One of the things I like to sit and day dream about are line combinations. I find it soothing in a weird way. So how do I see the Leafs stacking up for next year? Well, its probably redundant to do such a thing before the draft, and and the opening of the trade market flood gates that it sometimes starts, but why the hell not. I'm bored and I need a new post.
Here she goes
Poni - Stajan - Blake = not much of a first line, but they will be serviceable for now
Kulemin - Grabbo - Hagman = I loved this lines chemistry, Id love to see it continue
Tlusty - Bozak - Stralberg = speed, size, good skill, if this line can get chemistry, look out
Mayers - J. Mtchell - Hanson = Hanson needs to work on his game a might, he could move up or down to the AHL if needed.
Kaberle - Kubina = good mix of everything
Schenn - VanRyn = Another good mix, Schenn kills things VanRyn stays healthy, one of those will happen
Finger -White = a decent shut down pair with some mustache/offensive flair
7th D-man - Frogren
Goaltending Tandum
Pogge - Toskala platoon = Really, its all we have (currently) why not?
odd men out - Oreskovic, Straleman, Stapleton, Didominico, Williams, and D. Mitchell.
With the exception of Dido, who's Injury very well could take him out for the whole season, any of these players could be substituted into , well pretty much any line short of the top two defensive pairings (baring VanRy's health). I don't take too much stock in these lines, and will update accodringly as things change. What be your suggestions?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
LoLeafs - Prospect Edition
Hey look, its everyone's favourite Memorial Cup player! He seems to be missing something though......
Monday, May 11, 2009
If You Don't Weigh In, You Don;t Wrastle
A few weeks ago in a alternate dimension, a story inspired by a great post is unfolding. In the late 1990's, Gary Bettman, in an attempt to popularize the NHL in the Southern United states, made an agreement with one Vince McMahon to use a new format for the NHL post season. It was a smash hit in the southern states and quickly became the biggest money maker in the history of professional sports. Enter now, into the 2009 Stanley Cup Rumble.
Hughson : Hi everyone I'm Jim Hughson and welcome to the 2009 Stanley Cup Rumble.
McGuire: AND IM PIERRE MCGUIRE, WE HAVE AN AAAAMAZING RUMBLE LINED UP FOR YOU TONIGHT!
Hughson: Thats right Pierre, these teams have been doing battle all year, jostling for position in the Rumble, but its still up in the air what player each team will choose to represent them.
McGuire: I'M EXCITED!!!
Hughson: Of course you are Pierre, there are going to be some suprises, and here we go.
the lights dim and the crowd starts to cheer loudly. Nothing happens for 30 seconds
Hughson: Seems as though the Islanders are having trouble picking a representative, and wait, we're getting something from the trade floor, it seems that they have traded their first round pick and their spot in the Rumble to...
MUSIC interupts
McGuire: THATS MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI'S MUSIC!!! BRIAN BURKE HAS DONE IT AGAIN
Grabovski runs to the ring and starts bouncing around the ropes like a mad man
Hughson: well this is our first surprise of the night, I'm getting now that Burke has traded Kaberle, the Leafs first round pick in the 09 draft and a shiney peice of metal to the Islanders for there shot at the rumble and the Islanders first round pick, this cant be right.
McGuire: WELL WE'LL HAVE TO SORT THAT OUT LATER, GRABOVSKI'S FIRST OPPONENT IS ABOUT TO COME OUT, LETS SEE WHO THE LIGHTENING PICK!
Hughson: And it looks like it will be....Vincint Lecavalier, no surprise here Pierre, Lecavalier is a feirce competator.
Lecavalier hits the ring and goes right after Grabovski who ducks and scampers out of Lecavaliers reach.
Hughson: Grabovski's speed will serve him well here, but he can't stay away forever.
Lecavalier charges Grabovski again who is by the ropes, he ducks and Lecavalier isnt able to stop in time, he flies over the ropes
McGuire: AND JUST LIKE THAT, TAMPA IS ELIMINATED, LOOKS LIKE LECAVALIER GOT A LITTLE TOO FOCUSED ON GRABOVSKI AND FORGOT WHERE HE WAS. MONSTER MOVE BY THE LITTLE BELERUSSIAN!!!
the 90 seconds expire and Darcy Tucker enters the arena and jogs to the ring
Hughson: This should be interesting, the ex Maple Leaf VS the rookie Maple Leaf
McGuire: WHAT A MONSTER MATCHUP!
Tucker and Grabovski exchange blows but nothing serious is delt. 90 seconds tick by and Dustin Brown who charges the Two smaller men, Grabovski is knocked flat and Tucker launched over the top rope. Brown begins to thump on the smaller Grabovski on the groud.
Hughson: Oh and tough luck for Colorado as Tucker never even saw Brown coming, Grabovski is getting the beating of his life in there against Brown.
After 90 seconds, nothing happens.
Hughson: The Thrashers seem to have forgotten to send someone
Grabovski is bloodied on the ground, Brown doesnt let up
90 more seconds tick by
Hughson: No sign of the Phoenix representative either.
Brown continues to pumble Grabovski for a few seconds then stands up and shoots a confused look towards the entry gate, he turns back to his opponent only to catch a missel drop kick to the chest
McGuire: WHAT A MISTAKE BY BROWN, NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE OPPONENT.
Grabovski gives the fallen brown a few elbow drops and climbs to the top rope and jumps at Brown
McGuire : ITS THE FLYING PINE APPLE!!
at the last second Brown rolls over and Grabovski slams into the mat face first.
both players lay on the mat catching their breath
Hughson: I am now getting that both Atlanta and Phoenix are not sending any players out as they are all stuck at the Hamilton airport.
McGuire: THIS IS A CRAZY TURN OF EVENTS, TWO LESS PLAYERS MEANS ITS JUST THAT MUCH EASIER TO WIN THE RUMBLE.
Hughson: and here's where things get interesting, next out is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brown gets up and starts walking towards the fallen Grabovski just as the 90 seconds The music
hits and the crown goes nuts
McGuire: ITS LUKE SCHENN, LUKE SCHENN IS HERE!!
Brown just stares awestruck as Schenn strides down the ramp, who seems in no hurry. Behind him Grabovski gets to the top turn buckle and dives at Brown, another Flying Pineapple, but this time is strikes home and Brown is launched out of the ring over the top rope.
Hughson: The presence of Luke Schenn was enough to make Brown forget about Grabovski, I cant say I blame him.
Schenn enters the ring, and highfives the bleeding Grabovski who then goes to the far corner to catch his breath.
90 Seconds, Steve Ott comes out for Dallas, to no music, takes one look at Schenn and stops at the top of the ramp, goes no further and smiles
Hughson: Whats going on here, Ott refuses to come to the ring, but he looks like he has something up his sleeve.
McGuire: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU JIM, THIS IS UNHEARD OF
Suddenly the music hits and Dustin Penner, Chris Neil, Andrew Peters, Derek Boogard and Bryan McCabe all rush the ring.
McGuire: OH MY GOD, THIS IS INSANITY.
Hughson: looks like they have formed some sort of alliance in order to take out this pair of Leafs, Bettman won't like this, I'm sure the representative teams will be pun...no wait, I am hearing that the NHL board is letting this go with a warning.
McGuire: SCHENN AND GRABOVSKI ARE IN FOR ONE HELL OF A FIGHT NOW
Penner and Neil go after Grabovski, who darts away trying to stay out of range while the rest go after Schenn. Schenn charges Peters, who reaches him first, a thundering body check throws Peters back into Boogard who falls and takes out Neil and Penner. Grabovski ducks behind Schenn who squares off against McCabe, suddenly Schenn ducks and Grabovski flyes off the ropes at McCabe and drops him with a missel drop kick. Suddenly though, Boogard, Neil, Penner and Peters untangle themselves and decend on Schenn, they dog pile and pin him in the corner.
McCabe Swats Grabovski off of him and picks the smaller man up.
Hughson: The Leafs are in trouble now, Schenn is overwhelmed and McCabe has Grabovski, looks like he is going for his finnishing move.
McCabe Slams Grabovski to the mat. Hard.
McGuire: CAN-OPENER, GRABOVSKI IS OUT OF IT!
The gaggle of united players start trying to throw a struggling Schenn over the top rope, they arn't having an easy time. McCabe see's this and goes to help. They all struggle, but the added assistance of McCabe seems to be winning out.
Suddenly, Grabovski stirs. He rolls over and gets to his hands and knees. No one notices him. Spitting up blood he gets to his feet. And throws all he has into a charge.....
To be continued.
Hughson : Hi everyone I'm Jim Hughson and welcome to the 2009 Stanley Cup Rumble.
McGuire: AND IM PIERRE MCGUIRE, WE HAVE AN AAAAMAZING RUMBLE LINED UP FOR YOU TONIGHT!
Hughson: Thats right Pierre, these teams have been doing battle all year, jostling for position in the Rumble, but its still up in the air what player each team will choose to represent them.
McGuire: I'M EXCITED!!!
Hughson: Of course you are Pierre, there are going to be some suprises, and here we go.
the lights dim and the crowd starts to cheer loudly. Nothing happens for 30 seconds
Hughson: Seems as though the Islanders are having trouble picking a representative, and wait, we're getting something from the trade floor, it seems that they have traded their first round pick and their spot in the Rumble to...
MUSIC interupts
McGuire: THATS MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI'S MUSIC!!! BRIAN BURKE HAS DONE IT AGAIN
Grabovski runs to the ring and starts bouncing around the ropes like a mad man
Hughson: well this is our first surprise of the night, I'm getting now that Burke has traded Kaberle, the Leafs first round pick in the 09 draft and a shiney peice of metal to the Islanders for there shot at the rumble and the Islanders first round pick, this cant be right.
McGuire: WELL WE'LL HAVE TO SORT THAT OUT LATER, GRABOVSKI'S FIRST OPPONENT IS ABOUT TO COME OUT, LETS SEE WHO THE LIGHTENING PICK!
Hughson: And it looks like it will be....Vincint Lecavalier, no surprise here Pierre, Lecavalier is a feirce competator.
Lecavalier hits the ring and goes right after Grabovski who ducks and scampers out of Lecavaliers reach.
Hughson: Grabovski's speed will serve him well here, but he can't stay away forever.
Lecavalier charges Grabovski again who is by the ropes, he ducks and Lecavalier isnt able to stop in time, he flies over the ropes
McGuire: AND JUST LIKE THAT, TAMPA IS ELIMINATED, LOOKS LIKE LECAVALIER GOT A LITTLE TOO FOCUSED ON GRABOVSKI AND FORGOT WHERE HE WAS. MONSTER MOVE BY THE LITTLE BELERUSSIAN!!!
the 90 seconds expire and Darcy Tucker enters the arena and jogs to the ring
Hughson: This should be interesting, the ex Maple Leaf VS the rookie Maple Leaf
McGuire: WHAT A MONSTER MATCHUP!
Tucker and Grabovski exchange blows but nothing serious is delt. 90 seconds tick by and Dustin Brown who charges the Two smaller men, Grabovski is knocked flat and Tucker launched over the top rope. Brown begins to thump on the smaller Grabovski on the groud.
Hughson: Oh and tough luck for Colorado as Tucker never even saw Brown coming, Grabovski is getting the beating of his life in there against Brown.
After 90 seconds, nothing happens.
Hughson: The Thrashers seem to have forgotten to send someone
Grabovski is bloodied on the ground, Brown doesnt let up
90 more seconds tick by
Hughson: No sign of the Phoenix representative either.
Brown continues to pumble Grabovski for a few seconds then stands up and shoots a confused look towards the entry gate, he turns back to his opponent only to catch a missel drop kick to the chest
McGuire: WHAT A MISTAKE BY BROWN, NEVER TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE OPPONENT.
Grabovski gives the fallen brown a few elbow drops and climbs to the top rope and jumps at Brown
McGuire : ITS THE FLYING PINE APPLE!!
at the last second Brown rolls over and Grabovski slams into the mat face first.
both players lay on the mat catching their breath
Hughson: I am now getting that both Atlanta and Phoenix are not sending any players out as they are all stuck at the Hamilton airport.
McGuire: THIS IS A CRAZY TURN OF EVENTS, TWO LESS PLAYERS MEANS ITS JUST THAT MUCH EASIER TO WIN THE RUMBLE.
Hughson: and here's where things get interesting, next out is the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Brown gets up and starts walking towards the fallen Grabovski just as the 90 seconds The music
hits and the crown goes nuts
McGuire: ITS LUKE SCHENN, LUKE SCHENN IS HERE!!
Brown just stares awestruck as Schenn strides down the ramp, who seems in no hurry. Behind him Grabovski gets to the top turn buckle and dives at Brown, another Flying Pineapple, but this time is strikes home and Brown is launched out of the ring over the top rope.
Hughson: The presence of Luke Schenn was enough to make Brown forget about Grabovski, I cant say I blame him.
Schenn enters the ring, and highfives the bleeding Grabovski who then goes to the far corner to catch his breath.
90 Seconds, Steve Ott comes out for Dallas, to no music, takes one look at Schenn and stops at the top of the ramp, goes no further and smiles
Hughson: Whats going on here, Ott refuses to come to the ring, but he looks like he has something up his sleeve.
McGuire: I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU JIM, THIS IS UNHEARD OF
Suddenly the music hits and Dustin Penner, Chris Neil, Andrew Peters, Derek Boogard and Bryan McCabe all rush the ring.
McGuire: OH MY GOD, THIS IS INSANITY.
Hughson: looks like they have formed some sort of alliance in order to take out this pair of Leafs, Bettman won't like this, I'm sure the representative teams will be pun...no wait, I am hearing that the NHL board is letting this go with a warning.
McGuire: SCHENN AND GRABOVSKI ARE IN FOR ONE HELL OF A FIGHT NOW
Penner and Neil go after Grabovski, who darts away trying to stay out of range while the rest go after Schenn. Schenn charges Peters, who reaches him first, a thundering body check throws Peters back into Boogard who falls and takes out Neil and Penner. Grabovski ducks behind Schenn who squares off against McCabe, suddenly Schenn ducks and Grabovski flyes off the ropes at McCabe and drops him with a missel drop kick. Suddenly though, Boogard, Neil, Penner and Peters untangle themselves and decend on Schenn, they dog pile and pin him in the corner.
McCabe Swats Grabovski off of him and picks the smaller man up.
Hughson: The Leafs are in trouble now, Schenn is overwhelmed and McCabe has Grabovski, looks like he is going for his finnishing move.
McCabe Slams Grabovski to the mat. Hard.
McGuire: CAN-OPENER, GRABOVSKI IS OUT OF IT!
The gaggle of united players start trying to throw a struggling Schenn over the top rope, they arn't having an easy time. McCabe see's this and goes to help. They all struggle, but the added assistance of McCabe seems to be winning out.
Suddenly, Grabovski stirs. He rolls over and gets to his hands and knees. No one notices him. Spitting up blood he gets to his feet. And throws all he has into a charge.....
To be continued.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Investigative Reports
Breaking news from the Die Hard Blue and White news center. Brian Burke is at it again, scouring the world for unknowns that can benefit his hockey team. Sources are reporting that Burke has inked action star Jason Statham to an entry level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Seen below practicing, Statham showed why he is one of the most sought after movie stars of today.
He scored several fancy shootout goals on an unknown goaltender (to be discussed later) which included back flips, skating up the boards and using random foreign objects in the heat of the moment. Statham refused to answer questions after his astounding first time ever on skates but released this brief statement "How'd you like that one, tough guy? How fricking awesome was that, huh? "
The biggest surprise was yet to come however, when the goaltender Statham had been shooting on made his way off the ice and removed his mask.
Mr Crowe refused to even make a statement, but muttered about throwing a telephone at our reporter if he didnt get out of the way.
When asked to coment on the Crowe situation, Burke stated simply "We are always on the hunt for new tallent, there is a current veteran gap in our goaltending situation with Cujo leaving after last season. Crowe caught my eye, and plays with the same edge that he uses to fight around the world. I believe he will be a great asset to this organization".
While the total lack of hockey experiance of either of these players is glaring and obvious, Statham's raw, unconventional skill and Crowes obvious physical zeal will at the very least prove entertaining to watch in the upcomming season.
He scored several fancy shootout goals on an unknown goaltender (to be discussed later) which included back flips, skating up the boards and using random foreign objects in the heat of the moment. Statham refused to answer questions after his astounding first time ever on skates but released this brief statement "How'd you like that one, tough guy? How fricking awesome was that, huh? "The biggest surprise was yet to come however, when the goaltender Statham had been shooting on made his way off the ice and removed his mask.
Mr Crowe refused to even make a statement, but muttered about throwing a telephone at our reporter if he didnt get out of the way.When asked to coment on the Crowe situation, Burke stated simply "We are always on the hunt for new tallent, there is a current veteran gap in our goaltending situation with Cujo leaving after last season. Crowe caught my eye, and plays with the same edge that he uses to fight around the world. I believe he will be a great asset to this organization".
While the total lack of hockey experiance of either of these players is glaring and obvious, Statham's raw, unconventional skill and Crowes obvious physical zeal will at the very least prove entertaining to watch in the upcomming season.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
General Drunken Thoughts
Fuck, I really miss caring about a team winning in the playoffs.
Please let Bozak, Hanson, stalberg whoever works out, please!
Poor Dido
suck it Habs!
In Burk I trust.
mixing rye and rum, not that bad an idea....yet
Cal Clutterbuck...I just like saying that Clutterbuck, cluuuutterbuck, clu TER buuuuuck
I am so wound up about what may or may not happen in June I can't think straight about it, there is so much I want, so many ways things can go, so much speculation, so many good draft picks, so many free agents, potential trades, rumours, I mean I have faith in Burke to do everything he can to better this team but at what cost, what are we going to lose, there he goes talking about the goal is to make the playoffs next year, but past tearing this team to the ground there really is no way to be sure of anything, and of course he is better at this hockey management thing than I am, like way better, thats why he gets paid the big bucks and I rant from a shitty computer in a shitty apartment and drink way too much and then rant some more because I had nothing better to do tonight, but is there really a problem with that is drinking that big of an issue if I an not hurting anyone, sure there is my liver but hes not really a person more of a part of a person, but he does have a personality hes kind of a jerk when I treat him poorly and oh boy is he going to be sour tomarrow, I will never hear the end of it. Anyways, Go Leafs Go!
Please let Bozak, Hanson, stalberg whoever works out, please!
Poor Dido
suck it Habs!
In Burk I trust.
mixing rye and rum, not that bad an idea....yet
Cal Clutterbuck...I just like saying that Clutterbuck, cluuuutterbuck, clu TER buuuuuck
I am so wound up about what may or may not happen in June I can't think straight about it, there is so much I want, so many ways things can go, so much speculation, so many good draft picks, so many free agents, potential trades, rumours, I mean I have faith in Burke to do everything he can to better this team but at what cost, what are we going to lose, there he goes talking about the goal is to make the playoffs next year, but past tearing this team to the ground there really is no way to be sure of anything, and of course he is better at this hockey management thing than I am, like way better, thats why he gets paid the big bucks and I rant from a shitty computer in a shitty apartment and drink way too much and then rant some more because I had nothing better to do tonight, but is there really a problem with that is drinking that big of an issue if I an not hurting anyone, sure there is my liver but hes not really a person more of a part of a person, but he does have a personality hes kind of a jerk when I treat him poorly and oh boy is he going to be sour tomarrow, I will never hear the end of it. Anyways, Go Leafs Go!
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