My Thoughts on the "Legend" of Sid the Kid, The Leafs and other things...

Just a few thoughts...

On Sid.

So Crosby is returning, and that's great for hockey, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. But I get a little overwhelmed by the coverage that is given the worlds best player. For all he's accomplished, and it is a lot in a short career, I think many of it is severely overstated. I know that sounds like blasphemy to many fans, but hear me out. Crosby, as early as the World Juniors, and the Memorial Cup, has never been the best player in tournaments. In the 05 Mem Cup, the MVP went to Corey Perry. Come to the NHL, he has won the league MVP (which helps cement his status), the Richard Trophy, Lest B Pearson Award etc. But when it came to winning the Cup, the best player for the Penguins was the other Superstar center for the Penguins, Evgeny Malkin. The Olympics was much the same. Crosby wasn't the best player in the tournament, far from it. But, he was Johnny on the Spot for the Golden Goal. That's what people remember, that he scored THE goal. Forget that it was linemate Jerome Iginla that made it all happen or, that Ryan Miller (who was practically unbeatable) let in an absolute stinker in the winner.

I have a lot of respect for Crosby. Absolutely one of my favourite players to watch in the NHL, today. But I believe his "Legend" has been overblown by the hype from fans, and media. Twitter has not helped this. He's not in the stratosphere of legends like Orr, Gretzky or, Lemieux. And that's not to say he never will be. Hopefully when he's back, healthy, and ready to go 100%, he will have his name carved into the Conne Smythe Trophy.

Coping With The Leafs...

There's not really a lot to say here, that hasn't already been said by pretty much anyone who cares about the Leafs. Frustration is rampant, and most definitely understandable. People are either furious, sad, or just ambivalent. Burke will be going into his 4th full season at the Leafs helm next fall, and results are going to be necessary, or the "Fire Burke" chants will be the next thing raining down from the ACC crowd.

Now, don't confuse the first paragraph with my feelings towards the situation. I'm simply echoing the feelings I'm getting from the Leaf fans I encounter on twitter, and other mass messaging websites (forums). I personally feel Burke (overall) has done a good job. He's failed in some very specific areas but, I believe the team is in a lot better shape now, than it was 5 years ago.

We have the draft to look forward to, and free agency. Hopefully what will come out of this years embarassing failure of a season will be a franchise #1 Center. Or at least a very good player capable of helping this team win it all. And Burke should address the goaltending situation, one way or, another. And don't forget, Carlyle will have a chance to work on the team through the summer, where I'm sure Burke will make several moves to cater to his coaches style.

Sean Avery...

Sean Avery's career looks to be all but dead. Rumours of his retirement might be a bit premature but, I can't see any reason to believe the man has any chance of landing on a team, any time soon. In the meantime, I'm sure he can continue on with his thrilling new career in the fashion world.

Defending The GM

I won't lie, I'm a fan of Brian Burke. I'm a fan of the job he's done since he came to Toronto and, I still believe he's the right man for the job.

When Burke arrived in Toronto in the fall of 2008, he didn't have a whole lot to work with. He had very little in the way of prospect depth (Luke Schenn, and a bunch of maybes), and the pieces he had on the roster weren't likely to bring him much in the way of pieces to build with.

Now I won't go piece by piece on what he's managed to do over the time he's been with the Leafs. Or, the many mistakes he's also made. The mistakes seem glaring right now but, the truth is, all GM's make them. And not all GM's are capable of turning a "mistake" into an asset (see Lebda for Franson, Lombardi or, Beauchemin for Lupul and Gardiner).

Burkes Biggest Mistake.

Perhaps Burkes biggest mistake would be his loyalty to his friend, Ron Wilson. Wilson may have been fired last season, if not for the late run the Leafs went on. This run came mostly on the back of rookie goalie James Reimer. Hindsight, I'm sure Burke would look back at that, and wish he had not put so much stock in a hot rookie almost saving his teams/coaches season/job.

Now, on the verge of another lost season under Brian Burke, fans are starting to point the finger his way. Many are angry, feeling expectations were much too high, given the bravado in which Burke expresses what he wants for the future of the team. Fans shouldn't confuse his boisterous nature with promises broken this season. If you've listened to his message the past 3 plus years, it's been pretty consistent.

Burke Wants a Parade.

Brian Burke wants to build a winner in Toronto. But, he doesn't want to build what would be considered a "one and done" group. Meaning, he wants to build an organization that is competitive year in, year out. You can look at this as the Detroit model, if you like. Where they draft a specific type of player, and learn to play a specific type of hockey. Players that fit into the Leafs mould, and work their way up through the system. Now not every player is going to be 6'5, 220lb destroyer of worlds. There will be skill players, bangers and crashers, pick and shovel types. But everyone will fill a role. I believe if you look at his draft record over the time he's been here, it covers a lot of those bases. But 3 years isn't a lot of time to show the results of what he has done via the draft.

His Mulligan

Every GM gets at least one. The right to make at least one coaching change, to right the ship. Burke just recently made his, hiring the coach he won a cup with in Anaheim, Randy Carlyle. The people ready for his head, have to realize Burke didn't hire Ron Wilson. Ron Wilson doesn't coach a Brian Burke style game, which is why I believe it didn't work out for the two of them with the Leafs.

Carlyle is a Brian Burke coach. He will teach the young (and yes, they are very young) D corp how to play the game within his system. He will make players accountable at every level and, he won't bury guys like Wilson did, through the media.

If you look around the NHL, there are many GM's who have survived multiple coaching changes. Andy Murray in Ottawa. Doug Wilson in San Jose. Dean Lombardi has had a few guys come and go in his time. And how many coaches has Jim Rutherford (Hurricanes), Glen Sather (Rangers) and, George McPhee (Capitals) gone through in the ten plus years each of them have been with their teams?

Burke deserves at least the chance to make this work with a coach he didn't inherit. With a coach that better suits the plan he has for the Leafs.

Jonas Gustavsson: The Flake

Here's my problem with Jonas Gustavsson. The dude's a FLAKE!

It's much of the same we've often seen from "The Monster". He makes big saves, and blows the collective minds on saves no goalie has any business saving. And yet, he flakes out, and often allows a bad goal, or two a game. This explains a lot, and in why it took him so long to win a game in the league, without 4 or more goals in his favour.

On this night, he wasn't good. Three questionable goals, one of which was particularly frustrating, allowed the Penguins back into a contest in which they had zero business being in. The third goal, scored on a scramble in front of Gustavsson, could have easily been smothered, whistle blown, and a faceoff to his left. But instead of covering the puck, he attempted to casually scoop up the puck. That gave the Penguins time to keep the puck alive, and stuff it in for the 4-3. That goal made it possible for the Penguins to tie the game on a flukey goal by Malkin (deflected in off his arm/shoulder). The problem with Gustavssons poor play, is keeping a good team like Pittsburgh in a game like that, you know it will come back to haunt you.

Now I'm not completely down on Gustavsson. He has performed admirably in January and, deserves part of the credit for keeping the Leafs in the playoff picture. But I stress only part of the credit. Much of the credit should go to a Leafs penalty kill that (since December 31st), has not allowed a goal against.

Until Gustavsson can improve his focus in game, and clean up those goals that stink to high heaven, he is not a number one goalie in this league. The man has all the skill in the world but, he's just not focused enough to maintain a high level of play.

Lupul Leafs MVP?

Many would say the Leafs MVP to this point in the season would obviously go to their most gifted player, Phil Kessel. But if you're a fan who's not just looking at the stats sheet, but has had a chance to watch nearly every game, you might suggest it's not so clear cut.

Just one example from tonight, the games first goal. A soft, and I would say suspect goal, after a turnover in the Leafs zone, early in the first put the Leafs down 1-0 early. This could have been a deflating early deficit. Lupul responded not long after, and finished the night with four points.

Joffrey Lupul, once considered a salary dump in the trade that sent Francois Beauchemin to the Ducks (the trade that also gave the Leafs Jake Gardiner), has managed to surprise everyone by keeping pace w/ the teams "franchise forward", Kessel.  And in doing so, has also managed to be the leagues most consistent forward, managing at least a point in 31 of his 39 games played.

Part of what makes Lupul such an important player, and has kept him consistent this season, has been his play around, and in front of the net. For a team that has always looked for that player to stand in front, take a beating, and work for the tip in, Lupul has been the teams best player at doing so. He also can be credited w/ doing much of the yeomans work on the first line, which has seen either Tyler Bozak or, Tim Connolly as it's center. Many of that line (and Kessels) goals have come off of hard work done by the Fort Saskatchewan native.

Now I won't argue Lupul is the Leafs best player. At least not from an overall skill point of view. But, he definitely has been the Leafs most consistent player and, perhaps the teams hardest worker. And I am confident to say, the Leafs MVP to date.

What Grinds My Gears!

Twitter Drama!

Well, it wasn't exactly drama, but a buddy on twitter brought up the point of how many of the anti fighting in hockey crowd in MSM are also Pro MMA. We both agree, this stinks of hypocrisy.

Take out context like fightings role in hockey, and it being the component in sports like MMA and Boxing, the hot point for the anti hockey fighting crowd is concussions, and brain damage that has caused other medical issues (depression, drug abuse etc). So if the most damning issue facing fighting role in hockey is the players health, how can the crowd w/ an agenda against the enforcer role, and fighting in hockey, support a sport like MMA? Isn't this about the health of the athlete?

PK woes.

So Wilson is saying he will use a different group to kill the pk starting this week? Ok, the first question I have is, why has it taken this long to shake things up? I expect the only player that should remain on the current group is Dupuis. He likely wouldn't get any ice time, otherwise.

Blaming Reimer?

I missed the game Friday but, I caught the game in 6. I wouldn't say any of those goals were soft. The guy was out well over a month. I want to give him more than 3 games before I give up on him, and hand the reigns to Gustavsson full time.

For me, I don't find a lot wrong w/ his game right now, other than starting a little shaky. He will work it out in practice, and find that comfort level he is used to playing at.

Picking the Bones of the Losers and Underachievers

Picking the bones of the losers and underachievers.

Looking at the league standings, and predicting who the sellers are going to be in the next couple months, I'm starting to look at their rosters to see if there's an upgrade, or potential big deal to be made to bring in a piece, or pieces to improve the Leafs for the remainder of this season, and going into next. This will be not so much players I think will become available, as players I think Burke should ask about.

Barely holding on...

Carolina
Anaheim
NYI
Clb

Likely in tough

Calgary
Colorado
Nashville (maybe)

Tampa
NJ
Montreal (maybe)

Personally, I see Montreal fading further. However, they're not likely a trading partner for Burke. Tampa out of the "in tough" group, I think has the biggest chance to improve, if they can solve their goaltending and D issues.

Who might interest Burke?

Carolina Tim Gleason, Chad LaRose

Really for me, Gleason is the only player I see w/ any value in any possible deal. Bob Mac mentioned the possibility of both Eric Staal and, Cam Ward being available, only bc they may have to consider the positives of dealing either player, being a budget team. So maybe Burke kicks the tires on Staal, but that's where I think talks w/ Carolina would end.

NYI Matt Moulson, Travis Hamonic, Josh Bailey.

I would love to see Burke try to pry Hamonic away from the Islanders. I still see tons of upside in him, and think he just needs the right environment. Moulson is another guy I could see become available, obviously for the right price. But 3 million for a guy who's going to put up another 30 plus goal season, I'd hope Burke asks.

Tampa Bay Steve Downie, Adam Hall

I would be interested to see Downie in a Leafs uniform. I think we lack that edge he brings. Even a guy like Armstrong is a pest, but I like the line Downie walks all over. Adam Hall might be worth a look as a bottom six winger. He's a UFA this summer, though.

NJ Zach Parise, David Clarkson

Obviously Burkes going to ask about Parise, everybody is. He's having a shit season so far, but I think you're going to see him get hot soon (contract year). This would be the blockbuster everybody's hoping for. Or at least it seems "everybody" is. Burke wouldn't make a deal w/ out a contract though. At least that's what I believe.

Columbus RJ Umberger

There's not much to pick over here. Maybe Burke asks about Nash, but I don't see it. That's a HUGE contract to take back, on a player that isn't producing like he should. Umberger, a guy Burke and Wilson are familiar w/ would better suit anything Burke is looking for. I expect interest would be very light, to say the least.

Anaheim (quack) Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry

Why not ask about all of them? Me, if I'm Burke, I throw out a list of players names, say mix and match, lets make a deal. Who knows what happens, but it's definitely worth looking into for either three.

Calgary Jarome Iginla, Curtis Glencross

You ask about Iginla, just because you should. But I don't see Burke spending on a veteran like Iggy right now. Perhaps I'm wrong, and Burke looks at Iggy, like he looked at Selanne in Anaheim? But w/ Glencross, there's a guy I'd have some serious interest in. Not "blow up the farm team" interest. But I'd ask, and keep asking until I get to a price I think is fair. But after Calgary got raped by Burke in their last deal, I doubt they'd do anything less than an extreme overpayment on any other deal.

Colorado Paul Stastny

I think if Bozak wasn't playing as well as he is, Burke would have more interest in Stastny. But w/ Kadri developing well, Colborne looking like he's close to being a top six forward in the NHL, and Bozak meshing well w/ Lupul and Kessel, I doubt Burke has the same interest in the underachieving center.

Nashville Ryan Suter, Shea Weber

Nashville is a budget team that has to make a tough decision this year. Regardless of them being a playoff team or not, Poile has to decide on dealing one, or both of these players. I'm personally not convinced either player will stay in Nashville. With them there, they can remain a competitive, but not Stanley Cup calibre team. But do either player want to remain in that situation? Perhaps, w/ Rinne re upping, there's a chance one will decide to stick around. Either way, Burke will be talking to Poile.

So there's my list of who I think Burke will, or should be asking about. Other notable players could be the obvious in Kyle Turris. But Phoenix doesn't have to make that decision now. And may not make sense to, when probable relocation is just around the corner.

Ron Wilson Is A Liar, And That's OK.

Damien Cox thinks we care, but we don't. Fans of the Leafs want the coach and GM to be the buffer between the media, and the players. We don't look at he (Cox) and his colleagues as a voice of the fans, like he would assume himself as. Especially in this day of text message, twitter, blogosphere mass communication overload. We fans are tuned in, and connected better than we ever were.

The point of all of this is that we don't want the coach to be 100% honest. We want Wilson to make the decision on what he believes is in the best interest of the team, and follow through on it.

So Damien, stop crying about dishonesty. Stop pretending like Toronto is some special case, and this happens no where else. And stop acting like the media, and the fans are entitled to complete transparency. And mostly, just get the fuck over yourself