What is Going on in Dallas?

Dallas Stars owner Thomas O. Hicks announced that Brett Hull and Les Jackson have been named Interim Co-General Managers to run the Stars’ Hockey Operations for the remainder of the season. Earlier Hicks announced that he relieved Doug Armstrong from his duties as General Manager of the hockey club.

Dallas has struggled this season, but still keeping up with the rest of the Pacific Division. They have a similar record to the Leafs but I guess standards are higher in Dallas. It is a bit of a shock since Armstrong has been in the organization for 17 years so you would think he'd be given more slack. But attendance is down.

So instead we have another GM sideshow. I understand Les Jackson is a good hockey person but why Brett Hull? And why co-GMs? Hull has no management experience so why not make him an assistant? He has a tendency to make flippant remarks which is fine as a TV commentator but from a manager can produce conflict in an organization. He has openly stated he doesn't watch many games because he finds the games boring.

Can't wait to see how this develops.

Sean Avery Gets Too Much Attention

While everyone was fussing about a classless idiot, did anyone notice that the Leafs lost at home again. They have only won 3 games at home out of 11 played at the ACC. Only Washington and Phoenix have won fewer home games but these teams have played fewer home games than the Leafs. And once again the highest paid Leaf (that being Bryan McCabe) wore the goat horns on the winning goal by Montreal.

The possibility that the Leafs will make the playoffs are slowly slipping away. Now how can that be considering they have been in 8th or 9th place for the past month and playing .500? Well that's because .500 is not good enough when teams get awarded a point for losing after regulation time has ended. Just like last year, the Leafs will likely need 92 to 94 points to make the playoffs. Since they only have 19 points in 19 games they will need to 75 points in their remaining 63 games to reach 94 points. That is a winning percentage of .595 in their remaining games. I don't see this team doing that. See you later JFJ.

As for Sean Avery, well I'm not going to say anything because I don't want to be sued. But he's no role model. And you will find he will likely play on a lot of teams throughout his hockey career as teams and teammates tire of his act.

Sad, But True

Coach Bruce has been working on these dance moves...just ask him

Hockey Hall of Fame Inductions

I was fortunate this year to be invited to the Hockey Hall of Fame (HHOF) Induction ceremonies. The invitation came through Jim Gregory who is a long-time family friend and one of the nicest people you could ever meet. Jim has a long history in hockey and was the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1970s. He went on from there to become an executive with the NHL where he is still employed. He is actually the chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee and was finally included in this esteemed group.

While managing the Leafs, Jim actually pulled together an impressive lineup with Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Ian Turnbull and Mike Palmateer. He might have been able to build a championship team but the owner Harold Ballard pulled the rug from under him to bring back an old crony, Punch Imlach. Imlach dismantled that team and the Leafs went through 15 years of awful teams. The Toronto Sun has an excellent bio on Jim Gregory.

And it worked out that the Class of 2007 was probably one of the most stellar groups to go to the Hall: Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and Al MacInnis. Some are saying it's the best group ever inducted in a single year.

Saturday night was a reception held at the HHOF for Jim and was attended by family, friends and colleagues. Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell represented the NHL. Some former players who played under Jim attended included Sittler, Salming and McDonald. Salming looked like he could step out on the ice and play with the big boys. Red Kelly who coached under Jim was there as were several ex-Leaf GMs, Gerry MacNamara, Gord Stellick, and Cliff Fletcher. Johnny McLellan's widow (he coached the Leafs under Jim) came out. I spotted a few broadcasters, Harry Neal and I think Howard Berger. It was a great night and a good opportunity to mingle compared to the following night.

Although we were fortunate to get tickets for the ceremony, our tickets did not get us into the Great Hall were the proceedings took place, Instead we were in the actual HHOF watching over video feeds. The place was packed. There was a reception before the ceremony with great food.

I was able to get some photos off the video which you can see below. Mark Messier was the last to be given a tribute and to speak. All the inductees were quite emotional but Messier was a wreck within 3 minutes. He spoke the longest, I think for over 15 minutes. He could barely get through his speech. I captured just a very small bit of it which you can see below. Messier was quite humorous and joked that he was glad to spend time with Gregory on the weekend. "I finally met somebody who was crying more times than me this weekend." Messier opened with a story how he and his family were coming into downtown Toronto from the airport and their car was stopped at a traffic light when an older gentleman spied him while crossing the street.Messier had the window down, so the man leaned in close and said (Messier did this in an authentic Canadian accent), "Messier, eh? You're here for that old-timers' game." It was a priceless and humble moment and had the place in stitches.

Afterwards they all came down to the HHOF main area where we were situated to sign the induction book and pose for pictures. Joining them were a number of HHOF members including, Johnny Bower, Darryl Sittler, Marcel Pronovost, Clark Gillies and Borje Salming. In the crush I was able to take a few photos. There were so many hockey personalities there to honour the group, former teammate, coaches and managers of the 4 players. It was an incredibly emotional evening and I'm still trying to sort through it all in my mind. ESPN has a great post on the event.

Glenn Healy to Replace John Ferguson?

While watching Hockey Night In Canada's Hot Stove Lounge Roundtable on Saturday night, I head former Toronto Sun columnist Al Strachan suggest that Glenn Healy was rumoured to be replacing John Ferguson. I had a good laugh at the time. But Howard Berger remembers that Healy was one of the names bounced around when Ferguson was hired in 2003. And Maple Leafs’ chairman Larry Tanenbaum was particularly fond of Healy, and he remains so today.

At MLSE anything is possible. Though the last thing the Leafs need is another inexperienced GM.

Jones Soda release holiday flavours

The Christmas pack has Sugar Plum soda, Christmas Tree soda, Egg Nog soda and Christmas Ham soda. The Chanukah pack has Chocolate Coins soda, Apple Sauce soda, Latke soda and Jelly Doughnut soda.

All flavours are caffeine-free and kosher (even the ham flavour).

Source

Are there too many signs?

The pest is back

Jim Gregory survives Leaf chaos, earns hall nod

My tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies

From the Toronto Star:

Jim Gregory has his game plan.

"I'm trying to handle it all like a big game," he explained this week in an interview as he prepared for his induction on Monday into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

"You want to have the adrenalin going, but you don't want to be so emotional you can't function."

The problem in treating his induction like a "big game," however, is that he hasn't had to prepare for one of those in a while.

Not since Maple Leaf owner Harold Ballard made the ill-advised – and ultimately disastrous – move of deposing Gregory as the team's general manager in the spring of 1979 has Gregory worked for an NHL club. Soon after being fired by Ballard, he signed on with the NHL Central Scouting department and has worked for the league in one valuable capacity or another ever since.His decade at the helm of the Leafs – he succeeded Punch Imlach in 1969, and then was himself succeeded by Imlach 10 years later – was a tumultuous time, the first part of the franchise's long walk through the wilderness that is still continuing after 40 years.

Others, including Ballard and NHL president Clarence Campbell, advised the young Gregory in the early 1970s not to bother worrying too much about the upstart World Hockey Association, and Gregory ended up overseeing a large, destructive exodus of hockey talent from the Leafs.

But it was what happened in the late 1970s as the WHA was disintegrating, however, that may have proved more pivotal in the history of the club.With the WHA Winnipeg Jets looking to join the NHL, Swedish forwards Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson became available to the highest bidder in the spring of 1978, and Gregory pushed hard to get them.

The Leafs had blazed a trail years earlier by hiring Borje Salming and Inge Hammarstrom, and Hedberg had been on their negotiation list at one point."We were already a hard team to play against," said Gregory. "I believe those guys would have made a difference to us."

As it was, the Rangers won the day, paying between $2.4 million and $2.7 million for the Swedish forwards. Gregory now says he didn't want to upset the Leafs' salary structure, but others believe that he prefers to protect the memory of Ballard, who stubbornly declined to cut the necessary cheques.

The Leafs beat the Islanders in the '78 playoffs but lost to Montreal, and in the ensuing months the unemployed Imlach, canned by Buffalo in December 1978, gained Ballard's ear with the help of King Clancy.

When the Leafs lost to Montreal again in the '79 playoffs, with the Habs then beating the Rangers with Hedberg and Nilsson in the Stanley Cup final, Gregory and coach Roger Neilson were out and Imlach was back in charge."I felt like we were doing a painting," said Gregory. "But three-quarters of the way through we were told we weren't going to paint anymore."

Had Gregory successfully lured Hedberg and Nilsson, Leaf history might have been very different. Two explosive offensive players would have added a new dimension to the Leafs, Gregory might have been able to fend off Imlach's return and the Leafs should have been able to be competitive with the Habs, Islanders and Flyers as the 1980s began.

Instead, Gregory found his path elsewhere, and on Monday it will take him into the Hockey Hall of Fame where he'll join another from his birthplace of Port Colborne, Ont.

"I was born across the street from Ted Kennedy," said Gregory. "He was my idol."

Gregory, then, missed finding immortality as the hockey boss of the Leafs.

But he made it just the same.

Walking Funny?

source

More on the Canadian Dollar and the NHL

I found this table on the Battle of Ontario blog which illustrates what impact the rising Canadian dollar has had on the Ottawa Senators and the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Senators are paying about the same amount (in Canadian dollars) in salaries this year as they did in the 2000-01 season and slightly less than in the 2002-03 season. However, the Leafs are spending substantially less. About $15 million less than in the 2000-01 season and about $50 million less than in the 2002-03 season.

Canadian Dollar is Changing the NHL Landscape

I think the NHL Collective Bargaining Agreement is taking a beating as a result of the rising Canadian dollar. Negotiated just 2 years ago, the currency issue was never a consideration. But then why would you expect it to be.

For one thing, the salary cap is tied to league revenue. Everything is calculated in U.S dollars. So the 6 Canadian teams pay salaries and report revenue in U.S. dollars. With the Canadian dollar rising about 25% against its American counterpart, revenues have grown without any increase in attendance, new TV money, etc. I made this point before when the cap was increased to $50 million. And I understand that 40% of NHL revenue now comes from the 6 Canadian teams.

So you can count on another substantial cap increase for next season. So what does it all mean? Well what you would consider a small market and large market team is being redefined. Edmonton has always considered a small market and has had trouble competing with the big boys. Not any more. But as well, struggling U.S. markets are struggling even more. Salaries are being pushed up by the Canadian currency and they can't compete. This is the reverse of what was happening 10 years ago when Canadian teams couldn't compete because of the falling Canadian dollar.

Also, teams like the Nashville Predators, Florida Panthers and Phoenix Coyotes, which rely on revenue-sharing money, must generate a year-to-year revenue growth rate in excess of the league average revenue growth rate according to the CBA. But the rising Canadian dollar makes that impossible for these markets.

In the past Canadian teams survived partly because they always had strong fan bases but were just at a financial disadvantage. But small market American teams do not necessarily have that strong fan base. The answer may be to move some franchises to Canada. However, Commissioner Bettman has absolutely no interest in the Canadian market. Meanwhile he has his eye on expanding the NHL to Kansas City and Las Vegas. Owners will be convinced because they are eager potential owners who would provide at least $500 million for existing owners to stick into their pocket. Expansion revenue is not part of the CBA so there is no sharing with players.

Mike Modana Tops All American Born Players

Mike Modano scored twice on Wednesday night, placing his name atop the scoring list of all names of American born NHL players.

Two quick goals in Dallas' 3-1 victory over San Jose on Wednesday night propelled Modano ahead of Phil Housley for the record of career points by an American born player. His scoring touch Wednesday gave him a record breaking 1,233 points in 1,253 regular-season games and he has accomplished it in 242 fewer games than Housley required.

Modano who has only played for one NHL squad the Stars (all be it in two NHL cities) is one of the shining lights of the American hockey program, and has consistently provided scoring thrills for NHL crowds during his long and impressive career.

Top Ten Maple Leafs Since Their Last Stanley Cup

A lot of players have worn a Maple Leaf sweater since their last Stanley Cup in 1967. It's been a couple generations of players that have come and gone. The franchise is beginning to look like the Chicago Cubs of the NHL. Well, I've put together my 10 top Leaf players not to have won a Cup here over the last 41 years.

10. Dave Andreychuk (92-96)
Dave was fortunate to hang around long enough to win a Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004 at the age of 40. He falls on this list because during his time with the Leafs he was a prolific goal scoring. In the 1993-94 season he scored 53 goals. He lead the league in powerplay goals in 1991-92 (28) and 1992-93 (32). He played at the edge of the paint and took quite a beating to score many of these goals.

9. Lanny McDonald (73-80)
Lanny was also a gifted but rugged goal scorer. In his last 4 seasons with the Leafs he averaged 43 goals per season. Unfortunately his best season was with Calgary where he scored 66 goals. Like Andreychuk he finally won a Stanley Cup late in his career (1989).

8. Norm Ullman (68-75)
Norm was one of the most consistent players in the NHL during his career. He was the key player in the 1968 Frank Mahovolich trade. Early in his career he centred Gordie Howe and was an All Star. With the Leafs he wasn't so lucky but playing with Floyd Smith and Paul Henderson, he still had his best year in 1970-71 when he scored 85 points.

7. Jacques Plante (70-73)
Jacques had such a long and distinguished career that his accomplishments with the Leafs are largely lost in time. At the age of 42, he had the lowest goals against average (1.88) in 170-71 with Leafs and was an All Star.

6. Rick Vaive (80-86)
Rick was one of the few gifted Leaf scorers during the pathetic 1980s. He holds the Leafs single season goal scoring record (54) and had 3 50-goal seasons. That is amazing looking back at those weak Leaf teams. During this career as a Leaf he scored 537 points in 534 points at a rate of 1.01 points per game, second only to Doug Gilmour.

5. Mats Sundin (94-present)
Mats like many others on this list has had to carry his team. He holds the NHL record for overtime goals (15). Another consistent scorer, he has continued to lead Leaf scorers despite never playing with star wingers (ie, Jonas Hogland). In 13 seasons the durable Mats has missed only 40 games. He has made 9 All Star game appearances. Unless he gets traded to a contender, he will never win a Cup. However, he has an Olympic gold medal and at the Worlds won 2 golds, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals. This season Mats became the Leaf career leader in goals and points.

4. Curtis Joseph (98-02)
Curtis had his best years as a Maple Leaf. His goals against average as a Leaf was 2.41 and recorded 133 winds and 17 shutouts. He was runner up for the Vezina in 1999 and 2000 and won the King Clancy trophy in 1999-2000. During his Leaf tenure, the team was very much offense-oriented and relied on Curtis to make numerous saves every game.

3. Darryl Sittler (70-82)
Like Sundin, Darryl was the heart and soul of the Leafs for many years until he was driven away by ignorant management. He was the first Leaf to score 100 points and accomplished it twice. Until this season, he was the Leaf career leader in goals and points. He also holds some impressive NHL records including a 10-point game (including 6 goals) and a 5-goal playoff game.

2. Borje Salming (73-89)
Borje anchored the Leaf defense for 15 years through good and bad seasons. He was an All Star from 1975-80 and paved the way to the NHL for other Europeans. He was a tough competitor who could not be intimidated and the scars on his body are a reminder of what he went through. He played against the bruising Flyer teams during the Broad Street Bully days but never backed down. He holds the Leaf career assist record (660).

1. Doug Gilmour (91-97, 03)
Dougie was the most popular Leaf player over the past 2 decades. He holds the Leaf single season point record (127) and assist record (93). He won the Frank Selke Trophy in 1993 and is the last Leaf player to win a major NHL trophy. He actually came the closest to carrying the Leafs to a Cup final in the past 41 years. In the 1992-93 season he scored a pivotal double overtime goal against St. Louis in the 2nd round of the playoffs with Curtis Joseph in net. In the next round the Leafs were leading the series 3-2. During overtime of game six, Gretzky high-sticked Gilmour, drawing blood, without being assessed a penalty by and then scored the winning goal moments later to stave off elimination. The King went on to win the series. Gilmour finished second to Gretzky in playoff scoring with 35 points.

NHL Trade Gridlock

So do you know how many trades have been made in the NHL since the season started a month ago? Zero! Not even a 4th liner for a low round pick.It's not like there are 30 General Managers who are happy with the teams. Anaheim, Pheonix, Atlanta, Edmonton, Vancouver, Toronto and Chicago have been actively chatting. But with over half the teams very close to the salary cap, it is just to difficult too execute a trade this early in the season. You can't pick up a $4 million player unless the other team takes one back in exchange. And in most cases there's no point. So if Ottawa were to pick up Federov from Columbus, they would likely have to move Redden.

In March, that $4 million player becomes only a $1 million hit on your payroll and becomes more feasible. So GMs have no choice but to wait for injured players to rehab and slumping players to recover. That is what Ferguson has been counting on. He is hoping that the return of Wellwood, McCabe, Bell, Tucker and Colaiavoco will kick start his team. Burke is hoping that Selanne and Niedermayer come out of retired. Waddel hopes that Hossa recovers from his slump/injuries. You make all your moves in the summer and then you have no choice but to stick with what you got.

Famous Quotes from Coach Bruce

1. Always carry two hankies, one for show and one to blow.
2. Hey Alice, don't have a brain fart out there!
3. Even a blind squirrel sometimes finds a nut.
4. Were you having a blonde moment out there?
5. Have you met my cleaning lady Dorothea?
6. That's a hockey puck on your stick not a hand grenade.
7. That shot wouldn't have broken glass.
8.Do that again and I will shove my stick where the sun don't shine.
9. This team couldn't pass wind.
10. There were so many of you in front of our net that we could have taken a team picture.
11. Holy sh*t house mouse.
12. Safe under the tag!
13. When you coughed up that puck I almost needed a change of underwear.
14. I know its almost Christmas but do you have to be giving away the puck?
15. Hey Buffy, stay awake out there!
16. They do that in Leaside not here.
17. Was that your imitation of a Zamboni out there?
18. That puck hit her in a bad spot...right on the stick.
19. Your turns are so large you have to skate through Hamilton to get back to your end of the ice.
20. That a boy, girl!
21. If you moved any slower we might paint you orange and throw you out on the highway.
22. I bet you could hit a one-legged pirate in the leg.
23. You dance with who ya brung.
24. None of the dickey doo stuff.
25. Remember we're wearing white today.

Who would crave White Castle Latkes?

Leslye Louis of New Melle, Missouri, was selected as the winner of the 16th annual White Castle recipe contest for her original creation, The Latkes You Crave. For Canadians not familiar with White Castle, it is America's oldest hamburger chain with the cheapest burgers around which attracts lots of students (see Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle). I admit to some late night vistis to White Castle while at university in Philadelphia.

Leslye obviously has a very health lifestyle. She is a self-described "White Castle Purist". Through the years, White Castle has remained a big part of her life. She collects White Castle items; she's taken White Castles to her faculty meetings; enjoyed Valentine dinners at White Castle; and wherever she travels, Leslye always makes it a point to make White Castle her first stop.

How nice.

The recipes are judged on the best use of 10 White Castle hamburgers, originality, and taste. Last year's winner was: Enchiladas de White Castle Burgers y Queso.

Here is her winning recipe:

The Latkes You Crave
Submitted by: Leslye Louis

10 White Castle burgers
3 eggs
4 cups grated potatoes
1/4 cup grated onion
4 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon parsley flakes
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon pepper
Vegetable oil

Remove the pickles and crumble or dice hamburgers in a large bowl and set aside. Beat eggs until light and foamy. Stir in the grated potatoes,grated onion, flour, seasonings, herbs and combine with the hamburger mixture. Heat 1/8 to 1/4 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet. For each Latke, drop about 1/4 cup White Castle potato mixture into the hot oil, fry on each side until golden brown. Add oil to pan as needed, to keep proper depth for frying. Drain Latkes well on absorbent paper. This makes about14-20 of the lightest White Castle Latkes in the Latke-land. Serve hot,with applesauce, dairy sour cream, apple butter or eat plain.

Is This How Paul Maurice Started Out?

Maple Leafs Skate Like Pylons

More Leaf Trade Rumours

The Globe reports that Peter Forsberg has decided to bow out of participating in the upcoming Karjala Cup in Helsinki after leaving his first day of practice with Team Sweden complaining of pain in his right foot (The Globe cites his "problematic ankle") and casting doubt onto a possible return to the NHL. There was very high interest in Detroit, Ottawa, Colorado and Vancouver in Forsberg.

Now Ken Campbell of The Hockey News suggests the Ottawa Senators should forget trying to win a bidding war for a banged-up Peter Forsberg and instead try to make "a bold and concerted pitch" for rejuvenated Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin.

Come on, everyone in the hockey world knows it'll be a cold day in hell before the Leafs trade Sundin, or anyone else from their roster, to the Ottawa Senators. The only way Sundin might - emphasis on "might" - end up in a Sens jersey by the trade deadline is if another team is involved whereby the Leafs trade him to that team which then "flips" him to the Senators. And if there was any hint of Ottawa landing Sundin, it wouldn't go down.

OK, Whose Baby Picture is This?

John Ferguson Poll

So the poll question was: When will Maple Leaf GM John Ferguson get fired?

9 (39%) chose Gone by Christmas
11 (48%) chose End of season if they don't make the playoffs
2 (9%) chose His contract will be extended
1 (4%) chose He will be promoted to VP position

In the wacky world of MLSE any one of these scenarios is possible. If the team goes into an extended losing streak then the Christmas pink slip is possible. However, relative to other NHL teams, the Leafs have enough talent to prevent a long losing streak. In fact, they are hovering around .500 missing key players,. Wellwood, Tucker and Bell make up a decent 2nd line on most teams. McCabe and Colaiacovo are top 4 defensemen. But the main reason I don't see an early exit for JFJ is that there is no successor in the wings. There is no strong managerial candidate in the organization. The only people outside with the organization that is unemployed and qualified is Neil Smith and Craig Patrick. There may be more but the pickings are slim. If you search during the off season you can always get permission to talk to employed GMs who might be interested in a change of scenery. Brian Burke has been mentioned as possibly moving to Toronto though I'm not sure if there is any truth to this rumour.

Yes, it is possible that Ferguson's contract gets extended though not many blog readers believe that will happen. Obviously the Leafs would have to qualify for the playoffs for the scenario to play out. For that to happen, they would have to figure out how to win at home. On paper this team may not be as bad as they look, yet they are playing some awful hockey. Should Ferguson dump Maurice and the Leafs improve their play then again he could be extended. Finally, there was one person (who may not have been serious) that predicted he would be bounced upstairs to a VP job. Not likely to happen because he obviously doesn't have too much support on the board. If he did he wouldn't be playing under a series of one year contracts and their wouldn't have been a search for a mentor over the summer.

Storm's Version of the Hansons

Found frost on my car this morning

...so winter should be here before you know it.

Leaf Trade Rumours

There are strong trade winds blowing through Leaf Nation this week. JFJ has been looking to make a blockbuster deal to shake up his under performing team. He has been talking to several western teams including Anaheim, Phoenix and Colorado. The names that pops up continually on the Leaf side are Kaberle and Steen.

Supposedly Coyotes are hot to make a deal which would suggest that they would have to be offering either Shane Doan or Ed Jovanovski. Remember in today's NHL, if you are trading big salaries in mid-season you have to take back big salaries. The only exception appears to be around the trading deadline in March. The Leafs are interested in Colorado players John-Michael Liles and Marek Svatos. But I don't see that happening because both Avalanche players have low salaries.

The trade rumours have died down involving the Leafs and Atlanta. That trade rumour involved Kaberle and Raycroft for Hossa. Waddel wants to wait until closer to the trade deadline because he believes he can get more for Hossa then.

The most intriguing trade possibility involves the Ducks. The Ducks have had an awful start and have a worse record than the Leafs. The Ducks are another Stanley Cup team that are at risk of missing the playoffs the year winning the championship (Tampa Bay, Carolina). They have only scored 29 goals in 14 games and need some offensive help. As well, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry both become restricted free agents this summer. And after losing Penner to Edmonton last summer, Brian Burke may be concerned about what it will cost to sign both. JFJ would love to land Gefzlaf since his the team doesn't possess a prospect or young player of his calibre.

The bottom line is that Kaberle is the Leafs' most tradeable commodity. McCabe won't waive the "no movement" clause in his contract, Kubina is too slow to help a team in need of offense and Sundin doesn't want to go either. If a blockbuster happens, Kaberle will likely be involved.

Wildest finish I've ever seen to a football game

How the Leafs did in October

Record: 5-5-3 (13 points)
Standing in East: 6th
Standing in East (based on winning %): 11th
Goals For: 51 (2nd)
Goals Against: 51 (30th)
Shots For: 403 (3rd)
Shots Against: 442 (30th)
Powerplay: 11.9% (26th)
Penalty Killing: 78.8% (24th)
Penalty Minutes: 213 (27th)
Goals Against Average: 3.84 (29th)
Save Percentage: .885 (25th)

Power Ranking:
TSN- 12th
Sports Illustrated - 18th
CBC - 19th
CBS - 19th
Fox - 20th
ESPN - 23rd
Yahoo - 30th

It doesn't take a genius to interpret these stats. No playoff spot in the horizon based on October's performance.

Best Costume - YouTube Costume

SIGNS THAT YOU ARE TOO OLD TO TRICK-OR-TREAT

10. You get winded from knocking on the door.

9. You have to have another kid chew the candy for you.

8. You ask for high fiber candy only.

7. When someone drops a candy bar in your bag, you lose your balance and fall over.

6. People say, "Great Keith Richards mask!" and you're not wearing a mask.

5. When the door opens you yell, "Trick or..." and can't remember the rest.

4. By the end of the night, you have a bag full of restraining orders.

3. You have to carefully choose a costume that won't dislodge your hairpiece.

2. You're the only Power Ranger in the neighborhood with a walker.

1. You avoid going to houses where your ex-wives live.

Unusual Pumpkin Carvings

Happy Halloween to Storm Nation

30 Hockey Games in 30 Days

Steve Williamson is my hero. The Orlando man (not exactly a hockey hotbed) has planned to visit all 30 NHL cities and attend a game over a 30 day period. A killer schedule no doubt but he is an experienced traveller with over 550,000 flying miles since 2000.

Of course he has his own website and blog where he is recording his travels. Lat night was game 5 in Montreal. Tonight he is in New Jersey at the brand new Prudential Center. He will be in Toronto on November 20.

Cheerleader Mishap

Communications 101

The instructions for the message on the cake were "Best Wishes Suzanne" and underneath that "We will miss you"

Latest Leaf Trade Rumours

JRJ has been busy talking with other GMs on a trade that would hopefully turn his team around. Teams are interested in young Toronto Maple Leafs like Alex Steen and Matt Stajan but JFJ is actively trying to move Pavel Kubina, Bryan McCabe and Hal Gill. The Leafs also investigated signing Danny Markov who is currently playing in Russia but his $3.5 million salary demands is a "little rich" for the club which has little cap space.

Interesting that JFJ is trying to move 3 of his top 6 free agent signings (the others are Tucker, Kaberle and Blake) over the past 2 summers. An admission that they were all mistakes. All three carry hefty contracts that are as good as "no-trade" clauses in today's salary cap era except around the trade deadline. McCabe has a "no movement" clause and Kubina can only be moved to certain teams. Gill is the only one without a no trade or movement clause, but again his salary makes him almost impossible to shop right now. As for Markov, his salary demands are more than "a little rich" for a team bumping up against the cap like Toronto, and really, why add another high priced veteran with an injury history to the most expensive blueline in the NHL?

Hockey Leagues Steals Halloween Treats

With ice time so scarce in the city, coaches are reluctant to cancel games and incur a loss, a suspension and a $500 fine. This is putting hockey parents on Halloween under extra pressure on an already stressful night.

In fact the parents of the North Toronto Selects minor bantam team offered to work out a deal with their opponent for a game on Halloween to reschedule at no cost to the league, proposing that their 7 p.m. game against the Vaughan Selects be moved to their own ice time on Saturday. The parents even offered to foot the bill.

But the request was denied by the North York Hockey League, which insisted they must play on Vaughan ice.

Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL's Chicago Cubs

MLSE likes to promotes the Maple Leafs like they were the NHL's New York Yankees. Ridiculous ticket prices and seat license fees, tons of merchandising, their own cable station, condos, etc. Except the Yankees win championships. The Leafs are more like the Chicago Cubs who have not won the World Series since 1908. How many current Leafs fans are going to be around that long?

It's hard to believe that executives at MLSE will let this mess continue. Either John Ferguson or Paul Maurice (or both) will be axed, the only question is when? Considering the reluctance to give Ferguson a long term contract and unsuccessful search for a mentor, I would venture to guess JFJ is gone. The only question is when. Fill out my survey on the sidebar if you have a view.

Finally, here is a great example of the greed that drives MLSE. Rich guy pays BIG BUCKS for front row VIP season seats to the Raptors. Team adds a few seats in front of his front row seats since the team had one good year. What does rich guy you do? He sue for BIG BUCKS, obviously. I'd love to hear how "damages of $1.6 million, and a further $20,000 for every Raptors game the company's executives miss" are justified.

Remember size doesn't matter

$72 million is not enough

Wow.

Alex Rodriguez could have played out the remaining three years of his contract with the Yankees and, by doing so, he would have been guaranteed $72 million. But his contract gives him the right to "opt out" and become a free agent in order to go to the highest bidder.

The man did it yesterday. Amazing.

But the champagne bottles you hear popping are from the home of Texas Rangers owner Tom Hicks who will no longer be responsible for $21 million that he would have had to pay to the Yankees if he had stayed. When the Rangers traded Rodriguez to the Yankees, they agreed to pay part of the contract in order to unload it.

Interesting to see who the highest bidder will be. Remember the Red Sox lost out on the bidding for A-Rod when he was last on the market.

ARRRRRGOOOOOOOOOOOS!

The Argos have certainly turned their season around by moving into first place in the CFL East Division. As has been the case all season, the defense and special teams dominated as the Argos edged Winnipeg 16-8. Their previous two wins were by scores of 16-9 and 18-11.

It was their sixth consecutive win and eighth in their past nine games.

Storm Fall Short to Orangeville

A good start did not end well as the Storm lost 1-0 to Orangeville and split the home and home series at a win each. After the first period the Storm did not generate many scoring chances as many players did not have their usual skating legs. Losing Mari to a sprained her ankle as a result of a collision on Saturday removed one of the better skaters from the lineup. In fact, the Storm had a 2-man advantage at the end of the game and then pulled the goalie for an extra skater. Despite having 6 skaters to only 3 for Orangeville, the Storm still could not generate scoring chances.

Still the game is just another learning experience early in the season. Next game isn't until November 15 against Vaughan. Would be nice to finally beat them.

Randy Jones Hit on Patrice Bergeron

Boston Bruins centre Patrice Bergeron was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday after a scary hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Randy Jones.

Bergeron was chasing after a loose puck in the Flyers zone late in the first period when Jones closed in on him and drove his head into the boards with his forearm.

Jones was given a five-minute boarding penalty with a game misconduct.



At first glance, it looks like an ugly, dirty hit from behind. Bergeron's face was rammed face first into the ledge on the boards, and the latest reports say he has a broken nose and a concussion, but all feeling in his extremities.

Flyers defenseman Randy Jones issued the following statement:

“Words really can’t express the way that I feel right now. I am very apologetic for the hit and what I did. It was not intentional. It is something that I have never done before and it is not part of my character. I am extremely sorry. I hope he does ok and everything works out for him. I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery.”

Comparing Results After 10 Games

TGF - Total Goals For, TGA - Total Goals Against, GD - Goal Differential, ESGF - Even Strength Goals For, ESGA - Even Strength Goals Against, PPG - Power Play Goals, PPA - Power Play Attempts, PP% - Power Play Percentage, SPK - Successful Penalty Kills, PKA - Penalty Kill Attempts, PK% - Penalty Kill Percentage, STDIF - Special Teams Differential (PPG For minus PKG against), SHGF - Short-handed Goals For, SHGA - Short-handed Goals Against.

The boxes highlighted in yellow are the ones that really standout.

Last season, at the end of the year the Leafs' STDIF was minus 27 which means that they gave up 27 more goals while shorthanded than they scored while on the powerplay. This year through ten games they are already minus 8 in that category.

The PKA is significant because it represents the most times that anyone in the NHL has been short-handed. Discipline has long been the Leafs' achilles heel.

The Leafs are at the top of the league in goals scored but 2nd to last on goals given up. Likely because they are among the league leaders in shots given up and penalty minutes. All things considered, if someone can ever get this team to play team defense and with more discipline, they would be much more competitive. Which is why Paul Maurice's job may be at risk.

source

Storm Shuts Out Orangeville for 1st Win

Today the Storm played a strong first period and although they didn't score, they also didn't fall behind. The result was a 2-0 win over a chippy Orangeville Tiger team. There were 11 penalties in the game including to penalties to Orangeville players after the final buzzer.

Kendra has a strong game in net and made some great saves to earn her first shut out. The first goal was scored by Amanda on a strong individual effort. Crossing the blueline she went wide on the Orangeville defenseman who forced her into the corner. She continued to fight for the puck and drove from behind the net to the front of the net where she scored on her second shot after the goalie stopped the first one. It was the first time this season that the Storm lead in a game.

The team continued to pressure the Tigers and had some excellent scoring chances. Early in the third period Lauren N blocked a clearing high clearing pass at the Orangeville blueline with her chest. The puck dropped to her feet and she drove a shot towards the net that beat the goalie fro a 2-0 lead. Late in the 3rd the Storm got into some penalty trouble and when Orangeville pulled their goalie, North York found themselves down 3 players. Great penalty killing by Amanda and Jackie kept Orangeville from scoring. Final shots on net were 23-13 in favour of the Storm.

The only downside of the game was an injury to Mari who went hard into the boards late in the game chasing a puck. It appears to only be a bruised ankle but she was going to have it examined after the game.

Toronto Star Hates the Toronto Maple Leafs

It's always been my belief that the Toronto Star is unlike other newspaper in that it is one of the biggest critics of the local sports teams. The usually reserve the biggest attacks for the Maple Leafs. Now some of it is well deserved. The team has not even come close to a championship in 41 years. But they often go over the top. Here is a sample of just this week.

There was an article on the Leaf board of directors complete with photo that suggested that fans boo the owners of the team not the players.

There was an article on the confidential financial files of the organization. It included a story about how after Mats Sundin collected his 500th NHL goal last season, the nylon mesh used in the goal net was removed and shipped to a factory where workers cut it into 2,000 pieces to sell off as souvenirs.

There was also an article that suggested that the team could only get better if there was a second NHL franchise in the region to force the Leafs to compete for fans and revenue.

There was an article on why the Leafs are going after John Tavares. Why of course it's another cynical, MLSE revenue-generating scheme.

And finally there was an article suggesting that the Leafs were underspending on hockey operations (includes scouting) which is why they are not competitive.

Not bad for one week.

Rookie Tlusty leads Leafs to 5-2 win over Penguins

Jiri Tlusty, playing his first NHL game, scored two goals 35 seconds apart during a four-goal Toronto flurry in the third period and the Maple Leafs shook off an early season slump to beat Pittsburgh 5-2 Thursday night and end the Penguins' three-game winning streak.

Maybe this is the reason why you don't trade away first round draft picks.

Pre-Game Report From a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Blog

About the Maple Leafs:

Record: 3-4-3

Leading Scorer: Mats Sundin 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists).

Last Game: 5-4 shootout loss to the Thrashers, Oct. 23.

Last Game Against The Penguins: 6-4 loss in Toronto Oct. 13.

Maple Leafs Player We Would Bet Money On Scoring: Mats Sundin. The Leafs captain is the all-time leading scorer among active players in career points against the Penguins with 76 points in 51 games. He tallied a goal and an assist on Oct. 13.

Ex-Penguins: None.

Useless Maple Leafs Trivia: The Maples Leafs have played under four identities: The Toronto Blueshirts (1912-17), the Toronto Arenas (1917-19), the Toronto St. Pats (1919-1927) and the Toronto Maple Leafs (1927-present.).

NOTES:

-Maple Leafs defenseman Bryan McCabe is probable for tonight's game. Expect the Penguins to score 14 goals tonight if that's the case.

-Jiri Tlusty, the Maple Leafs first round draft pick in 2006, will be making his NHL debut tonight.

-We'll be sitting in Section D-7, Row E, Seat 10 at tonight's game. Pregame Festivities will be taking place at Pizza Milano on Fifth Ave. sometime between 6 p.m. and game time. Look for a handsome devil in a Team Russia jersey. (We spilled nacho cheese on our Lemieux jersey Tuesday night and never got a chance to wash it.) Stop by and say hi.

-Even if the Maple Leaf fans are surly and boorish tonight (as they usually are), don't boo the Canadian national anthem. Have some class and applaud it politely at the very least. You're representing Pittsburgh.

-It certainly is appropriate to boo the Maple Leafs and their fans afterwards however.

Source

What's Happened to Eric Lindros?

When Paul Kelly was being introduced as the new executive director of the NHL Players' Association Eric Lindros in the room listening closely. The Big E put in countless hours over the last few months in helping the players' union. He was a member of the five-player search committee for the executive director and also a key cog on the constitutional review committee that helped reshape the union from top to bottom.

Now Lindros would dearly love to play another year. After all he is only 34. But all those injuries have taken their toll. His first seven seasons were of superstar caliber. But the last six have been ravaged by injury and controversy.

He will likely announce his retirement at some point. The new NHLPA constitution will have a newly created ombudsman position and Lindros is the favourite to get that job.

Another Chinese Toy Recalled

Try explaining this to the insurance company

Storm Earns First Point of the Season

A power play goal by Kailee early in the 3rd period and some solid goaltending by Bianca earned the Storm a well deserved tie against the first place Barrie Sharks. Again, the team had a very slow start and was outplayed in the first period. They were down by only one goal and it could have been worse if it wasn't for some great saves by Bianca.

As was the case in previous games, the Storm began to get rolling in the 2nd period and dominated in the 3rd. It was the Barrie goalie who had to make some big saves to preserve the tie during the last 5 minutes of the game. Both Mari and Genevieve had great chances but failed to hit the mesh.

You can see the steady improvement in each game as the team begins to gain some confidence and cohesiveness. In particular, a lot of credit should go to the defense and goalies who have been very steady despite the fact that they are all first year Midgets.

There have been 16 games played in Midget B - North Central division and no one has yet scored more than 2 goals. So obviously once our offense starts connecting the wins will follow.

Nest game is Saturday, 3 pm at Risk against Orangeville.

Sundin can no longer carry the Leafs

In a scenario that has long been typical of the Leafs, Mats Sundin may be the best player in the NHL through the first three weeks of the schedule, with little to show for it. Having compiled 17 points in 10 games (including a league-leading 11 assists), Sundin is tied for the NHL scoring lead with Henrik Zetterberg of Detroit, and is on pace for a career year. Like usual, however, his exceptional performance is not translating into team success.

And, the burden of carrying his underachieving club is once again likely to cause a flame-out in the late stages of the season, as it did a year ago. Mats is almost 37 years old. He's playing like a 27-year-old right now, but the lack of offensive support other than Antropov will turn him into a 57-year-old by February. A healthy Wellwood and Tucker would help but their return is not likely anytime soon.

Incidently, there is a rumour going around that the Leafs have been talking to Atlanta about trading for Marion Hossa in exchange for Kaberle and Raycroft. I have no way of knowing whether there is any truth to this rumour but the deal makes some sense. Leafs have an excess of offensive defensemen, no heir apparent for Sundin and 2 starting goalies (although some might argue 2 back up goalies). Hossa becomes a free agent at the end of the year and Atlanta may not be able to sign him. As well, the only offensive defenseman in their line up is Zhitnik who is 35 and slowing down. Their #1 goalie Lehtonen is out with a groin injury.

I'd think this would be better protection than a pitbull