Go Leafs Go!!

[21pro]

i didn't catch much of the game... was watching Pens and Detroit play- and boy did Detroit ever do a good job of shutting down the Pens, including Crosby's line. Pens only registered 13 shots on net!!!! but, the Pens kept Detroit down to 26 shots which was something i was happy about. this lack of offense made for a very boring game except for a good scrap between Norton and Roy... and very good PK by the Penguins again.

Defense pairings for leafs:

Kaberle-McCabe
Kaberle-McCabe
Kaberle-McCabe
Gill-White
Kaberle-McCabe
Kubina-Wozniewski (Woz with 1 shift, got injured)
Kubina-White
Kaberle-McCabe

McCabe/Kaberle then rotation of Kubina, White, and Gill as Woz went out in first minute of game. Caber/Kabs each played around 32 minutes, Gill 25. Kubina 22, and White 16.

 

[21pro]

I am not expert but I would like to know how the Air Canada Centre ice compares to rest of league .. I don't much hockey other then the Leafs but the puck jumps around a lot...

generally, the puck will bounce more when it is warmer. that is why you see portable coolers at the timekeepers booth in some arenas- it's not for brewskies!

generally speaking the ice at the ACC is one of the better surfaces in the Eastern Conference. other good ones are New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Buffalo.

Edmonton has the best overall ice surfaces in the league.

 

[PHNINE]

The loss yesterday was a heartbreaker. I thought we had it for most of the game. We are definitely a different team, and you can tell Maurice is making a huge impact. Conditioning is one of his focuses, and the team is looking faster. Sundin is looking solid, and Tucker might have another great season. Wellwood is adapting to the wing, and Kilger is playing suprisingly well. Too bad Wozniewski went down so early as he has been making a good contribution. Raycroftt has been decent so far, only time will tell. With the loss, I hope we practice our shootouts and actually win some for a change. Looking forward to Florida on Monday.

 

[21pro]

relax guys... this team will do fine. though i hate when Mats Sundin says it in late March, but, "there's alotta hockey left to play". actually his statement last march sometimes makes me question his leadership... anyhow. this is only week 1 and 3 games in... there is alotta hockey left. You'll have a better idea by the end of October.

 

[new2game]

Maybe I'm not getting your point...

I've come to 2 possible conclusions:
A) you simply misunderstood what i stated... I didn't ask who you'd take Wellwood over...
B) you are simply overrating Wellwood to think he is better right now than:
-Mark Recchi, 4th highest scoring right-winger of this years stanley cup playoffs... and a proven leader and cup winner. 2nd best RW on that Carolina team in playoff points.you are right though- he is slowing down, big time... i expect him to retire after this season
-both of the Sedin twins can play either wing position and both have a much better P-Kill and D-game.
-Ekman is one of the better 5-on-5 wingers in the league (perhaps why you view him as streaky)... this is his specialty, and why whatever team has him will do better in the standings. You're comparing a +/- of potentially 20 to 40 at season's end to a +/- of 0 to -10 in Wellwood... Pittsburgh is a much better team with Ekman. It's still a matter of opinion, I agree but, the consensus would still be that Ekman is more valuable to his respective team- that's my basis for who's better... he'd make the leafs better too, if he was in Wellwood's situation.
-Zetterberg... just watch and see where he brings the Red Wings to this season. He is a proper 1st liner. and at a greater than 1 Point per game player with again that same consistent high +/- (and playing less minutes- wait till this season)...

he could be better than many players come mid-season, though. let's see how good he times himself to mats' game, first. he looks good so far.

Who is Wellwood better than...RIGHT NOW????

a) a washed up Mark Recchi..slowing dowing as you have said ..... Wellwood is better

b) The Sedin twins, who were chronic underacheivers before being set up with Anson Carter(who is no longer wtih Vancouver) .... Wellwood is better

c)Ekman...I'll take your points under consideration and try to have a closer look at his play when the chance arises. No doubt on his top flight defensive skills..

d) Zetterberg..I think you are over rating him a bit to put him at first line class...Neither he or Datzyuk (sp) are ready for the limelight that will be on them with the departure of Yzerman and Shanahan...

I'm a big Wellwood fan, and see plenty of upside for him...and Don Cherry agrees with me...

Fun to discuss though, Pro...

N2G

 

[21pro]

did you catch a glimpse of detroit play? Zetterberg is flying. They have the quickest team in the NHL this season.

don't get me wrong- i'm liking how Sundin makes Wellwood better. however, even Jonas Hoglund, a player who never should've made the nhl got 29 goals in one season playing with Sundin, right?

BTW- you called it DJ:

Jeff O'Neill will amount to nothing with the Maple Flops.

back on August 1, 2005...

 

[21pro]

I heard Kubina tore his MCL... possibly gone for a few months... any info?

 

[PHNINE]

He will be going for an MRI sometime this week. Initially they said that it appears like it might be a torn MCL, however, sometimes when it appears like a torn MCL, it could just be a serious sprain. In a few more days, the doctors will be able to confirm the seriousness of the injury. If it is just a sprain he'll be back in a few weeks. If it is a torn MCL, then he could be gone for a while. Which is unfortunate because he seemed to be doing well, and giving the blue line a real presence.

I heard on the FAN590 that they are considering to call up Brad Brown. He almost made the team this year, so it would be a great chance for him if he does get called up. Coliaccavo is still feeling the headaches from his concussion, so he is not quite ready yet. They also mentioned that if all fails they might have to go out and sign someone, but with limited cap space it might be difficult to get someone good.

 

[shack]

If he is out for the whole season does his salary count against the cap ...

Nope.

 

[21pro]

He will be going for an MRI sometime this week. sometimes when it appears like a torn MCL, it could just be a serious sprain.

believe what you will. i trust my sources. his knee felt 'loose'... that never happens when you have a serious sprain... it actually tightens up from swelling.

 

[PHNINE]

What I love is watching you talk to yourself Guyroch. LOL Just kidding buddy. I am watching Hockeycentrel right now on Sportsnet, and they have also said that the ice at the ACC this year is pretty bad. Considering this is Toronto, and the ACC is such an elite arena, the ice is expected to be alot better. Right now it is being said in the locker rooms that the puck is bouncing during passes, and sticking during shots. I am pretty sure with all this negative spin the Leafs will do something about it in due time.

I also heard Wellwood is the highest point producer so far in the league....wrap your head around that one...

 

[21pro]

I enjoy your debates but Kubina injury has brought up the fact by experts all over the radio that the ACC is one of the worse hockey surfaces ....

maybe so. i'm going by what i knew a few years ago... when i played competitively.

anyways. that is not 100% of the reason why Kubina got injured. but, come to think of it. over the past few rescent years, quite a few players have injured their knees by getting caught in ruts.

alot of people didn't like the Kubina and Gill signings, but in fact they were showing some promiss to be key help to the blueline compared to the lack of experience that was there last season. Kubina will leave a hole in the blueline and the matter is somewhat serious.

one thing different about this season is that the leafs have a few more 'character' players that can excel when facing adversity. i'm still reasonably optimistic in sticking to the possibility that they will finish slightly better this season.

 

[canbreathethroughearsmale]

This team reminds me of the early 90's team when they very first got Gilmour and little other defense. They had a solid checking unit, like they do now with Peca and a few others in the mix. And while I think they have different styles, Felix Potvin was just coming on as a starter like Raycroft seems to be doing now.

 

[PHNINE]

They had an idea on Sportsnet today, that they should make regular time wins worth 3 points or make an overtime loss no points instead of 1 point. This way teams can catch up when closer to play off time. I don't think this is a good idea because then it will skew the record books.

 

[21pro]

i think a few players are frustrated on the team and blew up in front of the media blaming the ice. It is NOT so bad that it is some of the worst ice in the league... simply not true.

The NHL's worst ice conditions:
1. Miami, Florida
2. Tampa Bay, Florida
3. Atlanta, Georgia
4. Nashville, Tennessee
5. Raleigh, North Carolina
6. Dallas, Texas
7. Columbus, Ohio
8. Boston, Massachusettes
9. Washington, D.C.
10. Phoenix, Arizona
11. Anaheim, California
12. Denver, Colorado
13. San Jose, California
14. East Rutherford, New Jersey
15. Los Angeles, California

Best Ice Surfaces in the NHL

1. Edmonton, Alberta
2. St. Louis, Missouri
3. Detroit, Michigan
4. Calgary, Alberta
5. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
6. Toronto, Ontario
7. Buffalo, New York
8. Montreal, Quebec
9. Ottawa, Ontario
10. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11. New York Island
12. Vancouver, British Columbia
13. St. Paul, Minnesota
14. Chicago, Illinois
15. NYC, New York

Of course, Playoff hockey can be a little different when they are playing in the hot and humid months of May and June! The leafs own ice, which they are very familiar with... should not warrant them complaining about it. You don't hear players in San Jose or Carolina complain about their ice, which is far worse.

 

[21pro]

OK... first I'd like to say i'm not into starting any rumours...and that isn't what this is meant to be... it is, however, my own late night ramblings...

but, the Carolina Hurricanes are NOT getting any offense out of their top 2 lines. Their leading scorer is on the 3rd line (Belanger). If the 'canes don't get up to .600 hockey by the end of October, one of their many top forwards will come available as the organization becomes desperate to shake the team up. Now, I doubt Toronto will actively try to materialize something, but, if I was GM, I'd be looking into the goods... (swot) is what they call it.

also, Nashville might be looking to make some changes too.

Right now is the better time to start looking. A deal might take till December to materialize. Teams would be interested in a McCabe (Carolina's a possibility, if he'll waive his clause), or Wellwood, or Gill, Tucker, or perhaps even an injured Kubina. We appear to other teams as if we have good prospects in the system, too. Now is a good time to do something. Be a leader. Make a difference.

Think of Doug Wilson in San Jose last season. Those talks that evolved into the most successful trade (Joe Thornton) of the 05/06 season started the 2nd week of hockey. Where are we now, this year in the season?

 

[21pro]

Thurs Oct 12 Leafs vs. Devils...

6-5 for the leafs with just over 4mins remaining.

i hope they can hold onto the win as that will further secure my PENGUINS 1st place position in the ATLANTIC DIVISION....

 

[PHNINE]

Yeah they gave up the lead in the third period. They tried to protect the lead, but the Devils took it back. Brodeaur made some big saves at the end. Tough loss...

 

[new2game]

But, if you you're wrong...

Think of Doug Wilson in San Jose last season. Those talks that evolved into the most successful trade (Joe Thornton) of the 05/06 season started the 2nd week of hockey. Where are we now, this year in the season?

...you end up on the Boston end of the trade...they got screwed over in that deal. The Leafs are fine for now...let's see how things look come late November or early December to decide what moves need to be made. Had it not been for some poor goaltending by Aubin( by far his worst game as a Leaf, especially in the 3rd) ,they'd have won tonight. And to start 6 poionts out of a possible 10 is a decent start...no need for any desparation moves yet..


N2G

 

[21pro]

The Leafs are fine for now...let's see how things look come late November or early December to decide what moves need to be made. N2G

a good manager looks ahead, though... that's all i'm saying. your advice to sit on your heels is what makes teams end up left in the dust. (i remember how sutter in Calgary mentioned how it wasn't fair that HE didn't know that Joe Thornton was available... whatever... you snooze cause your team looks fine, you lose..)

sure. the team looks ok... not fine.. ok. I just realized too that Aubin didn't really play that bad. his GAA and save % is the exact same for Brodeur's for the game. not great... a sorda weak game for both goalies.