Coke Zero Fans First Ambush!

Tonight the Toronto Maple Leafs ran an awesome promotion giving some lucky Beer Leaguers the night of a lifetime. They took part in a practice run by Assistant Coach Keith Acton. They were skated hard and one player won a sweet VIP prize. Here are some of the pictures of the night. I was able to take place in the media scrum and chat with the Leafs. They were all in high spirits and treated everyone with respect. Classy all the around from start to finish!

Go Leafs Go!

Kris Versteeg in the Media Scrum

Colby Armstrong hard at practice

Colby even harder at practice

Assistant Coach Keith Acton and Mike Komisarek in the dressing room

Mike Komisarek sitting in the dressing room

2009 Millar Mock Draft

One of the most exciting days on the National Hockey League schedule is fast approaching, and I thought I would give my best guess at how the first round is going to play out. Here we go:

1. New York Islanders: C John Tavares - London Knights (6.00, 195) 56GP 58G 46A 104P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 1st NA Skaters

This pick is not as easy as some suggest. However, with a possible new arena deal on the horizon, and a once proud franchise consistently amongst the league's worst, the Islanders decide to go with the firepower of Tavares. He has the best goal scoring ability in the draft, which will be huge for a team that finished second last in the league in goals for. Tavares - Okposo looks to be a scary dynamic duo for years to come on the Island.

2. Tampa Bay Lightning: D Victor Hedman - Modo (6.06, 220) 43GP 7G 14A 21P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 1st European Skaters

The Lightning would have been happy with either Tavares or Hedman, and even Tampa Bay could not screw this pick up. The Lightning are a team in serious need of some defensive depth, and Hedman should be able to play next season, and give the Lightning blue line a boost. The only knock is that Hedman does not use his freakish size to the best of his ability, but he's young, and I'm sure Rick Tocchet could fix that problem. 2-1 odds Ricky.

3. Colorado Avalanche: C Matt Duchene - Brampton Battalion (5.11, 200) 57GP 31G 48A 79P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 2nd NA Skaters

The 2009 Draft has a distinct top three. Many experts feel the order could go any way. With that being said, the Avalanche are thrilled to be able to have a player of Duchene's ability drop to them at the third spot. With Avalanche legend Joe Sakic nearing the end of his illustrious career, the timing is perfect for Duchene to take over the reigns of the franchise. He likely is the smartest player in the draft, and some even feel he may have the best career of the 2009 crop.

4. Atlanta Thrashers: C Evander Kane - Vancouver Giants (6.01, 176) 61GP 48G 48A 96P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 3rd NA Skaters

The Atlanta Thrashers struggle between choosing Kane and Brayden Schenn, but ultimately take the more offensive Kane. Landing a player like Kane can hopefully convince Thrasher superstar Ilya Kovalchuk to stay beyond next season. Kane has drawn comparisons to Jarome Iginla.

In a surprising move, the Toronto Maple Leafs trade the 7th overall pick, 2010 3rd Round Draft Pick and forward Alex Ponikarovsky to the Los Angeles Kings for the 5th overall pick and a 2010 4th Round Pick. The trade allows both teams to select the player they want, with a top 6 forward going to the Kings who are loading up for a playoff push next season.

5. Toronto Maple Leafs: C Brayden Schenn - Brandon Wheat Kings (6.00, 198) 70GP 32G 56A 78P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 4th NA Skaters

In what seems like a match made in heaven, the Leafs select a Schenn in back-t0-back drafts. Brayden Schenn is the opitimy of a "Brian Burke player." He has size, leadership skills, tenacity, pugnacity, truculence, beligerence, yada yada you get the point. Some say B.Schenn is built to the mould of Philadelphia's Mike Richards. Let's hope so, it's about time the Leafs had some high end prospects in their system. Now if Boyd Devereaux hadn't scored a hat trick in the final game of the season against Ottawa to drop the Leafs from 5th spot to 7th, they would not have had to trade up, and could have jumped even higher. Thanks Boyd, good luck on getting a new offer from the Buds.

6. Phoenix Coyotes: D Dmitry Kulikov - Drumondville Voltigeurs (6.00, 183) 57GP 12G 50A 62P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 11 NA Skaters

The Coyotes have gone off the board in the past, selecting Blake Wheeler at 5th in 2004, so this move seems appropriate as well. The Coyotes are looking to bolster their blue line, and they get a solid, offensively gifted defenceman in Kulikov. Don't be surprised either if the 'Yotes take Swedish defeceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson in this spot either.

7. Los Angeles Kings: LW Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi - Timra IK (6.01, 201) 50GP 7G 10A 17P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 2nd European Skaters

The Kings get their guy in Paajarvi-Svensson, or Svensson-Paajarvi... whatever his name is. With not much depth on the wings in Los Angeles, especially with prospects, the Kings add a highly-skilled Swede who some feel is one of the more NHL ready prospects in the draft. Don't let his stats fool you. Svensson-Paajarvi was 17 years old playing with grown men in the Swedish Elite League. His stats all-of-a-sudden become impressive. His stock fell a bit with his performance at the U-18's this past year, but the Kings will get a dynamic player in MPS.

8. Dallas Stars: D Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Leksand (6.02, 176) 39GP 3G 14A 17P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 4th European Skaters

Joe Nieuwendyk surprises a few people with his first ever pick as the Stars General Manager, by passing on the previously injured, higher rated defenceman in Jared Cowen. However, with Sergei Zubov nearing the end, the Stars find the perfect puck-moving defeceman replacement in Ekman-Larsson.

9. Ottawa Senators: C Nazem Kadri - London Knights (5.11, 167) 56GP 25G 53A 78P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 15th NA Skaters

The Senators are not turned off from Kadri dropping to 15th from 11th in the mid-term rankings. Kadri had a strong OHL playoffs and some feel he outperformed London teammate John Tavares. However, even though the Knights lost to a very strong, Memorial Cup winning Windsor Spitfire team, some feel the Knights choked in their OHL semi-final series, meaning Kadri should fit right into the Ottawa system.

10. Edmonton Oilers: D Jared Cowen - Spokane Chiefs (6.05, 220) 48GP 7G 14A 21P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 9th NA Skaters

Before this season, many felt Cowen could challenge for the 3rd spot after a solid performance as a rookie on a Memorial Cup Winning team in 2008. However, a collison on Januaury 30th ended his season prematurely, and he did not play for the rest of the season. However, he will be healthy for training camp. The Oilers are thrilled with drafting Cowen this late, as he is full of potential, and some feel he has a shot at becoming a Chris Pronger-like hulking d-man. Hopefully he doesn't meet any news reporters out in Oil Country.

11. Nashville Predators: RW Jordan Schroeder - U of Minnesota (5.08, 175) 35GP 13G 32A 45P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 5th NA Skaters

Size has been Schroeder's biggest disadvantage when concerned with scouting. However, the Predators are not concerned, as Schroeder's dynamic shot, and playmaking ability will fit nicely into the Predatorss high tempo system

12. Minnesota Wild: D John Moore - Chicago Steel (6.02, 189) 57GP 14G 25A 39 P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 6th NA Skaters

Moore is a player who we could see easily climb into the top ten, going as high as 6th. All he did this season was improve. He could potentially be the steal of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Solid defenceman with great instincts at both ends of the rink.

13. Buffalo Sabres: RW Scott Glennie - Brandon Wheat Kings (6.01, 177) 55GP 28G 42A 70P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 7th NA Skaters

Some critics feel Glennie benefitted from playing on a line with Brayden Schenn all season. However, Glennie brings a denomination of size and vision to his game. The Sabres likely lack size up front, and Glennie could be a mainstay on the top 6 for years to come.

14. Florida Panthers: C Jacob Josefson - Djurgarden (6.00, 187) 50GP 5G 10A 15P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 4th European Skaters
Again, don't be fooled by Josefson's stats. He was a boy playing against men on a top team in the Swedish Elite League. He is a very electric player, who is a born leader, and will be a solid addition to the Panther organization and the preparation for moving on without Jay Bouwmeester. Vancouver's first a little later on in the first round doesn't look so bad now, does it Jacques? Oh wait, you got the hell out of there.

15. Anaheim Ducks: RW Zack Kassian - Peterborough Petes (6.03, 210) 64GP 24G 39A 63P

Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 10th NA Skaters

In Bob Murray's first draft as General Manager, he continues to trend of Brian Burke and selects a big, hulking power forward to hopefully help the Ryan - Getzlaf - Perry line with some secondary scoring within the next few years. Kassian jumped from 24 in the mid-term rankings into the top 10 for North American skaters. Big guy, who can skate well and put the puck in the net. Good choice for the Ducks.

16. Columbus Blue Jackets: D Simon Depres - St. John's Sea Dogs (6.03, 205) 66GP 2G 30A 32P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 8th NA Skaters
I'm not so sure the Blue Jackets keep this pick, with tremdous prospect depth, and a need to ensure another playoff appearance, especially a win or two. However, if they do, Depres would fit nicely in their system. With more offensive-minded defencemen Cody Golubef and Kris Russell coming through the sytem, Depres could represent the tougher, shutdown type.

17. St Louis Blues: D Ryan Ellis - Windsor Spitfires (5.09, 173) 57GP 22G 67A 89P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 16NA Skaters
That is not an error, Ellis did get 89 points last year as a defenseman. What scouts are worried about is obviously his size, as some think he he is not big enough to be an NHL defenceman. However, St. Louis, who has arguably the best prospect pool in the NHL, are thrilled to add the potential of Ellis to their organization. Fresh off his Memorial Cup victory, Ellis is ready to prove his critics wrong with a lenghty NHL career.

18. Montreal Canadiens: C Louis LeBlanc - Omaha Lancers (6.0, 178) 60GP 28G 31A 59P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 18th NA Skaters
Some Habs fans were upset two drafts ago when they passed on fellow francophone Angelo Esposito, and upset last year when their 1st round pick was traded for Alex Tanguay. The Habs here, get a solid two-way centreman that has speed and can maybe help fill the Habs void up the middle. That, or this pick is involved in a deal for Tampa Bay superstar Vincent Lecavalier...either or.

19. New York Rangers: C/RW Kyle Palmieri - USA U-18 (5.10, 191) 33GP 15G 15A 30P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 20th NA Skaters
With some interesting names still on the board, the Rangers select a kid from close to home in New Jersey. Palmieri is a fast, hard-working, offensive-minded player who could give the Rangers a boost in the scoring department in a few years, and can play both centre and right wing.

20. Calgary Flames: C/RW Landon Ferraro - Red Deer Rebels (5.11, 165) 68 GP 37G 18A 55P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 18th NA Skaters
I feel like the Flames could take Ferraro, Chris Kreider or Carter Ashton with this pick. However, with new head coach Brent Sutter, who also owns the Rebels, the Flames take a familiar face in Ferraro. Slightly undersized, Ferraro still plays with lots of energy, and accumulated 99 PIM last season. Should fit nicely into the Flames system.

21. Philadelphia Flyers: C Chris Kreider - Phillips Andover (6.02, 201) 26GP 33G 23A 56P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 14th NA Skaters
The Flyers get a big, tough player that can score, which is the type of player Philly likes. Kreider is the best U.S High School player in the draft, and many feel he is more than capable of transferring his game to a more competitive level with no problems, as his size and offensive ability are two of his greatest tools.

22. Vancouver Canucks: D David Rundblad - Skelleftea (6.02, 189) 45GP 0G 10A 10P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 6th European Skaters
I may have Rundblad a bit low, but apparently he is one of the most diverse players as far as positioning on scouts and General Managers list. However, with the Canucks only drafting 3 defencemen in the past 3 years, Mike Gills takes who he feels is the best defenceman left on the table.

23. New Jersey Devils: D Calvin de Haan - Oshawa Generals (6.00, 170) 68GP 8G 55A 63P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 25th NA Skaters
There's something about de Haan's play that screams NJ Devil. Last year, the Devils surprisinly took de Haan's teammate Kory Nagy in the 5th round. This defenceman has a lot of offensive potential from the back-end.


24. Washington Capitals: LW Carter Ashton - Lethbridge Hurricanes (6.03, 205) 70GP 30G 20A 50P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 12th NA Skaters
The Captials have a ton of young forward talent in the system, but they lack a true power forward type. Ashton fits the mould, and has the time he needs to develop into a power forward in the NHL for the Capitals.


25. Boston Bruins: D Stefan Elliot - Saskatoon Blades (6.00, 180) 71GP 16G 39A 55P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 17th NA Skaters
The Bruins are content drafting this late in the draft after a spectactular regular season. With the Bruins being a little light on defensemen prospects, they take the best available rearguard.


26. New York Islanders: C Ryan O'Reilly - Erie Otters (6.00, 200) 68GP 16G 50A 66P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 39th NA Skaters
It looks like the positions from 16-40 could more or less go in any various order. O'Reilly is a player that could go in the late first or mid-second. The Islanders elect to take him at 26 to inject a great kid, with tremendous leadership skills into their system.


27. Carolina Hurricanes: C Peter Holland - Guelph Storm (6.02, 185) 68GP 28G 39A 67P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 19th NA Skaters
In a recent interview, Holland was asked why a team should take him. He responded by saying he had "the most potential out of anyone in the draft." Obviously it's possible, but Holland certainly did not display that in the OHL playoffs, and that is why he has slipped this low in the draft. He certainly has all the tools though, it's just a matter of putting them altogether at the highest level. Confidence is clearly not an issue with Peter.


28. Chicago Blackhawks: RW Jordan Caron - Rimouski Oceanic (6.02. 202) 56GP 36G 31A 67P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 21st NA Skaters
The Blackhawks rich prospect pool gets even richer adding a player like Caron into the mould. He is a big bodied forward who can score, which will fit ideally into the Blackhawks crop of young forwards, including last year's selection, Kyle Beach.


29. Detroit Red Wings: LW Carl Klingberg - Frolunda (6.03, 205) 35GP 13G 13A 26P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 7th European Skaters
The Red Wings are certainly familiar with this drafting slot, and as much as they have their most success in later rounds, in this deep draft they should project to get a solid prospect. Klingberg is a big Swede who can score and muck it up in the corners and in front of the net. Detroit's usually, right, so Klingberg projects to be a future Hall-of-Famer.


30 Pittsburgh Penguins: LW Jeremy Morin - USA U-18 (6.01, 173) 46GP 26G 22A 48P
Final Central Scouting Bureau Ranking: 33rd NA Skaters
One knock against the defending Cup champs is that they have no wingers to play with Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin. This is why they signed Miroslav Satan and Ruslan Fedotenko in the offseason, and acqurired Chris Kunitz and Bill Guerin prior to the Trade Deadline. Usually teams draft the best player available and fix the holes through trade and free agency, but the Penguins want to insert a solid winger prospect into the system for the future, and Morin fits the bill.


So there you have it, let's hope I get at least one right, but based on the depth of this draft, and who will go first even, I just might not.

Vaughn Coyotes?

Recently, the idea of Phoenix relocating to the GTA has got a lot of newspapers and bloggers speculating the when and how the coyotes plan to move. But what they haven't touched on yet is the how much?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a territory claim on almost all of the GTA and Southern Ontario (whether or not the Buffalo Sabres have territory control over the Niagara peninsula is debatable). And if the Phoenix Coyotes eventually make the move into the GTA , hefty territory rights fees are going to need to be paid.

Keep in mind, Toronto's fan territory has been uncontested for almost 90 years now, and leafs nation is one of the strongest, biggest fan bases in all of the NHL. So what would it take for Phoenix (or Vaughn I suppose, for that seems to be the city that the rumor mill is circulating) to buy a portion of leafs nation?

Personally, I don't see this ending well. I can see Toronto asking for something along the lines of 3 or 4 first round draft picks and about 250 million dollars, as well as some other minor details just for the team to relocate into their territory. From then, the Coyotes organization will be broke, and reliant on a terrible at best team until the territory rights are paid off.

On the plus side, tickets to NHL games in that arena would be dirt cheap, but when you think about it, the last thing Ontario needs is another hopeless NHL franchise.

Low Risk, High Reward

One of the more underrated strengths of an National Hockey League management team is discovering talent that was passed through seven rounds or more in the NHL Entry Draft. Several NHLers perservered beyond their draft day to become great NHL players. These men include future Hall of Fame goaltenders Ed Belfour and Curtis Joseph, as well as forwards Peter Stastny, Dino Ciccarelli, Adam Oates, Joe Mullen and John Madden, and defencemen Brian Rafalski and Dan Boyle.

Toronto Maple Leafs General Manager Brian Burke has gone on record saying he will look to the NCAA and its upcoming free agents to beef up the Leafs prospect pool, and to make up for poor drafting in the past few years. It is hard to develop strong prospects when in 2003 the Leafs first pick was 57th (John Doherty) and in 2004 it was 90th (Justin Pogge). While the jury is still out on Pogge, Doherty has been convicted one on count of failure to develop, and is now a write-off.

With a few top U.S. college players set to become free agents as soon as their teams are eliminated from the final NCAA tournament, Burke has said he will try to get five free agents to sign, with the hopes of at least two becoming big league players. Here is a list of five U.S. college players looking to sign with big league clubs in the near future. Hopefully for Leaf fans, at least one of them ends up in Toronto.

D Matt Gilroy

Boston University

6'2, 205

07/20/84

Matt Gilroy is an interesting player. In 2005, he practically begged the coaching staff at BU to take him as a walk-on. He sat out several games before being inserted as a forward and converted to a defenceman. Sound familiar Leafs fans? Ian White did the same thing for the Blue and White earlier this season, and neither has missed a game ever since. Gilroy is a smooth skating, puck-moving defenceman with a great first pass and point shot. He is a character player, and wears the "C" for his team. With as many as 30 teams interested in the highly touted rearguard, Gilroy recently said "playing for a hockey market like Toronto would be a dream come true." This doesn't mean he is automatically signing with Toronto, but Brian Burke has been to several BU games, and Gilroy, because of his age is not subjected to the maximum rookie salary of $850K. The Leafs have cap space, lots of interest and likely a roster spot for Matt come October.

C Tyler Bozak

University of Denver

6'0, 180

03/19/86

Hailing from Regina, Saskatchewan, Tyler Bozak is likely the second most attractive free-agent behind Gilroy. There is apparently 26 teams interested in putting his name to paper. Bozak is a strong skater, who can play at both ends of the ice. He possess average size, but he's still fairly young and could add some muscle in the coming years. He is a smart player and most feel he could become a serviceable third line centre, with the ability to become a second line centre. Plus, he's from Canada, so he would love to sign with the Leafs, right?

C Christian Hanson

Univeristy of Notre Dame

6'3, 196

03/10/86

From a marketing prospective, Hanson would be a great signing, as he is the son of "Slap Shot" star Dave Hanson, of the "Hanson Brothers." Earlier in the season, Toronto Maple Leaf head coach Ron Wilson even showed how he was good friends with the heavyweight trio. Maybe a match is in the works? Hanson doesn't quite play like his father does, as his highest NCAA PIM total to date is 57. He has all the tools of becoming a power forward in the NHL, with above average size to go along with above average skating. His offensive game needs work, but many feel his is determined enough to become an NHL player. He is also a captain on his team, and another character type player, a theme Burke is trying to create in Toronto.

LW John Mitchell

University of Wisconsin

6'5, 200

08/10/86

That is not a typo. There will be another John Mitchell in the NHL someday soon, and how interesting would it be if he played alongside Toronto's own surprising rookie, John Mitchell. Toss Leaf prospect Dale Mitchell on the right side, and it's an announcer's nightmare. This John Mitchell has the size to be a valuable power forward. In 40 games this season for the NCAA Badgers, Mitchell has 118 PIM. I know a certain Irishman who may be intrigued by this combination of size and toughness. Mitchell has also added 15 goals in those 40 games. There has definitely been interest in Mitchell throughout the league, and he could very well be on Burke's radar.

C MacGregor Sharp

University of Minnesota -Diluth

6'1, 180

10/01/85

First off, MacGregor Sharp is a dynamite name. As far as his play goes, he is considered a tenacious forechecker with a great first stride to enter opposing zones. He played alongside Vancouver Canucks forward Mason Raymond in Alberta, and is compared to having a similar game. He would be extremely valuable as a "plumber" in Burke's bottom six grouping.

The first question most will ask, if "if no one drafted these players, why are they now attractive?" Well, some of these players were as small as 5'9 in their draft year, and some are late bloomers. There is nothing wrong with late bloomers. Ask the New Jersey Devils or Detroit Red Wings if they care that Brian Rafalski took a few extra years to develop his game.

The risk for signing any of these players is extremely low, with the reward being very high. Burke has stated he will try to sign five undrafted college free agents, with the hopes of two becoming players. This mentality will only help the Leafs in future years. Signing a Gilroy or Bozak could potentially be the equivalent of a free first round draft pick. If they don't, then they become minor leaguers and your team is no worse off than they were before they were signed.

Off-Years

These are the guys who just do not seem to have the jump they did last year, or it may be luck or it may be chemistry, either way by factoring games played (in most cases) these are some disappointments of the year, guys who have fucked you in the ass fantasy wise and probably caused their coaches to tear them new assholes.


Honourable Mentions:
Andrej Mezaros, Tomas Plekanec, Brian Rolston, Brent Burns, Derek Roy, JP Dumont, Scott Gomez


#5 - Rod Brind’Amour
2007-2008 - 51 Points +0
2008-2009 - 46 Points -22
Is the age getting to this old vet? He is 39 playing in a young league with a new style, that -22 is a dark shade of awful. Like many of you I have a soft spot for Rod “the bod” and he had a strong game against the Sens the other night, lets hope he is getting that big Shnozz revved up for the playoffs.

#4 - Marian Gaborik
2007-2008 - 83 Points 77 Games
2008-2009 - 10 Points 9 games
This Slovak needs a change of scenery bad. I know he has only played 9 games, but he opted out to have surgery after sitting out 20 games this year. It was reported that the surgery wasn’t even needed until the off-season and it was something you could play through. This guys heart is as full Mikey Vicks new Kennel, get him somewhere else and he may be able to play a full season, which means 100 Points.

#3 - Tomas Kaberle
2007-2008 – 53 Points
2008-2009 – 31 Points
The talk in leaf-land before the year started was that their defense was the strong part of their team, the big part being Tomas Kaberle. He is dealing with injuries, but if this guy is on your fantasy team than you have to feel like he just folded the tent on the year…Kind of like Hagman and Toskala, 3 prime of their career vets hurt? What a coincidence? When he was playing, Ian White was playing more than Tomas, Ian White was a healthy scratch and only got a shot because he was playing forward, how embarrassing Tomas. Shout out to the ‘tasche on White though

#2 - Mike Fisher
2007-2008 – 47 Points 82 PIM
2008-2009 – 29 Points 58 PIM
With a contract like his (not his fault) and the strength, speed and shot that he has “fish” has to be better. Where is his mind this year?
http://hornofgabriel.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/carrie-underwood-good.jpg
Alright, so give him credit, the boy reeled a good one in, but as a fan; have fun the rest of the year with your prize, lets actually win next year you under-achieving bitch.

#1 - Radim Vrbata
2007-2008 – 56 Points 27 Goals
2008-2009 - 6 Points Tampa Bay Lightning
2008-2009 - 8 Points Mlada Boleslav BK*
2008-2009 - 9 Points Liberec Bili Tygri HC
One of Wayne Gretzky’s go to guys last year has absolutely fell off the map. Almost of 30 goal scorer on a team without a set-up guy such as Phoenix one year, to the next where he plays for three teams…bring out the suitcase for this kid. What really makes no sense is that he is 28, the absolute prime of his career, he had an awesome year and got the contract he wanted and then falls out of the league back home to the Czech Republic and then gets traded there.


Lets hope you were not stuck drafting these guys in your little fantasy leagues, I drafted Gaborik and yes I hold a grudge. Let me know who you have been disappointed with.

Keep Muckin it up.

Fuck Eklund

Taken from Eklund at hockeybuzz. He is a fat loser, and he is always wrong but I still go to the site.

1. Your Favorite Team Growing Up: Leafs
2. Your Most Hated Team Growing Up: Ottawa Senator
3. Best Offensive Forward: Ovech
4. Best Defensive Forward: Mike Richards
5. Best All-Around Forward: Ovechkin
6. Best Puck Moving D-man: Streit
7. Makes Players Around Him Better: Crosby
8. Most Selfish Player in the NHL: Kovalchuk
9. Best Defensive D-Man: Chara
10. Best Individual Player: Toews
11. Best Team Player: Recchi
12. Best Skater: Cogliano
13. Best Goalie: Luongo
14. Best Intimidator: Boogard
15. Best Captain: Luc Schenn, or Iginla
16. Best Power Play Player: Mike Cammalleri
17. Best Penalty Killer: Mike Richards, dude has 7 shortys
18. Best Rookie: Mason
19. Best Fighter: Belak after the k.o of brashear
20. Best Coach: Babcock
21. Best GM: Ken Holland, 9 straight seasons of 100+ points..
22. Best NHL Rivalry: best current, rangers devils, best past was leafs sens.
23. Favorite All-Time Player Joe Sakic
24. Best Fans in the NHL Besides the Team you root for: Calgary
25. Worst Fans in the NHL: Ottawa, they raise fans like B.Warnz, and allow their captain to be booed on home ice.
26. 3 Players you would start your team with: Crosby, Ovechkin, Lundqvist
27. Most Overrated Player in the NHL: Mike Modano, old guy coasting around the ice.
28. Arena you want to go and see a game in: Still on the list is HSBC for the crowd, (Buffalo)
29. Best All-Time Hockey Jersey: Blackhawks red jersey
30. Best Current Hockey Jersey: Bruins third jersey, finally got it right.
31. Worst All-Time Jersey: Nashvilles old yellow third, gross.
32. Team you root for when your team isn't playing: Buffalo, or for this weekend Chicago
33. Is there a place for fighting in the NHL Anymore? yes, protect the players
34. Most Dominant Player in the Game Today: ovech
35. Most entertaining Player in the Game Today: ovech
36. Player that you would most like to take to lunch: Lemieux, so I could ask him if he really meant for the puck to slide thru his legs in Salt Lake
37. Favorite food to snack on while watching hockey: Beer
38. Who is Going To Win the Stanley Cup this Year?: Calgary
39. Who is going to Win the Stanley Cup in 5 Years?: Leafs

There you have it. Feel free to disagree in the comment section. But make sure to back it up.

Jason Blake is Losing His Edge

Not pictured: puck in net

Ever since the trade of linemate Dominic Moore at the deadline last week, Jason Blake has lost that spark he had previously in the start of 2009. With only one point in the past 4 games, it appears as if he's missing that catalyst that made him a great player as of late. Head Coach Ron Wilson has been making a list and weighing the pros and cons of potential new linemates for the once-hot Jason Blake.

Mikhail Grabovski
Pros: Speedy, creative centerman.
Cons: When asked by Wilson if he was capable of passing into the slot, Grabovski tilted his head quizzically and asked "What is passing?"

John Mitchell
Pros: Hard-Working Grinder
Cons: Can't keep up with the Blaker, also has a tendency to flub on shots and passes

Tim Stapleton
Pros: Has been impressive in his debut so far in a leafs uniform
Cons: Is number 42, which is a pretty big jersey to fill considering Kyle Wellwood had it last. Seriously, that thing must be like 4XL.

Niklas Hagman
Pros: Has been solid offensively and is already been proven to be a good match for Blake
Cons: Has spent most of the season trying to remember his name due to a string of concussions.

Lee Stempniak
Pros: Has been hot lately with 3 points in the last 4 games, an antithesis to Blake's slump as of late
Cons: Seems to have the same strategy of "skate up the wing as fast as possible, and either pass the puck into the slot or crash into the end boards" that Blake does.

Ben Ondrus
Pros: Captain of the Toronto Marlies, Ondrus was called up following the exlie of Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore at the trade deadline. He's a known scrapper and throws the body effectively.
Cons: Just a plug to fill the gap in the roster.

Matt Stajan
Pros: Very good at faceoffs and an unselfish player
Cons: Plays on the first line, and there's too much risk in putting an inconsistent Player up on the first line...then again... isn't Ponikarovsky there? hmm...

So there you have it. Jason Blake is on track to score 26 goals this season, hopefully one of these players can step in and help him on his way. That way, with any luck this summer he can be on his way out of Toronto.

Gary Roberts Reminds Me of my Dad

I figured I would just throw that out there, because i know you are all thinking it.

Gary Roberts longevity in the league was not only based on his scoring output but his optimal teamwork. The following list is the top 10 players who Gary Roberts has been able to share a dressing room with, practice with, and muck it up for.

Honerable Mentions:

Mike Vernon, Joe Nieuwendyk, Doug Gilmour, Ed Belfour, Evgeni Malkin and Vincent Lecavalier And how can I forget…Jonas Hoglund

10)Roberto Luongo– Florida Panthers – 2005-2007
All of us Canadians are praying that Gary will be sitting around in 2010 saying yes I played with Luongo…while he is wearing a gold medal around his neck.

9) Brian Leetch– Toronto Maple leafs - 2003-2004

The best American defenseman of all time. The long time Ranger had three seasons over 80 points.

8)Al MacInnis – Calgary Flames 1986 – 1995

I’m sure Mr. Roberts didn’t stand in front of the net during practice to much on the PP work. Al must have appreciated Gary too, seeing he did reach the 100 point mark when they were together.

7)Sydney Crosby – Pittsburg Penguins – 2006-2008

“Sid the Kid”, something to tell his children about.

6)Theoren Fleury - Calgary Flames 1988 – 1996
Mental Issues aside, Theoren Fleury had the excitement to get any team revved up. 2 100 point seasons. OH and a senior A title I believe.

5)Ron Francis – Carolina hurricanes – 1998 – 2000

Ronny ‘Franchise’ is a true hall of famer, who has to be the nicest guy to play in the league. Lets just say I’m sure Gary had him babysitting a few times, telling stories of the Hartford Whalers and 3 100 point seasons.

4)Lanny Mcdonald – Calgary Flames 1986-87
Who wouldn’t want to be around that Duster..enough said.

3)Mats Sundin – Toronto Maple Leafs – 2000 – 2004
For all those leafs fans out there, Mats has to be one of the best guys to look down to know he is on your side. With his big body, he has never reached the 100 point mark, but has always been at 70 points and well over, who knows what could have happened if he didn’t play for the ‘makemelaughs

2)Paul Coffey - Carolina Hurricanes – 1999-2000
A short amount of time these two greats shared together, but watching this hall of famer skate around the rink everyday would leave most jaws dropped. Having 5 years with over 100 points as a defenseman isn’t to shabby, when you compare it to the modern day defenseman.

1)Brett Hull – Moncton Golden Flames 1986-87; Calgary Flames 1986 – 1988
The “Golden Brett” is one of the best Natural Goal Scorers of all time, a grizzly bear like Gary Roberts would have only made room on the ice for a guy on this stature. To score 86 goals in one year, who would want to watch that clapper during practice.

Another Must Lose for the Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren't making the playoffs this year. Anyone who thinks or has thought otherwise is an idiot. Its pretty simple, Brian Burke was handed the reigns to a terrible team with minimal direction. The lack talent, prospects, a true #1 goalie, and heart. What we do have is a coach and a GM who are sarcastic assholes, which complements the Toronto media nicely.

So where does that leave us after a lackluster trade deadline? The Leafs currently sit 11th in the eastern conference and 24th overall in the league. With only 4 games remaining against teams below us in the standings (the Islanders tonight, 2 more against Tampa Bay and one against the Senators) it has reached a new point for the common Toronto fan. In the last 15 games of the regular season they need to go on a run. Think about this, 0-15 to close the season, would put the team one step closer in getting John Tavares. While unlikely since the draft lottery is probably rigged anyways, it gives Leafs fans hope.

Stop calling up these AHL players who are trying to prove something, lets bring back Gerry Valk, Aki Berg, Jyrki Lumme, and Jonas Hoglund. Stop calling out Slimey Spezza on his cheating sticks, stop Jason Blakes spin-o-rama, and for my sake, someone give Gerber some pressure so he can return to normal form.

Go Leafs Go...

Gary Roberts Announces Retirement

1986-2009

1224 Games played, 438 goals, 472 assists, 910 Points. 1 Stanley Cup championship, +229 overall.

With a NHL career that spanned 23 years and 6 franchises including a four-year stint with his hometown team the Toronto Maple Leafs, Gary Roberts was a remarkable player. A power forward who wasnt afraid to use the body and still put up solid numbers, a veteran player who was a mentor to some of the NHL's current superstars and an overall excellent team leader.

He ended his NHL career where it began, in Calgary on March 1st.

Enjoy your retirement Mr. Roberts, now can you please convince CuJo to follow suit?