Leafs ended their west coast trip with a loss last night in Vancouver -- at least they outshot the Canucks in a game in which both sides looked less than inspiring.
Leafs obviously missed McCabe, the defence and the power play jittery and out of sorts most of the way -- over at the Battle of Ontario, Meatriarchy figures this night made a case for McCabe as a Hart Trophy candidate -- the PP did click finally in the third, after barely managing a shot in half a dozen previous chances.
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| Jeff Goode/Toronto Star |
| Carlo looking like ol' No. 24, shown here with Carl Brewer. |
Some questions and random notes about this bunch, with the schedule dark until Saturday when Gretzky's Coyotes come to the ACC, while the home PC goes to the great Pentium in the sky and this page is tickin' overs slowly, slowly:
Yes, Kronwall had a very poor game, including one howler of a giveaway that led to a Vancouver goal, and no one filled the rather large skates of Mr. McCabe, but let's not throw all these defensive babies out with the bath water. Colaiacovo's open-ice hip check on Bertuzzi was an old-school thumper, a thing of beauty like something out of a Brian Glennie time capsule. Surely Carlo is here to stay. Surely he HAS to stay. As for Kronwall, he's beginning to show his inexperience after some fine work earlier in the season, and I guess when McCabe comes back he is the odd man out.
Ten points and a blue and white air kiss to anyone who can tell me what Tie Domi has done lately. I know the Leafs have injury issues. And I'm no huge Marius Czerkawski fan, but surely he deserves time on the struggling No. 1 line ahead of Domi, who blew another great chance in front and missed some shifts last night after going heavily into the boards but returned to inactive duty.
And this means not much, 'cause these two are nowhere near the worst team around. But can the duo of Joe Bowen and Harry Neale date themselves any worse than by name-checking Fred Biletnikoff? The constant Sinatra references I can handle, 'cause pretty much everyone knows the late, original gangsta popster and he's gained universal icon status. But this other dude retired 25 years ago.
Couple of other lunchtime links:
Jes Golbez has the keenly anticipated Armenian Update.
Hockey Pundits has some comment off a link to an ESPN article on the Kovalchuk-Crosby feud, and how it's good for the NHL.
(C.Y.)
Well, I'm definitely not intending to defend Domi, 'cause I think he's been a waste of a roster spot this season, but he was one of the very few Leafs who occasionally planted themselves in front of Auld last night. (Not that anything came of it.) I don't really understand the aversion to Czerkawski--I haven't seen enough of him to really form an opinion about him and about his play...
Posted by: Carla | January 11, 2006 at 01:13 PM
Khavanov added a much needed element to the Leafs attack; a defender who can sneak down from the point. He got one, but could've scored 3; he fanned on Domi's pass, and Allison was too slow to get him the puck the other time.
Posted by: Ninja | January 11, 2006 at 01:29 PM
The game was pretty sloppy - lots of garbage - some of which the players picked up others they just totally fanned on or shot way wide of the net. The main reason the Leafs outshot the Nucks was because the Nucks kept missing the net. The only time the Leafs looked good was in the last 5 minutes when they created a number of chances and finally figured out how to play without McCabe. It would be interesting to see how good McCabe is without Kaberle - because Kaberle looked average last night and at times lost without his PP partner to pass to...
I heard a rumor - Domi and Antropov for Malone and Tarnstrom. Malone I would try and get, he's only 26 with some upside and if they can get him for Antropov straight up the trade would make sense. But Tarnstrom? This def. wouldn't solve the Leafs need for a Defensive Defenseman... Perhaps Chicago, who sounds like they're ready to give up on this season - http://www.ottawasun.com/Sports/Senators/2006/01/11/1388335-sun.html
- would be willing to part ways with Cullimore for little more than a propsect/draft pic/Berg/Belak/Antropov...?
Posted by: NR | January 11, 2006 at 02:38 PM
I still believe in Nik.
As for the Carlo hit, I only heard it on the internet, but I was waiting for Bertuzzi to go after him, because apparently that guy thinks it's not ok for other players to bodycheck him. I think it's great. Kronwall had a bad game, but he's still solid. Czerkawski is not so bad. He started scoring once he got some playing time. The Leafs don't need a trade right now. With all the injuries, there is enough shuffling of the line-up. Wait until the trade deadline, then we can give up Pogge, Rask, Coliaccovo and Antropov (because he is in every trade rumor) to get Mogilny back or something. No, John, I was kidding...no, John...no! Put down the phone! Lou! He's only kidding! Lou! Aaauugghh!
Sorry.
Posted by: Jlo | January 12, 2006 at 12:02 AM
Why aren't you posting my comments? Is there a reason? we all know Sidney Crosby sucks, all you Canadians dont need to deny it!
Posted by: hey | January 12, 2006 at 01:06 PM
First off, I moved your comment over to where it belonged if you'd been paying attention -- to the "Bloggers Snub Sid" post.
Second, leave a legit email address and I would've sent you a nice email alerting you to that (I tried once, it bounced back).
Third, you don't have to keep sending the same comment. So please, you made your point, you don't have to comment over again.
Fourth, no, there's no hidden agenda.
Fifth, don't slam the door on your way out.
Posted by: cy | January 12, 2006 at 01:53 PM
Sorry about that cy. I guess we had a lack of communication there. I sent it once and thought you guys rejected it, I didn't get an email. Thanks
Posted by: bob | January 12, 2006 at 05:48 PM