Competition Committee

There is a rather telling trend between the pipes in Toronto, one that has been going on since Monster was originally courted and brought overseas: Competition.

It just seems as though it would come so natural, athlete vs athlete in a head to head competition. The reward? Be the #1 goalie with the biggest team in the hockey universe, arguably the pinnacle of the sport. Why wouldn’t this be the best way to go? Just a look around the League and you can see where this approach has produced all stars.

In St. Louis there is Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliot. Last season both goalies were handed their starting roles and failed to live up to expectations. This season Halak is playing at his highest level since wrangling the starter role from Carey Price in Montreal. And Elliot, embarrassingly bad with Ottawa and Colorado, would be a no contest Vezina winner if he played more than half of the Blues’ games.

It doesn’t end there; Tim Thomas found a new resolve when his job was lost to heir apparent Tukka Rask a few seasons ago. In Florida it is perennial backups Jose Theodore and Scott Clemmensen splitting duty with renewed success. Go back a decade and the first playoff appearance for the Ottawa Senators was due in part to the elevated play and determination of Damien Rhodes and Ron Tugnutt to make their mark as starters in the bigs. Not to mention the perennial battle on Long Island to fill the massive void left by the Porcelain Protector of the cage, Rick Dipeitro, that has led to resurgences for Dwayne Roloson, Al Montoya and Evgeni Nabokov.

But this formula does not work for everyone. Look at the aforementioned Price, whose play plummeted when he had to compete for his job. This is similar to what is happening in Toronto this season. When James Reimer broke in last year there was not supposed to be a chance for him to compete for a starting job. So without this pressure he just went out thinking of the future. When he was called back up he was the clear #1. Monster and Giggy had been effectively shut down for the season so it was an extended audition for the new guy. Jump to the start of this season: Reimer posting solid numbers as the undisputed front man before he apparently concussed himself. (I thought he got hit in the head by a Hab, but Shanny thought otherwise.)

Enter the Monster. Bad out of the gate and with Ben Scrivens being handed the reins Monster’s fight for ice time continued. When Reimer, no longer the only option, returned he was clearly feeling the effects of the injury and Monster was given his shot. One good start became three then Monster was given #1 status. The promise of consecutive starts led to the best month of Monster’s career. But when he faltered Reimer was sent back in the net and the competition started in earnest. The results have been disastrous. Right now neither goalie looks like an NHL regular, much less a starter. History has shown both thrive when they are the #1 man, and while fighting for starts they start to fight the puck.

You have to wonder if this carousel of starts is really the best way to handle to manage these two young, unproven netminders. Some athletes thrive on competition, others need job security to get over the mental hurdles. Which do we have here?

Never tell me the odds

This Is the most exciting time of year, trade rumors fill the forums and the New York Islanders get eliminated from playoff contention. Oh tradition.

But there is only one thing that really matters to the NHL: How many Canadian teams will make the playoffs? After all, these are the only franchise’s that contribute significantly to keeping the Phoenix Coyotes afloat. Let’s take a looks at their chances:

 

Toronto Maple Leafs

Will make it if:

-          Kessel and Lupul rediscover their early season scoring touch

-          Ron Wilson learns that the appropriate time to pull a struggling goalie before the 4^th goal

Will miss if:

-          They continue to play without a goaltender

Ottawa Senators

Will make it if:

-          Spezza, Michalek and Alfredsson continue to exceed expectations

-          Anderson decides to stop allowing his cousin to fill in for him

Will miss if:

-          They continue rely on Spezza, Michalek and Alfresson exceeding expectations

-          Paul Maclean shaves

Edmonton Oilers

Will make it if:

-          The kids continue to behave and remember to send advanced letters to Santa

-          The bulk of the Western Conference throws the season in hopes that a first overall pick could go to an team that will make use of the prospect

Will miss if:

-          Let’s just face it, they will miss

Vancouver Canucks

Will make it if:

-          They keep playing in a division with the Oilers

-          The Sedins continue to confuse defenders by switching places

Will miss if:

-          Some industrious fan from a rival team places some of BC’s famous plant in the ‘Nucks bags before a lengthy southern road trip.

Winnipeg Jets

Will make it if:

-          Claude Noels pre game interviews continue to put visiting teams and fans to sleep

Will miss if:

-          Keep dressing players cut from some of the worst Leaf teams in franchise history.

-          Byfuglien keeps telling stories of what happened to the last team he won with.

Calgary Flames

Will make it if:

-          No one other than Kipprusof plays goal

-          The opposition keeps thinking Iggy is the only threat on the team

Will miss if:

-          A Sutter has any input on a trade

 

Montreal Canadiens:

Will make it if:

-          Hell Freezes over

It’s Alive!

An open letter to Jonas  ”The Monster” Gustavsson:

Damn you Jonas Gustavsson, do you have any idea what you have done? Any clue at all?

I’ll just say it, a little over 2 months ago some careless and borderline egotistical writer wrote you off as a goalie a few saves short of being “NHL Quality.” Now here you go posting outlandish numbers, multiple shutouts and wins.

Now this poor guy has to slink back to his post and subtly edit a “yet” into the first paragraph just to avoid looking foolish. So thank you very much for playing oh so well these last few months and keeping this team in the playoff hunt at the expense of this excellent writer.

The worst part is that you haven’t quite sold anyone on the idea that you are a solid #1 option. Sure, you are the best right now, but you still are prone to the weak goal and that is a major concern. So do everyone a favour: be either really good or really bad and let those lowly writers make snap judgments that remain correct forever.

On a related note:

While I am sure it was reading said post that gave you the motivation for rising to the occasion, you have yet to attribute anything to this brilliant up and comer. A simple mention: “So and So from the 5thlinecentre really motivated me. I owe my current success and substantial amount of my paycheques to this man.” Or if that is too forward for you feel free to deposit the money directly into his account, I am sure he would give you the information required.

Such a small gesture on your part would likely go a long way toward improving your playoff chances, just a thought.

‘Twas the Season

With Ron Wilson getting his much thought about/debated/speculated contract extension for Christmas I decided to spend a few weeks window shopping outside player homes to see just what they all received during the holiday season.

Colby Armstrong - In light of his ever increasing brittle nature he was given his own cow to ensure he drinks as much milk as he can. As I peeked into the basement window I spotted what I assume to be a backup gift, a giant, half wrapped metal machine with Iron Lung written on the side.

Sydney Crosby - The complete “Life and Times of Paul Kariya”, with special features including a Scott Stevens “replica.”

Alexander Ovechkin - At the very back of the tree there was a small gift, wrapped in Anaheim Ducks ticket stubs and a card that read “I get the last Getzlaf.” Inside was a joke book containing 100’s of different Ovechkin All-Star Game related jokes pulled from just about every blog and editorial around the hockey world.

Mike Ziggomanis - Finally received the actual self-portraits he took so he could finally prove once and for all those old pictures were doctored.

Mike Fisher - Adorning the walls in just about every room of the house were truly stunning, heartfelt Christmas cards addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Underwood.

Brendan Shanahan - A mint condition Colin Campbell “Do it yourself Supplementary Discipline Kit” which includes the fabled magic eight ball, roulette wheel and suspension abacus with only 3 sliding beads. Hate mail sold separately.

Dion Phaneuf – Elisha Cuthbert.

Erik Karlsson – A list of suggested reading from head Coach Paul Maclean, the following topping the list:

The latter of course being on back order thanks to the entire Pittsburgh Penguins roster preparing for the playoffs.

Unfortunately those are all the windows I was able to get close enough too without setting off the alarms, check in next week for a breakdown of the average police response time compared to overall league star power. *spoiler* Colton Orr does his own responding.

Finger on the Button

I have looked everywhere. Under my desk, in between the couch cushions, not-securely wrapped presents under the tree… I just can’t seem to find that damn panic button.

So do you all remember that time earlier this year when the Leafs were leading the Eastern Conference? Remember how during that time all talk came around to one important point? Anyone happen to recall what that was? Something about going streaking? Watching the tubes?

Oh yes, how could I forget: AVOID A STREAK THAT WILL SEND YOUR SEASONS DOWN THE TUBE!

Each season since Ron Wilson took over every discussion about what exactly extended to playoff drought has come down to one horrific stretch of hockey. Be it 1 win in 15 games or 2 wins in 9, it ended there.

Well, I can’t help but feel this team is once again on the verge of falling into that early season grave. In this 2-5-2 run Leaf fans have been witness to the most pathetic penalty killing the league has known for years.  Not only that, 7 times in that stretch these boys have allowed 3 or more goals and have been outscored 32-22, a difference just over 1 goal per game. Worst of all, in this span Toronto has fallen from a fight for first in the northeast to teetering on the verge of a losing a playoff spot.

This can all turn around if three players finally show up on a nightly basis: Grabovski, Kulemin and C-Mac. I don’t exactly know what the problem is with these guys, but the fight we saw last season is nonexistent. In 2010-2011 this line was a scoring threat in nearly every game and night in night out the best line on the team. Now they are nothing more than time fillers until Lupul and Kessel are rested. These 3 used to fight for every inch; if they lost the puck they did everything they could to get it back. This year they simply glance over their shoulders, and do a large, slow loop back towards the play. On top of that when they do manage to generate some pressure Grabovski seems afraid to shoot the puck.

I don’t know how much longer they will run cold, but without this line the Leafs are not playoff contenders. Not unless they manage to fix that humiliating penalty kill and, given the track record, the smart money is on the offence coming around.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have a button to find. We may need it.