Leafs in Chicago ?
On the cusp of a 7-3 drubbing to Florida, a team the standings consider to be weak, it will be interesting to say the least, as to how this Toronto Maple Leaf team will respond tonight in the windy city.
Toronto at Chicago, how frequently these two teams met during the days of the Norris Division, today will be the first meeting in 3 years, and yet I still get chills when thinking of the Leafs at the Old Chicago Stadium. Without reminiscing too much, that was one dam horn I never wanted to hear.
The same holds true for tonight, the Leafs do not want to hear that horn coming off an embarrassing defeat, Maurice has stressed the need for more defensive responsibility, something I felt was a long time coming for this coach and I will be looking forward to see how the forwards respond, especially the D, and of coarse Aubin. Practices have been as tough as ever as players are dropping during each one, most recently Poni, Wellwood and O'Neill (more on serious injuries below). It hopefully means that the intensity is high during these practices, cause as we all know, you PLAY like you PRACTICE and you PRACTICE like you PLAY.
Aubin getting the nod tonight, probably still wondering why Raycroft wasn’t pulled sooner in Florida as he was pulled during Tampa Bay a week earlier.
More importantly tonight there are a couple key injuries to the Leafs lineup. Ponikarovsky is out 3-4 weeks, while Wellwood is day to day. The Leafs have called up Ben Ondrus, which leads me to my next point. With the present state this Leaf team is in, I can not see a better fit to be called to this team then Kris Newbury. Hears a guy who loves to play in the mud, oh yes; he’s a mucker, and a good one at that. This guy skates hard, bangs, hits the corners flying and is not afraid to throw em’ with anyone. He is the closest fit to a Gary Roberts type player we have in the minors. I use the analogy very loosely with respect to Roberts; (I saw Roberts LIVE burry the tripple OT winner vs Ottawa) with that said Newbury is currently the Marlies 2nd leading scorer. He adds more punch to his game then Ondrus would, and for that reason, look for Wellwood to play tonight along with the Captain and Suglobov. I think highly of Suglobov if you see my earlier postings, this Ponikarovsky injury gives him a chance to get settled with the Leafs top unit, it will hopefully do him justice and unleash his talent to the world.
TRIVIA -
In speaking of the Norris Division.
With the NHL now looking to change its current format of 6 Divisions down to 4, who was the last team to ever win a Norris Division Championship.
Toronto at Chicago, how frequently these two teams met during the days of the Norris Division, today will be the first meeting in 3 years, and yet I still get chills when thinking of the Leafs at the Old Chicago Stadium. Without reminiscing too much, that was one dam horn I never wanted to hear.
The same holds true for tonight, the Leafs do not want to hear that horn coming off an embarrassing defeat, Maurice has stressed the need for more defensive responsibility, something I felt was a long time coming for this coach and I will be looking forward to see how the forwards respond, especially the D, and of coarse Aubin. Practices have been as tough as ever as players are dropping during each one, most recently Poni, Wellwood and O'Neill (more on serious injuries below). It hopefully means that the intensity is high during these practices, cause as we all know, you PLAY like you PRACTICE and you PRACTICE like you PLAY.
Aubin getting the nod tonight, probably still wondering why Raycroft wasn’t pulled sooner in Florida as he was pulled during Tampa Bay a week earlier.
More importantly tonight there are a couple key injuries to the Leafs lineup. Ponikarovsky is out 3-4 weeks, while Wellwood is day to day. The Leafs have called up Ben Ondrus, which leads me to my next point. With the present state this Leaf team is in, I can not see a better fit to be called to this team then Kris Newbury. Hears a guy who loves to play in the mud, oh yes; he’s a mucker, and a good one at that. This guy skates hard, bangs, hits the corners flying and is not afraid to throw em’ with anyone. He is the closest fit to a Gary Roberts type player we have in the minors. I use the analogy very loosely with respect to Roberts; (I saw Roberts LIVE burry the tripple OT winner vs Ottawa) with that said Newbury is currently the Marlies 2nd leading scorer. He adds more punch to his game then Ondrus would, and for that reason, look for Wellwood to play tonight along with the Captain and Suglobov. I think highly of Suglobov if you see my earlier postings, this Ponikarovsky injury gives him a chance to get settled with the Leafs top unit, it will hopefully do him justice and unleash his talent to the world.
TRIVIA -
In speaking of the Norris Division.
With the NHL now looking to change its current format of 6 Divisions down to 4, who was the last team to ever win a Norris Division Championship.
posted by LEAFER at
4:29 PM
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