When he missed on that open net, when had a few seconds to stop wait and shot the puck hardm, then he took that penalty, I knew they would tie the game. Lombo is just a skater.

Late in the game Connolly was just getting destroyed chasing Sullivan in defensive zone. The guy looked like me out there - out of shape and slow. It was just brutal.
- HipHopisDead

KEssel did the exact same thing. Rushed one when he had Fleury down and out with nobody near him. Was so sure he would drag that one and shelf it. woulda put it back to 5-3 and been over.

too many "woulda's" in that game.

Apparently it's being widely speculated the cap will go down next year...

This makes resigning Grabovski even harder.
- Brian Huddle

If it does, there will probably be at least one of the following:

- limited window for buyout of existing contracts, with no cap penalty (same as 2005). Say goodbye to Lombardi, Komisarek. There's your Grabbo cap space right there

- roll-back of salaries (same as 2005).

As every day goes by, it becomes harder for me to imagine the Leafs not retaining Grabbo.

The exception, of course, being if you can trade him for a #1 centre.

If you can't, he is - by far - the Leafs' best option for #1 centre next year.

I don't want JVR. At all.
- Brian Huddle

Especially now that you can add "concussion" to his resume.

Soft, underachieving players with concussion histories signed for the next 6 years make me a little nervous, to say the least.

I'm right there with you on this one. No JVR.

Good Afternoon.

I see Aulie and Kadri are sent down. I expected Aulie, but I was hoping Naz would stick around. He didn't play poorly in this stint up here. If he doesn't have a solid spot on the line-up next year I don't see a future on the Leafs for him. Which is a shame in my opinion.

Other than that, what's up?

Schenn expected puck support....all blame should be on Bozak there IMHO...
- 3-Bean-Salad

In that case with Schenn and at the end of the game with Grabo if they just flip the puck high in the air to the other teams blue line then Leafs win.

Both giveaways resulted in goals.

Beyond that play, though, in general Schenn simply struggles clearing the puck, pretty much all the time.
- triggermartin

Exactly

Trite rationalization of a complete freaking debacle, more like it.
- triggermartin

It's not Trite. It's what happened. Gusti and Lombo are a big blame IMO.

We're gonna be missing some hockey next year, I think.

The NHLPA is ready for a fight. The owners are insane if they think they'll get their uncontested way again this time. They screwed it up last time when they had the the union over a barrel.

If the NHL is forced to cancel another season, what does that do to the half-dozen markets who are already getting beat up by the recession?

This one could get ugly. Especially with a guy like Fehr in charge.
- Leeman4Gilmour

It actually helps them out.

If you are losing money, ceasing operations for a year doesn't seem so scary.

If it does, there will probably be at least one of the following:

- limited window for buyout of existing contracts, with no cap penalty (same as 2005). Say goodbye to Lombardi, Komisarek. There's your Grabbo cap space right there

- roll-back of salaries (same as 2005).

As every day goes by, it becomes harder for me to imagine the Leafs not retaining Grabbo.

The exception, of course, being if you can trade him for a #1 centre.

If you can't, he is - by far - the Leafs' best option for #1 centre next year.
- Atomic Wedgie

I agree with everything except that he would be the best option as #1 center next year if we don't sign or trade for one.

He doesn't seem to play as good with Kessel. But plays great with Kulemin and Mac. I think he could be a great 2nd line center, but getting almost 1st line minutes, sort of like a 1B center.

It actually helps them out.

If you are losing money, ceasing operations for a year doesn't seem so scary.
- Atomic Wedgie

Well, (Frank) them and (Frank) their lost money too!

No No No... there was enough room for Bozie to chip it out or use Kessels support, the guy was moving in on Schenn... Good play by Schenn IMO.
- HipHopisDead

The safe play with the lead in the last half of the 3rd period is glass and out. You learn that in Pee Wee.

KEssel did the exact same thing. Rushed one when he had Fleury down and out with nobody near him. Was so sure he would drag that one and shelf it. woulda put it back to 5-3 and been over.

too many "woulda's" in that game.
- Big_Lightnin

Kessel situation was a bit different. The shot got redirected and he was caught very off guard and the puck didn't come to him perfectly for it to work.

Lombo had time, space and a freaking wide open net. Then he took a penatly 10 seconds later when there was not threat which really changed the momentum.

No no no. At that time of the game, with D man holding the line, the play is off the glass and out.
- triggermartin

Exactly, by passing to Bozak who was only like 10 ft. away it accompolishes nothing. Off the glass, and kessel is flying

The safe play with the lead in the last half of the 3rd period is glass and out. You learn that in Pee Wee.
- triggermartin

Or the one foot pass to the open guy.

If it does, there will probably be at least one of the following:

- limited window for buyout of existing contracts, with no cap penalty (same as 2005). Say goodbye to Lombardi, Komisarek. There's your Grabbo cap space right there

- roll-back of salaries (same as 2005).

As every day goes by, it becomes harder for me to imagine the Leafs not retaining Grabbo.

The exception, of course, being if you can trade him for a #1 centre.

If you can't, he is - by far - the Leafs' best option for #1 centre next year.
- Atomic Wedgie

agreed.

It's not Trite. It's what happened. Gusti and Lombo are a big blame IMO.
- HipHopisDead

2 of the goals Gus should have had. The slapper and the one he should have covered. The other 2 he had no chance on. And there was only 1 I saw that Fleury should have saved, so it should have been 3-2...although, some of the saves Fleury made were great and it could have been 6 for the Leafs.

It's not Trite. It's what happened. Gusti and Lombo are a big blame IMO.
- HipHopisDead

?? for NOT scoring? That's a bit of a stretch. Might as well add Kessel and Bozak and Schenn to that one as they all missed empty nets too. Oh and don't forget the Refs.

Especially now that you can add "concussion" to his resume.

Soft, underachieving players with concussion histories signed for the next 6 years make me a little nervous, to say the least.

I'm right there with you on this one. No JVR.
- Leeman4Gilmour

If you haven't already, take a read of Berger's latest blog on Darcy Tucker.

Very interesting bit about how after the bad injury, Tucker just couldn't play effectively anymore. He just didn't have the mental game.

And yeah, I wouldn't give up assets for JVR.

In that case with Schenn and at the end of the game with Grabo if they just flip the puck high in the air to the other teams blue line then Leafs win.

Both giveaways resulted in goals.
- leafs93

Yes.

It actually helps them out.

If you are losing money, ceasing operations for a year doesn't seem so scary.
- Atomic Wedgie

That's true. Getting your already tiny fan base to come back afterwards might be a little harder, though.

Especially when lock-outs become a quinquennial tradition.

2 of the goals Gus should have had. The slapper and the one he should have covered. The other 2 he had no chance on. And there was only 1 I saw that Fleury should have saved, so it should have been 3-2...although, some of the saves Fleury made were great and it could have been 6 for the Leafs.
- Domaju

I don;t have a problem with that goal. He hadn't faced a shot (or many) in quite a while and guy takes a clapper on a breakaway. That's all guessing and reaction time. Gus missed.

2 of the goals Gus should have had. The slapper and the one he should have covered. The other 2 he had no chance on. And there was only 1 I saw that Fleury should have saved, so it should have been 3-2...although, some of the saves Fleury made were great and it could have been 6 for the Leafs.
- Domaju

I'll give you the one goal. Ppl score when wide open coming down the wing all the time.

http://www.celebrations-gomez.com/en/

Kessel situation was a bit different. The shot got redirected and he was caught very off guard and the puck didn't come to him perfectly for it to work.

Lombo had time, space and a freaking wide open net. Then he took a penatly 10 seconds later when there was not threat which really changed the momentum.
- HipHopisDead

Agreed. Kessel got the puck and when he went to re-position it to shoot it slid further than he anticipated and he wiffed on it. Lombardi only had to get the puck about 2 inches off the ground and it would have gone in. But he slid it right along the ground and into the diving players stick which was flush with the ice.

http://www.celebrations-gomez.com/en/
- Juice

http://www.didgomezscore.com/