It's not a ceremony if they do it for every single game. I personally dislike all the extra pre-game non-sense. Sing the anthems and get the game started.

Luckily the games always start when I am getting the kids ready for bed. So I PVR the game and skip all that anyways.
- vermie22

problem solved lol

and it is a ceremony. many ceremonies are repeated over and over and over.

either way.. the guy acted like a twat on national tv.. hope he saw the replay of that lol

He was on the Marlies last year and is placed in those scenarios. I realize he scored points in junior and university and he is an excellent playmaker, but from what I saw, Eakins had him focusing on the defense side. All the call ups offered him the chance to play an offensive role, but I'm sure he is being groomed to be a 3rd line checker.
- Woderwick

I don't think he was checking with the Marlies. I saw a lot of games and i didn't see him checking. He's all offense.

It was heading that way for sure.

The Flyers have looked awful so far this year.

The thing is, I am not so sure that they can turn it around. I just don't think they have the talent.
- Aetherial

They have plenty of talent.
For gawd sakes its only been 3 games

Who was other guy who played Saturday with the nice hesitation move, I thought he played ok
- Garnie

5:16 of ice-time.

how can one play OK in 5 mins.

that's what happens when you call up the guy who "played the best in the Marlies 1st 2 exhibitions games" instead of the guy who with the most talent who actually has a shot at the NHL (Leivo).

“As much as Kostka appreciated his opportunity with the Maple Leafs, he didn’t feel like his entire skill set was being utilized. He wasn’t given much offensive freedom in Toronto, and that was something he thought he could get more of in Chicago "


Kostka wasn't used properly by the leafs? Huh?
- burn

carlyle's defensive systems are pretty damn stringent burn.

many guys do whatever they have to just to play in the NHL but that means, some of the time, guys will play off their style to make the big club.

however with kostka.. i am not sure how much offensive freedom he is going to get being the 7th/8th d-man.

I like him a lot.

Carter Verhaeghe off to a great start in the OHL too. And little 88 Andreas Johnson leading his SEL team in scoring.
- mykokes

Really? Nice.

Connor brown too.

He was on the Marlies last year and is placed in those scenarios. I realize he scored points in junior and university and he is an excellent playmaker, but from what I saw, Eakins had him focusing on the defense side. All the call ups offered him the chance to play an offensive role, but I'm sure he is being groomed to be a 3rd line checker.
- Woderwick

Then why did Carlyle put him on the 2nd line with Lupul and Kadri?

He was on the Marlies last year and is placed in those scenarios. I realize he scored points in junior and university and he is an excellent playmaker, but from what I saw, Eakins had him focusing on the defense side. All the call ups offered him the chance to play an offensive role, but I'm sure he is being groomed to be a 3rd line checker.
- Woderwick

abbott is not a defensive specialist. burn is 100% right on this.

likely be a top 6 AHLer for most of his career.

perhaps the leafs were trying him in a checking role to see how he could handle it.

but he's always been a top 6 point producer all through college.

carlyle's defensive systems are pretty damn stringent burn.

many guys do whatever they have to just to play in the NHL but that means, some of the time, guys will play off their style to make the big club.

however with kostka.. i am not sure how much offensive freedom he is going to get being the 7th/8th d-man.
- Dozzer

Dude he got pp time with Toronto. How can you say he wasn't used properly?

the leafs were outplayed for most of that game.

shot totals are not the be all end all.
- Dozzer

Ah yes its corsi fenwick

Dude he got pp time with Toronto. How can you say he wasn't used properly?
- burn

they played him on top pairing and he knows he's not good enough for top pair?

Dude he got pp time with Toronto. How can you say he wasn't used properly?
- burn

what does that have to do with how carlyle wants his defense to play?

PP or no, Carlyle doesnt let his defense get overly creative. we all know this.

other teams arent quite so stringent when outlining their defensive assignments

for instance:

playing on the PP under carlyle is far more restrictive than playing even strength under wilson.

LOL. Colin Campbell's response to the whining from Ottawa about the shootout goal on Saturday. Apparently Paul Maclean said he was on a conference call with other coaches and GM's sept 30 taking about the game, and one of the things that came up was spin-o-rama.... Apparently Maclean though the league said they weren't aowing them this year.....

Colin Campbell's response:


NHL Senior VP Colin Campbell fired off a response soon thereafter, and it included some pointed words for the Ottawa Senators organization.


"Participants on the conference call should listen a little more attentively."


- burn

I cant stand the shoot out and Im not fan of the spin-o-rama move.
However, the shoot out is basically a skills competition, so really anything should be allowed.

problem solved lol

and it is a ceremony. many ceremonies are repeated over and over and over.

either way.. the guy acted like a twat on national tv.. hope he saw the replay of that lol
- Dozzer

I FFWD'ed that too

I imagine he was already half in the bag though. I would have been. Didn't he win box seats too?

Ah yes its corsi fenwick
- jribout

has nothing to do with that.

but, if you want to be so naive as to believe that shot totals are all you need to look at to get the gist of the game then go ahead and be that guy.

they played him on top pairing and he knows he's not good enough for top pair?


- Big_Lightnin

Can't imagine Quinnville will give him more offensive opportunities.

Leafs are good eh.

Leafs are good eh.
- Bigzby

only according to the score board. Luckily that's all that counts

(frank) i love this team! If the D can get things going and tighten up we could have a real good season! Yes I knocked on wood... no jinxes

Then why did Carlyle put him on the 2nd line with Lupul and Kadri?
- Big_Lightnin

Thought Bolland was moved up to second line and Kadri moved down to 3rd?

what does that have to do with how carlyle wants his defense to play?

PP or no, Carlyle doesnt let his defense get overly creative. we all know this.

other teams arent quite so stringent when outlining their defensive assignments

for instance:

playing on the PP under carlyle is far more restrictive than playing even strength under wilson.
- Dozzer

Gardiner is allowed to skate... Rielly has played one game and was given some room to go.

I don't think kostka got the same becuase he doent have the skills to do it. He got pp time and played a ton of mins. Whenerver he got a chance offensively he fumbled it. I do not see chi affording him more opportunity to get creative.

has nothing to do with that.

but, if you want to be so naive as to believe that shot totals are all you need to look at to get the gist of the game then go ahead and be that guy.
- Dozzer

I thought the Turris line dominated against Toronto but the other lines hardly did anything.... so no I am not only looking at shots. I was referring to the often used argument that Leafs get outshot so they are lucky....

Thought Bolland was moved up to second line and Kadri moved down to 3rd?
- Woderwick

later in game.

Starting line was Lupul-Kadri-Abbott.

Abbot only played 5 mins. Once the lines were juggled, he basically didn't get another shift.

My favorite part about it all is that Daugavins' spin move ended with him practically inside the net sitting on top of Rask. Maclean just needs to accept his tender was beat with the proper spin move and stop being so butt-hurt.
- markmark

Maclean is constantly in shock. His face is always like, wtf??? How can you call a penalty on one of my guys. I wanna punch that fat tit.

Leafs are good eh.
- Bigzby

Well......they've had their moments, but most of the time their play has been all over the place.
But they have Bernier....so they've done alright.