One Less and Six More
March 5, 2009
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…
The Providence Bruins made their inaugural trip to the Ricoh Coliseum in the young history of the Toronto Marlies. Starting in net for the Bruins was the Maple Leafs former 1st round draft pick, G Tuukka Rask, who I have heard lamenting over since he was traded for the dull Razor, Andrew Raycroft, who turned out to be a bust as all Toronto fans know and Colorado fans have found out. Toronto’s counterpart G Justin Pogge took his place again between the pipes after being chased from the net the game previous allowing 3 goals on just 12 shots. This seesaw affair finished with the Marlies up a couple when the final buzzer sounded, and with the score board reading 6-4 and the shots equal at 30, the Marlies moved two important points up in the tight race in the Western conference.
Toronto’s LW #41 Yuri Tlusty has been on a tear, ripping through records and burying the puck seemingly at will, he scored 2 goals and added 4 helpers for 6 points, tallying points on every one of Toronto’s scoring plays. 3 of the 6 goals scored by the Marlies were on the power play which has been, in many of the players words, “Clicking”. Captain RW #25 Ben Ondrus commented on Yuri’s scoring touch along with his line mates success “All three of them, they’ve found something special together, and have been able to put it together for a long, and they’re all reaping the benefits and they’re all skating with the puck and a lot of its on the power play, and things are clicking for them right, and they are definitely riding the wave.” Yuri who is pretty tight lipped about his own play gave his team mates credit again for the success of the Ill Republic line, (Tim Stapleton and Bates Battaglia from Illinois and Yuri Tlusty being from the Czech Republic, thus, the Ill Republic line) saying “ We are just working hard, the whole line, we are just clicking.” Tim Stapleton made his return to the Marlies, and had this to say about being back with his line mates and their play, “We all have separate things that we all add to the table, I think Bates does a lot of the wall work and kind of the dirty things, Yuri’s a passer and a shooter and I’m a passer and shooter, we have good chemistry and all three of us kind of click.”
Usually non-conference games are not as boisterous, nor have any grudges been built up between teams, this game started out as such, but mid way through the second period a few words were exchanged between Toronto’s big defenseman #4 Phil Oreskovic and one of the scoring leaders for the Bruins RW #12 Brad Marchand, after Pogge was bumped while coming out to play the puck. I asked Phil if they were wishing each other good luck in the upcoming post season, after a big grin and a chuckle he told me “Yeah yeah you could say that more or less, you know frustrations get built up on the ice, and bounces go different ways, words are always exchanged, with Marchand there I don’t think we were ever going to trade blows, but you definitely gotta get in guys minds and rattle them up as much as you can, being a top player like he is, you know anything you can do to get him off his game” he then mentioned the play of his goalie briefly saying “It was a tremendous job by Pogge tonight, he really stepped up and set the bar, especially playing against a former Leafs draft pick Tuukka Rask.”
Now former Marlies defenseman #2 Richard Petiot who was dealt at the deadline to Tampa Bay, was in the dressing room after the game saying his goodbyes to his teammates and talked about the trade “I was actually sleeping, pre-game nap for this game actually, and I got a call from Jeff Jackson telling me that I got dealt” asked about his thoughts on the situation and how he felt, he commented “I really like it here, it was definitely shocking, ya know, but ya know it’s a business, so things happen” When asked if there was anything he would miss most about Toronto, Tim Stapleton who was standing close, shouted out “me!” which brought a laugh and a smile from everyone, he continued saying he was going to miss Tim Stapleton of course, and he said “Being in Canada and the guys mostly.” We all wished him good luck in the future, he was obviously a well liked guy on and off the ice.
The Toronto Marlies now sit in 5th place in the Western conference, just 6 points behind the Hamilton Bulldogs, who they visit Friday in an important game between divisional rivals before returning home Saturday to face the Washington Capitals AHL affiliate team the Hershey Bears, who sit atop the Eastern conference standings. The games are heating up down at the Ricoh Coliseum, get down there and take in the action, cheapest seats start at just 10 bucks.
Toronto Maple Leafs After the Trade Deadline
March 5, 2009
By Jordan Vertone… Brian Burke definitely felt like he was in a position where he needed to be a seller, and while he didn’t get the first round picks he wanted for both Moore and Antropov, I would still say it was a job well done to get the pair of second round picks.
After Jokinen was off the market the Leafs were hoping the value of the two forwards would increase but unfortunately they didn’t, and decided to take the offers on the table.
It should be an interesting finish to the season for the Leafs, however after today the many Leaf fans still hoping for a playoff spot will be disappointed with the deadline deals. But for the Leaf fans who didn’t think the playoffs were realistic, they should be pretty happy with the draft picks and prospects the Leafs picked up.
And hey, who dosent want to see Cujo win some games to finish off his legendary career in the Blue and White!
Final Breakdown
Waiver Wire
- Leafs claim G Martin Gerber off waivers from the Ottawa Senators
- Leafs claim D Eric Reitz off waivers from the New York Rangers
Trades
- To New York: Nik Antropov
To Toronto: Second round pick, conditional draft pick
- To Buffalo: Dominic Moore
To Toronto: Second round pick (Hurricanes former pick)
- To Toronto: Olaf Kolzig, Jamie Heward, Andy Rogers, fourth round pick
To Tampa Bay: Richard Petiot
NHL Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
March 5, 2009
By Rafal Ladysz…
Winners
Calgary Flames
May as well start out with a bang. Calgary acquired Olli Jokinen from Phoenix and Jordan Leopold from Colorado. These are two moves that will ensure the Flames will be considered a contender in the Western Conference when the playoffs arrive.
First, Jokinen will no longer be the longest active NHLer without a game of experience in the postseason. Calgary will most likely place him on the second line because you don’t want to jeopardize the chemistry between Jarome Iginla and Mike Cammalleri.
This gives Mike Keanan another scoring threat, especially on the power play where Jokinen can unload from the blue line. Leopold will begin his second stint with the Flames, and he adds to a defense that already has offensive capabilities.
With his previous experience in Calgary, the 28-year-old should have no problem fitting in and perhaps surpassing the 33 points he produced there in 2003-2004.
Pittsburgh Penguins
There’s no substitute for experience come April. The Penguins picked up Bill Guerin who will serve as Miroslav Satan’s replacement should he be dealt. Pittsburgh has looked like a new squad under Dan Bylsma even without Sidney Crosby—again.
Chris Kunitz has already made a mark in a Penguins uniform, registering five points (three goals, two assists) in his first three games.
Ryan Whitney was a good puck-moving defender, but Sergei Gonchar has already shown he’s capable of leading the way even after a lengthy absence. It appears as though the Pittsburgh Penguins are back to their old ways.
Buffalo Sabres
Calling the Sabres a winner after today may be a bit of a gamble. After all, they re-signed Tim Connolly to a two-year, $9 million contract. A healthy Connolly would definitely be worth this value as he is a play making genius.
An 82-game healthy? It’s a nice dream. Reality may have other thoughts.
Also, Buffalo addressed its goaltending needs and grabbed Mikael Tellqvist out of Phoenix. The veteran has been a dependable back-up throughout his career, and will assist Patrick Lalime between the pipes.
Anything is possible. Wade Dubielewicz leading the Islanders to a playoff berth two years ago is living proof.
Finally, Dominic Moore was added to give the team some energy. He has already set personal bests offensively with the Maple Leafs, and will give the Sabres a capable center who can hopefully continue his great year.
Boston Bruins
This latest losing streak must have gotten the Bruins to think. Mark Recchi has been added for the playoff drive, and he has shown that he can be the man to get them to the promised land like he did with Carolina in 2005/2006.
Steve Montador was shipped from Anaheim, and he gives Boston a rough defender who can chip in with offense from time-to-time. The native of British Columbia also brings experience to the table being part of the Calgary group that reached game seven of the 2003-2004 Stanley Cup Finals.
Boston is certainly ready and waiting for their first round opponent.
New York Rangers
Here’s a team that’s in dire need of offense. Nik Antropov should be able to help in the goal-scoring department, and his size will be valued on a Rangers team boasting plenty of smaller players.
Derek Morris resembles the style of Montador, and will give the opposition second thoughts about running over Henrik Lundqvist in goal. The defense is struggling to put pucks into the net as well.
Morris did produce some great statistics in Colorado and Calgary. Dmitri Kalinin, Nigel Dawes, and Peter Prucha were sent to Phoenix in exchange.
Florida Panthers
Ultimately, they are winners for hanging on to Jay Bouwmeester. In the long run, they will be made to suffer when the defender is signed elsewhere as a free agent in July. However, the fact is, this city needs to make the playoffs for their fans and owners.
Florida has been one of those questionable markets for an NHL team, and a postseason appearance would take off some of the heat for the time being. Steve Eminger will play for his third team just this season.
He has shown decent offensive flair with Tampa Bay, and Florida’s defense is that much stronger. Bouwmeester, Bryan McCabe, Keith Ballard, and Eminger. Not bad at all.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Pascal Leclaire wasn’t expecting to see much action with Steve Mason now becoming the team’s saviour. Leclaire is now an Ottawa Senator and Antoine Vermette joins a Columbus group that, like Florida, needs to establish themselves in the playoff picture.
Vermette has struggled for the better part of the year, but has come to life recently. The 26-year-old can easily become a 20 goal, 20 assist guy in Columbus.
There’s also his speed, and penalty-killing abilities that make him perhaps the last piece of the puzzle for the Blue Jackets.
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