Bleacher Report - Articles by Lee Denault

Toronto Maple Leafs' Main Competition: Mediocrity

Lee Denault — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:20:30 -0500

As we reach the 30 game mark of the 2008-2009 NHL season, it looks like the ugly face of mediocrity is staring the Buds right in the eyes again.

After tonight's shootout victory over the Martin Broduer-less New Jersey Devils. The Leafs boosted their record to a bland 12-12-6. Which places them neither in a playoff spot, or in a spot to be "awarded" a top-five lottery pick. As it stands right now our beloved Leafs sit in 23rd out of the NHL's 30 teams.

I, along with many Leaf fans I converse with (over this thing we can the inter-web) have been praying since day one of the season, that the Leafs not be in that 'niether here or there' state in the standings. But I digress, alas here we are.

So what do the Leafs do before this Trade Deadline?

Well, I have some suggestions.

First thing I would do if I was GM...

(I would get off my armchair GM seat)

I would call up our not so "blue chip" prospect in Justin Pogge, and let him once and for all get that much-needed first game under his belt. And not just put him there for one game, but let him take the reigns for a month—give Toskala a seat.

I would give Jeremy Williams every opportunity to prove he belongs—by playing him the first line, and on the first power-play crew.

Finally, I would demote Blake to the minors. Nice shootout goal today, by the way!

What would you do?

Toronto Maple Leafs to Honour Their Greats

Lee Denault — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 17:53:45 -0400

There will be two new numbers that will go up into the Air Canada Center rafters this up-coming 2008-2009 season.

They are two of the most well known players to captain the Leafs in all of Toronto Maple Leafs history.

If you haven't guessed their names yet, I will give you one more hint...

Their numbers are 93, and 17 respectfully...

That's right! Doug Gilmour, and Wendel Clark will be forever a part of the Maple Leafs history as the banners will hang above the Leafs and their fans forever.

Selected first overall by Toronto in the 1985 NHL Draft, Clark recorded 260 goals, 181 assists, 441 points, and 1,535 penalty minutes during three stints and 608 games in a Leafs uniform.

Gilmour had joined the Leafs from the Calgary Flames. He was a Hart Trophy candidate and captured the Selke Trophy for the Maple Leafs in 1992-93.

Their won't be a dry eye in the house, when these numbers go up.

Toronto Maple Leafs Shunned from Hockey Night in Canada Three Times

Lee Denault — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 12:16:11 -0400

Could the CBC finally be souring on the Toronto Maple Leafs? The last time the Blue and White haven't played on Hockey Night in Canada was way back in the early 90's. Well guess what Leaf fans? It seems as though the CBC has other things in mind this year, and on three separate occasions the Maple Leafs will be idle come Saturday. These dates include December 13, December 27, and January 17. On December 13, it will be Washington at Montreal. On December 27, it will be Montreal at Pittsburgh. And on January 17, Leaf fans will drink their beer angrily while watching Montreal travel to Ottawa to take on the Sens at Scotiabank Place for all to see.

Now on one hand, I understand the CBC's reasoning on this. Why shove a horrible hockey team down the throats of all Canadians on every Saturday night?

But on the other hand, this is a very risky maneuver. The Leafs have arguably one of the biggest fan bases in North American professional sports (in Canada, anyway), and pulling something like this might turn into a loss viewers.

All in all, I don't know what to think. I want to see my Leafs every Saturday night. But maybe just maybe this shunning of the Leafs on three separate Saturdays might hit home to the big wigs in the MLSE, and make them realize what a crappy product they have put on the ice.

And to step aside for good.

But losing hockey on Saturdays? Give me a break.

Bronx Crowd gives Papelbon the Business

Lee Denault — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 17:08:07 -0400

As Jonathon Papelbon took the mound in the eighth inning of the 2008 MLB All-Star game. The Yankee faithful was quick to show their feelings for him.

As soon as his face was shown, he was welcomed with a chorus of boo's quickly engulfing Yankee Stadium. And maybe it got to the youngster, as he gave up a soft liner to right.

Then he settled down and struck out two but not before giving up a run, on a sacrifice fly, mostly because of the throwing error by catcher Dionner Navarro as Tejeda broke for second ultimately scoring from third on a sac fly.

But once you thought the Yankee-Red Sox Rivalry couldn't get anymore intense, I'm sure that tonight has opened a new can of worms.

In two weeks the two play each other, it should be a beauty, and I for one cannot wait.

Lee Denault

Red Sox: Time for Julio Lugo to Get Out

Lee Denault — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:40:09 -0400

Nothing pains me more than seeing the Red Sox having two runners on base with two outs, and Julio Lugo stepping into the box.

Sox GM Theo Epstein took a risk in signing this guy to a four-year, $36-million contract before the 2007 season, and so far it has not paid off.

Lugo has only hit over .300 once in his career, and that was the year he came off his career-high in home runs, swatting 12 dingers that year.

That, to me, does not cut it to be a starting shortstop in the American League. More specifically, it does not cut it to be the starting shortstop of the Boston Red Sox.

And I bet you're thinking, well, sure, his bat is not that great, so his glove must be at least par. Well, guess what? It ain't.

The highest fielding percentage Lugo has had in a season is .980, and he's racked up a total of 162 errors at the position over eight seasons, including 16 so far this year.

He's a liability, and needs to be shipped this trading deadline.

What Would You Give for A.J. Burnett?

Lee Denault — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 18:32:26 -0400

With the MLB's Trade Deadline quickly approaching, rumors have been rampant about the Jays No. 2 hurler being on the trading block.

My question is—is he REALLY worth that much money?

Now, I know Burnett has three sides. The first one is the absolutely magnificent, radar-breaking fastball, and the curve ball that would buckle a person's knee from 100ft away.

Then there is the wild side where it seems he took five shots of Jack Daniels before every inning. This is the side where he is easily rattled, giving up runs and skyrocketing his ERA.

The third side would be his inability to stay healthy. He has done a good job this year, but he was criticized before about not being able to pitch through pain. But whether you like it or not, every pitcher in the Bigs will have to do that at one point in his career.

If I was a GM, I would be very concerned if I had to give up grade-A stuff for this guy. He has the making to be a dominant pitcher in the MLB, but he can't seem to lock it down consistently.

Time will tell what happens, and I will be closely watching this story unfold.

Your 2008-2009 Toronto Maple Leafs

Lee Denault — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:55:42 -0400

Obviously one can't predict lines. But I will try my best. Feel free to add what you think the lines should be in your comments.

Kulemin - Antropov - Tlusty

With Kulemin's determination along the boards, Antropov's vision, and Tlusty's ability to put the puck in the net, I can see this being a very interesting line.

Blake - Grabovski - Hagman

This should be a very good counter-attack line.Aas Blake and Hagman play defense well, this will lead to a speedy transition.

Steen - Stajan - Ponikarovski

Has the potential to be a nice shutdown/energy line. All can play defense nicely.

Mayers - Moore - Bell

You could add the likes of Williams and Deveraux into this mix, but this line can bring a physical grinding game. As a fourth line, I don't think they are a liability.

The defense is pretty obvious... Kaberle - McCabe/Kubina

Stralman - McCabe/Kubina

Colaiacovo - Finger

Frogren / Kronvall

Bryan McCabe vs. Toronto Maple Leafs

Lee Denault — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:10:41 -0400

First off, let me say that the way the Toronto Maple Leafs are handling this situation is nothing short of embarrassingly unprofessional.

On the AM640 Cliff Fletcher was asked if Bryan would be in the Leafs' future plans. Quickly Cliff responded "No." For those of you who have not seen or heard of this, click the following link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VK9RzbR6CY

Now, I know that Cliff has no feelings towards Bryan's contract as it was JFJ's deal. But none-the-less the contract must be honored as it is a two partner dance.

Although I am for the dismissal of No. 24 from the Maple Leafs roster, I do feel that there is a proper way of doing things; ways that are not in the ballpark of shunning McCabe over the air-waves.

All this will accomplish is the hesitation of future UFA's to join the blue and white. I mean, who wants to play for an organization that signs you to a deal and then two years later turns around and does all it can to back out of it.

And all of this talk about sitting him and giving him limited number of minutes is just asinine.

Maple Leafs, you signed a deal, figure out a way to solve the problem professionally, or live with it!

Lee Denault