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.

Happy Hockey Day in Canada

I have been waiting for this day for awhile. It’s like Christmas for me.

With the CBC coverage just starting now, I plan on watching for a bit then head out for a skate at the local rink. But I want to make sure I get back for the Oilers game. I love watching Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle play.

Then I am going to order a pizza with my roomie for dinner and watch the Maple Leafs head in to Montreal. It’s going to be such a fun game to watch. I have a feeling that Joffrey Lupul is going to get his first point as a Maple Leaf tonight.

What are you doing on this great day?

I have a video for you guys today. I was talking to my friend Nick on Twitter about the Islanders trading for Al Montoya. And he mentioned to me that one of his only memories of Montoya in the NHL was his fight with Rick DiPietro. I can remember he was pretty hyped up when he got drafted. The year that Alex Ovechkin was drafted 1^st overall, Montoya was drafted 6^th overall.

I just find funny now that the Islanders needed a goalie after Rick DiPietro was injured in a fight. So they traded for a goalie who has also fought Dipetro.

Welcome To The Tdot Joffrey Lupul



                                         The Toronto Maple Leafs just got a lot Hotter :)

Leaf land had something to talk about yesterday when Brian Burke pulled off this deal

To Ducks: Francois Beauchmin

To Leafs: Joffrey Lupul, Jake Gardiner and a conditional draft pick in 2013

Leafs Win, Kessel Still Slumping

After a brutal 1^st period last night, the Maple Leafs were able to come back and grab 2 points from the Atlanta Thrashers. It was a back and forth game and both teams were pretty sloppy in their own end.

With all the Phil Kessel Vs Ron Wilson talk going on, I was expecting a big game from Kessel. But he ended up being a minus 2 on the night and didn't register a point. It's just so hard to watch him play, because if he played with more heart and actually won a board battle once and a while it would be ok if he wasn't scoring. Most of the players in the league would love to have his skating ability and slick hands. But It seems like Kessel is missing some key parts to his game. I wonder if they will ever develop.

The Maple Leaf head in to Long Island tonight and play future Toronto Maple Leaf John Tavares. Yes Tavares will be signing with the Leafs once he becomes a UFA. With Rick DiPietro hurt once again the Leafs will be facing Kevin Poulin in net. I am usually pretty good at knowing about young prospects, but never heard of this guy. It's pretty safe to say the Islanders are tanking the year and looking forward to another top 5 pick.

With a win tonight the Leafs are shooting for 4 wins in their last 5 games.

What is the over/under for attendance tonight?

10,000 maybe?
:)

Mother Pucker Shut Down

I am not sure if this is true but this is the link I found about Mother Pucker being shut down. I enjoyed his site so I hope this is not true

http://www.dahliakurtz.com/1/post/2011/02/one-hot-hockey-fight.html

Let me know if you hear anything else guys.

Forsberg is Back

37 yr old Peter Forsberg is back in the NHL

Weekend Quick Hits

Darryl Boyce is one tough dude. I love that he got someone to take a picture of his mangled nose and then posted it to twitter. I don’t even want to think about how much that would hurt.

The Kontinental Hockey League says Russian defenseman Denis Kulyash has smashed hockey's hardest shot record. Kulyash hit 110.3 miles per hour at the KHL's all-star skills competiton Saturday, well ahead of the 105.9 m.p.h. shot Chara registered at last weekend's NHL all-star game in Raleigh, N.C.

I am going to take a guess and say the radar gun was alittle off.

Today the Pittsburgh Penguins confirmed that centre Evgeni Malkin has a torn MCL and ACL. He is discussing his options with doctors on surgery or rehabilitation. This is a huge blow to the Pens. If he is gone for the year, look for the Pens to be pretty active at the trade deadline trying to add some scoring.

One year ago Today, Brendan Burke, the son of Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke, died in a car accident. He was 21. It would be great if the Leafs could get a big win for Burkie tonight. It will be a tough task to get 2 points in Buffalo. The Leafs always seem to have problems playing in that building. Maybe the Leafs need to lay off the pre game wings at Anchor Bar.

Go Leafs Go

Optimus Reim the next Felix Potvin?

 

Well I was a lucky girl and got to go to both Leaf games this week. I can’t remember the last time I went to 2 games in a week and they won both of them.

Congratulations to James Reimer on getting his first shutout in the NHL. He is so cool and confident in net and always seems to be in the right position. Watching him compared to Jonas Gustavsson is day and night. The Monster always seems to be scrambling around the crease and looking around for the puck.

Snow Day, Hump Day

I was at the Leaf game last night and was very happy that they got 2 points. But still was amazed with how many giveaways the Maple Leafs do every game. After Phil Kessel took that stupid penalty with 5 minutes left and the Panthers tied up the game, the leafs still gave up the puck a few times that almost led to a late goal.