Crosby Skating

Sidney Crosby has been skating for the last week. The question is, when will he start practicing with his teammates.

I am a huge Crosby fan, and I am worried that he will be rushed back and won't be able to keep up with the fast paced and hard hitting playoff hockey.

What do you think.
Will Crosby come back this year and how do you think he will do???

Leafs host the Flyers

I am looking forward to going to this game with my dad. I always enjoy watching the Flyers in person because a lot of my favorite players play for them. Mike Richards is one of my all time favorite players in the league. I love that way he plays and wish the Leafs had a guy like him down the middle.

The Leafs have been playing some great hockey of late going 10-3-5 in the last 18 games. They really missed out on grabbing 2 points against the Islanders the other night so I am hoping they score first and come prepared to play.

I will also be watching James Reimer. I have a feeling the Flyers will be trying to go high and glove side on him. It seems to be the scouting report, that when he plays deep in his net to go top shelf on him. I am hoping his finger injury is ok. I really don’t want to see Giggy in net for the Leafs again this season. It has to be the Monster or Reimer the rest of the way for the Leafs.

Here is a cool write up about James Reimer

Let’s hope the Leafs can keep Kris Versteeg off the scoreboard.

Scouting the Marlies

Today I went to the Marlies game with a few friends and it was a great game

The Marlies beat the Manitoba Moose 3-1 with Jonas Gustavsson playing a very solid game. Gustavsson, who hasn't lost in regulation with the team in posting a 3-0-1 record, came into the game with 1.24 goals-against average and .946 save percentage.

Nazem Kadri and Aaron Voros each had a goal and an assist, and Christian Hanson had the Marlies' other goal, scoring the empty netter. Kadri scored a beauty goal just 3 minutes into the game.

I was surprised at how well Aaron Voros played, and was impressed with his speed and hands. It was also odd seeing John Mitchell out there. It looks like after this year he will be cut form the Leafs organization.

Marcel Mueller took a thunderous open-ice hit from Aaron Volpatti, and was on the ice for several minutes and didn't return. After the hit Danny Richmond jumped him and got his butt kicked by Volpatti. I give Richmond credit for hanging in there and sticking up for this teammate.

I am hoping to get to a few more Marlies game this year. It’s nice to see what the future looks like.

Family Day, Hockey Talk

So today is Family day and I just spent part of the day shopping with my Mom. The best part of shopping with her is that I never have to pay, and she is using my Dad’s money to buy me stuffJ

We have seem a lot of trade action the last week and I am wondering if TSN and other major sport networks are starting to get worried that there won’t be much action during their day long Trade Deadline specials.

One huge trade that caught me off guard was the Erik Johnson, Jay McClement and a conditional first-round draft pick in 2011 or 2012 to the Colorado Avalanche for Chris Stewart, Kevin Shattenkirk and a conditional second-round draft pick in 2011 or 2012. I like this deal a lot for the Blues and think that Shattenkirk will put up a lot of points on the Blues powerplay. It also makes me wonder if Erik Johnson is really back to 100% after missing all of the 2008-09 season with knee surgery.

Another deal that came out of nowhere was goaltenders Brian Elliott and Craig Anderson swapping teams. Elliott has been getting booed the last month in Ottawa and both teams are hoping a change of scenery might help both these goalies. Anderson is a UFA at the end of the year, so this is his chance to show the league he can still be a top goalie.

I also noticed that Kyle Turris was sent back down to the AHL. I don’t watch a lot of the Phoenix Coyotes games, but I guess he was really struggling. Turris was the 3^rd overall pick in 2007. I am shocked he hasn’t had more of an impact in the NHL. If his stock has dropped off out in the desert, I would love to see the Leafs try and get him and give him a shot. I wonder what we would have to give up to get him?

I hope everyone is having a great family day

Thank You Tomas

So it finally it happened, Tomas Kaberle has been traded to the Boston Bruins.

I always liked Kaberle and it is sad to see him go. He was a great pick by the Leafs in the 1996 NHL draft going 204th in the 8th round. His best season with the Leafs was in 2005-06 season when he posted 67 points.

The Maple Leafs traded the veteran defenceman to the Boston Bruins in exchange for prospect centre Joe Colborne, the Bruins' first-round pick in 2011 and a conditional second-round draft pick in 2012.

I think considering Boston was the only team Kaberle wanted to be traded to. This is a great deal for the Leafs. Colborne could be NHL ready next year and it gives the Leafs another high end prospect that can push Nazem Kadri even more.

Wouldn’t it be great if July 1st Kaberle resigns with Toronto?

What do you think he will sign for, if it’s with Boston, the Leafs or another team?

Is he a $6M a year player?

Hey You! Can You Play Goal?

Bye Bye Versteeg

           I won't miss his mouthguard hanging out of his mouth

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Kris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers for a first-round and third-round draft pick in the 2011 draft. Versteeg was sixth on the team in scoring with has 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 53 games this season.