Dmitry Chesnokov ‏@dchesnokov
Milan Hockey Club announced they signed Dallas Stars' goaltender Andrew Raycroft.


The guy we acquired for Tuukka Rask is now playing hockey in Italy...

Dmitry Chesnokov ‏@dchesnokov
Milan Hockey Club announced they signed Dallas Stars' goaltender Andrew Raycroft.


The guy we acquired for Tuukka Rask is now playing hockey in Italy...
- WafflesAtACC

Move on already.

The habs had a very good draft, addressed toughness in their lineup with whom they signed. Offense will still be a problem though, they may struggle quite a bit to score unless further additions are made which I think Bergevin is trying to do.
- LeafMan

I don't mind too much if the struggle offensively, as long as they are better defensively. Which is still a huge question mark. But then again, there's plenty of time left to make some moves.

Dmitry Chesnokov ‏@dchesnokov
Milan Hockey Club announced they signed Dallas Stars' goaltender Andrew Raycroft.


The guy we acquired for Tuukka Rask is now playing hockey in Italy...
- WafflesAtACC

oh it's too bad we couldn't give him a big wave goodbye, you know like the one he gave the ACC when he came to town with the Canucks. he deserves to be where he's at IMO.

Move on already.
- Fakepartofme

I have, it's just funny how rock bottom this guy has hit...

Armstrong? I wouldn't even mention him in the same breath as Tucker. Tucker was a warrior (and a pest), Armstrong was just a pest who lost his jam before even setting foot in a Leafs jersey and lost all his best tricks when the NHL started clamping down on charging, hitting from behind, and headshots.
- gravyface

Obviously he's not at Tucker's level... I'm just saying, I hope it's just temporary injuries, and that he's not breaking down completely.

I don't mind too much if the struggle offensively, as long as they are better defensively. Which is still a huge question mark. But then again, there's plenty of time left to make some moves.
- Pecafan Fan

Plus toughness goes a long way in the playoffs so beign so sacrificing a bit of offense for a lot more toughness isn't a bad idea. When Burke first came here I was a fan of his approach of building a tough team, it appeared to me that he was trying to build a western conference style team in the eastern conference which could have been dominant in the playoffs. Unfortunately he's basically failed almost every step of the way to do so, he's just brought in a lot of guys who played in the WC. That's not the same thing. Most WC teams have very good goaltending (we don't), very strong forecheck (we don't) and a rough and tumble defense (on paper we did with Schenn, Phaneuf, Komisarek, etc. but it didn't really play out that way on the ice...and now we're even less tough with Schenn gone).

Plus toughness goes a long way in the playoffs so beign so sacrificing a bit of offense for a lot more toughness isn't a bad idea. When Burke first came here I was a fan of his approach of building a tough team, it appeared to me that he was trying to build a western conference style team in the eastern conference which could have been dominant in the playoffs. Unfortunately he's basically failed almost every step of the way to do so, he's just brought in a lot of guys who played in the WC. That's not the same thing. Most WC teams have very good goaltending (we don't), very strong forecheck (we don't) and a rough and tumble defense (on paper we did with Schenn, Phaneuf, Komisarek, etc. but it didn't really play out that way on the ice...and now we're even less tough with Schenn gone).
- deerow84

Komi didn't get much ice time or was in the press box. Phaneuf isn't really tough, just throws a big hit every 10 games or so. Schenn was the only one who actually stood strong and hit regularly. I don't mind the Schenn trade, but Aulie should have been kept. No need for Ashton here.

Komi didn't get much ice time or was in the press box. Phaneuf isn't really tough, just throws a big hit every 10 games or so. Schenn was the only one who actually stood strong and hit regularly. I don't mind the Schenn trade, but Aulie should have been kept. No need for Ashton here.
- dionschenn

Yeah I didn't get the Aulie trade either. I don't even think Ashton makes our lineup, at least Aulie had a shot. At least be the 7th guy and get time due to injuries.

Personally I would have kept both Aulie and Schenn and just drafted more forwards. We've drafted three dmen with first rounders in the last two years when we already had a glut of dmen yet we have a lack at forward, especially centre, but we draft more dmen and trade them for wingers? Where's the logic in that?

Komi didn't get much ice time or was in the press box. Phaneuf isn't really tough, just throws a big hit every 10 games or so. Schenn was the only one who actually stood strong and hit regularly. I don't mind the Schenn trade, but Aulie should have been kept. No need for Ashton here.
- dionschenn

Yea, Phaneuf barely hit 214 times last season.


Ashton addresses toughness up front when he's ready. That's something we're drastically missing.

Yea, Phaneuf barely hit 214 times last season.


Ashton addresses toughness up front when he's ready. That's something we're drastically missing.
- Feeling Glucky?

You can't deny that he's not really tough just throws the big hit once in a while. I don't see Ashton getting into the lineup. When he's ready, somebody like Ross or Biggs will be ready. He's not getting in over guys like Frattin or Kulemin. It's just pointless. Aulie would be much more valuable to the team right now due to the loss of Schenn.

Armstrong? I wouldn't even mention him in the same breath as Tucker. Tucker was a warrior (and a pest), Armstrong was just a pest who lost his jam before even setting foot in a Leafs jersey and lost all his best tricks when the NHL started clamping down on charging, hitting from behind, and headshots.
- gravyface

absolutely.
armstrong is completely useless....an absolute waste of space.
his cheapshot b.s. is exactly what the league needs to be rid of.
if you are running and gunning, you better like tossing yer mittens.

Obviously he's not at Tucker's level... I'm just saying, I hope it's just temporary injuries, and that he's not breaking down completely.
- Feeling Glucky?

the only thing that is 'broken down' is his talent.

Morning chaps!

How goes it?





...not only does Armstrong leave Toronto, he goes to Montreal!!

You can't deny that he's not really tough just throws the big hit once in a while. I don't see Ashton getting into the lineup. When he's ready, somebody like Ross or Biggs will be ready. He's not getting in over guys like Frattin or Kulemin. It's just pointless. Aulie would be much more valuable to the team right now due to the loss of Schenn.
- dionschenn

Ashton's a lot closer than Ross or Biggs... but I'm of the same mind on this trade in hindsight. At the time it seemed like a good idea, as Leafs were keeping Schenn and Ashton looked like he might be NHL ready, or close.

Morning chaps!

How goes it?





...not only does Armstrong leave Toronto, he goes to Montreal!!
- noename09

so... you don't like this?

You can't deny that he's not really tough just throws the big hit once in a while. I don't see Ashton getting into the lineup. When he's ready, somebody like Ross or Biggs will be ready. He's not getting in over guys like Frattin or Kulemin. It's just pointless. Aulie would be much more valuable to the team right now due to the loss of Schenn.
- dionschenn

It gives you the ability to move a Kulemin or a Frattin, in a package, having the likes of Ashton, Biggs, Ross and D'Amigo not too far behind to step into their roles.

Ashton's a lot closer than Ross or Biggs... but I'm of the same mind on this trade in hindsight. At the time it seemed like a good idea, as Leafs were keeping Schenn and Ashton looked like he might be NHL ready, or close.
- Big_Lightnin

If Aulie plays like he did this season than that trade was a landslide for us. I love the guy when he was here, but he looks to have taken a step back in development. Ashton has finish to his shot and plays a responsible hard game. Carlyle will love him.

If Aulie plays like he did this season than that trade was a landslide for us. I love the guy when he was here, but he looks to have taken a step back in development. Ashton has finish to his shot and plays a responsible hard game. Carlyle will love him.
- Boosinicka

When I start to think about JVR, Biggs, Ashton, Kulemin, Frattin, Ross, etc. on the wings long term... I start to get giddy. That's much more big, hard nosed and tough, than we've seen. Obviously not all of em are tough, but you get the picture

You can't deny that he's not really tough just throws the big hit once in a while. I don't see Ashton getting into the lineup. When he's ready, somebody like Ross or Biggs will be ready. He's not getting in over guys like Frattin or Kulemin. It's just pointless. Aulie would be much more valuable to the team right now due to the loss of Schenn.
- dionschenn

Didn't Phaneuf have a few fighting majors this season? Or every season for that matter?

Biggs & Ross are 2-3 years away before seeing anything with the big club. Unless Biggs keeps juic- I mean keeps getting bigger.

If Aulie plays like he did this season than that trade was a landslide for us. I love the guy when he was here, but he looks to have taken a step back in development. Ashton has finish to his shot and plays a responsible hard game. Carlyle will love him.
- Boosinicka

?? Aulie will be playing in the NHL, Ashton is not an NHL forward. How is that a landslide?

Ashton might one day replace Joey Crabb. That's it.

Didn't Phaneuf have a few fighting majors this season? Or every season for that matter?

Biggs & Ross are 2-3 years away before seeing anything with the big club. Unless Biggs keeps juic- I mean keeps getting bigger.
- Boosinicka

Ross will see NHL time this year. Not a lot likely, but he will.

When I start to think about JVR, Biggs, Ashton, Kulemin, Frattin, Ross, etc. on the wings long term... I start to get giddy. That's much more big, hard nosed and tough, than we've seen. Obviously not all of em are tough, but you get the picture
- Brian Huddle

Pffft Burke built a small soft non-trucelant team and you know it Huddle


And they're talented let alone tough. Kulemin still has one of the nicest snap shots I've ever seen. And those saying he came back down to earth need to realize Malkin couldn't say enough about how good he is going to be, then bam, 30 goal season. I will trust Geno that Kuli is the real deal.

so... you don't like this?
- Big_Lightnin

I actually felt that Armstrong should be given a few weeks to prove his worth to the club...he had bad luck and injuries with the team last year. Plus, theres a few people who just bought his jersey that now NEED to have it restitched cause he plays for Montreal

I actually felt that Armstrong should be given a few weeks to prove his worth to the club...he had bad luck and injuries with the team last year. Plus, theres a few people who just bought his jersey that now NEED to have it restitched cause he plays for Montreal
- noename09