when Burke made the trade. Draft picks are an unknown entity. Some pan out, many don't.
Finally, is it worse than what NJ did when they traded & later re-signed Ilya Kovalchuk? I doubt it. Is it worse than what Mtl did when they traded fan-favorite Jaroslave Halak, possibly one of the top 3 goaltenders in the entire NHL, for two spades? It's debatable. Halak not only is a great goalie who's barely 26, but he singlehandly led the habs to the playoffs, then through the playoffs & was only one series away from the Stanley Cup final. He made millions for the team's owners. The thanks he got? They shipped out to St-Louis for....as i mentionned....two spades. Wasn't he at least worth a first-round pick? Once again...it's debatable.
Gentlemen, please stay on topic or move your arguements to the official NHL thread.
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