Reinforcements? Yeah, I guess...

I won't predict a win this time, but the Leafs will again welcome back two players in time for tomorrow's game against the Buffalo Sabres, as Darcy Tucker and Bryan McCabe are both scheduled to return. Hopefully, the two will provide positive contributions this time around. Both had been largely ineffective this season previous to getting injured - they could have been tossed into a bucket full of tits and they'd have come out sucking their own thumbs.

McCabe's return meant that Anton Stralman has been returned to the AHL Marlies. Stralman didn't play any worse than Andy Wozniewski or Ian White during his time with the Leafs, but his rookie status meant he didn't have to clear waivers to be sent down, whereas the other two would have.

It'll be interesting to see who Tucker replaces in the lineup. Expect a 4th liner - one of Chad Kilger, John Pohl, or Boyd Devereaux - to sit in Tucker's place. Of the three, Devereaux seems the most likely to sit. He plays RW (as does Tucker), plays the least of the 4th liners, and is a total bag of shit. Really, the only thing that Boyd Devereaux brings to the rink is hustle - and without skill, hustle is just not enough to compete in the NHL.

Of course, it's also possible that Jiri Tlusty will be sent back to the Marlies now that the Leafs have all of their forwards ready. He's played really fucking well thusfar, and I'd like to see him stay with the big club. The only reason he is in the AHL in the first place is to make him ready for the NHL...and it seems he may already be there.

Bones It!
Mark Bell didn't play all that much in his first game of the season. He did, however, impress me late in the game when he went after Chris Neil for taking a run at Jiri Tlusty. If you're not too familiar with Mark Bell's game, know this: the man isn't afraid to fight. If you want to chuck fists with Mark Bell, he'll chuck fists. I posted this video in the summer, but here it is again: Mark Bell breaking Jon Sim's orbital bone in a fight. Boner!