Ugly loss for Leafs to Begin Preseason

The Leafs opened up there preseason last night (Sept.21st) against the Ottawa Senators. There has a buzz running through Toronto during the past few weeks, Leafs fans have a renewed hope that their team could possibly finally have a playoff calibre team after a long five years of no playoff hockey.

This is not what the Leafs fans were expecting, although many regulars were out of the line up including Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and Luke Schenn the Leafs stub bled out of the gate in the first period, surrendering 17 shots and could only muster 5 them selves. Jonas Gustavsson looked good in net even while giving up two goals, he made 15 saves by the end up of the first. The first period goal scorers for Ottawa were Jesse Winchester and Nick Foligno.

In the second period the Leafs came out flying with much more energy, with one big hit after another. The fatigue of the Senators began to show when they began to take penalty after penalty, the Leafs had two 5 on 3 power play opportunities that lasted longer than a minute and a half, yet could not get one past Ottawas top Goalie Prospect Robin Lehner, who plays his Junior hockey for the Sue St.Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League.

The Leafs made a Goalie Change half way through the the second, bringing in 23 year old goal tending prospect Jussi Rynnas. He began his first pro game with a huge save, but things wouldn't stay so positive, as his growing pains as an NHL began with the Senators Corey Locke Snapped one home on Rynnas with 4 minutes remaining in the second to make it 3-0 for Ottawa.

The Rough stuff starting in the 3rd, the frustration in the Leafs was evident. One bright spot for the Leafs was the play of hard hitting new comer Mike Brown, he played hard in both ends of the ice and made the Ottawa players pay the price in the corners and also had a great fight against the Senators Tim Spencer. The Senators went on to score two, some what weak goals on Jussi Rynnas to make it 5-0, and the game finished off with a fight between the Leafs Christian Hanson and the Senators much smaller Brian Lee, Hanson won the fight by a long shot, but it wouldn't change the fact that the Ottawa Senators had pummeled the Leafs on the Scoreboard where it counts.

All in all, before all Leafs fans jump off the bandwagon, we all need to take a step back and realize it was their very first preseason game. The team has many new comers that have not had a chance to play together, witch in time when they begin to learn each others habits will help with the power play and play in their own end will go a long way for helping the Leafs get into a winning pattern.

The Leafs Continue their five preseason games in five days with another date with the Ottawa Senetors tonight.(Sept.22nd)

Side Note: Once again Leafs top prospect Nazem Kadri was pushed around and was very ineffective in his own end. You have to think Coach Ron Wilson and GM Brian Burkes Patience is running thin, he may just end up playing some time or even a whole season down in the AHL with the Toronto Marlies.

Till Next time, GO LEAFS GO!

Here are the highlights if you missed the game...

Rookie Tournament In London Ontario

As mentioned before I attended the Leafs rookie tournament this past weekend to witness the Toronto Maple Leafs top prospects vs. the Chicago Blackhawks top prospects. Some of the players to watch for Toronto were Nazem Kadri, Jerry D'amigo, and Marcel Muller....

The game began in the 1st with huge hitting from all the young guns, the leafs were first to strike early in the 1st when 2010 leafs draftee Brad Ross make a slick move to move past Chicago defenders and shelf the puck over the Blackhawks goalie Richardson.The Leafs 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft from Noway,Sondre Olden threw a shot on net that somehow ended up in the net. A few minutes the Leafs other 3rd round 2010 draft selection Greg McKegg scored a beautiful goal rushing in during a 2 on 1.The game continued at a extremely high pace as it was obvious all the prospect were looking to make a lasting impression on all who were watching, be it scouts or the teams General managers.

The game got a little bit dirty in the second when there was two fights that occurred, the leafs players both were much smaller than their competition, but both held there own in the fights. The Chicago Blackhawks were able to pot a few goals, but it wasn't enough to keep par with the Maple Leafs

The final score of the game was 6-3 and was an impressive showing by all Maple Leaf prospects, including many of the players taking by General Manager in this years June entry draft. The only disappointment may have been the play of Leafs top prospect Nazem Kadri, leading me to believe he may need some time in the AHL before he makes the jump to the big club.

'till next time, GO LEAFS GO

Summer Lay Off

Hey folks! Just wanted to give everyone a quick update.
I have been taking a break from blogging over summer,
But not to worry, with training camp just around the corner
My new posts will be coming fast and furious! Beginning with
Updates from the rookie tournament talking place in London, Ont.
Just got my tickets for Sept. 11th + 12th, when the Leafs top prospects will face
Off against both Pittsburgh's and Chicago's rookie teams.
GO LEAFS GO!

Thanks for the patience! Best wishes from Dylan's Leaf Talk

Leafs Stockpiling Quality Goalie Prospects

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed College free agent Ben Scrivens to a one year contract.

Scrivens compiled an impressive 21-9-4 record with Cornell last year, with a .934 save percentage. Ben Scrivens was also a top ten Hobey Baker finalist.
Scrivens is expected to challenge for playing time on the Toronto Marlies in 2010-2011.

Earlier this month the Toronto Maple Leafs agreed to terms on a two year deal with Finnish free agent goaltender Jussi Rynnas.
Jussi Rynnas spent the 09-10 year Finnish SM-Liiga in which he posted a 2.50 GAA and a 0.929 SV%.

Here are videos of some work by the newly signed Leafs goal tending prospects.

Ben Scrivens:




Jussi Rynnas:

Great game against Buffalo on Thursday night

Big 4-2 over Buffalo last night for the leafs, if you missed the action because you were stuck in traffic going home for the long weekend like me, here is the game is six minutes.

Olympic Break! - OH NO CANADA!

We take a break from our usual topic of the Toronto Maple Leafs due to the Olympic break. Instead we will be breaking down what happened in tonights huge game in Mens hockey in Vancouver between Canada and the United States.

I was a strong believer that Roberto Luongo should have gotten the start in goal for Canada on Sunday night, but instead Canadas head coach Mike Babcock went with the veteran Martin Brodeur.... Big mistake. Right off the bat Broduer looks like he was trying to put on a show with his stick play, and every time he had the puck it seemed it ended in a chance for the US.

Canada Physically controlled the U.S. team, with Rick Nash leading the way in dishing out major open-ice hits. The problem was that their work in the face-off circle was very off Sunday night the US was better by a two-to-one margin in the first two periods.

Canada scored three goals: by Eric Staal, on a tip-in; by Dany Heatley, on a jam from the side of the net; and then a final tally by Sidney Crosby to draw the Canadians within a goal and provide them with a little hope.

On their next shift, Crosby's line absolutely stuned the Americans in the zone and did everything but punch in the tying goal. But in the same way Jonas Hiller had a huge outing for the Swiss a couple of nights ago, it was Miller's time yesterday.

He stopped 42 out of 45 shots that he faced, and held the team in there at different moments when the ice seemed tilted Canada's way.

Canada now has a much longer route to the Gold, with a game a against Germany next then the always scary Russian Squad.... But i still Believe.... Go Canada Go!

Giguere, Leafs win big one for the Burke family

On Saturday night the Toronto Maple Leaf players,coaches,staff members and fans were under a cloud of sadness due to the sudden loss of General manager Brian Burke's youngest son Brendon,21.He passed away Friday night succumbing to injury's received in a car accident in Indiana.The Leafs won it for Brendon and his family due to the outstanding goal tending by J.S Giguere and some great play out of unlikely players to come up with a dominating 5-0 win over one of the NHL's hottest teams the Ottawa Senators who had won eleven straight coming into last nights game.

J.S Giguere began his Toronto Maple Leaf career last Tuesday with a shutout win in New Jersey 3-0, four days later on Saturday night with the loss of Brendon Burke heavy in his heart J.S again was perfect making 30 saves for his second consecutive shutout and becomes the first ever Toronto Maple Leaf goalie to begin his Leaf career with two straight shut outs, and the first to in the NHL since Jeff Hackett in 01/02 with Philidelphia. J.S Giguere is very close to the Burke family due his time as a member of the 2007 cup winning Anaheim Ducks whom Brian Burke was the GM, he express his extreme condolences to the family before game time.

The dark horse in the Calgary trade was really Fredrik Sjostrom, but he has taken little time to prove his worth. The former 11th overall draft selection has made significant improvements to what was the worst penalty kill in the NHL. His hard work is impossible to miss, he skates hard every shift and gives all he can to help the team. The points he is gathering is a bonus, he was not acquired for his offensive skills (6 Pts in 46 games before trade) but I'm sure the coaches will not mind the added offense,and his ice time may keep improving.

Some final Notes, Luke Schenn Doubles his Career high in goals in one game! Well lets be honest his career high is now four from last years two, but his significant improvement of play cannot be overlooked. After a rough start to his sophomore season, Lucky Luke is back. He is making big hits, smart plays, and don't look now... even showing some offensive up side.... I think the acquisition of Dion Phaneuf will do wonders for the progression of Schenns game, we all have to remember... he is only 20 years old!

Go Leafs Go!

Here are the highlights if you missed the action.