Leafs 08/09

[chippa13 1844]

Looks like there's no end in sight for the Leafs. Only 5 or 6 picks in each of the next 2 drafts.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Looks like there's no end in sight for the Leafs. Only 5 or 6 picks in each of the next 2 drafts.

Burke hasn't started working yet...once his "self imposed" trade freeze passes...all of those vets that they say are going....will move for picks.

[kosydar 0]

Leafs sent Stralman down. I think this is good- hopefully Gilbert plays him a lot with Kronwall. I'd rather have Sifers playing 8-10 minutes a game with the Leafs and Stralman 20+ with the Marlies right now. I didn't catch Friday's game but nice to see Williams with another goal. Hopefully the new coach and management can find a permanent spot for him on the roster.

[k13 0]

I switched on the TV yesterday expecting to watch the leafs.... Odd that they didn't play on a Saturday night...

[team50 20]

They don't play on December 27 either.

[k13 0]

They don't play on December 27 either.

First its the mass amount of games on LeafsTV, now we don't play on Saturdays?

[team50 20]

They do play on the 26th and 28th.

[KryptOng 9]

very weird indeed

saturday nights without Leafs hockey just felt very unfulfilling :(

[chippa13 1844]

Perhaps they were just taking mercy on the Canadian public. Putting the Leafs on Saturday night right now is a crime against humanity.

[mrusse01 0]

I switched on the TV yesterday expecting to watch the leafs.... Odd that they didn't play on a Saturday night...

Apparently it was the first time since March 1996 that there hadn't been a regular season Leafs game on a Saturday night.

[mrusse01 0]

Does anybody know why Mats is apparently going to sign with the Rangers? I mean, I guess they are a good team...but they got punked by the Pens last year in the playoffs, and are they that much better with Mats this year than they were with Jags last year? Plus they'd have to at least get rid of Rosival (it would appear) to sign him, so that weakens them that much more.

I have no idea why he wouldn't do everything he could to sign with Pittsburgh this season, Malkin is like Warren Buffet's version of Antropov, Sundin and him on a line would be simply devestating.

I really don't have any idea what he's doing with this whole thing. If you want to make the money, take the 2 year $20 million from Vancouver, you have a nice team, probably won't get by San Jose or Detroit, but at least with Luie back there you always have a chance. If you want to win the Cup, go do whatever it takes to get on with the Pens, Red Wings, or maybe even San Jose. It seems like he's just sort of picking the nicest location to play, I don't get it. I think if these guys can't get up the courage to play a full season, that's probably a pretty good sign it's time to hang 'em up.

[chippa13 1844]

I think he's trying to find a happy medium. He wants to make some decent cash but he also at least gets an outside chance of doing some damage in the spring with the Rangers.

[Chadd 916]

I would prefer to see him play all season, for whatever team, but the rangers are the one team that I could think Sundin could put over the top. Even without Roszival, their defense is still better than average. I would expect them to make a move a forward to pick up a depth defenseman if they don't move at least one forward as part of the deal(s) to make room for Sundin.

[kosydar 0]

I read somewhere that the only reason that Vancouver is still being talked about is because his agent likes the $20 million offer. I agree with Chippa, he is trying to find a team that is a contender, but also one where he'd like to play. I think he realizes that the Rangers in the East probably have the best chance of going far in the spring. They're a team that doesn't score often, and he'd obviously help that. I think nobody expects Vancouver to come out of the West, given the play of SJ and Detroit. Regardless of all the media attention, I never thought that Mats would sign with the Habs due in large part to loyalty. I could deal with him in NY, except it would sicken me to see him play on the same team as Redden. The only thing that doesn't make sense about NY is the rumors that he doesn't want to play somewhere that has a lot of media attention, like NY does.

[mrusse01 0]

I would prefer to see him play all season, for whatever team, but the rangers are the one team that I could think Sundin could put over the top. Even without Roszival, their defense is still better than average. I would expect them to make a move a forward to pick up a depth defenseman if they don't move at least one forward as part of the deal(s) to make room for Sundin.

You don't think he'd put Pittsburgh over the top? People seem to forget about these guys because of some injuries on the blue line, but they decimated the Eastern Conference last year in the playoffs and they still have two of the very best players in the world, both of whom are getting better with every year. I think Sundin could play the role Hossa did last year, only the supporting cast is better this time around, all the kids have another year under their belt, and I'd rather have Sundin for a playoff run than I would Hossa.

Or for that matter I don't know why he doesn't just get on the Red Wings to form a complete juggernaut.

[Chadd 916]

I would prefer to see him play all season, for whatever team, but the rangers are the one team that I could think Sundin could put over the top. Even without Roszival, their defense is still better than average. I would expect them to make a move a forward to pick up a depth defenseman if they don't move at least one forward as part of the deal(s) to make room for Sundin.

You don't think he'd put Pittsburgh over the top? People seem to forget about these guys because of some injuries on the blue line, but they decimated the Eastern Conference last year in the playoffs and they still have two of the very best players in the world, both of whom are getting better with every year. I think Sundin could play the role Hossa did last year, only the supporting cast is better this time around, all the kids have another year under their belt, and I'd rather have Sundin for a playoff run than I would Hossa.

Or for that matter I don't know why he doesn't just get on the Red Wings to form a complete juggernaut.

Pittsburgh was never rumored to be interested in him and their glaring weakness is on the blue line with wing being not too far behind that. Could they shuffle the lineup and make some room for him? Sure, but I really don't think it would be a good fit. Veteran leaders aren't treated all that well there.

The wings have no money so Sundin would have to be willing to play for free.The Wings depth is also one of their biggest strengths, hard to see where they can make room without causing some problems over the next few years. They also have some cap issues coming up with Hank, Fanzen and some others becoming UFA this year.

[kosydar 0]

In looking at the standings just now, I'm confused as to what I want of the Leafs this year. From day one I wanted them to tank and get a high pick. While at times it looks like they will do that, I really think that they are too good to finish in the bottom of the league. In the East Boston, NYR, Washington, Philly, NJ, Montreal and Pittsburgh all look like they'll lock up a playoff spot. I haven't watched too many Pittsburgh games, but they seem streaky and capable of falling out. Montreal might be the best team in the East on paper, but as I've been saying all year they're my sleeper pick for shitting the bed. That leaves Buffalo, Florida, Carolina and the Leafs to battle for the 8th spot (assuming another one doesn't open up). I can't help but think that the Leafs are the best out of those four teams. Maybe its my bias, but when the Leafs put a good stretch together like they have been, I think they're a playoff team. If they can beat Boston tonight, not only will they have beaten the best in the East, but they'll be within 1 point of the 8th spot.

[mrusse01 0]

They aren't sniffing the playoffs if Toskala keeps dropping 3 or 4 complete stink bombs a month like he did last night. And CuJo looks like he is completely done. Time to bring in Pogge?

[chippa13 1844]

With a team playing this bad the last thing you want to do is get a young netminder's feet wet being pounded every night.

[mrusse01 0]

With a team playing this bad the last thing you want to do is get a young netminder's feet wet being pounded every night.

They have won 3 of their last 4, so I don't think they are necessarily playing that bad.

And to be fair....I don't know how many goals you'd lay at the feet of Pogge or Toskala last night, but it would be the majority of them, I'll tell you that.

[kosydar 0]

Last night's loss was because of goaltending. The team as a whole did not play bad. In an 8-5 game where the Leafs let in at least 5 bad goals, its pretty easy to pin the loss on Toskala/Cujo.

[RadioGaGa 162]

Last night's loss was because of goaltending. The team as a whole did not play bad. In an 8-5 game where the Leafs let in at least 5 bad goals, its pretty easy to pin the loss on Toskala/Cujo.

I thought it was funny that the only goalie who DIDN'T allow a goal was even the goalie of record.

[k13 0]

the thought of cujo is laughable now. He's beyond done. Great person, great character, but horrible netminder.

[top_shelf_24 0]

Pogge starts tomorrow night in Atlanta

[k13 0]

Pogge starts tomorrow night in Atlanta

Nice!