Let’s kick things off with a simple question….Why was #17’s tribute night held on the same evening as #33’s?  I guess it didn’t matter much as CBC was able to cover both events…just found it odd that they didn’t coordinate events better.  The Leafs weren’t allowed to wear the 1980’s jerseys (same style they wore in the warm-up and for the ceremony) because they did not provide the League Office with sufficient notice (was Wilbur tinkering with their fax machine?).  The teams would have had to advise the league about their tribute nights in advance as well so I’m surprised that they didn’t push for separate Saturday night specials (or CBC demand on it).

Still can’t get used to the new HNIC theme song…no offence to the song or it’s writer but…it’s just plain wrong.  Actually, as much as I like TSN’s hockey coverage, it bothers me even more to hear the real theme played on their network….

Last nights game – I didn’t see much but from what I did see, we got much of the same…speed, skill and scoring.  I don’t want to suggest that there is anything “wrong” with this team.  It’s year 1 of the rebuilding process and as I’ve stated in previous posts – I’m enjoying this team more than any other in recent memory…definitely during the JFJ tenure.  What I do find interesting is that we are not getting what we expected.  We heard and expected that we would have trouble scoring and would be much improved defensively.  This hasn’t been the case.  Again, I don’t care that this has not materialized…I only offer the next few comments as they relate to what Burke et al will need to do when they join MLSE.

We’ve got some good speed and skill…I echo TSM’s (www.torontosportsmedia.com) comment...This team is lacking true grit…a top 6 forward like Wendel Clark would be ideal J Hollweg is definitely not the guy….and neither is the invisible man Jamal Mayers.  If grit is not in the cards for our top 6, at the very least our shut down guys need to be tougher and guys like Steen aren’t going to be Burke like players.  Watch for guys like Blake, Steen, Mayers and Hollweg find new homes for size and toughness.

Anyone else agree that White is proving to be a good 4^th line forward?  He plays with the energy we need in that role…and, he can score.  I’d leave him right where he is. 

Stajan is the new McCauley.  Remember when Alan McCauley was moved up to the 1^st line when Mats got hurt?  Stajan seems to be doing the same.  I’m not suggesting that we’ve found our new long term #1 centre but…when we do, he should be a productive #3 (assuming Grabs can continue to be a productive #2). 

The only disappointment this season has been Toskala a.k.a. Tosgoala.  I didn’t expect him to be a top 5 goalie but…certainly didn’t think he’d be a bottom 5.  And I don’t think we can simply say he’s not getting enough help from the team in front of him.  I don’t care if he’s not the goalie of the future…I do care that he wont be worth a bag of pucks at the trade deadline or sooner.  It would have been nice to have been able to move him for something and let Pogge finally play a string of NHL games to see exactly what we have (not to suggest that he will be the long term solution either).

 

Comments?

 

too early for Pogge still - one more year as the #1 with the Marlies is needed. you called the steen trade - nice! Regarding Mayers - the only think I can think of is he is a good "dressing room" guy - otherwise, good question on what he is doing here.

Agree that these 2 ceremonies should of been on different days, so each could have a true spotlight. I don't believe that Clark should have been honoured. Although I liked his play, he is not in the same caliber as the others. I guess it shows how far this organization has slipped over the years and decades.

Remember your goalie is only as good as the defence in front of him.