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?

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

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.

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.

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.

This was one of those games that makes slamming your head against the wall seem like reasonable, or even a slight under reaction to the events. The Leafs played a good game and it is hard to be in a game where you have 10 consecutive minutes playing a man short. But to their credit they pressed and fought back.

But there were two big misses that, in the end, cost the Leafs. First was midway through the second when the Leafs Clarke Macarthur drove down the right side, only to have a Sabre wrap his arms around him. The referee, looking right at this, did nothing. The play then went back to the Leafs end where C-Mac took a tripping penalty that started the half period of shorthanded play.

The Leafs deserved all calls that followed, and I’m sorry to say, Phaneuf deserved the 5 and a game he got for his dangerous hit. The only way to eliminate hitting from behind is to hand out those large penalties.

In the end the Leafs looked on the verge to overcome their pathetic attempt at killing penalties if not for a blatant non-call when Phil Kessel was crosschecked at the blue line. The puck squirted to a Buffalo player, who made a perfect breakaway pass and lead goal that will surely haunt Reimer tonight. After the smoke settled the Leafs lost a game they should have won, blame the refs, blames the PK, either way these are 2 points that may be very important by seasons end.

Last year it seemed almost a given that one of two Toronto draft picks from 2010, Brad Ross (2^nd round, 43^rd overall) and Greg McKegg (3^rd round, 62^nd overall) would be making an appearance in Alberta this Boxing Day. Instead both will be sitting at home like the rest of the nation, maybe with a little extra eggnog to numb the disappointment.

There are strong worries that this year’s entry into the tournament will lack scoring, this is a void both players should have been able to fill. This roll on a scoring line would have been best suited to McKegg, the Erie Otter had steadily improved his scoring output over the last two seasons. After a low production rookie season McKegg exploded with 37 goals, 85pts in 67 games and 49 goals, 92 points in 66 games while being a combined +38. This year is a different story, playing on an woefully bad Otters team that has amassed just 4 wins in 32 games this season McKegg is has a lowly 10 goals and an abysmal -33 this season.

Even with McKegg seemingly taking a step back this season there was still hope with Ross managing to stick around until the final cuts. Ross, from the WHL Portland Winterhawks, has, like McKegg, steadily improved his production since being drafted but is playing for a playoff bound team.  But again, much like McKegg, his plus minus that combined for + 51 over the past 2 seasons is a -7 this year. In the end Ross was deemed unworthy of joining the best of the Canadian juniors and was sent home.

It seems that both prospects are struggling to build on their achievements from last season. This could stem from, as veterans of their teams, playing against the top players in the leagues more often and are being exploited for some defensive shortcomings. Some concern over this is warranted, after all the Leafs are poster boys for how weak defensive play can sink a team since the lockout, bad goalies notwithstanding.

Luckily both these kids are several years away from getting a serious shot in the big leagues. Hopefully by then they will have rounded out a little more and can recapture the magic that got them both drafted in the top 100 not that long ago.

Cam Ward, historically a strong and reliable goalie, is mired deep in a Toskalaesk season. This would be a problem unless he is actually just auditioning for a role on the Team Canada soccer team. (Where the main goal seems to be jumping away from the ball) Regardless, the Leafs made Ward look good tonight. Sure, they peppered the Carolina Maple-canes net and dominated the play for a majority of the game, but Ward usually got to stay in position and let the puck hit him.

Phil Kessel, speedy as ever, was a large part of the problem. There he is on a 2-on-1 with Joffrey Lupul with the Canes defensemen leaving the passing lanes open. Instead of attempting a creative play Phil does what he tries all too often these last few games, ignores the open player and fires the puck top shelf. As most goalies have been lately, Ward was ready and stopped it along with every other time he tried it.

As the game progressed this predictable trends continued and as the Leafs pressed the shots came from all angles. Ward was there to stop them all (well, most) and the Boys in Blue stopped utilizing their creative passing in favour  more shots either centre mass or well wide.

But hey, it turned out well this time: Toronto won, goaltending didn’t cost them any points and Ward let one slip past. Hopefully this is a confidence booster, the last one needed before Christmas. With some serious competition coming up over the next week this team needs to be in good spirits, not dried up, brittle on the ground, disintegrating like all other leaves in the fall.

Nevertheless it is very disconcerting to look at the standings these days. The Leafs’ goal differential isn’t improving, (unless you pretend they’ve never played Boston) they’re consistently falling behind early and a solid 60 minute game is hard to come by. I would mention the PK as well, but from what I’ve seen the Leafs don’t have one.

That would be something though. Imagine those Boys in Blue taking the ice when they get a penalty instead of sitting on the bench in protest. It is a radical idea, I know, but it does warrant some consideration. As it is they only get scored on nearly 30% of the time, effectively neutralizing their suddenly deadly powerplay, so with a few quality kills here and there could make a huge difference.

I would start with the simple things:

-          Cover passing lanes

-          Don’t let players (ie:Kovalchuk) stand still unchallenged with the puck

-          Be aware of where all players are

That’s all and I would bet that almost every player on the Leafs learned how to play shorthanded at some point. If they don’t pull this PK together I am afraid that this habit of treading .500 continue and I am not sure my body can take it. If not I may have to make some dietary changes, maybe utilize the microwave.

Over the last few days there has been more speculation about the Leafs once again mortgaging the future then there are gate receipts at Nassau Coliseum. Of course that is only about 4-5 rumors total but that is still a good number of rumors.

First up were the obligatory Bobby Ryan rumors and the outrageous offers that come along with it. It seems whenever this guy is mentioned in a headline the Leafs are supposedly interested. Last I hear the offer included the entire Toronto Marlies franchise. (Though that offer was derailed when MLSE tried to include Toronto FC in the deal) The thought that the Burke would be willing to sell the future on a struggling top flight winger who has a history of holding out for big contracts is… actually not that outlandish… Okay, the chances of him doing it twice in three years is (hopefully) unlikely.

These were quickly followed by a somewhat quieter set of suggestions revolving around Rick Nash. These are more ridiculous then Gomez’s contract. The face of a franchise that is desperate to fill seats, who is, more and more, seeming like a 60-70 point player at best with a monster contract, not really a player destined to be traded. The thought of packages including Scrivens, Kadri and any number of the current top 6 on the Leafs roster for a $7.8mil deal going beyond 2015-16 is scary. Forgetting the crazy offers thrown out that is not a Burke style contract. He has repeatedly stated he would not pick up 7+ year contracts and +$7mil cap hits. So let’s just let this one die here and now.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the trade speculation and it is fun to look through the league and try to figure out who could move where. There was a time when those moves could actually happen and I wish those days would return. But for right now, let’s keep them more realistic, stop reporting ridiculous rumors as news and enjoy the solid hockey these Boys in Blue are playing right now. (Outside of the Northeast that is)