Toronto’s Latest Epidemic

Lately in Toronto, there has been a rash of broken ankles from jumping off bandwagons.

Patent: “Hi, I think my ankle is broken.”

Doctor: “How did it happen? It sure looks like it’s broken. We’ll have to take X-rays. Let me help you take off your coat. It looks like it’s kind of hot for you. Don’t want you hurting yourself more by putting weight on that ankle.”

Patient: “No, I got it. I can hop on one leg when I take it off.”

As soon as the patient takes off his coat, the doctor rudely interrupts him.

Doctor: “We are going to have to take you to have a CAT scan of your brain. You might be a victim of hit-your-head-against-the-wall disease.”

Patient: “How can you tell that? I just took my coat off?”

Doctor: “Wearing a Maple Leafs jersey is an early symptom.”

Sometimes I find myself hitting my head against the wall over and over again, watching the Maple Leafs. A good example of this was the Pittsburgh Penguins game, where they played the worst two periods I’ve ever seen them play, and then finished it off with a third period that made them look like Stanley Cup champions.

There is a bright side to this hockey team. With two straight wins, they look like they’re getting out of their funk. As I have said in previous blogs, the Leafs have all the talent in the world. They just have to learn to put it to good use.

If I could fix what is wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs, I would be a millionaire. I would bottle the solution and put it on the market. The winning formula is simple, thought, and unfortunately, cannot be bottled: outwork the other team.  

A Note about Nick Robinson

Nick has really improved lately. In fact, he has earned himself a spot on the team. I have seen two improvements in his game. He is shooting more often, but the biggest improvement is that he is finally doing what it takes to win. His desire to win is overcoming his fear of losing.

Final word

I see signs that the Maple Leafs are emerging from their funk. Matthews is beginning to skate and getting the goals he’s supposed to. Nylander, when he is interested, is the best player on the team. John Tavares has found the fountain of youth. I wonder how much he would sell it to me for?

Hard work will pay off. The Leafs will be a contender if they stay focused. Otherwise, there will be a rash of broken ankles and hit-your-head-against-the-wall disease in Leaf Land.

Randy 

Faceoff Master: Remembering Dave Keon’s Genius on the Ice

Dave was one of my favourite captains on the Toronto Maple Leafs of all time. Dave was a leader through his example, a terrific player who did everything that was asked of him. He was not a flashy player, but a great player. He was one of the best Leafs centres in the league because he could play in any situation. Dave was a faceoff master; he was the perfect player to be out there to keep a lead. What made him so valuable was that he was good both defensively and offensively.

Achievements

 

Calder trophy 1960-61

In the 1960-61 season, Dave accumulated 20 goals while assisting on 25 others. He was a key factor in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Stanley Cup win, proving that he was going to be a star for years to come.

Lady Byng trophy 1961-62, 1962-63

I can’t imagine going through a whole season with only one minor all year. Yeah, Dave Keon did that twice, proving he never put his team behind the eight-ball. Dave Keon was never a me player. He was always a team player.

Con Smythe 1966-67

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in the glory of the world. The 1966-67 season was the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. Dave Keon was the most productive player in the playoffs, recording 3 goals and 5 assists to help the team win the Stanley Cup.

Stanley Cup

Dave won four Stanley Cups in his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was a strong soldier in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ army in the 60s. He was a terrific player who did what it took to win. He knew how to win and was one of the best defensive players of his time. During those years, Dave Keon was probably the most complete player on the team. 

He will be a legend for years to come —a true hero in Toronto Maple Leafs history.

Randy 

When Heroes Wore Skates: the Players I Loved

As I’ve mentioned before, when we were young kids, we all had our favorite players and we had high expectations of them. We tried everything to be like them. We badly wanted to be like them. Today, I thought I would like to discuss why I loved the players I loved.

Keep in mind, this is only a sampling of the players I liked. Keeping that in mind, let’s get to the list of my players in no particular order. I did not focus on the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, or Islanders. This was not focused on a specific team. Here is my first one.

Bobby Orr

Although I disliked Bobby because of my Maple Leafs connection, I love him for his exceptional playing ability. There’s no little doubt that he is the best defenceman ever in the NHL. Sorry, all the Oilers fans (Paul Coffie), but there is no doubt in my mind that Bobby is the standard everyone has to live up to. 

I could mention that Bobby had six 100-point seasons, but I won’t. I could mention the eight James Norris Trophies he won, but I won’t. In fact, there are way too many trophies to mention: the Hart Memorial, Conn Smythe, Art Ross, Lester B. Pearson, and the Calder Memorial, so I won’t.

I could tell you that his greatest season (1970-71), he had 139 points, including 37 goals and 102 assists. The most goals he achieved in one season (1974-75) was 46. Those are crazy numbers for a defenceman. He was one of the best rush skating defensemen I have ever seen. He was plus minus 124 in the 70-71 season. Can you imagine being on the ice with 124 goals scored more than being scored on? That is an incredible stat.

Greatest Moment

Bobby Orr’s greatest moment is undoubtedly scoring the goal while being tripped up to win the Stanley Cup. May 10, 1970, scoring the goal on Glen Hall. Noel Picard will go down in history as the player who tripped Bobby Orr on the winning goal of the Cup.

The Person He Was

Bobby Orr will always be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time. There is no denying that. He was also known for his work in charities. Particularly, the March of Dimes and Cerebral Palsy charities. His compassion for mankind is well known. Generally, he is a terrific person in and out.

Final Word

I was always a huge fan of Mr. Orr and his one-man rush from end to end. He and Phil Esposito were a deadly combination with 291 combined points. Bobby was one of the best passers in the game. His ability to find the open man was legendary. Orr was simply the best.

Randy 

A Discombobulated First Line and Rising Panic

If you really want to know what’s wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I will tell you. In a nutshell, they have no heart. They have no emotion. The Toronto Maple Leafs are what they are: an NHL team with no direction. I understand that this is early in the season, but I have some major concerns. The team has no mental fortitude. They won’t fight for the puck.

The leaders of this team

The team leaders have to start showing up. The Maple Leafs don’t have enough other players to make up for their lack of depth. Last year, this team could win with a bunch of “me” players. If they do not pull together and play as a team, they won’t win.

Where is the muscle we were supposed to get?

The Maple Leafs have to realize it’s a simple formula: There is a ninety percent chance that if you are chasing the puck, you’re not winning the game. Bottom line, the team’s work ethic has to improve. They often toddle away from altercations in the corners.

The first line is discombobulated

The Maple Leafs have been unable to find the missing piece. Matthews and Knies are looking for a playmate. They need to get more involved in the game. If they do not get more involved, what you’ve been seeing is what you are going to get.

Final word

It is not time to press the panic button, but some major concerns need to be addressed. Now that Tanev is out, there could be defensive concerns. I hope the concerns get addressed. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the Stolartz speech. I do not mind Anthony speaking out, but he has struggled since then. If you do the crime, you have to do the time. Maybe next time, he won’t chime. I bet you didn’t know I was a poet. Until next time!

Randy

Isles Dominate: A 7–2 Statement Win Over the Red Wings

The New York Islanders fans might be a little happy right now. As of the writing of this blog, the Isles just played their best game of the season, rolling over the Red Wings 7-2. There are a few major factors I have noticed that contribute to their wins.

Matthew Schaefer

Schaefer continues to rule the world. Matthew has been absolutely outstanding. He has done everything he set out to do. His strength, of course, is skating. I have never seen an 18-year-old defender who looks like he’s in his prime. What makes it more impressive is that he can only get better. He makes the Power Play look 20% better, and Matthew Barzal has finally found a friend.

Ilya Sorokin

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Sorokin has returned. I am definitely seeing the Sorokin of two years ago. He has been making the saves to keep the Islanders in the game. During this winning streak, he is making the key saves. It is encouraging to see that he is not giving up at key moments. He has to make those saves for the Islanders to be successful.

Dave Rittich

Let’s give credit where credit is due, shall we? Big Save Dave has earned his starts. Dave, even though he was not busy against the Wings, was there when he was called upon. He has given the New York Islanders a chance to win; he starts, and that’s all you can expect from a backup goalie. Dare I say, maybe we should let him have a few more starts so we don’t wear out the big man.

Emil Heineman

It was awesome to see the New York Islanders get some scoring and secondary support from the bottom six. Specifically, Emil Heineman, who loves speed and is willing to get his nose dirty. The more help Barzal and Horvat get, the better. The scoring must be community-driven this season for the Isles to be successful.

Final Word

I’m not saying that I am ready to set up the parade. What I am saying is that it’s nice to see the New York Islanders come together for this winning stretch. The Islanders fans have some hope that maybe this might not be a long season after all. That’s it for now.

Randy

 

The Toxic Trio That Will Sink Your Hockey Season

The other day, I was trying to figure out what to write for my next blog.  It came to me when I noticed some hockey teams have players who bring a negative influence to the team.

Oddly enough, these players are on the teams that are presently struggling. It is an interesting phenomenon that warrants further research.  Maybe there is something to this, because it sure seems strange that every struggling team has one of these players on its roster.

So I thought I would list these players and their characteristics. Then maybe you can help me determine if there is more to this than meets the eye.  I really hope you can help me.

The Comfort Zone Goalie

This guy is a goalie. He seems too easily distracted, having to hack all the players who stand in front of his net or in his goal crease. This seems to cause all sorts of distress to his teammates. His defensemen seem to think his attention needs to be somewhere else. Something about being in his net. So what’s up with that? Don’t the defensemen know that you have to clear the crease?

The Floating Winger

This forward seems to be a very delicate hockey player. He is making it all the other players’ jobs to get him the puck. What are they, crazy? Expecting a player actually to go into the corners to get the puck? He seems to think he has only one job: floating. It’s where he stands in one spot and expects everyone to bring him the puck.

His teammates seem to think that he should do other players’ jobs, too. They actually want him to get the puck? What happens if his floating spot gets taken? It would be very uncomfortable for him to occupy another floating position in the rink.

The Center of the Universe

This player is usually on the same line as Not in My Job Description. These two players seem to clash, often resulting in yelling at the bench. He seems to know every play revolves around him. He is baffled that his teammates do not get this. They seem to think maybe he should pass the puck once in a while. The nerve of them — they actually expect him to share the spotlight. Blasphemy! Never will there be anyone as good as him!