Toronto Maple Leafs 2013: Half a season, half the disappointment !

Well no better time than now to start the new Leafs thread about the new season. I guess looking at what we have so far the line-up looks something like this I guess

Forwards:

Lupul-Bozak-Kessel
JVR-Garbo-Kulemen
MacArthur-McClement-Kadri
Brown-Steckel-Frattin

Extra's - Connolly, Lombardi,

Defence:

Phaneuf-Gunnarsson
Liles-Gardner
Komi-?????

I know he would improve our team big time but that contract is just poison, I still think he will end up back in Florida with the Panthers. I know some were rumors of Bozak+Kadri+3rd round pick.

According to many new sources Brian Burke has been fired, can't say I am too disappointed as he really didn't improve anything with the team but the timing of this is strange to say the least. Thinking a bust up over a potential deal for a certain goalie?

I just heard that Burke is still a "senior advisor" with the team, whatever that means. If you're going to fire him, cut ALL TIES with him. If you didn't like how he was managing the team, don't let him advise the current group on how to do it.

Leafs rumored to make a couple of signings with a 1 yr deal for Cody Franson and 1 yr deal for Mike Mottau to help add bodies on the blue line.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413380

Leafs traded Lombardi to the Yotes for a 4th round draft pick. Good move by Nonis to get rid of some dead weight and free up some cap space moving forward.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=413721

Any chance that Leonid Komarov cracks the opening day lineup? He was putting up pretty nice numbers in the KHL, and I think he is trying to win a place on the Leafs' roster. Also, there was some talk of JvR playing centre...any truth to this?

Many believe Komarov will be in the opening night roster on the 4th line with Brown and McClement and be used as a energy guy who will log PK minutes as well. There was rumors of the coach was going to try it but Randy said as of right now he won't be starting the season as a center but things change with players moving out and injuries.

Also news today that the Leafs have put Connolly on waivers which isn't surprising after seeing Lombardi traded away last night. Both guys are over-paid and with the club wanting to play of the youth these are moves to make room for the likes of Frattin, Kadri, Ashton etc.

Great title for the thread!!

Connolly on waivers looks like Kadri will finally get a shot for the time being. Although, i do think he's on a tight leash with Carlyle. After Kardi's hat trick in in training, Carylye didn't praise him...saying he was ineffective in the 2nd/3rd period.

Morgan will will likely stay for 5 games as Jake recovers from his concussion. There seems to be a lot of hype around him and i hope after 5 games he goes back to the Marlies. I don;t want us to pull another Schenn and shatter the kids confidence. Also, not wasting a year on his entry level contract for a 48 game season.

Rielly back to Jr, will play for Marlies when the season is is over.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2013/01/18/toronto_maple_leafs_cut_morgan_rielly/

Surprised they sent Frattin back down though I guess it means the potential return of one Colton Orr

Leafs win 2-1 over the habs

Also we signed Lupul to a 5 year 5.25m per season contract. I think a bit risky considering he has had fitness concerns before.

Thought the hockey was a little sharper tonight but we ran into a hot goalie, made it close at the end at least but have no goals from all that PP time in the first period was a killer.

Miller was brilliant as usual against he Leafs...

highlight of the night...Orr vs Scott

Apparently, there's a deal in the works for Luongo....likely going to FLA.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=414190

That's good to hear, sick hearing about him and where he is going to go.

Toronto come away 5-2 winners vs Pens though Lupul after signing a long term deal fractured his arm

Toronto gave up 5 unanswered goals in a 7-4 lost to the Islanders tonight with Ben Scrivens having a poor outing after letting in 5 goals on 20 shots, 3 of those goals being absolute stinkers.

Toronto blew another 2 goal lead but unless the last game, this one they were never in only due to Reimier (which was the only positive) which ended up being a 5-2 lost to the Rangers,

To make things worst the next game is in Buffalo on Tuesday where we never win a game.