Bell, Devereaux and Battaglia Anyone?

By LT

We are just past the half way mark and mere days before the All Star break….Deadline dealings will no doubt heat up shortly.  Not all cup contending or playoff wannabe (in some cases “needtobe”) teams will be looking for this years version of Marian Hossa….Many teams will be looking for lower priced, small pieces of the puzzle….vets that can handle playoff pressure or simply more 3^rd and 4^th line depth to deal with injuries.  We all know about the Kaberle’s, Kubina’s and Antropov’s that we hope Burke can morph into picks and/or prospects….But there are a few vets on the Marlies that I believe the Leafs should consider recalling to see (and demonstrate to potential suitors) if they have anything left at the NHL level that could net more, albeit lower, picks in this years draft.   I’m referring to Mark Bell, Boyd Devereaux and Bates Battaglia.  Bell especially; who apparently has played extremely well of late (read Sun Article by Steve Buffery).  Before you laugh – I know that the league is probably filled with guys like these and that there will likely be very few teams interested in our older farmhands….but why not give it a try?  All three will be UFA’s after the season so it’s our last chance to get any value for them and there is no downside for the acquiring team as there are no long term commitments.  Drafting is a numbers game; especially in the later rounds….there are lots of great stories of low picks becoming good NHL’ers…why not try to parlay one or all three of these guys into late picks?  One might argue that playing these guys will stunt the development of others….Well, for a few games, I see no harm in asking vets like Mayers and Hollweg (who doesn’t play regularly anyway) to sit and sending a guy like Deveaux back down to the AHL for a few weeks.  If you think I’m way off – especially on Devereaux and Battaglia…at least give me Mark Bell. 

Another consideration (and perhaps most damaging to my suggestion above) is the risk of losing these players on re-entry. I’m not an expert on the CBA but after reading the rules (Article 13) I believe all three players mentioned would have to clear waivers if recalled…(someone correct me if I’m wrong).  So, we could risk losing them for nothing.  So perhaps the ultimate question is….is it worth it to attempt to bring them up to demonstrate their worth at the NHL level vs. trying to peddle them based on their AHL performance?  Another option is to focus on other moves and simply let them remain with the Marlies and ride off into the sunset at the end of the season. 

 What do you think?

No Reason To Watch the Leafs?

For those who think I have been a little rough on Gary, here is my ammo. Take a look at what he wrote, last night at 10pm for tomorrow’s paper:

“Eyeing the playoff picture, the NHL is a 50-inch plasma … and the Maple Leafs are a fuzzy black and white with rabbit ears.

So gimme five reasons to keep watching the Leafs through the winter:

1) A Ron Wilson-Don Cherry brouhaha might erupt over the unwritten code of fighting in the NHL, with the Leafs coach yanking Grapes’ flowery purple velour jacket over his head and pummelling him.

2) General manager Brian Burke could pull off another blockbuster trade like the one that landed Brad May.

3) We could run a pool: How many former Leafs goalies will end up with better numbers than the dynamite duo of Vesa Toskala and Curtis Joseph. (Curious to see the results after Burke deals for a draft pick by putting Vesa on a one-way American Express to Dallas. Guess you would have to give Burke credit).

4) Mikhail Grabovski might show levels of pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence in a game that doesn’t involve the Montreal Canadiens.

5) There is no No. 5.”

What the F@#$#@$@# is that? It isn’t funny. It isn’t topical, WHAT the hell is that? How, sports fans does this guy get to write for a real newspaper?

Buddy, if you can’t come up with 5 reasons to watch the Leafs the rest of the season, give up, go home, put your slippers back on and do whatever it is you usually do. Say what you will about this years Leafs, they are a hell of a lot more watchable this year then they have in years past. Seriously, who would have thunk that a team minus Sundin, Mccabe, Tucker et all would be fun to watch most nights. Winners, no, fun and interesting to watch, you bet.

Quote Of The Night

Got this from Kuklas Korner. It really shows why I liked Paul Maurice and miss him. He is brutally honest (except I hope when it comes to evaluating his team personnel) When he was asked about playing the Buds and how he felt:

“The politically correct thing that most coaches would say is that it’s just like any other game, but it’s absolutely not…. It’s absolutely personal. You get fired, you want to see that team lose every game for the next ten years.”

Truth hurts. Wonder who will post that on the chalk board in the leafs dressing room when they get to Carolina….

you can hear Maurice Maurice on playing the leafs..

What Would You Do????

OK Leaf fans, for some reason we are being inundated with stories that Vincent Lecavalier may be available. I would love to hear Glen Healy on the Bolts trading a guy who has signed an extension with a no trade clause that doesn’t kick in until after the season before the season ends. So, you, Leaf Fan are Brian Burke. Your team is devoid of a superstar forward:

1. Would you make a play to get him
2. If so, who would you offer up (jason blake submissions will be deleted)

Remember Leaf Fans, a few short years ago Vinny was ours. All that stopped the deal was the president of the Bolts not joining the league call to confirm it. In that deal the buds were sending Tomas Kaberle, wingers Nik Antropov and Jonas Hoglund and either Brad Boyesor a first-round draft pick in 2002. We still have the first two guys 🙂

Pre-Airwaves Post

A happy Sunday morning to all of you. Here are some random thoughts before taking to the airwaves on The Sunday Showcase on 740 AM here in the GTA at 11:30:

Howie and I disagree on one more thing, fashion. I was yapping at LT at how ugly the Flyers jersey was, way too florescent for me. Howie said it was his favorite of all the third jerseys. I realize this is biased, the Leafs jersey that has the old style maple leaf is my favorite. Followed by the Pens blue one.

Nice move by Lou and the Devils to ink Brendan Shanahan. He is happy being the New York area and may still have something left in the tank. Time will tell if it was a good move.

Anyone have a tape of hockeycentral from last night. I hear there was another near dust-up between Nick Kypreos and Bill Watters. An emailer sent me this account:

Kypreos: Hartsburg has worst body language I’ve ever seen in a coach, calls out his star players, Eugene – do something!

Watters: Hold it, Nick, HOLD IT….You can say what u want about Hartsburg, but he is as fine a young man as I’ve known..

Kypreos: So what, Bill….

Watters: And he’s a better coach than you’ve ever had!

Kypreos: Really????? (getting right pissed)

Watters: Yes, that’s true!

Kypreos: He is a Junior A coach….He is a Junior A coach..

Watters: NO HE ISN’T! NO HE ISN’T! He is an NHL COACH!

Kypreos: He isn’t. He’s proven that.

Watters: Do you think he’d call you a Junior A Player (screaming)??? You couldn’t carry his jockstrap!!!!!

Kypreos: Well….(then just sits there steaming…)

Honestly — Kypreos just looked like he’d gotten kicked in the balls.”

Here’s hoping someone out there has it so I can post it.

You know- us leaf fans and the franchise itself just can’t win. When the team was winning, Cliff did a lousy job because the team was performing too well. When they are losing the sky is falling. It’s no wonder someone hasn’t started a site devoted to bashing the media in this town 🙂

“The Maple Leafs continue to rediscover their backbone, but victories, well, that’s a different matter.” That from Paul Hunter in today’s Star. The undertone is blatent. What happened to the leafs need to tank sentiment? I mean as an old boss loved to say, you can’t suck and blow at the same time. The media just can’t have it both ways. I didn’t see the game last night, but for the opening 5-7 minutes. From all accounts it was the game we as fans should hope for every night. The boys played hard, really hard. A strong effort especially in the physical department and they lost. Isn’t that what we want from this team this year? Compete hard yet not enough to advance in the standings. The best part is the players we want to move are all playing reasonably well, therefore hopefully raising their respective values. Let’s hope they don’t peak too early or get hurt.

Love the bit in Ottawa Sun today that Brian Burke won’t be afraid to trade with the Habs or Sens…Man would #55 look great in white, red and black!

Type at you after the show

The Stanley Cup On The Road

CP was at the Toronto airport this am and ran into the Holy Grail, the Stanley Cup….

The Stanley Cup on the road!

Some Early Photo’s from Montreal

Our boy CP is at the game in Montreal here are some snaps:

Before the Game

Tribute to Buds

More On Brad May

Had a quick chance to get with a member of the Duck entourage this afternoon. I, of course asked how Brad May has been so far this season, to which I was told:

“Very good when healthy and in the line-up. Played quite well in a four man rotation on fourth line that included Ryan Carter, Brian Sutherby, George Parros and himself. Hurt his knee in November and missed 6 games, tweaked it again in December in a practice and in a game and couldn’t get back in the line-up after that.”

Of course I can’t wait to hear those complain about dealing another pick…..Quick someone get us a list of guys picked in the 6th round who have made it as an NHLer…..

Sounds like they picked up a big body with a presence to replace those who were supposed to do that..At least I hope it means that those who were supposed to do that are going to be gone soon.

May Day-Burke Adds size

Burke reels in Brad May from….. Anaheim (JP taught him well) for a conditional 6th round pick in 2010

So much for no deals right now 🙂
Brad May
Left Wing
Born Nov 29 1971 — Toronto, ONT
Height 6.01 — Weight 210 — Shoots L

Season Team Lge GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
1988-89 Niagara Falls Thunder OHL 65 8 14 22 304 17 0 1 1 55
1989-90 Niagara Falls Thunder OHL 61 33 58 91 223 16 9 13 22 64
1990-91 Niagara Falls Thunder OHL 34 37 32 69 93 14 11 14 25 53
1991-92 Buffalo Sabres NHL 69 11 6 17 309 7 1 4 5 2
1992-93 Buffalo Sabres NHL 82 13 13 26 242 8 1 1 2 14
1993-94 Buffalo Sabres NHL 84 18 27 45 171 7 0 2 2 9
1994-95 Buffalo Sabres NHL 33 3 3 6 87 4 0 0 0 2
1995-96 Buffalo Sabres NHL 79 15 29 44 295 — — — — —
1996-97 Buffalo Sabres NHL 42 3 4 7 106 10 1 1 2 32
1997-98 Buffalo Sabres NHL 36 4 7 11 113 — — — — —
1997-98 Vancouver Canucks NHL 27 9 3 12 41 — — — — —
1998-99 Vancouver Canucks NHL 66 6 11 17 102 — — — — —
1999-00 Vancouver Canucks NHL 59 9 7 16 90 — — — — —
2000-01 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 62 11 14 25 107 — — — — —
2001-02 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 72 10 12 22 95 5 0 0 0 0
2002-03 Phoenix Coyotes NHL 20 3 4 7 32 — — — — —
2002-03 Vancouver Canucks NHL 3 0 0 0 10 14 0 0 0 15
2003-04 Vancouver Canucks NHL 70 5 6 11 137 6 1 0 1 6
2005-06 Colorado Avalanche NHL 54 3 3 6 82 3 0 0 0 0
2006-07 Colorado Avalanche NHL 10 0 3 3 8 — — — — —
2006-07 Anaheim Ducks NHL 14 0 1 1 13 18 0 1 1 28
2007-08 Anaheim Ducks NHL 61 3 1 4 53 6 0 0 0 4
2008-09 Anaheim Ducks NHL 20 0 5 5 28
NHL Totals 963 126 159 285 2121 88 4 9 13 112

On Trading Sean Avery

Spoke to Neil Smith this am about this, from a logistics perspective only. So the Stars could waive Avery, he would clear. They would then recall him. Assuming the Leafs were able to get him on a claim, his salary would go down to about 2 million. The Leafs would then trade Blake to Dallas for a 2nd round pick.

Leafs dump Blake, and his $, get avery at a decent discount and a 2nd round pick