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