Saturday Night Hockey: Another Leafs-Centric Edition

Note: Before we continue on with our regularly schedule ranting, I would like to point out that last week I had my post written before the Burke press conference, but had it set to be published afterwards. So I'm going to start from the presser and review other interesting stuff that happened this week.

Argh, it pains me as a Habs fan to be talking about the Leafs, but here we go.

Burke Press Conference

Instead of dissecting it bit-by-bit, I'm just going to point out a few things that caught my attention:

• Wilson was 130-135-45. So the losing streak (forget the 45 OT/SOLs) pretty much made him a below .500 coach.
• Carlyle getting a chuckle out of the media? That should buy him 5 losses before "Fire Carlyle" articles are written.
• Burke: "After the last home game, it was clear to me it would be cruel and unusual punishment to let Ron coach another game in the Air Canada Centre." I'll give him credit, haven't heard that excuse before. Gauthier should take notes (for his next GM job, of course).
• Burke mentioned that Wilson preferred a bit more skill in the lineup than toughness. So it's interesting if Kadri lack of playing time during the past 2 seasons was more Burke than Wilson's doing.
• Burke: "this is akin to an 18-wheeler going right off a cliff." Should note that the 18-wheeler was carrying the Leafs playoff hopes since the lockout ended.
• Burke: "I was talking to (Los Angeles Dodgers GM) Ned Coletti..." STOP RIGHT THERE. Burke should be fired for saying that. Coletti is a horrible GM, the only reason this point doesn't get any light is because the Dodgers ownership is a mess and...wait...horrible ownership, horrible GM, MY GOD! The Leafs and Dodgers are one of the same!

Cherry vs. Burke: The REAL Battle of Ontario

Now THIS is something I have all day for.

To point out, Burke (loosely) started the argument of Ontario players by mentioning that they are probably going to try harder against the Leafs. Ron MacLean rolled with it (and brought up a good point, stating that if Ontario players try harder against the Leafs because of family, why wouldn't it work if they played as a Leaf).

Then the 1st Intermission happened:

OOOOOOOHH SNAP! SOMEBODY BOOK A BARN!

Now, people are going to Burke's defence, saying that he does have Ontario players. Here is the issue: they are in the minors/juniors. They aren't on the "trying to make the playoffs but will end up 10th" Leafs. At this time, wouldn't you want the players that would play harder to be up on the roster? I also love how people point out that Kadri (the pride and joy of Leafs prospects) was drafted by Burke. Technically yes, but does anyone remember that draft day? Remember when Brayden Schenn was picked and Burke was scrambling. Who does he go to? The guy who built the Ducks before Burke came in, Bryan Murray. He pretty much stole his pick. So next time Kadri comes up in the Ontario argument, remember he was Murray's idea that Burke took and ran with.

You Can Play

The only thing Brian Burke can't (and shouldn't) be criticized for this week. A great ad for a great cause.To learn more, visit the You Can Play website.

Before I go on, I realized there is one more piece of Burke-ness that happened this week. But I've done enough. Read more on his interview hang up here.

It's a Damn Good Time to be a Pens Fan

Good news: Crosby is set to return...soon...I swear. While the original date of tomorrow isn't going to happen, it's nice that Crosby is cleared for contact and is on the cusp of returning. If he does, and stays concussion free, then I'm calling it: Congrats to Pittsburgh Penguins for winning the 2012 Stanley Cup.

Also in Pittsburgh, Mario Lemieux had a statue built in his honour, take a look:

If you can't tell, the statue is on the left. (Photo courtesy of CBC)

One more thing Pens fans: how does that 8-game winning streak feel? As a Habs fan, this is what I consider good news:

MARKOV RETURNS...Soon...Hopefully

Need I say more? He is cleared for contact so that's promising.

And no, Markov's return won't effect Montreal's draft lottery status...much.

Update: HE'S GONNA PLAY!!! DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES?!?!

Leafs in War

Well might as well round out the Leaf coverage here. From @RealTimeWWII on twitter comes this picture of Leaf players training in uniform. Not army, hockey uniforms.



Barry Petchesky of Deadspin had the best comment about the picture:"...we thought it'd be nice to remind the Leafs of a time when they were on the winning team."

Note #2: Before the links, just want to say I got more. I'm going to push it to tomorrow though, so stay tuned for Sunday Night Hockey as well, where the GM meeting, Radulov's NHL return, and a fight in Croatia will be discussed.

Links

Best marketing idea this week, courtesy of the Blue Jackets (Puck Daddy)

Probably the most obvious/funniest hockey-related story I've ever heard (The Townsman)

Manitoba coaches be freaking out (with video) (Deadspin)

Lineup NOTables

Edmonton Oilers vs. Colorado Avalanche

Calder Candidate #1: Only Ben Eager (illness) is questionable. Nikolai Khabibulin is expected to start.
Calder Candidate #2: Matt Duchene (ankle) is out while Chuck Kobasew (back) is questionable. Semyon Varlamov starts this afternoon.

Philadelphia Flyers vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Injury Town, USA: Chris Pronger (concussion), Blair Betts (knee), Ian Laperriere (concussion), Jakub Voracek (head), Tom Sestito (groin), James Van Reimsdyk (foot), Kimmo Timonen (body), Pavel Kubina (upper body), Andrej Mezaros (lower body)  Ilya "HuMANGous Big Wins" Bryzgalov might start.
Toronto: Joffrey Lupul (hearing Carlyle is head coach shoulder) is out while Mike Brown (leg), Colby Armstrong (nose), and Cody Franson (face) are questionable. Jonas Gustavsson starts.

Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators

Buffalo: Jochen Hecht (concussion) and Andrej Sekera (illness) are out while Tomas Vanek (upper body) and Cody McCormick (upper body) are questionable. Ryan Miller is in net.
Ottawa: Peter Regin (shoulder), Jesse Winchester (concussion), and Craig Anderson (kitchen-related hand) are out. Ben Bishop starts.

Montreal Canadiens vs. Vancouver Canucks

Injury Town, Canada: Andrei "Right Knee" Markov, Brian Gionta (bicep), Travis Moen (upper body), Micheal Blunden (knee), and Mathieu Darche (upper body) are out while David Desharnias (lower body) and Raphael Diaz (lower body) are questionable. Carey "Only Bright Spot On The Habs This Season" Price starts.
Vancouver: Andrew Ebbett (collarbone), Steven Pinizzotto (shoulder), Aaron Vopatti (shoulder), and Keith Ballard (concussion) are out. Roberto Luongo is expected to start.