Tlusty for Crosby?

On the basis of some emails this morning, you'd think the Leafs would turn down the deal if Pittsburgh came a-calling this morning and offered Sidney Crosby straight up for Jiri Tlusty.

One shot off the rump and a good wrister a few seconds later, it seems, has Tlusty poised for immediate induction into the Hall of Fame. You know, waive the mandatory waiting period and all that.

Sort of reminds me how, after a few weeks as a Blue Jay one year, over-enthused fans had Jose Cruz Jr. headed straight for Cooperstown.

But that's okay, really. It's a fan's right to get excited about the potential of a young player, and in the case of Tlusty, there's no shame in finding hope in a former first round draft pick who picked up a pair of goals in his first NHL start.

Tlusty, if he can stick around, represents a tangible future asset that GM John Ferguson can point to as reason to believe his blueprint will yield concrete results. If Tlusty and Justin Pogge and Nikolai Kulemin turn out to be bona fide NHLers, JFJ's plan will start to make a lot more sense.

But, quite frankly, there were two other equally intriguing plot lines in Thursday's Leaf victory over the Penguins.

First, the Leafs played their finest game of the season by far. Specifically, they looked a lot more like a team, and used their size more effectively than they had all season and spent a great deal less time in their own zone.

Whether they can do it two games in a row, of course, is the trick.

Second, it's interesting to watch the Penguins struggle with expectations in the early part of the season, and to see coach Michel Therrien continue to search for just the right combination of linemates for Crosby.

Sid the Kid's numbers have picked up of late, and as of this morning he's up to 16th in league scoring - with a bullet.

Therrien tried to play Jordan Staal with Crosby earlier this season, but Staal seems, well, stalled in his second NHL season with only a goal and an assist so far. Against the Leafs, Crosby and Evgeni Malkin played together - with veteran Mark Recchi on the other wing - and created the Pens' two goals on the night.

Perhaps Crosby and Malkin will work out together, although it defeats the notion that having two dominant players on two separate lines is what will make Pittsburgh an NHL powerhouse over time.

Right now, it's fair to say that Crosby is still looking for his on-ice soulmate, waiting for somebody to be the Kurri to his Gretzky.

Comments

[Dave Stacey]

The Leafs had arguably their best game last night, both in effort and results.
I believe that it is no coincidence that Tlusty and Stralman were in for Tucker and McCabe. I will take good skating, poise with the puck, and overall good hockey sense over banging and crashing and running around any day.
Tucker and McCabe have had success scoring from their respective spots; Tucker from just to one side of the crease and McCabe from the point on the power play. However, let's be honest, teams have and will continue to reduce these opportunities to almost zero even if they have nothing much more effective than a pylon out there covering them.

[Paul Malone]

Good one, Damian. Keep telling us how great JFJ is doing. That way you can protect your relationship with him. The only downside is those kinds of JFJ-is-good statements leaves your credibility questioned by every one of your readers who isn't completely blind.

[Adni Bowring]

Yeah, I agree it's way too early to say whether Tlusty is the "real deal."
If you recall, Stajan (also wearing #41 at the time) scored in his first game as a Leaf, too.
Fans were immediately annointing him as the second-coming of Pat Boutette, but unfortunately, Stajan's never lived up to that kind of billing.

[mark]

Typical. A couple of young guys have decent games and we see comments dumping on the veterans. I'm happy to see the young guys get a chance and show some upside. But let's not say that Tlusty and Stralman are ready to replace Tucker and McCabe just yet. Both Tucker and McCabe are both very good NHL players, despite the rhetoric of some fans. Both are still very mobile (not something you can say about many of the Leafs), have some grit and can compete over an 80 game schedule. If you have a rebuilding plan, o.k., then trade them and maybe get regular ice for these young guys. I don't think rebuilding is in JFJs vocabulary at the moment (he'd like to keep his job). Of course, if rebuilding was done, the same guys who are dumping on the vets would turn on the kids the first time they have a slump. So, try to keep a level keel, will ya? Give them at least another month before you start carving.

[mimo70]

Now, now Damien, not all Leafs fans are crazy and quick to conclude that Jiri, after only one game, is ready for the hall-of-fame. You know, strange as it may sound, there are actually plenty of intelligent and knowlegeable Leaf fans who are quite sane and sensible.

But I understand that knocking Toronto and its' fans is a pastime favoured by quite a few sports media personalities. It makes them feel sophisticated. How sad. Been spending too much time with Bob McCowan?

[kevin long]

Damian

With Hossa in Atlanta wanting to move, and them needing a goalie and more defence, what are the chances we could package McCabe and Raycroft and a pick for Hossa? I know McCabe would have to waive his no-trade but if Quinn ends up coaching there perhaps he would consider it? On second thought how about we go through with the deal with or without Hossa.

[Kenny D.]

Tucker can play on my team anytime. McCabe? Do you think it is just coincidence Leafs have played their two best games of the year and McCabe's not there? I think not. Trading McCabe to Atlanta would be good. I don't think we could get Hossa for him but maybe a couple of exra large pizza's. Ok maybe one pizza. And speaking of trades, it's too bad we can't trade Bettman. Interest in hockey in the USA is nonexistent. High school sports has a higher profile. It's one thing to have a player who's lousy but to have someone who has damaged the league the way Bettman has is criminal. Ron's short chat with the new NHLPA boss Paul Kelly indicates Kelly's a keeper. Hockey got better with his hiring. Go Leafs Go

[Steve Barnett]

Well I for one think this Tlusty kid is going to make it at the pro level. Nice wheels and good puck sense. Give him time and he will be fine.
As for McCabe, forget the trade talk fellas, this guy aint going anywhere. How many guys in the NHL have a NO MOVEMENT clause in thier contract? He is on the biggest gravy train of his life. If you were to pay me that kind of coin I could act deaf as well as anyone. Now we move on to Sideshow Bob...overpaid, overhyped, and as mentioned at even strength is useless...anyone think its a coincidence we play better when these 2 slugs are out of the line up?