Brian Burke continues to spin the roulette wheel

The constantly changing Leaf roster changed some more today. By now everyone know that the Leafs signed Christian Hanson of the famous Hanson hockey lineage. If he dresses for a Leaf game this weekend he will be the 39th player to suit up for the Leafs this season.

There is speculation that the Leafs will go after several other high profile U.S. collegiate players. Although only a small number crack NHL lineups the risks are low. As free agents there is no need to use up a draft pick, they tend to be cheap unless they are too old to qualify for an entry level contract.

The collective agreement only allows teams to have 50 players signed to a standard NHL contract (minor league players are included). The Leafs had made room for themselves by putting Mark Bell and Stefan Kronwall on waivers. Trading Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore brought their roster of players down futher. However, since then they signed Jeff Hamilton (from the AHL), Alex Berry (a 2005 draft pick), Jay Harrison (from Switzerland), Erik Reitz (claimed off waivers from the Rangers), Martin Gerber (claimed off waivers from the Senators) and now Hanson. My understanding is that players out for the season (Vesa Toskala, Olaf Kolzig, and Jamie Heward) don't count.

So when I finish counting all the bodies it adds up to 48 players. That means that Burke can sign 2 more bodies and assign them to either the Leafs or the Marlies. Mind you they are allowed to sign free agents to post-dated contracts under the collective agreement. Since the Leafs have at least a dozen contracts ending on June 30, they could sign more players but not be able to use them this season. Meanwhile the guy who puts the names and numbers on sweaters has been kept very busy.

Top All-Time Toronto Maple Leafs by Jersey Numbers

#43 - Nathan Dempsey
(Jay Harrison, Ken Belanger)

#44 - Brian Bradley
(Ryan Hollweg, John McIntyre)

#45 - Carlo Colaiacovo
(Zdenek Nedved)

Toronto Maple Leafs have the worst goaltending in the NHL

If scoring was at the same level as the mid-1970s, I wonder if the Leafs would be challenging the NHL record for the most goals given up in a single season. There is no question that they have the worst goaltending in the league. It's pretty pathetic when the Senator castoff, Martin Gerber is the best performing goalie on the Leaf's roster.

One thing is a given, we won't be seeing a tandem of Justin Pogge-Curtis Joseph next season. Both goalies have been awful. Last week's first star recognition given Joseph was overly generous for a 6-minute performance.

The Leafs expect Toskala to be healthy for the start of next season and have him under contract for one more year. And finding a cheap backup is not that difficult as long as you don't limit yourself to ex-Leafs looking to ease themselves into retirement. But goaltending beyond 2010 looks to be a huge question mark. That needs to be settled because goaltending is the basis for rebuilding a team. Which means Brian Burke will either be drafting another junior goalie or working a trade for a goalie prospect.

Goalie	GP	W	L	OTL	SO	GA	SH	GAA	SV%
M. Gerber	8	4	3	0	0	23	256	2.89	.910
V. Toskala	53	22	17	11	1	166	1518	3.26	.891
C. Joseph	18	4	8	1	0	43	315	3.62	.863
J. Pogge	7	1	4	1	0	27	173	4.36	.844

In defense of Don Cherry

by Sean Leahy - Yahoo Sports

I don't mind Don Cherry. Really, I don't.

I know his xenophobia, borderline racism, and out-of-touchness with the modern game have rubbed some people the wrong way over the years, but don't we all have one older family member that possesses one of those characteristics? We don't take offense to any unusual comments made by the loved one and pull a Tuukka Rask-esque tirade; we just brush it off and get on with our lives.

That's what so puzzling to me about the reaction to Don Cherry, not just in the recent Alexander Ovechkin-celebration issue, but anything the Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Hockey host says that's controversial.

Maybe I'm not so offended by anything Cherry says because I don't take him very seriously. I enjoy him for what he is: a character, whose sole job is to entertain on the topic of hockey.

For eight minutes every Saturday night during hockey season, he offers a sermon on the state of the game from his pulpit that is the Hockey Night in Canada broadcast. Not only is it fun to anticipate what kind of insane suit Cherry will sport, but seeing how many times he can make Ron MacLean uncomfortable is also very entertaining.

In the past month, the vitriol aimed at Cherry has increased tenfold after his pointed comments about Ovechkin and his display of exuberance after scoring a goal. The critics came out in full force, calling the man of many jackets a laundry list load of things, including a blowhard. His opinion on showing emotion after scoring a goal will have no affect on whether or not people keep tuning in, though.

No matter who he offends, hockey fans will still anticipate the first intermission every Saturday night for "Coach's Corner". It's the "Howard Stern effect" from Private Parts. Why did people keep tuning in to Stern as Paul Giamatti's "Pig Vomit" told us in the movie? Because they wanted to hear what he had to say next. And the same goes with Cherry.

When hockey fans saw Ovechkin's 50th goal celebration last Thursday night, you know their collective first thought was, "I wonder what Don Cherry is going to say about this on Saturday night."

What makes Cherry so polarizing is his mouth and the knowledge or garbage that comes out on a weekly basis. He's a proud supporter of everything Canada: From Doug Gilmour to Bobby Orr to the military, with whom he salutes fallen soldiers at the end of each "Coach's Corner". He's also stirred up controversy for disparaging remarks against European and French Canadian players for their use of visors.

When he's not talking about the hot topic around the League, Cherry has the ability to break down the subtle nuances of the game for the average viewer, highlighting a player's positioning on the ice, an important shot block by a defenseman or a deft pass as to why a play succeeded or failed. His knowledge of the game of hockey is second to none.

It's when Cherry begins talking about today's NHL player where he veers off and pisses off the masses, such as the latest instance with Ovechkin.

Maybe it's a generational thing with Cherry and he's unable to relate to players in today's game? Gone are the stoic players who would just raise their hands in the air when celebrating a goal. Today's NHL player, making ten times more money than any one that Cherry every played against or coached, are younger and show much more personality out on the ice.

In Don Cherry's NHL, every player would be like Sidney Crosby: respectful of the game, a stoic personality, who's sometimes robotic in responses and doesn't make himself the center of attention. Or as Wyshynski put it last week, "...what is the Don Cherry 'classy' and "right" way to party down after a goal? Put on a loud jacket and give the thumbs-up? Hum a few bars from 'O Canada'?"

In that sense, it's easy to see why a player with Ovechkin's personality, on and off the ice, would put a wrinkle in the latest outrageous suit of hockey's most famous talking head.

Going back on the Ovechkin issue one last time: Isn't the personality that he shows on the ice the same sort of thing that Cherry represents as a talking head? Isn't Cherry's loud, boisterous personality comparable to the excitement and passion that the Washington Capitals' star shows on the ice?

Love him or hate him, Cherry, much like cockroaches or the NHL's love affair with black jerseys, isn't going anywhere. He's been put on a seven-second delay since the visor comments in 2004, but he's still at the forefront of the CBC's Hockey Night coverage, and Cherry will still be there every Saturday because hockey fans won't stop tuning in.

No miracle win this time

The season came to a close yesterday when another late collapse prevented to Storm from moving on in the playoffs. The effort was certainly there but the team just could never find the tempo that made it such a power earlier in the season. In the first period the Storm dominated Mississauga as it had in games earlier in the season. However, despite a very one-sided period the teams remain scoreless. Again, unlike earlier in the season, the Storm could not put away a team that was clearly reeling.

The Storm was able to maintain the pressure in the second period but a defensive lapse midway through the second period led to a Mississauga goal and provided the Chiefs with new life. Just two minutes later Lauren N fired a high shot at the Mississauga net that their goalie was unable to handle to tie the score at 1-1. At that point the game began to get rough. Amanda was run into the boards and left the game with dizziness. Several minutes later Sheri was the recipient of a nasty slash that provided the Storm with a 5 minute powerplay. Sheri was able to score one goal on the ensuing powerplay but the Chiefs were able kill off the rest of the penalty without any damage.

In the third period the momentum was beginning to shift. Perhaps the Storm were tiring but nonetheless by late in the game they were just hanging on. However, with only 3 minutes remaining two defensive breakdowns just 44 seconds apart provided Mississauga with two goals and the series.

Certainly this team had nothing to be disappointed with. It was not only the most successful Storm team this season but one of the most successful teams in the Storm's 16 year history. Their record speaks for itself - in 50 games over the course of this season, the team won 30 and tied 7. They scored an incredible 121 goals. We had 4 players who scored 15 or more goals this season. Our stingy goalies - Bianca and Asia shared 18 shutouts.

Our incredible captain - the best captain we have ever seen was truly inspirational. She was an unselfish player who was constantly setting up teammates. In fact, only one player scored more total points than Mari's assist total. We received great leadership from all our third year players - Mari, Sheri, Jackie and Sarah-Kate. We will also be losing Asia, Genevieve, Lauren F and Maddy. Their departure will be a huge loss. But we have much to look forward to. Our first year Midget players made large contributions to the team and improved tremendously over the season. We hope that Madeleine, Allie, Alicia and Gabbie decide to continue what they began this season. Finally, we expect strong leadership from core players Bianca, Lauren N, Paitra, Kailee and Amanda next season.

So we will be getting together on the ice one more time at the Brampton tournament to celebrate this memorable season. We hope many of you will find the time to come out this one last time.

Team of the Year!!

2009 North York Storm Midge B Tryouts

April 25th - 12:20 pm - 1:20 pm - Rinx arena 3

April 26th - 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Rinx arena 3

April 30th - 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Rinx arena 3

See you there!

Top All-Time Toronto Maple Leafs by Jersey Numbers

#40 - Phil Oreskovic
(Kelly Fairchild, Ken McRae)

#41 - Nikolai Kulemin
(Paul Gagne, Eric Lacroix)

#42 - Kyle Wellwood
(Tim Stapleton, Kevyn Adams)

Jackie, they're stealing your move

Get ready for the Cardiac Kids

Game two of the division finals started off well for the Storm. They actually had excellent scoring chances in the first period but fell behind 1-0. Certainly the skating legs were beginning to return but some costly turnovers found the Storm down 2-0 early in the third period as Mississauga was able to make the best out of their scoring chances.

With five minutes remaining in the game Mississauga found themselves in penalty trouble and the Storm had a two-man advantage for 1:38. Right before the first penalty expired Jackie fired a slapshot past the Chief goalie to reduce the lead to one goal. However, with Bianca on the bench for an extra shooter, there was a turnover at the Mississauga blueline which lead to an empty net goal to close out the scoring.

This leads to another dramatic third game on Saturday. Once again the Storm will need to win both the game and overtime to move on the League Championships next weekend.

Andrew Raycroft still struggling

Last night Peter Budaj got the start for Colorado and was pulled after surrendering three goals on 14 shots through the first 20 minutes. Andrew Raycroft spelled him in the second period and gave up four goals on eight shots. Budaj was inserted back between the pipes in the third period and made seven saves.

As bad as Budaj has been, Raycroft has been worse. Last night's save percentage of just .500 brings his season average down to .889. That's better than last season's .876 but so much below is rookie season when he had a save percentage of .926.

Storm Nation lets a win slip away

The opening game of divisional finals against Mississauga was pretty much what you would expect from two teams that haven't played a game that mattered in 2 weeks. It was a sloppy affair that was the Storm's to win.

After a slow start the Storm was able to put some pressure on the Chiefs and broke a scoreless tie in the middle of the second period on the powerplay. Mari who was battling for control of the puck behind the Mississauga net spotted Lauren N charging to the net. She fed her the puck and Lauren buried it behind the goalie. Later in the period Amanda almost made it 2-0 when she soft wrist shot beat the goalie and went off the crossbar.

It looked as if the game would end that way when a forward was called for hooking when several players were trapped up ice. It was the first Storm penalty of the game and it was with only 1:45 left in the game. But right off the faceoff Mississauga gained control of the puck and were able to jam in a rebound to tie the game.

The Storm did lack some intensity and discipline especially late in the game while hanging on to a slim lead. Let's hope for a better result on Thursday evening.

Leaf Nation tries to relive that Cujo magic

I was at last night's Leaf game as much to see Alex Ovechkin than anything else. It was a pretty dull game. In fact the first period was classic snoozer - no goals, no penalties and no hits. But it was essentially a meaningless game for both teams. But things certainly picked up in the last couple minutes of the game.

There was controversial goal, a tantrum, an ejection and a goalie saviour all within the last minute of the game. I have to admit the officials really blew the call. You see far too many goalies being shoved like that. There was a time when you payed a price for wacking at a goalie.



But the Gerber ejection brought the crowd to life. The Air Canada crowd still gets a charge out of seeing Joseph in net. After a terrific initial save off Ovechkin to finish the third period, Joseph made eight straight saves in the overtime period. Well the Air Canada crowd was on their feet chanting "Cujo...Cujo". I hadn't heard a Leaf crowd this loud in about 5 years.



It got even louder in the shootout as Joseph stopped all three Capital shooters - Backstrom, Semin and Ovechkin. Then when Andy Frost announced Joseph as the first star the building was literally shaking. Never mind that the first star should have been Gerber who was superb for 59 minutes. He faced 36 shots and was only beaten by Ovechkin on a terrific play and later by the officials. For the fans it was 1999 all over again and Cujo was the goaltending legend.

Don Koharski retires for another donut

Koharski retires after over 2,000 NHL games. The last ref to have also worked WHA games. Who can forget Jim Schoenfeld's advice to consume some type of pastry.

Top All-Time Toronto Maple Leafs by Jersey Numbers

#37 - Trevor Kidd
(Darby Hendrickson, Doug Shedden)

#38 - Yannick Tremblay
(Dave Harlock, Chris Snell)

#39 - Travis Green
(Clarke Wilm, Simon Gimache)

Ovechkin Dons 'Coach's Corner' Shirt

Good spoken English is essential

...good spelling not so much!

Bryan McCabe Shoot Yourself in the Foot Award (runner up)

Walt Poddubny dead at 49

Many Leaf fans heard about the sudden death of Walt Poddubny at the age of 49.

Poddubny like many retired players disappeared from the limelight after his hockey career ended. What many fans don't realize is that many players struggle with their post-hockey lives and poor Walt was one of them. Although his hockey salary peaked at $350,000 (US), he died penniless living in his sister's basement in Thunder Bay. The Globe has an excellent piece on his life after hockey.

Even better is a book by ex-Leaf GM Mike Smith called Life After Hockey. Many people don't know that Smith has a Ph.D. and quite a brilliant man. He has written about 10 books about hockey but this one is his best.

Top All-Time Toronto Maple Leafs by Jersey Numbers

#34 - Bryan Berard
(Jamie Macoun, Dave Reid, Rob Cimetta)

#35 - Vesa Toskala
(Bruce Boudreau, Jeff Reese, Curt Ridley)

#36 - Dmitry Yushkevich
(Jamie Heward, Anton Stralman, Ken McRae)