The Maple Leafs were given Thursday away from the arena after enduring the cold temperatures and increased spotlight of the 2014 Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Wednesday. Toronto’s 3-2 shootout win was their third straight victory and six straight game in which they have earned at least a point.
One of the few who appeared unphased by the chilly conditions was Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle, who wore a baseball cap and team jacket in the below freezing conditions.
“It was a little chilly out there, but it got a lot warmer by the time the game was over.… Carlyle said. “I was born and raised in Sudbury and played 18 years in Winnipeg, so I know something about cold weather.…
Although the game itself was tedious early on due to the snow, the spectacle of over 105,000 Detroit and Toronto fans co-mingled in the University of Michigan’s “Big House… was a feast for the eyes. Thankfully the two teams became more accustomed to their surroundings as the game evolved, which made for an entertaining contest for the latter half of the game.
The Leafs coach was glad that the almost month long buildup and increased attention that comes with the New Year’s Day game was over with.
Carlyle with @andipHNIC "The last day with HBO....yay..yay..yay!!!" #leafs #seaofblue #tmltalk
— Michael Augello (@MikeInBuffalo) January 1, 2014The lone negative for the day is the potential for supplementary justice for Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul, who received a minor penalty for a cross-check to the neck/head area of the Wings Patrick Eaves. Lupul was suspended two games last season for an elbow to the head of Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman, so another incident could result in a lengthier suspension.
The Leafs pulled off a first in Winter Classic history, as they completed a trade in the middle of the game. On the day that the 25 members of Team USA for the upcoming Sochi Games was announced, Toronto finally completed the long rumored swap of former US Olympic defensemen, as veteran John-Michael Liles was traded along with unsigned 2011 draft pick Dennis Robertson to the Carolina Hurricanes for blueliner Tim Gleason.
The deal was a needed change of scenery for both players, not because of personal animosities or clashes with coaches, but more to do with the personnel on both teams. The 30-year-old Clawson, MI native has been a tough competitor and solid stay-at-home defenseman during his more than seven seasons in Carolina, but the Hurricanes were in need of a blueliner that could be an effective puck carrier and power play quarterback.
“The decision was made to find a player that we felt was gonna fit into our back end more so than Johnny Liles was.… Carlyle said of his new defenseman.“His contribution won’t be expected to be a power play guy, won’t be expected to be an offensive guy, but a big, strong guy who can move the puck.…
Gleason is accustomed to a physical brand of hockey and does not shy away from the physical going, which should be a good compliment to the majority of the Leafs defensive corps who are more focused on the offensive end of the rink. Carlyle was extremely complimentary of Liles professionalism and support after the deal was completed.
“Johnny Liles was an excellent pro for us and an excellent person. From a coaching staff’s perspective, Liles was one of the leaders and when this coaching staff was put together, he was one of the guys that fully supported what we were trying to do.… Carlyle said. “We felt that with Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, those young players coming along, it pushed him out the door.…
Gleason will get his first look at team practice on Friday and could see his first action in a Leaf uniform on Saturday at Air Canada Center against the New York Rangers.
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Details on the seven year contract extension for Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. The deal has a modified no-trade clause in which a list of teams has to be submitted at the beginning of each season and is slightly front-loaded. Phaneuf will be paid $8 Million in 2014-15 & 2015-16, $7.5 Million in 2016-17, $7 Million in 2017-18, $6.5 Million in 2018-19, $6.5 Million in 2019-20 and $5.5 Million in 2020-21.
******* For the entire three days in Ann Arbor, this was an impressive hockey moment as former Leaf Steve Thomas unleashes a blast past former Wings goalie Chris Osgood.
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