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.

Huge Changes In Leafs Nation

Life has changed drastically.
With one shift on the AM dial the way I look at the Toronto Maple Leafs changed forever.
Brian Burke was announcing his newly finalized blockbuster deal with the Calgary Flames.
Burke brought over World Junior Gold Medal winning Defensive prospect Keith Aulie, former 2001 first round pick (11th Overall) Fredrik Sjostrom, and most importantly two-time All-Star defenceman Dion Phaneuf from the Flames in exchange for Forwards Niklas Hagman, Matt Stajan and Jamal Mayers, and defenceman Ian White.
This can't be real. My brain couldn''t register the fact that we just completed robbed the Flames of an elite player.
But then no, there's more.
Burke comes back to announce another trade, this one with the Anaheim Ducks.
Going out is overpriced forward Jason Blake and over played goaltender Vesa Toskala, King of the Softies.
Coming in, former All-Star and Conn Smythe winning goaltender J.S. Giguere.
Words cannot express the genius that is Brian Burke's mind.
How can this be real?
Basically, Burke paid Nik Hagman and Ian White for Phaneuf, Matt Stajan for Sjostrom and Aulie, and Mayers to bring Elisha Cuthbert to the ACC for 41 days a year.