Letting them go?

Looks like Jonas Hoglund won't be back next year. It's possible that Paul Healey could also be gone, as the Leafs look towards locking up their free agents.

In other news, it looks like Hatcher might not be the guy for Toronto after all. Lots of defensement are set to hit the market next week including Richard Smehlik, Kenny Jonsson, Roman Hamrlik, Oleg Tverdovsky, Greg DeVries, and, most tantilizingly, Eric Desjardins.

Posted 9:45 PM by Chris |

New ownership not turning over new Leafs

I usually eschew posts about front office politics, but this article is a good, fairly fact-based summation of the current issues facing Leafs management. Not light reading for the starry-eyed fan.

Posted 9:40 AM by Chris |

The draft is over and a new crop of Leafs will be attending the prospects camp this week. The new faces in the blue and white are:

John Doherty D, second round, 57th overall

Doherty will play at the University of New Hampshire next year. His high school coach says this:

Hockey loses a legend

Beautiful tribute to Roger Nielson who died today.

Leafs to buy out Lumme

I won't miss him. There comes a time when all careers must end. It's a good thing that the "giveaways" stat is not kept by the NHL anymore. Lumme has been just brutal the last few years giving away pucks with goals resulting. At the beginning of last season, during the long slump, it was usually Lumme who was involved in the momentum changing moment.

At any rate, this move will open up another defensive spot, forcing Quinn to think even harder about what he is going to do with the rear-guard this year.

Posted 11:36 AM by Chris |

Hatcher coming to Toronto?

Now you know I don't really like speculating or giving legs to rumours, but allow me to dream just this once. Back in 2001 when the Leafs were coming up to the trading deadline still short a defenseman, my saliva glands ran amok at the prospect of Rob Blake joining the Leafs. Didn't happen. So forgive me if I temper my enthusiasm here, but - holy crap! - imagine Hatcher on the Leafs blueline...



Posted 11:23 PM by Chris |

Tambellini's OK by Quinn

A wide ranging interview with Pat Quinn on strategy, management, his players and the 2002-03 season.

Posted 2:26 PM by Chris |

White signing completes Leafs' sweep

Leafs announcing the signing of rookie defenseman Ian White today. That makes a complete sweep of the five Leaf prospects who played for Canada at the world Juniors this year. White joins Colaiacovo, Brendan Bell, Matt Stajan and Kyle Wellwood in blue and white.

Posted 12:35 AM by Chris |

Leafs sign Pierre Hedin

Other than having a natural hockey name (half-French, half-Swedish) Hedin also sports some decent numbers from the blueline, including 22 points in 46 games with MoDo last year in the Swedish Elite League.

Hedin has advanced rapidly since being drafted in the eight round, 239th overall in the 1999 NHL entry draft. He has quickly developed into one of the top offensive defensemen in the Swedish Elite League, and was the captain of his hometown MoDo club this past season. He has played regularly with the Swedish National Team over the past few years, and shone brightest in the 2002 SEL playoffs when he led all players in goals scored.

Harold "Suitcase" Druken is back
The Leafs re-aquired Harold Druken from Carolina in exchange for Alan Rourke, a defensman. Another of Quinn's mid-nineties Canuck prospects comes back into the fold.



Posted 12:07 AM by Chris |