The Important Details of Life

I am sure that many hockey fans, just not Maple Leaf fans, are praying as I am for a speedy recovery for Leaf prospect Rodion Amirov, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. We all need to remember hockey is just a game. Let's all have a prayer in our hearts for this youngster to beat this disease. Hang in there, Rodion. Keep the faith. God loves you.

In my youth, I often played street hockey. Yes, you older people remember the days yelling out "car" and pulling the nets out of the way to let motorists through. 

I had two best friends, who I will call Campbell and Rob. Hey, that might be their real names. But I digress. On with the story. The three of us were Maple Leaf fans. Every year, we would be disappointed as the Maple Leafs let us down again. The dreaded bullies at that time were the Montreal Canadiens. If it wasn't the Habs, Philly was crushing our hearts again. I was very excited for the 1977-78 playoffs. Remember Lanny's goal in game seven, eliminating the Isles. 

Unfortunately, in the next round, the Leafs were blown out by the Habs in four straight. The following year, they lost to the Habs again in four games straight (but two in overtime at home.) My best memory of these games is sitting down with my dad to watch the games. My father was my hero and the biggest support of my life. Hockey and NHL brought me closer to my father, which I will be eternally grateful for. Yes, hockey is just a game, and I hold many happy memories of my father spending time watching it with me. 

Ah, the important things in life. 

Randy

Isles: GM 101

Everyone knows the Islanders have some decisions to make at the deadline. Let's try doing a breakdown of the New York Islanders. I know what you're thinking—"But we don't have time for a nervous breakdown!" :-) But this is supposed to be a serious blog. 

Putting on the hat of the Isles GM, here is what I would do.

The biggest complaint I have heard from the Isles fans is that the defense is old and slow. I am sure the Islanders recognize this. As GM, I would address this and try to move Green out at the deadline. I would also ask Chara if he wants to go or stay. Most people believe that Chara will choose to stay, but you never know.

Among the forwards, I would definitely make Cal Clutterbuck available. I would put Zach Parise up for the taking. With the Isles cap, this is not an issue. I don't give incentives to take the contracts. These players are getting traded for assets, not for financial reasons.  

It is believed that most of these players will be made available, making it easy for my decision-making. 

Now the next player is the goalie. I would hear offers with the understanding of getting another goalie back in return. I have to make sure that a goalie comes back in the trade. Every team in the League realizes they need a two-goalie tandem. You don't want to overwork Ilya Sorokin. Sorokin is still a young asset. The Isles need another goalie to mentor him. 

I have purposely left Josh Bailey out, simply because of his 5 million dollar cap. I am not sure there will be many teams calling on him. I  wrote a blog not long ago on Bailey, and no one could agree on his value to the team. I am sure if the Isles get calls, they will listen. 

Randy

My Kingdom for a Defenceman

The Toronto Maple Leafs need a number 4 dman to rescue them. As I wrote in my last blog, we had to watch them go by the wayside too often. A 3-1 lead almost became a gong show just to see how we could blow it.   

There are players out there who could help with the defense. Unfortunately, the trade value of the available dmen is at an all-time high.

Justin Braun 

Justin Braun would be a depth move to fill a hole. Justin is a typical number 5 or 6 defenceman. He won't help much with the offensive side of the game. He will help with the penalty kill and is pretty solid in his own end. Braun should not be too expensive to acquire.

Ben Chiarot 

This name has been widely suggested—a solid defender who is pretty good in his own end. Ben is not flashy, but he gets the job done. He is not the fastest skater, though. Cap hit might be the problem here.

I will put one more name out there:

Sebastian Aho

Sebastian is a young dman who fills in as a number 6 or 7 dman. He is a fast skater who adds some offensive punch. He is good in his end to cut down defensive mistakes. 

Of course, I have heard more names connected to the Leafs. The two biggest ones are Gio out of Seattle and Manson of the Ducks. Gio's cap hit is too high for the Leafs, and Manson will cost an arm and a leg. 

Time will tell. 

Randy

A nasty habit shows its ugly face

The Maple Leafs are a brand new car falling apart the day after the warranty runs out. Of late, the Leafs have been off to great starts and then lose it when it really counts.                                                               

They seem to have fixed that in Long Island, but that is only one game. The loosey-goosey third periods have to change for the Leafs to be successful. There are too many giveaways in the defensive zone. The Maple Leafs forwards are too lazy coming back.

The Leafs blew their leads against Colorado and Vegas, running out of steam in the third period. They have clean up the leaky defensive play of late. 

Cambell is getting tired. The Leafs have to be careful not to give him too many starts in the second half. Campbell really struggled at the last road trips. Mrazek needs to get some starts. He is a steady backup in goal when he is healthy.  

Final word

I love the way our captain has been playing of late. JT has been taking the role of a leader. He is constantly working hard at this defensive game, and his offensive numbers are rising because of it. You know the saying —when you take care of the defense, the offense takes care of itself. 

Randy

Remembering Clark Gillies

I was deeply saddened at the news of the passing of New York Islanders legend Clark Gillies. Of course, I will not sit here and pretend that I was fortunate to meet him like most of you. I can tell you my impressions are and memories of seeing Clark in his prime.  

I have spoken to the Isles fans they never had a bad word about Gillies. Charismatic Gillies was always smiling; you could tell he loved the game. From what I read of him, he was always willing to take time for everyone. The game loved him in return and a magical relationship developed between Gillies and the fans. 

This video shows how much he loved the Nassau Coliseum.

The Clark Gillies nod. Don't tell me you don't remember the nod! Gillies had his way of telling players he wanted to go before a fight. He made me fear for the other guy. 

My fondest memory of Clark Gillies is of his loyalty to his teammates. He was always willing to go to battle each and every game. One of the most significant battles was against Dave the Hammer Schultz. There were other altercations, but everyone had to see the epic battles between Gillies and Schultz. It didn't matter what you were doing; you had to stop and watch the fight. At the end of the fight, the two gladiators always respected each other. 

Gillies was the ultimate power forward who got the garbage goals. He was the heart and soul of the Isles. It was almost impossible to take him off the puck. Gillies had six 30+ seasons, including 1981-82, in which he collected 38 goals. His best season was the 78-79 season, scoring 35 goals and adding 56 assists for 91 points. Here is a collection of his highlights that year.

Gillies will always be remembered as part of one of the greatest dynasties, the Isles in the '80s. The Islanders retired four-time Stanley Cup winner Clark Gillies' number on December 7th, 1996.

Clark Gillies was elected to the Hall of fame in 2002. 

Here are Clark's thoughts on being elected to the Hall of Fame.

A true legend and the Man Clark Gillies.

Randy

Let the good time roll

The Maple Leafs have been playing with purpose. They have been winning the puck battles in corners. They have been crisper with passes to each other. The most significant message the team has received is loud and clear: everyone has a job to do and does it in buckets. 

First improvement. Matthews leads the way with responsible defence.

Matthews has become a complete player. Matthews has made an effort to come back defensively. I especially love his effort to return to the defensive zone and not give it up. The never-say-die attitude in the defensive zone has spread to the team. I am watching a much more defensively responsible team this season.

Secondary scoring led by Ondrej Kase and Michael Bunting 

For the Leafs to be successful, there has to be more scoring from someone not named Nylander, Marner, Matthews, or Tavaras. That is where Kase and Bunting have picked up the pace. It is vital, especially for Kase. The bottom six have to pitch in with the odd goal. There will be games where the big four will be held in check; someone has to come through for the team. It's nice to see the team get some scoring from the secondary players. 

Leadership is getting stronger: Spezza and Simmonds

It is becoming clear that Spezza and Simmonds are here to win. Wayne Simmonds and Jason Spezza have made the message that last year's collapse will not be repeated. This season, the Leafs have rarely been overworked. I do not necessarily mean they haven't been out-hit. But they have not stopped skating. The Leafs have become a hard-working team that is willing to do what it takes to win. 

Last word

Campbell is becoming one of the best goaltenders in the League. The Leafs thought they fixed the backup goalie situation with Mrazek. But the Mrazek injuries are worrisome. There is nothing wrong with Mrazek if he is healthy; he is a stable goaltender who gives the Leafs a chance to win each night. The Leafs will have to take care not to overload Campbell, so he is rested for the playoff run.

Randy

Fix the holes

The Islanders having issues in their zone is a little alarming. That does not mean it is time to panic. The issues have to be addressed, but there is plenty of time to fix it. 

Calling out players or coaches does not fix anything. I am a firm believer that you win as a team and you lose as a team. 

The biggest issue is that the Isles are playing without emotion. They are only going through the motions and expecting results. Their days of coming in and surprising teams are gone. 

The powerplay issue is nothing new. Is shooting the puck on the powerplay not an option? I have been preaching this over and over again. Let Pelech and Pulock shoot from the point. Of course, Pulock is out, so someone else will have to blast that shot from the point. The other option is to set up Whalstrom for one-timers from the circle. No more of these "20 passes and then shoot" plays.  

It is easy to blame goaltending. Let me give you a quote from someone in the know. "In a blowout, it is not a time to blame the goalies; it is in 8-7 or 7-6 game. In a blowout, it is a whole team problem, not just the goalie." Yes, the goaltending can be better; the more significant concern is the players in front of the goalies.  

The defence getting caught is an issue, but the forwards are not coming back to help. The speed of the dmen is an issue; the faster forwards need to get back to help in the coverage. The defense is getting caught up, but the forwards act like it is not their job to help out defensive coverage. 

There is plenty of time left in the season. A homestand may be precisely what the doctor ordered. 

Randy