Commenting Thread: Leafs, Caps, vodka, lemon squares and fighting the looming threat of Elimination
PHOTO: DARREN CALABRESE/CANADIAN PRESS
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PHOTO: DARREN CALABRESE/CANADIAN PRESS
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A Leafs Fan Blogs is written by one fan for other fans. Vinay Menon, a columnist at the Star, will cast an optimistic eye on the team during the 2010-11 season. Because hope springs eternal in Leafs Nation.
Click here to see the Leafs' schedule.
Sigh ... wish I knew earlier that it was Autism night at the game. Would have taken my son! This cause hits very close to home! Definately next year!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:01 PM
Hawks just scored, BTW. :-)
Posted by: Peter | 04/05/2011 at 09:02 PM
@PP / KenB - nice to see you!
Finally you are on the right thread! Grab your pompoms, we need all the cheering we can get!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:03 PM
Exasperated! Joe, come on! Everybody just heard him say F@#K!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:05 PM
I just heard Millen say that Reimer reminds him of Brodeur and that's exactly what I was saying to my kids the other day. There's many miles of road ahead of him to put up any kind of Brodeurian numbers, but there's definitely something about him...
And happy 60th birthday, Joe Bowen!
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 09:06 PM
Optimus Reim! the pReim Minister of Defence! Go Jimmy, you're King in my books! giving your team a chance to win!
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:08 PM
Come on Boys! Reimer making huge saves. Put one in for him. No more giveaways
Posted by: missideb | 04/05/2011 at 09:08 PM
These boys appear to be hauling ASS tonight. Let's go!
Need a win in regulation or overtime! Has someone taken out the Sabres yet? VM - where is the van and duct tape?
VM Replies: TimB has the van. Ms. Boo has the tape.
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:11 PM
Wow VM... I'm feeling a little slighted, right about now!
No party invite. (I have a passport... okay,okay... slightly modified)
No Fri meeting.
Silly I suppose I should sing something somewhat soundly salient for Star Senior Staff ?
They all ears?
VM Replies: No slight! Everybody is invited. Of course, depending on the date, you may be preoccupied with your other allegiances.
Posted by: maxwelledison | 04/05/2011 at 09:11 PM
Come on boys, Score the goal. You have our permission to win this game in regulation.
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 04/05/2011 at 09:11 PM
Man, the girls are in the booth tonight (as VM would say). I believe that we are cheering harder than the boys! Even though we are fewer in numbers.
@oakville_girl / Missideb - hope you are both planning to come to the summer ALFB blowout we are planning. You better! Need some of the Leafettes there with me!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:14 PM
@ moo - it's boe. I mean...you know what I mean. I still feel a little sad. Spitballs aren't helping, even though I'm pretty sure I hit the back of Ovie's head with one.
Can we play thumb war? Or how about ummm, I draw something on your back and you guess what it is?
I turned on the game. Didn't wanna. I made mad pouty faces at all the Leafs but I don't think they saw. I'll forgive them later, but just let me work my way out of this funk.
Let's play 'I Spy!'
Posted by: Boo Who? | 04/05/2011 at 09:17 PM
Sue, I'll be at any event that includes the fine folks of ALF B! I'm also in for a game next season - be it in Buffalo, Ottawa, Detroit or Montreal, oh, and of course in Toronto if we can get tickets there! (or a box, right Vinay?)
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:17 PM
@maxwelledison - of course you are invited! Everyone is invited. Once the date is confirmed, we will have to start getting rsvp's to confirm the numbers for the blowout. Look forward to meeting you (and everyone else). And I will of course make everyone a name tag for the event.
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:19 PM
Please score! Cannot take overtime tonight!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:25 PM
Holy S@#T! That was f#$&^#^#&$^ing close!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:26 PM
I know the boys are trying hard, but if Tampa doesn't score in the next two minutes, it doesn't really matter unfortunately.
it's been a great ride though! And man, what a show by Reimer!
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:27 PM
buffalo just scored. :(((((
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:28 PM
I can't watch anymore! I am covering my eyes! Someone tell me what happens!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:29 PM
Flipped over in time to see the Sabres empty net goal. Can't describe the feeling.
Posted by: TimB | 04/05/2011 at 09:33 PM
wow. These boys must know that they're eliminated, but they're still fighting!
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:34 PM
Didn't the Leafs need to win in regulation anyway?
VM Replies: Or overtime. Just not a shootout.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 04/05/2011 at 09:35 PM
Okay, I'll start...
I spy with my little eye...tears. I can't see through them, there are too many. I don't like this game.
VM Replies: There's no crying in hockey, Ms. Boo. Come on, now.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 04/05/2011 at 09:35 PM
Ah well, There is always next year right? RIGHT?
Posted by: Ken Baumgartner | 04/05/2011 at 09:37 PM
No matter the outcome ... Reimer is still my hero! Very proud of the boys!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:38 PM
@boo - I feel your pain. I'm trying to study with watery eyes....
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:40 PM
outshot 41 - 21. Good on ya Reims!
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:42 PM
@Boo - pls don't cry!
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:42 PM
Hey hey... late, but here :)
VM Replies: Welcome back, Storm.
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 09:42 PM
We are young
We are strong
We're not looking for where we belong
We're not cool
We are free
And we're playing with blood on our knees
(paraphrased - but our Buds deserve it)
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 09:46 PM
Oh come now people!
You know I can't actually shed a tear.
Need a feeling heart to beat within me first.
And I don't have one because it JUST GOT RIPPED FROM MY CHEST!!
I feel better.
Good job Reimer, he is truly my special little guy.
Posted by: Boo Who? | 04/05/2011 at 09:46 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Ovechkin SHUT THE FRAK down!
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 09:47 PM
well, at least it wasn't Ovechkin who scored.
Posted by: oakville_girl | 04/05/2011 at 09:47 PM
I have tears in my eyes. I will be okay.
Nite nite everyone!
VM Replies: G'night, Sue.
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:48 PM
Haven't been able to bring myself to watch the games in the past two weeks, but thank heavens for following the scores and all of your comments online. So glad to be a part of the Leafs Nation, as painful as it is.
VM Replies: Katherine! You've been in our thoughts (and comments).
Posted by: Katherine | 04/05/2011 at 09:50 PM
Wilson will play Gigeuere next two games, LOL |◔◡◉|
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 09:51 PM
Burke told anyone who would listen to him that he was extremely happy to get Kessel to Toronto for the shootouts because he was so good at them. So tonight....FOUR rounds...NO Kessel. I'm amazed Wrong Wilson didn't put KOMISAREK out there to take a shot. How do you justify that to ANYONE?
What an idiot. All these things to feel good about for next year and we STILL haev to put up with Wilson.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 09:52 PM
Well folks, it's been one heck of a ride! I can actually relax now for the next few months and enjoy hockey in general. Many positives to take from the 2nd half of the season.
.
Also, props to the Washington announcers, they were definitely not homers. They found many good things to say about the opposition and gave Reimer his due credit for tonight!
Posted by: gettingcozywithsarkozy | 04/05/2011 at 09:52 PM
heavy sigh.... sniff..... Boys and Leafettes, what a ride!
Vinay, looking forward to your next chapter of ALF B.
Good night all...
VM Replies: Sweet dreams, Lainey.
Posted by: LaineyTML12 | 04/05/2011 at 09:53 PM
@Stormcastle - if you show up at our summer event, I am going to smack you just because ...
Vm - I thought there was no crying in baseball. Funny you said that because that movie was just on the other night.
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 09:54 PM
@Stormy: I think Wilson should strap on the pads himself for the next two games.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 09:55 PM
would have been nice to win, but it was still a good game. they gave the Caps a good run for their money. and go Blackhawks go!
Posted by: Peter | 04/05/2011 at 09:56 PM
Does anyone know what the Flyers' record is since we saddled them with Versteeg? I think it's possible that his combined record might be good enough for 30th place in the entire league. They SUCK right now.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 09:56 PM
I wonder if the team plays to have player's equipment steam cleaned? Otherwise... man... that equipment room must stink, LOL
(sorry... saw the equipment train go by in the background of Sportsnet's feed)
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 09:57 PM
It was a good run...... Couldn't be happier
Different outcome all around would of been nice
Next year can't come sooner.
Drunk on Vodka, chasing it with Rye
Posted by: Zims | 04/05/2011 at 09:58 PM
If Crosby is back at ANY point in the first round, I see Pittsburgh coming out of the East. Nobody else seems to want it very badly, except Buffalo and... well, they aren't coming out of the East.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 09:58 PM
Sorry guys...sad to see it end...
I"m still up listening to the Habs game on my hometown online radio....
Posted by: Princess Mononoke | 04/05/2011 at 09:58 PM
Can't fault our Boys in Blue for this one. Valiant effort by our Leafs tonight. So many things to look forward to with this speedy young team.
I will be here cheering them on in their remaining games. Very proud of their effort. I truly think they've turned a corner. Our time will come
GO LEAFS GO!
Posted by: missideb | 04/05/2011 at 10:00 PM
@Katherine - glad to see that you are still following along. Hope that you will consider coming to the ALFB blowout that is being planned for the summer. Will be nice to have you join us.
Posted by: Sue | 04/05/2011 at 10:03 PM
It is official. It has been many years but I can happily say I am not pi$$ed this year and my Harmony remote does not need to be replaced for like the 7th year in a row. I thank this 2011 team for doing the one thing I asked for 2010, bring the effort every game. THANK YOU LEAFS! THANK YOU ALSO VM!
Come on Canes, time to put some heat on the Habs so Saturday's game can be fun for everyone. Let's go out with the bang and cause some stress for Habs fans.
Posted by: Rooney | 04/05/2011 at 10:04 PM
In other Toronto sports news: Escobar just hit a 2-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the 10th to erase a deficit and the Jays won their game after being down 5-0. So...like I said a couple of days ago it's feeling like the early 90s all over again in this town.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 10:06 PM
Goodnight All, I'm out to walk the dog.
Posted by: missideb | 04/05/2011 at 10:07 PM
WP, my son and I were actually thinking that Reimer and Giguere would be the 1st 2 shooters for the Leafs as we looked at each and said simultaneously, where the f... is Kessel?
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/05/2011 at 10:09 PM
We have fought the good fight
The downed man said,
Lasted long, morn to night
Some gone and some bled,
But the fight was fought
With cause, though in vain -
I lay me down to bleed awhile
Then rise to fight again!
It is not the loss that sets the tide of history, it is what you do about the loss.
Twas MacArthur, me thinks who said 'I shall return' And so we shall.
Posted by: Robert | 04/05/2011 at 10:10 PM
LOL, Sue... what did I do? And careful... could be misconstrued as flirty.
Posted by: Stormcastle | 04/05/2011 at 10:10 PM
Make this one day I am glad we have PK Subban...
Goodnight, all....
I do hope to see you all some day soon....
VM Replies: Goodnight, PM.
Posted by: Princess Mononoke | 04/05/2011 at 10:11 PM
I know you guys are grieving, but from a hockey play standpoint, you've really gotta check out the cannon-blast from Subban that just won the Habs their game and put them into the playoffs. One of the best one-timers I've ever seen (yes, I put marking aside to watch the final 10 minutes and OT).
Condolences.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 04/05/2011 at 10:13 PM
and Chicago managed to lose to the Habs. wow. and they are the defending Cup champions?
Posted by: Peter | 04/05/2011 at 10:13 PM
I absolutely give up trying to figure out anything Wrong Wilson is thinking, hoof. Was there any particular reason we barely saw Gunnarsson in the third period, for one thing? I didn't see anything wrong with his game whatsoever. In fact, the weakest Leaf on the ice tonight may well have been Schenn and he logged MONSTER minutes.
But going to FOUR rounds in the shootout and not using your "franchise" player is .... well, words fail me.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 10:14 PM
Hey Sue, would love to come to an ALF B gathering! The folks in the comment section definitely need to get together! Keep me posted!
Posted by: Katherine | 04/05/2011 at 10:16 PM
I've been a defenceman all my life and I've coached it the past 10 years. When the Leafs were exciting us in the early '90s one of my favourite players was Sylvain Lefebvre, because he was absolutely lights out back there. With that in mind, I want to say that I think Keith Aulie is the best defensive prospect the Leafs have had in a long, long, long time. He should be the shut down guy back there next year and for a decade or so after that. I absolutely love this guy's game.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 10:16 PM
Alas, could not watch tonight. Had to read the blog to get the whole sad saga. Hexes on all the East teams who were NO HELP AT ALL! Kudos to the Leafs for that awesome record since the break. Thanks to Vinay and the whole crew here for making Leaf fandom so much fun. Two more to go. And, yes, Holy Mackinaw! for sure.
Posted by: enJoy hockey | 04/05/2011 at 10:17 PM
I actually thought Komisarek was the most consistent D-man tonight. He handled OV very well, while Phaneuf avoided him like the plague. I also thought Aulie played another quietly effective game. The 2nd Cap goal that bounced in off Schenn's fist was pretty much the majority of the Leaf season in a nutshell, bad or unlucky goals against at entirely the wrong time. Credit to the Caps though, they are a lot better defensively than I thought they were.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/05/2011 at 10:23 PM
Penguin: Lefebvre was awesome as was that early 90s Leafs' D of him, Ellett, Macoun, Rouse, D. Markov... and someone else I'm forgetting. I think Burke's got the right idea: you build success from the blueline out.
Of course, Lefebvre started his career in Montreal, which explains why he was so good.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 04/05/2011 at 10:35 PM
The Caps made a HUGE pickup at the trade deadline in Jason Arnott. Huge. They needed "that guy" to show them what it takes to win in the playoffs and he's the one they needed. I remarked to a buddy at the time that the pickup of Arnott might get them to the Cup this year. Not likely they'll win it, though, because as good as the Leafs and Caps have been since the All-Star break, there are THREE teams in the West that have been better. The entire conference is peaking at the right time over there.
Off to dream of playoffs past...and future, I guess. See you all tomorrow.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/05/2011 at 10:51 PM
Dmitri Mironov! How could I forget that lanky bastard.
Posted by: Geoff Read | 04/05/2011 at 10:52 PM
Bah! I need a few days to get over this one. Thank you magnificent bastards who posted on this blog every night. Every last one of you funny, astute and just plain entertaining Leafers and Leafettes. And thank you Vinay the magnificentest bastard of them all. Harumph.
Posted by: no moe green | 04/05/2011 at 11:03 PM
"Credit to the Caps" my ass!
Posted by: no moe green | 04/05/2011 at 11:03 PM
I wonder if the fact that Kessel wasn't used in the shoot out was Wilson's finger to BB. He may have been informed his contract will not be extended and if he is wise he should elect a buy out of the remaining year. I know the two are supposed to be friends but I would not be the least bit surprised if BB knows damned well Wilson is not making him look good and that's where his friendship ends.
Unfortunately, I was stuck with the Caps announcers here and if I hear someone refer to a hockey stick one more time as a twig I am going to commit an unmentionable act.
As far as Stamkos is concerned, isn't that the type of player Kessel was supposed to be?
If BB trades Reimer, or any member of the Grabo line, I will organize a Facebook revolution in Toronto that will make Gadaffy turn pale.
Posted by: pinot grigio | 04/05/2011 at 11:28 PM
Ahhh Leaf fans, it's been a slice. Vinay, Boo, PP, Moe, Bomber, Hoodheartz, Robert... who else am I missing? Whatever happened to Culeman anyways? Is that how he spelled it?
We have a lot to look forward to next season. The light at the end of the tunnel has never been this bright.
Posted by: Alecia | 04/06/2011 at 12:07 AM
We the fans made this one hell of a ride not this team. This team played well late in the season but under-performed so much of the year. They won some games, they lost a lot more. Even the so-called miracle run was fraught with difficulty and inexplicable lack of effort many nights.
In Reimer they had better than average goaltending. It's not the first time a goaltender has carried them late in a season to no avail. Let's hope he can rekindle his game next season when it'll be up to him to carry this team for an entire season.
We got everything we could possibly have hoped for from guys like Grabovski, Kulemin and MacArthur and somewhat less for quite a few others. All in all and other than Phaneuf and Armstrong we were relatively injury free. Who knows if we'll get that lucky next year.
So another year without the playoffs. Another year with dreadful special teams. Another year with the same coach and very similar results. Next year I expect Burke to fulfill his promise of expediting this process. Next year I demand a playoff team and expect a cup contender.
Posted by: no moe green | 04/06/2011 at 12:32 AM
I wanted to post this in the last — more appropriate? — thread but got there just as the last few people were being hustled out the door and directed here,
-----------------
.
You think you people had it bad with the top eight teams in the East conspiring down the homestretch to keep your Leafs out of the playoffs by not doing you any favors?
.
Imagine the frustration of us Sens fans. Not just the entire Eastern Conference, but the Western Conference as well, conspired not just down the homestretch but ALL season long, to keep our Sens out of the playoffs.
.
Not only that, but when we decided to blow up the team and go for a top draft pick by finishing at, or near, the bottom, they start throwing games to deny us that satisfaction as well.
.
I mean seriously now, have the Flyers become THAT unglued on the eve of the playoffs to legitinately lose 5-2 to the Baby Bingo Sens? (g)
.
OK folks, if that didn't bring a chuckle, what can I say? At least I tried. (smile)
.
BTW, congratulations on you team having what was indeed, overall, a good season.
.
I've known all along that a playoff spot was highly unlikely. More so that being competitive for a playoff spot right down to the third-last game risked creating bigger disappointment for having raised expectations and hope so high.
.
As I've said a number of times, I've legitimately worried about the psychological damage that could be inflicted via a fall from such heights.
.
But you, my friends, seem to be handling it fairly well and taking from it an appropriate degree of new confidence in the near (next season) future.
.
And I credit Vinay, this blog, the community they have helped foster here and the quality of almost all the posters here with making that possible.
.
And I don't HAVE to say that, because I am NOT a Leaf fan. But I DO say it because it is what I believe.
.
Too bad I'm such an "oversensitive" "douche," "a$$hole" and outright "idiot" that my opinions are worthless and thus must be discarded and ignored, even if just accidentally read. (wg)
.
Oh well, I guess the sage advice of "Consider the source" must be applied evenly, to all.
.
For me, as always, I just call 'em as I see 'em. (smile)
.
And yes, despite my many flaws, I would live to attend any and all summer get togethers I can manage. AND I am cheap date — no alcohol for me, and no trying to operate heavy machinery. (g)
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 04/06/2011 at 02:41 AM
p.s. I really DID mean to hit the Preview button. But, though it hurts someone as anal as I, I WILL live with the typos. (g)
.
But I will also note that I would really LOVE to attend any summer get togethers I can. (Of course I want to "live to attend," that goes without saying. But in this case it was that old thing about "i" and "o" being so close together on my touch-screen keyboard.)
.
Speaking of which, at least I've now learned to hold down certain keys to bring up other character options — like accents on "e" ( ę, é, ë, ėtc.). Holding the hyphen (-) even gives me access to the long dash (—) and even a bullet (•).
.
Whoop-dee-doo, you say. Well, when words are your passion — and decades of being a good, professional editor have made you somewhat anal, or being somewhat anal has made you a good, professional editor — these little things can mean a lot.
.
But I guess once in a while I can live dangerously by going straight to the Post button. This time intentionally. LOL
.
Yours truly,
Mr. Distraction
Posted by: Sensi-Bill | 04/06/2011 at 03:00 AM
VM, you have marshaled a very dedicated group of hockey-savvy faithful on your blog. You also indicated that you might need a project to tide you over during the long spring and summer months. May I suggest that you form a protest group and storm the barricades of MSLE or, at minimum, hang Messrs Tannenbaum, Burke and Wilson in effigy. The young guns on the TMLs did not let you down, but the suits did, and badly. Larry does not care about winning, as much as he proclaims the opposite. Burke has lost a touch that some people claim he never had (where is the quality linemate he promised to help PK). Wilson could not win a one-man foot race (he would come in second, or third). It is way past time that these donkeys produced for the Maple Leaf fan (sorry, did not mean to insult donkeys). You guys have the organization, the energy and the motivation to make the suits sit up and take notice. A few other NHL franchises (mine included) have gone this route and have been successful. CARPE DIEM!
VM, if you are going to be a party to this uprising, make sure you have your resume updated. I wish you bon chance and a contender for next year.
VM Replies: Good morning, Ken. I take your point. I really do. But I have faith in what's happening with this team.
Am I delusional? Possibly. But the faith is real.
Thank you for your comments this season. And best of luck to your team in the playoffs.
Posted by: Ken Chevis | 04/06/2011 at 07:57 AM
The early 90s didn't bring Markov, Geoff. He was a bit later - with Kaberle and Berard. You were, however, forgetting one of my faves of the era, Todd Gill. I thought he had such a bad rap in Toronto - he was a pretty decent defenceman with great mobility but he had the misfortune of being the "#1" D on some truly, truly awful teams and was the lightning rod for many fans. He handled that incredibly well and I never once heard him complain or demand a trade. He just went along with his game night after night and when they finally put an NHL-calibre D alongside him he played some of the best hockey I had ever seen out of him,
But you did do amazingly well. I couldn't name you 5 or 6 Hab D from the early 90s. Well, I could...but I'd have to lie about how I came up with them!
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/06/2011 at 08:09 AM
Good job guys! I would like to think that there is a remarkable improvement from this season over last. If you were asked pre-season would the Leafs get as far as they did, many would say not a chance. There are Leafs fans that claim another year without going to the playoffs is a failure. That's hard to dispute, but to go from 29th to a possible 19/20th place finish is pretty damn good.
.
Posted by: We BeLeaf | 04/06/2011 at 08:30 AM
Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright;
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light,
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout;
But there is no joy in Mudville -mighty Casey has struck out.
Posted by: TimB | 04/06/2011 at 08:34 AM
Ok,Leafs fans -stop congratulating yourself for yet another failed season and take stock: A loudmouth windbag GM, a sarcastic,non-motivating coach that no one wants to play for, 3/4 of the team American hockey league players,
no one of any consequence in your farm system --- and next year is going to be better. Your team vastly over achieved just to miss the playoffs.
Fire Burke, Fire Wilson -- bring in some Canadians that know hockey.
Until you do --- miss the playoff again and again.
Posted by: Robert Bates | 04/06/2011 at 09:12 AM
Bates, you forgot to mention one thing about Leaf fans. Our utter disdain for clueless buttwipe trolls. Now waddle off and let the adults in your house use the computer.
Posted by: hoofheartz | 04/06/2011 at 09:39 AM
I see young Master Bates has moved up the ladder from lowly troll to xenophonbic bigot. A natural next step in his development.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/06/2011 at 10:35 AM
*xenophobic not xenophoNbic. Yikes.
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/06/2011 at 10:35 AM
Just answered my own question w.r.t. Versteeg. If Kris Versteeg were an NHL franchise he would have 78 points in 81 games right now: 23-27-6 in Toronto, 10-9-6 in Philly. In terms of winning percentage, he would be 25th in the NHL - so just as bad as a team can be and still not be in the lottery for the first overall pick.
Makes you wonder how the Hawks won with him last year. Maybe he's just a bad influence on the East?
Posted by: Wandering Penguin | 04/06/2011 at 11:30 AM
@Mastur Bates,
a GM who actually has a cup ring, who can make some pretty good deals (check Vancouver).
No prospects? Frattin, McGegg, D'Amigo, Gardiner, Colbourne, Balcker, should i go on?
and 3/4 AHL players? where do you suppose the palyers come fom? Mars? most players in the NHl came thtough the minors.
as was said before me, now you can pucker off and play with your toys in the sandpit.
Posted by: Peter | 04/06/2011 at 12:37 PM
One of the reasons I do not like Burke as the Leaf's GM is that he is more concened with making the playoffs than building a team that will successfully compete for years to come. Given this philosophy, he is likely to make bad trades and other decisions for short term success and lose in the long run. Leaf history has been one where management has aimed only for the playoffs and has sacrificed the future leading to over forty years without a Cup. Burke is part of this tradition and should be fired.
Posted by: David B | 04/07/2011 at 03:58 PM