Crunch time for Maple Leafs' callups from Marlies

Burke unites "old gang" for 2012 NHL playoffs run

With Boyce and Kadri now joining Reimer, Aulie and Crabb on the Toronto Maple Leafs big league roster, the experiment with veterans is currently on the shelf, perhaps temporarily. Injuries to Colby Armstrong, Matt Lombardi, Philippe Dupuis, Mike Brown, Mike Komisarek and now Jean-Michael Liles have opened up the Buds' bench to the very same young players (okay, Boyce is 27 but he does play like it's now or never) who partook in a string of successes in the early months of 2011.

The coming weeks will allow Burke and Wilson to assess the progress of all these callups, decide which veterans can be moved to keep the team stocked with picks and prospects, and begin to prepare for someone like Boston or Philly in the very first round of the 2011-2012 NHL playoffs.

Note to Mr Burke: Ask Mikhail to sign for two years at $3.5 mil per or 3 years at 3.7 mil and then after the paperwork is signed an dry, move him to the first line where he belongs. Phil K is now one of the premier passers in the league, however neither Bozak nor Connolly have ever been goal scorers, so Grabovski is the natural partner for Lupul (also a good passer) and Kessel.

Peace to All,

Joe Trainor

Toronto Maple Leafs may be sellers again

Leafs top 40: Keepers, Bubble and Trade Bait

by Joe Trainor, 10DEC11

After the Maple Leafs traded Tomas Kaberle last year, the youth movement was in full swing and the Buds finished the season with a strong winning streak. Certain players that were part of that, including Matt Lashoff, Nazem Kadri, and Darryl Boyce, are currently with the Marlies, while Aulie has just recently re-joined the Leafs.

I posit that the team has not shown too many signs of being a serious Stanley Cup contender, and that the way to a sustained era of Cup-contending teams likely means being sellers again, in advance of and at the trade deadline. I am also suggesting that the Leafs can be sellers, get younger, improve their record and make the playoffs. If true, who should the Leafs regard as Keepers, who is On-the-Bubble, and who looks like valuable Trade Bait?

Toronto Maple Leafs Top 40 Players

Keepers

1. Kessel

2. Gardiner

3. Phaneuf

4. Schenn

5. Reimer

6. Aulie

7. Franson

8. Frattin

9. Colborne

10. Biggs

11. Scrivens

12. Owuya

13. Blacker

14. Sparks

15. Lupul (oldest keeper, could be available but at very high price eg. two first rounders and a 2nd rounder)

16. MacArthur

On-the-Bubble

17. Bozak (his value could be highest now having had 1st line duty)

18. Liles (hate to see him go, however for an offer like we got for Kaberle ...)

19. Kadri (hometown not always the best place to begin NHL career, plus he won't make leafs into Bruins...)

20. Armstrong (at 29 years old, deserves a shot at a Cup)

21. Gunnarsson

22. Steckel

23. Komisarek

24. Rosehill

25. Kulemin

26. Brown

27. Hamilton

28. Lashoff

29. Mueller

30. Crabb

Best Toronto Maple Leafs trade options:

31. Gustavsson - The oldest goalie in the system at 27, he's unlikely to get better and hasn't shown consistent playoff calibre stretches. Flashes of brilliance, sure, but the leakiness means it may be time to test the Leafs' netminding depth.

OR

32. Rynass - If not the Monster, then Jussi Rynass should be moved to get Mark Owuya back in the AHL. He led the Swedish Elite League in save percentage last year and is the second ranked goalie in the AHL right now. He has little to learn playing for Reading of the ECHL.

33. Connolly - Anything close to what we got for Kabs would see Connolly shipped out, however we'd be best to try him on the top line first, just in case it actually did make sense to bring him here, and to showcase him for buyers. We could trade one of Connolly or Grabovski, but not both.

OR

34. Grabovski - He is the Leafs best center and as he is a free agent at the end of the year, Burke should try and sign him now. I would prefer to see Grabo re-signed than traded, as Bozak doesn't score and Kessel is one of the best passers in the league. Mikhail could easily slide into the top line if Connolly is moved, and it wouldn't be surprising to see the Leafs start the playoffs with a top line of Lupul-Grabovski-Kessel even if Tim C is still with Toronto. If he won't re-sign, his 3-month rental should bring the Leafs a young NHL player plus a pick or prospect, and we can still bid on him in the offseason.

35. Boyce - The Leafs have a winning record with Boyce in the lineup, but at 27 the PEI native is languishing in the AHL and looks to have little future with the big club. Darryl could benefit from a move to a team like the Canucks that needs more grit to protect the Sedins.

Other names the Leafs may move:

36. Orr

37. Lombardi

38. Dupuis

39. Zigomanis

40. Gysbers

I see no reason why the Leafs can't get younger and better, at least this year, building assets that can be spun for final pieces during next two to three years of building consistent playoff team. Having written that, if Rynass and Kadri were the price for Zach Parise, I'd be happy with that as long as Parise was signed to a two year extension as a condition of trade.

It all depends on what's on the table, and with Burke being the sharp tack that he is, listening to offers for Leafs up for grabs may reveal some opportunities that can take Toronto to the next level, without mortgaging the future.

Mark Owuya is the new Reimer, deserves shot with Leafs

Led Swedish elite league in save percentage, now 2nd in AHL

With Optimus Reimer back in the saddle for the Buds, the accepted wisdom of the Leafs netminding depth is as follows:

Reimer

Gustavsson

Scrivens

Rynnas

Owuya

Sparks

Based on their play over the past year or so, Owuya is the fast-rising player to watch.

Maple Leafs backup netminder Gustavsson has rarely appeared to be a playoff calibre goalie, however his recent NHL wins have lifted his market value. The oldest goalie in the system at a just-turned 27, the Monster exceeded my expectations in about half a dozen of the 14 games he's appeared in, at other times looking erratic. As the New Jersey Devils have goalies aged 39 and 38, Jonas may look like a youngster to them... Zach Parise, anyone?

Rynnas struggled in the early season but has recently won four of five, helping the Marlies regain first place. Scrivens has been stellar from day one of camp and deserves to be the goalie leading the Marlies to a Calder Cup.

Mark Owuya deserves a shot at the NHL soon. After leading the Swedish elite league in save percentage last year as a rookie, he is now 5-2 and second in the American Hockey League with a 1.78 GAA, and his .936 save percentage is also second best in the league. If either Reims or Goose stumble in the next few games, it may be time to see how Mark In Da Net plays out in the bigs.

Greatest Hockey Fight Ever - Canada vs Russia Juniors, 1987

Theoren Fleury decks offending Russian, starts bench-clearing brawl

The World Junior Championship (starts Boxing Day, every year!!!) is my fave sports tournament (followed by Summer Olympics, then NCAA March Madness), and you rarely see fights in that tourney of the world's best young hockey players. Back in 1987 things were a little bit different, and this bench clearing international brawl must have been huge fun for the Russians, who were not allowed to fight in games back home.

The undrafted Theoren Fleury started this fight while sticking up for a teammate, and the very next day I wrote the Maple Leafs suggesting they ignore his diminutive size and sign him. About 10 days later he got inked by Calgary and went on to a stellar NHL career, and is now a highly regarded spokesperson for victims of sexual abuse.

Both teams were disqualified from the tournament but it was totally worth it; the subsequent rise of Gorbachev and Yeltsin caused communism to fall just two years later. Coincidence?

Leafs vs Bruins; Truculence is Toronto's Job One

Call me old fashioned, but I don't really care all that much how many points the Toronto Maple Leafs earn during the coming home and home series against the Boston Bruins, the defending Stanley Cup Champions, and current NHL bad boys.

Burke's team is young and fast, with secret fists of fury

It would be awesome if Mike Brown can return for at least one of these games (only if 115% ready), and Wilson will be wise to include names such as Orr, Rosehill, and Aulie in both tilts, together with stalwarts such as Phaneuf and Schenn. Here's the rub; Boston can punch a Sedin in the face with no repercussions, and they can run over and concuss Ryan Miller while players stand around and plead with a referee, but the puck stops here. Colby Armstrong would never put up with that shit, and neither should any player wearing the Maple Leaf this week.

If Boston so much as touches Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, Jake Gardiner or the Toronto goalie, I don't wanna hear any Leaf player even mention Brendan Shanahan's name afterwards, unless it's discussing a hearing he'll be attending to explain why he defended his teammate.

That's it. No fucking around. There's a new sheriff in town, and the cheapshot era, personified by both the Canucks and the Bruins, is over.

5 Best Moves made by Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke

These five trades brought the Toronto Maple Leafs Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, John Michael Liles, Joe Colborne, Tyler Biggs, Cody Franson, Matt Lombardi and Keith Aulie. Has any other NHL General Manager come even close to this bounty over the past three years?

1. Beauchemin for Gardiner and Lupul - I would have loved getting Gardiner straight up for Beauch as knew him from USA juniors, and at the time the extra "cost" to obtain Jake G was being willing to take on Lupul's contract. Aaaaahhh, well, ya okay, I think we can do that.

2. Kaberle for Joe Colborne and two draft picks (one used as main bait to move up for Biggs, the other traded straight up for Liles) - Boston got a Cup, and Burke and Leafs fans owe Kaberle big time, for his foresight in choosing the team that could afford him and that he could help win the Stanley Cup. Mats Sundin may have done something similar in his waning years, yet he probably loved the City of Toronto more than the team (he also did not get to work with a GM of Burke's calibre and influence).

3. Two 1st rounders for Phil Kessel - Most feel the Leafs lost or broke even on this one but if you look at the "team" Burke inherited when he arrived, he really did need to bring in a top level player to begin building a team around. The price (Tyler Seguin, Jared Knight and Doug Hamilton) turned out to be very high, however as the Leafs are now the youngest team in the NHL and Kessel is among the best goal scorers on the planet, this trade is smelling sweeter as time goes by. He's two years younger than Ovechkin and two months younger than Crosby, and Canada better watch out for him (and Jake Gardiner) at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

4. Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Ian White and Jamal Mayers for Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom and Keith Aulie - The Leafs have a strong winning record whenever Dion is in the lineup (ditto for Aulie), and he is the best Leafs captain since Dougie Gilmour. I would trade those four players for Dion straight up, so whatever becomes of Keith "Muhammad" Aulie, this was a move that had to be done.

5. Brett Lebda and Robert Slaney for Cody Franson and Matthew Lombardi - I understand that having a deep-pocketed team helps with straight salary dump deals, however in this case we got to dump salary also. If Nashville's recent woes worsen, GM David Poile could be on the hot seat, but goalie Pekka Rinne (.925, 2.47, 10 wins) has proved worthy of the dollars freed up.

5B. Not trading Franson in early 2011-2012, despite numerous offers.

5C. Getting Liles for a 2nd rounder (compare to price Boston paid for Kaberle 3-month rental).

Resurgent Monster means Jussi Rynnas on the bubble

Props to both Burke and Wilson for sticking with Gustavsson when it seemed like he'd never recover the form he had before going down twice with the heart ailment in 2010-2011. Over the past few games we may have been witnessing a newly confident, far more experienced Monster, one who may actually challenge Reimer for Leafs' net supremacy.

Scrivens can lead the Marlies to the AHL's Calder Cup championship, where Owuya can solidly back him up. Sending Rynnas to the ECHL would just devalue him, so look for Jussi to be traded within 10 days, for a big forward prospect or a 3rd round draft pick.

Younger, faster Leafs to face Washington Capitals tonight

The Monster gets home start in Toronto net

With Lombardi and Grabovski each out for three to four weeks, and Mike Komisarek now sidelined indefinitely with a broken arm, tonight begins the testing of the Maple Leafs much-commended newfound depth. Joe Colborne has been called up from the Marlies, and Cody Franson is about to get some serious minutes.

If the Buds are to contend for Lord Stanley's gorgeous trophy, then both of these gentlemen should try and make it extremely difficult for management to take them out of the lineup, and a la Jake Gardiner, they can do that by playing hard at both ends of the ice, and winning.

Mark In Da Park is ready if Goose falters

For Jonas Gustavsson, this could be the beginning of the resurrection of his NHL career, or it could be his last hurrah. The second best goalie (after Ben Scrivens, not including Reimer until he is healthy again) in the system right now is Mark Owuya, and his AHL goals against average of 1.40 proves that Mark leading the elite Swedish league in save percentage last season was no fluke. Any faultering by The Monster and/or setbacks by Reimer could see Owuya getting a home start, where Scrivens has been erratic; Mark Owuya could be in the North American big leagues very soon.

Five ideas to take Maple Leafs to next level

NHL's Toronto squad a young team, with room for improvement

Here are five suggestions that Brian Burke and Ron Wilson should consider. These are basically tweaks that will allow the Leafs to experiment without shaking up the core of a successful 2011-2012 NHL team.

To get to the next level:

ONE: Give Mark Owuya a start in the NHL. Jonas G is not good enough to be a playoff goalie, so if Owuya cannot handle the bigs, then we need to bring in another goaltender. Reimer cannot be counted on for more than twenty starts between here and the end of the season, and whether he is a playoff-calibre goalie when he returns, well, that remains to be seen. Scrivens is #1 now but he and the team need a more reliable backup than the erratic Monster.

TWO: Try Cody Franson on the wing. We need scoring, and having a D-man up front could be crucial if one or two go down in a playoff game. Gary Leeman made the transition from D to F at the NHL level, and scored 50 goals one year.

THREE: Get Rosehill and/or Orr into some games. The NHL battles will intensify as the season wears on and the playoffs approach, and Mike Brown is too valuable to the team to be the only fighter between here and there. We do not need a punch-weary Brown in April, so it may be best to give him every 3rd game off.

FOUR: Grabovski deserves a shot between Lupul and Kessel. He is our best centreman, so deserves a few games on the big line, to see if chemistry arises. There's nothing going on with the second line right now, so the timing this week is as good as any.

FIVE: Bulk up player support for a longer season, as none of these lads were on the Buds last time they made the playoffs, and most are too young to have ever played in post-season NHL. In January it would be wise to add a chiropractor (there's a reason Donovan Bailey brought his chiropractor to all big track meets), a nutritionist and a massage therapist to the team's 2012 traveling entourage.

Three of first four moves could be tried for a game or three to see if they are worthy of implementing for longer periods, while the fourth calls for prudence when allocating tough guy minutes, to preserve vibrant truculence for the real season in the Spring. The final suggestion may have elements already in place, however bolstering the team's support staff and traveling entourage sends a signal that we expect the boys to be playing hockey in May, and we are preparing now for just such an eventuality.

VIDEO: Nazem Kadri scores game winner in OT for Toronto Marlies

With Maple Leafs in scoring drought, Kadri could soon be back in bigs

Toronto Maple leafs goaltending depth chart

Scrivens now Numero Uno in Leafs net

Having won two of his 3 NHL starts and providing playoff-calibre netminding yesterday in stealing a win over then Blues, Ben Scrivens is now the Leafs top goalie. Even when Reimer returns it will be slow going, with JR playing one of every three or four games, probably until February at least. For the next few months, barring a trade or free agent signing, Ben will hold down the fort.

1. Ben Scrivens

The best goalie at training camp now getting an opportunity to show he belongs in the bigs. Mobile, confident big man is developing into a solid Allaire student, now graduate.


2. James Reimer

Concussed or whiplashed, he remains a major hope of the team and Leafs fans. Thank God his helmet / mask when flying off, for if it had stayed on the injury may have been much worse.


3. Jonas Gustavsson

I wouldn't be surprised to see Owuya in the 3 slot soon. The Monster has never proven he is an NHL calibre goalie, and being 2 years older than Scrivens, he may never be as good as Ben is now. Is there any way Burkie can trade him to a Swedish elite league team for a big, undrafted winmger?


4. Mark Owuya

called up from the ECHL to join the Marlies after Scrivens went to Leafs, mark In Da Park continues to shine and may switch places with Gustavsson soon, if the latter cannot be traded.


5. Jussi Rynnas

Struggling with the Marlies this year; hoping he can either turn it around quickly, or get a fresh start with another AHL team


6. Grant Rollheiser

22 year old netminder plays for Boston University in NCAA.


7. Garrett Sparks

18 year old is Buds goalie of the future, a great prospect.

5 things Leafs fans should be happy about

Positive news for 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs

Fast start – Even though the team was not playing that well, the Maple Leafs managed to get out of the gate strong and were leading the division, the conference and the league after a dozen games or so. This shows that with improvement, we can be a bona fide contender.


Surprises, the good kind – Lupul, Gardiner, and Komisarek are all exceeding expectations.


Brian Burke – His moves have taken a faceless, gutless team and shaped them into something close to formidable, with tremendous upside due to abundance of youth, plus great prospects with the Marlies. look for Burkie to sign Turco, or better still, trade prospects and/or picks for Nabokov, wasting away on the last place Islanders team.


Phil Kessel - The NHL's leading sniper this year is also 10th in the league in assists, a sign of a constantly improving player that is often overlooked by Leafs fans and local media.


Dion Phaneuf - The Maple Leafs have a winning record over the past two years whenever Dion is in the lineup, and he is the best captain the Leafs have had since Doug Gilmour.

Toronto Maple Leafs leaders: Plus / Minus

These stats are as of 07NOV11:

Phil Kessel +9
Joffrey Lupul +7
Mike Komisarek +6
Dion Phaneuf +5
Mikhail Grabovski +5
John-Michael Liles +4
Clarke MacArthur +3

Toronto Maple Leafs #1 overall in NHL

Deep Leafs squad, sharp Scrivens debut too much for Columbus

While Jonas Gustavsson was not able to ignite a goaltending controversy while filling in for James Reimer, there may soon be a battle brewing for the backup position. With Ben Scrivens throwing down a stellar debut in a 4-1 win over Columbus Blue Jackets, it seems to be getting clearer by the day that the best pair of goalies the Leafs have right now includes a guy with the first name Ben. It's not to say that Scrivens won't go back to the Marlies and continue his winning ways there, however when one looks to Spring and the NHL playoffs, you want to begin with two guys that are each a number one. The Monster has shown flashes of brilliance, and at age 27 may be just finding his stride, but with Reimer at 23 and Scrivens now 25, either Gustavsson or Rynas will likely be gone by the trade deadline.

There's also no rush to trade Cody Franson, as we don't really know yet what we need back. If a crazy offer came in Burke would likely take it, but another month of wear and tear will give us a better idea of what's required to go beyond my pre-season expectation of making it into the 2nd round of the playoffs. The penalty kill is the most glaring deficiency, yet there are still options within the team that may figure it out, together with the new assistant coaches. A fair bit of the recent troubles were due to a feeble box out that didn't pressure the puck, misreading the positions of opposition forwards and, hate to say it, erratic netminding by the Monster.

Biggest pleasant surprises of the year so far for Leafs:

Jake Gardiner - I wanted him to challenge for quarterback of the power play at camp, as I felt he could be as good as Liles and would be too skilled for the AHL. In fact, he has exceeded my expectations, so let me ask: Would you trade him for PK Subhan? You have to think about it now, whereas a few months ago you wouldn't even ask the question. He'll be playing for Burke and Team USA at the 2014 Olympics.

Joffrey Lupul - Kessel is an amazing passer, but Lupul has also scored a lot of goals through hustle and sharp play.

Kessel - I wanted him to watch Mike Bossy vids during the Summer; looks like whatever he did, his progress as top level NHL sniper continues, and he's been outscoring Ovechkin for over half a year now.

Phaneuf - From the first game after the Kaberle trade, the defence and the team belong to Dion, and he leads by example. Say no more.

With MacArthur, Crabb, Connolly and Grabovski all contributing offensively, and players such as Colbourne, Kadri, Frattin and Boyce on the Marlies, the Maple Leafs are stocked from the nets out. If Colbourne is going to come up to the Leafs this year, then a package of players could be moved for a strong college player, a top AHL prospect that can finish the year with the Marlies, and possibly a draft pick.

The ShanahaNHL is a fast-paced league with little room for cheap shots, and young teams such as Toronto, Edmonton and Ottawa are striving ahead of the pack. We need to stay youthful and fast, rolling four lines over the boards with speed and passion.

Here is the list of Toronto Maple Leafs that I believe may be traded in coming months (first posted last week):

Darryl Boyce
Jussi Rynnas
Nazem Kadri
Cody Franson
Rosehill or Orr, not both
Korbinian Holzer
Mike Zigomanis
Marcel Mueller
Brayden Irwin
Simon Gysbers
Juraj Mikus


Here is my updated and expanded list as of tonight, with the Leafs in first place overall in the National Hockey League:

Darryl Boyce
Cody Franson
Korbinian Holzer
Jonas Gustavsson or Jussi Rynnas, not both
Nazem Kadri
Rosehill or Orr, not both
Josh Engel
Mike Zigomanis
Marcel Mueller
Brayden Irwin
Simon Gysbers
Juraj Mikus
Will Acton


What's your offer?

Maple Leafs exceeding even my expectations

In early Summer 2011 I hoped that Jake Gardiner would go into Leafs training camp with the mindset that he was going to be the quarterback of the power play. Why did I want this? Everyone seemed to be giving the job to Liles uncontested, whereas I had been watching Gardiner develop on the USA junior team and he looked like a solid bet for the NHL.

I also hoped that Phil Kessel would watch video of Mike Bossy, and of Phil Kessel when hot, and hit the ice demanding and expecting big things from himself. He has developed into a premier passer over the past couple of seasons, Joffrey Lupul being the prime beneficiary, yet his sniping ability is so dominating that his assists pile up unnoticed.

My big concern was the position of backup goalie, and up until, well, yesterday against Pittsburgh, I was wholly unconviced that Gustavsson could be a reliable backup. In last night's game he played like a lad named James Reimer, and with Scrivens and Rynnas backstopping the first place Marlies in the AHL, the Buds are super-deep in the nets right now.

My hope was and is for the Maple Leafs to be contending for first in their division on January 1st, and be in the top four or five in the conference, and also to advance to the second round of the Stanley cup playoffs. They are noble goals for a young team, and we are definitely pointed in the right direction.

The fact that we are winning does not mean there won't be a trade, because Burke's phone is likely ringing with offers daily. The key will be to make a move that can add to the 23-man roster without detracting in any way from the success and momentum established so far.

So, who could be traded? Daryl Boyce is a proven NHLer with a winning record in the big leagues, and right now he's languishing on a 3rd line in the AHL, so he could be headed to Anaheim or Vancouver. Korbinian Holzer is likely ranked behind Aulie, Lashoff and Blacker, so could be moved as part of a package.

Two more controversial names would be Kadri and Franson. Beginning an NHL career in one's hometown can be tough, and I'm not convinced Burke sees Nazem Kadri as more than a top nine forward, and perhaps not quite nasty or hungry enough. Franson will likely be given another chance to contribute to wins, showcase his talents and increase the price should he be moved. It is too early to give up on such a talented young player, unless a sensational offer came in for him.

I am hoping Colbourne, Crabb, Aulie, Lashoff and Scrivens will be kept on the Marlies as insurance for the Leafs this year, and core building blocks for the next few years as contracts expire. I also think Mike Brown has earned the tough guy role over Rosehill and Orr.


Hockey players in Leafs system that could be traded

Here are names we could see being traded by the Leafs, but only if Burke thought he was receiving value that will help the Leafs now or in the future, without diminishing the Leafs or, to a lesser extent, the Marlies, hopes for this year:

Daryl Boyce
Jussi Rynnas
Nazem Kadri
Cody Franson
Rosehill or Orr, not both
Korbinian Holzer
Mike Zigomanis
Marcel Mueller
Brayden Irwin
Simon Gysbers
Juraj Mikus


Ideally Burke will move one player from the bottom five of the 23-man and package him with two mid-level Marlies, getting in return a top six scorer/playmaker, or a physical top nine winger/scorer. If he has to add in a 2nd round pick to get the right guy, Leafs fans have learned to trust that Brian's choice will far more often than not turn out to be a sound decision.

Leafs: The Monster's LAST STAND tonite?

Motormouthed, inconsistent goalie talking and playing way out of lineup

Known to teammates as Goose, his nickname may be revised to Loose, after Jonas Gustavsson remarked to the media about James Reimer: "You never know with concussions."

What??? We thought this was a neck injury, but thanks for spilling the beans there loosey-goosey.

Anyways, Monster's recent play reminds one of Andrew Raycroft and Vesa Toskala, in that it requires excuses to justify. Leafs fans are definitely lacking confidence in Jonas, as the team rarely plays well in front of him, and the last time he won a game for the Maple Leafs was ... never?

Don't be surprised if Ben Scrivens gets the MSG start tonight, however if The Monster is in the nets, he must play very, very well or tomorrow he will be on waivers and Sunday will join the Toronto Marlies.

"Yo-Yo" Kadri to face Big Bad Bruins in Boston

Mere hours after being sent down to the Toronto Marlies, injuries to Colby Armstrong and Clarke MacArthur in last night's win over Winnipeg resulted in Nazem Kadri getting called back up to the Buds. He is in Boston with the Leafs now, and is expected to play tonight against the Bruins.

Gotta love the depth Burkie has built into the 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs!

Kadri to Marlies; Leafs Big Nine a tough nut to crack

If anyone is wondering why Naz has been sent to the Buds' farm team, think of how far we've come. With the additions of Connolly, Lombardi, Steckel, Frattin and Dupuis, it is harder now to crack the Toronto Maple Leafs top nine than it was to make the big six last year.

Also, don't be surprised if Kadri has been told he may be down there for awhile. Joey Crabb is playing real well, potting two sweet goals in Saturday's win over Erie Monsters, and Joe Colborne is among AHL leaders.

Finally, a player has extra pressure starting his NHL career in his hometown. I am sure Burke is listening to offers as I type.

Maple Leafs with best plus / minus should stay in the lineup

Here are 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs with a +/- of at least +2:

Dion Phaneuf +8

Phil Kessel +6

Joffrey Lupul +6

Tyler Bozak +4

Carl Gunnarsson +4

Mike Brown +2

Another thing about Brown, even though he's an American, he plays hockey like a Canadian, and Leaf fans love him for it!

NHL Hockey: Leafs vs Jets, 3 things to watch for

Will Lombardi get the call between Lupul and Kessel?

No, Bozak will get at least one more game on the first line.



Will rookie D-man Jake Gardiner be back in the lineup?

Yes; Franson should sit and shut up.



Will Gustavsson get his first start?

No, even though it would be logical, so that Reimer can play Thursday in Boston and against Montreal on Saturday. The prob is that Leafs fans do not like Gustavsson as he has let us down five too many times, plus we can really use the win. Look for Optimus to play Wednesday and Saturday with The Monster facing the Stanley Cup champions in Beantown on Thursday; trial by fire and ice.

NHL concussion comebacks a healthy sign for Crosby

There may be other chapters to this feelgood story, however with 3 players beginning successful comebacks in recent days, any additional tales will be just icing on the cake. Scoring in their first game back after a long absence due to concussion were the Toronto Maple Leafs' forwards Matthew Lombardi and Colton Orr, while Max Pacioretty of the Montreal Canadiens banged one home in the Habs victory over Winnipeg, just his second game back.

Syd my man, you too can do it!

Toronto Maple Leafs depth chart, October 2011

As training camp broke and Steckel was added for faceoffs and penalty killing, the Leafs opened the season with Connolly and Kadri on the shelf due to what are hopefully minor injuries.

Here's a look at the Toronto Maple Leafs depth chart as of today, October 9th, 2011:

Forwards

Kessel
Grabovski
Kulemin
Bozak
Lupul
Connolly
Lombardi
Steckel
MacArthur
Armstrong
Dupuis
Frattin
Brown
Rosehill
Orr
Kadri


Farm

Boyce
Crabb
Colbourne
Zigomanis




Defence

Phaneuf
Liles
Schenn
Gardiner
Gunnarsson
Komisarek
Franson



On the farm:

Aulie
Lashoff

Simon Gysbers
Korbinian Holzer
Jesse Blacker
Juraj Mikus



Goaltenders

James Reimer
Jonas Gustavsson

Ben Scrivens

2-way battle for Marlies backup spot:

Jussi Rynas
Mark Owuya

Crabb, Colbourne and Boyce power Marlies to 3-2 AHL opener

Victory over champs led by Toronto Leafs late cuts

Even though the Leafs pulled last night's game out of a rabbit hat in the end, they did dominate Ottawa for long stretches, and Brian Burke must be smiling today. As the Leafs enter a week of practice, the Toronto Marlies are showing the depth the Leafs GM can benefit from. When Connlly and Mac Arthur return, both Kadri and Frattin could also find themselves on the Marlies, strengthening this club even further.

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (CP) - Darryl Boyce scored the power-play winner with one minute left in the second period as the Toronto Marlies defeated the defending Calder Cup champion Binghamton Senators 3-2 in American Hockey League action Saturday.

The Marlies scored three times in the second period to earn the win. Joey Crabb got Toronto (1-0-0) on the board at 3:24 of the period, then Joe Colborne and Boyce scored power-play goals to give the Marlies their first lead of the game.

Kaspars Daugavins and Eric Gryba scored in the first period for the Senators (0-2-0).

Ben Scrivens made 23 saves for the Marlies, who went 2-for-7 on the power play.

Mike McKenna made 35 stops for the Senators, who were blanked on four power-play chances.

NHL Ottawa vs Toronto Preview

With Game 2 of the Toronto Maple Leafs 2011-2012 season just a couple of hours away, here are some notes regarding tonight's game versus Ottawa Senators, who opened their own season with a 5-3 loss in Detroit last night (courtesy of mapleleafs.nhl.com):

Season Series: It's the first of six editions of the Battle of Ontario, a series that ended with each team winning three times last season. The Senators have won their last two trips to the Air Canada Centre.


Team Scope:

Senators: You can be sure this was not how Paul MacLean had planned to start his NHL coaching career. In his first game as the boss, MacLean watched in horror as Ottawa fell behind 5-0 in Detroit on Friday night before scoring three times in a 5-3 loss that looked closer than it was.

"It looked a lot like it did when I was on the other bench from this bench," said MacLean, who was hired in Ottawa after six seasons as an assistant to Mike Babcock with the Wings. "For me, I felt comfortable being here at Joe Louis Arena, I've been here before. But we made a few mistakes."

Maple Leafs: Optimism reigns in Toronto, where the Leafs got their season off to a satisfying start by blanking the archrival Montreal Canadiens 2-0 on Thursday night. James Reimer stopped all 32 shots he faced and made goals by Matthew Lombardi and Dion Phaneuf stand up.

Not that coach Ron Wilson is ready to declare his team a powerhouse as it tries to end a playoff drought that dates to 2004. After all, the Leafs started last season by going 4-0-0, then collapsed with 11 losses in their next 12 games.

"We're still going to be a work in progress," he said.

Who's Hot: Reimer is now 21-15-5 since joining the Leafs on Jan. 1. … Newcomer Dave Steckel didn't hit the scoresheet Thursday night, but he more than did his job by going 18-7 in the faceoff circle. Steckel led the NHL in faceoff percentage last season.

Injury report: The Senators are without center Peter Regin (shoulder). Jesse Winchester (shoulder) and Matt Carkner (knee) are on IR. Center Zenon Konopka missed Friday's game with a back problem but hopes to play against the Leafs.

Toronto is still without one of its big offseason signings, center Tim Connolly, who's out with an upper-body injury. The Leafs hope he'll be back in a week or so. Forward Nazem Kadri is out with a knee injury.

Stat Pack: Reimer went 2-0-1 with a 0.98 goals-against average against the Senators in 2010-11, including a 2-0 shutout on Feb. 19. … The Leafs, among the NHL's worst penalty-killing teams during the past few seasons, held Montreal scoreless in five tries on Thursday and scored a shorthanded goal.

Puck Drop: No one is happier to be in the lineup than Lombardi, whose shorthanded goal on Thursday came in his first NHL game since he sustained a concussion last Oct. 13, when he was playing for Nashville. He couldn't even skate for 10 months and was only cleared for contact last week.

"It just goes to show that if you want it enough and you want to push yourself you can do it," said Lombardi, who played about 11 minutes on Thursday. "You've just got to believe in it."

Optimus Reim stonewalls Habs, leads Leafs to 2-0 win

Lombardi and Phaneuf goals enough for a victory

After a truly shaky first period, when veterans Phaneuf and Komisarek held steady and Reimer performed solidly, the rest of the Maple Leafs joined the party in the second.

It's just one game but with players such as Connolly, Franson and Kadri out of the lineup, and proven NHLers like Boyce and Aulie with the Marlies, there is enough depth there for Burke to swing a two for one or three for two deal with a team that may be thinner.

Picking up Steckel for a fourth round pick may or may not turn out to be listed among Burke's brilliant horse trading moves, but tonight he was a big help, a force in the faceoff circle while patrolling the 3rd line wing. Lombardi on the 4th line is also intersting, as Brown and Rosehill open up room for a top six calibre forward.

Frattin doesn't really work on the Grabovski line because he is a shoot first forward and both of his linemates are better NHL snipers than he is, though he's getting there. Still, I'd like to see some responsibility thrown on him, he wants it.

Here are some line combos for Wilson to ponder for the 3rd game.

Frattin - Lombardi - Kessel
MacArthur - Gabrovski - Kulemin
Steckel - Dupuis - Armstrong
Brown - Bozak - Rosehill

Another thing I would like to have Wilson consider is occasionally dressing Franson as a fourth line winger. This could be a way to ensure defensive depth in the playoffs, though with players such as Connolly, Kadri, Crabb, Orr and even Boyce all itching to get into the Buds lineup, I can understand if other players get shots at those forward jobs that occasionally come open.

Lombardi scores first of season to give Leafs 1-0 lead

The second period was much better for Leaf fans, with Matt Lombardi's shorthanded goal providing an early spark that carried on through the period. Phil Kessel is starting to get untracked and is looking dangerous.

Both Liles and Phaneuf are moving the puck well, and though Schenn's timing is still off, he's already a looming presence threatening fearsome hits.

This Lombardi signing could turn out to be a real blessing...

Leafs - Habs 1st period live blog

The Canadiens outplayed the Leafs for sure, yet the score is still 0-0, and Phaneuf, Komisarek and Reimer all looked good.

There's no chemistry or confidence in the forward lines yet, however even one goal can change that.

2011-2012 Maple Leafs opening night 23-man roster

With the first game of the new NHL season just days away, it;s time for the Leafs to get down to 23 men from the current 29. So let's take 3 right off the top. Kadri and Lombardi will start the season on the injured list, and Scrivens will be given the starting job with the Marlies.

Now we have 2 goalies in (Reimer / Gustavsson), plus 24 skaters competing for 21 skating jobs. Looking at the remainder, let's examine who is locked-in and who may be on the bubble.

Stars

Phaneuf
Kessel
Schenn
MacArthur
Grabovski
Kulemin
Liles
Armstrong


Of these MacArthur is out the first two games on suspension, but will be back on Grabovski's top line after that. So let's count these 8 as in, and move to the next tier.

Lupul
Aulie
Bozak
Boyce
Brown
Komisarek
Orr
Frattin
Connolly

The next question is, with the 5 strong defencemen named above (Phaneuf, Schenn, Liles, Aulie, Komisarek), do we go with 7 or 8 on D. I believe we go with 8, dressing 7 and keeping one in a suit. Which would mean these 3 also make the team:

Gardiner
Franson
Gunnarsson


Considering the injuries and suspension of front, going with eight D makes even more sense. So now we have 2 goalies and 8 D, plus 12 of 13 forward positions filled. Here's where things get tough, as there are 3 players battling for the final forward position:

Jay Rosehill
Joey Crabb
Philippe Dupuis

If Connolly or Bozak isn't sharp and ready for opening night, look for Dupuis to get in, otherwise the Marlies are likely to get an extra boost for the early season, picking up both him and Rosehill, with Crabb being the 13th Leafs forward.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the injury list have a couple more names added to it, as that buys time, and increases depth on the practice roster.

Soon we shall see...

Frattin makes Leafs; Kadri out 3 weeks with knee injury

With Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nazem Kadri out two to four weeks with a torn knee ligament, Matt Frattin will step in to play wing on the Buds' 3rd line. With that decision settled for October, here's what to look for in this weekend's games versus Detroit Red Wings:

Ben Scrivens versus Jonas Gustavsson

Leafs fans have been let down too many times by The Monster, so look for Scrivens to get the home start and Gustavsson the game in Detroit. I'd like to see Ben make the big club, primarily because the Leafs have not played well or confidently in front of Jonas.


Will Lombardi or Bozak heal in time for opener?

It'd be nice to have Mike Brown healthy, but i don't mind him starting the year on the injured list, as insurance for Colton Orr. The really important thing will be finding out whether either of Bozak or Lombardi will be healthy enough to start the season as the Leafs 3rd line centre.


Will Gunnarsson start year with Marlies?

Gunnar had been having a good camp, however his difficulties versus Ottawa the other night mean that he may be the odd man out to start the season. Another possibility would be to bit the bullet on Komisarek, and if no trade partners emerge, let him clear waivers and join the Marls as a high priced defender, a la Jeff Finger.

Should be a rockin' weekend for Leafs fans!!!

Grabovski IS Maple Leafs #1 centre

Though Connolly and others may battle for the pivot position centering Kessel and Lupul, Wilson says that Grabo's line is number one. They're proven, and sound at both ends of the ice, so right now the MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin line have earned the coach's confidence, and the minutes that go with it.

If Kessel's line starts to gel at some point and challenges for supremacy, well, that's what happens on good hockey clubs.

Kadri to skate with #1 line tonight against Ottawa

Nazem Kadri centering Lupul and Kessel versus Senators

When Tim Connolly banged himself up crashing into the boards at practice yesterday, that noise was the sound of opportunity in the Leafs camp and it is Nazem Kadri who has been called upon to fill the whole on the potential number one line for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

As the song says, for Kadri, Tonight's The Night....


This evening's projected lineup against Ottawa Senators:

MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin
Lupul - Kadri - Kessel
Armstrong - Boyce - Frattin
Rosehill - Dupuis - Crabb/Orr

Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Liles - Schenn
Aulie - Franson

Reimer

And then there were 29... Toronto Maple Leafs 2011-2012

29-man Leafs roster plus projected / proposed 2011-2012 Leafs lineup

Here are the 29 players remaining in the training camp of the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs:

Forwards

Kessel
Grabovski
Kulemin
Lupul
Connolly
Armstrong
MacArthur
Bozak
Frattin
Kadri
Boyce
Crabb
Orr
Lombardi
Rosehill
Dupuis
Brown



Defencemen

Phaneuf
Schenn
Gardiner
Liles
Aulie
Franson
Gunnarsson
Lashoff
Komisarek



Goalies

Reimer
Gustavsson
Scrivens


Considering that Brandan Shanahan has now been enlisted as an enforcer by every NHL team, here is a 23-man 2011-2012 Toronto Maple Leafs lineup that I believe could help the Leafs finish in the top six of the conference and take Toronto to the 2nd round of the 2012 NHL playoffs.


Forwards

MacArthur
Grabovski
Kulemin

Lupul
Connolly
Kessel

Frattin
Bozak
Armstrong

Kadri
Boyce
Crabb



Orr
Dupuis




Defencemen

Phaneuf - Aulie
Schenn - Gardiner
Liles - Franson

Gunnarsson


Goalies

Reimer
Scrivens



The reality is shaped by one known factor, and that is that certain players can be sent down to the Marlies without facing waivers, while others (eg Finger et al today) must clear first, and by a big unknown, the trade market. If my lineup above were to be a reality, it would place these players on the trade market:

Lombardi (or to injured list)
Rosehill
Brown (or to injured list)

Lashoff
Komisarek

Gustavsson

Now some of these guys could go to the Marlies but if we're talking Gustavsson or Lombardi, a trade would be more likely. In any case, if 2 or 3 of the above can be packaged for a goal scorer or two I'd be very happy to re-visit the 4 lines proposed above.

I also wouldn't be surprised to see Frattin on the top scoring line, and though it's difficult to ponder the current defensive liabilities being overcome, a combo with Kadri and Kessell could be dynamic.

NHL's new cop Brendan Shanahan suspends Jody Shelley for 10 games

Hit from behind on Maple Leafs' Boyce was stupid and dangerous

Former National Hockey League star Brendan Shanahan recently replaced Colin Campbell as the NHL's head disciplinarian and has since worked to make the game much safer, focusing specifically on hits to the head. This being the first illegal and serious hit of the new season made it that much more important for Shanahan to set an example.

Shanahan, acting as the new sheriff in town, has suspended Philadelphia's Jody Shelley for ten games following his vicious hit-from-behind on Toronto Maple Leafs centre Darryl Boyce. Shelley will miss the remainder of the Flyers' preseason games, as well as the first five games of the regular season.

Considering that the first five games are exhibitions so Shelley would have likely dressed for 2 or 3 of them, it is roughly equivalent to a 7 or 8 game suspension. Still, he got two games for last year's offence, and 10 this time, so if he does something foolishly dangerous again, he'll likely be looking at 20 games or more.

Beyond that, a fourth offence could mean a full season out and a fifth means you're gone from the game for a decade, effectively ending a "career."

The incident occurred in the second period of the Philadelphia Flyers' 4-2 preseason loss to the Leafs on Wednesday night. Boyce was hit hard from behind by Shelley and suffered a broken nose. Maple Leafs tough guy Jay Rosehill came in immediately and proceeded to fight Shelley.

Shelley, a 35-year-old NHL veteran, has a history of illegal and dangerous plays leading to suspension.

Source: TheScore.com

Fast, young Leafs may abandon Conn Smythe mentality

Matt Frattin



Joe Colborne

Colborne and Frattin could both make 2011-2012 Maple Leafs squad

Though Toronto Maple Leafs' GM Brian Burke has been a steadfast disciple of the Conn Smythe axiom "If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice," in light of the new Rule 41 changes to boarding infractions, it may be time to ramp up the team's speed. If Burkie and Wilson do opt for more skill and speed, it will be the 4th line where the kids emerge, as that is where the toughness has primarily resided. Everyone has been assuming that either Colton Orr or Mike Rosehill or both will make the team, however the new rules (Rule 48 regarding head hits has also been tightened) mean that it is possible that neither will make it. The legacy of vigilante justice and bare-knuckle fighting (banned for over a century in boxing and other sports) may be winding down.

If we are facing a new mentality in the NHL that will reward speed even more than toughness, who should the Maple Leafs be considering for the 4th line? Let's deal with the first 3 lines and then see who we have.

Toronto Maple Leafs projected Top 3 lines

Lupul - Connolly - Kessel
MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin
Kadri - Bozak - Armstrong

Here are the main contenders for 4th line duty on the Leafs (we're leaving Matt Lombardi out of the equation for now, as his injuries mean he will start with Marlies when ready):

Darryl Boyce
Joe Colbourne
Matt Frattin
Colton Orr
Jay Rosehill
Mike Brown
Joey Crabb
Philippe Dupuis


Projected 4th line:

Frattin - Colborne - Boyce

Extra forwards to stay with big club: Dupuis, Orr

Even though this line would require shifting Boyce from centre to right wing, he is a gritty, PEI-raised forward who can handle the switch, especially if it means skating with the smooth Colborne and the energetic, slick Frattin.

As for the defence, I believe the Buds have 8 NHL calibre defenders (in order: Phaneuf, Schenn, Liles, Franson, Aulie, Komisarek, Gunnarsson and Lashoff), so look for one of these to be packaged with a forward in a 2-for-1 trade to bring us another goal scorer, or a proven NHL goalie.

Flyers at Leafs; Buds' lineup for tonight

The Toronto Maple Leafs play host to the Philadelphia Flyers at 7pm this evening, and it'll be Kessel versus Kessel and Schenn versus Schenn, as the younger brothers of Luke Schenn and Phil Kessel will both be suiting up for the Flyers. The Schenn brothers have already received the word from their mother: "No fighting!"

Here's the Toronto Maple Leafs full lineup for tonight, 20SEP11:

Forwards

This squad will feature the debut of our new #1 line, followed up by a lot of experimentation with the 2nd to 4th lines.

Lupul - Connolly - Kessel
MacArthur - Colborne - Mueller
Kadri - Boyce - Caputi
Scott - Zigomanis - Orr



Defence

As only Schenn and Franson are expected to make the big club, Finger and Komisarek are being showcased as trade bait (expensive worms...), while Gysbers and Blacker will be each out to prove they are ready for the Show, or close.

Finger - Schenn
Franson - Komisarek
Gysbers - Blacker


Goaltending

James Reimer will play the full game in goal, highlighting the fact the Leafs have a bona fide #1 NHL goalie in Reimer, but have several questionable netminders battling for the backup position. If one of Gustavsson, Scrivens, Rynnas or Owuya doesn't come out of the gate strong, it may soon be time to give Marty Turco a call.

Coach Brad McCrimmon, former King Pavol Demitra killed in Russian plane crash

Ex-NHL players died: McCrimmon, Demitra, Korolev, Vasicek, Rachunek, Skrastins

Pavol Demitra, a former Kings forward and a three-time NHL All-Star, was reportedly among the players killed in Wednesday's crash of a jetliner carrying a Russian hockey team. The coach of the team, former Detroit Red Wings defenceman Brad McCrimmon, also perished in the plane crash. The team was on its way to Minsk for the opening game of the season.

The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry said the Yak-42 plane crashed immediately after leaving an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River about 150 miles (240 kilometers) northeast of Moscow. It was carrying 45 people, including 37 passengers and eight crew. One crew member and Russian hockey player Alexander Galimov were the only survivors.

Among the NHL alumni that lost their lives in the crash: Pavol Demitra(notes), a standout offensive player for the St. Louis Blues, Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks; Ruslan Salei, former Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche defenseman; Josef Vasicek, former New York Islanders forward; Karel Rachunek, former New Jersey Devils defenseman; Karlis Skrastins(notes), former Dallas Stars defenceman; and Stefan Liv, Detroit Red Wings goalie prospect.

Other victims of the crash included head coach Brad McCrimmon, a former Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman; assistant coach Alexander Karpovtsev, former New York Rangers defenseman; and assistant coach Igor Korolev, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks among others.






Six former Toronto Maple Leafs who died young


Sources: PuckDaddy.com, latimesblogs.latimes.com, thedailybeast.com, ca.sports.yahoo.com

Flamboro Downs 04SEP11 Outsider Picks

Tonight's card at Flamboro looks very competitive, so be sure to include some of these Outsider Picks (horses from 8/1 to 12/1 on M/L that may outperform expectations) in your exotic wagers this eve.

Flamboro Downs Racetrack Free Picks for September 4, 2011


Race 2 - Mya Mutt #7


Race 3 - Sixty Degree Club, #5


Race 4 - Tiger On The Prowl, #7


Race 6 - Woodmere Sandrop, #7


Race 8 - Lucky Secret, #6


Race 9 - Dancers Cam, #7, and Four Starz Found, #9


Race 11 - Whitesand Merlot, #6





Flamboro suggested Pick 3:

Race 2: 5, 9, 3, 7 (2)*

Race 3: 5 (2)

Race 4: 2, 7 (1)

4 horses x 1 x 2 = $8 ticket




Flamboro suggested .20 Pick 4:

Race 8 - 1, 3, 6, 2, 8 (10, 5)

Race 9 - 4, 1, 7, 8, 9 (5)

Race 10 - 6 (3)

Race 11 - 6, 1, 2 (9)

5 horses by 5 x 1 x 3 = 75 bets x .20 per = $15 ticket

Total Pick 3 and Pick 4 suggestions for Flamboro Downs, September 4th, 2011: $23, as above.


*Bracketed horses are replacements for early scratches; late scratches earn you the post time favourite in that leg of the wager.


Best of luck to everyone, enjoy your Labour Day Weekend!!!


Woodbine and Saratoga free picks for September 4th, 2011

Belak, Kordic, Spencer; Toronto Maple Leafs who died young

Today's news regarding the passing of Wade Belak not only shocked because he was the third NHL enforcer to die this offseason, but also because he was the third truly colorful former Toronto Maple Laefs player to die relatively young. I'm leaving Bill Barilko off this list for two reasons. One, he was from an earlier era. Two, I don't know enough about him (learned this from a hockey card I keep tucked up under my 50 Mission Cap) to include him yet, however if I learn more, I may add him to this post.

I don't believe Wade Belak had the kind of problems that plagued Brian "Spinner" Spencer and John Kordic, which made his passing seem all the more sudden and premature. If there are other former Leafs who died young that should be profiled here, please make a note in the Comments section below.







Career

Brian Spencer was drafted in the 5th Round, 55th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1969 NHL Entry Draft. On December 12, 1970, when he was called up to play with the Leafs in what would be his first NHL game on television, he called his father Roy Spencer in British Columbia to tell him to watch the game that night on Hockey Night in Canada. Spencer was to be interviewed between periods of the game. However, a game featuring the Vancouver Canucks versus the California Golden Seals was aired instead of the Maple Leafs versus the Chicago Blackhawks. Infuriated, Roy Spencer drove 135 kilometres (84 mi) to Prince George, where the closest CBC Television station, CKPG-TV, is located. When he arrived he ordered them at gunpoint to broadcast the Maple Leafs game instead. The station complied but as Roy Spencer left the station he was confronted by the RCMP. After a brief stand-off Roy Spencer was shot and killed.

After a few seasons with Toronto and the New York Islanders, Spencer was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres. Spencer had his best offensive production in a Sabres uniform when he scored 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 1974–75. Spencer played well in Buffalo and was extremely popular with the fans at Buffalo's Memorial Auditorium. His hustle, aggressive play, and hitting ability was something the fans admired. Spencer developed into a solid two-way player. He would however be dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins in September 1977.

His offensive production fell as he took on the role of a checking forward with the Penguins. Spencer's last NHL season came in 1978–79 when he played 7 games for Pittsburgh. He then finished his playing career in the AHL (Binghamton, Springfield and Hershey) and retired after the 1979–80 season.


Off The Ice

While off the ice Spencer was often found working on his vehicle, dubbed "The Hulk". He began with a 2½ ton Army convoy truck and removed the body. Next, Spencer installed a 651 Cummins diesel engine and placed the shell of a 1972 Dodge van and hood of a Mack Truck atop. The dashboard was taken from a DC-3 cockpit, and all the gauges were functional. Brian also had a small black-and-white television monitor in the dashboard, which was connected to cameras in the back "sleeping" area of the Hulk. The hood ornament was a horse's jawbone.


Death

After hockey, Spencer ran into some rough times. He submersed himself into a life of drugs and violence. In 1987 he was charged with kidnapping and murder and faced the death penalty. Family and friends, including ex-teammates gathered around him and tried to help him through those rough times. The lead attorney in the case was Barry A. Weinstein and the lead investigator was Leon Wright. Both men were members of the capital division of the Office of the Public Defender of Palm Beach County and in their years at the public defender's office, they had never lost a client to the death penalty. A former teammate from the Buffalo Sabres, Rick Martin, tried to help by testifying as a character witness at his trial. The jury deliberated and ruled with a not guilty verdict in March 1988 and Spencer vowed to change his life. However, despite the acquittal and a move to Florida, Spencer's life continued to spiral out of control. In almost a similar manner to how his father's life ended, Spencer's life would end the same way three months later: shot and killed at gunpoint, this time in a robbery following a crack cocaine purchase in Riviera Beach, Florida, with his friend Gregory Scott Cook at his side.

Spencer is survived by five children from two different marriages and his twin brother, Byron.

A book on Brian's life Gross Misconduct: The life of Spinner Spencer, written by Martin O'Malley, was adapted in 1993 by Atom Egoyan into a made-for-television film in Canada, Gross Misconduct.







John "Rambo" Kordic (March 22, 1965 — August 8, 1992) was a Canadian hockey player in the National Hockey League.

Kordic played for the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, and Quebec Nordiques, for a total of seven seasons in the NHL. He won the Calder Cup with Sherbrooke Canadiens in 1985, and a Stanley Cup with Montreal Canadiens in 1986.

While playing for Toronto Maple Leafs, he wore #27, formerly worn by Leaf players Darryl Sittler and Frank Mahovlich. Kordic was known as an enforcer on the ice.

On August 8, 1992, after overdosing on drugs and being involved in a struggle with police at a Quebec City motel, Kordic died of lung failure due to heart malfunction. At his time of death, Kordic was 27 years old.

John's brother, Dan, played for the Philadelphia Flyers organization in the 1990s













Wade Belak (July 3, 1976 – August 31, 2011) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and defenceman. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft, 12th Overall. He played for the Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL).


Playing career

In 2004–05 he played for Coventry Blaze in the British Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) during the NHL lockout. Belak won man of the match a number of times and was voted to the EIHL All-Star team at the end of the season.

Until December 4, 2007 Belak was on pace to set a Leafs record for most consecutive games without a goal. He went 143 games until he scored against the Nashville Predators.[1] Belak was previously featured in a Rogers Sportsnet interview where he jokingly admitted he was attempting the record intentionally. Despite his limited scoring in the NHL, Belak has scored on notable goalies such as Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo,[3] and Chris Mason.[1] Wade Belak was traded to the Florida Panthers on February 26, 2008 for a 5th round draft pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft. Belak was traded to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Nick Tarnasky on November 27, 2008.

After playing in 15 games for the 2010–11 season, Belak was placed on waivers on February 25, 2011. Going unclaimed, Belak was assigned to the Predators AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals, but decided on March 8, 2011 to retire and remain with the Predators in an organizational role.


Personal life

Belak was born in St. Paul's Hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to Lorraine Belak and Lionel Aadland. At age six, his family moved to Battleford where he attended St. Vital Elementary School, Battleford Junior High, and North Battleford Comprehensive High School. He was described as a typical jock, and by 14, he was aiming to become a certified lifeguard.

On July 20, 2002, Wade married Jennifer Jordan Russell in Banff, Alberta. They have two daughters, Andie Marie (born July 23, 2004) and Alex Grace (born March 20, 2006), who were both born in Toronto. The family owns two Yorkshire dogs: Oscar and Macie.[6] In the summer, the family resides in Kelowna, British Columbia, where Wade enjoys golfing, bike-riding, softball, and water sports. Wade's younger brother Graham Belak played in several lower-tier leagues and was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche, 53rd overall, in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, although he never played a game in the NHL.

Off the ice, the Toronto media portrayed Belak as a charismatic, easy-going person who loves to joke , contrary to his aggressive style of play. He has participated in spoof interviews with Greg Ross of Rogers Sportsnet; Ross characterizes him as an athlete who has a sense of humour about his career. He also had his own segment with Leafs TV called "Wade a Minute". In 2008, Belak also hosted his own short form series on BiteTV called The Wade Belak Show.


Death

At approximately 1:33 p.m. on August 31, 2011, Belak was found dead in a condo at One King Street West hotel and residences in Toronto, Ontario. Belak had been preparing to take part in the upcoming season of Battle of the Blades.

News: Friend of Edge 102.1 Dean Blundell show Wade Belak passes at 35


Sources: wikipedia.org, OJoeCollege.blogspot.com

BetFair.com for Canadians; wild ride continues

It's been a few days since I posted my last Betfair betting from Canada update, and I continue to learn new things over at the world's biggest gambling website.

Last night was a reminder of why I am normally a Pick 4 specialist and do not regularly try to handicap single races. I am not an ideal gambler, for when I get tired or depressed I tend to hammer longshots for no particluar reaspon... a sad habit. Yesterday I accidentally got a fill on a longshot at 23-1 (had tried to enter 32-1...) and instead of accepting my error, I bought more around 35-1 and compounded my mistake. For some reason I then placed Starting Price bets on this horse and another longshot and ended up blowing about $30 on the one race. Anyways, i am often able to learn from my mistakes, so i don't beat myself up too much over these regrettable, emotional trades.

When on my game, I had been trying to make a market in outsiders and live longshots, however my new strategy will focus more on the faves and contenders, as these have greater trading volumes, which should result in more hedging and arbitraging opportunities.

We'll keep you all posted!


Join BetFair.com for Horse Racing and Sports Betting, get $50 deposited after you wager $100!

Woodbine Pick 3 and Pick 4 selections for 31AUG11

Hey kids, shake it loose together as this is the last "Picks Post" for August, and if we win today we'll be positive for the month of August, and if we don't, we'll be a wee bit below break even.

Okay, here are my two tickets for this eve's thoroughbred races at Woodbine (bracketed horses are replacements in case of early scratch; late scratch gets you Post time Fave in that leg):

Woodbine Race 1: $1 Pick 3


1, 6, 5, 3 (2) / 9, 6, 11 (5) / 4

12 best x $1 per = $12 ticket



Woodbine Race 4: .20 Pick 4

6, 9, 3, 4 (2) / 4, 10, 12, 3, 1 (9) / 8, 9, 4, 10 / 8

80 bets x .20 per = $16 ticket


Total wagered on August 31, 2011: $28 for two tickets


Best of luck to everyone!!!

Joe

Mohawk Pick 4 selections for 30AUG11

Here are my tickets for tonight's (August 30th, 2011) Pick 4 exotic wagers at Mohawk Raceway (bracketed horses are replacements in case of early scratch; late scratch gives you the fave in that leg of the ticket):

Race 4 Pick 4

ALL (8 horses) / 6, 5 (4) /8, 1, 9, 4, 7 (2) / 2

80 bets (8 x 2 x 5 x 1) x .20 per = $18


Race 8 Pick 4 UPDATED with corrections at 5.50PM:

Race 8 Pick 4

8, 5, 7, 2, 9, 4 (1) / 2, 3, 6, 5, 8 (1) / 3, 8, 6, 4 (2) / 5

120 bets x .20 per = $24

Total wagered for Tuesday, August 30th: $42


Best of luck to all!

Colucci's Calls: Saratoga Review

Thoroughbred Blog 27 August 2011

by Ralph Colucci

We have been writing a lot about Slevin lately and that key race, The Noble Nashua Stakes – (Belmont Version) – 19 June 2011. Yesterday, Smokin Hero finally ran back in the 4th, The Easy N Dirty in the 4th Race at SAR whilst our dear Slevin took on what appeared to be a load of fringe Stakes runners in an N3X/OC $75k carrying a $75k tag as he didn’t fit the allowance conditions.

Smokin Hero ran very well to be third in the minor stake, driving into the lead on the inside off the turn but clearly needed the race as he was a bit empty in the stretch coming home for the 7f in about 1:22:4 on a track that was about 2 seconds slow for the sprints and a little slower for the middle distance races.

Slevin on the other hand turned in another superb effort in the 8th Race at SAR, his last for Richard Dutrow as Gary Contessa claimed him for $75k (he didn’t fit the condition so was in for the $75k OC tag). Going around the far turn, Slevin was closing on To Honor and Serve however when he got to within about a quarter of a length to To Honor and Serve, To Honor and Serve kicked into high gear to win by 8 lengths whilst Slevin hung tough to beat the rest of the field in a very respectable 1:49:4 on a track that had to be over two seconds slow around two turns..

Slevin turned out to be a very nice claim for Dutrow for $50k last October, banking about $115k in purses and $25k on the claim for a total of $140k gross however he may have thrown the baby out with the bathwater as Slevin can run on anything and still has from 15 to 27 months of racing in him before he turns 8YO. With only 25 lifetime starts the best indeed may be yet to come for new trainer Gary Contessa and this son of Belong to Me, at one time the toast of NY sires that actually drew mares from Kentucky to New York in his heyday, out of a Silver Deputy mare (hence his ability to run on anything including the Aqueduct Inner Dirt in winter).

If Contessa runs Slevin in 25 NY bred Stakes over the next 2 1/3 years, earnings of a million dollars are not out of the question once the NY slot machine money starts to roll in. you have to love the way this horse competes, getting up by a whisker in the slop last time, bounced around like a pinball in the Noble Nashua and still holding fourth. But the real story in this race was To Honor and Serve. Is Bill Mott losing his edge or his nerve? He is not having a typical 30+ % meet like he usually does at Saratoga.

Off since The Florida Derby at the beginning of April, To Honor and Serve obviously needed the Amsterdam. He came home for 9f yesterday in 1:48:3 on a track that had to be over two seconds slow around two turns. Coil, the M/L second choice for today’s $1mm Travers is coming off a win in the Gr1 9f Haskell in 1:48:1 where he was still running pretty green. How fast was the track at Monmouth on Haskell Day? Fast enough for Force Freeze, a sprinter of unknown ability, to go 6f in 1:07:3 at $16.50-1. Fast enough that the slowest 6f in a sprint, including claimers, starters & 1st level allowance was 1:09 & change while most were 1:08 & change. Fast enough that I think every single winner won in their fastest time ever whether on dirt or turf. Definitely a Zero-variant Day.

M/L favourite Stay Thirsty is coming of a victory in the Jim Dandy here at SAR July 30th in 1:48:3. How fast was the track that day? The DRF lists the variant as 06 (it rated Coil’s Haskell a 05, how, I’ll never understand) that saw a 2YO Giant’s Causeway colt break his Maiden first out at 6f in 1:10:1, $20k claimers going 5 1/2 f in 1:04 & change, F&M claimers going 81/2 f in 1:42 & change. Certainly a faster track than yesterday. We think Mott made a very poor decision. To Honor and Serve certainly deserved to run in the Travers which, had he done so, would have given Dutrow a winning send-off for Slevin, while To Honor and Serve would have likely gone off as one of the favorites, finished in the top 3 with a tremendous shot at winning $600k instead of the meager $34,200 he picked out of Slevin’s pocket yesterday. Congrats to Contessa to stepping up to the plate and dropping $75k on Slevin and shame on Mott denying To Honor and Serve the chance at the honor of winning the mid-summer Derby.

Betfair.com UPDATE; Betting on Betfair from Canada

The past few days have been up and down on BetFair.com, as I have had many opportunities to flatten my positions and protect capital, however I do not yet have the discipline to arbitrage every trade.

My new strategy will involve shorting $8 (Lay the horse) and going long (Back the horse) for $7. This should allow a $1 profit if the horse loses, and a somewhat bigger profit if it wins. Now sometimes I will get stuck with only one side of the trade, so it will be important to get the first wager in early, before the spread tightens.

I will keep you all posted!!!

JOIN Betfair and get $50 deposited in your account when you wager $100 in Sports Betting (including horse racing)

Saturday Challenge - $24 versus $24

This first challenge will be open to only myself and our guest handicapper Ralph Colucci, whose Challenge picks I will be posting later today. In future weeks we will open up the Saturday Challenge to the public, and you can try to win the Challenge by posting your own suggested $8 tickets in the Comments section below.


Here are my three $8 tickets for tomorrow, Saturday August 27, 2011:




Mohawk 27AUG11 Race 4 Pick 4

7, 2, 5, 1 (6) / 8, 1, 5, 9, 7 (10) / 8 / 3, 5 (2)

40 bets x .20 = $8



Mohawk 27AUG11 Race 9 Pick 4

9, 6, 7, 5 (4) / 6, 5, 1, 3, 8 (2) / 6 / 4, 6 (3)

40 bets x .20 = $8








Woodbine 27AUG11 Race 7 Pick 4

6, 5, 1, 2 (4) / 3, 2, 11, 4, 10 (8) / 7 / 7, 9 (8)

40 bets x .20 = $8


So there are my picks for our inaugural Saturday Challenge; let's see what Ralph comes up with!!!

OKAY, here are Ralph's Picks:

Selections

Woodbine Race 4 – $0.20 Pick Four

Race Four - Woodbine

1) Mr. Online
2) Prospective
4) The Bear Vow
8) Henny One

Race Five - Woodbine

7) Pulpation
9) English Sunrise

Race Six - Woodbine

1) Full of Wisdom
1A) Not too Tacky
2) Namaimo
3) Marcellino
5) Go West G T Go
6) Charlie Bull

Race Seven - Woodbine

6) Dreamy Moonlite





Saratoga Race 2 – $1.00 Pick Four

Race Two - Saratoga

1) Our Entourage
1A) Never On Time
2) Awaited
3) Fire On Ice
5) Penn’s Grant

Race Three - Saratoga

6) Coach Royale

Race Four - Saratoga

9) Indy Scent

Race Five - Saratoga

3) Yellow Boat
6) Trophy Wife


Saratoga Race 9 – $1.00 Pick Four

Race Nine – Saratoga

2) Jealous Girl
1A) Moon Buzz
1) Maple Forest
3) AZ Warrior
7) Precious Soul

Race Ten - Saratoga

6) Tar Heel Mom
7) Sassy Image

Race Eleven – Saratoga

7) Uncle Mo

Race Twelve - Saratoga

1) Bowman’s Causeway