The Maple Leafs' Recipe for Success

So why are the Leafs winning? I know the commercial answer: “Duh, they have scored more goals.” Let me help with my analysis of the Maple Leafs’ recipe for success. 

The Chef

Every recipe needs a chef to make it come all together. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ Chef is Craig Berube. What makes him such an awesome coach is not just having great players, but also his knack for getting them to gel in a way other coaches can’t. He has built the perfect system for the Leafs to succeed. 

The Main Course 

The main dish is what everyone’s really here for, and right now, that’s the goaltending duo of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll. They are like two brothers constantly trying to outdo each other. The combo gives the teams a chance to win every night—exactly what every team hopes their goalies can deliver! 

The Veggies and Salad

We all know that veggies and rabbit food are essential for getting those vitamins to keep us energized. The Toronto Maple Leafs’ veggies and salad are their defense. Chris Tanev leads the defense and won’t stop at anything to ensure victory. He is a stalwart defenceman who does not give up and stops at nothing to win. Morgan Reilly has been the glue holding the defense together. It is about time Morgan got some support on the blue line. Thankfully, Simon Benoit has stepped up big time this season and has been a fantastic surprise addition!

The Dessert 

Every dinner should have a dessert, which brings smiles to our faces. The Maple Leaf’s desserts have to be the offense. We’re talking about the glory of scoring goals, with Marner, Tavares, and, of course, Matthews leading the charge—oh, and can’t forget that guy named Nylander! And let’s not overlook how Kneis is really stepping up this season; he’s been a great support for the team.

There you have it.

Randy

NY Islanders: For the Love of Hockey

For the love of hockey, please teach the Islanders how to defend a penalty kill. With every penalty, the Islanders leave the player in the middle of the ice and let him stand there. You can’t keep giving teams scoring chances right in the slot! As a whole, they keep on missing their assignments. I wonder if this is on the coaching or the players? Can this be a miscommunication problem? They seem to lack confidence about where they should be positioned. Instead of staying calm, they’re panicking and chasing after the puck like chickens with their heads cut off. They can’t afford to be caught out of position like this all the time! The defense really needs to make it more challenging for players to get in front of the net. And those forwards? They’ve got to do a better job shutting down passing lanes and getting their sticks in the way. They are way too loosey-goosey.  

On the bright side, the Islanders have played better in the third period in the last two games. It’s also positive that the Islanders are mostly competitive, even without Barzal. They’ve shown some solid play during this stretch. They must try to stay in the race until the big guns return to the lineup.

Conclusion

Paul Kreischer says, “The young guns are still learning how to play in the NHL, and their offensive numbers were suffering at the beginning of this season. You can find Paul on Twitter @P_Kreischer. It’s an interesting point that these younger players need to get the hang of things in the NHL!

Randy

Leafs: Strong Start but Defensive Woes Persist

So far this season, the Maple Leafs could be sitting at 6-0 if not for a couple of goalies, Sam Montembeault and Igor Shesterkin, who both stoned the Leafs. Especially Montembeault with his 48-save shutout. The Maple Leafs had plenty of chances to pull out wins in both games, but just couldn’t get past those two.

But there are some warning signs here. The Leafs are still are giving up way too many chances. They really need to focus on their zone coverage, skate harder, and cut out those lazy penalties. The defensive play has to improve. If it doesn’t, goaltender Anthony Stolarz will have to sue the team for lack of support.

On a brighter note, there are a couple of players who I have to point out that have been stellar so far this season.

Chris Tanev

Chris has got to be one of the bravest players in the league, if not the bravest. Giving his body up to block shots left and right. I’ll bet Reilly is super grateful for Chris every shift he is on the ice.

Anthony Stolarz 

Did you see that save Monday night? Toronto Maple Leafs fans are totally convinced Anthony channeled his inner Gumby to keep that puck off the goal line. If you don’t believe me, take a look at it. 

It wasn’t just that save. He has been Mr. Steady all season and has been there to answer the calls; has stepped up big time with Joseph Woll injured. 

So far, things are looking good, but the defensive play has to improve. And those lazy minors late in the game? Not a fan of those at all. I’d give it a solid B+ so far!

Topsy-Turvy Islanders: Take the Shot!

 

If there was a term that fits the Islanders, what would it be? To me, what comes to mind is topsy-turvy. For the Islanders to be successful, they have to be consistent. If they outwork the opposition, they will win. But when they play like they’re just going through the motions, they’re in trouble. 

What I mean is the Eastern Conference is that loaded with some serious talent. If the Isles don’t outwork the offensive powerhouses, they will get run out of town. I promise it will spell doom if guys like Matthews, Tkachuk, and Panarin get too much space to operate. 

The Islanders are gearing up for battle. The third and fourth lines have to shut down the scoring chances. The offensive players have to remember there are two parts of the game. To be fair, the secondary scoring has to step up. They can’t just rely on the top six to compete. They must play a complete game. 

We know what we will get out of Barzal, Horvat, and Nelson. They will be there day in and day out. We need to know what we will get from Lee, Palmieri, and the most significant unknown, the Russian forward, Tsyplakov. If those last three meet expectations, it will go a long way toward the Islanders becoming successful. 

The defense is an interesting proposition. A lot hinges on Noah Dobson leading the way—he’s got to channel that first-half energy from last season and leave the second-half struggles behind. Then there is Ryan Pulock; he needs to unleash that killer shot of his more often. I mean, shoot the puck! Ryan has a lethal weapon in his shot; he needs to use it. The others just have to do their jobs, nothing more, nothing less. And let’s hope Adam Pelech stays healthy. It would be huge for the Islanders down the stretch. 

Here’s to a fun season ahead!

Randy. 

 

Hopes High for Maple Leafs’ Core Four

The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into the season with some demons on their backs. This year, pressure is on the same soldiers: Matthews, Tavares, Marner, and Nylander. Of course, you can add on defense Reilly, who has been the anchor for years. 

You can hear the diehard Maple Leafs fans talking about how Morgan Rielly has some solid support this season. Enter Chris Tanev, an absolute monster at blocking shots. He is fearless and has more heart than most players. Sure, Rielly might not be the best defensively, but Tanev’s presence will definitely help take some of that pressure off him. Lots more beef on the blue line as the Leafs bring Jani Hakanpää. He brings in his 6’7” and 220 pounds, some much-needed size. Last season, they got run over way too often. Good to see the Leafs address that. 

When it comes to supplementary scoring, the club really needs some help beyond the big four. Nick Robertson needs to stand up with his scoring touch. He is a great winger. It’s time to show that off. On the other hand, Matthew Knies just wrapped up a solid 20-goal season, and I’m really excited about his future. He has a ton of speed. Matthew is a talented forward who fits nicely with that top four. As for Max, he needs to be a key part of the puzzle and help fill the gap left by the loss of Bertuzzi.

In short, the improvements made on defense are just to balance out the offensive losses. The Leafs have a ton of potential to make noise, but until they prove otherwise; it’s the same old, same old. 

Kissing Frogs: The Islanders' Quest for Goalie Greatness

The New York Islanders fans look towards the future as the season begins. A future that might start with—or should I say without—Ilya Sorokin, as nobody knows the extent of his injury. It definitely highlights just how crucial it is to have a solid backup goalie ready to step in!

Enter into the picture, Prince Semyon Varlamov! Varly has to be on his game to give the Isles a chance to win every night. If he controls his rebounds and keeps his head in the game, he will emerge as a Prince. The Islanders could end up finishing close to third place.

If, however, Varly turns out to be a frog, then the Isles have a problem. If he shows his age and does not perform, that leaves us with an exhausted Sorokin. Last year, Serokin was overworked and admitted he was tired. As with all of us, being tired makes Serokin vulnerable and more prone to mistakes and slips up. 

Dobson is going to need some support this season. If the Defense players are frogs, the goalies will have to work their magic; otherwise, Pulock, Pelech, and others must step up. Serokin’s nickname had better not be Gumby this year. Sorokin needs to be a rested goalie going into the playoffs. He must be a well-rested goalie heading into the playoffs. The Defense needs to actively participate in the game; if they don’t, we could be in for a lot of croaking this season. (See what I did there?)

Let me use my friend’s quote. Paul Kriescher said that if the Isles allow less than 230 goals, there is a 93 percent chance they will make the playoffs.You can find Paul on Twitter @P_Kreischer. Basically, their Defense will determine if they end up being frogs or princes this season!

I think the Islanders are a battling team with a competitive roster. I worry that the offense will not be enough for the team to be successful. I’ll dive into those offensive issues in another blog post. It will be a fun year to watch; I just hope we’re eating real food instead of a bunch of flies. Ribbit ribbit!

NHL Draft 2024 - Islanders

If I were the Isles in this year's draft, I would add one dman. I would also like to draft a quality power forward and a big centre. Otherwise, go with the best player available. I expect the Isles to make moves if they can to acquire more picks in this draft.

Round 1

20 Sacha Boisvert Centre

Sacha is an excellent skater who can break away from opponents. He uses his size in small corners and has exceptional puck-handling skills. Boisvert can rip it off the rush with a terrific shot. He has a ton of potential to improve his physical play. 

54 Raoul Boilard Centre

Raoul is a big, nasty center who excels in faceoffs. He uses his size to his best advantage. Boilard is willing to fight the corners and get his nose dirty. I like him because the Isles need some size.

61 Luca Marrelli Defense

Luca is a big, tough stay-at-home dman. He will be used against the big lines. He is a terrific stay-at-home man. Luca will smash and eat anyone that comes near him.

The following players I will just list

Fourth Round

115 Reiley Patterson Centre

Fifth Round

147 Dawson Cowan Goalie

Sixth Round

179 Matvei Babenko Right Wing 

NHL Draft 2024 - Toronto Maple Leafs

The biggest question in this draft is whether the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade Mitch Marner. I believe there's a good chance it could happen, considering the Leafs would likely want a number one pick in return. Although next year's draft is said to be deeper, they might still seek a first-round pick in the 2025 draft.

Assuming no trade for Marner occurs, here are my picks for who I think the Leafs will select this season.

First Round

23 Stian Solberg

Stian is one of the most nasty defencemen in the draft. He is a stay-at-home defenceman with a chip on his shoulder. Stian is known for finishing his hits and sticking to his man until he forces a turnover. He is a no-nonsense dman who takes care of his zone.

Fourth Round

120 Diego Buttazzoni

Diego has great hockey vision and is very smart with the puck. Hard worker in the defensive zone, very good at the draws. He has developed his game on the defensive end.

I will just mention the rest of the players in the next rounds.

Fifth Round

151 Carson Woodall

152 Heikki Ruohonen

158 Jakub Milota

Seventh Round

216 Cole Davis

Breaking Down the Top Prospects

Before I start this blog, I can tell most of these players will be way out of whack. I am not picking who I think the teams will like but deciding who I want for the teams. Especially for the Calgary Flames, I have been told there is a good chance Taj will not be there at the ninth pick.

San Jose Sharks 

1 Macklin Celebrini

Macklin stands alone in this draft. He is the top player available, possessing every tool needed to become a star. Macklin has wheels. If he were a car, he would be a Ferrari. Trust me, when he races from end to end, he cannot be caught. He is a terrific playmaker and an excellent passer. He does everything right on the ice. Clearly, he is going to be one of those exceptional players.

Chicago Blackhawks

2 Ivan Demidov

The biggest surprise I discovered about Ivan was his willingness to get his nose dirty. I had no idea he was so good along the boards. Everything else about him, I expected; I knew about his skating. I learned about his playmaking skills. He might be just as good at passing the puck as Macklin.

Anaheim Ducks

3 Artyom Levshunov

Artyom is an excellent all-around defenseman. His shot is solid, though he could work on his decision-making when it comes to pinching in. He's not afraid to get involved in the offense. He will be a good powerplay quarterback. I had no idea he could skate so fast. I love his speed and ability to get away from opponents.

Columbus Jackets

4 Anton Silayev Defense

I have never seen anyone the size of Anton skate as fast as he does. He is like a giraffe on steroids. Strong as an axe, he might be the best defensive dman in the draft. Anton uses the full reach of his stick to break up rushes. He is defensively sound. He is an old-fashioned stay-at-home dman who will save as many goals as an offensive dman will score.

Montreal Canadiens

5 Cayden Lindstrom

A talented young centre who is willing to do what it takes to win. Lindstrom's hockey IQ is off the charts, and he always thinks ahead. His ability to make plays on the run makes him a dangerous offensive weapon. Cayden's passing skills are second to none, with pinpoint accuracy. Though his wrist shot is underrated, and he's sometimes too unselfish, using it more could boost his point tally. A terrific skater, Lindstrom is smooth and fast. He uses his speed to blow by defencemen.

Utah hockey team

6 Sam Dickinson

Sam is a physical defenceman with a chip on his shoulder. He is fearless in mixing it up and cleaning up other players' mistakes. While he has notable offensive abilities, Sam excels at pinching in on scoring chances and has the speed to recover without getting caught out of position. Sam has a terrific shot at the point and loves to play. Sam also excels at distributing the puck effectively to clear the zone without panicking under pressure.

Ottawa Senators

7 Zayne Parekh

Zayne is an offensive machine for a defenceman. He has a knack for shooting from any position on the ice, boasting a heavy shot and quick release. He skates very well, is smart, and has a high hockey IQ. He makes plays happen. Zayne's average size is well-suited for an offensive defenceman.

Seattle Kracken

8 Zeev Buium

Zeev's standout skill is his ability to break out of the zone. He is always thinking of how to make plays, and his passing skills are excellent, which makes him a very dangerous offensive defenseman. Buium, a powerplay specialist, promises to be an innovative player in the future.

Calgary Flames

9 Tij Iginla

Tij, like his father, is a sniper/power forward. Playing at centre or left wing, he possesses an explosive shot. He is not afraid of the corners, fights hard for the puck, and, more importantly, is hard to get the puck away from. Let's say this: Tij scores and scores often. His puck control is exceptional, and his quick release makes him a formidable power forward who knows when to pass the puck.

New Jersey Devils 

10  Berkley Catton

Berkley boasts exceptional speed, allowing him to easily outpace defenders. He has a terrific shot and shoots on a dime. His shot has a quick release. He knows how to slow the play down and controls the pace with excellent vision. Berkley has excellent puck skills, and his dangles are deadly. His high hockey IQ contributes to his standout offensive talent.

San Jose Sharks

11 Carter Yakemchuk

In a long time, Carter may be one of the best young players from the Calgary Hitmen players. Scoring 31 goals as a defenceman is impressive, but achieving this on a mediocre Calgary Hitmen team is even more notable. He's a terrific shooter with the playmaking skills necessary to quarterback any powerplay. Carter has all the attributes to be a star for years to come.

Philadelphia Flyers

12 Konsta Helenius

Konsta is sneaky good with his puck skills and tenacious in his play. He relentlessly pursues the puck, never giving up and always working hard. Helenius works harder when he does not have to find the open spaces so the players can get them to pocket to shoot it. He has an excellent shot and is deadly accurate.

Minnesota Wild

13 Beckett Sennecke

Beckett has the potential to become an elite forward. His vision for finding open teammates is exceptional, and he consistently delivers precise tape-to-tape passes. He has a solid work ethic and has been improving year after year.

14 Buffalo Sabres

Cole Eiserman

Cole has all the tools to become a star. His number one asset is his Hockey IQ; which allows him to anticipate plays several steps ahead. He has a knack for finding space so teammates can see him. More importantly, he creates space for his teammates. His quick releases on one-timers makes him an invaluable asset on the powerplay. I was particularly impressed with his ability to get clear in the offensive zone for scoring opportunities.

Detroit Red Wings

15 Adam Jiricek

Adam is a dynamic puck-rushing defenseman, excelling at end-to-end rushes. He has excellent passing skills, often making no-look passes. With excellent vision on the ice, he is a superb passer and adds significant value to any team's playmaking abilities.

St Louis Blues

16  Michael Brandsegg-Nygård

Michael's best quality is his physical play. He does not back down. He has a fast shot and can let into it. He will bring in high energy and constantly get involved in the play. He has a dangerous one-timer on the powerplay.

Washington Capitals

17 Igor Chernyshov

Igor is known for his straight-up from end to end. He uses his strength to position himself in front of the net. Though not the strongest player in the league, he has the potential to become a top 6 forward. He has great shots, and his playmaking skills make up his best skills. He has good speed and works hard. His puck-handling skills are excellent; he gets people to look at the puck. He effectively uses his body to shield the puck, making it difficult for opponents to strip it from him.

Chicago Black Hawks

18 Trevor Connelly 

Trevor Connelly stands out as one of the most talented players in the draft. He works hard to minimize puck losses, and his ability to pass is unrivaled. His speed on the ice is intimidating, often forcing opponents into mistakes. He is aggressive in the offensive zone and makes plays happen. His ability to anticipate plays makes him a formidable force as one of the fastest players available.

Vegas Golden Knights

19 Liam Greentree

Liam has all the tools to be a star. His shot is deadly accurate and his ability to distribute the puck makes him a significant threat. He has the skill level to be in the top 10, has moves in the offensive zone, and does not panic with the puck. While not known for physical play, he is a sniper capable of putting up big numbers.

New York Islanders

20 Sacha Boisvert

Sacha is an excellent skater who can break away from opponents. He uses his size in small corners and has exceptional puck handling skills. Boisvert can rip it off the rush with a terrific shot. He has a ton of potential to improve his physical play.

Los Angeles Kings

21 Andrew Basha

Andrew tries hard and has good puck-moving skills. He also has excellent playmaking skills as a passer. He understands his limitations and ensures he's in the right place at the right time, allowing him to make smart decisions. He's also one of the fastest skaters in the draft.

Nashville Predators

22 Michael Hage

Michael is a creative centre with great skill. He is considered a two-way centre who can play at both ends. His puck-passing is outstanding. As a terrific skater, he has the potential to become a future second-line centre.

Toronto Maple Leafs

23 Stian Solberg

Stian is one of the most nasty defencemen in the draft. He is a stay-at-home defenceman with a chip on his shoulder. Stian is known for finishing his hits and sticking to his man until he forces a turnover. He is a no-nonsense dman who takes care of his zone.

Colorado Avalanche

24 Terik Parascak

Terik excels at finding niches in the offensive zone, always spotting those empty spaces. His sniper shot and quick reflexes make him a threat. He is a fair skater. From what I have read, I love his work ethic.

Boston Bruins 

25 Jett Luchanko

Jett's most significant problem is his size. Luchanko has good skating and puck-moving skills and can handle the puck well. He has an extra gear in his skating. He's confident in making plays and has excellent vision, making him a potential standout as a second-line winger.

Montreal Canadians

26 Charlie Elick Defense

Charlie is a big, tough stay-at-home defenseman who understands his role well. He will contribute to any team's penalty kill and is defensively responsible. He will clear before the net so goalies can see the puck. He plays the physical game and plays it well.

Carolina Hurricanes

27 Aron Kiviharju

Aron is a high-end skater who thrives under pressure. He effectively distributes the puck to clear it out of his end. He plays excellent defense. He shies away from physical play but makes up for it with his defensive responsibility.

Calgary Flames

28 Nikita Artamonov

Nikita is the Russian forward, which means he is all offense. His playmaking ability is his key strength. He is an outstanding passer and a tall, lean forward who works diligently with the puck.

Dallas Stars

29 Emil Henning

Emil is an excellent defensive forward with great hands. He has mastered plugging the middle zone and forcing opponents to make mistakes. He is willing to get his nose clean and works hard along the board, always prioritizing loose pucks. His offensive strength is his shot.

New York Rangers

30 Ryder Ritchie

Ryder has plenty of playmaking skills, a quick release on his shot, good puck-handling skills, and the potential to be an NHL forward. He works hard on the ice and does not give up his determination.

31 Cole Hutson

Cole Hutson, the apple is not far from the tree. Like his brother, Cole is a smooth-skating dman with an offensive flare. He is an excellent playmaker with great vision and knows how to set up scoring opportunities. He is a skilled skater with tons of potential.

32 Dean Letourneau

Dean Letourneau is a highly skilled forward with a good touch. Dean has a great shot, but it's hard to judge Dean. The jury is still out until he matures. I have yet to hear much about him. Most people think he has enough talent to shoot for the moon; I wonder if he will find a ship to get him there.

 

The Blame Game: Leafs are Hungry for Victory

We should never cheer at someone's demise. In Toronto, they would always be cheering. This team was built on the wrong pillars. What is the old saying? Defense and goaltending win cups.  

Yes, Keefe lost his job. Let's review this. How much blame do the players get? When it comes to the forwards, let's face facts: Marner was nonexistent. But he had company. JT could also have been more helpful, although he tried to help the team in other ways, such as excelling on the penalty kill and winning face-offs. Although Matthews and Nylander had more success, two players cannot beat 21 players from the opposing team. It's not very good odds.

The Maple Leafs' problem lies in their cap constraints. The support team has failed to provide adequate assistance, primarily because there is not enough bread to go around. There are changes to be made, but there is not enough money to go around to fix them.

It came down to the fact that the core wasn't bringing home the bacon. Do you know what happens when no one brings home the bacon? You starve. That is what has happened to this team for the last 50 years. The team members have found themselves in a perpetual state of starvation.

Year after year, we have watched this team underachieve, and nothing has been done to address it. Do you know the definition of insanity? It's doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Who gets the blame for the team's failure? The blame for the team's failure often falls on the coaches of the Maple Leafs. Despite having numerous coaches, they have consistently achieved the same disappointing results. Instead of making significant changes to their roster, the team continually replaces coaches.

Yes, they'll bring new players. Cheap fourth-line players, while disregarding the underlying issue. The team becomes trapped in this relentless cycle, attempting to achieve victory with the same core group of players, with scrap metal to help them.

The core obviously has to be changed. However, a major obstacle lies in the fact that all of them possess no-trade clauses. The only possible scenario for trading them is to persuade the team to trade them and convince them to waive the dreaded NTC.

The Leafs need to bring in two new defensemen to support number 44, Morgan Reilly. However, financial constraints pose a challenge in bringing in fresh talent. So, someone has to go, or this new coach will have the same results. Insanity continues to reign supreme in the center of the universe known as Toronto.

Can the New York Islanders Make a Deep Playoff Run?

The New York Islanders are really coming together at the perfect moment. Patrick Roy has these guys firing on all cylinders. He's got them all on the same page, and everyone is fully on board with his game plan. The biggest difference I've noticed is their mindset — they are willing to do whatever it takes to get that win.

Kyle Palmieri

Kyle is really stepping up his game, scoring goals at just the right moment and and coming back to stop at Cole doing his back checking. He is skating with all his heart. He's like a whole new player out there.

Matthew Barzal and Bo Horvat 

Matthew and Bo have been clicking lately. They seem to have a good understanding of each other, which is vital to the success of the New York Islanders in the playoffs. Did I say playoffs? I should put a qualifier there if they make the playoffs. Bow and Barzal have been stepping up as leaders for the team, contributing on both ends of the ice. They are both such hot and talented players. It's good to see both showing up right now.

Semyon Varlamov

If there is a picture in the dictionary of a brick wall, you'd probably see Samyon's face plastered on it. He's totally in the zone. He sees the puck everywhere; his vision is nearly perfect. It is vital to have both goalies playing on the game.

But let's be real: the penalty-killing situation is a mess. The Islanders will have to address the issue of taking too many penalties. They need to cut down on the dumb penalties that are costing them. You know, like hooking or tripping a player instead of just hustling to catch up. 

As we head towards the end of the season, every game will be crucial. It's like a playoff game every night, which will only help the Islanders get ready for the real deal.

Randy

Leafs' Defensive Woes: Deadline Dilemma

Has Samsonov turned it around?

Ilya has turned it around in his last three starts. A goalie's ego is fragile, but a goalie can turn it around as fast as he lost it. Samsonov is finding the puck. He is making the big saves now that he wasn't making before. One source commented, "Samsonov not being waived was a wake-up call for him." Ilya knows the Leafs will not put up with bad goals; he is highly motivated to prove himself. It's a feel-good story that no one wants to see end.

Matthews on a 70-goal pace

Matthews has been on a roll of late. His shot might be the best in the game. He is focused. He's really taken on a leadership role for the team. What makes Matthews so dangerous is that he can score from nowhere. And having Marner, one of the best playmakers in the game, on his side certainly doesn't hurt.

Defense still needs to improve

Do not let this winning streak fool you; Samsonov has been Superman. There are many things that need to improve in the defensive zone. The Leafs are in dire need of a stay-at-home dman. I am not sure it is worth the future to make the playoffs only to get steamrolled again. Defensemen will be at a premium at the deadline, and just having the money to buy one doesn't guarantee success.

I am not giving up Nick Robertson in the stay-at-home man trade—either he or Topi Niemela, a brilliant young defenseman with all the potential in the world. The Maple Leafs have not been able to compete with the big boys consistently. They are too fragile and struggle to overcome mistakes. Yes, they're on a roll right now, but relying solely on Samsonov to carry the team isn't a winning formula.

Randy

The All-Star Break, It's Game On for Managers

Going into the All-Star break, the only people who will have the luxury of taking a break from hockey are the players themselves. The All-Star break is the busy season for managers and team officials; this is what they thrive on. While the players may be taking a break from the physical demands of the sport, Conroy ensures that their paycheques continue to roll in. 

The legwork is probably already done. This week, Conroy will check in on the progress of what teams need. He will discuss the compatibility of Calgary Flames players, such as Lindholm, Tanev, and the player I consider their most crucial asset, Hanifin, with other teams. 

Noah Hanifin

Noah is the best dman on the market. He is a terrific all-around defender. He is very good at pinching in the offensive zone and capitalizing on scoring chances for his team. Teams that could be looking to bolster their defensive lineup with Hanifin's presence include the Isles, Bruins, Leafs, and possibly Canucks. 

Elias Lindholm

In all honesty, Elias has been struggling all season, and the Flames will try to sell him in his previous history. However, Lindholm is a valuable asset for any team needing a solid second-line center. The teams I see as being interested are Sens, Oilers, Canucks, Avs, and Bruins.

Chris Tanev 

Chris is a rock in the defensive zone. He is the picture-perfect stay-at-home defenceman. He is a diehard shot blocker. He is fearless in his performance. Tanev's leadership qualities make him a valuable asset in any dressing room. Teams that might be interested in bringing Tanev's strengths to their defensive lineups are the Leafs, Canucks, and Isles.

Interesting tidbit: The Calgary Flames will be trying to clean up the dressing room, potentially resulting in a few surprise trades. I have no idea what will happen, but a few players could be traded who will surprise us.

Randy 

Islanders: It's Go Time!

As you have no doubt heard, Lou Lamoriello made the decision to dismiss Lambert from the New York Islanders. He did what he had to do. While it may come across as harsh, he had to cover his butt. Now, before you go hyperventilating, it would be unfair to solely attribute the firing solely to Lamoriello covering his own interests, I believe it was a big part of the rationale for Lambert's termination.

Let's turn to what the hiring of Patrick Roy does for the team. Hiring Patrick Roy as the head coach of the New York Islanders brings several significant benefits to the team. These reasons, listed in no particular order, come to my mind.

1. Winning tradition

No matter where Roy is coached, he has brought success. He has the attitude that losing is not an option. He tells the players not just through words, but also by setting an example himself that there is no time for excuses, only time to do. To steal from the wise words of Yoda, "There is no try, there is only do."

2. Great motivator to get things done

Roy is one of the best motivators in the world of hockey. He's one of the best communicators — he effectively communicates to the players what his expectations are. The coach's main job is to put players in a position to succeed. Through trial and error, Roy has honed his ability to identify and capitalize on his players' strengths. There's no time like the present; Roy will adapt and make quick decisions on the fly. His experience as a player will bring out the best of the players. He can draw upon his experience of winning the Stanley Cup to share valuable insights with his players to inspire and motivate his team.

3. Heart of a Lion

Roy has the heart of a lion. He never quits, constantly pushing forward. Roy will do what it takes to win. His heart will not allow quitters. It's either his way or the highway. You're all in, or you're out. Players will follow him. Roy's innate ability to win people over is unparalleled. He has a heart of a lion. 

Overall, the hiring of Patrick Roy as the head coach of the New York Islanders brings a wealth of leadership, experience, and motivational skills to the Islanders. I will be eagerly watching to see how it works out.

Randy

Leafs Still Have Room to Grow

Right now, it's pretty clear that the Leafs are struggling. Defensively, they need to be almost flawless, but let's face it, they're not quite there. We made a mistake; the puck was in the net. The truth is, our defense is just average, maybe even a bit below average. They will make mistakes. 

Martin Jones to the Rescue

Yes, I'm being facetious, but you getting the point. He really stepped up and played a fantastic game. If Jones can see the puck, chances are he will stop it. But you know what? The Leafs could still have played better. 

Work Ethic

The Maple Leafs never gave up on plays. When the Maple Leafs don't get outworked, they win. It just makes sense that if you have control of the puck, you're more likely to score. There were fewer blind passes—those passes where someone was supposed to be there but didn't get the memo.

Players positioning

The Leafs were on top of their game and never caught out of position. The Leafs played defense first, offense second, and pounced on the King's mistakes. They played near-perfect defense. This is exactly how the Leafs can achieve success!

Samsonov on Waivers

Samsonov has lost all confidence in himself, and the team has no intention of finding another goalie right now. They are playing the waiting game, hoping they hang on until Woll returns. Here's hoping they can.

Randy