Trade deadline: Frantic inaction
The trade deadline is over and as night falls the Leafs remain the same.
After predicting movement, after stating interest in a puck-moving defenceman or a top-flight centre, Brian Burke did not modify his roster with any additions today.
Just before the 3 p.m. deadline, John Mitchell was acquired by the Rangers for a seventh round pick in 2012. But aside from Mitchell – recently demoted to the Marlies and no longer a cherished piece on the chessboard – the Leafs were about as busy as a narcoleptic ice fisherman in July.
"It was an uneventful day for us and that's kind of how we thought it would go," said Burke at his press conference this afternoon. "We had some lines in the water. We worked on a bunch of things. But none of the price tags for the things we worked on made sense."
What does this mean? It means the team is four points outside of the promised land and while this is better than most expected at Christmas, it is still not good enough for Burke to deviate from his long-range blueprint.
In the context of an unorthodox rebuild, the price for short-term help was too high and the league-wide inventory was too low. So instead of acting in haste and making a mistake, Burke chose a prudent path: keep the existing group together while protecting the picks and prospects acquired over the previous three weeks of "heavy lifting."
As it turns out, he was shrewd to get the jump on today's non-event.
So the next stage of rebuilding will take place during the draft and when the free agent market begins this summer. The future looks bright. The present looks exactly the same. What this (slowly) improving but (still madly) inconsistent team achieves this season now depends entirely on the guys already wearing the skates: No reinforcements are on the way.
The Leafs were not alone in embracing the status quo.
On a day in which sports networks started at 8 a.m. with the breathless excitement of news outlets before a war – elaborate graphics, swish sets, rampant speculation, countdown clocks, multiple panels, experts pecking at BlackBerries and staring into their laptop screens with increasing desperation – the trade deadline quickly turned into a day of frantic inaction.
The most popular phrases included: "Still not a lot to report," "Nothing happening yet," "Waiting for something to happen," "It's remarkably slow," "Something could still happen," and eventually, "It seems like everything already happened before today!"
Adding to the surreal spectacle were a couple of Twitter hoaxes, repeated flashbacks to last year’s trades, the nightmare-inducing sight of vintage Gino Reda mugs, disingenuous anticipation and the Leafs' inexplicable decision to offer the hockey-loving world a "live boardroom feed."
Yes, despite the fact nothing was happening, Leaf fans were treated to a glimpse inside the underbelly of trade day maneuvering as a web camera apparently purchased on sale at Best Buy this weekend streamed surveillance-grade footage of front office execs sitting around a non-descript table in their casual Friday attire while checking email, sipping water and reading newspapers.
Combining the drab lighting of a hostage video with the urgency of a traffic cam and the thrill of a church bake sale, the live feed showed us just how utterly boring a hockey team can be at the corporate level.
By strange coincidence, Swiss Chalet launched a new digital channel today that shows chickens spinning on spits 24 hours a day. It had more sizzle than all of the trade deadline coverage across all media platforms combined. (I snapped the picture on the left this afternoon after changing channels in a desperate attempt to scrub the image of Gino's 'stache from my long-term memory.)
So it's over. The trade deadline is finally over.
A puck-moving defenceman would have been nice. A power forward even nicer. But after today, I'm just glad we can return focus to the games, regardless of what may or may not happen between now and April 9.
MAIN PHOTO: CANADIAN PRESS
ZZZZZZZZ
VM Replies: Exactly. Wait. Are you referring to the trade deadline or this post?
Posted by: palbo | 02/28/2011 at 07:22 PM
no...no....no.... this post is exhilarating.
VM Replies: A single tear sits on my cheek.
Posted by: palbo | 02/28/2011 at 07:31 PM
which cheek?
VM Replies: What is going on here today? Moe was going on about his left cheek. OL and hoofheartz are fighting again, despite my begging.
My head is starting to hurt.
Posted by: palbo | 02/28/2011 at 07:52 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuJH2WXJGHI&NR=1
This video should brighten the day. What an amazing party it was here in VCR.
Posted by: TG77 | 02/28/2011 at 08:20 PM
Mmmmmm, chicken.
Don't cry VM. I thought this was a very lovely post about whatever it was you were posting about. Because...chicken.
VM Replies: 24/7 chicken. In high-definition. The end of days are upon us.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 02/28/2011 at 08:32 PM
The poor phuks on TSN sould have gotten hardship pay for trying to make a show out of the snoozefest. Maybe they will hype it just a bit less next year.
Posted by: johnnyk | 02/28/2011 at 08:47 PM
I have never seen so many misaligned planets in all my life, when I happened upon the camera in the Leaf board room. Sorry, bored room. One has to hope the excitement of this wax museum is not permeating the Leaf dressing room.
We didn't bring anyone in - better that than losing someone we may want to keep.
Hope Mitchell does well in New York. So often, just not the right fit in the present Toronto regime. Good Luck John.
So, let's get behind the troops and continue the march.
VM Replies: The march continues Wednesday.
Posted by: Robert | 02/28/2011 at 08:49 PM
I am relieved that we didn't trade some of our more promising players on the off-chance of getting someone better, only to have them underperform and leave us disappointed in the end.
How was that for a run-on sentence...
VM Replies: A perfectly fine sentence.
Posted by: Katherine | 02/28/2011 at 09:12 PM
Hey Viany, don't you dare diss church bake sales. Have you never had a chocolate muffin, mmm all that sugary goodness. That said the leafs already had their trade deadlines. That Lupul deal seems like its working out, wouldn't you say? Give Phil and Joffery more time together and this team should come along nicely.
VM Replies: Yes, all and all, the team made some really nice moves over the past three weeks. As Robert keeps saying, we shall overcome.
Posted by: Farrukh I | 02/28/2011 at 09:20 PM
Have you ever attended a church bake sale? If our beloved Leafs could manage that kind of intensity for a whole game, they'd slaughter all comers. If Phaneuf could employ his elbows as unobtrusively, but painfully, as the average church-lady chasing a coveted apple pie, nobody would dare cross the Leafs blue line. A bake sale would be a great place to train our D-men to use the body. There's no hip-check like it. Dude, you have no idea!
VM Replies: So I'm getting to these comments a little after the fact. But this one definitely wins Comment of The Day.
I hereby retract the analogy and will gently encourage the powers-that-be inside MLSE to consider church bake sales for all off-season training.
Posted by: loyal he remains | 02/28/2011 at 09:21 PM
No kidding. What is in the air?
Do we all need a vacation?
Are we all white-knuckling it to spring break?
My students were all certifiably insane today. An entire 7th grade class of smart, calm and wonderful kids was whisked away and replaced by screaming, rude and unpleasant impostors. I had the TSN Trade Center feed on the classroom projector for my young hockey heads during lunch, but everyone was too hopped up on sugary fund-raising treats to care.
Watching a screen filled with three guys watching the screens of their laptops was a kind of post-modern hell: the void in an endless loop.
VM Replies: You let your students watch TSN? That does seem particularly cruel.
I will say this, though: James Duthie is an exceptional broadcaster. Self-deprecating and with a quick wit, he kept the trains running on time even when there were no stops to make. TSN should double his salary, even if it means taking something away from Pierre McGuire.
Posted by: Princess Mononoke | 02/28/2011 at 09:37 PM
I guess the curent roster will have to do for now. They looked pretty good last week or so and I saw glimpses of that this weekend too. Hope certain Eastern Conference team keep spiraling down and continue to let us soar and Vinay you really can write something out of nothing. Good on ya!
VM Replies: Thanks, TheGo2Girl. Years of television criticism was good training for a day like today.
Posted by: TheGo2Girl | 02/28/2011 at 09:42 PM
Hey Vin. The Gino retro mugs are cool and were on sale today, with proceeds going to charity. I ordered/bought four --- one for each of our two, now 30ish, sons, one for my closest brother and one pour moi.
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When mine arrives, I can take a pic and send you a copy via email if you'd like.
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I ordered a cheaper, TSN-logo-only mug for my wife but I also bought her a T-shirt. I wanted to get her one that said "Talk to my husband. I'm watching sports." Unfortunately, subconscious sexism in the design and marketing departments meant there were only "Talk to my wife . . ." shirts available.
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Reminded me of the little old lady at the Farmer's Market who embroiders all kinds of neat stuff, including small but handsome fabric plaques (?) saying "So-and-so's Kitchen." Of course they don't say actually say "So-and-so's." No each has a woman's name, like "Mary's Kitchen" or "Betty's Kitchen" and such.
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In fact she had huge trays of them, featuring just about every female name inaginable, all sorted alphabetically. Being the resident chef in our home, I asked her why she hadn't used even one male name --- like "Bill's Kitchen" for example.
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She said that though she is aware that more and more men are running kitchens at home, she'd just never thought of it.
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That's why I call it subconscious sexism and as with the TSN online store, it cost her some sales.
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So, should I put you down for a Gino mug? (wg)
VM Replies: Did you really buy four of those mugs? Wow. No, that's a very kind offer, but I won't be needing one.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/28/2011 at 09:47 PM
p.s. How about an old pic of Gino and his giant stache, with a pork-pie hat perched jauntily upon his head?
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/28/2011 at 09:50 PM
As for the Leafs sudden shortage of goaltenders, Curtis McElhinney was available on waivers today. He's not great but could serve as a place-holding backup.
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Oops. Forgot. Some other team already picked him up for that very purpose.
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Don't want our Optimus Craig (so to speak) burning out while we send our Swedish goaltending prospect back down to Bingo to continue developing, including, hopefully, in the playoffs (AHL).
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 02/28/2011 at 10:00 PM
In case all of Canada celebrating the Crosby goal, here is a Hayden song called Don't Get Down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmVnmI9XWa8
Posted by: TG77 | 02/28/2011 at 10:05 PM
I meant in case the Crosby-caused celebration didn't work to change the mood, here is a video. I blame it on February being a b*itch of a month, gross weather usually and feeling unusually long despite being 28 days.
Now Bill, if you wanted to rub it in about the leafs picking up a goalie, the acquisition of Zee Gerber a couple of years ago when they legitimately sucked enough to have a shot at a lottery pick would be a much better example. Sorry, I can't use the now patented sensi-bill (wg). I live by few rules and no emoticons is one of them!
VM Replies: Imagine how wonderful this world would be if everybody lived by a no-emoticon rule.
Posted by: TG77 | 02/28/2011 at 10:12 PM
VM, whats to fight about with (O)bvious (L)oser? You can't fix stupid and he's FUBAR.
VM Replies: Oh, man. You guys need to hug it out. Or perhaps punch it out.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 02/28/2011 at 11:10 PM
Do I sense an unofficial undercard for the upcoming UFC event in Toronto?
VM Replies: Hoofheartz versus Ostrich Lover. No rules. No moderators. No more talking. Just one steel cage and one man left standing...
Posted by: TG77 | 02/28/2011 at 11:22 PM
Well you need to at least hire TimB, Alecia, Boo, Moe, Palbo, Rooney etc and minimum one independent from a non-leafs fan such as Princess or Sensi-Bill as the ringside judges and/or commentators. I have a feeling we might need a bit more than a 7 second delay to account for some off-colour language.
On a tangent, whenever I see the name Rooney on here I can't help but think of the scene in Ferris Bueller when his friend Cameron pretends to be Ferris' dad and yells at Mr. Rooney.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91oESPRinas
Posted by: TG77 | 02/28/2011 at 11:57 PM
Vinay, I'm going to disagree with you. That Gino mug is awesome and I would lovingly show it off -- if someone else bought one for me.
Posted by: Simon | 03/01/2011 at 12:13 AM
Now that's a hockey fight that even I would pay to watch.
On the deadline passing I gotta say I am a little disappointed that we couldn't get a single warm body into the fold. Anyone. I guess it just wouldn't have been prudent. I guess I should be glad, but I am not. A centre. A d-man, A rental. Who cares. After our guys worked so hard under such brutal circumstances to get where they are. Didn't they deserve at least a bone? Maybe after the games this weekend the answer was no. Maybe Burke knows best. Maybe.
Do you ever wonder where we'd be if Reimer hadn't been briefly sent back down earlier this year. Such as small detail looms so large now.
VM Replies: An interesting hypothetical. He's here now, though, and for that I'm grateful.
Posted by: moe green | 03/01/2011 at 12:36 AM
Great post (as per usual). And I love that picture of the ACC (I'm a bit of a softie for the reflective pictures).
I'm actually quite satisfied with Burke's inaction at the deadline. Let the current team grow and learn, and hopefully become consistent.
VM Replies: Good morning, red5. Yes, he already made his moves. He's sticking to the plan and now these guys can play the final 19 games with no fear of "the call" hanging over their helmets.
Posted by: red5 | 03/01/2011 at 01:06 AM
Where do I sign up for this undercard?
Posted by: hoofheartz | 03/01/2011 at 06:21 AM
Taking something away from Pierre McGuire? --like a job?
Posted by: enJoy hockey | 03/01/2011 at 06:27 AM
Vinay, your "chickens spinning on spits 24 hours a day" wings you into an insurmountable lead for Comment of the Month.
... Fabulous!
Posted by: maxwelledison | 03/01/2011 at 06:51 AM
Enough is enough.First my idea for the Slinky gets stolen and now my Rotisserie Channel?
Posted by: TimB | 03/01/2011 at 07:09 AM
If the OL/Hoofheartz tilt is a cage match spelling bee,the smart money is on Hoof.
Posted by: TimB | 03/01/2011 at 07:15 AM
Moeman, thats an even better idea. OL and I, mano et mano on the ice. It would be a hellavu battle as he is no doubt an amazing player, probably a cross between Sid the Kid and Colton Orr. I know I'd have little chance, being a slightly cherubic, ankle skating, grampy but what the hell, I'd get to meet the great OL in person.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 03/01/2011 at 07:20 AM
Burke mentioned some stupid rule abpout limiting the call ups after the dead-line. what the hell is that? is there really a rule like that?
VM Replies: Alas, yes. They're only allowed four call-ups between now and end of season.
Posted by: Peter | 03/01/2011 at 07:26 AM
Nice post Vinay. I've been on vacation in Florida for two weeks and today is my first day back home. I'm lucky I had my BlackBerry otherwise I would've had no idea what was going on with the Leafs!
Here are my quick thoughts of the last two weeks:
1. Kessel scoring against Boston seems to have really boosted his confidence
2. Reimer has been sensational, and I fear if his injury is serious then our playoff hopes have been all but erased.
3. I'm thrilled that Burke did not overpay to acquire a player at the deadline. I have faith in the young guys that have gotten us this far!
It's good to be back in the land of hockey
VM Replies: Welcome back, Darren. It sounds like Reimer isn't seriously injured, so that's a relief. Watching him leave the ice in Atlanta was like a roundhouse kick to the face.
Posted by: Darren | 03/01/2011 at 07:35 AM
The Emperor Has No Clothes....while I am not a TML fan, I was hoping that I would find some TML fan happiness on this blog after "trade day". Maybe a good linemate to play with Kessel, maybe a solid, mobile defenceman that could anchor the powerplay. Sorry group, Boy Wonder has left the house. Burke is now just a distinction without a difference.
VM Replies: Good morning to you, Mr. Chevis.
Posted by: Ken Chevis | 03/01/2011 at 07:39 AM
four? seriously? that must be one of the stupidest rules i have ever heard of.
VM Replies: If you ever bump into Brian Burke, never bring it up. You will be extremely late for wherever you're going.
Posted by: Peter | 03/01/2011 at 08:05 AM
whats the point of trading for the sake of trading? It doesnt make sense why would we over pay for some guy like Wiess Or Penner Or the AVs D-man when we have Kadri and Colburne in the AHL? all the leafs need is time im sure we will draft well and maybe pick up some UFA's
Posted by: A True Leafs Fan | 03/01/2011 at 08:58 AM
Good Morning VM, and please call me Ken, My father was Mr Chevis. I enjoyed your blog but you must have been disappointed that nothing happened vis-a-vis the TMLs. I can understand not wanting to give away good young prospects, but Burke was touted to be the master of the deal. I can sit back and watch because my team will make the playoffs. Here's hoping that you do as well with what you have.
VM Replies: I honestly wasn't disappointed. Like others have noted here, I'm glad he didn't act in haste inside what was an inflated sellers market.
Posted by: Ken Chevis | 03/01/2011 at 09:00 AM
We need to Get rid of Giguere and his useless groin. 7 mil...Really? I love the guy, but comon put this old horse out of his misery already.
Posted by: A True Leafs Fan | 03/01/2011 at 09:02 AM
Good morning Vinay! Another fine post sir. I especially like the "as busy as a narcoleptic ice fisherman in July" as anyone can attest to ice fishing on Lake Simcoe the only thing you'll catch some days is a cold, or a buzz depending on how much alcohol you brought.
Even more interesting is the new Swiss Chalet channel. I suppose I can throw away my "Romantic Fire" DVD and subscribe to this channel. Now if only someone can bring back back 'smell-o-vision', my idea for a Frying Bacon channel would be an instant success.
Cheers!
VM Replies: Good morning, We BeLeaf. Bacon TV would be a natural complement to this chicken channel.
Someone emailed this morning to ask for more information about this Rotisserie Channel (???). It's Channel 208 on Rogers in Toronto (not sure about other markets/carriers).
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 03/01/2011 at 09:09 AM
It's funny how Brian Burke's tune changes. I seem to recall him suggesting it was a virtual certainty he could flip a third round draft pick for a puck moving defenseman. I didn't believe it then, and I question why he would ever have said such a thing now. Now of course he's saying that they "expected" nothing to happen. OK Brian. Whatever.
Dustin Penner was the move of the day; the Canucks got a little bit stronger - at this point they're my pick to win the Cup.
As for my beloved Habs... well, despite what Maguire et al. said yesterday, I think they did a very good job of shoring up the D - bringing in Wisniewski (who all the analysts seem to forget about), Mara, and Sopel, but up front, the team has needed a big centre since... well, since Kirk Muller laced up the skates for les Glorieux, unless we count the glorious tenure of Radek Bonk.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 03/01/2011 at 09:25 AM
Radek Bonk played for the Habs? Geez, I must have blinked and missed it.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 03/01/2011 at 09:36 AM
Vinay, can I let you in on a little secret? Do you want to know why the leafs have been bad to awful since the exit of Eddie Belfour? I'll tell you, since you've provided me with an entertaining read or two over the last number of months....
The exit of Eddie Belfour. Yup, that's it, not the lack of scoring or shabby defense. Not chemistry, or coaching, or no one to play with Sundin, not the media or the fans or MLSE or the rich people in the Air Canada center eating sushi. Nope, its goaltending.
I dare anyone to list any team ever, in the past 100 years who has made the playoffs consistently, and/or gone deep into the playoffs without top shelf goal work. It doesn't happen. ever. period. Even Grant Fuhr made a save or two when it counted in those 8-5 Edmonton wins.
With James we may have that chance. So at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter if we got another puck moving defense man or topflight center yesterday or this summer.
What matters is that James or one of the other kids in the system leads us to the promised land - THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.
Unless you can ice a mixed team Canada 2010/80's Edmonton/Mario Penguins team or something - then maybe even I could play goal.
Posted by: fishypete | 03/01/2011 at 09:48 AM
Hoofhartz if you and the OL decide to go at it, I will gladly act as your second. I will also bring a mop to clean up a cage full of Ostrich droppings!
Posted by: Robert | 03/01/2011 at 09:51 AM
Well, I for one was pleased that Burke went on TV to announce that he'd done precisley nothing right after the deadline passed. A press conference to announce nothing, only at MLSE.
VM Replies: Seinfeldian.
Posted by: prize maple | 03/01/2011 at 10:33 AM
Come on guys, I am not going to be beating up a child. However I know you all have been waiting for my trade analysis so here it is_________________.
Wow that was super boring. I gotta admit, I had a rare free day no work no kids nothing and i even had a medically enhanced trade deadline but nothing could spice it up, well except Jay Onrait. That guy is Ostrich aproved - I would buy tickets if he comes to Casino Rama (just joking they dont get that kind of talent).
I still can't over how I am known for being a bad speller on here b/c honest to God, in real life, I am known for my spelling voracity. I just usually type with a small child on my lap, or on a tiny keyboard. I don't really expect anyone to believe this, but why would I lie? Ok scratch that, I lie all the time but only about things I think are hilarious, I dont think spelling is funny.
Posted by: Ostrich_Lover | 03/01/2011 at 10:43 AM
I do think Burke missed a chance to accelerate the long term rebuild, and I get that after so long he can't really blow this chance to sneak into the playoffs, but when you look at what Edmonton got for Penner - and what Burke himself got for Versteeg, I think he could have cleaned up for Grabovski and Macarthur.
Unrelated, I think that Boston really missed the boat with a weak eastern conferance ripe for the taking and Seguin, Rask and The Leafs First Rounder, I think they should have went all in considering Thomas' age.
Posted by: Ostrich_Lover | 03/01/2011 at 10:43 AM
@fishypete. You're kidding right? If my short term memory serves me right, the Blackhawks won ye' coveted cup with - drum roll please - Antti Niemi. And if dost forget, the Flyers were backstopped by Leighton and Boucher. Not exactly a crop of Vezina winning talent that you speak about.
Posted by: Nick | 03/01/2011 at 11:05 AM
@Hoofheartz,
Yep, Radek Bonk skated, if you could call it that, for the Habs for two seasons. The first season he was totally useless. The second season, he was slightly better.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 03/01/2011 at 11:06 AM
@Nick,
And let's not forget the Oilers' march to game 7 of the Cup Final with someone named Jussi Markkanen!
Posted by: Geoff Read | 03/01/2011 at 11:17 AM
It'll be interesting to see what kind of impact all this trade speculation has been having on the team. Now that there is nothing more to talk about than hockey, maybe the guys will settle down and start playing their best. This trade stuff might account for the relative slump of the MacKulebovski line. I haven't checked the schedule but it'll be an Interesting game on Wednesday IF we're still in the hunt.
VM Replies: Scoreboard watching for tonight:
Buffalo visits Madison Square Garden (7 p.m.)
Carolina hosts the Panthers (7 p.m.)
Montreal is in Atlanta (7 p.m.)
Posted by: moe green | 03/01/2011 at 11:40 AM
"@fishypete. You're kidding right? If my short term memory serves me right, the Blackhawks won ye' coveted cup with - drum roll please - Antti Niemi. And if dost forget, the Flyers were backstopped by Leighton and Boucher. Not exactly a crop of Vezina winning talent that you speak about."
"And let's not forget the Oilers' march to game 7 of the Cup Final with someone named Jussi Markkanen!"
wait, wait, wait, all those teams got good to great goal keeping EVEN if it was just for a very brief period of time.
So again, what i am trying to say, and what my point is, is that WE have received poor/awful goal keeping up to/until James entered the crease, since eddie left the net. There really is no way to get around it.
God bless Giggy, but he is NOT, and I repeat NOT a starting goalie in the NHL. Toskala? Raycroft? etc. etc. etc.
Posted by: fishypete | 03/01/2011 at 11:46 AM
@ Vinay...
So you'll be cheering for the Habs tonight, eh! You Leafs fans are coming around.
VM Replies: I, ah, you see, well... Geoff, why are you always stirring up trouble?
Posted by: Geoff Read | 03/01/2011 at 11:55 AM
didn't the oilers marched with Roloson? then he got injured and they lost in game 7?
Posted by: Peter | 03/01/2011 at 12:24 PM
The Habs will probably lose as they normally do just to spite 'those Anglo bastards' anyway.
I wonder if some fast food chain in Quebec will debut the "Poutine channel".....
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 03/01/2011 at 12:30 PM
VM, I can't cheer for the Habs, I can't do it, sorry. I hope that none of the three teams that win tonight in those games make the playoffs. To those teams that win, I hope the two points you earn tonight brings you the worst karma ever. I am cheering against them all as they all suck bananas.
Posted by: Rooney | 03/01/2011 at 12:52 PM
Three goalies on the ice at practice today - Jiggy, Goose and Reimer. I'm guessing we'll be starting Jim-Bob and having Gustavsson as backup tomorrow?
Also, why did it take this armchair shrink so long to discover that Twitter provides such a revealing glimpse into the psyche of our beloved team?
Tim (Timmay!) Brent tweeted yesterday that the boys are happy the management believes they 'can do this' with the team they've got, because that's the feeling in the room as well. I'm all aglow. My special little guys! My schmoopsie-woopsie Leafie-eefie-kins! They're lucky they're all the way over there in Toronto or else it'd be tickle fights and zerberts all around. I love when they feel good about themselves, because good things usually come of it. Hold on to that feeling.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 03/01/2011 at 01:37 PM
The goalie debate is quite interesting. Chi and Phi both made it to the finals last year with sub, sub-nhl goaltending. However, those teams are/were incredibly deep. I think that in general, unless your team is that deep, you need super crazy goaltending to win in the nhl. Find me a team that isnt unually deep taht won or even made the finals without a goalie who wasnt either one of the top tenders, or playing like it. Even when edm went to the final, Roloson was amazing. That same year Carolina went with Ward.
I find it funny considering what Jan Halak did last year, that the main lesson people seem to have learned from last years playoffs was that you can win with no goaltending. These people overlook that both Chicago and Philly had veritable allstar teams on forward and defense.
That is why Boston is probably going to win the cup. They will face an undermanned but determined Penguins in the semis. Take this to the bank. (unless the Leafs make it, then all bets are off)
Posted by: Ostrich_Lover | 03/01/2011 at 01:38 PM
@ Peter
You're right - the Oilers made it to the finals on the back of Roloson (something of a journeyman himself of course), but Markkanen took over and played games 2-7 of the final with Roloson injured.
@ Vinay
Sorry - I just enjoy a little trouble every now and then. And there is something delicious about the fact you have to cheer for the Habs!
@WeBeLeaf
The Poutine Channel is an idea that needs to be explored.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 03/01/2011 at 01:40 PM
Reim'n and stealing
Posted by: the ends | 03/01/2011 at 01:55 PM
Don't know if anyone mentioned it yet, but the Reimenator/ Optimus Reim/ The Reimer is going to start tomorrow night! Sweeeet! Guy has got too many nicknames!
Posted by: Simon | 03/01/2011 at 02:19 PM
The habs can go suck rotten lemons. I wouldn't care if the Scabs were playing Carolina and put us farther out of a Play off spot. they can all go down to timmies and go fa coffee.
Posted by: A True Leafs Fan | 03/01/2011 at 02:24 PM
Hi.
I'm bored so I decided to start boosting morale a day early. Here's Tia Carrere modeling a VERY impractical looking Leafs sweater. She looks cold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYvuoEAV5DI
You're welcome.
VM Replies: I really should check these links. You're not directing us to soft porn, are you?
Posted by: Boo Who? | 03/01/2011 at 04:05 PM
Don't be mistaken - seriously - James will either take us into the playoffs this year or not - it's all him.
Having said that, I am really excited about having him as our goalie. He is a starter on any team in the league in my humble opinion - and this is something I knew from training camp.
The funniest thing i've ever heard about him from people? He goes down to fast.
Really? Wow, umm..... what, sort of like 98-99 per cent of all active NHL goalies?
Geeze, ALL goalies play exactly the same way - James is just bigger than most and has a good head on his shoulders.
Posted by: fishypete | 03/01/2011 at 04:09 PM
@ VM - Is this the thanks I get!? I stumble upon some major babe-age while looking for Leafs videos and my first thought is to run back here and share my gift with all of you and your reaction is to call my honour into question?! O ye of little faith, do I but perv in vain?
VM Replies: I'm sorry, Ms. Boo. If it's on YouTube, I'm sure it's fine and will not get me in any trouble with my benevolent but skittish overlords here at One Yonge...
Posted by: Boo Who? | 03/01/2011 at 04:18 PM
they mispelled Kaberle's name!!! :-)
Posted by: Peter | 03/01/2011 at 04:42 PM
@ VM - I would never do anything to jeopardize your good name or cause you pain. You have my word as a Leafs fan.
It's a very tasteful celebration of the two (technically THREE) things that the ALF B crew loves most.
Sigh. Like throwing pearls before swine...
(Poor choice of words? I can't do anything right today.)
Posted by: Boo Who? | 03/01/2011 at 04:57 PM
Enough with the Habs hatred. The Habs are helping you guys, and the best thing for all of us would be to have both teams in the playoffs (we're allowed to say that word).
BTW poutine is not a traditional Quebec food. I am a hardcore French Quebecer with roots all the way back to the 17th c. and I'd never even heard of poutine until I was in university. It drives me nuts how people keep talking to me about poutine now that I live in Ontario. It was always a regional restaurant food, invented somewhere in the country by some owner of a restaurant/chip stand. No Quebecer would ever make poutine at home, and anyone over the age of 40 discovered it the same time you guys did, when it became a fast-food item available in cities.
For the record, the true Quebec signature meal, the one every single French Quebecer grew up eating, the one all our mothers and grandmothers made, is "Paté Chinois." So give us a Paté Chinois channel!
VM Replies: A Paté Chinois channel? I think my head just exploded.
For the record, Princess, I am grateful to your Habs for beating Carolina on the weekend. And I will be grateful if they win again tonight.
Posted by: Princess Mononoke | 03/01/2011 at 04:59 PM
Boo, as far as this blog is concerned you do everything right --especially frequently making me laugh out loud. What an amazing place this is: spellbinding with verbal images, edifying, uplifting, amusing, consoling, camaradering --OK, that's enough. I'm making up words. Seriously, sometimes I read Damien Cox, mainly to get some facts, but then I'm depressed and I have to come over here and reread (of course, I read you first) to get the right attitude.
Have to weigh in on the goalie debate and support the idea of the necessity of a great goalie (or one on a streak). After all, that's why in rec hockey, at least in my league, goalies don't pay, right?
Posted by: enJoy hockey | 03/01/2011 at 05:17 PM
@VM
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I find the retro Gino mugs a hoot. They remind me of when TSN first aired as a Toronto all-sports channel specializing in Australian Rules Football. (Passing thought: What do they call regular football down under? Why do I have this vague thought that they MIGHT be another soccer-playing continent.)
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Anyway, all these years later Australian Rule Football --- like Irish hurly and New York state figure-8 stock car racing on ABC --- has faded into the past, though TSN remains a Toronto network --- just slightly more thinly-veiled.
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Anyway, as much of a kick as I get from the mere sight of Gino's 'stached mug on a coffee mug, the purchases were mainly charitable donations --- just with a funny perk.
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(Said with the usual grin but an absence of what, technically, were not emoticons to begin with.)
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As to the informal ban on emoticons, please note that your wish is my command. Though, if I may be so bold, I wonder how clues to one's state of mind when posting can be so unpopular, while at times atrocious spelling and poor grammar are sometimes celebrated, and so strongly defended, by some.
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I shall try harder to fit in, as long as my standards don't become too compromised. And I'll leave it to readers to decide if I am smiling, winking or scowling when I say that. (w . . . Oops. strike those last characters.
VM Replies: No, no, no! I wasn't referring to you, William. Your patented, parenthetical mood cues are most certainly *not* emoticons. At least, not to me. I actually like them.
So no ban, informal or otherwise (wg).
The Gino mugs are still an abomination but we'll have to agree to disagree.
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 04:30 AM
@johnnyk
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I would have thought that all the pre-deadline trading that went on this year had people realizing in advance that this deadline day would be less busy than ever.
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Despite the hype of the promo ads, it seemed the on-air talent, especially The Duthie, a truly exceptional host, were openly worrying, even suggesting, that they'd have much less than usual to work with.
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Duthie even did a funny Tweet describing it as a 127 Hours-style movie which was even more horrifying because those trapped for endless hours at their desk had nothing handy with which to detach limbs and escape.
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And yet . . . And yet, this year's edition ended up with the highest ratings of any year. This was the most-watched NHL trade-deadline-day mini-marathon on TSN of all time. Go figure.
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I think it is entirely due to the incredible talent, in front of and behind the cameras, that TSN consistently puts together.
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I know there were similar shows on other networks --- like CBC and Sportsnet. But frankly, would anyone even consider watching elsewhere than on TSN?
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 04:57 AM
@TG77
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Zee Zee Gerber comment wazz a good one.
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[ This post brought to you emoticon-free by the letters T and G, and the number 77 ]
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 05:05 AM
@TG77
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I definitely second the motion to have Princess Mononoke as an independent judge.
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As for me, I'd love to be the announcer.
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"Ladies and gentlemen and Leaf fans, let's get ready to MISSSSSPELL!
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"Fighting out of the blue corner, from New Brunswick, Planet Earth, wearing the red lumberjack plaid trunks, Hoof 'The Moose Lover' Heartz!
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"And fighting out of the red corner, from Beyond-the-Ozone, Planet X, wearing the faded shorts of his famous dad, Muhammed Ali, Ostrich 'Animal Sex Is Great' Lover!
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And then I can switch the bias . . .
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"Ladies and gentlemen (no Leaf-fan-teasing joke this time), please note that no animals will be hurt during this fight. Though Mr. Heartz claims Mr. Lover isn't even half human, Mr. Lover is NOT an animal. He only loves one.
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"As for Mr. Heartz, he may look Bieberish, but he is actually a senior citizen who is only posing as a 12-year-old.
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"Asked where he gets his name, Mr. Heartz explained that he too is an animal fancier, though the object of his affection is a flightless mammal, the moose.
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"He added that he chose to spell out his last name --- rather than use 'I (heart) Moose' --- because he anticipated the eventual calling for a ban on emoticons."
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I know. Needs work. But I have time. (And I have to keep an eye on this machine's auto-correct which keeps automatically changing Heartz to Hertz.)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 05:30 AM
Why call-ups are restricted post tread deadline
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@Peter
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"Burke mentioned some stupid rule abpout limiting the call ups after the dead-line. what the hell is that? is there really a rule like that?
VM Replies: Alas, yes. They're only allowed four call-ups between now and end of season."
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During intermission in last night's Bruins-Sens game (Boston 1, Ottawa 0), TSN ran the clip of Burke spouting off against this rule and then had James Duthie explain as follows:
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This is a rule that was negotiated by the players as part of the CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement, aka the contract between the players union and the NHL).
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Apparently a lot of GMs don't like it --- and Burke seems to hate it, unless his anti-rule rant was just part of his natural truculence. At the same time, the players really wanted it as part of the contract.
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Apparently (meaning that at the moment I only have Duthie's word for this) it's to avoid veterans losing ice time due to management shuttling players back and forth from the minors late in the season. I assume this would be teams out of the playoff hunt wanting to test propects at the expense of said veterans.
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There even seemed a worry about veterans themselves --- obviously without a "no move" clause in their personal contract --- having their lives constantly disrupted by being shuttled back and forth. (Would obviously be less of a problem for Leaf players, as their AHL farm team is right there. Imagine though if your team's AHL affiliate was much further away and you had to commute once, or even more often, a week.)
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To me, on this basis, I could see players wanting this late-season protection. It would be nice to think no team would be unkind enough to shuffle veterans up and down, but the bottom line they tend to fall back on is that this is a business.
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So if Burke had a team that was out of the playoffs and he could shuffle players (people, often with families) up and down just to have a look at prospects under NHL game situations, would he do it? Obviously, in a heartbeat.
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Another thing I thought of is what about teams trying to make the playoffs who have a team they're fighting play back-to-back games against a non-contender temporarily stocked with late-season, minor-league look-sees? How do you feel if your nearest opponent receives a virtual gift of four points because this rule was rescinded?
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Now, before anyone points it out, I am aware that my own Senators currently consist of a fair number of AHLers. But that's different. Those guys aren't stealing anyone's ice time, or forcing any veteran to serve time in Binghampton, because they are filling holes created by veterans being out through injury, or playing elsewhere via trade.
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Anyway, I can see why players might not want to lose this rule during the next round of bargaining. Hey, if the GMs hate it, it's got to be good for the players, right?
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I mentioned the "no move" clause in a player's personal contract because I believe that is the clause that would apply, in letting a team send a healthy veteran down to the minors. The "no trade" clause means just that, no trade to another team unless the player waives that right.
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I believe that "one-way" and " two-way" contracts refer to salary, in that with a "one-way" contract, a player can be sent down, but, a la Wade Redden, must still be paid his full NHL salary. With a "two-way" contract, not only can a player be sent down, but while down in the AHL, he gets paid an agreed-upon lesser salary.
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Which is why some teams, including my Senators, will. Pre-trade-deadline, send call-ups back down to play for the farm team between games, bringing them back up in time to play for the mother team in their next NHL game. It seems silly at times, but, in this cap age, every dollar thus saved can make a difference.
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Sorry for the length of this point, but I thought people here might find this information helpful. (I doubt many here were watching the closely-fought Buins-Sens game.)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 06:19 AM
@Geoff Read
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"It's funny how Brian Burke's tune changes. I seem to recall him suggesting it was a virtual certainty he could flip a third round draft pick for a puck moving defenseman. I didn't believe it then, and I question why he would ever have said such a thing now. Now of course he's saying that they "expected" nothing to happen. OK Brian. Whatever."
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I wondered that very thing myself. What would be the harm acknowledging that you said you were going to get a puck-moving defenseman by simply admitting things just didn't work out? People understand those kinds of things, especially in the tough-to-trade, salary-cap era.
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Is he that obsessed with maintaining his infallible image that he casually does semi-rewrites of his own recent history?
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(I know we're considered by many to be "outsiders" here but I don't think that, as usual, these Burke-related thoughts we've just issued are any worse than --- or for that manner, half as bad as --- any expressed by others here.)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 06:30 AM
@OL
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Jay Onrait is the very reason I can't stand to watch overnight editions of Sportscentre on TSN.
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I watch Sportscentre for the sports news and highlights, with some occassionally, genuine funny bits.
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If I wanted to see a self-over-inflated clown, I would take in the circus --- or, sadly enough, Question Period on the Hill.
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If I wanted to wince and groan at a misguided, would-be comedian, I would check out the Comedy network --- or read some of TimB's less successful posts.* (padda-boomp)
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* Actually most of Tim's posts are quite clever and frequently quite funny. Just don't tell him I said so. I just owe him a mild shot, or two --- or twelve. (You'll just have to use your imagination concerning what's on my face as I write that. Remember NO emotions. Yeah, I'm just wicked enough to beat that to death, for at least one night. Maybe more . . .)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 06:43 AM
@Princess Mononoke
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You are of course absolutely right in noting that poutine is NOT a traditional Québec dish.
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As for the other dish, when my wife --- who is half French-Canadian on her father's side --- makes this dish, it is Pâté Chinois.
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When I --- who am only one-quarter French-Canadian on my mother's side --- make this dish it is Shepherd's Pie. (The other quarter on my mother's side came straight from Scotland.)
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It's the same with tortiere and meat pie (pâté à la viande), though I believe there might be some differences, depending how one makes the latter.
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Anyway, I doubt anyone who attempts to use "poutine" as a derogatory term, or cultural insult, cares about facts, or the truth of the matter. C'est une honte. (It's a shame.)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 07:12 AM
Good morning, VM
Just a short tribute to Mr. Irrelevant.
There once was a GM named Burke,
Who came to Toronto to work,
He screwed up the Leafs,
'Til they lost their beliefs,
And drove all the faithful berserk.
VM Replies: Good morning, Ken. I believe this is the first limerick to grace ALF B. Well done, sir.
Posted by: Ken Chevis | 03/02/2011 at 07:35 AM
@VM
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Oh geeze. I finally look up from my writing only to discover that MY kind of emotional cues have not only NOT been banned, but are actually appreciated by our wonderful, insightful and oh so tasteful leader.
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They'll be no protesters inviting Anderson Cooper to Nathan Phillips Square after all. (Dreaded side-note: Cooper was absolutely the BEST host the sadly missed reality series The Mole ever had.)
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Geeze there goes another potential vehicle of humor, even if I was already growing tired of beating the so-called emoticon ban to death.
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Anyway, as always, thank you Vinay for your kind words.
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Now I really should give people here a break and get to bed. (smile)
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(Author's needless, I-just-can't-stop-typing note: Thank goodness for Preview. But if you ever do see the word "geese" here, it probably should be one of my favorite exclamations, "Geeze," which the iPad insists on changing to "Geese" --- usually when I'm not looking. As for the letter "I" turning up somewhere seemingly out of place, it probably was supposed to be an "o." Too often my single typing finger doesn't seem to reach far enough to the right, falling one key short on this touch-screen, virtual keyboard, thus producing words like "fir" and "in" (for "on") and "if" (for "of"). Naturally these words seem fine to the tiny little spell checkers sitting inside with their green eyeshades and elastics on their sleeves to keep their cuffs out of the ink, poring over every word, focussing on individual characters and ignoring all context. I'm rambling worse than ever. I suddenly feel like Sheldon on coffee for the first time --- "I'll be back before this banana hits the floor. Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!"
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 03/02/2011 at 07:39 AM