So, here's the deal, as I sit here -- very much alone -- in the MasterCard Centre press box: The Leafs are three games away from the halfway mark of the season (they'll play Game 41 at Los Angeles Monday night) and are no further ahead than they were a year ago at this time. That clearly has people ticked off in this city, as fans were virtually promised THIS team would be different than the others in the post-lockout void. News today (well, sort of news) came that forward John Mitchell will be out of action from four to six weeks with a knee injury (MCL) suffered in practice on Sunday. Given the bulk of e-mails and Tweets I've received since that news was announced earlier today, there aren't many tears being spilled over Mitchell's absence. Also, J.S. Giguere admitted today that a groin TEAR, not pull, has been the cause of his injury recurrence. So, there... fire away with your questions and comments.
Absolutely, Brian Burke will have a cellphone stuck to his ear in the week leading up to the Feb. 28 trade embargo, and there's little question he'll consider any and every option to help move the Leafs -- finally -- in the proper direction. The club has some expiring contracts (Tomas Kaberle and J.S. Giguere, most notably) that Burke would ideally move for futures at the deadline, but both players possess no-movement clauses they'd have to waive. And, we must remember that 19 games will remain on the Leafs' schedule after the deadline... almost a quarter of the season. So, Ron Wilson will still need 20 bodies to dress each night.
A bit late getting equipment fired up today, but running well right now, so send your questions/comments.
It's entirely up to Kaberle... a) to start playing better and make himself a more attractive commodity, and b) as I said, to agree that waiving his NTC is in his best interest. Could Tomas possibly be so stubborn as to stay in Toronto with a non-playoff team in a year his contract is expiring? On other occasions, he could look forward to remaining with the Leafs the following season. That almost certainly will not be the case this time. And, of course, Burke has remained steadfast in his vow that he will not "ask" Kaberle to waive his contract privilege. We have just less than two months to chew on this one again.
Excellent question, Will. I truly believe there's a limit to everything in life, including the Leaf phenomenon. The ultimate reaction, of course, would be a decline in material interest (ticket sales, merchandise, TV viewership) -- something the Leafs have miraculously avioded through the decades of losing. I don't sense any immediate concern along those lines, but there certainly is SOME momentum... moreso than I've detected in any previous year. I really believe fans of the club felt Burke had executed a turnaround with the Phaneuf trade. Hasn't happened... not even close.
Another long spring watching lesser hockey markets advance through the Stanley Cup playoffs. After that? Well, who knows? Almost impossible to predict anymore when the Blue & White will begin an upswing.
I talk to people IN THIS CITY that are bewildered about the coverage the Leafs get... but they pay attention to it. And that's the key. Once the eyes and ears of hockey fans begin to look and listen to other things, there won't be the need for such beastly, wall-to-wall reporting. The instant-information era has ramped up coverage of the Leafs, and there is no change on the immediate horizon, it seems, to the current trend. Keeps an old guy like me relevant.
Back at you on the new year greeting. I'm not certain that Scotty Bowman, Al Arbour, Toe Blake, Glen Sather, or any other coaching combination could substantially reverse the direction of this Toronto group. And, that's the reason Burke has said he will not fire Wilson. He doesn't believe he's provided his coach a competitive team, and I concur. WHY that hasn't happened is a question Burke is truly wrestling with these days. He legitimately thought the Phaneuf-led Leafs would challenge for a playoff spot this season. Instead, the team is essentially out of the hunt before the mid-point of the schedule.
That's the 68,000-dollar question, Andre. It will be fish-or-cut-bait time time for Burke this summer. He'll either choose to extend Wilson's contract beyond its "lame-duck" final year, or replace his long-time pal. If Burke hasn't somehow improved the team by the time he makes that call -- and he lets Wilson go -- fans will legitimately ask why he held onto the coach all season. The excuse of keeping Wilson until he's provided a better group of players will no longer hold water.
Until the NHL installs soccer nets, this will continue to be an issue with the Leaf blue-liners. They simply do not hit the target with the overwhelming majority of their long-range shots, nor do they often-enough place them strategically for re-direction or tip-ins. As with every part of the game, there's an art to properly shooting from the point. Just loading up and firing blindly doesn't get much accomplished. And that's been the recurring vision of Phaneuf this season. Accuracy and thought process are both lacking in that situation.
From most reports I've heard, Jerry has taken a bit of a backward step in the AHL this season, his first as a pro. That shouldn't be of grave concern to the Leafs. The pro game -- even at the minor-league level -- is altogether different from the college variety in the U.S. (Jerry attended R.P.I. before signing with Toronto last summer) and he'll need to make the adjustment to a longer schedule; faster game, and more ice time. Whether he does that before next season is a long-shot. But, you never know.
Yes. Blacker has made terrific strides this season... that's the word from almost everyone that has watched him. But, again, the leap from any level to the NHL is always difficult. So, don't get overly excited about him until he proves he belongs in the world's best league.
If the Phaneuf and Jiggy trades were the result of a rabbit appearing, that animal must have been awfully sick. It probably hadn't looked at a carrot in weeks. Pulling the proverbial rabbit out of a hat results in a much-better circumstance than the two deals Burke made last January. Up to now, pulling a rhinocerous out of his hat wouldn't have helped to team. But, Brian will keep tryiing... I assure you.
Well, not dead-last, but close enough to support your argument, Gary. It has long been suggested that penalty killing -- in particular -- is the hallmark of a coach, mainly because it involves more mind-set than skill. It's a dirty job and players must somehow "want" to do it properly. They often appear to do so... for a "good" coach. So, who knows why the PK has been so abysmal under Wilson. It's not as if he doesn't have a track-record of success in the NHL. His other teams have frequently killed penalties at a very decent rate.
That doesn't sound like a French-Canadian nickname to me. And, Gary, if you were the GM of a rival team, would YOU attempt to acquire Beauchemin? I ask that not as a result of the defenseman having no trade value, but rather because you insist he HAS to be dealt, thereby rendering him a non-factor. What team would strive to bring aboard a non-factor? Truth be told, Beauchemin's contract length and price are rather attractive at this point, and a contending club -- slotting him into a No. 3 role -- might improve itself. Remember, playing that role on a good team enabled Beauchemin to contribute rather nicely when Anaheim won the Cup in 2007. But... THE LEAFS WILL NOT GET A FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK FOR HIM. IF THESE LETTERS COULD BE TYPED ANY LARGER, I WOULD DO SO.
No, I don't believe either player has been "ruined" bu the Leafs -- certainly not to this point. Such a factor might have entered the equation if Burke and Wilson had kept Kadri with the Leafs as a healthy scratch, rather than sending him back to the Marlies. But, I think Nazem is properly positioned once again to learn his craft at the minor-pro level. Gustavsson is a work in progress, as are many goalies -- particularly Europeans that must acclimate themselves to a different lifestyle and smaller rink. He has blown hot and cold this season, but is under contract for another year before the Leafs have to make a future call on him. I'm not sure Wilson has been "negative" as it pertains to Kadri. Almost all of what he said about the young player was the truth. And, I believe Nazem is a big enough boy to handle the truth.
Uh, that's sort of like asking your partner -- three hours into a rabid sexual embrace -- if he or she REALLY intended to get naked. The question doesn't have much credence at that point, right? Neither would the notion of Burke pulling a 180 and suggesting he'll go the traditional hockey way AFTER GIVING UP THE PICKS HE DID FOR PHIL KESSEL. Anyone can be proven wrong (God knows I've had enough experience through the years), but it wouldn't prove a lot for Burke to unload a mea culpa on Leafs Nation. Far too late for that.
I'm not sure I have that much estimation, Joe. Komisarek, to me, seems like a confidence freak. If he has it, his ability to perform with controlled agression is rather high. When condidence is lacking, he plays a bit like a child that's been denied his allowance. Kind of a pouty demeanor leads to mental lapses on the ice, and the puck gets turned over in a terrible spot. Would it help to try and demote him? I don't know. Ol' Mike looks ready to explode some days. Such a move could spawn a serial killer (just kidding... sort of).
No, you misinterpreted my answer, Luker. What you asked me about was an admission of guilt. I'm sure Burke realizes -- to some extent -- the potential folly of his ways, but saying "I botched it" wouldn't improve the current situation, nor is it a sentence many GMs would utter. However, I don't believe Burke would live comfortably in this town if he even considered trading his 2012 first-round pick. The National Guard would have to surround his residence 24 hours a day.
Carlton, we encourage those participating in this chat session to strongly articulate themselves. Given that you've chosen to sit on the fence about Burke, I'm not really into answering your question. Or questions. Or comments. Or rants. Do you have typer's cramp right now? Actually, good job of telling us how you really feel. Sadly for you, I don't think double-B is going anywhere in the near future. He was provided a six-year contract to reverse the Leaf fortunes. MLSE won't give up on him after the first three years. But, your points are accurate and well-stated.
This wouldn't be Sean from New York, would it?
Nice rant, Tom. The Leafs would surely appreciate having more fans like you in the building. I was at the Columbus game, too, but I couldn't throw any fists in the press box (actually had a very attractive lady next to me). You have to keep in mind how long this Leaf disaster has been going on, and how it affects people that, perhaps, attend games more frequently than you do. Also, if some joker around you predicted a turnover -- and it happened -- give the guy props. Not for originality or going out on a limb, mind you, but for watching the Leafs closely enough most nights.
Carlton, if you even dared to take ol' Charlie out in the middle of The Vatican, you would probably leave without "him". Get my drift?
Oh yes, the howls of protest from trading Steen are still echoing through this city. Rolling, give your head a shake. Yes, Alex has developed nicely in St. Louis, and no, he probably wouldn't have done so in this hockey environment. But, talk about revisionist history! Can't believe you lost much appetite the day that Toronto-St. Louis deal went down.
First, there is no legitimate way to measure an 18-year-old in the NHL. The Crosby types are extremely rare. And, second, if the Kessel trade hadn't gone down, why would anyone here give a rat's ass what Seguin is doing in Boston?
Ballard tried to make improvements as well, but dementia got in the way. Hey, Vito, if the Leafs have as many lousy years under Burke as they had under Ballard, the two men will be regarded similarly by future generations. But, too soon to affix double-B with that ungodly tag.
Thank-you, Tom.
Toodaloo to you, too. Not sure, however, that many in my daily position gush with enthusiasm over dealing with miserable people all the time. Not miserable by nature; just by circumstance. I don't care if the Leafs win, lose (or show up on nights I'm tired). But, it does get a trifle monotonous attempting to say the same thing a different way... over and over and over.
And lots of crappy seasons in which they played before arenas that were one-third full, and in Pittsburgh's case, almost twice lost the franchise. Bottoming out isn't a barrel of laughs, believe me.
And, I'm sure Burke is being offered that sort of trade on a daily basis... a veteran that is performing -- right now -- at a higher level than most of the young Leafs, for a future component. Perhaps it is tempting for Burke when he gazes at the standings, but he'd be very wise to continue resisting such a move.
Thanks for the chat, folks. We'll do it again next week from somewhere on the coast, as I'll be with the Leafs on their trip through Los Angeles, San Jose and Phoenix. Talk again then.
