Game 61: Speeding toward the light

I don't know where to begin. I am at a loss for words.

It's not just tonight's heart-pounding triumph in Montreal. It's not just the shrinking four-point gap that now separates this surging Leafs team from the word we dare not speak but can't stop thinking about. It's not even the climb back to .500 or the clutch performances we witnessed from so many in so many situations in a game they all refused to lose.

No, what's giving me pause – and it's an electrifying pause, to be sure – is a seismic perception that rumbled along the boards and floated above the neutral zone, that spilled along the bench and catapulted from the corners, that coated the defensive zone and powered the attack, wave after wave, line after line.

They believe in themselves. It's not just us anymore. They, too, believe.

And so on the night of February 24, inside a supercharged Bell Centre, this belief in what seemed improbable only yesterday, this faith in what lies ahead, ignited like a powder keg, flames licking at the black sky.

Make no mistake: The fire was everywhere.

It crackled in the first, as AC/DC’s "T.N.T." thundered to life and Mike Komisarek scrummed with Tomas Plekanec. It roared inside Ron Wilson's belly as his catatonic demeanor melted and he hollered at the officials with newfound urgency.

It raged inside Phil Kessel's narrow eyes as he battled for the puck like he's never battled before, working the boards, setting up behind the net, using his howitzer of a shot to score twice while assisting on two more.

You could even see the fire in Brett Lebda's outstretched arms as he pumped his fists after scoring his first goal since the discovery of insulin.

You could see it on Tyler Bozak's face when he converted those two Gretzky-like passes from Kessel or when he lined up for draws or when he made a lunging shorthanded play in the third that robbed the Canadiens of a sure goal.

And you could see the fire spread late in the game when the foot soldiers – Colby Armstrong, Fredrik Sjostrom, Joey Crabb – ragged the puck deep in the offensive zone with such red-hot tenacity, the Canadiens never had a chance to pull Carey Price for an extra attacker.

The magnificent bastards didn't just squeak out a 5-4 win, as a glance at the box score might wrongly suggest. They waged war for every inch of ice. They scored three goals on their first nine shots, chasing starter Alex Auld. They wove pretty offensive plays and defensive gems into a tapestry of relentless work, which was then wrapped tightly around Montreal's neck like a ligature.

Unlike earlier this season, when an opposition blitz caused them to collapse like a garden umbrella under a falling anvil, the Leafs never lost their focus or their composure or their belief in themselves.

Not when Montreal scored first. Not when Montreal scored two goals in 20 seconds early in the second. And not when Montreal sliced the score to 5-4 with 2:37 left in the third.

You know, as I sit here alone in my office as 2 a.m. approaches, I suddenly understand this feeling of speechlessness. I get it, which is to say, they get it. The race is on, there can be no doubt. 

But how the season now ends is the least of it. The important thing is they believe.

A toddler's laugh, a first kiss, warm sand on a beach at night – some things in life should not be scrutinized with the mind. Some things in life should just be enjoyed with the heart. Some things should be experienced rather than analyzed, accepted in all ephemeral beauty rather than questioned.

This game was one of those things. The darkness is fading because we are speeding toward the light.

There is nothing more to say.

BOTTOM PHOTO: CHRISTINNE MUSCHI/REUTERS

Comments

[Alecia]

Optimus Reim, sorry, so tired today.

VM Replies: I paused for a second but then thought it was some kind of dirty play on words. You know, "prime" as in Grade-A beef or some such.
Glad to know you're not a perv like emma and Ms. Boo.

[TimB]

40...41...42...43...well I'll be.It is 44 years.Bless you for setting us straight,Phil.

[waffles2010]

I am a little disappointed, very little trade action going on in the league today. I really like to hear who is going where and for whom. I miss my tweets from Dreger and McKenzie. Slow news day I guess.
Vinay, at least you could stir up the gossip mill. You were a TV columnist, entertain us with some dirt from the TV world. Yes, we all know Charlie Sheen is crazy. Something unheard please.

VM Replies: I'll start making some calls.

[Adam]

I refuse the to go with Optimus Reim for his nickname.

I'm sticking with the Reiminator.

VM Replies: I'm with Adam on this one.

[waffles2010]

Vinay, to be honest, I am actually a little disappointed that Alecia isn't a perv like emma and Ms. Boo.

[TimB]

So I'm talking about nicknames with this lemming,that's been hanging around since my last special batch of lemon squares,and we have come up with one for Potvin. "The Cat" . Get it? Felix the Cat? What? What do you mean?

[Alecia]

Oh you guys have no idea.

[Boo Who?]

VM!
Perv?!
Moi?
Okay yeah, I can see it. Don't drag poor emma through the mud with me though, she deserves better.
That's the last time I try to boost morale around here! I won't perv where I'm not appreciated!

[waffles2010]

My dear Miss Boo. I assure you that your perv(ing),(ishness), is GREATLY appreciated.

[Blogwag]

Don't you realize how ridiculous you all sound? This happens every year at this time and every year they leave Leaf fans red-faced and disappointed. The Leafs have a long way to go before they become a team worthy of the play-offs. Their fans need to get real and stop looking at this team through rose-coloured glasses.

[hoofheartz]

I wouldn't know about the cooking lady with the great rack (of lamb) without you boo. That was great work.

[Phil]

Alecia,waffles2010,Peter,gettingcozywithsarkozy,43 and counting,Farrukh:

What makes you think I'm NOT Phil Kessel?

VM Replies: My mind is officially blown.

[hoofheartz]

@ the J, thats what Sportsnet told me when I sent them an email. The flaw in the logic is that what if, like some of us here that live in the Maritimes, you don't have a "local" team. I'm stuck in the Sens region and the only one I know that watches them is Sensi-Bill and that poor lady living in the heart of Leafs nation. No one should have to listen to Dean Brown call the play by play with his faithful sidekick Denis Potvin adding absolutely nothing to the broadcast.

[Boo Who?]

Well...good.
You boys shouldn't sell Alecia too short. My perv-dar never lies. I know she could give me a run for my money. ;)

[hoofheartz]

If that really is you Phil tell blogwag to go suck a lemon. Never mind, I'll do it.

[loyal he remains]

Yeah, blogwag. To the cynic who figures that death is all there is, I'm sure we do sound ridiculous. Wouldn't it be so much better if we just sat around and moaned and cried?
No, thanks. I'll stick with VM and the crew who have life and enthusiasm. Hope and joy and lemon squares are just a lot more fun and meaningful.
The Okanagan sky is beautifully blue and Leafs are winning and all is right with the world.
Thanks, VM and everyone, for a terrific blog.

VM Replies: Glad to have you with us.

[emma]

I suspect that more than 100 comments before 5pm on a day after a game is some kind of record.

Congratulations to Vinay for, once again, the excellent writing, and for creating the monster that is ALFB :)

Just for the record, that was the first time I have ever used the word 'rack' in print. There are much nicer words ;)

And the Leafs won, like really won, and played well, imagine that.

Maybe the lurkers liked our food-related pre-game discussions LOL

VM Replies: We'll need to think of other inspirational topics of discussion for all remaining game days.

[Boo Who?]

@ Phil - if you're Phil Kessel, I'll be the first person in line to slap you upside the head for talking that way. Actually, I'm there no matter who you really are. I'm cautiously optimistic about this team at the best of times, but nobody gets to come into our party and p*ss in the punchbowl. Toodles!

[TimB]

@loyal he remains. You made me cry,you Leafs fan bastard.Troll on you buggers!

[TimB]

Oddly enough,I once had a girlfriend named Toodles.

[TimB]

And I thought the punch tasted funny.

[Bassthe1st]

I do believe that the Leafs are on a hot streak lately, but yesterday’s game should be taken as a gift rather then an accomplishment. This victory was driven by the lamentable work of the referees. In all, a total of 5 undeserved penalties were given to Montreal, on witch the Leafs scored 3 goals. We are not talking the many penalties not awarded on each side here, just big, big mistakes. There is no way to know how the game would have ended had the refs do there job properly, but it could've very well be a loss.

[TG77]

To the Vancouver (and surrounding area) members of the blog, let's set up a time to watch a Leafs game sooner than later. I have a few buddies who are diehards in the area so it would be fun to get a group together. Tomorrow's Pens game is a bust for me because I have a work event but maybe Sunday's afternoon game.

[hoofheartz]

Thats right bass and on top of those penalties the sun was in Auld's eyes on 2 of the goals he let in. wwwwwaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!

[loyal he remains]

The victory was driven by Reimer, Kessel, Bozak, and Lebda. You play with the breaks you get.

[loyal he remains]

Great idea, TG77. Unfortunately, it's a bit far for me. Especially over the Coquihalla, right now.

[j-rock]

I'm still not going to allow myself to utter the "P word", but they're playing like I wish they had all year. During the last penalty kill, and in the last minute of the game when they had Montreal pinned in their zone, every Leafs player left everything out there on the ice. They won battles, they blocked shots, they got to pucks first, they just looked as though they actually cared about the outcome. Even before that, when Montreal tied it up, they didn't fold like they would have on so many other nights. It's been a long season, and until recently there hasn't been much to be happy about, but I was proud of them last night. I may not believe yet, but they sure seem to, and it's made a world of difference.

[emma]

@Bassthe1st - I think Komisarek already covered that. Oh, and so did the other commenters here actually. I don't think anyone liked the refereeing including the Leafs fans.

[Boo Who?]

@ TG - If VM has your email I can let you know which day is good?

[Rooney]

Blogwag, Phil, chill, take a pill, I am sure you can find others to sit with in the dark, so you can discuss all that is depressing and bleak with this world. As you know, we Leaf fans have been through it all, so we can handle wherever the ride takes us. Should anyone really care, as the saying goes, if we use stats like a boozer uses a street light, for support as opposed to illumination? Plus, we have each other, which is obviously more than you have, since you are here with us and not somewhere else. VM, is your paper running a story on people who can't find happiness because they are even disliked by their own family and friends? There seems to be a number of sad, little, lost souls here today.

[Ken Baumgartner]

OLAAAAAAY
OLAAAAAAAAAAY!

[the evness]

@TG77 Next time I'm down in the city and the Leafs are playing I'm in, likewise anytime you're up the Sea-to-Sky I'll show you to the best pub for Leafs fans in Whistler

[hoofheartz]

Rooney, these poor little muffins just don't get it, no matter what they say, we will always be Leaf Nation. Uber happy when the team wins and crying for heads to roll when they lose but always Leaf Nation. Why do the naysayers find that so hard to understand?

[Ken Baumgartner]

That's ok Blogwag and Phil, we love you too.
OLAAAY OLAY OLAY OLAAAAY!

[Ken Baumgartner]

OLAAAAAAAY
OLAAAAAAAAAAAY!

ALL TOGETHER NOW!

OLAAAY OLAY OLAY OLAAAAY!

[TimB]

Bomber.I have to tell you.Your singing is awful.My dog was howling as I read your post! I'm sorry. Someone had to break it to you.

[Mambosun]

Uhm...Bassthe1st, I saw "undeserved" lousy penalties being called against both teams last night. If it really was penalties that cost Montreal the game then it was more likely the stupid, lazy, sucky-retaliatory ones that did them in.

They really are a team full of mouthy, whiny little pantywastes. Some things never change.

[moe green]

I just heard Lupul found his iphone thank christ.

[TimB]

I vote Mambosun to act as greeter for "guests" to the blog.

[hoofheartz]

"Good evening, my name is Mambosun and I'm your greeter to ALF B. If you are a mouthy, whiney little pantywaste you're neither wanted nor needed here, now piss off."

I like it. I 2nd TimB's motion.

[Rooney]

Hoofheartz, I just do not know the answer to that question. They are like little, lost grey rain clouds in a big Blue and White sky, containing no lightning, just looking for a spot to pi$$ down on. Not to worry, they always dissipate.

Well, Hoofheartz, you have the hat trick going! Hope you are thinking of a couple of good tunes for the games this weekend. Let's get your streak to 5-0! Go Leafs Go!

[TimB]

'canes lead 2-0 end of the first.

[moe green]

Okay fans all of the games are going wrong tonight. Rally caps for those who are leading to lose.

[peduval]

Thank You Vinny for such a great forum.I'm 60 and follow your blogs daily Wish I could handle the all niters like in the past.You guys are not just good Leaf fans but Great human beings also.To the phil's out there get a life.It must be lonely being in your little world.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Tim, are sure he's not singing with me?
OLAAAAAAY
OLAAAAAAAAAAY!

[moe green]

The NHL scoreboard went as bad as possible for the Leafs tonight. Arguably the only exception was Tampa's win over New Jersey. Carolina, Buffalo and the Rangers won. And Florida beat Atlanta in a three-pointer. Ouch. Can you say big game Saturday.

[Sensi-Bill]

@TimB
.
"Sensi-Bill,I'm afraid you really need to go through the blog archives.During the Leafs losing streak Vinay and the Leafs were at their gut busting funniest.I was starting to think there was some kind of inverse mathematical connection where the worse the Leafs got,the funnier VM got."
.
No need for me to descend to the Star's dark, dingy, digital archives, Tim. I was here and read, and enjoyed, all those Blog entries. However, while you found them "gut-busting" funny, I found them fairly amusing.
.
That doesn't make EITHER of us right, or wrong. We just come at them from different angles, and different starting points. Ending up with different opinions.
.
And since I was just expressing MY opinion, I don't think I need to do any remedial reading to conform to anyone else's opinion. Nor do I need anyone to necessarily agree with my opinion.
.
Hey man, if differing opinions were dollars, I'd be able to afford a beer or two at the ACC.
.
And that's just my humble opinion. ;-)

[Sensi-Bill]

@Mambosun
.
"They really are a team full of mouthy, whiny little pantywastes. Some things never change."
.
MAMBOSUN, DON'T YOU DARE CALL THE LEAFS "PANTYWASTES"!!!
.
The correct term is "pantywaists." Plural of the word "pantywaist" which originated as a child's undergarment consisting of short pants and a shirt that buttoned together at the waist.
.
Makes sense, right?
.
I wouldn't even dare to begin to wonder what people might think "pantywaste" might mean. I don't even want to imagine what a waste of panties might entail, especially since the word "waste" conjures up images of curbside pickup and NIMBY dump sites.
.
With the correct word "waist" established, I would still mount my portable soap box to shout:
.
MAMBOSUN, DON'T YOU DARE CALL THE LEAFS "PANTYWAISTS"!!!.
.
The current definition of pantywaist in dictionary.com reads thusly: "a weak, effeminate man; sissy."
.
So you're still wrong because I see NO ONE on the Leafs team that fits that description.
.
So, my "friend," if the slur misses the mark so widely, doesn't that usually reflect back, psychologically at least, on the one issuing the slur? Might it be that in your heart you might fear that somewhere deep inside it's YOU who might be the pantywaist? And thus, perhaps in attemp to deflect such attention on yourself, you project this weakness on others?
.
No, I'm not a pschologist, but your childish rants suggest you may well be a troubled soul. Should you need further help and advice, I'm here most days. (smile)

[TG77]

I guess we had to figure the Canes would likely pull out a win. A team with guys like Ward and Staal can't just self-combust completely and they have played an extra game so the Leafs need to take advantage of a tired and depleted Pens team on home ice and they are right back to 4 pts out.

[Sensi-Bill]

@moe green
.
Sorry about the Buffalo win, Moe.
.
Our GM is wasting no time on the rebuild, which started a mere month or two ago. Thus all the kids in the lineup auditioning for jobs next year. Some, like Bobby Butler, look good, but they aren't used to playing together at this level.
.
Until we get some injured veterans back, it's going to look a bit like a pre-season roster with lots of young tryouts getting lots of ice time.
.
We did win two in a row, but we're still likely to lose a lot more than we win with all these rookies. But it's what we have to do, now that we're rebuilding.
.
Still, I'm genuinely sorry we didn't get to help you tonight with an upset win over the Sabres at home in Buffalo.

[TG77]

@Bill, I read a short column in the Globe today that said the Sens acquiring Anderson might help them win games in the short-term and get them out of the lottery standings (which is not really what they seem to want to acheive) and then they could lose him to free agency because if he plays well another team might throw some good money at him so it could be a double loss in a sense. At least with Elliott in nets, the lottery pick seemed safe! He seemed like he could be quite a good goalie at times so is it a mental thing with him? He got shelled for 5 GA in his first game for the Avs.

[Sensi-Bill]

@TG77
.
If Anderson is good enough to steal enough games for us that we move out of the lottery, then I imagine a number of teams might throw money at him, including us.
.
But he'd have to be darn near flawless to overcome the handicap of having so many rookies and prospects playing in front of him.
.
I think just as likely to happen is for him to have a good tryout with the team (Ottawa) that gave him a shot at being the No. 1 goaltender (backed next season by Rehner as he continues to develop?). If he plays well enough, we'll no doubt make a bid to keep him.
.
We should have lots of cap space and he was pretty excited to come to Ottawa. Throw in the gratitude he's already expressed for getting this new opportunity, and I like our chances of keeping him.
.
If he somehow suddenly tanks, well then, obviously, all bets are off.
.
We really liked Elliot and hoped a change of scenery might give him a new start. But his game had gotten consistently poor, with too many weak goals shattering what shreds of elusive confidence a totally snakebitten team was trying to grasp and hold --- to the point where those in front of him were playing a little scared, dreading when the second shoe (another weak goal) would fall.
.
I think Anderson's delight in getting this opportunity, in a town where hockey is really loved and appreciated, has helped him come out of this new gate so strong.
.
We think he might be for real and are ready to put money on it --- and him --- if he continues to do well.

[Ken Chevis]

Do you all think that calling your highest output player a "one-hit wonder" is conducive to morale? Sure, this is turning out to be MacArthur's best year (thus the one-shot slur) but he has done some good work for the TMLs while Kessel was deciding whether or not he was going to play hockey. This another example of "The Genius Of Brian Burke"?

[TimB]

@Sensi-Bill. Mambosun was speaking about the Habs not the Leafs.Thanks for the etymology lesson,though.Feel free to check my post for grammatical errors.

[Princess Mononoke]

Oh my friends, you're all feeling the intoxicating surge of hope that keeps you in this dysfunctional relationship.
I am feeling the cynicism that can only come from having spent a Friday night chaperoning a High School "semi-formal" dance and having my brain liquefied by music as gorgeous as early soviet dentistry as my recoiling eyeballs watched teenaged girls in hooker heels and skirts the size of an ankle-bandage gyrate for their drooling classmates. I am old.
Now I steel myself for the scowling mug and peeking pate of Paul Maurice.
As for you giddy people prancing among the pastel clouds of a newly-discovered Care Bear land of boundless hope, yes, I believe the Penguins can be beaten tonight.

VM Replies: Good morning to you, Princess.

[Princess Mononoke]

@VM: Good morning. Pardon my vinegar on your cinnamon toast.

You have daughters, right? Please swear to me you will force them into sackcloth, thick beige tights and Crocs until they're in their 30s. I am speaking from the future of their teenaged loveliness to warn you.

VM Replies: Vinegar? Nonsense. A balm, an elixir, a premium vodka!
Yes, I have 4-year-old twin girls. Right now, they all but refuse to wear anything that isn't branded with a princess motif. I fear the hooker heels and bandage skirts in the years ahead.

[TimB]

Is Twitter.com a problem here???

VM Replies: Good morning, TimB. What do you mean? Are you trying to link to a tweet?

[TimB]

Working OK now but page would not load and status bar read "connecting to Twitter.com."

VM Replies: Weird. I need to get back on Twitter sometime soon. I have neglected Twitter (and Facebook) for months.

[TimB]

I just saw a black helicopter.They may be monitoring my transmissions again.My future posts may be in code.

[leafland'r]

"One hit wonder"? Huh. "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?"
Burke, MacArthur had 35 points last year and, at present, 46 points in this campaign. It seems more like progress, growth, futures, than a one time deal.
Don't underscore your budding Buds. This is not a garage sale. Negotiate in true spirit and respect.
Sure, MacArthur's success is in part due to the chemistry with his linemates not available to him in Buffalo or Atlanta. Yet, someone on the ALF B (may have been Alecia) said that he was becoming much like Doug Gilmour. Give him a chance to progressively show it in the next three years at the same income as his two linemates. Further, consider what you got this year for 1.1 mil and figure in merit pay retroactive.

[loyal he remains]

@Ken Chevis: I share your concern about the way that Burke is handling MacArthur. I understand that it's a negotiation style, but it seems unnecessarily rough. MacArthur has been day-in, day-out solid for the Leafs, a pleasant surprise this season. And, Burke is hardly short of either cap space or money. My inclination would be to say "We really appreciate Clarke's work and would like to re-sign him, but we'll have to see how talks go" and leave it at that. MacArthur has done nothing to deserve the underappreciation.

[TimB]

Where is everyone? Was it something I said?

[TimB]

I'm a bit nervous about Mac.Putting him on par with his linemates is enough as far as I'm concerned.

[hoofheartz]

Digging out from another huge dump of snow Tim. Didn't NS get the same storm?

[Alecia]

@leafland'r - I don't remember comparing MacArthur to Gilmour however I did say that I think MacArthur is a natural born Leaf. There is something about guys like him and Brent and their tenacity and belligerence that belongs on the team.

[TimB]

Howdy Hoof. We were right on the border line of snow/rain.Not that much snow, but I'll have drifts to shovel when the wind goes down.

[moe green]

That's the thing about Burke: He has his own brand of selective morality and ethics. He generously imposes his own trade freeze. He won't talk about the Kaberle trade out of respect for the players wishes. Then he uses the press to downplay MacArthur's value to the team in a distasteful way.

He's a strange bird and I'm not yet sure if I like him. You can't argue with what he's done for the team. Here's a question. What if MacArthur was demanding (through his agent) upwards of $4 million a year? Would you pay him? Maybe it's a lost cause and Burke is trying this last ditch effort to shame MacArthur into altering his position. We may never know.

[TimB]

Moe,in my opinion for $4M,I would let him walk.

[palbo]

@leafland'r - the income of Mac's 2 linemates is precisely the problem (as i see it) -Grabbo's at around $ 3mill and Kulemin is at about $ 2.4 .. I think BB would be OK in the area of $ 2.4 but not $ 3 .....and it apppears Mac wants $ 3 or so. I believe it comes down to which linemate Mac is more comparable to over a multi-year contract.

[TG77]

I would think McArthur is worth about $2.5 - $2.8 per year so if he can get signed for 3 years at that rate, I think it is a great deal. Maybe max out at $3M. I definitely agree about it seeming odd to call the best player overall this year a one-hit wonder. He is no Lonnie Bohonos (anyone remember his point scoring spree he scored for the Leafs in the playoffs and then didn't make the team in the fall?). I think intangibles that McArthur brings to the team have to be factored into this negotiation too. He is growing into a leader it seems and that wasn't his role on the Sabres or the Thrashers so I hope there is an honest effort on both sides to make it work.

In a different direction, I know Hagman has underachieved since the trade (to the point of being put on waivers) but what a goal he scored last night:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb7q30Plamg

[pinot grigio]

Have a look at the expression on the face of Hagman's coach following the goal and you know who wants to get rid of him.

[pinot grigio]

I think it is scandalous the way BB is carrying on about the unmistakable contribution by MacArthur. One-hit wonder? How many Stanley cups did Burke win, one I believe. Does that make him a one-hit wonder?

[leafland'r]

Hope MacArther stays. Grabo (2.9 mill) and Kulemin ( 2.4mill) will likely be getting a raise to 3 point something after their contract expires next year.
Therefore, it is not out of line to grant Leafs' top scorer MacArthur a catch up rate of 3 to 3.3 mill per for two to three years.
With Bozak ( 3.7), Komi (4.5), and Phaneuf ( enuf at 6.5), the leadership and achievements of the "Mac Attack" is deserving of a figure beginning with a 3.

[loyal he remains]

Part of the challenge is replacing MacArthur. A solid leader and point-getter, with none of the prima donna about him. His shoes won't easily be filled, especially since we're going to need some stable leadership as all of the prospects and new guys fit in over the next couple of years. I'm not sure that draft picks are going to be a helpful substitute, if Burke lets him go.

[TimB]

@leafland'r. If we based players salaries on under achieving players salaries,we would go broke.

[Robert]

I don't want our colts on some guy's ass. Use Burke or Wilson. Public relations are right up their alley!

[Robert]

Speaking of money, if Mac gets $3 M per year over 3 years, given the line mates he is playing with and their upcoming contracts, Leafs could have a pretty good line of talent for under $9.5 M per year going forward.

[leafland'r]

@TimB (12:50pm)
A salary negotiation for MacArthur wouldn't be based on reaching equity with the underchievers, but more within a reflection of value for your dollar considering achievement(s). I'd agree that a 4-something or 6-something paycheck is over the top, yet I wouldn't quibble between a 2.8 or 3 mill per for a promising 25 year old achiever.
Life is full of making choices....how 'bout taking 3 for 2 or 2.5 for 3....sold !

[Rooney]

These are interesting times. I like Mac, he is really my type of player. I just do not think he is worth more than Grabbo. I am on the fence about if he should make more than Kuli. Remember, ATL walked from a 2.4 arbitration settlement for him. The Islanders offered him a two-way contract. I can see why Burke has some apprehension about his contract. There is a chance his trade value will never be higher then right now. I think if you sign him then it has to be at a rate that you can unload him in a trade if this season turns out to be a fluke. God forbid, BB overpays him and he turns out to be like Scott Gomez. I know BB is a like bull in a china shop but I really appreciate that he doesn't hold any punches and calls it like he sees it. How many times have we seen a TML GM say one thing but turn around and do something else. If he continues doing what is in the best interest of the team, he will continue to have my support.

[TimB]

@leafland'r. I just meant your point was well taken without mention of the questionable three.

[TimB]

@Robert.Isn't that friggin' great? For the price of so called "Elite" players we have a line putting up numbers equal to or better than top clubs.We are not delusional to think the future is bright.

[leafland'r]

...back to TimB ( 2:08pm)
Oh, ...and thanks,...I see.
Bottom line: I hope he stays on the roster. I like his game.

[pinot grigio]

"Selective morals and ethics", that's right on. I always distrust people that find it necessary to make a show of how they will be straight with you and tell you where they stand. That's when I start counting my fingers after shaking hands. Accountability is obviously not enforced when it comes to the coaching staff or certain favored players. That's why I really dislike this division in top 6 and bottom 6 players. It invites differential treatment. A team is a team and while some players may be paid more than others they should all be evaluated on an ongoing basis and according to the same criteria. That I don't see happen.

[Sensi-Bill]

@TimB
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"@Sensi-Bill. Mambosun was speaking about the Habs not the Leafs.Thanks for the etymology lesson,though.Feel free to check my post for grammatical errors."
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Oh damn. And here I thought my role as Great And Pretentious Defender of the English Language was offering me a chance to jump to the defense of the Toronto Maple Leafs (even though I am still NOT a Leafs fan).
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Oh well, just substitute Habs for Leafs and everything still applies.
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BTW, what's so wrong with people learning the proper spelling of a word, especially when the proper spelling makes so much more sense?
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I realize I am fighting a losing --- or should I say "loosing" --- battle in fighting the current rampant corruption of our language. And I realize that caring about one's language is so passé --- or should I say passay?
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I realize I will be mocked for having standards, but c'est la vie --- which is French for WTF.

[TimB]

Really the so called "bottom six" have different duties than the "top six" so pinot is right in suggesting it is wrong they should somehow be looked on as lesser players.Creates some kind of caste system.

[Boo Who?]

I think Burkie is going to re-sign MacArthur. But being the consummate showman that he is, he knows the public loves a cliffhanger. That's the only way this whole thing makes sense to me.

Someone as big on 'fit' as BB would be hard-pressed to find a player that exemplifies that elusive quality better than Supes. His teammates like him, the fans like him - even the cold-blooded media types seem to like the guy. And he's been a rock for this team in an otherwise turbulent year. It really annoys me to hear his contributions being so casually dismissed. Guys like MacArthur may never be the bold and flashy 'franchise player' type. But that's because they're the 'team player' type. And that's rarer than most people realize. Give him a deal of some parity with his linemates and let's be done with this song and dance already.

P.S.
Princess - I'm sorry you had to endure that! But I sure got a decent chuckle out of it. I was made to wear ugly uniforms right up until the day I was shipped off to university. Did I turn out okay? Well, the jury is still out...but my teachers never had to witness a spectacle like the one you described.

[Sensi-Bill]

Does anyone know if Kovalev is playing tonight?
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I mean I expect that given Puttsburgh's injury problems, he'll be in the starting lineup.
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But does anyone know if he'll actually play? Know what I mean?
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Let me know later, as I'll be busy watching the Bingo Sens upset the Philthy Phlyers. (It may endanger our Dive For The Bottom Five, but heck it'll be worth it if the kids can pull it off and throw a scare into those thinking (hoping?) our rebuild will get us nowhere for a long time.)
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Bobby Butler is only scoring one or two goals a game. Maybe he can celebrate HNIC exposure with a hat trick.
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And if the top point getter in all the AHL, former Ottawa '67 Cory Locke, can settle in during his second game since being called up, perhaps he too can pitch in for the upset.
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I know. I'm not posting about the Leafs. But enough Leaf fans here mention the Sens --- aka Hens (LOL) --- from time to time, that I think I should be able to as well, once in a while. :-)

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

alright... game time is 3 hours away. Can't believe I'm saying this but, lets go habs, red wings, and capitals!

(Oh, and of course, the blue and white!!)

[Sensi-Bill]

Memo To: Brian Burke
Re.: Backup goaltending
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Message: Pascal Leclaire has been put on waivers.
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Comments: Wouldn't it be a great slap in the face for the Hens if we picked him up and he played great for us?
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Heck, the way Reimer is going, we wouldn't even have to play him. Just park him on the bench --- preferably cocooned in bubble wrap --- as our token backup and rub their faces in what a great deal we got at their expense.
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We can even suggest to MacArthur that that could be his fate too, if he doesn't take the hometown discount and sign for less next year.
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Signed: Ronnikins

[Princess Mononoke]

@ Sensi-Bill: you are not alone. Yes, it is a losing battle, but if it's passé to care about proper spelling and grammar, then call me an wizened old language fascist.
One reason I stay away from hockey discussion forums is the proliferation of people who write about "loosing," "chocking," earning a playoff "birth," or tell you to "common," and to "give your head a shake."....so much linguistic compost.

Of course I justify this by donning my teacher persona, and using my teacher voice when I talk to myself. The fun never ends!
I do find that level of writing on this extraordinarily charming blog to be excellent, and it seems that most of the contributors I read here among you emulate the grammatical greatness of VM. High marks also to the writer of the last guest post for his daring and roguish use of the extended metaphor.

[Princess Mononoke]

oops..that should have read "a wizened old language fascist."
Last night's assault on my every cell's sense of decency is still altering brain function.

[Sensi-Bill]

p.s. I think Burke should stop playing his manipulative games, stop negotiating in public, and give MacArther what he's earned and what he deserves.
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Do you want hard-working players to WANT to come play in Toronto? Then STOP treating your true achievers like second-class players.
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Break with tradition. Stop overpaying overrated players and underpaying the hard workers who could be the backbone of not just future success, but PROLONGED future success.
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Or low ball him enough that he has to go elsewhere, only to become another star that got (was driven?) away.
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I know following my advice would not be in the best interest of MY team, but what the hell. (Which us English for c'est la vie.)
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You've already underpaid him. How about now paying full dollar for full value --- something you are NOT getting from some of your BIG signings.
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Two years at $3 million per? Why not?
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Treat him like the star he seems to be and who knows how many new MacArthur sweaters you might sell.
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As always, that's just MY humble opinion.

[hoofheartz]

Remember that our mentor and inspirational leader is a "media type." He has proven without a doubt that he isn't coldblooded.

[hoofheartz]

Sarkozy, I said to my son that we would have to cheer for the habs tonight. He said "I don't think so, we'll just have to cheer that Carolina loses." Thats my boy!

[Princess Mononoke]

Question: wasn't Jeff Finger making 3.5 million?

[palbo]

Sensi-Bill

Has Jared Cowan been called up?

[TimB]

Will Hoofheartz be out of the snowbank in time to favour us with a couple of tunes? Will TG77 have a playlist without so much alternative music?For the answer to these questions and many more stay tuned for this weeks episode of "Soap".

[Rooney]

Okay Hoofheartz, what tune has you hearing the silence of the Penguins this evening?

[TimB]

Will Moe Green leave the blog to open a home for wayward girls?

[TimB]

Will Sensi-Bill or Princess Mononoke win "Blog's Most Pompous" award?

These questions and many others will be answered in the next episode of "Soap"