Comedy Platinum out of Toronto - "Canada's Team" quest for the Cup

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Damien Cox piece this morning saying the Leafs should dangle their first rounder for Trouba

You'd think a guy who has written in this city as the Leafs traded first rounders that became Niedermayer, Luongo, Seguin and Hamilton (he says as much in the article himself) would be using his medium to advocate against such a dumb decision but, alas, Damien Cox is a special breed of fuckwit.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

As expected. It's the right move, and I hope he climbs that ladder quickly.


Matthews thinks he belongs on at least the second line and has an interesting way of letting the coaching staff know:

 

[dash]

I'm just spitballin' here, but shouldn't Auston be trying to hit the net with his one-timers?!?

 

[esls79]

I'm just spitballin' here, but shouldn't Auston be trying to hit the net with his one-timers?!?

I just assumed that was from a check of his and not a shot

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I'm just spitballin' here, but shouldn't Auston be trying to hit the net with his one-timers?!?

Went through the mesh, the same way it will be blazing through the chests of goaltenders.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

It's becoming very apparent that the coverage McDavid got last year might actually pale in comparison to the shit show they're going to turn Matthews and the Leafs into.

I am so, so sorry to you all in advance. While I didn't mind the McDavid-mania so much last year (I absolutely loved watching him play while at the same time watching the Oilers suck balls), I know it wore thin on many.

 

[BGDave]

the shit show they're going to turn Matthews and the Leafs into.

If Auston is caught eating a hot dog, the Net will explode.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Nylander brothers going up against each other tonight in St. Catharines. No Matthews though

 

[DragonfromTO]

Nylander brothers going up against each other tonight in St. Catharines. No Matthews though

My dad told me he doesn't think Nylander should make the team. William that is. I didn't know what to say.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

My dad told me he doesn't think Nylander should make the team. William that is. I didn't know what to say.

Does he have high hopes for Prust?

 

[DragonfromTO]

Does he have high hopes for Prust?

I don't know, but you know what? If I could find a (fair) betting line for it I'd put money down on Prust making the team.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I don't know, but you know what? If I could find a (fair) betting line for it I'd put money down on Prust making the team.

I think he would if the Leafs didn't have Greening, but they do.

 

[DragonfromTO]

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

There's two schools of thought to this - one, Clark and Kaberle were from two different generations, one that saw generally successful teams and one that didn't. Any fanbase, regardless of nationality, would see most guys associated with such prolonged failure more dimly than a guy who was captain when the team had their best run of success in the last 50 years.

Two, Kaberle had the personality of an unsalted peanut. Clark was seen as an "everyman", both by how he played and how he interacted with media and fans. That's always gonna alter perception.

It's also worth pointing out that Borje Salming is considered by most the best defenceman in Leaf history and last I checked Kiruna isn't a town in Ontario.

 

[DragonfromTO]

There's two schools of thought to this - one, Clark and Kaberle were from two different generations, one that saw generally successful teams and one that didn't. Any fanbase, regardless of nationality, would see most guys associated with such prolonged failure more dimly than a guy who was captain when the team had their best run of success in the last 50 years.

Two, Kaberle had the personality of an unsalted peanut. Clark was seen as an "everyman", both by how he played and how he interacted with media and fans. That's always gonna alter perception.

It's also worth pointing out that Borje Salming is considered by most the best defenceman in Leaf history and last I checked Kiruna isn't a town in Ontario.

My next door neighbour is black and I get along with him! (no I'm not directly targeting you with this comment, I hope you don't think that. But that last sentence had that kind of sound to it, no?).

Enough time has passed on Salming and Grapes has even given the go ahead.

As for the team's relative success, by my count both played 11 full seasons with the Leafs with no overlap. While Clark was a Leaf they went 344-457-91 with two Conf finals, two 2nd round exits and two 1st round exits. While Kaberle was a Leaf they went 440-335-127 with two Conf finals, three 2nd round exits and one 1st round exit (I just lumped together all of the 1 point stuff). Hell, I don't think it's even a stretch to argue that the "best run of success in the last 50 years" actually probably came while Mats Sundin was captain. Although in Clark's defense he probably wasn't playing in about 2/3rds of those games anyway

If there's an argument to be made about team success it would have to be based around the shape of that team success. The team did poorly at the start of Clark's career and was doing well at the end of his (initial) tenure, whereas the opposite happened with Kaberle. But that doesn't seem like it should be that big a factor in perception, no?

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

My next door neighbour is black and I get along with him! (no I'm not directly targeting you with this comment, I hope you don't think that. But that last sentence had that kind of sound to it, no?).

Enough time has passed on Salming and Grapes has even given the go ahead.

As for the team's relative success, by my count both played 11 full seasons with the Leafs with no overlap. While Clark was a Leaf they went 344-457-91 with two Conf finals, two 2nd round exits and two 1st round exits. While Kaberle was a Leaf they went 440-335-127 with two Conf finals, three 2nd round exits and one 1st round exit (I just lumped together all of the 1 point stuff). Hell, I don't think it's even a stretch to argue that the "best run of success in the last 50 years" actually probably came while Mats Sundin was captain. Although in Clark's defense he probably wasn't playing in about 2/3rds of those games anyway

If there's an argument to be made about team success it would have to be based around the shape of that team success. The team did poorly at the start of Clark's career and was doing well at the end of his (initial) tenure, whereas the opposite happened with Kaberle. But that doesn't seem like it should be that big a factor in perception, no?

It's a good debate topic. I'm not sure which I would honestly choose, to be honest. Lots of stuff goes into that - quality of competition, team makeup, realistic chance of hoisting the Cup had they progressed (probably none in any of those 4 accounts, but...).

I think the timing thing you mention plays a part too - Clark had his best NHL season (after one of utter mediocrity) in 93-94. He was essentially in his prime. Kaberle's best hockey came after the lockout. He was a good if not great d-man during those conference final runs (was more established by 2002 though).

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

I think the funnier thing is that the best we can hope for out of Morgan Rielly is probably a Kaberle-like career and I'll bet you anything he goes down as one of the "Leaf legends" if he manages to equal him. Of course, he may very well captain this team to a Cup one day.

 

[DragonfromTO]

It's a good debate topic. I'm not sure which I would honestly choose, to be honest. Lots of stuff goes into that - quality of competition, team makeup, realistic chance of hoisting the Cup had they progressed (probably none in any of those 4 accounts, but...).

I think the timing thing you mention plays a part too - Clark had his best NHL season (after one of utter mediocrity) in 93-94. He was essentially in his prime. Kaberle's best hockey came after the lockout. He was a good if not great d-man during those conference final runs (was more established by 2002 though).

They're going to take away our little blue wings if they ever read this thread

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Breaking: Roman Polak is still fucking terrible and if the Leafs lose Corrado for the sake of keeping him in the lineup I'll cry.

 

[Bloody Brian Burke]

Maple Leafs goalie is ready to play | Toronto Star

First line: "Frederik Anderson is back in net after his shoulder injury cost him his appearance for Team Canada."