I realize this post should have been written yesterday, but believe it or not, I was busy with other things than hockey during the weekend.
"I seriously do believe they are incapable of defeating the Detroit Red Wings, even on the best of days"
I was obviously dead wrong. However, I am now more convinced than ever that the Maple Leaf players are reading my blog. This is huge! If I keep writing them off they might even make the playoffs this season.
Jokes aside, after the painful loss in Toronto the Detroit Red Wings went home only to recieve their second straight loss, this time to the red hot Ducks from Anaheim. The Ducks seem to have regained some of last years form, which goes to show how much a 38 year old sniper from Finland can do, and are looking increasingly like strong cup contenders. Some of the eastern teams got a taste of their might (although they're just ducks nowadays) during their roadtrip and are for warned. So are the Wings.
Showing posts with label Toronto Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toronto Maple Leafs. Show all posts
2/11/2008
2/06/2008
Just accept how bad you are!
When the blow-out was completed in the third period the 19,430 at the Air Canada Centre cheered. The problem was they weren't cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs but for the visiting Florida Panthers who had just embarraced the hometeam 8-0. Coach Paul Maurice said it felt far worse that the crowd applauded Florida than if they had booed the Leafs. In all fairness, you should be applauding the team that is doing something right on the ice, in this case the Panthers.
What still worries me about the Maple Leafs is that they don't seem to realize how bad they really are. The players keep saying stuff like "We were terrible today ... there are no excuses ... we can still turn this around, and ... on a good day we can beat anybody" This is true, on a really good day Toronto can beat almost any team in the NHL (I seriously do believe they are incapable of defeating the Detroit Red Wings, even on the best of days) but that is just not good enough for a team playing in the NHL. So do they really believe all that optimistic media mumbo-jumbo they throw at reporters after each game? I think they do. I think they still believe that they can turn it around, reach the playoffs, and possibly even win the Stanley Cup.
But isn't that a good thing, one might wonder. Yes and no. Yes, because believing you can win is often half of the effort. And no because if you are this bad it really doesn't matter. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of rebuilding (by now I think we all agree on this) and it would be best if they realized their situation and, like a drug user or an alcoholic, accepted it because that is the first step to recovery.
The second step, since they have nothing left to lose, is to give every young and talented prospect a chance to show their stuff against the big boys in the NHL. Perhaps they will find something they didn't know they had.
The third step is trading Mats Sundin, not so that he will finally have a chance to win a cup (because we all know there is not place he would rather do that than in T.O.), but for the good of the team.
The fans in Toronto are faithful believers and it is time to give them something worth their effort.
What still worries me about the Maple Leafs is that they don't seem to realize how bad they really are. The players keep saying stuff like "We were terrible today ... there are no excuses ... we can still turn this around, and ... on a good day we can beat anybody" This is true, on a really good day Toronto can beat almost any team in the NHL (I seriously do believe they are incapable of defeating the Detroit Red Wings, even on the best of days) but that is just not good enough for a team playing in the NHL. So do they really believe all that optimistic media mumbo-jumbo they throw at reporters after each game? I think they do. I think they still believe that they can turn it around, reach the playoffs, and possibly even win the Stanley Cup.
But isn't that a good thing, one might wonder. Yes and no. Yes, because believing you can win is often half of the effort. And no because if you are this bad it really doesn't matter. The Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of rebuilding (by now I think we all agree on this) and it would be best if they realized their situation and, like a drug user or an alcoholic, accepted it because that is the first step to recovery.
The second step, since they have nothing left to lose, is to give every young and talented prospect a chance to show their stuff against the big boys in the NHL. Perhaps they will find something they didn't know they had.
The third step is trading Mats Sundin, not so that he will finally have a chance to win a cup (because we all know there is not place he would rather do that than in T.O.), but for the good of the team.
The fans in Toronto are faithful believers and it is time to give them something worth their effort.
1/13/2008
When is it enough for the Leafs?
The Toronto Maple Leafs headed back home after ending their Western Conference excursion with a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. It was their fifth consecutive loss and the sixth time they have blown a two-goal lead this season. A bunch of Maple Leafs team executives attended the game and there was no mistaking the look on John Ferguson Jr's face after the loss, it spoke volumes.
This has to be the end of something; it sure isn't the beginning of anything. Someone has to go and it needs to happen soon, and when I say soon I mean now. John Ferguson Jr would be the obvious choice for many, but there a major problems with getting rid of him. For one, there is no one to take his place. General Managers do not grow on trees, it takes a long time and a lot of work to become a GM. Names like Mark Messier and Steve Yzerman have come up, but except for being great former players with a lot of knowledge about the game, they don't really have what it takes to be general managers. They haven't spent years traveling all over the continent watching games scouting for talent, and that is what it takes, among other things. You have to do the legwork, like Ken Holland for example. He started as the western scout for the Detroit Red Wings in 1985. From there he held various positions within the organization, before being named general manager in 1997. So yes, in ten years Mark Messier may become a GM, but for now all those qualified for the job are taken.
On the other hand, time is short and changes need to be made immediately. A lot of people are calling for head coach Paul Maurice to be fired, and I think he will be the first to be scarified. Though the player material he has had to work with hasn't been great, I can't really say he has done a good job during his time with the Leafs. The players keep insisting they still have a shot at the playoffs, but in reality that ship has already sailed. I suggest they just ride out this season with assistant coach Keith Acton leading the team and instead focus on who will take over next season. Unfortunately Jacque Lamaire is tied up with the Minnesota Wild until 2009-2010. I would have loved to see a guy like him come in and turn things upside down in T.O.
The possible trade of captain Mats Sundin has been the focus of most Maple Leaf talk lately, and that is definitely a big piece of the puzzle. His departure could mark the beginning of a new
As for the rest of the management, they should also consider their future in the club, president Richard Peddie in particular.
12/03/2007
Sundin trade rumors
Apparently there is a rumor of Mats Sundin in the near future being traded to Detroit. This rumor is complete news to me, and most other people I'm sure, and it's probably not true. As interesting as that trade would be, it seems highly unlikely it would happen.
First of all, the Toronto Maple Leafs will want a first round pick for Sundin, should they ever trade him, and Detroit aren't likely to give that up. Also, they would have to give up more than that and I don't think either Mike Babcock or GM Ken Holland are interested in such a high profile name at a huge price. They don't need it. I think it's more likely Sundin will end up in Ottawa for Mike Fisher plus some draft picks. To me that trade makes sense. The Senators will boost their chances at a cup while Toronto gets a player with lots of potential to start building something new around.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool to see Sundin in Motown, cause it certainly would, but I think Detroit will shop around for a slightly cheaper but productive centre when the time comes. As for Toronto, I think will see John Ferguson's exit sooner than Sundin's.
Having said that, I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy, and I urge you to send me more of them. How about Forsberg to the Rangers? Just kidding.. or not.
First of all, the Toronto Maple Leafs will want a first round pick for Sundin, should they ever trade him, and Detroit aren't likely to give that up. Also, they would have to give up more than that and I don't think either Mike Babcock or GM Ken Holland are interested in such a high profile name at a huge price. They don't need it. I think it's more likely Sundin will end up in Ottawa for Mike Fisher plus some draft picks. To me that trade makes sense. The Senators will boost their chances at a cup while Toronto gets a player with lots of potential to start building something new around.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool to see Sundin in Motown, cause it certainly would, but I think Detroit will shop around for a slightly cheaper but productive centre when the time comes. As for Toronto, I think will see John Ferguson's exit sooner than Sundin's.
Having said that, I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy, and I urge you to send me more of them. How about Forsberg to the Rangers? Just kidding.. or not.
11/25/2007
Coyotes dismiss funky Leafs
Hockey is sizzling in Arizona and the Phoenix Coyotes are red hot. Since adding goalie Ilya Bryzgalov from Anaheim they have won four straight games and Bryzgalov has given up just six goals in that span. The visiting Toronto Maple Leafs, losers in four of their last five games, were no match for the Coyotes, and were comfortably dismissed 5-1.
During Coach's Corner, hockey analyst Don Cherry once again took his beloved Leafs veterans in defense. When pretty much everyone else can see that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of a complete overhaul, he is convinced it's just a goaltender issue. When Bryan McCabe, among others, is caught sleeping in his own zone, Cherry still goes after poor Vesa Toskala.
* * *
Bad news for the rest of the NHL, the duo of Nylander and Backstrom are really starting to click. In the win against Carolina they had a goal and four assists between them, and Jaromir Jagr is sulking back in New York.
During Coach's Corner, hockey analyst Don Cherry once again took his beloved Leafs veterans in defense. When pretty much everyone else can see that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in desperate need of a complete overhaul, he is convinced it's just a goaltender issue. When Bryan McCabe, among others, is caught sleeping in his own zone, Cherry still goes after poor Vesa Toskala.
* * *
Bad news for the rest of the NHL, the duo of Nylander and Backstrom are really starting to click. In the win against Carolina they had a goal and four assists between them, and Jaromir Jagr is sulking back in New York.
11/16/2007
Bryzgalov up for grabs
The Anaheim Ducks have put goalie Ilya Bryzgalov on waivers, and the question is who will land him. Expect both Toronto and Pittsburgh not to waste any time claiming the Russian. A while back I was hoping for Ken Holland to make a move to get Bryzgalov to Detroit, but, considering the stellar performance of Chris Osgood so far I doubt the Red Wings will get involved in this. I still think the Wings should have traded for Bryzgalov instead of what turned out to be a goalie-tandem with Osgood and a tired-looking Hasek.
The Phoenix Coyotes might be another team interested in the Ducks backup, and if so, their claim will be favored because of their poor results last season. There are probably a few more teams out there willing to take on the 27-year old, but I have a feeling he will end up in Pittsburgh. They sure need him.
The Phoenix Coyotes might be another team interested in the Ducks backup, and if so, their claim will be favored because of their poor results last season. There are probably a few more teams out there willing to take on the 27-year old, but I have a feeling he will end up in Pittsburgh. They sure need him.
10/30/2007
The Blues is back in St. Louis
It is interesting how little is heard about the St. Louis Blues considering the comeback they have made. Under the new ownership and management the team has made a more than solid recovery, from posting their worst record in 27 years in the 2005-06 season to once again be a contender for a playoff spot.
In 1999-2000 the Blues finished the season with a franchise record 114 points, also earning the President's Trophy. The team consisted of, to name a few, Chris Pronger, Pavol Demitra, Al MacInnis, Roman Turek, and Pierre Turgeon. In 2001 the team went all the way to the Western Conference Finals where the eventual Champions Colorado Avalanche proved to be too much to handle for the Blues. Due mostely to a series of bad trades, including sending Pronger to Edmonton, the team's success slowly but surely faded.
For years the St. Louis Blues had been considered a contender, while never able to go all the way. In 2004 they missed the playoffs, ending a 25 season long playoff streak - the third longest in North American pro sports.
After a few years of steady decline in home-game attendance, something had to be done. To bring back the fans hockey had to be made appealing again, and the best way to do that is to put a quality hockey team on the ice.
At the end of last season Andy Murray arrived as the new head coach and in the offseason a few key acquisitions were made. Forward Keith Tkachuk was brought back and star-winger Paul Kariya was signed to a three-year $18 million deal. The team is younger than in resent years, but also well balanced. Andy Murray has a good mix of veterans and young talent, like Brad Boyes, Lee Stempniak, and Erik Johnson, to work with, and waiting for their turn is also a bunch of promising prospects ready to bring the St. Louis Blues even further.
* * *
Not only did the New York Rangers score three goals, they did it in one single game, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 at Madison Square Garden. What is even more astonishing, both Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan (both members of the 600 goals club) contributed with one tally each.
* * *
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their roller-coaster ride this season with a 1-7 loss to the Washington Capitals on home ice. "If we're going to be a playoff team we need to win at home," said Leaf captain Mats Sundin. That would be a start, Mats.
In 1999-2000 the Blues finished the season with a franchise record 114 points, also earning the President's Trophy. The team consisted of, to name a few, Chris Pronger, Pavol Demitra, Al MacInnis, Roman Turek, and Pierre Turgeon. In 2001 the team went all the way to the Western Conference Finals where the eventual Champions Colorado Avalanche proved to be too much to handle for the Blues. Due mostely to a series of bad trades, including sending Pronger to Edmonton, the team's success slowly but surely faded.
For years the St. Louis Blues had been considered a contender, while never able to go all the way. In 2004 they missed the playoffs, ending a 25 season long playoff streak - the third longest in North American pro sports.
After a few years of steady decline in home-game attendance, something had to be done. To bring back the fans hockey had to be made appealing again, and the best way to do that is to put a quality hockey team on the ice.
At the end of last season Andy Murray arrived as the new head coach and in the offseason a few key acquisitions were made. Forward Keith Tkachuk was brought back and star-winger Paul Kariya was signed to a three-year $18 million deal. The team is younger than in resent years, but also well balanced. Andy Murray has a good mix of veterans and young talent, like Brad Boyes, Lee Stempniak, and Erik Johnson, to work with, and waiting for their turn is also a bunch of promising prospects ready to bring the St. Louis Blues even further.
* * *
Not only did the New York Rangers score three goals, they did it in one single game, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 at Madison Square Garden. What is even more astonishing, both Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan (both members of the 600 goals club) contributed with one tally each.
* * *
The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their roller-coaster ride this season with a 1-7 loss to the Washington Capitals on home ice. "If we're going to be a playoff team we need to win at home," said Leaf captain Mats Sundin. That would be a start, Mats.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)