As some of you may know, Greg Wyshnyski, formerly Deadspin's Hockey Closer, is now heading things up over at Yahoo's hockey blog. Greg was kind enough to ask me to write an obituary for the Ottawa Senators season and I was only too happy to do so.
The obit is now up and can be read here.
I can't wait to read the one for the Montreal Canadiens (and the sooner, the better).
Seven games to go, three teams to leapfrog, will the Leafs make it?
Here are several great places to check-in and see how the math adds up for the Leafs (and the odds don't seem to be in the Leafs' favour, unless you were hoping they'd finish 11th.)
James Mirtle's Playoff Push
Hockey Numbers' Conference Projections
Zorak's Magic (and Tragic) Numbers
Hockey Analysis Projected Standings
Hey Ottawa,
How are things?
I know it’s been a while since we talked. Seems every time we try to have a conversation it just turns into a shouting match.
Listen, I know you claim we broke your heart four times and I’m willing to take some of the blame for that, but maybe if you hadn’t gotten involved with that Lalime fellow last time around things might have turned out differently.
Sorry, let’s not go down that road right now…
We may still have our differences. Let’s be honest, I still think you’re cold and distant and not a lot of fun. And, yeah, there may be some truth to that whole “centre of the universe” thing that you just can’t seem to let go of, but that’s not why I’m writing to you.
I heard about what you did to Carolina this week and even though you’ll likely deny it, I’d like to think that part of that was about us. So, I just want to say thanks. Even if it wasn't about us, I really appreicate it.
I hear there’s a big dance coming up in April. We haven’t received our invitation yet but I'm still somewhat hopeful. I know we didn’t get to go last year either (you really don’t have to bring it up, please don’t, it’s something that still stings) but the reason we can’t go comes down to some plan or something. It’s really not clear…
If you do go to the dance, I just hope for your sake you haven’t pinned your hopes on another last minute date with someone like Tyler Arnason or Oleg Saprykin, if that’s who you have your eye on I think we both know how this is going to end.
Anyways, maybe once you’ve gotten over another heart break in May we can go golfing together…it’s likely we’ll be hitting the greens come April 1 but even with a three to four week head start I’m sure you’ll beat us again. Seems you can’t get enough of winning when the stakes don't matter.
Wow.
There are so many things wrong with the Yannic Perrault trade I don’t even know where to begin.
For your consideration:
A) The Leafs are in a dog fight to make the post-season. Sitting in 10th place, they have a crushing schedule ahead of them and have to leap frog at least three teams to finish in 8th.
The biggest problems facing this club are:
1. Weak team defense
2. Inconsistent goaltending
3. Horrific penalty killing
B) The GM has gone on and on (and on and on) about the need to build from within. He has been very public about his plan to re-stock the cupboard and develop those cheap, young kids who can contribute.
C) The Leafs have a preponderance of centres and there most pressing need at forward is clearly a quality winger to play with Mats Sundin
Is there anyone that can take points A, B and C and conclude that the logical next step is to deal a young defensive prospect and a second round pick for 20 games worth of a soft, career minus centre that spends less than 30 seconds a game on the PK?
Anyone see the value in a second round pick and a prospect for a UFA who will leave for nothing in the off-season? Oh, and for those of you who don’t think a second round pick is too high a price to pay, the Leafs dealt a second rounder at the deadline for Aki Berg and the Kings ended up with Mike Cammalleri.
Anyone?
And finally, this has to put an end to the rumour that JFJ will lose his job if the Leafs don't qualify for the post-season. Because if that were true and JFJ's lone move was to deal for Perrault, this team is in far more trouble than I ever imagined.
Comment dit, "Stick a fork in 'em" en francais?
According to the players on the Leafs, every game at this time of year is a playoff match. Do or die. Put up or shut-up. Win or golf.
Well, it looks like golf.
G1: Loss to the Isles 3-2
G2: Win over Philly 4-2
G3: Win over Edmonton 4-3
G4: Loss to the Bruins 3-0
G5: Loss to Isles 3-2
G6: Win over Philly 5-2
G7: Loss Montreal 5-4
Three for seven when it's do or die.
Three for seven against some of softest competition in the NHL. Philadelphia was without Forsberg in the first match-up, without Knuble in the second and were playing a third string goalie who went on waivers today. Boston played without Murray, Bergeron and Boyes. Montreal has only won 3 of their past 10.
Three for seven, by my math and knowledge of the playoffs is, rather fittingly for this year's squad, the equivalent of elimination.
They couldn't make the playoffs last year and JFJ sat on his hands at the trade deadline.
They won't make the playoffs this year.
Unless JFJ has a change of heart in the next 16 hours, they'll pretty much all be back to try again next year.
Anyone like their chances in 2008?
This work by M. Forbes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.
