Sportsnet Preview

[corylav]

Here's sportsnet.ca's preview of the Eastern Conference:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20050928_115322_5076

Blurb on the Canes:
13. Carolina (11th, 76, 28-34-14-6)

A league-low 172 goals was the Hurricanes' glaring weakness in 2003-04, so losing O'Neill to Toronto was a blow. The defence and goaltending, led by Martin Gerber, are average.

This is what irked me, tho:
6. Toronto (4th, 103, 45-24-10-3)

Having to cut the payroll should mean a slight drop-off for the Leafs, but they still have a first-rate goaltender in Ed Belfour, a top defenceman in Tomas Kaberle and big centre in captain Mats Sundin.
The question is whether potentially explosive centres Eric Lindros and Jason Allison can stay healthy.

First-rate goalie? He's O-L-D. Top d-man? T. Kaberle's a top four guy, but not a top pairing guy on a LOT of teams.

Homers ...

[corylav]

Here's sportsnet.ca's preview of the Eastern Conference:

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/article.jsp?content=20050928_115322_5076

Blurb on the Canes:
13. Carolina (11th, 76, 28-34-14-6)

A league-low 172 goals was the Hurricanes' glaring weakness in 2003-04, so losing O'Neill to Toronto was a blow. The defence and goaltending, led by Martin Gerber, are average.

This is what irked me, tho:
6. Toronto (4th, 103, 45-24-10-3)

Having to cut the payroll should mean a slight drop-off for the Leafs, but they still have a first-rate goaltender in Ed Belfour, a top defenceman in Tomas Kaberle and big centre in captain Mats Sundin.
The question is whether potentially explosive centres Eric Lindros and Jason Allison can stay healthy.

First-rate goalie? He's O-L-D. Top d-man? T. Kaberle's a top four guy, but not a top pairing guy on a LOT of teams.

Homers ...

[Mona]

Toronto will be in the toilet.. as we all hope and dream they will be.. :mad:

[Mona]

Toronto will be in the toilet.. as we all hope and dream they will be.. :mad:

[apolinar]

Uh, don't get mad because that reporting is not the most "objective" in hockey. Belfour is great, but has been complaining the most of any goalie about the new rules and pads.

[apolinar]

Uh, don't get mad because that reporting is not the most "objective" in hockey. Belfour is great, but has been complaining the most of any goalie about the new rules and pads.

[goalie33]

Belfour IS old, but he's still got it.

[goalie33]

Belfour IS old, but he's still got it.

[corylav]

Belfour IS old, but he's still got it.

He's still a serviceable starter ... but i wouldn't call him "first-rate" ... that, to me, implies that he's in the top five in the league ... I don't think tat's true.

[corylav]

Belfour IS old, but he's still got it.

He's still a serviceable starter ... but i wouldn't call him "first-rate" ... that, to me, implies that he's in the top five in the league ... I don't think tat's true.

[SoCalcaniac]

This is what irked me, tho:

6. Toronto (4th, 103, 45-24-10-3)

Having to cut the payroll should mean a slight drop-off for the Leafs, but they still have a first-rate goaltender in Ed Belfour, a top defenceman in Tomas Kaberle and big centre in captain Mats Sundin.
The question is whether potentially explosive centres Eric Lindros and Jason Allison can stay healthy.

Toronto will be in the toilet.. as we all hope and dream they will be.. :mad:

And as much as I'm irked like Cory and Mona are- I find GREAT comfort in the fact that this 'ranking' is sooooo off the mark for those in delusional Leaf Land - I give you this to chuckle or crack up among yourselves aboUt from our good friend Damien Cox in Toronto :laugh: :



So far, so bad for the Leafs
Pre-season has been a disappointment


DAMIEN COX

Yes, it's always important to note that they don't award the Stanley Cup in September.

But it's equally reasonable to say that Maple Leaf architect John Ferguson could sure use some uplifting, positive developments right about now.

To date, training camp has been a clear disappointment for the Leafs, and this in a year in which it could be argued the fall grooming sessions are more vital than any other year because of the long layoff caused by labour strife and the institution of some exciting but undeniably troublesome rule alterations by the NHL.

Nobody has won or lost a game yet, either on a goal or a shootout.

But the Leafs, winners of two-of-six exhibition contests thus far, have really seen little in the way of truly encouraging news so far outside of the obviously smart Alex Steen, shifty Kyle Wellwood and impressive young goaltender J.F. Racine.

And the kids always look Gabe Gross good in the fall.

Last night, in a 5-2 loss to the very fast Buffalo Sabres, however, it all looked wrong for the Leafs, starting with the active roster.

Jason Allison, who has managed just one appearance in the pre-season, was missing again and is, presumably, injured.

Eric Lindros is pointless and also hurt already, precisely the gloomiest scenario a skeptic could have dreamt when the Leafs signed the pair of towering pivots.

Nik Antropov looks like his confidence is totally shot. Mariusz Czerkawski has floated through the exhibitions and did so again last night.

And ancient Ed Belfour was less than inspiring between the pipes, Aki Berg looks unimproved since he last wore the blue-and-white, Wade Belak was far more effective as a forward. :crazy:

And Matt Stajan has yet to look as canny and nimble as he did as a rookie.

As a team, meanwhile, the Leafs couldn't stay out of the box or avoid fouls under new NHL standards, and they failed miserably in the penalty-killing department, as well.

In recent games, Pat Quinn's crew looked as though they had understood the rule changes and were adapting reasonably well.

Last night, however, they stood and hooked and interfered and continued to be in utter denial of the new availability of two-line passes through the neutral zone. :laugh:

The home side was even tripped up by one of the more subtle changes, namely the inability of teams that ice the puck to change lines at the whistle.

This occurred to the Leafs in the second and, off the defensive zone draw, Staffan Kronwall incurred an interference penalty, one of the few the Leafs were actually able to kill off.

The Leafs most likely aren't this bad, but the evidence at hand suggests this is a hockey team that will need to overachieve to reach the post-season and might even have difficulty registering more victories than their corporate cousins, the basketball Raptors.

As suggested in this space at the beginning of camp, the best hope for the Leafs is that the NHL will, as it has always done, gradually relax its enforcement standards on penalties and allow slower, less-capable players to use various forms of restraining tactics to neutralize their more talented peers.

The best news for the Leafs last night was probably how captain Mats Sundin became energized and ornery in the third after being thumped by Sabres rookie Paul Gaustad twice on one shift in the second.

A big year from the big Swede could help provide cloud cover for a lot of glaring problems.

The early part of the season, meanwhile, looks tricky to be sure. Two of the first three are against the very solid Ottawa Senators, and those two matches are sandwiched around a home contest against a Montreal team that could be a dark horse in the Eastern Conference this season.

Still, the Leafs will have to look for good vibes when the real games begin.

The friendlies haven't supplied much cheer at all.

[SoCalcaniac]

This is what irked me, tho:

6. Toronto (4th, 103, 45-24-10-3)

Having to cut the payroll should mean a slight drop-off for the Leafs, but they still have a first-rate goaltender in Ed Belfour, a top defenceman in Tomas Kaberle and big centre in captain Mats Sundin.
The question is whether potentially explosive centres Eric Lindros and Jason Allison can stay healthy.

Toronto will be in the toilet.. as we all hope and dream they will be.. :mad:

And as much as I'm irked like Cory and Mona are- I find GREAT comfort in the fact that this 'ranking' is sooooo off the mark for those in delusional Leaf Land - I give you this to chuckle or crack up among yourselves aboUt from our good friend Damien Cox in Toronto :laugh: :



So far, so bad for the Leafs
Pre-season has been a disappointment


DAMIEN COX

Yes, it's always important to note that they don't award the Stanley Cup in September.

But it's equally reasonable to say that Maple Leaf architect John Ferguson could sure use some uplifting, positive developments right about now.

To date, training camp has been a clear disappointment for the Leafs, and this in a year in which it could be argued the fall grooming sessions are more vital than any other year because of the long layoff caused by labour strife and the institution of some exciting but undeniably troublesome rule alterations by the NHL.

Nobody has won or lost a game yet, either on a goal or a shootout.

But the Leafs, winners of two-of-six exhibition contests thus far, have really seen little in the way of truly encouraging news so far outside of the obviously smart Alex Steen, shifty Kyle Wellwood and impressive young goaltender J.F. Racine.

And the kids always look Gabe Gross good in the fall.

Last night, in a 5-2 loss to the very fast Buffalo Sabres, however, it all looked wrong for the Leafs, starting with the active roster.

Jason Allison, who has managed just one appearance in the pre-season, was missing again and is, presumably, injured.

Eric Lindros is pointless and also hurt already, precisely the gloomiest scenario a skeptic could have dreamt when the Leafs signed the pair of towering pivots.

Nik Antropov looks like his confidence is totally shot. Mariusz Czerkawski has floated through the exhibitions and did so again last night.

And ancient Ed Belfour was less than inspiring between the pipes, Aki Berg looks unimproved since he last wore the blue-and-white, Wade Belak was far more effective as a forward. :crazy:

And Matt Stajan has yet to look as canny and nimble as he did as a rookie.

As a team, meanwhile, the Leafs couldn't stay out of the box or avoid fouls under new NHL standards, and they failed miserably in the penalty-killing department, as well.

In recent games, Pat Quinn's crew looked as though they had understood the rule changes and were adapting reasonably well.

Last night, however, they stood and hooked and interfered and continued to be in utter denial of the new availability of two-line passes through the neutral zone. :laugh:

The home side was even tripped up by one of the more subtle changes, namely the inability of teams that ice the puck to change lines at the whistle.

This occurred to the Leafs in the second and, off the defensive zone draw, Staffan Kronwall incurred an interference penalty, one of the few the Leafs were actually able to kill off.

The Leafs most likely aren't this bad, but the evidence at hand suggests this is a hockey team that will need to overachieve to reach the post-season and might even have difficulty registering more victories than their corporate cousins, the basketball Raptors.

As suggested in this space at the beginning of camp, the best hope for the Leafs is that the NHL will, as it has always done, gradually relax its enforcement standards on penalties and allow slower, less-capable players to use various forms of restraining tactics to neutralize their more talented peers.

The best news for the Leafs last night was probably how captain Mats Sundin became energized and ornery in the third after being thumped by Sabres rookie Paul Gaustad twice on one shift in the second.

A big year from the big Swede could help provide cloud cover for a lot of glaring problems.

The early part of the season, meanwhile, looks tricky to be sure. Two of the first three are against the very solid Ottawa Senators, and those two matches are sandwiched around a home contest against a Montreal team that could be a dark horse in the Eastern Conference this season.

Still, the Leafs will have to look for good vibes when the real games begin.

The friendlies haven't supplied much cheer at all.

[Guyute]

Jason Allison, who has managed just one appearance in the pre-season, was missing again and is, presumably, injured.


I had a gut feeling someone was going to get stuck with him, and he wasn't going to be "all better". I'm Really glad JR didn't pull the trigger on him after all that dancing.

couldn't have happened to a nicer team. :)

[Guyute]

Jason Allison, who has managed just one appearance in the pre-season, was missing again and is, presumably, injured.


I had a gut feeling someone was going to get stuck with him, and he wasn't going to be "all better". I'm Really glad JR didn't pull the trigger on him after all that dancing.

couldn't have happened to a nicer team. :)

[Mona]

Sounds like the penalty box will be very crowded on November 3rd.. :laugh:

[Mona]

Sounds like the penalty box will be very crowded on November 3rd.. :laugh:

[corylav]

This is the best preview I've read this year ... by Kevin Gibson, a hockey guy on AM 640 in Toronto.

Here`s my pre-season power rankings. Eastern Conference, all teams tied for first. Western Conference, all teams tied for first. New rules, new players, no games in a year and a half. No way anyone can predict now what the teams are going to do. Usually media outlets are similar in nature in their prognostications, however, look what is out there. The Hockey News as Nashville at 13th in their conference, Sports Illustrated has Nashville as the 5th best team in the NHL. ESPN has the Oilers at 11th in the Western Conference, Colorado at 9th, with Detroit at 5th and San Jose in the number two spot. From where I sit, (chair in the office 12th floor) Edmonton and Colorado are better teams then the Wings and Sharks. But hey, everyone has an opinion, people view the pre-season a little differently. Personally I feel the exhibition games are of no value in determining a teams worth for the regular season. The Blue Jays finished first in the AL in March. The Indy Colts went win less before Labour Day. The September season is about getting into shape and trying not to get hurt. The real test comes on Wednesday. Starting on Monday October 17th, I`ll put out my weekly power rankings.

[corylav]

This is the best preview I've read this year ... by Kevin Gibson, a hockey guy on AM 640 in Toronto.

Here`s my pre-season power rankings. Eastern Conference, all teams tied for first. Western Conference, all teams tied for first. New rules, new players, no games in a year and a half. No way anyone can predict now what the teams are going to do. Usually media outlets are similar in nature in their prognostications, however, look what is out there. The Hockey News as Nashville at 13th in their conference, Sports Illustrated has Nashville as the 5th best team in the NHL. ESPN has the Oilers at 11th in the Western Conference, Colorado at 9th, with Detroit at 5th and San Jose in the number two spot. From where I sit, (chair in the office 12th floor) Edmonton and Colorado are better teams then the Wings and Sharks. But hey, everyone has an opinion, people view the pre-season a little differently. Personally I feel the exhibition games are of no value in determining a teams worth for the regular season. The Blue Jays finished first in the AL in March. The Indy Colts went win less before Labour Day. The September season is about getting into shape and trying not to get hurt. The real test comes on Wednesday. Starting on Monday October 17th, I`ll put out my weekly power rankings.