Who Will Take the Bull by the Horns for Toronto?

There is not much to be happy about in Maple Leaf land. The complaint I’m hearing over and over and over again is that the team has no life. I’ve listened to a lot of people saying to fire the Toronto Maple Leafs’ coach, Berube. I myself have been among those people yelling, but that might be a mistake.

I was asked, “When do we start blaming the players? We had the same problem under previous coaches and the same core players.” My take was that this is a different team, with a number of different players.

The general consensus is that these players must take responsibility for their roles. I don’t know exactly what the source of the problem is; maybe it is that they just don’t want to put in the effort. Or could it be that losing has become acceptable in the dressing room? If that is the case, then we have a major problem. These players have to learn to work hard to turn their weaknesses into strengths.

Who will step up? Who will take the bull by the horns? I want to mention a couple of good players who have exactly done that.

John Tavares

John Tavares, known to fans as JT, has been the story this season. He has come to play game after a game. What I like about John is his determination to win. He has been the best offensive player and, probably, the best defensive player. He has come so far, truly the MVP.

Nick Robertson

Nick Robertson has taken the bull by the horns. He is playing like he needs to. He’s been asking for the playing time. The Maple Leafs are finally giving it to him. He has taken it and run with it. His stats are not bad: 5 goals and six assists in 19 games. What really makes me happy is his skating and his hustle. If he continues to put in the effort, there may be hope for him yet.

Troy Stecher’s debut

Troy was a good, useful defenceman in the past. He is playing very well. What makes him useful is that he plays within his limits; he won’t push past those limits. He’s not fancy, he’s just reliable. He is there when he is needed. He is a steady sixth defenceman.

Final Word

They are going to have to keep their eyes on the prize. They have to stay focused. Everyone has to do their job. John is taking over this team right now, and he needs the rest of the team to step up. If they do, the Toronto Maple Leafs can still make this season memorable.

How could I end this blog without mentioning the goal last night? That ass kicking by John Tavares was probably one of the best plays I’ve seen. Then, of course, the toe-drag by William Nylander and the deke around the goalie was the ultimate goal. What a great way to win the game.

Randy 

A Team with Something to Say: New Confidence in New York

Funny how a coach only becomes visible in the hard times — yet this season the fans have gone quiet for a different reason. Roy does not need a squad for protection. He has gone from being regarded as slime to fairy godfather. 

You thought Clutterbuck was hired for his knowledge of the hockey team? Not so fast there, bucko. Who do you think is in charge of the squad? Things have changed. Clutter’s job is now an overpaid candy striper.

This is all because of the Isles’ newfound winning ways.

All joking aside, the Islanders have risen from the ashes and become a team that has something to say. What they’re saying by their actions is, “How do you like me now?” They are a fast and fun team to watch. Roy has got his players buying into what he is selling. And what is he selling? It is that a team does not have to be boring to be defensively sound. The Isles are using their speed to force teams to make mistakes, making them reactive instead of proactive. The Isles’ defensive speed is making teams second-guess themselves into oblivion. The Isles have turned that into goals at the other end.

No, I am not naive enough to think the New York Islanders will automatically win the Stanley Cup. What I am saying is that they are playing well enough to make the playoffs. I have no idea whether they can keep this up for the rest of the season. Right now, they are playing like a team that wants to make a statement.

So what has made the difference? Why couldn’t they play like this earlier? I can’t answer those questions, but what I can say is I see the difference between now and earlier in the season

They are a fun team to watch because they are sticking to the fundamentals and listening to the coaches. What worries me is that they are being led by a 19-year-old defenceman who is a wonder kid, the one and only Matthew Schaefer. 

The supporting cast is led by Bo Horvat and sniper Emil Heineman. As long as these two players keep it up and the team sticks to the fundamentals into March:

• Do not put themselves in a position to lose; 

• Continue to play to win and not to lose; and

• Do not sit on leads. Keep playing and try to add to their leads. 

If they play smart, they will be fine. 

Don’t question it, just sit back and enjoy it. Bye for now.

Randy 

Centre vs Defenceman: How General Managers Make the Draft Call

If you’re the general manager of a hockey team, do you draft a first-line Centre or do you build your team around the first-pairing defensemen? 

Most of the answers I got say it depends on the organization or the management. Better yet, it depends on the organization’s biggest need. For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs need a first-pairing defenceman who could help on the power play. But the Calgary Flames need a first-line center—although some Calgary Flames fans say the defenceman trumps the centre because the zone coverage is so bad.

The New York Islanders will tell you how grateful they are for the defenseman Matthew Schaeffer. There is no doubt in their minds that the route to take for every organization is addressing the defenseman. 

Of course, a general manager has to use his common sense. If the first player in the draft is a Centre who is a generational player, then, of course, that changes everything — you have to draft the said player. 

That being said, if both players are equal, most people told me the defenseman is the way to go. My source informs me that the reason people go for a defenceman is that they take longer to develop. It is a harder position to learn. That makes them the more valuable assets.

When it comes down to it,  the defensemen have a lot more responsibility. Playing defence is more complicated than going up and down the ice. 

You have to keep one eye on your own man and the other on everybody else’s man. Ninety percent of the defenceman’s business is addressing mistakes the forwards make. 

That being said, the centremen is the stick that stirs the drink. Without a first-line centre, the team’s offence is in quicksand. If no one is getting the snipers the puck, how are they supposed to shoot? Every good team in the league has a top-line center, the biggest cog of the offense. 

Final word, I guess I would have to say I am leaning toward picking the defenseman just simply because it’s harder to grow a defenseman than it is a first-line center. They are more valuable in the long run.

When the Story Mattered Most: Larry Brooks on Getting It First

Nobody really likes to have to write about a hockey legend passing away. The great Larry Brooks of the New York Times recently passed away. Hockey has lost a tremendous icon and legend. For him, it was not always about the story; he also wanted to help people.

Millions of people looked first to Larry Brooks to find out what was happening. He knew how to get to the story and get to the truth.

Everybody knows there is a race when it comes to getting the story in sports. It is especially true in the hockey rumor world. Larry Brooks was one of the best at getting the story first and telling it straight. There is a saying that went along in the world that I think fits Larry Brooks to a T.  The saying “to be the man, you must be the man, you must beat the man.” (Ric Flair)

Larry Brooks was definitely the man, and for reporting in New York, whatever anyone needed — anything, or any kind of news — he was simply the main source to believe.

I asked three guests today to share their remarks on the loss of the legend Larry Brooks.

Jan Levine  

Jan is a correspondent on the site https://hockeyhotstove.com/

Jan just wrote his tribute to Larry Brooks. He’s a terrific, knowledgeable writer and a great Twitter follow. You can follow him on Twitter at @airjan23.

Here are his kind words:

Larry Brooks was the dean of the New York hockey media. He had contacts all over the hockey world, using them to obtain tidbits no one else had or was willing to report. His Sunday SlapShots column in the NY Post was a must-read. Brooks leaves an indelible impact on hockey in general and especially the Metro NY area.

Jonny Lazarus

My second guest, Jonny Lazarus, is a digital reporter at https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/ College Hockey, NESN, AND USHL, and a genuine good guy. Last but not least, cohost of the podcast, Morning Cuppa Hockey.

I asked if he would share a favourite story he had about Larry Brooks:

I had a really cool opportunity to spend some 1-on-1 time with Larry last season in Anaheim. We were the only two people there covering the game. I got to ask him about his time with the Devils, how he got started with the Rangers, his relationship with Tortorella, his feud with Dan Boyle, and so many other things. But what we talked about most was his Grandson, Scott. I didn’t know Larry all that well, but I can tell you from my experience, there’s nothing he took more joy in than Scott’s hockey career. I talked to him about my youth hockey experience, and he shared with me about how Scott was kind of undersized and was about to start checking as a Bantam. He brought Scott to practice one day, and I could tell he was Scott’s hero. I mean, imagine being a young hockey player getting to go to the Rangers practice and see your grandfather talking to every single player, that’s so damn cool. Every time I heard news about the Rangers, I was checking Larry’s Twitter to confirm it. He was always the first one to get to everything. Even in press conferences, I wouldn’t feel comfortable speaking until Larry asked his question. He’s a guy who commanded respect. He was the only reporter that Peter Laviolette spoke to by name. For a small guy, he had such a large presence around the press box. I’m happy and honored I got to know him, even if it was just a little.

Russ Cohen

My final guest today is an old friend, a huge supporter of mine for years.

You can find Russ on Twitter @sportsology. He is a prospect writer at Sportsology.com and http://NHLdraftbuzz.com. A terrific follow on Twitter.

When I was a new writer covering the New York Rangers, Larry would occasionally ask what I saw on a particular play or goal. That was thrilling. I would see him over the years. I was in a few memorable John Tortorella scrums and would listen to his stories about his grandson’s hockey game, at my request. I would joke that someday I would scout him and write a feature article about him.

Final word

Thank you, Larry, for all that you did

Randy 

What the Islanders Need: Three Players, One Plan

As we enter the regular season, the New York Islanders have three major players who are working. As long as these three players continue to work, the New York Islanders will be fine and could make the playoffs. If they stop working, this could be a challenge for them.

Bo Horvat

Bo’s playing the best hockey of his career. And Wilson? He’s something else — just as strong on defense as he is on offense. There’s no worry about putting him on the penalty kill the way there is with the power play. His wrist shot is what’s really clicking — it’s dialed in, and he’s been the guy all season. I love that he’s looking to shoot more instead of always hunting for the perfect pass.

Ilya Sorokin

As I said in other blogs, Sorokin is coming back. I think he’s finally becoming healthy. I think injuries have slowed his progress, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. I like his awareness of what’s going on; his hockey vision is among the best. He is getting better at controlling his rebounds.

Final Word

The Isles have a lot going for them. They still have room to grow. There has to come a point when ownership will decide whether they are making a playoff run or building for the future. If they are building for the future, they have some major assets they could trade and get a nice package. Mathieu Darche will have a pretty good idea of what to do. It is never a good idea to rush matters. There is plenty of time for them to make up their minds. By the end of November, we should know exactly what this team is. There is a saying: “Patience is a virtue.” I wonder how many Isles fans will have lost their virtue by the end of November? 

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