Friday Incompletions

It's going to be interesting to see if moving to a Friday night, prime time format will change the dynamics of NHL draft weekend. In theory, tonight could provide lots of room for discussion among the teams after the first round selections have been made. Once you know what you have, you might be more inclined to go after what you need. . .The evaluations of Brandon Sutter, the next generation of the great Sutter clan of Viking, Alta., seem to vary wildly. You just have to believe somebody will take a shot at him earlier as opposed to later. TSN's Bob McKenzie has him going as high as ninth, and when it comes to the draft believe in Bob. . .Rooting a little bit in this corner on draft day for Akim Aliu. A former Toronto Marlie, this kid had to endure the entire nation cheering on Steve Downie with the Team Canada juniors after the two teenagers clashed in an infamous hazing incident with the Windsor Spitfires. Downie ended up a hero, Aliu forgotten. Until today, quite possibly. . .Here's hoping TSN gets the teams moving quickly tonight rather than, as usual, boring everybody in the arena and at home with long speeches before making their first pick. Move this thing along smartly and it could make good Friday night TV. . .Not impressed with Miguel Tejada of the Orioles keeping his games played streak alive at 1,153 games by appearing briefly to bunt in the first inning against San Diego Thursday night because of an apparent wrist fracture. Hardly the spirit of Cal Ripken. . .Given that David is such a common first name in North America, it seems peculiar there has never been a U.S. president or Canadian prime minister named David. Or maybe I just need a vacation. . .If not for Jason Giambi's brief burps of honesty, would he be the only major leaguer talking to George Mitchell? All those in hiding get rewarded for their silence. . .Seems like the Argos just can't quite get themselves to let go of Damon Allen. Or they're trying to convince themselves to let go. . .Still think Brendan Shanahan would have been a nice fit for the Maple Leafs last summer. Or even this summer. .Okay, two days ago I was thinking Scott Gomez. Today I'm thinking Ryan Smyth. . .After watching Wade Redden struggle through the final stages of the post-season, if he wasn't seriously hurt there's no way he's worth $6.5 million per season. Edmonton should tread very, very carefully here. . .Based on what seems available, there is no significant upgrade out there in goal for the Leafs. People like Evgeny Nabokov offer more questions than answers. . .Upon further review, The Electric Horseman wasn't that bad of a movie after all. And Jane Fonda was adorable. . .Once again, it's been confirmed you don't have to be a special golfer to win a major any more. Been that way for a while now . . .Gotta love Patrick Kane spurning all advances of agents. Given that the numbers for entry level players are pretty much all written down in the CBA, what does he need one for? Martin Brodeur seems to have done all right on his own. . .Things come to mean different things over time. When Paul Newman talks in the movie Slapshot about getting back to playing "old time hockey," he means dispensing with the goon tactics and playing the game hard, cleanly and fast. Today, that phrase has been twisted around to mean letting the enforcers run wild. . .Mighty Wimbledon has a centre court roof on the way, equal pay for men and women this year and has adopted the instant replay system. Welcome to the new millenium. . .What, pray tell, has Jeremy Jacobs accomplished in hockey that would warrant having him named chairman of the NHL board of governors? Just wondering. . .I could be wrong, but I sure don't remember Gary Bettman throwing up so many roadblocks when Winnipeg was en route to Phoenix and Quebec City was headed to Denver. It was more like paving the way for a nice smooth trip.

Comments

[Jim Boyd]

This Friday night idea may be a good one, however after the first round, I think viewership tomorrow for the rest of the draft might take a beating.

I don't think any of these kids will be playing in the NHL next year - too bad we have to listen to all the verbal diarrhea before and after that goes with drafting 160 -170 pound kids.

Too bad more athletes wouldn't tell agents to go poop themselves. Maybe if more athletes finished whatever level of schooling knowing how to read and write,,,,,they would know what they were signing.

[Kevin]

1. Brendan Shanahan a good fit for the Leafs? What ever happened to your regular complaining about the Leafs signing a bunch of old guys in their final years? This would be more of the same.
2. One US president was named David - sort of. DDE was regularly known by both of his names - Dwight David.

[Ankur Arora]

I can't believe that JFJ pulled that trade, I definetaly think he overpaid for Toskla, who right now is not even a number 1 goalie on his team , just like Raycroft last year. Is JFJ that behind other GM's to understand the market, like Martin Biron I say similar goalie to Toskla was traded for only a 2nd round pick, how does JFJ give a 1st and 2nd round pick, I understand he only making 1.35 million but still picking up the 4.5 million on Bell on top of that, makes this a horrible trade

[kieran lawler]

I'm really happy about picking up Toskala. I started the season off last year really open minded about Raycroft and even defended him while others trashed him. But in the end, he just worked too hard to warrant my disdain. I read (on the star.ca) that Ferguson finally admitted he wasn’t happy with Raycroft’s play? Who was? Toskala will easily challenge for No. 1 – and I suspect, take it. Let’s face it, Raycroft snapped defeat from the jaws of victory.

My only question is – does this really leave us with only $4m to acquire a winger as I’ve heard? If so, what kind of options are we left with?

Kieran Lawler
Toronto

[bruce]

Leipold not selling to Balsillie now? The chance to make 250mil for a huge money loser? Does this not stink of NHL (ie Bettman, the rat) inteference. What a joke (NHL).

[Billy Bishop]

Hey Damian, I like your blog, but it seems you filter the rumours according to your own agenda. Todd Bertuzzi is rumoured to be coming to the Leafs, no? Eric Lindros is available to the Leafs?

[Jim Buckingham]

Does anyone remember the kind of pride we used to have in winning the Stanley Cup?! We used to be the epi-center of hockey throughout the world. That pride has been lost to 43 yrs of mediocrity and repetitious failure. This team is a failure from the top-down. We continue to sacrifice Canadian talent for Europeans & get avg players like Sundin (who actually plays better for his own country than he does the Leafs). The whole organization is broken. We have accountants, not competitors. It's another year of maintenance, and avg old players who can barely skate, puck handle, pass, forecheck, or shoot straight if their lives depended on it.

[Andrew Barrie]

Damien, I'm surprised you would advocate the leafs signing another old geezer like Shannahan, when you usually find the signing of players 35+ one of the chronic problems with this team. then again, I can't blame you, it is Shannahan!

WHO gives Bettman his authority? How did he get this job? why is he allowed to continually bungle everything, (interfering in the sale of the Penguins, Nashville, the terrible NBC television deal, that god awful haircut of his)

Doesn't Bettman do business in Canada too? Stephen Harper, who I would not normally apply any useful ability too, is a hockey fan, can't he pull some strings and get Bettman on the no fly list? or have him detained at the airport for body cavity searches every time he enters our country? It certainly would not fix the problem, but it would make me, and I assume most Canadian Hockey fans, feel a whole lot better.

[Moe Green]

This time last year they dump one of two bonafide hot prospects in the organization ostensibly to shore up the goaltending situation. But was Raycroft ever more than a huge gamble and in no real way any more of a certainty than the tandem of Tellqvist and Aubin? Especially considering Aubin's strong finish the year before. You see, for me at least, it wouldn't have mattered if Raycroft had become the second coming of Terry Sawchuck - it was a bad move strategically. This year I like the move better for two reasons. Firstly, they really do need to shore up the goaltending now regardless of what phase of rebuilding the team is in. Raycroft was absolutely a spirit- crusher last season and was the difference between the Leafs missing the playoffs and challenging for forth place. Given that I don't remember Raycroft stealing a single game for the team last season, just imagine if the Leafs had a goalie who tanked, oh say six or seven fewer times. Where would they have finished with an additional 12-14 points? Secondly, it shows that while Fergy has demonstrated poor judgement overall since becoming GM, he is at least (albeit belatedly) willing to acknowledge his mistakes. Now if he can do something with either or both of Kubina and McCabe, the Leafs may be on the right track in spite of his poor efforts.