The 2012 version of the NHL lockout is just over a week old and I can't help feel a bit emotional.
Upset because the lockout is actually happening.
Even more upset because it seems like both sides don't want to budge.
Nervous because I originally thought the lockout would be a quick; I may be wrong.
Puzzled because the owners are fighting to lower the 57% of revenue handed to the players, but dished out over $200 million in new contracts over a two-day span before the lockout.
Confused as to why the players' offer is based on guaranteed money; what if the NHL loses money in any season, does it make sense to dish out a guaranteed sum to the players?
Enraged every time I see Gary Bettman or Donald Fehr speaking on television. Less time in front of the cameras and more time behind closed doors please!!
A little sad because the Toronto Maple Leafs are not plastered all over my television, the newspaper or the Internet. As bad as the Leafs have been since the last lockout in 2004-05, you never lose faith that this next season could be the breakout year.
Hope. It may be dwindling as the days pass, but there is still hope that this dreadful lockout will come to an end.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Leafs finish last - again
So the Toronto Maple Leafs finish last yet again.
In a report presented by ESPN's The Magazine last week, our beloved Leafs were ranked 122nd among franchises in the NHL, NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. And how many teams are in the four major sports leagues in North America?
You got it. 122.
In a report ESPN calls "The Ultimate Standings", franchises are ranked based on "likable players, a supportive owner, a great game experience and cheap tickets." For more information on how the teams were ranked, visit the report here.
So should Leaf nation really care about this latest kick in the butt? Probably not. All it does is prove something Leaf fans have been complaining about for years: ownership doesn't care about winning, but they do care about making a few bucks.
But with Rogers Communications and BCE (Bell) officially becoming the new majority owners of the Leafs and the rest Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment last month, things are bound to get better. Or at least I hope so.
The bottom line for me, however, is the product on the ice. I want the Leafs to start winning more games not a popularity contest. I'm sure I speak for all fans when I'd rather have the Leafs not be very likeable while winning 50 games a year.
In a report presented by ESPN's The Magazine last week, our beloved Leafs were ranked 122nd among franchises in the NHL, NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. And how many teams are in the four major sports leagues in North America?
You got it. 122.
In a report ESPN calls "The Ultimate Standings", franchises are ranked based on "likable players, a supportive owner, a great game experience and cheap tickets." For more information on how the teams were ranked, visit the report here.
So should Leaf nation really care about this latest kick in the butt? Probably not. All it does is prove something Leaf fans have been complaining about for years: ownership doesn't care about winning, but they do care about making a few bucks.
But with Rogers Communications and BCE (Bell) officially becoming the new majority owners of the Leafs and the rest Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment last month, things are bound to get better. Or at least I hope so.
The bottom line for me, however, is the product on the ice. I want the Leafs to start winning more games not a popularity contest. I'm sure I speak for all fans when I'd rather have the Leafs not be very likeable while winning 50 games a year.
Monday, September 3, 2012
Random thoughts heading into September
Just some random thoughts on the Leafs with a lockout looming.
- While Leaf fans are sure to be upset if there is a lockout this year, at least they won't have to deal with all that making the playoffs nonsense. Being a die hard Leaf fan since I could walk, people asking whether I think the Leafs will make the playoffs is one of my biggest pet peeves. Especially from non-Leaf fans. You already have your own conclusion so do you really care what I think? Probably not.
- You know you live in a hockey-mad city when a wedding engagement of the home team captain makes the news. A main headline on the Toronto Star's main web page read that Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf and actress girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert were engaged over the weekend. While it is big news for Phaneuf, Cuthbert and their respective families, should the rest of us care? I know I don't. But congratulations nonetheless.
- I was watching some classic Leafs hockey over the weekend, particularly the pre-2004 lockout era. Names like Alexander Mogilny, Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Mats Sundin and Tomas Kaberle had Leaf fans a lot to be excited about. The one player Leafs nation probably misses the most is Sundin. Sure he was a great captain and is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Leaf jersey, but I want to make a case that fans should miss Kaberle just as much, if not more. The smooth-skating Czech always made the right breakout pass out of the defensive zone and while fans wanted him to shoot more, he was masterful as the power play quarterback. While the team and its fans hope youngster Jake Gardiner can be that and more, he does have a long way to go to kill Kaberle's shoes.
- With a potential Roberto Luongo trade to Toronto a distinct possibility, I started thinking about what has been the worst Leafs trade in the last 20 years. Anything former general manager John Ferguson Jr. did seemed to be a disaster, but the one that sticks out in my mind is the Tuukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft deal. At the time, Toronto had two blue chip goaltending prospects: Rask and Justin Pogge. The Leafs decided to go with Pogge and deal away Rask for an emerging Raycroft. Well, we all know how that panned out. Raycroft was a bust, Pogge is nowhere to be found and Rask will be the starting goalie for the Boston Bruins.
What do you think has been the worst trade in the last 20 years?
- While Leaf fans are sure to be upset if there is a lockout this year, at least they won't have to deal with all that making the playoffs nonsense. Being a die hard Leaf fan since I could walk, people asking whether I think the Leafs will make the playoffs is one of my biggest pet peeves. Especially from non-Leaf fans. You already have your own conclusion so do you really care what I think? Probably not.
- You know you live in a hockey-mad city when a wedding engagement of the home team captain makes the news. A main headline on the Toronto Star's main web page read that Leaf captain Dion Phaneuf and actress girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert were engaged over the weekend. While it is big news for Phaneuf, Cuthbert and their respective families, should the rest of us care? I know I don't. But congratulations nonetheless.
- I was watching some classic Leafs hockey over the weekend, particularly the pre-2004 lockout era. Names like Alexander Mogilny, Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Mats Sundin and Tomas Kaberle had Leaf fans a lot to be excited about. The one player Leafs nation probably misses the most is Sundin. Sure he was a great captain and is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Leaf jersey, but I want to make a case that fans should miss Kaberle just as much, if not more. The smooth-skating Czech always made the right breakout pass out of the defensive zone and while fans wanted him to shoot more, he was masterful as the power play quarterback. While the team and its fans hope youngster Jake Gardiner can be that and more, he does have a long way to go to kill Kaberle's shoes.
- With a potential Roberto Luongo trade to Toronto a distinct possibility, I started thinking about what has been the worst Leafs trade in the last 20 years. Anything former general manager John Ferguson Jr. did seemed to be a disaster, but the one that sticks out in my mind is the Tuukka Rask for Andrew Raycroft deal. At the time, Toronto had two blue chip goaltending prospects: Rask and Justin Pogge. The Leafs decided to go with Pogge and deal away Rask for an emerging Raycroft. Well, we all know how that panned out. Raycroft was a bust, Pogge is nowhere to be found and Rask will be the starting goalie for the Boston Bruins.
What do you think has been the worst trade in the last 20 years?
Monday, August 27, 2012
Joffrey Lupul looking to repeat last season's success
Heading into his first full season in a Maple Leafs jersey last year, many questions surrounded forward Joffrey Lupul.
Could Lupul regain his 2005-06 form that saw him score 28 goals in 81 games?
Would he be able to handle the grind of a full season, after playing only 77 games over two sesaons thanks to back surgery and a subsequent blood disorder?
Would the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native be able to handle playing in hockey-mad Toronto?
A resounding "yes" answered all three questions, among others.
Before a shoulder injury put an early end to his season in March, Lupul averaged more than a point per game. He tallied 25 goals and 42 assists in only 66 games playing along side the Leafs other sniper Phil Kessel.
Now claiming he is back to 100%, Lupul is hopefully in tune with helping get the blue and white back into the playoffs. He is reunited with Randy Carlyle, who was his coach in Anaheim. With his strong work ethic, Lupul is bound to see plenty of ice since Carlyle rewards those who never quit.
Can Lupul put up 30 goals this year? Sure he can. Opposing teams already key into Kessel and with newly-acquired James van Riemsdyk garnering attention as well, the 28-year-old should get his share of scoring chances.
It seems the only factor that can hinder Lupul is what has haunted him since Anaheim him drafted seventh overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft: the injury bug. If he can stay away from the infirmary this season, Lupul is on track to have another strong offensive season.
And with their goaltending and defence corps being so inconsistent a year ago, the Leafs will need all what Lupul produces and more.
Could Lupul regain his 2005-06 form that saw him score 28 goals in 81 games?
Would he be able to handle the grind of a full season, after playing only 77 games over two sesaons thanks to back surgery and a subsequent blood disorder?
Would the Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta native be able to handle playing in hockey-mad Toronto?
A resounding "yes" answered all three questions, among others.
Before a shoulder injury put an early end to his season in March, Lupul averaged more than a point per game. He tallied 25 goals and 42 assists in only 66 games playing along side the Leafs other sniper Phil Kessel.
Now claiming he is back to 100%, Lupul is hopefully in tune with helping get the blue and white back into the playoffs. He is reunited with Randy Carlyle, who was his coach in Anaheim. With his strong work ethic, Lupul is bound to see plenty of ice since Carlyle rewards those who never quit.
Can Lupul put up 30 goals this year? Sure he can. Opposing teams already key into Kessel and with newly-acquired James van Riemsdyk garnering attention as well, the 28-year-old should get his share of scoring chances.
It seems the only factor that can hinder Lupul is what has haunted him since Anaheim him drafted seventh overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft: the injury bug. If he can stay away from the infirmary this season, Lupul is on track to have another strong offensive season.
And with their goaltending and defence corps being so inconsistent a year ago, the Leafs will need all what Lupul produces and more.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Questions heading into 2012-13 season
It is less than a month away from the "start" of Toronto Maple Leafs training. I say "start" because there will be no season if players and owners cannot reach a resolution in the latest round of labour negotiations.
Regardless of what happens in the boardroom, the Leafs have some unanswered questions heading into the 2012-13 season. Some are more concerning than others, with the biggest question mark looming behind the pipes.
With the Monster, Jonas Gustavsson, heading a few hours south to the Detroit Red Wings, it's assumed James Reimer and Ben Scrivens will be Toronto's duo heading into the year. After a strong start to last season, which was interupted by the elbow of Montreal Canadien's Brian Gionta, Reimer looks to regain his success from two years ago. He did show flashes of improvement as last season wore on, but he still has much to prove to become a staring goalie in the NHL.
Scrivens will look to give Reimer a run for his money, considering the former's flashes of brilliance last season. He made positive strides in his time with the Leafs, but definitely grew more in the Toronto Marlies run to the AHL Calder Cup final. While the Marlies did lose that series, Scrivens is sure to have gained a ton of experience.
Leaf fans better not rule out the arrival of Vancouver Canucks' superstar Roberto Luongo. While it's reported Luongo would prefer a return to the Florida Panthers, there is still a chance the Leafs could land their first top-flight goalie since Ed Belfour, who ultimately led Toronto to its last playoff appearance in 2003-04.
Other questions heading into the season are:
Can the newest Leaf James Van Riemsdyk help provide more offence outside of Phil Kessel?
Can Mikhail Grabovski prove he earned his big pay raise when he signed a 5-year, $27 million contract in March?
Will having Randy Carlyle behind the bench from the start of training camp benefit a young Toronto squad?
Can Joffrey Lupul match his scoring success from a year ago?
Will the Leafs corps of youth, including Joe Colborne, Matt Frattin and Tyler Bozak, continue to develop to the level management expects?
And finally, will the Leafs make the playoffs?
The last question continues to haunt all of Leafs Nation, but they may get a break if there is no hockey this season.
Regardless of what happens in the boardroom, the Leafs have some unanswered questions heading into the 2012-13 season. Some are more concerning than others, with the biggest question mark looming behind the pipes.
With the Monster, Jonas Gustavsson, heading a few hours south to the Detroit Red Wings, it's assumed James Reimer and Ben Scrivens will be Toronto's duo heading into the year. After a strong start to last season, which was interupted by the elbow of Montreal Canadien's Brian Gionta, Reimer looks to regain his success from two years ago. He did show flashes of improvement as last season wore on, but he still has much to prove to become a staring goalie in the NHL.
Scrivens will look to give Reimer a run for his money, considering the former's flashes of brilliance last season. He made positive strides in his time with the Leafs, but definitely grew more in the Toronto Marlies run to the AHL Calder Cup final. While the Marlies did lose that series, Scrivens is sure to have gained a ton of experience.
Leaf fans better not rule out the arrival of Vancouver Canucks' superstar Roberto Luongo. While it's reported Luongo would prefer a return to the Florida Panthers, there is still a chance the Leafs could land their first top-flight goalie since Ed Belfour, who ultimately led Toronto to its last playoff appearance in 2003-04.
Other questions heading into the season are:
Can the newest Leaf James Van Riemsdyk help provide more offence outside of Phil Kessel?
Can Mikhail Grabovski prove he earned his big pay raise when he signed a 5-year, $27 million contract in March?
Will having Randy Carlyle behind the bench from the start of training camp benefit a young Toronto squad?
Can Joffrey Lupul match his scoring success from a year ago?
Will the Leafs corps of youth, including Joe Colborne, Matt Frattin and Tyler Bozak, continue to develop to the level management expects?
And finally, will the Leafs make the playoffs?
The last question continues to haunt all of Leafs Nation, but they may get a break if there is no hockey this season.
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