Kukla's Korner Hockey
Entries with the tag: toronto+maple+leafs
The NHL Hour
by Alanah McGinley on 03/13/08 at 02:59 PM ET
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Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment President and CEO Richard Peddie will be the guest on today’s edition of NHL Hour hosted by Gary Bettman.
The show is on from 4-5 p.m. ET today on XM (Channel 204) and NHL.com. NHL Hour is an interactive talk radio show that is hosted by a rotation of League executives, and co-hosted by XM sports host and former NHL player Bill Clement.
*At showtime, listen live at this link. While on the air, listeners can call into the show at 1-877-645-6696, or send questions/comments via this email address: .
**Archived shows available for download via a podcast on NHL.com.
Filed in: NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: gary+bettman, media, mlse, nhl+hour, richard+peddie, toronto+maple+leafs,
Jeff O’Neill Back on the Ice
by Alanah McGinley on 01/31/08 at 01:01 PM ET
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From Jim Barber at Simcoe.com,
The 31-year-old native of King City was without an NHL contract to start the season, and has spent much of the past few months trying to stay in shape on his own in anticipation of a potential offer from an NHL club.
But he missed being around a team atmosphere and so got in contact with the Colts.
“I am friends with (assistant coach) Drake (Berehowsky), and a friend of mine’s good friends with (head coach) Marty (Williamson). I just got in touch with them. I was looking to get back on the ice,” O’Neill told Simcoe.com after practice on Wednesday.
Filed in: Non-NHL Hockey, Minor League | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: barrie+colts, jeff+o'neill, toronto+maple+leafs,
Rob Ramage Has Been Punished Enough
by Alanah McGinley on 12/18/07 at 01:09 PM ET
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From CTV News,
The family of Keith Magnuson, who was killed in a drunk driving crash caused by former Toronto Maple Leaf captain Rob Ramage, is asking a judge to spare Ramage a prison sentence.
Magnuson’s son Kevin told a Newmarket, Ont. judge on Tuesday the Ramage family has been punished enough by the fatal accident and subsequent trial and conviction.
The Magnusons said they have forgiven Ramage for his actions, and would rather see him receive a sentence of community service instead of a penitentiary term.
*A surprising position for the family to take, considering they chose to take Ramage to civil court and were awarded $9.5 million in their wrongful death lawsuit.
Filed in: Hockey Related Stories | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: keith+magnuson, rob+ramage, toronto+maple+leafs,
What’s Next, Four Guys From Latvia?
by Paul on 12/14/07 at 04:55 PM ET
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Featured on the current issue of The Hockey News is the Leafs’ Mats Sundin.
Last week it was Nick Lidstrom and the week before that was Henrik Zetterberg.
It has to be a first, three Swedes on back-to-back-to-back covers!
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: mats+sundin, toronto+maple+leafs,
Tales From the Leafs
by Alanah McGinley on 12/14/07 at 01:54 PM ET
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From Neil Stevens at the CP via Yahoo,
One of the most X-rated interviews of a coach ever recorded has finally made its way into print.
Get ready for a four-letter John Brophy barrage in “Tales From The Toronto Maple Leafs” by David Shoalts. The actual recording, made by Lance Hornby after a Toronto loss in Minnesota on Feb. 22, 1988, has been discreetly played for some of his pals over the years, but nobody ever dared to have it published - until Shoalts, like Hornby a Leafs beat writer, waded in with this hilarious look at some of the hijinx associated with the storied franchise during the last 50 years.
Don’t let the kiddies near this book. It is for adults only, and any Leafs fan who doesn’t mind the uncensored truth will love it.
Brophy used what Shoalts terms “the f-bomb” 72 times during the infamous interview way back when.
*book available at Amazon.com, a KK affilliate link.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: david+shoalts, hockey+books, toronto+maple+leafs,
Pat Hannigan Passes Away
by Alanah McGinley on 12/13/07 at 01:31 AM ET
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From TSN,
Pat Hannigan, who played his first National Hockey League game for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 1959-60 season and then enjoyed a second career broadcasting Buffalo Sabres games, has died. He was 71.
But in Fort Erie, he was better known for his social justice efforts, helping refugees new to Canada through Casa el Norte, a safe house for newcomers.
More on Pat Hannigan’s life and career at Legends of Hockey
Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Media | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: buffalo+sabres, pat+hannigan, toronto+maple+leafs,
Belak is the Key to Leafs Success
by Alanah McGinley on 12/05/07 at 04:20 PM ET
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From the CP,
“When Wade Belak gets a point, we win,” Belak said. “It’s been proven.
“You look back at all my goals and see if we won or not. Usually it’s a bad night for the other team.”
He was asked if the stick he used in practice was the same one with which he’d scored his rare goal.
“No, no. That’s in the Hockey Hall of Fame now,” he replied.
more... *an entertaining read as Belak gets on a roll with the one-liners. As the writer notes, “That’s Wade Belak: often lost near the net but never lost for words.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: toronto+maple+leafs, wade+belak,
Sundin Has No Plans To Move
by Paul on 12/03/07 at 07:59 AM ET
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from Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun,
Sundin was dismissing a highly speculative report that the Swedish contingent on the Detroit Red Wings, including Niklas Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom, are set to lobby general manager Ken Holland to acquire the Leafs captain if Toronto falls out of the playoffs.
But Sundin said Saturday night he was not in cahoots with the Motown Scandinavians and repeated yesterday that, as long as he controls his fate with a no-movement contract clause, he’ll stay put.
“That’s very safe to say,” Sundin said. “I didn’t sign a one-year deal last summer to (better accommodate a trade), I want to be a Leaf.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: detroit+red+wings, Mats+Sundin, toronto+maple+leafs, trade+rumors,
Weak Drafting Has Hurt The Leafs
by Paul on 12/01/07 at 08:13 AM ET
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from Alex Shprintsen at the Globe and Mail,
It is patently obvious the Leafs have had an utterly incompetent collection of scouts during the past 20 years. That must change and quickly, but it’s not that difficult to do. For the $5-million a year the Leafs are paying Kubina, they could hire the best general manager in the business and complement him with the combined scouting staff of the Red Wings, Devils and Avalanche.
This could happen quickly or slowly. Quickly, if the Leafs management were to decide to blow up the current team, getting rid of everyone they could and securing draft picks along with cap space, rebuilding the Penguins’ way by getting high first-round picks for several years. The other — the slow or the very slow — way is to rebuild the team through attrition and gradual smart drafting.
Either way, ultimately, the Leafs’ simplest direct solution is to spend their money to raid the scouting staffs of the most successful teams.
read on to see how the Leafs have drafted compared to othe NHL teams…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: nhl+draft, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Talk, Not Here Today
by Paul on 11/29/07 at 10:43 AM ET
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I believe most of you have had enough Leafs talk in the last week or so, but Spector covers it today along with some trade and signing talk…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: hockey+rumors, toronto+maple+leafs,
It Can Get Worse
by Paul on 11/28/07 at 07:59 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Bill Lankhof of the Toronto Sun,
Fire the coach! Draw and quarter the ##%%&&())$ general manager!
Trade Sundin! Bench McCabe! Andrew Raycroft is Judas reincarnate!
In the words of that great philosopher, Chicken Little, the sky is falling, which goes to prove only one thing: It must be hockey season in Toronto.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: toronto+maple+leafs,
It Only Gets Deeper
by Paul on 11/26/07 at 12:32 PM ET
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from TSN,
Sun columnist Steve Simmons wrote that a source told him Ferguson tried to fire Maurice, but was “prevented” from doing so.
“There isn’t a shred of truth to that assertion,” Ferguson told TSN. “This is made up, its a complete fabrication.”
So many reports, yes, no, maybe, he said, no he said… Just let it play out, the Leafs will do what they want to do
added 2:26pm, from the Globe and Mail,
Peddie also said reports that he and the MLSE board of directors are talking to potential replacements for Ferguson are incorrect. He also said he has had no conversations with Ferguson about firing Maurice.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, toronto+maple+leafs,
Report- Leafs Looking For A New GM
by Paul on 11/26/07 at 08:42 AM ET
Comments (2)
from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
This could be John Ferguson’s last week as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Or possibly his last day.
A bevy of sources confirmed yesterday the Leafs are frantically searching for Ferguson’s replacement—either on an interim or permanent basis—as the team’s downward spiral continues.
It’s not clear which direction the Leafs are headed, but it is clear the climate for change has become desperate in the wake of a dreadful start that has seen the Leafs win just eight of 24 games to date.
added 8:56am, from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,
Either combination – Healy-Messier or Campbell-Yzerman – would completely alter the public perception of the Leaf operation.
This much is clear. This situation isn’t just going to fix itself.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, toronto+maple+leafs,
The Leafs Are Bad
by Paul on 11/25/07 at 09:34 PM ET
Comments (2)
from the National Post via Canada.com,
Reality being what it is, both Ferguson and Maurice are walking a tightrope.
Ferguson has clearly not provided his coach with adequate resources. The Leafs admitted they were looking for an adviser to abet their still-young GM last summer. Momentum towards making a change is growing. And, it’s implausible that the club could hire an accomplished replacement for Ferguson without allowing that man to name his own coach.
Management and coaching changes in mid-stream are not unusual - already, this season, Atlanta, Dallas and Washington have fired employees who were in place to begin the schedule. The Leafs will probably will do the same, barring a dramatic and quick reversal of fortune.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, paul+maurice, toronto+maple+leafs,
HNIC Via Phoenix
by Paul on 11/25/07 at 09:56 AM ET
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from Ice Chips at the Arizona Republic,
Now more than 75 years after its inception on radio, Hockey Night in Canada continues to be a special event.
The Coyotes and Toronto Maple Leafs played the opening game of the Saturday doubleheader. Across Canada, it is always a must-see event.
“It’s pretty exciting,” said Coyotes rookie Craig Weller. “Growing up (in Alberta) as a kid, we didn’t have cable. We only had three channels, but it was always on one of the three.
“It’s definitely a thrill to play and have all of Canada watching. I guess every kid dreams that growing up.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Phoenix Coyotes, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, CBC HNIC | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: craig+weller, phoenix+coyotes, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Looking For “Big Name” GM
by Paul on 11/25/07 at 09:19 AM ET
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from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun,
If the Toronto Maple Leafs fire GM John Ferguson Jr., they won’t put just anybody on the Hogtown hotseat.
The talk among league executives is the Leafs won’t make a move on the GM front unless they secure a big name—such as Mark Messier, Steve Yzerman or Ron Francis, a former Leaf—to take the reins.
“The Leafs need to have somebody with star power,” said an NHL executive.
“If they’re going to put somebody into that seat who hasn’t done it before, they need to have a marquee name.”
continued plus more NHL talk, including trade rumors…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, toronto+maple+leafs,
No Coaching Shakeup Planned In Toronto
by Paul on 11/25/07 at 08:51 AM ET
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from the Toronto Star,
Leafs GM John Ferguson emerged from an hour-long, post-game meeting with coach Paul Maurice last night to announce that the club will stay the course with its coaching staff and roster.
After an alarmingly bad performance in a 5-1 loss to Phoenix at the Jobing.com Arena, there was a strong sense that something had to give.
But Ferguson expressed confidence in his roster and the team’s ability to turn around what is now a three-game losing streak and losses in six of the last seven games.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, paul+maurice, toronto+maple+leafs,
Love-Hate Relationship
by Paul on 11/24/07 at 09:51 AM ET
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from Nathan Vardi of Forbes,
To the most rabid hockey fans in toronto, Richard Peddie, chief executive of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, is a bum....
But in the eyes of the owners, Peddie is a hero. In nine years running the parent corporation of the Maple Leafs, Peddie, 60, has created quite a silk purse, tripling the enterprise value of the privately held company to $1.5 billion through clever marketing and shrewd dealmaking.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Richard+Peddie, toronto+maple+leafs,
Still Quiet
by Paul on 11/23/07 at 07:49 AM ET
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from the Toronto Sun,
Maurice yesterday gave a brief eulogy for Hanlon, the second NHL coach fired this season, but dismissed the notion that any employees feel safer when the turkey and leftovers are gone and the goodwill of Christmas approaches.
“I think a while ago, yes, but not so much (in the new NHL’s CBA),” Maurice said. “You don’t hear as much talk and there’s not as much action.”
Indeed, most trade banter has been just rumours so far. Many salary cap-strapped teams such as the Leafs have eliminated themselves until the Feb. 26 trade deadline when buying and selling is made easier, at least for some expiring one-year deals at reduced cost.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: paul+maurice, toronto+maple+leafs,
Believe In Maurice
by Paul on 11/22/07 at 06:48 AM ET
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from the Toronto Sun,
“It’s silly,” McCabe said of recent suggestions that Maurice’s days might be numbered. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with Paul or any of our coaches.”
“They have us prepared every game. Our practices are as good as they’ve ever been.
“The blame is 100% on us, the players. It has nothing to do with the coaches.”
One look at the beleaguered Maurice and it is easy to see the toll the Leafs woes are having on him.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: bryan+mccabe, Paul+Maurice, toronto+maple+leafs,
Did Brett Hull Save JFJ’s Job?
by Alanah McGinley on 11/19/07 at 03:05 PM ET
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From Jim Kelley at Sports Illustrated,
Is it possible that Brett Hull might save Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson, Jr.’s job?
Seems illogical, but then logic rarely is a dominant theme at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, a behemoth in terms of producing revenue, but a consistent failure in terms of on-ice success in the NHL.
The buzz for weeks has been that MLSE’s board of directors has been contemplating Ferguson’s dismissal, but the recent appointment of Hull as interim co-director of the Dallas Stars may have made an impact in Toronto.
The argument in favor of keeping the beleaguered Ferguson has long centered on a simple question: “Who can we get to replace him?” That question gave the board some pause this past offseason when several high profile (and under contract) GMs quietly let it be known they weren’t interested in the board’s plan to bring in an experienced hockey man to “mentor” Ferguson.
continued... including a look at shakeups in Dallas, St. Louis and Florida
Filed in: NHL Teams, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: brett+hull, dallas+stars, john+ferguson+jr, toronto+maple+leafs,
You Have To Mention Fired When Talking Leafs
by Paul on 11/18/07 at 08:23 AM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
All season long, the assumption has been that John Ferguson is basically done as GM of the Leafs. It’s only a matter of when. But lately, a lot of questions have been asked about coach Paul Maurice and the thinking amongst some front office people is that Ferguson would fire him if he needed to as a last-ditch attempt to try and save his own position.
Some prominent hockey people have asked the question aloud this week: What would you do if you were running the Leafs? And it isn’t being asked rhetorically.
more hockey talk…
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: john+ferguson+jr, toronto+maple+leafs,
The Battle Of…?
by Paul on 11/17/07 at 12:52 PM ET
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from the Toronto Star,
They are the games that get fans talking. The ones circled on the calendar as soon as the schedule comes out. The game that proves your team is – once and for all – better than your team’s bitter rival, until at least the two meet again.
Like when the Leafs face the Ottawa Senators in the Battle of Ontario or when Calgary faces their provincial rivals in Edmonton.
If you could pit one rivalry against another, which one would come out on top?
Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: calgary+flames, edmonton+oilers, ottawa+senators, rivalries, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Still Believe
by Paul on 11/17/07 at 08:40 AM ET
Comments (1)
from the Toronto Star,
Yes, the Maple Leafs have lost their last three games.
Yes, the players acknowledge the quotient of fans abandoning all hope is growing exponentially with every loss.
No, the team is not giving up.
“You fight through the adversity you face,” said an impassioned Leafs head coach Paul Maurice.
“You’re going to have to believe during those times when nobody else will, when (critics) will look at the last two months and tie them into the last 41 years and say: `Well, things haven’t changed.’
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: paul+maurice, toronto+maple+leafs,
How Bad Is It
by Paul on 11/14/07 at 07:15 PM ET
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from Tim Wharnsby of the Globe and Mail,
But the real-life Toronto NHL team has had more strange twists and turns this season than any Hollywood film — all before the 20-game mark, which the Leafs will hit when they visit the Boston Bruins tonight.
“My favourite movie is Shawshank Redemption,” Leafs forward Darcy Tucker said. “It’s a movie about an innocent man sent to prison. He has to crawl out, for the lack of a better [phrase], a tunnel of [expletive] in order to free himself. Maybe we have to go through something similar to become a better team.”
The strange but true happenings with the Leafs in the past six months are Harold Ballard-esque, and the eccentric former owner passed away more than 17 years ago.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: darcy+tucker, toronto+maple+leafs,
Entertaining Again
by Paul on 11/12/07 at 08:41 PM ET
Comments (3)
from William Houston of the Globe and Mail (Tuesday edition),
Hockey Night in Canada’s Hotstove panel on Saturday, composed of journalists for the first time this season, was provocative and entertaining — something it hasn’t been when retired players Scott Mellanby, Sean Burke and P.J. Stock made up the panel.
Al Strachan, who made his first appearance since 2005, when he was bounced from the show (some NHL club officials had complained to the CBC about the quality of his information), reported that TSN hockey analyst Glenn Healy is rumoured to be the leading candidate to replace Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Ferguson.
It seemed like a trip into fantasyland, but was it? Sources say the Maple Leafs wanted to hire Healy about a year ago as Ferguson’s assistant.
more hockey media talk…
Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, CBC HNIC | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Glenn+Healy, HNIC, John+Ferguson, media, toronto+maple+leafs,
Report- NHL Looking At Leafs/Rangers Pre-Game Incident
by Paul on 11/12/07 at 07:44 PM ET
Comments (7)
from CBC,
The NHL is investigating an on-ice incident involving abrasive New York Rangers forward Sean Avery, according to the Canadian Press.
Avery, 27, shoved Jason Blake and got into a heated exchange with Darcy Tucker during the pre-game warmup prior to Saturday’s 3-2 shootout victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.
“He has no sense of class,” Tucker told reporters following Monday’s skate.
Avery allegedly irked Tucker by saying something inappropriate to Blake, who revealed Oct. 8 that he is suffering from a rare but treatable form of leukemia (chronic myelogenous).
added 6:30am on 11/13/07, from the Globe and Mail,
The agent for New York Rangers forward Sean Avery was steaming mad that a radio report yesterday suggested that taunts made by his client during the pregame skate on Saturday evening were directed toward Toronto Maple Leafs winger Jason Blake, who is battling against cancer.
The FAN 590 in Toronto reported that an unnamed Rangers player said Avery ignited a scuffle with Leafs forward Darcy Tucker because of insensitive remarks.
Although Avery did not publicly comment yesterday on the radio station’s accusation, behind closed doors he and other Rangers said the remarks made by Avery were directed at Tucker and his family.
added 7:01am on 11/13/07, from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,
Sean Avery is preparing to file a libel charge against a Toronto radio personality who reported yesterday that Saturday’s pregame skirmish between the Rangers’ winger and the Maple Leafs’ Darcy Tucker was incited by Avery referring to Jason Blake’s cancer condition, The Post has learned.
Advised by his attorney to decline public comment, Avery has privately denied the charge as broadcast by Howard Berger over The Fan 590.
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: darcy+tucker, jason+blake, new+york+rangers, new+york+rangers, Sean+Avery, toronto+maple+leafs,
Keep Your Head Up Sean
by Paul on 11/12/07 at 08:15 AM ET
Comments (1)
from the Toronto Sun,
Citing Avery’s pre-game tomfoolery Saturday night as yet another example of why the instigator rule should be scuttled, Belak warns that the New York Rangers agitator is going to pay the price for his antics.
“He’s pissing guys off,” Belak said yesterday. “He’ll bring harm to himself and not too many guys around the league are going to be sad to see it.
“If he keeps this up, someone is going to kill him. One day he’s going to say something the wrong way and he’ll be clubbed.
“And I’m not saying it will be by me, either.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: new+york+rangers, Sean+Avery, toronto+maple+leafs, Wade+Belak,
Kubina Out With MCL Injury
by Paul on 11/11/07 at 02:45 PM ET
Comments (4)
from the CP via TSN,
Defenceman Pavel Kubina has been knocked out of the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup indefinitely with a medial collateral ligament injury to his right knee.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: injuries, Pavel+Kubina, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs & Canadiens Headed In Different Directions
by Paul on 11/09/07 at 11:28 PM ET
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from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,
But if the past is similar, the future looks entirely different for the two men and their teams, the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs.
“They both have mediocre current situations,” said one NHL executive, who wished to remain anonymous.
“But Ferguson put the Leafs in a situation where they have a terrible future and Gainey put the Canadiens in a situation where they have a great future.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: bob+gainey, john+ferguson, montreal+canadiens, toronto+maple+leafs,
Two Key Leafs Return
by Paul on 11/08/07 at 03:06 PM ET
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from the CP via TSN,
The Toronto Maple Leafs will have two more familiar faces back in the lineup when they travel to Buffalo to play the Sabres on Friday night.
Forward Darcy Tucker and defenceman Bryan McCabe are each ready to return from injury.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: bryan+mccabe, darcy+tucker, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Need Defense
by Alanah McGinley on 11/07/07 at 06:08 PM ET
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From the CP via TSN,
“In a perfect world, we’ll take this team as an offensive-minded team and teach it to make the right decisions defensively,” said Maurice. “It’ll be a painful process for them.
“But then you have the chance to be a very, very good team.”
The Maple Leafs should also get better with the return of Tucker and defenceman Bryan McCabe, who has missed six games with a groin problem. Both would like to play Friday night in Buffalo or Saturday night at home against the New York Rangers.
*Leafs currently have the highest goals-against in the NHL with 62, but are 2nd in the league for goals scored, with 53.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: bryan+mccabe, darcy+tucker, toronto+maple+leafs,
Would Sundin Leave Toronto
by Paul on 11/06/07 at 11:02 AM ET
Comments (1)
from Pierre LeBrun at Sporstnet,
Given Monday’s setback in Sweden when Forsberg left practice with the national team after feeling some discomfort in his right foot, who knows what it means for his NHL future?
Which brings things back to Sundin.
His contract is up after the season. He’s the perfect rental. Whether or not Sundin would want to leave Toronto and whether or not Ferguson would want to trade the big Swede is a question no one has the answer for at this point. Sundin insists he wants to win in Toronto and doesn’t want to leave. Time will tell.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: Mats+Sundin, peter+forsberg, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Salary Structure A Mess
by Paul on 11/04/07 at 07:55 AM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
Richard Peddie continues to insist that John Ferguson’s performance as Maple Leafs general manager will be evaluated at the end of the season.
The question is: Why wait that long?
In the wake of Ottawa’s signing of Jason Spezza for seven years and $49 million US, it is even more apparent what a mess Ferguson has made of the Leafs’ salary situation for this and the coming years.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: toronto+maple+leafs,
Playoff Hockey in November
by Alanah McGinley on 11/03/07 at 04:11 AM ET
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From Jack Todd at the Montreal Gazette,
You can toss out the form chart. Forget the odds. Pay no attention to the fact the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 3-2 last night in New Jersey, or that the Canadiens are coming off a superb performance against the Philadelphia Flyers Thursday night.
The Leafs also absorbed a 7-1 pounding on home ice against the Capitals Monday. That matters about as much as the price of chai in China.
When the bell rings tonight, the two teams stepping into the ring might as well be fighting a unification bout for a heavyweight title, because when the Canadiens and Leafs hook up on a Saturday night, it’s playoff hockey.
In November.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: montreal+canadiens, toronto+maple+leafs,
Toronto Goalies Hang Together
by Paul on 11/02/07 at 08:39 AM ET
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from the National Post via Canada.com,
They first met two years ago while playing for opposing hockey teams in Finland. But it took a month of sharing the net for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season for Vesa Toskala and Andrew Raycroft to become off-ice friends.
The two goaltenders dine together, swap iPod playlists and cheer for the same Formula One driver. Even their girlfriends seem to be getting along.
“It’s nice to have a guy there that you can relate to and be friends with and cheer for,” Raycroft said. “I want him to do well. Especially, through good times and bad, you can sit there and kind of go through it with someone else.”
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: andrew+raycroft, goalies, toronto+maple+leafs, vesa+toskala,
Mark Bell Ready For Return
by Paul on 11/01/07 at 03:06 PM ET
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from the CP via TSN,
The 27-year-old forward will have served his 15-game suspension after Toronto plays in Montreal on Saturday night. Bell will make his Maple Leafs debut on Tuesday in Ottawa.
Practice has taken on a different feel as his debut draws closer. Bell has been around the team all year and looked downright giddy on Thursday as he contemplated actually getting into a game.
‘’It’s been a long time since I played,’’ said Bell, who last saw the ice for San Jose on May 7. ‘’I’m just looking forward to getting out there with the guys.’’
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Skate Boys
by Paul on 10/31/07 at 07:05 PM ET
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from the CP via NHL.com,
Maurice didn’t say very much to his team Wednesday. The punishing skating drills spoke for themselves.
“On a day like today where it’s a very physically demanding day for the players, there’s not a lot of talking,” he said. “That’s not an easy day for the fittest of athletes so you don’t try to do four or five things all at the same time.
“Today was to get our legs burning and get a conditioning skate in.”
The second-year coach has preached conditioning since taking over the Leafs job but this seemed to be taking that message to another level.
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Tags: toronto+maple+leafs,
Groundhog Day in Toronto
by Alanah McGinley on 10/30/07 at 09:14 AM ET
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From Damien Cox at the Toronto Star,
Folks, something is going to have to give here. Whether it’s a big trade or a management shakeup, it seems unthinkable that even MLSE and its barely engaged board of directors will simply allow another season to limp along with two wins here, a couple of blowout losses there, an overtime triumph and then a couple more defeats.
This is the last two non-playoff seasons being played over again one more time. This is Groundhog Day, the hockey version.
It was the fifth time in nine home games the Leafs have allowed five goals or more to the opposition, an outrageous record. They’ve only acquired eight of a possible 18 points so far at the ACC, a home mark that will guarantee another missed invitation to the Stanley Cup playoffs if it doesn’t turn around dramatically. That’s not an opinion. It’s a fact.
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Tags: toronto+maple+leafs,
Looking at the Toronto Media
by Alanah McGinley on 10/29/07 at 05:11 PM ET
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From Stan Fischler via hockeyjournal.com,
John Ferguson deserves better than the relentless attacks from such human verbal howitzers as Steve (Toronto Sun) Simmons and Hockey Night in Canada’s Scott Morrison. As long as we can remember, Steve – otherwise a friend of ours – has been trying to pull the plug on Fergie. The Simmons fixation is troubling and it must pain the dear boy that Toronto has climbed above .500 (5-4-3). Meanwhile Morrison has the unmitigated gall to suggest that existing GMs, such as Jimmy Rutherford, up and leave their jobs to displace colleague Ferguson. How ridiculous can you get? Just for the sake of common decency, it would be neat if Ferguson’s Leafs ran off a six-game winning streak. That would shut these jackals up – for about a week.
read on... for Stan’s take on the NHLPA and other NHL news
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Talk | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: media, toronto+maple+leafs,
Tucker Positive After Workout
by IwoCPO on 10/29/07 at 07:12 AM ET
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From the Toronto Sun,
Wearing a navy blue nylon training suit and a determined look on his face, Darcy Tucker glided around the Lakeshore Lions Arena ice with relative ease yesterday.
Not bad for a guy who, according to some reports, had little more than mush inside his right knee.
“I was pleasantly surprised at how well it went,” Tucker said. “I just wanted to see how it felt.”
more…
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Tags: darcy+tucker, injuries, toronto+maple+leafs,
JFJ & Forward Thinking
by Paul on 10/25/07 at 12:46 PM ET
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from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,
John Ferguson has made a bold move with an eye to capturing the next big thing in hockey — he offered up-and-coming superstar John Tavares a contract to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ farm team....
By offering a deal for at least three years or longer, the source said Ferguson hopes to convince Tavares to remain Leaf property and opt out of the NHL draft. Tavares is eligible for the 2009 entry draft.
thanks to a KK reader for the pointer…
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Tags: John+Tavares, toronto+maple+leafs,
Pull the Plug on JFJ
by Alanah McGinley on 10/25/07 at 05:02 AM ET
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From Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun,
John Ferguson must be replaced as general manager of the Maple Leafs before he can do any more damage to the hockey club.
This is not a 10-game overreaction to a team off to a troubling start. This is a 174-game analysis—three seasons of post-lockout Ferguson Leafs teams.
And now, basically all that stands between him and his removal is the fact that he hired no one in the front office to assist him who is capable of taking his job—the way Paul Holmgren stepped into Bobby Clarke’s position a year ago in Philadelphia.
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Tags: john+ferguson, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Need Answers
by Paul on 10/24/07 at 06:49 AM ET
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from Bill Lankhof of the Toronto Sun,
Everyone is searching for answers. Said coach Paul Maurice yesterday morning: “We’ve done a good job ... I like the way we’ve been practising.”
Maybe the league could start handing out a point for teams who practice well. It might be the only way the Maple Leafs can find a way into the playoffs.
This team has more gaps than a hockey player’s smile. And one of the biggest has been the space between some of their ears.
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Darcy Tucker Out Indefinitely
by Alanah McGinley on 10/22/07 at 01:02 PM ET
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From Sportsnet.ca,
Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a right knee injury.
He suffered the injury Saturday night in the third period of a 6-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Update 10:15am ET: From the Globe & Mail,
Tucker has experienced knee soreness since the summer, but a collision along the boards early in the third period on Saturday hit his knee directly and has knocked him out of action.
An MRI performed on Sunday indicated damage to Tucker’s knee. He will not require surgery, but there is no time frame for a return.
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Tags: darcy+tucker, injuries, toronto+maple+leafs,
Leafs Searching For Answers
by Paul on 10/21/07 at 08:17 AM ET
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from the Toronto Sun,
The Maple Leafs had just suffered another third-period meltdown last night, and Jason Blake was peeved.
“Every time we have a lead, we get burned,” the speedy winger calmly said after yet another Leafs collapse, an inexcusable 6-4 defeat to the fatigued Chicago Blackhawks at the Air Canada Centre.
“We sit back, don’t play as hard, and that’s why you take penalties.”
“I agree,” said Sundin, whose two-goal effort was one of the few bright spots for an otherwise hot-and-cold Leafs team. “That third period was terrible. We were soft. We took penalties. We didn’t skate well.
“I don’t know what’s going on, but this is a big concern. When you are up 3-1 going into the third period against a (tired) team, you should be able to close it out.”
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Hockey Player Bloggers
by Paul on 10/20/07 at 07:46 AM ET
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from the Toronton Star,
Time was that when you wanted to learn more about a player or the game itself, you were limited to traditional forms of media. And, unless you wanted to head down the arena to boo, it was one-way communication.
Now, your favourite player might post a blog, he might be reading messages on social networking websites or he might have his own website on which he entertains comments and queries.
“Fans feel free to email me, ask a question or tell me I suck,” said Wade Belak, who started his own website as a way to keep family and friends in western Canada up to speed.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, NHL Talk, NHL Media, Hockey Bloggers | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: media, toronto+maple+leafs, wade+belak,
McCabe Trying To Earn His Keep
by Paul on 10/18/07 at 08:40 AM ET
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from the Toronto Star,
To any fans poised to uncork the boos at the Air Canada Centre tonight, besieged Maple Leafs defenceman Bryan McCabe offered some perspective.
“I’m one of the higher-paid guys on the team and they expect the world out of you. But I can’t turn water into wine every night,” he said yesterday.
“I’m not that type of player. I’m a hard-nosed player. I’ve been fortunate enough to get rewarded for some of my points over the years. I’m trying to earn it.”
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Is Paul Maurice On The Hot Seat?
by Paul on 10/17/07 at 08:29 AM ET
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from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,
Maurice has a serious hockey problem on his hands: The Leafs, through seven games, are getting fine goaltending, killing penalties well—two things they didn’t have a year ago—but are giving up goals against in mind-boggling numbers.
Numbers that indicate this roster may be ill-suited to compete at the NHL level.
Numbers that indicate this coaching staff may not be able to fix what is wrong.
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Health Habits After Hockey
by Alanah McGinley on 10/16/07 at 11:34 AM ET
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From Nancy J. White at the Toronto Star,
You’ll never see Wendel Clark on a mountain bike or jogging down a country lane. For that matter, you’ll rarely catch him in his home gym.
“I hate working out,” confesses the former Toronto Maple Leafs captain who retired in 2000.
But you may well spot him on a tractor or up a ladder, at his farm. And you’ll likely find “Captain Crunch,” not known for his on-ice gentility, toting a cup of green tea – part of his health regimen. The hard-charging winger’s advice? “Everything in moderation.”
Retirement can change a guy’s perspective, especially after years of gruelling games and battered body parts.
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Tags: toronto+maple+leafs, wendel+clark,
