Reimer and Maple Leafs grit out a victory

Hallelujah! Optimus James Reimer was stellar in the nets tonight, stopping 43 of 44 shots and leading the Buds to a 2-1 Stanley Cup playoffs win against the Bruins in Boston. Both teams head to the Air Canada Centre for Game Six on Sunday evening.

Tyler Bozak scored an unassisted shorthanded goal in the 2nd period, his first-ever NHL playoffs tally, and Clarke MacArthur added his own unassisted marker in the 3rd period.

Today marked the 43rd anniversary of Bobby Orr's Cup-winning goal in 1970, pictured above.

Thank You Kessel for ANOTHER GREAT SEASON!!!

Phil Kessel NHL's 4th leading goal scorer over past 3 years

During the shortened 2012-2013 NHL season, Phil Kessel worked on his backchecking and also helped welcome James van Riemsdyk to the Maple Leafs, setting up many of his early goals. Phil finished 8th in points with 52, and despite some goal scoring droughts, ended up with 20, good enough for 13th in the league this year.

Combining this year with last, Toronto's PK, is 4th in the NHL for points production, and 6th overall for goals scored.

Over the past 3 years, Kessel is 8th in points and 4th in goals, behind only Steven Stamkos, Corey Perry and Alex Ovechkin. Even in goals per game, he ranks 10th in the National Hockey League over the most recent three seasons, the entire time of which he has played with linemates who had rarely if ever seen 1st line NHL duty before. Phil Kessel made top line players out of Tyler Bozak and JVR, while also reviving the career of Joffrey Lupul in 2011-2012.

Don't believe that was Kessel's magic? Okay then look back to his Boston Bruin years. His goal total went from 11 in his rookie year to 19 as a sophomore, and in his breakout 3rd year he potted 36 goals and added 24 assists, and finished a +23. Marc Savard had his 3rd best year as an NHLer with 88 points, and 2nd year Bruin Milan Lucic increased his point total from 27 to 42, with a +17. now, some would argue that anybody could play with savard and Lucic, however based on the Toronto evidence, one could also state that anybody can play with Phil Kessel, and then see their stats improve.


Leafs FUTURE: Kessel, Kadri, Gardiner, Frattin, JVR, Franson

Regardless of what happens in Boston tonight, Kessel is among a core of Leafs needed to be signed for the longer term, together with Kadri, Gardiner, Frattin, van Riemsdyk and Franson. Bozak should get a 2 to 3 year deal, same for Fraser, Komarov and Gunnarsson. Colborne's a RFA so will have to accept a 2-way deal, whereas Kostka being a UFA will likely look for a 1-way, NHL-only deal, and he may get priced out. If he'll take a 2-way, Buds can offer a few years of security and at least he'll be living in Toronto either way.

Liles needs to be moved, and if Reilly (or Blacker) makes the Buds this coming camp, which is a definite possibility, then Phaneuf may have to be traded also. I think many fans see his mistakes but ignore his prowess at clearing bodies and shooting pucks and are biased against him, however his experience and $6.5 million salary may be a piece some other team needs desperately (Tampa?). Liles is a lot slower than Gardiner and weaker than Phaneuf, so it is hard to see where he fits in, and after he's gone, that makes more room for Dion, so I expect he'll be back, and if the team is doing well he will stay as GM Dave Nonis adds a vet or two for the Cup battles.

Finally, keeping Reilly with the Marlies for a season may have one extra benefit. The fact that Naz spent last year in the AHL and Jake spent this year there, means that neither has been able to pad their NHL statistics, which will help when trying to re-sign them into longer deals. Gardiner may have been kept on the Marls as he recovered from his concussion because the Leafs were winning and the team did not want to expose him to NHL hitting until he was 110% recovered, which he looked on Wednesday night.

Future is bright.

Las Vegas lobbyists close down Ontario Place and historic racetracks

Lakeside park in Toronto, Fort Erie, Windsor all casualties


The recent news of the end of horse racing at Peterborough's Kawartha Downs must have been met with toasts and cheers in Vegas, for their strategy appears to be unfolding much faster than they anticipated. Realizing that an existing ultra-equitable (for all parties) deal with Ontario's horsepeople was the major obstacle in the way of Las Vegas based mega-casinos taking over gaming in Ontario, their partners at OLG have now managed to shut down Ontario Place, a major family park on the shores of Lake Ontario and have their sights set on also taking over the Canadian National Exhbition (CNE) grounds. They have closed four racetracks already this year (Fort Erie, Windsor, Sarnia (Hiawatha) and Peterborough (Kawartha Downs), with more closures to be announced in coming weeks, and more racetracks to be phased out over the next three years.

Fort Erie racetrack in Fort Erie, Ontario

The Las Vegas lobbyists have requested that the number of racing ovals in Ontario be reduced to 6 from the current 17, as a way to limit their competition. The Slots-At-Racetracks partnership has returned over $14 billion to Ontario's treasury and offers 75% of profit to the provincial government. Larry Tanenbaum's Boardwalk chain of "bingo" (covert slots) parlours is offering 25% (Boardwalk gets 47% versus entire horse industry currently getting 10%), while the Vegas boys will likely offer 10-15% after all their accounting tricks.

New NDP government last best hope for Ontario

If you are fine with selling out our provincial heritage to the highest private bidder, please work to have the Liberals re-elected, or support the Cons povertization strategy.

Ontario Place attendance was up 90% the year before it was closed down because of "declining attendance." The children's water park and play area has had a $13 million renovation, including a huge new $1 million slide that not a single child has ever ridden down. If you believe public parkland should be sold to highest bidder as land for more condos and American casinos, vote Liberal or Conservative in the next Ontario election.

If you believe in Ontario's people and history and are willing to declare support for rural and smalltown communities in our province, please speak with your local NDP reps to help create a plan to re-open Ontario Place, Fort Erie, Windsor, Hiawatha and Kawartha Downs, and allow Canadians to return to their jobs and continue to pay their taxes and contribute to our overall well-being.

Toronto Maple Leafs 2013 opening lineup

Komarove provides grit to Kadri line

New Leafs coach Carlyle is more of a Big Nine and Checking Line kinda guy, relative to Wilson's Top Six / Bottom Six approach. Here are the Big Nine for tomorrow night's opener against Habs:

Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

MacArthur - Grabovski - Kulemin

van Riemsdyk - Kadri - Komarov

The fourth line has defensive specialist McClement between bangers Brown and Orr, though look for David Steckel to replace Orr for faceoffs in the defensive zone, as that way either McClement or Steckel can take the draw and there'll be no trouble if one gets booted from the circle.


Defence will miss Jake Gardiner

On defence, Kostka may be kept in the bigs until Jake Gardiner heals, though Reilly is almost certain to be returned to juniors. Possible pairings:

Phaneuf - Gunnarsson
Liles - Franson
Frazer - Holzer

Spares: Komisarek and/or Kostka

Although Scrivens outplayed Reimer early in camp, Carlyle has not yet revealed who will start Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada. The decision may have already been made and he doesn't want to tip off the Canadiens coaching staff, or James Reimer may have been showing flashes of his form.

Look for this game to be a tight one, likely to be decided in overtime.

2013 Toronto Maple Leafs training camp roster

New Maple Leafs' coach Randy Carlyle has indicated he will be inviting 30 players to Toronto's shortened NHL training camp. As GM Brian Burke has already indicated juniors Morgan Reilly and David Broll with be invited, that leaves 28 more.

With Jake Gardiner injured, Luke Schenn gone, and Cody Franson unsigned, in the short term there may be as many as three spots open on the Toronto Maple Leafs backline, with Holzer, Kostka, Fraser and Ranger the main contenders for the spots.

Forwards

1. Phil Kessel

2. Joffrey Lupul

3. Bozak

4. Van Riemsdyk

5. Grabovski

6. Kulemin

7. Steckel

8. McClement

9. Komarov

10. MacArthur

11. Connolly

12. Frattin

13. Kadri

14. Lombardi

15. Brown

16. Hamilton

17. Aucoin

18. Broll

19. Orr

Defence

20. Phaneuf

21. Liles

22. Gunnarsson

23. Komisarek

24. Kostka

25. Holzer

26. Ranger

27. Fraser

28. Reilly

Goaltenders

29. James Reimer

30. Ben Scrivens

31. Jussi Rynnas

(If Luongo arrives via trade, Rynnas will stay with Marlies)

Injured: Jake Gardiner (D)

Unsigned: Cody Franson (D)

If Franson is signed and Gardiner soon returns, the defence will be quite deep, so a trade there is possible. If the NHL opts fopr expanded rosters for the first few weeks of the shortened NHL season, look for the Buds to break camp with 15 forwards, eight defenceman and two goalies, for a total of 25 active players, plus any injured guys.

Although Jason Arnott is still a free agent, he has been skating with his former team the Dallas Stars, so look for him to end up there.

03DEC - Toronto Maple Leafs TOP SCORERS 2012-13

NEW Maple Leafs Aucoin, Kostka, Ranger shine

Although nobody is really tearing up their league, most of the Leafs players and prospects are continuing to develop in 2012-2013, with Joe Colborne's slow start the notable exception. Aucoin, Kadri, Kulemin and Grabovski are all performing as management had hoped and expected, with Morgan Reilly, Josh Nicholls and Tyler Biggs all putting up big numbers in junior ranks. Reilly was recently invited to Team Canada junior camp.

The biggest outperformer has been Mike Kostka, and it would not be surprising to see he and Jake Gardiner remain a tandem with the Leafs. Komarov, Zigomanis and Hamilton have been consistent as usual,  and Matt Frattin, whose season is just getting underway, has 7 goals in 8 games. One blessing of the NHL lockout is that there are no fans and pundits screaming for Paul Ranger's promotion to the Maple Leafs, as he leads the Toronto Marlies with a +9 even strength rating.

Between the pipes, Ben Scrivens (7-6) shook off a spotty start and is nearing peak form, while Rynnas has been sensational (3-0-1). Mark Owuya (2-2) is still looking to regain last season's form, however he is the youngest pro Leafs goalie and is still learning the AHL game, having played half of last season in the ECHL. In the OHL, Garret Sparks (15-7) of Guelph Storm has been solid to spectacular, stealing a few games for his teammates.

At yesterday's Marlies game, Nazem Kadri was about to get into a scrap with Lake Erie's Bill Thomas, but Brad Ross quickly stepped in to take the fight, and delivered a victory too. Brian Burke was sure to notice future Leafs power forward Ross protecting an explosive current asset that may center the Leafs top line sooner rather than later. 

weighted points

Aucoin AHL 20 x 2 = 40

Kulemin KHL 18 x 2 = 36

Kadri AHL 18 x 2 = 36

Kostka AHL 18 x 2 = 36

Grabovski KHL 17 x 2 = 34

Biggs OHL 31 x 1 = 31

Komarov  AHL/KHL 15 (9+6) x 2 = 30

Nicholls WHL 30 x 1 = 30

Gardiner AHL 14 x 2 = 28

Zigomanis AHL 11 x 2 = 22

weighted goals

Nicholls WHL 19 x 1 = 19

Kulemin KHL 9 x 2 = 18

Grabovski KHL 8 x 2 = 16

Biggs 15 x 1 = 15

Frattin AHL 7 x 2 = 14

Hamilton AHL 7 x 2 = 14

Komarov AHL/KHL 6/1 x 2 = 14

weighted defencemen

Kostka AHL 13 x 2 = 26

Reilly WHL 26

Gardiner AHL 11 x 2 = 22

Finn OHL18

Percy OHL 17

unweighted +/-

Kulemin KHL +11

Biggs OHL +11

Ranger AHL +9

Komarov AHL/KHL(7+2) = 8

unweighted save percentage

Rynnas .938

Sparks .916

Scrivens .910

Owuya .833

toronto maple leafs 2012-2013 stats

preliminary data, as of 18nov12

weighted* scoring race

aucoin 14 x 2 = 28

grabovsky 13 x 2 = 26

kadri   13 x 2 = 26

kostka 13 x 2 = 26

nicholls 26

kulemin 12 x 2 = 24

biggs 23

leivo 23

gardiner 22

reilly 21

komarov 9 x 2 = 18

zigomanis 9 x 2 = 18

finn 18

weighted* scoring defensemen

kostka 13 x 2 = 26

gardiner 11 x 2 = 22

reilly 21

finn 18

unweighted plus minus

kulemin +9

biggs +8

komarov +6

nicholls +6

fraser +5

ranger +5

colborne +4

unweighted save percentage

rynnas .938

sparks .912

scrivens .888

owuya .838

* ahl / khl = x 2