It's not only his production (though he was decent in that regard), it's mainly his style of play. He's like a linebacker on skates (6'4" 255lbs is ridiculous!), yet he'snot afraid to use his frame and do so effectively. The way he played in this past season and the previous season's playoffs pretty much sealed his rep as not only a Blackhawks favourite, but especially a Hockey fan favourite. He's a 3rd liner that steps up big in the crunch, and did so time and again. Players like that are always glorified because he's like... a Hockey player. That hit on Pronger didn't hurt either. Remember Darcy Tucker? Who won't? Difference is that Byf is much bigger and can play the game that wore Darcy out longer (I always knew he'd retire early), more versatile (he used to be a defenceman if I remember correctly) and the seems a little more skilled. The jury is out on whether he can have near the production that Tucker had. He's not nearly as nuts though. Tucker's madness is hard to match. He doesn't belong in this newer era of Hockey. He's too wild. Wish I had a player like him on my team, but I'll want to see what Colby Armstrong can do in Toronto. His production is similar, and he plays a gritty game, but I'll want to see how he plays in the post-season.
It should. Hopefully Leafs history doesn't repeat themselves. They were never good at winning games they were supposed to win.
I made a cool concept for an alternative jersey. I'll get it uploaded soon. I was inspirited by Icethics.
Great win tonight and Kessel with another goal. Out PP is off the chain right now scoring left, right and center. Kris and Garbo playing better, love it.
We got slapped last night, 5-0...sheesh. Ron Wilson may need to go, we just aren't scoring and that shouldn't happen. If not Ron Wilson, can we get a legit C? Our guy is in his sophomore slump and Garbo is not a top line C. Can I get some hands for Brad Richards? Or is that just a dream.
As cool as that may be, I think it's more of a dream. It's been plenty of times where there was speculation a player would join our team, only to see them re-sign with the club on a long-term deal, or with another club. Toronto rarely (if ever) gets a star acquisition in the off-season (if/when Richards will be a UFA). Last one I remember was Mogilny, and that was like 9 years ago. Nieuwendyk pretty was good too, but that was also a while back (2003 off-season) and he only played1 season for the buds.
I'm going to agree about the Coach. Definitely, Wilson has got to go. The team makes the same mistakes every game. That shouldn't happen. They're supposed to be learning and continually cutting down on their mistakes so they can maximize their skills. That's not happening. There's also very little accountability, as Brett Lebda and John Mitchell were continually in the line-up for Toronto's long losing spells. As soon as they're out (tonight), the Leafs squeak out a close win. They can stand a chance, and they did. Those players hurt them, but Wilson does not seem to acknowledge that kind of thing. They might both be back in for the next game so they can try and ride the wave of the success built by the team currently built, rather than take a seat on the pine for the Marlies, where they really belong. They're not NHL caliber players.
Do you think there will be a firring and maybe a trade down the line? I know how it feels to have a bad team, Chicago was not always like they were the last few years.
I think Detroit is pretty glad. I don't usually read much into the +/- stat, but a team leading -11 in less than half the amount of games play by most of the team (Lebda only played 12 games while the rest played 25), is terrible... at best. He gets caught pinching way too many times for the role he's supposed to play (6th/7th d-man), and Ron Wilson plays him too much as well (15:14 a night), especially since he has NO goals and NO assists at all. I don't want to see him again. Aulie and Gunnar can take over from now until Phanuef returns. I don't want to see Mitchell again either Toronto's OK was top 10 before he got stuffed into the line-up. They fell to dead last when he started playing. Last night the team was solid once again after he was dropped out of it. Hopefully Wilson doesn't get an urge to put him in again. It's like he can't resist the sight of Mitchell on the ice or something. It's pathetic.
