Maple Leafs Yard Sale: Bring Cash, Take a Defenseman

There is a difference between a yard sale and a fire sale. A yard sale implies some tinkering. At a fire sale, you sell everything, almost like a going-out-of-business sale. So far, my understanding is that the Leafs are listening to all players, but keeping it to the yard sale. They still want to be competitive for next season.

Here is the list of players rumored to have a price tag:

Anthony Stolartz

Great stand-up goalie, but he may be the odd man out. With the emergence of Hieldby and Woll, the Maple Leafs are set for years to come. Anthony could be a starter for a few years, making him a valuable commodity.

Bobby McMann

I was talking to a fan who was perplexed by the Leafs' decision to put Bobby out in the market. He was questioning it because he would be a very good player for the Maple Leafs to build around. My response is that Bobby, being a UFA, might have priced himself out of the Leafs' price range. Any contending team could use a versatile forward with some scoring punch. Add to that the fact that Bobby plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is a talented forward who might be the final touch for a contender.

Adam Larson

Arguably, Larson is the best defenceman the Maple Leafs have had this season. I would be sorry to see him go. He has been everything to the Leafs this season. He is the best defenceman for the power play. He has an underrated slap shot and puck-moving skills; he could bring in a haul for the franchise. He is showing some signs of his days with the Phoenix Coyotes, when he was one of the best.

Derrick Roy

A great fourth-line centre who is very good in the face-off circle. Bobby is good at helping with the defensive zone coverage, slowing down the scoring chances against them. His no-nonsense attitude, combined with the abandonment of anything nice in the world, means the Leafs could get some assets in return for him. Several teams will have inquired about his availability or plan to do so. His leadership skills and his Stanley Cup ring will increase his value.

Final Word

The Leafs are trying to get back into the first round of the draft. Triliving needs to get the rebuild done, as it's vital for this job that this year remains an anomaly. I suspect that McMann and Stolartz are gone, but I'm hoping for more!

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Darche Goes to the Candy Store: Picking the Sweetest Deals for the Isles

Imagine Darche shopping. What kind of shopper would he be?  

I imagine he will be looking for a scorer. If we lived in the ultimate fantasy world, Steve Stammer freaking Stampkos would be in an Islander jersey. We all know he is not waiving for now. But anything can happen. If I were the Islanders, I would inquire.

Players on my List

Bobby McMann, Toronto Maple Leafs LW/RW

Bobby makes a very good second-line forward. It will probably fit perfectly with Barzal and Horvat. He mixes it with rough stuff; he doesn’t go looking for trouble, but he won’t shy away from an altercation either. He is a younger version of Lee.

Claude Giroux Ottawa Senators RW/C

Claude is a terrific all-around player; he may not be a point man like he was in his prime, but I am sure he would fit in nicely. Primarily a right-winger, but in his past, Centre days, he was very good on the draw. He has a great shot and is a great penalty killer. If the Sens put him on the market, the Islanders should be interested.

Evander Kane Canucks LW

Go beyond all the drama and look at the player himself. I know it’s a huge gamble, but he could thrive in a new environment out of the limelight. He could be a hit in New York. He could be a successful project. There is no doubt about his talent, but can he thrive under Roy’s direction?

Blake Coleman (Goleman) Calgary LW/RW/C

The ultimate third-line forward. Coleman can easily shift up to the second line in case of urgency because of injuries. The versatility of Coleman, who can play all three forwards, can be vital to the Islanders. He has a great shot; he will get his nose dirty and get you those dirty goals.

Final word

That is my list! Who is on yours? Would you put an enforcer on the list, or is it all about scoring? Where would you put the Colorado pick the Isles acquired? 

If Hockey Never Paused, These 5 Guys Would Hold the Line (and the Snacks)

What would happen if the NHL had no off-season?  Can you imagine the freedom, husbands? You could watch the TV as much as you liked. Think about it—we would not have to listen to whiny kids ever.  It would be your wife’s job to take care of the kids year-round during hockey season.

The only problem is the cost of a bodyguard to protect you from your wife killing you. Who would you pick as your bodyguard? I thought I would pick my favorite enforcers this week. I will give you my top 5 and let you choose which you would like for your bodyguard.

First, let me lay down some ground rules.  Actually, let’s make it with no rules.  How do you feel about anarchy? So, since I don’t have to follow any rules, you may not know all my picks.  That is because I am an old fart.

Dave “Tiger” Williams

Tiger was one of the best fighters and enforcers in Toronto over the years. He is the NHL’s career leader in penalty minutes. He had several seasons with over 300 regular-season penalty minutes. He will always be known for his skate after he scored a goal. I will always remember him protecting the big guns in Toronto, threatening to beat whoever’s face if they crossed the line.

Dave “the Hammer” Schultz

The Hammer was the ultimate fighter during the big, bad Philly years. I remember a huge fight between him and Gillies during the playoffs. It was one of the best fights I have ever seen.  And then there was the scene with them shaking hands at the end of the series. He was nasty, a terrific fighter who always went to the wall for his teammates.

Stan “Bulldog” Jonathon

The Bulldog was one of the toughest enforcers in the League. He had a chip on his shoulder and never really got the respect he deserved.  He never backed down from a challenge. Whether he won or not, he never cheated.

Derek “Boogeyman” Boogaard

Boogeyman Boogaard was probably the strongest enforcer in the NHL this past season. I am not sure I have ever seen him lose a tussle this past year. He is as big and strong as an ox. He cannot be moved easily and protects his stars. He earned his paycheque.

Jody “Hedgehog” Shelly (really?)

Shelley played 36 games and got 78 minutes in penalties last year. He was no angel, coming out on the ice just looking for trouble. It wasn’t just that he was looking; it was that he was smiling when he found it. He is one man I would not want to meet in a dark alley somewhere.

Here are my top 5 picks for your protection if hockey became an all-year sport. Truth be told, you would probably need two or three bodyguards. Let’s be truthful now, we all aggravate our wives just a little during hockey season.

So, who is your enforcer?

Randy

Play-to-the-Opposition Syndrome: Inside the Islanders’ Mental Lapses

I just wrote an article on the Flames not playing for a full sixty minutes. If I just put in “Islanders” instead of “Flames,” it would be good, and I would post the blog. Seriously, if I got a dime for every time I said that, I would probably be a millionaire. I do not know if it is a coaching issue or a lack of concern for the players. For some reason, the Islanders have these mental breakdowns. The team doesn’t have each other’s backs, so when more than one player is involved, it seems that three or four players are forgetting their responsibilities.

Roy needs contingency plans for when things go wrong. If the Islanders can cut down on these mental breakdowns, they would be in first place. The main issue is that, with such good goalies, they do not have to be over the bar in terms of talent. Several good friends of mine said the Islanders are a mediocre team; it’s only because of the goaltending that they shine. I won’t go that far, because I can name a few players who fans would dearly love to keep on their roster.

I beg to differ. I watched the Islanders dismantle the Avs at home. Yet I watched the same team fall to the Flames in Calgary. How do you beat one of the best only to lose to one of the worst? May I give you an easy diagnosis of Play to the Opposition Syndrome? It’s a rather simple cure: not taking the easy road, but the hard one. No matter who you play, work hard. Thinking that one team is an easy win is courting disaster. You cannot divert from the plan. As I said in my last blog, play smart.

Is there a concern with a lack of scoring on the Islanders? The fans’ biggest concern is not a lack of scoring; it is with who is doing the scoring—or not scoring. The bottom six have to be more productive and get more involved. As for the defense, the forwards can help by cleaning up the zone coverage.

Final word

Player of the week - Anthony Duclair

It is awesome to see Anthony playing so well. I really like the idea of Anthony shooting more; he has an underrated wrist shot. He is playing very well; he can be a great asset. 

Three Goalies, One Roster: Toronto’s Tough Decision

In my last Leafs blog, I posed the question of what I would do if I were GM when Stolarz returns. I asked the question, but I chickened out of answering it, so I thought I would address it today. What solution do we have for the three goalies? Everyone I have met hates the three-headed monster. I like all three goalies; they're all NHL-quality.

Dennis Hildeby

Dennis has done everything he was asked to do. He is so cool under pressure, and he keeps his composure. He had an excellent glove hand; he has been outstanding. He has proven worthy of being called an NHL goalie.

Joesph Woll

An agile goalie who overcame a lot this season to get back to the NHL. This speaks volumes to his character and stamina. He has been great at times, holding the Leafs in games. His reflexes are among the best in the league. He will rebound from his last start.

Anthony Stolarz

Anthony's greatest weakness is not his fault. I speak of his health. There is no doubt that Anthony was outstanding, posting the league's best save percentage at times last year. Most people have argued that the Leafs would have won the series if he had not been injured in the Panthers series. He has been the number one in the past, and I am confident he could be again.

The stats between Woll and Hildeby are crazy close. Both goalies have a 2.90 average. Hildeby has a save percentage of .912, and Woll has a .910 save percentage. Goaltending has not been a problem. Then there is Stolarz, who was the man last season.

So, who stays or goes?

As I see it, there are three options

First, we could trade Anthony and collect more assets. No doubt the Maple Leafs could get a solid defender or a top-six forward in return. Anthony is still considered a quality starter.

Secondly, we could go with the three-headed monster. The Leafs could keep all three on the roster. If the Leafs use this selection, it is a headache; it rarely works. You cannot keep all three happy. Sooner or later, one of them will ask for a trade.

Third is sending Hildeby down, since he does not have to clear waivers. The third choice is the easiest. I do not like this option, but it will most likely be the Leafs' choice.

I just do not think that Anthony gets traded. Trading him is too much of a gamble. We need a veteran goalie going down the stretch.

Final word

The Leafs have a problem that 31 other teams would love to have. I love having insurance in case one goes down. They need to have solid goaltending down the stretch.

Randy 

Don’t Play Stupid: Smart Hockey Beats Cheap Shots Every Time

The New York Islanders have one of the more emotional fan bases. The greatest advice from the Isles fans is “don’t play stupid.” Sounds like some pretty sound advice

Do not be stupid enough to take late minors

When you’re trying to get that tying goal, let’s try not to cause bodily harm to opposing players. When you trip, gouge, punch, hook, or high stick, you put the team down by a man. It is simple math. When you’re behind, it’s not good to be short-handed. Do not play stupid; play to win. Work harder. Take that extra stride to catch a player rather than hooking or tripping. This will go a long way to winning the game instead of losing them.

Do not play stupid. Serokin should not have to face over 40 shots

Try to cover your mistakes. Leaving Serokin out to dry can be hazardous to your health. The Isles have one of the best records in the NHL. Think about how good this team would be without the mental breakdowns in our zone. If we can be responsible on defense, the Isles can finish second in the Metro. (If I said that before the season started, even I would have considered myself a candidate for the funny farm.)

Don’t be stupid. Find a meathead to keep the opposition in check

The one thing the Isles lack is defense. There is only one David and Goliath. We only need one example. It doesn’t even have to be an enforcer, just some player with a beef who is willing to defend Schaefer. Our goal is to keep Schaefer from becoming ground beef.

Final word

The Isles are one of the biggest surprises this season. They are winning because they are playing as a team, showing that they believe in each other. Every team needs to improve. They can’t afford to stand still. The Isles just need to clean up their game. 

Randy