For now, I’m guessing Colborne gets the third-line job on
the wing, Bernier will emerge in goal as the likely starter and if Franson
doesn’t sign, Rielly might stay—at least, as some have posted here, for the
first few games of the regular season. Mason Raymond has looked good early on, scoring again in Ottawa, but I would expect that kind of effort, given he is fighting for a job and he
has no guarantee of staying here. (Whether he is a “Carlyle player” is a
different question.)
So again, not many roster surprises appear to be in the
offing, but that’s OK. Most Leaf fans—even those who enjoy the autumn roster
intrigue—most likely just want to get a new year underway.
As we wait for substantive news (Franson signing, injuries,
unexpected roster announcements), let me extend a quick thank you to those who
continue to make VLM a part of their regular hockey reading fare. I launched the site about this time in
September of 2009, so for what it’s worth, I guess that means we have reached
our fourth “anniversary” together of batting around Leaf topics—past and
present. We've talked about everybody from Tomas Kaberle and Phil Kessel to George Armstrong, Dave Keon and Darryl Sittler (the photo of Armstrong and Keon at right is from night of the '63 Cup win at the Gardens against Detroit...) and everyone in between. Some 1,300 plus posts later, I continue to enjoy the camaraderie of
the site, and the thoughtful readers/commentators who drop by and take the time
to post here.
It also happens that September 20 is a landmark birthday for
me. Born in 1953 (if you care to do the
arithmetic, this particular anniversary is easy to determine!) it’s the dawn of
a new decade for me, as it were. Not sure if I
qualify for any "discounts" yet, but I guess I’ll need to look into that sort of thing.
Meanwhile, though I may not, going forward, post as
frequently as I have through much of the past four years, I will look to stay
in touch with you throughout the coming NHL season. There will be plenty of topics to mull over,
I’m sure, including the much-anticipated goaltending competition—which is not
quite, but will soon be, in full swing.
In the meantime, I invite you to check out my new eBook, called “The Maple Leafs of
My Youth: what being a Leaf fan means to me”.
Thank you to all those who have purchased the book already and have also
provided such positive feedback! With that feedback in mind, I’m already working
on the next volume now. (And I do hope to have an announcement soon about the
book being available on more platforms, including Amazon, if everything works
out.)
Posts
Happy Birthday Michael and congratulations on the 4th Anniversary of VLM!
ReplyDeleteI agree the preseason games so far have been hard to judge. It does seem to me that Carter Ashton is making a pretty good bid to be a bottom 6 winger on the team. Seems to be positionally sound and quite willing to muck it up in the difficult areas. It may be that he doesn't have to clear waivers like Colbourne does so he may be the one to lose out.
Raymond seems quite speedy but I wonder why the Canucks let him go if he is willing to sign at a pretty low contract rate.
Often in preseason games one player unexpectedly stands out shift after shift. I can't say any Leaf has particularly dazzled me but last night for the Sens it was definitely Pageau.
I remember years ago being blown away by the play of a young Flyer in a preseason game with the Leafs. Bobby Clarke turned out pretty good. Not saying Pageau will be his equal but it sure looks like he is a keeper for them.
Happy Day, Michael!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if Mason chose the Leafs to avoid Torts. I know the Canucks gave him an offer which he didn't accept. I believe he would do well with the Leafs as Carlyle, no matter what anyone thinks of his coaching, seems to get the best out of his players. This is the very reason I hope Franson signs soon. His value will be much higher in the end.
I totally agree with your comments about Tim L on Hotstove. He is an American with no understanding what hockey is to Canadians. I'm not sure what his job really is. The leafs don't need marketing or gimmicks. I'm not a fan of the circus/WWE atmosphere we're seeing more and more in in lesser hockey markets in the states and don't wish to see it here. I suspect Tim is a Ringmaster at heart. He seems to enjoy the spotlight. C.N.
You're so right, Ed. Sometimes pre-season matters, especially for a young player looking to make an impression. I appreciate your reference to Clarke, who of course went on to become one of the scrappiest (and most impactful) players I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteAs you will no doubt recall, Dave Keon made the Leafs in the fall of 1960 based almost solely on his play in exhibition games. No one, including Punch Imlach, thought he would be on the team. Like Clarke, he went on to a Hall-of-Fame career.
By the way, thank you for the kind words, Ed. Good of you.
Well said, C.N. - I understand that some Leaf fans like Leiweke, and think he is what's needed around here. I see it all quite differently. As I have said before, he talks like he invented the concept of winning and creating the right kind of culture. Burke did that, Quinn did that, Fletcher did that. Heck, Jim Gregory tried to do that under Harold Ballard back in the '70s. It's been done before and by better men than Leiweke- actual hockey guys who knew what they were talking about. We just haven't quite finished the job. To me, he'a a carnival barker, and if I want to see that, I'll go to the circus. We don't need more big talk, we just need to see results.
DeleteAs for Mason Raymond, you may well be right, though some may say Carlyle is as tough and demanding as Tortorella. Thanks C.N.
Thanks. My first thought was "Can we foist this guy on Ottawa?" but I think I'd be happier to see him somewhere other than Canada. Passion without understanding can be a pretty destructive thing and we don't need an American rewriting OUR history. C.N.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteMaybe to ease your concerns about Mason Raymond we could just sign him to a one year deal. Since he's fighting for his career he would likely take it, and would still be forced to perform at a high level again to get a new contract. If he's able to sustain that pace over a full season I would be happy to consider giving him a long term deal.
As for Leiweke (sorry, I just don't care enough to look up the proper spelling - even though that would have taken less effort than writing this disclaimer!), I'm indifferent. As you well know, I'm a pretty solid Reimer guy. That said, if Bernier takes the job and runs with it I'll get over it pretty quickly. At the end of the day all I really care about is winning. It's the same thing at the top. When the curse is finally broken I would certainly prefer it happened on the watch of someone far more deserving, like Burke, Quinn or Fletcher, but I'll be far too busy celebrating for that thought to enter my brain for a long time.
I hear you on Raymond- if he stays and has a solid season, great. And if they want to sign him next year, they can make that call later.
DeleteYou're right- if the Leafs finally win, fans won't much care who the top guy is.
And thank you for the birthday greetings, Oliver- take care!
Doug McLean said today on Hockey Central at Noon that the Leafs and Raymond have already agreed on a $925K one year deal if the Leafs decide to keep him after his tryout.
DeleteHappy Anniversary VLM, and Happy Birthday, Michael! I hope you'll find, as have some of us who've preceded you to your landmark, that the fun is just beginning - you just need more sleep!
ReplyDeletePretty uneventful pre-season for me - it's been fun to see Drew McIntyre (who's outplayed Reimer so far), Mason Raymond, Paul Ranger, and Andrew McWilliam. I hope Colborne stays, but I don't think he's made an undeniable case for it yet. I'll be amazed if Rielly stays past 9 games, despite his obvious talent - particularly if Franson signs (though I'm starting to feel uneasy about that). Overall, I like the way the team feels so far - there seems to be a motivation that I haven't felt for quite some time.
I like your sleep recommendation, Gerund O'.
DeleteThe Franson thing has me flummoxed a bit. Surely there's a way to get this done. I still feel the Leafs could use him, and if he's here, may end up relying on him. From his end, sign a one-year deal (I know the Leafs want two, for their own reasons) play well and then the sky is the limit...
I'm guessing that the Leafs want two years because they've got Kessel and Phaneuf to deal with next year, and a big payday for Franson might not be affordable at that point. He's become such an asset, I'd hate to see him go, and a top 6 D of Phaneuf, Gunnar, Franson, Fraser, Ranger, and Gardiner would look pretty good!
DeleteExactly, Gerund. They'd like Franson locked up and they can then deal with the captain and Phil...(thanks again for the well wishes!)
DeleteHappy Anniversary Michael and Many Jollies for your Birthday too.
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to be right about it, but I've been saying for weeks that Franson's a goner. I can't help but think that on top of all the reasons discussed previously, Nonis is sitting back congratulating himself on having played hardball with Kadri and won and is being told to stick to his guns by all of his sycophants.
It would be a shame if the Franson holdout continued on into the regular season. It will likely impact Franson's season as is. (It's funny how sports economics works. We see Nonis as having played hardball, as you say, with a 22 year-old who has played a hundred NHL games, yet Kadri will earn 3 million a season for the next two years.)
DeleteThank you for the good thoughts, KiwiLeaf!
One of my lifelong friends was also born on Sept 20 Michael, so the happiest of Birthdays to you both!
ReplyDelete-Carter Ashton seems like a keeper and should be up and down between the Leafs and Marlies this year.
-The best G in the preseason has been Drew McIntyre...not much of a sample to draw on yet but at least it means his story should shift to getting a look at an NHL job somewhere,sometime...seems like the ideal backup...
-I may be wrong but I have a feeling that a trade involving Colborne might be in the works...he hasn't distinguished himself as far as I can see with either 1st or 4th line centre potential, and there simply might not be room for him on the Leafs. If Nonis can deal him for a pick to a team in need that might be best for all.
Sorry for the late response, Sean. Yes, McIntyre has played well, though we all know, barring injury, he'll be a Marlie. But good on him for making his case.
DeleteAshton may be in tough to be a regular, but as you say, should be the first guy up I would guess.
Thank you, by the way, for the birthday wishes, Sean! Take care.
Happy Birthday to VLM,
ReplyDeleteHow long have I been posting comments here?
Things have certainly gotten better in the last four years. The exile from the playoffs has ended. The minor league team, has been restocked with young prospects. The fact that we are debating the fate of first rounder, Morgan Reilly and whether we should send him back to the juniors, (because we don't want to rush him) tells us how far the Leafs have come.
You've stuck by the team in the lean years, Michael...
Best Wishes...get ready to enjoy the good times.
Thank you for the well wishes, DP, but thank you as well for the tone of your comments over the years-always fair, thoughtful, and respectful. I'd have to check my "file" to recall precisely when you first started posting him, but it has been a while- and most welcome, for sure.
DeleteAll the best to you on your Leaf/blog-o-metric and genetic/chronometric markers!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to see Colborne looking a little more 'at home' with improved speed so far this preseason and enjoying seeing the development of many prospects (even if for a short time - and I do agree with paring the roster at the rate that the coaching staff has chosen).
I thought Reimer looked excellent early in his first game and feel that the prospect-filled roster had much to do with the lost lead as much as anything. Bernier seems competent and quite economical with his movements in the net. It'll be interesting to see if each gets a legitimate shot at holding the net.
Rielly and Percy have often looked like they could 'belong' fairly soon, but I hope its later. MacWilliam may just bring enough vim and vinegar to find a role... and if someone is 'pushed out the door' in order to sign Franson, it could be Fraser (whose extra 400k upon pre-arbitration signing might just find him traded while his stock is quite high and MacWilliam may just 'slot in' to the 6-7 slot).
I am pleased to see that you will still be here throughout the season on a more reasonable/functional posting schedule (a balanced and 'boundaried' life is a good thing). Thank you for providing an excellent framework for reading and expressing thoughtful and respectful opinions on your forum!
Thank you, InTimeFor62. I much appreciate your significant contributions here.
DeleteAs for the goalies, I guess the next ten days will tell, eh? (If it is truly a fair competition, and not pre-determined) I hadn't thought of Fraser being moved, but nothing is guaranteed if a young player really shows he deserves a spot.
And yes, I'll aim to post as I can this season!
Congratulations on reaching two milestones this year. Here is to hoping for a Leaf's milestone this year as well. Would you settle for a semi-final berth, Michael?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the good words, Steve. And that's a trick question! Leaf fans naturally hope for a championship at the beginning of every season, but in terms of honest expectations, yes, a semi-final berth would demonstrate legitimate progress. For me, just making the playoffs is not enough any more. Thanks Steve.
ReplyDeleteMichael, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the 2 minute penalty for a tucked in jersey. We all have to wonder how this issue was at the top of the list at the G.M. meetings. I can't imagine that the on-ice officials care to be chasing down "offenders" during play when their attention is needed elsewhere and jerseys get caught in the back all the time. I imagine the face-off circle will resemble an episode of Star Trek with everyone adjusting their shirts. I wonder if goalie masks are next on the agenda. C.N.
ReplyDeleteMaybe chewing gum will be outlawed next, C.N.! For sure this is an odd thing to focus on. If there is some safety issue, I get that. But there are more important issues to be concerned with, it would seem.
Delete