Monday, October 30, 2006
Fergie-nomics
From Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun in the 'This and That' section:"Fergie-nomics: Not only do the Leafs have the worst defensive stats in the NHL while playing 5-on-5, they also have the highest paid blue line in hockey. Does that make sense? If you do the math, Bryan McCabe and the injured Pavel Kubina combined earn more than 17 six-man defence units in the league. Alone, the struggling McCabe is being paid more than Chris Pronger, Scott Niedermayer, Wade Redden, Ed Jovanovski and Rob Blake and he isn't in any of their leagues. And to think, many out there still believe John Ferguson is deserving of a contract extension. Sometimes you get what you pay for, or in Ferguson's managerial style, sometimes you don't...The Anaheim Ducks, with Pronger and Niedermayer -- arguably the best two defencemen in hockey -- on the same team, pay $16.2 million US for their blue line. The Leafs' price is $19.6 million. The NHL average is $12 million, which is less than McCabe and Kubina earn, according to the NHL Players' Association."
IR for Tellqvist
Mikael Tellqvist, playing with the Toronto Marlies, was placed on injured reserve Saturday night. His 2 week conditioning stint was about too expire and Ferguson has been unable to trade him.Pavel Kubina and Staffan Kronwall are close to being able to begin skating.
Nik Antropov returned to the lineup Saturday night, playing just over 5 minutes.
Posted by Mark in
Injury Notes
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Raycroft Get the Nod for Tonight’s Game
Paul Maurice has named Andrew Raycroft the the starting goaltender for tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers, but after that it's up in the air. Backup tender, J.S. Aubin picked up his first victory of the season on Saturday, after the Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 in a shootout. In my opinion, Aubin's play (a 4.41 GAA in just under 150 minutes) shouldn't be creating much of a controversy. Sure Raycroft got shelled in games against the Senators, and has struggled a bit, but the Leafs defenses hasn't been much help. Raycroft sports a 4-4 record, with a 3.23 GAA and .892 SV% (Aubin .825 SV%).I'm definitely looking forward to tonight's game, Ilya Kovalchuk and Marian Hossa (after he left the Senators) are exciting too watch. This will also be the first time I've been able to watch a full game with Kari Lehtonen in net, this kid is going to be really good.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Another Day, Another Beating
What a great game that was. I couldn't even stomach watching the entire 7-2 pounding from the Ottawa Senators. Apparently Bryan McCabe and Hal Gill didn't hear me at yelling at them through my TV to cover their man. These two were both a minus 2, and continue to look lost on the ice. It's not to say that the majority of Leaf players didn't look lost last night, but McCabe and Gill stick out in my mind, as they've played poorly in my mind for most of the season. The Leafs grossly overpaid McCabe (5 years, $27.5 million) during the summer, and he hasn't done much to earn it. He has only scored 1 goal in 11 games this year, and only one goal in the last 29 games dating back to last season. He's paid to score and a lead the power play, and his defense is below average. If you consider yourself a top level defenseman, you also have to play defense. Costly turnovers and mistakes are putting the Leafs in a hole, and they don't have the offensive firepower to get into shootouts. McCabe has 7 points total, 3 on the power play, and is averaging over 29 minutes per game.
Gil signed a 3 year deal worth over $6 million in the off-season, leaving the Boston Bruins. There's no doubt that he is a monster of a man, standing 6 foot 7, and weighing 250 pounds, but recently he hasn't seem to be using it to his advantage. He isn't moving his feet when attempting to check players, which is allowing the smaller quicker players to easily skate around him. His inability to contain, bad positioning and feet movement was evident on at least two goals last night, and one from Tuesday's game that I can recall. The Maple Leafs need both Gill and McCabe to step up their game if they have any hopes of making the playoffs.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Practices Are No Longer Safe
Tucker is getting grief from the Ottawa Senators heading into tonight's game for dropping the gloves with the light fisted Patrick Eaves on Tuesday night. Sens GM John Muckler called it an "act of cowardice". Eaves does not have a fight during his pro career. I think they are just upset because Eaves got smacked around. It's not like Tucker is a big guy, he's 5-10 and a 178 pounds; he's actually smaller than Eaves (6-0 and 192 pounds). Sure Darcy is tougher, but you're in the NHL, suck it up.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Tucker and Leafs Talking Deal
According to the Toronto Star, the Leafs and Tucker are working on a long term contract. It is believed that the Leafs initial offer was for $2.5 million per season, but would be willing to move up to $3 million per on a 5-year, $15 million contract. Tucker and his agent Carlos Sosa may be looking in the $3.5 - $4.5 million range.
Broken Finger for Calaiacovo
After blocking a shot with his hand over the weekend, it was revealed that Carlo Colaiacovo has a non-displaced fracture in one of his fingers. The injury doesn't appear to be long term, but it is not known when Carlo will be able to return to action.
Posted by Mark in
Injury Notes
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Tlusty Sent to the OHL
The Maple Leafs sent their 2006 first round draft pick Jiri Tlusty to the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. Tlusty had 3 goals and 1 assist in 6 games with the Toronto Marlies. The fact that he will be playing for the Greyhounds this season should not be much of a surprise for the 18-year-old. Starting the season in the AHL was the surprise, it's very rare for an 18-year-old. GM John Ferguson feels that Tlusty will be able to play more 'go-to-guy' minutes, than he was getting playing for the Marlies.
Posted by Mark in
Prospect News
in Transactions
Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
in Transactions
Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Monday, October 23, 2006
No Luck for Carlo
This is almost becoming comical, Carlo Colaiacovo getting injured. During the closing minutes of the second period of yesterdays game, Colaiacovo blocked a shot with his hand. The extent of the injury is not known yet, but he did not return for the third period. He was having a good game, recording a goal and assist, in a 4-3 victory.It must be extremely frustrating for Carlo and for the organization. He's been one of their top prospects since he was drafted 5 years ago in the first round. Each year he enters training with high expectations, but each year he gets hurt. Will he ever be healthy enough to become a regular on the Leafs blueline? Do the Leafs give up on him, believing he's too injury prone? Trading him might be risky proposition since he has such a high upside. But on the other land, he may never be healthy enough to play an entire season. His career was in jeopardy after the concussion he suffered last season. I don't think that they would be able to get equal value for his skill and potential, due to all the injuries he's endured over his short career. Hopefully, this latest injury isn't serious, and he'll be able to show Leaf management and fans that he can stay healthy and produce at the NHL level.
Posted by Mark in
Injury Notes
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (0) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Colaiacovo Assigned to the Marlies
The Maple Leafs assigned Carlo Colaiacovo to the Toronto Marlies today and he's expected to be in the lineup as they face the Bulldogs in Hamilton
Friday, October 20, 2006
Ondrus Back in Lineup
Ben Ondrus will be making his first start of the season tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He'll be playing on the 4th line with Bates Battaglia and John Pohl. Ondrus won't step in and start scoring goals, but he does provide the team with some grit and hustle, which will be needed after the way the Leafs played the Avs on Wednesday.Alexei Ponikarovsky is back on the top line with Sundin and Wellwood. Darcy Tucker will be skating with Peca and Kilger. I wouldn't be surprised to see Maurice alter the lines during the game if they are having trouble scoring on the Blue Jackets.
Jay Harrison will be a healthy scratch with Wade Belak dropping back to the point. Belak will be paired with Brendan Bell as the third defensive pairing.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Not Much Effort Against the Avs
The Leafs came out of the gates quickly, but that didn't last long. They were dumping the puck in, getting to the puck in the corners, and generating some chances. Bates Battaglia scored his second goal of the season after some nice hustle and fore-checking by Wade Belak (didn't envision myself ever saying that). I noticed that they were dumping the puck in lightly, not hard enough for the goalie to play it behind the net. This worked well at least 3 times in the first 5 minutes, after that, their whole game fell apart. I can't remember them dumping the puck in this way at all last year. they would fire it in as hard as they could, the goalie would stop it, then start the break. It's just another sign of how Paul Maurice's philosophy differs from former head coach Pat Quinn.So for the remaining 55 minutes, the Leafs didn't generate much. They did not show much energy or desire. No player stood out in my mind as having a really good game. Hal (the 6 foot 7 pylon) Gill, showed once again that he's still having trouble with the new NHL. He was caught flat footed again, watched his man skate by him, actually recovered in time, but forgot to look for the puck or tie up his man's stick. We'll save the Bryan McCabe rant for another day, but I will say that he really needs to start playing better to earn some of that giant contract he was given.
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Peca Returns Tonight
Mike Peca will be in the lineup tonight centering Chad Kilger and Alex Steen.Interesting article from the Toronto Star about who's is better at shootouts.
Darcy Tucker and Kyle Wellwood are on 5 game point streaks.
Leaf Prospect wins QMJHL Player of the Week
Quebec Remparts and Toronto Maple Leaf prospect Brent Aubin was named the QMJHL player of the week. In 4 games, Aubin recorded 14 points, 9 goals and 5 assists. Against Chicoutimi he collected 6 points in a 6-2 victory, and 5 points in a 8-7 win three days later. Currently Aubin sits 8th overall in scoring with 25 points (17 goals and 8 assists) in 12 games, trailing Claude Giroux by 8 points. The 5 foot 9, 190 lbs right winger was signed as a free agent on September 13, 2006 after posting 11 points (2 goals and 9 assists) during the Maple Leafs Rookie tournament.
Peca Hopeful for Tonight
Mike Peca took part in practice yesterday, testing out his injured hip. No decision has been made yet if he'll play tonight, as it will depend on he feels today.Nik Antropov has been doing laps and will soon begin stops and starts. Don't push it too hard Nik.
Injury Timelines:
Carlo Colaiacovo - out indefinitely with headaches
Staffan Kronwall - out another week or two with an ankle injury from a Danny Heatley slash
Pavel Kubina - out at least another 3 weeks with a sprained knee ligament
Andy Wozniewski - out 4-6 months with a dislocated shoulder
Ben Ondrus - day-to-day with bruised ribs. Is skating now
Nik Antropov - about a week away, but you never know with Antropov
Posted by Mark in
Injury Notes
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (1) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •
Toronto Maple Leaf Injury Notes Read More | Comments (1) |
Trackbacks (0) • | Permalink •