Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

[bthomp05]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Cool. You might want to look at Markstrom or Lindback, both young goalies and I think thier contracts are up in season 2013.

You should trade Kulemin and a D prospect for Grabner. :-)

[thedudedominick]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Count me as a follower of this. Tough break on missing the playoffs.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Welcome back fans and readers to our coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs, we will be looking at the draft this year for Toronto up to the first day of regular season play.

So starting with the draft, here is who Toronto went after.

Toronto's draft results
Pick	Team	Player	Pos	Ht	Wt
1st round 4th overall	Toronto	(TWD) Stephan WoodWorth	D	5'11"	183 LBS
2nd round 58th overall	Toronto	(TWF) Scott Laughton	C	6'2"	174 LBS
3rd round 61st overall	Toronto	(PWF) Andrew Ryan	LW	6'2"	189 LBS
3rd round 68th overall	Toronto	(HYB) Milea Joensuv	G	6'6"	216 LBS
4th round 98th overall	Toronto	(PWF) Brett Ritchie	RW	6'4"	192 LBS
4th round 101st overall	Toronto	(TWD) Alex Basso	D	6'0"	179 LBS
5th round 128th overall	Toronto	(PLY) Nick Parker	C	5'10"	166 LBS
5th round 140th overall	Toronto	(TWF) William Cochane	LW	6'2"	184 LBS
6th round 157th overall	Toronto	(TWF) Stefan Legault	LW	6'0"	179 LBS
6th round 158th overall	Toronto	(DFD) Nick Walters	D	6'3"	190 LBS
7th round 188th overall	Toronto	(SNP) Brendan Leipsic	C	5'10"	166 LBS

Brian Burke's post draft statement:
As you all seen we chose to sit tight with the players we have right now, we will be moving forward with the group we have targeted. We had a few trade offers come our way and we did take a look at them but in the end we felt they did not improve our club where it needs to be improved.

After last year’s failure the leash here in Toronto will be extremely short and to that effect we have explored possible player moves and trades if they need to be done then we will move ahead with those plans, as of yet nothing is sure, nothing is concrete but it will be acted upon if needed to be.

As for returning players we are still very far away from a good place with many of our pending free agents, due to past performance and what some of these guys feel they are worth it may come to us choosing to test free agency and see who is available. Since we only have a couple days until free agency opens we won’t have to wait very long, but that this point and with how the talks have gone between us and the agents, things are not looking good.

Strong words from the Leafs GM, but it needs to be at this point, Toronto has failed for too long and if this group can’t get it done perhaps it’s time to change the look around Toronto.


Re-Signing period:

While an air of anxiety settles over Toronto and centers over the ACC everyone has remained quiet, though things have not been simple for the organization. Each time GM Brian Burke is seen he has one, and sometimes even two phones on the go, always talking we are hearing from a multitude of teams, it would appear that Burke is laying the groundwork for possible deals if they need to be made, just as he said he would just after the draft closed two days ago. We are now receiving a list of players the Toronto Maple Leafs have signed to contracts and a list of player the Leafs have released to free agency (which opens in five days)

Toronto signs:

C Nazem Kadri (PLY) 22 years old to a 4M per season 5 year deal 85 OVR B/B/B- potential

D Kurtis Foster (DFD) 31 years old 2.5M 1 year deal 84 overall C/C/C potential

RW George Parros (TGH) 33 years old 1.5M 1 year deal 83 overall C-/C-/C- potential

LW Kyle Beach (PWF) 23 years old 1M per season 2 year deal 81 overall B-/B-/B- potential

LW Justin Abdelkader (PWF) 26 years old 1M per season 2 year deal 80 overall C/C/C potential

RW Matthew Halischuck (TWF) 25 years old .900 1 year deal 80 overall C/C/C potential

C Nick Parker (PLY) 20 years old .870M per season 3 year deal 73 overall B/B-/B- potential
*** Parker was drafted in 2014 by the Maple Leafs in the 5th round, 128th overall***

D Marc-Andre Bergeron (OFD) 32 years old 2.5M per season 2 year deal 82 overall C/C/C potential

LW Mikkel Boedker (SNP) 23 years old 1.2M per season 2 year deal 81 overall B-/B-/B- potential

D Stuart Percy (TWD) 20 years old .800M per season 3 year deal 73 overall B-/A-/B- potential
***Percy was by the Leafs in the 2011 draft in the 1st round, 25th overall***

D Alex Basso (TWD) 20 years old .800M per season 3 year deal 72 overall B-/B/B- potential
*** Basso was drafted by the leafs in the 2014 draft in the fourth round, 101st overall***

Toronto Releases:

C Tim Connolly 32 years old 84 overall C/C/C potential

C Matthew Lombardi 31 years old 83 overall C/C/C potential

C TYler Bozak 27 years old 82 overall C/C/C potential

LW Clarke MacArthur 28 years old 84 overall C/C/C potential

RW Colby Armstrong 30 years old 82 overall C/C/C potential

RW Greg Nemisz 23 years old 79 overall B-/B-/B- potential

RW Greg Scott 25 years old 75 overall C/C/C potential

D Keith Aulie 23 years old 80 overall C/B-/B- potential

D Wade Brookbank 35 years old 79 overall E/E/E potential

G Alex Auld 32 years old 81 overall C/C/C potential

G Jussi Rynnas 26 years old 74 overall C/C/C potential

After locking up young talent Nazem Kadri this off season the leafs went ahead and parted ways with a lot of forwards who were brought in two or three years ago to bring this club to the next level, it is very apparent that the Leafs management has given these guys their chances, and they couldn’t deliver. Now it’s time to pursue employment elsewhere.

It may turn out to cost the Leafs in the end as entering this year’s free agency the pool was shallow in terms of depth but a couple bigger (and older) names available.


Toronto signs free agent:

C Paul Gaustad (GRN) 31 years old 2.4M 1 year deal 83 overall C/C-/C- potential

Gaustad is a depth signing, after releasing their previous years 2, 3, 4 centers Toronto needs to fill those gaps quickly. While Gaustad could fill a second line role he is best suited to 3rd and 4th line duties.

D Garret Clarke (TGH) 20 years old .525M 3 year deal 72 overall C/B/A potential

While Clarke is full over grit and nasty and excels on the athletics side of the game he isn't much more than a depth signing for the Marlies, I am sure the Marlies will look to Clarke in the near future to help protect his teammates.
D MArk Streit (OFD) 35 years old 5M one year deal 87 overall D-/D/D-

After a fall out with the Islanders and in the twilight of his career, Streit signs a one year deal with Toronto and looks to sit on their top units and will be counting on to produce points. While Streit may not be able to reach previous career high water marks such as 45 and 49 points in the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 seasons respectively, the club will still look to Streit to mentor their young D and quarter back their power play units.

C Mike Ribeiro (PLY) 33 years old 4.6M 1 year deal 87 overall C-/C/C- potential

After posting career highs 61 assists, 78 points and career low -21 with Dallas last season Riberio chose to take his talents to free agency and found Toronto looking for skill up the middle. It is hard to say where Ribeiro will fit into the line up but it is certain he will be either #1 or #2. Toronto will be looking for him to make whomever he plays alongside that much better this season, we all know the Leafs need it.

G Martin Biron (HYB) 35 years old 1.2M 1 year deal D/D/C- potential

This signing went a little under the radar, Biron spent all last season with the Kitchener Rangers and has of yet to even speak to any Toronto media outlet about his signing, while Toronto does need a veteran backup to hopefully help Reimer maintain balance and focus this season I guess they will be looking to Biron to do that.

LW Viktor Stalberg (PWF) 27 years old 1.2M per season 2 year deal

Stalberg becomes a Leaf once more, after his tenure in Chicago came to a rather fruitless end Stalberg returns to Toronto looking to prove himself and will probably get his chance on the third, possibly fourth line.

RW Stefan Noesen (TWF) 20 years old .700M per season 3 year deal 73 overall C/A-/A- potential

As it stands Noesen will slide onto the marlies as an under the radar player who could surprise, this move was completed to help bring in young talent and also provide competition for roster spots.

C Samluel Pahlsson (GRN) 35 years old 1.32M 1 year deal 82 overall D/D-/D- potential

After this signing Toronto's depth at the center position is officially old. With only one NHL center under 31 years old, can they maintain over an entire season?

Key player Progession

D Luke Schenn (DFD) 23 years old 88 overall C/B-/B- potential WAS 87 overall B-/B/B potential

C NAzem Kadri (PLY) 22 years old 85 overall B/B/B- potential WAS 79 overall B/B/B- potential

C Kyle Turris (PLY) 24 years old 85 overall A-/B/B potential WAS 84 overall A-/B-/B potential

C Joe Colborne (TWF) 23 years old 80 overall B/B-/B potential WAS 78 overall B/B/B potential

D Cody Franson (OFD) 26 years old 85 overall B-/B-/B- potential WAS 84 B/B/B potential

RW Phil Kessel (SNP) 26 years old 87 overall C/C-/C potential WAS 87 overall C/C/C potential

LW Nikolai Kulemin (SNP) 27 years old 85 overall C/C/C potential WAS 85 C/C/C potential

D Jake Gardiner (OFD) 23 years old 80 overall B-/B-/B potential WAS 79 overall B-/B-/B potential

RW Austin Watson (TWF) 21 years old 77 overall B/B/B potential WAS 72 overall B/B/B potential

G James Reimer (HYB) 25 years old 86 overall B-/B-/C potential WAS 84 overall B/B/B- potential

G Franky Palazzese (HYB) 20 years old 73 overall B/B/A- potential WAS 68 overall B-/B/A potential

Thank you all for reading, please stay tuned in as we will be attending a press conference with leafs GM Brian Burke and head coach Dough Gilmour and we will be talking about this off season and the season which is about to start tomorrow night.

[bthomp05]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Some great moves there, hopefully its enough to get you into the playoffs or "off with his head."

[Kovaz477]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Really well done. I enjoyed the read. I especially like the realism in your results. My least favorite thing about any sports game is how hollow it feels to go 75-7 every season and 16-0 in the playoffs, so it's cool seeing someone actually be able to miss the playoffs.

Also, sucks about your PS3 crashing in the first season. It was looking so promising!

Keep it coming, this is a damn good dynasty.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Some great moves there, hopefully its enough to get you into the playoffs or "off with his head."

Really well done. I enjoyed the read. I especially like the realism in your results. My least favorite thing about any sports game is how hollow it feels to go 75-7 every season and 16-0 in the playoffs, so it's cool seeing someone actually be able to miss the playoffs.

Also, sucks about your PS3 crashing in the first season. It was looking so promising!

Keep it coming, this is a damn good dynasty.

Thanks guys i appreciate the comments, Ive been busy lately and havent been able to update, but i will shortly. Dont loose faith!

[bthomp05]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

I won't. GO LEAFS GO.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Press conference with Leafs GM Brian Burke

Hello everyone and welcome, thank you all for gathering. You all know what our current situation is and what our stance is moving forward, so I am going to move past the pre tense and move into the heart of the matter.

We have been unable to provide what has been expected of us here in Toronto and we are moving forward this season with dedication and a purpose to change this. To that effect I would like to announce a trade that was just completed just prior to this media conference.

Toronto trades:
G Martin Biron 36 years old 1.2M one year contract 82 overall D/D/C- potential

D Ty Wishart (TWD) 25 years old .695M per season 2 years remaining on his contract 77 overall C/C/C potential

2014 1st round pick (TOR)

To Philadelphia for:
G Sergei Bobrovsky 25 years old 3.44M per season 2 years remaining on his contract 87 overall B-/B-/B potential


First off I want to say we signed Martin Biron with the intention for him to play here this season but this deal materialised very quickly, and he had to be included in the package to make it viable for both teams.

I also wanted to say thank you to Ty Wishart who has played his heart out for us on the Toronto Marlies, We were looking forward to having this guy on the Leafs blue line, and we wish him well as he continues his career with the flyers.

There are a few key points in this deal, firstly I believe we need competition in our net, and Sergei is hungry to play. With the signing of Bryzgalov in Philly, and his contract still having 7 years remaining on it plus Philly being tight on the cap, this returns assets to them and frees up their cap situation, while we gain a capable goaltender who wants to be the number one guy.

We believe in James Reimer, I think that much has been clear over the past couple years, this is a security move for the time being and we are hoping that this will provide the spark James and Sergei need to make that next leap and become a top goaltender in the NHL. Both of these young guys have the ability to do so, now it's time to do it.

We will be looking for guys like Phil Kessel and Kyle Turris to resume their strong play from last season and the new faces like Mike Ribeiro and Mark Streit to provide leadership and experience along the course of our journey into the playoffs.

It is time for Nazem Kadri to step up and get the job done, he has grown a lot over the past year and we believe he is ready to take on a major role here on the club.

Everyone here knows how this season is going to be. It’s time to win here in Toronto, this is the season and the leash will be very short indeed.

Thank you for your time.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Welcome fans and readers, for TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie.

As I take a moment to think back about the reports I have done here about the Leafs they have all followed the same general course. I regret to say that one again the same tune is being played in Toronto and the Leafs are off to a horrid 0-3 start in which each game played (versus Chicago, Edmonton and Buffalo) were horrible games to watch if you were a leaf fan, the exclamation point of that would be the 8-5 head scratcher in Edmonton.

Many people are pointing the finger at goaltender James Reimer and I must point out that while in some cases this is true, it is not the case. Reimer has seemed to be lost at points in his net, but recounting those three games we see a shot total of 107 shots in three games, yes let me say that again just to make sure you all heard me correctly, one hundred and seven shots in three games. Now from an outside in perspective I point the finger mostly at everyone not inside a blue piece of paint and ask them, guys? What is going on here?

The head scratching would continue into Dallas as the struggling Leafs would face yet unbeaten Stars and would be playing their new goaltender, in Sergei Bobrovsky. The game would fall into what would have been expected to be situation normal... As the Leafs would play the majority of the first twenty minutes in their own end and forcing Bobrovsky to stop 20 shots, which he turned aside without letting anything pass the red line.

It was after this stellar performance and athletic display of excellence that the lethargic Leafs would come roaring out of the gates of the second period and push the Stars back on their heels, not letting them regain composure for the next 40 minutes. Bobrovsky would stop the next 15 shots in the remaining two frames to post a shutout and the Leafs would take the game 4-0.

The influence and calming effect that Bobrovsky had over the club would again show in the next series of games versus Calgary and Vancouver where Toronto would claim two more straight wins in close but well played games, the team showed life with Bob in net and the leafs pulled to an even 3-3 record.

After the Leafs appeared to regain confidence Reimer would step back into the crease and see time against the struggling Anaheim Ducks. Unfortunately for Reimer the Ducks didn't struggle but once again everyone in front of him did. Allowing 35 shots against and losing 5-1 to give the Ducks just their second win of the year it would be head coach Doug Gilmour that would step forward and deflect the ire of Leaf nation away from his goaltender stating that he was saddened by the simple lack of effort in front of Reimer in all four games he played this season.

with two days of rest ahead of them, GM Brian Burke moved forward with a deal he claimed was agreed upon during this year’s NHL draft but not acted on until this time.

Toronto trades:
G James Reimer 25 years old 1.8M one year remaining on his contract 86 overall B-/B-/C potential

LW Tomas Tatar (TWF) 22 years old .645M per season 2 years remaining on his contract 78 overall B/B-/B- potential

The contract rights to D Stephen Woodworth (TWD) 20 years old 71 overall B-/B-/A- potential

2014 second round pick (TOR)

To Edmonton for:
LW Magnus Paajarvi (TWF) 22 years old 3.525M per year 3 years remaining on his contract 85 overall B/B/B potential

G Frans Tuohimaa 22 years old .790M per years 2 years remaining on his contract 72 overall C/B-/C potential

Looking at this deal it made a lot of sense for both clubs. Edmonton was unable to retain the services of Devon Dubnyk after this year’s off season. They brought in veteran goaltender Niklas Backstrom from free agency but seeing how Backstrom has posted horrible stats and the lack of goaltender depth in the organization Edmonton needed a viable solution, enter Reimer.

Since the Leafs have seemed to refuse to play for goaltender Reimer so far this year, and have done well with Bobrovsky in net this deal makes sense for Toronto.

Paajarvi, who has been relegated to third line duty in Edmonton will see his ice time increase and the expectations of his play also rise as he becomes a counted on part of a team’s success and offense.

Paying the price to bring in Paajarvi, who is still young and with good upside Toronto relinquishes their first round selection in this past draft in D-man Stephen Woodworth and promising winger Tomas Tatar.

It was immediately after this deal was announced that Toronto signed veteran free agent goaltender Chris Mason 37 years old .525M one year deal 78 overall D/D/D potential. While Mason has always been praised as a great and loyal teammate with a strong work ethic it is clear that Brian Burke intends Bobrovsky to carry the brunt of the work load this season.

We have also just received word that Toronto has claimed veteran D-man Mike Weaver (DFD) 25 years old 1.005M one year remaining on his contract 80 overall C-/D-/C- potential from the Boston Bruins. I see this as a pure depth move from Toronto and assume Weaver will be retained as the Leafs seventh defence man.

As Toronto heads to Philadelphia tomorrow for their next road game it will be without former hopeful number one goaltender James Reimer, and Sergei the saviour Bobrovsky, as Leaf nation has dubbed him, in net.

With all the recent excitement surrounding the Leafs it will be interesting to see how they react in Philly tomorrow, in parting I will leave you with the Leafs Projected lines, once again thanks for reading.

For TSN I am hockey insider Bob McKenzie.

Line one
LW Phil Kessel C Kyle Turris RW Nazem Kadri
LD Luke Schenn RD Mark Streit

Line two
LW Magnus Paajarvi C Mike Ribeiro RW Nikolai Kulemin
LD Cody Franson RD Kurtis Foster

Line three
LW Kyle Beach C Paul Gaustad RW Mikkel Boedker
LD Theo Peckham RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

Line four
LW Viktor Stalberg C Samuel Pahlsson RW Justin Abdelkader

G1
Sergei Bobrovsky
G2
Chris Mason

PP one
LW Nikolai Kulemin C Kyle Turris RW Phil Kessel
LD Cody Franson RD Mark Streit

PP two
LW Mikkel Boedker C Mike Ribeiro RW Nazem Kadri
LD Magnus Paajarvi RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

4 Man PP one
C Mike Ribeiro RW Phil Kessel
LD Cody Franson RD Mark Streit

4 Man PP two
C Kyle Turris RW Nazem Kadri
LD Magnus Paajarvi RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

PK one
C Paul Gaustad RW Justin Abdelkader
LD Luke Schenn RD Kurtis Foster

PK two
C Samuel Pahlsson RW Kyle Beach
LD Cody Franson RD Theo Peckham

3 Man PK one
C Paul Gaustad
LD Theo Peckham RD Luke Schenn

3 Man PK two
C Samuel Pahlsson
LD Cody Franson RD Kurtis Foster

Captains:
C: Luke Schenn
A: Phil Kessel
A: Cody Franson

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Leafs 10 game update

Injury news:

Recent waiver claim Mike Weaver will be injected into the leafs line up after team Captain Luke Schenn suffered an MCL sprain during the game against the Islanders. Schenn is projected to be out as long as four weeks. With the Leafs just now starting to right their ship it will be interesting to see how this injury to a key player effects the line up.


Depth comes through, Kadri hooks up Boedker

Team record: 4-3-3 / 13th in East / 24th in NHL

After a rocky start the Leafs find themselves in a poor place and needing to claw their way back into contention.


Turris, Kadri and Kessel combine for a goal

Toronto Maple Leafs Stats - 2013
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Phil Kessel	10	6	9	15	3	0	6	63	9.5%
Nikolai Kulemin	10	8	6	14	5	0	0	32	25%
Nazem Kadri	10	6	7	13	1	0	4	26	23.1%
Kyle Turris	10	3	9	12	4	0	2	32	9.4%
Mike Ribeiro	10	3	8	11	6	0	4	21	14.3%
Magnus Paajarvi	12	2	7	9	6	0	2	49	4.1%
Mark Streit	10	0	6	6	4	0	4	9	0%
Mikkel Boedker	10	4	2	6	6	0	4	48	8.3%
Justin Abdelkader	10	2	3	5	1	1	2	16	12.5%
Paul Gaustad	10	1	4	5	4	0	4	8	12.5%
Theo Peckham	10	0	4	4	11	0	0	5	0%
Marc-Andre Bergeron	10	3	1	4	4	1	4	17	17.6%
Viktor Stalberg	10	3	1	4	4	0	2	16	18.8%
Cody Franson	10	0	4	4	4	0	0	12	0%
Kurtis Foster	10	1	2	3	2	1	12	11	9.1%
Kyle Beach	10	1	2	3	0	0	4	22	4.5%
Samuel Pahlsson	10	1	1	2	-2	1	0	13	7.7%
Luke Schenn	9	0	1	1	-6	0	6	5	0%
Mike Weaver	9	0	1	1	-2	0	0	4	0%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Sergei Bobrovsky	6	3	3	0	2.61	367	159	.906	1
Chris Mason	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Lot's of pressure nets Turris a goal

NHL League Leaders - Updated: Oct 27, 2013
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. Lars Eller	13		1. Eric Staal	11
	2. Tyler Ennis	9		2. Zach Parise	11
	3. Jamie Benn	9		3. Anze Kopitar	11
	4. Nikolai Kulemin	8		4. Henrik Zetterberg	10
	5. Steven Stamkos	8		5. Max Pacioretty	10
Points		P	Plus/Minus		+/-
	1. Anze Kopitar	17		1. Theo Packham	+11
	2. Jamie Benn	16		2. Alex Goligoski	+10
	3. Lars Eller	16		3. Dan Hamhuis	+9
	4. Phil Kessel	15		4. Chris Butler	+8
	5. Dustin Brown	15		5. Henrik Sedin	+8
Wins		W	Goals Against Average		GAA
	1. Jonathan Quick	8		1. Henrik Lundqvist	1.50
	2. Antti Niemi	6		2. Marc-Andre Fleury	1.69
	3. Ryan Miller	6		3. Kari Lehtonen	1.94
	4. Jason Labarbera	6		4. Ilya Bryzgalov	1.99
	5. Jaroslav Halak	6		5. Cam Ward	2.11
Save Percentage		SV%	Shutouts		SO
	1. Henrik Lundqvist	.946		1. Semyon Varlomov	2
	2. Marc-Andre Fleury	.945		2. Curtis Mcelhinney	2
	3. Kari Lehtonen	.939		3. Cam Ward	2
	4. Ilya Bryzgalov	.930		4. Mathieu Garon	1
	5. Ryan Miller	.927		5. Henrik Lundqvist	1

Kadri gets a free goal

[bthomp05]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Just can't catch a break eh?

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Injury update

Theo Peckham will be out for the next 4-5 weeks after going down in the second period in last night's game against the New Jersey Devils. Peckham, who leads the team with a +/- of +18 will be a loss that is felt, with his solid defensive play Peckham has been one of the unsung heroes of the Leafs recent surge. The injury is being classified as an MCL sprain similar to that of Luke Schenn who was hurt earlier in the season, Schenn is still recovering, estimations put him being able to rejoin the leafs in about two weeks.

To fill in for the Ailing Peckham, Toronto has recalled Jake Gardiner from the Toronto Marlies. Gardiner spent all last season with the leafs putting up 2 goals 25 assists in 71 games but did not impress this pre season and has struggled with the Marlies, posting 2 goals 2 assist and a -3 rating in 12 games played.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Just can't catch a break eh?

The boys have settled down and Bobrovsky has proven why I made the trade for him. Things are turning around now.

[Dynasty]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

20 game update

After opening the season struggling once again, the Toronto Maple Leafs have reigned it in and started heading in the right direction. Following the stellar play of newly acquired goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky Toronto has begun to turn their poor play around.

Team record: 11-5-4 / 8th in NHL / 3rd in the East

Injury Report: Not all sunshine and roses

While the team as a whole is playing very good hockey, key losses have tallied against them.

D Luke Schenn has been cleared to play, and not a moment too soon. Schenn will slot back into all of Toronto's top units where his strong physical and defensive play will be needed.

D Kurtis Foster was put out in last night's game against the Penguins after throwing an innocent body check and leaving the ice immediately after. Foster will be out for the next two weeks with a strained neck.

D Theo Peckham continues to rehab a sprained MCL, the time table for the Leafs +/- leader is said to be three weeks

LW Magnus Paajarvi suffered a broken wrist in last night's game against the penguins. Paajarvi collided with goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury and fell into the net folding his left wrist backwards, which resulted in the break. Paajarvi will miss the next four weeks with the injury.


Updated lines:

Line one
LW Phil Kessel C Kyle Turris RW Nazem Kadri
LD Luke Schenn RD Mark Streit

Line two
LW Mikkel Boedker C Mike Ribeiro RW Nikolai Kulemin
LD Cody Franson RD Jake Gardiner

Line three
LW Viktor Stalberg C Paul Gaustad RW Kyle Beach
LD Mike Weaver RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

Line four
LW George Parros C Samuel Pahlsson RW Justin Abdelkader

G1
Sergei Bobrovsky
G2
Chris Mason

PP one
LW Nikolai Kulemin C Kyle Turris RW Phil Kessel
LD Cody Franson RD Mark Streit

PP two
LW Mikkel Boedker C Mike Ribeiro RW Nazem Kadri
LD Jake Gardiner RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

4 Man PP one
C Mike Ribeiro RW Phil Kessel
LD Cody Franson RD Mark Streit

4 Man PP two
C Kyle Turris RW Nazem Kadri
LD Jake Gardiner RD Marc-Andre Bergeron

PK one
C Paul Gaustad RW Justin Abdelkader
LD Luke Schenn RD Jake Gardiner

PK two
C Samuel Pahlsson RW Kyle Beach
LD Cody Franson RD Mike Weaver

3 Man PK one
C Paul Gaustad
LD Luke Schenn RD Mike Gardiner

3 Man PK two
C Samuel Pahlsson
LD Cody Franson RD Mike Weaver

Toronto Maple Leafs Stats - 2013
Skaters	GP	G	A	PTS	+/-	GW	PIM	SOG	SPCT
Nazem Kadri	20	10	11	21	5	1	8	59	16.9%
Nikolai Kulemin	20	9	12	21	9	0	0	58	15.5%
Phil Kessel	20	9	11	20	6	2	16	110	8.2%
Mike Ribeiro	20	6	13	19	14	0	4	46	13%
Kyle Turris	20	5	14	19	7	1	2	52	9.6%
Magnus Paajarvi	21	6	8	14	10	0	6	80	7.5%
Mikkel Boedker	20	5	6	11	11	0	6	70	7.1%
Theo Peckham	17	1	9	10	16	0	0	12	8.3%
Mark Streit	20	1	8	9	12	0	4	24	4.2%
Kyle Beach	20	5	4	9	6	1	8	42	11.9%
Cody Franson	20	1	7	8	12	0	0	26	3.8%
Justin Abdelkader	20	2	6	8	1	1	4	38	5.3%
Paul Gaustad	20	2	5	7	5	0	11	15	13.3%
Viktor Stalberg	20	5	1	6	6	1	4	30	16.7%
Kurtis Foster	20	2	3	5	6	2	12	25	8.0%
Marc-Andre Bergeron	20	3	2	5	6	1	4	29	10.3%
Samuel Pahlsson	20	1	3	4	0	1	0	30	3.3%
Mike Weaver	19	1	3	4	0	0	0	11	9.1%
Luke Schenn	9	0	1	1	-6	0	6	5	0%
George Parros	6	0	1	1	-1	0	10	9	0%
Goalies	GP	W	L	T	GAA	TOI	SV	SV%	SHO
Sergei Bobrovsky	14	10	4	0	1.83	851	370	.935%	2
Chris Mason	2	0	2	0	4.50	120	58	.866%	0

You can see the difference the arrival of goaltender Bobrovsky has produced. The Leafs are playing hard and confident.

All lines are producing as expected and goaltending has been excellent. Bobrovsky has come to Toronto with a hungry look in his eyes and is showing it on the ice, so far Bob has given the leafs a chance to win, or won the game himself.

Lines one and two have been clicking on all levels, chemistry is evident and confidence is oozing off this team right now. Nazem Kadri has stepped up his game so far this season and showing his long time critics that sometimes you have to wait a little longer then you want to in order to provide what is asked of you.

NHL League Leaders - Updated: November 18 2013
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. Jeff Skinner	18		1. Eric Staal	22
	2. Jarome Iginla	15		2. Nicklas Backstrom	20
	3. Alexander Ovechkin	15		3. Brad Richards	19
	4. Marion Gaborik	14		4. Zach Parise	19
	5. Shane Doan	14		5. Joe Thornton	18
Points		PTS	Plus/Minus		+/-
	1. Marion Gaborik	29		1. Theo Peckham	16
	2. Brad Richards	28		2. Henrik Sedin	16
	3. Joe Thornton	27		3. Dan Hamhuis	16
	4. Alexander Semin	27		4. Kevin Bieksa	15
	5. Jeff Skinner	27		5. Daniel Sedin	15
Wins		W	Goals Against Average		GAA
	1. Jonathan Quick	14		1. Sergei Bobrovsky	1.83
	2. Antti Niemi	11		2. Cam Ward	1.99
	3. Marc-Andre Fleury	11		3. Henrik Lundqvist	2.00
	4. Sergei Bobrovsky	10		4. Marc-Andre Fleury	2.02
	5. Mikka Kiprusoff	10		5. Ryan Miller	2.06
Save Percentage		SV%	Shutouts		SO
	1. Sergei Bobrovsky	.935		1. Jonathan Quick	3
	2. Ryan Miller	.934		2. Curtis Mcelhinney	3
	3. Marc-Andre Fleury	.934%		3. Corey Schneider	2
	4. Kari Lehtonen	.933%		4. Sergei Bobrovsky	2
	5. Cam Ward	.931%		5. Kari Lehtonen	2

Coach Gilmour on the Leafs success:

The guys are motivated; it's not that we have changed a whole lot when it comes to strategy or anything like that. The guys we got here have bought into the system we have been preaching, we are getting strong play form the forward group, strong defence from our blue line and the goaltending that everyone has dreamed of. If I had to highlight the changes that I believe have had the greatest impact would first be the most obvious, goaltending. Beyond that we have given each line their own identity and a role we want them to fulfill, and our team speed is very high this season.

As for goaltending this is Bob's season, he came here wanting to prove that he is a number one guy and he is going to be our horse this season. Saying that is not detracting anything from Mason, as his reputation precedes him, he has done nothing but help Bob. I really think Sergei is picking up a lot of Chris's habits that will make him one of the top goaltenders in this league.

We are breaking the season in segments, and were looking at it in ten game blocks, doing an evaluation after each block has been completed. So far everyone has passed with flying colours. Now we have lost a few guys to injury but the team as a whole is playing so well as a unit that the loss hasn’t been felt as keenly as it could have been, that and Brian Burke has supplied us with ample depth throughout the organization to fill in the caps when they surface.

Look out for us this year, we got the pieces, we got the youth and experience. It’s our time.

[bthomp05]

Re: Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

Great work this season, looks like your clicking finally. Though those injuries must be killing your blue line.