Thursday, November 30, 2006
Leaf Notes
Bryan McCabe appears to be over his sprained ankle and will play in tonight's game against the Thrashers. The Leafs got lucky on this injury, as it could have turned out a lot worse. The Leafs have lost 5 of the last 7 games. Scoring goals is one of the main reasons, they've only scored 1 goal in 4 of the losses. The Leafs power play has dropped to 7th in the league at 19.6%, they were 1-11 in the last 2 games against Boston. Last year they finished the season second at 21.4%.
Last year the Leafs ranked 24th in penalty killing, at 80.0%. This year they are ranked 9th at 85.4%. Better goaltending always helps a teams penalty killing, but the addition of Michael Peca is a big factor.
Alex Steen has recorded only 1 goal on 55 shots, 1.8%. Last year Steen scored 18 goals on 176 shots, 10.2%.
Carlo Colaiacovo returned to the Toronto Marlies lineup last night. He recorded an assist and was a +2, in a 4-2 Marlie victory. Boyd Devereaux recorded a hat trick, his only 3 goals in 18 games.
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
McCabe Sprains Ankle
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Scheduling Foolishness
The Leafs played Boston last night for the 8th time in the last 15 days. That is not really the case, but it sure feels like it. It was really their 4th game against the Bruins in their last 9 games. I don't understand what these schedule makers are trying to do. In my opinion this doesn't create rivalries, which is one the reason the NHL is giving. It's decreasing my desire to watch these games. I'm sick of watching Toronto play Boston. But if you love watching Toronto play Boston, don't worry, the Leafs are in Boston next Thursday. That's 5 times in 13 games. Give me a break.The idea of seeing Boston 20 times a year; Detroit, Chicago and Vancouver only once, and no games with Edmonton and Calgary, was a brilliant idea by the NHL. Forget the rivalries that have been around decades or for Canadian bragging rights. Why would anyone want to see the Leafs battle the Red Wings? They've never slugged it out with them before, or had exciting games in the regular season or playoffs. Bring me the same teams every other night. Now that is exciting.
So let's say we agree with the NHL's position that each team should play 62 divisional games; that this will create better rivalries, produce exciting divisional races and good hockey. Then why in the world would the Leafs only be schedule to play 1 divisional team in their final 7 games of the season? The NHL stresses divisional competition, but the 'brilliant' schedule makers don't have them playing against each other down the stretch. The final 5-10 games of the season are very important to divisional seeding, this is when division teams should be playing each other the most. Playing each team 3 times in final 12 games (depending on the size of the division) would create a lot excitement. It would give teams the opportunity to overtake someone by actually beating them, not by beating Florida Panthers or Washington Capitals.
Nash to be Assigned to the Marlies
Tyson Nash appears to be headed straight to the Marlies. Although, I think that he could add a spark to the big club, he'll try to re-establish himself in the minors. The Maple Leafs also received a 2007 4th round pick in the trade.
Leafs Trade Tellqvist
The Leafs have finally found a trading partner for goalie Mikael Tellqvist. The Leafs shipped Tellqvist to the Phoenix Coyotes for the pesty forword, Tyson Nash and a 4th round pick. Nash will definitely give the Leafs some much needed grit and energy. This deal will also allow Darcy Tucker to concentrate more on scoring and the offensive side of his game. Too often this year Tucker has had to take it upon himself to attempt to fire up his team. Nash can now provide that spark, if he is inserted into the lineup. If Nash is going to play, someone will have to come out of the lineup, which in my opinion should be John Pohl.
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Lineup Shuffling
With the return of Mats Sundin on Saturday night and the lack of scoring during that game, coach Paul Maurice tinkered with the lineup at Monday's practice as they get ready for tonight's game against the Boston Bruins. Alexei Ponikarovsky remains on the number one line, Kyle Wellwood shifts back to the wing, with Sundin centering the two. Nik Antropov finds himself with Micheal Peca and Bates Battaglia. Matt Stajan will be centering Darcy Tucker and Jeff O'Neil. Alex Steen was shifted back to his natural position, and will likely be centering Chad Kilger and John Pohl.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Kaberle Misses Practice
Tomas Kaberle was absent from today's morning practice. A flu has been going around the Maple Leafs dressing room, with Kaberle the latest victim. He is expected to play tomorrow night against the Bruins.
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Harrison On Waivers
The Leafs placed defenseman Jay Harrison on waivers yesterday in an attempt to send him to the Toronto Marlies. Nick Kypreos of SportsNet just noted that Harrison hasn't been claimed by anyone yet, and that he most likely won't be picked up. The Leafs have been worried for awhile that if he was placed on waivers, he'd be grabbed by someone. If he does pass through waivers, I'd be surprised. He has played well in his limited games with the Leafs this season. Harrison is still young, with a low salary, and has shown improvement in his play the last year or so. Paul Maurice has really turned around Harrison's game. Up until last year when Maurice was coaching the Marlies, Harrison's pro career had leveled out, but his play improved so much that he received a call-up late last year.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Leafs 7 Capitals 1 - Fri Nov.24
1st Period Summary 18:57 Toronto Goal - Kyle Wellwood (5), from Nik Antropov and Alexei Ponikarovsky at 1:03.
17:16 Toronto Goal - Michael Peca (3), from Bates Battaglia and Hal Gill at 2:44.
2:12 Washington Power-Play Goal - Alexander Ovechkin (14), from Richard Zednik and Mike Green at 17:48.
Penalties
4:55 Toronto Michael Peca - 2 minutes for hooking
15:27 Toronto Alexei Ponikarovsky - 2 minutes for boarding
17:38 Toronto Pavel Kubina - 2 minutes for tripping
18:09 Toronto Alexei Ponikarovsky - 2 minutes for holding
2nd Period Summary
9:51 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Bryan McCabe (6), from Darcy Tucker and Tomas Kaberle at 10:09.
8:51 Toronto Goal - Hal Gill (2), from Michael Peca and Pavel Kubina at 11:09.
9:37 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Jeff O`Neill (7), from Ian White and Matt Stajan at 10:23.
5:41 Toronto Goal - Darcy Tucker (16), from Jeff O`Neill at 14:19.
Penalties
8:29 Washington Richard Zednik - 2 minutes for holding
8:56 Washington Chris Clark - 2 minutes for tripping
15:01 Toronto Hal Gill - 2 minutes for high-sticking
15:32 Washington Chris Clark - 2 minutes for tripping
3rd Period Summary
11:21 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Matt Stajan (6), from Jeff O`Neill and Darcy Tucker at 8:39.
Penalties
4:31 Toronto Jeff O`Neill - 2 minutes for cross-checking
8:11 Washington Richard Zednik - 2 minutes for hooking
14:17 Washington Brooks Laich - 2 minutes for hooking
Shots on Goal 1 2 3 Total
Toronto 12 9 7 28
Washington 12 6 5 23
Team Power Play
Toronto 3 of 5
Washington 1 of 6
Toronto Goaltending
Andrew Raycroft 23 1 22 .957 60:00
Washington Goaltending
Brent Johnson 28 7 21 .750 59:55
Friday, November 24, 2006
Holy Hooks!
I didn't get to watch most of the game last night, but from what I read it was a decent game, minus all the penalties. When looking over the box score, one thing that stood out was A) the number of penalties, and B) the number of hooking penalties. 10 of the 18 penalties were for hooking, including 7 consecutive in the first period. Buffalo was called for 7 hooking penalties, Jaroslav Spacek was found guilty 3 times.I can't say for sure if all 18 penalties were legitimate calls, but either way, that's too many in my opinion. I'm tired of watching games where it's power play after power play. The flow is taken out of the game.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Leafs 4 Sabres 7 - Wed Nov. 22
1st Period Summary 17:41 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Darcy Tucker (14), from Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe at 2:19.
16:16 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Kyle Wellwood (4), from Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle at 3:44.
9:33 Buffalo Buffalo Power-Play Goal - Maxim Afinogenov (11), from Ales Kotalik and Teppo Numminen at 10:27.
7:23 Buffalo Goal - Jiri Novotny (5), from Thomas Vanek and Paul Gaustad at 12:37.
Penalties
1:04 Buffalo Jason Pominville - 2 minutes for tripping
2:07 Buffalo Jaroslav Spacek - 2 minutes for hooking
3:27 Buffalo Paul Gaustad - 2 minutes for hooking
7:17 Toronto Alexander Suglobov - 2 minutes for hooking
9:25 Toronto Bryan McCabe - 2 minutes for hooking
10:27 Toronto Hal Gill - 2 minutes for hooking
15:23 Buffalo Nathan Paetsch - 2 minutes for hooking
19:00 Buffalo Adam Mair - 2 minutes for hooking
2nd Period Summary
18:06 Buffalo Power-Play Goal - Daniel Briere (9), from Thomas Vanek and Maxim Afinogenov at 1:54.
16:55 Buffalo Goal - Brian Campbell (3), from Daniel Briere and Michael Funk at 3:05.
5:05 Toronto Goal - Jeff O'Neill (6), unassisted at 14:55.
Penalties
0:37 Toronto Bryan McCabe - 2 minutes for interference
3:13 Toronto Matt Stajan - 2 minutes for diving
3:13 Buffalo Daniel Briere - 2 minutes for holding
6:08 Toronto Chad Kilger - 2 minutes for tripping
6:31 Buffalo Daniel Briere - 2 minutes for hooking
7:37 Toronto Pavel Kubina - 2 minutes for tripping
16:23 Buffalo Jaroslav Spacek - 2 minutes for hooking
3rd Period Summary
12:41 Toronto Goal - Darcy Tucker 2 (15), from Tomas Kaberle and Jeff O`Neill at 7:19.
5:19 Buffalo Goal - Daniel Briere 2 (10), from Daniel Paille and Jason Pominville at 14:41.
1:08 Buffalo Short-Handed Empty-Net Goal - Jason Pominville (12), unassisted at 18:52.
0:48 Buffalo Short-Handed Empty-Net Goal - Chris Drury (13), from Daniel Paille and Brian Campbell at 19:12.
Penalties
0:33 Toronto Darcy Tucker - 2 minutes for interference
3:25 Toronto Michael Peca - 2 minutes for boarding
17:34 Buffalo Jaroslav Spacek - 2 minutes for hooking
Shots on Goal 1 2 3 Total
Toronto 8 12 16 36
Buffalo 10 11 8 29
Team Power Play
Toronto 2 of 7
Buffalo 2 of 8
Toronto Goaltending
Andrew Raycroft 27 5 22 .815 59:07
Buffalo Goaltending
Ryan Miller 36 4 32 .889 59:40
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Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Ferguson Back Next Season; Well Maybe
The Maple Leafs have announced that they have picked up the 2007-08 option for G.M. John Ferguson. After the hot start the Leafs have gotten off to this season, it would be hard not to at least pick up his option year. A long extension will most likely wait until the off-season (if at all), as it seems there is an out clause depending on how the Leafs finish the season.The fact that they didn't pick up his option, or sign him to a longer contract before today, has been talked about in Toronto for months. Opinions on the matter vary, some think he's done a good job, while others felt he should have been let go before the season started.
There is no questioning the fact that he has made some questionable signings; Jason Allison, Eric Lindros, Alex Khavanov and Marius Czerkawski, but at least they were only 1 year deals. Ed Belfore's 2 year extension was definitely questionable, and the same goes for Tie Domi's deal, both were bought out before the season.
This off-season, he overpaid for free agents. McCabe is overpaid by at least a $1 million ($5.75 million average), while Kubina makes $5 million ($750,000 per year more than Kaberle). The length of the contracts could handcuff the Leafs in future years depending on the salary cap. McCabe and Kaberle signed for 5 years, and Kubina signed for 4. The Leafs have plenty of young defensive prospects that are really close, if not ready, to play everyday in the NHL. Only time will tell for the Raycroft-Task trade. If Raycroft continues to play well, like he did during is rookie year and not how he played last year, it should be a good deal made by Ferguson. Rask could turn out to be a bust and not the top rated goalie not in the NHL, according to some.
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Raycroft Looks Sharp in Return
Andrew Raycroft wasn't overly busy in his first start after missing three games with a groin injury. He stopped 19 of 21 shots, and had no problem moving post to post. Raycroft made several big saves to help lead the Leafs to a 4-2 victory. The Leafs built a 3-1 lead after 10 minutes in the first period, with goals from Pohl, Wellwood and Tucker. Ponikarovsky scored his eighth goal of the season on the power play early in the third period to restore the 2 goal lead. It wasn't a great overall performance by the Leafs (which seems to be a common trend this season), but they find ways to get the victory, which is also a trend this season. There haven't been many games this year where they've put together a solid 60 minutes, but they continue to rack up the wins.
Leafs 4 Islanders 2 - Mon Nov. 20
1st Period Summary 17:07 Toronto Goal - John Pohl (2), from Wade Belak and Matt Stajan at 2:53.
14:57 NY Islanders Goal - Chris Simon (2), from Viktor Kozlov and Sean Hill at 5:03.
14:06 Toronto Goal - Kyle Wellwood (3), from Nik Antropov and Bates Battaglia at 5:54.
10:37 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Darcy Tucker (3), from Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe at 9:23.
Penalties
8:24 NY Islanders Alexei Zhitnik - 2 minutes for holding
12:26 Toronto Ian White - 2 minutes for interference
18:49 Toronto Darcy Tucker - 2 minutes for interference
2nd Period Summary
3:59 NY Islanders Power-Play Goal - Jason Blake (11), from Alexei Yashin and Mike Sillinger at 16:01.
Penalties
0:41 Toronto Michael Peca - 2 minutes for tripping
4:18 NY Islanders Tom Poti - 2 minutes for hooking
9:56 NY Islanders Alexei Zhitnik - 4 minutes for hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct
14:49 Toronto Alexander Suglobov - 2 minutes for slashing
16:22 Toronto Bryan McCabe - 2 minutes for tripping
18:27 NY Islanders Jason Blake - 2 minutes for hooking
3rd Period Summary
1:09 Toronto Power-Play Goal - Alexei Ponikarovsky (8), from Kyle Wellwood and Nik Antropov at 18:51.
Penalty
9:04 Toronto Nik Antropov - 2 minutes for holding
18:19 NY Islanders Chris Simon - 2 minutes for hooking
Shots on Goal 1 2 3 Total
NY Islanders 5 8 8 21
Toronto 13 10 10 33
Team Power Play
NY Islanders 1 of 6
Toronto 2 of 6
NY Islanders Goaltending
Player SA GA Saves SV% TOI PIM
Rick DiPietro 33 4 29 .879 60:00 0
Toronto Goaltending
Player SA GA Saves SV% TOI PIM
Andrew Raycroft 21 2 19 .905 59:50 0
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Monday, November 20, 2006
Sundin Close to Returning
The fast healing Mats Sundin may have pulled another one out the hat. Sundin is hoping to return to the Leafs lineup this Saturday against the Boston Bruins. This would be a big boost to the Leafs, as they have scored 13 goals in his 4 game absence, but only 2 in the last 2 games, both were 2-1 loses. If Sundin returns on Saturday, he will have only been out of the lineup for 19 days, missing 7 games. His recovery time was estimated between 3 and 4 weeks.
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