Remind me again, where are the Leafs in the standings? Yeah, that's what I thought.
The Official M.E.R.B. Hockey Thread
- Thread starter Doc Holliday
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Remind me again, where are the Leafs in the standings? Yeah, that's what I thought.
you are a funny little habbie fan now arent ya? you must be so proud your team is a mere 7 points ahead of what you call the terrible leafs , with 35 or so games to go... proud proud habbie arent you? even your buddys scapegoat team as of this day are not in the playoffs should the season be done today, but your buddy always has his real team, the hapless habs, to fall back on.......... geez, not much to fall back on now is it? 
7 points out of a playoff spot and having played badly the last 2 weeks, with a start to the season of 0-7-1, with 35 plus games to go? i will take that in the First full year of Burkes rebuilding, lots of time left to get the 8th playoff spot...
and your team jman is? lemme guess, BosDone?
and your team jman is? lemme guess, BosDone?
Says the man who's Laffs are where in the standings...
Oh, there they are...I wasn't at the bottom yet...
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Halak is a very good backup goalie. Price is the franchise. Check their stats & the calibre of teams each has faced. Enough said. I win again!
Price this year has lost games to Toronto, Edmonton, Minnesota, Atlanta, not exactly the league's top teams and Halak has beaten Toronto and Atlanta twice each. Neither goalie has beaten the Penguins and Halak has a win and a loss against Ottawa while Price has a loss. So when you measure them up, I'd say that Halak comes out on top in the comparison. Halak is also unbeaten in three games against the Isles and 1 game with the Rangers and 2 wins against Atlanta, teams that the Habs absolutely have to beat if they are to make the post season.
It seems to me that Halak is able to win against the teams he really has to beat and what more can be asked of a goalie? Hopefully he will play tonight against the Devils and have a chance to prove himself to all the doubters.
In the meantime, Price has shown none of the poise and confidence that I would expect to see from a franchise goalie. He may end up being a franchise goalie but I think it will be for another team.
No bro, I told you before...I really never followed hockey, so I have adopted the typical Yankee fan mentality to selecting a fav...I went and looked to see who has the most cups?
Ahhh..The Habs...Viola! - a new Habs fan is born!
No bro, I told you before...I really never followed hockey, so I have adopted the typical Yankee fan mentality to selecting a fav...I went and looked to see who has the most cups?
Ahhh..The Habs...Viola! - a new Habs fan is born!
And if you wanted to cheer for a team who's most famous player is known for.........selling doughnuts,
you'd cheer for the Leafs. you are a funny little habbie fan now arent ya? you must be so proud your team is a mere 7 points ahead of what you call the terrible leafs , with 35 or so games to go... proud proud habbie arent you? even your buddys scapegoat team as of this day are not in the playoffs should the season be done today, but your buddy always has his real team, the hapless habs, to fall back on.......... geez, not much to fall back on now is it?
Points Before Saturday games: Detroit 50 points in 43 games
Montreal 47 points in 46 games
Toronto 39 points in 45 games
Detroit has eleven MORE points than Toronto despite playing two LESS games. This is in spite of the fact that Detroit is in a rebuilding phase. There is absolutely no comparison: Detroit is and will be among the elite teams of the league while Toronto is, has been, and will continue to be among the absolute dregs. By the way, you should ask someone to explain to you the correct meaning of the word scapegoat.
broken record
That’s what you said last week, and the week before that and the week before that and the week before that ... The Leafs are only 6 points back with 70 games to go, or 5 points back with 60 games to go, or 7 points back with 50 games to go, or 9 points back with 36 games to go ...
That’s what you said last week, and the week before that and the week before that and the week before that ... The Leafs are only 6 points back with 70 games to go, or 5 points back with 60 games to go, or 7 points back with 50 games to go, or 9 points back with 36 games to go ...
Outburst typical Ron Wilson
The Hypocritical Coach
Funny, really, to hear Ron Wilson bleating today about how unfair it is that the media is allowed to watch his practices and report on them.
This is the very same coach, ladies and gentleman, who upon coming to Toronto last season ripped the very same media people for not taking the time to watch practice carefully and to ask questions specifically related to drills and practice techniques.
Then again, Wilson often likes to play both sides. Remember him waving his Canadian passport when he was hired, telling the world about his Canadian roots and love for the country?
Then earlier this week, when asked, he made it abundantly clear his complete and total allegiance was with the U.S. in its joust for junior gold with Canada.
Now, I have absolutely no problem with Wilson being an American and cheering for the Americans in a hockey competition. But why the big show about being Canadian?
As far as his outburst at practice today, it was typical Wilson, lashing out at the media when the media has nothing to do with the state of his hockey team or the very, very mediocre job he has done in 1 1/2 seasons with the club. It was an open question how Wilson would handle the Toronto media situation after previous NHL stops in outposts like Anaheim, Washington and San Jose, and the answer has been fine from time to time, with occasional irrational moments.
Today, quite probably, was a very transparent attempt to deflect attention his team to a phony spat with the media.
Every team in the NHL has open practices. It doesn't seem to bother or slow down the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins.
Just the Leafs. Just Wilson.
And if he really thinks it's unfair that the media gets to watch practice, why in the world would he mock the media last year for not taking the time to watch practice carefully?
As far as centring out Phil Kessel for criticism today, again, that is typical Wilson. Hockey people will tell you his worst tendency as a head coach has always been that when things are good it's about him, and when things are back, it's about them.
Go ahead, dump on Kessel. He probably deserves it. Moreover, he wanted to come to Toronto to be The Guy and get paid like it, so he's going to have to learn that being The Guy isn't always wine and roses.
But Kessel could just as easily fire back and say the team would be much better if the head coach had managed to make the penalty killing something better than absolutely horrific during his entire time with the club.
Could it be that Wilson is completely frustrated that despite his years of experience he has been completely unable to get this Leaf team to improve one iota in more than 120 games?
A better question is probably this: barring significant improvement in this team over the final half of the season, what would possibly motivate GM Brian Burke to bring Wilson back next year?
http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/
The Hypocritical Coach
Funny, really, to hear Ron Wilson bleating today about how unfair it is that the media is allowed to watch his practices and report on them.
This is the very same coach, ladies and gentleman, who upon coming to Toronto last season ripped the very same media people for not taking the time to watch practice carefully and to ask questions specifically related to drills and practice techniques.
Then again, Wilson often likes to play both sides. Remember him waving his Canadian passport when he was hired, telling the world about his Canadian roots and love for the country?
Then earlier this week, when asked, he made it abundantly clear his complete and total allegiance was with the U.S. in its joust for junior gold with Canada.
Now, I have absolutely no problem with Wilson being an American and cheering for the Americans in a hockey competition. But why the big show about being Canadian?
As far as his outburst at practice today, it was typical Wilson, lashing out at the media when the media has nothing to do with the state of his hockey team or the very, very mediocre job he has done in 1 1/2 seasons with the club. It was an open question how Wilson would handle the Toronto media situation after previous NHL stops in outposts like Anaheim, Washington and San Jose, and the answer has been fine from time to time, with occasional irrational moments.
Today, quite probably, was a very transparent attempt to deflect attention his team to a phony spat with the media.
Every team in the NHL has open practices. It doesn't seem to bother or slow down the Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals or Pittsburgh Penguins.
Just the Leafs. Just Wilson.
And if he really thinks it's unfair that the media gets to watch practice, why in the world would he mock the media last year for not taking the time to watch practice carefully?
As far as centring out Phil Kessel for criticism today, again, that is typical Wilson. Hockey people will tell you his worst tendency as a head coach has always been that when things are good it's about him, and when things are back, it's about them.
Go ahead, dump on Kessel. He probably deserves it. Moreover, he wanted to come to Toronto to be The Guy and get paid like it, so he's going to have to learn that being The Guy isn't always wine and roses.
But Kessel could just as easily fire back and say the team would be much better if the head coach had managed to make the penalty killing something better than absolutely horrific during his entire time with the club.
Could it be that Wilson is completely frustrated that despite his years of experience he has been completely unable to get this Leaf team to improve one iota in more than 120 games?
A better question is probably this: barring significant improvement in this team over the final half of the season, what would possibly motivate GM Brian Burke to bring Wilson back next year?
http://thestar.blogs.com/thespin/
So is there a special provision I don't know about in hockey when the playoff teams are selected?!
If the Laffs are 1 point back with 0 games to go, do they make the playoffs?
LOL....
So is there a special provision I don't know about in hockey when the playoff teams are selected?!
If the Laffs are 1 point back with 0 games to go, do they make the playoffs?
LOL....
Hi Jman... your PMs are closed or locked and I can't find your email address.
Points AFTER Saturday games: Detroit 52 points in 44 games
Montreal 48 points in 47 games
Toronto the same miserable 39 points after (now) 46 games
In other words Detroit picked up 2, Montreal 1, and Hogtown the expected zero...to drop even further behind 27 teams as well as blowing an opportunity to increase their "lead" (ha ha) over the only two teams they are ahead of.
you answering for your "partner" now? awe, how sweet
Actually iggy I was just pointing ot some relevant statistics in this official thread. I have now provided an update on those stats in a further attempt to educate those such as yourself who seem to form opiniions without any factual basis.
Also, unlike you and your very close friend (who share a very touching love for the leafs), I have no "partner" on this board since I am the only writer here who has repeatedly stated that he is a Wings fan.
Excellent article Doc - thanks for posting it. The whole thing was accurate but in the interest of brevity I merely quoted the best parts.
So is there a special provision I don't know about in hockey when the playoff teams are selected?!
If the Laffs are 1 point back with 0 games to go, do they make the playoffs?
LOL....
If the leafs are only "1 point back with 0 games to go" they will call it a terrific season...by their "standards" that is!
By the standards of a real team, however, the leafs are an embarrassment not only to the NHL but to the great sport of hockey itself.
These are sad times for Canadian hockey teams. Other than Calgary & Vancouver, all of the other Canadian teams are struggling. Ottawa is having a hard time staying at the .500 level, and Montreal will be fighting all season long to make it into the playoffs. Toronto plays very well 5 on 5, but can't figure out how to kill penalties after years of trying. Yet, the coaches keep blaming the media & some of the players for their woes instead of taking a good look in the mirror. And Edmonton? They're playing even worse than Toronto & it's just matter of time until Pat Quinn gets fired.
To make things worse, Canada lost to the Americans in the finale game of the World Junior Championships. Sad!!
To make things worse, Canada lost to the Americans in the finale game of the World Junior Championships. Sad!!
Latendresse nets go-ahead goal, 3 assists to lead Wild past Pens
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Guillaume Latendresse hasn't been with the Minnesota Wild long enough for most of their fans to even memorize the spelling of his name.
In a short time with his new team, though, Latendresse has given the Wild all they could hope for.
Latendresse scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period after getting a career-high three assists, giving the Wild enough to beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Monday.
"He gives us a lift when we need it," said teammate Cal Clutterbuck. "He's really good down low at chewing up the block in the offensive zone, and he's been huge for us."
For a bigger forward, though, Latendresse has shown better-than-advertised skating ability. He back-checked well and drew raves from coach Todd Richards for smart, tough plays along the boards.
"His play is elevated, and you can see that he's real confident," Richards said, adding: "If he gets a step on you, you're beat. There's nothing you can do to stop him."
An audible scattering of Sid the Kid supporters were in attendance to cheer for the defending Stanley Cup champions among the fifth-largest regular-season crowd in Wild history. But Latendresse upstaged the NHL's brightest young star for a night at least, even with Crosby getting an assist and two goals.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300111030
(Minnesota fans thank Mr. Gainey for that nice gift to the Wild)
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Guillaume Latendresse hasn't been with the Minnesota Wild long enough for most of their fans to even memorize the spelling of his name.
In a short time with his new team, though, Latendresse has given the Wild all they could hope for.
Latendresse scored the go-ahead goal midway through the third period after getting a career-high three assists, giving the Wild enough to beat Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 on Monday.
"He gives us a lift when we need it," said teammate Cal Clutterbuck. "He's really good down low at chewing up the block in the offensive zone, and he's been huge for us."
For a bigger forward, though, Latendresse has shown better-than-advertised skating ability. He back-checked well and drew raves from coach Todd Richards for smart, tough plays along the boards.
"His play is elevated, and you can see that he's real confident," Richards said, adding: "If he gets a step on you, you're beat. There's nothing you can do to stop him."
An audible scattering of Sid the Kid supporters were in attendance to cheer for the defending Stanley Cup champions among the fifth-largest regular-season crowd in Wild history. But Latendresse upstaged the NHL's brightest young star for a night at least, even with Crosby getting an assist and two goals.
http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=300111030
(Minnesota fans thank Mr. Gainey for that nice gift to the Wild)
Would Kovalchuk be a fit in Toronto?
There's no reason at all to feel sympathy for Ilya Kovalchuk.
He's a rich, talented hockey player who is going to get richer soon, and he might just show next month in Vancouver on the big Olympic stage that he's even more talented than most believe.
Last time we saw the 26-year-old surrounded by this much skill, it was at the 2008 world championships in Quebec City, where he blasted home the winning goal in overtime of the gold-medal game.
But when it comes to Kovalchuk's ongoing negotiations with the Atlanta Thrashers over a new contract, it's reasonable to say that from a purely business point of view, as long as he's dealing with the Thrashers he could be looking at a lose-lose, maybe even lose-lose-lose, situation.
Imagine this scenario: Kovalchuk signs a 10-year contract with Atlanta for $10 million a year. Then, starting next year, outside economic forces push the league's escrow up from 13 per cent per paycheque to say, 20 per cent.
So now he's getting $8 million a year.
Then, in 2012, a new collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players includes another 24 per cent salary rollback and new limits on term for individual player contracts.
Finally, the Thrashers sell to new ownership, who sensibly give up on Atlanta, moving the team to Kansas City.
So Kovalchuk might end up playing for a sharply devalued, shortened contract in a city in which he doesn't want to live for owners he doesn't trust or like.
Now, it's unlikely all these dynamics would come into play, but they might.
And if you're Kovalchuk, already facing the same uncertain labour conditions as other NHL players who are part of a shattered union, why in the world would you add to your potential misery by signing with a consistent loser with ownership and attendance problems?
Still, with the brilliant sniper – 189 goals in the last four seasons – set to test unrestricted free agency July 1, his agent insists Kovalchuk "absolutely" wants to stay in Atlanta if a deal can get done.
"If they came to him and said we'll make a deal on your terms, then we'll make a deal," said agent Jay Grossman.
Atlanta GM Don Waddell, of course, hasn't been authorized to do that, and from a negotiation strategy point of view, it probably wouldn't make a lot of sense. That said, nobody seems to really know what the Atlanta Spirit ownership group headed by Bruce Levensen wants to do, either in terms of Kovalchuk and his contract demands or the overall payroll situation with the Thrashers.
Atlanta hasn't said as a team, as Nashville basically has, that it won't pay any player more than $5 million per season because it can't. The Thrashers also aren't one of those teams pounding at the salary cap ceiling. They're in-between, a team run by an ownership group that isn't sure whether it wants to keep the team, sell the team, sign Kovalchuk, trade Kovalchuk or call a timeout and ask for a lifeline.
Logic, then, suggests Kovalchuk will be on the move by the March 4 trade deadline. Waddell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that a trade "still looms as an option, but it's not my first choice."
Just as he was with Marian Hossa two years ago, however, Waddell is pretty much screwed as far as being able to make a superior trade involving Kovalchuk. He'll just do the best he can.
That may, of course, still mean Kovalchuk will be unrestricted in July, at which point locals may well ask whether Brian Burke will have interest.
Burke doesn't exactly have a track record in which he has embraced the Russian hockey culture. That said, beggars can't be choosers, and Kovalchuk at least likes to drop the gloves now and then.
Maybe he can sign Kovalchuk and claim he's the team's new enforcer.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/749480--cox-is-kovalchuk-burke-s-type
There's no reason at all to feel sympathy for Ilya Kovalchuk.
He's a rich, talented hockey player who is going to get richer soon, and he might just show next month in Vancouver on the big Olympic stage that he's even more talented than most believe.
Last time we saw the 26-year-old surrounded by this much skill, it was at the 2008 world championships in Quebec City, where he blasted home the winning goal in overtime of the gold-medal game.
But when it comes to Kovalchuk's ongoing negotiations with the Atlanta Thrashers over a new contract, it's reasonable to say that from a purely business point of view, as long as he's dealing with the Thrashers he could be looking at a lose-lose, maybe even lose-lose-lose, situation.
Imagine this scenario: Kovalchuk signs a 10-year contract with Atlanta for $10 million a year. Then, starting next year, outside economic forces push the league's escrow up from 13 per cent per paycheque to say, 20 per cent.
So now he's getting $8 million a year.
Then, in 2012, a new collective bargaining agreement between the owners and players includes another 24 per cent salary rollback and new limits on term for individual player contracts.
Finally, the Thrashers sell to new ownership, who sensibly give up on Atlanta, moving the team to Kansas City.
So Kovalchuk might end up playing for a sharply devalued, shortened contract in a city in which he doesn't want to live for owners he doesn't trust or like.
Now, it's unlikely all these dynamics would come into play, but they might.
And if you're Kovalchuk, already facing the same uncertain labour conditions as other NHL players who are part of a shattered union, why in the world would you add to your potential misery by signing with a consistent loser with ownership and attendance problems?
Still, with the brilliant sniper – 189 goals in the last four seasons – set to test unrestricted free agency July 1, his agent insists Kovalchuk "absolutely" wants to stay in Atlanta if a deal can get done.
"If they came to him and said we'll make a deal on your terms, then we'll make a deal," said agent Jay Grossman.
Atlanta GM Don Waddell, of course, hasn't been authorized to do that, and from a negotiation strategy point of view, it probably wouldn't make a lot of sense. That said, nobody seems to really know what the Atlanta Spirit ownership group headed by Bruce Levensen wants to do, either in terms of Kovalchuk and his contract demands or the overall payroll situation with the Thrashers.
Atlanta hasn't said as a team, as Nashville basically has, that it won't pay any player more than $5 million per season because it can't. The Thrashers also aren't one of those teams pounding at the salary cap ceiling. They're in-between, a team run by an ownership group that isn't sure whether it wants to keep the team, sell the team, sign Kovalchuk, trade Kovalchuk or call a timeout and ask for a lifeline.
Logic, then, suggests Kovalchuk will be on the move by the March 4 trade deadline. Waddell told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday that a trade "still looms as an option, but it's not my first choice."
Just as he was with Marian Hossa two years ago, however, Waddell is pretty much screwed as far as being able to make a superior trade involving Kovalchuk. He'll just do the best he can.
That may, of course, still mean Kovalchuk will be unrestricted in July, at which point locals may well ask whether Brian Burke will have interest.
Burke doesn't exactly have a track record in which he has embraced the Russian hockey culture. That said, beggars can't be choosers, and Kovalchuk at least likes to drop the gloves now and then.
Maybe he can sign Kovalchuk and claim he's the team's new enforcer.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/749480--cox-is-kovalchuk-burke-s-type
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