The Kessel Saga: A Bruins Perspective

Dave Strohm
September 18, 2009.

My first thought when I saw Kessel his first year in the league was that this kid will eventually score big time goals. With the salary cap now in place the Bruins are now able to spend just as much as any other team which is both a blessing and a burden. A blessing in the fact that all teams are on an even keel and our fans no longer have to worry about icing adequate teams as compared to other big spenders in the past.  A burden in the fact that they are now unable to keep all of their better players even if they want to. Boston has been smart with their drafting and acquiring of talent since GM Peter Chiarelli has come on board.  Sure the occasional mistake in hindsight has been made but nobody is perfect. The Bruins have set a sight on becoming cup champions, and each year have progressed towards their ultimate goal. Having a guy like Cam Neely in the pressbox who always wanted and deserved to win can't hurt at all.

The Bruins have watched Kessel grow and mature from a selfish center to a goal scoring winger. This was mostly due to Boston's depth in center as well as Kessel's lack of playmaking skills/defensive coverage. Coach Claude Julien has been patient with him and has said all the right things including benching him against
the Canadiens in the cup playoffs when it was warranted.  I have seen Kessel start to do the little things like grab a dancing partner in the scrums, and protect the puck along the boards, no doubt a product of the Julien system that has made Marc Savard such an important two way center on the team.  If you are looking for a flashy guy who can score goals then Kessel is your man.  If you are looking for a complete two way player that can hit, be responsible in his own end and finish plays then the Bruins are hoping they can find that guy and more with the 2 firsts and a 2nd that have come over from Toronto.


In the end, the Bruins just did not feel that an incomplete game warranted a 5+ million dollar contract with the fact that they have so many up and coming players like Zach Hammil, Joe Colborne, Brad Marchand, amongst others that can take Phil Kessel's spot.  This was why David Krejci was signed so quickly, he lead the league is +/- with +37 last season with teammate Blake Wheeler (+36) in a close second.  With re-stocking the cupboards the Bruins will be able to draft a few more players to ensure Boston's future shines even more brightly.

There is no doubt that Kessel will make the Leafs a better team now.  With the complete lack of goal scoring amongst other holes on the team, this will help patch a much needed area.  The problem for the leafs is the lack of a system with the players to make that system happen.  The dedication to the system has to be followed from drafting to coaching to trading so basically all fronts. The pressure is on Burke to put his stamp on the team and start winning games.  Management in Toronto does not want to have a proper, slow rebuild like some of the bigger teams like Pittsburgh and Washington have had to go through.  The Leafs fans have always been and always will be diehard fans who want to win now.  The Leafs have to hope that Kessel regains the form he had before his shoulder injury and without the playmaking skills of center Marc Savard.  Also, solid linemate Milan Lucic made sure nobody marginalized or took liberties with Kessel in turn making him a better player. There's no doubt Phil Kessel can score 40 goals with the right mindset and linemates, but Toronto right now isn't really a good fit for him besides the ice time and pp time he will get. He's also in the need of a patient coach who will need to learn how to handle him.

It's way too early to tell who came out on top in this deal until we see how the picks turn out for the Bruins, but so far Toronto is the only team that ended up with a bonafide NHL player.  The Leafs win now which was important to them, and The Bruins will hopefully win in the long run with the draft picks.  Boston has one of the top scouting staffs in the league and I have a lot of faith that they will draft the right players.

To the people that think Boston has stepped backwards a huge step because of the loss of Kessel think again.  It is the whole dedicated team that win cups, and clearly Kessel did not want to forfeit a million or so to play on the team that drafted him and gave him the chance to become a good player. So the Bruins will go forwards with the players that want to be there giving a chance to the next  guys that will be able to step into the lineup and make an impact.

Phil The Thrill Finally Toronto Bound?

Michael Lindow
September 6, 2009.

Will the Leafs once again try to pry Kessel away via a trade, or will Toronto general manager Brian Burke opt instead to extend an offer sheet. The summer months always brings nothing but speculation and ugly trade rumors. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke acquiring back their second round pick in the 2010 entry draft from the Chicago Black Hawks for a second and a third round pick in 2011 has Leaf fans on the edge of their seats in anticipation of Kessel coming to Toronto. Adding this draft pick gives Toronto its own first, second and third round picks the compensation price for signing a RFA player.

Both the Toronto and Boston media outlets are reporting that this trade is a prelude to an offer sheet for the Bruins star forward Phil Kessel who is coming off a 36-goal campaign and has been at odds with Boston all summer over a new contract. The Bruins would have seven days to decide to accept the offer sheet or match the offer made to Kessel. A similar situation happened with the Andrej Mezaros situation last year. Tampa threats of an offer sheet last year and Ottawacouldn't or wouldn't pay Mezaros eventually dealing him for a first round pick along with Filip Kuba and Alexander Picard.

The chance that you land a player of Kessel’s calibre in this draft is slim at best and at this stage of the Leafs rebuilds (reload?) Burk will be looking for quality over quantity right now. Exactly the player needed for this organization to continue moving forward Kessel is a top line sniper and perennial forty goal scorer with the potential of hitting the high water mark of fifty goals in a season. The likes of which have not been seen in Leafland since Dave Andreychuk scored 53 in the 1993-94 season.

With about six million plus in salary cap room the Leafs are in great shape to make a move of this magnitude, signing Kessel in the $3,923,434 - $5,231,246 would cost Toronto its first, second and third round picks.

OFFER: COMPENSATION
$994,433 or below - None
Over $994,433 to $1,506,716 -Third-round choice
Over $1,506,716 to $3,013,434 - Second-round choice
Over $3,013,434 to $4,520,150 - First-round and third-round choice
Over $4,520,150 to $6,026,867 - First-round, second-round and third-round choice
Over $6,026,867 to $7,533,584 - Two first-round choices, one second- and one third-round choice
Over $7,533,584 - Four first-round choices

This is a move that has to be made.

The Price Is Right In Toronto.....Or Is It?

Kenny T
September 15, 2009.

You don't need Bob Barker to tell you that two first round picks for Kessel is too much. ESPN reported that Boston demands two first round picks and one second for former 5th overall pick Phil Kessel. They also report that Brian Burke is actually considering it. This would totally set back our rebuilding process that is just starting to go well. And don't forget, Toronto has a long, terrifying history of trading first rounders. Most memorable was trading goaltending prospect Tuukka Rask to Boston for Andrew Raycroft. A trade that hardly worked in our favor.

My opinion is that Brian should try and work a trade where the leafs don't give up any first round picks. Just roster players and maybe a second rounder plus a prospect. Either way I hope the Leafs land Kessel without selling the farm so to speak.

Wendel Clark: Don’t Believe The Hype

Michael Lindow
August 12, 2009.

Being a Leaf fan it is impossible not to get emotionally attached to players wearing the blue and white. Jerseys with Palmateer and Roberts names on the back still hang in my closet with Gustavsson about to join the ranks. Salming, Markov, Sittler and Zezel all stir up emotion when their names are mentioned but for the life of me I will never understand the love for Wendel Clark.

In a weak 1985 NHL Entry Draft the Toronto Maple Leafs would hold the first overall selection for the first and only time in team history. Teams build around these draft picks they are hall of famers, 50 goal – 100 point players, international superstars, NHL trophy winners, franchise goaltenders and Stanley Cup winners. They are Mario Lemieux, Guy Lafleur, Gilbert Perreault, Denis Potvin, Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Marc-Andre Fleury. In the '85 draft, a year removed from Lemieux being the first overall pick expectations were high for Leaf Nation plugging along in the Ballard Era missing the playoffs in three out of the past four seasons. The first selection in a draft could this be true?? Read more.....

Tomas Kaberle: Last Of The Muskoka Five

Michael Lindow
July 15, 2009.

With Tomas Kaberle being the last of the “Muskoka Five” to remain with the Toronto it is time to turn the chapter and move him and put the past Leaf horrors behind us. Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Bryan McCabe and now Pavel Kubina are all but a distant memory leaving us with just Garnet Exelby, Colin Stuart and Mike Van Ryn to show for what, just a few seasons ago, was the heart and soul of the Maple Leaf squad.

Kaberle, as rumor has it, was all but gone at the 2008 NHL trade deadline to Philadelphia for 46 goal scorer Jeff Carter and the Flyers first round pick in the 2008 entry draft (later dealt to Washington who selected defenseman John Carlson). Then at the 2009 draft Kaberle was rumored to be almost gone again this team in a deal with the rival Bruins that would bring in the fifth overall pick in the 2006 draft and last years 36 goal scorer Phil Kessel who at the moment is at odds with Boston on a new contract. Other teams have been whispered to be talking to Leafs General Manager Brian Burke for the services of Kaberle including the likes of St. Louis, Los Angeles and Chicago. Read more.....

Brian Burke: Optimism in Leaf Nation

Michael Lindow
July 8, 2009.

Toronto – It has been less that a year since Brian Burke took the reigns as the Toronto Maple Leafs President and General Manager but already the team has a new look and some much needed optimism in a city that was starved for it. Having to clean up the mess left behind by the previous GMs John Ferguson Jr. and Cliff Fletcher Burke still has some work ahead him but the wheels are already in motion.

Stating all along that he wanted this team to be more “truculent and tougher” Burkes first move when taking over was to bring in an old friend in winger Brad May from nothing in terms of any type of return; May was instrumental in helping rookie Luke Schenn in his development even moving in with the young star during the season. Not expected to return this season May was a great pickup for nothing. Read more.....

Nazem Kadri: Where Will He Be Opening Night?

Rich Dezso
September 14, 2009.

Will Kadri be a Leaf this season? Yes, the only question is whether he will be on the big club or as a baby Leaf. At 6' 1 and 177 lbs he is a little lighter than the average NHLer, but in this day and age of hockey size doesn't affect a player like it used to. I think his highly skilled play outweighs any size issues and shouldn't be a factor. Kadri  has been compared to Tony Amonte and only time will tell if this is true. His consistency game in and game out has been an issue in the past, (as with any young player) but with the right training and coaching, I think he can overcome this.

With all the centers the leafs have going into this season it will be tough for Kadri to find a spot with the likes of Stajan, Grabovski, Brozak and even Jason Allison fighting for the same spot as the 18 year old. A year or two with the Marlies will only help in his development and accustom him to the speed and play of Pro hockey. Stajan and Grabovski are locks after the seasons they had in 2008-09. Stajan put up 55 points and Grabovski 48 points, 20 of those goals. Allison's future depends on his ability to get back to the level of play he had before he left. Bozak assuming he has a good camp should also make the big club.

I only hope that the Leaf coaching staff see it the way I do and let the kid mature and develop into a first line player. A year or two with the Marlies will only help the young kid. Let's not rush this. We have waited a long time for a top line forward that we have drafted. Only time will tell.

The Leafs Captaincy

Dan Campbell
September 16, 2009.

Last year this team went without a true Captain, and to some extent I could understand why. But I also feel that a team needs someone to step up and be the voice. This year is no different. Looking over the roster ,it will be slim pickings to come up with a true leader in my opinion.

Sure we have some quality people, Stajan, Kaberle and Beauchemin but as I see it we only have 2 real options.

Name veteran Wayne Primeau Captain. A guy who has 12 years of NHL experience and a work ethic  that our young team can learn from. He is not going to lead us in scoring having reached 29pts in his NHL career just once, but in the room and during practice there is nobody on this roster that can match him……except maybe 1 guy.

That guy is Luke Schenn, the player I think the Leafs should name Team Captain this season. This kid showed in his first year that he could handle himself on and of the ice in the NHL. He is down to earth and has leadership skills I think necessary to be a Captain. He works hard and doesn’t take his place on the team for granted. He proved that he had no problem sticking up for team mates  during any situation in a game. This is a kid that was taking on men in his first year and he held his own. At 6’2 and over 210 lbs he is only going to get stronger. With the focus on finally building a young team, who better than Luke Schenn to lead this team into the future?

Phil Kessel: The Plot Thickens

Kenny T
September 14, 2009.

Leafs Nation has been all a-buzz since draft day when a rumour leaked that Kaberle would be sent to Boston for Phil Kessel. The GM's had thier wires crossed. Clearly. That deal has fallen out and since then nothing has come of it. Burke has built a wall of defenders in front of Vesa Toskala. The group looks strong with Kaberle, Schenn, Komisarek, Beauchemin, Exelby and, Mike Van Ryn. But take Kaberle out and all you have is an average group of low scoring defensemen.

Burke wants quote "his doors blown off" for him to let go of the Leafs cappy. But other then the Kessel deal he thought he had. He has nothing. And if I know Burke he won't settle for less. Kaberle is essential for the Leafs powerplay and moves the puck as good as any. Not to put his in the Lidstrom, Chara, Pronger class but he is good.

My prediction, Kaberle is a leafs at until at least his contract runs out. At which point he'll be looking for a raise.

TSN has reported that Burke has re-acquired his 2nd round choice in next years draft. Meaning he has all the tools to offer Phil Kessel a contract. The yays and nays have been cast out. I say to Burke. DO IT! A future 40 plus goal scorer. Pull the trigger Burkie. I finally see all his planning with the Stralman trade coming to fruition. So Kessel would put on a leafs jersey mid December. But with no Marc Savard how will the Leafs get Kessel the puck? Let us not forget my friends that Savard himself is UFA next season. At which point the Leafs throw him 5 or so million and he feeds Kessel 50 or so sick dishes to win us the cup. Would that be a dream line or what?

Andrew Goroth: Report on the Rookie Tournament

Andrew Goroth

September 12, 2009.

In the off-season it seemed like every team was after Jonas "The Monster" Gustavsson and now we know why. Jonas certainly impressed in his debut with a 3-1 win over the Penguin prospects in the Kitchener rookie tournament. The Leafs came in as the host team and with new guys such as Nazem Kadri, the seventh overall pick in the NHL draft, Jonas Gustavsson, who if not signed by the Leafs was sure to be a top 10 pick in the draft. They also added some much needed toughness with Richard Greenop and Jamie Devane. This tournament looked like it would be a good one for the Leafs, a top goalie prospect, a franchise forward, along with top college forward Tyler Bozak, who had as many as twenty teams pursuing him, some great secondary scoring in Christopher Didomenico and Mikhail Stefanovich.

Pittsburgh, coming off a Stanley Cup win still has some prospects left including Eric Tangradi, Luca Caputi, and top defense prospects in Alex Goligoski and Simon Despress they would be a tough opponent. The Monster was absolutely terrific making 36 saves on 37 shots, only Pittsburgh's Joe Vitale was able to solve the monster. Viktor Stalberg opened the scoring for the leafs on aa 5-3, Tyler Bozak, who is supposed to make the 2nd line this season, got the assist, Pittsburgh than tied the game 1-1. the next goal wasn't until 17 minutes into the third when Greg Scott took a wrist shot from the circle than hit Penguins goalie Patrick Killen and went in. Alex Berry put the icing on the cake with 32 seconds left on an empty netter. 3-1 was the final score in Jonas Gustavsson's debut, with a strong showing in the first game, how would he do in the second game against Boston...

The Boston Bruins have some of the top young players in the league such as Blake Wheeler, Milan Lucic and David Krejci how many prospects coud they have left, maybe Joe Colbourne,Brad Marchand, Zach Hamill, Yuri Alexandrov, Jamie Arneil and Jordan Caron could be the answer. Gustavsson did not start the game which was a questionable move, considering Jeremy Reimer gave up 6 goals on 36 shots. This was one rough and tough game which included 3 fights, another questionable move was sitting top fighter Richard Greenop. The Bruins went up 2-0 on goals by Jason Wlson and Jamie Arneil. Christian Hanson scored his first goal of the game, from top prospect Nazem Kadri.

Toronto Fighter/Boston Fighter/Fight Number

Alex Barry Scott Fletcher 1
Stefan Gilliati Jordan Knackstead 2
Jamie Devane Peter Stevens 3

Once again Christian Hanson scored from Nazem Kadri, which makes you think that in the future they'll be a dynamic duo. Tyler Bozak finally got is first goal in a leaf uniform with 7 minutes left in the second period, giving the Leafs the lead. The lead lasted about as long as the Isles thought about choosing Hedman. 10 seconds into the third the game was tied at 3, but the leafs stormed right bac after Nazem Kadri beat Adam Courchaine on a backhand to make it 4-3 T.O.Once again the lead barely lasted as less than a minute later Tyler Randell beat Reimer to make it 4-4.Hanson scored his hat trick goal when his shot from the right circle went off the crossbar and fortunately in, so the Leafs got another 1 goal lead they couldn't handle.Rob Kweit put the puck over Reimers glove to make it 5-5. The way the goals were coming you'd think the Leafs would get the next one,but Jamie Arneil had other plans when he received a pass from Zach Hamill and put it past Reimers arm in overtime. The one thing that the Leafs could take from this game is Hanson's hat trick and Kadri's assists. I see a nice future first line in Kadri - Hanson - Kessel

The Leafs apparently didnt learn their lesson and they decided to put Reimer in again against Ottawa. This was the prospect version of the battle of ontario and you would think that the Leafs wanted to win, and the best way to win is to put Gustavsson in. This Was a painful game for leaf fans as Ottawa pounded the Leafs with a 7-1 sens victory. You couldnt tell it would be such a blowout when it was only 1-0 after the first. The Sens must have got some pep talk in the intermission because by the time the third started it was 7-0 on goals by Erik Condra(2) and Brandon Svendsen, Zack Smith, Craig Schria, Keegan Dansereau and Shea Guthrie all had 1 goal. Tyler Bozak scored the only Leafs goal inn the third period as he beat Robin Lehner who made 26 saves on 27 shots. The Sens outshot the Leafs 45-27. Reimers poor performance got him pulled after 2 periods when Andrew Engelage, who played all playoff and memorial cup games for the champion Windsor Spitfires.

Based on what happened in the tournament I will try to make future lines for the Leafs:

Phil Kessel - Nazem Kadri - Christian Hanson
Mikhail Stefanovich - Tyler Bozak - Christopher Didomenico
Viktor Stalberg - Jimmy Hayes - Dale Mitchell
Jamie Devane - Richard Greenop - Stefan Gilliati

Carl Gunnarson - Jesse Blacker
Phil Oreskovic - Juraj Mikus

Jonas Gustavsson
Andrew Engelage

The Leafs Off-Season Review

Mathew Mastrofrancesco
September 8, 2009.

With the NHL preseason nearing and no moves likely going to happen before camp opens here is a look at the things that did and did not happen with Brian Burke`s first off-season tenure.

Forwards


Players In-
Colton Orr,Rikard Wallin, Rich Greenop,Tim Brent, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Primeau

Players Out-
Colin Stuart, Boyd Deveraux,Brad May,Jeff Hamiton,Tim Stapleton,Nik Antropov,Dominic Moore

Jason Blake-With his 25 goals last season he will be expected to put up the numbers need for this team to score. He is one of the guys that will have the weight of Leaf Nations expectations on him.

Tyler Bozak-Signed out of college with rumors of more then 20 teams after him he signs here and will be fighting for one of the center spots. Many think he has the second line center role and its his to lose but if he doesn't show up or even out play Stajan or Grabovski or even Allison he can say hi to the Marlies this year.

Mikhail Grabovski- Leafs nation is split between him and Stajan for who is number 1 center on this team. He has a wider skill set up front then Stajan but can he put that to use this year. He showed alot of Chemistry with Kulemin and Hagman but will he be able to continue that.He is going to try and hold onto number 1 center which can go either way from him or Stajan.He can be intense when needed and has shown flashes of brilliance when he has the puck.

Richard Greenop- Brought in for his toughness and is going to try and outplay the likes of Colton Orr.He will most likely be a couple spots down on the call-up list if he cant outplay Orr for the fighter role on this team.Very slim chance he gets a call-up this year.

Niklas Hagman- Hagman at times was the leafs top guy last year but with his concussions he just couldn`t turn it on after them. If he gets the same start as last year and no injury problems he might break the 30 goal plateau but he will need to find chemistry and run with it.

Nik Kulemin- Kulemin is a example of Leafs Nation. A player that enters the leafs and comes in with high hopes. Now before i get eaten alive by the hordes of fans that will kill em for saying it Kulemin is a great player but will not be a 1st line guy for a NHL team. He will try to fulfill his 2nd line potential but i see him as a 3rd line guy when we become contenders. He has skill and size from this off-season. He can hit,score and dangle but is not top line material.

Jamal Mayers- Wow where to start. He is one of the players most likely either sent to the Marlies, scratched or waived. Why did Fletcher even trade for him i will never know. We have a better version of him in Mitchell. Now with Orr he will not be needed so his last game last year was his finally in his hometown unless he can show up in camp and play his @$$ off.

John Mitchell- He was very unexpected last year but is an example for all the young players. Was always passed over when call-ups came even though he was leading Marlies scorer 2 years ago and the only with 20 goals. He outplays people in cmap and makes the big league then shows up there. Why eh never got a call-up many will wonder but now he is here and will be here for awhile as a 3rd 4th line guy.Many will remember his 2 goal performance vs the rangers that brought out 5 goal outburst 3rd period.

Colton Orr- He was brought in to make sure that the “star” players aren't touched and hopefully he can do that. Known as one of the top fighters or “goons” in the league.

Alex Ponikarovski- He will be staying but the one question for everyone is- WILL HE BE ABLE TO PLAY WITHOUT ANTROPOV.

Wayne Primeau- The first bad deal by Brian Burke in my opinion. Traded away a younger version of him in Colin Stuart and a very good defensive prospect in Stralman. Yes the second is there but Primeau is more then likely not going to see playing time early in the season.

Matt Stajan- He will be fighting for 1 center spot on the buds. Can pass score and play defensive. Does he have what it takes to lead? Maybe. If he wants number 1 he will need to be more physical but when need be, he is back. Has many split reactions around leafs nation. People saying trade him Others saying keep him. If he can get that out of his mind then we should be expecting maybe 20-40 from him if he gains chemistry with him.

Lee Stempniak- Lee was hated by some since he entered the center of the hockey universe. Traded for Steen and Colaiacovo but couldn't get anything going. Will need to regain 27 goal form to stay.

Rikard Wallin- Relatively unknown till this season after he ditched the NHL for Sweden.Captain of Farjestad and will probably be a 3rd fourth line guy but can he translate his game to the NHL and stay this time.

Defense


Players In- Francois Beachimin, Mike Komisarek, Garnett Exelby.

Players Out- Pavel Kubina, Anton Stralman.

Francois Beachmin- Help Brian Burke win a cup Anaheim and is basically one of the guaranteed top 4 guys. Will most likely be playing with Kaberle. Brings some experience and some toughness with a bit of offense to this heavily goonish defense.

Garnett Exelby- Was acquired in a deal for Kubina. Burke has stated he would like him to be the number 6 guy on this team. Will bring in some toughness to what was a very weak squad.

Jeff Finger- One guy that leafs nation would love to get off the books but not massively overpaid. Showed some defensive games last year but his foot speed is very slow and he needs to improve that very much.

Jonas Frogren- Might want to re-think his position and why he came to the NHL. He was a very good defensive guy last year but will not see very much ice this year. We can expect maybe 10 games may see some call-up time but don't expect alot from “Froggy”

Tomas Kaberle- Kabby has been a top guy for this team for many years. Known as one of the leagues best puck-moving defenders. Will try to put all the trade talks behind him but with more toughness and less offense coming from the defense he will be heavily relied on.

Mike Komisarek- Was the “enemy for a very long time but has proven to make the big defensive plays when called upon. Many say he should get the “C” before Luke but he will need to prove his worth first. He will be in the top four as already stated by Burke and will see his former teammates six times as well as Lucic.

Phil Oreskovich- Will not see any time with the big club but will be near the top if an injury occurs. He his big and strong and will be able to add the toughness needed. Will not get alot of playing time but he will probe his worth sooner or later to this team.

Luke Schenn- “Lucky Luke” will be in his sophomore season and after a great performance to start last season slowed down and now will try to break the sophomore slump jinx. He will be a top 4 guy this season and will become good.

Mike Van Ryn- Mike showed he can play in this league but will soon become the new Colaiacovo. He can play but he always misses games. If he can stay un-injured then maybe he can squeak in but right now I don't see him in. He will have to show up in camp.

Ian White- Ian White is a very tricky guy for this squad. He went from bench to trade rumors to press box to one of the leafs top guys last year. He plays with heart and size even tho he doesn't have much of it. Burke has stated that he will have to fight his way into the top 6 but if not maybe another stint at forward.

Goalies

Players In- Jonas Gustavsson, Joey Macdonald

Players Out- Justin Pogge.

Vesa Toskala- Had an injury plagued season and will need to step it up. Leafs Nation will be looking for some outstanding goaltending or Toskala will be gone at seasons end. He can do ti but his groin has been a problem this past season and he will try to fight with Gustavsson for starter he will be in tough but he can rebound and the hopes for playoffs lie within him.

Jonas Gustavsson- The monster was well known after his outstanding performance in the Swedish league. Known as the best goalie not in the NHL at the time. He will see anywhere from 20-30 games as a backup unless he can outplay Toskala. He will have to adopt to the smaller ice though.

Joey Macdonald- May see lie 5 games if injury occurs but he will be the Marlies starter with James Reimer he will try to make the big club but has a very steep hill to climb.

Team Lineup

Nik Hagman-Mikhail Grabovski-Nik Kulemin
Jason Blake-Matt Stajan-Alex Ponikarovski
Lee Stempniak-Tyler Bozak-John Mitchell
Wayne Primeau-Rikard Wallin-Colton Orr

Mike Komisarek-Tomas Kaberle
Luke Schenn-Francois Beachmin
Garnett Exelby-Jeff Finger

Vesa Toskala
Jonas Gustavsson

We can probably expect 210-230 goals for including outbreaks and busts, around 4 non-injury call-ups, probably 200-220 goals against and anywhere from 6th spot to 11th. Sorry for the tankers but say bye to Taylor Hall dreams and Kiril Kabanov, But the rebuild is almost over and the leafs are very close to playoffs.

Jason Allison - Second Verse Same As The First

Josh "Wolfey" Wolfe-Maxwell
August 31, 2009.

Almost every sports media outlet is reporting that Jason Allison has been granted a try-out with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In 10 NHL seasons thus far, the 34 year old centre has only racked up more than 30 goals in a season twice, although most seasons he was producing a respectable near-point-per-game. His worst seasons came in 96-97 with the Capitals (53 games, 22 pts), and 99-00 with the Bruins (37 games, 28 pts).

Statistically, that’s not bad, but these years came before the lockout, when slow, underachieving players could still have a successful NHL career.  Allison has only played one season since the lockout, and that was his only season with the buds, where in 66 games he produced 17 goals and 43 assists. Those stats remain viable in the NHL, but the post-lockout NHL has changed even more since that year, it is a place where small, speedy goal-scorers are successful, and big, slow playmakers are not. During his one season with the Leafs, the fan reception of him was awful, Leafs Nation deemed him a burden on the roster, and nothing more than a turtle on skates.

Now enough with these boring statistics proving his potential worth, which in my mind is nothing to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Brian Burke’s Leafs needs someone who can score. Not another Matt Stajan or Jason Blake whom gets no more than 60 points a season. Allison is not the kind of guy Toronto needs. All he can do for Toronto is bump one of our budding stars out of the line-up (i.e. Tyler Bozak), causing us to look more like that JFJ team that could do nothing. Allison was signed in JFJ’s era…Burke shouldn’t even consider signing someone that shows glimmers of John Ferguson Jr’s past tenure as a failure.

On the plus side of granting Jason Allison a try-out, he can give the younger players more motivation to play harder and show stronger signs of roster eligibility. With Allison under try-out, it should be just enough push for the younger players to prove their worth, and show that they are worthy to play on our roster.  

Generals Take Preseason Opener 6-4 Over Petes

Tristan Wazonek
August 31, 2009.

Oshawa – The Oshawa Generals started their pre-season tonight at home against the visiting Peterborough Petes on a high note, winning the game 6-4.

Michael Zador started in net for the Generals, while recently signed third round draft pick, Andrew D’Agostini started in goal for the Petes.

Christian Thomas opened the scoring just 4:28 into the game on the power play. Jeff Brown scored his first of two on the night to give the Generals a 2-0 lead.

After, both teams made goaltending changes just past the halfway point. Michael Zador looked strong in net, stopping all 14 shots that he faced. Rookie Andrew D’Agostini looked sharp in his OHL debut; recording 22 saves on 24 shots faced.

In came Shea Cooper for the Generals and Montreal Canadiens prospect, Jason Missiaen for the Petes.

Luke Hietkamp got the Petes on the board at the 17:33 mark of the second period. The Generals took a 2-1 lead heading into the third period.

Jeff Brown’s second goal of the game came just 36 seconds into the third period. Peterborough stormed back, with Rickey Buehler scoring at the 1:05 minute mark, making it 3-2 for the Generals.

The Petes opened the third period strong, scoring two goals early in the third period to give the Petes their first lead of the game. Scoring for the Petes were Jason Kelly and recently signed, first round draft pick of the Matt Puempel.

Christian Thomas, son of former Maple Leaf Steve Thomas, tied the game, scoring a beautiful goal at the 11:46 mark.

Thomas was then awarded a penalty shot in the final minute when a Petes player closed his hand on the puck in the crease. Thomas again scored a beautiful goal, deking out Missiaen, and went top shelf to give the Generals a 5-4 lead with just 58 seconds remaining.

The Petes were also assessed a two minute minor on the same play for charging then pulled Missiaen, for the extra attacker. Veteran defenseman, Jamie Doornbosch of the Petes fumbled the puck at the Generals blue line, which led to the game-sealing goal, scored by New York Islanders prospect Calvin de Haan.

Oshawa Generals Shea Cooper, who is expected to start the season as the teams third string goaltender allowed 4 goals on just 12 shots, and Jason Missiaen allowed 4 goals on 13 shots for the Petes.

Thomas had 3 goals and 1 assists, while Brown chipped in with 2 goals and an assist and Calvin de Haan finished the game with a goal and an assist. Oshawa outshot Peterborough 35-26.

The Generals next pre-season game is in Peterborough on Thursday and they are in Sudbury on Friday. Their next home pre-season game is Sunday, September 13th at 6:05 p.m. against the Kitchener Rangers.

Other Generals Notes:

-Christian Thomas looked unbelievable out there tonight. The kid is in great shape, and looks ready to have a break out season for the Generals. Expect him to be one of the “go-to guys” this season.

-Michael Zador looked sharp in net for the Generals, stopping all 14 shots he faced.

-Shea Cooper allowed 4 soft goals, all that I’m sure he wishes he had back. I’d expect him to be the third stringer this season.

-Rookie Boone Jenner looked strong out there. He’s a definite keeper and could very well see the ‘C’ in the near future.

-Rookie Colin Suellentrop also looked good out there, as well as 2009 CHL Import Draft players Alain Berger and Jakub Strnad. Berger, from SC Bern in Switzerland is a big boy, who plays with an edge. Strnad, from the Kladno Juniors in the Czech Republic is also big, and has shown some offensive upside.