Now what?

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae if she is checking in.
It is all about the goings on in Leaf Nation today. The old adage "you can please some of the people all of the time, but you can't please everyone all of the time" applies to the 2007-08 Toronto Maple Leafs. They can't seem to do anything right this year.

The media in Toronto has shifted its focus from reporting/critiquing the Leafs play to projecting the position in the 2008 June entry draft - rather than giving the players credit for trying to win hockey games (what they are supposed to do as professionals), the boys in Toronto have taken to chastising the team, and management, for gaining points in the standings and worsening their chances at winning the draft lottery for the number one pick in the draft.

Interim GM Cliff Fletcher is being criticized for not pulling a trigger on a trade - with Mats Sundin, Darcy Tucker, Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle going on record stating that they did not want to be traded, the media is suggesting that Fletcher should be looking to trade the likes of Nik Antropov, who scored the game winning yesterday and, is in the midst of a career year. The fact that most GMs have gone on record as saying that there isn't much to be had on the trade market right now hasn't stopped the donkeys in Toronto for calling for a trade - they are so desperate to report on/criticize something that they are calling on the team to trade one of the guys who represents good value. Go figure.

The party line (from the media's perspective) is that the organization owes it to Leaf Nation to blow this team up and start all over - of course, they aren't admitting that this course of action would give them two or three years of material to continue bashing the team (hello Damien Cox). From this vantage point, what the organization owes Leaf Nation is to ride out the next week or two and see where they are in the standings - a lot can happen in the next two weeks: the team could get into playoff contention or one of the contenders could run into injury trouble thus making them more open to trading for some of the lesser valued Leafs (Hal Gill, Jason Blake, or even Bryan McCabe who is thought to be open to getting moved).

This team has shown in recent weeks that it can play with some of the league's best - for jerks like Damien Cox to suggest the upper echelon teams didn't take the Leafs seriously enough and didn't bring their A game; that is a load of garbage - the Habs hosted the Leafs knowing that they had a shot at first place, if that isn't enough motivation for them, then they aren't as good as the media wants to make them look (that pounding against Ottawa didn't help their cause).

The next week will be very interesting - especially with Andrew Raycroft likely to start against the Sabres on Wednesday night...he's played his best in Buffalo. Go Leafs Go.

SATURDAY'S THREE STARS
Toronto Maple Leafs G Vesa Toskala was outstanding yesterday against Detroit stopping 32 shots in a 3-2 overtime win. Toskala was beaten twice on two lucky goals, but other than that he was the best player on the ice and kept the Leafs in the game. The ONE good trade JFJ made - even if he had to take Mark Bell.

Calgary Flames RW Owen Nolan had two goals to lead the Flames to a 4-1 win over the Oilers last night - he has five goals in his last six games.

San Jose Sharks RW Johnathan Cheechoo had three goals and an assist in a 4-3 win over Nashville last night. If this guys finds his game before the playoffs - the Sharks are going to be dangerous.


SUNDAY THREE PLAY
3-1 last night - should have gone Habs/Tards over - the total for the week stands at + $180. Today's suggestions:

Detroit over Anaheim - the Red Wings have dropped two games they thought they were going to win - they'll be focused against Anaheim today. The home team seems to win in this series - so no point in bucking the trend today. Lay $100 on the Wings - $155.

Buffalo over Florida - the Panthers have been playing better of late, but they are facing their fourth game in five days - expect the Sabres to make up for Friday night's loss against the Bruins. Lay $100 on the Sabres - $200.

Vancouver over Chicago - the Canucks were embarrassed last night against the Avs, expect them to right the ship against the road wimp Blackhawks. Lay $100 on the Canucks - $160.

That's it for today gang - thanks for taking the time to check in. Have a great one peeps.

Hazel, here's hoping things are as groovy in your world as they were at the ACC yesterday afternoon - keep the faith.

I'm Out.