Leafs Captain Conundrum

Kenny T
September 30, 2009.

Today, the day that a former leafs Mats Sundin announces his retirement, current leafs coach Ron Wilson states that Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and, Tomas Kaberle are all given alternate captain status and one may be named cappy after November 1st. My guess is Mike Komisarek. He has all the tools you need; leads by example and with words and isn't afraid to drop the mitts.

I was hoping Luke Schenn would get an A. I guess we'll wait and see.

Leafs Lineup For the Season Opener

Michael Lindow
September 29, 2009.

Ron Wilson was true to his word saying the door was open for the young players to steal some jobs at training camp. Highly touted forwards Nikolai Kulemin and Jiri Tlusty will be both healthy scratches for the Leafs season opener Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. Rookie Viktor Stalberg had a huge pre-season and, for the time being, has bumped Kulemin off of the teams top line.

Tyler Bozak appears to be headed to the Marlies at least to start the season with so many players with one way contracts on the NHL roster.

"He'll probably have to go down because of numbers. Based on the way he played in training camp he's certainly worthy of playing in the NHL but we may not have room at the beginning." Wilson said.

Jay Rosehill is a bit of a surprise skating on the teams fourth line with Wayne Primeau and Colton Orr but this line isn't expected to see a ton of ice time against a diminutive Montreal forward group.

Jeff Finger and Jamal Mayers are nursing injuries and both players won't be ready for Thursday's game.

The Leafs projected lineup for the season opener:

Jason Blake - Matt Stajan - Viktor Stalberg
Niklas Hagman - Mikhail Grabovski - Alexei Ponikarovsky
Rickard Wallin - John Mitchell - Lee Stempniak
Jay Rosehill - Wayne Primeau - Colton Orr

Francois Beauchemin - Luke Schenn
Tomas Kaberle - Mike Komisarek
Ian White - Garnet Exelby

Vesa Toskala
Jonas Gustavsson

Jason Allison Cut: Wrong Place Wrong Time

Geoff Hunter
September 28, 2009.

It seemed odd from the get go hearing the news about Brian Burke giving the 34 yr old Jason Allison a preseason tryout with the Leafs. Being sidelined with the flu for most of the preseason games obviously didn't help his chances.

It's possible another team picks him up, and he can thank the Leafs for using their training camp to get him close game shape.

I'm relieved Allison didn't make the team. It's more important this team gives the younger players a chance to fight for spots at center. After all, it is a rebuild to try and make the playoffs this year, not a retooling with veterans to try and win the cup. Read more.....

Kadri Sent Back to London as Per TSN; The Reality of Numbers

Tim Mackay
September 27, 2009.

Hockey is a game of numbers. 62 players were invited to the Toronto Maple Leafs training camp a few weeks ago. 35 forwards, 21 defensemen, and 6 goalies. By the end of this week, there will be 12 or 13 forwards, 7 or 8 defensemen and 2 or 3 goalies depending on what combination of players Ron Wilson wants to make up his 23 man NHL roster. The reality of the situation is that there are some very tough decisions ahead of Mr. Wilson and his coaching staff. One of the casualties of this reality is Nazem Kadri who was sent back to the London Knights this morning. Kadri’s failure to crack the Leafs NHL roster is once again entirely because of the fact that hockey is a numbers game. Consider these numbers: Kadri is 19 years old, he stands 6 feet tall and tips the scales at around 170 pounds. Zdeno Chara is 6 foot 9 and weighs 260 pounds. Read more.....

Who Stays Who Goes??

Tristan Wazonek
September 26, 2009.

What will Wilson do?

With the better than expected play from the “Frosh Line”, and Nazem Kadri, what will Wilson do?

My gut tells me that we will see Kadri sent back to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League, and the “Frosh Line” split up to start the season with Tyler Bozak  and Christian Hanson heading down to the Marlies .

Why do you ask? Well, although all four have looked good during the pre-season, they can all use a little more developing. Kadri is still on the light side. Is he ready for the rigorous NHL schedule? I don’t believe he is and can use this season with the Knights to tear up the OHL. He will also gain a lot of experience playing for team Canada at the World Jr’s this year. Hanson has the ability to work the boards and clear room for his line mates, but could still use the extra playing time that he will receive with the Marlies to improve his game, and Bozak has looked sharp, but hasn’t won a starting spot over Grabovski or Stajan, in my opinion. Read more.....

Gustavsson Debuts As Leafs Beat Wings

Tony Omran
September 25, 2009.

Goaltender Jonas Gustavsson made his pre season debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first period of tonight's game against the Red Wings. "The Monster" stopped all seven shots he faced in the period, and Vesa Toskala stopped 29 shots in the final two periods at the Joe Louis Arena. Viktor Stalberg had two first period goals and an assist, and Nazem Kadri scored again as the Leafs defeated the Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout.

The Leafs had a 3-0 lead in the second, and a 3-1 lead going into the third; but the Stanley Cup finalists didn't let up scoring three quick goals takes a 4-3 lead and shocking the Maple Leafs. Once again the Leafs had fans thinking "here we go again", until Mikhail Grabovski tied the game with just over a minute to go. Overtime solved nothing, and the Leafs went to a shootout for the second time in the last three games. Kulemin and Mitchell scored for the Leafs, and Toskala stopped all but one shot to lead the Leafs to victory, giving them a 5-2 record in the pre season. Johan Franzen had two goals for the Red Wings and Chris Osgood made 27 saves. The Leafs host the Wings in the second of the home and home Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre.

Team Chemistry 101

Rich Dezso
September 24, 2009.

Chemistry is defined as, mutual attraction or sympathy; rapport.

What does it take to build team chemistry within an NHL hockey team? Well for starters, players should be together and around each other as much as possible.  Sounds easy enough, but consider that this is the first year in a long time that the Maple Leaf players are actually hanging out with their teammates after games and practices. Brian Burke, President and GM of the Maple Leafs, said he wanted to bring a new culture to Toronto. A culture, involving players who can be team members as well as friends.  Although he has not forced this among his players, he encourages it. Players are going over to each others houses for dinners. There is talk of the team participating in Paintball and other activities, which will only help build team morale and more importantly, chemistry.  Read more.....

Alexei Ponikarovsky....30 Goal Potential??

Dan Campbell
September 23, 2009.

It has long been said that Alexei Ponikarovsky has never reached his full potential. I think that could be contributed to a weak team, ice time, line mates and maybe even coaching.

At 6’4 and 220 pounds and 29 years of age now, it may be the year Alexei breaks out. he is coming off a career year with 23 goals and 61 points. We know he has a great shot, I think what we are all waiting for is for him to assert himself and use that massive frame to his advantage. With Brian Burke at the helm I am sure he and coach Wilson would love to see him finish more checks and be a little tougher on the puck. This should result in a bit more space for him. He reminds me a bit like Bertuzzi without the mean streak. Read more.....

Komisarek and Beauchemin Add Key Defensive Elements

Geoff Hunter
September 23, 2009.

The Leafs biggest difference on defense this year will come from the two summer acquisitions of Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin. Komisarek adds the size and intimidation to the starting 4 the team has been in dire need of – a good fit as Tomas Kaberle’s defense partner. Beauchemin also plays a gritty game, but with a more notable amount of skill and should work fine with sophomore Luke Schenn.. That’s likely the plan for now. Whether Kaberle gets traded down the road or another defenseman steps into the picture is all part of the rebuilding game.

How much the Leafs can improve their goals against average will be the deciding factor as to whether they are playoff bound or not, and while goaltending and getting the forwards to backcheck harder will be critical - clearing the net, and battling along the boards will be just as important: areas that ‘Komi and Beau’ are most effective. Read more.....

Kadri Leads The Way As Leafs Stun Pens

Tony Omran
September 22, 2009.

Nazem Kadri is making a strong case to stay in the NHL with the Maple Leafs after scoring the game tying goal late in the third period, as well as the shootout winner during Toronto's game against the Penguins. The Leafs came back after trailing 2-0 by the end of the first, to win 3-2 in a shootout Tuesday night to defeat the Crosby-less Pittsburgh team. Despite a sloppy first period by Toronto, the Penguins could not muster any more goals to extend their lead, giving Toronto the opportunity to post the comeback. Goal scorers Viktor Stalberg and Nazem Kadri are trying to make the Toronto Maple Leafs team this camp, and avoid being sent back to the Toronto Marlies, or in Kadri's case, the London Knights of the OHL. Read more.....

Second Round of Cuts: Ondrus and Deveaux Placed On Waivers

Michael Lindow
September 21, 2009.

The Leafs have placed Ben Ondrus, Andre Deveaux, Ryan Hamilton and Alex Foster on league waivers today. They can be claimed by noon today but all four players are expected to clear and play for, what now looks like a great Toronto Marlies team in the American Hockey League.

Toronto still has 30+ players in camp, will reduce their numbers in the next five exhibition games, starting Tuesday at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins. They have until next week to get to the 23 man NHL maximum.

Goalie Jonas Gustavsson will practice for the first time Tuesday following an ablation process a week ago to restore a proper heart beat. Gustavsson worked out with instructor Francois Allaire.

Jonas Gustavsson: Starter Come Playoff Time?

Kenny T
September 21, 2009.

Despite what some others think I am a firm believer that Jonas Gustavsson, who the Leafs signed from Europe, will take over the starting role. When is hard to say. I think Vesa Toskala is just a victim of all the pressure that surrounds the Leafs and maybe his time in Toronto is done. That's not forgetting that he could come back from surgery to stun the fans and take his job back.

Either way it plays out it is likely that one of the goaltenders will develop into our legit starting goalie this season.

NY Post: Sean Avery Wins Libel Suit Against Howard Berger

Michael Lindow
September 20, 2009.

This was from a pregame incident involving Sean Avery, Jason Blake and Darcy Tucker in 2007.

From the New York Post.....

"The Rangers' Sean Avery won a settlement in his libel case against Toronto radio reporter Howard Berger following mediation earlier this month, Slap Shots has learned. The suit was brought in the aftermath of the pregame incident in Toronto on Nov. 10, 2007, after which Berger alleged that Avery had made comments to Jason Blake relating to the Leaf wingers previously diagnosed cancer. Terms of the settlement are confidential. Avery has at least one more pending suit relating to the incident."

New York Post article

First Cuts Of Training Camp

Michael Lindow
September 20, 2009.

Brian Burke announced Saturday that the Leafs have made their first round of cuts to their training camp roster.

The following players were assigned to the Toronto Marlies: Alex Berry, Darryl Boyce, Josh Engel, Andrew Engelage, Tom Galvin, Stefano Giliati, Richard Greenop, Juraj Mikus, Dale Mitchell, Phil Oreskovic, Todd Perry, James Reimer, Kyle Rogers, Joe Ryan, Greg Scott, Robert Slaney, and Mikhail Stefanovich.

The Maple Leafs assigned the following players to their respective junior clubs: Jesse Blacker (Windsor – OHL), Joel Champagne (P.E.I. – QMJHL), and Brandon Manning (Chilliwack – WHL).

Bill Thomas and Juha Uotila have been released from their Professional Try-Out contracts.

No big surprises as of yet outside of maybe defenseman Barron Smith and forward Tim Brent still being with the big club. Nazem Kadri and Viktor Stalberg have been very impressive all through camp, the same can be said for puck moving defenseman Carl Gunnarsson but all three would be a shock to make the NHL team this season.

Burke Intends To Get Some Picks Back

Kenny T
September 19, 2009.

Leafs Nation was all abuzz when the Leafs announced they had acquired Phil Kessel from Boston in exchange for two first rounders and a second round pick. Many people including myself are saying that we still need a first round pick next season, the talented but devilish Burke has a plan. I would guess that if the Leafs are not a playoff team this year they will ship out, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Ian White and Mike Van Ryn all for second round picks leaving us with three second rounders, two of them may be packaged either on draft day or sooner for a mid first rounder. Either way it rolls out we get Kessel and are already a better team and its just been one year. Burke is not done yet.

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. Read more.....

Kessel A Leaf: No Doubt This Is Now Burkes Team

Michael Lindow
September 18, 2009.

The drama is finally over for what has been the worst kept secret in the hockey world. Phil Kessel is finally a Leaf.

The Boston Bruins have traded Kessel to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a 1st and a 2nd round pick in 2010, and a 1st round pick in 2011 pending a trade call which is currently underway.

The Maple Leafs quickly agreed to terms on a new five-year, $27 million deal for the 21-year old Kessel.

Make no mistake this team has General Manager Brian Burke's fingerprints all over it, in less than a year on the job he has brought in Kessel, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Gustavsson, Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and Nazem Kadri which are now the core of a suddenly young and dynamite NHL team.

With Kessel and Kadri the Leafs have a one-two punch not seen around these parts since Doug Gilmour was feeding passes to Dave Andreychuk who netted 53 goals in the 1993-94 season.

Kessel is sidelined until at least November following rotator cuff surgery.