Regretting Rask
posted by mike @ 10:53 AM
4 comments
4/15/2010
11/20/2007
Rask and you shall receive...
Well, this is the moment we have been dreading since the draft of 2006. Will the Raycroft-Rask swap be the beginning of the end, or just another strike against JFj in a long line of misses?
Raycroft definitely hasn't delivered what JFJ envisioned when he made the deal, but he is reasonably priced and could prove yet to turn into something the club needs. I'm thinking draft picks or prospects. Cause he ain't going to run the table and start the majority of the season, this or in the future.
Which leads us to JFJ again trading for immediate help in the nets. The Toskala/Bell acquisition seems to be panning out, with Bell assuming a more prominent role than most in the Toronto media expected. (I've been keen on Bell ever since I heard of the trade, though the jail time soured my excitement somewhat.) Of course, the picks would've been nice to keep and use, but that's water under the bridge. Toskala and Bell are solid NHLers, and Pogge is still doing developing.
But will he be better than Rask? That's another wait and see type deal.
Raycroft definitely hasn't delivered what JFJ envisioned when he made the deal, but he is reasonably priced and could prove yet to turn into something the club needs. I'm thinking draft picks or prospects. Cause he ain't going to run the table and start the majority of the season, this or in the future.
Which leads us to JFJ again trading for immediate help in the nets. The Toskala/Bell acquisition seems to be panning out, with Bell assuming a more prominent role than most in the Toronto media expected. (I've been keen on Bell ever since I heard of the trade, though the jail time soured my excitement somewhat.) Of course, the picks would've been nice to keep and use, but that's water under the bridge. Toskala and Bell are solid NHLers, and Pogge is still doing developing.
But will he be better than Rask? That's another wait and see type deal.
posted by mike @ 6:47 PM
7 comments
11/10/2007
Sabres Shut Out
TOR @ BUF - TOI - F/O - Event - Game - Hits/Penalties Drawn
I've been hoping for a shut out in the deepest recesses of my mind, as a sign or symbol or semblance of defensive commitment. The last time the Leafs managed to donut the opposition was March 6, 2007, against the Washington Capitals. You have to go back to October 5, 2006 for the next shut out. This one was a sweet aberration against the Senators.
Before the season started, smart money was behind Toskala for achieving this rarity in Leafland. But it was Raycroft with a heroic effort in the first who managed to obviously frustrate a Sabres' squad who was not used to getting shut out last season. But this isn't the 06-07 President's Trophy winning Sabres. Oh no. This is the Brury-less Sabres who can't outskate the rest of the NHL as in previous years. The reasons for that are many and debatable, but the results are not. Last in the Northeast?! Not a typo, and I can hardly believe it myself.
Don't have much time today, but it had to be said how solid of a line-up the Leafs had last night. Usually the fourth line is a noticeable drop-off in talent, speed, etc. Not so last night. While not entirely coordinated on the attack, the Leafs looked strong. Formidable even. Of course the 100% 60minute effort helped with that perception but the lines didn't hurt either.
Oh yeah, and my boy Boyd was rewarded for his recent hard play with a quick shift to get a late goal. Tlusty had a strong game as well. He's coming along nicely.
I've been hoping for a shut out in the deepest recesses of my mind, as a sign or symbol or semblance of defensive commitment. The last time the Leafs managed to donut the opposition was March 6, 2007, against the Washington Capitals. You have to go back to October 5, 2006 for the next shut out. This one was a sweet aberration against the Senators.
Before the season started, smart money was behind Toskala for achieving this rarity in Leafland. But it was Raycroft with a heroic effort in the first who managed to obviously frustrate a Sabres' squad who was not used to getting shut out last season. But this isn't the 06-07 President's Trophy winning Sabres. Oh no. This is the Brury-less Sabres who can't outskate the rest of the NHL as in previous years. The reasons for that are many and debatable, but the results are not. Last in the Northeast?! Not a typo, and I can hardly believe it myself.
Don't have much time today, but it had to be said how solid of a line-up the Leafs had last night. Usually the fourth line is a noticeable drop-off in talent, speed, etc. Not so last night. While not entirely coordinated on the attack, the Leafs looked strong. Formidable even. Of course the 100% 60minute effort helped with that perception but the lines didn't hurt either.
Oh yeah, and my boy Boyd was rewarded for his recent hard play with a quick shift to get a late goal. Tlusty had a strong game as well. He's coming along nicely.
Leafs Lines
Poni-Mats-Blake
Tlusty-Welly-Antro
Steen-Stajan-Boyd
Kilger-Bell-Tucker
Leafs Pairs
Kaberle-Kubina
Gill-WHite
Woz-McCabe
Raycroft
Poni-Mats-Blake
Tlusty-Welly-Antro
Steen-Stajan-Boyd
Kilger-Bell-Tucker
Leafs Pairs
Kaberle-Kubina
Gill-WHite
Woz-McCabe
Raycroft
Labels: Game Report, Raycroft, Shut Out
posted by mike @ 7:34 AM
2 comments
2/07/2007
2/01/2007
Young buds starting to bloom
TOR @ NYR Jan.31/07
Line Combos
Fact check - Ian White pounced, but not on a loose puck after a blocked shot. Mighty White read the play, a pass from the blue line after a short cycle in the corner, and jumped the pass. He deserves credit for both the interception and the hail mary pass. Lundqvist ending up in the net after his countryman beat him to the glove side was sweet; the Leafs needed a "buckle down and capitalize on opportunity" win.
Berger got it right; "I saw Ian [White] break up the play in our zone and as soon as he did, I decided to take off. He made a great pass to me..."
How about Poni? After getting blindsided with a late hit from Aaron Ward that left the winger lying on the ice with his face in his gloves, he came back with a vengence.(Berger gets points for noting this as well) First, it was a clean but vicious hit on Malik along the boards that stung the massive Czech. Then it was a power play goal, which couldn't have been planned, but appeared too perfect not to be; a pass across the crease that deflected off of a defender's skate directly into the top right corner. The slo-mo replay showed Poni looking for Antro in the right circle, but just as he passed the puck Ward's left skate crossed the lane. Something to ponder: "The Leafs now are 10-0-2 whenever he hits the scoresheet."
How good does Stajan look right now? The guy is skating like the wind, static-clinging to his man, winding up through the neutral zone ala Mike Modano, winning races for the puck, cycling. Just awesome. Keep it up Matty.
How about that Carlo? Goal-saving swat. Shaking off a late hit/boarding call. Steen is finally showing some confidence and creativity on the regular. That wrister he unleashed in Carolina that rang off the post was wicked. Antropov is just plain mean right now. Pronunciation lesson for Rangers play-by-play: An Trow Pov NOT An Trop Ov. Bates with the awesome back-check. Belak not looking like a liability, but an asset. Last night I was really impressed with his acceleration. That's right, I said acceleration. Pohl continues to impress. His smarts are what got him here, and I love smart players. Newbury is a late season surprise that should really boost the team down the stretch.
And I have to mention O'Neill who is playing his best games as a Leaf right now. Green is meshing nicely, and has already taken over title of Poker Champ. McCabe looks like a new man on the left side. I haven't felt like smacking him upside the head in a while now. Gill was awesome on Jagr.
Raycroft has been ok, too.
Line Combos
Fact check - Ian White pounced, but not on a loose puck after a blocked shot. Mighty White read the play, a pass from the blue line after a short cycle in the corner, and jumped the pass. He deserves credit for both the interception and the hail mary pass. Lundqvist ending up in the net after his countryman beat him to the glove side was sweet; the Leafs needed a "buckle down and capitalize on opportunity" win.
Berger got it right; "I saw Ian [White] break up the play in our zone and as soon as he did, I decided to take off. He made a great pass to me..."How about Poni? After getting blindsided with a late hit from Aaron Ward that left the winger lying on the ice with his face in his gloves, he came back with a vengence.(Berger gets points for noting this as well) First, it was a clean but vicious hit on Malik along the boards that stung the massive Czech. Then it was a power play goal, which couldn't have been planned, but appeared too perfect not to be; a pass across the crease that deflected off of a defender's skate directly into the top right corner. The slo-mo replay showed Poni looking for Antro in the right circle, but just as he passed the puck Ward's left skate crossed the lane. Something to ponder: "The Leafs now are 10-0-2 whenever he hits the scoresheet."
How good does Stajan look right now? The guy is skating like the wind, static-clinging to his man, winding up through the neutral zone ala Mike Modano, winning races for the puck, cycling. Just awesome. Keep it up Matty.
How about that Carlo? Goal-saving swat. Shaking off a late hit/boarding call. Steen is finally showing some confidence and creativity on the regular. That wrister he unleashed in Carolina that rang off the post was wicked. Antropov is just plain mean right now. Pronunciation lesson for Rangers play-by-play: An Trow Pov NOT An Trop Ov. Bates with the awesome back-check. Belak not looking like a liability, but an asset. Last night I was really impressed with his acceleration. That's right, I said acceleration. Pohl continues to impress. His smarts are what got him here, and I love smart players. Newbury is a late season surprise that should really boost the team down the stretch.
And I have to mention O'Neill who is playing his best games as a Leaf right now. Green is meshing nicely, and has already taken over title of Poker Champ. McCabe looks like a new man on the left side. I haven't felt like smacking him upside the head in a while now. Gill was awesome on Jagr.
Raycroft has been ok, too.
posted by mike @ 10:15 AM
3 comments
