Posts tagged Finger
My Five Outrageous Predictions
Jul 24th
Well, since I am clearly the only person still writing on this site anymore, I thought I would make up a totally unique idea, unfounded by any previous member of this website, and list off five predictions I have for the Leafs next season. They could be good or bad, but we’re Leafs fans, we’re pessimists, so really don’t expect much to cheer about (not in this post anyways).
Without further ado, here they are:
The Kovalchuk Signing and YOU!
Jul 19th
Wake up everybody something has finally happened in the NHL, and it’s not the Oilers naming another crappy old defenseman to a leadership position (that was last week, Congrats Steve Smith). Instead, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. The most exciting thing to happen in pro hockey ever, Kovalchuk announced he’s going to re-sign in New Jersey. WOOOOOO! Since it was just a two horse race the only team dealing with disappointment today should be the L.A. Kings. Sadly any hope of Kovalchuk becoming a Leaf waved goodbye to Toronto fans a long time ago. I mean, why would the Leafs be interested in a 40 goal scorer, he’s Russian! The fact that I will see my 4 month old nephew go off to college by the time his contract ends doesn’t make this any less of a bitter pill to swallow. Unless, somehow there was another player capable of scoring 40 goals available, short term and cheaper. Enter Simon Gagne. More >
The league will dread Toronto’s D!
Jul 18th
I look at the Leafs roster for the upcoming season, and I cant help but feeling somewhat optimistic. I really do like what Brian Burke has done with the team so far with the addition of Versteeg, and Armstrong. But the reason I have optimism isn’t just those signings, it is the blueline that we have in place, that has me thinking this could be a good season for the Leafs. It doesn’t take an expert to see that the team is missing some offensive firepower, but I really do believe that the defensive core will be enough to counteract that. I really do not think people understand how strong the Maple Leafs blueline is. The one knock I have against it, is that the cost for our 8 defensemen under contract costs 27,775,000$.
Leafs Ink Lebda
Jul 7th
Update: 2 years, 1.45 per.
Yep, Brian Burke has wasted no time this off-season bringing in guys with fake last names. Whether it’s Bill Sweatt, Joey Crabb or Brett Lebda, Burke seems to be intent on making us suffer with commentating that was already frsutrating enough on account of Joe Bowen’s dreadful rendition of “GrrrRRRRrrrabouvvsskii”. But I regress, it appears the Toronto Maple Leafs have added to their defensive depth by signing the former Stanley Cup Champion (Red Wings) to a…to a…uh…well, we don’t know the terms, but the Leafs Twitter account told us they signed him, so we’re gonna go on that.
When I first heard the news I didn’t have the overwhelming joy that I had when I found out the Leafs acquired my future new jersey in Kris Versteeg, but I didn’t exactly have the overwhelming dissapointment when the Leafs signed the “decent” grinder in Colby Armstrong. Granted, that could change when I find out the terms of the contract, but as long as he isn’t making more than 1.5 I’d say it’s a decent signing. Oh, I should probably mention that we do know he signed for two years.
Now, to the dismay of Chemmy from Pension Plan Puppets it appears that, as horrible as Lebda may be, he has good intangibles. These include being a drunk party animal and being a drunk party animal, which in other terms translates to him being a hilarious guy who will, if nothing else, be a “good locker-room guy”. Welcome aboard the Character Express, also known as the Leafs 2010 off-season ventures in which they have now acquired three guys, each with varying degrees of skill but all with “good intangibles”. I’m sure you’ll fit right in Brett.
Good news for the Leafs is that Lebda can really skate, so should Tomas Kaberle be dealt this summer it looks like the Leafs blueline won’t be full of pylons after all. And yes, if Tomas Kaberle is dealt it appears the Leafs will continue to eat Jeff Finger’s contract til the bitter end. Ah well, he can earn his money from the press box.
Just so you know, Lebda had 8 points, 24 PIM, 39 hits and a respectable 41 blocked shots in 63 games last season. Intangibles below:
Defending Burke and the Kessel Trade! Part 3 of 3
Jul 3rd
First off, I apologize that it took me so long to get to my 3rd article, just didn’t have that much time to write it properly, as I was out of town last weekend, and this week was quite the hectic week. Thank you for being patient!
Now, you already know that the first two reasons why I defended the trade of the 2nd overall selection were having both Phil Kessel, and Nazem Kadri on the team. The 3rd reason why I defend the Burke trade, is a different reason. It is not just one player, in fact it is having Brian Burke as the GM. I don’t think people realize how lucky we are to have a GM like this, I personally remember what it was like before him, and it wasn’t good. When was the last time we had a GM who would make blockbuster trades for players in their PRIME (key word), and bring them onto our team. When was the last time we as Leafs fans were constantly excited because we knew every single day the team could change for the better. I know that some people disagree with the moves that Burke has made, however, you cannot deny the fact that unlike a lot of GM’s in the league he is doing his best and being proactive to not only try to get the best team on the ice that he can, but also to win a Stanley Cup. That is what I love about him, he doesn’t care if people will disagree with his moves, he will not do anything unless he thinks it is the best move for the Toronto Maple Leafs having the best chance they can to win the Stanley Cup. He doesn’t just sit around, he is continuously doing the best he can, and looking at ALL OPTIONS, and because of the fact that he does that, to me it doesn’t matter that he traded away the 2nd overall selection. Because he really has more than made up for that. Just look at the other moves he made, that if he were not Brian Burke, would have never happened for the Leafs.
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