staal left the game a couple nights back with an injury and didnt return
- Dozzer

Modern day equivalent of Mats Sundin. He'll be fine.

Off topic....
Monday's Practice Lines

Van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Kessel
Raymond - Kadri - Lupul
D'Amigo - McClement - Kulemin
McLaren - Holland - Orr

Gleason - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Rielly
Fraser - Franson
Ranger

Bernier/Reimer

This never gets old. Waste of Holland imo.
- mykokes

Holland is lucky enough to even be in the lineup
but the orr and mclaren story is lame, were facing the islanders... they dont really need to be there... maybe 1

True. I still cant fathom how he swung the Montreal deal. Amazing.
- TheTaoOfSemenko

He knows when to make a deal. He shipped off gomez when gomez was still respectable and dealt gabby right before his decline and injury issues took a steeeeep hit.

GM Don Maloney offered defenseman Keith Yandle for JVR hours before at the draft and Holmgren turned them down.

I woulda taken St.louis over Nash

He's not even declining. He scored 5 goals in 8 games after his concussion and then got crushed by shea weber against the boards and sustained an injury. Hes played.through it.and now seems to be healthy again picking up 2 goals last game and dominating in his limited ice time against the leafs.
- rangerdanger94

Off topic....
Monday's Practice Lines

Van Riemsdyk - Bozak - Kessel
Raymond - Kadri - Lupul
D'Amigo - McClement - Kulemin
McLaren - Holland - Orr

Gleason - Phaneuf
Gardiner - Rielly
Fraser - Franson
Ranger

Bernier/Reimer

This never gets old. Waste of Holland imo.
- mykokes

D'Amigo plays well, gets bumped up a line. Holland plays well, gets demoted 3 lines.

so has the cluster(frank) began yet?

jeff carter?

D'Amigo plays well, gets bumped up a line. Holland plays well, gets demoted 3 lines.
- markmark

They are trying not to kill Kadris confidence but Holland is deserving.

No - he was great with Toews in 10'. I'm guessing they'll put him with Sharpe and Toews …at least in pencil.
- The Law

We'll see in 5 weeks. I'm guessing Toews will play a more offensive role this time plus extra time on the PK. Honestly this line up is very versatile - I think they did a pretty darn good job.

Don't you realize hockey Canada is picking Dman that can play defense?
- Whiskey-Tango

So being a +whatever, while playing 25 minutes a night against the toughest competition in the league, on a team that is close to the worst defensive team in the league... is NOT playing defense?

Please, feel free to just fcuk off if you are going to come here spewing crap that isn't supported by facts.

I woulda taken St.louis over Nash
- aminnes

think things through guys

st louis is 38.. you really think yzerman wants to have him playt an extra 6 or 7 games this year? it would wear him out.

also, nobody can stop nash once he gets going.. he isnt a checker (which some believe is what makes PF) but he is a big skilled guy who cant be stopped once he's rolling.

too much small skill already on team canada.. need some big bodies there.

D'Amigo plays well, gets bumped up a line. Holland plays well, gets demoted 3 lines.
- markmark

Holland has 9 pts in 21 games

Damigo 2 pts in 15 games


Not really the extra "offense" were looking for but damigo brings other positives as well

he also has the advantage of being on the ice when kessel's line is

carlyle plays him in gimmie situations as well.. no one mentions that

frankly stats aside.. when you watch him, he routinely gets beat to the outside and his back checking looks about as motivated as a delinquent child at school
- Dozzer

Agreed, i think Dion would be utterly humiliated on the big ice, ultimately that's the reason Hamhuis was chosen. He is the definition of a sound defenseman and plays a sick transition game, not that he will be played all that much but at-least he creates some safe depth in terms of injuries.

think things through guys

st louis is 38.. you really think yzerman wants to have him playt an extra 6 or 7 games this year? it would wear him out.

also, nobody can stop nash once he gets going.. he isnt a checker (which some believe is what makes PF) but he is a big skilled guy who cant be stopped once he's rolling.

too much small skill already on team canada.. need some big bodies there.
- Dozzer

Agree... except Nash underachieves, Louis is rollin, and he isn't all that easy to catch even at 38. I don't feel like he gives his all a good chunk of the time - nash that is

So being a +whatever, while playing 25 minutes a night against the toughest competition in the league, on a team that is close to the worst defensive team in the league... is NOT playing defense?

Please, feel free to just fcuk off if you are going to come here spewing crap that isn't supported by facts.
- Aetherial

One does have to wonder, if he really is this good why he isn't on the team. Maybe because he underachieves outside of contract years?

well

if i was st louis id tell yzerman to go (frank) himself and id walk out and not come back.

AHL:

Ashton 15 pts in 14 games

Leivo 16 pts in 26 games

Mckegg 17 pts in 27 games

Agreed, i think Dion would be utterly humiliated on the big ice, ultimately that's the reason Hamhuis was chosen. He is the definition of a sound defenseman and plays a sick transition game, not that he will be played all that much but at-least he creates some safe depth in terms of injuries.
- Whiskey-Tango

phaneuf isnt a quick enough defender reaction wise for the big ice.. someone like ovie would just skate right by him

like i said it would be stevens all over again

You can deny it, but its pretty true. Nash was godlike until howson publically expressed his demands and then everyone started saying nash isnt worth that, he's overrated, and that ryan is a better player.
- rangerdanger94

Godlike?

He broke 70 points once in his career...

Guy was one of the most overrated players in the league and still is.

He's a good player, but the hype was ridiculous.

grabovski career high 58 points
kunitz career high 61 points

thats screaming first line olypmic team ....

So being a +whatever, while playing 25 minutes a night against the toughest competition in the league, on a team that is close to the worst defensive team in the league... is NOT playing defense?

Please, feel free to just fcuk off if you are going to come here spewing crap that isn't supported by facts.
- Aetherial

Team Canada has a vast pool concerning some of the best defenseman on earth, well Dion is obviously the best Leaf's defender he does not automatically qualify to represent his country, pure and simple. There are too many better options, get over it.

And again, would you seriously enjoy watching Dion attempt to confine the likes of Ovi, Malkin, the Sedins etc etc etc on the big international ice? Please

Godlike?

He broke 70 points once in his career...

Guy was one of the most overrated players in the league and still is.

He's a good player, but the hype was ridiculous.
- Fosco

My thoughts exactly.

Team Canada has a vast pool concerning some of the best defenseman on earth, well Dion is obviously the best Leaf's defender he does not automatically qualify to represent his country, pure and simple. There are too many better options, get over it.

And again, would you seriously enjoy watching Dion attempt to confine the likes of Ovi, Malkin, the Sedins etc etc etc on the big international ice? Please
- Whiskey-Tango

He has to be defended because he makes world class money. Its a defense of the club itself as much as anything.

wait isn't this a leafs blog? Tired of Olympic talk already