Posts tagged Chicago Blackhawks
Trends, a Leaf’s Best Friend
Jul 2nd
The label “New NHL” has been in use since the lockout ended. It commonly refers to the new rules implemented by the NHL which favor an attacking brand of hockey, opening space for elite players and clamping down on hooking, holding and interference offenders. However, I’ve noticed a number of trends that could be called mutations of the new NHL. These trends seemed to have continued during the so called free agency frenzy. Having in mind the effects it could have on our Leafs, here is my take on some of these phenomena.
Who Cares
Jun 10th
With Patrick Kane scoring the goal that nobody saw without the aid of video replay, 93.34% of the NHL media wrote their reports celebrating the victory of the Chicago Blackhawks as the 2010 Stanley Cup Champions. As for the other 6.66%, half of it were the Flyers media, obviously mopey over their cinderella team’s loss in one of the most confusing plays in hockey history. The other half? Yep, none other than Toronto. The article that most of our writers have been waiting years to write has finally arrived, that being that the Toronto Maple Leafs now have the longest Stanley Cup drought in NHL history.
Personally, I’ve never cared much for championship droughts, period, in any league. It’s a stretch grasp to pick on teams and their fanbases, to me. But considering we won’t hear the end of this until the Leafs win a cup (2246 is the latest projection), it might as well be addressed now. So here’s what I’m going to go through with this article.
I’m going to go through who exactly are the people doing the mocking. I’m going to go through how this drought looks in comparison to other teams. I’m going to go through a theory that states we might not actually be the team with the longest drought in the NHL, why people should embrace it rather than counter argue it, and more importantly, why we typically shouldn’t care. Lets get started.
Where Can Kabby Go?
Jun 4th
So, its June and the year is 2008 or later. You guys all know the drill. Tomas Kaberle probably used his no trade clause at the trade deadline, and speculation runs wild that the Leafs will trade him at the draft, particularly this year where the pick cupboard is particularly low. The particular opinion is that the Leafs want a top six forward and secondary toughness in return, in an effort to shore up a particularly ailing forward system on a team filled to the brim with defencemen and goaltending for the first time since the birth of Chris Chelios (273 BC).
At this point, everyone agrees that no matter how much we respect Kaberle for being one of the top all time defencemen on this team in terms of contribution, for being far and away the longest serving Leaf left (he’s the only player that was on the roster before October 2008. Yes, you read that right), for being classy as can be during his tenure, for consistantly being an awesome defenceman, and about a thousand things great about him, its his time to go. Dion Phaneuf has come in and declared the team his, essentially making it clear that anyone who disagrees can jump off a bridge. Francois Beauchemin had a solid year. Komisarek, when healthy, was very good after the first few weeks. Luke Schenn had a weak start to the year, but has been evolving at hyperspeed since Dion came in. Carl Gunnarsson has shown amazing strides in his play. And the Leafs have a million and one defensive prospects willing to force Jeff Finger into the AHL. Kaberle is just simply the odd one out.
There is a question that concerns many though – and that’s who would be wanting a player like Kaberle? As great as he is, there are definite concerns in such a trade.
1. How does the other team look for salary?
1a. Do they have a lot of players to sign already? High cap space may not be as good as appears.
2. Do they have enough forward depth to be able to trade someone solid away?
3. Would Kaberle be a first pairing defenceman on the team?
4. Would Kaberle be the #1 puck moving defenceman on the team?
5. Is the team in a position where they’d want to be acquiring a Kaberle to win?
6. How badly would they require Kaberle to sign an extension? And
7. Would Kaberle want to sign an extension there?
I took these 8 categories, and put them in to a chart, to see if it gives a reasonably accurate portrayal of who I thought could aquire Tomas. This is what came out of it.
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