Maple Leaf apparel.. for your pets

If you are looking for clothing.. for your pets, head over to Cosmopawlitan Pet Boutique and Spa

http://cosmopawlitanpets.com/

Leafs impressive in snapping winless streak

While ridiculous to give Brian Burke for credit last night's win over the Flyers (he just assumed GM duties earlier in the day) the players were on their best behaviour for their new GM.  You would have to think that all the European players had to be concerned - Burke has a history of discarding Europeans in favour of bigger and slower North American players.   Burke did get down to business quickly though, stating the Mats Sundin would not be returning.  Maple Leafs Toronto is against that decision, as extending the Sundin speculation would give us a lot more things to talk about.

In another twist to the Brian Burke story, Leaf forward Dominic Moore is the brother of former NHLer Steve Moore.  Steve Moore, who was victim of a vicuous assualt by Todd Bertuzzi, is suing Brian Burke and the Vancouver Canucks for millions of dollars over the attack.

Stempniak got his first goal as a Leaf, changing hard to the net, something that every offensively challenged team needs to do more of.

At least it was on Leafs TV

The Leafs dropped an ugly game 6-3 to the Atlanta Thrashers last night. The game was televised on the Leafs' specialty channel - Leafs TV, so fortunately most people were not able to see the sad display. But don't worry, your continued patronage of this site will allow this blog's authors to subscribe to Leafs TV one day.

So while we are on our winless streak, we can also revel in the misfortune of our more successful rivals - the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens were up 3-2 and pulled their goal because of a delayed penalty call on their opponent. Somehow, they managed to score in their own net and lose the game in a shootout.

0-3-1 in the last four...

I went on vacation on the 14th... since then, so far... the Leafs are 0-3-1... I think that they're game has gone on vacation with me... mind u... its not like they aren't scoring... they have 11 goals in those 4 games... I think we all know what the issue is again...
Anyways, hopefully they'll pull off the next couple of games, so at least it'll feel like I missed something...

Burke agrees to be Leaf GM

All indications are that Brian Burke has agreed to join the Leafs as president and general manager. This is the day after the current GM Fletcher pulled off a trade. Maybe Fletcher should trade a couple of more players before Burke is officially signed... just to make things interesting

Leafs deal spare parts for someone who has scored in the past

The Leafs finally parted ways with their fragile Eric Lindros like defenceman Colaiacovo and their poor man's version of Thomas Steen, sending them to St Louis for Buffalo native Lee Stempniak. The 25 year old gives the Leafs some much needed offence, as he scored 27 goals in 2006-2007.

Mustache comparison

Last night was mustache night in honour of former Leaf captain Wendel Clark
Courtesy of Toronto Star

Schenn and Mitchell

And finally Ian White, who is now sporting the mustache for the long term


http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=977875

Picture of Finger getting beat

Courtesy of Toronto Star
http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/542021

Finger finger for Leafs' sloppy loss to Blackhawks

On a night where Wendel Clark was being honoured with a banner in the rafters with his name, the Leafs blew 3-0 and 4-2 leads to lose to the Blackhawks in OT.  On 3 of the Blackhawk goals, prized and highly paid defenceman Finger was standing around watching someone next to him score.  He finished the night as a minus 3.  With an excess of defencemen, look for Wilson to sit Finger next game to make room for Colaiacovo's return.

Leaf Fans Are Everywhere...

I'm here in the Gold Coast, Australia, in a suburb of Surfers Paradise where the temperature is in the upper 30's and no snow in sight.
So, I was doing the beach thing with a buddy of mine, checking the meter maids and the girlies in bikinis, pictures to be coming for your enticement and hockey was probably the farthest thing from my mind. But as I was walking along the surf in the white sand, I noticed a couple of guys and one of them happened to be holding a TML beach towel. And then it all came back to me, first off, Leaf fans are everywhere, almost scary, that even in Australia, where I can't find an arena and Surfers Paradise has never seen snow, there are still fans holding on to the hope of one day, watching a play-off contender. Secondly, sorry to rub it into everybody's face, but I am not looking forward to coming home to the snow and all the lovely shit that comes with it.
Finally, while I overlook the beach in my backyard and sitting in my shorts and a t-shirt with no worries, I will leave you with this... go on vacation and we'll talk about the Leafs later.... Full-On.
Cheers

Leafs getting ready to overpay for Burke

Brian Burke could become the new GM of the Leafs in the next few days. The numbers being tossed around range from $1M to $3M per year. While $1M might be standard for a GM, $3M is just ridiculous. Are the Leafs going to overpay for a star GM instead of using the $8M in extra cap room they have to over pay for a star player...The Blue Jays tried this with JP and are still waiting for results after 7 years.

Schenn gets a little roughed up vs. Vancouver

Nonetheless, good job Schenn

Bears playing hockey

I'll leave it for readers to decide on how they feel about the treatment of the bears

Gilmour quits as Marlies assistant, becomes head coach in Kingston

Good career move. People actually watch and care about major junior. The same cannot be said about the AHL farm team of the Leafs. I didn't even remember that Gilmour was an assistant on the Marlies. Don Cherry will be pleased. Gilmour is the "Kingston boy" who he kissed on Coach's Corner.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/JuniorHockey/article/538722

Avalanche ink Stastny to $33M extension

Who? $6.6M per year? He currently makes $700k and has 3G, 12 A. Last year 24G in 66 games. He is the 22 year old son of ex NHL great Peter Stastny. Grabovksi/ "Grabo" is on pace to score at least 24 goals this year. I hope he doesn't expect $6.6M.

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2008/11/17/nhl-avalanche-stastny.html

Highlight reel goal

Leafs can't convert on power play in loss to Vancouver

The Leafs failed to convert on either of their 5 on 3 power plays in their 4-2 loss to Vancouver last night. They are now 0 of 14 on the 5 on 3. They peppered Vancouver with shots early in the game, however Toskala gave up 4 goals on 9 shots, allowing Toronto fans to see former Leafs hero Curtis Joseph. None of the goals were Toskala's fault. For the most part, the goals were of the pretty variety, caused by defensive miscues by the Leafs.

How about former Leaf Kyle Wellwood scoring his 7th goal of the season, to lead the Canucks in goals. The injured Wellwood was deemed to small and too out of shape to play for the Leafs. In fact he didn't even make the opening day Canucks squad. He got called up from the minors when injuries started to hit Vancouver.

Big win for TML

Was an interesting game last night. Leafs showed up to play and still can't believe watching that Grabovski, Hagman, Kumelin line... most exciting line I've seen on the Leafs in a very long time.
Glad they pulled off the middle win on the west coast swing, I thought it would probably be the easiest out of the three.
Would be really nice to pull off the win against Vancouver on Saturday.
Oddly enough, I'm in the Vancouver airport right now waiting fora connecting flight, so won't be posting much about the Leafs in the next 2.5 weeks. But I'll be sure to keep up and figure out what is going on.

So ladies and gentlemen, I expect big things out of the Leafs and out of you, so please keep posting your comments and cheer on those Leafs

Nice effort by Leafs to defeat Oilers

The Leaf's Blake, a one time 40 goals scorer was back in the lineup after being a health scratch for the game against Calgary. Blake, who had already been scratched earlier this season, responded with a strong effort and 2 assists. This leads to the question - should Blake should be made a healthy scratch every other game?

More importantly, the Oilers wore their old school jerseys, a throw back to the Gretzky years and the 5 Stanley cups

Conroy's own goal

From last night's Leafs-Flames game. With the Leafs down 4-2, Calgary's Conroy wins a faceoff into his own net.

Sundin sells Forest Hill home

http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/534500

For some reason this is news..

In case you missed it - new HNIC theme song

Graboski sends message to old teamates with goal, assist

Graboski was clearly the best player for the Leafs last night in their 6-3 victory, mounting a goal, an assist and a lot of other impact that do not go noticed on the scoresheet.

Apparently Graboksi's old Habs' teammates are not fans of him, with both Koivu and Kostitsyn taking runs at him. When asked what Koivu told him on the ice after throwing him to the ground, Ponikarovsky, Graboski's translator said this "He (Koivu) gave him some special advice. He told him it would help him in the future. He (Grabovski) just listened to his advice because he respects him." Meanwhile Montreal coach Carbonneau said this about Graboski, "Listen, I have enough of my own problems. I don't really care about what he thinks or what he says. He's playing well, good for him." Don Cherry got in on the action, calling Graboski a diver, but then this is the same Don Cherry who calls Sidney Crosby and diver as well as any non anglophone Canadian under 6 feet tall.

Sweet Revenge 6-3 Over Montreal

Leafs looked good today... Played hard and was definitely a revenge style game as they outhustled and outworked the Canadiens tonight. Pulled off the 6-3 Win. How about that Grabovski on the dipsy doodle around two guys then the backhand saucer pass over to Hagman for the first goal. I'll give you one thing, that line is dynamic and entertaining...

After getting shamed 6-1 in the home opener this season... Leafs came back hard and I'm interested in hearing what Wilson has to say about this game.

Next game is on Tuesday against the Flames, then Edmonton and Vancouver on a Canadian west coast swing. Think it'll be really interesting to see how the Leafs hold up on Canadian against the hard hitting grinding west coast teams.

After sloppy loss, Leafs in tough against Montreal

The 8-1-1 Montreal Canadiens are in town tomorrow night. The Leafs most exciting player and top goal scorer Grabovski wasn't good enough to play for the Montreal Canadiens, as he was traded to Toronto over the summer for a 2nd round draft choice. The Leafs will need to quickly shore up their defence against a dangerous Montreal offense or face their 4th loss in a row.

Last day to order hockey tickets for Vancouver Olympics

http://www.vancouver2010.com/en/ticketing-information/-/32334/f64b2s/index.html

Last day to enter the lottery for the right to purchase tickets for the gold medal game in hockey at the Vancouver Olympics

Leafs Lose A Sloppy One, 5-2

Was pretty disappointing watching the Leafs today. Seemed like they didn't really want to be in it too much. Moments of greatness, got to see some of the hustle of that great new first line of the Leafs, Grabovski between Hagman and Kulemin. It at least makes it exciting and they got some creativity and hustle. But this was more of what I was expecting of the Leafs, some decent plays, but not quite reaching the cusp of where they should be.
I think Ron Wilson will see a lot of what needs to be done and might have to really re-think a few things after this game. But, its very refreshing to see him not afraid to shake things up.

I'll state it right now, but the Leafs will play impressively for their next game on Saturday. I think there's going to be a few things said tonight and some hard work to be put in and the Leafs are gonna play physical, creative and strong. You heard it here first...

Top ten innovative plays

Downed 6-4 by Carolina

It was an exciting game... just didn't go Leafs way. Got a penalty when they had all the pressure in the last minute or two, and Carolina held on for a 6-4 victory. Disappointing that the Leafs didn't even come out with a point for this game, they battled back but then gave it back right after. Some good things to take out of this game, but some bad. Should be rested up now for the next game.

Ouch... Carolina 4-3 After 2

Now that's depressing... down 4-3 after the 2nd period.
Here's the chance to show the NHL what the Leafs are made of... In the face of Adversity.
Youngsters gotta show some maturity. Same thing as yesterday boys.

Grabovski again... Leafs 3-1

Leafs got another, three shots on a four on three rush. This type of hockey has to make you feel excited. Its not extremely fancy but its hard work, applying pressure and using the speed we desparately needed to make it so Carolina doesn't get a chance to recover. Gotta have a good feeling about this game... Leafs are playing solid.

Hagman's Got Skills

Hagman looked ridiculous on this goal. Deking through 2-3 players gets a shot off and then starts the cycle. Grabovski and Hagman circle roudn and round and Hagman with good eyes get it up to Grabovski and without waiting rips it high for the Goal. Good response by the Leafs, things you want to see.

Carolina's 1st goal, not Joseph's Fault

Not Joseph's fault on the 1st Carolina goal... pad save, off Finger's shin guard in the net... Stajan's drawn a penalty right after... gotta keep up the momentum and not lull back into the old school ways...

After 1 in Carolina, So Far So Good.

Watching the Leafs on Leafstv right now, and they look like they've carried some of the momentum from yesterday into today. The White, Mayers and Colaiacovo line is making nice short passes and grinding it hard to get some chances. Holding the 1-0 lead on the road is a good representation of how the game is going. The crowd doesn't seem to into it as they are playing smarter hard hockey with m ore shots and outplaying the Hurricanes. Let's see them hold it up.

Canadian hockey national team can't use traditional logo at vancouver olympics

http://tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/story/?id=254449

The IOC is banning national sports federations from displaying their logos at the Olympics. This would include Hockey Canada's logo of the maple leaf with a hockey player. If you ask me, Hockey Canada's logo is ugly anyways. I would much rather prefer a standard maple leafs - sort of like the Toronto Maple Leafs uniform - but in red.

Who made the schedule?

The Leafs play today at 5pm in Carolina, less than 24 hours after finishing a game in Toronto. 5pm start to accommodate non existent American TV audiences?

5 Minutes and 21 Seconds...

Wowwie Wowwie... Leafs are turning out to be quite the force these days. Who would have thought that after putting up 5 goals against a future hall of famer, Martin Brodeur, they could have it in them again. Down 2-0 for most of the game against the Rangers, in five minutes and twenty one seconds, the Leafs storm back in the third with 5 unanswered goals to take the win. But not too many people saw that one coming.

Kudos to Mitchell on his debut in the NHL to get two goals and an assist. Definitely a night to remember for him. Leafs started shooting again too with 17 shots in the third period alone totalling 35. I guess Ron Wilson is finally getting through to the guys... It's like the youngsters are sponges and you gotta make them accept the system and suck it all in. Only two penalties on the night too, leading to success.

Not too much time to celebrate though as the Leafs have their next game in under 24 hours in Carolina for a 5pm start. Let's see if the momentum continues through. Watch it on Leafs TV.
I love the feel you get from Torontonians, I thought the Leafs would do better than expectations, mind you, the expectations were really really low. Four wins in the last five games with the loss against the Lightning as the one I thought we'd pull through with.

Little statistics for you:

Leafs first 6 games - 11 GF vs. 20 GA
Leafs last 5 games - 21 GF vs. 14 GA

Leafs first 5 games - 78 Penalty Minutes
Leafs last 6 games - 47 Penalty Minutes

Correlation?