Thrashers VS Leafs (3-4)

Deveaux may not play due to a puck in the foot at practice. Curtis Joseph will get the start tonight and on Thursday against the Sabres. Wilson is trying to get him going after a 0-4 start to the season with a dreadful 4.12 GAA. I think this is the right move as Toskala has not been the goalie we have wanted him to be with exception of 3 or 4 games.

1st Period: Very uneventful 1st period. The leafs came out slow and had two shifty goals scored on them. But after the first 7 minutes, they began to play better, and really shut down the Atlanta offense. Good start despite the score.

2nd Period: Cujo is playing great like I said. Leafs are putting forth a far better effort then they did in the first. Should be an entertaining third.

3rd Period: Bah! I can't believe that went in I also think there may have been a little slew foot in there as well from Christenson that went un-noticed. Here we come OT!

OT: Pavel Kubina with a rocket and game over great job by Joseph and you truly have to feel good for him.

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Back In The Saddle: Leafs VS Caps (1-4)

I may have said it before but I hope everyone had a great holiday and got everything they wanted but now that's in the past and its time to play hockey again.

We have the Leafs and Caps tonight and it should be something of an enigma because if the Leafs win it will again be confusing to me and other Leaf fans why they can beat the best in the east but not the worst (I.E. Islanders) The Leafs continue to take points from teams they shouldn't be beating and losing to ones that are far lower in the standings then they are. I think this is something that has been going on for a while now and hopefully it won't continue. Toskala for the Leafs who will look to regain his performance after to terrible outings and Johnson for the Caps who will look to continue his success against the Buds. Also no Matt Stajan coould be gone for a week or 2 after a freak eye incident at practice on Sat. Jamal Mayers will be back in the lineup so that's......................... Nevermind he is useless LOL! Happy New Year!

1st Period: Very exciting 1st period a whole 8 minutes without a play stoppage and then the goal which was just a beautiful shot by Hagman. The 2nd period has been very unlucky for the Leafs lately but hopefully Toskala can keep up that stellar play he was giving in the 1st.

2nd Period: Man I take back what I said about Toskala he has been letting in suspect goals all season long and its really to bad that he hasn't been able to find the form he had last season at this time. Ron Wilson really needs to stop codling him and give him some time off. I realize that Joseph can't fit that role but Pogge can and should. Ovechkin should have never scored that goal but once again as I said Toskala let in another suspect goal.

3rd Period: And McGiveAway strikes again Tomas Kaberle has been terrible all season long and continues to be a give away machine all year. I think he needs to be moved and the sooner the better if Toronto has any hope of saving this season.

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Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and to say that I hope everyone got what they wanted.

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NO GAME BLOGS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

I forgot to mention that during this week I will not be doing any game blogs as it is the Christmas season and I really don't have any time. I will however be keeping the win/loss column here on the page up to date.

So I hope everyone has a happy holiday and gets everything they want.

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Leafs Re-Call Pogge

The Maple Leafs have re-called rookie netminder Justin Pogge from there AHL farm team the Toronto Marlies.

As I 1st reported a few weeks back this was bound to happen as I believe that Curtis Joseph is truly not suited to back up the Leafs anymore. However this happened for 2 reasons 1: Toskala suffered a groin pull in the 7-3 win over Pittsburgh and 2: Burke already claimed that Pogge would get some NHL playing time this year.

So despite Toskala I think this was bound to happen anyways. I fully expect he will get his 1st NHL start tomorrow against the Atlanta Thrashers.

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Leafs VS Penguins (7-3)

Should be a good game between the to the Leafs are 5-1-1 against the Atlantic Division and will look to rebound from a horrific game against the Bruins. The Leafs have good news and bad news as they will be without Van Ryn who is out with a concussion but will regain one of there top scorers in Hagman. They will also have Frogren on the backend. It will be Toskala VS Fleury tonight.

1st Period: Great 1st by the Leafs tonight far better performance by the Buds something that they really needed. Jonas Frogren has been a machine tonight and is playing really well. Nice to see Jeremy get his 4th in 5 games he is also playing well. Lets hope the Leafs are as good at protecting a lead as they are at coming back from a deficit.

2nd Period: Great job by the Leafs tonight every chance the Pens get is being shut down by the buds. Great job by Deveaux to not get sucked into a fight with Eric Goddard. The Leafs are the best team in the NHL when it comes to playing in the 3rd even though that didn't show in the game against Boston. The Leafs will look to continue that dominant play in the 3rd.

3rd Period: The Leafs truly dominated this game and really deserved to win tonight Hagman had a great game and so did Frogren. The Leafs play Atlanta and Dallas next something that could truly put them back in the playoff hunt. Lets hope for a good stretch of games.

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EA Sports Does It Again

While this may be a tad late once again EA's NHL 09 has won Best Team Sports Game at this years VGA's.

I have this game and I can tell you that it was well deserved great graphics and there are some unbelievable game modes to play in this years version. Here's to hoping they break the mold with NHL 10.

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Leafs VS Bruins (5-8)

The Leafs will play a team where they hold the title of being the only team to beat them at home the Boston Bruins. Vesa Toskala will make his 10th straight start against a redhot Phil Kessel (14 game point streak now) The Leafs will be without Niklas Hagman and Jonas Frogren, Hagman is expected to play on Saturday. Should be a good game as the Leafs will look to continue there momentum into a 4th straight win.

1st Period:The Leafs started slow and Toskala can't really be blamed for the goals that were scored on him. Nice to see Cujo get some minutes in what will be more than likely his last season in the NHL. The Leafs definitely out played the Bruins in the 2nd half of the 1st and will look to continue that in the 2nd period. Nice fight by Deveaux he really got some nice haymakers in there on Thornton and a really nice goal by Kubina to make it a one goal game.

2nd Period: Looked like the game was done but the Leafs roared back and made the game close. Lets not forget the leafs are the highest scoring team in the third period, should make it exciting

3rd Period: What's to write here the Leafs were drubbed in the 3rd period and both Toskala and Cujo had HORRIBLE games (both allowed 4 goals a piece). Despite the fact the Leafs outshot the Bruins the Leafs showed no signs of a winner in this game and only made it close because of lackluster play by Tim Thomas in the 1st 2 frames. Manny Fernandez came in and shut the door on the Leafs and there chances of a comeback but there were 2 instances where there were 2 very suspect calls and to me that was a large contributor to this game. I truly feel some games are decided by reffing and this one was in the 3rd. But despite that the Leafs truly did not deserve to win and they didn't they will look to rebound on Saturday against the Penguins another team they have had seemingly no luck against. (In other quick news Mike Van Ryn did not play the 3rd due to an undisclosed injury)

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BREAKING RUMOR: Leafs Looking At Clowe

According to one of my more reliable sources the Toronto Maple Leafs have had light discussions with the San Jose sharks about forward Ryan Clowe. I don't have any more info then this but as soon as I get some I will post it here.

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Devils VS Leafs (2-3)

Once again Vesa Toskala will go for the Leafs in this one and ex Toronto Maple Leaf Scott Clemmenson will go for the Devils. The Devils have been playing some great hockey despite the loss of Martin Brodeur and will look to continue the trend against the Buds who are still without Jonas Frogren and Niklas Hagman. Wilson will go with same lineup from the win against Buffalo.

Stay here for my after game blog

Bang up game from the Leafs tonight Jeremy Williams is going know where after tonight he has 3 goals in as many games and Jamie Sifers is a plus player as well.

I really don't have much to say about Vesa Toskala he has truly TURNED IT UP! He is playing like we were expecting him to at the beginning of the season but he got out of the gate slowly. The Leafs will look to continue there winning ways with a very difficult test against the Bruins Thursday.



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Stralman out Sifers to stay?

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent D Anton Stralman to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Staying in his place will be rough and tough D Jamie Sifers who has been rock solid since being re-called a week ago.

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Leafs VS Sabres (2-1)

Should be a terrific game as I reported last night Van Ryn will play however it looks like Jonas Frogren will get another MRI done just to make sure there isn't any further injuries. Toskala for the Leafs and Miller for the Sabres.

1st Period: Really shouldn't be 1-0 at all after a missed high stick on Matt Stajan. The Leafs look fine and Vesa looks fantastic after that amazing save. Lets hope for a Leaf goal in the 2nd to tie things up.

2nd Period: Vesa Toskala and Jeremy Williams have been the reason the Leafs best players tonight. But the penalty kill has been brilliant and it has to stay that way after Stempniak took the 4 minute major at the end of the 2nd. I truly believe that Williams has to stay on this team as Greg Millen put it all he does is score.

3rd Period: Terrific finish for the Leafs tonight and they really dominated after the 4 min PP that Buffalo had. Great goal by Ian White it goes to show that shooting the puck is never a bad idea.
The Leafs really deserved this win and I really hope that Burke does not return Williams to the AHL.

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Mike Van Ryn To Return Against Sabres

The Toronto Maple Leafs will welcome back D Mike Van Ryn to the lineup tomorrow against the Buffalo Sabres. Van Ryn has missed 2 months with a concussion/ broken hand. Van Ryn will bring a much needed boost to the Leafs D core something they desperatley need with the absence of Luke Schenn.

Jonas Frogren will be a game time decsion.

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Leafs Have Assets To Move

The Maple Leafs might be struggling this season, but that doesn't mean they lack the talent other teams covet.

According to the Toronto Star, Leafs GM Brian Burke has trading options, including forwards Nik Antropov, goalie Vesa Toskala and defenseman Tomas Kaberle.

The Star claims Antropov, who is in the final year of his contract, will likely be traded before the March 4 trade deadline, while teams inquired about Kaberle's availability at this week's board of governors meetings.

Kaberle has a no-trade clause and Burke told The Fan590 radio station yesterday that he hasn't been looking to move the star blueliner. However, several reports suggest the Leafs will consider dealing Kaberle later on this season and Kaberle is apparently prepared to accept a move.

An area in which Burke might be successful is acquiring draft picks and prospects. The Star suggests the Leafs have the cap space to add another team's high-priced flops if they're packaged with a high draft pick.

The paper also reports the Leafs are likely to call up top prospect goalie Justin Pogge in the coming weeks and he'll be given a shot to play on a regular basis.

The Source

Courtesy TheFourthPeriod.com

NHL 09 Code Released

Today RBK and EA Sports announced the launch of the NHL 09 3rd jersey code so here it is every one.

Code: xe6377uyrwm48frf

Islanders VS Leafs (2-4)

Wow two very bad teams will go at it tonight as they look to get themselves into a better draft position I guess. VESA WILL PLAY AGAIN!! I can't believe this Toskala needs a break and Wilson is not being very accomodating to him. Joey McDonald will go for NY someone who is also playing to many games IMO. Anyways no Schenn no Hagman and Williams and Sifers will play in the place. (Sifers NHL debut)

1st Period:

• Leafs: Nik Kulemin

• Islanders: Bill Guerin

Pretty good 1st but once again the Leafs MO was killed when Vesa let in the 1st shot on goal against the Leafs. Great hit by Ryan Hollweg and I love the energy he and Deveaux bring to this teams. Jeremy Williams should be on this team fulltime he looks really good out there. Joey McDonald looks good but he also looks unsure a bit to.

2nd Period:

• Leafs: Ian White and Jason Blake

• Islanders: Mike Sillinger

Far better effort then we've seen in the last few games from the Leafs. While I do believe they were fatigued I don't think that should ever be used as an excuse for a loss. The Leafs had plenty of chances to ramp up there game against Pheonix and SJ and just failed to do so. As for this game the Islanders are kind of giving the game to the Leafs but its also been a great effort from all the Leafs.

3rd Period:

• Leafs: Jeremy Williams

And the kid scores again he holds the record that I feel will never be broken he has scored in every game when being called up. Anyways great game by the Leafs tonight although it was the Islanders they were facing . Toskala and the Leafs all gave a solid effort.

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Leafs Re-Call 2

The Toronto Maple Leafs have re-called D Jamie Sifers and F Jeremy Williams from the AHL Toronto Marlies due to the injuries of Niklas Hagman and Luke Schenn.

Schenn will miss 2 weeks while Hagman is day to day.

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Capitals VS Leafs (2-1)

The Leafs are desperate for a win but it won't be easy against the fast, high scoring team that they are playing tonight the Washington Capitals. Brent Johnson will go for the Caps and while I don't agree with it Toskala will go for the Leafs. The Leafs will ice the same lineup they did in Pheonix.

1st Period: No goals obviously very meh 1st and not much action. The Leafs look very poor again.

2nd Period: Wow! Just Wow! The Leafs look terrible tonight and its showing with the exception of Toskala who is keeping the Leafs in it. Bad news for the Buds with Schenn and Hagman getting injured although Hagman may come back. Schenn will not return after going knee on knee with Ovechkin. Leafs need a solid effort in the 3rd and Wilson needs to stop shuffling the lines so much. Its hard to find chemistry if you always have someone knew on your wings or in the center position.

3rd Period: Another poor effort another Leaf loss! At the beginning of the season we were promised a tough team and so far that has not been the case we have a weak defence and no goaltending to speak of so far this season. With Luke Schenn out I don't care of Burke has said no trades he may be forced to make one.

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Nonis Officially Hired

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Saturday that Dave Nonis has been named senior vice president of hockey operations.

"David Nonis brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our hockey staff," said Leafs President and General Manager Brian Burke in a statement. "We have successfully worked together in the past, and he has a deep understanding of contractual, legal and financial matters as well as scouting and roster management. He'll be an asset to our organization in several areas."

Nonis, 42, worked under Burke for six years as the Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the Vancouver Canucks before replacing him in 2004.

He was most recently was the Anaheim Ducks' senior advisor of hockey operations.

In three seasons in the general manager's role in Vancouver, his most significant transaction was trading forward Todd Bertuzzi in a package to the Florida Panthers for goaltender Roberto Luongo at the conclusion of his first season.

Nonis joined the Canucks in 1998 as senior vice president, director of hockey operations after serving four seasons as the NHL's manager of hockey operations. With the NHL, Nonis helped craft the 1994 Collective Bargaining Agreement and worked with the league's arbitration team

Courtesy TSN

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Leafs VS Coyotes (3-6) Nonis offered a position?

The Leafs will be looking for a far better start tonight against Mikael Tellqvist and the Coyotes. This will mark the 1st time Mikael has played against his former (Who selected him in the 3rd round) since the trade that sent him to Pheonix for Tyson Nash. Leafs will counter with (IMO a very tired) Toskala.
Ron Wilson has split his 1st line for the 1st time in over 11 games it will be newcomer Lee Stempniak playing with Stajan and Antropov while Ponikarovsky will play with Moore and Blake.

1st Period: Pretty good 1st the refs seem to have heavy whistles in this game Martin Hanzal had a good goal and then a lucky one that Stralman knocked into the net. Poni looks good with Blake and Moore and it seems that Wilson has found some chemistry between the 3 of them. I look for a solid 2nd.

2nd Period: I agree with Wilson when he said that there were a lot of suspect calls in the 2nd throughout most of this game. Its real sad to see the referees deciding a game something that has happened a lot in the NHL the last few years and not just to the Leafs. Good for Hanzal to get his 1st career hat trick and Poni is having a good game as well and its nice to see Blake contributing for a change. should be an interesting 3rd Tellqvist looks extremely shaky in the net right now something the Buds need to take advantage of for sure.

3rd Period: Ah ha ha ha ha!! What a joke of a 3rd period to lose by this much to the Phoenix Coyotes is just so sad. I truly believe Brian Burke has to make a move here before the 9th because this team is just not gelling at all with the exception of one line. It won't get any easier the Leafs play the Caps on Saturday.

The Source

(UPDATE: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has made an attempt to strengthen his front office, offering Dave Nonis the position of Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations.

The offer was made Thursday morning, however Nonis hasn't accepted the position yet, and negotiations are ongoing.

A decision is expected by the weekend.

Nonis worked under Burke for six years as the Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the Canucks before replacing Burke in 2004.

In three seasons in that role, his most significant transaction was trading forward Todd Bertuzzi to the Florida Panthers for goaltender Roberto Luongo at the conclusion of his first season as GM.)

Leafs VS Sharks (2-5)

No Mayers as he broke his hand in last nights game in attempt to hit someone along the boards. Deveaux and Sifers will play and White will move back up to forward. (For those of you who don't know Sifers was re-called on Sunday and he will play on D tonight) Should be Toskala to get the start but it could be Cujo I don't know yet but I will let you know when I do.

This game has been a complete disgrace for the Leafs especially for Tomas Kaberle he is completely gone and seems all but lost without Bryan McCabe I truly feel his time is up in Toronto and he needs to be moved, I'm sure Burke is thinking the same thing because he just has not been performing well all season and has been guilty of some horrible giveaways especially in tonights game against the Sharks. (mind you the rest of the players didn't play any better) The Leafs were done in the 1st period if this game and they did not deserve to win at all. Lets hope for a far better performance in Pheonix on Thursday.

The Source.

Leafs VS Kings (3-1)

I won't be able to do a period by period blog anymore because I have switched to nights at my place of employment so I will be doing these after work but it will still be the full game I will give the goal scorers for each period and then I will give my analysis.

(UPDATE: Leafs and Burke have asked permission to speak with Dave Nonis about possibly becoming the Assistant to Burke.)

Great game by the Leafs tonight Toskala played another really solid game and Jeff Finger was terrific and is starting to show why he was worth that 14,000,000 bucks. Jason Blake looked a little better but I still don't think he works here and will still more than likely be put on waivers or moved.

Frolov had a terrific goal in the 1st and really did look like it would stand up for the rest of the game until the awesome penalty kill at the end of the 2nd period by the Buds that really turned the game around. Matt Stajan and Mikael Grabovski had beauty goals in the 3rd that really sealed the deal for the Leafs. Jeff Finger added an empty netter to finish it off. Good game tonight!

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