Toronto Maple Leafs – Diaries of a 17th Place Team

How can a legion of fans known as “Leaf Nation” be so disillusioned as to think they have a shot at not only making the playoffs, but being successful once there?

I’m all for the “never say die” attitude, however, where is the line between allegiance and stupidity?

Should a team outright throw a game? NO. But would this be a good time to throw in a guy like Justin Pogge to gain some experience in goal, absolutely. We’ve all seen what a little experience last year did for Carey Price in Montreal, he’s now potentially on his way to be a World Class goaltender. Should Leaf fans not want the same?

With such a rich draft pool this year, regardless of where the Leafs fall (outside of the playoffs of course), they’re guaranteed a decent pick in the first round. However, finishing in the bottom six would guarantee them A CHANCE at all but guaranteed first overall pick Steven Stamkos. What could be better?

The problem – THE LEAFS KEEP WINNING!

Before the trade deadline, cries of “Trade _____” (fill in any half decent player on the roster) were the consensus. “Throw the season” was often spoken by fans on local talk radio stations.

Then suddenly, without warning, it stopped.

Slowly but surely the Leafs began winning. Winning “must win” games against Philly and continuing through to a big win last night against provincial rivals, the Ottawa Senators.

Can you fault the players for wanting to win? They’ve been taking so much criticism and personal attacks, how can you now want to prove your worth. Could their be a better time?

I want to say my biggest gripe is with the fans. The supposed “Leaf Nation”. So willing to give it all up when they felt there was no hope for the playoffs this year. In my opinion, they still don’t have much of a shot at the last playoff spot with only 6 games left and 4 points between them and Philly (not to mention Boston, Washington, Buffalo and Florida in the mix as well).

However the fans have now changed their tune as they not only believe the team has a shot – they expect it!

Shame on the media most of all though. No one fuels this fire more than the radio show hosts and “highlight jockeys” (trademark!). When I hear phrases like “ONLY four points back”, I want to rip out my eye balls. “ONLY four points back” assumes that all the other teams that are in the mix will ALL lose their games from now until the end of the season. Further more, it assumes the Leafs will even win 2 of 6 games – and that’s just to tie!

False hope is a bitch! Leaf fans are going to be very disappointed when their career 17th place team does it again. Lose in October, lose until the all star break. Lose some more until the trade deadline. Then win! But don’t win all your games, just enough to get RIGHT THERE, just enough to give fans a taste.

But isn’t that what they want though? Just a taste…

NHL Playoffs 2008 – The Wild West

So I said this wasn’t just going to be strickly a developers blog, so I thought I’d put my money where my mouth is and kick it off with some early (yes, it’s still early!) playoff predictions.

Now I’ll start by saying that before the season started I had predicted a San Jose vs Ottawa final. Two months ago you would have said I was probably crazy. At the height of the Emery debacle, San Jose was also sturggling. (Note: “Struggling”, really mean “not first in their division” by San Jose’s standards). So it looked like my prediction was highly unlikely.

Now with less than 10 game to go, we’re seeing a surging Sharks team who looks destined to push for the cup. While Ottawa is still competing for the top spot in the ultra competative Eastern Conference, posting a modest 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games.

I’m going to break this up into two blogs, starting with the dominating Western Conference.

Here’s how the West stacks up in my opinion:

Detroit - Obviously a favourite. The Wings have struggled under pressure the past few seasons, yet continue to dominate the regular season year after year. Detroit has struggled with defensive injuries the second half of this season, but are still the team with the least goals against and if I had to guess, I would say have the least amount of shots against in the league by a long shot! I think this is the year that Detroit at least sees the Conference Finals.

San Jose – As I stated above, I think the Sharks are the team to beat. I was really hoping they would close the deal on a scoring winger at the deadline, but it just wasn’t in the cards. However guys like Cheechoo and Pavelski have stepped up big time. Combined with Nabokov’s game stealing play of late, the Sharks are still my personal favourite to come out of the West.

Anaheim - Gritty, strong, playoff team! The defending champs still have something to prove. Amidst controversy with their captain’s stomping antics they haven’t wavered much and look like a guarantee to finish in the 4th spot. It’s likely Anaheim will face Dallas in the first round, in which case they’re going to easily walk through. If you ask me, Neidermayer is till the captain of this squad and has the know-how to lead this team deep. I wouldn’t count out Anaheim as a possible representative from the West this season.

Minnesota - Seems as if the West is full of gritty, hard nosed teams. That’s best exemplified by the Wild! Can you really call them an “upsetter” type team if they finish first in their division to take that 3rd overall spot in the West? I think so. Most critics would say this team doesn’t stand a chance against the Ducks and Wings of this world, but solid coaching and hard nosed forwards can make this team a real pot-stirrer in the West.

Dallas - Sorry, OVERRATED! I think this team is playing far better than their worth. I love what they did at the deadline in picking up a proven playoff performer in Brad Richards, but I don’t think this team has what it takes to go the distance in the West.

Colorado - I really didn’t think much of this team coming into the season, but it lookes like despite a long string of injuries, they’ve persevered and continue to hold on to the last playoff spot. Colorado could play a spoiler if they can get healthy and Theodore can be the Jose (MVP!) of old. I would just love to see Foppa raise the cup again. The guy is a class act and in my mind, would have been one of the best players in the game had he not had so many injury problems.

Calgary - Love Iginla, love Phaneuf, but unless Kipper stands on his head, I don’t think the Flames have a chance to make it back to the finals. This is a playoff built team, and Keenen is a superb coach, so I’m not going to count them out just yet. However, given the stiff competition in the West, Calgary would have to upset a lot of teams if they were to make a push.

Vancouver - Are they guys still around? If not for Luongo, this team would be at the bottom of the barrel. “No Trade” Nonnis has really done a number on this squad, really under preparing them for the playoffs once again. If Luongo doesn’t walk at the end of this contract, I’d be suprised. The Canucks don’t have a shot in hell!

Nashville - Despite the complete fire sale this team went through in the off season, they are still managing to hang on to a hope. I can’t see this team userping a team like Colorado from a playoff spot, but they’ll continue to fight. I still like Radulov to be a break out player in the coming years. Nashville is still a few years away from another team that could make a legit run at the cup.

Phoenix - I love this team. I know what you’re thinking, “why?”. This team has some really solid up and coming talent in Turris, Mueller and Bryzgalov. They’re still a few years away from a cup run, but expect them to make some noise next season.

Edmonton - Is there anything to like here? Some good young talent, but nothing makes me happier than seeing Dustin Penner fail. It’s not that I don’t like Penner, I just really hate Kevin Low and everything he stands for! I was a big fan of this guy when he started putting this team together years ago, but after the classless move in the off season, I stand strongly behind Burke and I think this guy is just a clown. Edmonton = Fail!

Chicago - I know they’re a little far out, but I just really wanted to see this team do it this year. I like the direction the club is heading. I really like Dennis Savard behind the bench as well. This club is certainly in my top 5 “up and coming teams” to look out for in the next 3 seasons. Probably unlikely they’ll see the playoffs, but I’m still routing for them!

Columbus - Looked like they had some promise, then it just went down the drain with the rest of their season. Hitchcock has some work to do in the off season.

St Louis – I really had high expectations for this team. I thought maybe 5th or 6th this year. They started out strong and have just began to fall apart after the trade deadline. A young team, great GM in Davidson, but obviously there is still some work to do in the off season. Locking up Boyes was a great move, there is definitely a future in St Louis, just not this year.

Los Angeles – FAIL FAIL FAIL. Seriously, get a goalie!

So after all that, I still like San Jose to come out of the West. They still lack a scoring winger, but compensate in so many areas. It’s about time Joe Thornton raises a cup, he’s certainly paid his dues. Here’s hoping we see that this season.