Trying to find a single thread today is difficult, because there's a lot of good stuff to kick around, especially among the blogs. Try these on for size:
Covered in Oil has a nice one on goaltenders' save percentage, noting that seven of 2003-04's top 12 goalies have slipped to the bottom half of the league rankings this season (including Ed Belfour). What's going on here? PM suggests it might be the year off, but I thought that was supposed to extend players' careers, giving them some time away from hard knocks to heal themselves. Is it different for goalies? Is it the new rules? The new equipment?
It's worth kicking around today, too, here in Leafs country, given that the backup Tellqvist, with a .924 percentage in eight games, has been more consistent than Belfour, who checks in at .898 in 24 games. The Belfour-Telly goalkeeping questions are old news here and on the TML message boards, where they're already looking ahead to how this plays out in 06-07.
And speaking of goalies in the news, what a great time to trot out this Patrick Lalime flashback from Jay Jardine at Battle of Ontario. James Mirtle looks at the suspects being trotted out to replace Dan Cloutier. And Canucks Op Ed reinterprets a classic: Cloutier, on a cart, murmuring "I'm not dead yet."
Haven't seen much on Belfour vs. Telly in the prints, but I'm sure that will come once the Olympic team speculation concerning the three or four spots that might be up for grabs is settled next Wednesday. Damien Cox makes the case against including Todd Bertuzzi this morning.
Forget the Olympic team. Here's a debate I like: How much is Wayne Gretzky's crusty underwear worth?
The other story making headlines is Ted Saskin addressing the NHL's board of governors, and the revenue projections going up (big surprise there). I know it's important to know how much money the Leafs will have to waste on next summer's equivalent of Tie Domi and Belfour, and you're welcome to chime in here on it. But those revenue numbers were in all likelihood cooked over a low heat, and the cap figures you'll see out of them are way premature, as ace bloggers Eric McErlain and Tom Benjamin have already suggested. So I'll take a pass.
(C.Y.)
Bertuzzi: for once Damien Cox is right. He will be on the team but he shouldn't be. I'm not sure why performance 4 years ago has anything to do with being on a team this winter. The World Cup players should get a bit of a longer look, benefit of the doubt, etc, but there are too many good young players that are kicking the collective asses of the old dudes.
Speaking of dudes, by negation, or something, when are they going to announce the Canadian women's team? Also, watch for Heather Moyse in the bobsled...one of the most gifted natural athletes Canada has ever seen.
Trades: I'm not convinced Sykora would be anything but another Czerkawski. No trades, unless we get first round draft picks in return, or prospects.
Posted by: Jlo | December 15, 2005 at 09:02 AM
now you're talking! prospects and picks! prospects and picks! prospects and picks! say it with me now!
!
Posted by: Ninja | December 15, 2005 at 09:38 AM
I think the issue with save % dropping has more to do with a goalies actual abilities vs his equipment. 2 years ago they took up half the net with extra shoulder pads, massive gloves and blockers. Now they can't rely on that and actually have to make saves. Belfour's save % is down mostly because he's 40 and 4 of the 6 d-man in front of him shouldn't be in the NHL.
Ninja, who exactly would the Leafs trade to get these picks? I'd never part with a first rounder for anybody on the outs in TO, oh maybe Steen, Stajan, Wellwood, but that defeats the purpose doesn't it?
Let's face it the Leafs are going to be a middle team for a while. They do have some good young kids that they'll be able to keep, but they still have a ways to go to have Calder trophy candidates on the team.
Posted by: Craig | December 15, 2005 at 05:22 PM
Even if those picks are 3rd and 4th round, that is better than paying Czerkawski a million dollars. Justin Pogge, whose hair is getting lots of press these days, was a 3rd rounder, I think, and now he is the third ranked prospect. We will be a middle team for a while, but instead of trading away the future to get aging stars that will keeps us a middle team forever, trade the aging stars for a chance at picking up something good. There are enough prospects in the Leaf system now to make the team very good in the future, but only if they treat them right, and it couldn't hurt to get a few more.
Posted by: Jlo | December 15, 2005 at 07:24 PM
'We will be a middle team for a while, but instead of trading away the future to get aging stars that will keeps us a middle team forever, trade the aging stars for a chance at picking up something good.' - Jlo
But who would trade their picks and prospects for aging stars? Oh, yeah... The Leafs would.
Posted by: Carla | December 16, 2005 at 12:37 AM