Leafs News: Kadri to wing, Raymond to sign extension

Bozak set to return, Holland surging in faceoff circle

Based upon his last 5 games, Nazem Kadri may have to get used to taking some shifts on the wing. Here are his numbers:

DEC 27 '13 BUF @ TOR - 37.50%

DEC 23 '13 TOR @ NYR - 29.41%

DEC 21 '13 DET @ TOR - 28.57%

DEC 19 '13 PHX @ TOR - 20.00%

DEC 17 '13 FLA @ TOR - 36.84%


Now, here are the recent numbers for Peter Holland, a center drafted the same year as Naz (Holland went 15th overall in 2009, Kadri went 7th):

DEC 27 '13 BUF @ TOR - 72.73

DEC 23 '13 TOR @ NYR - 70.00%

DEC 21 '13 DET @ TOR - 58.33%

DEC 19 '13 PHX @ TOR  - 30.77%

DEC 17 '13 FLA @ TOR - 45.45%


Nazem is -1 with 1 point over that stretch, while Peter is +1 with 3 points. It is a small sample but may be indicative of personal momentum. With Dave Bolland out until late January, Kadri may have a wee bit of breathing room now, but if he can't get fiercer in the circle, he'll be playing on the wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs come playoffs time.

NOTE: Though all the focus has been on Phaneuf's extension (Update Jan 1: 7 years for $49 mil). Look for Mason Raymond to sign a 3-year, $9 million deal ($2.5, 3.0, 3.5 mil) before the middle of January.

Toronto Maple Leafs already signed for 2012-2013

May 2012 - Leafs signed for next season, ranked by ability to help team over next 2 to 3 seasons

1. Kessel

2. Lupul

3. Grabovski

4. Phaneuf

5. Gardiner

6. Schenn

7. Reimer

8. Liles

9. Bozak

10. Connolly

11. MacArthur

12. Kadri

13.  Armstrong

14. Steckel

15. Gunnarsson

16. Komisarek

17. D'Amigo

18. Lombardi

19. Dupuis

20. Deschamps

21. Owuya

22. Colborne

23. Brown

24. Biggs

25. Ashton

26. Komarov

27. Scott

28. Orr

29. Fraser

30. Blacker

31. Granberg

32. Garrett

33. Percy

34. McKegg

35. Ross

36. Acton

Free agents (bold = priority signings)

unrestricted free agents

crabb, gustavsson, zigomanis, hamilton

restricted free agents

frattin, scrivens, kulemin, franson, lashoff, holzer, rosehill, mikus, rynnas,  mueller, gysbers

Matt Frattin gets Howe Hat Trick in 1st period!

Endearing himself to new Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle and playing for a spot in the 2012-2013 lineup, Matt Frattin stood up for linemate Tyler Bozak, who had just taken a cheap shot from behind by Marcus Foligno. Frattin immediately challenged the bigger Foligno and though he took a few punches, he made his team and coaches proud.

Adding a goal and an assist to round out the single period Gordie Howe hat trick, Frattin looked perfectly in place on the left side of the Toronto Maple Leafs number one line, with Bozak and Phil Kessel. The fifth leading scorer in the NHL, Kessel had 3 beautiful assists in one his best periods as a Leaf.

The score is Toronto 3, Buffalo 0, with at least 2 periods left to play.

3 Biggest mistakes Leafs GM Brian Burke made this season

With the Toronto Maple Leafs sliding precariously down the standings and hope for a 2012 playoffs run all but vanquished, let's take a look at three moves (or lack of same) by General Manager Brian Burke that may have cost us the 2011-2012 NHL season.

No experienced goalie

A) Not trading for a vet goalie when it became clear that Monster was not good enough to be a #2 and Reimer wasn't recovered enough to be a #1- this was becoming clear in December and was more than evident by mid-February. Jonas G has had only two stretches in 3 years (10 games in his rookie season and mid-to-late-November 2011) where he appeared to be a NHL calibre goalie, yet he has never shown the consistency required to be a #1 goalie let alone a Stanley Cup playoffs standout netminder.

Burke's claim that Gustavsson "saved the season" when Reimer was injured rings true only if you believe barely adequate goaltending behind a powerful offence makes him a savior. He's a free agent at the end of the year and will likely return to Sweden.

Secretive signing...

B) Secretly signing Wilson to an extension and then letting him decide when to announce it, as if the players had no right to that info; wtf? A better idea may have been signing him when the Leafs had mathematically guaranteed a playoff spot, or waiting until after the season to assess the overall situation. Now MLSE will be on the hook for millions to Ron Wilson even if Randy Carlyle or Dallas Eakins is hired to helm the Buds for the 2012-2013 season.

Four year contract for oldest dude on the team?

C) Signing Liles to a multi-year dela at $4 mil plus per year. With five young defencemen on the Buds roster (Schenn, Gardiner, Gunnarsson, Franson and Phaneuf), why lock in the sixth guy for years at a huge price tag. Since when is a guy that just got traded for a 2^nd round pick worth $4mil per year??? I like Liles, however a four-year, $15.5 million contract extension for a guy turning 32 this year seems out of place. I really hope J-M proves me wrong on this one.

If Gustavsson goes on a hot streak and inspires Wilson and Liles to take the Maple Leafs deep into the post-season, I will retract my claim that these were mistakes; if not, there's always next year, where youth and hope springs eternal.

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.

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.

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.

Top 50 Toronto Maple Leafs; 30 Forwards, 15 defenceman and 5 goalies

Maple Leafs Forwards

1. Kessel
2. Connolly
3. Lupul

4. Kulemin
5. Grabovski
6. MacArthur

7. Kadri
8. Bozak
9. Armstrong


10. Frattin
11. Colborne
12. Orr


13. Rosehill
14. Brown
15. Lombardi (Injured)




On the Farm:

16. Tyler Brenner
17. Greg McKegg
18. Jerry D'Amigo
19. Tyler Biggs (U of Miami)
20. Bradley Ross
21. Josh Nicholls
22. Gregg Scott
23. Luca Caputi
24. Jamie Devane
25. Brayden Irwin
26. Justin Hodgman
27. Andrew Crescenzi
28. Mitchell Heard (unsigned)
29. Ryan Hamilton
30. Marcel Mueller


Defence

31. Aulie
32. Phaneuf
33. Liles
34. Schenn (will be signed)
35. Gunnarsson
36. Komisarek
37. Franson
38. Lashoff (unsigned)



On the farm:

39. Simon Gysbers
40. Korbinian Holzer
41. Jake Gardiner
42. Jesse Blacker
43. Stuart Percy
44. Danny Richmond
45. Josh Engel




Goalies

46. James Reimer
47. Jonas Gustavsson

3-way battle for 2 Marlies spots:

48. Jussi Rynas
49. Ben Scrivens
50. Mark Owuya



Wildcards:

Up front - Richard Greenop

D-men - Mike Brennan

In net - Garret Sparks


Contenders if they come aboard:

Joey Crabb (unsigned)
Darryl Boyce (unsigned)

Onwards and upwards; 2012 NHL playoffs here we come!!!

Connolly a smart sign for Leafs

2 year deal for battered vet shows faith in Colborne

Tim Connolly is a potential 65-75 point scorer as a first line centre, having exceeded 40 points each of the last 4 seasons playing lesser roles, including penalty killing. Paired with Kessel and possibly Lupul, Connolly will be given a chance to put some points on the board with Toronto.

The 2 year deal for a 30-year old with serious concussions in his past makes perfect sense. Longer term deals have to be reserved for players closer to the age of Schenn, Kessel, Reimer and Phaneuf. By acquiring him via free agency rather than trade, the health-related risks to the move are severely diminished. The move tells Joe Colborne to be ready, as TC hasn't played a full season in a while.

With Nonis landing Connolly, the icing on the cake for Leafs Nation would be Burkie and Schenn coming home from Afghanistan with terms agreed upon, allowing the Buds GM more time to focus on looking for another Top 6 winger.

MacArthur running out of time to sign with Maple Leafs

Kadri or Armstrong could take 2nd line winger spot

If any NHL player was aware of the perils of contract arbitration, you would think it would be Clarke MacArthur. Last year he filed for arbitration in Atlanta, and though the arbitrator ruled 2.4 million for Mac, the Thrashers walked away from the deal. Turned into a last-minute free agent, Clarke signed with the Leafs for $1.1 million.

Why would he want to go to arbitration this year, when it failed him so miserably last time?

Admittedly, after MacArthur's career season, the risk is now lessened. Even if the arbitrator awards a high number and Burkie walks away from it, other NHL teams will pony up significant dough for a 60+ point scorer. Still, Clarkie, you really clicked here so why not stay a few years?

If I were Brian Burke, this is what I would offer CM:

One year for $2.5 million

OR

Two years for $5.2 million

OR

Three years for 8.0 million



If I were MacArthur and Burke was offering more than that, I'd jump at the offer, but then again, I'm a Leafs fan. The "worst city in North American sports" is also the hockey capital of the world. The only other contenders are Moscow and Montreal, and Toronto wins hands down.

Who is best #1 center for Toronto Maple Leafs?

Brad Richards, Zach Parise or Paul Statsny???

As I do not believe that Stamkos can be pried away from Yzerman and Tampa, it seems the Buds' pursuit of a first-line center may boil down to pursuit of Brad Richards as a UFA, Zach Parise as a RFA, and Paul Stastny via trade.

Leaving aside the costs of acquisition, which will be steep for any of these guys, which of the 3 do you believe is the best fit for the Leafs over the next three to five years, and why?

Thanks You Leafs, for a true grit 2nd half

Optimus Reimer the key to turnaround; Phaneuf rock solid

The Stanley Cup tourney will go without the beloved Buds, however they certainly didn't defeat themselves in the 2011 portion of the NHL season. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a strong youthful core in place for the 2011-2012 NHL season, and Burke's wizardry promises to augment this crew further. Stay tuned for an exciting off-season and a highly anticipated 2011 Leafs training camp.

A few highlights:

- King James Reimer carries a struggling team on his back and turns around a franchise

- Dion Phaneuf steps up after Kaberle leaves, earns his big Leafs "C"

- Phil Kessel emerging as a top playmaker over the final weeks of the season

- Luke Schenn's continued growth as a solid, stay-at-home defender

- Nikolai Kulemin a 30-goal scorer!

- Mikhail Grabovski excels as a 2nd line centre

- Nazem Kadri learning to play with smarts and finesse

- Joffrey Lupul regains scoring touch, clicks with Kessel

- Clarke MacArthur solidifies 2nd line, needs to be re-signed

- Boyce and Crabb show promise alongside Kadri

- Aulie, Lashoff perform under pressure after callup from Marlies

Burke's priorities have to be signing a bona fide #1 centre (hello Brad Richards!) plus a solid veteran goaltender, who is willing to play 25-30 games in support of James Reimer.

Thanks Buds, for the playoff intensity of the last couple of months. We're moving in the right direction, and hopeful for next season.

Go Leafs Go!!!

Leafs fall 7 points out of 8th, 9 back of 6th

Toronto Maple Leafs have solid youth core

If there's any silver lining in tonight's 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings, it may be that Toronto can hope for slumps by 3 different teams. The Buds are just nine points back of the 6th place tie (Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers), so if any of Buffalo, Montreal or New York hit the skids, Toronto or Carolina could sneak in.

The beauty of this run is that it has been fueled by young players such as James Reimer, Luke Schenn, Carl Gunnarson, Phil Kessel, and now Nazem Kadri is also up with the big team and contributing. The line of MacArthur, Kulemin and Grabovski has been superb all season and every effort should be made to re-sign Clarke this summer.

Eveb if Toronto were to win all seven of its remaining games, they'd need Buffalo to lose 4 of 7 or Montreal to lose 5 of 7, or New York to lose 4 of 6. Here's how they stand now, 10pm March 26th, 2011:


EASTERN DIV GP W L OT PTS

6 MONTREAL NE 75 40 28 7 87

7 NY RANGERS ATL 76 41 30 5 87

8 BUFFALO NE 75 38 28 9 85

9 CAROLINA SE 75 35 30 10 80

10 TORONTO NE 75 34 31 10 78


Second-youngest team in NHL, Leafs may soon be looking to 2011-2012

With just seven games to go, the Buds are not out of it mathematically, but if they lose to the Sabres next week, it will be over psychologically. Even if the run is over, it's been awesome and we now have a solid young core to build on. Bring in a Brad Richards, another winger or two and a 2nd goalie whose last name is not Gustavsson and you'll be looking at a 100 point season.



The West will shake out further in a few hours, however it remains one of the closest playoff races in NHL history, with 4th place and 10th place separated by just 8 points:

4 PHOENIX PAC 76 41 24 11 93
5 LOS ANGELES PAC 75 43 26 6 92
6 NASHVILLE CEN 75 40 25 10 90
7 CHICAGO CEN 73 40 25 8 88
8 ANAHEIM PAC 74 41 28 5 87

9 DALLAS PAC 73 38 25 10 86
10 CALGARY NW 76 37 28 11 85

Maple Leafs GM likes to get something for nothing

Tyler Brenner, photo by Josh Barber

Leafs' News: Burke's free agents and undrafted players

Toronto Maple Leafs General manager Brian Burke loves to get quality players, what he terms “assets”, through signing NHL free agents and undrafted NCAA college hockey players. From the day two and a half years ago when Burke took over the Buds – November 29, 2008 – only 3 Leafs remain with the big club: Grabovski, Kulemin and Schenn, while Jeff Finger is still with the system, playing for the Marlies. If you could keep 3 players from that roster, who would your 3 be? Burke and Co kept the diamonds in the rough...

Colton Orr, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Gustavsson, Clarke MacArthur, Brett Lebda, Colby Armstrong and a few others were all signed by Burke as free agents, and the Leafs were able to lock them in on 2 to 4 year deals. Armstrong is currently signed to a three-year, $9 million deal, while Orr is on a four-year, $4 million contract; both very reasonable. Komisarek is pricey as he's signed to a five-year, $22.5 million contract and Gustavsson has a two-year, $2.7 million deal which is just about right. The Beauchemin trade to Anaheim has already brought us Joffrey Lupul, and D-man Jake Gardiner should get time with the big club next season.

Undrafted college players signed by Burke include Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson and this week, Rochester player Tyler Brenner. Even NCAA hockey players that don't make the big club can be helpful, as they can be chess pieces used to acquire players needed, by utilizing 2-for-1 and 3-for-1 type trades.

Here's another example of turning something minimal into something with promise. In June of 2010 the Leafs traded Viktor Stalberg, Chris DiDomenico and Philippe Paradis to Chicago for Kris Versteeg and the rights to to Bill Sweatt. In February 2011 Versteeg was moved to Philadelphia for a 1st round and a 3rd round draft pick. The leafs were unable to sign Sweatt (Vancouver prospect now) but it will be interesting to see who the 1st round draft pick brings to Toronto.

Getting a couple solid draft picks for renting out Tomas Kaberle for a few months was also a heist, and if Boston Bruins make the Stanley Cup finals, we'll get a 2nd rounder to boot!



Maple Leafs versus Minnesota Wild; Last Man Standing

Still, tonight's game against the Minnesota Wild is do-or-die for both teams, so something's gotta give. After this shinny in Minny, one team will be shining their golf clubs readying for an early Spring, while the other will be sharpening their skates for a final Stanley Cup playoffs push

Maple Leafs benefit from being sellers at trade deadline

Burke's wizardry continues as new squad starting to gel

In the great fun of this 2011 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs run, few mention how different it is than many of the previous fruitless late run efforts of the past six or seven years. The Maple Leafs were major sellers at the NHL trade deadline, showing faith in the farm and building a stronger Leafs system from top to bottom. After pulling off the Phaneuf / Aulie deal last year, Brian Burke was at it again in 2011, creating room for promotions to the top squad and stuffing the Marlies with players hungry for a shot at the bigs.

What we got:

Joe Colborne, 21 - Young, big, solid, steady centre

Jake Gardiner, 20- Young, skilled Team USA junior / US college defender has now signed 3 year deal with Leafs, already playing with Marlies

Joffrey Lupul, 27 - Injury reclamation project with upside

Aaron Voros, 29 - Big strong forward came from Anaheim for 7th rounder, while Mitchell went to NYR for 7th rounder, so consider it Mitchell for Voros and let's see

Boston Bruins' 1st round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia Flyers' 1st round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

Philadelphia Flyers' 3rd round draft pick in 2011 NHL Entry Draft

New York Rangers' 2012 7th round pick


What we may get:

2012 2nd round pick from Boston, should they make Stanley Cup finals, or re-sign Tomas Kaberle.


What we gave up:

2 to 3 months of Tomas Kaberle, 33

Francois Beachemin, 30

Kris Versteeg, 24

John Mitchell, 26

2011 7th round pick


Fuckin' brilliant!

Bruins 5-0 with Tomas Kaberle in lineup; Leafs also rolling along nicely

Bruins fans recall 1972 win streak powered by Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito and John Bucyk


New Boston Bruins Defenceman Tomas Kaberle


The Boston Bruins have just returned from a 6-0 road trip, their first six game win streak since 1972, the year of Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Derek Sanderson, Fred Satnfield, John "Pie" McKenzie, Gerry Cheevers, Mike "Shaky" Walton, and their 2nd Stanley Cup. It may be more than coincidence that Tomas Kaberle joined the team on the second game of that Western swing.

I have followed the career of Kaberle since his rookie season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and it is not a stretch to claim that he was the best player on the team, every single season he played, including the rookie year. Perhaps I just saw glimpses of his promise, yet compared to the shoddiness around him, I always found him to be a crisp, clean pro passer, one of the best in the league, and the Boston Bruins are now major beneficiaries of his talents.






My feeling is that with Chara doing a lot of the heavy lifting and getting 20-22 minutes per game, Kaberle at 16 to 18 minutes a game (as he's been getting) will mean that he will be fresh and ready to go for the NHL playoffs, when some long matches may occur. The recent winning streak has been a Bruins team effort, from Rask and Thomas through the defence and up to the scorers, everyone's doing their part.

There may not be an Orr or Esposito among them, but the pieces are falling into place that can make the 2011 squad another team of destiny.


Meanwhile, back in Toronto, the Leafs find themselves just 7 points back of 7th place New York Rangers in the NHL East Conference playoff race.

NHL Playoff races: Leafs now 7 points out of 7th place

NHL East has 6 teams battling for 3 playoff spots

By picking up two points in their overtime and shootout losses on the weekend, the Toronto Maple Leafs find they are now just 7 points out of 7th place, and only four points behind Carolina holding the eighth and final Eastern Conference NHL playoff spot:

EASTERN DIV GP W L OT PTS

6. MONTREAL NE 63 33 23 7 73

7. NY RANGERS ATL 64 33 27 4 70

8. CAROLINA SE 63 29 25 9 67

9. BUFFALO NE 61 29 25 7 65

10. TORONTO NE 63 27 27 9 63

11. ATLANTA SE 63 26 26 11 63


Montreal is very close to being in, so in my mind there are really 5 teams battling for 2 playoff positions.


NHL Western Conference 2011 Playoff Race

The West is truly crazy, and we're gonna have to keep an eye on this one and narrow it down a bit in a week or two, but right now it is wide open. There are 11 NHL teams battling for West playoff spots 3 through 8:

WESTERN DIV GP W L OT PTS

3. SAN JOSE PAC 63 36 21 6 78

4. PHOENIX PAC 64 33 21 10 76

5. LOS ANGELES PAC 62 35 23 4 74

6. CALGARY NW 64 32 23 9 73

7. MINNESOTA NW 62 33 23 6 72

8. DALLAS PAC 62 33 23 6 72

9. CHICAGO CEN 62 33 23 6 72

10. NASHVILLE CEN 63 32 23 8 72

11. ANAHEIM PAC 63 33 25 5 71

12. COLUMBUS CEN 61 31 24 6 68

13. ST LOUIS CEN 62 28 25 9 65



The Elite: Vancouver, Philadelphia, Detroit, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, Boston, Washington


The Pack: ALL the teams featured in the playoff races above.


The Future: Edmonton, Colorado, Ottawa, NY Islanders, New Jersey, Florida

With the NHL trade deadline being tomorrow afternoon, we're down to the nitty gritty and already seeing playoff-style intensity in games affecting divisional standings. This is gonna be fun!!!

Go Leafs Go!

Younger, Faster, Stronger Leafs showing lots of promise

Since the NHL All-Star break, the Toronto Maple Leafs are among the hottest teams in the league, with a 7-2-2 record after tonight's 2-1 win over the Islanders.

The New York Rangers just beat Carolina in a shootout, so the Buds are now six points out, with plenty of time if they can keep playing well.

"King James" Reimer shuts down Isles 2-1 to keep Leafs in playoff hunt

Kessel pots game winner as Maple Leafs stay hot

Young "King James" Reimer was outstanding again tonight in another goaltender duel, this time with the New York Islanders Montoya. Phil Kessel proved to be the knight in shining armor, scoring the game winner in the third period on a wicked wrist shot after carrying the puck 2/3 of the ice.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are now 7-2-2 in their last 11 with hot scorers and a strong and steady goalie. At post time Leafs are 6 points back of carolina, as they've just ended the 3rd period tied with the Rangers 3-3, thus earning at least a point.

Go Rangers!

"King James" Reimer gets W in relief; Leafs beat Sabres 2-1 in regulation

Young James Reimer inspires solid play from teammates

Joey Crabb was a grinder who scored the winner, Phil Kessel continued his goal streak and James Reimer and J-S Giguere combined to provide the Toronto Maple Leafs with stellar goaltending in the crucial victory over Buffalo Sabres.

After tonight's win, the Buds find themselves 6 points out of a playoff spot and just 8 points behind 7th place New York Rangers.

Go Leafs Go!