It’s been 25 years since a new public ice facility has been built in the Toronto-area. That’s going to change this September during the grand opening of the MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence.
The centre will replace the Lakeshore Lions Arena which was built in 1951 and it will continue to be operated by the Lakeshore Lions Club.
The MasterCard Centre is a shared initiative between MLSE, MasterCard, and the Lakeshore Lions Club. It is a state-of-the-art building with three NHL-size ice-pads and one Olympic-size pad.
The building will be open to the public but it will also be used for Maple Leafs and Marlies practices. On top of that, it will be home to Hockey Canada’s Ontario Regional Offices and the Hockey Hall of Fame’s archives and research facilities.
This is an excellent opportunity to promote hockey in Toronto where basketball and soccer have stolen a huge chunk of the market.
The Maple Leafs are finally realizing that their influence in Toronto is losing potency. Hockey must learn to share with other sports and entertainment and fight for its position.
The Leafs will also be going from a four-hundred thousand dollar community investment, in the past three years, to $2.3 million in the next five years.
The money will be used to refurbish outdoor city-owned rinks. Brian Burke didn’t lie when he said that the Maple Leafs will increase their community influence in Toronto.
The Maple Leafs want to give every youth in the city a chance to develop their love for hockey. MLSE has had a revelation that, through community involvement, Toronto can truly become the hockey Mecca and not just by name.
MLSE’s recent hockey related investments make me believe that they want to create a “hockey factory” in the Toronto-area. The Leafs want potential players that will stay loyal to the team and/or city that fostered their development.
This is a fantastic outreach program and creating a facility where the grassroots community can skate and play hockey, on the same surface as the Maple Leafs, is an excellent marketing plan.
Not only does it promote hockey development but it also brings NHL players closer to the public. The accessibility to players and hockey archives allows people to study the game and mesh with the NHL community.
Suddenly, players become human in our minds and a new generation of hockey fans may develop from MLSE’s public participation.
I’m finally convinced that fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs don’t want a Stanley Cup. They just want “Mats Sundin” surrounded by mediocrity for another thirteen years.
Following the draft and free agency period many Maple Leafs fans continued to do something that drives me nuts. They called into local sport radio stations to share their asinine opinions that can be described as fantastical at best.
This time they suggested that Brian Burke acquired too many goons and checkers. “We already have a team full of third and fourth line checkers,” they cried from the roof tops.
It sounds like these fans don’t want a winning team but rather they would prefer an overpaid superstar or maybe a whiny baby like Dany Heatley.
As usual, I disagree but I also don’t take this breed of Leafs fan seriously. Frankly, I don’t think that they know enough about hockey to conjure up an educated comment (oops, was I suppose to say that out loud).
Not all players with minimal stats are great checkers for the third and fourth line. So, I’m kind of tired of people who say that the Leafs are full of third and fourth liners. Checking forwards have an intangible skill and role to play and not just anyone can fill it. Can you honestly suggest that Tim Stapleton is a better third liner than Colin Stuart or Wayne Primeau? I don’t think so.
What the Leafs have on their team now is not a bunch of checkers but rather many players that want to compete for a spot on the top two lines. These types of players are not satisfied with the limited role of a checker; nor do they possess the skills necessary for this kind of player.
Not every top six forward is an all round great player like Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg.
Yes, the Maple Leafs need a legitimate first line with at least two A-list players but above all they require better defensive players.
Scoring is essential but the Leafs were actually decent in that department. They had five 20 goal scorers if you include Nik Antropov. Isn’t that better than two 30-40 goal scorers surrounded by mediocrity?
The Leafs’ problems actually came in their own zone where they possessed some of the worst defensive and goaltending stats in the NHL.
In relation, I also refuse to blame Vesa Toskala for all the defensive woes that plagued the Maple Leafs last season. I agree that he let in a lot of soft goals but most goalies are only as good as their teams’ defensive prowess.
As a result, Burke had to prioritize by building the Leafs from the net out. He simply filled the biggest holes that his team possessed and offense was not on top of his list.
Why not?
Who’s to say that Mikhail Grabovski won’t become that 30-40 goal scorer this season. But then again, it’s only Grabovski, right? I mean to most Leaf fans he still wouldn’t be considered a superstar.
“That’s not fair!”, they would scream. “He wasn’t bought.”
That’s just ridiculous. Even Datsyuk and Zetterberg were once in the same position before they took that extra step.
Unfortunately, patience is not everyone’s virtue but Leafs Nation must realize that Burke’s task is not easy. He can’t erase 42 years of mismanagement and self entitlement.
Leaf fans have waited long enough but Burke has just arrived; he hasn’t been at the helm since 1967. What happened before is not his problem and he can’t shoulder the impatience of his teams’ supporters.
He can only start fresh and help ensure that the next 42 years won’t be as disappointing.
In essence, he is doing what everyone “seemed” to want; build a perennial winner at a smart and steady pace.
Part of that process is also working with what you have because, in today’s NHL, trading for star power may not always be the key to winning.
The Detroit Red Wings didn’t go out and buy Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk. They developed and groomed them for the job. The team fosters development and a great working environment. They work with what they have and they are loyal to their players.
On any other team these two athletes may not have developed into present day superior hockey players.
Brian isn’t trading away any draft picks or young talent like Luke Schenn. He’s trying to be as honest as possible to his colleagues and that’s a good trait for any organization.
I remember those days as a kid when I spent countless hours studying my hockey card collection. Who knew how much they would be worth? I just loved hockey cards, and I couldn’t get enough.
It was a form of entertainment, like watching a movie or reading a book. It was time spent with friends so that we could complete our collections via trades. Today’s youth might liken it to Facebook or Twitter.
We would memorize players’ stats and learn about the game through their mini bios. I guess this seems archaic now, but to us, it was a fulfilling hobby.
I don’t even think the majority of collectors are youth anymore. A plethora of “adults for profit” have taken over the reins.
The same baby boomers and Gen-Xers who once flipped through cards with soiled hands are now “double-sleeving” them so that they can’t be contaminated by impurities in the air.
My collection is long gone, but rounded corners and slight bends would render them valueless in the minds of collectors. In my life, these cards have a lot of worth because they filled my mind with great memories of my favorite sport.
What happened to the hockey card business, or better yet, what happened to youth? Why does everything have to be glossy with graphics that ignore the real subject—the athlete?
Some of these cards are made so thick that I can’t imagine they even need plastic for protection. Do all young people have such an attention issue that they can’t value simplicity?
Then you have game-worn jersey cards and other gimmicky cards together with so many manufacturers that even the price, which collectors value the most, is in question.
When will this insanity end? I recollect when O-Pee-Chee/Topps was the only major player with one set per season. Those were the days when collecting seemed plausible.
But then again, assembling a set was done for different reasons. I guess present-day hobbyists just want the “big ticket” cards with the dollar sign written all over.
It’s a shame how a great pastime has been stained in the name of the almighty buck. In the end, most of these cards aren’t worth a lot of money anyway.
Whenever I read prospect analyses and biographies I tend to cringe. It’s especially unbearable when the player in question is a forward.
I find it ignorant to think that the only value a player has is his ability to put the puck in the net.
Every time a player is drafted, the first thing that’s examined is his point production. Sure, critics pass judgment on his two-way play and his face-off acumen, if we’re talking about a centre.
But what if that player’s best asset is his defensive skills? Are we just going to assume that this young chap is not valuable?
Defense is a very important aspect in the game of hockey, particularly in today’s NHL where power plays are a dominate factor.
I would love to draft and develop a player like New Jersey’s John Madden. When he started playing he wasn’t a great scorer, but he could skate like the wind and shadow any player in the league.
Many people would argue that you can find tons of veterans that can play that role. I disagree because I’m not talking about role players. Sure, you can find veterans who can stick to the system and play dependable hockey.
I’m talking about young players that can step into the league and shut down opposing scorers like nobody’s business.
And that’s their skill, that’s it. They eventually learn to score about 25 goals and add 25 assists, but their value is their defense.
Players like John Madden, Mike Peca, Jere Lehtinen, Kris Draper, Esa Tikkanen, Jan Erixon, Guy Carbonneau, and Bob Gainey don’t grow on trees.
They had an intangible skill that’s just as important as producing hundred point seasons.
I feel like screaming when I hear that certain forwards are great two-way checkers, but they’re not ready because their scoring ability is poor.
If they’re responsible two-way players then let them play. Maybe that’s the most you’ll ever get out of them.
Don’t just let these players disappear into obscurity like many misunderstood prospects.
Hey everyone! I just completed another wallpaper design which was inspired by my Twitter background. For the the wallpaper design I added Duke the Dog and I am dubbing it “Carlton & Friends”. I produced both regular and widescreen dimensions.
And the Maple Leafs season is complete. Well, not really. But at least my schedule wallpaper collection is finished with January through April. I actually have two versions of April so you can choose the one that you like best.
I couldn’t decide even though I like version two better. I thought some Leafs fans might not want another NHL teams’ jersey being in the prominant figure. In version one, I managed to change the Anaheim Ducks colours on the collar to blue (so it looks somewhat like a Leafs jersey). Version two would not have been possible (or at least, it would have taken a lot of work) but I did cover the Ducks logo on the chest of the jersey; for those serious fans.
These are the 1024×768 versions but, like I wrote before, I also have 1366×767 versions for widescreens. All dimensions and other wallpaper is located on my Flickr Photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/changing_on_the_fly/
“Unless we’re blown away” has become the phrase of choice in Toronto. Whatever happened to “no comment”, “that’s none of your business”, or “that’s for you to find out and me to know”.
What’s the point of having reporters anymore? Sports franchises are spewing it all out in the open. They might as well directly call in every thought they have to their local media entities.
Do reporters actually have to do their jobs anymore, besides holding a recording device? Do they even need any sources?
Obviously, I’m referring to Toronto general managers Brian Burke and J.P. Ricciardi. More specifically, I’m focusing on Burke and his belligerent Toronto Maple Leafs.
Burke has a habit of interacting with the media and unveiling too much of his thoughts and plans.
It’s not a secret that Tomas Kaberle was on the trade block. The Leafs began their rebuild by not re-signing Mats Sundin, they bought out Darcy Tucker’s contract, and then they traded Bryan McCabe.
Plus, nearly a month ago Burke managed to dump Pavel Kubina’s rich contract after a decent season with 14 goals.
After all this maneuvering there’s no wonder why fans and the media would assume that Kaberle may be next on that list. But Burke and the organization didn’t have to add fuel to that rumour by confirming these intentions.
What happened to denial?
Now that he has improved the Leafs’ defense, Burke realizes that Kaberle could be a valuable part of the team. All of sudden Kaberle isn’t a tradable commodity for the Maple Leafs.
This reminds me about the “I want Tavarez” debacle leading up to the draft. If he wanted Tavarez then he should have kept his mouth shut.
But not Burke because that’s too logical and easy for him. He has to spew his objectives out to the media. Then when he can’t get it done or he changes his mind, he looks like buffoon.
Why does Burke go about doing his business in this manner? Does he want to create a culture of insecurity in the Leafs locker room?
After all, he did say that players have to prove their worth. He doesn’t want a country club atmosphere with any sense of entitlement.
If that’s the case then Burke has accomplished his goal but at what cost?
To me, he seems like a rational person who isn’t afraid to change his mind if it benefits the team. It’s good that he realized that Kaberle is now a benefit. Another general manager may have traded him anyway and maybe for peanuts too.
I give him praise for this move or lack thereof.
However, to many other people Burke can come across as an indecisive general manager who doesn’t know how to manage.
This state of mind could simply disappear if he became inconspicuous and less revealing. If the media and fans don’t know what you’re planning then they can’t possibly be disappointed if a deal doesn’t workout or if you do an about-turn.
Burke has to realize that Toronto takes its sports trades seriously and fans and media are hungry for star power. Perhaps, with the risk of being verbally lambasted, even more than championships.
Either way, Burke’s mind is an anomaly in my opinion. But he’s doing it “his way or the highway” and that’s more than I can say about most Leafs managers in the past. And I respect that.
I decided to make 1366×767 versions of my Maple Leafs schedule wallpaper for those of you with widescreens. The change means that they are slightly different in composition from my 1024×768 versions.
I posted one to show you how it looks. You can get the others on my Flickr Photostream as well.
I have just completed designing the first three months of the the Toronto Maple Leafs schedule in computer wallpaper format. I am producing each month individually. You can think of it as a virtual calendar that you can replace every month.
I also designed a bonus pre-season schedule with Nazem Kadri as the model for the month of September. The regular season wallpapers. so far, feature Jonas Gustavsson, Mikhail Grabovski, and Mike Komisarek.
Enjoy! And remember that not even the people at the official Toronto Maple Leafs website have produced schedule wallpaper yet.
Last Season the Toronto Maple Leafs fought valiantly for a mostly young and inexperienced squad. But they weren’t being led by those with a hostile and combative nature.
The 2009-10 season will hold a new chapter for the Maple Leafs because it will be the first full season under Brian Burke’s direction.
Through free agency and trades alone, his guidance has already resulted in a change of personnel which has reengineered team chemistry.
Toronto is no longer a team that will be physically commandeered.
The addition of Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, and Garnet Excelby means that rival forwards will dread skating into Leafs territory.
Colton Orr will guarantee that Luke Schenn can opt not to drop the gloves and concentrate on developing his skills.
Every hit and jab will take a toll on the opposition and they will not feast on the fragility that has dubbed Toronto “the lovable losers”.
But it’s not all about belligerence, pugnacity, and truculence. Brian Burke also managed to sign three of five most coveted non-NHL free agents: Jonas Gustavsson, Tyler Bozak, and Christian Hanson.
In doing so, Burke has filled a few important roles for the Maple Leafs and he has stocked up Toronto’s depleted prospect supply.
Burke was also able to sign Rickard Wallin who, in his second stint, could prove that he is ready to make an impact at the NHL level.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting that the Leafs are suddenly destined to parade the Stanley Cup up Bay Street. They may not even be a great team. I’m just implying that they can focus on playing hockey instead of the other teams’ elbow to their face.
Simultaneously, lets not pretend that the Maple Leafs are much more improved and in a better situation than a year ago.
Love him or hate him, Brian Burke has an agenda to create a winning team which is based on his ideas and he is on schedule.
Let’s take a closer look at the Maple Leafs acquisitions:
Mike Komisarek – D
Age: 27
Date of birth: January 19, 1982
Place of birth: West Islip, NY, USA
Ht: 6’4” Wt: 240lbs
Shoots: R
Advantage: Komisarek is a good defensive defenseman and he delivers punishing hits. He great size and can clear the front of the Leafs’ net which will improve his goalies’ view and also prevent crease crashing and other harassments. Mike also possesses a hard slap shot and in his own end he is a fearless shot blocker.
Disadvantage: He is a poor puck handler and needs to improve his coordination. Komisarek should also learn when to pick his spots in the hitting department as to not get himself out of position. He lacks high-end offensive potential.
Rating the Acquisition: 7/10 because we always covet other teams’ players but Komisarek is not worth the 4.5 million dollars that he will be paid. He is in his prime but he still has many flaws and for a defenseman with limited offensive capabilities he is overpaid by one or two million dollars.
Potential: Top four defensive defenseman
NHL Player Profiles – Mike Komisarek
Francois Beauchemin – D
Age: 29
Date of birth: June 04, 1980
Place of birth: Sorel, Que., Canada
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 213lbs
Shoots: L
Advantage: Beauchemin is a great positional defenseman that logged 24 minutes a game on an Anaheim team that had both Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. He also loves to land the big hit whenever possible. He’s a good puck handler that can easily rush the puck up ice and he can deliver one of the hardest shots in the NHL. In his own end, he makes great hockey decisions because he plays a simple game. Francois will also use his physical body frame to clear the crease and protect his goalie.
Disadvantage: Beauchemin’s offensive contributions are inconsistent as is his decision making. It will also be interesting to witness how well he can recover from his torn ACL which made him miss 63 games last season.
Rating the Acquisition: 8/10 because he came at a cheaper price than anticipated (3 years @ $3.8 million). Beauchemin is a more complete defenseman than Komisarek and he knows how a winner should feel. My prejudice might also be evident since I recommended Francois in one of my earlier articles.
Potential: Top four all-round defenseman
Iginla vs Beauchemin May 1, 2006
Garnet Excelby – D
Age: 27
Date of birth: August 16, 1981
Place of birth: Ste. Anne, Man., Canada
Ht: 6’1” Wt: 210lbs
Shoots: L
Advantage: Excelby is a tough defensive defenseman who hits hard and often. Players try to avoid the middle of the ice when he’s playing which makes their scoring potential less effective. He is very steady in own end because he plays a simple game. Surprisingly, his best defensive game is played when he keeps his physicality to a minimum. Garnet is also great at antagonizing opposing teams and drawing penalties.
Disadvantage: Excelby has zero offensive potential. Sometimes he is caught off position when he is trying to land one of his devastating hits. He can get a little carried away when playing his physical game and his defensive responsibilities can suffer as a result.
Rating the Acquisition: 7.5/10 because he’s cheaper than Pavel Kubina and he will work harder in his own zone; an area where the Leafs must vastly improve. His cheaper salary also made it possible for Burke to sign Komisarek and Beauchemin which adds more depth and defensive skill.
Potential: Top six defensive defenseman
Garnet Exelby Three Straight Hits!
Colton Orr – RW
Age: 27
Date of birth: March 03, 1982
Place of birth: Winnipeg, Man., Canada
Ht: 6’3” Wt: 222lbs
Shoots: R
Advantage: Orr will allow players like Luke Schenn to focus on improving his talent instead of his pugilism. Colton is an excellent enforcer who will protect his teammates. He is also a relentless checker who plays well along the boards and he can play a regular shift.
Disadvantage: Orr lacks the speed to keep up with the NHL’s fastest skaters. Sometimes he takes bad penalties which can hurt his team. He has to try and limit his fighting to necessity because he can play a bigger role as a checker and energy player. Colton’s offensive skills are practically non-existent.
Rating the Acquisition: 7.5/10 because the Leafs really needed a player to play his role.
Potential: Fourth line enforcer/checking winger
Colton Orr vs Eric Godard Jan 28, 2009
Jonas Gustavsson – G
Age: 24
Date of birth: October 24, 1984
Place of birth: Danderyd, Sweden
Ht: 6’3” Wt: 180lbs
Catches: L
Advantage: Gustavsson is a tall goaltender who covers the net well and good overall skills. He is very aggressive and likes to challenge shooters. Jonas is also extremely strong mentally and he is agile with very quick reflexes.
Disadvantages: Gustavsson has little major weaknesses but he can work on redirecting rebounds more effectively.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because the Leafs have nothing to lose and the entry level contract is not an economic burden. He’s not proven in the NHL but, for now, Jonas can be a better backup goalie that pushes Vesa Toskala to play well. At best, he can compete like a bona fide NHL goaltender and take over the number one spot.
Potential: NHL starting goaltender
Jonas Gustavsson Slutspelet 08/09
Rickard Wallin – C
Age: 29
Date of birth: April 09, 1980
Place of birth: Stockholm, Sweden
Ht: 6’2” Wt: 185lbs
Shoots: L
Advantage: Wallin is a good two-way player that reads the game well. He has been described as having a strong winner’s instinct with great leadership qualities. He is adept at winning face offs and versatile; he can play every forward position. Rickard is a decent offensive player who can set up teammates on the powerplay and he possesses even more effective penalty killing skills. He also has an edge to his game which makes him effective down low in front of the opposing goaltender.
Disadvantage: Wallin might not be quick enough to keep up with the best skaters in the NHL. He could also afford to put on a little more muscle mass in comparison to his height.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because the Leafs have nothing to lose and the entry level contract is not an economic burden. At best, he can be a decent two-way centre who can win face offs and kill penalties. At worst, he’ll be playing for the Toronto Marlies for most of the year. The Leafs have nothing to lose and if signing Wallin helped Gustavsson make a decision then it was a great move.
Potential: Second or third line two-way centre
Färjestad 2009 SEL Champions: Rickard Wallin
Colin Stuart – LW
Age: 27
Date of birth: July 08, 1982
Place of birth: Rochester, MN, USA
Ht: 6’2” Wt: 205lbs
Shoots: L
Advantage: Stuart has a good work ethic which is visible in his attributes. He is the kind of player that plays hard defensively. When Colin is in the offensive zone he does his best work down low and has a nose for the net.
Disadvantage: Stuart’s career has mostly been spent in the AHL and it’s questionable as to whether his game translates well to the NHL level. He doesn’t have enough of an offensive arsenal to play a top-six role.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because Colin is cheap, disciplined, and he plays a really strong defensive game. The Leafs could have used a top six forward instead of a checking role player. However, the Atlanta Thrashers didn’t really have much to offer for Pavel Kubina. In the end, the Leafs also need checking players that know how to play their role well. It’s just as much of skill as scoring and, just as well, not everyone can thrive.
Potential: Third line checking winger
Colin Stuart Angry About Penalty (AHL)
Tim Brent – C
Age: 25
Date of birth: March 10, 1984
Place of birth: Cambridge, Ont., Canada
Ht: 6’0” Wt: 188lbs
Shoots: R
Advantage: Brent plays a solid, all-round game with leadership qualities and great face off expertise. Tim has offensive upside and he isn’t afraid of playing in high-traffic areas or initiating physical contact. He has the ability to pounce on rebounds and he is an elusive puck handler with decent speed
Disadvantage: Brent needs to build a little more muscle mass and prove that he can withstand the pounding at the highest level. He plays well in the AHL but he must put points on the board in the NHL.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because the Leafs have nothing to lose and his contract is not an economic burden. He’s great performer in the AHL and he has potential. Brian Burke knows his potential considering he traded him from Anaheim to Pittsburgh in 2007 and he’s a good replacement for Tim Stapleton.
Potential: Third or fourth line checking centre
2008 Calder Cup Finals Game 2 – Tim Brent Goal
Tyler Bozak – C
Age: 23
Date of birth: March 19, 1986
Place of birth: Regina, Sask., Canada
Ht: 6’1” Wt: 180lbs
Shoots: R
Advantage: Bozak possesses enormous tenacity and a competitive nature. He is a great two-way player with the ability to win face offs and both capabilities are desperately needed by the Maple Leafs. Tyler also has a great offensive upside. Overall, he has an excellent work ethic both on and off the ice with terrific leadership qualities.
Disadvantage: Bozak might be too small to withstand the NHL’s physical pressure. He should work on building overall muscle mass and recuperating from his knee injury.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because the Leafs have nothing to lose and the entry level contract is not an economic burden. He has enormous potential and his work ethic alone is worth taking a chance on Bozak.
Potential: First or second line two-way centre
Tyler Bozak – The 7th Samurai (Fan Tribute)
Christian Hanson – RW/C
Age: 23
Date of birth: March 10, 1986
Place of birth: Glens Falls, NY, USA
Ht: 6’4” Wt: 200lbs
Shoots: R
Advantage: Hanson is a big player with power forward potential. He has an NHL caliber release and the versatility to play both wing and center. Christian has a wonderful and infectious personality with a lot of character. He plays well defensively and his work ethic and discipline are his best qualities. He likes to initiate contact and he’s willing to give up the body for the sake of a play.
Disadvantage: Hanson needs more work without the puck when in the defensive zone, as well as on his passing skills. He also needs to add more muscle mass and consistency with his physical game to become a legitimate power forward. Christian has good hands and he should learn to shoot the puck more.
Rating the Acquisition: 10/10 because the Leafs have nothing to lose and the entry level contract is not an economic burden. He’s a big young body with potential; there’s nothing to lose.
