Basement to penthouse, the return of the leafs

[Dynasty]

Leafs 10 game update

6-3-1

On the trade block:

1. Nikolai Kulemin
2. Francois Beauchemin
3. Colby Armstrong

I would like to see Armstrong and Kulemin depart, for the contract they have and what they do on the ice, I have a multitude of players that can fill these roles and afew that have much better stats then these two. Beuchemin has the largest contract left on my blueline, and I wont mind keeping him but if I get offered the right picks or a prospect he will go.

Toronto Maple Leafs Stats - 2010
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Matt Duchene	10	8	7	15	+6	2	8	43	18.6%
Phil Kessel	10	6	3	9	+7	0	0	24	25%
Kris Versteeg	10	2	6	8	+6	0	0	20	10%
Steve Pratt	10	1	7	8	+1	0	0	8	12.5%
Francois Beauchemin	10	1	6	7	+7	1	0	9	11.1%
Fabian Brunnstrom	10	4	1	5	+2	2	0	14	28.6%
Luke Schenn	10	0	5	5	+7	0	0	6	0
Mike Zigomanis	10	2	2	4	-1	0	8	15	13.3%
Tyler Bozak	10	2	2	4	0	0	4	32	6.3%
John Mitchell	10	1	3	4	+1	0	17	21	4.8%
Nikolai Kulemin	10	2	1	3	-1	0	4	28	7.1%
Roman Hamrlik	10	0	3	3	-2	0	2	3	0%
Clarke Macarthur	5	1	1	2	+1	1	2	3	33.3%
Fredrik Sjostrom	10	0	2	2	+3	0	0	3	0%
Matt Lashoff	10	1	1	2	+1	0	2	4	25%
Colton Orr	10	0	1	1	0	0	4	5	0%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Carey Price	8	4	4	0	2.31	467	42	91.5%	2
Jean Sebastian Giguere	3	2	0	0	1.43	126	199	93.3%	0

Duchene is a beast, simply put. He has so much acceleration and speed, I can beat defenders clean constantly from all areas of the ice. Kessel has been a weapon in his own right, and Fsbian Brunnstrom has stepped his game up to the point I moved him up to the second line. Price has been playing well, despite having 4 wins and 4 losses.

NHL League Leaders - Updated: OCT 1, 2010
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. Bobby Ryan	11		1. Saku Koivu	13
	2. Sidney Crosby	9		2. Travis Zajac	12
	3. Ilya Kovalchuk	8		3. Derek Roy	12
	4. Matt Duchene	8		4. Zach Parise	12
	5. Cris Kunitz	8		5. Sidney Crosby	11
Points		PTS	Plus/Minus		+/-
	1. Sidney Crosby	20		1. Thomas Vanek	+12
	2. Travis Zajac	18		2. Derek Roy	+12
	3. Zach Parise	17		3. Jason Pominville	+12
	4. Thomas Vanek	17		4. Mike Komisarek	+8
	5. Ilya Kovalchul=k	16		5. Alexander Edler	+8
Wins		W	Goals Against Average		GAA
	1. Marc Andre Fleury	8		1. Mikka Kiprusoff	1.98
	2. Mikka Kiprusoff	7		2. Tomas Vokoun	2.13
	3. Rick Dipietro	7		3. Cam Ward	2.25
	4. Ryan Miller	7		4. Carey Price	2.31
	5. Marty Turco	7		5. Mike Smith	2.43
Save Percentage		SV%	Shutouts		SO
	1. Mikka Kiprusoff	93.4%		1. Mikka Kiprusoff	3
	2. Tomas Vokoun	93.1%		2. Roberto Luongo	2
	3. Cam Ward	92.5%		3. Carey Price	2
	4. Mike Smith	92.4%		4. Jeremy Smith	1
	5. Ryan Miller	91.8%		5. Pekka Rinne	1

Injury update:
(LW) Clarke Macarthur has return to the line up, moving up to second line duties with his new line mates Fabian Brunnstrom and Tyler Bozak.

[Dynasty]

Leafs injury update

(C) Matt Duchene injured his hip in a hard collision along the boards, Duchene is estimated at being out 3-4 weeks.

(C) Christian Hanson has been called up to the big club to fill in during Duchene's absence, Hanson will see time on the second units.

[Dynasty]

Leafs 20 game update: TROUBLE IN LEAF LAND!

Hello and welcome readers I am Hockey insider Bob McKenzie. Now usually when a team looses a budding superstar in Matt Duchene, who happens to be your leading scorer (at the time) in all categories, and also one of your top defensive players, that impact is felt through your line up. You can expect your overall points per game to slump and maybe a loss or two here and there, that possibly wouldn't have happened while that player was in your line up.

I believe, that the Leafs did plan for this when Duchene went down for three weeks. Lets look over some stats.

Games 1-10 with Duchene

Record: 6-3-1

top 3 offensive players:
1) Matt Duchene - 8 goals 7 assists 15 points +6
2) Phil Kessel - 6 goals 3 assists 9 points + 7
3) Kris Versteeg - 2 goals 6 assists 8 points +6

Games 10-20 without Duchene

Record: 6-0-4

Top 3 offensive players:
1) Steve Pratt - 0 goals 9 assists 9 points +2
2) Kris Versteeg - 5 goals 4 assists 9 points +4
3) Tyler Bozak - 5 goals 4 assists 9 points + 6
where is kessel? 2 goals 2 assists in 10 games when a team needs you to step up.

What is my point in saying all this? well last night in Montreal, a game where you would think a team would be excited to get their number 1 center and top skill man back (yes I am talking about Duchene) an inner turmoil that has been apparently been boiling in the back round since possibly last year exploded in a series of media conferences, where sniper Phil Kessel went on a rant that lasted for a long loooong time in front of live cameras about how sick and tired he is of his current position and personal slump, how he has been mocked previously and presently by fans and media, and his utter disdain of head coach Ron Wilson, ending that stream of contempt and pent up anger with what sounded like to me a gong of finality saying "Maybe it's time for change, you know. Maybe things just ain't working out here"

After which it would seem that Head Coach Ron Wilson would not let this slip by, attacking Kessel about his past and present slumps, indicating a severe degree of lack of personal pride and drive to work through the slump, stating that "I have had many scorers, all who have gone through slumps, it has happened. But I have never seen any of them totally give up in all other aspects of the game"

So chalk it up to backroom disagreements and personal difference of view points and call it a day, right? It would seem that will not be the case in this instance. This personal feud if you will has been going on for years by admit ion of GM Brian Burke and he has (direct quote) "Had enough of this crap, and it ends now"

To this effect (RW) Phil Kessel has been scratched from the line up until further notice. This would seem to indicate, and my insider reports tend to agree with this statement, it is a strong possibility that Burke is looking for a new home for his star sniper. Now I believe Burke will take un-ending heat for doing this, since the hefty price paid for Kessel, but hockey, and the players within can be a fickle thing and such things as these can literally tear a team apart from the inside out, no matter how good, or bad the team may be.

Toronto at a glance:

His off season Acquisition of Matt Duchene, at this point is looking like a stroke of genius, with explosive speed and hands to die for Duchene is the number one center that Toronto has been craving since the departure of franchise (C) Matt Sundin.

Lets not forget Goal tender Carey Price, who is having the best season of his career this season, putting up fantastic numbers. Price has almost carried the team the past 10 games where the offense has all most evaporated with Duchene out, with many one goal games Price has defiantly done his part to make sure the points continue to roll in

Lets not forget the depth of bottom six forwards Toronto currently employes (one could say a Darth, or dirge maybe?) with grit to spare and some hands to boot.

Also young D men on this rise Luke schenn and Steve Pratt have been stalwart contributors on both ends of the ice.

So this begs the question what to do with a player like Kessel? Do you stick it out and hope he turns the corner on his obvious emotional burdens, do you direct him and the head coach to (at least publicly) Close the vast gap that currently exists, or do you try and find him a new home, hopefully bringing back something of value to your own franchise before this situation spreads and disrupts your entire line up? We all know what the Toronto media can be like, and the effect it can have on a fragile mind.

It is no secret Toronto needed a number one center, and Burke has made great gains in that respect, but now they need top six players to fill out their roster, in their farm system they do have up coming players in the right of (C) Braydon Schenn and (C) Nazem Kadri also (LW) Luca Caputi has shown promise beyond them Toronto has a couple of good goaltenders rising on their farm club, but we know now that with Price in net, goal tending should not be a consideration at least for the immediate future. Of late Burke has made it clear he wishes to restock his farm team talent and return to rebuilding that youth through the draft, what ever happens there is no doubt Burke will take no end of criticism from his fans, but at the end of the day it will be interesting to see what is done with this explosive situation

For TSN I am hockey insider Bob Mckenzie

[Dynasty]

Leafs 30 game update

Still not much action on the Phil Kessel front, Burke is adamant that a trade will happen and he won't play Kessel in fear that he may end up injured, thus destroying any pending deals.

"Sure we have had some calls about Phil, but so far these calls have been more in the line of kicking tires rather then serious deals" from the mouth of Brian Burke earlier this morning. With trade deadline looming 37 games away, that can be a long time to sit idle.

Team Record:

17-8-5

Toronto Maple Leafs Stats - 2011
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Matt Duchene	24	13	14	27	+11	2	8	88	14.8%
Kris Versteeg	30	8	18	26	+13	2	4	70	11.4%
Steve Pratt	30	1	20	21	+8	0	20	17	5.9%
Francois Beauchemin	30	4	16	20	+14	1	4	32	12.5%
Tyler Bozak	30	7	10	17	+3	1	25	94	7.4%
Nikolai Kulemin	30	5	10	15	+5	1	15	53	9.4%
Fabian Brunnstrom	30	7	8	15	0	3	5	51	13.7%
Luke Schenn	28	1	12	13	+16	0	6	24	4.2%
John Mitchell	30	5	6	11	+6	0	21	61	8.2%
Clarke Macarthur	25	5	4	9	+1	3	8	35	14.3%
Colby Armstrong	30	6	2	8	+3	2	20	34	17.6%
Colton Orr	30	3	2	5	0	1	56	23	13%
Mike Zigomanis	16	3	2	5	-2	0	8	29	10.3%
Fredrik Sjostrom	30	1	4	5	+1	0	2	21	4.8%
Christian Hanson	18	3	2	5	-1	0	4	34	8.8%
Roman Hamrlik	30	1	4	5	-11	0	10	28	3.6%
Matt Lashoff	30	1	2	3	+13	0	25	18	5.6%
Brett Lebda	30	1	1	2	-9	0	9	32	3.1%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Carey Price	26	14	12	0	2.27	1557	682	92%	6
Jean Sebastian Giguere	5	3	1	0	1.71	246	109	94%	0

[Dynasty]

Leafs 40 game update

Trade deadline count down: 23 games remaining

Team record: 23-11-6

Burke stands by his decision to bench Sniper Phil Kessel untill a trade can be made. "We are putting up winning numbers, sure our offense is a bit lower without Kessel around and we play a grittier more defensive game, but we have the right guys in place and we are suceeding without him, so at this point he will remain seated untill he can be moved"

Toronto Maple Leafs Stats - 2011
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Kris Versteeg	40	10	29	39	+18	3	9	98	10.2%
Matt Duchene	34	18	20	38	+16	2	8	124	14.5%
Francois Beauchemin	40	6	19	25	+14	3	13	45	13.3%
Fabian Brunnstrom	40	11	13	24	-1	4	17	74	14.9%
Tyler Bozak	40	9	14	23	+2	1	27	112	8%
Steve Pratt	40	1	22	23	+10	0	69	23	4.3%
Nikolai Kulemin	40	5	12	17	+6	1	15	60	8.3%
Luke Schenn	38	1	15	16	+16	0	18	36	2.8%
Clarke Macarthur	35	9	4	13	0	4	8	59	15.3%
John Mitchell	40	7	6	13	+3	0	23	71	9.9%
Roman Hamrlik	40	1	11	12	-11	0	14	46	2.2%
Colby Armstrong	40	6	3	9	+4	2	26	47	12.8%
Matt Lashoff	40	2	6	8	+15	0	34	27	7.4%
Fredrik Sjostrom	40	1	6	7	-2	0	2	31	3.2%
Christian Hanson	28	5	2	7	0	0	8	48	10.4%
Colton Orr	40	3	2	5	-3	1	89	32	9.4%
Mike Zigomanis	16	3	2	5	-2	0	8	29	10.3%
Brett Lebda	40	1	1	2	-9	0	26	51	2%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Carey Price	29	16	13	0	2.38	1740	759	91.6%	6
Jean Sebastian Giguere	12	7	4	0	2.24	671	318	92.5%	2

NHL League Leaders - Updated: Jan 10, 2011
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. Simon Gagne	25		1. Marc Savard	37
	2. Sidney Crosby	25		2. Evgeni Malkin	33
	3. Bobby Ryan	24		3. Saku Koivu	33
	4. Jason Pominville	23		4. Thomas Vanek	33
	5. Devin Setoguchi	22		5. Olli Jokinen	33
Points		PTS	Plus/Minus		+/-
	1. Sidney Crosby	54		1. Taylor Pyatt	+23
	2. Thomas Vanek	51		2. Vernon Fiddler	+23
	3. Evgeni Malkin	50		3. Scottie Upshall	+23
	4. Marc Savard	49		4. Jamie Langerbrunner	+21
	5. Jarome Iginla	47		5. Brad Richards	+21
Wins		W	Goals against Average		GAA
	1. Marc Andre Fleury	26		1. Marc Andre Fleury	2.31
	2. Mikka Kiprusoff	24		2. Carey Price	2.38
	3. Marty Turco	23		3. Tomas Vokoun	2.40
	4. Mike Smith	21		4. Mikka Kiprusoff	2.42
	5. Chris Mason	20		5. Marty Turco	2.55
Save Percentage		SV%	Shutouts		SO
	1. Marc Andre Fleury	92.5%		1. Carey Price	6
	2. Tomas Vokoun	92.3%		2. Mikka Kiprusoff	4
	3. Mikka Kiprusoff	92.1%		3. Micheal Leighton	4
	4. Mike Smith	91.7%		4. Pekka Rinne	4
	5. Jonas Gustavsson	91.7%		5. Tomas Vokoun	3

Go Price! First leaf to lead the league in any stat!

[bthomp05]

Great work here and just love the 'Kess the Mess' story. What about looking for a couple top picks for him?

[Dynasty]

Quote: Originally Posted by bthomp05

Great work here and just love the 'Kess the Mess' story. What about looking for a couple top picks for him?

Actually that has been my goal, but it isnt working out right now. everyone around the league is actually close to cap but hey, updates coming! maybe i was able to do something?! :O

[Dynasty]

Leafs 50 game update

Minor trade announcement!

Toronto Trades:
RW Micky Sartoertto 19 years old 60 currently unsigned 60 OVR B- POT
TO Washington for:
2011 4th round pick (WSH)

Team record:
29-13-8

Trade deadline doomsday: 14 games remaining

Due to the proximity of trade deadline this post will be my trade deadline feature, and the next post will be the 70 game update.

Deadline feature story

Good evening readers, I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie. As usual with such little time remaining until teams can do what they feel with either improve their clubs for what GM'S hope will be a playoff push, or sell assets for future considerations stories tend to over hype and even minor moves can be thrust into the major spotlight by information hungry fans or those just desperate for change.

In recent years Toronto has seen all sides of this wondrous coin, stretching back into the Matt Sundin saga, and we all know how that ended up. It was clear to Leafs GM Brian Burke that he would be unable to come to terms with then defensemen Tomas Kaberle, and pulled the trigger that brought in a desperately needed number one center, at the very least, we wont have to deal with that drama all over again.

Next Burke moved some of his (one could add overpaid to this list) defensive depth and landed a bonified number one goalie for years to come in Carey Price, in one swoop just days apart Burke remedied the clubs two largest problems, now with a top line center and a young talented goalie on the rise Toronto needs to bring in top 6 forwards, namely a set of top 4 wingers.

His largest and (obviously) most expendable after this seasons debacle is Phil Kessel, with deadly shot and speed to burn Kessel could be a very highly sought after piece to a playoff teams puzzle, that is if that team has an extra 5.4M in cap space. Also of consideration is Toronto's return to "roots" of trying to rebuild via the draft, could Kessel then be flipped for picks? maybe a prospect and a pick? it at this point is very hard to say.

It would appear the Brian Burke has a very defined list of who is available for the taking, if the price is right.

and that would include
(RW) Phil Kessel
(D) Francois Beauchemin
(LW) Nikolai Kulemin
(RW) Colby Armstrong
(D) Brett Lebda
(G) Jean Sebastian Giguere
(RW) Frerik Sjostrom

Going form top to bottom, we have already covered Kessel so lets skip that.

Beauchemin would be a straight up loss to the team, he has been excellent in all aspects of the game this year, sitting 4th on the club for overall points beauchemin has also claimed a respectable +15 rating. with a moderate cap hit, experience and enough gas in the tank left to help any team, Beauchemin could claim a nice price after all is said and done, but is the loss worth it?

Nikolai Kulemin 19 points in 50 games isn't a highlight year for the young sniper, Kulemin has struggled to find his way, and has found his role reduced in Toronto because of that, now he has a scoring upside and a frame he is willing to use, Kulemin could be what a playoff pushing team would look for to add secondary scoring with athletic abilities, Loss to Toronto? nothing that could not be covered by another player

Colby Armstrong with 12 points in 50 games Armstrong has taken a dive in production, but still provides anyone who would want him with an overall presence and proven capability with the puck, perhaps a change could return Coby to his previous 20 goal ways. Loss to Toronto? if this year is an indication to what they can Expect from Armstrong, it may be best to let his 3M cap hit go.

(D) Brett Lebda has been off and on this year, showings spurts of his detroit days mixed in with spurts of not having guys like Lidstrom beside you. sporting a -2 rating and 8 points in 50 games lebda may not attract much attention, but he does have stanley cup experience, and that alone may be enough for garner a trade.

(G) Jean sebastian Giguere Has had a solid season this go around, putting up respectable numbers in his clearly defined role as a mentor and backup to Carey Price, I believe it is obvious that Carey is ready to sink or swim on his own now and Giguere's time is limited in Toronto. Being in a contract year this would be the opportune time to trade Giguere to a team looking for that experienced net minder depth.

(RW) Fredrik Sjostrom has gone about his business as usual, quietly and effectively, any team looking for a third/fourth line PK Specialist needs to look no further then his dependable workhorse. The price may not be steep to acquire Sjostrom, but its something to watch for.

Now readers, take this all with a grain of salt, the NHL is a tight place when one talks about things such as cap space, and the Leafs are in excellent position to make their own playoff push and in turn may make no moves what so ever. either way I'll be here with you reporting it as it happens.

For TSN i'm Bob McKenzie