Game 48: More great lessons from a remedial course called Losing
Good evening, Leafs Nation! And welcome to tonight's post, awkwardly subtitled "The Same Old Lessons This Young Leafs Team Keeps Learning As We Watch With Grimacing Smiles."
If that phrase sounds familiar, it's because someone, somewhere, says it after each and every loss. At this very second, for example, a card-carrying citizen within our mythical borders is scrubbing blue-and-white face paint off his or her face and reciting these exact words into a bathroom mirror: "Yes, they lost 6-4 to Carolina. But, man, those guys learned some valuable lessons tonight!"
Did they? I suppose. But here's the thing: Since so many of these lessons have already been taught over the previous 47 games, why are they not getting absorbed? Shouldn't players on this team already have honourary degrees from Princeton, Harvard and Cambridge?
So what's the problem inside this year's school of hard knocks?
Are these magnificent poor Leaf bastards not paying attention? Are they doodling pictures of four-legged Zambonis in their notepads and spitting gobs of bubble gum at each other instead of studying for game day exams? Are they having trouble concentrating, what with all the other kids yammering excitedly about "playoffs"?
I have no idea. But maybe it's time we started jotting down some of these lessons. You know, so they can refer to them before games.
Here, I'll get started with 10 Random Lessons From Tonight's Game:
1. When an opposition player winds up at the blue line or inside the circles, do not screen your goalie or deflect the shot past him.
2. When on the power play, it's important to move your feet and move the puck out of your zone as quickly as possible. After this transition, you should create traffic in front of the other team's net. Simply passing the puck around as if you're playing a game of hot potato is not an effective way to score with the man advantage.
3. Unless your name is Colton Orr, Jay Rosehill, Mike Brown or Clarke MacArthur, do not start throwing gloves-on punches at opposition players who are known to drop their gloves because these players are capable of suddenly dropping their gloves and breaking a human face.
4. If you end up getting several power plays early in a game, including a two-man advantage, there's an excellent chance the referees will call some penalties on your team later in the game. Stay disciplined and don’t make this easy for the officials to do. Also: score on your chances. Please.
5. It's never a bad idea to fake a shot on a breakaway. It's always a bad idea to pass when you're alone in the slot. Horrible idea: Missing the net by 134 feet when you're 8 feet away.
6. Shooting the puck directly at an NHL goaltender may result in bruising and subtle psychological intimidation. But it rarely results in a goal.
7. Blind drop-passes near the opposition blue line are not recommended.
8. Working hard is great. Working smart is better.
9. If the game is tied mid-way through the third, do not get trapped in the offensive zone if there is even a 1 per cent risk of an odd-man rush going the other way.
10. Go to the opposition net and good things will happen. Leave opposition players alone in front of your net and bad things will happen.
So there you have it.
If any of this sounds harsh or needlessly sarcastic, I apologize. Truly I do. That was not my intention. You guys actually played a half-decent game tonight. You came back from a 3-1 deficit in the third and nearly stole this one.
Unfortunately, "half-decent" is not good enough and "nearly" is irrelevant where point totals are concerned. So if you want to graduate from this remedial course and get accepted into the next one – Critical Lessons in Winning – it's time to start remembering the curriculum.
Get some rest, you lovable kooks. Next test is tomorrow in Tampa. Class dismissed.
***
For you, hoofheartz:
MAIN PHOTO: RICHARD LAUTENS/TORONTO STAR
Sigh.
Posted by: no moe green | 01/25/2011 at 12:19 AM
Tampa, Gee, that outta be fun. One thing, it is a little easier on the insides when the games don't matter. No more need for those fattening lemon squares and brownies.
VM Replies: I was going to append a recipe for "brownies." But figured that may get me in some trouble around here.
Posted by: no moe green | 01/25/2011 at 12:21 AM
"acceptedd"? Tisk tisk.
VM Replies: Oh, God. Typo? Thanks for catching that! Talk about remedial...
Posted by: TML_C | 01/25/2011 at 12:27 AM
This is the best blog title of the bunch so far. Anyway, this is another example of one of those must-win games against a fellow non-playoff team in the East. The leafs are 11 pts back of Carolina now with one-game in hand. 7 pts back of them with a game in hand doesn't sound so horrible. While the leafs have some space over Edmonton, the Devils and Isles, they aren't even really close to any teams in the west and are barely ahead of the Sens so another top 5 pick gift-wrapped. I honestly don't care if this is considered a weak draft year and I don't want to pick the Kessel trade apart (ever again) but it's a bitter pill to swallow - another year of playing for pride and jobs come March. Maybe earlier. I think the Canes will take 8th this year, not Atlanta. They got smacked around by the Lightning last night. Jiggy to the Thrashers to see if they can save their playoff spot?
Posted by: TG77 | 01/25/2011 at 01:01 AM
Thanks for pointing out all the flaws in the Leafs game tonight. I can't believe how the play by play and colour guys keep congratulating the Leafs for 'trying hard'. Are they afraid of losing their jobs if they are too critical of the team? Probably.
It would be nice if:
1. They could hit the net.
2. They would be there for rebounds.
3. They would keep shooting the puck forward instead of leaving it behind or passing it back.
4. They could stand in front of the other team's goalie for a change.
5. They could somehow improve how many times they actually get the puck out of their end when they have possession.
When they do these things even on a semi-regular basis, they win. Oh right, that's what hockey teams are supposed to do!
I don't watch too much of the after-game shows, and I wonder if it happens in the dressing room, but I would love to see a 'low-lights' reel. I mean, if you just put all the lowlights back to back and made them watch it over and over maybe they would develop some sort of aversion to doing those things again...kind of like Alex in Clockwork Orange...except instead of getting sick maybe they could be programmed to actually play better.
VM Replies: What a great idea.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 01/25/2011 at 02:06 AM
I'm sorry VM, but Giguere is, as I said, not better than Gustavsson, not even with Gusto's confidence "shaken". Giguere is pouring on the phony swagger right now. In every game, he uses body language to show a "confident" guy --- swinging at flutter-pucks, pushing guys no longer in the play --- to contrast himself with Gusto's lanky, "sorry guys" posture. Body language means nothing. Stopping pucks means everything. So does the belief in a guy's future. Gusto has one.
VM Replies: I know you are a fan of Goose/Gusto. What do you make of Reimer?
Posted by: oilandgas | 01/25/2011 at 02:12 AM
"There's always someone lookin' at you, woh, oh, oh-oh
They're always lookin' at ya, woh, oh, oh-oh . . ."
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 02:27 AM
Another good one Vin, typo and all.
VM Replies: Thanks. When the other team scores six times, maybe adding an extra "D" to words is Freudian.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 02:28 AM
COMIC RELIEF?
--------
"One day he was promising the Jays to become Minnesota East,"
Huh?
Sounds like he was promising the team (the Jays) that HE would become Minnesota East. Sorry, you lost me there, unless you mean: "One day he was promising THAT the Jays WOULD become Minnesota East."
.
"I was intriguing to see what his response would be."
OK, I'm gonna go with "I was INTRIGUED to see . . ."
.
Geeze Damien, what happened? Take batting practice without a helmet again?
.
Sorry dude, couldn't resist.
---------
.
See, I can sometimes be a smart as. . . umm . . . an intelligent donkey (wg) over on The Spin as well.
Oh well, I'll give Mr. Cox credit for at least not having any typos, that I noticed.
(This from the guy who initially missed spotting "amines" when he thought he'd typed "another.") (sheepish, smart a$$ grin.)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 02:52 AM
11. Hockey 101 (on the forecheck). Skate right at the opposition D-Man. Don't wait until your 8-10 feet away and then turn away to avoid either a) accidently getting hit by that hard rubber black thingy, or b) accidently making physical contact with said D-Man.
12. If the opposition D-Man is carrying the puck behind his own net don't chase him behind that net but cut him off by skating in front of the net. Unless the D-Man your chasing is Hal freaking Gill, you aren't going to catch him but you will take yourself out of the play.
VM: thanks for the Floyd tribute. It's always nice to start the day with a smile rather than a sneer.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 01/25/2011 at 06:20 AM
Don't forget the lesson learned from that "gift horse in the mouth" call on the Carolina wraparaound disallowed goal that everyone but apparently the guys reviewing it back at Review HQ could see going about 4 inches over the line. A break like that and the stupid Leafs don't take advantage?!?
Speaking of a break, how is "Ogie" Kulemin's face today?
VM Replies: No official word other than "facial injury," which was obvious without the official word. Hope that poor guy is okay and it's "just" a broken nose.
Posted by: 80s Leafs | 01/25/2011 at 06:25 AM
It seems a little late in the game (schedule?) to be teaching your TML's how to play hockey effectively. I taught those principles to my Minor Bantam team. They caught on quickly.
Posted by: Ken Chevis | 01/25/2011 at 07:14 AM
The cast iron skillet seems to work, but it hurts like a bugger. Scrammbled eggs anyone?
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 01/25/2011 at 07:23 AM
As I was flailing in the snow between periods last night I had an "experience". Every single future NHL playoff game flashed before my eyes.Happy children munching hot dogs,last minute goals,exciting overtime wins and all.It was wonderful.Then I realized what was missing.Leafs jerseys on the ice.And as my wife shot me with the tranquilizing gun she now keeps beside her during all Leaf games,I wondered could this be true?Could my future be one second trying to reach in the tube to hug Timmy Brent and the next second falling to the floor as we shoot ourselves in the foot again?(I don't know how those guys can even stand anymore) Maybe tonight a young goalie can make me think my vision was incorrect.Maybe,maybe........maybe.......
VM Replies: In Reimer We Trust. We have no choice.
Posted by: TimB | 01/25/2011 at 07:25 AM
i'm not sure what is more frustrating: when they mail it in like against the Rangers or when they play good but a few mistake costs them the game like last night or against the Caps on Saturady?
i can't figure this team out. i never know which Leafs team shows up on any given night...
i think the only objective left for them is try to not give a lottery pick to Boston.
VM Replies: The Good Leafs versus The Bad Leafs. Story of the season.
Posted by: Peter | 01/25/2011 at 07:55 AM
I hate losing, but there were a couple bright spots. Phaneuf demolishing Ruutu, and Tim Brent scoring two highlight reel goals! That sure was one nice backhander!
VM Replies: That hit was bone-rattling just to watch.
Posted by: Darren | 01/25/2011 at 07:57 AM
Needlessly sarcastic? Hardly. They deserve every dripping ounce of sarcasm.
You had me at numbers 2 and 6. Or this game was brought to you by the numbers 2 and 6, - back to Sesame Street for some remedial learning.
VM Replies: There are no disappointments on Sesame Street.
Posted by: Katherine | 01/25/2011 at 08:00 AM
You won't hear this often from me,but today I agree with Damien Cox 100%.
VM Replies: For others, Damien's game story from Carolina: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/927509--cox-leafs-drop-messy-decision-to-hurricanes-6-4?bn=1
Posted by: TimB | 01/25/2011 at 08:21 AM
Just to be clear I mean the "Cox: Leafs drop messy decision to Hurricanes, 6-4"
Posted by: TimB | 01/25/2011 at 08:32 AM
Good Morning Leafs Nation, I heard on the radio that C-Mac said Gleason sucker punched Kuli, but Wilson said Kuli got surprised by the punch. Yes he should not have gone after Gleason, but I think Gleason should have probably tied him up instead of dropping the gloves.
Just a thought: Would the outcome have been any different had Reimer been in net last night?
VM Replies: Wilson said last night, "That was not a sucker punch." Either way, hope he recovers quickly.
Giguere started strong but then slowly faded. He almost seems to tighten up as the game proceeds. Even when he was skating to the bench on a delayed call, he didn't quite look like everything was functioning as it should.
As for Reimer, we shall see this evening. My money is on another big game for the kid.
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 01/25/2011 at 08:44 AM
I thought the Leafs had hired THE goalie coach in F. Allaire. What the hell has he been doing for the past 47 games? I mean if anything, I think the goal tender situation is sliding backwards. Reimer in tonight? Fire the damn goal tender coach and give the money to a worth while charity. The Leaf goaltenders have been charitable all season. For the umpteenth time, this team has the horses, but not the system. COACH'S FAULT! For heaven's sake, Kuli, if there's a fracas get out of the way. This whole season is about as discombobulated as my friggin' post.
VM Replies: Your posts are never discombobulated! I just wish they'd listen to you. The lack of fundamentals, the absence of basic systems, is incredibly frustrating.
Posted by: Robert | 01/25/2011 at 09:05 AM
It's not Allaire, or Giguere for that matter.... it's the defense in front of him. It's been a problem for the Leafs since the lockout, one they haven't fixed in spite of using over 20 different players in the past 6 seasons. The team's defensive system is inherently flawed, but we have to play guys like Beauchemin and Komisarek if we ever have any hope of trading them.
I was much happier losing 2-1 and 2-0 than the 6-4, 7-0, 6-3 losses of late.
Posted by: TPiddy | 01/25/2011 at 09:41 AM
Vinay , I usually love your blog, but to I think you are missing the point of this team completley. They are not good enough right now to make the playoffs and so cheering for them based on wins and losses is a losing proposition. I know "look to the future" gets old, but since Burke came to town, it is the first time in franchise history that an actual rebuild with a complete tear down -and not a patch job with thirty something FA's has been attempted. I watch the games and I know the playoffs are a long shot and I dont care. I watch to see Phil Kessel develop into a star; to see Phaneuf reclaim his game (and he has been awesome as of late) to see Luke Schenn develop into one of the games premier defenseman, to watch Mcarthur reclaim his career, to witness the development of grabovski, Kulemin and Gunnerson. You have this basic team -which no matter how frustrating they play, they have to learn these lessons; "you have to lose as a team before you can win as one" is a cliche because its true - anyways, this basic team still has Kadri, Aullie, and Reimer not playing last night. That is three above average NHLers to add to an already exciting young group. IN conclusion, you provide us with the Leafs fans perspective and I think the leaf fan needs to a be a cultured and learned hockey fan that can sit through 2 years of losing without losing his optimisim for what is going to be a very skilled and exciting team. I watched last nights game and wasnt even frustrated in the least. There were enough positives to outweigh the negatives and win/losses are now irrelevent.
Posted by: Ostrich Lover | 01/25/2011 at 09:49 AM
BTW you guys have it all wrong about Kulibots, the best part of his game is his willingness to mix it up and not be afraid. Who cares if he got punched out? Its not a serious injury and its inspiring for him to not back down from Gleason.
And was it not friggin hilarious when Kuliman skated into the side of the door on his way off the ice?
Also I have to wonder, what Comfertably Numb a shot at Hoofheartz hockey knowledge? Riding the H Train is a perfect explanation for his odd and mostley uninformed hockey opinions. IT also would explain why he is so grumpy and combative at times.
VM Replies: Huh? A shot at hoofheartz? No. I put up Comfortably Numb to atone for Deerhunter, as per yesterday's discussion.
I think you may be overestimating Kulemin's willingness to mix it up. It looked more like a scrum that suddenly went in a direction he did not expect or want.
Posted by: Ostrich Lover | 01/25/2011 at 09:56 AM
TimB - completely agree with your Cox comment. Every once in a while he actually posts something that doesn't make me want to punch him in the ear.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 01/25/2011 at 09:58 AM
As always, another great post VM. IMHO, the leafs biggest problem is our coach. Special teams and basic systems fall back on our entire coaching staff, including our goaltending coach, the supposedly immortal F. Allaire. Since the beginning of the year, our goaltending has got progressively worse. They have definitely taken a step backwards. Thus, please, please, Mr. Allaire, do not try to change our only hope we have in James Reimer. He always seems to be in the proper position, unlike the Goose and Giggy. When Reimer is in net, the whole team plays with more confidence and vigor. Good luck tonight James, its great to have you back. I, as a fan, will have the beleaf that you can and will lead us to victory tonight.
VM Replies: I am also looking forward to the return of Mr. Reimer.
Posted by: Michael C. Nemirsky | 01/25/2011 at 10:03 AM
I don't even care about the game, that goal by Timmy Brent made my night.
Posted by: Simmer | 01/25/2011 at 10:04 AM
Sorry, Vinay, I have not had enough of a look at Reimer, either via the Internet games I'm able to watch or up close in T.O. He looks promising, though, as Gusto did when he started out and kept the Leafs respectable. I live in Norway, where we only have Swedish hockey to watch. Swedes know Gusto backstopped their Elite League's crappiest team to a championship. It was a feat of arms (pardon the pun). One of Gusto's problems right now is underestimating how much NHL players will violate his space to score (and how much ground his own D will give up until they violate it too). The scrum that forms behind him when we comes out to challenge is another example of culture change he's dealing with. Being shovelled out of his crease (literally) is yet another no-no in the more gentlemanly European game. Don't get me wrong. The North American game is the only game, and Scandinavians know it. The great thing about Gusto is that, unlike Giguere, he never gives up on a shot, no matter how heavy a slapshot is being unleashed from the slot. I've seen Giguere start teetering before the shot is even taken.
VM Replies: An interesting perspective. And thanks for reading from Norway.
Posted by: oilandgas | 01/25/2011 at 10:25 AM
I have to say I just don't understand the logic of bringing up Reimer at this point in the season. Up until last night's game I was willing to cling to the very merest possibility of a playoff run. But let's be reasonable - that ship has sailed. So why screw with Reimer now?
Now is the time for Gustavsson to work out the kinks, now when the games don't matter. Is Burke telling us that now, all of a sudden, he cares about the playoffs? Please Brian, give us some credit. Play Gustavsson. Let him play his game without fear of being benched (way to kill his confidence Wilson). Let's see what we've got. Why not keep Allaire away from him for a week or two as well.
For the first time this year I will be watching a game where the score doesn't matter one bit. Who cares if Boston gets a top pick or not. Someone is gonna get it and it isn't going to be us. The only reason to play Reimer now is to satisfy Burke's pride. Sorry, not good enough. The kid's career is a little more important than Brian Burke saving face for a bad trade.
Tonight's game. Doesn't matter. If the efforts are equal then Tampa will win it easily and the Leafs will have lost six of their last seven games. The thing to do with Reimer, if you really cared about this team or it's fans, was to not send him back down in the first place. And what if Reimer gets pasted for six or seven goals tonight with that all-bum defense in front of him? Is that a good thing to do to the kid?
This really has to be the sorriest organization in the NHL. If I were Gustavsson, I would not agree to the conditioning assignment. If they want to send him down, let him become a serious starter on another team via the waiver wire. Now is the time to give him nearly every start to the end of the season in the NHL. Giguere will fetch us nothing in trade. He's proved that.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 11:03 AM
Very cool getting posts from Norway.I wonder if not all players can adjust to the NHL?Also wanted to comment on the video to Hoof.Another great Gilmour with one of the greatest guitar solos of all time.
Posted by: TimB | 01/25/2011 at 11:04 AM
I think we can all agree that this season, like many of the past, is a right off. I have to agree with Moe. Let Gustavson start 95% of the rest of the games and see what we have. I just don't understand Burke's logic. Is it really all about him saving face? I sure hope not.
VM Replies: They are trying to give Goose a break, is my sense. He'll get more starts before the season is over.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 01/25/2011 at 11:24 AM
Has the playoff-run ship sailed with us running and screaming and frantically waving our tickets above our heads from the dock? Is Reimer like a really strong swimmer whose back we can all jump upon and with his powerful swimming and with us frantically paddling with our hands, we can catch up with the ship?
Is Reimer sort of a super-dingy for our playoff hopes? Is that what's up? Are we to abandon utter hopelessness for one last pathetic surge for salvation? And if by some unprecedented miracle we reach the ship, will we even have the strength to climb aboard?
VM Replies: Goose needs a break. That much is clear. And they need to see if this Reimer kid is the real deal. So I actually agree with the decision to bring him up. It's a different team when he's in net, for whatever reason. There are still a lot of games to play.
So why not?
You're right: He's young. But he strikes me as a relaxed, "big picture" thinker. The irony, in my opinion, is that of all the goalies, Goose is the one who clearly thinks about hockey more than anybody else when he's away from the rink. He wants to play, he wants to be the guy, he wants to succeed.
But right now, maybe that's the problem. He wants it too much. His head is starting to interfere with body.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 11:26 AM
Moe Green: I dont get what your saying. What bad trade is Burke trying to atone for (he has not made one) and what does playing Riemer have to do with it?
Vinay: I dont think I am overestimating Kulemins ability to mix it up, come on, even if it was gloves on, it takes some balls to hit Gleason twice, or to mix it with him in the first place. Secondly, he goes into the corners and heads to the front of the net, hence his 15 some odd goals. I love this kid - are you implying he is some kind of pansy? For my money, outside of Armstrong, Brown, Brent and Orr, he is our most physical forward.
And you never have to apologize for Deerhunter. People should apologize for not having good taste in music,(not that there is anything wrong with Pink Floyd, though I would prefer Piper or Saucer ). BTW thanks for Beach house - I broke the rules and downloaded it, quite good, but needs to grow on you a bit I think. Are you down with Ariel Pink? You should be.
VM Replies: Who called him a pansy? That's not what I'm saying. Both Kulemin and Grabovski fight for the puck, go to the net and mix it up in the corners.
All I'm saying is Kulemin probably regrets throwing those gloves-on punches this morning. My guess is he didn't even process it was Gleason until it was too late.
Posted by: Ostrich Lover | 01/25/2011 at 11:29 AM
And what will we say tomorrow if the final score is 7-1 Tampa?
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 11:32 AM
@ moe green 11:03,
I would agree with you to a point regarding Reimer. I think that Burke and Wilson still believe the team have a legitimate shot at the playoffs and so to bring up Reimer is what they feel they need to achieve that. It's obvious the kid is ready to play and given the choice, I'm fairly certain he would not want to be sent down again. Vinay saw for himself in the dressing room the difference between the two as they interacted with their teammates. Maybe it's the softmore slump, maybe it's not being able to adjust to North American play as oilandgas suggested.
Could it be that they feel more comfortable playing in front of him, than Goose?
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 01/25/2011 at 11:34 AM
Amen Brother Robert, Amen!
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 11:35 AM
Just bring back Felix The Cat. I miss seeing that guy in net for the Leafs.
Posted by: Adam | 01/25/2011 at 11:46 AM
Only caught a few bits and pieces of the game last night (sadly the Canes scored when I was watching). The troubling part is that the players actually look like they're giving it all they got, as in, this is the best we can expect from this bunch. I hope I'm wrong, but another dismal season will mean more crazy moves at the deadline. Btw VM, since I didn't see it, I must ask, who are you refering to with lesson 3?!?!?
VM Replies: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN0ALTJyj5I
Posted by: gettingcozywithsarkozy | 01/25/2011 at 11:52 AM
I hope you are right Vinay. And I doubly hope that the kid doesn't get pasted against he high-flying Bolts. And I triply hope that if he does that it wont hurt him psychologically.
I do think they need to know what they have with Reimer and also with Gustavsson. I would alternate those two if I were Wilson or Burke. Giguere, god rest his soul, is a great guy, but he's done. With his wonky groin he isn't going to fetch us anything of consequence at the deadline. Time to see what we have moving forward.
What would be horrible is to bring Reimer up for one or two stinkers and then send him back down with his confidence in tatters.
It's exactly the kind of thing I think they would do and I really don't understand why. They seem smarter than that. I really believe that Wilson's (and Burke's) mishandling of Gustavsson has only exacerbated his problems.
VM Replies: The bottom line, I think, is Reimer wants to be up here. He feels he's ready. The coaching staff love him, especially Allaire. His teammates seem to love him.
In terms of pasting/confidence, his last game up here was his worst game: A 5-1 loss to Phoenix in which he gave up 4 goals on 20 shots. (Mind you, only one of those goals was his fault.)
So then we look at his record since with the Marlies: 4 games, 2 wins, 2 losses, 2.22 GAA, .920 SVP and a shutout in his most recent start.
Win or lose, big or small, I don't think he'll be damaged by what happens over the next little while.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 11:53 AM
Thank you for your blog, I find it very cathartic (and I don't mean a purging of the bowels). You manage to say what I feel every time. I suffer 82 times a year plus exhibition. It helps when you enable me to smile at my pain.
Number 11 should be something to the effect of "When a defenceman gains control of the puck at the opposition blueline, he should be reminded that lateral movement is permitted. Driving the puck into the nearest opponents shinpads game after game after game should be discouraged".
VM Replies: An excellent addition to the list. Thanks.
Posted by: cbh747 | 01/25/2011 at 11:56 AM
2 words...Tim Brent!!!
Posted by: A True Leafs Fan | 01/25/2011 at 11:57 AM
even though we lost that was one of the most exciting games from the leafs I have watched in a while...when we were down by 2 and on the penalty kill I had almost lost all hope... but when tim brent scored that insane shorthanded goal...I absolutley lost it. Phanuef shot a LASER BEAM!!! I am suprised brents stick didn't just evaporate from all the heat.
Posted by: A True Leafs Fan | 01/25/2011 at 12:01 PM
The irony in last night is how the Leafs have had a habit of making goalies we have never heard of (Holtby), have never played an NHL game (the kid with the Sabres) or guys who are so old they use mobility assistance off the ice (Roloson) look like sure bet hall of fame goalies and then Ward, who is actually an all-star and cup winner looks average. It was reverse alchemy. What a long strange trip it's been. Anyway, as others have suggested, definitely some positives. I have been waiting all year for Phaneuf to lay a hit like that and TIM BRENT got the highlight of the night on TSN. I am expecting them to build off this one and deliver a surprising victory over the bolts tonight. 4-1.
Posted by: TG77 | 01/25/2011 at 12:26 PM
Good blog. Funny. If I were a Leafs fan I would certainly share your frustration at the long history of "good efforts" and "tried our bests" in the Leafs' past.
Which makes me think of a slogan for the franchise: "The Toronto Maple Leafs: Giving Fans Moral Victories Since '67".
VM Replies: Your slogan just made me laugh out loud and cry on the inside.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 01/25/2011 at 12:27 PM
was very sad to see the lack of energy that Phaneuff showed when he was trying to get at Gleason. sure Cole had a hold of him (and Cole's a pretty big guy), but still. he barely showed any movement like he was really pissed! put guys like Roberts, Corson, Tucker, Clark, etc. in that situation and they would have showed you what pissed off looks like!
stuff like that is what's supposed to get Phaneuff angry!! and then after the game he says that he's not going to comment on it because he still hasn't seen the replay?!?!?! what a bunch of B/S!! this guy needs to wake the F-up!!
VM Replies: I totally agree with you. When poor Kulemin, doubled-over and bleeding profusely, wobbled toward the bench, everybody on the ice should have been lunging for Gleason -- especially the captain, who was only a few feet away.
Instead, it almost looked like Phaneuf was saying stuff along the lines of: "Oh, come on! Why did you have to do that? Why did you have to punch him like that?"
Disheartening.
Remember the 93 playoffs, when McSorely hit Gilmour at the blue line, triggering a street brawl. Just as Phaneuf claimed last night, Wendel Clark did not see that hit on Gilmour. But I distinctly remember him saying: "Our best player was lying on the ice so I went over to have a few words with Marty."
Or remember the Edmonton game this season, in which Stortini low-bridged Grabovski? Later in the period, Colton Orr sent the entire Oiler bench a very important message by rearranging Zack's face.
The worst part about last night's incident is they didn't even make Gleason/Carolina pay by scoring on the major penalty.
Posted by: Chad | 01/25/2011 at 12:34 PM
I really have been "hating on" Kessel (as the southerners say) and I got to thinking: Have I been a little to hard on the guy?
Thing is he comes to us with the reputation of not being a hard worker. He was actually benched during the playoffs. Can you imagine that? You've gotta be ultra-slacker to get benched during the playoffs. And now I see him coasting and coughing up the puck and I wonder what we've gotten ourselves into but more importantly why?
He didn't seem to get along with Claude Julien. Is it because Julien demanded defensive responsibility from his players? If that's the case and Kessel balked then why did Burke jump all over him? Is it because Burke is mired in his archaic "top-six, bottom-six" idiosophy? In Burke's world do top-sixers get a pass on hard work? Is that the kind of team we want? If not, do we really want Burke anymore?
I have heard Burke in the past degrade the importance of the so-called bottom-sixers. He has referred to them as "plumbers" and "grunts." He seems to do it in such a way as to intentionally diminish their importance. Maybe it's ground work for contract negotiations. See, I don't like that. That can't be good for team morale.
He is loyal to those he likes personally, but not so much to those he doesn't. I think he and Wilson have treated Kaberle distastefully and we all saw what happened with hard-working and loyal Dominick Moore. And with all the healthy scratches this year Colton Orr (a "Burke guy") inexplicably missed just his first game of the season last night.
Why are we so sure that Burke knows what he's doing? I know he's confident - but is that good enough? I for one am not a big fan of things being too "carved in stoney." And all that carefully constructed and condescending bluster. Success or not, is that who we want running our team?
And his very good friend (best man at his wedding) with three years of crap results under his belt is still coaching the team with no sign of his termination in sight. A guy who hasn't even moved his family up with him on a four-year contract. Is a transient mercenary a suitable coach for our Leafs? Or do we want someone with slightly more invested in the community. Maybe I'm being too closed minded, too old-fashioned, I dunno. If he was a more humble and overtly sensitive and caring guy I might feel differently.
Right now, I can't help feeling like I'm being taken for a ride by a couple of carpet baggers.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 12:47 PM
@ Ostrich-lover - The Kessel trade is the "bad trade" but you knew that. What I am saying is that if Burke is bringing up Reimer now that he playoffs are out of reach to avoid giving Boston a lottery pick, what is that in aid of? Why would "The Leafs" care what kind of pick Boston got. Does it matter? If they don't get it someone else will. It could only matter to Burke.
I am not saying that I judge the trade to be a bad one. It's just that so far I'm not happy with what I'm seeing out of Kessel. He's not my kind of player. I still say Burke made a reasonably good move signing Kessel regardless of the picks Boston gets. That is unless Kessel's contract expires before we make the playoffs.
Even then, Burke would have made a good trade just mismanaged the team in other ways.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 12:53 PM
Vinay, please explain to me how Reimer playing games in the NHL at this moment in time is going to benefit the Leafs in the long run. That is what we want isn't it?
If after the all-star break the Monster accepts a 14 day conditioning stint in the AHL, plays ok. Reimer wins 4 of 5 up in the bigs. What the F do they do then? Put the Monster on waivers, pray no one claims him? Trade him at the lowest value possible?
Trade Jiggy for nothing basically, if you can find someone to take his contract for the season? Put him on waivers and pray someone takes him?
Or the worst possible option, send Reimer back down after playing great, again.
Please no playoff talk in any answers. That ship has sailed, sans anchor.
VM Replies: Again, this has to do with Goose needing a break more than Reimer helping the Leafs. If they had more confidence in Goose's confidence, they wouldn't have recalled Reimer.
Do we all agree Giguere is likely playing his last season in Toronto? If that's the case, the team needs to see what the youngsters can do, irrespective of points or that other p-word. Just my humble opinion, Dr. Waffles.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 01/25/2011 at 01:01 PM
I will defer to Vinay's assessment of Reimer and hope our boys can claw out a win for him tonight. My prediction? I dunno, let's call it 3-0 Leafs. Yeah, that's right, I'm an optimistic idiot. Personally, I'm waiting for Alecia's post.
The fat lady hasn't sung yet but she is on the way to the venue in a taxi and though she still has to have a bath, do her hair and makeup and get dressed for the show, she is doing vocal warm-ups in the car. Go Leafs... sigh... go.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 01:01 PM
Not to get all conspiracy theory here regarding the team USA member, Tim Gleason and Nik Kulemin, but a number of players including McArthur thought it was a cheap shot and yet team USA coach Wilson says it was not a cheap shot and team USA GM Brian Burke suggests he will not ask the league to review it. Weird set of coincidences I am sure.
I will chime in on the Deerhunter song. Whoa. I think we have found the song that the AV crew at the ACC should pump into the visitors dressing room on repeat. It would give the Leafs that home-ice advantage that the blackberry toting, sushi-eating, corporate ticket holders currently don't.
@ Geoff - that is an awesome slogan!! I have a similar reaction except I was born in 77 so I don't quite carry the same burden as other long-time sufferers.
Finally, my dad is a teacher (cue the chorus of boos) and he is a die-hard fan, watches them all the time and it's one of the common threads of conversation whenever we talk. I think the teachers get a bad rap. The pension fund also own Shoppers Drug Mart but do you blame a teacher when they run out of milk? It's just too convenient to blame those "greedy" teachers who make a whopping $30k right out of teachers college and right now it's nearly impossible for teachers to find full-time jobs without relocating to Wawa. I think an individual owner would be more ideal but think about how loony some of those owners are i.e. Mark Cuban, maybe even Melnyk belongs in that category. Basically, if the team was a winning product, the ownership structure wouldn't matter.
VM Replies: Just heard that Gleason feels pretty bad about what happened and is planning to call Kulemin to apologize. You see, now that's classy.
Both my parents were teachers before they retired. A noble profession that's constantly under siege!
Posted by: TG77 | 01/25/2011 at 01:02 PM
Vinay, then why not just bite the bullet and put J.S. Giguere on waivers? Its not like he's helping the team win that often.
VM Replies: Complicated personal factors at play. Not saying it's right or wrong. But the guy did win the Conn Smythe and a Cup. He has non-hockey reasons for wanting to remain in Toronto. And he's a really good guy.
How an organization treats a player when said player is tip-toeing into the twilight of his career is almost as important as how they treat "valuable assets," also IMHO.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 01/25/2011 at 01:13 PM
I am really sick of all you guys defending fighting out there. So by your logic, the way to fight street crime is not to stop the criminals but to arm potential victims with guns right? Is that about it? Or since the police can't stop it let's have armed vigilantes on the subway instead of better funding for the police.
I hated seeing Kulemin punched out there. What in god's name does that have to do with the sport of hockey? We have enforcers simply because we have woeful officiating. It would be exactly like saying, look the courts are clogged, the police are over-taxed so let's just allow the victims vigilante justice.
So explain to me how having Orr fight what's his ass does any good. Does it help Kulemin. Does it discourage it in the first place. Orr wouldn't even have been on the ice. What you think what's his dink doesn't know Orr is gonna have a staged and pointless fight with him net game? Of course he does he just doesn't care, Nobody cares. Remember Belak tuning up Janssen? Big whup!
What we need to do now is to make dropping the gloves an automatic multi-game suspension. Next soften the shoulder pads and any act deemed intent to injure (which fighting is by the way) should result in an automatic multi game suspension with no roster relief. No roster relief until the injured player is cleared to play by league doctors. Next, immediately have a press-box official at every game that can quickly review calls and make calls of his own. There would be no more phantom or missed calls and fighting would be gone and never missed.
"Cuz I like it" is not an acceptable reason for having something in the game. If you think fighting belongs, you should be able to explain it logically to a reasonable person. Try explaining to your son or daughter why fighting is a necessary part of the game of hockey and no other game. Try explaining why it's not okay on the street? Forget that, explain it to me.
VM Replies: I love when your anti-fighting passion starts to sound like you're about to throw punches. But I think you're somewhat conflicted on this point, Moe.
You like fighting! You've praised MacArthur's fights. I recall you getting a kick out of Versteeg's fight, early in the season.
So you like when players stand up for themselves but you don't like when other players stand up for them. Am I right so far?
But here's the thing: It's a *team* sport. Everybody should stand up for everybody. That's what the best teams have always done.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 01:22 PM
Good on Gleason. More of that stuff likely happens behind the scenes and thanks for putting that out there. I will try to shorten my posts up. I am a rambler!
Posted by: TG77 | 01/25/2011 at 01:26 PM
Agreed on Giguere Vinay. I respect treating a player like Giguere with respect. Same with Kabby tho.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 01:30 PM
Just heard on the radio that Kuli believes he will play tonight. He's not much of a fighter, but he definately has toughness. He could have just as easily taken the night off and used the All-Star break to lick his wounds. The kind of guy you want on your team if that team ever makes playoffs.
@Moe - It matters if Boston gets the lottery pick because they are a division rival. Not only do the Leafs have to beat them to win the division, but they play them 6 times a year. Its for that reason that you rarely see player movement within a divison.
VM Replies: That's good news.
Posted by: Simmer | 01/25/2011 at 01:37 PM
A little bright star, when hope is needed in Leaf Land...
http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Brian-Huddle/Jesse-Blacker-Finding-His-Game/153/33139
This should give us some hope that things will get better more sooner than later....
Posted by: Nik Culoman | 01/25/2011 at 01:40 PM
I gotta agree with "TG77" whoever you are - blaming the teachers for the Leafs' problems has always struck me as pretty weird. By all accounts, the team's GMs have always been given the green light to spend what was necessary to make the team successful, so the problem has to be something else.
And yes - teachers are always under siege! They're convenient scapegoats much like nurses, welfare mothers, and so on. Hello Mike Harris.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 01/25/2011 at 01:41 PM
Moe, just so that you know there is in Canada a provision of the criminal code that allows two people to fight in public without a criminal act taking place. It is called a consensual fight. As long as neither party chooses to press charges and no one is seriously injured. The police more often than not do not pursue the matter further. It happens all the time.
You may not like the fights, but I would rather two guys who have a disagreement on the ice settle it themselves. Its the phony staged fights that I hate.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 01/25/2011 at 01:48 PM
@VM, BB in your last interview, basically conceded that this team requires some changes. Until the team gets that je ne sais quoi through change, I think we will continue to see the inconsistency. If BB can't work some changes out, then he is either left with turfing the coaching staff (whether or not Wilson is to blame) or doing another "rebuild" this summer. Both of those choices would negatively impact his credibility as a GM since they go against his original long term plans. I think this team, that he built in his image, has let him down as much as it has any of us fans. Thanks to this blog, I continue to learn more and more about the business and games behind the games (thanks everyone). Go Leafs Go!
Posted by: Rooney | 01/25/2011 at 02:10 PM
I'm with Moe - it's not that I dislike fights - sometimes I even get a charge out of them. Heck, who wouldn't want to see someone beat up Sean Avery? But they're dangerous and as the Kulemin situation shows, they're not just dangerous to willing combatants - they create a violent retributive atmosphere that endangers other players as well. It's time to eliminate them from the game and it would be easy to do so with stiff penalties, suspensions and fines.
VM Replies: A little part of my soul is slowly dying today.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 01/25/2011 at 02:29 PM
I'm feeling very zen about things. My poor heart has been battered by this team so many times, it's pretty calloused. So...meh. I'll watch tonight. Just to see how Reimer does. Out of curiosity. I was entertained yesterday, at least. They amuse me. My little team of gladiators, sent out to the slaughter night after night.
Watching Jiggy yesterday, I totally have to agree with whoever it was here that first observed he appears to be playing hurt. The man did not look 100%, and I think he'd have been sidelined longer if Jonas had been able to hold the fort. Also, watching Phaneuf and Kaberle bang the puck back and forth across the ice at each other during the powerplay was probably one of the most ill-timed demonstrations of seething animosity I've seen in a while. Once again, hats off to whoever first pointed out the tension between those two. I concur. That's either going to end in tears or a passionate exchange of saliva and hair gel. There is nowhere else for it to go. Hug it out guys!! (Sad when you have to make up storylines to keep yourself invested. I'm sure if Bettman had his way this would all be a reality TV series by now.)
I'm not ashamed to say I just enjoy watching grown men beat the snot out of each other. I wish it were a more cerebral and reasoned justification. :) I'm sure it's like, totally good for the team morale thingamum or like, whatever, too and makes them play better n'stuff. (Don't hate me moe!! I'm just in a bratty mood.)
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 02:58 PM
I'm just curious Moe, have you played hockey at a competitve level? (I don't mean this as a jab, but it adds a lot of perspective to the game). There are plenty of dirty things I can do during a game that are just as, if not more, dangerous than fighting that the refs will never see. There is just far too much going in hockey for two refs to catch all of it. Fighting has a place to allow players to somewhat police themselves. There really isn't another sport that it can be compared to because Football, which has a similar amount of contact to hockey is played at a much slower pace.
Please don't confuse fighting in hockey with staged fights. A staged fight is like the shootout. Sure, its exciting to watch, but it adds nothing to the game. I was as on board as anyone could be when BB brought Orr in. I like his physicality and during the beginning of the season, I thought he was a very effective fourth liner. Unfortunately, all he seems to do these days is participate in staged fights. Heck, he played a total of 5 seconds in the Anahiem game before his "fight".
Posted by: Simmer | 01/25/2011 at 02:58 PM
Okay Vinay, you got me, I do like when guys like Versteeg or MacArthur fight their own fights. In fact I love it. I just really hate staged ones.
You watch, the next time these teams meet, Orr is gonna fight "what's his nuts" and everything is going to be okay until it all happens again. You can set your clock by it. And nothing at all will be accomplished. Let's face it, no one who matters is actually afraid of even Colton Orr.
Remember when Sidney Crosby was being a little rough with our smaller players? Orr didn't fight Crosby, he just fought the other teams goon. If we didn't have designated fighters, or had better officiating, maybe Crosby wouldn't have taken those liberties in the first place.
Anyway, my argument is that fighting doesn't belong in hockey anymore regardless or mine or anyone else's personal desires.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 03:08 PM
@ Simmer - Good point re Boston getting the lottery pick. I guess it does matter.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 03:12 PM
@moe - your 12:53 post - not sure i understand . First you say " The Kessel trade is the "bad trade" (in response to OL).
Then you say "I am not saying that I judge the trade to be a bad one. " Which is it?
VM, it might be interesting to see what people think is the worse trade in ML history.
VM Replies: That would be a good discussion to have, though maybe closer to the end of this season. I already fear the comments.
Posted by: palbo | 01/25/2011 at 03:15 PM
I would pay to see someone beat up Sean Avery.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 03:16 PM
So I'm reading this comment and I come across this line: "anyways, this basic team still has Kadri, Aullie, and Reimer not playing last night. That is three above average NHLers to add to an already exciting young group."
And immediately I'm thinking WTF? Haven't we recently made some progress here in terms of sticking a little closer to reality?
None of these guys, especially Kadri, who has probably had the most chance to prove himself ready for the big leagues, has even shown himself ready to play regularly in the NHL, let alone be an "above average" NHL player. Heck, there are regulars on the big team who still haven't proven to be above average.
Then I glanced down to see who wrote this comment and immediately said to myself, "Oh yeah. HIM again. The flightless-bird fancier. I should have known."
VM Replies: The flightless-bird fancier? Oh, man.
Ostrich Lover, I think you need to explain the origins/significance of your alter ego. (Didn't TG77 request this same info a while back?)
Your next comment MUST be about your name, Ostrich. Please and thank you.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 03:31 PM
"I kinda not ready (for the punch). I don't think about fight," Kulemin told Toronto radio station AM640."
I missed the first half of the game, have seen none of the replays, etc. but I think my frozen heart just broke into a million little pieces, all of which are now melting. Poor pudding-pop. I can't even add anything intelligent here except 'awwwwwww'. My special widdle guy, I hope his widdle face is okay. I am now of the opinion that fighting is bad, at least until I can sucessfully snuff my nurturing side once more.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 03:34 PM
@Robert
I may be wrong but isn't Allaire the goaltender coach who tries to mold goaltenders into a certain uniform style rather than help teach them to maximize their individual skills and styles?
As I say, I may be wrong and may be thinking of someone else.
But that's the bell that rings when I see the name Allaire.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 03:49 PM
Vin
I see the bird man generates as much credibility and popularity when posting comments after the Cox piece.
VM Replies: I just scanned through the comments (wish there was more time in a day so I could read more).
The bird man certainly knows how to rile up the masses. But what jumped out at me was someone referred to Jonas as "Goose." It's spreading beyond our little family here!
This has just made me unreasonably happy.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 03:52 PM
Okay, found a clip. Gleason's reaction may have been a little excessive. But seriously, you can't poke a guy in the face with your glove and not expect some retaliation. Did I see him do anything worthy of having his face indented? No. But both players needed to use their heads before letting things escalate to that point.
@ moe - this is a violent, contact sport. If we do away with fighting, then we may as well do away with hitting/checking because I'm sure there are other more sophisticated ways of controlling play than launching yourself at your opponent. Getting back to what Simmer said, this is an incredibly fast-paced and physical game. People will get hurt, and not everything will get called, it's just not possible to prevent that without drastically altering the pace and nature of the game. I for one, would not want to see that happen. Allowing players to settle their greivances, so long as they don't take it to extremes (and most don't seem to), is probably the kindest thing you can do, given all the punishment they endure just to make it through the night.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 04:01 PM
@Geoff Read
Re.: "But they're dangerous and as the Kulemin situation shows, they're not just dangerous to willing combatants."
Oh I'm sure Kulemin lost all willingness --- and awareness of where he was --- once Gleason retaliated with a punch --- and just one punch --- to his chin.
But if he didn't know before, hopefully he knows now, that punching someone twice in the face sends a very clear message that you are quite willing to fight.
As for suggestions that Gleason should have gone easy on the kid, I doubt anyone in that situation who has just received two punches to the face will calmly hold off until he gets a chance to check the other guy's number.
Not hit him so hard?
When someone is hitting you in the face, your first instinct is to make him stop. Which Gleason did as quickly and efficiently as he could.
I'm sorry Kulemin got hurt. But in all fairness, he WAS the willing instigator, and the author of his own misfortune.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 01/25/2011 at 04:05 PM
OL, the idiot savant of all things hockey. You are so totally clueless, it defies decription. One has to look no further than your ridiculous posts on any hockey story on the star.com to see that. For example, your post on DC's story @10:39 today "Its not wins and losses that matter" or this gem @10:36 "Hey Skyhawk, don't hurt your limp wrist with all that typing. Booya!" BTW, if he actually is or ever was a Skyhawk, he'd tune you up in about 2 seconds flat, limp wrist or not. I will say one thing on your behalf, the impressive number of disagrees on anything you post is the stuff legends are made of, at least the legend in your own mind.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 01/25/2011 at 04:06 PM
Personally, I think the decline of fighting and self-policing in hockey due to things like the instigator rule is what's leading to a rise in hits from behind and blind side hits and head shots.
When you know you can get away with it, where's the incentive not to? A fine? A suspension of a few games? What does that matter in the long run. The "If you don't run our stars, we won't run yours" approach worked for years because it was backed up by guys like Dave Semenko. Now, that intimidation factor has essentially been neutered and we see hits like Matt Cooke's as a result.
Posted by: TPiddy | 01/25/2011 at 04:09 PM
@ palbo the "bad trade" is the one referred to in a previous post. It is my hypothetical of Burke's perspective of the Kessel deal as potentially being a bad trade if the Bruins get too high a pick this season. Even I am confused.
I don't think I have ever personally considered the trade bad. Lately, I have to admit, I am questioning whether or not I like Kessel as a player. But the trade made sense. I think he just underestimated how good the team was when he made it. Maybe that does make it a bad trade. It will certainly be the case if the Leafs don't make a splash in the playoffs before Kessel's contract expires in 2014.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 04:09 PM
@ Simmer - No organized hockey past the age of about 14. I do understand what you say regarding players policing themselves but I think that is because officiating is so bad. I am not so foolish as to ignore the perspective of someone who has played the game at a high level. Please give me an example of how better officiating, as I have described it, is insufficient to police the game properly. Put simply: Why is fighting necessary? Change my mind. If there was an off-ice official who could call delayed penalties and instantly overrule calls on the ice, wouldn't that go a long way towards ending a need for fighting? I really think it is the NHL's rules and the enforcement of them that is the problem.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 04:18 PM
@ Boo: But that's just it Boo, I don't think fighting accomplishes anything at all. It doesn't stop head shots or hits from behind or anything. The argument that it somehow protects the players is one that I think is totally unsubstantiated. In fact, I think it causes far more problems than it solves.
I know the game is fast but the camera catches virtually everything. I would love to have an off-ice official behind a wall of monitors review each penalty call almost instantly and signal down the on ice official electronically if the call should stand. The off-ice official could call penalties missed by the on-ice guys - a more important matter. It wouldn't impact the speed of the game much I don't think. I'd rather have that than the war room for goals. They need an electronic way of determining goals anyway. It's time to embrace the new technology.
VM Replies: Any time I hear "off-ice official" and "monitors" at the same time, I get anxious.
How long did it take last night to review the goal Carolina thought it scored? That was like an eight minute stoppage. That's an eternity when it comes to game flow and momentum, to say nothing of how it kills a crowd.
Now imagine if off-ice officials were scrutinizing every player on every shift for possible infractions. In theory, I agree with some of what you say. But in practice, I think it would impact the speed of the game.
It would kill the game.
Me, I'm okay with the odd fight. It doesn't happen as much as it used to. Sure, the staged stuff is annoying. But when it happens organically, when it bubbles to the surface and dances to life from intensity and hatred, a fight is actually a beautiful thing to behold.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 04:27 PM
@ TPiddy: So you are saying that if we didn't have the instigator Crosby wouldn't have been hit. Second, are you telling me that a cheap two-minute penalty prevents all that many serious fights. I just don't believe it.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 04:45 PM
Leafs win 4-3, maybe 5-3 if there's an empty net.
VM Replies: People, get your ProLine tickets and call your bookies. Psychic Alecia has returned from Mount Puffer to pronounce tonight's outcome.
I don't think Reimer gives up three goals tonight, but that's just me.
Posted by: Alecia | 01/25/2011 at 04:50 PM
WHAT?! That's my reaction to Brent's comment, "After the all-star break, the pressire is really on." "REALLY" ?! Shouldn't the pressure be really on after training camp?
VM Replies: An excellent question. Though deep down, I'm not sure I really want to hear the answer.
Posted by: leafland'r | 01/25/2011 at 04:58 PM
@ Sensi-bill yes, I believe Allaire has what he considers a style and attempts to make the goal tenders adopt his style. This being the case, one wonders how the goal tenders go this far?? I think it is one more example of the complete confusion that often surrounds this team. You have someone of substance, why would you want to change it?
Posted by: Robert | 01/25/2011 at 05:01 PM
@ moey my man - the off-ice official would still have to be a human being, yes? How is he going to be any less error-prone than the guys on the ice, especially if he's keeping tabs on a wall of monitors and not just the guy with the puck? It's hard enough to track things with the naked eye from a few feet away. You'd need a fleet of officials watching individual monitors, cameras all over the place to capture the blind spots, and then, factoring in the need to communicate with the other humans on the ice, how do they make a call from up in the booth to stop play? Does the voice of God boom down from the PA in the middle of the game? Or do the refs have to stop and listen to an earpiece to hear the call, and then resist the very human urge to argue against it, if they didn't happen to see it, thereby delaying play even longer?
I totally hear you on your desire to prevent tragedies and unnecessary absences from play happening. No decent person likes to see a guy get gravely injured (or just take a stupid penalty), sport or no sport. But part of what I love about hockey is that edge - that raw, exhilirating feeling that anything can happen in an instant. I don't see how to maintain it while increasing the level of scrutiny on the players and officials, and how it'll work logistically speaking if the solution is to add more proverbial cooks to watch the proverbial broth.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 05:02 PM
As I watched the scrum and noticed Kuli was involved, I gasped and shouted, "But he's just a boy!" (Finding Nemo style) then a millisecond later his face was squashed by Gleason's fist. Kulemin said he was "kinda not ready"? Well clearly - that's why he ended up with a bloody face. Just like he was "kinda not ready" for the boards when he attempted to escape from the onlooking crowd. The aftermath of the punch was painful to watch. Truly cringe-worthy. It was like watching that big nice guy get beat up in the school yard (just because he was trying to defend his BFF), then slinking off to the bathroom to deal his bloody nose. Oh wait . . . that's exactly what happened.
Hoping to see him on the ice tonight. I'm also curious to see the state of his face. Fingers crossed for the ever elusive Grabo/Kuli smiling goal celebration. The guy deserves it after such an embarrassing crumple.
Vinay: Absolutely love your blog. I always end up chuckling or smiling, even after the most humiliating losses. Nice to have someone as cynical as myself poke fun at the Leafs but cheer them on loyally night after night. I think one of my favourite posts was Game 35. Heartbreak and hilarity. Dodgeball reference had me in tears.
VM Replies: You are very kind. Thanks.
Kulemin is ready to go tonight. No broken bones. Since you mentioned Finding Nemo, my guess is Nikolai will bear a striking resemblance to the character Bloat:
http://www.wearysloth.com/Gallery/ActorsG/6343-26116.gif
Posted by: beefer | 01/25/2011 at 05:03 PM
@ moe re 12:53 pm .... a little while ago I suggested to OL that I'd hope the Leafs would get out of the lottery position. My logic was that I wouldn't (and maybe the Leafs) want Boston, in particular, to get a crack at first pick as they are in the same Division. I wouldn't want the Bruins' depth potentially making it more difficult for them to be passed in the standings. Remember, the Leaf need to get past Boston to gain first place in the division, and thus guaranteed at least third in the Conference and subsequently playoff positioning . It may be a small point, yet the battle for the Leafs needs to be fought on many fronts on route to raising the Cup.
Posted by: leafland'r | 01/25/2011 at 05:10 PM
Hm Vinay, you may be right. In that case, do we need to change the score to 4-2? I pondered that one already.
Posted by: Alecia | 01/25/2011 at 05:21 PM
Yes, I have asked the Ostrich to provide some context to his/her name but nothing yet. Ah well. My screen name will be much less of a mystery soon as I put a little guest post together over the weekend. Anyway, I for one miss the Pyramid's posts. I hope he is doing well in China and Vinay, if you can please send our regards by email.
Wouldn't Kordic for Courtnall, Kurvers for Neids or Raycroft for Rask be easily much worse trades than the Kessel trade? Admittedly someone does need to light a fire under Phil because in the games he doesn't score (and lets be honest, not too many players score at a pace of even one for every 2 games played) the look of frustration sets in and he basically looks like a floater out there who doesn't compete for the puck. I think Wilson has virtually attempted all permutations of the line-up outside of putting the Goose at centre with Kessel so unless Kadri makes a valiant return to the NHL and gains instant chemistry with Phil, the centre needs to come from another team or the draft. Nik - did you end up writing the prospects guest post? Any centres in the bunch of kids lighting up various CHL leagues?
Posted by: TG77 | 01/25/2011 at 05:28 PM
OOPS...just read Simmer's 1:37pm response to moe green Sorry 'bout the repeat perspective.
Posted by: leafland'r | 01/25/2011 at 05:55 PM
I have to go to the store, I broke my cast iron skillet. I will need a new one for the game tonight. .
VM Replies: Between the skillet and the hair-hat, this could be an expensive second-half for you.
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 01/25/2011 at 06:07 PM
This just in from Planet Disengagement, Absurd Strategy and Expired Dairy Product Division (ASEDPD):
The Leafs cannot seem to score the first goal. This is not a problem. It's a *condition.* Like winter.
So instead of trying and failing every game, why don't they just spot the other team, say, 3 goals?
That will give them a full 60 minutes to try and close the gap, instead of the 30ish minutes that they normally get now.
And in other news, I have been retained by a pilon rights group who no longer wish to be used as analogies for Leaf defensemen, as they feel it is demeaning.
VM Replies: Is everybody on Planet Disengagement this funny?
Posted by: denial | 01/25/2011 at 06:16 PM
A few thoughts : If you dont like fights, dont watch or comment on hockey. I dont show up at your ballet games and insist the dancers should be wearing more comfertable shoes or doing less spinning because being dizzy might give them a boo-boo.
2 - I think the Kessel trade is one of the best in leafs history. Phil Kessel is awesome. Do any of you realize that Grabovski only has so many points b/c Kessel attracts all the attention or that Kessel must face the best the nhl has to offer in the way of defenseman and defensive forwards game in and game out and despite this, he still is on pace for another 35 goal season, with out an nhl centremen?
3- I really like Ostriches, they are my second favorite flighless bird, that is why I chose the name Ostrich Lover. Also, I used to be in a gang and that was my gang nickname.
Posted by: Ostrich Lover | 01/25/2011 at 06:29 PM
Ostrich, How could we have known not only that Boston would get that high a pick or that that pick would turn out to be better than Kessel at the time the trade was made? If I'm honest I have to say that I was fully on board with the trade once I'd seen "Phenom" play last season. Not only that but I, like Burke, fully expected this team to contend for a playoff spot last season and certainly this season. I would have predicted a pick for Boston in the 12th-16th range last year. I certainly didn't expect us to finish 29th last season.
On the issue of fighting: You are a moron. To equate a pirouette with attempting to pummel a persons face until they are unconscious is... well you've been insulted enough by others here.
Not only is fighting useless and dangerous - I also think it is mostly absolutely boring. It's usually when I go to top up my Sleepy-Time tea. Watching two heavily-padded lunatics gracelessly flail at each other on skates has to be one of the most ludicrous displays in all of pro sport.
@ the Boostress: I don;'t agree that you would need more than one official at all and I don't think it would impact the pce of the game much. As illustration watch how quickly the Play-by-play and colour guys see the correct call from above. It's usually instantaneous. If not they usually catch it on a replay in seconds. Pay attention to it tonight.
They would simply be tied via headset to the referee on the ice. It would be invisible. He could speak to the ref and vice-versa effortlessly throughout the game. It would probably actually speed up the game. If he saw a penalty he would simply tell the ref and the ref would then raise his hand or blow a whistle. You wouldn't even know he (or she) was there.
VM Replies: Do you really drink tea during a game? That is awesome.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 07:08 PM
Oh laaaawd. Thanks for that, Ossie! I'm guessing your favourite flightless bird is the penguin, am I right?
VM Replies: Oh, snap.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 07:25 PM
Kulemin's face doesn't look as bad as I thought it would.
Okay, let's do this. A big win before the all-star break. Reimer stoning Stamkos and St.Louis all night long. Multiple-point night for Timmy Brent. I can feel it, people. I can feel it.
Also, I am out of vodka, so this better not get ugly.
Posted by: Vinay Menon | 01/25/2011 at 07:34 PM
I'm with you in spirit VM though I can't join till later. Still I'm calling 3-0 Leafs!
VM Replies: Have fun.
Posted by: moe green | 01/25/2011 at 07:39 PM
Nice hit by Phaneuf 5 seconds into the game. Anyone notice he has become more physical in the last few games? This is how he should have always played. Now, if he can just hit the net....
VM Replies: He's been hitting people like he did a couple of seasons ago. And you're right: Now some offensive production would be nice.
You should devote some of your paranormal skills to sorting him out.
Posted by: Alecia | 01/25/2011 at 07:43 PM
The ice is pretty tilted already tonight. As Mr. Smythe always said, If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice. Go Leafs Go
VM Replies: No Reimer back there and it would be 3-0 Tampa right now.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 01/25/2011 at 07:53 PM
@ moe-strosity :) - So let me see if I'm following you here...you want the refs on the ice, calling penalties. That stops the play. After every call, 'monitor guy' reviews the play, and yays or nays the call. Let's say he overrules it. Play should start again? But not only might you have players in the ref's face, coaches yelling from the bench, but now the ref is trying to have a conversation with someone up in the booth, not just after things like questionable goals (that impact the ultimate outcome of the game) but potentially after every single call. And if we're already undermining the ref's authority to make the calls, human nature dictates that the teams will try to capitalize on it every chance they get by sending whatever they can for review. I think the only way for it to speed things up is if the ref sees the penalty, and asks Monitor Guy for the okay before raising his hand. In which case why have a ref at all?
We may be watching different games, but in a lot of cases the colour/play-by-play guys can barely keep the players names straight, much less make an instant and informed call, ha ha. I know what you meant though!
Posted by: Boo Who? | 01/25/2011 at 07:55 PM
He made a fabulous save on Marty St. Louis on the breakaway.
Posted by: waffles2010 | 01/25/2011 at 07:56 PM
This just in from blah blah I'm getting a little annoyed with myself now:
Thanks Vinay. Actually, nobody on Planet Disengagement is funny. We're all kind of melancholy. All of our humour is anchored in deep, deep sadness, regret, tragedy and I believe some kind of teriyaki-like sauce.
Speaking of Tim Brent (somewhere up there) : are there NO marketing savvy cosmetic dentists in this city who won't sign this boy up? Seriously. He could do an aqua-fresh ad with those things.
I would like to get a pep talk to these Leafs of yours (yes they're yours when they're bad). Do they not realize that the professional life of a hockey player is a handful of seasons? When their window closes, they're just going to be "a guy who played hockey." Sure, that may be satisfying, but come on -- do these guys not go to bed at night, and wake up in the morning, saying: I'd better make the best of this because once this opportunity is gone, all of the money in the world won't get it back?
It sounds tediously cliche, but I don't think that enough Leafs actually get this. Maybe that's the problem -- that the players who come here really don't get this.That this is IT. 5 years from now, if they haven't won (and presuming they're still playing, which is a big presumption) then their chances will be even slimmer.
Don't they get this? How can these guys be so close to something so amazing, and not literally kill themselves to get it?
That's the part I don't understand. How do these guys become so mediocre once they get here? If they were like this in junior, they wouldn't have made the NHL. What is it about this city that turns them off?
And of even greater import: Can we find a way to blame Greg Millen for this?
VM Replies: We can blame Greg Millen for everything. And, sadly, he would just meekly agree.
Posted by: denial | 01/25/2011 at 07:56 PM
Do you think Ron Wilson has them practice how to give up the first goal? They have done it so well for the last 2 years. It's the best part of their game.
VM Replies: Now they've given up the first 2 goals. Skillet time!
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 01/25/2011 at 08:02 PM