The Leafs play the New York Islanders tonight, in another meaningless game. Had things gone right at the trading deadline a few weeks back, the Leafs would be playing against Bryan McCabe tonight. Sadly, McCabe will likely still do as much to help the Islanders win as if he had been traded.
(Side Note: McCabe has 5 goals and 22 points this season. 4 of those goals and 15 of those points have come on the powerplay that he quarterbacked into a bottom five ranking. So, ya, our 5.75 million dollar man has 1 fucking goal and 6 fucking assists at even strength. And, considering that earlier in the year he scored on his own net and gave the puck to an opponent who took it and scored a game-winning overtime breakaway goal, McCabe has -1 goals at even strength. Nicely done, Bryan. Nicely done.)
Both Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov - you know, our top two scorers and 2/3 of the first line - will not play. Instead, Alex Steen will play with Jiri Tlusty and Jeremy Williams. I don't know whether this is still considered the top line when the two best players are out, but one thing is for sure: this line is going to get knocked around more than an Irishman's wife on St. Patrick's Day.
There is really only one reason to watch tonight's game between two non-playoff teams, and that reason goes by the name of Kyle Okposo. The #7 overall pick from the 2006 draft will make his NHL debut tonight after leaving college a couple of months ago and playing at a near point-per-game pace in the AHL. He is the genuine article; considered the next Jarome Iginla by many.
The difference in skill level between the #7 drafted Okposo and the #13 drafted Jiri Tlusty should give any typical Leafs fan reading today a great lesson on the importance of high draft choices. This lesson is sorely needed, as even team management doesn't seem to understand. The Leafs' recent winning streak - with all its faux excitement and futility - only served to reduce the chances of nabbing an Okposo. Adding another Tlusty to this team won't help a damn thing.
Simmons Giving Up The Goods...For Once
On Sunday, Steve Simmons did something he doesn't often do: he wrote something of value. Pondering the Mats Sundin trade that never was, Simmons outed the exact deal that was to be. Deals that don't come to fruition (for whatever reason) do not often become public information.
The deal was Sundin for Christopher Higgins, and Montreal's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks this year.
As if Mats' decision - and subsequent catching fire - didn't sting enough, this deal is like sliding down a razorblade into a pool of salty vinegar. OK, so it isn't as good as the Bobby Ryan + Edmonton's 1st round pick deal that Anaheim may have offered, but that deal was more of a rumour than anything else. Brian Burke even denied it publicly.
This deal, however went right to Sundin. It was the real deal. Christopher Higgins would have stepped into a top 6 forward position right away. Montreal's draft picks would be low (25th overall if the season ended today), but that low pick is a great pick in this year's strong draft. Compare the value of a 24 year old player and three 18 year old prospects to a 37 year old in a one-year deal.
My Two Cents...
This totally isn't Leafs related, but I have no idea how Chris "Impregnated The Local TV News Anchor, Causing A Domestic Dispute So Big It Ran Him Right Out Of Town" Pronger got off so lightly after stomping on Ryan Kesler's leg with his skate. Colin Campbell of the NHL believes that the circumstances were different than the leg stomp that recently landed Chris Simon a 30 game suspension. Believe Campbell if you want to, but one thing to come of the situation is for certain: even the NHL finds a way to dick around natives.
(Side Note: McCabe has 5 goals and 22 points this season. 4 of those goals and 15 of those points have come on the powerplay that he quarterbacked into a bottom five ranking. So, ya, our 5.75 million dollar man has 1 fucking goal and 6 fucking assists at even strength. And, considering that earlier in the year he scored on his own net and gave the puck to an opponent who took it and scored a game-winning overtime breakaway goal, McCabe has -1 goals at even strength. Nicely done, Bryan. Nicely done.)
Both Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov - you know, our top two scorers and 2/3 of the first line - will not play. Instead, Alex Steen will play with Jiri Tlusty and Jeremy Williams. I don't know whether this is still considered the top line when the two best players are out, but one thing is for sure: this line is going to get knocked around more than an Irishman's wife on St. Patrick's Day.
There is really only one reason to watch tonight's game between two non-playoff teams, and that reason goes by the name of Kyle Okposo. The #7 overall pick from the 2006 draft will make his NHL debut tonight after leaving college a couple of months ago and playing at a near point-per-game pace in the AHL. He is the genuine article; considered the next Jarome Iginla by many.
The difference in skill level between the #7 drafted Okposo and the #13 drafted Jiri Tlusty should give any typical Leafs fan reading today a great lesson on the importance of high draft choices. This lesson is sorely needed, as even team management doesn't seem to understand. The Leafs' recent winning streak - with all its faux excitement and futility - only served to reduce the chances of nabbing an Okposo. Adding another Tlusty to this team won't help a damn thing.
Simmons Giving Up The Goods...For Once
On Sunday, Steve Simmons did something he doesn't often do: he wrote something of value. Pondering the Mats Sundin trade that never was, Simmons outed the exact deal that was to be. Deals that don't come to fruition (for whatever reason) do not often become public information.
The deal was Sundin for Christopher Higgins, and Montreal's 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks this year.
As if Mats' decision - and subsequent catching fire - didn't sting enough, this deal is like sliding down a razorblade into a pool of salty vinegar. OK, so it isn't as good as the Bobby Ryan + Edmonton's 1st round pick deal that Anaheim may have offered, but that deal was more of a rumour than anything else. Brian Burke even denied it publicly.
This deal, however went right to Sundin. It was the real deal. Christopher Higgins would have stepped into a top 6 forward position right away. Montreal's draft picks would be low (25th overall if the season ended today), but that low pick is a great pick in this year's strong draft. Compare the value of a 24 year old player and three 18 year old prospects to a 37 year old in a one-year deal.
My Two Cents...
This totally isn't Leafs related, but I have no idea how Chris "Impregnated The Local TV News Anchor, Causing A Domestic Dispute So Big It Ran Him Right Out Of Town" Pronger got off so lightly after stomping on Ryan Kesler's leg with his skate. Colin Campbell of the NHL believes that the circumstances were different than the leg stomp that recently landed Chris Simon a 30 game suspension. Believe Campbell if you want to, but one thing to come of the situation is for certain: even the NHL finds a way to dick around natives.
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