Browse >
Home / Archive: 01. June 2009
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter…
Just when you think you have your finger on the pulse of the NHL, BANG!!!! Something comes to you right out of left field, today was an example of that as the Montreal Canadiens are set to announce the hiring of Jaques Martin as their Head Coach at a 2: p.m. EST press conference.
Martin, who lost his head coaching job to Peter DeBoer last season, had been serving as the Florida Panthers General Manager, gave up his contract in Florida that would have seen him remain there through the 2001-12 season. It is not known how long of a contract the Canadiens have offered Martin, but specualation has it that Martin will ink a three year deal.
Considering Martin’s lack of success in the playoffs I would say that the hiring is a curious one. There were other candidates names bandied around, such as long time member of the Montreal Canadiens, two-time Jack Adams award and 11 time Stanley Cup winner Jaques Lemaire, Stanley Cup winner and French speaking Bob Hartley, and long time Montreal Canadien, multiple Stanley Cup winner Larry Robinson. Martin is a well respected head coach, but he is missing a Stanley Cup and his stock slid dramatically while he was in Florida.
The Canadiens are faced with numerous challenges this off-season, they have ten free agents to deal with, are coming off a poor showing in the playoffs, and are in need of a change in culture in the dressing room- perhaps this is where Martin’s no-nonsense coaching will come in handy.
I find it strange that the Habs would come out just days before and announce Alexei Kovalev as their Captain, shouldn’t the coach have a say in that regard? Also, given Kovalev’s propensity for playing only when he feels like it and his internal suspension last season, what message are you sending to your players?
Some curious moves indeed….Stay tuned….As a Toronto Maple Leaf supporter I am loving this!
By Louis “King of Roncesvalles” Pisano…The attire remains the one common theme, but the days of scripted WWF staged style roller derby has long been buried and this new battle ready breed of Pivots, Blockers, and Jammers has brought a new face to a century old game.
The bright green clad defending champion Chicks Ahoy took a twenty point lead in the first half, in front of a packed George Bell Arena, with their Jammers, leading off with Candy Cross Bones who began the scoring, seemingly slipping past the pack of Blockers and Pivots of the Gore-Gore Rollgirls at will. The leopard print of the Gores must have seeped though their uniforms and engulfed their spirits as they snatched the lead for good with ten minutes left in the second half finalizing the score at 93-87, and thus making the statement that they are now the force to be reckoned with in the ToRD.
Bambi lead the way for the Gores scoring a total of 38 points including 4 Grand Slam Bonus points, followed closely by Lunch Box with 36 and 5, while D.Rail lead the team in hits with 18. The Chicks Ahoy Jammer Candy Crossbones scored almost half her teams points notching 35 and Nasher the Smasher had a total of 19 hits in the losing cause.
Some of the hits in this game, played on cement, were, both feet off the ground flying into the boards, a good ten foot plus, heavy collisions. The minimum amount of protection including a helmet, wrist guards, elbow pads and knee pads worn by these women don’t cushion that much of an impact, tough chicks! I asked the Gores Jammer Lunch Box about one specific massive hit she took and she said “Yeah, which one” while laughing, and about the impact it had she replied “I had to get up so I could keep jamming.” One of the combatants was taking off in the first period on a stretcher but would return to battle on, though was limping after the game, verifying their motto, which reads… Real Women. Real Hits. Real Heart.
The Gore-Gore Rollergirls were ecstatic about the win and their Co-Captain and a key Jammer Dust Bunny talked about it saying “It feels amazing because we both have something to prove against each other, we’ve been contending champions for two years, so hopefully that sets the record on how this season is going to be, and hopefully we are going to be the champions this year!”
This sport provides constant action and truly kept me on the edge of my seat, I can’t wait for the next match, which gets underway Saturday June 13th at George Bell Arena at 7:30 pm. Get down there and check it out! www.torontorollerderby.com
All photos by Paolo Cescato www.cescato.com except photo of king and the Roller Girl interview by Mike Ivall
By Bryan Thiel… Two games in, and this year’s Stanley Cup finals is certainly interesting.
Evgeni Malkin is “fighting,” Pavel Datsyuk has yet to play a game, and the attention given to Sidney Crosby is abusive, bordering on assault.
That last one no one is surprised with, but that’s been what has set the tone so far in the 2009 Stanley Cup finals: physical play and getting away with murder.
The examples against Detroit are, when people choose to look at them, exhaustive. The Johan Franzen slash on Sidney Crosby and Marian Hossa’s man-handling of Pascal Dupuis are the two examples many point to for penalties falling by the wayside because “Detroit is favored by the NHL and it’s officials.”
The Penguins aren’t as innocent as the Crosby-criers would lead you to believe though.
Evegni Malkin got away with a trip in game one on Jonathan Ericsson that allowed him to stream in on a breakaway, only to be thwarted by Chris Osgood. Sidney Crosby even tried to joust a little with Kirk Maltby after game one.
And do we really need to dissect the “brawl” between Malkin and Henrik Zetterberg at the end of game two? Neither player had a tie-down on (illegal) and Malkin received an instigator penalty for it (while Miroslav Satan seemed to be non-committal to being the third man in the fight). One game suspension right?
Well we forgot about the fact that the NHL “withholds the right to assess each case of late-game instigators and rescind the suspension if deemed necessary.”
Apparently, because Malkin isn’t a “goon” he’s allowed to instigate fights in the last five minutes of a game. That’s good news for guys like Marc Savard, Zach Parise and Daniel Sedin who can now play the “sure I instigated it, but I’m a scorer” card.
Just what the NHL needs, especially in the cup final.
Sidenote: I just wanted to clarify the “Crosby-crier” reference a few paragraphs ago. I’m honestly sick of the Sidney Crosby cry-baby talk. If he is, that’s great. There’s also people that think he isn’t, which are those that think he gets rough treatment (which he does) and isn’t officiated fairly.
I just wanted to make a town-crier reference, and to avoid hate mail. Hence why I’m posting this disclaimer five paragraphs too late.
Getting back to the physical play though, this is where Pittsburgh has fallen.
You can talk all day long about the fact that Pittsburgh has hit an endless amount of posts, but it doesn’t change anything. Fact is, post are nondiscriminatory judges. You can be black, white, Christian, atheist, blind, deaf, gorgeous or grotesque, short or tall, or even Gary Bettman, and you’ll still hit posts.
Detroit has nothing to do with it, it’s just bad luck.
What the Pens need to do though, is prove that they’re physically the hungrier team.
Coming in to the series, that seemed to be the knocks against Detroit: They were the older team, meaning their bodies can’t withstand the grind like the younger bodies of the Penguins can. Detroit is the more experienced team and merely looking for a Stanley Cup repeat, so Pittsburgh has to be hungrier right?
Fact is, when the puck went into the Pittsburgh end, especially in game one, the Detroit forwards did more to try and get it back and control it.
Going forward in the series, Pittsburgh is going to have to figure out how to pressure the Detroit defense better. The Red Wings’ defenders, both young (Ericsson, Brett Ledba, and Niklas Kronwall) and old (Nicklas Lidstrom and Brian Rafalski) have intuitive hockey senses: They always seem to know the best route to take, where to play the puck, and the safe plays to make.
The Penguins need to start disrupting the methodology the Wings’ defenders have in place: As the series goes on, they need to pressure them more and begin to anticipate what they’re going to do with the puck.
Pittsburgh defenders though, need to keep doing what they’re doing offensively. Kris Letang got his first point since game seven against Washington Sunday night, and the Pittsburgh defense fired eight shots at Chris Osgood.
What needs to change in that though, is where those shots are coming from on the back end. Sergei Gonchar has two shots in two games—meaning he’s tied with Hal Gill for shots on goal, and trailing Brooks Orpik.
Yeah. Good company there.
The Penguins are far from out of it though. In the second round they were down 2-0 to the Washington Capitals, won both games three and four at home, and went on to win the series. The big problem with this though, is that Detroit is 4-1 after winning the first two games of a series in these playoffs.
Crosby, Malkin, and the Penguins also have to keep their cool—if the recklessness that dogged the last few minutes of game two shows it’s ugly head early in game three, it could be insurmountable.
Now the Wings have to fly through a snowstorm—the sea of white—and hope they can come out with at least one more in the win column.
The Penguins just need to calm down and get one in the win column.
By Long John Silver… I think there are many times in life when you think, “This is true. This is profound and genuine and it’s just unlike anything else,” only for it to be refuted the next day.
Three times when the incomparable Swiss reached the final for all RF-World to think he is going to eventually win, there came the muscular Pirate who beat him, grounded him … and eventually bageled and embarrassed him.
I wanted to wait a bit, before it all settled down. Let it marinate a bit so that one has a more balanced perspective.
The tennis world Richter scale touched its limit today. It was shaken to its core. The infamous Swede finally achieved the impossible. It is ironic that Rafa’s least favorite player on tour handed him the flight tickets out of Paris to Spain.
Soderling can play, but he probably will not play like this for a long time. Lack of consistency is his Achilles heel.
This was a blood-bath weekend for the lanky German , who sent back the “Boy in Blue Shoes,” when we all thought that was the biggest upset. That’s until the Swede showed up to send the four-time champion, never before defeated Spaniard home.
Let’s not get carried away, Rafael will be back in Paris next year. But the result does not fail to stupefy even the most balanced of people. As we were sieving with a fine tooth comb through the draw on who can take Rafael to the distance (let alone defeating him on Chartier) who would have thought Soderling?
That’s why we say it time and (painfully) time again right? Lets play, that’s why we play the match, however one sided the probabilities are.
Rafa was incredibly honest and gracious. He told that Soderling played very well, and he himself also hit a lot of short balls (which is true). But he was very clear in stating that he did not take anything away from Soderling.
When asked if the wind made a difference, he clearly stated that wind was existent to both players. But you just knew, Soderling was always looking to ignite when there is nothing there. Soderling went on to say that Rafa should not have said that he hit short balls. I’ll leave it at that. There is no smoke, there is just Rob Soderling.
It had to happen sometime, there is always a Krajicek, there is always a Nadal, and there is always a Soderling.
So what does this mean? The slip of a Spanish Kingdom? Or is it “Christmas comes early in a Swiss Household?” It’s a bit of both.
Opportunities such as these don’t knock more than once in an athlete’s career. These next three matches are probably the most important on Rodge’s career, it’s a culmination point. It is a destiny thrown lifeline.
For what it’s worth, I have always strongly believed that the best player of all time (or at least being in a conversation) should have won on all four surfaces.
As always I have tickets to watch the open final with my best mate in N.Y.
There is no point in contending “what if” theories. If Rodge does not defeat Rafael to get his Roland Garros, well there is a simple reason for it. Rafael did not show up on the second Sunday … he wasn’t good enough. It’s as simple as that. Similar to my response to the “mono” theory.
On the women’s side, I am also a pure romantic at heart and more often than not I believe in fairy-tales. Here is a recount of Dinara’s four matches—double bagel, double bread stick, two and bagel, and bread stick and bagel. The WTA eventually deserves a No. 1 who is a slam winner.
The romantic in me wants Rodge and Dinara … What does destiny hold?
Your guess is as good as mine. Can’t help thinking there is one last twist to this tale, like those good old Sheldon novels or Hollywood thrillers.
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro… The battle between two former Cruiserweight World Champions, Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham (IBF) and Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite (WBC), is a mouth watering prospect in itself, but when you add into the equation that the winner will earn the right to face current Champion, Tomasz ‘Goral’ Adamek, in the mandatory defense of his IBF title later this year, you just know that it’s going to be one seriously exciting, all-action affair with “Fight of the Year” potential plastered all over it in capital letters.
Now if that isn’t enough to get every boxing fan salivating at the prospect, the heavily armed destroyer, ‘USS’ Cunningham, announces that he has added even bigger guns to his already power packed arsenal by enlisting, “Trainer of the Year” and fight strategy maestro, Naazim Richardson, to prepare him for the fight.
Richardson, without doubt the hottest property in the business today after masterminding and coaching the magnificent victories of Bernard Hopkins over Kelly Pavlik and ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley over Antonio Margarito - in the latter also famously discovering the tampering of Margarito’s wraps, has been working with ‘USS’ Cunningham since March this year, at The James Shuler Memorial Gym in West Philadelphia, as the former Cruiserweight King prepares for his long awaited IBF title eliminator against former WBC Cruiserweight Champion Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite, which will be on the under card of the Joseph Agbeko-Vic Darchinian Bantamweight title fight, on July 11th.
A clearly pleased ‘USS’ Cunningham expressed his delight at having Brother Naazim in his corner for the upcoming battle with Guyanan slugger Braithwaite, “Man, I have known Brother Naazim since the amateurs, I have always respected him and wanted to work with him, I’ve known for years what the boxing world is just now realizing, HE is the best trainer out there.
I am really excited to be working with him, going to the gym everyday is like going to college or something… I know his training will take me to the next level…. If you’ve liked watching my fights before..stay tuned…”
Stay tuned, now that’s an understatement! With this being the first time the all new ‘Dream Team’, of Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham and Brother Naazim Richardson, going into battle side by side making this is a don’t miss, not a stay tuned!
Steve ‘USS’ Cunningham vs. Wayne ‘Big Truck’ Braithwaite takes place on the 11th July 2009. Currently the fight is listed, on BoxRec, as being at the Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise, Florida but according to Don King Productions PR supremo, Alan Hopper, this has yet to be confirmed as the venue. Watch this space for further news.
Photo by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro
By Nick Colon… There is no doubt that mixed martial arts is one of, if not the fastest growing sport in the world today.
However, like all good things, it will eventually come to an end…or will it?
The UFC, the biggest MMA organization in the world, and questionably the best, is in the midst of a meteoric rise in the business, and have captured the hearts of many fans out there already.
Other organizations such as DREAM and Affliction have also increased the viewership amongst modern day guys and gals ages 16-35.
The question remains, will it ever halt?
History says yes. History also says that there will be more wars, more disease, and more prosperous times, as well as hardships. What history does not tell, is how long this new hybrid of MMA will last.
I myself am not a cleric, nor a fortune teller. I do think, however, that mixed martial arts should be appreciated now more than ever, and that it has a very good time left at the pinnacle of it’s sporting takeover.
I also believe it is up to us, the fans, to keep MMA going as strong as it is.
A few weeks ago, I heard someone say that there isn’t a prominent MMA magazine company out there, and that is something that needs to be explored in the upcoming years. I agree to a certain extent, as there’s no “go-to” magazine for all your MMA needs like ESPN the magazine, or Sporting News, or anything like that.
There also is dispute amongst the fans about one organization’s dominance over others. Let us be truthful with one another; MMA is a sport, and it has it’s fans. You hear baseball fans talk all the time about which league is more dominant, or football fans about the better divisions, and even hockey fans say which team or conference is the best. MMA fans can do the same, but remember fans, we’re all on the same team.
We all support the sport, and we all love a great fight. Our “shot heard around the world” is Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar. Our Super Bowl could be Aoki vs Penn or Fedor vs Lesnar. For our World Series, we match up Mousasi vs Silva (take your pick of which one). And our Pete Rose scandal comes in the form of Kimbo against Petruzelli.
The fact is, the sport is still on the rise, and no matter where or when it ends, enjoy it now.
History says MMA will falter eventually. But not now
By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter…
Now that Patrick “I never hit my wife” Roy has turned down the Colorado Avalanche’s offer of Head Coach and GM do you think they could finally fire current Head Coach Tony Granato? I am still waiting for the press release stating that Granato has been fired, what the Avalanche is doing to Granato is downright shameful!
Wouldn’t a defensive twosome of Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek look good in blue and white? Neither one of these guys is going to light up the red lights behind opposing goalies, but they sure as heck would be tough to play against. There are not a ton of great free agents out there, Komisarek would be a great fit in Toronto.
Not sure what to think of the latest rumors that Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke is looking at the possibility of bringing Mats Sundin back to Toronto on a one year deal, what would be the point of that? Mats was a great player, maybe even a Hall of Fame candidate, but judging by his performance in Vancouver, or lack thereof, he is not the same player he was two season’s ago, for that reason, and the fact that Sundin would probably take three months to make up his mind if he was playing, I would take a pass.
There has been a lot of talk about the Sedin Twins only signing as a package, wonder if Scott and Rob Niedermeyer will make the same demands? It is looking more and more like the Anaheim Ducks will be making changes, wonder if any teams out there would sign both?
Two series against the Boston Red Sox, zero starts from Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, what’s up with that Cito Gaston? As good of a manager as Cito is one has to think he would see the benefit of shuffling the rotation to accommodate Halladay facing the hated Red Sox.
Keeping with the Blue Jays, just how the heck are they going to recover from losing 9 games in a row? No team is a “Gimmie”, but Lord knows the Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves are not the calibre of baseball teams that they should be sweeping anyone, let alone the Jays. Where was the accountability on that road trip?
Wouldn’t the whole Phoenix Coyotes thing be that much more entertaining if NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Research in Motion co-CEO Jim Ballsillie just stepped into the octagon to settle their differences. If this matchup ever went down who would you take? (Post in comment box) Me? I’ll take Ballsillie.
I miss Mookie Wilson and Candy Maldonado.
The Toronto Argonauts are just a few weeks away form opening day, question is, does anyone care? Quick, name three players not named Kerry Joseph???? Betcha couldn’t do it…Therein lies the problem, for most casual fans the Argos lineup is a complete mystery. When it comes to the familiarity of the Argos I always picture the construction workers reading the Cleveland Indians lineup in the movie Major League, who said, “Who the F%ck are these guys”???
Until next time,
Peace!
By J.A. Allen… In the midst of the French Open, the ranking points are not yet settled, so we deal with probabilities as some players have fallen already in week one and some are poised to move on through to the finals.
We have duly weighted those who are still alive to play another day on the men’s side of the tour. Our power rankings for June 1, 2009 are as follows:
1. Rafael Nadal
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4]180 pts; Madrid [Finalist] 600 pts; Rome [Winner] 1000 pts; Barcelona [Winner] 500 pts; Total points—2280.
In stunned disbelief, Rafa has been summarily dismissed from his tournament—The French Open. His fourth-round exit will not diminish the quality of his clay court season, but it does mean his dream of a calendar year slam is over. The question is, who will rise and take this championship? Nadal has lost his last two clay court tournaments—Madrid was only a minor blip compared to mammoth size of this latest defeat.
2. Roger Federer
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 but still alive] 180 pts + 180pts; Madrid [Winner] 1000 pts; Rome [Semis] 360 pts; Monte Carlo [R16] 90 pts; Total points—1810.
Roger will be playing on Monday for a spot into the quarterfinals of the French Open Championship and we suspect he will overcome Tommy Haas. Madrid was just the starting point for Federer’s clay season. He will undoubtedly make himself a factor in the finals but we have no proof of that to date. We imagine he is itching for the grass season to begin, especially if he conquers Paris!
3. Andy Murray
Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF but still alive] 360 pts + 360 pts; Madrid [QF] 180 pts; Rome [R32] 45 pts; Monte Carlo [Semis] 360 pts. Total points—1305.
Andy Murray has yet to make his mark during this season on clay. He is still playing hard during the French Open and we expect him to advance another round or two—perhaps all the way to the final now that Nadal has been eliminated. Success during the French Open would greatly advance his power ranking.
4. Novak Djokovic
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 90 pts; Madrid [Semis] 360 pts; Belgrade [Winner] 250 pts; Rome [Finalist] 600 pts. Total points—1300.
Just a step behind Murray after his premature exit from the French Open, Djokovic has to think about his grass court campaign starting now. A let down would be a disaster for him. He had a real opportunity in Paris that slipped away.
5. Fernando Gonzalez
Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF but still alive] 360pts. + 360pts; Rome [Semis] 360 pts; Barcelona [Semis] 180 pts; Miami [R32] 45 pts. Total points—1305.
After a brief time out, Gonzo is back and playing stellar tennis at the French Open. He has made his way quietly into the quarterfinals, where he will face Andy Murray. The player who brings his “A” game to the match will win. Either one of these two has the capability of taking his game all the way to the finals. Gonzalez is playing some of the best tennis of his career.
6. Nikolay Davydenko
Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF and still alive] 360 pts + 360 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 pts; Rome [R64] 45 pts; Barcelona [Semis] 180 pts. Total points—1035 points.
If nothing else, Davydenko’s match against Fernando Verdasco in the fourth round of the French Open proved the Russian is back in top-five form. His serving was steady and accurate, as were his lethal groundstrokes. Clay is his best surface and there is a chance he could send Soderling packing. But, let us not get ahead of ourselves. Davydenko is on the rise.
7. Robin Soderling
Last four tournaments played: French Open [QF and still alive] 360pts + 360pts; Dusseldorf – 105pts; Madrid [R32] 45 points; Rome [R16] 90 points. Total points—960.
Having just knocked off the world No. 1 player, Rafael Nadal, Soderling is looking to make his mark at the 2009 French Open. From the quality of his play, we say don’t get in his way. He has the game—does he have the will? This tournament could mark the turning point in his career.
8. Juan Martin del Potro
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 but still alive] 180 pts. + 180 pts; Madrid [Semis] 360 pts; Rome [QF] 180 pts; Monte Carlo [R32] 10 pts. Total points—910.
Juan Martin del Potro will face Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the quarterfinals and we like his chances to advance. With Djokovic out, one of these men could conceivably make it into the semifinals. De Potro has been playing solid tennis on the clay and he should make it another round or two.
9. Fernando Verdasco
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4] 180 pts; Madrid [QF] 180 pts; Rome [QF] 180 pts; Barcelona [QF] 90 pts. Total points—630.
Verdasco faded away today in his match against Nikolay Davydenko. It was not really even a contest as Davydenko did not blink and took it to Verdasco. So the promise that awaits this young Spaniard is still waiting—as are we.
10. Phillip Kohlschreiber
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 and still alive] 180pts + 180 pts; Dusseldorf [Semis] 75 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 points; Munich [R16] 20 points. Total points—545.
Having dismissed Novak Djokovic in the third round, Phillipp Kohlschreiber could be poised to go much deeper into the second week of the French Open. His next opponent is Tommy Robredo and we like Kohlschreiber’s chances in this one.
Outside Looking In Through French Open Doors
1. Andy Roddick
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R4 and still alive] 180pts + 180pts; Madrid [QF] 180 points; Miami [QF} 180 pts; Indian Wells [Semis] 360 pts. Total Points—540.
Andy Roddick is having his best clay court season ever and his return to form is producing encouraging results. We expect him to advance further into the second week of the French Open. [We did not count the hard court events because they were too old].
2. Stanislas Wawrinka
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 90 pts; Madrid [R16] 90 pts; Rome [R32] 90 pts; Barcelona [R16] 45 pts. Total points—315.
Wawrinka went down in four sets to Nikolay Davydenko on Stan’s favorite surface. The clay has not been very kind to Wawrinka in 2009. Once again, Stan did not advance beyond the third round here in Paris.
3. David Ferrer
Last four tournaments played: French Open [R3] 180 pts; Madrid [R32] 45 pts; Estoril [R16] 20 pts; Rome [R64] 10 pts. Total points—255.
Unfortunately for Ferrer, he met Soderling, who was on a mission from God during the French Open. Ferrer was playing good ball but he met his match in Soderling and lost in the third round.
By Tommy G… The Toronto Maple Leafs finished the season with 81 points, which placed them 24th in the NHL.
Brian Burke says he wants to spend every penny on his budget for next season. They have a few characteristics to improve upon in addition to maintaining what they are currently doing well, if they hope to make the 2010 playoffs.
The Leafs have to perform better in overtime periods or simply prevent OT appearances by winning more games in regulation. They had 13 OT losses which ranks 29th in the league.
In comparison, the New Jersey Devils lead the league with just four overtime losses.
Toronto must also play better on home ice. While their stats on the road were in the middle of the pack, their home stats were dreadful. They had 16 home wins which ranked 29th.
Alternatively, on the road they were a respectable 15th with 18 victories.
Their power play was 24th in the league at home (14.4%) as opposed to an admirable eighth place ranking with an 18.5 percent efficiency on the road.
Penalty killing was the worst in the NHL with a terrible 78.6 percent. While not much of an improvement, the penalty kill on the road was slightly better than at the Air Canada Centre.
The Maple Leafs must also play better against other Eastern Conference teams. They have less than a five hundred winning percentage (.453) which ranks 18th overall.
Likewise, they have to be superior versus teams in their own division. Year after year, Toronto allows the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins to walk all over them and this must stop.
Their record against other Northeast Division teams was 9-15 (.375%), the fourth worst winning percentage in the league.
The Leafs also need to improve their puck possession if they want to repair these stats. One way of doing this is by winning more face-offs.
Their face off percentage was 17th in the NHL with an even winning percentage, but they need to do better if they want to compete with the best.
Many people believe that the Leafs need to score more goals, however, the Leafs were not as bad as one might think. They had 250 goals which was the tenth best total in the league. Their goal total on the road was 128 which was third overall. One place that goal scoring could improve is at home where they had just 116 goals, good for 19th in the league.
What they also must improve on is their goals against which was the worst in the league with 293. In relation, they have to improve their save percentage which was also 30th overall at .882 percent.
So, we now know that the Leafs need to:
1. Kill more penalties,
2. Make more saves and allow a lot less goals,
3. Score another 20 or 30 goals,
4. Win more face offs and control the play,
5. Play better at home while maintaining their strong away game,
6. Win more against conference and division rivals,
7. Allow fewer games to go to overtime by scoring more first period goals and controlling the fate of the game.
To drastically improve, the Leafs need a legitimate first line, better penalty killers, defensive forwards, face-off men, and better goaltenders.
Let’s assume that the Sedin twins are not available this summer. There’s not much payroll left when you consider that Marian Gaborik and Martin Havlat will be asking for cap-debilitating amounts of cash.
Plus, Marian Hossa will likely sign another one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings. If not, he would also ask for a great deal of money to play on any other team.
In my opinion, the Leafs don’t necessarily need to sign the Sedin twins to create a first line, although, I do agree that it would be a quick fix.
Here’s who the Leafs need to sign to improve their troubled stats:
1. Mike Cammaleri
2. Francois Beauchemin
3. Brian Boucher or Scott Clemmensen
4. John Madden
5. Travis Moen or Stephane Veilleux
6. Colton Orr or Chris Neil
7. Mike Zigomanis
Most of these players won’t cost much and they’re the kind of role players that the Leafs need to improve their penalty kill and defense.
Mike Cammaleri is the big potential signing and he’ll be a first line center. He can score about 30 goals and add 75 to 85 points a season. He can also win face-offs (60.3%) and he’s scrappy for his size.
Francois Beauchemin would come cheaper than Jay Bouwmeester or Mike Komisarek and Brian Burke is already acquainted with his skill level. He’s a solid puck moving defensive defenseman with a Stanley Cup ring and he’s only 28 years old.
Scott Clemmensen or Brian Boucher would give the Leafs a legitimate backup goalie. If Vesa Toskala ever goes down to injury these netminders have the experience to step in and keep the team from panicking.
Yet, they’re not so old and if Toskala’s play dips they will challenge his number one spot.
Even if they do sign Jonas Gustavsson, which now seems unlikely, the Leafs would be smart to sign a career backup goalie. There’s a few of them out there that would suffice even if their names aren’t Clemmensen or Boucher.
If Toskala and Gustavsson work out then there’s no harm done because the other goalie can play for the Toronto Marlies in the AHL.
John Madden is the player that the Leafs need to have an immediate impact on their penalty killing and defensive game. He may be old at 36 but think of how good a checking line would play centered by Madden.
He’s great in the face off circle and he’s very disciplined for a tough checker. He only had 26 penalty minutes and the Leafs need players like this to reduce stupid penalties. Plus, he’s an agitator, which will result in more power plays for his own team.
Travis Moen or Stephane Veilleux would be younger supporting left wingers that can assist Madden to kill penalties and check the opposing teams’ best players.
Colton Orr or Chris Neil are needed to police the ice for the Leafs. What I like about these players is that they can also play a bigger role.
Mike Zigomanis would be a great fourth line checker and depth player. He has the best face off percentage in the League (62.9%).
At best, they get a player who can make an impact as a checking forward. At worst, he can offer some depth and his services can also be used by the Marlies. Signing him to a two-way deal wouldn’t hurt.
Recent Comments