Eklund is at it again. He is reporting about the possibility of a major deal in Leaf land going down this week. The article is short, so I'll just paste 'er all in here.
(What the fuck is plagiarism?)
"Been chasing something since late last night....A possible trade between the Leafs and either the Coyotes, Ducks, or Avs. . Not sure exactly what is involved yet, but I should have some names by 1:30pm Et I am told. SHOULD. What I do know is that this deal is a big one and there are very some big names involved going both ways...I also am told that it could happen as soon as today or could be a "weekend blockbuster." This from various sources throughout the NHL. I have been completely swamped by this one since around 10 pm last night.
It should be a crazy few days in Leaf land."
I've noted before that Eklund is often misled by sources, so take the above with a grain of salt. But, as a daily Eklund reader, I can tell you this: he doesn't often sound so sure of something happening. And him being swamped by trade rumours likely means there is truth to it.
I think this is a good time to admit something: trade rumours get me sexually excited. Not like the average meathead fan - I'm not delusional about trade possibilities - but hearing about reasonable deals that bring in fresh faces gives me a pants tent. I am of the opinion that the Leafs are in need of a shakeup, so this article brightened my day.
That being said, if the rumour isn't true, I'll be as disappointed as a child whose parents ordered Peepants the Clown as birthday party entertainment.
David Shoaltsalmost wrote a solid article today. I'm not normally his biggest fan, so I was surprised to read a few quality comments from him, and the meaty quotations he was able to get from MLSE upper management were fantastic. The article was actually quite good until the final couple of paragraphs, reproduced below: "After 13 games, the Leafs are 5-5-3 with 13 of a possible 26 points. A .500 record will not be good enough to make the Eastern Conference playoffs. And to get the 93 points that probably would be good enough for postseason qualification, the Leafs will have to win 40 of their remaining 69 games, a .580 pace that looks daunting given their league-high 52 goals against."
Shoalts' assessment is partially correct - a .500 record isn't good enough to make the playoffs, and the 8th place qualifier will likely need about 93 points to make the playoffs. The 8th place Eastern Conference team both last year and the year previous (since 'The New NHL"came about) had 92 points. So, Shoalts isn't far off.
However, that means that the Leafs will need 80 more points, NOT 40 more wins. There is a difference. In theory, the team must only win 11 more games, lose 58 in overtime and qualify for the playoffs with 93 points. Overtime / shootout losses are key
I don't think that asking the team to win, say, 35 more games and pick up 10 more points via overtime and shootout losses is unreasonable - it's only a .507 pace. Last year the league-wide range of points gained through overtime losses was between 5 and 16. The year before it was 4 and 15. So, the Leafs simply need to fall smack in the middle of the range (they're pretty average at everything else, why not this?) to hit the target.
A 35-24-10 record isn't out of the question at all, and only a meathead would argue otherwise.
It's not enough for Damien Cox to write about the game on which his article is based. No, after seemingly every Leafs loss, Cox brings up the following points:
- The team hasn't won a Stanley Cup in 40 years. - The team has a history of trading draft picks for aging players. - The general manager is unproven at best, and is at risk of losing his job. - The team has few high-end prospects in the system, and as such, is doomed not to win another Cup. - Mats Sundin, the team captain, is nearing the end of his career and his age is beginning to show. - The team owners advertise a mediocre product as superior. - The team hasn't made the playoffs in the last two seasons. - The team will be in a fight to make the playoffs this year.
After today's Cox article, I made a revelation: Cox's negativity isn't about the team. It's about his dick. What do I mean? Damien Cox definitely has a small - or, at the very least, inadequately thin - dick. He constantly feels inferior and lashes out at every opportunity to the more confident, virile men around him. All the telltale signs are there: the inability to be positive or objective, even when the situation warrants positivity and/or objectivity; the constant regurgitation of points that have been so overstated that mentioning them again only makes himself look petty and argumentative; the inability to focus on the topic at hand, choosing to take a more broad approach to articles so as to be able to insert more negativity; and the all-around constant attack on the team he is paid to follow. Cox's troubles are a Napoleon complex in the pants. He was most definitely the inspiration for William Forsythe's character in Deuce Bigalow.
Yep, you heard it here first: Damien Cox is short in the trousers. Take it to the bank.
Since there isn't much to say about last night's dreadful 7-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, The Blue & White is going to pretend the game didn't take place. Yep, the easy way out. This post is just like the abortion your prom date got after you pulled a Ben Stone.
Here's what you get instead - a dog's breakfast of links:
- Tim Wharnsby had a terrific article today. It compares the costs of attending a game of each NHL team. There is even a neat "Fan Cost Index" which takes into account four average-priced tickets, two small draft beers, four small soft drinks, four regular-size hot dogs, parking for one car, two game programs and two least-expensive and adult-size adjustable caps. Translation: F.C.I. is what it'd cost to take your family to a game. Of course, Toronto ranked the highest in both average ticket price and F.C.I. at around 25% more expensive. I guess that makes sense, as several Toronto players are earning at least 25% more than they should.
- Eric Duhatschek consistently writes well researched, well thought-out articles for The Globe & Mail...but they're rarely about the Leafs so they aren't often mentioned here. Eric tends to focus on that which stands out / is interesting in the league - and the Leafs ain't it.
- When CBC boasted changes to their Hockey Night In Canada format, one of their main selling points was bettering the Satellite Hot Stove. Hot Stove has certainly changed, but I have a very hard time calling it better. Oh my fuck, could it be a little more dry? It has all the excitement of an episode of V.I.P. - without the T&A. And, to top it off, they've mostly done away with the interesting-if-infrequently-accurate rumour mill that was always a major part of the Hot Stove of old. This change in Hot Stove is a lot like a bad movie sequel wherein the starring roles don't return - 'tis only watchable if you've seen the predecessor.
- David Shoalts' article today was adequate, but the title, "Home isn't where the heart is" is really fucking mank. How. Lame. I am actually embarrassed for Shoalts, as his name appears directly below that steamer of a headline. Davey, what was the thought process that led to that gem? Was there one? Was the runner-up "Home is where the heart is...not!"? Party on, Shoalts. Fuckkkk.
Apparently the Leafs are capable of winning back to back games. It only took the team 12 games to do prove it. The Leafs beat the New York Rangers 4-1 last night on the strength of a Pavel Kubina game winning goal.
The Leafs had a two-goal lead in the third period that they held onto. It's kinda pathetic that not blowing a two-goal lead is something that needs to be mentioned, but anyone watching the Leafs thusfar will understand. The Leafs have had as much trouble with good leads as Shelley Levene.
(EDIT* If that reference is a little esoteric for you - as some of you have complained - you really need to deal with it. Shelley Levene is one of the all-time great film characters...I can't throw the ball and catch it too. I've even added a link to imdb for y'all!)
VesaToskala seems to have cemented his #1 status after an early-season platoon with Andrew Raycroft. Last night was Toskala's 3rd in a row. I am starting to sound like Toskala's agent, but he looked great again last night - allowing only 1 goal on 33 shots - and kept the team in the game after New York's goal. It'll be interesting to see who Paul Maurice goes with next.
Random Game Notes: - It was another 2 point night for Kubina, who also led the team with a +3 rating. He's been earning his contract since given top-pairing status.
- I hate to bring it up, but the team hasn't looked any worse without their top-paid player and supposed top defenseman. Bryan McCabe missed his second straight game last night and the team hasn't lost since he left. Paul Maurice has made a few adjustments in McCabe's absence, including switching his defensive pairing, moving Kubina up to the #1 powerplay unit, and playing Tomas Kaberle less and Hal Gill more. Some of his moves seem counter intuitive, but they've been working.
- Fucking Damien Cox. Is there a more negative guy in the world? This guy would talk shit about a pretty sunset. He's now ragging on Leafs fans for being excited about JiriTlusty. What do you expect, Damien? This team hasn't had a top-level prospect to look forward to since Tomas Kaberle. Damien: take a vacation, have some sex, snort some blow off a 12 year old's ass crack - whatever it is that you do to snap out of a bad mood - and come back to us when you're able to say something (anything!) positive. You're wrecking my buzz.
More good news is on the way for the Leafs, as the team hosts the mediocre Washington Capitals on Monday, likely sans star Alexander Semin and powerplay quarterback Tom Poti.
Post Script: Only 3 more games before Mark Bell is eligible to play.
Yes, the Leafs beat the Penguins 5-2 last night. And, the game wasn't even as close as the score indicates. Pittsburgh got a late goal on powerplay to make it 5-2. Before Pittsburgh's second goal, the game was about as close as a hooker's meat curtains.
Tomas Kaberle caught mid-release while humping Alex Steen's leg in celebration of Steen's goal.
The story of the game was Jiri Tlusty. In his first NHL game, he scored twice including netting the game winner. Sexy time! It should be noted that his first ever NHL goal merely hit him in the ass and bounced in, so he can't be given too much credit for it...but he was in the right place, and a good portion of hockey talent is being positionally sound. His second goal was both boner-inducing and the game winner. He took a pass from Pavel Kubina at full speed, drove up the left side, and beat Marc Andre Fleury far side.
Crybaby Crosby had a goal and an assist to lead his team. Sidney is having a great season - three goals, all against Toronto's poor defense. Fuck, I'd have more than 3 goals on the year playing with Evgeni Malkin. And I wouldn't bitch nearly as much as Sidney does. A partial list of mediocre talent that currently have more goals than Crosby: Niklas Hagman, Jiri Novotny, and Penguins 4th liner Maxime Talbot. Very impressive!
It's frustrating to watch Canadian hockey media annoint Crosby as saviour and messiah even while he badly underperforms and fellow Canadians Paul Stastny, Mike Cammelleri, and Rick Nash - to name but a few - are dominating the league nightly. No doubt Crosby is a franchise centre, but does he really need a reacharound after every point? Fuckkkk.
Even his own coach is responsible: when his line doesn't produce points, his wingers are immediately shuffled, as if it isn't possible that Crosby can have a stretch of bad games, or as if Crosby isn't capable of being the reason behind he slump. It's madness I tell you!
Don't Look Now... - Pavel Kubina leads all Leafs in icetime, and leads all defenders in assists and points.
Tonight the Leafs are in Pittsburgh to play the Penguins. The last time these teams played eachother, the Pens had 52 shots on goal. If that happens again, Toronto is looking at another loss, plain and simple. It is extremely difficult to win games when you allow 50+ shots, especially to a team with this amount of firepower.
For the first time in several games, the Leafs will face a #1 goaltender, as Marc Andre Fleury will play tonight. Fleury has looked pretty bad for most of the season, although he picked up a shutout last time out.
The Leafs have again called up players from the Marlies - this time Jiri Tlusty and Staffan Kronwall are up. Tlusty will definitely play tonight, and has been practicing with Nik Antropov and Boyd Devereaux. Kronwall may get a chance to play if Bryan McCabe can't. McCabe may not play tonight due to an ambiguous 'muscle strain'. I find it really hard to believe that there is anything wrong with Bryan McCabe - the only thing he has strained is his coach's patience.
This video is a nice analogy to the trainwreck that is the Leafs' season so far. Miss South Carolina's brilliant, Ricky-from-Trailer-Park-Boys answer at Miss Teen USA 2007:
Steve Simmons thinks JFJ should be fired...and his article about it isn't half bad.
Howard Berger thinks there is a chance Brian Burke will run the Leafs...but his article isn't nearly as good.
Bill Watters thinks the Leafs should trade Sundin...and it's tough to disagree with him. This team cannot and will not win the Stanley Cup this season, or next. Turning Mats into high-end prospects while he is still producing at a superstar's level only makes sense. This article is only really a recap of what Watters said on Leafs Lunch yesterday, so don't both to read it if you listen to the show.
James Duthie is about as funny as rape...James, you try too hard! You're not a bad reporter, but your blogs are so amazingly unfunny that I am actually embarassed for you. His latest entry is to comedy what malt liquor is to fine wine.
Well, what do you know? The Leafs lost again - this time in a shootout - blowing an opportunity to beat the worst team in the league. It looked as if the Leafs had the upper hand going into overtime, as they tied the game with less than 10 seconds to play. But, 'twas not to be - the game went to a shootout and Atlanta put the Leafs away. When a team can put out Marian Hossa, IlyaKovalchuk, and SlavaKozlov - who is now an amazing 13 for 19 in shootouts - as their three shooters, you're in real trouble.
The last two minutes of the game were insane!. The Leafs easily had their best forecheck of the season, and their best that I remember in a long, long time. The result was the game tying goal by Alexei Ponikarovsky.
Random Game Notes: - Boyd Devereaux blew a 2 on 1 rush in the first period when he tried to saucer pass over the defenseman to Chad Kilger. Hey Boyd, why not earn a full-time spot on the team before you try the Gretzky passes?
- Paul Maurice had NikAntropov playing with the abovementionedDevereaux and Kilger for most of the game. Way to reward Antropov's strong play, Paul...stick him with 4th liners.
- Ponikarovski's 2nd period high-sticking penalty was a blown call. He had his stick lifted by an Atlanta player and it then hit another Thrasher in the face. Both the officials and the broadcasting team missed it.
- Simon Gamache took Poni's spot on the top line for a couple of shifts while Maurice him after the penalty. On Gamache's very first shift with Mats and Jason, he looked good, injecting energy and drawing a penalty.
- Antropov'spowerplay goal was all thanks to Jason Blake driving hard to the net with the puck. We haven't seen a winger with that ability on the Leafs in quite some time. So much for that experiment: Tony "Alphabet Soup" Salmelainen has left the Toronto Marlies for personal reasons and will aparently not return. As a result, he's been suspended by the organization. Salmelainen left the team for Finland 11 days ago, which, by my count, is the day after the Leafs recalled Simon Gamache. For those of you not paying attention to the Marlies, Salmelainen and Gamache were both reasonable choices to be called up from the Marlies after strong training camps. It seems Tony was bitter about not being the choice. Oh, and the 'personal reasons' that Tony cited? You guessed it: a sore vagina.
Anton Stralman has been called up in time for tonight's game against the Atlanta Thrashers. It's not yet decided whether he will play.
On one hand, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to call Stralman up just so he can watch the games in a suit. I can't see calling him up so as not to play him. Is practicing with an NHL team that much more beneficial to a young player's development than staying with his current team and becoming comfortable with his game?
On the other hand, it should be noted that the Toronto Marlies don't play at all this week until Saturday. so it's possible that Stralman has been called up simply to spend some time with the Leafs.
This is my theory: Stralman plays. The Leafs have been slowing down significantly in the third period, and even if Stralman is the 7thdefenseman dressed, he can pick up 10 minutes of icetime and (hopefully) add something to the Leafs' defensive effort. At the very least, he is a fresh face to a group that hasn't been stellar.
What is the harm in dressing 7 defensemen and only 11 forwards? Paul Maurice plays his 4th liners less than 5 minutes per game - certainly minutes that can be picked up elsewhere by other forwards. So, take out one of your 4th line wingers, and insert Stralman. There really is no down side to the move. The worst than can happen is that remaining wingers may pick up an extra shift over the course of the game in exchange for an extra man on the back end where reinforcements are surely needed.
I am looking forward to the game for two reasons: [1] Atlanta is one of the few teams currently worse than the Leafs. [2] The bloodbath (147 penalty minutes) 9-1 game almost exactly two years ago. Obviously, the teams have changed since that game - so there is about zero chance history will repeat - but it still stands out as one of the biggest hockey boners in hockey boner history. A guy can dream, can't he?
Darcy Tucker's facial expression in this picture is the exact expression every girl has the first time she tries anal sex. It burrrrrns!
As first reported by sportsnet.ca, Darcy Tucker is out indefinitely with damaged ligaments in his right knee. Sportsnet ran with a "Leafs dealt major blow" headline, but considering Tucker's average play thusfar, I'm not sure how major this blow is.
There's a fellatio joke in there somewhere, but I'm not witty enough to find it.
No timeline has been set for Tucker's return. Considering the Leafs' bad luck with injuries lately, I have a feeling that Mark Bell will be in the lineup well before Darcy Tucker returns.
Warning: I see a few similarities between how the Tucker injury is being handled and the Wellwood injury of a few weeks ago. The Leafs tried to downplay Wellwood's injury and were ambiguous with a timeline for return...and we all know how that turned out. Wellwood still hasn't played a game this year. Considering that, Darcy should be back playing about a week after the Earth crashes into the sun.
Saturday Night: I was at the Air Canada Centre for the game - standing room, of course - and the only reason I didn't leave disappointed was because I got drunk off my ass. No alcohol allowed in standing room? Pfft.
Another blown lead against another back-up goaltender. What has often been overlooked in the talk about the Leafs' facing mostly back-ups is this: like Chicago on Saturday night, the reason they are facing back-up goalies is that their opponents have usually been in the second of games on back-to-back nights. In theory the opposition is more tired and should have less in the tank as the game wears on than do the Leafs. This is the part of the blown leads that I have yet to wrap my head around. How does a team that has a good reason to slow down in the third blow past a team that doesn't?
Despite the loss, Tomas Kaberle was +4, Pavel Kubina was +3, and Bryan McCabe was -2. Number 24 in your program, number 24 in your hearts.
If I were Paul Maurice... Here's the thing: the Leafs' current third period system leaves a little to be desired. Blowing this many leads this early in the season is inexcusable. Since the Leafs have played much better through the first two periods, why not abandon the defensive lockdown that we've seen lead to disaster? Why not continue the highly offensive system that is getting the team leads in the first place? It's definitely not traditional thinking, but their system is broken, and badly needs to be fixed.
Eklund I've not mentioned him before, but Eklund - the anonymous hockey blogger over at Hockeybuzz.com - does some decent work. If you've not heard of him, this is the gist of the site: it is devoted to NHL rumours and opinion, and it's rare to see a trade or other personnel change in the league without its mention on Hockeybuzz.com first. Eklund has seemingly infinite sources and brings interesting rumours almost daily.
Of course, he is to hockey reporting what Robin Williams is to comedy: tell 200 jokes a minute and one is bound to be funny. So, while Eklund nails almost every move, he also reports many more that never materialize. Anyhow, he entertained me this morning with his article, entitled Why the Leafs should and could trade Kaberle. I don't know how realistic it is, but its worth a read nonetheless. It includes this quote from a source, which I liked. "it is widely known that the Leafs are looking to pull something major." Sexy time!
The Reporters: Damien Cox is still a fuck up, and David Shoalts partially redeems himself I don't even know why I bother to bring up Damien Cox's consistent bullshit writing. In the latest The Spin, Cox berated Darcy Tucker, telling him to stick to hockey playing, and to leave the hockey reporting to the professionals. He then goes on to say Nathan Horton and Sheldon Souray are 'stupid' for fighting. If Tucker shouldn't comment on the writing, Damien, maybe you should leave the playing to the professionals? You can't have it both ways. Fuck, at the very least, re-think placing your Tucker-should-shut-the-fuck-up comment immediately before your Horton-and-Souray-shouldn't-be-fighting comments. You suck, Cox (see what I did there?!)
I don't know what got into David Shoalts. He wrote something worthwhile today. Maybe that was a little harsh - his articles are normally worthwhile in that I'd consider using them to wrap up an aborted fetus - you know, for a cleaner disposal - after making a rusty coat hanger the envy of all its friends. In terms of reading however, Shoalts' articles are simply no good. Today, though, he had something good to say.
"The only real talent the Toronto organization shows is the ability to root through the fans' pockets, snatching up every last nickel. We saw that again last week, when team owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment put the squeeze on mom-and-pop bar owners for extra payments for Leafs TV.
If only these guys could show the same, ahem, talent for team-building."
The Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 last night on the strength of a late Nik Antropov goal. Not the best game that the Leafs have played, but often you don't have to play all that well to beat a bad team, especially when they play their back-up goaltender.
(Side note: about half of the Leafs' games thusfar have been against the opposing team's back-up. When they start seeing first string goalies, is this season going to get worse? Fuck, can it get worse?)
The understatement of the season is that the game had a strange ending. My summary of the shift that led up to the game-winning goal 19:32 of the third period: Ian White carries the puck into the Florida zone, and is blatantly hit from behind by Jozef Stumpel. No penalty is called. Seeing the non-call, White stands up to give Stumpel a couple of gloved punches to the kisser, and then goes as far as to drop his gloves and grab Stumpel. Somehow, no penalties are called here either. As the cameras get away from the argey bargey, they immediately show Jay Bouwmeester on a partial breakaway against Vesa Toskala. Bouwmeester makes a nifty move, deking to his forehand and sliding the puck under Toskala's stick...except Vesa gets just enough to keep the puck out. The save is really fucking fantastic. Like, risk-having-29-simultaneous-orgasms-if-you-watch-the-replay fantastic. The Leafs bring the puck back into Florida's zone and Nik Antropov slams home a rebound to win the game.
Two uncalled penalties and one insane save on the same shift allowed the Leafs to win. Those penalties are called 99 times out of 100, and Bouwmeester scores 9 times out of 10 on that play. If I were gay, I'd say the stars aligned for the Leafs last night.
Random Game Notes: - A small but impressive move by Paul Maurice: he switched his defensive pairings, putting Ian White and Pavel Kubina - offensive d-men who don't normally play together - on the ice for a shift immediately after the Leafs had a pressure-filled powerplay. By doing this, Maurice kept the great momentum from the powerplay going while getting a line change.
- Nearing the end of the second period, the Leafs kept an incredible forecheck going in the Panthers' zone for more than a couple of minutes. It began with a powerplay, and continued when a Panthers player lost his stick, effectively lengthening the powerplay. They didn't score, but that type of pressure creates scoring chances and draws penalties like nobody's business.
- A theory on why Vesa Toskala has looked so good for the Leafs thusfar, despite posting terrible numbers: his rebound control is terrible. Vesa will make the initial save, but give up gigantic rebounds, the likes of which the Leafs' defense is ill-equipped to handle. It seems his sub-par rebound control, in addition to the Leafs' sub-par defensive zone coverage may be leading to inflated statistics.
On Bryan McCabe:
Certainly a better game. He scored a goal - on the other net for a change. The fans didn't boo him. His defensive coverage was better (although still not Chris Pronger-esque). Paul Maurice had him back on the #1 powerplay unit. Life was good for Bryan last night. I for one certainly hope he continues to improve his play like he did last night.
I did notice something odd that I feel is worth mentioning here. I really think that there was an agenda - both by Paul Maurice and the LeafsTV team - to help McCabe out of his slump via public perception. It may just be me that noticed this - and I guarantee that the average meathead Leafs fan didn't notice - but I believe something was up.
A couple of the many examples: [Maurice] As mentioned above, Bryan was back on the #1 powerplay unit to start the game. Had he been inserted halfway through the game, I would take no issue with this. But after arguably his worst professional game of hockey wherein he was demoted to 2nd unit status, what is the coach's reason to switch him back to his previous role? Certainly not his performance. Methinks coach Maurice tried to get fan confidence back in Bryan by feigning confidence of his own.
[LeafsTV] Maybe they were instructed to stay positive with Bryan and mention only his better plays, but when Greg Millen remarked "Good play by McCabe" when he softly wristed the puck toward the net on a powerplay, he really jumped the shark. There is one thing that nobody can ever take away from Bryan McCabe - he has a fucking incredible slapshot from the point. One might even say that his whole contract can be attributed to his slapshot. One might go even further and say that the team is paying 5.75 million a year for a slapshot. So, when McCabe wrists the puck at the net instead of using his weapon, it's an average play at best. I really think Millen was overcompensating and trying to get the public off McCabe's back.
Rosie DiManno, you ignorant slut: Keeping with McCabe (kinda), there was an especially shitty article in The Star today. DiManno opens with the (depressing) story of Bruce Gardner, a potential superstar baseball player that committed suicide because he failed to reach his athletic potential. Then, she goes on to mention Donnie Moore and Willard Hershberger, major league baseball players that also killed themselves. Why did Rosie put these athletes' names - including graphic details of their suicides - on newsprint? As a lame fucking introduction to her lame fucking article about famous fuck-ups in sport. This is how she tied in the deaths of athletes to the McCabe situation:
"Some people, even hard-nosed professional athletes, take these things tragically to heart. Just something to think about, next time a feral crowd is baying for McCabe's head."
Jesus Fucking Christ Rosie. have some fucking decency - you just brought up the tragic deaths of three men in order to call for a little leniency for Bryan McCabe. The situations are so astonishingly different I can't even fathom how you had the gall to make that comparison. Rosie DiManno, you deserve to have something bad happen to you today - you know, other than the whole face-like-a-dishrag thing you have going on.
And one more thing: Munsoning the national anthem never goes out of style:
There has been a backlash of sorts against Leaf fans that attend games live. Several scribes, including Howard Berger and Damien Cox, have intimated that the Leafs should go easy on Bryan McCabe - current fans' whipping boy - because booing him is both offside and counterproductive.
What the fuck? Are these dicks really chastising the Leaf fans for being passionate? For demanding quality play in exchange for gigantic contracts? Aren't these the same Leafs fans that are oft-criticized for blindly following the team and filling the building despite decades of mediocrity? Now that they buck the trend and let the mediocre team hear about their mediocrity they're similarly condemned? Fuck. That. Seems like Leafs fans can't win (just like the team...HEYO!).
Any player - Bryan McCabe or otherwise - should get the piss taken out of them for consistent shitty play. Not simply one bad game, but several. And in fairness to the meatheads that visit the ACC, I certainly don't remember Leafs fans booing McCabe on opening night, nor Andrew Raycroft on opening night last season, nor Larry Murphy on opening night several years ago.
Maybe a certain coach should be putting certain players on the ice less if they are playing poorly. The view from the pressbox for a game can be quite beneficial. It's a wake up call both to the underachieving player and the team as a whole that consistent substandard play won't be tolerated on a team that isn't talented enough to compensate.
Bryan McCabe - or McGaybe as one especially witty goatee'd Leaf fan so eloquently said last night - did his best Steve Smith impression and scored on his own net in overtime to hand the game to the Sabres.
McCabe was ripped into by every Toronto newspaper this morning - as he should have been. Damien Cox's article this morning was significantly less shitty than normal. He proposes that both McCabe and the team might be better served if he was Larry Murphy'd out of town. Now, I'm not ready to go that far, but Cox's point is well made - if McCabe continues to disappoint, fans at the ACC will literally lynch him and, at the very least, that's not good for business.
The game winning goal aside, McCabe looked terrible again last night. Paul Maurice was nice enough to stick up for McCabe in his post-game conference, "He did lots of good things, he blocked shots, and that's what he's got to take away from this game." Very nice of you to say that, Paul, but - aside from McCabe not being credited with one single blocked shot - this is the same McCabe that you effectively benched last night during minutes of any significance. For instance, McCabe played only 1:12 during powerplays - Pavel Kubina received 5:58 of PP icetime.
Paul Maurice knows exactly how bad Bryan McCabe is playing. McCabe's quality icetime has dropped dramatically in the last couple of games to reflect Maurice's waning confidence in his highest-paid player. He has been relegated to picking up the garbage minutes where he can't hurt the team as much.
Maybe McCabe's hockey career is like a junkie's life - it can never truly be turned around until rock bottom is hit. Well Bryan, last night was rock bottom. You are at a crossroads - continue to play like Aki Berg, or cowboy up and earn your fucking money. We all know what you are capable of, but do you?
Now that we have the anti-McCabe propaganda over with, I'll note that he wasn't the worst player on the ice last night. The Leafs' first line of Blake, Sundin, and Steen were -11 in the 3rd period alone. Ouch. Pavel Kubina didn't respond all that well to receiving McCabe's quality icetime.
The Kilger, Antropov, and Pohl line looked fantastic when they played together. Notice how well Chad Kilger played last night when paired with NikAntropov? Not a coincidence. Did you see Antropov's backhand, no look, tape-to-tape pass through two Sabres that lead to Kilger's goal to make it 3-2? Wow. Boner! I've said it before, and I'll likely asy it again - Hal Gill is a monster on the penalty kill. He made a sliding glove save while down 4 on 3 that looked like it was well on its way to the back of the net. Andrew Raycroft looked very solid last night despite the loss. I am getting more and more comfortable saying that goaltending is a strength of this team, which seems fucked considering the numbers.
The Blue & White's latest bold statement:NikAntropov is the most improved player not named Martin Gerber in the NHL this season.
Selected Wisdom From My Game Notes: - The Leafs were dominated for the first several minutes of the first and third periods, and slightly less so in the second. Slow starts have been characteristic of this Leaf team so far. Here is my theory: during the first few minutes of the period, the ice is freshly cleaned and the game is much faster. The Leafs - being a team that lacks both speed and the ability to defend against it - are being exposed more easily on the fresh ice. They simply can't keep up when speed is able to flourish. When the ice is choppy, the benefits of speed are less pronounced, and the Leafs fare much better.
- Fucking TV time-outs. An especially good save by Andrew Raycroft in the first period had the building buzzing and the team pumped. A seemingly 12 minute commercial break quickly followed, effectively ruining the moment. How's that for home ice advantage for the Sabres?
- The book on Raycroft is officially out. Every shot from the point on Sabres' powerplays was high. Normally, point shots are low to increase chances of tipping the puck. Methinks opposing teams are furthering their attempts to exploit his weakness.
- I dare say that GregMillen's excellent (but objective) evaluation of NikAntropov's great play would have gone unsaid if Harry Neale was still in the booth. Harry was not one of Nik's biggest admirers, and often took the opportunity to slag him.
- Kilger's second goal was undoubtedly the best Holy Mackinaw of the year. Joe Bowen's enthusiasm made me physically smile.
There was an interesting article in The Hockey News yesterday. Interesting because it was basically the exact article that The Blue & White posted only hours earlier. We here at The Blue & White know we're pretty kickass, but to have the most respected hockey publication in the world blatantly plagiarize our work...well, that's just fucking fantastic. Check out their opinion on the goaltending, and the defense. Copycats!
So, there you have it - The Blue & White is as smart as The Hockey News, except with more cursing, the occasional link to pictures of beautiful women, and a constant desire to put down meat head Leafs fans everywhere. And when are those ever bad things?
On To Something You Actually Care About: The Leafs are in Buffalo tonight to take on the Sabres. After a slow start, the Sabres are rounding into form - last game they fired 53 shots at the Washington Capitals on their way to a 7 goal performance. The Leafs do not want to face a Sabres team that is on its game. The good news for the Leafs is that Ryan Miller may sit the game out as he has played every game for the Sabres thusfar, and has recently lost a close cousin to cancer. Ouch.
If you can, make sure to watch the Sabres' regional coverage of the game. You'll get to listen to the best play-by-play man in the business - Rick Jeanneret - call the game with Harry Neale by his side. After covering the Leafs' regional broadcasts for 25 years (and continuing at Hockey Night In Canada), Neale knows the Leafs as well as anyone. He isn't the Harry Neale of old to be sure, but being able to listen to Mr. Jeanneret call a game is easily worth putting up with a few of Harry's blunders.
With the loss last night against Pittsburgh, the Leafs are now last in the league in goals against. The team has allowed 24 goals in 6 games. With stats like that, it's as if the Leafs are playing the 1985 Oilers every single game. Simply fucking brutal.
I normally have no problem laying some (or most) of the blame on sub-par goaltending, but this season I can't go there. Toskala and Raycroft haven't been terrible. In fact, I'd call them one of the strengths of the team thusfar.
So, where is the breakdown coming from? Here's a hint:
Yep, you heard it here: the defense has been fucking terrible. Actually, you probably heard it somewhere else too, because the Leafs inability to stop the opposing team's attack is sticking out like a NASCAR fan at the ballet.
I have to say - last night, the loss was pretty much all Bryan McCabe's fault. The Penguins handed him a plate full of his ass with all the trimmings. He was -3 with 3 needless minor penalties taken. Moreover, a McCabe gaffe led to a NikAntropov penalty after Nik bailed out his defenseman.
I would personally eat an entire dead seagull off the beach to rid the team of the remainder of Bryan McCabe's ridiculous contract. Spending over 7 million per year on a guy that should realistically be a 4thdefenseman and powerplay specialist is absolutely disgusting. McCabe is the highest paid Maple Leaf. He is the seventh highest paid player and third highest paid defenseman in the league (behind NicklasLidstrom (7.6M) and Zdeno Chara (7.5M)). He cannot be waived, traded, or sent to the minors because of a no movement clause in his contract. It could be said that even when he plays well, his contract is holding the team back. He is the iceberg that is sinking this ship.
The team should be paying McCabe 3 million less than they are - adding another 3 million dollar player to this team, or a superstar at the trading deadline would make the team a realistic competitor in the playoffs. Instead, the Leafs are doomed to barely make the playoffs (...or not) with a payroll that resembles the top teams in the league.
Who knew? The Leafs are tied for first in the league in goals scored with 22. The co-leaders are the Ottawa Senators who [1] have the best line in hockey, and [2] have played one more game. Sexy time!
p.s. Don't look now but NikAntropov looks pretty fantastic so far.
As an avid fan of your Toronto Maple Leafs, I feel that I must bring something to your immediate attention. While your business model is paying fantastic financial dividends, there is one glaring weakness (other than the complete lack of success on the playing surface) that should really be addressed.
I believe this issue is alienating intelligent fans, who would otherwise devote more of their time, energy, and (most importantly) money to your Leafs. This may also partially explain why the majority of fans of your Leafs are about as smart as a Miss Nunavut contestant who has been huffing gasoline under power lines since childhood. You've done something terribly wrong and smart people are noticing.
Now that I've explained the gravity of the situation, we can move to the problem itself: Kernkraft 400. As a high-level executive of a large corporation, you may not be familiar with Kernkraft 400. I'll explain: Kernkraft 400 is a song by a mediocre German techno band called Zombie Nation. It's their biggest single, and they are dubbed a "one hit wonder" because of it. You, or someone in your organization, has chosen to play this song at Leafs home games when the team scores a goal. I'm sure you recognize the song now. If not, here is a link to the video:
You may or may not realize how bad this song is. Seriously, it has to go. It sounds like a song they'd play at Remington's during Extra Gay night. I don't want to meet the person that can listen to that song over and over without losing the will to live. It's that bad.
Last night's game really brought the issue to the breaking point. After 8 Leaf goals, I was forced to listen to that horrendous song eight times. As much as I can tell, the lyrics are, "ohohohOHoh ohohohohOHohohoh ohohOHoh". I may be in the minority here, but gibberish lyrics don't pump me up. They don't make me happy. If anything, I get confused when I hear that song because on one hand, the team has just scored, but on the other I feel a deep sense of shame burning inside of me because my favourite team associates itself with what is surely the favourite song of every registered sex offender in the city.
I need that song gone. I hope that we can come to some sort of agreement here. I propose a simple trade. I get a new song when the Leafs score, and you can literally have anything in my life. My girlfriend? My car? My soul? Anything. Just change that fucking song!
The Leafs shook off a terrible game 2 nights before and took it to the New York Islanders last night. A visual representation of last night's game:
Pwned!
It's 10:30 the next morning and my boner has almost gone away. Uh oh...I just thought about Tomas Kaberle's goal and now it's back. What a fucking move! Two things about that goal: [1] That was the nicest goal of Kaberle's career. Period. [2] That is the most worked up you'll ever see Tomas Kaberle. After scoring, Kabbie jumped up into the boards in celebration with a smile from ear to ear. This is a guy that could win an all-access pass to Megan Fox's ass and not crack a smile. At this point, the only thing that can kill this erection is a picture of Sarah Jessica Parker's manly biceps. Thanks, SJP, I can always count on you!
The real news after last night's game was that Mats Sundin broke a couple of major team records. He passed Darryl Sittler to become the all-time leader in both goals (390) and points (917). Bones it! After having an assist (that would have broken the all-time points record) called back, Sundin banked a pass off the Islanders defense into the net. Not a picturesque goal, but a record breaker nonetheless. When I watched the audience give Mats a (second) standing ovation, followed by the chanting of his name, I could think only one thing: Mats Sundin is sports in Toronto. Good on him.
Good games were had by many last night. Matt Stajan had 4 points, was +4, and led all forwards in powerplay icetime. Andrew Raycroft stopped 30 of 31 shots - the one that went in was an expert tip-in by Ruslan Redotenko - for the win. Simon Gamache and Andy Wozniewski both scored their first goals as Maple Leafs. I was also impressed by Alex Steen (1G on a fantastic breakaway move) and Pavel Kubina (2A and superb special-teams play).
That was exactly the game the team needed after the loss to Carolina.
Woodward and Bernstein they are not: David Shoalts of The Globe and Mail and Damien Cox of The Toronto Star were quick to point out the negative in the Leafs' big win. Both of these men lambasted the Leafs - after their 7-1 loss to Carolina - for being hopelessly sub par, and ill-equipped to compete with the better teams in the NHL. Suddenly, though, when the tables turned and the Leafs have dominated an opponent, they decided to focus on how bad the Islanders were rather than how well the Leafs played. Cox's article has a misleading title - read it and you'll find his caveats.
These writers actually made excuses for the other team instead of giving the Leafs - the team they regularly cover - a little credit. Both Shoalts and Cox, it seems, are more interested in consistently presenting negative opinion about the Leafs than they are objectively evaluating the team. Boys, if you're going to give the team the gears when they lose big, they deserve a pat on the back - at the very least - when they win big.
The Leafs badly need to rebound tonight at home against the New York Islanders (7:30, LeafsTV). Their schedule is packed with home games to begin the year and they can ill afford to lose too many more - their play must improve before they burn all of their home games (ie. best opportunities to win). The Leafs must get that winning feeling back, in much the same way as a guy who finds himself sleeping with questionable talent needs something to snap him out of his rut.
This will be Jason Blake's first game against his former team. The Islanders were written off as sub-par by many (me included) before the season began. Since then, they've shown that they aren't ready to let their roster - which is thin on paper - stand in the way of winning. The Islanders are 3-1-0 so far, included back-to-back wins against the Sabres.
The Leafs have recalled Simon Gamache (who will probably play) and Anton Stralman (who probably won't) from the Marlies. Wade Belak has also been told he'll play, so it stands to reason that two other Leaf forwards will sit. The smart money is on two of Bates Battaglia (averaging 4:20 of icetimethusfar), Kris Newbury (3:47), and John Pohl (8:30). Ostensibly, Pohl is the least likely to sit out as he plays the most and is the centreman, but on the other hand he has looked especially bad of late, and his icetime has dropped from over 10 minutes in the first two games to under 6.5 in the second two. Most reports indicate Pohl will be the one to play.
I like this move. None of the three players mentioned above have played more than 7 minutes in either of the last two games. They haven't produced much when they've been on the ice - neither offense nor energy - so why not bring in two players that might? If Gamache and Belak don't do much better, the only harm done is that your 4th line, 6 minutes-per-game player is slightly different. The upside to the move is greater than the downside.
I imagine that Andrew Raycroft will get the start tonight. VesaToskala may need a little time off after the Carolina Hurricanes raised his goals-against average higher than Don Cherry's blood pressure. Even as the Toronto media verbally raped the Leafs for the loss on Tuesday, not one article that I've seen (and I make an effort to see 'em all) has put any hint of blame on Toskala. However, I think it'd be hard not to start Raycroft after all of the talk of a 'great goaltending tandem' coming from Leafs' brass to begin the season. If half of that great tandem doesn't start after the other half gives up 7 goals, when will he?
Another question surrounding the game tonight: will Alexei Ponikarovsky play? He hurt himself in practice while battling with Chad Kilger, and reports have the injury ranging from minor to serious. He is a game-time decision. Assuming he plays, these are the line combinations being reported for tonight: Blake SundinSteen GamacheStajan Tucker PonikarovskyDevereauxAntropov KilgerPohlBelak
Credit given when credit is due: Steve Simmons - who is usually a windbag of the highest order - had a good article today. If you're too lazy to check it out via that hyperlink, the gist is that JFJ's lack of long-term planning has saddled the Leafs with three exceptionally high priced defensemen - two of which are simply not producing as expected - that will prevent the team from succeeding for the duration of the contracts. Sure, it has been said before, but the article is worth a read nonetheless.
I frequently disagree with what is written by Toronto sports media. This is never a big deal - as sports writing is often opinion, which is obviously quite subjective - but this morning was flat out embarrassing. Two examples are below:
- Damien Cox - Your articles are generally poor, but you're becoming the Richard Griffin of hockey. Are you two giving eachother reacharounds in the staff room at the Star? You had this to say today:
"The team's top paid players - Mats Sundin (two goals in his last 24 games), Bryan McCabe, Tomas Kaberle, Darcy Tucker (pointless, minus-5 already) - have been inconsistent or mediocre so far."
Fuck Damien, you really dislike fact don't you? In your list of the top paid players, you've omitted Jason Blake and Pavel Kubina, both of whom earn more than Tucker. Both have played well thusfar. Moreover, Mats Sundin has neither looked inconsistent or mediocre - and what kind of hack brings up a goal scoring drought from a year ago? Only the worst kind. You have correctly identified three of the six top paid players as ineffective, but this isn't a witch hunt Damien, give the people the facts.
- Bill Lankhof- I lost a ton of respect for this hurtbag today. A direct quote from Lankhof's article this morning:
"When the best players on the ice are the guy with cancer and the goalie, you know it's bad."
Bill, the guy with cancer?!? What the fuck? What kind of scumbag brings that up? Jason Blake was man enough to share his affliction with the world and you are brandying it about like that? The man broke down in tears during his press conference and you pull a bullshit move like that, as if he is some charity case. Moreover, when is it ever 'bad' that your goalie is the best player on the ice? Isn't that the basis of every strong hockey club? Take your pock scarred face and Go. Fuck. Yourself.
The Leafs were taken to town last night in a big, big way. They were beat 7-1 by the Carolina Hurricanes. I watched the game at a local watering hole with a few typical Leaf fans, and was half-wasted when I left because I really felt the need to drink away my sorrows. When I got home, I took out my anger on my wife and had the dog put to sleep.
There wasn't much good to talk about on the Leafs' side. The collective effort was piss poor. I haven't seen a contest this lopsided since I knocked Chuck Norris out with a roundhouse kick to the face. I will say this though: I have never seen a goaltender look so good while letting in seven goals. Half of my notes from the game last night are directly related to boneriffic Toskala saves. If they'd had any effect on the outcome of the game, I'd call them 'game savers'.
The fact is that the Leafs were trounced, and I can't point out any player that played well, because that's like pointing out the best Nickelback song - you'd still rather jam an EpiPen in your ear than hear it. What I will say - and this is the most positive I can be at this point - is that I have not seen Jason Blake make a mistake all year. His play hasn't been spectacular, but he is showcasing a very solid all-around game.
After a 7-1 loss, I feel perfectly comfortable talking about those that looked especially shitty...like Pauly-Shore-in-a-dramatic-role shitty:
- Bryan McCabe - Dude, you ran into the back of your own net under the slightest pressure while on a powerplay. And that wasn't even the worst mistake you made. Did they forget to tell you you're the highest paid player on the team? Fuck!
- Darcy Tucker - You haven't looked good on one shift all season. Not one. What the fuck was your off-season workout routine, putting up drywall? Get your head out of your ass!
- John Pohl - Last year you had a drive that kept you in the NHL despite a lack of high-end talent. This year, that drive seems to have disappeared and you are looking more and more like a career minor league player. You better hope Mark Bell's suspension lasts forever.
Thanksgiving weekend in Canada meant little interweb access for The Blue & White, and the following is a summary of the two most important events missed:
[1] Jason Blake has cancer. [2] See #1.
Blake’s form of cancer is Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). It's an increase in white blood cells that originate in bone marrow. It is classified as chronic because the cells develop very gradually - slower than normal cells - but last quite a bit longer and build up in the body.
Blake's pre-season physical uncovered the cancer, and it was confirmed to him by doctors on Friday. Team doctor Noah Forman echoed the research (translation: Google search) that I've done since learning of Blake's CML - medical science has come a long way in the recent past toward treatment of this particular cancer. A pill taken once a day - nicknamed the Magic Bullet as a testament to its effectiveness - can control the cancer. There was a 100% fatality rate until a few years ago, and now has a survival rate of 85 to 90%. Best. News. Ever.
An excerpt from the CML article on Answers.com: “Before the discovery of modern therapies, patients often spent between three-and-a-half and five years in the chronic phase. Then some patients entered an accelerated phase, from which most died within 18 months. Once patients were in the terminal, blastic phase most died within six months. However, all of this has changed with the arrival of newer therapeutic techniques. Just as many patients used to die from heart attack while similar patients may now live for decades, so cancer patients are achieving longer lives.”
A fact that is obviously secondary to Blake's health is that it appears Jason can continue to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Judging by the statements given by Blake and the team over the last couple of days, it seems that CML is on the mild side of cancers. That's a bit like saying Fidel Castro is on the mild side of dictators - because cancer is cancer is cancer - but if ever there was a time for positive thinking, it is now.
After watching the Leafs' press conference, I really gained respect for Blake. He has put on a brave face and focused on the fact that his affliction is 'highly treatable' and that a long healthy life is not only possible but realistic. But when the subject of his family was brought up, Blake wept. It really put the severity of the diagnosis into perspective when I watched a grown man break down in tears at the thought of his family. This is a real threat.
Not that it means anything, but The Blue & White wishes Jason the best. If his approach to treating the CML is anything like his playing career, the cancer doesn't stand a chance.
Oh yeah, and the Leafs beat those poutine-eating scumbags from Montreal4-3 in overtime. Alexei Ponikarovski scored twice after (temporarily) taking Jason Blake's spot alongside Mats Sundin. As of Saturday night, Blake knew of his cancer, and the team did not. Imagine learning of life-changing news such as that, then immediately being demoted from the first line? I can't imagine Paul Maurice feels good about himself in hindsight.
Tomas Kaberle potted the winning goal on a powerplay. The Leafs’ powerplay had previously been ineffective, but is bound to finish in the top 10 of the league.
Random Game Notes: - Ian White’s goal was simply fantastically placed. White is an underrated offensive d-man, as he is buried in the Leafs depth chart.
- Alexei Ponikarovski’s 2nd goal wasn’t spectacular, but it showed some real skill being applied. Methinks Poni is coming of age.
- VesaToskala’s save on Patrice Brisebrois in overtime was the kind of game-saver that he has consistently shown to be capable of. That save was the reason he was picked up in the off-season.
This post is the Blue & White equivalent of going out and buying your wife six dozen roses after she finds out that you have impregnated a stripper. By that, I mean trying to do something nice after you've clearly fucked up.
Last night, I done fucked up. I missed the entire hockey game, and I am ashamed of myself. However, you are going to benefit from that, because you're getting pure gold instead of a bunch of flowers.
Today I found a compilation video from LeafsTalk that showcases several meathead (ie. average) Leaf fans that call in on a regular basis. I have no fucking idea how host Andy Frost deals with the calls. I think he tends to be a little too nice to the callers - he should take a page out of the Mike Wilner book. Wilner is the host of JaysTalk (the equivalent radio call-in show of the Jays) and without getting into too much detail, the man is a special talent that makes nearly everyone else in the business look bad.
In any event, please see below for a collection of 5 callers that will make you ashamed to call yourself a Leaf fan (I'll summarize their calls as well):
Caller 1 - Dave from Oshawa: "The Leafs need a sniper for Sundin...Get rid of Travis Green, and get Marc Savard."
Hey Dave, could you talk a little slower? You talk about as fast as Hal Gill skates. Jesus. Fucking. Christ. Is it even possible for a human brain to function that slowly?
Caller 2 - Nicky in Toronto (my personal favourite): Nicky: "...make a trade for Jason Smith and Horton" Andy Frost: "So, Jason Smith and Nathan Horton are the two players the Leafs should go after?" Nicky: "No, no, Horton that plays with Choochoo" Andy Frost: <Stunned Silence> Andy Frost: "You mean Joe Thornton? What makes you think Joe Thornton is available" Andy Frost: "Honestly, stay away from the drugs and alcohol for a few days and maybe get back to us on the weekend."
It always astonishes me when know-nothing fuckups feel the need to call into a show such as LeafsTalk. Here's a rule: If you don't know the name of a perennial Hart Trophy candidate, you have no fucking knowledge of the game of hockey. It's science. What kind of grown man is named Nicky anyhow? Shoulda left that one in 3rd grade, asshole.
Caller 3 - Raj: "Buffalo is first place. Toronto is in the 10th place [sic]. How can you compare the two hits?"
Because the Leafs are lower in the standings than the Sabres, the Janssen hit on Kaberle is much less sever than the Neil hit on Drury. You can't fight that logic!
Caller 4 - James from Kincardine (Talking to special guest Ian White): "Did you pick the number 7?" "Who is your favourite Leaf? Johnny Bower was a number 7."
James, I know that Kincardine probably didn't provide you with the best education, and that only a select few from the town have their grade 10, but holy shit, has there ever been a goaltender that wore number 7? Johnny Bower's number 1 hangs in the rafters of the Air Canada Centre and hung in Maple Leaf Gardens before that - even a casual fan should know that, nevermind someone so into the team that they're apt to call in.
Caller 5 - Dave from Oshawa: This is likely the same douchebag from the first call. He is trying to put together a list of 5 things about the Leafs - because he is so burned out I cannot for the life of me identify what the theme of the list is - and Andy has to help him count up to five. Fuckkkkk.
Last night, post-lockout disappointment Wade Redden got into 2 fights against the Leafs - first against Kris Newbury, and second against Bates Battaglia. As a result, Redden is now the league leader in fights. He's also the league leader in post-game hotel room homoeroticism, and picture evidence below supports it. That's Wade on the right.
I am taking issue with Redden today because, in true sack of shit form, he kept his helmet on - with fucking visor - during both fights. Any man that keeps a visored helmet on during a fight is a coward. It's gutlessness at its worst - if you're fired up enough to throw punches, don't make the other fighter risk breaking or cutting his hand on your visor. Take it off, duke it out, then cool off in the box. Real men have been following this template since the league began.
Fight #1 Darcy Tucker lays a clean hit on Mike Fisher, Redden comes from behind Tucker to give him a nice cheapshotfacewash, and a melee ensues. Newbury pairs off with Redden because there are 4 Sens in the scrum and only 2 Leafs. Redden is man enough to drop the gloves, but not nearly man enough to take off his visor for the fight. Here's the video evidence:
Fight #2 - My Personal Favourite Leafs rush in, Fisher hits Devereaux to the ice. A few players creep in for a little argeybargey. It's hard to tell from the grainy video, but Battaglia shoves Fisher just as Devereaux gets up to take Fisher down. Redden - who is standing right there - punches Battaglia in the face, and both men immediately drop their gloves but keep the helmets on. A few punches are thrown, and Redden actually got the better of Battaglia during the fight. That is, until they are broken up by the linesmen and Redden's forehead shows a nice new bloody cut. At this point, Wade discovers what happens when you are punched in the visor; it will knock the helmet back onto your head until the strap prevents it from going any farther, then dig into your head usually causing a cut. Good on ya, Wade, you fucking deserve it.
Methinks Don Cherry will have something to say about the coward that is Wade Redden on Saturday night. Like Cherry or hate him, the man has always been a proponent of fair fighting (even if he can't spell or pronounce any of those words) and what Redden did last night was despicable.
