Chris Says:
So. We've signed Scott Clemmensen.
Which means we've got three goalies now.
If this keeps up pretty soon we'll be icing a squad of goaltenders for every game.
Clemmensen was the guy NJ put in net last year for the last game of the season, instead of Brodeur. He's the guy who cost the Leafers a playoff spot. Now he may cost Raycroft his job.
Granted Clemmensen is on a two way contract which means he could find himself backing up Pogge in the Mariles. But I think it's pretty obvious that the Leafs goaltending sitch is far from played out.
Because in my eye now we've got one starting goalie, one backup and and one third wheel.
One of these things is not like the other...
Steve says:
I'm pretty sure that Clemmensen is Marlies bound...putting Raycroft in the minors would not only kill his career, but also lose serious $ value for the guy.
No, ... if anything happens in our nets between now and Oct., it will be a Raycroft trade and maybe a Cujo signing.
Chris Says:
Woah. Where did I say we were going to stick Raycroft in the minors? Would his contract even allow it?
No, Raycroft is slowly being delievered the not-so-subtle message that his time with the organization is over.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Friday, July 6, 2007
On rivalries
Chris Says:
For my birthday present last year my gf bought me ticks to see the Sens play the Habs.
Now when I opened the present up I should have been insanely happy (which I was). But you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Because I was in a silent quandry.
Who the hell did I cheer for?
The Habs with whom the Leafs had a decades old rivalry?
Or the Sens. The dirty stinking Sens. (nuff said.)
I threw my support behind the Habs. Because hey, they don't live in the same province as me and the last time there was a truly memorable rivalry between them and the Leafs my father was probably still in short pants. Now the Sens on the other hand have been thorn in my side for the last ten years. And when your nearest and dearest, despite all your pleading, is determined to continue cheering for them...well...it builds a powerful hate in a man.
To complicate matters the Habs were running neck and neck with Leafs at the time for that last available playoff spot. So cheering for the Habs would, by extension, be me cheering against the Leafs.
So I just sat on my hands and watched the game. Actually it was almost more fun to watch the various fan factions goad each other. Did you know that even Habs fans do the "choke" symbol when playing Ottawa? I thought that was just a T.O. thing.
Now besides Leaf's games the only other Hockey I watch is when Canada as a whole is repped (think the Olympics or the Juniors). I catch a lotta flack from people that I'm not a true hockey fan. A true hockey fan would continue to watch the playoffs for the love of the game once their team was eleminated.
Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not a hockey fan, just a Leafs fan. And I'm all right with that. I'll watch other games if they're on the tube, but I sure won't seek em out.
Because when you throw all your support behind one team it starts to feel dishonest to cheer for another.
Steve says:
BUT, by cheering for the Sens to win, you are really cheering for your team better it's chances to make it into the playoffs...how is that dishonest in any way?
You knew the standings when we went to that game and you knew what the different outcomes would do to the Leafs chances. So where was your Leaf jersey?!!!
ps. to anyone reading this, NEVER take your car to the palladium, or Scotiabank place or whatever the frik they are calling it these days...it took me 2.5 hours to get out of the parking lot! and then the traffic was soooo stupid on the highway, it was basically another parking lot...
take the bus...
Chris Says:
I wore my Leafs cap into the den of the beast which is more than I can say for you!
For my birthday present last year my gf bought me ticks to see the Sens play the Habs.
Now when I opened the present up I should have been insanely happy (which I was). But you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise. Because I was in a silent quandry.
Who the hell did I cheer for?
The Habs with whom the Leafs had a decades old rivalry?
Or the Sens. The dirty stinking Sens. (nuff said.)
I threw my support behind the Habs. Because hey, they don't live in the same province as me and the last time there was a truly memorable rivalry between them and the Leafs my father was probably still in short pants. Now the Sens on the other hand have been thorn in my side for the last ten years. And when your nearest and dearest, despite all your pleading, is determined to continue cheering for them...well...it builds a powerful hate in a man.
To complicate matters the Habs were running neck and neck with Leafs at the time for that last available playoff spot. So cheering for the Habs would, by extension, be me cheering against the Leafs.
So I just sat on my hands and watched the game. Actually it was almost more fun to watch the various fan factions goad each other. Did you know that even Habs fans do the "choke" symbol when playing Ottawa? I thought that was just a T.O. thing.
Now besides Leaf's games the only other Hockey I watch is when Canada as a whole is repped (think the Olympics or the Juniors). I catch a lotta flack from people that I'm not a true hockey fan. A true hockey fan would continue to watch the playoffs for the love of the game once their team was eleminated.
Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm not a hockey fan, just a Leafs fan. And I'm all right with that. I'll watch other games if they're on the tube, but I sure won't seek em out.
Because when you throw all your support behind one team it starts to feel dishonest to cheer for another.
Steve says:
BUT, by cheering for the Sens to win, you are really cheering for your team better it's chances to make it into the playoffs...how is that dishonest in any way?
You knew the standings when we went to that game and you knew what the different outcomes would do to the Leafs chances. So where was your Leaf jersey?!!!
ps. to anyone reading this, NEVER take your car to the palladium, or Scotiabank place or whatever the frik they are calling it these days...it took me 2.5 hours to get out of the parking lot! and then the traffic was soooo stupid on the highway, it was basically another parking lot...
take the bus...
Chris Says:
I wore my Leafs cap into the den of the beast which is more than I can say for you!
Muckler
Steve says:
Today MLSE is meeting with John Muckler to interview him for a babysitting position. He is quite the experienced babysitter. 50 years of experience and 5 Rings (not marriage rings, the other kind).
I think this might become a new trend in the NHL if it works out. You know,...management really likes a guy as GM, but he needs some fine tuning so they bring in a dinosaur to kick his ass for a while until the GM develops a thick enough skin to properly deal...that sorta thing...
I saw was speaking with some Sens fan about the situation and he said that it would be an admittance (is that a word..i think it is...) by Leafs fans that the Sens are a better organization...I asked him then if that meant that the Sens were admitting that they were inferior to the Rangers, to the Sabres, and the Oilers...he had nothing to say...
know ya hockey before ya try to brag!
Today MLSE is meeting with John Muckler to interview him for a babysitting position. He is quite the experienced babysitter. 50 years of experience and 5 Rings (not marriage rings, the other kind).
I think this might become a new trend in the NHL if it works out. You know,...management really likes a guy as GM, but he needs some fine tuning so they bring in a dinosaur to kick his ass for a while until the GM develops a thick enough skin to properly deal...that sorta thing...
I saw was speaking with some Sens fan about the situation and he said that it would be an admittance (is that a word..i think it is...) by Leafs fans that the Sens are a better organization...I asked him then if that meant that the Sens were admitting that they were inferior to the Rangers, to the Sabres, and the Oilers...he had nothing to say...
know ya hockey before ya try to brag!
Chris Says:
Oh for frig's sake...
We already have a GM.
S#%t or get off the pot already. If you don't want JFJ then at least do him the honour of treating him like a human being and fire his ass. It's bloody clear to all of us watching on the sidelines that for whatever reason you don't trust him to do his job without some kind of hand holding. Don't screw around with him and his job, muddying up some already pretty dirty water. Who the hell would want to come and work (much less play) for the Toronto Maple Leafs with this kind of nonsense going on?
It's like the dying days of the Roman senate at the MLSE board. Everyone wants to get their hands into whatever pie they can. Everyone wants power. With such a byzantine power structure who is really in control of the front office?
Is it JFJ?
Is it Peddie?
Is it Tanenbaum?
Will it be Muckler?
What we really need is clear sense of the organizational chart for MLSE. Who reports to who and who's in charge of what. Right now the left hand doesn't even know we have a right hand, much less what it's doing.
I don't want Muckler and more importantly we don't need him as it stand right now.
Enough with the backroom politics. Let's put a hockey team together already.
An email conversation...
This is a typical email conversation between Steve and Chris...
Chris:
Locals are trying to buy the Preds apparently.
Steve:
really...how is that gonna work...the only reason the sale didn't go for Balsillie is they wanted to keep the teams in the US
C:
Well, The sale isn't dead technically.I wouldn't bet money on it succeeding, but it's still alive.Now if JB threw more money at it.
S:
he threw more than $50 mil more than the other guy, and showed that Hamiltonians would buy tics!...what the heck does betteman want
C:
A Hummer.
S:
as in oral sex or the gas guzzling vehicle?
C:
Whatever one gets the job done.
Chris:
Locals are trying to buy the Preds apparently.
Steve:
really...how is that gonna work...the only reason the sale didn't go for Balsillie is they wanted to keep the teams in the US
C:
Well, The sale isn't dead technically.I wouldn't bet money on it succeeding, but it's still alive.Now if JB threw more money at it.
S:
he threw more than $50 mil more than the other guy, and showed that Hamiltonians would buy tics!...what the heck does betteman want
C:
A Hummer.
S:
as in oral sex or the gas guzzling vehicle?
C:
Whatever one gets the job done.
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
Toskala's New Contract
Chris says:
So the Leafs have resigned Toskala to a two year extension on his current contract.
Just in time for Pogge to take over the reins.
Which means, by my count, we've got one to many starting goalies. At best, we're in a platooning scenario with Toskala and Raycroft splitting the duties. Realistically? Someone is warming the bench.
I think the Leafs are going to give Raycroft a very short leash this year. The first goalie to go on a hot streak has won himself the starter's role and the other guy is officially backup. I think this may be the Leaf's way of letting him know his days are numbered. Great White Hope in 06, Yesterday's man in 07.
S'gotta be a tough blow when you're dealing with million dollar salaries and the prestige of being a number one starter.
They jury's out for now. I haven't seen Toskala play enough to make a call on him either way. But I do know that I watched Raycroft let in enough soft goals over the stretch to wear my loyalty to him pretty thin.
Steve says:
Raycroft will be traded. We will get rid of his 2mil cap hit and replace him with Cujo at 800K.
If JFJ keeps Raycroft around, it will be a mistake. That's way too much to pay a bench warmer, and with Toskala in place, that is exactly what Raycroft will be.
Cujo has expressed an interest in returning to Toronto even if it means a reduction in salary. As much as I don't like Raycroft, his #'s are slightly better than Cujo's and when it comes down to it, that means more. The fans want Cujo. His price is better. He has experience. But I can't help but wonder if Raycroft is designed to be a platooning goalie. Maybe we just played him too much last year.
I don't think we'll get the chance to see..I bet he'll be gone by summer's end.
So the Leafs have resigned Toskala to a two year extension on his current contract.
Just in time for Pogge to take over the reins.
Which means, by my count, we've got one to many starting goalies. At best, we're in a platooning scenario with Toskala and Raycroft splitting the duties. Realistically? Someone is warming the bench.
I think the Leafs are going to give Raycroft a very short leash this year. The first goalie to go on a hot streak has won himself the starter's role and the other guy is officially backup. I think this may be the Leaf's way of letting him know his days are numbered. Great White Hope in 06, Yesterday's man in 07.
S'gotta be a tough blow when you're dealing with million dollar salaries and the prestige of being a number one starter.
They jury's out for now. I haven't seen Toskala play enough to make a call on him either way. But I do know that I watched Raycroft let in enough soft goals over the stretch to wear my loyalty to him pretty thin.
Steve says:
Raycroft will be traded. We will get rid of his 2mil cap hit and replace him with Cujo at 800K.
If JFJ keeps Raycroft around, it will be a mistake. That's way too much to pay a bench warmer, and with Toskala in place, that is exactly what Raycroft will be.
Cujo has expressed an interest in returning to Toronto even if it means a reduction in salary. As much as I don't like Raycroft, his #'s are slightly better than Cujo's and when it comes down to it, that means more. The fans want Cujo. His price is better. He has experience. But I can't help but wonder if Raycroft is designed to be a platooning goalie. Maybe we just played him too much last year.
I don't think we'll get the chance to see..I bet he'll be gone by summer's end.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Bates Battaglia re-signed.
Chris says:
Battaglia has resigned with Leafs
650k a year for two years.
Bates did a great job stepping up last year when the Leafs were reeling from all their injuries. He showed a lot of grit and a lot of heart. I don't know if he'll be playing with the big club to start, but I certainly think he has the potential to crack the roster. Either way he's a good player to call up if we lose someone over the course of the season.
Overall, I'd say the signing was a good thing.
Steve says:
I mostly agree, but I don't think he'll even make the big team unless there is an injury. We have better players who will force him out of the line....Unless he has a fantastic season with the Marlies, I think he'll be part of a trade later in the season....maybe something with Raycroft as a package deal...
Battaglia has resigned with Leafs
650k a year for two years.
Bates did a great job stepping up last year when the Leafs were reeling from all their injuries. He showed a lot of grit and a lot of heart. I don't know if he'll be playing with the big club to start, but I certainly think he has the potential to crack the roster. Either way he's a good player to call up if we lose someone over the course of the season.
Overall, I'd say the signing was a good thing.
Steve says:
I mostly agree, but I don't think he'll even make the big team unless there is an injury. We have better players who will force him out of the line....Unless he has a fantastic season with the Marlies, I think he'll be part of a trade later in the season....maybe something with Raycroft as a package deal...
Great Signing by JFJ
Steve says:
I think the Jason Blake signing is not only great for the Leafs on the ice, but in the bank account as well. Of all the UFAs out there, Blake is the top scorer! and his price tag is decent for the Leafs. There is still some room to dump a bit of blueline and maybe get one more depth player, but I must say that this lineup looks pretty good.
Chris says:
I agree. Value for money here. Considering what the big guns where getting in terms of dollars as well as the lengths of some of their contracts we came out ahead on this deal.
Jason Blake 20 million over five years.
Blake is coming off his best season ever, 40 goals plus last year. I don't expect that we'll be seeing that kind of production out of him this year. But it's nice to know that he has that kind of potential in him. In that respect I hope to be pleasantly surprised. He'd certainly make an excellent Captain if Sundin follows through with his rumblings about "retirement".
Blake's biggest downside? At 33 years old he's getting a little on in hockey terms. A five year contract at this stage in his career could easily be his last.
But what I really got a kick out from all the signings is how our division rivals are now mere shadows of their former greatness.
Remember how tough Buffalo was? No more.
NYI? Gutted.
Devils? Sans Gomez.
The balance of power has changed and the Leafs look to reap some of the rewards.
Steve says:
He is getting older, but he started late (25) so he is actually approaching a peak.
I see no reason why you would expect less from this guy. He will most likely be on a line with Sundin...and that cant be anything but good for both players, and the team, and of course, us.
I don't know that he is "Captain" material as the initial reports are that he is a bit selfish with the puck sometimes and sometimes whiny in the dressing room. I don't where these "reports" originate so I suppose we will have to see how he reacts after moving to Toronto.
It's true that a lot of the "better" teams in our division have lost a lot of punch, and some like Montreal lost most of what they had to begin with....even Ottawa has lost more than it has gained...and they cant find a coach who wants to go in there under Bryan Murray...wonder why...
I think we will see the Leafs closer to the top of our division than where we ended up last season.
I think the Jason Blake signing is not only great for the Leafs on the ice, but in the bank account as well. Of all the UFAs out there, Blake is the top scorer! and his price tag is decent for the Leafs. There is still some room to dump a bit of blueline and maybe get one more depth player, but I must say that this lineup looks pretty good.
Chris says:
I agree. Value for money here. Considering what the big guns where getting in terms of dollars as well as the lengths of some of their contracts we came out ahead on this deal.
Jason Blake 20 million over five years.
Blake is coming off his best season ever, 40 goals plus last year. I don't expect that we'll be seeing that kind of production out of him this year. But it's nice to know that he has that kind of potential in him. In that respect I hope to be pleasantly surprised. He'd certainly make an excellent Captain if Sundin follows through with his rumblings about "retirement".
Blake's biggest downside? At 33 years old he's getting a little on in hockey terms. A five year contract at this stage in his career could easily be his last.
But what I really got a kick out from all the signings is how our division rivals are now mere shadows of their former greatness.
Remember how tough Buffalo was? No more.
NYI? Gutted.
Devils? Sans Gomez.
The balance of power has changed and the Leafs look to reap some of the rewards.
Steve says:
He is getting older, but he started late (25) so he is actually approaching a peak.
I see no reason why you would expect less from this guy. He will most likely be on a line with Sundin...and that cant be anything but good for both players, and the team, and of course, us.
I don't know that he is "Captain" material as the initial reports are that he is a bit selfish with the puck sometimes and sometimes whiny in the dressing room. I don't where these "reports" originate so I suppose we will have to see how he reacts after moving to Toronto.
It's true that a lot of the "better" teams in our division have lost a lot of punch, and some like Montreal lost most of what they had to begin with....even Ottawa has lost more than it has gained...and they cant find a coach who wants to go in there under Bryan Murray...wonder why...
I think we will see the Leafs closer to the top of our division than where we ended up last season.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)