Though we held one of these sessions just last Friday, I sense that many Leaf fans feel something irreversible happened on Saturday against Chicago at the ACC. Yes, it was the first pounding the Leafs have taken in awhile: the 5-3 final score was remarkably flattering. Yet, I still firmly believe it was an exception to the rule... that James Reimer will bounce back and keep the Leafs in the playoff race. Mathematically and emotionally, a win tonight at Uniondale, N.Y. is very important. If Leafs lose in regulation to the Islanders, and Buffalo knocks off Pittsburgh, Leafs would be seven back of a playoff spot. That may be too much to overcome. Conversely, a Toronto win and Sabres loss narrows the gap to three, once again, right where it was after the Leafs victory at Philadelphia five nights ago. In any event, we're talking about important games nearing mid-March. That, alone, is a big change. Fire away with questions, comments or concerns until 5 p.m.
Or semi-weekly, as the case today.
If Leafs can stay within 3-4 of Buffalo, the environment at the ACC for this Saturday's game against the Sabres may exceed the pre-game buzz from the Chicago match... and that was quite feverish.
For the same reason newspapers use photos with their stories... dresses it up and makes it more interesting. The response to my photo Tweets has been overwhelmingly favorable, and the radio station poobahs like it as well. I'm hoping your question is not centred around a distaste for the photos.
Brian Burke, I believe, will take a huge run at Brad Richards, but I'm convinced to a large degree that Richards will follow the usual pattern and re-up with Dallas. Sounded on deadline day like he enjoys playing for the Stars, and would like to move forward in Big D. Of course, the business of sport often prevails, so we'll have to see if he's on the market July 1. If so, he is precisely the caliber of center the Leafs need, providing his price is ammenable to Burke. It could be interesting.
Wish I had a concrete answer to your multi-faceted question. My theory is that Komisarek arrived in this city the way most free agtents do... with too optimistic a build-up. At his best in Montreal, he was a decent, crash-and-bang player, but never a slick puck-handler. Add to that reconstructive shoulder surgery that ended last season for him in January; a psyche that seems rather fragile to me, and expectation commensurate to salary, it's unlikely Komisarek will ever be viewed favorably by fans of the Maple Leafs. Still, he's a good guy and well-liked by his teammates. Also, very professional and cooperative with the media. I often find myself wishing better things for him.
Two games without a point may be an indication of his early-career pattern of streaks, which I assume is the reason for your question. Let's wait and see. Fast Phil was on a tear for more than two weeks. His production, and Reimer's goaltending, carried the team. If Kessel has embarked on another prolonged slump, it is highly unlikely the Leafs will remain on the fringe of a playoff spot. They need him to score, and score often.
I have no personal complaint about Phaneuf, but I only see him in media circles. He always makes himself available after a game, as befitting a captain, and following in the long-time foot-steps of Mats Sundin. He measures his words and is occasionally brusque. That doesn't make him a bad guy, but he is often compared less-than favorably to other dressing room spokesmen -- primarily Luke Schenn, Clarke MacArthur and Colby Armstrong. All three come across a bit more genuinely than Phaneuf, who I think is more of a down-to-earth sort than he lets on in front of cameras and microphones. I've seen him inter-act with children (healthy and ill), and they instantly fall in love with the guy. Nothing about that is contrived. As for whether Dion is looked upon as a true leader in the room, only his teammates can provide the answer. And, we would never hear a public claim to the contrary. So, it really is speculative.
Ohhhh, how about 6-3 for the Leafs?
Comparative numbers don't matter. This is a better mix of personnel, with superior goaltending. That's why the Leafs are in the playoff hunt after dropping behind by 14 points. Last year at this time, no one legitimately felt the club would contend for a post-season berth.
Yes, the Leafs have yielded the opening goal an innordinate number of times, but have proven resilient. Saturday was an exception. For whatever reason, the club didn't appear to expect such an immediate challenge from the defending champions. Otherwise, fighting back in games -- though taxing -- has been a strong point recently. The first goal more often would be helpful.
Probably because Pittsburgh (Crosby, Malkin), Washington (Ovechkin, Semin, Backstrom), Chicago (Kane, Toews, Seabrook), Los Angeles (Doughty, Kopitar, Brown), Vancouver (Sedin, Sedin, Kessler) and Philadelphia (Richards, Carter, Giroux) have all made big strides with first-round picks -- many of them early. There are exceptions, of course. But, these are some big-time, current examples.
The Leafs only occasionally have extended trips that include days between games without returning to Toronto. Though I do not hang out with the players, I think this particular group is rather closely-knit, given its youthful composition. My sense is the Leafs came together as a unit during their successful four-game journey through Atlanta, Los Angeles, San Jose and Phoenix in January. I was on the western part of that trip and noticed a lot of comeraderie. That's why I felt it was prudent for Burke to leave this group intact at the trade deadline, and not be tempted to pull off a drastic maneuver. With goaltending, the Leafs have proven they can compete against most teams well ahead of them in the standings.
Pretty much impossible to be "stuck" with first-round picks in the post-lockout NHL, but I assume Burke will make it known around the league, well before the draft in Minnesota, that he is willing to package one or both in order to land an established forward, preferably a centre-man. I strongly sense that's his plan.
Save this question and re-send it in late-November of next season. Even then, we may not have a concrete answer because second-year players almost always tail off. But, I'd put my money on Reimer eventually shaking out as the real deal, and the best goalie developed by the Maple Leafs since Felix Potvin a decade-and-a-half ago.
Don't know where you are writing from, but if it's nearby, listen to our FAN-590 Leafs pre-game show (Blue & White Tonight) from 6-7 p.m. I interviewed Lupul yesterday -- it will run sometime after 6:20 p.m. -- and he explains, in detail, the physical and emotional struggle he is still enduring after his back surgery and related bone infection. It was both fascinating, and daunting. Joffery admitted he's doing better, but will need this summer to fully arrive back in hockey-playing shape -- physically and mentally. As such, anything the Leafs get from this this season is a bonus, in my opinion.
Kevin, beyond hope, there should be no reasonable expectation that New Jersey will allow Parise to get away. Though the Devils are blazing-hot without him right now, he is their best all-round forward and his scoring ability will blend with and alleviate the onus on Ilya Kovalchuk. Yes, as mentioned off the top, economics occasionally forces a team to make an unorthodox move, but I think Lou Lamoriello is way too savvy to let Parise slip away. That's just my opinion. We'll have to wait and see.
No, just on radio and FAN590.com if you are outside the Toronto listening area.
Oh for sure... and thanks for the kind words. The Monster has had a very trying season, but he was playing well for the Marlies when his conditioning stint ended and he still has another year left on his contract. If it isn't in the cards for Gustavsson this season, I expect him to bounce back in a big way next year -- providing, of course, injury and illness do not get in the way again. He's a dedicated, extremely mature person and I think he has tons of untapped potential. It wouldn't surprise me at all if the Monster and Reimer form a scintillating tandem.
Yes, they are all mine. And, based on response, it appears the small corner of Twitter world that follows me enjoys seeing the items. I'll continue to post them.
No REAL ANXIETY yet among those participating in the chat today. Am I blessed with the "optimistic" crowd? Or, have most of you gotten over Saturday night? And, what is your gut feel on tonight's game with the Islanders?
That's why I posed the question... LOL.
Good question, and it will depend largely on how many players Burke acquires after the season. But, the names you mention have contributed a great deal to the sense of closeness among the players and I believe double-B will want to keep most, if not all, around. Injuries are always a factor and depth becomes extremely critical at various points in the season.
Kind of a quiet day. If no further questions in the next few minutes, we'll close this session a bit early.
