The Farm needs some Gardining

Seems like the perfect time to send Jake Gardiner down to the Marlies. Sitting in the press box isn't doing Jake any good right now. Any player that comes out of college will struggle with the length of the schedule. It appears that Gardiner is feeling the effects of the long gruelling NHL schedule about now. With the defence clicking  and healthy along with the strong play of Cody Franson, they should let Jake get some minutes down with Eakins to help him get used to a long season.

Leafs 2 - Sabres 0

Leafs extend their win streak to 4 games. The second line produced the only two goals needed. Really nice to see Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski getting hot. The monster continues his hot play posting his 2nd shut out in 3 games. Making 32 saves, Jonas Gustavsson out duelled opposing tender Ryan Miller who continues to struggle against the Leafs. A huge hit from Kulemin, Joffrey Lupul and Nathan Gerbe tussling is going to add fuel to the rivalry that contines down the QEW on friday. Once again the Leafs showed great discipline which is protecting their weak penalty kill. The Sabres did not have one power play chance.

Quietly the addition of Mike Brown, Mike Komisarek and Matt Lombardi has filled out the leafs line up giving the team continuous pressure by being able to role 4 solid lines.

My Name is Jonas

When Jonas Gustavsson came to Toronto, of course there was a ton of hype surrounding him. Touted as the best goalie not in the NHL. It seems fair to say that the monster never received a valid shot at taking over the crease for the Leafs. In his rookie season he showed that he had the talent and quickness and size to be a legitimate number one. Posting a 16-15-10 record with a GAA of 2.87 and sv % of .902. Thinking his second year had more improvement to come, it did not. He ended the 2010/2011 season with a 6-13-2 record and a GAA of 3.29 and sv % of .890. This struggle gave James Reimer all he needed to win over Ron Wilson and the Leafs management to take over the number one position. Going into the 2011/2012 season now with high expectations of Reimer, the monster was an after thought. After a seemingly light bump to the head of Reimer, he was out with  concussion like symptoms. It is now that Gus has finally taken advantage of an opportunity that was long awaited for the swede. This is the last season on his contract and it may be wise for Burke to give him a 1 year deal to see if this is a fluke. Reimer is still young at the age of 23 and it wouldn't hurt to have two quality goaltenders going through a tough NHL season. Wilson should grab the monster by the horns and see how long he can keep this going.

The Perfect Solution....If True

A pivot that brings vision, size and leadership would seem like a player every team would love to obtain. The resume that Ryan Getzlaf has built is quite impressive at the age of 26. Although after seeing him without a bucket on it would be tough to tell he is just entering his prime as a hockey player. A stanley cup winner already, the experience he has already gained would help a team that hasn't made it to the dance in a few years.

The thing is that the leafs would have to give up Nazem Kadri and/or Luke Schenn. If it is true that the superstar is on the market, this is a big decision for the Leafs GM to give up on two potential cornerstones and maybe a 1st rounder. The chances of either of these two players becoming the player that Getzlaf is seems unlikely though.

The time is now to go after a big fish and turn this team into a Stanley Cup contender rather than a fringe play-off team. Both Schenn and Kadri will be missed but the first line will become one of the best lines in the league if it isn't close already. The emergence of Joe Colborne has made Kadri an easier trade option. The log jam on defence and Gardiner and Franson's strong play has made it easier to consider moving Schenn.

This all sounds fine and dandy but why on earth would a team give up on a player with the pedigree of Getzlaf. Let's keep our fingers crossed that his slow start will open up trade negotiations between the Ducks and Leafs who seem to be talking all the time.

I will continue to post daily.

Leafs 4 - Jets 0

The ice seemed to be tilted in the Leafs favour all night. A perfect penalty kill is always easy when you only have one penalty to kill off. A solid performance by the monster as he gets his second shutout of his career and his first of the season. Ron Wilson should ride his hot tender as long as he can. Solid contributions from the teams top six continues as Grabo is getting hot. The thought of a consistent Kessel and Lupul along with a hot Mikhail Grabovski is scary. If Mikhail can continue his play it will go along ways to help this team reach the play-off's. Schenn was all over Evander Kane tonight sending him to the ice on multiple occasions. A well rounded game overall with great special teams.

A keen skill I've noticed from Jake Gardiner is his ability to keep the puck in on the man advantage with his great hand eye coordination.

#TeamUnit

Colby Armstrong (left), Tyler Bozak(middle), J.P. Arencibia(right)

The boys rocking their team unit shirts that are now being sold at
real sports in toronto.

The city of Toronto has a unique friendship going on between two of its sports teams. The friendship that consists of players such as; Tyler Bozak, Colby Armstrong, Joffrey Lupul, Phil Kessel, J.P. Arencibia, Ricky Romero and Brett Lawrie. These guys along with other players occasionally will go out for dinner or take in the other teams game.

What makes the friendship so special is that fans of the teams and players can see the players ongoing conversations via twitter. These conversations are exactly what Toronto fans want to see. The players also continue to reach out to fans and the community.

It will be neat to see the young nucleus of each team as they continue to grow as both teams have a bright future with success coming soon. Imagine how amped the city will be if play-off hockey returns to Toronto and the Jays come out of the gates hot and build on on last years 81 win season.

Down for the Count?

At one point in his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colton Orr was one of the toughest heavyweights to throw knuckles in the NHL. In 2009/2010 Orr dropped the mitts an impressive 23 times never shying away from the rough stuff and always sticking up for his team mates. From a fans point of view it seemed as though his team appreciated his security. Today Orr has been put on waivers and his fighting career could be coming to an end after suffering a concussion after a bout with George Parros last year. There is also the chance that no team claims Orr and he has a chance to prove his chin can still take a punch down in the minors. Orr only played in 5 of 39 games this year.

Leafs 7 - Bolts 3

With one of the more exciting 2nd periods we have seen this season, it saw the leafs gather a freight train of momentum after killing off a few key penalties then took the game over after the lead changed 5 times in this shoot out. All fourlines contributed and Darryl Boyce and Dave Steckel helped out an ailing team with a man in the sin bin. It seems as though who ever centers lupul and kessel will succeed as Connolly has a solid showing tonight with 2 apples. Nice to see Keith Aulie stick up for captain and "D" partner Dion Phaneuf.

Can you fire a BFF?

Ron Wilson and Brian Burke go way back. A scenario where Burke would have to fire his good pal seems unlikely. The leafs have changed their entire roster over the course of Wilson's tenure and his assistant coaches have also changed. With the leafs sitting on the cusp of the play off picture currently looking in from the outside, it seems the only thing to happen now is the firing of Wilson. After receiving a 1 year extension from Burke, it seems as though Burke is letting Wilson coach the rest of this season with the team behind him thinking he will be back next year.

With a special teams enthusiast awaiting his opportunity to take over the heralded Toronto Maple Leafs, Wilson may be out of a job if his penalty kill keeps the Leafs out of the play-off's once again for the sixth straight year. Dallas Eakins has his penalty kill at the top of the AHL and is coaching the marlies to the tune of a 17-12-5 record