True story, you can decide whether you want to believe it.

The day after the Bertuzzi incident, I was flying on business from ROC to Nashville on Northwest Airlines, with a change of planes in Detroit. After the layover, Larry Effing Playfair gets on the plane and sat in the seat right next to me. He had been to a Red Wings game the night before and was going to Nashville for a game that night. He talked on his cell phone to about a dozen people before we took off and after we landed. He told a few of them he thought Bertuzxi was an AHole and should be criminally prosecuted.

We didn't really talk, mostly because I was pretty pissed: he was huge and used at least a third of my seat.
- Der Kaiser

His hands are the size of mine when I am wearing my hockey gloves. He is a massive human

Wow, Mike Weber was just trending nationally on Twitter. Now he has finally made the big time.

Well, if you BELIEVE that Toronto is tanking admirably but Buffalo's tank was shameful, I think the bridge/swampland comment is spot on.
It seems like you agree that Toronto is following a similar path to Buffalo and it doesn't bother you, so it's really not an issue, correct?
- seedy

That all sounds correct. Buffalo did nothing wrong in their tank last year and Toronto is doing nothing wrong in their tank this year. Generally I have no issues with tanking as it is really the only means of fixing an organization. I think the only tank I would hate is if the players would purposely lose - but that doesn't happen.

He came across as just a jealous kid from next door complaining about crap that is being spewed by the other neighbour's 3 year old. Because, let's face it, that is how Toronto media (or most of them) act.

Surely you must sense the frustration that we had to go through, and despite this blog written for the fans of our team, I don't see it as an insult to other fans as much as it bringing forth the morally questionable opinions of the media in the Toronto and other Canadian markets.

I will say, as I followed along the past two years, accusations of tanking (not rebuilding properly) were thrown our way almost daily, like we were being spit on because our GM knew that our team was mediocre at best before the tear down. We all know how necessary a rebuild is in the salary cap era, and when you're battling mediocrity for so damn long, it's time for a change, even if that change is about to damage your pride. Now the Leaf's fans should know how it feels.

There's no need for accusations, insults and belittling a team and their fan base because of their desire to win in the long run. It's shameful and the Toronto media has mastered it by calling out the team across the pond and not looking in he mirror.
- TheSabresTaco

See, this is a post I can get on board fully with, and more along the lines of what the author's issues should have been directed at. Because these issues are real and Toronto media is so damn annoying.

Insulted? That's exactly how the blog writer feels about the noble tank notion hypocrisy, thusly leading to the blog we are all talking aboot.
Folks gotta chill on both sides of the border, eh.
- LandlordTom

And insulted you should feel - at the hands of the media. Not us fans.

True but with Franson hurt right now I doubt he goes anywhere. Bylsma said he's going through 1 or 2 injuries right now and has a way to go before he can even practice without the red jersey on so I doubt he's going anywhere. Murray isn't moving Gorges unless he's confident he'll be getting a quality top 4 guy this off season. Plus he'd probably have to keep some of Gorges contract on books. Other than that we're not getting rid of Bogosian or Risto and McCabe or Pysyk would be surprising. Though with Murray I wouldn't be stunned to see the latter traded.
- bluengold12

No way we hold a tradeable asset just to have a warm body in the lineup. You can get AHL veteran D anywhere.

And insulted you should feel - at the hands of the media. Not us fans.
- charlieb83

Which is what the article was saying in the first place.

Edit: though there were definitely those fans last year.

Speaking of Moulson, what happened to the guy? He was dynamite on the Island. Same question about Vanek.
- charlieb83

I think Vanek is just getting older, he's 32 already, but he's still hit 20 every year since he's left here. He had a respectable 52 points last year. And more than likely will hit 20 again this year unless he gets hurt in this last little while. He's at 17 now. His assist totals are down a bit this year, but I think that's partly because the Wild aren't exactly lighting up the NHL in goals(they're at 15th in GF).

But Moulson. Moulson, Moulson, Moulson. He wasn't great in LA, they gave up on him, shipped him to the Island, and all of a sudden with Tavares he's a 30+ goal scorer, and mysteriously when he's not with Tavares, i.e. here, or in Minnesota, he's not. And this year, he's just been bad, you never hear his name on the broadcast, he's never near the net, and lately he's been playing less than 10 minutes a game.

When I was younger, I used to pack in the beer on New Years til the nice weather rolled in again. I did it on and off for the better part of 12-15 years. I've never battle the bottle but liked being in control of myself and the cleansing was good. A couple NY's ago I woke up and said to my wife that I'm going to pack it in for a while. 2 + years later..........and I haven't had a single beer. It's hard to explain how I truly feel when friends ask. I used to look forward to Fri and Sat night binge drinking and needless to say, I got (frank) all accomplished around the house. Everyday is the same now and any anxiety that I had is gone.
- MountAlbert

This is interesting to me.. I don't battle the bottle per se but I would like to drink every night. And I have an addictive personality too. But I've always had some sense of morality and never let things get out of control. I tend to binge Friday through Monday then dry out Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday. I never get completely poopt-bagged anymore because I have to take care of the family and all. But yeah, I struggle a bit because I DO wish I could get at it every night.. Booze is so different than any other addictions in the past that I've had where I was able to just drop cold turkey.. Like I said.. Interesting to me.

But anyways, hockey board..

- TheSabresTaco

I think he might've been my favorite character in this season of Fargo even though he had a fairly small role. Ted Danson was pretty great too. I loved it when he said to Kirsten Dunst's character "You're a bit touched aren't you" after she was acting really weird. The way he said it made me burst out laughing.

I think the first for Goose was a wakeup call for GM's. Nothing like that has happened since.
- Slump Buster

Vancouver just traded Shinkaruk, who was picked in the 1st round in 2013, for Granlund (7pts in 31 games this year)...

That's pretty ridiculous

No way we hold a tradeable asset just to have a warm body in the lineup. You can get AHL veteran D anywhere.
- Slump Buster

If Murray doesn't think he can get someone to replace Gorges next to Risto next year he won't trade him. Also it will be difficult to trade a veteran defenceman with two years reaming on his contract. Franson is hurt no one will want him and the other four aren't really realistic options.

I don't think Toronto wins more than five games the rest of the year...

All anyone can ask of a man is that he recognize when and how he can lend his skills in furtherance of a common goal. Mike Weber always put forth his best, he never demanded a bigger role than he deserved, and he worked as diligently as any other member of this franchise to make it the best it could be.

He was a good soldier, and a guy I would take in my foxhole in any battle, any time.

Thanks for the work, Webby, and good luck in DC.
- Der Kaiser

I concur

Id prefer to look to the oilers - if we could build something for either Hall or Eberle I'd go for the known NHL skill set.
- Der Kaiser

Signs point to Edmonton waiting until they see where they pick in the Draft before they make a big move

Just makes sense

If they end up with Chychrun, then maybe they're ok with the defense going forward & they don't move any guys up front.
If they pick higher, maybe they trade that pick for a defenseman, or pick a forward & trade a guy like you're suggesting

Regardless...
Then making a big deadline splash seems unlikely

Wow, Mike Weber was just trending nationally on Twitter. Now he has finally made the big time.
- GilPerreault11

He survived so many different HC's. He always got consistent ice time and proved to be a tough MF'er. It has to feel good to be him and get some recognition for that.

Interesting piece by Travis Yost last year about eliminating the draft. I think that it could be a lot more interesting, like college football recruiting, but with cap ramifications.

http://yosttravis.tumblr....4774532291/kill-the-draft

Think Weber going and uncertainity with Franson injury means we won't be trading anymore D this deadline

All though I'd like to see Franson go ultimately. Maybe we can trade him in the off season.
- bluengold12

Why's that?
Ruhwedel & Donavan are playing well and have NHL experience
Sanguinetti can also be called up if need be

If anything,
Keeping part of Weber's salary will prevent us from a possible move like Franson, Georges, or Moulson gets tougher.
We can only retain salary of one more player, and it's likely to be McGinn unless we take back a salary dump

I don't think Toronto wins more than five games the rest of the year...
- bluengold12

But But But They have Babcock!

I don't think Toronto wins more than five games the rest of the year...
- bluengold12

I don't know about that. That roster has been a dumpster fire all year long and I am shocked they have as many points as they do.

Why's that?
Ruhwedel & Donavan are playing well and have NHL experience
Sanguinetti can also be called up if need be

If anything,
Keeping part of Weber's salary will prevent us from a possible move like Franson, Georges, or Moulson gets tougher.
We can only retain salary of one more player, and it's likely to be McGinn unless we take back a salary dump
- jdfitz77

I think that's what they will do with mcginn. I still think Franson has league value without the need for retaining.

Why's that?
Ruhwedel & Donavan are playing well and have NHL experience
Sanguinetti can also be called up if need be

If anything,
Keeping part of Weber's salary will prevent us from a possible move like Franson, Georges, or Moulson gets tougher.
We can only retain salary of one more player, and it's likely to be McGinn unless we take back a salary dump
- jdfitz77

We can still retain salary on 2 more contracts, 3 is the limit.

Interesting piece by Travis Yost last year about eliminating the draft. I think that it could be a lot more interesting, like college football recruiting, but with cap ramifications.

http://yosttravis.tumblr....4774532291/kill-the-draft
- rmiethaner

Hate it. The draft is fine the way it is. No need for radical chamges

Little poops...price goes up, less cookies in the box....BLAH!!!



I'm actually quite happy to see that you can get Samoa knockoffs year round at the grocery store now, so no big deal
- stashu

That's fantastic

Id prefer to look to the oilers - if we could build something for either Hall or Eberle I'd go for the known NHL skill set.
- Der Kaiser

And a player that won't female dog and refuse to play when he doesn't get his way. No matter how "justified" he may be. I don't think he(Drouin) is. He hasn't proven poop yet, and the Lightning are insanely deep at forward.

I would Love Hall even though we could use a righty like Eberle. But Hall will take a King's ransom to get and I get the feeling Eberle wouldn't be too far behind.