Leafs announced the signing of Nathan Barret today. He was a hot property in the WHL, making All Star the last two years in a row and finishing as the top scorer last year. This one could be a steal, as he is touted to make good in the NHL. He plays like Mike Comrie, that is smooth and slick, dancing and puckhandling in the offensive zone. Maybe one day we'll see him with Alex Steen.


Posted 6:16 PM by Chris |

Now, I don't condone what Darcy Tucker did to Mike Peca in the playoffs last year, but Peca's comments today stink. On the one hand, I am thinking, who am I to judge what Peca has been through? On the other hand, I don't think two wrongs don't make a right, and having seen and liked Peca when he was in Ottawa I hope that if he has a shred left of the class he had in junior, he'll just walk away from that remark and put up some big numbers. Scoring four goals against the Leafs in a game would be the way to make the statement, not gooning Tucker for being an idiot.

But whatever. We'll see what happens on December 6 in New York.


Posted 5:04 PM by Chris |

Aki Berg has been inked to a multi year deal.


Posted 4:58 PM by Chris |

Leafs signed Aaron Gavey and Mark Moro to deepen the training camp roster I think, or acquire some late summer trade bait.

Elswhere in the article under that link is a good story about Yushkevich signing with Florida and spouting off about how bitter he is that the Leafs wouldn't let him play last year with the blood clot. Leafs say they let him go to cover their asses when he becomes a free agent next year without compensation. They signed Svehla for more than Yushk got in Florida. And Quinn doesn't like Mike Gandler, Yushk's agent, so the whole sad story comes to a close.

Can't wait for actual HOCKEY to start again.


Posted 10:22 AM by Chris |

Farewell to Dmitri Yushkevich and hello to Robert Svehla, who was landed in an enterprising manner by Bill Watters. And he joins Tom Fitzgerald who arrives to play right wing.

Go away for a week, and the ground shifts.

Nathan Dempsey signed with Chicago too. Hopefully he'll get a regular gig there and turn into the d-man we all know he could become.

Tie Domi resigned with Toronto this week too. Every year I wonder if he will be allowed to contribute a little more with the stick and a little less with the knuckles.

Posted 11:17 AM by Chris |

Free agent update. Leafs lost out on Selannie, who wasn't interested in coming to Toronto anyway, and it seems as if a deal with Tony Amonte has fallen through.

Elsewhere, Tie Domi seems to be mulling over an offer from Boston. It should start to get real quiet, real soon.

Posted 4:43 PM by Chris |

Another nice story about Eddie. I love the bit about Steve Smith pinning him eight times in a wrestling match, and Belfour just coming back for more. There is a Leaf heart in there...

The more I read about this guy, the more I like what I see. Still a good goaltender, very competitive and a real character. Like a Mike Palmateer with chops.

Posted 11:20 AM by Chris |

Columbus made a big upgrade today by adding Scott Lachance and Luke Richardson. Those signings take a couple of good defensemen out of the running for the Leafs blueline. We really do need to upgrade that position.

Please?

I'll switch my allegance to Detroit if we don't.....

Posted 9:58 AM by Chris |

A breath of fresh air. Eddie pulls on No. 20 and says a lot of nice things. Cheery chap. When you have finished reading that, head on over to the homespun propaganda site at belfour.com. This guy is too cute for words...


Posted 11:25 PM by Chris |

Okay. It's pretty fair to say that I despise Al Strachan, and rarely read him is ever, let alone blog him, but just this once I'll make an exception. He uses this piece to pick apart everything that is (or could be - who knows what is true in this rant) wrong with the Leafs and says that this is why Joseph left.

Two things, and then I think I'll leave Cujo behind.

One. The Leafs ARE a team that is putting together a Stanley Cup franchise. Over the past few years they have done this: locked up Sundin, signed Roberts, Mogilny, Corson, Renberg, Hoglund, Khristich (a bust, but maybe worth a try) and offered Joseph pretty generous terms. They flirted with Lindros to the point that it cost the Leafs the 2000-01 season. They even bought Tom Barrasso to try and save things while Joseph healed his hand. They have made a lot of moves to secure a decent run at the Cup, and they have been one of the top teams in the League over the past ten years, with 4 semi final appearances. This year, but for the injuries to Renberg, Sundin, Joseph, Roberts, Tucker and Mogs they would have been in the show and they would have given Detroit a decent nrun for their money. So anyone who whines about the fact that the Leafs are not trying to put a Championship team together is deluded.

And re: Joseph crying at his press conference. It is my opinion that at that moment the reality of what he had done sank in. He ahd to tell the world that he really had turned his back on the project and was fleeing to satisfy his individual needs. The press conference was that freight train finally hitting him.

And here is the last word on the subject. Darcy Tucker expressing his disappointment, and relegating Cujo to the realm of just another opposition player, while putting his stock in Belfour. Classy.


Posted 10:42 PM by Chris |

Here's what Pat Quinn has to say about Balfour and Cujo and the Olympics.


Posted 2:27 AM by Chris |

Before the leaking gets too bad the Leafs patch up the goalmouth with Eddie Belfour. He is signed to a two year deal, which might see hime through to Mikael Tellqvist's arrival on the team.

Belfour of course, sat on the bench for Quinn last year at the Olympics as Brodeur"s replacement. Apparently that reshifting in the goaltending pantheon, with Cujo reduced to water boy was what undid the relationship between Joseph and Quinn.

Ah well. Water under the bridge.


Posted 10:24 AM by Chris |

So it's done. So long Cujo. It was good to know you.

In the press conference he says this: "It's been tough. There were many considerations and a lot of sleepless nights. Hopefully everyone will respect the decision and know that I made it for the right reasons."

Right. I may go to my grave wondering what those right reasons were.


Posted 9:04 AM by Chris |

If this is true, then Joseph will be a Detroit Red Wing today.

Words cannot describe...etc etc.

May they get beat in the first round by San Jose. Again.

Posted 8:57 AM by Chris |