Game 63: When things go boom and deadline questions arise

When I was a child, we used to race our bicycles down a steep, winding street.

Some kids had fancy 3-speeds with aluminum gears. Others had BMX off-roads with matching accessories from Canadian Tire. One boy raced his sister's bike, despite getting razzed for the pink basket and glittery banana seat.

Then there was Mikey (not his real name).

Mikey was a couple of years older than most of us but in the same grade. With the help of his father – who worked with scrap metals – he built his own bike: a rim here, a patched tube there, mismatched wheels, repurposed steel bars, a mottled chain that looked as if it might spontaneously turn into soot.

One day, as I recall, a race started and Mikey was out in front, as he usually was since his freakishly muscular legs were the same length as our prepubescent bodies.

He was flying down that steep, winding street at supersonic speed. It looked like nothing could go wrong and victory was guaranteed.

Then without warning – the memory still makes me wince – his homemade handlebars popped out of the rusty frame and Mikey was at the grim mercy of time and motion.

"Are you okay, Mikey?" we screamed, slamming on our brakes, dismounting and running to our bloodied and bruised friend who lay moaning on the boulevard. "Mikey, you don't look so good!"

Watching the Leafs lose 3-2 to Atlanta in overtime, I was reminded of Mikey tonight.

The Leafs started quickly, building up a 2-0 lead. But when James Reimer left the game in the second period – apparently injured earlier when he took an Evander Kane knee to the head – it was if the team's handlebar popped out and a horrifying crash was all but inevitable.

The Leafs were able to keep their rudderless contraption upright for a bit. But like Mikey, once the speed wobble started, once they tried to salvage a bad situation by doing absolutely nothing except freezing, it was only a matter of time until they jumped the curb and went hurtling into a bush.

"Are you okay, Leafs?" we screamed at our TVs in the third period. "You don't look so good!"

So the most important weekend of the season is now over and we are exactly where we were on Friday morning: Four points out of the word we dare not speak.

This is where we can have a "is the glass half-full or half-empty" debate.

To wit: Did the Leafs pick-up two points in back-to-back games this weekend? Or did they squander two points in consecutive games? Are they undefeated in regulation time over their past seven? Or do they have two regulation wins in their last five?

Are they ready to pedal hard for the next month? Or are they running out of steam already?

Then as we head into Monday's trade deadline, there are even more questions after tonight's game:

GOALTENDING

1. How serious is Reimer's injury?

2. How much ice time can J.S. Giguere's groin really handle? Yes, the poor guy was left to fend for himself against Atlanta. Even still, he did not look capable of spending an entire day at Disney World without the aid of a motorized scooter.

3. What happens when Jonas Gustavsson's two-week conditioning stint ends? Is he physically and mentally ready to return? Can he play or will he snap under the pressure? Are the Leafs in the market for another goaltender only weeks after dressing three?

DEFENCE

4. Can Brian Burke find this mysterious puck-moving defenceman before the 3 p.m. deadline? What will he be forced to give up? Will it hurt or help the race?

5. Why are there so many defensive lapses in coverage after 63 games? Why are there still so many giveaways and mental errors? Why does it often feel as if the D is trapped inside a cage?

6. If no backend trades are forthcoming, who will replace Tomas Kaberle on the power play? Brett Lebda? Timmy Brent? Can homemade "experiments" work in the long-run or are they as doomed as Mikey's bike?

FORWARDS

7. Can the Leafs resign Clarke MacArthur or will the leading scorer be traded? What impact would his departure have on the team's top line?

8. Can The Phil Kessel Awesome Streak of 2011 continue for the remaining 19 games? What exactly can we expect from Joffrey Lupul?

9. Is something wrong with Mikhail Grabovski? In the six games since his heroic performance against Boston – during which he was crushed twice by Zdena Chara – Grabovski has not scored a goal, his longest drought since Dec. 6.

The truth is, I'm feeling more hopeful about this team than I have in quite some time. But as waffles2010 noted in the comments earlier this evening: "They are an incomplete hockey team. One that is capable of playing very well, and one that is equally capable of playing badly. They seem to have some pieces that are keepers, and a number that are clearly traders."

So get some rest. We line up at the top of another steep, winding street tomorrow morning.

PHOTO: TAMI CHAPPELL/REUTERS

Comments

[Adam]

I fear that if we lose Reimer for the season, we won't see these Bastards in the you know what. I have no confidence in Giguere and I can't see Gustavsson making a huge comeback.
Does anyone else cringe when Phaneuf leaves the Leafs end with the puck? He looks like he is about to set something up but it always fizzles. I remember 3 distinct plays, two of which led to turnovers and another one where he shot the puck down to the other end for an icing call.
I felt more hopeful about this team last week, but now with Reimer's injury and Atlanta tied with us, it's getting harder and harder to have an optimistic outlook. Finger are crossed for Reimer's quick recovery.

[Sensi-Bill]

@VM
.
At the risk of having yet another of my positive comments in your favor questioned --- (g) --- I extend compliments as always on another fine job. No matter how repetitive this team can be in its ups and downs, you always find interesting ways to interpret and present what may well be happening.
.
I don't know what theme you could switch to in the off-season, but I certainly would love to see you continue blogging over the summer months, maintaining and possibly expanding your current following.
.
I'm fine with sticking ALMOST exclusively with Leaf talk during the season, but I also think many of the people here are sufficiently well rounded to be able to take a break from hockey and discuss other things, while recovering from whatever this season brings, and resting up for the next one.
.
In the meantime, as always, keep up the good work, my man.
.
On a side note, one might feel a little sorry for the fan in the main photo sitting alone amidst the celebrations in his Leaf jersey with 28 --- and no doubt his heart --- on his sleeve.
.
Speaking of hockey jerseys, my wife's number 12 with the name FISHER on the back may have become a keepsake a while back, but fortunately my number 4 remains current. We are both so very happy that the Sens signed Chris Phillips to a new three-year deal at slightly more than $3 million a year --- only slightly less than the $3.5 million he was making this year.
.
Now if we could just move Gonchar who, along with Karlsson the wandering Swede, helped drag Phillips' +/- down to unfathonable levels. But I realize that is nigh on impossible. Hey, you guys interested in a puck-moving defenseman named Campoli?
.
I have noticed Kuba playing much better of late. Apparently there are at least two teams expressing at least some interest. I wouldn't mind if we had to keep Kuba IF he could continue to keep improving back almost to his best days. But the reality is, we're probably stuck with Gonchar --- unless Pittsburgh loses a couple of D-men overnight or Burke develops a sudden renewed craving for over-paid defenseman.
.
It's just that we have so many good D-men in the pipeline, we're gonna need spots in which to play them. Hmmm. Got Burkie's cell phone number? Maybe I should give him a call, just in case. (wg).
.
Oh dear, I'm probably in trouble again with some people for letting a side-note expand into a side-mini-epic. (g) Oh well, all I can say in my defense is "munché moi," which is French for . . . umm . . . never mind. I get in enough trouble here already. Maybe I should just leave it in my faux French. *wink*

[Princess Mononoke]

After consulting the streaming rain patterns for insight into the cosmos, I have these answers for you:
1- Reimer hurt his neck. He'll miss a couple of games.
5- Bad coaching.
7- If MacArthur goes, forget about the P-word.
9- Concussion, undiagnosed.
Hope that helps.
Have a fascinating day!

[hoofheartz]

So I'm reading this mornings blog with my cuppa joe and am reminded by VM of waffles2010 prophetic statement:

"They are an incomplete hockey team. One that is capable of playing very well, and one that is equally capable of playing badly. They seem to have some pieces that are keepers, and a number that are clearly traders."

and what pops into my head but the following line from Eminem:

May I have your attention please?
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Slim Shady (Maple Leafs) please stand up?
I repeat, will the real Slim Shady (Maple Leafs) please stand up?
We're gonna have a problem here..

Sure is odd how so much of the Leafs season can be set to music.

I kinda like this one too:

All around the mulberry bush (NHL season),
the monkey (Maple Leafs) chased the weasel (dreams of the 'p" word),
The monkey thought 'twas all in fun
Pop! goes the weasel.

big sigh

[TimB]

No steep winding road until Wednesday night.Back to work after a lost weekend.Hope to catch the end of the deadline.

[Revelations]

Nik Kyperos said a few months ago that Giguere had many miles on his body and that seems to be the case. Watching the game last night it was obvious that Giguere was not right he looked like he needed more time maybe the rest of the season. Reimer took a nasty hit I am not sure if it is concussion or whiplash but still he will miss a good week or two at least.
I am not worried about the playoffs but I would like the Leafs to give it their best shot and see what happens. There is good pieces on this club and it's a patience factor which Toronot fans do not have. Getting a new goalie is not going to help trust me the d and goalie have to develop understanding of each other. The Monster looks ready to come back up but I feel a bad goal will just kill this kids confidence., The Leafs once had the dept a goal now must make that decsion to trade for a goal or ride what they have.
As for Macarthur rem Jason Blake folks one good season bang 4 mill I like Macarthur but if the right offer came along go for it . This is a team still growing still building if you can get those pieces that will help the team in the long run that is what you want

[Peter]

the lucky thing is they didn't lose much ground (except the one game they had on hand over Carolina). the bad thing is they could be only 2 points behind the Canes.
Worried about Reimer. Acually more worried about how the team's going to play without him.
MacArthur is not going anywhere. Burke can wait until the end of the season and even go to arbitration and then re-sign him.
why couldn't the Leafs go after Boyes? the second round pick was not much to give up for him...

VM Replies: I know. And he goes to Buffalo of all places. Stephen Weiss apparently will only waive his NTC to go to Toronto, which is interesting.

[Robert]

Well, we have all used the word discombobulated, (I love it) nothing covers the seasonal roller coaster better than the dis word. Yet, something or someone has always popped up. Renewed the faith and carried us a half step further through the tunnel. I don't think it is the travel. Or playing back to back in 19 hours. I think it is, what it has been all along. The back end isn't as good as we were led to believe. When the forwards are skating and working as lines, we put pressure on the other team. When the forwards back check, as they do sometimes quite well, it takes the pressure off our defence and goal tender.
But I have to say this. We are paying our captain $6m plus. Last night he was continually out of position! At one point he and Lebda were both half way up the side wall on the same side of the ice, and the front of the net was left uncovered! Schenn, as much as I like the guy, does the same thing, goes for the hit, but leaves his position. I have watched Luke chase people into the corner in order to lay on a hit. Let your winger go over and cover the man, stay in position and give the goal tender some protection.
We knew at the beginning of the year we were in some kind of rebuilding mode.
Mr. Burke said we would be hard to play against. We would be a team with some truculence! I have yet to see that.
But, I have seen some nights when we were in step. Where there was cohesion between the forwards and the defence.
We have the goal tender we believe in - some forwards that we like and some young defence coming through the system.
Seems to me this warrants a little more patience. The season still has some games to go. And you never know!

[maxwelledison]

To wit:
Love your legal/latin, Vinay!

So ... let's try spinning nolo contendere for my Niagara River linked teams.

Saturday, I sprained my right thumb channel switching, not-to-mention the value add-on of self-inflicted voice crippling. Further, Atlanta was a migraine.

I just don't get it.
Both coaches should get 30 days for egregious tampering. How do both teams blow leads at the same time? Then, not-to-be out done, Leafs plead guilty once again last night. I dunno. Maybe Leafs should play '5 defense' for the entire 3rd period. Ruff too, has no excuse.
Hockey is a sixty minute affair- not 59.

So now what?
Indeed Vinay, is this a falling from grace? Terminal?
... Or simply the reality of two teams- if one/both make it in... they likely falter in the first round.

What a ride!

VM Replies: A crazy ride, indeed.

[Ostrich_Lover]

This mornings article made me laugh. Not for the usuall reasons though. The quote of Waffles - named after the lamest thing to ever happen at a hockey game outside of Barry Melrose - but the quote you use could be applied to every team in the league except Philly and Vancouver. HAHA

Great Stuff. By the way this "P-word" nonesence has to stop, it is pronounced PLAYOFFS. And they are coming coming to Toronto, no matter if they trade the insanley over rated Clarke Maccarthur. My question is this - when you look at what was traded for Versteeg, how do you not move this guy, in a clear sellers market?

Burke needs to go outside the box today. With Grabovski, Macarthur, and 2 first rounders he can set the Leafs up for years in this crazy high market.

Also I just saw LA can add 84 Million worth of pro rated salery, so why not send them Komiserik? I hear his girlfriend lives out there.

[Geoff Read]

Interesting point about Grabovski...but no one should think he has post-concussion syndrome. Oh no. He was cleared by the trainer so he's fine.

VM Replies: I recall you saying he should have been pulled from the Boston game and thoroughly examined.

[hoofheartz]

Geoff, I was thinking exactly the same thing. The way he was wobbling around after the 2nd Chara hit you can't help but think that there's something amiss.

[Peter]

how do you people know Grabovski wasn't checked by doctors and cleared?

[Geoff Read]

On Grabovski... yeah, who knows right? But I certainly do think it was irresponsible to put him back out there in that game, and - as you say Hoofheartz - he hasn't been the same player since.

I had to share this line from a Jack Todd column today on the media coverage of the trade deadline, which he terms "much ado about nothing." With apologies to Vinay, who can be very witty, this was the funniest thing I've read all season:

"If you're watching, in other words, you really need to get a life. Yes, I know - you're all hoping to hear that some fool has agreed to swap a firstround draft pick for Scott Gomez's contract. Unfortunately, Mike Milbury is no longer a GM."

[Billy]

So far it seems everyone is really unsure about where we stand. Coulda won both games, coulda lost both games. Still got 2 points over the weekend, which is huge. They should have beat Pittsburgh, and had no business getting a point yesterday. The were just slow. Blame it on 18 hours between games..Now on to "The Most Important Game of The Year".

[Geoff Read]

@Peter - well he may have been after the game, but he certainly wasn't during it - and the team never asserted that he was cleared by a doctor after the game to my knowledge. Vinay might know differently?

VM Replies: He was "checked" after the game. But don't know what exactly this entails, medically speaking. During the game, he was questioned by the trainer who has the unilateral power to pull him based on what he's hearing.

[Peter]

@Geoff, yes, it's quite amuzing that TSN can air a show on trade deadline. it's been going on for almoast three hours without a single trade. what the hell can they talk about?

VM Replies: What I tweeted a few minutes ago: "It’s the NHL trade deadline. The day sports networks start like The Situation Room before slowly turning into The View."

[Peter]

correction, one trade between Florida and Atlanta. :-)

[Peter]

VM, that's funny. :-)

[Charlee001]

I'm in a bad mood today. What was that piece of crap I watched last night? Implosion: I expected it after they dealt Kaberle simply because he has been such a steady player for us for so long but without Kaberle the Leafs have been the same if not better. Last night cannot be blamed on that. And we saw the Leafs crank up the intensity at timely moments and score goals when they needed them so when it comes to their offensive challenges we know they know what to do about them.

But what is this thing with the Leafs and their goalies? They will only play for James Reimer. I can't hang this loss on Giggy. He gave them enough for them to win even though this is his first start in a couple of weeks. The difference between the two teams was visible. They were attacking when Reimer was in net. They were timid and sat back when Giguere was in net. Atlanta was a beaten team with Reimer in net. Atlanta was invincible when Giguere was in net. What was the difference?

Mindset. Focus.

I am anrgy with the magnificent bastards this morning because there was no reason for that loss last night except a sheer lack of collective willpower to overcome adversity. The loss of Reimer is not catastrophic in reality. It is only catastrophic in their minds. They allowed Giggy to face as much rubber in one period as Reimer had to deal with for two periods.

This team is soft in the head.

They are big enough and they are brawny enough and sometimes they are brainy enough, like Kessel's goal last night which had to be about the sneakiest most brilliant goal I have seen a Toronto Maple Leaf player ever score. This team is immature. They let small things distract them from their game plan. They stop competing and hand points to their opposition. Two nights in a row we see the same thing.

They should have beaten the Pens and they should have beaten Atlanta. Period. I can forgive them the loss to the Penguins but there is no excuse for losing at home to a team two points behind us in the standings, make that a team now even with us in the standings as a result of last night's debacle.

Make no mistake, I am not off the bandwagon. I see the potential for greatness in this version of the Maple Leafs. That's why I am pissed off. They are so much better than this when they apply themselves, when they are focussed, when the believe. They just don't always show up and that is totally unacceptable, especially at this time of the year.

[buenjames]

Any interest in Zach Bogosian by the leafs?

[moe green]

So I watched the game with Atlanta and you could see it slipping way. As soon as Atlanta scored the PP goal to open the period you kind of knew it was over. It was a carry over from the Atlanta second.

The Leafs get completely lost in their own zone. Why can't Wilson's boys put the hammer down. They can some time. I understand that this is a young team, but why can't they follow simple instructions. Are there any instructions to follow? It's like they are unable to anticipate the play in the defensive zone. They are always running around seemingly clueless as to what the opposing team is about to do.

Pittsburgh creamed them down low. That's why Reimer was so deep in his net. Same with Atlanta. That's because they have coaches and scouting. Like knowing to shoot high on Reimer. Do we have coaches and scouting? I am no pro so I would welcome any input here. Am I way off base? Did anyone else see the games this way?

For me this year has been a disappointment because this team has played well below their potential all season long.

[hoofheartz]

I'd love to see Zack Bogosian wearing number 8 or number 23 in the Blue and White.

[moe green]

@Billy: Yes they should have beaten Pittsburgh. Had they the point against Atlanta would have been okay. But they didn't and it wasn't. Bottom line: Leafs lost both critical games this weekend against very weak opponents. Phantom points be damned! Nothing to be proud of.

[moe green]

@Charlee001 : Agreed wholeheartedly except they should have crushed Pittsburgh. This is a much better team than their record. It's all in their heads. Ron Wilson's head too. Well said Charlee!

[moe green]

I am sick to death of all the "they are doing great be patient" crap. This team is not doing great. This team is an under-performing mess. You call that defense. Thank god for guys like Colby Armstrong. Where is our defensive zone presence. Why does it falter so. Why is Brent on the PP. Where is our coach. Burke has done well, now let's have the team perform up to their ability. No more Blue and White bullcrap excuses! Stop letting these bums off the hook!

VM Replies: Always know you're fired up when the word "bums" starts getting tossed around.

[KD]

I'm in the same situation as Revelations: I gave up on the P-word about a month ago, just before the magnificent ones started to make a run for it. I think they'll fall just short, like they did for so many years, but this time I do have more hope for the future than I had in years gone by. For this year, my biggest concern isn't whether they'll make it to the post-season party, but that they finish as far from the lottery as possible.
.
@Geoff Read: Milbury might not be a GM, but Burke is.

[moe green]

I was listening to the Atlanta announcers yesterday and they were saying that Giguere was once a good goalie but now he can make the first save but gives up rebounds and can't move laterally. If the pinhead Atlanta announcers are saying that, then the whole league knows that. What good does it do us to play him. He was caught out of position on two goals last night. Why is a guy who can barely move our backup?

[Rooney]

VM, I was just on a work conference call and a colleague in Chicago was laughing that there is a net-cam setup in the MLSE boardroom. Can this be true? My question is, who is sitting at the table and who is under it?

VM Replies: Yes, there is a live board room feed: http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=67947&navid=DL|TOR|home

[moe green]

It's because this team can play so well at times Vinay. How can thye play a brilliant shutdown defense and the let the Atlanta Thrashers manhandle them for the entire third period. Just because of one lousy goal. Boo freakin' hoo!

Remember the Boston game, the Buffalo game? Then how about the Ottawa game, the Pittsburgh game and the Atlanta game? C'mon. Is that the same team? "Oh they are just babies, they don't know any better, they are doing their best." Bull crap. Tell that to my buddies who died face down in the muck in Vietnam! Those soldiers were 18 freakin' years old. The Vietcong were 15 - and they were girls!

Okay, I was too young to be in Vietnam but you get my point. Too young is an excuse commonly used by the young these days. They cling to it. "Oh I'm just a kid" says the 25 year old multi-millionaire, molly-coddled, cry-baby. Too young my left ass!

[KD]

@Moe: I agree with you (and a number of others) that Jiggy is not yet up to the task. But I ask, who should be the backup instead? Gus and his broken heart? Rynnas and his broken finger? Scrivens and his ... well, he's never been tested at this level, has he? If Reimer was concussed, we can kiss the year good bye. But if not, he might be OK to back up on Wednesday, in which case, can we maybe we can turn a mid or late round pick into a #2 rental goalie today?

[moe green]

I ask with respect to the truly mentally handicapped out there: Is Dion Phaneuf perhaps slightly mentally retarded. Just a little? Is he borrowing someone else's equipment? What is up with that guy and why is he the "Captain?" Does he deserve it? Why, because of his playlists?

[hoofheartz]

Moe, you seem unusually tense today.

VM Replies: The Leafs have finally made Moe snap. This is an outrage!

[moe green]

And what is all this bs by Burke about making the playoffs. If I hear that guy feed us any more of that bs I am gonna woof. I don't mind him not adding players but just stop lying to us. He's lied to us all year long. No it's not okay. He's like "Straussian" anus Harper. He thinks it's okay to lie to us cuz we don't matter. I love what you are doing with the rebuild Brian, but stop with all the blustery BS lies!

Oh yeah and why are you dinks voting for this guy over and over again? Are you all tetched?

[moe green]

Now our Leafs have more hope for the future. Now we are on a par with most teams in the League. Well done Brian, but being on equal footing doesn't in itself mean success. We still need some on ice leadership and a proper coach. Maybe the new humbler Wilson is more palatable but is he good enuf?

[moe green]

What is the point of heroic efforts against the Habs, Bruins and Sabres if you are just gonna drop two easy ones over the weekend cuz you didn't want to break a nail. Snapped? A little.

VM Replies: I think you're being too hard on them over the weekend games. But I could be wrong.

[moe green]

Burke got rid of Stajan, Hagman, Blake and Toskala: Of couse he can get a goalie if he wants to. He'll probably land Tavares and Nabokov in the summer. He can do whatever he puts his mind to. Trouble is, he doesn't care right now. Maybe he's right to not care. Maybe we should care either. Too bad we still do. It's okay, we'll wait for next year. maybe we'll make the playoffs next year. I'm cool with a "maybe" next year. It's been a okay thing for 43 years now, what's another year.

[moe green]

@KD: That's what really burns me KD. Didn't Burke do just that two years ago when we didn't need it. Didn't he add a rental goalie for a late round pick. WHy not this year? Remember he picked up "What's his face" to help us finish out of the lottery when it would have helped us. What is wrong with this guy?

[Charlee001]

I wouldn't call them bums myself. And I am not going to be too disappointed if The Maple Leafs don't make the playoffs this year. For me this is more about getting a glimpse of the type of team we will get going forward. Will they learn something in these final 19 games? Will they carry that over the summer and come into 2011/12 ready to rock and roll?

These are questions I want to see answers for.

Will they beat Buffalo again? And the Bruins? Will they show up against the Flyers or just roll over like they did last night? And how do they stack up against The Blackhawks and Red Wings? These are all realistic questions that will be answered before the end of this season. It is also the path to the playoffs if there are to be any for The Buds.

Kessel has been amazing lately. I am glad he found his game. And Lupul has been a good find as much for what he does with the puck as without it. But Grabovski is cold. Is he hurt or is he afraid to get hit again? Will the Leafs ever deliver a good game for a goalie not named James Reimer?

Up and down it continues.

[Peter]

Hey moe, did your pills got away this morning? :-)

[TPiddy]

I didn't like the Leafs reaction last night. When Giguere went in they decided to try and cling to the worst lead in hockey instead of trying to attack Atlanta's backup goalie. The backup goalie that they 3 goals in on 4 shots in the last game they played him. Was it a bad coaching decision to try to protect the lead? Did they not have enough legs left to do anything else? Or were the guys just feeling tense with Giguere in goal? I don't get it, but thinking you can sit on a 2 goal lead for 20 minutes is naive.

[Boo Who?]

I was going to write a response to VM's questions but I cannot stop laughing at moe. Any man who manages to work a reference to the Vietcong and his 'left-ass' into the same rant has my undying devotion. moe, you're from the Lord.

[tml67]

I BeLeaf in letting Moe finish his rant. It's therapy.. not just for him but for some of us that are thinking exactly the same. He just has more time on his hands than some of us, so RANT ON MOE!

[KD]

Moe, this year, a #2 goalie might be needed. Remember, this year we WANT to finish outside of the lottery. If they want to settle for 9th or 10th, then go with what you have. But if you want to finish 8th or maybe even 7th, you need two reliable (read healthy) goalies - and right now, it looks like the healthiest goalie we have might be Scrivens. Maybe we should see what he can do - after all, it worked with Dryden 40 years ago.

[Ostrich_Lover]

hoofheartz | 02/28/2011 at 12:00 PM

"And what is all this bs by Burke about making the playoffs. If I hear that guy feed us any more of that bs I am gonna woof. I don't mind him not adding players but just stop lying to us. He's lied to us all year long. No it's not okay. He's like "Straussian" anus Harper. He thinks it's okay to lie to us cuz we don't matter. I love what you are doing with the rebuild Brian, but stop with all the blustery BS lies!"

Come on dude, you are usually not this bad. I mean, you are pretty bad, but this is sad even for you. Burke is one of the most honest straight up gms in the game/world. I seriously think that you are taking his quotes out of context and maybe you have trouble misunderstanding them. B/C I have never heard Burke say one thing I didnt either agree with or understand.

As for Hoofheartz, if quoting eminem doesnt solidify my theory that he is 14 years old, well actually it was already a pretty solid theory but that is confirmation in spades.

Waffles? hahaha.

Hey when these are the guys who attack you on a regular basis, you can't help but feel good. By the way, my views on Kessel, Schenn, Burke, et al are proved more and more correct by the day. If you want some more expert opinions, just ask, I am here all day!

[nugentmania]

It's too bad Mel Gibson isn't going to be named General Manager of the Leafs, just to see Ostrich Lover interpret and defend everything he says and does.

[tml67]

@nugentmania - or Charlie Sheen for that matter, or Gadhafi...let's just name all the recent idiots making headlines

[A True Leafs Fan]

Does anyone think Any trades are going down by 3?

[Boo Who?]

Okay. I'm calm. I'm composed. Let's do this.

1-3. Reimer's going to be fine. I have spent several minutes visualizing him within a healing beam of white light, and his darling little neck/head is going to be just dandy come Weds! (Evander Kane's knee however...I see it becoming one with a crowbar. No one hurts my baby boy and gets away with it.)
Jiggy is probably toast, sorry to say. I love his attitude and he has his moments, but he's pretty much toast. Saw Jonas after a Marlies game the other day. He looked about the same as before - pale and fragile. I think the coaches need to keep him away from the media altogether. That is one person that does not need the scrutiny.

4-6. Don't think Burkie is going to pull off any Hail Mary's today. I would love to see us land someone like Bogosian (I know he wants out of Atlanta) but I think it's a pipe dream. I do wish Schenn would think a bit more out there. He's like a heat-seeking missile. But obviously no one has told him to change his game. When he learns to use his head as well as his size, he's going to be one scary muh-fuhuh. Didn't see the weekend games, but I thought Brent was doing a decent job on the PP?

7-9. Clarkie-Arkie is apparently sticking around for the rest of the season. Which is Burkie's way of not conceding defeat and making the monkey dance a bit longer. Kessel is playing with a nice chip on his shoulder lately. Maybe the acid-spiked Gatorade has him seeing Wilson's head instead of the puck? Whatever you're seeing, just keep sending it home Phil. I have liked Lupul since day one, and I think he's a key part of this mini-revival. That boy has hustle. Grabbo is a bit streaky sometimes himself isn't he? I was worried about him after seeing him get flattened by that hosebeast, but I think he's fine. He's a 'thoughtful' player, and with all the recent changes I wouldn't be surprised if he's spending too much time surveying the landscape and trying to sort out where he fits in.

[Robert]

@moe: I think you have said in your various posts what we all wonder. How can they be world beaters one night, and can't skate the next? I have been disturbed by the wretched defence - allowing players to stand in front of the net and no d men in sight.
I know we always blame the coach. Well, I do have an CHA advanced level coaching certificate. Doesn't mean I can coach with Ron Wilson, but it does mean that I know what should be done, and more importantly what isn't being done!
At this point in the season, these players should all be comfortable with their line mates. They are not, because they are constantly shuffled.
The defence is nowhere near as tough as Brian thought it would be.
We have a captain who is simply not a leader on the ice.
A trash talker maybe, but, not the tough me first guy we all expected.
Ron's job is to have the scouting report on the other team. Discuss strategies with his players. Get them ready to compete and 'up' for the game.
Night after night, someone (Ron?) lets us down.
Yes they are young, yes we are rebuilding, but there is no consistency to our game. And that is frustrating as hell.

[Geoff Read]

Hey Moe,

In fairness, thanks to our anti-democratic system, most of us "dinks" didn't and don't vote for the Conservatives - but they get to run the show anyway!

In fact, I did a study on this question based on the last election. While 34% or something of Canadians who bothered to vote voted for the Conservatives, less than 15% of eligible Canadian voters voted for a Conservative candidate who won his or her riding. So that's democracy, Canadian-style: rule by a government that represents less than 15% of the electorate.

Sorry- I know this is a hockey blog, but the first past the post system is a big pet peeve for me... and in fairness, Moe brought it up!

[TG77]

Vinay, your point about the deadline day becoming the View is well taken. It's so boring and they were reduced to talking about who makes the 2014 version of Team Canada. As for those predictions...PK Subban? Really guys? For the Habs fans who see him play a lot more than I would, is he really that good? He is definitely an exciting player and was great in the world jrs (the last time I will cheer for him ever I believe!) but to project him as a member of the 2014 team seems bonkers. Actually the whole concept of projecting a team 3 years from now is pretty stupid. I honestly have concerns about Crosby's career. It was first diagnosed as being a 2-week absence. What a difference a year can make.

Speaking of a year ago, here is a cool clip of the sound in the city when Crosby scored. It takes a minute or so to get to the reaction of the goal but bear with it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VMxt-MqTiI&feature=player_embedded

[Geoff Read]

@TG77 - as you say it's a stupid exercise. But... is he that good now? No. Does he have the potential to be that good in three years? Absolutely. His raw talent is phenomenal and he's improved dramatically as the season's progressed.

[Peter]

Geoff, i'm a bit confused. i thought democracy is where you vote for your representatives. so, how come that there is a conservative government, when "most of us" didn't vote for them? fraud?
BTW, i for one voted for the conservatives, because we had enough Liberals crewing up the country. in the riding where i live the conservative cadidate won, as he did at the last election.
Did McGuinty and his pals did such a good job in Ontario?

[TG77]

Geoff - he does seem to make some really nice open-ice hits, is good with the puck and a real nice shot from the point but gambles a lot from what I remember. It seems so weird that he is such a lightning rod from controversy. I don't think it's deserved at all.

It's virtually impossible to project players 3 years down the road and given Myers looked like a lock for 2014 but has struggled this year, it's hard to say. Even Dion, Regehr and Bouwmeister were all considered locks for 2010.

[TimB]

@Boo Who? In reference to your Evander Kane mention: I wonder what Tonya Harding is up to?

And even though Moe inserts Harper into his posts,whether it pertains or not, I'm begging you all to stop the political crap.Please.

[Peter]

hm, Atlanta claimed Schremp off waivers. that's an interesting pick up. i thought he was redeeming himself rather well on the island...

[hoofheartz]

OL, most of the time you're too f__ing stupid to respond to but in this case I'll make an exception you (censored). That was Moe's post at 12:00, you (censored).

VM Replies: Ah. I had to censor this comment, hoof. Family newspaper and all that...

[Boo Who?]

@ TimB - last I heard, she was trying her hand at both celebrity boxing and pr0n? I like where you're going with this! If we can prop her up on a pair of skates and send her after the guy, no matter what happens after she gets her hands on him it's going to be painful to watch.

[Cassidy_Schenn]

I would just like to say that even though they lost, Luke Schenn noticed my sign that said "Schennsational" he then nodded and smiled at me!! And as a 16 year old girl that may have been the highlight of the game for me. However, (It could have been due to all of the blood that rushed to my head when I screamed every time Schenn touched the puck) I caught a faint whiff of desperation in the boys. Still, I am left hopeful, but not yet convinced.

[hoofheartz]

Thats OK VM, even that mental midget should get the jist of my response.

[TimB]

Hey,Hoof.It was a lot more fun filling in your post myself than if VM had not censored it.

[Boo Who?]

I don't know if anyone else is watching Twitter, but Darren Dreger tweeting that Weiss and Booth are 'unlikely to love' kinda made my day.

[Peter]

seems like trades are heating up. Penner went to LA and Carolina got Allen. that's not a very good news...

[TimB]

Maybe we should have Cassidy_Schenn put up the playlist for the next game.As Hoof pointed out our 70s/80s stuff seems to be failing us.

[Alecia]

Has this been mentioned yet?

Kessel has been named NHL's #1 star of the week. Woohoo, take that Staal!

[loyal he remains]

The thing that ticks me off about the Leafs situation is the way that they responded to the loss of Reimer. It isn't even the collapse that gets me, oddly enough. It's that they lost their star goalie to a knee-to-the-head and they didn't get angry! That should have been a step-up moment of true fury. That's the time to find an extra gear, throw an extra hit, bury the other guy's goalie in rubber. The team owed it to Reimer, who has shown that he's prepared to carry the load for them. We shouldn't need to hire Tonya Harding (the mind boggles!); the work should already be done.

I'm not giving up yet, though... even if I should.

[Boo Who?]

And Lupul tweeted that he'd been traded to the Islanders. It was a joke of course. Silly rabbit.
L.A. got Penner apparently.

[Tom]

The game on Saturday in the third period was intense like a simulated dogfight. D:
The game on Sunday was like watching my simulated wingmen shoot each other down. :(

[Peter]

Hey Alecia, aren't you supposed to be in Cuba today? :-)
Yes, i saw that Kessel got first star. not bad, hope he can keep it up!

[Peter]

oops, Johnny Mitchell is gone.

VM Replies: A moment of silence. To Rangers for a seventh round pick.

[Boo Who?]

@ loyal he remains - I agree! If I'd been out there I'd have been itching to get my hands on Kane and pulverize him, whether he laid a dirty hit or not. (And it doesn't seem like he did. I'm just a scrappy little brat.)
The Leafs' problems are all in their heads, dammit. I am always reminded of this cartoon when they start falling apart:

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

Apparently we traded John Mitchell to the NYR. Well, knock me over with a feather...

[hoofheartz]

loyal he remains, I didn't see the hit on Reimer but are you sure that the Captain didn't sneer at Kane?

[TimB]

Yeah,but it's a sneer that Kane won't soon forget!

[loyal he remains]

@Boo Who? Okay, now I'll never be able to watch a Leafs game without Ferdinand the Bull in my head. That was cruel... but desperately funny!

[Peter]

quite a few moves at the end but no "blockbuster" deal. kind of a boring dead-line day.

[Geoff Read]

@ Peter - There is a Conservative government despite the fact that most people either didn't vote at all or voted for a different party because of our electoral system. In our system, the federal election takes place by riding, and each MP with the most votes (not even the majority of votes in the riding!), is elected.

And for the record, I have the same grievance when it produces Liberal governments with the support of the minority of voters.

The last time a Canadian government represented the will of the majority (of those who voted)? 1984 when Brian Mulroney formed a majority government with 50% of the popular vote. And the last time before that? 1958! That's a pretty sad record.

OK - I promise that's my last post about politics. Now: I need to get worked about Montreal's failure to land a big body! Jason Arnott to the Capitals!!!

[Boo Who?]

@ loyal he remains - it's funny because it's true. :(

If I may continue comparing the Leafs to animated bulls, let's hope they come out more like this one on Weds (but obviously a little smarter):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvy_s-GfDxA

(Why yes, I am 12, thank you very much. I must now return to work at the child labour camp. For glorious Mother Canada!)

[ValleyRed]

More Questions:

Was Gary Roberts right when he said the Leafs weren't going about their fitness the right way? So many times they've played teams who are supposed to be tired and yet it's the Leafs who seem disinclined to skate hard. Is Ron Wilson not using the 3rd and 4th lines enough? As a young team, aren't they supposed to be more energetic? So frustrating to watch, some times.

Why is it when the Leafs forwards collapse on their own net that the opposing teams' defensemen seem to score at will? And when the Leaf defensemen are shooting at a team whose forwards are collapsed down they can't get a shot through? Are the opposing teams that good at blocking shots, or are the Leaf defense that poor at shooting accurately? Sometimes it seems like the Leaf players are standing somewhere because "coach told me to stand here, so I am" and yet they don't really understand why they're there and what they're supposed to do.

Lastly, why do Leafs with the puck constantly skate right at one of their own players? Why does the player without the puck stare at the puck carrier like a deer in the headlights and refuse to move their feet, even a little bit? In their own end, between the blue lines, and on the PP, this happens so often it drives me crazy. Are they not processing what the coaches are telling them? Are the coaches telling them anything? It's just hard to watch professional athletes look so disorganised.

[Peter]

The Caps payed a pretty high price for Arnott. i don't know... they must be desperate.

[Alecia]

@Peter - I leave tonight :)

[palbo]

Coming in late .... have not read all comments, so may be repeating, but have one question ..... Why would NYR want John Mitchell? Anyone?

[TimB]

Alecia,maybe some El Rey del Mundos?

[TimB]

@palbo. They thought they got Joni Mitchell

[Peter]

@Alecia, I see. good timing, the weather is god awful here.

[Robert]

@Valley Red: The Leafs skate into each other to confuse the other team. They are so busy laughing that Kessel gets a break away. I watched it myself!

[ValleyRed]

Well, if Mitchell hustled and played with the same amount of guts of Colby Armstrong, then with his size and speed he'd be the second coming of John LeClaire. Maybe the NYR feel they can get more out of him. God knows, you could hardly get less.

[Rooney]

VM, no significant trades for the Leafs. BB says Reimer will be back at practice tomorrow. Goose's numbers seem to indicate that he is ready to return. Hopefully these two guys are ready to push each other to the next level. Lupul looks like the piece the team needed to get Kessel going. MacArthur can now play lights out for the rest of the season to make sure he makes negotiations even harder on MLSE. If you told me in December that the Leafs would only have two regulation time losses in the month of February and that they would still be in the hunt, I would have probably slapped you and told you to ease off the vodka and lemon squares. I can't believe I can actually say this with a straight face but it is time to play some meaningful hockey games in March.

[TimB]

Rooney.Ya really have to get your Booyaka on for Wednesday.

[TG77]

Nice summary Rooney. It does feel odd to be checking in on the out of town scores too at this time of the season especially given some of the lows of this year's roller coaster.

As for John Mitchell, he does seem like a huge waste of size and at times it looked like he had some decent skill at times too. His best game with the Leafs was actually all bundled in the third period of a game against the Rangers when he scored two beauties in a 5 goal third period. They must hope that there was something to it. I think we have to hand it to Burke for this year's trades. Yes it hurt to see Kabby go given his loyalty to the team but getting 2 late 1st rounders and a 3rd rounder, a kid who is looking good on the Marlies and Lupul in exchange for Versteeg, Beau and Kabby is quite impressive.

As for my 'local' team, the Canucks added Maxim Lapierre so I can officially go back to hating them. They also added Higgins. Not that they paid a huge price but both seem like headscatcher deals.

[palbo]

Somebody correct me ..... NY could have had Mitchell for nuttin' a few weeks ago when TO put him on waivers in order to send him to the Marlies. I know they only gave up a 7th round pick, but nevertheless .....

As an aside, is nevertheless an actual English word - can somebody please elucidate?

[loyal he remains]

@palbo "Nevertheless" is an English word, with Middle English origins. Middle English is from 1066-early 1500s, give or take a bit. "Nevertheless" means "in spite of that." As in, "The Leafs haven't reached the p-word in a while. Nevertheless, I still love/hate them."

[loyal he remains]

@Boo Who? Thanks, Boo. "Bully for Bugs" is one of my favourites. I have a copy on an old VHS collection. The shooting horns are great! Now and then, Kessel has reminded me of that one, lately.

[palbo]

@loyal he remains ...I appreciate your explanation .... nevertheless the NYR are deranged.

[Ostrich_Lover]

Hey Hoofy, thanks for the expletive filled confirmation on your age. Don't worry though pal, when your voice deepens you probably won't get picked on so much.

[Alecia]

Yes the weather here is crummy. Rain in February? not cool.

Bye everyone. I will miss the glorious bastards this upcoming week. Hope this week treats you and the Leafs well. I expect an extra 8pts when I am back, but who are we kidding... I will be checking the scores and stats daily anyway. Boo, hold up this fort!

VM Replies: Have fun, Alecia. God knows you deserve to just have some fun.

[Boo Who?]

Are you Toronto lightweights bellyaching about rain in February? Hellooooo, Vancouver over here?

Alecia!! Have a safe trip and hurry back!! I'm not sure how long I can yin AND yang by myself around here. I'm no good at yinning. :(

[moe green]

@Valley Red: I have often wondered that about this team. Why do they seem so weary so often? Are they being overworked in practices? Are they worked incorrectly? Do they practice too often. Do most other teams still employ a game day skate. The concept seems archaic to me. I am trying to imagine waking up, heading to the rink, getting dressed, skating, changing out of your equipment, showering, going to eat and then repeating the process for the game a few hours later. Seems ridiculous. Any thoughts out there?

I wonder about Roberts' comments too. It's hard to argue with the guy. His fitness level kept him in the game a long time.

[Wandering Penguin]

I think we all know the answer to question #5. Well, all of us except the one person whose vote actually counts, that is.