The Offical Toronto Maple Leafs Thread

[adammac19]

Well I am sure there are a few people on here part of the Leaf nation who suffer year after year like my-self.

Well put all complaints in this thread :D

Next Game: Toronto vs St Louis

[adammac19]

TORONTO - With each passing loss, Toronto Maple Leafs interim GM Cliff Fletcher brings himself closer to a conversation he knows he'll need to have.

Tuesday night's 3-2 loss to the visiting St. Louis Blues is just another step closer to when Fletcher will finally have the "sit-down" with captain Mats Sundin and his agent J.P. Barry before the Feb. 26 NHL trade deadline.

"Of course we'll sit down with Mats eventually," Fletcher said Tuesday night. "But it's not even Feb. 1 yet, it's very premature. There's nothing going on in the league yet. .

"I just want him to lead the way and see if we can win some hockey games."
Related Info

Sundin, an unrestricted free agent July 1 who controls his fate with a no-movement clause in his contract, continues to maintain he has no interest in moving. If he changes his mind, Blues head coach Andy Murray kidded after Tuesday's win that there's a place for him in St. Louis.

"Mats Sundin is a tremendous player," Murray said with a smile. "If they want to send him our way, we'll take him."

St. Louis didn't need Sundin on Tuesday. Keith Tkachuk scored on his team's first two shots of the game and the Blues ended a seven-game winless streak (0-5-2). David Backes also had a goal and an assist for the Blues (23-19-7), who improved to 5-1-1 against Eastern Conference teams this season.

"Before the game, I talked about getting off to a better start, and we were able to establish our forecheck early and make it tough on (Toronto)," said Murray.

Toronto native Manny Legace, with family and friends in the crowd, stood tall in net for St. Louis despite spending 11 hours in the Atlanta airport Monday trying to leave the all-star festivities. He also didn't take part in Tuesday morning's pre-game skate because his equipment had not yet showed up. But he started anyway Tuesday and was solid, stopping 23 shots.

"I was still doubting myself when I came to the rink tonight, I wasn't sure how I would react to all that," said Legace. "But we got lucky tonight."

Matt Stajan and Jason Blake had the goals for the Maple Leafs (20-24-8), their line with Darcy Tucker - who had two assists - clearly the best for Toronto on the night.

Rookie Jiri Tlusty's promotion to the top line with captain Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov didn't generate into much. But he's only 19.

Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala faced only 19 shots in the loss - the fewest shots against allowed by Toronto this season.

With 17 scouts from 15 different NHL teams in the press box looking on, the Leafs gave up the opening goal after a video review allowed Tkachuk's deflection to stand just 1:18 into the game.

It was 2-0 just 4:23 later when Jay Mckee set up Tkachuk in front for a re-direct that beat Toskala through the legs, making it two goals on two shots for the Blues.

"When you put yourself behind the 8-ball like we did early in the first period, you're asking for trouble," said Tucker. "We did a good job battling back but it's a tough position to put yourself in."

Toskala rebounded from the shaky start with a huge pad save on what looked like a sure goal by Backes during a Blues power play and then a nifty glove save on Lee Stempniak a few shifts later.

That seemed to spark the Leafs, who had more jump in their game. Blake cut the Blues' lead to 2-1 when he patiently outwaited Legace and rifled a shot top corner over the sprawled goalie at 12:17, waking up a dormant Air Canada Centre crowd of 19,323.

Legace then made a series of big saves on a Leafs power play that had several chances.

The Leafs carried the play early in the second period, enough to make Murray take a rare timeout to wake up his skaters.

It worked. The Blues now were charging and had the Leafs on their heels.

Backes finally made the momentum shift count when he banged home a loose puck in the slot at 10:55 to make it 3-1. Paul Kariya made the play happen with a superb cross-ice pass just inside the Toronto blue-line to Erik Johnson, whose blast left a rebound for Backes to pounce on.

The Leafs got back into it out of a broken play. Tucker's wide slap shot bounced behind the net to Blake, who then passed it between his legs out to Stajan, who one-timed it over Legace at 15:11.

St. Louis went 0-for-3 on the power play while Toronto was 0-for-4.

I was hoping to start off well after the all-star break but I guess not :(

[crazypete13]

I was hoping to start off well after the all-star break but I guess not :(

TBH - much as I love the leafs - I'm hoping for a crash and burn end to the season and a focus on youth/draft in the coming seasons. Enough of trying to use the old model in the new NHL.

[adammac19]

I can see your point, but I just have a hard time trying to cheer them on to lose (though I know a lot of people who will differ :D)

[crazypete13]

I can see your point, but I just have a hard time trying to cheer them on to lose (though I know a lot of people who will differ :D)

Not cheering for any loss - just pleased with a general outcome :D

[adammac19]

It is a win, win situation I guess :D

[crazypete13]

Quick link to the WHA of TML threads:

Money Grows on Trees: Toronto Maple Leafs 2007/08 (http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=606010)

[adammac19]

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nik Antropov was assessed two game misconduct penalties in overtime of a 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. The second penalty was for abuse of an official - which carries an automatic three game suspension.

With the game tied 2-2 and 2:36 left in overtime, Antropov took a costly hooking penalty. Rod Brind'Amour scored on the power play, giving the Hurricanes the win.

Witnesses at the game say it appeared Antropov left the penalty box and threw his stick at the referee following the game winning goal.

The 27-year old Antropov has played in all 53 Leafs games this season and has tallied 18 goals and 23 assists. His 41 points is second best on the Leafs, behind only captain Mats Sundin.

Well another game another loss. Shame to see Nik doing such a thing :mad:

[91TFC]

Who do you guys think is going to get traded? I think that Hal Gill is going to get traded.

[crazypete13]

All the players I want traded - Tucker, Kubina, Raycroft - probably won't be.

[91TFC]

Tucker and Kubina already said that they won't waive there no trade clause (thank you jfj). Kubina could be traded though in the summer because there is something in his contract that if the leafs miss the playoffs in a certain season/s (2008 and i think 2009 also), his no trade clause will be temporarily suspended during a certain period in the summer. Raycroft will probably be waived (most likely to happen) or possibly traded (not likely to happen) for a very low draft pick ie 5 rounder.

[adammac19]

Interested to see if McCabe will get traded (well the word is the Islanders is the only place he will go).

The whole Sundin situation is weird because I have always been a great fan and happy he stayed. The othr way it really hurts us in trying to rebuild the team for the future.

[crazypete13]

Interested to see if McCabe will get traded (well the word is the Islanders is the only place he will go).


I would imagine he would be ok with the Rangers as well.

[adammac19]

Trade deadline day is always great though I often have to debate on what channel I which follow. Usally toss up with the score or TSN. Sportnets I would not bother with, unless I like to know what trades happen 10 minutes after the other show tell us.

[TFCMANU]

Wade Belak (Fla)for 5th rounder and Hal Gill (PBRG)for 2nd rounder and 5th rounder I guess the best Fletcher can do for now.

[91TFC]

Trades for TML so far:
Wade Belak to Florida for a 5th rounder
Hal Gill to Pittsberg for a 2nd and 5th rounder

[91TFC]

Toronto made another trade with Florida sending Chad Kiger for a 3rd rounder.

[adammac19]

I am a bit happier today, I was never a fan of Hal Gill :D

[91TFC]

Raycroft is starting tomorrow. We know what that means, a better draft pic!!!!!!!!!!!

[bruan]

Well, the season ends with little fan fare. Here's hoping for a good draft, and a less painful season in 08/09

If any Canadian team deserves to win ol' Stanley, it's the Habs