Now its fair to say, the Leafs are 2-1 since the trade, and their new goaltender hasn't allowed a goal in a Leafs jersey. However, that's all normal news...what I'm going to write about is what sort of chances the Leafs have of making the playoffs. With about 23 games left in the regular season, anything can happen. One of the biggest reasons for my renewed hope...the Olympic Break. The Olympics are in Vancouver, and well they are trucking in snow from probably the North West Territories...however the gem of the entire tournament is the Mens Hockey Tournament. With teams made up of mostly NHL stars will be taking on each other. Team mates will face each other, and coaches will face their players. The Toronto Maple Leafs, are sending a hand full of players. Tomas Kaberle of the Czech Republic, Phil Kessel of the Americans, Jonas Gustafson of Sweden, and Mikhail Grabovski of Belarus. These are Toronto's Olympians this year (Hagman would be representing Finland but was traded to Calgary last week). Now when you look at a team like Detroit who is sending four players alone just to Sweden, you know they've got a great team. However, during this 2 week Olympic break, players not competing can relax, go on a vacation with their family, and get re-energized for the start of the season after March 3rd (thats when the big Trade Deadline is this year). Teams sending 9 to 10 players to the Olympics have to be holding their collective breath, remember in 2006 in Turin, Italy the Senators sent a goalie to the Czech Repbulic team by the name of Dominak Hasek, and he was injured in his first game at the Olympics. The Senators went on to win the Eastern Conference Regular season title, but got eliminated in the 2nd round of the playoffs.
The Leafs half 49 points to their name, and sit tied for last place in the Eastern Conference. However the difference in points between 8th and 14th, is 10 points. So with 23 games left to play in the regular season, and approximately 45 points to make up for a playoff spot, the Leafs will need to go 22-1-1 (the one loss would have to be in overtime). That would get them the 45 points they need. However, my theory in this, is make your significant push for the playoffs like you always do, and just miss, like you always do. The Leafs don't have a 1st Round Pick (as I've mentioned many many times on this blog), and I believe the single most important reason for bringing in Gigure is not only to Mentor young Gustaffson, but also to ensure the Leafs don't give a top 5 draft pick to the Boston Bruins (who are currently looking outside the playoff picture). If the draft lottery were done today, the Leafs would be sending the 2nd overall pick to the Boston Bruins, and Boston still has their number 7 pick in the draft. In Honour of Giggy, I've gotta get this one video up there...
Now I've heard that bringing in Phaneuf has now leveraged the Leafs into facilitating a deal for Kaberle, and you know what...I don't think it will happen. The only way, and I mean ONLY WAY a deal like this will be done, is if the Leafs get a bonified number 1 centre to play with Phil Kessel. The Leafs would have to get a player like Nicklas Backstrom from Washington, or Jordan Staal from Pittsburgh, or Anze Kopitar from the L.A. Kings, or dare I say, Jeff Carter from the Philly Flyers. That is the Leafs Immediate need, is a number one centremen. However, with that being said, Bozak is playing quite well with Kessel, so the need may actually diminish. Two American College stars playing their hearts out for the Blue and White is always a great time!
Kaberle is the only player from the Leaf teams of the early 2000's whose tasted playoff glory in Toronto (Poni actually may have been here too). And remembers when this city mattered in the Hockey world. The Phaneuf trade re-energized a hockey market that is content with mediocrity, and doesn't expect much out of their team. Last night's game, was probably one of the most energized crowds I've seen at the Air Canada Centre. Fans were doing the wave, cheering Ottawa Sucks, and Go Leafs Go with pride. This is the crowd, this is the atmosphere that makes teams scared to come to Toronto.
Toronto is to Hockey what Mecca is to the Muslims, what the Ganges River is to the Hindus and what the Vatican is to the Catholics. Toronto is the only city to have three holy shrines. The Hockey Hallf of Fame, the memorable Maple Leaf Gardens, and of course the Air Canada Centre. Brian Burke has said many times that Toronto is the Vatican of Hockey, it is a city hat ozzes pride in their team, and wishes them well. Maybe we won't have the days of Douggie and Wendal and Felix, but for a new generation of hockey fans in Toronto, Kessel, Phaneuf, and the Monster might be theirs. The Leafs will always matter in this city, and sorry Kev, no matter what they do, they'll always have front page coverage over the Raptors!!! LOL
On a side note, I love it when the Leafs wear their alternative third jersey! They should definitely wear those more than the other jersey.
45 points in 23 games, can it be done...gurus will probably say no...but listen I'm a Swami...I trump that shit!!!! GO LEAFS GO!!!!
On a sad note, I along with the entire Broke Ankles Blog family want to send our heart felt condolences to Brian Burke and his family on the loss of their son on Friday night in a car accident on the snowy roads in Indiana. Brendan Burke was a courageous kid, who fought off some stereotypes, and he definitely had an eye much like his father for Hockey players and talent.
Follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Cheers everyone!
Post by Kevin U
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Email us at, brokeanklesdotblogspot@gmail.com
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