I'm pretty sure all of us who convene here and bat around the latest topics regarding the Maple Leafs would agree: there is never a dearth of things to chat about when it comes to the blue and white. In season, out of season, doesn't matter. There is a story a day, it seems. If there isn't one, someone will generate something, eh?
Now, I also think some of you know that one of my passions (at least something I enjoy a lot) is talking about the old days when it comes to hockey. Whether's it's great old names like Johnny Bower, Bob Pulford, Red Kelly, Frank Mahovlich, Punch Imlach, Eddie Chadwick, Tim Horton, Dickie Duff or less famous but still important players like mid-'60s Leaf winger Larry Jeffrey (right, the former Red Wing who became a key component of the '67 Cup team)- whatever, I could talk about the great Leaf teams of yesteryear at the drop of a hat. I'm pretty sure some of you could, too.
That's one of the reasons why, building on the work I've done here at VLM for the past four plus years, I spent the summer finishing my eBook called "The Maple Leafs of My Youth: what being a Leaf fan means to me". That was a fun if demanding project but it's been nice to see (and receive via Apple iTunes, Twitter and email) some very positive and encouraging feedback. Thanks to those, by the way, who have downloaded the book, and also taken the time to contact me.
A more current (in the sense that we debate the issues facing the Leafs right now) project is a program I've been part of recently called "The Leaf Hangout". (Full title is "The Maple Leaf Hot Stove Hangout", but that's a mouthful...) It's a Hangout because that's the newish technology via Google that has allowed us to do the show live. I'm still adjusting to the "new" format, one that has a visual component to it. Some of you may recall last season I was part of a podcast focused on the Leafs, but I then spent the summer focused on the book. Now I've trying to set aside the time to work with the guys from Maple Leaf Hot Stove and see if we can develop a program that Leaf fans will enjoy and want to check out. It's far from a finished product, but hopefully we'll continue to make the show better (my work included) as we go.
Whether those who follow the show will agree or disagree with the views expressed, just like here at VLM, doesn't much matter to me. My goal is to engage in enjoyable, thoughtful and at times somewhat in-depth Leaf-related hockey discussions. Fans all see things differently, so regardless of one's perspective, hopefully the content will carry the day.
I hope you'll enjoy it. If you don't, my guess is you won't listen, and that's OK, too! Here's another way to get to the show: www.youtube.com/embed/4DsK0HfS40w
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Interesting discussions as always, Michael! Terrific goalie insight from Eli. I'm really enjoying the "inside" expertise of your guests.
ReplyDeleteAn element in the Kadri discussion that didn't get mentioned is his weakness in taking faceoffs. I saw a clip of him and Bolland practicing against each other, and that kind of attitude and work ethic no doubt bodes well for the future. But his faceoff weakness is a problem now, and has contributed, I believe, to his being tried out centering the third line. This is where he had the most success last year - I hope he'll be able to recapture that lightning this year.
Very good point, Gerund O'. There are so many aspects to being a dependable player. That has always been the case, but given the way the game is played nowadays, perhaps especially so. There is so much focus on different parts of the game including, as you mention, face-offs. Kadri has loads of talent, but as with most young players, is a work in progress. Thanks Gerund.
DeleteI'm wondering if anybody else is starting to feel that the same thing that happened to Grabovski last season - being put in a position to fail and then being pushed out of town is happening with Kadri right now? It's too early to tell and Carlyle may just be riding the hot hand so-to-say with giving slotting Bolland into the roole of the 2nd centre but I'd hate to see the kid with the magic hands be pushed out because he's brown and not a 'real Ontario boy'...
ReplyDeleteI'm not impressed with the talk of trading Gardiner (American) either...
I hope I'm just being paranoid.
On the goalies all I've got to say is we have two very good young ones that can cover or each other (as in the Ottawa game) and that's great. I'm sure at some point the situation will be reversed and Bernier will have a bad game and be cheering Reimer on from the bench and there's nothing wrong with that. We should count our blessings and enjoy having two good goalies with a low cap-hit all eager to play and win. There's nothing wrong with that - in fact it's pretty much the best case scenario. I love it!
I'd be shocked if Kadri was in any current trade talks (three years ago, or even more recently than that, yes, but not now, I don't believe...), leafdreamer. I also put little stock in the notion that Gardiner is being shopped- or is even available. But I guess we never really know.
DeleteThe goaltending situation, for now, is good. Long-term, as I've said, I don't see it working. Thanks leafdreamer.
Awesome show, Michael. Glad the two best Leaf sites in MLHS and VLM are working together to produce something that is far more in depth and on point than anything in the MSM! Will be a loyal listener (or viewer) of these Hangouts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to listen- and to write today, Bryan. I'm sure the show won't be everyone's cup of tea, but hopefully we can provide some interesting discussion and a chance for Leaf (and hockey) fans to have a bit of an alternative/option when it comes to Leaf chat.
DeleteWonderful show again, Michael!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that McClement's absence brought him into the discussion. I don't think we appreciate what he has done for the Leafs enough and was relieved that he was missing for happy circumstances rather than injury. He has saved us during so many penalty kills, is good on the face-off and can score timely goals. A very smart and dedicated player.
Another player I wanted to mention is Kulemin. Again a player we don't appreciate enough. We complain he doesn't shoot enough, though he has a very good shot, doesn't contribute enough etc. I've even seen him called " Kuleminimum" which is completely unfair, not to mention just plain mean, considering that his hard work on the fore-check and strength on the boards so often results in a goal for us. We can see a player's importance when they are sidelined and we are certainly missing Kulemin, especially having no Komorov this year. We talk of how important Lupul is to our club ( and he certainly is!) but we did well without him for much of last year. Players like Kulemin are the reason our top scorers can do what they do best. And they do it mainly off camera. We see only the result, usually a puck free for the taking without an opposing player attached. Those loose pucks are the result of hard work but we seldom ask or even care where these gifts came from. We're much more concerned with what our top scorers are going to do with them. We saw what the lack of Kulemin in our line-up meant in our game last night but I doubt we'll figure out what was missing. We know there was something..... can't quite put our finger on it.......
Our team is can't succeed without these types of players and we should be giving them more credit. They are very often the difference makers and they do it quietly without fanfare, expensive contracts or acknowledgement from fans.
Thanks Michael. C.N.
I was nodding along as I read your post today, C.N.- I very much support your comments re McClement.
DeleteAs for Kulemin, I have probably been less supportive of his work the past couple of seasons. I loved his career arc his first three years. Maybe I built unfair expectations as a result on the offensive side. I do agree that he contributes in a lot of the "little" ways you cite. That said, I would still like to see him to even more physical, and hit guys more often. But maybe I'm nit-picking.
Those who know the kind of hockey (and teams) I like know I agree with your last paragraph. Skill is exciting for fans and makes the world go round, but you will not win without the grinders and muckers and those who go to the tough areas and absorb punishment to make the hard plays. That is what makes teams win (along with goaltending, etc.) Thanks C.N.- and thank you as well for the kind words about the show.
I agree and I know Kulemin in particular is very talented and may be capable of things we do not always see from him. I don't think you are nit-picking. We' d like to see players improving and moving forward, for their own sake as well as the team's.
ReplyDeleteCarlyle in his speech after a practice said that hockey looks a lot easier in the crowd and even from behind the bench. We don't realize how much faster and more difficult things really are for players on the ice. Of course, WE knew that but many don't. Thanks again for this wonderful site. C.N.
It's funny, C.N., I played a lot of hockey as a kid back in the '60s (like millions of other Canadian youngsters) and I always remember coming home after a game and telling my Dad, "it's a lot harder playing than watching...". We can only imagine what it's like on an NHL ice surface, with the speed of the game. Sometimes fans forget- so I fully agree. Not easy. Carlyle is right!
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