Toronto vs Philadelphia

[Guyute]

I NEVER predict any philly games (eagles or flyers). always bites me in the arse. :crazy:

I do not ever bet on my teams either. lol

murphy's law reigns supreme in those cases.

[Night Train]

I'll predict 3-1 Philly.

(Note: I have either cursed the Flyers or freakin' Primeau will have the game of his pitiful, misbegotten life. No, I don't hold grudges ) :vamp:

[Night Train]

I'll predict 3-1 Philly.

(Note: I have either cursed the Flyers or freakin' Primeau will have the game of his pitiful, misbegotten life. No, I don't hold grudges ) :vamp:

[StJacquesRulz25]

not making a prediction for this game but all day i just kept thinkin that the flyers have to win....

[StJacquesRulz25]

not making a prediction for this game but all day i just kept thinkin that the flyers have to win....

[hyena]

i don't predict anymore either -- it just brings boatloads of bad luck. :p

go flyers!

[hyena]

i don't predict anymore either -- it just brings boatloads of bad luck. :p

go flyers!

[Turbulence]

If I were to predict...I would say Toronto 3-2 in 2OT. What I really want to happen? 10-0 Philly.

I predict because I can have no bad luck~I don't follow either of these teams. :sick:

:smoke:

[Turbulence]

If I were to predict...I would say Toronto 3-2 in 2OT. What I really want to happen? 10-0 Philly.

I predict because I can have no bad luck~I don't follow either of these teams. :sick:

:smoke:

[Alicia]

It is fixin' to be on! Go Philly!! :D

[Alicia]

It is fixin' to be on! Go Philly!! :D

[mikus]

one nothing philly...gagne scores

[mikus]

one nothing philly...gagne scores

[StJacquesRulz25]

Yay Gagne!!! 1-0 Philly

[StJacquesRulz25]

Yay Gagne!!! 1-0 Philly

[StJacquesRulz25]

2-0 PHILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tipped by J-Will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StJacquesRulz25]

2-0 PHILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tipped by J-Will!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JaroFan]

I am LOVIN' this Philly crowd! I'd love to be there! :D

[JaroFan]

I am LOVIN' this Philly crowd! I'd love to be there! :D

[mikus]

6 shots 2 goals
is belfour suckin?!

[mikus]

6 shots 2 goals
is belfour suckin?!

[hyena]

hell yeah! that's what i'm talkin' about!!! GO FLYERS!!!

[hyena]

hell yeah! that's what i'm talkin' about!!! GO FLYERS!!!

[Alicia]

Way to go Gagne & Williams! :D

[Alicia]

Way to go Gagne & Williams! :D

[Shell]

6 shots 2 goals
is belfour suckin?!

I think Jason Williams did the right thing in pseudo tackling Eddie.. right after that someone else jostled him.. I think they did a good job of getting in his head in the 1st,, hard to watch the puck if you're watching your back! So far, so good.. keep it up Philly!!!!

How in the world did Marouelli get a game 7????????????????????????

[Shell]

6 shots 2 goals
is belfour suckin?!

I think Jason Williams did the right thing in pseudo tackling Eddie.. right after that someone else jostled him.. I think they did a good job of getting in his head in the 1st,, hard to watch the puck if you're watching your back! So far, so good.. keep it up Philly!!!!

How in the world did Marouelli get a game 7????????????????????????

[StJacquesRulz25]

The crowd is awesome tonight...that is typical philly for you....i wish i was there but i am stuck here on campus while my friend is in that crowd and my mom is an usher or event staff.....ah lucky them

[StJacquesRulz25]

The crowd is awesome tonight...that is typical philly for you....i wish i was there but i am stuck here on campus while my friend is in that crowd and my mom is an usher or event staff.....ah lucky them

[JaroFan]

The crowd is awesome tonight...that is typical philly for you....i wish i was there but i am stuck here on campus while my friend is in that crowd and my mom is an usher or event staff.....ah lucky them

What school?

[JaroFan]

The crowd is awesome tonight...that is typical philly for you....i wish i was there but i am stuck here on campus while my friend is in that crowd and my mom is an usher or event staff.....ah lucky them

What school?

[StJacquesRulz25]

Arcadia University....used to be names Beaver College but they changed it...you may have heard about it...it was because the name was derogatory

[StJacquesRulz25]

Arcadia University....used to be names Beaver College but they changed it...you may have heard about it...it was because the name was derogatory

[Alicia]

And the Leafs are crumbling...or is that choking I hear? Either way, Primeau makes it 3-0 Philly!

[Alicia]

And the Leafs are crumbling...or is that choking I hear? Either way, Primeau makes it 3-0 Philly!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OH MY GOD!!!!!! Mogilny actually own-goaled!!! That is HILARIOUS. (except that it happened to the onlu decent guy on the team)

And ANOTHER Flyer PP!!

Has Tony Amonte caught Kapanenitis or what???

[SouthernHockeyChick]

OH MY GOD!!!!!! Mogilny actually own-goaled!!! That is HILARIOUS. (except that it happened to the onlu decent guy on the team)

And ANOTHER Flyer PP!!

Has Tony Amonte caught Kapanenitis or what???

[hyena]

man, what kind of BS was that? a flyer breathes on belfour the wrong way and a penalty gets called but there are leafs all over roman and they don't call crap. ARRRGH! :mad: :mad:

[hyena]

man, what kind of BS was that? a flyer breathes on belfour the wrong way and a penalty gets called but there are leafs all over roman and they don't call crap. ARRRGH! :mad: :mad:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

That goal was BS. Sundin was all over Cechmanek and he had his arms around the guy defending him so I don't see how he was pushed. What crap. Oh well. Hope it didn't rattle Cechmanek much!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

That goal was BS. Sundin was all over Cechmanek and he had his arms around the guy defending him so I don't see how he was pushed. What crap. Oh well. Hope it didn't rattle Cechmanek much!

[JaroFan]

This is SO Great! I love seeing Belfour & Toronto unraveling. YEAH!

[JaroFan]

This is SO Great! I love seeing Belfour & Toronto unraveling. YEAH!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.

[hyena]

ahhh...as soon as i say something they FINALLY call it. it's about freakin' time. wow. belfour is falling apart and i'm lovin' it. shame on glen for the slashing, though. :sad:

ahh, keep it up, philly! recchi is the MAN!

[hyena]

ahhh...as soon as i say something they FINALLY call it. it's about freakin' time. wow. belfour is falling apart and i'm lovin' it. shame on glen for the slashing, though. :sad:

ahh, keep it up, philly! recchi is the MAN!

[Kat]

OMG. I can't believe it. :spin:

I have to say, though, that I think this is poetic justice and that the Leafs completely and utterly deserve the beating they are getting. In my opinion, they only won last night because they beat the crap out of the Flyers and got away with it due to the refs not calling anything in OT. I know that they will be whining about the officiating tomorrow, though. What they should be whining about is their own lack of discipline.

-Kat

[Kat]

OMG. I can't believe it. :spin:

I have to say, though, that I think this is poetic justice and that the Leafs completely and utterly deserve the beating they are getting. In my opinion, they only won last night because they beat the crap out of the Flyers and got away with it due to the refs not calling anything in OT. I know that they will be whining about the officiating tomorrow, though. What they should be whining about is their own lack of discipline.

-Kat

[mikus]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.
how many softies did he let in? or did the defense suck? :crazy: :eek:

[mikus]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.
how many softies did he let in? or did the defense suck? :crazy: :eek:

[SouthernCaniac]

AAAARRRGG! Mullet head just said that toronto doesn't deserve to lose this way...I ask why the hell not? I think it's very befitting. But, God, to be a nice leaf fan right now(is that an oxymoron?) It's gotta be unbearable.

[SouthernCaniac]

AAAARRRGG! Mullet head just said that toronto doesn't deserve to lose this way...I ask why the hell not? I think it's very befitting. But, God, to be a nice leaf fan right now(is that an oxymoron?) It's gotta be unbearable.

[Alicia]

Yeah, I would say Belfour is cracking up, or is that crumbling...

[Alicia]

Yeah, I would say Belfour is cracking up, or is that crumbling...

[talkingcanes]

Melrose lives by the commandment "thou shalt not speak ill of the Maple Leafs."

of course, all of his opinions are so flexible they could be tied in a knot :sick:

[talkingcanes]

Melrose lives by the commandment "thou shalt not speak ill of the Maple Leafs."

of course, all of his opinions are so flexible they could be tied in a knot :sick:

[Turbulence]

No Trevor Kidd? :sick:
Looks like they've gotten to Belfour....maybe Kidd will get in.

[Turbulence]

No Trevor Kidd? :sick:
Looks like they've gotten to Belfour....maybe Kidd will get in.

[StormShaman]

Holy Breasts of Sharess! This isn't a game--this is a freaking slaughter!

Damn.

[StormShaman]

Holy Breasts of Sharess! This isn't a game--this is a freaking slaughter!

Damn.

[talkingcanes]

Trevor Kidd

that would probably be the last straw for Eddie's fragile psyche :beatup:

[talkingcanes]

Trevor Kidd

that would probably be the last straw for Eddie's fragile psyche :beatup:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.
how many softies did he let in? or did the defense suck? :crazy: :eek:

I was actually talking about the fact that he came out of goal and decided to check someone into the boards and threw an elbow in the process. I'm never good at determining if goals are soft or not....maybe someone else can answer that for you. :) One thing I can tell you is that he is letting off a LOT of rebounds and his defense has not been there to clean them up. I don't think you can blame this whole thing on Eddie. The whole team doesn't really seem to be too into this tonight so far....or maybe the Flyers are just coming on that strong.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Going into the 3rd 5-1!!!! YEAH!!!! I think we have broken Eddie.

Nice to see the Leafs falling back on their old tactics....thuggery. Thanks Eddie! Idiot.
how many softies did he let in? or did the defense suck? :crazy: :eek:

I was actually talking about the fact that he came out of goal and decided to check someone into the boards and threw an elbow in the process. I'm never good at determining if goals are soft or not....maybe someone else can answer that for you. :) One thing I can tell you is that he is letting off a LOT of rebounds and his defense has not been there to clean them up. I don't think you can blame this whole thing on Eddie. The whole team doesn't really seem to be too into this tonight so far....or maybe the Flyers are just coming on that strong.

[Canesluver]

Oh, man-- I wish I could watch this one. I hope one of y'all is taping it.
(I'm stuck in a dress rehearsal for my show. We open Friday)

Anyway-- love the comments-- I only have that and the scoresheet to go by. So-- are the Leafs just falling apart? Looks like Philly's staying out of the penalty box pretty well.

Hmmm-- keep posting. I'll check back in a few.......

[Canesluver]

Oh, man-- I wish I could watch this one. I hope one of y'all is taping it.
(I'm stuck in a dress rehearsal for my show. We open Friday)

Anyway-- love the comments-- I only have that and the scoresheet to go by. So-- are the Leafs just falling apart? Looks like Philly's staying out of the penalty box pretty well.

Hmmm-- keep posting. I'll check back in a few.......

[talkingcanes]

I was going to tape it but of course this is the first time I've thought of it since the game started. :sad: Sorry.

The Flyers are strong, the Leafs are out of sync and chippy. It's not been pretty for their side.

[talkingcanes]

I was going to tape it but of course this is the first time I've thought of it since the game started. :sad: Sorry.

The Flyers are strong, the Leafs are out of sync and chippy. It's not been pretty for their side.

[Shell]

Yeah, I would say Belfour is cracking up, or is that crumbling...

When I was watching him, I got the song "She's come undone" (by the Guess Who) stuck in my head.. hahaha the lyrics are perfect for ole Eddie right now! lyrics ("http://www.letssingit.com/?http://www.letssingit.com/guess-who-she-s-come-undone-c3wvjsl.html')

I love seeing my least favorite team degenerate into their normal selves at a most inappropriate time! I'd love for Philly to keep this up.. hopefully they can keep Tor to the one cheap ass cheatin goal!


No Trevor Kidd?
Looks like they've gotten to Belfour....maybe Kidd will get in.

I bet he starts the third for sure! Yo birthday is Ovah Eddie!
Maybe the Toronto Sun shouldn't have run this story today hahaha
Kidd would like chance to start (http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSports/ts.ts-04-22-0094.html)

(I was too slow Eddie is in!)

[Shell]

Yeah, I would say Belfour is cracking up, or is that crumbling...

When I was watching him, I got the song "She's come undone" (by the Guess Who) stuck in my head.. hahaha the lyrics are perfect for ole Eddie right now! lyrics ("http://www.letssingit.com/?http://www.letssingit.com/guess-who-she-s-come-undone-c3wvjsl.html')

I love seeing my least favorite team degenerate into their normal selves at a most inappropriate time! I'd love for Philly to keep this up.. hopefully they can keep Tor to the one cheap ass cheatin goal!


No Trevor Kidd?
Looks like they've gotten to Belfour....maybe Kidd will get in.

I bet he starts the third for sure! Yo birthday is Ovah Eddie!
Maybe the Toronto Sun shouldn't have run this story today hahaha
Kidd would like chance to start (http://www.canoe.ca/TorontoSports/ts.ts-04-22-0094.html)

(I was too slow Eddie is in!)

[nccanes]

This is really a spectacle.

Did Wesley really slash in the 2nd? I never saw it in the replay (they were too busy showing Belfour doing the tomahawk chop with his blocker).

So, for icing on the cake, I'd like to Sami score a goal and then beat the crap out of Domi! :evil:

Oh, and Belfour may have cracked (missed the first 2 goals), but his defense has been baaaaad too.

[nccanes]

This is really a spectacle.

Did Wesley really slash in the 2nd? I never saw it in the replay (they were too busy showing Belfour doing the tomahawk chop with his blocker).

So, for icing on the cake, I'd like to Sami score a goal and then beat the crap out of Domi! :evil:

Oh, and Belfour may have cracked (missed the first 2 goals), but his defense has been baaaaad too.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Did Wesley really slash in the 2nd? I never saw it in the replay (they were too busy showing Belfour doing the tomahawk chop with his blocker).

I didn't see it either.

So, for icing on the cake, I'd like to Sami score a goal and then beat the crap out of Domi! :evil:

I'd rather see Amonte score.....and can I beat the crap out of Domi? And maybe Tucker too?


And, uh, 6-1!!

At this point I think that the Flyers need to start watching for the Leafs to start throwing some seriously dirty hits. When down they tend to turn into cheap shot artists and I would not put it past them to try to take a few Flyers players down with them.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Did Wesley really slash in the 2nd? I never saw it in the replay (they were too busy showing Belfour doing the tomahawk chop with his blocker).

I didn't see it either.

So, for icing on the cake, I'd like to Sami score a goal and then beat the crap out of Domi! :evil:

I'd rather see Amonte score.....and can I beat the crap out of Domi? And maybe Tucker too?


And, uh, 6-1!!

At this point I think that the Flyers need to start watching for the Leafs to start throwing some seriously dirty hits. When down they tend to turn into cheap shot artists and I would not put it past them to try to take a few Flyers players down with them.

[VandyCane]

I think the call on Wesley was BS (guyute will probably disagree, lol) and it led to a 5-3. This is a massacre though. Let the bleeding stop.

[VandyCane]

I think the call on Wesley was BS (guyute will probably disagree, lol) and it led to a 5-3. This is a massacre though. Let the bleeding stop.

[hyena]

...waiting for the thuggishness to begin... :roll:

[hyena]

...waiting for the thuggishness to begin... :roll:

[nccanes]

Is it my imagination or did I hear the Philly fans chanting "go leafs go". O walked out of the room, but that's what it sounded like. LMAO if they did.


Edited to add: Wow, was that a freudian slip. O didn't walk out of the room, I did, lol.

[nccanes]

Is it my imagination or did I hear the Philly fans chanting "go leafs go". O walked out of the room, but that's what it sounded like. LMAO if they did.


Edited to add: Wow, was that a freudian slip. O didn't walk out of the room, I did, lol.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is it my imagination or did I hear the Philly fans chanting "go leafs go". Either that or "golf leafs golf" I was trying to figure it out too.

O walked out of the room, but that's what it sounded like. LMAO if they did.

O walked out of what room!?!!! Can I come over??? ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is it my imagination or did I hear the Philly fans chanting "go leafs go". Either that or "golf leafs golf" I was trying to figure it out too.

O walked out of the room, but that's what it sounded like. LMAO if they did.

O walked out of what room!?!!! Can I come over??? ;)

[Shattered]

They were cheering every time Eddie touched the puck...hubby has turned the channel (he had them in a bet and is upset). :crazy:

Reminded me of that game where Irbe was getting cheered constantly a few months ago...

[Shattered]

They were cheering every time Eddie touched the puck...hubby has turned the channel (he had them in a bet and is upset). :crazy:

Reminded me of that game where Irbe was getting cheered constantly a few months ago...

[nccanes]

O walked out of what room!?!!! Can I come over??? ;)


LOL, just making sure you were reading my posts, SHC! ;)

Okay, must pay closer attention to the game Tucker is getting that evil demonic look and all - can't miss it for the last time until next season!

Darcy Tucker ------> http://www.jordysworld.de/emoticons/grusel18.gif

[nccanes]

O walked out of what room!?!!! Can I come over??? ;)


LOL, just making sure you were reading my posts, SHC! ;)

Okay, must pay closer attention to the game Tucker is getting that evil demonic look and all - can't miss it for the last time until next season!

Darcy Tucker ------> http://www.jordysworld.de/emoticons/grusel18.gif

[nccanes]

Reminded me of that game where Irbe was getting cheered constantly a few months ago...

Difference being that Irbe was being mocked by his home crowd. :sad:

[nccanes]

Reminded me of that game where Irbe was getting cheered constantly a few months ago...

Difference being that Irbe was being mocked by his home crowd. :sad:

[StJacquesRulz25]

YES!! GO FLYERS!! BRING ON OTTAWA!! lol Can you tell I am happy! :D

[StJacquesRulz25]

YES!! GO FLYERS!! BRING ON OTTAWA!! lol Can you tell I am happy! :D

[talkingcanes]

to the credit of both teams, they handled the postgame handshake well. some of them seemed very sincere on both sides. that's the way it should be done Mr. Chelios.

[talkingcanes]

to the credit of both teams, they handled the postgame handshake well. some of them seemed very sincere on both sides. that's the way it should be done Mr. Chelios.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

to the credit of both teams, they handled the postgame handshake well. some of them seemed very sincere on both sides. that's the way it should be done Mr. Chelios.

That's about what I just posted at ch.com. The Leafs just won a little respect from me for the way they handled that....Domi and Tucker included. You know they just wanted to sit down and cry. Oh well.....WAY TO GO FLYERS!!!!!
Gary Roberts can get a tee time with O'Neill tomorrow!!

WOOO HOOO!!!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

to the credit of both teams, they handled the postgame handshake well. some of them seemed very sincere on both sides. that's the way it should be done Mr. Chelios.

That's about what I just posted at ch.com. The Leafs just won a little respect from me for the way they handled that....Domi and Tucker included. You know they just wanted to sit down and cry. Oh well.....WAY TO GO FLYERS!!!!!
Gary Roberts can get a tee time with O'Neill tomorrow!!

WOOO HOOO!!!!

[Shell]

I too was expecting Toronto to turn realllly dirty at the end, especially after the last goal... but to their credit, they did not. They also did very well in the handshake.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, sure wishing Amonte could have tallied one.. poor thing!! Wanted Recchi with the natural too...

I figured the Go Leafs Go was all the Toronto fans that I am sure were there getting in one last cheer.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shell]

I too was expecting Toronto to turn realllly dirty at the end, especially after the last goal... but to their credit, they did not. They also did very well in the handshake.
WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Flyers!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn, sure wishing Amonte could have tallied one.. poor thing!! Wanted Recchi with the natural too...

I figured the Go Leafs Go was all the Toronto fans that I am sure were there getting in one last cheer.

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I swear. The biggest thing that has made it almost impossible for me to hate Jeremy Roenick is stuff like what he did tonight with Amonte. He spent the whole third period setting Amonte up trying to help get him a goal. And he did that at the All-Stars with O'Neill too. I guess you can be an arrogant loud-mouth and still be a good person. Darn it. What if I find out Chelios and Domi aren't all that bad? Nah. Never happen. ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

I swear. The biggest thing that has made it almost impossible for me to hate Jeremy Roenick is stuff like what he did tonight with Amonte. He spent the whole third period setting Amonte up trying to help get him a goal. And he did that at the All-Stars with O'Neill too. I guess you can be an arrogant loud-mouth and still be a good person. Darn it. What if I find out Chelios and Domi aren't all that bad? Nah. Never happen. ;)

[hyena]

YESSS!

yeah, the handshake was very well-handled. i must say i was impressed with the leafs' behavior. :eek2:

Either that or "golf leafs golf" I was trying to figure it out too.
if they were saying "golf leafs golf", that's f'n hilarious! :D

congrats, philly!!!

[hyena]

YESSS!

yeah, the handshake was very well-handled. i must say i was impressed with the leafs' behavior. :eek2:

Either that or "golf leafs golf" I was trying to figure it out too.
if they were saying "golf leafs golf", that's f'n hilarious! :D

congrats, philly!!!

[talkingcanes]

the difference to me is that Roenick has always seemed like a decent guy even with his big ego and bigger mouth. Domi and Chelios have never struck me as anything but whiners and poor sports. I will give Domi credit for handling himself beautifully in the postgame handshake though so maybe there is one decent bone in his body :)

[talkingcanes]

the difference to me is that Roenick has always seemed like a decent guy even with his big ego and bigger mouth. Domi and Chelios have never struck me as anything but whiners and poor sports. I will give Domi credit for handling himself beautifully in the postgame handshake though so maybe there is one decent bone in his body :)

[Kat]

I will agree on Roenick. He got his butt kicked in this series, yet seemed to tell each Leaf he came across how much he respected them. Then again, I suppose that it is easy to be nice when you win. :p

No seriously, I was happy with the way that game ended. The Leafs did gain a grain more of respect in my book... but that still doesn't put them very high up with me. :)

-Kat

[Kat]

I will agree on Roenick. He got his butt kicked in this series, yet seemed to tell each Leaf he came across how much he respected them. Then again, I suppose that it is easy to be nice when you win. :p

No seriously, I was happy with the way that game ended. The Leafs did gain a grain more of respect in my book... but that still doesn't put them very high up with me. :)

-Kat

[Alicia]

Very nice ending to this series, on to the 2nd round...Go Flyers!!

[Alicia]

Very nice ending to this series, on to the 2nd round...Go Flyers!!

[nccanes]

Someone please go post signs in Glen Wesley's yard saying "It's time to come home" or something similar!! ;)

[nccanes]

Someone please go post signs in Glen Wesley's yard saying "It's time to come home" or something similar!! ;)

[nccanes]

This is the Toronto goal. Nice and chummy that Sundin...

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030422/capt.1051062136maple_leafs_flyers_pxc105.jpg
Toronto Maple Leafs' Gary Roberts (7) watches a goal by teammate Jyrki Lumme as Mats Sundin (13), of Sweden, holds Philadelphia Flyers' Eric Weinrich in the second period of game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in Philadelphia. At rear is Flyers goalie Roman Cechmanek of the Czech Republic.

[nccanes]

This is the Toronto goal. Nice and chummy that Sundin...

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20030422/capt.1051062136maple_leafs_flyers_pxc105.jpg
Toronto Maple Leafs' Gary Roberts (7) watches a goal by teammate Jyrki Lumme as Mats Sundin (13), of Sweden, holds Philadelphia Flyers' Eric Weinrich in the second period of game 7 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals Tuesday, April 22, 2003, in Philadelphia. At rear is Flyers goalie Roman Cechmanek of the Czech Republic.

[Alicia]

Nah, he wasn't holding anybody or anything like that... :roll:

[Alicia]

Nah, he wasn't holding anybody or anything like that... :roll:

[talkingcanes]

I'm sure Mats was just being friendly before he called for a tee time :cool:

[talkingcanes]

I'm sure Mats was just being friendly before he called for a tee time :cool:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Thanks for posting that pic Eileen. It proves my point about the goal I think. Hard to be pushed by someone when you are hugging them. Why wasn't Sundin called for a)holding or b)interference on Weinrich? Roman had a shutout as far as I'm concerned!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Thanks for posting that pic Eileen. It proves my point about the goal I think. Hard to be pushed by someone when you are hugging them. Why wasn't Sundin called for a)holding or b)interference on Weinrich? Roman had a shutout as far as I'm concerned!

[Caniac]

http://www.brentroad.com/photos/00120364.jpg

[Caniac]

http://www.brentroad.com/photos/00120364.jpg

[crazy4canes]

Last night was by far the best night of the first round. All three teams that I wanted to win did. Yay Philly! :D Honestly though, I stopped watching after the Flyers scored the 5th goal. Figured the Leafs wouldn't be coming back. :evil:

[crazy4canes]

Last night was by far the best night of the first round. All three teams that I wanted to win did. Yay Philly! :D Honestly though, I stopped watching after the Flyers scored the 5th goal. Figured the Leafs wouldn't be coming back. :evil:

[rkbrasse]

What the heck did Chelios do at the end of the Detroit series?

I hate it for Wesley and yes Domi. I can't explain it. I just like that dude.

[rkbrasse]

What the heck did Chelios do at the end of the Detroit series?

I hate it for Wesley and yes Domi. I can't explain it. I just like that dude.

[crazy4canes]

What the heck did Chelios do at the end of the Detroit series?



He skated off without lining up and doing the ceremonial hand shake at the end of the series. Loser. :roll:

[crazy4canes]

What the heck did Chelios do at the end of the Detroit series?



He skated off without lining up and doing the ceremonial hand shake at the end of the series. Loser. :roll:

[Jeff O Rocks]

Up your nose with a rubber hose Leafs....loved that "arse kicking" that Philly laid on em!! :D

[Jeff O Rocks]

Up your nose with a rubber hose Leafs....loved that "arse kicking" that Philly laid on em!! :D

[Guyute]

Un-frikkin-believable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO :D

What a show!!! If only I could've been there. man.
Ya know, I gotta say it, I hate the way Primeau handled himself here during the holdout, *****ing, etc... but as far as a hockey player goes, dude is a machine. Unless you trip him, slash him in the back of the leg, etc.. you're not knocking him down.
Flyers just OWNED the leafs last night. yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa!

Now, it's retribution time. Bring on the Sens!!!!

Vandy- nope, I won't disagree without you about the Wesley slash, because I never saw it either.

The handshakes were great to watch. I've never denied that Domi is probably the best at what he does. I despise the way he usually does it, but he is damn good at it. To see him and Brash end it like that was great. Two warriors leaving the battle field.

now, time to go start those 2nd round threads :beatup:

[Guyute]

Un-frikkin-believable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO :D

What a show!!! If only I could've been there. man.
Ya know, I gotta say it, I hate the way Primeau handled himself here during the holdout, *****ing, etc... but as far as a hockey player goes, dude is a machine. Unless you trip him, slash him in the back of the leg, etc.. you're not knocking him down.
Flyers just OWNED the leafs last night. yeeeeeeeeeeeehaaaaaaaaa!

Now, it's retribution time. Bring on the Sens!!!!

Vandy- nope, I won't disagree without you about the Wesley slash, because I never saw it either.

The handshakes were great to watch. I've never denied that Domi is probably the best at what he does. I despise the way he usually does it, but he is damn good at it. To see him and Brash end it like that was great. Two warriors leaving the battle field.

now, time to go start those 2nd round threads :beatup:

[Guyute]

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers saved their best for last.

Mark Recchi scored two goals and set up another and Justin Williams and Claude Lapointe each had a goal and two assists as the Flyers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 6-1 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After failing to eliminate the Maple Leafs in a double-overtime thriller on Monday, the Flyers left little doubt in Game Seven, grabbing a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on goals by Simon Gagne and Williams.

The floodgates opened in the second as Toronto's Ed Belfour allowed three goals, one following his own elbowing penalty.

Unbeaten in four previous Game Sevens, Belfour allowed all six goals on 36 shots.

"It's my job to be the last defense back there," Belfour said.

"When they get good chances, it's my job to come up with the big saves. I made a few, but I didn't come up with the timely ones, and those are the most important ones."

The hero of Game Four with a triple-overtime winner, Recchi scored goals 3:06 apart late in the second to take the playoff lead with six.

"For most of my career, I've been a pretty good playoff player," Recchi said. "You always want to prove, to yourself most of all, that you can still be an effective player. The puck is finding ways to get in for me, and I'll take it. But I'm not getting too excited because we have another huge series ahead of us."

Williams figured in Philadelphia's first three tallies while Lapointe capped the scoring with his first postseason goal since 1993.

Keith Primeau added his first playoff goal since his game-winner in the fifth overtime of Game Four of the 2000 conference semifinals at Pittsburgh.

Roman Cechmanek rarely was tested, stopping 18 shots in the first Game Seven of his career.

"I was so happy we won, so happy to get out of the first round," Cechmanek said. "A couple of the hockey experts didn't trust me in this series. This was a big win for us, a big series. We thought it would be a long series in the beginning, and it was."

Gary Roberts scored the lone goal for the Maple Leafs, who fell to 11-9 in seventh games, including a 5-8 mark on the road.

"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating to finish this way," Toronto defenseman Glen Wesley said. "We definitely had the momentum going from last night. We felt good about it going into the game, but unfortunately, it's a game of mistakes and we turned over too many pucks."

The series was the second longest in terms of playing time in NHL playoff history at 532 minutes, 5 seconds. Only the 1939 Boston-New York Rangers semifinal series went longer, thanks to four overtime contests, including two that took three extra periods.

Philadelphia, which became the seventh consecutive home team to win a Game Seven, will face the Presidents' Trophy-winning Ottawa Senators in a rematch of last season's conference quarterfinals.

"For me personally, I didn't want this to be my last game as a Philadelphia Flyer," said Primeau, whose team moved past the first round for just the second time in six years. "(Flyers chairman Ed Snider) said that the coach would be here if we didn't have success and the players would be moved. Ultimately, with me being the most vocal, I was probably going to be the guy who was going to be moved."

One night after playing the third multiple-overtime game of the series, the teams were tentative at the start of this one, generating few scoring chances until an errant clearing attempt by Belfour resulted in a turnover.

While behind the net, Belfour fired the puck up the left boards.

But Primeau was there to stop it before dishing to Williams down low. From the corner, the 21-year-old winger passed in front, where Gagne put a shot past Belfour's stick side at 16:23.

"I tried to play it around the boards and it went to them," Belfour said. "It was a good forecheck on their part and I played the puck a little too hard."

"We felt we needed to give the team energy tonight," Gagne said of his line. "All of our lines played well, the entire team played well. It was as close to a perfect game as we have played."

In the final minute of the period, Lapointe carried down the left side before unleashing a shot from low in the faceoff circle. Standing on the doorstep, Williams redirected it between Belfour's pads at 19:08 for his first career playoff goal.

"Lapointe battled three guys along the boards and came up with the puck," Williams said. "I just went to the net and put my stick on the ice and it went in the net."

"Once we gave up those goals, the edge went to them in kind of a big way," Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. "Then, when it is 2-0, you figure you have chances to come back. We made some mental errors that we paid a big price for."

The Flyers continued to apply pressure early in the second but were unable to cash in.

Michal Handzus was stopped in front by Belfour 3 1/2 minutes into the period, while Gagne's backhander from the doorstep bounced off the crossbar.

With defenseman Jyrki Lumme already in the penalty box, Belfour was called for slashing, giving the Flyers a 70-second two-man advantage. But Jeremy Roenick's shot from the left side trickled through the crease and was cleared out of the zone.

One second after Toronto returned to full strength, Primeau drove through the right circle and backhanded a pass to Gagne in front. Trying to intercept, Alexander Mogilny inadvertently slid the puck between Belfour's pads at 8:18, giving the Philadelphia captain his first postseason tally in 25 games.

"I was trying to move the puck to Simon," Primeau said. "That's how easy it is, just put it to the net. It went off their (player) and between Ed's legs. You like to contribute offensively as much as you can. It's nice to contribute and be on the board, but I wasn't too concerned about it."

Roberts nearly broke through for the Maple Leafs with 8:51 left, but Cechmanek made a sliding pad save on his shot from the left side. But the rugged left wing cashed in just under three minutes later on a controversial play.

As Lumme wound up for a shot at the right point, Sundin and Flyers defenseman Eric Weinrich battled in front. While Roberts deflected the puck out of the air and past Cechmanek at 13:50, Sundin bumped into the goaltender.

Cechmanek argued to no avail, but the Flyers regained a three-goal lead less than three minutes later.

Rookie defenseman Jim Vandermeer, who was in the lineup for the injured Eric Desjardins, kept the puck in the Toronto zone at the right point and fired a shot toward the net. After Belfour stopped Recchi's redirection, Lapointe whipped the rebound off the right goalpost.

The puck caromed to the left side, where Recchi put it by Belfour at 16:16.

Cleary rattled, Belfour began to unravel, taking an elbowing penalty with 54 seconds to go in the second after roaming into the corner for the second time in less than a minute.

"It was just an emotional series and emotional game," Belfour explained.

"Eddie is an unbelievable competitor, but when we got up a couple goals, it wasn't just him, it was everybody," Williams said. "But when we got up a couple, that was the point where we had him."

Wesley's slashing penalty at the same time gave the Flyers another two-man advantage, and it took them just 16 seconds to make Toronto pay.

Recchi got a rebound of his own shot and banked it off the left post and in at 19:22 for his second two-goal game of the series.

Tony Amonte nearly ended an 11-game playoff drought 72 seconds into the third, but his shot from the low slot hit the crossbar.

Known more for his checking than his scoring, Lapointe took a feed from John LeClair and knocked in his own rebound at 8:28 to end his own 20-game playoff goalless spell.

"When Lappy scored to make it 6-1, I finally took a deep breath and said, `We're moving on,'" Primeau said.

[Guyute]

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Flyers saved their best for last.

Mark Recchi scored two goals and set up another and Justin Williams and Claude Lapointe each had a goal and two assists as the Flyers advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 6-1 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

After failing to eliminate the Maple Leafs in a double-overtime thriller on Monday, the Flyers left little doubt in Game Seven, grabbing a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes on goals by Simon Gagne and Williams.

The floodgates opened in the second as Toronto's Ed Belfour allowed three goals, one following his own elbowing penalty.

Unbeaten in four previous Game Sevens, Belfour allowed all six goals on 36 shots.

"It's my job to be the last defense back there," Belfour said.

"When they get good chances, it's my job to come up with the big saves. I made a few, but I didn't come up with the timely ones, and those are the most important ones."

The hero of Game Four with a triple-overtime winner, Recchi scored goals 3:06 apart late in the second to take the playoff lead with six.

"For most of my career, I've been a pretty good playoff player," Recchi said. "You always want to prove, to yourself most of all, that you can still be an effective player. The puck is finding ways to get in for me, and I'll take it. But I'm not getting too excited because we have another huge series ahead of us."

Williams figured in Philadelphia's first three tallies while Lapointe capped the scoring with his first postseason goal since 1993.

Keith Primeau added his first playoff goal since his game-winner in the fifth overtime of Game Four of the 2000 conference semifinals at Pittsburgh.

Roman Cechmanek rarely was tested, stopping 18 shots in the first Game Seven of his career.

"I was so happy we won, so happy to get out of the first round," Cechmanek said. "A couple of the hockey experts didn't trust me in this series. This was a big win for us, a big series. We thought it would be a long series in the beginning, and it was."

Gary Roberts scored the lone goal for the Maple Leafs, who fell to 11-9 in seventh games, including a 5-8 mark on the road.

"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating to finish this way," Toronto defenseman Glen Wesley said. "We definitely had the momentum going from last night. We felt good about it going into the game, but unfortunately, it's a game of mistakes and we turned over too many pucks."

The series was the second longest in terms of playing time in NHL playoff history at 532 minutes, 5 seconds. Only the 1939 Boston-New York Rangers semifinal series went longer, thanks to four overtime contests, including two that took three extra periods.

Philadelphia, which became the seventh consecutive home team to win a Game Seven, will face the Presidents' Trophy-winning Ottawa Senators in a rematch of last season's conference quarterfinals.

"For me personally, I didn't want this to be my last game as a Philadelphia Flyer," said Primeau, whose team moved past the first round for just the second time in six years. "(Flyers chairman Ed Snider) said that the coach would be here if we didn't have success and the players would be moved. Ultimately, with me being the most vocal, I was probably going to be the guy who was going to be moved."

One night after playing the third multiple-overtime game of the series, the teams were tentative at the start of this one, generating few scoring chances until an errant clearing attempt by Belfour resulted in a turnover.

While behind the net, Belfour fired the puck up the left boards.

But Primeau was there to stop it before dishing to Williams down low. From the corner, the 21-year-old winger passed in front, where Gagne put a shot past Belfour's stick side at 16:23.

"I tried to play it around the boards and it went to them," Belfour said. "It was a good forecheck on their part and I played the puck a little too hard."

"We felt we needed to give the team energy tonight," Gagne said of his line. "All of our lines played well, the entire team played well. It was as close to a perfect game as we have played."

In the final minute of the period, Lapointe carried down the left side before unleashing a shot from low in the faceoff circle. Standing on the doorstep, Williams redirected it between Belfour's pads at 19:08 for his first career playoff goal.

"Lapointe battled three guys along the boards and came up with the puck," Williams said. "I just went to the net and put my stick on the ice and it went in the net."

"Once we gave up those goals, the edge went to them in kind of a big way," Toronto coach Pat Quinn said. "Then, when it is 2-0, you figure you have chances to come back. We made some mental errors that we paid a big price for."

The Flyers continued to apply pressure early in the second but were unable to cash in.

Michal Handzus was stopped in front by Belfour 3 1/2 minutes into the period, while Gagne's backhander from the doorstep bounced off the crossbar.

With defenseman Jyrki Lumme already in the penalty box, Belfour was called for slashing, giving the Flyers a 70-second two-man advantage. But Jeremy Roenick's shot from the left side trickled through the crease and was cleared out of the zone.

One second after Toronto returned to full strength, Primeau drove through the right circle and backhanded a pass to Gagne in front. Trying to intercept, Alexander Mogilny inadvertently slid the puck between Belfour's pads at 8:18, giving the Philadelphia captain his first postseason tally in 25 games.

"I was trying to move the puck to Simon," Primeau said. "That's how easy it is, just put it to the net. It went off their (player) and between Ed's legs. You like to contribute offensively as much as you can. It's nice to contribute and be on the board, but I wasn't too concerned about it."

Roberts nearly broke through for the Maple Leafs with 8:51 left, but Cechmanek made a sliding pad save on his shot from the left side. But the rugged left wing cashed in just under three minutes later on a controversial play.

As Lumme wound up for a shot at the right point, Sundin and Flyers defenseman Eric Weinrich battled in front. While Roberts deflected the puck out of the air and past Cechmanek at 13:50, Sundin bumped into the goaltender.

Cechmanek argued to no avail, but the Flyers regained a three-goal lead less than three minutes later.

Rookie defenseman Jim Vandermeer, who was in the lineup for the injured Eric Desjardins, kept the puck in the Toronto zone at the right point and fired a shot toward the net. After Belfour stopped Recchi's redirection, Lapointe whipped the rebound off the right goalpost.

The puck caromed to the left side, where Recchi put it by Belfour at 16:16.

Cleary rattled, Belfour began to unravel, taking an elbowing penalty with 54 seconds to go in the second after roaming into the corner for the second time in less than a minute.

"It was just an emotional series and emotional game," Belfour explained.

"Eddie is an unbelievable competitor, but when we got up a couple goals, it wasn't just him, it was everybody," Williams said. "But when we got up a couple, that was the point where we had him."

Wesley's slashing penalty at the same time gave the Flyers another two-man advantage, and it took them just 16 seconds to make Toronto pay.

Recchi got a rebound of his own shot and banked it off the left post and in at 19:22 for his second two-goal game of the series.

Tony Amonte nearly ended an 11-game playoff drought 72 seconds into the third, but his shot from the low slot hit the crossbar.

Known more for his checking than his scoring, Lapointe took a feed from John LeClair and knocked in his own rebound at 8:28 to end his own 20-game playoff goalless spell.

"When Lappy scored to make it 6-1, I finally took a deep breath and said, `We're moving on,'" Primeau said.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ya know, I gotta say it, I hate the way Primeau handled himself here during the holdout, *****ing, etc... but as far as a hockey player goes, dude is a machine. Unless you trip him, slash him in the back of the leg, etc.. you're not knocking him down.


Steve and I were saying something similar last night. Other than the way things happened here there is just no reason to hate the guy. Stupid hockey ends up making me respect all kinds of people I was loving to hate. :mad: ;)

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Ya know, I gotta say it, I hate the way Primeau handled himself here during the holdout, *****ing, etc... but as far as a hockey player goes, dude is a machine. Unless you trip him, slash him in the back of the leg, etc.. you're not knocking him down.


Steve and I were saying something similar last night. Other than the way things happened here there is just no reason to hate the guy. Stupid hockey ends up making me respect all kinds of people I was loving to hate. :mad: ;)

[nccanes]

Sounds like Wesley wants to remain a Leaf.... :sad: :sad:

From WayMoreSports....

Leafs will need a premier defenceman
Apr. 23, 2003. 01:00 AM
Stars' Hatcher could fit the bill

Hoglund's days in Toronto are over
Ken Campbell
Sports Reporter

PHILADELPHIA—Maple Leafs GM-coach Pat Quinn said last night he doesn't want to make any quick decisions about his team's future with the bitter taste of defeat so fresh.

But when Quinn does get around to evaluating his personnel, he'll undoubtedly realize that if the Leafs are to be a serious Stanley Cup contender, they require a huge upgrade in their blue-line corps.

With depth and talent at forward, what the Leafs need most is a premier defenceman who can play 30 minutes a game and make a meaningful contribution at both ends of the ice.

Enter Derian Hatcher of the Dallas Stars. Hatcher, who stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, had a Norris Trophy-type season and is leading the NHL in playoff plus-minus. And while the Stars will likely push hard to re-sign him before July 1, there is a growing sentiment that Hatcher is not adverse to the prospect of putting himself on the open market.

The Stars have told Hatcher that they want to resolve his contract situation after the season, but his agent, Pat Morris, said there are no guarantees they'll reach an agreement.

"As times get closer to July 1, there's certainly more of a chance that curiosity peaks in a player," Morris said. "It's only logical that if it has been left this long, the team that owns the player is vulnerable to him exploring what is out there, particularly with teams like Detroit and Toronto out there."

As the Leafs found out with the likes of Darius Kasparaitis, Bill Guerin and Bobby Holik last summer, just because they're willing to throw barrels of money at a player doesn't guarantee that he'll select Toronto when some of the league's high rollers get involved.

There are a number of other defencemen who should pique the Leafs' interest, not the least of whom is Glen Wesley, who is also unrestricted as of July 1. Acquired at the trade deadline, Wesley was the Leafs' most reliable defenceman in the playoffs.

"Glen came here and did quite a nice job," Quinn said. "I would say at this point, we would try to find a way to keep him around."

For his part, Wesley said that's also his priority.

"I understand this is a business and my wife knows where my feeling is and where my heart is," Wesley said. "Obviously playing here."

Other defencemen that should interest the Leafs include Greg deVries of the Colorado Avalanche and Eric Desjardins of the Philadelphia Flyers. Before breaking his foot in Game 5, Desjardins was arguably the Flyers' best defenceman.

Others potential unrestricted free agents include Calle Johansson and Ken Klee of the Washington Capitals, Dmitry Yushkevich of the Flyers, Bryan Marchment of the San Jose Sharks, Jason Woolley of the Detroit Red Wings, Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers, Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins and Ken Daneyko of the New Jersey Devils.

The Leafs will have to make some room if they add any free agents and that means there will be some familiar faces gone. Jonas Hoglund has played his last game for the Leafs. He will not be given a qualifying offer and will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. There is a good chance the Leafs will buy out the last two years of defenceman Jyrki Lumme's contract to make room for another defenceman.

Doug Gilmour will almost certainly retire and after Phil Housley's performance in the playoffs, it would be a shock if the Leafs even considered picking up the option on his contract.

[nccanes]

Sounds like Wesley wants to remain a Leaf.... :sad: :sad:

From WayMoreSports....

Leafs will need a premier defenceman
Apr. 23, 2003. 01:00 AM
Stars' Hatcher could fit the bill

Hoglund's days in Toronto are over
Ken Campbell
Sports Reporter

PHILADELPHIA—Maple Leafs GM-coach Pat Quinn said last night he doesn't want to make any quick decisions about his team's future with the bitter taste of defeat so fresh.

But when Quinn does get around to evaluating his personnel, he'll undoubtedly realize that if the Leafs are to be a serious Stanley Cup contender, they require a huge upgrade in their blue-line corps.

With depth and talent at forward, what the Leafs need most is a premier defenceman who can play 30 minutes a game and make a meaningful contribution at both ends of the ice.

Enter Derian Hatcher of the Dallas Stars. Hatcher, who stands to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, had a Norris Trophy-type season and is leading the NHL in playoff plus-minus. And while the Stars will likely push hard to re-sign him before July 1, there is a growing sentiment that Hatcher is not adverse to the prospect of putting himself on the open market.

The Stars have told Hatcher that they want to resolve his contract situation after the season, but his agent, Pat Morris, said there are no guarantees they'll reach an agreement.

"As times get closer to July 1, there's certainly more of a chance that curiosity peaks in a player," Morris said. "It's only logical that if it has been left this long, the team that owns the player is vulnerable to him exploring what is out there, particularly with teams like Detroit and Toronto out there."

As the Leafs found out with the likes of Darius Kasparaitis, Bill Guerin and Bobby Holik last summer, just because they're willing to throw barrels of money at a player doesn't guarantee that he'll select Toronto when some of the league's high rollers get involved.

There are a number of other defencemen who should pique the Leafs' interest, not the least of whom is Glen Wesley, who is also unrestricted as of July 1. Acquired at the trade deadline, Wesley was the Leafs' most reliable defenceman in the playoffs.

"Glen came here and did quite a nice job," Quinn said. "I would say at this point, we would try to find a way to keep him around."

For his part, Wesley said that's also his priority.

"I understand this is a business and my wife knows where my feeling is and where my heart is," Wesley said. "Obviously playing here."

Other defencemen that should interest the Leafs include Greg deVries of the Colorado Avalanche and Eric Desjardins of the Philadelphia Flyers. Before breaking his foot in Game 5, Desjardins was arguably the Flyers' best defenceman.

Others potential unrestricted free agents include Calle Johansson and Ken Klee of the Washington Capitals, Dmitry Yushkevich of the Flyers, Bryan Marchment of the San Jose Sharks, Jason Woolley of the Detroit Red Wings, Brian Leetch of the New York Rangers, Don Sweeney of the Boston Bruins and Ken Daneyko of the New Jersey Devils.

The Leafs will have to make some room if they add any free agents and that means there will be some familiar faces gone. Jonas Hoglund has played his last game for the Leafs. He will not be given a qualifying offer and will be allowed to become an unrestricted free agent. There is a good chance the Leafs will buy out the last two years of defenceman Jyrki Lumme's contract to make room for another defenceman.

Doug Gilmour will almost certainly retire and after Phil Housley's performance in the playoffs, it would be a shock if the Leafs even considered picking up the option on his contract.

[Jeff O Rocks]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

[Jeff O Rocks]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

[crazy4canes]

I'm wondering how he became so emotionally attached so quickly. Is it Toronto the city or Toronto the team that he wants to remain a part of? :sad:

[crazy4canes]

I'm wondering how he became so emotionally attached so quickly. Is it Toronto the city or Toronto the team that he wants to remain a part of? :sad:

[nccanes]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

I don't think that has anything to do with it. Glen wanted to be traded to a team that was in the playoffs and it certainly didn't preclude him from returning to the Canes on July. 1.

I would hate to think that he came to this decision because he DOESN'T want to return to the Canes (for mgmt, team, or coaching reasons) rather than WANTING to be a Leaf. If you follow... :crazy:

[nccanes]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

I don't think that has anything to do with it. Glen wanted to be traded to a team that was in the playoffs and it certainly didn't preclude him from returning to the Canes on July. 1.

I would hate to think that he came to this decision because he DOESN'T want to return to the Canes (for mgmt, team, or coaching reasons) rather than WANTING to be a Leaf. If you follow... :crazy:

[Jeff O Rocks]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

I don't think that has anything to do with it. Glen wanted to be traded to a team that was in the playoffs and it certainly didn't preclude him from returning to the Canes on July. 1.

I would hate to think that he came to this decision because he DOESN'T want to return to the Canes (for mgmt, team, or coaching reasons) rather than WANTING to be a Leaf. If you follow... :crazy:

Gotcha...where is he from anyway?? I couldn't remember if Toronto was home or close to it!! :roll:

[Jeff O Rocks]

very interesting...I thought he would want to come back..think maybe he is bitter cause they traded him to begin with??? :roll:

I don't think that has anything to do with it. Glen wanted to be traded to a team that was in the playoffs and it certainly didn't preclude him from returning to the Canes on July. 1.

I would hate to think that he came to this decision because he DOESN'T want to return to the Canes (for mgmt, team, or coaching reasons) rather than WANTING to be a Leaf. If you follow... :crazy:

Gotcha...where is he from anyway?? I couldn't remember if Toronto was home or close to it!! :roll:

[nccanes]

Gotcha...where is he from anyway?? I couldn't remember if Toronto was home or close to it!! :roll:

Red Deer Alberta is popping into my head.....yep, just checked Red Deer.

I'm forgetting where his parents live now, but I think Shell posted that his mother was beyond thrilled since they'd been life long Leaf fans. :sick:

I figured getting Glen back would be a long shot, but I'm bummed....

[nccanes]

Gotcha...where is he from anyway?? I couldn't remember if Toronto was home or close to it!! :roll:

Red Deer Alberta is popping into my head.....yep, just checked Red Deer.

I'm forgetting where his parents live now, but I think Shell posted that his mother was beyond thrilled since they'd been life long Leaf fans. :sick:

I figured getting Glen back would be a long shot, but I'm bummed....

[Guyute]

yeah, I think his folks are like 30 miles from Toronto or something.

that article does sound like he wants to stay there.

all I'll say is... I hope he chooses what makes him happy, cause that's really all that matters.

BUT- don't expect me to route for you if you're a leaf. that's all there is to that. :sick:

[Guyute]

yeah, I think his folks are like 30 miles from Toronto or something.

that article does sound like he wants to stay there.

all I'll say is... I hope he chooses what makes him happy, cause that's really all that matters.

BUT- don't expect me to route for you if you're a leaf. that's all there is to that. :sick:

[nccanes]

BUT- don't expect me to route for you if you're a leaf. that's all there is to that. :sick:

You got it!

:sick: <----- seems to come up frequently when discussing the Leafs!

[nccanes]

BUT- don't expect me to route for you if you're a leaf. that's all there is to that. :sick:

You got it!

:sick: <----- seems to come up frequently when discussing the Leafs!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:sick: <----- seems to come up frequently when discussing the Leafs!
Well it does bear a striking resemblance to Domi after all. ;)

I really didn't think Wesley would be back. I do hope we fill that spot with something good over the off-season though. I feel like you could see a bit of a hole after he left.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

:sick: <----- seems to come up frequently when discussing the Leafs!
Well it does bear a striking resemblance to Domi after all. ;)

I really didn't think Wesley would be back. I do hope we fill that spot with something good over the off-season though. I feel like you could see a bit of a hole after he left.

[Shell]

Stat of the Day:
In terms of total minutes, the Toronto-Philadelphia series was the second longest in NHL playoff history at 532 minutes and 5 seconds. The longest series ever was in 1939 when Boston and New York played 553 minutes, eight seconds.

[Shell]

Stat of the Day:
In terms of total minutes, the Toronto-Philadelphia series was the second longest in NHL playoff history at 532 minutes and 5 seconds. The longest series ever was in 1939 when Boston and New York played 553 minutes, eight seconds.

[nccanes]

From today's Toronto Star:

Whether Wesley is in Toronto to be part of a revamped defence is uncertain, though both he and the team would like to make it happen. He said he will listen to what the Leafs offer and then sit down with his agent, Rick Curran, and his wife, to weigh his future.

Wesley earned $2.5 million (U.S.) this past season and would likely be seeking a raise plus some stability in the form of a three- or four-year deal. The Leafs will have exclusive negotiating rights with Wesley until July 1.

The defenceman said the fact that he has built a home in Raleigh, N.C., where his wife and three children remained while he was playing in Toronto, will not factor into his decision.

"I understand it's a business. If I have to leave for three or four years, you do what you have to do in order to win and that's one of my priorities," he said. "I'm leaving every door open for the possibility of returning here."

Pat Quinn, the Leafs' general manager and coach, said he'd like Wesley back.

"I like Glen. I liked what I saw of him," said Quinn. "We'll evaluate a number of things and a lot of it will be as part of the budget process with those contracts we've got fixed in place going forward and just what room we'll have to make any decisions monetarily as far as reacquiring him. So the answer is yes, I'd be very interested in having him."

Full article here (http://waymoresports.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=waymoresports/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1051125548970&call_page=WM_Home&call_pageid=979619472127&call_pagepath=Home/Home)

It does sound like they consider this area home and might return.

[nccanes]

From today's Toronto Star:

Whether Wesley is in Toronto to be part of a revamped defence is uncertain, though both he and the team would like to make it happen. He said he will listen to what the Leafs offer and then sit down with his agent, Rick Curran, and his wife, to weigh his future.

Wesley earned $2.5 million (U.S.) this past season and would likely be seeking a raise plus some stability in the form of a three- or four-year deal. The Leafs will have exclusive negotiating rights with Wesley until July 1.

The defenceman said the fact that he has built a home in Raleigh, N.C., where his wife and three children remained while he was playing in Toronto, will not factor into his decision.

"I understand it's a business. If I have to leave for three or four years, you do what you have to do in order to win and that's one of my priorities," he said. "I'm leaving every door open for the possibility of returning here."

Pat Quinn, the Leafs' general manager and coach, said he'd like Wesley back.

"I like Glen. I liked what I saw of him," said Quinn. "We'll evaluate a number of things and a lot of it will be as part of the budget process with those contracts we've got fixed in place going forward and just what room we'll have to make any decisions monetarily as far as reacquiring him. So the answer is yes, I'd be very interested in having him."

Full article here (http://waymoresports.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=waymoresports/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1051125548970&call_page=WM_Home&call_pageid=979619472127&call_pagepath=Home/Home)

It does sound like they consider this area home and might return.

[VandyCane]

It almost sounds like his wife and kids just love it here in Raleigh (between the comments here and the letter to the editor) and that he will pick the one that makes financially the most sense to him. I really do think it's between us and Toronto. Good luck in whatever he chooses.

[VandyCane]

It almost sounds like his wife and kids just love it here in Raleigh (between the comments here and the letter to the editor) and that he will pick the one that makes financially the most sense to him. I really do think it's between us and Toronto. Good luck in whatever he chooses.

[nccanes]

It almost sounds like his wife and kids just love it here in Raleigh (between the comments here and the letter to the editor) and that he will pick the one that makes financially the most sense to him. I really do think it's between us and Toronto. Good luck in whatever he chooses.

Well I found another blub in a Toronto Sun article (4/23) and the quote said: "There are club options on Phil Housley and Robert Svehla, while Glen Wesley is thinking of returning to play in Carolina where he's building a house..." but the article isn't available on Canoe any longer.

Wonder if he's considering leaving the family here?

[nccanes]

It almost sounds like his wife and kids just love it here in Raleigh (between the comments here and the letter to the editor) and that he will pick the one that makes financially the most sense to him. I really do think it's between us and Toronto. Good luck in whatever he chooses.

Well I found another blub in a Toronto Sun article (4/23) and the quote said: "There are club options on Phil Housley and Robert Svehla, while Glen Wesley is thinking of returning to play in Carolina where he's building a house..." but the article isn't available on Canoe any longer.

Wonder if he's considering leaving the family here?

[MoBigRed]

the team would like to make it happen.


Even if he isn't an offensive defenseman like they thought they were getting :roll: .

[MoBigRed]

the team would like to make it happen.


Even if he isn't an offensive defenseman like they thought they were getting :roll: .

[Shell]

Friday, April 25, 2003
One shot left
Leafs can be '04 Cup contender before lockout
By STEVE SIMMONS, TORONTO SUN

When the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next April, Ed Belfour will be days away from his 39th birthday.

By then, Alexander Mogilny will have turned 35. Gary Roberts will be a month away from his 38th. Glen Wesley and Robert Svehla -- assuming either is even here -- will be 35, as will Tom Fitzgerald.

Time is not on the Maple Leafs' side. This has been a team built and tweaked and torn up to play for the Stanley Cup, a Maple Leafs team with one last shot in it.

Next year or bust.

And then Armageddon.

In all the doom and gloom that has surrounded the Game 7 defeat in Philadelphia, little has been said about the strength and the depth of this Maple Leafs roster. Little has been said about how much more advanced this team was, player for player, than other Leafs teams that somehow advanced further in the playoffs.

That can't be completely lost in all the frustration that followed Philadelphia. There is still one year left to dream, one to make a trade, a free-agent signing, a roster manipulation that can make a difference.

A one-year window and then hockey shuts down. For how long nobody knows.

That's probably why Wesley is talking about staying in Toronto. That's wasn't to be the arrangement when he left Carolina. There was a wink and a nod that he would be traded to Toronto and then return to the Hurricanes as a free agent in the summer.

Wesley will play his 17th season on defence next year. After the lockout or whatever they call the labour disagreement of 2004, is he going to come back at age 37 to play his 18th year?

His timetable and the Leafs' timetable is precisely the same. And that is why the Leafs must stay on course, keep trying to win, keep spending, because after this year, who knows?

Will Mogilny want to play at 37 and will he be effective if he chooses to stay around?

Captain Mats Sundin turns 33 next season and he's starting to become more susceptible to injuries with age. Tie Domi will be 34 next season -- 36 after the apparent lockout. Is Gary Roberts going to play at 40?

Don't bet on it.

So where do the Leafs go from here once it is determined what Pat Quinn's job is to be for the next season?

To begin with, they have to fix their problems on defence. If Svehla retires -- and many insist he will -- and Wesley leaves, the Leafs have to upgrade three of their six defencemen. That's assuming they do the right thing and say goodbye to Jyrki Lumme.

The Leafs can hope that one of Karel Pilar, Carlo Colaiacovo or Ric Jackman replaces Lumme, but they would still need two top-four defencemen to replace Wesley and Svehla.

Keeping Wesley on an error-prone defence is extremely important. He is the best thinking defender they have and least likely to play giveaway. Playing defence is about decision making and reacting and Wesley plays an understated yet sharp game.

The real prize in free agency is Dallas Stars defenceman Derian Hatcher. He would be looking for something in the five-year, $25-million US range, the kind of money the Leafs are obligated to pay Owen Nolan over almost the same period.

The bidding for Hatcher, even this close to the lockout, will be active. The Leafs' history of winning at the free-agency game is rather bleak.

There are other free agents who would be interesting to consider. Brian Leetch, if he wants out of New York, was the Rangers' best player down the stretch. The Colorado Avalanche's Greg DeVries is underrated and one of the highest scoring defencemen in the NHL five-on-five.

If the Leafs are looking for a solid contributor to be the fifth or sixth blue liner, they could turn to Bryan Marchment, Dmitry Yushkevich, Ken Klee or Calle Johansson. Or even Cory Cross, who played much better after leaving Toronto than he did when he was here.

A year ago, the Leafs didn't have Nik Antropov and didn't have Nolan and didn't have Fitzgerald or Wesley. They didn't have the opportunity to clean up their roster by eliminating unproductive players such as Mikael Renberg and Jonas Hoglund and Lumme.

If the right moves are made on defence, the Leafs can contend for the Cup next season. It's a one-year shot deal with the window of opportunity closing fast.

But it's a shot they have to take.

[Shell]

Friday, April 25, 2003
One shot left
Leafs can be '04 Cup contender before lockout
By STEVE SIMMONS, TORONTO SUN

When the Stanley Cup playoffs begin next April, Ed Belfour will be days away from his 39th birthday.

By then, Alexander Mogilny will have turned 35. Gary Roberts will be a month away from his 38th. Glen Wesley and Robert Svehla -- assuming either is even here -- will be 35, as will Tom Fitzgerald.

Time is not on the Maple Leafs' side. This has been a team built and tweaked and torn up to play for the Stanley Cup, a Maple Leafs team with one last shot in it.

Next year or bust.

And then Armageddon.

In all the doom and gloom that has surrounded the Game 7 defeat in Philadelphia, little has been said about the strength and the depth of this Maple Leafs roster. Little has been said about how much more advanced this team was, player for player, than other Leafs teams that somehow advanced further in the playoffs.

That can't be completely lost in all the frustration that followed Philadelphia. There is still one year left to dream, one to make a trade, a free-agent signing, a roster manipulation that can make a difference.

A one-year window and then hockey shuts down. For how long nobody knows.

That's probably why Wesley is talking about staying in Toronto. That's wasn't to be the arrangement when he left Carolina. There was a wink and a nod that he would be traded to Toronto and then return to the Hurricanes as a free agent in the summer.

Wesley will play his 17th season on defence next year. After the lockout or whatever they call the labour disagreement of 2004, is he going to come back at age 37 to play his 18th year?

His timetable and the Leafs' timetable is precisely the same. And that is why the Leafs must stay on course, keep trying to win, keep spending, because after this year, who knows?

Will Mogilny want to play at 37 and will he be effective if he chooses to stay around?

Captain Mats Sundin turns 33 next season and he's starting to become more susceptible to injuries with age. Tie Domi will be 34 next season -- 36 after the apparent lockout. Is Gary Roberts going to play at 40?

Don't bet on it.

So where do the Leafs go from here once it is determined what Pat Quinn's job is to be for the next season?

To begin with, they have to fix their problems on defence. If Svehla retires -- and many insist he will -- and Wesley leaves, the Leafs have to upgrade three of their six defencemen. That's assuming they do the right thing and say goodbye to Jyrki Lumme.

The Leafs can hope that one of Karel Pilar, Carlo Colaiacovo or Ric Jackman replaces Lumme, but they would still need two top-four defencemen to replace Wesley and Svehla.

Keeping Wesley on an error-prone defence is extremely important. He is the best thinking defender they have and least likely to play giveaway. Playing defence is about decision making and reacting and Wesley plays an understated yet sharp game.

The real prize in free agency is Dallas Stars defenceman Derian Hatcher. He would be looking for something in the five-year, $25-million US range, the kind of money the Leafs are obligated to pay Owen Nolan over almost the same period.

The bidding for Hatcher, even this close to the lockout, will be active. The Leafs' history of winning at the free-agency game is rather bleak.

There are other free agents who would be interesting to consider. Brian Leetch, if he wants out of New York, was the Rangers' best player down the stretch. The Colorado Avalanche's Greg DeVries is underrated and one of the highest scoring defencemen in the NHL five-on-five.

If the Leafs are looking for a solid contributor to be the fifth or sixth blue liner, they could turn to Bryan Marchment, Dmitry Yushkevich, Ken Klee or Calle Johansson. Or even Cory Cross, who played much better after leaving Toronto than he did when he was here.

A year ago, the Leafs didn't have Nik Antropov and didn't have Nolan and didn't have Fitzgerald or Wesley. They didn't have the opportunity to clean up their roster by eliminating unproductive players such as Mikael Renberg and Jonas Hoglund and Lumme.

If the right moves are made on defence, the Leafs can contend for the Cup next season. It's a one-year shot deal with the window of opportunity closing fast.

But it's a shot they have to take.

[nccanes]

I think this is the same old quote from just after the Leafs/Flyers series, but it popped up again today in a NHL Et cetera column at NJ.com:

After waiving his no-trade clause to get a shot at playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs, free-agent defenseman GLEN WESLEY said he would be receptive to re-signing with the Carolina Hurricanes. However, the Hurricanes would apparently offer only a one-year deal and Wesley is looking for one last multiyear contract. As for his brief time with the Maple Leafs, Wesley said: "It's kind of like equating it to the Yankees. You either love it or hate it. When you're playing for the Leafs, it's quite an experience. You see it on the outside, but until you get inside and see how you're followed and so forth, you can't appreciate it. It was a fun experience, something I'll take with me for the rest of my life. But in saying that, I don't know what the future is for me there, and I don't know what's going to happen."