A Different Perspective

It'll be history either way.

Either I'll be on hand to see Andre Agassi's last match on the famed lawns of Wimbledon, or I'll be on hand to see one of Agassi's greatest victories if he can pull one last piece of glory out of his tennis bag against the much younger Rafael Nadal, arguably the second best player on the planet these days.

Between Wimbledon, the World Cup, the CFL and the NHL and its impending free agent explosion, there is a ton going on these days. Here's a few thoughts on a few things before heading overseas:

Another 0-3 start in Hamilton means another terrible start for Tiger-Cat coach Greg Marshall, one of the classier guys in the business. The Cats showed some positive signs Thursday in Calgary and still lost a nailbiter. With Joe Paopao sitting there as a possible replacement, you have to believe Marshall is on the sizzler.

Sandro DeAngelis delivered a terrific emotional reaction to his winning kick, racing off the field in triumph. Didn't have to deliver an ugly dance with teammates or taunt an opponent to show his excitement over hitting a big one.

Nice to see the cheerleaders are out for Gary Roberts and his return to Toronto. Is there a team in sport that loves to bring back players more than the Leafs? From Punch Imlach to Carl Brewer to Wendel Clark to Doug Gilmour to Drake Berehowsky, a former Leaf is always coming back. Of course, it never seems to dissuade the management team at the time that it never pays off.

To bad they can't bring back the draft pick that New Jersey used to draft Scott Niedermayer. Or the one used to draft Roberto Luongo.

All bringing back Roberts will do is take away ice time from young players like Alex Steen. Moreover, it erases the chance to develop a fresh, new dressing room atmosphere currently available with Pat Quinn gone and veterans like Ed Belfour and others on their way out.

Bringing back Roberts is an ultimately pointless, backwards move. What the Leafs need are younger players who can do what Roberts used to do.

I'm very glad for Bryan McCabe that his family situation is improving. But for the record, I didn't see or hear anybody "ripping" his family. The confusion and uncertainty over McCabe signing his new contract was simply another example of the bizarre inability of MLSE's hockey department to smoothly articulate the nature of its operations to a very interested public.

Nobody wants to poke around McCabe's private life and nobody wishes his wife or his family ill. But in a hockey city like Toronto, one that he believes has the "best" fans in hockey, it would have very easy to simply get the word out that family issues were holding him back but that his signing was inevitable.

Even if it wasn't McCabe's choice to delay signing, doing so has now put this nature of this inflated contract before the public in stark fashion. Nobody would argue McCabe is anywhere near the player Chris Pronger is, but with Pronger very available, the Leafs are apparently willing to pay McCabe that way despite the restrictive nature of the new salary cap system.

And why five years with no movement? Wade Redden, a better player, was willing to stay in Ottawa for two years, a better deal for both the player and team.

Free agency starts on Saturday. How soon does Patrik Elias get signed?

Does it really matter if Greg Anderson is forced to testify against Barry Bonds? Is there anybody who doesn't clearly understand the farce that has been perpetrated against sport and baseball already?

Watching the World Cup makes one thing very clear. You may not like the diving that goes on in the NHL these days, but it is absolutely nothing compared to the disgusting level of fakery that goes on at the highest level of soccer.

Watching a class player like Thierry Henry of France take an elbow to the chest and then grab his face in apparent pain to draw what turned out to be a game-winning free kick made me barf. Yet all Sepp Blatter does is rip the referees - never the players.

With the AHL moving to mandatory visors, the clock is now ticking on the NHL to do the same.

It is almost impossible not to be impressed with the job Bryan Colangelo is doing with the Raptors, who have gone from having no usuable seven-footers to two potentially viable ones in a matter of days.

The nice thing is a good coach like Sam Mitchell will apparently get some talent to work with. If Mitchell doesn't win a little more now, you won't be able to say management didn't try to help.

Something tells me a very ordinary England has a chance Saturday. But I'm probably dead wrong on this one.

One last thought on Roberts. The Leafs should exhaust every other free agent option before turning to this one. But they won't.

And why would a team supposedly committed to building with youth give up anything, let alone a draft pick, for a player the Panthers signed for free? The only transaction that would make any sense here is dealing Tie Domi to Florida for Roberts, at least giving the Leafs a break on the cap.

Don't expect to hear any of this disagreeable Leaf talk on Leaf TV, by the way. When the highly respected John Shannon was running the show over there, he went out of his way to make sure there was at least the appearance of journalistic credibility on the Leaf house organ.

Without that, Shannon reasoned, people wouldn't buy, even people as blind as some Leaf fans.

Well, Shannon's gone to the NHL, and the first off-season move the Leafs make with their TV arm is to cut Leafs Lunch, the AM640 radio show simulcast on Leaf TV featuring host Jeff Marek and Bill Watters.

Hmmm. Let's see. Marek and Watters were not only highly critical of Leaf chairman Larry Tanenbaum, but also of Tanenbaum's bosom buddy, Tie Domi.

Now they're gone, at least from Leaf TV. No bad news there where the spirit of '67 glows brighter every day.

Dave Nonis has done a nice job cleaning house in Vancouver. Getting Luongo's name on a multi-year contract was the piece de resistance and makes moving Todd Bertuzzi under difficult circumstances a brilliant move by Nonis.

Look for the Canucks, finally free of L'Affaire Bertuzzi, to soar next fall.

Comments

[Loowheeze]

Sam Mitchell may be under more pressure to win...but I can't see how the addition of Nesterovic and Bargnani will significantly improve this team next season. Hopefully Mike James agrees to a sign-and-trade...otherwise the Raptors will finish out of the playoffs...again.

And just for the record...the Bonner trade was just awful. Nesterovic does not impact the game enough to warrant the 22 million he will be making over the next 3 seasons.

Jamaal Magloire will be an unrestricted free-agent next summer...and Nesterovic's money could've been used to bring him home.

[Gary]

If Roberts wants to be near his daughter, why doesn't he just retire and move closer to her instead of asking for a trade?

The Leafs need to stop being so sentimental when it comes to former players wanting to come back to the blue and white for one last go.

[David]

Damien,
Do you not think that with Roberts back in Toronto, that this would help Paul Maurice? Roberts is a huge fan of this guy and I can see more benefit with bringing him back then you let on. I don't see him taking ice time from Steen or Stajan. In fact, I see him helping their games. After Roberts retires I would like to see him stay within the MLSE org.
btw...when are they going to shut down Leafs TV. I'm a big fan of the Leafs but their TV station has to go. It kind of reminds of the movie UHF. (Weird Al and Michael Richards).

[Peter]

Call me one of those blind Leafs fan, but I like the idea of bringing Roberts back, although I am disappointed that we are dealing a draft pick for him. It reminds me of the Glen Wesley situation with Carolina, only that was a second rounder, wasn't it? Stupid. Roberts has proved that he's a spark plug when in the line-up and he's proud to wear blue and white, which I like as an intangible. What I disagree with is the 2.25 mill we'll be paying him which could go towards a more serviceable player (or two).
What I'm dying to know is how realistic the chances of us winning the Elias auction are? I think it's worth paying him some major bucks not only to have him on our team, but to keep him away from rivals like NYR and Ottawa, also in the hunt for him. Speaking of bringing back former Leafs, will Mogilny be available after being waived by the Devils last year? If so, what sort of salary might he command? He was always my favourite Leaf when he was in the line-up, and unless he's forgotten how to take a wrist-shot seems like he could still be an offensive factor in the right situation.
I'm also a little iffy on the Raycroft deal. What happens if he can't handle the sink-or-swim situation he's been put in here, and Aubin doesn't play like he did towards the end of last year. JFJ isn't giving himself much margin for error in terms of goaltending next year.

[Roberto]

A few random thoughts on your randon thoughts.
I agree with your assessment on Roberts. If the Leafs were a contender, maybe he would be a fit, but this team is in rebuilding mode and need to give the ice time to young and fast guys.
Can't help but think if Colangelo was running the Leafs he would have articulated a clear direction for the team. I have no idea what Ferguson is thinking and he won't say. I wish the Toronto media would just stop interviewing the guy because there are no insights, revelations, strategies or anything of substance revealed. Just leave him alone to do lawyer speak to himself.
Speaking of the media, it galls me to hear the "McCabe's wife wants to live near Long Island" crap reported as fact. Just like the speculation around Belfour's back injury being fake (the guy had surgery for goodness sake), and the public hanging of Gretzky re Tocchetgate are all disgraceful.
Shouldn't facts be a part of reporting?

[Paul McDougall]

Once again Leaf management is making moves based on the assumption that they are the only team in the league. Will signing Gary Roberts improve the team? Maybe, but while they're adding Roberts some other team is adding a Patrick Elias while another adds a Chris Pronger. The object in the NHL is not just to be better than you were the previous year, it's to be better than the teams you have to play against. I know this sounds ridiculously obvious but apparently to Fergie and company it is not.

[Ken Warden]

I have not made up my mind on the Roberts situation but I like the idea of trading him for Domi's contract. At least that way the salary cap works for the Leafs a bit. What Florida would do with Domi I don't know but they do need a veteran presence. If the Leafs need Roberts' presence for leadership and character then hire him as an assistance coach so that it is not a cap issue. I agree that the remaining cap money should be spent on players with more than a one year future.
JKJ has to have a vision! Colangelo has clearly articulated his vision to the fan base and Leaf fans deserve that much as well. The Roberts situation needs to be filtered through whatever vision the Leaf organization has at this point. If there is such a vision, why don't we, as fans, understand and recognize it?
Come on JFJ, I would like to support you but really!

[Shane]

I agree that the Leafs don't need Roberts! I like the guy and he does work hard - but the need to get younger/faster needs to be top priority! But if they are going to do it and they probably will - Don't send Domi (his buyout is minimal). Make the deal only if Florida takes Belfour! Keenen is interested anyway - when Belfour hit's the market Saturday. So make the pitch! It's no doubt a long shot, if not nearly impossible - But it is the crazy season! I'll scratch your back - you scratch mine!

[Matt Dumas]

After hearing about the real reason for McCabe`s delay, I give Ferguson full marks for not letting it get public, since that was McCabe`s wish. You might call it a «bizzare inability to articulate to the public», but I would call it «no one`s business». I don`t mind critical opinions of his hockey moves, and agree with some of them, but Ferguson has no obligation to reveal things like McCabe`s family business, and there`s no need to even reveal anything about the club`s business or personnel plans. I`m actually happy to see that he doesn`t reveal anything, because it tells me that he`s in control. After all, other public companies don`t reveal this stuff, do they?

[Richard]

The only comment I have on the Roberts potential deal - is would have Roberts have made in positive impact to the team last January / Feburary when it looked like the leafs were essentially not even interested in playing to win? I think Roberts brings more to the team as far as character, commitment that can do nothing than augment what Maurice is going to try and instill into the Leafs. Is that worth 2.5 million a year though?

As far as the comments in regards to McCabe's wife - I disagree with the fact that MLSE should have done better. There was a report that this delay was due to a family matter unrelated to hockey, but that got quickly swept under the rug in favour of a more sensational story.

Is Pronger really "very available" and especially to the leafs. Oddly enough we fans always groan about the leafs trading away their future, but this deal would very much trade away some good young talent.

Personally I'm a bit annoyed with Leaf fans / media in regards to Raycroft. He had a bad second year. How many goaltenders fell to the sophmore jinx in the past - especially when you consider the circumstances around the Bruins last year - can't blame any goaltender being off their game in that place. This all sort of reminds me when the leafs signed Belfour - everyone saying it was a bad deal, Beflour's old, etc - and then literally 5 months into the season, he was essentially hoisted on the shoulders of all leaf fans as the saviour. Let's give the young man a chance to show his stuff - critizing him before he's even put a skate down on the ACC ice is a little much.

[Andrew Barrie]

Yes, the beautiful game is nothing of the sort with the ugly diving. if someone is cradling his face like he just got shot by Dick Cheney, he shouldn't be allowed to continue playing. it might make players think twice about diving. and no, its not too great a penalty for what might have actually been a real injury. The card drawing team might go down a man for the rest of the match, but the team with the possible diver, just requires a substitute.

As for Roberts, he really wanted to stay in toronto last season. he wanted to stay so much, that he left for florida on the first day of free agency, taking the first offer he got.

So lets bring his slow game back to Toronto where speed is now king.

actually, maybe its not such a bad idea. Roberts could just plant himself infront of the opposition net, you know, that place where no leaf ever seems to be, especially with the puck in the area.

[Ken Sy]

Hey Damien, besides your very good points that the leafs always stupidly bring back old players I have 2 other points which I think are trends of the Leafs as an organization which also help explain why we never come close to winning the cup. Tell me what you think!

1) The Leafs never seem to want to go out and pay a little more to get the best players available whether through trades or free agency. Instead they like to pay less (whether thru players or money) to get the 2nd tier players and claim that 2 of these players are equivelant to a true star player. And in actual fact, they overpay for these 2nd tier players when compared to players of the same calibre. You will notice that even though the Leafs have such a financial adavantage over most the league, we have almost never had any players win any major awards or nominated for them, no league MVPs, no best D-man, no best goalie, no Art Ross, no Rocket Richard.

Even this year, you can see they are doing that. Instead of trying to get the top tier D-men like Chara and Jovonovski, they instead overpay for McCabe although it costs them less than the other 2. Instead of going out and getting the top tier goalies such as Nabokov, Luongo, Giguere which would cost them more to trade they settle on a mediocore goalie. And what I mean is that even if Raycroft bounces back I think its safe to say that he will never be a consistent threat to be a Vezina finalist while the other 3 are/will.

2) The Leafs and their fans have this mentality where they idolize players who are tough and gritty but are actually only 3rd or 4th line players rather than actual stars who can put the puck in the net and make an impact in the game. Now don't get me wrong, ever team needs these grinders but when Domi and Tucker has a bigger fanclub than Sundin or Mogilny, there is something wrong with that picture. Not to mention that Sundin is often criticized while leading the team in scoring every year but Domi is treated as though he is the captain of the team. Seriously, I believe that if tomorrow the Leafs bring back Domi there will be more excitement for the fans than say the Leafs going out and signing a player such as Elias. And thats why the Leafs have problems becoming a legitimate contender in my opinion.

Anyways, thats my 2 cents!

[CynicalDog]

Wow, you almost made it through an entire weblog entry/article without mentioning Tie Domi! Almost! Lapsed a bit at the end though, huh? Those old habits can be tough to break.

[D.Henderson]

"Nice to see the cheerleaders are out for Gary Roberts and his return to Toronto. Is there a team in sport that loves to bring back players more than the Leafs? From Punch Imlach to Carl Brewer to Wendel Clark to Doug Gilmour to Drake Berehowsky, a former Leaf is always coming back. "

Considering the Leafs have spent more time on the golf course than on a playoff ice surface anywhere these past few years maybe it's time to rename them The Toronto Mulligan Leafs...all the boys past their prime want a do-over. a waste.

[WeeDram]

Gee, Damien, give McCabe a break. First, he's been under a lot of emotional stress, and so his choice of the word "rip" can be understood. The T.O. press DID speculate about his wife being discontented, there were even statements written in the publication of your employer about that, and it sounded like it was fact, even if it was carefully worded. Under similar circumstances you probably would be less than precise in your choice of words, don't you think?

The fact that McCabe played as well as he did with his wife's situation weighing on him is remarkable ... a testament to his person and his abilities.

And the 3rd best defenseman in the NHL last year for points... and arguably getting better every year. And you RIP on his contract? The T.O. press DOES love to eat its own, doesn't it? So the fans read it as gospel, then you guys complain when they're not loud and boisterous at the ACC. Going back a few seasons, you guys pilloried Shane Corson, but no one in the press ever proved they really KNEW anything for fact.

How about being REPORTERS first and pundits maybe .... never.

[Brian Quinn]

Roberts was a very good player in his day. He's old now, though, and should gracefully step aside and give the young guys a chance.

And yes, the level of acting in big-time soccer makes me sick. I hope big soccer never catches on over here. We Canadians are too shrewd, right?