tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30284280082180634702024-03-13T06:03:37.433-04:00just your usual general borschevskyLooking for a Toronto Maple Leafs blog? You're in the General Area. Close enough.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.comBlogger177125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-54449390000403062282010-12-13T13:12:00.004-05:002010-12-13T14:12:11.051-05:00Kaberlove<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span>t's a good time to celebrate the play of Tomas Kaberle. Last week he was my choice for <em>Leaf of the Week</em>, on the strength of 4 assists in 3 consecutive games, and for being a surprise plus/minus leader. Kabby continues to shine this week, notching his first goal of the season Saturday night against Montreal, and setting up another, as the Leafs played one of their very best opening periods of the season.<br /><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IJx6H_aEeH8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IJx6H_aEeH8?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300"></embed></object><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_FfDdNvhKYk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_FfDdNvhKYk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="300"></embed></object><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>7</strong></span> Points in his last <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">7</span></strong> games.<br /><br />The best plus/minus on the team (+2).<br /><br />Surpassed Ron Stewart (838) for games played Nov. 20th vs. Montreal and Darryl Sittler (844) on December 4th vs. Boston, to move up to <strong>8th</strong> (849+) on the Leafs all-time games played list.<br /><br />Kaberle's goal, the game-winner Saturday night vs. Montreal, and the 81st of his career, equals him with 80's super-legend Al Iafrate, and puts him now just 2 back of Bryan McCabe.<br /><br />With his latest assist, also Saturday on Kessel's opening goal, Kaberle moves ahead of George Armstrong in to sole-possession of <strong><span style="font-size:130%;">5th</span></strong> on the Leafs all-time Assist leaders list at 418.<br /><br />He is <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>1</strong></span> point away from career-point <span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>500</strong></span>.<br /><br />Give it up for Kaberle. And let's hope this isn't a swansong, but the beginning of a team-wide resurgence.<br /><br />Pride and Glory. Go Leafs Go.<br /><a href="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/6a/fullj.853f636c43f411b607c0a7e4546ca80b/ap-ecc779871f254631ad1d7496faf45fa9.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 440px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/6a/fullj.853f636c43f411b607c0a7e4546ca80b/ap-ecc779871f254631ad1d7496faf45fa9.jpg" border="0" /></a>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-24699043451127213652010-12-05T17:45:00.003-05:002010-12-05T17:55:12.416-05:00Ron Wilson: Coach Of The Year For A Day<span style="font-size:180%;">I</span> love this goal. As glorious as <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2010/12/4/1855726/nazem-kadri-shootout-goal-vs-thomas">Nazem Kadri's shootout goal</a> was, I like this one even better. Have a look:<br /><object height="300" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lqnJ3e-W5Yc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lqnJ3e-W5Yc?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="300" width="480"></embed></object><br />I love the fact that this goal tied the game with under a minute left. I love that Ron Wilson used his time-out and set up a very clever play. I love that 5 forwards - Grabovski, Kulemin, Kessel, MacArthur, and Versteeg - are on the ice.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mLYFNR6j1rhFNcR2MLSds7ZIZBVZWPIIu2Dvw5r9Atk91HcRV6sbKwMJxBFNzAWTnc3dU6niTUEO0dmt9HTCVncsjgZ4GFzJvmPxMmuf9iz8JuXVUOBXv_Ks5C5Q4vIUkh9eq46VAdg/s1600/Picture+19.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mLYFNR6j1rhFNcR2MLSds7ZIZBVZWPIIu2Dvw5r9Atk91HcRV6sbKwMJxBFNzAWTnc3dU6niTUEO0dmt9HTCVncsjgZ4GFzJvmPxMmuf9iz8JuXVUOBXv_Ks5C5Q4vIUkh9eq46VAdg/s320/Picture+19.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547241109869788562" border="0" /></a>As they line up for the face-off, Grabbo is taking the draw, MacArthur is to his right by the boards, Kaberle at the right point, Versteeg at the left point, Kulemin on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">inside</span> at the hashmarks and Kessel on the <span style="font-weight: bold;">outside </span>in the high-slot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrX5H46c_N-XFgsnPPOfq4AYJv3KsKazYk7CxBFiT9w2uu5uP65m7C7dhT9k1VQw2vMygEg63rFwYjKoYIk6LkI5497Kty6rnbZTDgWuSvI9WgIi7UfsW4PFZYpms01XVsAaHSClD9PA/s1600/Picture+20.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrX5H46c_N-XFgsnPPOfq4AYJv3KsKazYk7CxBFiT9w2uu5uP65m7C7dhT9k1VQw2vMygEg63rFwYjKoYIk6LkI5497Kty6rnbZTDgWuSvI9WgIi7UfsW4PFZYpms01XVsAaHSClD9PA/s320/Picture+20.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547240664800459362" border="0" /></a>But then it gets interesting. Grabovski INTENTIONALLY gets himself thrown out the face-off circle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTGpu-RsxQY8XoxTbjfQWWnHFK3mavaZkkiXsTUBnVRGtmmgJbZVPmjXfIUUqhPgIy1fMVfqA9_r42rNVAqJntfkbYugGmvfH_f2-9iEIWfH3Ef3SPS-ZtBkY7yh-QXnhLr1Z5PWLjBY/s1600/Picture+21.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTGpu-RsxQY8XoxTbjfQWWnHFK3mavaZkkiXsTUBnVRGtmmgJbZVPmjXfIUUqhPgIy1fMVfqA9_r42rNVAqJntfkbYugGmvfH_f2-9iEIWfH3Ef3SPS-ZtBkY7yh-QXnhLr1Z5PWLjBY/s320/Picture+21.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547240480046454994" border="0" /></a>Kulemin steps forward as if he's going to replace Grabbo...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwdQWE0crBFmhOex_ySiVgzt3DkeduzTPaqd95vtWaBOatkHJz4tHsJov4Lc4bEw2s8fDQepQe_brrSvXvl5R2Eg8e5_Ls8jOEdVM40Op_0pymvPDwiUAJ0UhLDJmwZkTCPPnhLfHiU0/s1600/Picture+22.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIwdQWE0crBFmhOex_ySiVgzt3DkeduzTPaqd95vtWaBOatkHJz4tHsJov4Lc4bEw2s8fDQepQe_brrSvXvl5R2Eg8e5_Ls8jOEdVM40Op_0pymvPDwiUAJ0UhLDJmwZkTCPPnhLfHiU0/s320/Picture+22.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547240220743014834" border="0" /></a>...but then Kessel calls him off and slips between them to take the draw. Grabbo and Kulemin drop back into position, and when they do...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kiCJSY3U-3ZodRqGh0OvVySItN3fhdEWCZHWHzRiVfD3EtFXMsinaEn-1DOJW6q_d2h0I7JIsuRM4HwdFLMrClBwnos2OY9GVfIpmtNguyD6wNBg_-8zoCQ90M7zZ6amcWMNi3-Cgmo/s1600/Picture+23.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kiCJSY3U-3ZodRqGh0OvVySItN3fhdEWCZHWHzRiVfD3EtFXMsinaEn-1DOJW6q_d2h0I7JIsuRM4HwdFLMrClBwnos2OY9GVfIpmtNguyD6wNBg_-8zoCQ90M7zZ6amcWMNi3-Cgmo/s320/Picture+23.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547239769289137538" border="0" /></a>...Grabbo takes Kulemin's spot on the <span style="font-style: italic;">inside </span>and Kulemin takes Kessel's spot in the high slot. This little switcharoo momentarily confuses Chara and the Bruins right before the draw.<br /><br />Kessel doesn't get an assist on the goal but he deserves to as he wins the draw cleanly back to Kaberle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38tOZh7MzOZ8SO2W3J2ZG99RVOwvU3yVIQhIS8mg5eZJ_yQDvxK6jhYjdwKPgCs1pK2R2YeeTJQ9RMnMj35nTft63kLe53yudqAZ-pKHY_nPAQWJgpWOXfkmz2kyBCSvXz4ZfCiUwoI/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38tOZh7MzOZ8SO2W3J2ZG99RVOwvU3yVIQhIS8mg5eZJ_yQDvxK6jhYjdwKPgCs1pK2R2YeeTJQ9RMnMj35nTft63kLe53yudqAZ-pKHY_nPAQWJgpWOXfkmz2kyBCSvXz4ZfCiUwoI/s320/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547239599273228146" border="0" /></a>Kaberle gathers the puck at the right point...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQAT2-1UIlP5qBNAyiPeM32ltxI4hsDnRdsW-4Lt1cPypU0YCUjHfWP22xvrG8QUQvBPSTE1w2EG2n-LvXYxKIv8tsLtJPVinLaMKdjcUp0WfmFRih3BLUlXHv4CAd2p_RHwnbal5IT0/s1600/Picture+25.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQAT2-1UIlP5qBNAyiPeM32ltxI4hsDnRdsW-4Lt1cPypU0YCUjHfWP22xvrG8QUQvBPSTE1w2EG2n-LvXYxKIv8tsLtJPVinLaMKdjcUp0WfmFRih3BLUlXHv4CAd2p_RHwnbal5IT0/s320/Picture+25.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547239478653573522" border="0" /></a>...and cruises into the centre of the ice along the blueline...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjA_pfZ63iV1SIasMDt2qBEzh2LC3h-XnaoTJsXpIPif0B4TzDsSJaVk8g-VFp9fZ2tDiVN95sjAdxnGjtAXMMyhL_iEfoK_esWsrL9oTY-dQtYcUNItyE9C63_Ec5NAsMH24DnxnxDc/s1600/Picture+27.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjA_pfZ63iV1SIasMDt2qBEzh2LC3h-XnaoTJsXpIPif0B4TzDsSJaVk8g-VFp9fZ2tDiVN95sjAdxnGjtAXMMyhL_iEfoK_esWsrL9oTY-dQtYcUNItyE9C63_Ec5NAsMH24DnxnxDc/s320/Picture+27.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238808500697986" border="0" /></a>...and continues all the way over to the left point.<br /><br />Let's rewind that:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38tOZh7MzOZ8SO2W3J2ZG99RVOwvU3yVIQhIS8mg5eZJ_yQDvxK6jhYjdwKPgCs1pK2R2YeeTJQ9RMnMj35nTft63kLe53yudqAZ-pKHY_nPAQWJgpWOXfkmz2kyBCSvXz4ZfCiUwoI/s1600/Picture+24.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_38tOZh7MzOZ8SO2W3J2ZG99RVOwvU3yVIQhIS8mg5eZJ_yQDvxK6jhYjdwKPgCs1pK2R2YeeTJQ9RMnMj35nTft63kLe53yudqAZ-pKHY_nPAQWJgpWOXfkmz2kyBCSvXz4ZfCiUwoI/s320/Picture+24.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547239599273228146" border="0" /></a>Look where he came from...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjA_pfZ63iV1SIasMDt2qBEzh2LC3h-XnaoTJsXpIPif0B4TzDsSJaVk8g-VFp9fZ2tDiVN95sjAdxnGjtAXMMyhL_iEfoK_esWsrL9oTY-dQtYcUNItyE9C63_Ec5NAsMH24DnxnxDc/s1600/Picture+27.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjA_pfZ63iV1SIasMDt2qBEzh2LC3h-XnaoTJsXpIPif0B4TzDsSJaVk8g-VFp9fZ2tDiVN95sjAdxnGjtAXMMyhL_iEfoK_esWsrL9oTY-dQtYcUNItyE9C63_Ec5NAsMH24DnxnxDc/s320/Picture+27.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238808500697986" border="0" /></a>...and where he went. Kaberle draws every Bruin over to one side of the ice and <span style="font-weight: bold;">rotated the set-up 90 degrees</span> to the left. Now, not only are the Bruins not sure who they should be covering, they're not even sure where they should be.<br /><br />Just as Kabby has everyone's attention and has them all leaning on the wrong foot...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2qpt_5JkhcHvh6U4F-aIkF-GJkYejrsrTXZvszdbJF6VEYlO9tBZc3hvsMRU3oA0z1Xschw-yfZ30yYvZEDpyH_6bY9gkK88Tb9VnEfP7O9B_5t65S6m6jrE9jz9IfsYLktw5fZnW5U/s1600/Picture+26.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2qpt_5JkhcHvh6U4F-aIkF-GJkYejrsrTXZvszdbJF6VEYlO9tBZc3hvsMRU3oA0z1Xschw-yfZ30yYvZEDpyH_6bY9gkK88Tb9VnEfP7O9B_5t65S6m6jrE9jz9IfsYLktw5fZnW5U/s320/Picture+26.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238952987206418" border="0" /></a>...he slips the pass over to MacArthur, now manning the right point.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TWOvdemyaY1GIwuXUKolBRAPauw1CXce838rEE5MUuSeuPyIOd3F08U0u_LclDVcZwnXpI5nFa-A832SV1tese_eimySjUV9UcgPBphCh6Fhlp7cpW3hjnnxptFOgs5TQDlhjiTWkI/s1600/Picture+28.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0TWOvdemyaY1GIwuXUKolBRAPauw1CXce838rEE5MUuSeuPyIOd3F08U0u_LclDVcZwnXpI5nFa-A832SV1tese_eimySjUV9UcgPBphCh6Fhlp7cpW3hjnnxptFOgs5TQDlhjiTWkI/s320/Picture+28.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238695007660466" border="0" /></a>As everyone scrambles from left to right, MacArthur blasts it as hard as he can...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd_51STR2HPD12-bmhe1vXJ4jIeqnFH5w0FZuetyOwXGB1HbJ7lf3e-TutN4lDLW_YpHLCgsfLcFx8P96CyuXIaJg2PE0nliSQtsbEthMgnXEPJUcImUqpdSUKgfAT2np1S8WFT5FP14/s1600/Picture+29.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZd_51STR2HPD12-bmhe1vXJ4jIeqnFH5w0FZuetyOwXGB1HbJ7lf3e-TutN4lDLW_YpHLCgsfLcFx8P96CyuXIaJg2PE0nliSQtsbEthMgnXEPJUcImUqpdSUKgfAT2np1S8WFT5FP14/s320/Picture+29.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238546546383314" border="0" /></a>...INTENTIONALLY wide right. As the Bruins continue to scramble to the Leafs right,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> all of them have their backs turned to Versteeg</span> who's dropped down low on the left.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe1UbQh4TM0g760lnRg5DFhI-DsILrwxOhBEPhi3NpOszuS4tw_rvVXGkVZBpq7yc1hXHqKY_6oLPVbdzIb9uTcMnTNXdLXhYTcMueub1auM7oAUBXYyGYAOeVJk83d9-Rb1Ua5Kgo28/s1600/Picture+30.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZe1UbQh4TM0g760lnRg5DFhI-DsILrwxOhBEPhi3NpOszuS4tw_rvVXGkVZBpq7yc1hXHqKY_6oLPVbdzIb9uTcMnTNXdLXhYTcMueub1auM7oAUBXYyGYAOeVJk83d9-Rb1Ua5Kgo28/s320/Picture+30.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238364049301202" border="0" /></a>The puck banks hard off the backboards and comes right to Versteeg.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErVjKfuLdMFVAduNFryMKugmVJuu7b3QEtBAHSL2eOzYURbV2MJ4V3v7lPzpPs_oRDGeERSHrMD-Qy-CYy9pUrwuUsHulLyGiqDP2Ars6otzBGFoUWG8LsAJNDnSFufrvSR3dYiMZpP8/s1600/Picture+31.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhErVjKfuLdMFVAduNFryMKugmVJuu7b3QEtBAHSL2eOzYURbV2MJ4V3v7lPzpPs_oRDGeERSHrMD-Qy-CYy9pUrwuUsHulLyGiqDP2Ars6otzBGFoUWG8LsAJNDnSFufrvSR3dYiMZpP8/s320/Picture+31.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547238176987769650" border="0" /></a>Thomas is completely out of position and Versteeg reacts quickly and puts the puck in the top corner of the open net. Tie game.<br /><br />That the Leafs would go on to collect 2 points by winning the shoot-out makes it that much sweeter.<br /><br />What a great goal to rescue the best team effort we've seen all season. And what a crazy, complicated, cunning and inspired strategy that I have no doubt was entirely orchestrated by Ron "Deep Blue" Wilson (who also made the gutsy decision to throw Nazem Kadri out first-up in the shoot-out). And for once the players finally executed with the necessary precision.<br /><br />Nice to see a 65+ minute effort from the crew and nice to see Wilson make a difference. Hopefully this is a turning point in our season.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-30177115216678907332010-12-03T16:20:00.004-05:002010-12-03T22:46:29.641-05:008-2-3 When Scoring In Either Of The First Two Periods, 0-10-1 When They Don't<span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>nytime the Leafs score within the first 40 minutes of the opening face-off, their chances of success improve dramatically. Anytime the Leafs score in the 1st or 2nd period, the excitement value of the game skyrockets.<br /><br />Everytime the 2nd period ends and the Leafs have yet to score a goal, I'm reminded of a quote from Brian Burke from way back in the first week of the season:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Then, the rest of it for me is, we want to have a certain attitude. We want to play an entertaining style. We don’t trap. We pursue the puck in all three zones. We hit in all three zones. We fight. And we try to score a lot of goals. We’re not afraid to trade chances because our D is good because our goaltending is good, we’re not afraid to trade chances, which leads to an entertaining hockey game.”</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />“<span style="font-style: italic;">My teams play a style that’s designed to entertain."</span></span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">-</span><a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/brianburke/article/873102--the-brian-burke-method"><span style="font-size:85%;">Brian Burke speaks with Paul Hunter</span></a><span style="font-size:85%;">, published October 8th, 2010<br /></span><br />October 18th vs NYIslanders,<br />after 4o minutes 1-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> NYI, final score 2-1OT.<br /><br />October 21st vs NYRangers,<br />after 40 minutes 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> NYR, final score 2-1.<br /><br />October 28th vs Boston,<br />after 40 minutes 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Bos, final score 2-<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">0</span></strong>.<br /><br />October 30th vs NYRangers,<br />after 40 minutes 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> NYR, final score 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>0</strong></span>.<br /><br />November 2nd vs Ottawa,<br />after 40 minutes 3-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Ott, final score 3-2.<br /><br />November 9th vs Tampa Bay,<br />after 40 minutes 3-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> TB, final score 4-<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">0</span></strong>.<br /><br />November 10th vs Florida,<br />after 40 minutes 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Fl, final score 4-1.<br /><br />November 20th vs Montreal,<br />after 40 minutes 1-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Mon, final score 2-<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">0</span></strong>.<br /><br />November 26th vs Buffalo,<br />after 40 minutes 2-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Buf, final score 3-1.<br /><br />November 27th vs Ottawa,<br />after 40 minutes 3-<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >0</span> Ott, final score 3-<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">0</span></strong>.<br /><br />December 2nd vs Edmonton,<br />after 40 minutes 3-<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">0</span></span> Edm, finals score 5-<strong><span style="font-size:130%;">0</span></strong>.<br /><br />Scoreless after 2 periods 11 times and shutout completely 6 times in 24 games - 25% - zero Leaf goals in 1 out of every 4 games so far this season.<br /><br />This isn't entertaining at all. No NHL team with a fan base this big should have this little to cheer bout.<br /><br />Is it possible that the Leafs have learned all they can from Wilson? Isn't it possible that the team could retain the best aspects of Wilson's teachings and keep it in their back pocket while moving on with a fresh approach? The Leafs are well versed in their responsibilities but what they seem to need is someone who can spark their imaginations and get the offence rolling. Someone focused on scoring goals and winning now. Someone who grants freedom and allows creativity and someone who inspires courage and determination.<br /><br />Someone who forgives mistakes so there's no fear in making them. Someone that promotes confidence, not insecurity. Someone who encourages the players to celebrate their success.<br /><br />Someone who can teach them about Wendel and Dougie and Mats.<br /><br />I'm not gonna tell you who I'd bring in as interim-coach for the rest of the season, but I'll give you a hint: it's <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2008/05/is-there-todd-gill-that-isnt-todd-gill.html">a name I've mentioned before</a>, and it begins with "Todd" and it ends with "Gill" and it rhymes with "Totally Awesome".<br /><br />If he's not availbale, my second choice is Frantisek Kaberle Sr.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-82946287016868168132010-12-01T23:45:00.004-05:002010-12-02T00:04:52.182-05:00The Word Is Leaf: November<div><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ey Gang! Sorry for the absence of posts and updates from this corner. Time and inspiration are in short supply these days.<br /></div><br /><div></div><div>Someday, I'd like to do a post reflecting on the life and career of Pat Burns, celebrating the great work and character that he brought to the game. He had a wonderful impact here in Toronto, as he did everywhere he went. He will be remembered and missed.<br /><br />I'm kinda cheating with <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Word%20Is%20Leaf">The Word Is Leaf</a> this month. There were a lot of things said, a lot of excuses, and a lot of cynicism, but none of it seems humourous now, and only one quote really deserved merit and pointing out:<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"You can say all you want about getting shots, but guys are playing soft in their end and in front, guys aren't competing, getting to the hard areas. It's pretty easy for their defencemen to box our forwards out. We're just not battling hard enough... Have a little will, take pride in getting to the net and take pride in scoring goals. Goals don't come free in this league. From the perimeter, guys have to be a little more hungrier."</span></span><br />-future Captain <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/report/TOR/14363542/maple-leafs-report-inside-shots?source=rss_teams_Toronto_Maple_Leafs">Luke Schenn</a><br /><br />Here's a rundown of some random thoughts;<br /><br />* I really feel for Schenn and Gustavsson as I think they've both been really good this year. I feel bad for Kaberle too and I think he's been excellent overall despite struggling with players that don't have his offensive imagination. However, without a dramatic turnaround and fast, Kaberle's usefulness and value will quickly diminish. For his own sake, I hope Kaberle finds a way off this sinking ship before it's too late.<br /><br />* Versteeg at the point on the powerplay with Kaberle has been a good adjustment.<br /><br />* While Mitchell and Lebda are obvious scapegoats, Tyler Bozak has been the biggest disappointment from an expectation perspective.<br /><br />* Kessel doesn't really seem like himself lately. In October; 7 goals, 2 assists, 9 points in 10 games. For November, 3 goals, 2 assists, 5 points in 13 games.<br /><br />*Clarke MacArthur has suddenly run cold with just 1 assist in his last 5 games and no goals over 12 games since November 2nd.<br /><br />* Nikolai Kulemin, this week's <span style="font-style: italic;">Leaf Of The Week</span>, has scored exactly half of the Leafs goals over the last 5 games - 4 out of 8. Kulemin has 4 goals in the last 5 games while the entire rest of the team has 4 goals combined. And Versteeg has 2 of those.<br /><br />* Kadri added a brief spark when he was brought in - 4 assists in 5 games - but it didn't take long for him to adjust to Wilson's style and attention to detail and in the last 3 games Kadri has settled in as a minus 3 with no points.<br /><br />* And now the really bad news. The Leafs have 4 wins in their last 19 games. 4-11-4 since opening the season 4-0-0.<br /><br />* In the last 19 games, the Leafs have been shutout through 2 periods of play 10 times. Since that miraculous 4-and-oh start, the Leafs have scored a goal in the opening 40 minutes less than half the time...<br /><br />* It's hard to fathom that the two above points can occur without a coaching change being imminent. How can a team endure a 4-11-4 slide without the coach being fired? How can a team go into the 3rd period without a goal 10 times in less then 20 games without the coach being held accountable?<br /><br />* The ACC has often been described as a morgue, but on Tuesday night, with the Leafs ahead 3-2 and just 12.5 seconds on the clock, I was astonished to see the crowd sitting in their seats for the faceoff in the Leafs end after the time-out. Just a dozen seconds away from snapping a two-game losing streak and securing a 4th consecutive victory on <span style="font-style: italic;">home-ice</span>, after a gritty performance by Gustavsson and a limb-sacrificing shift from Mike Brown, and the Toronto audience - the best hockey fans in the world in my estimation- aren't standing and clapping and urging the Leafs on to victory. They're just sitting there, passively observing. It's curious. My first inclination was that these fat cats in the gold and platinum seats just don't care about hockey the way the middle-class and working-class do, but that's a pretty silly generalization that unfairly judges people I don't know. I don't understand how the economy works so I can't really discuss it, but there's no law that says that any amount of money you have should stop you from caring about whatever you want to care about, including hockey teams.<br /><br />Instead, what I think we're seeing, and it's not just limited to the sushi-crowd but is actually happening in every corner of Leafs Nation, is total <span style="font-style: italic;">disenchantment</span>. A reluctance, nay even a refusal, to embrace and believe in our own fantasy constructs. Complete emotional disengagement while remaining utterly fixated. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the Britney Spears of the NHL. The world's most popular train wreck.<br /></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-89806512275064577872010-11-15T23:15:00.004-05:002010-11-16T22:38:00.914-05:00Free Gunnar Now<span style="font-size:180%;">F</span>rom what I gather, Keith Aulie made a positive impression in his debut performance, despite the Leafs losing for the 8th straight game. To be honest, the only thing I noticed about Aulie is that he's really big, but most of the reviews I've seen were kind. Still, he finished the night a minus 1 over 14 minutes of ice-time, so not a great impact.<br /><br />Now, I really don't have anything critical to say about Aulie, but I can't help wondering why on earth does Carl Gunnarsson have to continue sitting in the press box? It's bad enough that he's been pushed aside to find ice-time for Lebda, but now Gunnar is sitting out healthy for somebody else's NHL debut while the Leafs are in the midst of terrible slide? Is the Leafs record of 1 win in their last 12 Gunnarsson's fault? Seriously, what did Gunnarsson do to get so deep in Wilson's dog house?<br /><br />Our first loss of the year was the first game Gunnarsson sat out. Our first regulation loss was the very next game, with Gunnarsson still in the press box. Gunnarrson returned the next game, but now the wheels had fallen off, and the Leafs lost once more, 5-2 to Philadelphia. Since then, Gunnar has appeared in just 4 of the last 9 games. Why?<br /><br />Through 9 games this season, Gunnarsson's plus/minus is even. He picked up his first point of the season, an assist, on November 3rd, an overtime loss to Washington. He's played one game since then.<br /><br />Brett Lebda, after 9 games played, is a team-worst minus 7. He's a minus 6 in the last 5 games and a minus 5 in the last 3. He has zero points, yet hasn't been a healthy scratch since November 2nd.<br /><br />The Leafs record with Gunnarsson in the line-up is 4-4-1. With Lebda in the line-up, their record is 1-5-3.<br /><br />I'm seriously confused by this.<br /><br />When Phaneuf was acquired, I lamented the fact that Komisarek's season had been shortened due to injury. As the season wound down, Gunnarsson was proving himself a very capable top 4 defenceman. In the summer, I agonized through the suspense of Kaberle's trade window, hoping desperately that the Leafs best six defenders would get their chance to suit up together. Finally, after waiting since January 31st, the Leafs season began with a blue line that was truly worthy of getting excited about.<br /><br />Phaneuf. Kaberle. Beauchemin. Komisarek. Schenn. Gunnarsson.<br /><br />They didn't disappoint. The Leafs won 4 straight.<br /><br />Komisarek struggled early and his minutes were down. Wilson left him in there to find his game, and he did. With the injury to Phaneuf, Komisarek has seen a huge increase in minutes and responsibilities, and he was ready for it and has responded well.<br /><br />Gunnarsson was not afforded a chance to struggle and was yanked from the line-up as soon as he did. His efforts to rediscover his game have ever since been thwarted by not being allowed consistent playing time, and meanwhile the team's confidence is plummeting around him in a downward spiral.<br /><br />I'm all for bringin' in Aulie as an extra defenceman and giving him ice time - ahead of Lebda. But Gunnarsson, unless he has injury trouble we're not aware of, should be in the line-up on a nightly basis, no question. He was a good player for us last season over 43 games with a team leading plus 8. He was more a part of this team then Jeff Finger was, or Exelby, and he should be contributing more this year then Brett Lebda. Now, with Phaneuf out of the line-up, there's no excuse nor reason for Gunnarsson to still be trying to sort things out from the press box. Let him find his game on the ice, fighting for the 4th-5th spot and not for the 6th-7th.<br /><br />Seriously, Gunnar deserves mention - and a spot - alongside Schenn(+3), Kaberle(+2), Komisarek(+3), and Beachemin(+3). These guys are great, but they're not leagues ahead of Gunnarsson, and collectively they've lost their shine since Gunnar's demotion. He's not in the same category as Lebda, or Exelby, or Finger, so I don't know why you'd treat him like he is.<br /><br />Some players go through slumps, and sophomores seem to get it the worst, but the only cure is believing in yourself and having success on the ice. It's chicken and the egg, but that's the way it goes. The best players don't dwell on bad games and past mistakes. They forget it, move on, and bounce back.<br /><br />Let me be clear about this:<br /><br /><span>Carl Gunnarsson, 9 games:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> even plus/minus.</span><br /><br /><span>Brett Lebda, 9 games:</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> team-low minus 7.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">“<span style="font-style: italic;">Confidence is something that doesn't come that easy</span>,” <a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/880232">said Gunnarsson</a>. “<span style="font-style: italic;">Once you lose it, it's tough to get it back</span>.”</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/82/0d/4c59db4c46d0a139d84fedb940b5.jpeg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 410px; height: 275px;" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/82/0d/4c59db4c46d0a139d84fedb940b5.jpeg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Great. Now the kid's wondering if he's worse than Brett Lebda. Nice going, Wilson.<br /><br />All Gunnarsson needs to regain his confidence - and form - is regular ice-time and a show of faith. And as a key member on our exceptional blueline, on a team that's entirely without answers, it's the least he deserves.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-61168797631393435642010-11-12T16:20:00.013-05:002010-11-12T17:32:57.571-05:00Grabbo Gonna Get Kessel Going<span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>ickey Grabbs is my choice for <em>Leaf of the Week</em>, one of only two Leafs that have stood out for me recently with solid performances (Kulemin is the other). Grabbo has been in on all 3 Leaf goals scored this week (yes, just 3 goals in 3 games for the <em>entire team</em>), scoring twice and assisting on the other. He's currently in a 3-way tie for 2nd in team scoring along with Kessel and Kulemin, each with 9 points after 15 games.<br /><a href="http://www.sport-tv.si/images/iman/grabovski1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 400px; height: 400px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="http://www.sport-tv.si/images/iman/grabovski1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Grabovski's other de facto linemate, MacArthur is the team leader, jumping ahead of the pack by 3 points with 12. That Grabbo's line holds 3 of the top 4 spots in points clearly puts the responsibility for the team's scoring woes on the shoulders of Bozak and Versteeg. Bozak is currently on pace for less then a 30-point season.<br /><br />Grabovski's real eyebrow-raising stat is his plus/minus. A most pleasing <strong>+7</strong>, Grabbo leads the team in that department and has only been on the negative side of the ledger once this season (minus 1 in the 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay).<br /><br />Clarke MacArthur has the 2nd best plus/minus at +6, and in 3rd is, surprise surprise, Tomas Kaberle with a respectable +4. I noticed after the Leafs very depressing 4-1 loss to the Panthers, that Kaberle somehow escaped the night as a +1. Meanwhile, Kabby and Grabbo are now tied for the team lead in Assists with 7 each.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Importance Of Scoring First</span></strong><br /><br />If the Leafs are going to make tracks in the standings, it's imperative that they get on the board first to give themselves the best possible chance of success. The team has scored the first goal of a game at just a 40% rate - 6 times in 15 games - not entirely terrible, but when they do score first, their record is 4-0-2. Ten of a possible 12 points and no losses in regulation.<br /><br />When their opponents get the first goal, the Leafs are a dismal, and nearly hopeless, 1-7-1. Three of a possible 18 points.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Importance Of Scoring In The 1st Period</span></strong><br /><br />The Leafs record when they score in the 1st period is identical to when they open the scoring. Nine times they've been shut-out through the opening 20 minutes and in those nine games their only victory came in the 4th game, a 4-3 overtime victory against the Rangers in which the Leafs dominated the 2nd period after giving up the opening goal in the 1st. In games when the Leafs do score in the opening period, again the Leafs are 4-0-2 without a loss in regulation.<br /><br />On the other hand, in the 9 games that the Leafs have been held scoreless in the 1st, the Leafs have followed up that scoreless 1st period 6 times - a 66% ratio - by not scoring again in the 2nd. Awesome. Unbelievably, the Leafs have been shutout through 2 periods of play 6 times already in just 15 games (40%) and shutout completely 3 times (20%).<br /><br />In the last 8 games, Leaf fans have agonized through scoring droughts that lasted 2 hours 27 minutes 40 seconds AND 2 hours 22 minutes 44 seconds.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">The Importance Of Scoring At All</span></strong><br /><br />There's nothing more demoralizing then being shutout. Grabovski's latest tally, which broke our second longest shutout streak of the year, was welcome relief, even if it had no impact on the outcome. As bad as it was to lose back-to-back games in Florida, I imagine that without the Grabovski goal, the psychological distress of being <em>blanked</em> for two games in the sunshine state and coming home amidst what would have been a 149:19 run of impotence, might have been near-overwhelming for Wilson and his crew. That one goal, by Grabovski, coming in the 3rd period of a game well out of reach, allowed the Leafs to return from their Florida trip merely embarrassed, and not utterly humiliated.<br /><br />It makes sense now for Wilson to pair Grabovski with Kessel in an attempt to get the latter going and back on the scoresheet. Because, while Bozak and Versteeg can largely be blamed for the team's offensive slump, it's Kessel's contribution, or lack of, that determines whether we win or lose. I wrote <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2010/04/one-man-show.html">a post on this subject</a> at the end of last season, and after having another look, I've updated my findings. Kessel's production is absolutely vital to the cause; behold:<br /><br />In the last 41 games, half a season, going back to Feb. 2nd , the first game after acquiring Phaneuf and Giguere...<br /><br /><strong>When Kessel tally’s a goal OR an assist, the Leafs record is:</strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">15-3-2</span><br />When Kessel is held without a point, the Leafs record is:</strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">3-14-4</span></strong><br /><br />Hopefully Grabovski and Kessel will find a way to put up points together and help turn this sinking ship around. The key to beating the Leafs is obviously to keep Phil Kessel off the scoreboard, so it's a smart move for Wilson right now to do anything he can to get Kessel back on it. And the sooner the better. A first period tally, an early lead, a point for Kessel, is all the Leafs need for there to be a much more positive outlook. <p></p>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-24015260031764975682010-11-08T23:55:00.003-05:002010-11-09T09:36:57.655-05:00Off His Rocker<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I</span>f you hadn't guessed, Ron Wilson's been getting on my nerves a bit recently. And it's not just the team's struggles that are bothering me, though that's where it begins and ends, but also the cold, cynical, sarcastic, snarky nature that Wilson employs when speaking, <i>through the media,</i> to the public.<br /><br />I think Wilson forgets sometimes that he isn't just speaking to the reporters assembled, but to the masses. The people holding microphones and notepads are only there because Leaf fans are listening and reading. That's the audience. Reporters and journalists and columnists and even bloggers just record the things that are said and sometimes they flaunt their opinion to add or create context, but the conversation is with the audience, and a condescending attitude is a shtick that wears thin real quick.<br /><br /><a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/08/leafs-stuck-with-what-theyve-got/">For instance</a>:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"We’re a .500 team and apparently we should be 1.000,”</span></i><br /><br />Wrong. No one is suggesting we should still have a perfect record, but you know what? We could have been 1.000 after game 5, but instead Lebda took a goaltender interference penalty in overtime. Two people are responsible for that; Lebda and the coach. Also, .500 sucks. That's not a measure of success or acceptability. Please don't start talking that way. That's a losers attitude.<br /><br />Ya, I know I'm being harsh but I'm tired of Wilson's preoccupation with his high horse keeping his clothes clean while the team and fans wallow in muck. Take some responsibility. <a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/08/leafs-stuck-with-what-theyve-got/">For instance</a>:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"I mean, it suddenly switched from Lindy Ruff to me overnight, and it’s always coming out of Toronto. There is some coach in the league that we’re talking about and I get asked not just about my own situation, but every other coach who is losing a couple of games and it always seems to come out of Toronto, not from the city where the coach is struggling a little bit.”</span></i><br /><br />Are you joking? First of all, who won the game that night? Second, the <i>always coming out of Toronto</i> thing is a red herring. Of course you're going to get asked about your situation and others, and of course a greater percentage of the news-narrative will originate from Toronto, and aside from Ron Wilson, there are no other NHL head coaches working in Toronto so they have to be from somewhere else by default. It's enough to make me think he's gone off his rocker. <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=nc-sabresleafs110610">For instance</a>, from before the ill-fated loss to the Sabres:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“That’s half the problem with our society,” Leafs coach Ron Wilson said after the morning skate, leaping to the defense of his colleague. “You’re married to your wife, and you have a rough spot … ‘Oh, that’s it. I’m getting a new wife.’ We see that every damn day in our society. We just get rid of things.<br /><br />“The one thing you don’t generally do is get rid of your kids.” </span></i><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br />Laughter.<br /><br />“I don’t think.”<br /><br />More laughter.<br /><br />“Not many people say, ‘That’s it. I’m trading my kids for a new set of kids,’ right?”</span></i><br /><br />According to <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=nc-sabresleafs110610">Nicholas J. Cotsonika</a>, Wilson "leaped" to the defence of his Buffalo counterpart and seemingly got on a roll after only gentle prodding. This assumption is backed up by <a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/06/leafs-coach-ron-wilson-unplugged/">Sean Fitz-Gerald</a> who wrote in the Post:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson </span></i><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">got on a roll during his pre-game briefing</span></i></b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> with reporters on Saturday, touching on everything from the status of the modern family to the continued development of Luke Schenn and the notion of the NHL adopting a system for coaches to challenge on-ice calls."</span></i><br /><br />By the way, the quote from Wilson in which he ponders disposing of family members and exposes the root of half our society's damn habitual problems is one of the strangest tangents I've ever heard from a sports personality in Toronto. It's bizarre. I'd love to hear more from Ron Wilson about his bitter contempt for society and know what the other half of our problems are but I'm not sure why he's thinking about that and not about hockey. Who cares about Lindy Ruff? Or society?<br /><br />But that was just the tail-end of his answer. It began a long ways back, according to <a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/06/leafs-coach-ron-wilson-unplugged/">the Post</a>. Keep in mind this is only a "partial" transcript:<br /><br /><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">On whether rumours about job security – based on the speculation swirling around Sabres coach Lindy Ruff – can become a distraction</span></b></i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“Well, I’ve had enough of that here. It happens most of the time. You lose two in a row, you should be fired or something. I don’t think that it’s a distraction to Lindy. How long has he been there? 13 years? So, along the way, if he’s been there 13 years, probably 30 times someone has said he should be fired.<br /><br />“To take on a job of this magnitude, you have to have a fairly thick skin. And you have to believe in yourself. And over time, Lindy’s done a great job. They’ve been in this same spot four or five times along the way. You just have to be patient.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span><i><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">On the importance of trust and support between a coach and a general manager:</span></b></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“I don’t know what’s going on in the Buffalo organization, but coming in (the media room), I hate to say this, but your opinions don’t really matter in the board room or in the locker room. You guys have your opinions. And whatever’s going on in Buffalo, I guarantee you they’ve got their finger on the pulse.”</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /><br /></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"They’re just going through a rough time right now. You go through a rough time in your life."</span></i><br /><br />And <i>then</i> Wilson launches into his tirade against the North American way of life. These aren't answers to questions. This is just him going off. Finally he wraps it up with a cryptic comment that sounds more like he's talking about his own situation then anything to do with Lindy Ruff:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“You’re going to have rocky times. You stick in there. You battle through it. Don’t take the easy way out. You’ll be better off for it in the long run.”</span></i><br /><br />So it seems to me that Wilson was far from bombarded with questions he didn't want to answer about his well-respected colleague but was quite happy to jump in there and lead the conversation, and then unwittingly turned it in his direction when he put himself in the scenario and projected the outcome. You're going to have rocky times. You stick in there. You battle through it. Don't take the easy way out. Who's he talking about? Lindy Ruff still? He's gone existential on us, just like Paul Maurice did.<br /><br />It's interesting to me that Wilson hasn't had stronger words for the team's performance but instead found a way to praise them while <a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/11/08/leafs-stuck-with-what-theyve-got/">appraising his own work</a>:<br /><br /><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"Defensively, with a couple of exceptions, we’ve played very well, we’ve kept the shots down. Our penalty killing, except for two games last week, has been excellent, we’ve really improved in that area … at some point it’s all going to click in, and we’ll start to see the results we expect.”</span></i><br /><br />I like that part at the end. Finally, some optimism and encouragement. I can't wait until "some point" comes, and I'm sure that when it does and people say what a great job the Leafs coaching staff have done to turn things around, Wilson will have none of that and will deflect credit to the players who overachieved their talent and finally caught up to his coaching ability.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-66617691640182767312010-11-05T13:10:00.005-04:002010-11-05T15:32:00.074-04:00Money In The Bank<span style="font-size:180%;">M</span>ike Komisarek is my choice for <em><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Leaf of the Week</span></strong></em> based on the last 4 games. I believe he's the most improved Leafs player since the start of the season, but maybe that was to be expected for a player coming back from a long layoff. The last 2 games he's been arguably the best Leaf on the ice. This past week he's seen his ice-time climb from 11:01 in Boston last Thursday, to 26:02 Wednesday night in Washington.<br /><br />And this pass Komi lays out to Versteeg to send him in for the tying goal is an absolute beauty:<br /><object height="330" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3qtBaIivrA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D3qtBaIivrA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="330"></embed></object><br /><br /><b><span style="font-size:130%;">Captain Overboard</span></b><br /><br />Of course, the rise in Komi's ice-time is entirely related to the tragic circumstance of filling in for the injured Captain. A deserved reflection of Komi's improved play, but not by design.<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size:130%;">"The bottom line is that Dion has wrought a considerable culture change with our team and he's done it almost singlehandedly."</span></i><br />-<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=339620">Burke</a><br /><br />Dripping with irony, this statement becomes an unintended challenge to every member of the team to make their mark and prove their worth in the absence of Phaneuf.<br /><br />Luke Schenn has been awesome this year, looks like a future Captain, and played another outstanding game on Wednesday. But I also thought Komisarek, Beauchemin, and Kaberle - all 3 wearing the familiar A on their sweaters - stood out for playing an intense spirited game, especially in the 3rd period. As much as Gustavsson deserves credit for stealing a point with some unbelievable stops, so too do the Leafs top four defenders for their inspiring efforts.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Hard Times</span></strong><br /><br />1-5-2 after a 4-0-0 start, yet this team showed remarkable character in the 3rd period against Washington to steal a point, and <em>nearly</em> two. Now they'll have to continue building that character in the absence of Phaneuf over the next four weeks and somehow establish a team identity and a winning attitude without the larger-then-life personage of Dion to guide them.<br /><br />I'm hoping the competitiveness and confidence of the rest of the players is as underrated as Phaneuf's leadership is overrated. Otherwise...<br /><br />I think we've overdrawn on our deposit.<br /><br /><i><span style="font-size:130%;">"This is money in the bank for us when we hit hard times."</span></i><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/876523--leafs-better-in-almost-every-way">Wilson</a><br /><br />That didn't take long. One win in our last 8 games. With or without a Captain, we can't afford to prolong our tail-spin.<br /><br />I was all set to write an angry post demanding an end to Wilson's run behind the bench, and who knows - it might still be coming, but the Leafs made a truly startling turnaround in the 3rd period, and as mentioned, key players gave inspirational performances and elevated their game.<br /><br />I don't know <i>where</i> that inspiration came from, could've been behind the bench, so we give Wilson the benefit of the doubt for one more game perhaps. Because it was a truly stunning comeback, even if we didn't hold on for the win.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Inspiration</span></strong><br /><br />One thing I am concerned about with this team is the motivation factor. They'd better learn to play for themselves and for each other, 'cause it's obvious that they don't play for the coach. Wilson comes across as a firm no-nonsense straightshooter, but also as a horrible motivator. Seems to only lead with the stick and never the carrot. The focus seems to be on positioning, not passion. Diligence, and not drive. Jobs, but not joy.<br /><br />I honestly can't imagine any group of players rallying around coach Wilson like they would for Scotty Bowman or Pat Burns. It may be that it's not necessary for players to like their coach or agree with their decisions, but I'm not so sure. I think it helps a little.<br /><br />Wilson's style is very demanding and requires the players work hard, and skate hard, continuously. For the most part, the effort and execution is there, sometimes stubbornly so, as even when it's not succeeding the Leafs rarely abandon the game plan and rigidly maintain their system. The players have bought into a determined, disciplined style of play but are not seeing much in the way of rewards or success.<br /><br />Individually, players have grown and learned, but collectively there's a lack of spirit and chemistry. Mostly what alerts me to the fact that this isn't a happy group is the lack of enthusiasm towards winning and scoring from Toronto's key offensive contributors. Versteeg, Kessel, and most alarmingly, Grabovski, appear to be missing that sparkle-magic in their eyes and flare in their step. Now, I'm not asking for anyone to pretend their stick is blazing like Jimi Hendrix' guitar, but after back-to-back shutouts, it'd be nice to see 3rd period outbursts greeted with some genuine excitement and emotion from the players.<br /><br />They seem too uptight for celebration. My concern is that Wilson's snarky, grey, miserable demeanor, while beneficial in producing a sound, disciplined and tireless, defensive approach, lacks the motivational thrust needed to get the players to elevate their game, and does nothing to encourage their enthusiasm for success.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">FJM</span></strong><br /><br />I still believe in the rest of this team. Even Lebda. But no amount of coaching is going to fix John Mitchell. His poor clearing attempt on the PK, already much lamented, led to the Capitals tying goal, yet it's everything Mitchell does AFTER the weak clear that I find so appalling.<br /><br />A one-goal lead, with less then 6 minutes to go in the 3rd period:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBxKEvVRz47_14GKMXi8mXCU9zxdNuq8IvNcs7LvbiPjaPlR2ZaWUTlPEYk_ZfaxdMvF9kq_RtRFHSUmQkhHb2cUnDR2-zSoDf59v1PQtv5lkk88yHSMVe39AzOY5qBOq_HwXR7oEeHU/s1600/Picture+12.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535920515912104770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzBxKEvVRz47_14GKMXi8mXCU9zxdNuq8IvNcs7LvbiPjaPlR2ZaWUTlPEYk_ZfaxdMvF9kq_RtRFHSUmQkhHb2cUnDR2-zSoDf59v1PQtv5lkk88yHSMVe39AzOY5qBOq_HwXR7oEeHU/s320/Picture+12.png" border="0" /></a>First off, Mitchell's angle is all wrong. He's skating directly towards the shooter when really he should be skating towards a point <em>between the shooter and his target</em> and then from there close the distance between himself and the shooter.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ggyw_QunE8d9qmz4mSKDA8ME5F4IZqUWayOBYYGP4SNODtN3GOf2u-PjYAEjO8ltwKL_JUaYmxopbmKOhpqoup5j2_l-o_t19T2yFZ_mF_eoEQgsC-R6uRdWHXT3DCapLWUAjrNLV68/s1600/Picture+13.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535920331076914930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 215px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Ggyw_QunE8d9qmz4mSKDA8ME5F4IZqUWayOBYYGP4SNODtN3GOf2u-PjYAEjO8ltwKL_JUaYmxopbmKOhpqoup5j2_l-o_t19T2yFZ_mF_eoEQgsC-R6uRdWHXT3DCapLWUAjrNLV68/s320/Picture+13.png" border="0" /></a>Mitchell then attempts to block the shot with his outstretched stick and not with his body and the result is predictable. The puck slices right through the shaft of Mitchell's stick and continues towards the net at an uncertain trajectory and velocity.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOR9aCVuefuphVcIyvAEA3dhan1G-JwcQgvGjlHHgeg1LLYfiMttaX8Vue2kLCvjVboerM7Dx7rIve11j23RglRfqtP-XNzOpXogPjZcPfke4F2nbCSWSHm265YZ4jaQ_Cx_74kaFk2s/s1600/Picture+14.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535920109854297602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEOR9aCVuefuphVcIyvAEA3dhan1G-JwcQgvGjlHHgeg1LLYfiMttaX8Vue2kLCvjVboerM7Dx7rIve11j23RglRfqtP-XNzOpXogPjZcPfke4F2nbCSWSHm265YZ4jaQ_Cx_74kaFk2s/s320/Picture+14.png" border="0" /></a>As the puck miraculously bounces through the crease and wide, Mitchell drops the broken stick and appears to give up on the play. For the next 2 seconds, Mitchell goes into zombie-mode.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxFjAFAW8VBWRpJDioIzN3R43_Xm8lQuMU-pUGetpG0Y8BFNWQ-6eo4lK3cmn4r8n1eCGOjgaE2cThnJg6H8TaJWUlzz1b6DGpOhb-50kYNJkjvrbYPtJuUkcpeTLiE6jwuEel2hTxNQ/s1600/Picture+15.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535919877436759058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxFjAFAW8VBWRpJDioIzN3R43_Xm8lQuMU-pUGetpG0Y8BFNWQ-6eo4lK3cmn4r8n1eCGOjgaE2cThnJg6H8TaJWUlzz1b6DGpOhb-50kYNJkjvrbYPtJuUkcpeTLiE6jwuEel2hTxNQ/s320/Picture+15.png" border="0" /></a> As Gustavsson, Beauchemin and Komisarek scramble in the crease, check out Mitchell's body language as he <em>watches</em> Semin coral the puck at the side of the goal.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QCWZ7m6b2RxuKItQqyG-mid2liu4vfgT2FPeidPPZlef9Hqjj93jMiend8wWSal8w69NLQG8bOB3bMUan_qrbw47Yj048uLxX4IfDIHrHZNwHxt_53noGqUTKi1WCWMXcRIcGVZEScQ/s1600/Picture+16.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535919721499503138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QCWZ7m6b2RxuKItQqyG-mid2liu4vfgT2FPeidPPZlef9Hqjj93jMiend8wWSal8w69NLQG8bOB3bMUan_qrbw47Yj048uLxX4IfDIHrHZNwHxt_53noGqUTKi1WCWMXcRIcGVZEScQ/s320/Picture+16.png" border="0" /></a> Arms down at his side, back upright, feet not moving at all, legs are shoulder-width apart as if taking a practice glide and preparing to stop. Zero intensity. Despite being the closest Maple Leaf with an unobstructed path to the goalscorer, Mitchell is doing nothing to pressure or hurry Semin's attempt. There's no sense of urgency coming from Mitchell, only defeat.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1zdhR5mD80ByNKwthKtwPvzTfuzqqG0O_z-CIqUkUxkew2kd3fl11mniiHU7P93J6pgiDD0e79_2BHFttEYG6LrO6eaLO3Fg5dwLQ-0vwJrdS1FhwkN1IVfS4UDwUjlbvw3IvP9aVUk/s1600/Picture+17.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5535919582003474290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 212px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE1zdhR5mD80ByNKwthKtwPvzTfuzqqG0O_z-CIqUkUxkew2kd3fl11mniiHU7P93J6pgiDD0e79_2BHFttEYG6LrO6eaLO3Fg5dwLQ-0vwJrdS1FhwkN1IVfS4UDwUjlbvw3IvP9aVUk/s320/Picture+17.png" border="0" /></a>Sure, Mitchell likely wouldn't have made it in time even if he'd tried, but the point is entirely that <em>he didn't even try</em>. If Beauchemin had somehow managed to get a shinpad in the way and blocked the first attempt, Semin easily would've had time for a second and third whack.<br /><br />Notice how quickly Sjostrom comes into view coming back on the other side, and if you watch the video carefully, compare the body language of Sjostrom and Mitchell immediately after the referee signals the goal (0:07).<br /><object height="330" width="450"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXEfAWijZRY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tXEfAWijZRY?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="450" height="330"></embed></object><br />It may be time for Mitchell to have a fresh start somewhere else where he can try to find his game under less pressure and scrutiny. For now, Wilson is the one who gets the general reprieve, but only as long as the Leafs top defenders - those with a letter on their chests - continue to lead and inspire. As for the offensive woes, it may be that Bozak, Versteeg, and Grabbo are going to have to figure things out on their own and find their smiles without the Captain's cultural influence, and without resorting to throwing tennis balls at each other either. And soon.<br /><br />Wow, this was like 4 posts in one! If you made it all the way through, thanks for dropping by, and Go Leafs Go!general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-59937000637415807902010-10-31T12:31:00.002-04:002010-10-31T15:33:07.561-04:00The Word Is Leaf: October<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">W</span>ell, it's been an interesting month for sure. A 4-0-0 start had lots of people talking positively, but now a 1-4-1 record since, including back-to-back shutout losses to close out the month, has silenced a lot of that enthusiasm. Lots of questions remain about the team's true identity, as the offence is unable to provide a reliable answer. The Leafs continue to puzzle observers, going from a team that couldn't or wouldn't lose at the beginning of the season, to a team that can't or won't score against above-average goaltending. Here's a recap of the best quotes of the month:<br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/3a/46/b3f010af421dab754810704f6003.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 403px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/3a/46/b3f010af421dab754810704f6003.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>“If you go the way training camp went, I think Caputi and Hanson could both make a real good argument that this isn’t a fair result."</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/870295--mitchell-gets-reprieve-as-kadri-caputi-hanson-sent-down-to-marlies">Brian Burke</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0246/8507/5126_crop_340x234.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0246/8507/5126_crop_340x234.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>"This business is cutthroat, and it's no secret."</i></span><br />-sympathetic Marlies teammate, <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/Leafs+Finger+prove+worth/3606731/story.html">Jeff Finger</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/a8/d8/69490c7e4e2aa52538f1ba079f2c.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 410px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/a8/d8/69490c7e4e2aa52538f1ba079f2c.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>“He got a call from the governor on this one. He got a reprieve."</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/870295--mitchell-gets-reprieve-as-kadri-caputi-hanson-sent-down-to-marlies">Burke</a> on the near-execution of Mitchell<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/3552746.bin?size=620x465"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 309px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/3552746.bin?size=620x465" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>“Not going to try to kill everyone the first shift.”</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/871828--trio-of-maple-leafs-looking-for-fresh-start">Mike Komisarek</a> alters his approach<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4379567261_f78428a477.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4379567261_f78428a477.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>“The goal was unbelievable. Everything a little boy in Cambridge pretending he was a Maple Leaf could ask for."</i></span><br />-<a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=539950">Tim "Legend" Brent</a> scores the Leafs first goal of the season<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos.upi.com/topics-Toronto-Maple-Leafs-vs-Pittsburgh-Penguins/a64512b57a96c43fe727fa741d7b89f5/J_1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 414px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 277px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://photos.upi.com/topics-Toronto-Maple-Leafs-vs-Pittsburgh-Penguins/a64512b57a96c43fe727fa741d7b89f5/J_1.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>"Looking at this game, this is one where they tie it last year. This time because of his great saves, we get the win.”</i></span><br />-<a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=539950">Wilson</a> on goaltending, after the first game<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/16/f2/9ab075324058ba08671af4c15e28.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 404px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/16/f2/9ab075324058ba08671af4c15e28.jpeg" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“We need solid goaltending and not lose sleep over who’s starting, or who’s going to play, and can we get through the first five minutes without letting in a soft goal? Those are things we’re not worrying about now.”</span></i><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/872859--giguere-to-start-saturday">Wilson</a> continues to talk about goaltending after the first game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/43/67/0e46c2304a9a87d49ef88b8f50d6.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/43/67/0e46c2304a9a87d49ef88b8f50d6.jpeg" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">"We play simple. We work hard. We listen to the coach. We shoot the puck and play aggressive.”</span></i><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/873367--leafs-lay-a-beating-on-senators">Mikhail Grabovski</a> talks to reporters like a machine-gun talks to a battlefied<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/984/153/wilson_ron_courtesy_381_crop_340x234.jpg?1278296443"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/984/153/wilson_ron_courtesy_381_crop_340x234.jpg?1278296443" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>“Sitting out a few shifts is a lot louder than my voice. The bench screams.”</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/875100--maple-leafs-stay-unbeaten-by-stunning-powerful-pens?bn=1">Ron Wilson</a> after sitting Kessel<br /><br /><a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/17/1torontosepttraining2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 357px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/17/1torontosepttraining2.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"They're really real."</span><br /></em>-<a href="http://www.canada.com/Pair+from+McArthur+give+Leafs+over+Penguins/3670457/story.html">Colby Armstrong</a> when asked how "real" the team's wins feel.<br /><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/215/177/GYI0058944396_crop_450x500.jpg?1258679036"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/215/177/GYI0058944396_crop_450x500.jpg?1258679036" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>“That’s a question that my granddaughter would ask,”<br /></em></span>-<a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/Still+undefeated+Leafs+Broadway/3679944/story.html">Wilson</a> when asked if he is pleased with the team’s start.<br /><br /><a href="http://i.acdn.us/image/A2325/232533/300_232533.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 196px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i.acdn.us/image/A2325/232533/300_232533.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"The Toronto Sun has great value if you own a puppy or a parakeet."</span><br /></em>-<a href="http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Canadiens+face+look+Leafs/3635265/story.html">Brian Burke</a><br /><br /><a href="http://beat.bodog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/clarke-macarthur.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://beat.bodog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/clarke-macarthur.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“That’s awesome. I’m in the record books for something!”</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/876012--cox-still-perfect-leafs-beat-rangers-in-ot?bn=1">MacArthur</a>, the first player in the history of the Leafs to score in each of his first four games. And now Jeremy "3 goals in 3 games" Williams will just be known as what's-his-name.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://consumerist.com/images/resources/2007/02/snake-bite.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://consumerist.com/images/resources/2007/02/snake-bite.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“And anybody who tells you being snake-bit doesn’t suck is lying to you.”</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/877957--snake-bitten-leaf-eyes-more-production?bn=1">Versteeg</a><br /><br /><a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/br2gRFt4neg/0.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/br2gRFt4neg/0.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"I don't care what Dwyane Roloson does, I care about our team."</span><br /></em>-<a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/teams/tor/report#notes_quotes">Versteeg</a><br /><br /><a href="http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg215/scaled.php?tn=0&server=215&filename=ublk.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg215/scaled.php?tn=0&server=215&filename=ublk.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“You can always get better at anything you do."</span></em><br />-The <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/10/19/15753916.html">Mike Brown</a> Attitude<br /><br /><a href="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__54/ept_sports_nhl_experts-467404137-1265527558.jpg?ymG8_oCD929fLyQN"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__54/ept_sports_nhl_experts-467404137-1265527558.jpg?ymG8_oCD929fLyQN" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“We could have put our heads down, stopped skating, stopped playing. We could have found a way to lose. Instead, we found a way to win.”<br /></span></em>-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/876012--cox-still-perfect-leafs-beat-rangers-in-ot?bn=1">Giguere</a> is awesome.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2230101096_1d17393ec7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 270px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2133/2230101096_1d17393ec7.jpg" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"August 15 was probably the best day in my summer. I was really glad I stayed here.”</span></em> -<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/873556--leafs-tomas-kaberle-back-on-his-a-game?bn=1">Tomas Kaberle</a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/d8/e0/43114ab74018bf3e325355090a9a.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 330px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/d8/e0/43114ab74018bf3e325355090a9a.jpeg" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"The off-season was long, the summer was long, there was a lot of stuff in the papers, blah, blah, blah. That’s not what players are looking for, we’re looking for two points.”</em></span><br />-<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/10/08/15624036.html">Kaberle</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/e1/82/4f24bbd349d287f8e9e96f80e3a6.jpeg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 409px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/e1/82/4f24bbd349d287f8e9e96f80e3a6.jpeg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>"No one is going to come in and get us out of this. It’s the guys in this room that will get us out of this and we’re confident we will.”</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/2010/10/30/15893941.html">Dion Phaneuf</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/10/17/kadri_584.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 410px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/10/17/kadri_584.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>"No, we will not rush Kadri... I want to get Kadri ready to play 10 years in the NHL, not 10 games."</i></span><br />-<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/id/1368/weekend-wrap-stamkos-doughty-talks-kings-eye-iginla-coaches-challenge">Burke</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.faceoff.com/3349252.bin?size=620x400"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.faceoff.com/3349252.bin?size=620x400" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><i>"You don't stand and wait for something to happen. It's my job to make something happen."</i></span><br />-<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=338214">Wilson</a>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-52158842573286670522010-10-29T10:29:00.001-04:002010-10-29T21:10:20.062-04:00Maple Leafs Halloween 2010<div align="left"><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span>o maybe you've noticed I've updated my sidebar recently and added a few things. Near the bottom is a list of my top 5 <em>most read posts of all time</em>. Yup, that's right, the number one - far and away - is <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2008/10/maple-leafs-halloween.html">Maple Leafs Halloween</a>, a post I wrote 2 years ago. I noticed last year around this time a sudden huge upsurge in hits on my blog directly related to that Halloween post. This October, the same thing is happening. So I've decided to do another and hopefully this one will be even more succesful then the last.</div><div align="left"></div><br /><div align="left">As Halloween rolls around, take a good look at the trick-or-treaters that come to your door, 'cause you never know, one of them might be your favourite Maple Leaf under that costume. Here are some hints to help you recognize your Leafs in disguise:<br /><br /></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Clarke MacArthur</strong><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.8ball.co.uk/tshirts/cheapninjacostumetshirt_1_108606_black-white-print_l.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.8ball.co.uk/tshirts/cheapninjacostumetshirt_1_108606_black-white-print_l.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p align="center">Ninja at a bargain price.<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel<br /></span></strong></div><strong></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/58175829_a6ed8c8266_o.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 480px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 360px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/26/58175829_a6ed8c8266_o.jpg" border="0" /> </a><p align="center">Doesn't need explaining. Or maybe it does <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/865222--bozak-and-kessel-like-bert-and-ernie">a little</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><align="center"><strong>Mike Brown</strong></align="center"></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/13500/UPS-Package--13695.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 308px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 415px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/13500/UPS-Package--13695.jpg" border="0" /><align="center"></align="center"></a>Gonna show you what Brown can do for you if he can just get his finger in the doorway. Oh ya, and his boxing skills could use a little work.<br /><br /><align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Tomas Kaberle</strong></span><a onblur="try{parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3455122186_4f65a7e75d.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 330px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 440px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3598/3455122186_4f65a7e75d.jpg" border="0" /></a>Data was always my favourite Star Trek character and there's something about Kabby's calm, efficient, <i>emotionless precision</i> that makes me think he'd do very well as a Starfleet officer under the right Captain. (p.s. Phaneuf hates it when you call him Jean-Luc.)<br /><br />Anything's better then 2007 when the gang went out wearing the costumes Paul Maurice had suggested.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsOALuwKZMA9SPBb9fwGu0P3LG6GCdFucp4bsrRfnbktt5LNezz4Fy1LSOwK3ZBtbrR7rRGUlV5pGnR7eirhOX-cmrzfeziH_qhxh2lSgsKQy1RFaSaNhAmYFgyPfd2O9mxt2kzMVOmcu/s400/n503236744_640802_7317.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsOALuwKZMA9SPBb9fwGu0P3LG6GCdFucp4bsrRfnbktt5LNezz4Fy1LSOwK3ZBtbrR7rRGUlV5pGnR7eirhOX-cmrzfeziH_qhxh2lSgsKQy1RFaSaNhAmYFgyPfd2O9mxt2kzMVOmcu/s400/n503236744_640802_7317.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsOALuwKZMA9SPBb9fwGu0P3LG6GCdFucp4bsrRfnbktt5LNezz4Fy1LSOwK3ZBtbrR7rRGUlV5pGnR7eirhOX-cmrzfeziH_qhxh2lSgsKQy1RFaSaNhAmYFgyPfd2O9mxt2kzMVOmcu/s400/n503236744_640802_7317.jpg"></a>It was a sad night with a lot drinking. It was a sad season with a lot of crying.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Freddie Sjostrom</span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXJPO-UQGW75OBH5gfMbxJmMygP_DQFF3AVWlnfTXwj358Q5wnII_nDDv698KuZJ89MszqefLNgevS3lkLfo7Kg7-RGC1WktzFGhUjzVnbRVR3BXAXVb80gP5hObsOfXtxWN96zBldkU/s400/Chewbacca.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: pointer; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXJPO-UQGW75OBH5gfMbxJmMygP_DQFF3AVWlnfTXwj358Q5wnII_nDDv698KuZJ89MszqefLNgevS3lkLfo7Kg7-RGC1WktzFGhUjzVnbRVR3BXAXVb80gP5hObsOfXtxWN96zBldkU/s400/Chewbacca.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXJPO-UQGW75OBH5gfMbxJmMygP_DQFF3AVWlnfTXwj358Q5wnII_nDDv698KuZJ89MszqefLNgevS3lkLfo7Kg7-RGC1WktzFGhUjzVnbRVR3BXAXVb80gP5hObsOfXtxWN96zBldkU/s400/Chewbacca.jpg"></a>...gets to be Chewbacca of course. This costume doesn't look too hard to put together. Maybe get Grandma to help with the sewing and stitching. And if Sjostrom gets to be Chewbacca then...<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Colby Armstrong</span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpbR3nww_tMzLi_en9XpHF_zS0HfrlRwLN654v5Iak6LZ7m-WXrfanFPI9Zh7at78LXv4eF35NzD1rquZCRwH3R51n5ro878lmrWok2M0OrOGG15G1CG65ZQclidkVkttkJO2wjUZnK2k/s400/Carbonite.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 235px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpbR3nww_tMzLi_en9XpHF_zS0HfrlRwLN654v5Iak6LZ7m-WXrfanFPI9Zh7at78LXv4eF35NzD1rquZCRwH3R51n5ro878lmrWok2M0OrOGG15G1CG65ZQclidkVkttkJO2wjUZnK2k/s400/Carbonite.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLpbR3nww_tMzLi_en9XpHF_zS0HfrlRwLN654v5Iak6LZ7m-WXrfanFPI9Zh7at78LXv4eF35NzD1rquZCRwH3R51n5ro878lmrWok2M0OrOGG15G1CG65ZQclidkVkttkJO2wjUZnK2k/s400/Carbonite.jpg"></a>...probably wants to be Han Solo. It's better then the <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/colby-the-figure-skater/article1765577/">figure skater</a> costume Wilson had picked out for him, but it means he'll be frozen in carbonite for 4-6 weeks. The good news is: I can start saying <i>Luca Caputi</i> on a regular basis again.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Mike Komisarek</span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIZ-AC1mU2_sQ86Xhp7uMHymzMpnOfmPi3oz3WJ_t0zG0H20dhmEOPMstP1aIjFWm03wtqzGFMT8CaNicBUrAGznIKu4PXmH-bksRggF9XqGch2KBEt7RP4QDbucBmHfe-udS9DSuc7Q/s400/bigjason071808.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 374px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIZ-AC1mU2_sQ86Xhp7uMHymzMpnOfmPi3oz3WJ_t0zG0H20dhmEOPMstP1aIjFWm03wtqzGFMT8CaNicBUrAGznIKu4PXmH-bksRggF9XqGch2KBEt7RP4QDbucBmHfe-udS9DSuc7Q/s400/bigjason071808.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIZ-AC1mU2_sQ86Xhp7uMHymzMpnOfmPi3oz3WJ_t0zG0H20dhmEOPMstP1aIjFWm03wtqzGFMT8CaNicBUrAGznIKu4PXmH-bksRggF9XqGch2KBEt7RP4QDbucBmHfe-udS9DSuc7Q/s400/bigjason071808.jpg"><align="center"></align="center"></a>...will walk home from the practice rink in his usual way, oblivious to the date on the calender.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Mikhail Grabovski</span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bubbygram.com/specialevents/pineapple.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 375px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.bubbygram.com/specialevents/pineapple.jpg" border="0" /></a> </align="center"></p><p align="center">...has the scariest costume on the team. <i>He's crazy for pineapples!</i> is now a serious understatement.<br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Nikolai Kulemin</span></strong><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nominex.com/livejournal/koolaid.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://nominex.com/livejournal/koolaid.jpg" border="0" /> </a></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://nominex.com/livejournal/koolaid.jpg"></a><p align="center">...keeps the Kool-Aid Man tradition alive for another year.<br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>Cliff Fletcher<br /></strong></span><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31fr0ETnYWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31fr0ETnYWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" border="0" /> </strong></span></a></p><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31fr0ETnYWL._SL500_AA300_.jpg"><strong></strong></a><p align="center">...makes an excellent spooky Caretaker.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">and<strong> Mike Zigomanis</strong></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.talentondisplay.com/10MVC004F.JPG"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 438px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.talentondisplay.com/10MVC004F.JPG" border="0" /><align="center"></align="center"></a>... is the Zig-Zag Man out on a date with Matt Stajan's mom!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ave a safe and happy <span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>alloween everybody!</p>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-80025823359461483062010-10-28T00:05:00.003-04:002010-10-28T01:22:54.154-04:00You Win Some<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>ry to keep things in perspective. I guess that's the moral of the story.<div><object width="480" height="330"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hzVm52SLOJQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hzVm52SLOJQ?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="330"></embed></object><br /></div><div>Last night, Colton Orr's game-winning goal was admittedly one of the most abhorrent, vile, revolting - and hilarious - missed calls that any sleazy, insecure reporter with no friends can ever remember.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTqsZoAzqEGTpZrb8LzNVYYrXc2AdJVDV0t1-xLDGmOp7O7Hha0tkFy9OchoqbMKR0G0qpxeNFCfyQgzA6ryeR21nkhcuxGgWIZWLbwqkGz3ej3aUz2WvF78zLIjFbHka_sx6VHVHmZY/s1600/versteeg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTqsZoAzqEGTpZrb8LzNVYYrXc2AdJVDV0t1-xLDGmOp7O7Hha0tkFy9OchoqbMKR0G0qpxeNFCfyQgzA6ryeR21nkhcuxGgWIZWLbwqkGz3ej3aUz2WvF78zLIjFbHka_sx6VHVHmZY/s320/versteeg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532899441096805874" /></a>Here's some perspective: That's Versteeg making contact with the puck, right around cross-bar height, but well below shoulder height, which is all it needs to be for him to legally knock it to the ice and then legally play it into the net. Which he does. Except - no goal. The Leafs do eventually tie the game, but then the Islanders score on the powerplay in overtime after the Leafs are assessed - get this - a goaltender interference penalty.<br /><br /><div>One of the great calamities in recent NHL history.<br /><object width="480" height="320" id="embed" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><param name="movie" value="http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/embed.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="flashVars" value="hlg=20072008,2,1030&event=TOR1038&server=http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/"><embed name="embed" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" src="http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/embed.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="320" quality="high" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" flashvars="hlg=20072008,2,1030&event=TOR1038&server=http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/&pageurl=http://video.devils.nhl.com/videocenter/&nlwa=http://app2.neulion.com/videocenter/nhl/"></embed></object><br />Imagine dancing around like their team deserved the goal and the win! It's amazing these nitwits can live with themselves.<br /><br />Here's a remarkbly similar goal which proves that pitchforking a goalie into the net is indeed a legal tactic, and I think that the Leafs are not employing it nearly enough.<br /><object width="480" height="330"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pxQIMRynzaU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="330"></embed></object><br />I love GRBRZRKR's spirited reaction in that one compared to Toskala's stunning apathy from the previous year. Clearly, and so dishearteningly, we kept the wrong goalie two summers ago. (Glove tap to <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2010/10/27/1776697/maple-leafs-3-v-panthers-1-eye-for-an-eye#50434946">Jared and Clawson</a> for reminding me of these two plays and making me find them.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's one that's eerily similar to <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YY8hz9YJT98&feature=related">Tim Brent's second goal</a>. Puck in goalie's glove. Goalie's glove in the net behind the goalpost. Except - no goal.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RBTRO3syruk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RBTRO3syruk?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />Oh well. That's the way she goes. What goes around comes around. Sometimes the lucky bounces don't go your way, but it all balances out right? Over an infinite number of years? I can wait that long. I guess I'd rather have all my bad luck when we have a bad team and it doesn't matter so much, and then collect on the good karma when our team is a contender. I really hope that's what's happening now.</div><div><br /></div><div>This is my favourite way to get screwed. It's called <i>Intent to Blow</i>. It means it doesn't matter if the puck goes in the net before the whistle, if the referee, in retrospect, wished it hadn't.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0AxZpjVn3s4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0AxZpjVn3s4?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />The point of all this is, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, and sometimes you get screwed. No one should ever act like Leaf fans don't know what that's like. And most Leaf fans are aware they aren't the only victims of NHL ineptitude. Seems every team gets their (un)fair share. Just search on youtube for "disallowed goal NHL" and you'll find every team has their own little collection. Some of them are <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmEtDX41qSM">astounding</a>, and some impact so heavily, like <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VWAtMxXVCs">B</a><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF_LRVuhNa4&feature=related">rett Hull's skate in the crease</a>, that they become a part of the folklore that drives their underdog image, their sense of destiny and purpose, or their desire to win.<br /><br /></div><div>Every year there's controversy, and every team has their list of complaints. But our list belongs to us and it's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNgXCohmzcM">our right to vent and scream</a> when we feel cheated. We'll defend the home side, same as anyone else, and so we should, and so should they. That's all part of cheering for your team and not being a passive, neutral observer.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's part of the game and it happens to everyone, but it always sucks when it happens to you. It's senseless to dwell on it, but it takes more then a few make-up calls or lucky breaks the other way for things to feel repaired and fair and square. Eventually the frustration will pass, and winning definitely helps, but for certain dubious and unscrupolous events, only a Stanley Cup could make us ever truly forget.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UqGFFEc6Bng?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UqGFFEc6Bng?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div></div>You win some, you lose some. And what goes around comes around, we can only hope.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-40555226975668604422010-10-26T00:59:00.010-04:002010-10-26T01:37:09.934-04:00Seven Defenceman Seven Games<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">O</span>ne of the things I was looking forward to most during the summer was seeing the Leafs best six defenceman healthy and suiting up together for the first time. As the Leafs jumped out to a four-and-oh start, there was no disappointment, only promise. True, small problems were identified (Komisarek in the first game, Gunnarsson in the 4th), but overall the defence looked terrific through those first four wins.<div><br /></div><div>Then, in game five, a line-up change was made - 7th defenceman Lebda in place of the sophomore Gunnarsson. Personally, I thought it was too early to break up a defensive unit that <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2010/09/has-i-really-waited-seventeen-years-for.html">I'd waited 17 years to se</a>e. Especially one with a perfect record. And lo and behold, the wheels came off. An overtime loss to the Islanders, and then a one-goal loss to the Rangers, and so Gunnarsson was re-inserted for Lebda the martyr. The defence then responded with their worst showing of the year, a 5-2 mistake-filled drubbing to the Flyers.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm not here to point out individual errors or bad decisions - that's somebody else's gig and I'd rather not get too specific. By now, all the defenders have made a blunder or two, with the exception of Luke Schenn who's having an outstanding start. Instead, here's a simple overview of the seven Leafs defenceman and their performances thus far.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://static.everyjoe.com/files/2009/06/tomaskaberle-thumb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 250px;" src="http://static.everyjoe.com/files/2009/06/tomaskaberle-thumb.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Kaberle. A good start but not great. His attention to detail seems improved and his skating and stickhandling are as smooth as ever. I'm noticing a trend now, when Kaberle gets the puck between the blue lines, opposition players just completely backing off and giving him an uncontested lane up to their zone. Effectively, Kabby can just waltz his way into the other teams territory but the side-effect is that they're taking away his first pass by guarding everyone else but him. I think he should start driving the net and seeing how far he can go.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kabby has 4 assists to lead the defenders, all on the powerplay, no goals, and no points at even strength. He is a moderately surprising and pleasing +2 and has yet to take a penalty. The statistic that troubles me the most is the 10 shots-on-goal. Kaberle needs to shoot more, as it seems to me, the powerplay was most effective and dangerous when Kabby was firing the puck most often - the first two games of the season and the last 2 games of the pre-season. Right now Kaberle is averaging less then two shots per game - I'd like to see him somewhere between 3 and 4.</div><div><br /></div><div>Kaberle leads the team in ice-time per game (23:42) after 7 games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize: </b>Kabby playing well, needs to shoot more.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/944/268/95899744.jpg.20896_crop_340x234.jpg?1272348560"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 241px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/944/268/95899744.jpg.20896_crop_340x234.jpg?1272348560" border="0" alt="" /></a>Luke Schenn is kinda awesome. In his 3rd year, he appears to blossoming into a complete defencman ahead of schedule. Three assists, all at even-strength, and a +2, Schenn is also tied for 2nd among hits with Freddie Sjostrom, just one below team leader Phaneuf. Schenn's defensive play has been rock-solid and his puck-movement on the transition has been eye-opening. In the midst of the most talented blue line the Leafs have seen in years, Luke Schenn is the one playing nearest his full-potential, and impressing the most.</div><div><br /></div><div>The only knock against him, and I'm not sure it counts, Luke leads the defenders thus far in minor penalties taken.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> Luke Schenn is kinda awesome.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/3544100.bin?size=620x465"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 263px;" src="http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/3544100.bin?size=620x465" border="0" alt="" /></a>The Captain usually logs more ice-time then any other Leaf, and has in 4 out of 7 games, though he saw his ice-time drastically reduced in the last game against the Flyers. Of all the defenders, Dion seems to be struggling the most, though much of the weight of that comes from his last performance. Offensively, Phaneuf isn't lighting it up yet, just 3 assists, 1 at even-strength, and yet to hit the back of the net. He has hit the net 24 times, most among defenders and 2nd among all skaters only to Kessel's 26. I have no stats for missing the net, but judging by how many times he's hit the net, I'd guess that he's taken about 72 shots from the blue-line thus far.</div><div><br /></div><div>His 12 penalty minutes is the most among the defenceman, but that's largely due to the 10-minute misconduct he received at the end of the Ottawa game. His 24 hits is the most on the team.</div><div><br /></div><div>Most troubling is his team worst minus 5, though again that's heavily weighted by the minus 3 he earned in Philadelphia. That last game was a complete dud for Dion who looked terrible on more then one goal against and was held without a shot on goal for the first time this season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Personally, my biggest complaint with Dion is how ill-prepared he seems for passes. I'm not refering to Briere's goal, on which Kaberle shares equal blame, but often this season I've noticed Phaneuf seem startled by a puck coming his way and reacting way to slow to deliver a one-timer or continue a dangerous looking play.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> The Leafs most important defenceman has thus far underwhelmed, but the season is young and there's a C on his sweater for a reason.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/022/869/97726049_crop_340x234.jpg?1283865772"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 241px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/022/869/97726049_crop_340x234.jpg?1283865772" border="0" alt="" /></a>I can't say I really notice Francois Beauchemin a whole lot, despite his high ice-time totals, which is an indication that he's doing his job. I've caught him looking clumsy a couple times now, but as I've said, everyone but Schenn seems to have made a brutal mistake or two by now. Overall, I think Beauchemin has been moving the puck well and plays hard against the oppositions best players. Beauchemin's best attribute is consistency.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beauchemin scored an important goal in Pittsburgh and picked up his first assist in the last game in Philadelphia. The game against Pittsburgh was Beauchemin's strongest of the year as he led the team in ice-time that night and helped preserve a 1-goal lead through the final 20 minutes against the dangerous Penguin offence.</div><div><br /></div><div>Beauchemin is now a minus 1 on the season, after starting out +2 through 4 games, but then going minus 1 for three consecutive games.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> Reliable defender, but I'd love to see more games like the one in Pittsburgh.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/814/494/95445673.jpg.24655_crop_340x234.jpg?1265255075"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 241px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/814/494/95445673.jpg.24655_crop_340x234.jpg?1265255075" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Komisarek has fallen into the 5th spot, mostly due to Schenn's elevated play and Komi's inability to click with Kaberle. Despite the reduced ice-time and a few shaky moments with the puck, I think Komisarek is doing fine in the 5-spot and is starting to find his game. His aggressiveness seems well-controlled as he's picked up just one minor penalty in the first 7 games. He's also contributed 4 points, a goal and 3 assists, all at even-strength.</div><div><br /></div><div>Komisarek is a +3, best among the defenders.</div><div><br /></div><div>Komisarek's average time-on-ice is 14:07, lowest among the defenders.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> Komisarek should have more ice-time.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/591441/65584_senators_maple_leafs_hockey.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 240px;" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/591441/65584_senators_maple_leafs_hockey.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Carl Gunnarsson is having a rough start. The Sophomore Jinx seems to be upon him, but maybe he's just getting it out of the way early. Gunnarsson hasn't excelled through the pre-season and the first 3 games of this season, and then saw his ice-time dramatically reduced in the Leafs 4th game, their last win of the season. After sitting two games, Gunnarsson's return was less then spectacular as the Leafs were humbled by the Flyers. For certain, the start to this season has been a humbling experience for Gunnarrson.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">“</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Confidence is something that doesn't come that easy</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">,” </span><a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/880232--leaf-losses-prompt-lineup-changes-for-flyers-game"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">said Gunnarsson</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. “</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Once you lose it, it's tough to get it back</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">.”</span></div><br />Um. Uh-oh.<div><br /></div><div>The positive side is that Gunnarsson's stats don't look awful other then he hasn't contributed yet to the offence with a point. He hasn't looked horrific, just not as good as the Gunnarsson we're used to, but again, perhaps that could be said of any of our defenders except Schenn, though it's probably truest for Gunnar. The Sophomore Slump, or whatever you want to call it, if such a thing exists, might end tomorrow (or tonight, depending on when you're reading this, maybe even yesterday), and we know that Gunnarsson's potential is to be an equal contributor on a dynamic and highly talented blue line.<div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> Give him time.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/c3/9d/a521451b4089a99ce0dba415e5a9.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 270px;" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/c3/9d/a521451b4089a99ce0dba415e5a9.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Brett Lebda must die!!!6</div><div><br /></div><div>No, just kidding. But he's not off to a great start and hasn't won many fans in his first two appearances in a Leafs uniform. In fact, he unwittingly walked into the scape-goat's shoes when Wilson made the fatal line-up change that <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/lebda-likely-to-debut-monday/article1760763/">jinxed our perfect record</a>.</div><div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">If I go in there and we lose, I don’t know what’s going to happen</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">."</span><br /><br />Well, we'll all blame you, that's all. No, just kidding. If we lose because of a ridiculous goaltender-interference penalty in overtime to give the Islanders a 4-on-3 powerplay and they score on that powerplay to end our perfect run, and you were the bozo that was sitting in the box, then uh-huh, we might go out to the shed and find our old rusty pitchfork and stare at it in the moonlight for a while, until, in the silence of the cool night air, the word "Lebda" emerges with a bitter whisper from cracked and weathered lips. That could happen or did.<br /><div><br /></div><div>All kidding aside, despite Lebda's unspectacular debut, in two games he is yet to be on the ice for a goal against, but has picked up a minor in each game. He hasn't contributed anything to the offence and his time-on-ice has been equal to Gunnarsson's, only slightly more then Komi's average.</div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine if Lebda had tipped that shot into the goal instead of falling awkwardly into Roloson? One can wonder. That's what you get for taking Todd Gill's number, I guess.</div><div><br /></div><div>My feeling is, as long as the defenders are healthy and none of them is seriously struggling and the Leafs are winning, then the best six defenders should be in the line-up as much as possible. And that means No Lebda. It's a rare occasion to have six defenceman this good (or expensive) and the players should be able to have a bad game or two individually and work things out on the ice. Especially during winning streaks, it's a lot to ask of Lebda to step in and replace one of these guys if they're only struggling and not injured, and it raises the temperature in the room unnecessarily.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>To summarize:</b> <i>Lebda-rage</i> takes glancing blow at Wilson.</div><div><br /></div><div>And on we go. It's only 7 games. Lots more in store with 75 games to go.</div></div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-80314415002227255082010-10-20T16:20:00.005-04:002010-10-20T17:35:15.816-04:00Leaf of the Week: 10/20/10 - Phil Kessel<span style="font-size:180%;">I'</span>ve added a new feature to my sidebar - the <em>Leaf of the Week</em>. I'll try to update it every Wednesday and occasionally write a post to compliment it. Last week's <em>Leafs of the Week</em> for the first week of the season was the Assist Ninja-turned-Sniper Ninja, Clarke MacArthur, who scored 4 goals, including 2 game-winners in the first 3 games. Congratulations Clarke for the great start!<br /><br />The <em>Leaf of the Week</em> for the second week of the season is none other then the Mighty Phil Kessel. In 2 games, Kessel has scored 3 of the Leafs 5 goals, and assisted on another. Two of his 3 goals were on the powerplay - one of those breaking Roloson's shutout and tying the game with 2:05 left in the 3rd, and the other for the game-winner in OT against the Rangers.<br /><a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/09/27/kessel_laugh_487_381.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 381px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2010/09/27/kessel_laugh_487_381.jpg" border="0" /></a>3 points in the standings directly related to Phil Kessel's <em>incredible release</em>. When you talk about Kessel, you really are talking about <em>vital contributions</em>. And without them we'd be in a completely different boat.<br /><a href="http://www.ncbusinesslitigationreport.com/sinking%20ship.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 417px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.ncbusinesslitigationreport.com/sinking%20ship.jpg" border="0" /></a>Kessel's 7 points have given him an early lead in team scoring and it's doubtful that anyone will catch him now that he's ahead. His 4 points in 2 games is an outstanding response to the short benching he received last week against Pittsburgh.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">“<em>I had a bad game and I said I wouldn’t do it again</em>.”</span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/876012--cox-still-perfect-leafs-beat-rangers-in-ot">Kessel</a><br /><br />Well, bad games are bound to happen from time to time, but that's the kind of determination and character that leads to MVP seasons. With a solid supporting cast in place, every shift from Kessel now has the potential to be a game-breaker and the difference between winning and losing. It's an opportunity for Kessel to really shine and grab the glory, and thus far, he's making the most of it.<br /><br />Congratulations Phil Kessel, our second <em>Leaf of the Week</em>!general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-42746157188281519132010-10-16T17:16:00.000-04:002010-10-16T17:16:00.740-04:00Our Biggest Game Of The Season<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">I'</span>m glad you're here. There's something I wanted to show you. This is a list of all the teams that have started an NHL season 4-and-oh since the lockout.<br /><br /><strong><i>2005-6</i></strong><br /><br />Nashville 8 wins -- finished 4th in the West<br />Ottawa 6 wins -- finished 1st in the East<br /><br /><strong><i>2006-7</i></strong><br /><br /><div>Buffalo 10 wins — finished 1st in the East<br />Dallas 5 wins -- finished 6th in the West<br />Minnesota 6 wins -- finished 7th in the West<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><i>2007-8</i></strong><br /><br />Minnesota 5 wins -- finished 3rd in the West<br />Ottawa 5 wins -- finished 7th in the East<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong><i>2008-9</i></strong><br /><br />Buffalo <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>4 </b></span>wins -- finished <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>10th</b></span> in the East<br />Edmonton <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>4 </b></span>wins -- finished <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">11th</span></b> in the West<br />Minnesota <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>4 </b></span>wins -- finished <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">9th</span></b> in the West<br />NY Rangers 5 wins -- finished 7th in the East<br />San Jose <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>4 </b></span>wins -- finished 1st in the West<br /><br /><strong><i>2009-10</i></strong><br /><br />Calgary <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>4 </b></span>wins -- finished <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>10th</b></span> in the West </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>he Leafs are the first team this season to reach 4 wins, off to their best start since 1993-4, but what does it mean to go 4-0-0? Nothing. The next game is the one that really matters. In fact, it might be the most important game of the season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Behold: In five seasons since the lockout, only 13 teams have gone 4-and-oh to start an NHL campaign. Interestingly, the Minnesota Wild did it 3 times consecutively, winning 6 out of the gate in 2006, 5 in a row in 2007, and 4 in a row in 2008. The Senators have done it twice, winning 6 in a row to start the season in 2005 and 5 in a row in 2007. The longest win streaks to start a season belong to Buffalo (10 wins, 2006) and Nashville (8 wins 2005).</div><div><br /></div><div>Now here's what I want you to notice: Of these 13 teams, only 5 failed to continue their winning ways into their 5th game, AND of those 5 teams (all from the last 2 seasons) that couldn't attain 5-and-oh perfection, 4 of them finished the season OUT of the playoffs. Their fast starts were all for naught eventually and didn't help them get into the post-season, nor were they an accurate indication of forthcoming success. In 2008, Buffalo, Edmonton, Minnesota, and San Jose all won their first 4 games of the season then lost their 5th and only San Jose went on to make the playoffs. Last year, Calgary was the only team to start 4-and-oh and they finished 10th and traded Dion Phaneuf. I simply can't imagine that happening but there it is.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, there's a flipside: Of the 8 teams that managed to win their 5th game in a row to start the season and keep their perfect record intact to that point, all of them made the playoffs in those respective seasons. Since the lockout,<b> NO TEAM HAS GONE 5-AND-OH AND MISSED THE PLAYOFFS</b>. It seems to be a line that - if crossed - you can safely say, <i>this team is legit. This team is more then just another playoff-pretender This team is "For Real"</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have to admit something: After the last pre-season game, I looked at the calender, and this was the game that worried me the most. I didn't tell anybody this, but I silently predicted to myself that the Leafs would win their first 4 games and then lose to the Islanders. It just seemed like it would be so typical. Now that half the premonition has come true, I'm really worried.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's the perfect set-up for a let-down. A 4-game winning streak, coming home, fans excited, an uninteresting weaker team coming in on a 3-game losing streak (I wrote this ahead of time - I'm assuming the Islanders are going to lose to Colorado tonight), a Monday night, AND it's only on Leafs-TV. If this was any other season, this game is a guaranteed loss, no question.</div><div><br /></div><div>But if this was any other Leafs team, they would have found a way to lose the opener. Instead, Giguere got his left pad on the puck in the dying seconds and the Leafs got 2 points. And if this were any other Leafs team, they would have surely blown the lead in the 3rd against the Penguins, being outshot 9-2 in the period. But they held on and won the game. And really, if this year's team in any way resembled any from the past 5 seasons since the lockout, then after squandering a 2-goal lead in the 3rd period (which seemed so very much like them) they most certainly would have folded or faded or had an unlucky bounce go against them, let an opponent's dirty trick get the better of them, let the referee screw them, or simply crumble and choke under the pressure. And lose. And then they'd console themselves by talking about picking up a valuable point and just doing the things they do well for a full 60 minutes and moral victories don't count in the standings but at least there are positives we can take and move forward, just need to concentrate on the little things, we're behind the 8-ball now and it's going to be an uphill battle but we still believe in ourselves, if we could just get a timely save and with a bit of better luck... who knows?</div><div><br /></div><div>Nope. That's not us. Not anymore and never again we can only hope. Instead we're finding ways to win. We've scored the first goal 3 times out of 4. We've held a one goal lead in the 3rd period to win in regulation - twice. We've yet to surrender 30 shots in a game. We've won 2 games where we badly outshot our opponents and we've won 2 games despite being outshot. We've won 2 on the road and 2 at home. Our penalty kill has given up just one goal. Our powerplay has struck 3 times, including a perfectly executed 4-on-3 for an overtime winner. Thus far, this Leafs team is anything but typical.</div><div><br /></div><div>Komisarek has 3 points and just 2 penalty minutes. Kaberle is a +3 and 2nd in time-on-ice.</div><div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"W</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">e could have put our head down and stopped skating and stopped trying</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">," said goaltender </span><a href="http://ca.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idCATRE69F07F20101016"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jean-Sebastien Giguere</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. "</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Some teams would find a way to do that and find a way to lose. We found a way to win."</span></i><br /><br /></div><div>And that's why Monday's contest against the Islanders is oh so important and why, for the Leafs, 4-and-oh is only a good-but-not-yet-great beginning, and why our 5th game is easily the biggest game of the season so far. Consider it a <i>must-win</i>. History and statistics suggest we've got our backs up against the wall here but we gotta stick together, work harder, and prove that we're a much better team then our 4-0-0 record indicates and make sure we win that next game and keep our hopes alive.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Toronto+Maple+Leafs+v+Pittsburgh+Penguins+5cexwn8T9cJl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 446px; height: 332px;" src="http://www2.pictures.zimbio.com/gi/Toronto+Maple+Leafs+v+Pittsburgh+Penguins+5cexwn8T9cJl.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/dd/0f/63257b0d4812aa73090340c28104.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 460px; height: 345px;" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/dd/0f/63257b0d4812aa73090340c28104.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/10/15/584-phaneuf-dion-101013.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 438px; height: 247px;" src="http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/sports/photos/2010/10/15/584-phaneuf-dion-101013.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div>Go Leafs Go!</div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-90511275448893956662010-10-13T00:13:00.006-04:002010-10-13T00:52:44.469-04:00Whose Province? Our Province<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">H</span>umbled.<br /><br />I can only assume that's how it felt to be an Ottawa Senator Saturday night. Unprepared, uninspired, unprofessional. Maybe not by their usual standards, but easily when compared to ours.<br /><br />These new-look Leafs are all business right now. This team is better prepared to start the season then any that I can remember since the lockout. Back to back 2-0 leads within the first ten minutes clearly illustrate that point. Obviously last year's dreadful experience out of the gate is a lesson taken seriously and has given this team greater focus and commitment, and so far, it's giving them the edge. It'll be interesting to see how long it takes for other teams to catch up to full stride, but for now, the Leafs look like they've hit the ground running, like a team built exactly for that purpose.<br /><br /><b>No More BoOBbB.</b><br /><br />Ya, I couldn't quite get myself to do another <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/search/label/BoOBbB">Battle of Ontario Blow-by-Blow</a> post. I wonder if anyone is sad about that. I messed around with the idea of doing the series again and even took notes in my usual way, but interacting with my 3-year old daughter is insanely more complicated then when she was 2 and 1, and as such, I can't help but miss whole minutes of the game here and there. Also, I'm less inspired to do the BoOBbB again since they're not that interesting to read and take a lot of time to do.<br /><br />So, sorry about that sports fans, that series is toast, but I can still give you a general breakdown of the game from the notes that I did take. We'll see how that goes. Maybe I'll make that a new series. I'll call it, <em>borschevsky's Battle of Ontario Breakdown (belated)</em>.<br /><br /><div><i><b>borschevsky's Battle of Ontario Breakdown (belated)</b></i><b>; bBoOB(b) I</b><br /></div><br /><div>The crowd seems pumped. Just after the first minute, <i>Go Leafs Go!</i> chant fills the building.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nikolai Kulemin's goal: (1:38)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJaru8g5q74?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/dJaru8g5q74?fs=1&hl=en_US&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object><br />Kulemin opens the scoring just a minute and 38 into the game, set up by MacArthur, but the key to this play is Grabovski's work hustling the lazy Spezza off the puck behind the Senators goal. No assist for Grabbo but he created the opportunity and deserves some credit.</div><br /><div>At the five minute mark, Senators still don't have a shot on goal, Leafs have four.</div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kessel's goal: (7:51)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LdPbUhiPv5w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LdPbUhiPv5w?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object><br />Once again, speed and hustle create a scoring chance for the Leafs. Phillips shot from the point is blocked by Versteeg who then simply outskates the other Senators defender down the ice and drives the net for a shot on goal. Kessel goes to the net after the rebound and Phillips is unable to tie up his stick. Kessel's quick hands make no mistake and the Leafs lead 2-0.<br /><div><br />At the 10 minute mark of the first, everything is going the Leafs way. They seem to be determined to control the tempo while the Sens seem disinterested.</div><br /><div>The Leafs powerplay gets to go to work a couple times in the second half of the first and while they have great puck possession, they don't do enough to get shots on goal. Kessel continues to use his speed to create scoring opportunities and a flurry of action at the end of the period while the Leafs are on their second powerplay nearly puts them up 3-0. Final shots for the first 20 minutes of play are 16-6 in favour of Toronto. Kaberle on the ice for nearly half the period (9:39), leading all skaters.</div><br /><div>Senators are lucky to only be down by 2.</div><br /><div style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Second Period</span></div><br /><div>Leafs start the 2nd well, recording the first 2 shots on goal.</div><br /><div>At 15:47, just when the Sens are getting a little momentum, Spezza gets called for a lazy, stupid hooking penalty. I used to hate Spezza, but I'm really beginning to like him. He makes me laugh a lot. I'm so glad he plays for Ottawa. He's gonna destroy that team.</div><br /><div>The Leafs don't score on the powerplay but continue to dominate. The Grabbo-Kulemin-MacArthur line is all over the puck and Kessel's speed continues to create chances out of thin air. Shots are 25-10 for the Leafs and at this point I start thinking the Leafs can't let the Senators get the next goal.</div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MacArthur's Goal: (11:42)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ROB0Ic4PmXs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ROB0Ic4PmXs?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object></div>Komisarek pokes the puck past Phillips at the Leafrs blue line and Grabbo is away to the races with Kulemin and MacArthur on a 3-on-2 while Philips tries to catch up. Pretty simple play; Grabbo passes it to MacArthur in the high slot and the wrister beats Leclair. Leafs lead 3-0 and grab the Senators by the neck. MacArthur's second goal of the season already and his second point of this game.<br /><br /><div>At 9:23 of the 2nd, Armstrong takes the first Leaf penalty. Gets his stick up on Carkner in the offensive zone which seemed especially unnecessary when Sjostrom was doing excellent forechecking on that shift. Leafs have no trouble killing the penalty off.</div><br /><div>Bozak takes the next penalty for tripping, but sloppy play muddles the attack for the Senators and after the first minute they appear to give up on the powerplay. As the penalty expires, <em>Go Leafs Go!</em> chant begins.<br /></div><br /><div>With two minutes left in the 2nd, shots are 30-12 and the Leafs are up 3-0. Pretty sweet.</div><br /><div>As the clock ticks down the final 20 seconds, Tim Brent carries the puck neatly through the neutral zone and makes sure the final seconds wind down in the Ottawa zone and not Toronto's. Little things like that, smoothly executed, make big differences.</div><br /><div>This one feels over with 20 minutes to go. Not much of a fight from the Senators for two periods. Shots are 31-12.<br /></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">3rd Period</span></span><br /></div><br /><div>Less then two minutes in, Senators take the first penalty of the period; Armstrong drawing Kelly into holding the stick. More good work by Armstrong and Sjostrom on that shift and this time it pays off with a powerplay.</div><br /><div>37 seconds later, Gonchar is called for hooking and the Leafs get to enjoy a 2-man advantage. </div><br /><div>The Leafs had a goal waved off at the end of that sequence when, as they held possession during the delayed-penalty to Gonchar, Kaberle backhands it into the goal but because Bozak is still in the net after being hauled down, the referee waves it off immediately.</div><br />It only takes the Leafs 26 seconds to put the puck in the net again.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Versteeg's goal: (2:44)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/SSQLJkSyvOU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/SSQLJkSyvOU?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object></div>Phaneuf makes a great play to keep the puck in, allowing Bozak to control it, eventually sending it back to the Captain who transfers it along to Kaberle and then to Kessel. Kessel sets up in the high slot and then feeds Kaberle for the one-timer and the puck grazes Versteeg and goes in. 4-0. Feels like a romp.<br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim "Legend" Brent's goal: (5:39)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/YY8hz9YJT98?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/YY8hz9YJT98?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object></div>Not sure what Pascal Leclaire was thinking here. Great reaction by Brent. Referee won't make the call but Brent looks pretty convinced.<br /><br />Replay shows Leclaire's glove with the puck in it all the way over the line in the net. This decision takes a ridiculous amount of time for something that's obvious to everyone. Lots of smile between Tim Brent and Kessel during all of this but the crowd is getting restless. Eventually they signal the goal, Tim Brent's second in two games, and I can't help wondering if it took that long only because it's the Leafs and if they gave in only because the score was already 4-0. Baffling.<br /><br />The rest of the period features a few skirmishes and the lone Sens' goal. I don't really do breakdowns of either.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Brown vs. Neil (6:04)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J39NA6-O8Pw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J39NA6-O8Pw?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Orr vs. Carkner (8:59)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bpr2LRSyr4k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Bpr2LRSyr4k?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Versteeg vs. Fisher (15:49)</span></span><object height="330" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HyvvnUy-21c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HyvvnUy-21c?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="330" width="480"></embed></object><br /><br />Final score 5-1. Shots are 38-18. Leafs demolish the Sens. Kaberle and Phaneuf finish equal in ice-time at 23:39.<br /><span style="font-size:180%;">S</span>o there you have it, a very belated review of round one in this season's Battle of Ontario. Sorry it took so long, but at least now you have it fresh in your mind to take into our next game, Wednesday night, against Pittsburgh. Hopefully the Leafs can build on such a positive win and keep a steady focus without getting overconfident too quickly.<br /><br />If the Leafs can duplicate the effort and performance given against the Sens, a three-and-oh start is easily achievable, even with the formidable Penguins up next.<br /><br />Go Leafs Go. </div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-7435835775595139182010-10-06T23:01:00.004-04:002010-10-06T23:29:26.192-04:00Resolve<div><span style="font-size:180%;">A</span>t the end of the 2008-9 season, I wrote a post that was probably the best post I've ever written. Somehow, despite a totally inglorious season, I found a way to celebrate the<a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2009/04/top-ten-leafs-games-2008-9-sensational.html"> Top 10 games of the season</a>. This past April, no such post would be forthcoming. Last year was so joyless I doubt I could write a <i>Top 3 games of the season</i>. Instead, I vowed to write a post chronicling the worst games of the season, though I soon realized that I'd underestimated how painful that journey would be.<br /><br />I abandoned the idea (and abandoned blogging altogether for a while).<br /><br />Yet still I have this nagging sensation, that it's somehow important, maybe even only on a personal level, however difficult, to take this journey. To revisit the past and acknowledge where we're coming from. It won't be easy, but before we begin a new chapter, it feels necessary.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">Top 3 Toughest Maple Leafs Losses, 2009-10</span></b><br /><br /><strong><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=ArdbLG3qU1cgvLC1yZ.oOW5ivLYF?gid=2009111907"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">November 19, 2009: Carolina 6 Toronto 5, SO</span></a></strong><object width="480" height="330"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPLUlzjR_vc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPLUlzjR_vc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="330"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div>On the road against the hated Hurricanes and Paul Maurice, the Leafs were flying out of the gate. Just 61 seconds into the game, Ponikarovsky strips his man and Matt Stajan bangs it home (uh-huh) to put the Leafs on the board early. Before the period was out, Stempniak and Grabovski would add to the lead, and Toronto would go to the dressing room after 20 minutes comfortably up 3-0.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lead and the shutout held up for another 16 minutes into the 2nd until Carolina suddenly struck twice in a 43 second span in the final four minutes to bring them within one.</div><div><br /></div><div>A powerplay goal by Ponikarovsky early in the 3rd gave the Leafs a two-goal lead again but less then 4 minutes later, Tim Gleason cut the lead again to one. Then - drama! Ian White, who'd already <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dOsStVT35g">cleaned Eric Cole's clock</a> earlier in the period, is called for a phantom high-stick that never struck a Hurricanes player. With White in the box, Carolina ties the game, Tim Gleason again, scoring the powerplay goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>But White would not be denied. I dare say that this game might have been Ian White's best in a Maple Leafs uniform, and that's part of what makes this game so sad. With just 30 seconds on the clock, White plays the hero and scores what should have been a certain game-winner. Unfathomably, it was still not to be. With the goalie out, and despite the Leafs sending the puck <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K9VpEhy5DA">all the way down the ice behind the Carolina goal line with less then 20 seconds to go</a>, Eric Cole is somehow there to tie the game with 3 seconds left and drive a stake through the hearts of those foolish enough to believe.</div><div><br /></div><div>In overtime, our hapless Leafs appear to score, certainly the puck entered the Carolina goal, but the referee waved it off because, well, y'know, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CLQJUUCos4&feature=related">he just didn't like that goal</a>. Too ugly. So we go to a shoot-out instead. Ruutu scores. Kessel misses. Jokinen scores. Stempniak misses.</div><div><br /></div><div>Game Over.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=AqB73k9gyc.RxmKZTSuScTFivLYF?gid=2010013021"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">January 30, 2010: Vancouver 5 Toronto 3</span></a></span><object width="480" height="330"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JyL8z0BrGVY?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JyL8z0BrGVY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="330"></embed></object></div><div><br /></div><div>The Vancouver Canucks came to town to close out the month of January. Last season the Leafs had a terrible history of giving up the first goal, but ironically, on this night it's the Leafs who come flying out of the gate again. Just 52 seconds into the game, Phil Kessel opens the scoring, and then just under 3 minutes later, Kessel adds another to give the Leafs an early 2-goal lead. With just 5 seconds left in the period, Jamal Mayers puts the exclamation on his trade request, and the Leafs have a comfortable 3-0 lead heading to the dressing room. Amazingly, Luongo is chased from the net after surrendering 3 goals on just 8 shots, and our old nemesis, Andrew Raycrap is between the pipes to start the 2nd.</div><div><br /></div><div>Everything was going so well. How could it go so wrong?</div><div><br /></div><div>Mid-way through the 2nd, Alex Burrows scores a shorthanded goal to give the Canucks some life.</div><div><br /></div><div>At 3:27 of the 3rd, Daniel Sedin makes it 3-2. Two minutes and 5 seconds later, Henrik Sedin ties the game. From there the score remains deadlocked until there's just 2 minutes and 4 seconds left, and Henrik sets up Daniel for the game-winner. With 38 seconds left in the game, Alex Burrows seals the deal with an empty-netter. As the final seconds tick down, Andrew Raycroft is seen saluting the fans and dancing in celebration. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2010/02/un-bee-lee-ba-ba-turn-of-events.html">I thought this was rock bottom</a>. I thought it couldn't possibly get worse then this. And despite the fact that this was the last game Toskala, Blake, Stajan, Hagman, Mayers, and White would be seen in Maple Leafs uniforms, I was still wrong. There would be one more yet to come that would bring us to the lowest point of all.</div><div><br /><a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore;_ylt=AuSLBk.pWIrn68XMQpjyAqlivLYF?gid=2010020511"><strong><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">February 5, 2010: New Jersey 4 Toronto 3</span></strong></a><object width="480" height="330"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/0SYQY9gw4Cs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/0SYQY9gw4Cs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="330"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div>The first game after the Great January 31st Overhaul, with Giguere and Phaneuf, was a huge success. A 3-0 shut-out over the New Jersey Devils had sparked fresh enthusiasm and declarations that a new era of respectability was on its way. The next game after the big trades, a return meeting against the Devils just 3 days later, was depressingly stark in the way it revealed how little had actually changed. Just when you started believing...</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to their usual form, the Leafs gave up the first goal of the game in the 1st period, an even-strength marker to Dainius Zubrus. The 2nd period however, belonged to the Leafs. Kaberle on the powerplay has the equalizer at 3:39, and then at 10:23 the powerplay strikes again, this time it's Stempniak. to give the Leafs the lead. At 16:09, and after 38 games, Rickard Wallin scores his first goal as a Maple Leaf, giving the Leafs a 3-1 lead and sending them into the second intermission with a 2-goal cushion.</div><div><br /></div><div>The game stays that way with the Leafs in control and relaxed and the game well in hand until, with just 3 minutes and 4 seconds to go, McAmmond strikes for New Jersey to bring them within one. Suddenly Leaf fans are a little anxious, and Leaf players look nervous and grip their sticks like they're hanging from the edge of a cliff. A penalty to Ponikarovsky increases the New Jersey momentum, and with a sixth attacker joining the play, the Devils tie the score, Zajac in dramatic fashion, with just 44 seconds left on the clock.</div><div><br /></div><div>Then the unthinkable.</div><div><br /></div><div>It took just 25 seconds. The New Jersey crowd rocked and roared and the Leafs seemed utterly helpless. Those Leaf fans that witnessed it felt that helplessness. Pondolfo scores for the Devils with just 19 seconds left and New Jersey takes a 4-3 lead. A two-goal lead for the Blue and White evaporating in under 3 minutes and not even a consolation point for overtime. Nothing. Just another loss. Our new-look Leafs were all too familiar.</div><div><br /></div><div>* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *</div><div><br />After the game we learned the terrible news that Brendan Burke had passed away at the young age of 21.<br /><br />Time stopped. Hockey stopped. The NHL standings lost all relevance. All the anger, the frustration, the disappointment of losing, the utter despair that should have followed such an astonishing defeat, all of it stopped. Suddenly meaningless and swept aside, replaced by immeasurable grief and sorrow.<br /><br />The real world. Human life. So much more important then a spectator sport. How can we express our sadness and discuss death and then go back to talking about a game? It's so tragic. And it has nothing to do with hockey. Personal lives are not part of the spectacle.<br /><br />And yet I believe it's fair to say that hockey fans were deeply moved. An outpouring of sympathy came from every corner of the hockey universe, Leafs Nation included. How could I write a post about our toughest losses without mentioning Brendan Burke? And how could I mention Brendan Burke in a post and not let it take over the post? How can I not write about what a remarkable human being he seemed to be and how utterly sad it is...? How can I write about how it hurts to lose hockey games when someone else has lost someone they love? Why would I do this?<br /><br />Because I remember, and I can't forget. Because I respect Brian Burke for what he's done in his career and for what he's doing now with my beloved Blue and White. He is the figurehead of a franchise and a fanbase that sometimes feels like my family. There's no comparing, of course, to real-life relationships, but I can't deny the emotional engagement either. I adore the collective spirit; <em>the passion that unites us all</em>, in anguish and in triumph. This is my team. Win or lose.<br /><br />It's just a game after all, but for many of us, it means more. The most wonderful aspect of Leaf Nation is the sense of camaraderie and how deeply we care.</div><div><br /></div><div>I remember Brendan Burke. Same as I remember Teeder Kennedy. And Peter Zezel. With sorrow, but also joy. Heroes are heroes. We honour them by remembering them and then by moving forward and opening our hearts.<br /><br />And when we're ready, new heroes will emerge.<br /><br /></div><div>I remember these losses, amongst others, as I remember <i>last place overall in the Eastern Conference.</i> It only makes me want to win even more. Have faith. And let the season begin...</div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-75667916540018453412010-10-04T16:10:00.008-04:002010-10-04T19:03:43.462-04:00Oh My God Look How Much Better We Are<span style="font-size:180%;">W</span>hether we win or lose our first game of the regular season, I promise you one thing; we will not go 0-7-1 in our first 8 this year. We are much better then that, and much better then the roster that started things off so dreadfully poor last year, essentially destroying the season before it had a chance to begin. A simple comparison of line-ups, from last year's season-opener against the Canadians, to the starting-roster of our last pre-season game, shows a marked improvement in skill and potential.<br /><br />Only seven players from that line-up on <a href="http://www.hockey-reference.com/boxscores/200910010TOR.html">October 1st, 2009</a> also appeared in our closing pre-season game <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid=2010100221">Oct. 2nd, 2010</a>, the final tune-up before the big show with what is expected to be the opening-night roster. Those seven surviving players are:<br /><br /><strong>Francois Beauchemin<br />Mikhail Grabovski<br />Tomas Kaberle<br />Mike Komisarek<br />Colton Orr<br />Luke Schenn<br />Jonas Gustavsson<br /></strong><br />Beauchemin and Komisarek should be settled and more confident to start this season. Schenn is bigger and stronger, more mature, and meaner. Kaberle is entering a contract year and may have something to prove. Grabbo cut his hair but still looks as cocky and confident as ever. Gustavsson is a year older and wiser and should be less distracted. And Colton Orr is Colton Orr.<br /><br />Now let's look at players that were in our line-up on opening night last season who won't be this time around:<br /><br /><strong>Jason Blake</strong> - now in Anaheim<br /><strong>Garnet Exelby</strong> - flunked his try-out with the Rangers<br /><strong>Niklas Hagman</strong> - Calgary<br /><strong>John Mitchell</strong> - press box<br /><strong>Alexei Ponikarovsky</strong> - signed with L.A. Kings<br /><strong>Wayne Primeau</strong> - available to anyone<br /><strong>Jay Rosehill</strong> - Marlies<br /><strong>Matt Stajan</strong> - Calgary<br /><strong>Viktor Stalberg</strong> - Chicago<br /><strong>Lee Stempniak</strong> - Phoenix<br /><strong>Rickard Wallin</strong> - Who knows, who cares.<br /><strong>Ian White</strong> - Calgary<br /><strong>Vesa Toskala</strong> - never seen or heard from again, hopefully<br /><br />Now look at what we've replaced those 13 players with from our last pre-season tilt:<br /><br /><strong>Colby Armstrong<br />Tyler Bozak<br />Tim "Legend" Brent<br />Mike Brown<br />Carl Gunnarsson<br />Phil Kessel<br />Nikolai Kulemin<br />Clarke MacArthur<br />Dion Phaneuf<br />Fredrik Sjostrom<br />Kris Versteeg<br />Mike Zigomanis<br />J.S. Giguere</strong><br /><br />This is an entirely positive overhaul. First let's compare the two defenders:<br /><br /><strong>Phaneuf</strong> and <strong>Gunnarsson</strong> replace <strong>XLB</strong> and <strong>White</strong>. I like Ian White, but this is not a fair contest.<br /><br />Next, the skill-forwards: <strong>Bozak</strong>, <strong>Kessel</strong>, <strong>Versteeg</strong>, <strong>Kulemin</strong> vs. <strong>Stajan</strong>, <strong>Blake</strong>, <strong>Poni</strong>, and <strong>Hagman</strong>. Again, this is so lopsided it makes my stomach hurt. Kulemin was a healthy scratch last year on opening night, and 4 times in the first 8 games. This year, he comes to camp much improved and ready to be an important contributor that shores up a dangerous looking offence.<br /><br />Now let's look at three of our bottom-six newcomers: <strong>Armstrong</strong>, <strong>Brown</strong>, and <strong>MacArthur</strong> the assist ninja, vs. <strong>Primeau</strong>, <strong>Rosehill</strong>, and <strong>Stempniak</strong> the useless ninja. Again, it's no-contest. The guys we've added to the line-up are serious upgrades over last year's starters.<br /><br />And then, the grunts of the team: <strong>Brent</strong>, <strong>Sjostrom</strong>, <strong>Zigomanis</strong>, vs. <strong>Mitchell</strong>, <strong>Wallin</strong>, and <strong>Stalberg</strong>. I think the Legend of Brent has superseded Mitchell in terms of fan-confidence and he deserves a shot. Couldn't do much worse. Meanwhile, Sjostrom is a massive upgrade over Wallin both in a checking role and on the penalty kill. And lastly, and maybe a bit peculiar, is Zigomanis and Stalberg. What is interesting about this comparison is that Stalberg was last year's pre-season hero and the most exciting rookie to come out of camp, and the only one out of himself, Kadri, Hanson, and Bozak, to be given a shot with the club right from game one. This year, a different situation as Zigomanis is perhaps a surprise inclusion to start the year with the big club, while the impressive camps from Hanson and Caputi have not secured either a spot. Maybe the best thing about our new-look line-up is that, finally, the cupboard is no longer bare. Re-enforcements are hungry and ready to go.<br /><br />Finally, the goaltenders: <strong>J.S. Giguere</strong> vs. <strong>Vesa Toskala</strong><br /><br />Hahahahahahahahaha... dear God, it was so horrible...<br /><br />I really think if our current line-up faced off against last year's opening-night line-up, the final score would be <b>10-0</b>, with Toskala pulled at the 10-minute mark of the 1st after giving up seven. This team just seems so much better in so many ways, from the top of the line-up to the bottom. My hats off to Mr. Burke, for giving us an incredible six-pack on defence, and for shoring up every other weak area in the line-up. I know, I've been drinking a lot of Kool-aid - and also NyQuil - and there's still a long way to go before we are serious Cup-contenders. But as opening night approaches, we can at least look forward to a team that is<b> </b><i>destined to compete</i>, and not struggle, for 82 games.<br /><br />And then, beyond...general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-85862203537845395812010-09-29T21:29:00.017-04:002010-10-21T11:46:51.507-04:00The Word Is Leaf: September<span style="font-size:180%;">H</span>ere's a round-up of the month's best quotes. If you've heard a good one that I've missed feel free to throw it in the comments with a link. And if just one person lets me know that they liked this idea, I'll try to keep doing it for every month of the season. Cheers.<br /><br /><a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PVzEzz_UtWk/0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PVzEzz_UtWk/0.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>"He showed me that I don't know how sharp his skates are because he can't stop when there's a turnover. He goes for a big skate."</em></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/866455--leafs-kadri-playing-way-back-to-minors">Ron Wilson</a> on Kadri<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mqLYeabkRpL87SX9AYddfezSXrsiz0ZW8vgBJpAQEI4N5-u9C-CH-DjYF4hsXbA-1swUNSH4EEMUTakrlt7Jtd82RHWe0cAB-1vpRt7McA_spKCVtoqAAN-KER0p04z4aMCKmtBNeQBL/s400/Tim+Hunter.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mqLYeabkRpL87SX9AYddfezSXrsiz0ZW8vgBJpAQEI4N5-u9C-CH-DjYF4hsXbA-1swUNSH4EEMUTakrlt7Jtd82RHWe0cAB-1vpRt7McA_spKCVtoqAAN-KER0p04z4aMCKmtBNeQBL/s400/Tim+Hunter.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><i>“That’s the cruelty of this game and the cruelty of the NHL. Other guys are better than you. You’ve got to work hard to get back into the good books of the coaches."</i></span><br />- Assistant Coach <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/867878--nazem-kadri-on-leafs-top-line-tonight?bn=1">Tim Hunter</a><br /><br /><a href="http://foodcourtlunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/caputi-luca-ap-100307.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 172px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://foodcourtlunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/caputi-luca-ap-100307.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“I had to go the tailor and let out every single one of my suits in the ass. Two hundred bucks worth of tailoring because my friggin’ rear got bigger.”</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/865877">Luca Caputi</a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/a6/7b/e6df6b3244e69f0d3e7bf31ef035.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 281px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/a6/7b/e6df6b3244e69f0d3e7bf31ef035.jpeg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Can you control your Dad? I love my Dad, but I don't agree with everything my father says."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=333120">Tomas Kaberle</a><br /><br /><a href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0buxdQmgHQ4Nj/610x.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 366px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 288px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0buxdQmgHQ4Nj/610x.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>“This speculation that Jeff Finger has been earmarked for assignment, I don’t think is fair to Jeff,”</em></span><br />-<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/leafs-try-not-to-tip-their-cap/article1726896/">Brian Burke</a><br /><br /><a href="http://budsinblue.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/wayne-primeau456.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://budsinblue.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/wayne-primeau456.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“We’re going to send an e-mail to all the teams tomorrow informing that he’s available and how hard he works and what a good guy he is."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://sports.nationalpost.com/2010/09/26/leafs-trim-roster-to-30-players/">Brian Burke</a> on Wayne Primeau<br /><br /><a href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/9d/bf/6a81c84845f69e90fc50510b9b43.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/9d/bf/6a81c84845f69e90fc50510b9b43.jpeg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"I have a special spot in my heart for Wayne, but it's an uphill climb for him,"</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/Primeau+facing+uphill+climb+extend+career/3577695/story.html">Ron Wilson</a> on Primeau<br /><br /><a href="http://nationalpostsports.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/primeau.jpg?w=620"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 279px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://nationalpostsports.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/primeau.jpg?w=620" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"I still enjoy being around the guys, I still enjoy playing the game. Thirty-four is not old, but on this team, it's not young."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/toronto/Primeau+facing+uphill+climb+extend+career/3577695/story.html">Wayne Primeau</a><br /><br /><a href="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs627.ash1/27548_27411504508_915_n.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 293px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/hs627.ash1/27548_27411504508_915_n.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">“It had to be done. I think the refs had to get to a game in Montreal."</span></em><br />-11th round shoot-out hero and new locker room funny-guy, <a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=538479">Colby Armstrong</a><br /><br /><a href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/016/256/85824655_crop_340x234.jpg?1282946880"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 211px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/001/016/256/85824655_crop_340x234.jpg?1282946880" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"I think preseason is my playoffs."</span></em><br />- a somewhat perplexed <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/leafs-v-senators-game-day-notebook/article1716582/">Matt Lashoff</a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.canada.com/c281ff5d-5508-42f4-8a3d-603954af46e9/komisarek.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.canada.com/c281ff5d-5508-42f4-8a3d-603954af46e9/komisarek.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"No one is going to remember these games."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2010/09/21/15422371.html">Mike Komisarek</a>,with an alternate view<br /><br /><a href="http://mapleleafshotstove.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bozak-kessel.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 405px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://mapleleafshotstove.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/bozak-kessel.jpeg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Hey, hey Bozie! I've been looking for you! We're on the same team tomorrow!''</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.canada.com/Leafs+hunt+perfect+dish/3546693/story.html">Phil Kessel</a> to Tyler Bozak<br /><br /><a href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JiTrnqc-D30/0.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/JiTrnqc-D30/0.jpg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Don’t go looking for it, but it’s bound to happen and you have to be sure you are ready to protect yourself and put a beating on the other guy."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2010/09/21/15429491.html">Christian Hanson</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YXqwlpQrjthCSFI2Ip4BsEupmdfnI38gelIupR-ldC5Im6W7AoGv8x8H8e5Mag0ulU72qhlqGfmuGUOvCZps61zWO19IjOQy-uTKIILOwE-7RBTWD2FYOyFPS-r3jHrtZ2sMHlJWyRA/s1600/timbrent.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522157759549533410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 248px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3YXqwlpQrjthCSFI2Ip4BsEupmdfnI38gelIupR-ldC5Im6W7AoGv8x8H8e5Mag0ulU72qhlqGfmuGUOvCZps61zWO19IjOQy-uTKIILOwE-7RBTWD2FYOyFPS-r3jHrtZ2sMHlJWyRA/s320/timbrent.jpg" border="0" /></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;">“It’s kind of nice to fly under the radar and quietly go about my business.”</span></i><em><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />-</span></em>The <a href="http://www.faceoff.com/Brent+Leafs+sights/3592990/story.html">Tim Brent</a> joke reaches its zenith.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj5CzH5W316j76ukgTxUhZ87l8DUEXz9HERJatdp6q45LGVnHTKpU3Y9RkO_osqnRVa_wmjTkOuXXcTjzAiM07Q8NQGE9wWGoyOEMWnwa78bm_EAEwdIyeR_XpahhGnz_d8VoE6BeSDo/s1600/Brian+Burke.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 340px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicj5CzH5W316j76ukgTxUhZ87l8DUEXz9HERJatdp6q45LGVnHTKpU3Y9RkO_osqnRVa_wmjTkOuXXcTjzAiM07Q8NQGE9wWGoyOEMWnwa78bm_EAEwdIyeR_XpahhGnz_d8VoE6BeSDo/s1600/Brian+Burke.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><em>“We have the best fans in the world. It’s unbelievable what we have. No matter where we go, there is blue and white. But I sense some fatigue. I sense some real frustration and impatience.”</em></span><br />-<a href="http://www.thestar.com/article/864264--can-brian-burke-cure-leafs-blue-and-white-disease">Brian Burke</a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/f2/6f/d454feab432e89e76ecbe818ba98.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/f2/6f/d454feab432e89e76ecbe818ba98.jpeg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"Win games, that’s it.”</span></em><br />- <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/863081--kessel-is-ready-for-big-role-with-leafs">Phil Kessel</a>'s only goal<br /><br /><a href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/ec/39/fe438e704008926bd43a4dcff4d8.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/ec/39/fe438e704008926bd43a4dcff4d8.jpeg" border="0" /></a><em><span style="font-size:130%;">"You can't just melt when someone criticizes you. That's not the way to be, that's not being mentally tough."</span></em><br />-<a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/hockey/highly-touted-kadri-not-going-to-melt-over-brian-burkes-criticism-103874534.html">Nazem Kadri</a>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-9908540301250135622010-09-25T01:59:00.003-04:002010-09-25T02:06:54.054-04:00On Second Thought, Moral Victories In The Pre-Season Are Fine<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>hings are starting to look up.<div><br /></div><div>I'm not too concerned with shoot-out wins and losses. The Leafs are competing, and that's what counts at this stage. Young players are starting to shine. Leaders are starting to emerge. Puzzle pieces are coming together. The outlook is positive and the fun is just beginning.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Young Players Are Starting To Shine</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Your favourite Italian and mine is now Luca Caputi. This kid's got <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/865877">some charm and isn't shy</a> at all. Plus, I just love saying his name. Luca Caputi. I probably say it 50 times a day. Sometimes I don't even know I'm saying it. I use it to denote exclamation instead of words like <i>yes</i> or <i>wow</i>.<br /><br /><i>"Chicken wings and fries? Luca Caputi! Every night this week? Luca Caputi!"</i></div><div><br /></div><div>I also use it as a stop-gap, instead of <i>umm</i> or <i>y'know</i>, when I can't think of what I want to say.</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>I know it's late, but... uh-Luca Caputi... the internet needs me</i>."</div><div><br /></div><div>And my wife uses it as a code for marital harmony.</div><div><br /></div><div>"<i>Well, you can forget about any Luca Caputi this month!</i>"</div><div><br /></div><div>The list of words that compares with the linguistic eloquence of Luca Caputi is short: Godzilla, stormtrooper, cheeseburger, screwdriver, cannonball, alligator, donnybrook, dynamite, and jellO. That's your top 10 of all time. Luca Caputi comes in at number 4.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and the kid can play hockey. More then that, he seems to have a strong desire to make his presence felt, and force management to strongly consider his inclusion. In the 2 pre-season games he's played, Caputi has 4 points - 1 goal and 3 assists - to lead the team in scoring. He makes <a href="http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid=2010092421">no mistake here (1:14)</a> in his shoot-out attempt, and below, shows some quickness and grit by going to the net hard and slamming the loose puck home.</div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fk2N7iswqvc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fk2N7iswqvc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Leaders Are Starting To Emerge</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span><br /><div>Despite letting the Flyers slip back in last night's contest, Giguere was solid in net for the Leafs, showing veteran focus and poise, allowing the Leafs to concentrate on their game. Perhaps more importantly, the late collapse, however flukey, underscores where work needs to be done, and with 29 saves on 32 shots, we can be reasonably sure the fault isn't with the goaltending. In fact, Giguere's attitude and experience are already proving their worth as the goaltender lends his voice in a positive way after what could have been a demoralizing defeat.</div><div><br /></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"I think the last five minutes we stopped skating," </span></i><a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/breakingnews/j-s-giguere-in-form-but-leafs-still-lose-in-shootout-4-3-to-flyers-103762479.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">said Giguere.</span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> "We thought the game was in the bag. It's a good example for a young group — hopefully we'll get a lesson out of this one and move forward learning something."</span></i><br /><br />Another good sign Friday night was the impressive and encouraging play of both Dion Phaneuf and Kris Versteeg. Both of them had multiple point nights, scoring a goal and an assist each. Versteeg's goal was the result of clever presence around the net and the fearlessness required to gather and control a loose puck in the slot and then calmly deliver.<br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6ne5vopjqe4?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6ne5vopjqe4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />You can't do that if you're worried about screwing up. Versteeg carries the puck with confidence, is out there making plays, and looks strong and relaxed. Like Hagman did for brief flashes before him, Versteeg exemplifies what a complete hockey player should be and will hopefully show the young emerging stars like Kessel and Bozak how to comfortably travel the road to success.<div><br /></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Puzzle Pieces Are Com</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">ing Together</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>Friday night gave us our first look in a long time at what promises to be a fun pairing - Kaberle and Komisarek. They looked good together, and once they get completely familiar with each other's style - which never really happened last year - I think they're going to be very efficient and effective blueliners that can hurt opponents in a lot of different ways. Gunnarsson, Beauchemin, and Schenn all look to be in strong form already, and along with Captain Phaneuf, make an impressive group that should find chemistry less elusive this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Up front, Kessel, Bozak, and Kulemin looks like a legitimate top line that's going to be consistently dangerous. Versteeg could substitute in there very nicely, with Kulemin more then capable of playing on Grabbo's wing. MacArthur is still a question mark in my mind. Despite two assists he hasn't stood out much and has kind of a Stempniak quality about him, though he does have an infinitely cooler sounding name. Clarke. Right now I'd throw Caputi into the top-six, but it's still early.</div><div><br /></div><div>That leaves Armstrong, Brown, Hanson, Kadri, Mitchell, and Mueller fighting for 3 spots. The remaining 2 will go to Orr and Sjostrom, though a body will have to be carried until the latter comes back. I think you can safely scratch Kadri and Mueller off that list as both could use a little seasoning though their futures look bright. The guy who should be most worried is John Mitchell.</div><div><br /></div><div>Complicating matters, especially for John, is the solid effort of Wayne Primeau. It says a lot about this player's character that he was invited back to camp on a try-out, and says even more that he's found a way to work himself into the line-up. He must be doing all the right things in practice, and last night, Primeau was hustling and banging and making his case. Paired with Orr, he picked up an assist on Kessel's goal and helped give him the room to score by creating traffic in front. Primeau was a plus 1 over 11:40 ice time, with 5 shots on goal, and 2 penalty minutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>If nothing ever comes of it, Primeau can at least move on knowing he hasn't embarrassed himself, and his competitive contribution to camp is appreciated. However, I think it's quite likely that Mitchell's time in Toronto is running out under Wilson without him showing a small leap forward in development. If so, that could open up a door for Primeau to get on to the roster as a utility player. Though he likely wouldn't have the endurance for a full 82-game season, Primeau's presence in the dressing room and on the road would be far more inspirational then John Mitchell's, while, I suspect, his leadership held in higher regard.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">S</span>till 5 exhibition games to go, but it's nice to see things coming together, new leaders emerging, and the not-too-distant future looking bright. As I said, I'm not too worried about shoot-out wins and losses in the pre-season, and I guess the refs can't be blamed on Kessel's no-goal in overtime. They apparently didn't get the memo that this year things are going to be different.</div><div><br /></div><div>Game In Six - Kessel's goal at 4:50</div><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/w_-AjH-hc2k?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/w_-AjH-hc2k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-164089437651984042010-09-22T00:21:00.002-04:002010-09-22T00:51:44.933-04:00Severe Erectile Dysfunction<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">L</span>imp.<div><br /></div><div>Dejected and frustrated.</div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.themedguru.com/files/Depressed%20men%20with%20erectile%20dysfunction%20face%20higher%20cardio%20troubles-F250x250.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.themedguru.com/files/Depressed%20men%20with%20erectile%20dysfunction%20face%20higher%20cardio%20troubles-F250x250.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><div>Impotent.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's how it feels after the Leafs lose their first preseason game, a 5-0 stinker at home to the despised Senators. The soft drink sponsored Fans First Game, promoted as "our way of thanking them for their on-going support" ends with those grateful Maple Leafs slinking off the ice to a smattering of boos. Maybe it's the deserving karma of the whole nauseating promo-event, but for whatever reason, the Leafs seemed woefully mismatched and unprepared.</div><div><br /></div><div>Reminiscent of last season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Does coaching have anything to do with being prepared?</div><div><br /></div><div>Whoah, slow down there. Just one game. Wilson is not going to be fired for what he does in September.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back to this Fans First thing. I actually missed most of the first two periods. I was at SkyDome watching the Blue Jays with my 3 year old daughter. But before the game we walked around Union Station to see if we could flip our baseball tickets (for an actual regular season game) for (pre-season) hockey tickets. 100 section, just a few rows behind the first base dug-out. I was told by scalpers that my pair of 62 dollar tickets wasn't worth 25 dollars. He then added that because tonight's Leafs game was "free", tickets were really scarce and were going for double the normal rate. Plus, "it's the first game so everyone wants to go".</div><div><br /></div><div>My daughter and I really enjoyed 4 innings of Blue Jays baseball and the score was 5-1 when we left. We saw 3 home runs.</div><div><br /></div><div>By the time I got home, it was 3-0 for the Sens and the only drama left was how bad could it get. </div><div><br /></div><div>Said <a href="http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=461373">Greg Cyr</a>, the director of integrated marketing of a soft drink company:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"And now we’re making the impossible, possible for passionate Leafs fans that have never experienced the thrill of a live Leafs game."</span></i></div></div><br />Uh-huh. Except, fail.<div><br /></div><div>IT'S NOT THRILLING WHEN YOU LOSE FIVE NOTHING.</div><div><br /></div><div>Don't get too unwound. This isn't really the Leafs. This team had names like Irwin, Mueller, Hamilton, Zigomanis, Crabb, Gysbers, Lashoff, and Rynnas, on the back of Leafs' sweaters, not to mention Kadri and D'Amigo. This is not the team we'll see in October.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't know if he does it on purpose, but Wilson seems to have a habit of throwing people to the wolves. There was probably a degree of opening-night jitters and uncertainty from the young players and even the vets. My idea of "a game to say thanks" would be to surprise the opposition with a stacked line-up of all the regular everyday players from last season. Let the rookies watch the veterans then set the tone for the season by demolishing a Sens line-up sprinkled with job-seekers and minor leaguers in front of a roaring, appreciative crowd.</div><div><br /></div><div>In short, Mr. Wilson, you're not helping soft drink sales and we've got eight games left to establish a culture of success.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://twitter.com/Bozie42/statuses/25174187913">Tyler Bozak</a> seems to have a clear head on his shoulders:</div><div><br /></div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"tough start to preseason but thats what preseason is for! Getting all the kinks out. In the lineup tomorrow and cant wait!"</span></i><br /><br />Seems like the right attitude. I guess it's the right time for getting stuff out of the way. So I made a list of "kinks" you can exercise from your systems over the next 8 games:<br /><br />1. Blow-outs at home.<br /><br />2. Lackluster efforts vs. division rivals.<br /><br />3. Lackluster efforts at home.<br /><br />4. Shutouts on home ice.<br /><br />5. A SHUT-OUT LOSS IN A BLOW OUT AT HOME TO A DIVISION RIVAL IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN THE REGULAR SEASON!!1 That's the kind of stuff that make us a laughing stock. No more laughing stocks.<br /><br />6. Oh-Seven-And-One. Just get it out of the way now. I honestly don't care if we don't win one PRESEASON game but we WILL NOT go 0-7-1 to start the regular season again. Unacceptable in the extreme.<div><br /></div><div>I suppose there's more to add to the list, like ineffective power plays and penalty kills, giving up 2-goal leads in the 3rd, or not having a full-scale donnybrook in the final minutes of a 5-0 blowout at home to a division rival... Work all that shit out and make sure these bad habits, or "kinks" or just mind-numbingly poor efforts have had their time in the sun and won't be coming back in the regular season.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyways, the first preseason game is no treat for the fans. At the end of the year, when we see our first <i>post-season</i> game, now that will be a real gift that we blow our wad for.</div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-21622982723799432842010-09-15T23:25:00.009-04:002010-09-16T07:49:21.431-04:00Have I Really Waited Seventeen Years For This?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>his is a post that I've wanted to do for <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2008/09/they-be-doin-what-now.html">a while</a>.<br /><br />Just <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=516144">3 days after Phaneuf was acquired</a>, it was announced that Komisarek's season was finished for shoulder surgery. Since then I've been anxiously waiting to see the Leafs top-six defenders suit up together, though I thought it would never come. After enduring the summer-long agony of Kaberle's trade window in solemn isolation, I can finally look forward to opening night and seeing the most promising six-man unit on the blue line since 1993.<br /><br />Or is it ever?<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dimitri Mironov vs. Carl Gunnarsson</span></b><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/331714/000545759.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 182px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/331714/000545759.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/955/905/97814981.jpg.3923_crop_340x234.jpg?1274237452"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 223px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 162px" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/955/905/97814981.jpg.3923_crop_340x234.jpg?1274237452" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><div>Mironov was a rookie in the 92-93 season with just 7 NHL games under his belt before that. He had a decent impact in the regular season with 31 points in 59 games, but he appeared in just 14 of the Leafs 21 playoff games, registering only 3 points in very limited ice-time. The following season, a greatly improved Mironov would play in all 18 post-season games, racking up 15 points.</div><div><br />After an injury-riddled 3rd season, Mironov was shipped out in the summer, along with a 2nd round pick to Pittsburgh for Larry Murphy. Pittsburgh would then flip Mironov to Anaheim in November for three players and Mironov would go on to have his break-out season, recording 52 points. The following season he recorded 43 points, got traded at the deadline to Detroit, and won a Stanley Cup. Mironov then finished his career with three seasons in Washington under head coach, you guessed it, Ron Wilson.<br /></div><br /><div>There's not too much to say about Gunnarsson. Seems to have what it takes. 43 games played in his rookie campaign, 15 points, and a team leading plus 8. Sky is the limit for this kid's potential right now.<br /><br /><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Jamie Macoun vs. Luke Schenn</span></b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/368718/000546409.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/368718/000546409.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thehockeywriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/schenn-svictoria29-225x300.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 179px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 226px" alt="" src="http://thehockeywriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/schenn-svictoria29-225x300.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div>Jamie "Crazy Legs" Macoun came to the Leafs from Calgary on January 2nd, 1992 as part of the Gilmour-blockbuster, and immediately gave them a savvy veteran presence on the blue line. Currently, Luke Schenn is entering his 3rd season in the NHL and what he lacks in veteran savvy he makes up for with poise and diligence.<br /></div><div>Schenn is a strong, hard-hitting, stay at home defenceman, a cornerstone of the future here in Toronto. Jamie "Crazy Legs" Macoun had crazy legs. They wiggled and wobbled this way and that, like elastic bands wrapped around jellO. It was very difficult to get the puck past or through Macoun's awkward defensive style, for even when he was on his rump, his feet were still moving, legs flailing about. He wasn't dirty, but he was crafty, and often matched up against the league's top stars.<br /></div><br /><div>Macoun gave the Leafs more then 5 solid seasons before being traded to Detroit in '98, and winning a Stanley Cup, his second, alongside former teammate Dimitri Mironov. The 4th round pick the Leafs received in return for Crazy Legs turned out to be Ponikarovsky.<br /></div><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Sylvain Lefebvre vs. Francois Beauchemin</span></b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/81475655.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF8789215ABF3343C02EA54886CFA06A463BCAF7A17C505AEF76AC3503426155C14046BE"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 220px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://cache1.asset-cache.net/xc/81475655.jpg?v=1&c=IWSAsset&k=2&d=77BFBA49EF8789215ABF3343C02EA54886CFA06A463BCAF7A17C505AEF76AC3503426155C14046BE" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/249/665/GYI0059178630_crop_450x500.jpg?1261594238"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 185px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 145px" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/gallery_images/photos/000/249/665/GYI0059178630_crop_450x500.jpg?1261594238" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Sylvain Lefebvre only played 2 seasons for the Blue and White, but his impact was enormous. He was one of the most poised and reliable stay-at-home defenceman the Leafs have ever seen. His first season in Toronto he had 2 goals to go along with 12 assists and 90 penalty minutes and he was a major presence defending the Leafs goal in the magical playoff run of '93. The following year, Lefebvre chipped in 2 goals again, along with 9 assists, 79 penalty minutes, and a team leading plus 33. Once again, Lefebvre was a significant part of the '94 blue line that went back to the final four.<br /></div><br /><div>Lefebvre was also involved in one of the '93 team's <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiPxTEG2Ax8">most iconic moments</a>, and were it not for Joe Bowen's masterful eruption, one wonders where we would all be? For how could there be a blog called <a href="http://www.downgoesbrown.com/">DownGoesBrown</a> if that had never happend? And truthfully, if there was no <a href="http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2008/03/how-to-fight-when-you-dont-want-to.html">DownGoesBrown</a>, I probably wouldn't be blogging and YOU wouldn't be reading this. You'd be doing something else, just think about that. And then thank Sylvain Lefebvre.<br /></div><br /><div>In the summer of '94, Lefebvre was traded to the Nordiques with Wendel Clark as part of the huge Sundin-blockbuster. After one season in Quebec, the team was moved to Colorado where Lefebvre won (ho hum) a Stanley Cup.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Beauchemin is entering his 2nd season with the Leafs and gives them the same quiet, reliable depth on the blue line as Lefebvre once did, often counted on to be the shut-down specialist in tight games.</div><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Bob Rouse vs. Mike Komisarek</span></b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/396975/000545967.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 165px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/imported_assets/396975/000545967.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/941/381/93509350.jpg.4675_crop_340x234.jpg?1271953784"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/941/381/93509350.jpg.4675_crop_340x234.jpg?1271953784" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Bob Rouse was a very hard-nosed, low maintenance, reliable defenceman. Like Lefebvre, he seemed quiet and unassuming, but played a tough physical game that was <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwVGtkje79k">hard as nails</a>. Rouse was another stay-at-home defenceman that stood up for his teammates on many occasions. In '92-'93, Rouse's 2nd season with the team, he had 14 points and 130 penalty minutes. The following year, 16 points and 101 penalty minutes in 63 games.<br /><br /><div>Rouse, of course, also assisted on one of the Leafs <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Lzey0O5xs">most important</a> and iconic goals of the '93 playoff run. In the summer of '94, after his second consecutive trip to the final four, Rouse was signed as a Free-Agent by Detroit and went on to win the Stanley Cup in 1997, and again in 1998 with former '93 teammates Dimitri Mironov and Jamie Macoun. Why, Lord, why did we let these guys go?</div><br /><div>Mike Komisarek is coming back from shoulder surgery and is expected to be the physical, nasty presence that the Leafs need. As long as his health holds up, Mike is a hard working soldier that backs down from no one. If Komisarek can play a more refined, retrained game, he'd make a good version of a bigger, better, stronger Bob Rouse.</div><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Todd Gill vs. Tomas Kaberl</span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">e</span></b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5qrhK2ONig/0.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 203px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/z5qrhK2ONig/0.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/2e/fe/f6b55250413caff0a798f9dca88e.jpeg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 152px" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/2e/fe/f6b55250413caff0a798f9dca88e.jpeg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>Todd Gill is awesome and don't you dare say otherwise. Same goes for Kabby.<br /></div><br /><div>After that there's not much in the way of similarities between these two. Maybe there's a perception that they give the puck away a lot. I think it's over-exaggerated. Who cares. Awesome. I could write a million posts about it so don't get me started!<br /></div><br /><div>What Todd Gill lacked in talent he made up for in heart. And when you think of how much talent he lacked, you realize that's a whole hell lotta heart. Gill was a in his 9th season as a Maple Leaf in 1992-93. He wore the blue and white proudly, as proud as any Leaf before him or since. The 92-93 season was his break out year as a better-then-atrocious defender, scoring 11 goals and 32 assists for 43 points in 69 games, leading the defence in scoring and good for 4th on the team overall. You better believe it. Gill gave the Leafs timely contributions and gritty shifts game-in, game-out and was the embodiment of the Leafs' <i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2Up7QrKA64&feature=related">Never Say Die</a></i> spirit.<br /></div><br /><div>Todd Gill appeared in 19 NHL seasons - after 12 with the Leafs, he had stops in San Jose, St. Louis, Detroit, Phoenix, Detroit again, Colorado, and finally Chicago, but never did win a Stanley Cup. This year Kaberle is entering his 12th season as a Maple Leaf - the 2nd highest scoring defenceman in Toronto's history, and perhaps the most under-appreciated.</div><br /><div>Another interesting thing to note about the career path of Gill, is that he was one of only 3 players in '93 still with the Leafs since the last time they'd made the playoffs in 1990. Can you name the other two? Wendel is the easy one. And the other is a trick question - the returning Mark Osborne, who'd been traded to Winnipeg for Dave Ellett, and then reacquired.</div><br /><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Dave Ellett vs. Dion Phaneuf</span></b><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.checkoutmycards.com/CardImages/Cards/009/700/09F.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 147px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="http://www.checkoutmycards.com/CardImages/Cards/009/700/09F.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/816/210/96459942.jpg.28003_crop_340x234.jpg?1265513126"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 258px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 184px" alt="" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/images/photos/000/816/210/96459942.jpg.28003_crop_340x234.jpg?1265513126" border="0" /></a></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Dave Ellett came to the Leafs in November 1990 as part of a trade that saw popular Leaf forwards Ed Olczyk and Mark Osborne heading to Winnipeg. After suffering through two terrible seasons and missing the playoffs twice, things finally came together in the 1992-93 season with the additions of Lefebvre, Rouse, Macoun, and Mironov. And while Ellett was suddenly surrounded by a solid group of capable defenders, he remained the top dog, and the most steady puck-carrier on the blue line.<br /><br />In 92-93, Ellett had 6 goals and 34 assists for 40 points, and was an impressive plus 19, The following year, Ellett put up similar numbers, 7 goals, 36 assists, 43 points. In the 39 playoff games from those two seasons, Ellett contributed 30 points; 7 goals and 23 assists.<br /><br />Ellett patrolled the Leafs blue-line for more then 6 six seasons until he was finally traded, along with Doug Gilmour, to New Jersey, bringing Steve Sullivan, Jason Smith, and Alyn McCauley to Toronto. His NHL career spanned 16 seasons, 1129 games, scoring 568 points.<br /><br />Dion Phaneuf is now not only the top-dog on a stacked blue line, this year he comes to camp as the team's first Captain in three seasons. Expectations include ending a six-year playoff drought and restoring some semblance of pride and glory, not to mention some fine truculence, to this beautiful, loved, and yet oft-forsaken franchise. Phaneuf is entering his 6th NHL season with 238 points in 404 career games.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">W</span>ell, so this post was not really a comparative analysis so much as a lazy, self-indulgent juant through nostalgia-town, but I had fun with it anyways. I loved all those guys from the '93 and '94 playoffs, and that six-pack on defence under Burns' first two seasons was the best group of defenders from top to bottom that I can ever recall playing for the Blue and White.<br /><br />That is, I'm hoping, until this year.<br /><br />This September, the one thing I'm excited about most is seeing a group of defenders together for the first time that might become the best group of Maple Leafs defenders I've ever seen.general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-89668397227448396352010-09-08T22:15:00.005-04:002010-09-12T11:32:55.313-04:00Severed Finger<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">S</span>o, I had a chance to speak with Brian Burke the other day, that is to say, I was thinking about something and then I read <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/tomaskaberle/article/857784--tomas-kaberle-mum-on-future">his response in a newspaper</a>:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>“We’ve got good depth on defence. I know you’re going to ask: ‘What are you going to do with seven NHL defencemen?’ But those things work themselves out."</i></span><br /><br />And so I replied, "Actually, no, I was gonna ask, what are you going to do with <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">eight</span> </i>NHL defencemen, uh, but nevermind, I think instead I'll write a post about the demise of Jeff Finger..."<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3316966673_3a3ace6dd6.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3316966673_3a3ace6dd6.jpg" border="0" /></a>Phaneuf, Kaberle, Komisarek, Beauchemin, Gunnarrson, Schenn, and Lebda. That's seven. Unless Burke has miscounted, there's a missing Finger somewhere.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Over the summer there's been a lot of speculation that Finger's contract would be moved down to the Marlies this season to clear cap-space and reduce the number of redundant blue-liners, but this is the first semi-clear indication that I've seen from Leaf management one way or the other. Thus far, Finger has been this summer's <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2009/08/make-way-for-viking.html">Frogren</a> - quietly losing relevance and drifting from overlooked into the realm of unmentionable.</div><br /><div>Finger was a late bloomer, coming to the Leafs as a 28 year old with just 94 NHL games - a season and a quarter - under his belt. Most of his professional career has been as a minor-leaguer. Now 30, turning 31 in December, Jeff is just one game away from his 200th NHL appearance, yet he may never see it.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/5a/84/32527ae245bdbdb2f37c43065bf0.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 404px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/5a/84/32527ae245bdbdb2f37c43065bf0.jpeg" border="0" /></a>His first season with the Leafs, Finger lost 16 games to injury but I don't believe he was a healthy scratch once on a defensive line-up that featured Kubina, Kaberle, White, rookie Luke Schenn for 70 games, Stralman for 38 games, Van Ryn for 27 games, and Frogren for 41 games, not to mention spotty appearances by Oreskovic and Sifers, and Colaiacovo for 10 games at the start of the year.<div><br /></div><div>Last year, even long before the arrival of Dion Phaneuf, Finger found irregular work on the blue-line, platooning in and out of <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2009/11/exelby-vs-finger.html">the 6th spot</a> with Garnet Exelby. Rarely were the two in the line-up at the same time though usually one of them was. Despite the injury to Komisarek, Finger was never able to climb the depth chart, instead having the youngster Gunnarrson leapfrog over him into the number 4 spot. Finger appeared in just 39 games in the 2009-10 schedule and though he did miss 6 games at various points due to injury, he was listed as a healthy scratch 37 times. That's a lot of practices.<div><br /></div><div>Over the last 4 weeks of the season, he appeared in just 2 of the Leafs final 13 games, both of them against the Rangers. Finger didn't have the worst plus/minus on the team at minus 11, just the 4th worst. Two of the other guys ahead of (behind?) him were Kaberle and Beachemin who'd both played full 82-game seasons, more then double Finger's games played, and with significantly higher minutes per game. Finger's personal <i>Average-Time-On-Ice</i> dropped from <b>20:29</b> in 2008-9, to just <b>13:47</b> last year.</div><div><br /></div><div>(The other Leaf with a worse plus/minus was Stalberg, minus 13 after just 40 games. He has since been dealt to Chicago for Versteeg.)</div><div><br /></div><div>In the 26 games after the Great January 31st Overhaul and the future-Captain Dion's coming aboard, Finger cracked the line-up just 9 times. Despite the constant trade rumours around Kaberle, despite the trading of White - and then Exelby's <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/757376--leafs-should-know-trade-requests-often-don-t-work">trade request</a>, and despite the injury to Komisarek, and despite the tragically-shortened career of Van Ryn, Finger has never really been able to find a comfortable home on the Toronto blue line the way Beauchemin did.</div><div><br /></div><div>Now, with Phaneuf taking over, Komisarek returning, the signing of Lebda, Kaberle still with the team, and Schenn and Gunnarrson no longer unknown commodities, there's simply no need nor room for the likes of Jeff Finger.</div><div><br /></div><div>He threw a few hits and had a few scraps and after that there's not much to remember about him. And while the world is utterly captivated by the <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/858072--i-have-no-issue-with-wilson-says-kaberle?bn=1">denials of any issues</a> in the never-ending <a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=333120">non-story</a> that <a href="http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/Kaberle+issue+away/3496763/story.html">just wont go away</a> because <a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/lance_hornby/2010/09/08/15286256.html">it isn't there</a>, old number 4 quietly slips out the back door and into his waiting stretch-limo, pay cheque in hand, no questions asked, no pictures taken, just the way Jeff likes it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still, I'm gonna miss some of the silly jokes his name would inspire and for that reason alone I'm sorry to see him go. Best wishes and good luck with the Marlies, Jeff! While Finger's minor league and NHL experiences should certainly help, it's too bad there aren't four more guys just like him, 'cause they could really use a hand.</div><div><br /></div><div>Did I mention Finger is scheduled to earn 3.5 million dollars this season with still another year left on his contract? Not sure if that's somehow relevant.</div></div></div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-35026973648802226142010-09-06T21:06:00.004-04:002010-09-07T11:45:12.607-04:00Darcy Tucker Fan Club Revival<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">T</span>his might be a really bad idea. It might even be insane. Or maybe you should call it <i>BatShit Crazy</i>!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/356359186_0ea7333627.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 500px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/356359186_0ea7333627.jpg" border="0" /></a>Darcy Tucker is among a number of NHL Free-Agents still on the market. Wouldn't it be great to see him in a Leafs uniform again? Assuming he'd come here for cheap and with low expectations for playing time, why not bring that crazy sucker back for another go round, another shot at glory, another chance to make it all right again. <div><br /><div>I know there are many good reasons why this is a terrible idea and will never happen. I'm sure I could think of a few of them too but right now I'm so in love with this idea that I can't.</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay so he's still on the books against the cap for a million dollars a season, but in a way that's the beauty of the idea. If they're going to pay him to play <i>somewhere</i>, they might as well pay him to play <i>here</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Has this ever happened before? Has a player ever been bought out only to return to that team while his original contract was still being paid? For the Leafs, it might be a way to make amends for mistakes that were made on both sides, and to recoup some of that lost investment. For Tucker, it would be an honourable and honest way to make a living, a proud homecoming, and a chance to reconnect and relive the glory of his best years. For fans, a chance to heal and forgive, and then to forget the Muskoka Five and the Maurice regime, and remember instead the desire and passion of the Quinn era that elevated them.</div><div><br /></div><div>If we had a spot on the team two seasons ago for Brad May and last year for Wayne Primeau, we should be able to find room for Darcy. Of course, don't just give the spot away, make him earn it, and if players like Caputi, Armstrong, and Hanson put Darcy in the press box, we'll be better for it. It occurs to me that Darcy would be an excellent motivator to have sitting in the press box for the young players, knowing he'd be ready to jump into any situation if a player is not working hard enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just play around with the idea in your mind for a bit before you reject it. One of the great things about Tucker at this age is that he's versatile. He's matured and can be a mentor for young stars who'll need to know how to handle the pressure of a city like Toronto. He's tough and feisty, and if used sparingly, can be inserted when the Leafs are looking for that little extra edge. He can teach the young players about honour and bravery, backing up your teammates, and wearing your heart on your sleeve. He also knows his way around the side of the goal and could be useful as a secondary plug on a struggling powerplay.</div><div><br /></div><div>Think of the line combinations you could see with Tucker as a utility player - patrolling Kadri's wing and driving the net with Versteeg on the right side, delivering a double-dose of crazy and hurricane-like forechecking with Grabovski and Kulemin, or just running over opponents with Hanson and Orr. I guess I'm ignoring the fact that what the Leafs really need is a left-winger and Darcy traditionally plays right, but it's not gonna happen anyways so I might as well imagine that he's equally good on both sides.</div><div><br /></div><div>We did it for Cujo. We did it for Wendel, twice. We did it for Dougie, though it turned out to be for just one game. I'd do it for Darcy. I'd bring'im back, not just for one last hurrah or for old times sake, but to make a difference, to be that extra-man who gives us the edge, the guy who'll light a fire in the dressing room or bring the crowd to it's feet at just the right moment. Maybe I'm romanticizing the impact Tucker could have on the Leafs, but I don't doubt there'd be an enormous reaction the first time he stepped on the ice again in a Leafs uniform, and again for the first opponent he knocked down, his first goal, his first fight.</div><div><br /></div><div>Just take a look at this:<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcCF3dOWgSk?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hcCF3dOWgSk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div>Or skip that and just watch this:<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oti_FSlL_Bc?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oti_FSlL_Bc?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Man, you think about what's goin' on there, that is... that's scrambled eggs right there, Bill.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"</span></div><div><br /></div><div>319 points in 531 games as a Maple Leaf to go along with 756 penalty minutes. Sure, the glory days are long behind him at age 35, but there's got to be something still left in the tank, and no doubt, a flicker of the same intense desire for battle that never truly dies. Tucker is 53 NHL games away from 1,000 and 24 points away from 500.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know - terrible idea, never gonna happen. Still, it was fun to think about, and anyways, the last time I said Tucker should play for someone, <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2008/06/eye-of-tucker.html">that team ended up winning the Stanley Cup</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh well, if not Darcy Tucker, what about Owen Nolan? Oh wait... Doesn't he play right-wing as well? Say, what's Dave Andreychuk doing these days, anybody know?</div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-13851764030464525022010-09-01T00:01:00.006-04:002010-09-01T07:51:06.487-04:00The Blood Of My Chief, Vol. VI: The Dawn<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">A</span> full two seasons after The Long Departure of our last Chief, the tribe has finally wandered out of the wilderness. No longer aimless and uncertain, the Toronto Maple Leafs have once again found themselves a worthy leader. A noble and honourable warrior to carry on the tradition, to lead us into battle, to lift us to victory. A Captain to guide us out of the miserable gloom of apathy and deliver us into the illuminating light of hope. <div><br /></div><div>A man who reminds us of our destiny unfulfilled.</div><div><br /></div><div>A clear path to follow. The tribe awakens. A Nation hungers and thirsts to reclaim its glory, to resume the quest. There's a connection... Continuity...</div><div><div><br /></div><div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">They can feel it...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20080702/sundin-top_49247.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 387px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 270px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20080702/sundin-top_49247.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">A link to the past...</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/media/photos/unis/photo_1035184_resize.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 245px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 311px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/media/photos/unis/photo_1035184_resize.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">And so begins a new era...</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://livecave.com/wp-content/uploads/ted1.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 248px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 187px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://livecave.com/wp-content/uploads/ted1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center">And so continues the Legend...</div></div><div><br />Born April 10, 1985, Dion Phaneuf was just 25 years of age on June 14th, 2010, when he became the 17th Captain in the illustrious history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Having joined the team mid-season last year, Dion has appeared in just 26 games with the tribe, yet his impact and influence were immediately present. The Leafs were once again defiant, no longer afraid to lose, and asserting their ambition to win.<br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EdOP1qvfiU?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2EdOP1qvfiU?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>“That, to me, was where he was making a statement to everyone in the building that he wanted to be a captain here,”</i></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-introduce-phaneuf-as-team-captain/article1603836/">-Brian Burke</a></span></div><div><br /></div>Our Captain arrived on one of the most explosive days in Leafs history, emerging from the dust of the incredible shake up that became known as The Great Overhaul. Cast adrift were Hagman, Stajan, and the noble Ian White, yet also launched overboard was the anti-productive trio of Mayers, Blake, and Toskala, along with the dead weight of a losing atmosphere. Clearing the air and breathing new life into the team were Sjostrom, Conn Smythe trophy winner Giguere, and standing tallest of all, Dion Phaneuf. </div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"I believe January 31 will go down as a critical day in the timeline of this team. That’s when things started to change. You could see it."</span></i><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-<a href="http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/steve_simmons/2010/08/17/15045606.html">Brian Burke</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>"As soon as he came in he had a major impact on our room. I think it was obvious to everybody."</i></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span><a href="http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=324620"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ron Wilson</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i>“He made a big impact... ...took over the room a little bit. A guy that plays hard. Plays whistle to whistle the right way, holds his teammates accountable."</i></span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-</span><a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/dionphaneuf/article/823318--leafs-install-dion-phaneuf-as-captain"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Luke Schenn</span></a></div><div><br /></div><div>404 NHL games played. 77 goals, 161 assists, 238 points. 556 penalty minutes. 22 of his 77 goals are <i>game-winners</i>.</div><div><br /></div><div>His first historic goal as a Maple Leaf:</div><div><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ad3_f-3WJPo?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ad3_f-3WJPo?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /></div><div>His second goal as a Maple Leaf, the very next game, the last game of the season, in overtime:</div><div><br /><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tvyWOwuqL7s?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tvyWOwuqL7s?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="FONT-STYLE: italic"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"I think the best way to lead is you don't have to be the loudest guy but you definitely want to be the guy who's working the hardest day in and day out."</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">-Toronto Maple Leafs Captain, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2010/06/14/sp-phaneuf.html">Dion Phaneuf</a></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The past, the present, the future. The circle is once again complete. Ahead of us is only a focal point with no horizon. The Dawn Is Here Now.</div><div><br /></div>The time of In-Between-Pride is at an end. A new era truly begins - one that promises to be a long and ambitious adventure - with honour restored, and glory awaiting us. The Captain has thankfully returned, and with him perhaps, the passion and spirit that will reunite the Nation and make our adversaries crumble with dread. Be it known from this point on that a hero has been chosen to rally behind, the only purpose is victory, and that war shall be declared if ever even one drop is spilled from the blood of my Chief. <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://urbaneblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/leafs-captains.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://urbaneblog.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/leafs-captains.jpg" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/6b/89/b467dd9644848193c9fe83019685.jpeg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/6b/89/b467dd9644848193c9fe83019685.jpeg" border="0" /></a> <div>(And that's a complete set, I think. I can't imagine there'll be a 7th volume. If you want to read the whole series, <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/search/label/Blood%20Of%20My%20Chief">they're all here</a>, though a lot of the pictures are missing now.) </div></div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3028428008218063470.post-26496005758821404752010-08-28T12:12:00.007-04:002010-08-28T19:55:35.846-04:00Carry That Weight<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;">S</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">even Players That Can Lift The Leafs Into The Playoffs</span><br /><br /><b>Dion Phaneuf:</b> The player who scored <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvyWOwuqL7s">the last Leaf goal</a> in dramatic fashion at the end of last season will be the first player to wear the C on a Maple Leafs uniform since Mats Sundin. Are you as excited as I am about our best six defenceman being led on to the ice by Captain Dion Bone-Crusher Phaneuf? The team finally has a leader who will assume personal responsibility for winning and losing while encouraging confidence and success, and that can only lead to a better team performance. <div><br /></div>It took Phaneuf a surprising 25 games to score his <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hw5tjnyuIaw">first goal as a Maple Leaf</a>. He scored his second goal the very next game, the game winner in overtime, as the Leafs closed the curtain that night on their season. It only took him 6 minutes and 51 seconds to get into <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v59RKXznyo4">his first fight</a> as a Maple Leaf, in the first period of his first game.<div><br /><div>After the Great January 31st Overhaul, the Leafs record with Dion in the line-up was 13-10-3. That's not setting the world on fire, but it was the Leafs most consistent stretch of the season, 29 points in 26 games. If they'd have done that for 82 games, the Leafs would have had 91 points and been tied for 6th with Boston.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09X36IB2rk43M/350x.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 375px; height: 244px;" src="http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/09X36IB2rk43M/350x.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><b>Tomas Kaberle</b>: Will Frantisek Sr. still be welcome to watch Leafs practices alongside Howard Berger? Toronto's longest serving player will be coming back to the team under an incredible media-microscope and it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure. With calm dignity and grace, I suspect, if Kabby stays in his usual character.</div><div><br /></div><div>With no Olympic schedule this year, and with Mike Komisarek returning to the line-up,and Phaneuf taking command, Kabby's workload should be less demanding this season, and more in tune with what Burke and Wilson had originally crafted when they brought in Komi and Beauchemin last summer. As part of this fearsome foursome, Kabby will hopefully be able to do what he does best when the Leafs need it most, giving this dangerous group a deadly playmaking dynamic.</div><div><br /></div><div>Approaching Maple Leaf milestones for Kaberle this season include surpassing Ron Stewart (9th all-time) and Darryl Sittler (8th) for games played; Iafrate, McCabe, and Hap Day could all be caught for goals-scored by a defenceman; will likely pass George Armstrong for 5th in all-time assists; and could possibly catch Rick Vaive for tenth spot all-time in Leafs scoring.<br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Phil Kessel</b>: Kessel leads the attack, and Maple Leaf fortunes are directly tied to his contribution. No player will make a bigger difference towards winning and losing on a nightly basis. In the last 26 games of the season last year, the Leafs managed just two wins on nights when Kessel didn't factor into the scoring. The good news is, Kessel gets on the scoresheet a lot, and when he does, the Leafs chances for success improve drastically, and I mean, <i>drastically</i>: From the last 26 games, when Kessel is held off the scoresheet, the Leafs are 2-8-2, but then are 11-2-1 when Kessel records a goal or an assist.</div><div><br /></div><div>I don't think we need to worry about Kessel's consistency or his ability to score when it counts, the question is can the rest of the team find a way to battle through for the win when Kessel is held in check. A potent weapon, even shut down, should still have the effect of weakening the other side's overall defence.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9jqP6hD4rBii4rBalK9lqEAdawvQnzbR6j6lsW69Jfy0EO920_hK-Yx3ksA4SeajJB8xS8ibyxgt6fqa8hEVKTXg9AMkiLqTbCcYafwzPJRDIRQzN0f7i-DbTeh5oKb1QxLMtLkbYv-C/s1600/Philthy+Phil.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9jqP6hD4rBii4rBalK9lqEAdawvQnzbR6j6lsW69Jfy0EO920_hK-Yx3ksA4SeajJB8xS8ibyxgt6fqa8hEVKTXg9AMkiLqTbCcYafwzPJRDIRQzN0f7i-DbTeh5oKb1QxLMtLkbYv-C/s1600/Philthy+Phil.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/209/165/93301895.jpg.24198_display_image.jpg?1272136357"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 325px; height: 400px;" src="http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/209/165/93301895.jpg.24198_display_image.jpg?1272136357" border="0" alt="" /></a><b>Mikhail Grabovski</b>: Best hair on the team. At this time last summer, Grabovski was Toronto's fastest rising star, second in popularity to only Luke Schenn. The additions of Kessel and Phaneuf, and the departures of virtually every player who'd come before and many more since, have opened up Grabovski to more critical eyes within Leafs Nation. He still has a number of very loyal supporters, but the novelty has worn off for others who want to see less dipsy and more doodle, and for Grabbo to <a href="http://truthulence.blogspot.com/2010/02/bringin-crazy-back.html">bring the crazy</a> at appropriate times, when it's constructive and useful.</div><div><br /></div><div>Wilson seems to have him figured out and hopefully can encourage Grabbo to the next level this season. I pointed this out at the end of <a href="http://generalborschevsky.blogspot.com/2010/03/mikhail-difference-maker-grabovski.html">last season</a>, but I'll bring it up again; in the 59 games that Grabovski appeared in, the Leafs were a point per game team. 24-24-11. Some people might call that .500. I'm reluctant to. But it's a marked improvement from where we actually think we are. It's competitive. It means that every game we have an equal chance of coming away with a point in the standings. For Leaf fans, this is a huge difference on it's own.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Nikolai Kulemin</b>: The player that I would now rank as Toronto's fastest rising star is Kulemin. Not sure where he ranks in popularity, but he's on the list. Big things will be expected of Kool-Aid this season but it may be that we've found a real diamond in the rough. As the season progressed last year, Kulemin's play and confidence seemed to improve at an accelerating rate, as if gaining its own momentum. The word "blossom" barely does justice to Super-Kule's increasing maturation. In <a href="http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/article/782923--nikolai-kulemin-says-he-wants-to-stick-around-in-t-o">Ron Wilson's words</a>:</div><div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">"It's simple. He was crawling, then walking, now he's running... He's probably our most complete player now. He's everything you want in a hockey player."</span></i><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.faceoff.com/3122793.bin?size=620x400"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 250px;" src="http://www.faceoff.com/3122793.bin?size=620x400" border="0" alt="" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/aa/08/0d5e94e3408f9eb058d5a1a83fcd.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 404px; height: 309px;" src="http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/aa/08/0d5e94e3408f9eb058d5a1a83fcd.jpeg" border="0" alt="" /></a><b>Jonas Gustavsson</b>: What are we going to get from the Monster? It's unfathomable that the Leafs might suffer yet a third goaltending catastrophe. The painful journey that was the <i>Raycroskala</i> boat of death should thankfully be at an end. It's time for other teams to fear our goaltending and our goalie has the best nickname in the league for that. Let this be the beginning of some sort of Felix-Cujo reincarnation, with Giguere in the role of Fuhr-Puppa-Healey-Eddie, and playoff possibilities will look at lot clearer.</div><div><br /></div><div>After a difficult enough start to his career to earn a Masterton nomination, Gustavsson's numbers were very good down the stretch. 7-2-1 in his last 10 games of the season beginning from the Olympic break. A 2.62 GAA in that run, and a .915 SV%. Finding that form early on and not having any setbacks will be key to the Leafs post-season aspirations.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Mike Komisarek</b>: The Wild Card. I have a feeling if Komisarek can give us 75 games or more this season, no one will be questioning his signing. Let us pray that we don't have another Colaiacovo-Van Ryn situation here because one of the biggest setbacks to the Leafs success last season, and Burke's architecture, was the prolonged absence of Komisarek on the blueline. Mike suited up for just 34 games, picking up 4 assists and 40 penalty minutes. The absence of his physical, punishing style had an impact that can't be measured until we see an entire season of Komisarek getting comfortable and making things comfortable for the rest of our defenders too.</div><div><br /></div><div>With Phaneuf named Captain while Komisarek rehabbed, the pressure should be off just enough for Komi to be an intense weapon without being a liability. He slots in very nicely into the top four with the now settled and steady Beauchemin, the all-star Kaberle, and the Captain Phaneuf. And with the dynamic young duo of Schenn and Gunnarrson following their lead in spots 5 and 6, this is the most promising defensive line-up for the Leafs that I can ever recall. To break this group up before they'd even played a game together as a unit would have been a tragedy. Komisarek's poise, his experience, his toughness, and his health are going to be needed and will be key to seeing them reach their exciting potential.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://media.canada.com/b1ebd207-78c7-4022-aed7-0925c5ee8f77/komisarek100109.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="http://media.canada.com/b1ebd207-78c7-4022-aed7-0925c5ee8f77/komisarek100109.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This year, the Playoffs!!!1.</div><div><br /></div><div>Believe it. </div></div></div>general borschevskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04094251050850687883noreply@blogger.com4