Bleacher Report - Articles by G MON

Playing GM, A Look at Canada's Olympic Starting Lineup

G MON — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:56:39 -0400

So the other night I watched as my beloved Maple Leafs dropped yet another game and I thought to myself, do I really have to wait another year for some meaningful hockey?

Then it hit me, like a puck in the teeth, HOLY CRAP! The Olympics are less then four months away. The hair on my neck shot straight up as I tried to fathom how much this tournament means to not only me, but my whole country.

In my short, 22-year life, I have never been so excited and so anxious for a hockey tournament.

My fellow Canadians will bond together as this tournament will bring the world to Vancouver. You will have Toronto Maple Leaf fans and Montreal Canadiens fans splitting pitchers at the bar. Edmonton Oilers fans and Calgary Flames fans high-fiving each other as our hockey driven nation will be in perfect harmony, until the regular season resumes.

I made a feeble attempt (much like a Jason Blake wrist shot) at putting together the starting squad in my head. About 50 different names raced through my brain. Sidney Iginla, Jarome Crosby, I had to go lay down. Imagine how Steve Yzerman, Mike Babcock, and company feel? They have a list of over 50 deserving players to choose from and only 20 will make the starting roster.

Well, I’m going to try and break it down for you as best I can by composing my potential line combinations for the upcoming tournament. Obviously a few names will be chosen based on their performance this season and a few will be left behind. Let’s start with the forwards, shall we?

Well, first line centre goes to, you guessed it. The one they call Sid the Kid, number 87, the youngest captain to ever hoist hockey’s Holy Grail up to the heavens. Love him or hate him, this smug little bastard is the complete package and is guaranteed a spot on the team (barring injury, *knocks on wood).

Now, who will have the privilege, no the honour, of gracing Sid’s left and right wings? Well, if NHL 10 for Xbox has taught me anything, it’s that your ideal line has three types of players: a playmaker, a sniper, and a power forward. Now Crosby is the playmaker, who is good enough to be his sniper?

How about two-time 40-goal scorer Rick Nash? The 25-year-old from Brampton, Ontario and the first overall pick in 2002, yah, I think he’ll fit in just fine at left wing.

So now we just need a hard-nosed winger, one who is physical in the corner yet graceful around the net. That honour, my friends, should go to the good ol’ Edmonton boy named Jarome Iginla. Not only can Iginla dish out the pain, he also has two 50-goal seasons on his resume—not to shabby.

FIRST LINE: NASH – CROSBY – IGINLA

So that wasn’t so hard, but it only gets tougher from here. Let’s work on the second line; this won’t necessarily be the second-best line on the team, but we’ll call it that since I can’t think of anything else.

Two guys come to my mind instantly, two guys who were united before the beginning of this season and are probably sipping pina coladas on a beach in San Jose as you read this. Joe Thornton and Dany Heatley have started this season with a bang, both at the top of the league in scoring and finding great chemistry together.

Now Senators fans, don’t get upset about this selection because you’re still mad at Heatley, he left Ottawa because it’s boring—I’ve been there, let it go.

Using my trusty NHL video game guide, we have got our playmaker and our sniper, just need that power forward. That honour I will give to Ryan Getzlaf. Now before you freak out and call me an idiot, yes, I know Getzlaf plays centre. The reality is that Canada has too many centres and some will need to play the wing, hence the above decision to play Getzlaf on the wing.

SECOND LINE: HEATLEY – THORNTON – GETZLAF

So now we get down to the "nitty gritty," only six forward positions left, about 15 players to choose from.

I’m going to go with another beach buddy tandem down in Tampa Bay, Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis. I do believe that guys who play together in the regular season should play together during this tournament (see Heatley and Thornton above), it just makes sense.

Since their 2004 Stanley Cup win, this dynamic duo has accumulated a total of 828 points between the two of them. Lecavalier does have me worried a little; he had a below average season last year and has yet to light the lamp this year. Don’t make me look stupid, Vinny!

I will make a bold move here and put Brenden Morrow on the other wing. I love the way this guy plays, the epitome of Canadian hockey, he was bitten by the injury bug last season but has bounced back and is playing great hockey down in Dallas.

THIRD LINE: MORROW – LECAVALIER – ST.LOUIS

Now we are down to the final line, the line that will do Canada’s dirty work. This line can potentially make or break this team; it should consist of the heart and soul players that define any championship team.

I have to give the center position to Flyers captain Mike Richards. Not only is Richards offensively gifted, he may be the best two-way player in the NHL. With 19 short-handed goals in his NHL career, he will be relied upon heavily to kill penalties and shut down the opposing teams’ best players.

Left wing position will go to Captain Canada, Ryan Smyth. I’m sure many will disagree with this choice, but Smyth has come out of the gate firing to start this season. NOBODY plays with more heart and passion than Smyth; this guy will block a shot with his teeth if he has too, for the good of the team.

My final spot will go to Shane Doan. Doan is a gritty veteran and the type of leader that Canada needs.

FOURTH LINE: SMYTH – RICHARDS – DOAN

That will wrap up my starting forwards for the upcoming Olympics. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on who should make this team.

Honourable Mentions: Eric Staal, Brad Richards, Simon Gagne, Marc Savard, Jeff Carter, Corey Perry, Patrick Sharp, and Jonathan Toews.

Brian Burke Wants To Clean House In Toronto, Who Is On Thier Way Out?

G MON — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:24:03 -0500

The Brian Burke era has begun and the reconstruction of the Leafs roster will begin shortly. It is no secret that Burke wants to dismantle the roster, but the question is, who will be staying and who will be leaving?

With some attractive trade bait, if managed well, the Leafs can get some solid draft picks and prospects for the future. I believe the best time to start making deals is close to the March 4th trade deadline. We have seen the past seasons how desperate teams get around the trade deadline to add those finishing touches to their roster and make a push for the Stanley Cup.

The Leafs may very well be in contention for a playoff spot come March. I think regardless of their place in the standings, they need to clean house while their current players have value on the market. Here is Toronto's four most valuable assets.

Tomas Kaberle

- If traded, Kaberle can give the Leafs at least a first round pick, a prospect and perhaps a little something else. First off, he will have to waive his NTC that is still in effect until the end of the season and his $4.25 million annual salary may be difficult for teams to squeeze him under the cap. I think Burke will do his best to make a deal for Kaberle, in my opinion his value is decreasing. Kaberle is a great defenceman, do not get me wrong, but this is a time for rebuilding, and the future on the blue line is Luke Scheen.

Nik Antropov

- I would hate to see this guy go because he is getting better but his situation is the most appealing to other teams. He is making only $2.1 million a season and is coming off a 26 goal campaign last season. Antropov would give the Leafs great return in either draft picks or prospects. Burke will market Antropov around at the deadline and I guarantee there will be bidders.

Pavel Kubina

- Another player on the Leafs roster with a patent JFJ no trade clause attached to his contract. If Burke can convince Kubina to waive the NTC and then find a team who will take his five million dollar a year contract, my hat will go off to him. Burke will do his best but I think the Leafs are stuck with him until the end of the season.

Alexei Ponikarovsky

- I do not care what the Leafs get in return for Pond-Hockey-Karovsky, just as long as they move him out. This guys value is decreasing fast and at $2.2 million a season, he is not worth it. His work ethic and defensive game are questionable but he does have two 20+ goal seasons that may interest other teams. If Burke can get a first or second round pick for Poni, I will consider it a win.
Other players on the trading block include:

Jason Blake

- Honestly, who would take this guy at $4.5 million a season, in my opinion this was the worst move JFJ made on a list of many. I think the Leafs are stuck with him for this season and will buy out his contract during the off-season.

Matt Stajan

- I doubt any teams will be interested in Stajan, but then again, who knows. I like Stajan's work ethic and hope he remains a Leaf for the next few seasons.

Jiri Tlusty

- A few water bottles and a bag of pucks would be reasonable.

Ian White

- White has played great this season after being a healthy scratch for the start of the season. I think Burke will keep him since he is only making $850,000.

As for the rest of the squad, I think the Leafs have a solid core to build around and I would not be trading any of these players just yet. Luke Scheen, Grabovski, Hagman, Moore, Finger, Van Ryn, Mitchell and Stempniak have all played very good hockey.

Burke did announce a personal "trade freeze" to start on Dec 9th until after Christmas, he feels the players deserve to spend the holidays with their families. That means we will not be seeing any deals being made until January at the earliest. One thing is for sure, next season will be a very different looking squad.

NHL Suspends Sean Avery For Comments About Ex-Girlfriend

G MON — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:27:32 -0500

Sean Avery is at it again,

Avery was in Calgary this afternoon getting ready for the tilt between the Dallas Stars and Calgary Flames when he decided to say a few words for the camera.

"I am really happy to be back in Calgary, I love Canada," Avery said on camera. "I just want to comment on how it's become like a common thing in the NHL for guys to fall in love with my sloppy seconds. I don't know what that's about. Enjoy the game tonight."

Avery is referring to ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert who is currently dating Flames' defenseman Dion Phaneuf. I personally thought Avery's comments were hilarious, but apparently Commissioner Gary Bettman didn't see the humor in them as he suspended Avery indefinitely.

Players in the NHL say comments like this to each other all the time, in most cases even more vulgar, but they keep their comments where they belong, on the ice. The fact that Avery spoke directly to the media, and his comments sounded rehearsed, the league had to take action.

Avery will have a hearing with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to determine the length of his suspension for conduct "detrimental to the League or game of hockey."

21-Year-Old Goalie In Good Condition After Throat Slashed By Skate

G MON — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 06:54:09 -0500

Another terrifying incident has occurred on the ice, this time at the University level.

21 year old goaltender Kury Jory, of Brandon, Manitoba, is in good condition at a Windsor Ontario hospital after he suffered a severed vein in his neck when he was clipped by a skate. Word is he will go for surgery and make a full recovery.

Jory playes in the Canadian Interuniversity League where neck guards are not mandatory.

This brings back frightening images of the incident involving Richard Zedník. As you probably remember, Zednik had his external carotid artery accidentally cut by teammate Olli Jokinen's skate blade back on February 10, 2008. It was a very graphic sight and the quick work by the medical staff at HSBC Arena very well saved his life.

A new incident brings up an old debate. Should neck guard's be mandatory in the NHL or any league for that matter? Will it take the tragic loss of an athlete before it is enforced?

Although situations like this are rare, they still happen. In Buffalo on March 22, 1989, Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk had his internal carotid artery accidentally severed by an opponent's skate blade and nearly died. The sight of Malarchuk's incident was so graphic it was reported that nine fans fainting and two suffered heart attacks while three teammates vomited on the ice

The NHL is always stressing the safety of it's athletes yet has made no major improvements, enforcing mandatory neck guards could be a good start.

Raptors-Lakers: Toronto Blown Away By NBA Best

G MON — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:22:25 -0500

The Toronto Raptors had no answer for Kobe and company as they dropped another game in the standings, losing 112-99 against the Lakers.

Chris Bosh was held under 20 points for the first time this season, adding only 12 points with six rebounds and an uncharacteristic four turnovers.

Playing in front of the celebrities and 18,000 Laker fans, the Raptors put up a fight but didn't have enough firepower to compete with the Lakers, who now own the NBA's best record at 14-1.

In the third quarter the Rap's were only down four points and had possession of the ball, three straight turnovers quickly extinguished that small deficit as the Laker's went on a quick 6-0 run lead by Kobe Bryant.

Anthony Parker led Toronto with 19 points and five teammates also scored in double figures. Jermaine O'Neal missed his third straight game because of a sprained left ankle. The Raptors are now 8-8 on the season and this is not how Raptor fans expected the season to start.

I have noticed a trend the past few games in regards to Sam Mitchell's coaching strategies. It seems Mitchell has a knack for leaving his second unit on the floor in close game situations. Jose Calderon played only 31 minutes (granted he has a sore hamstring) and Chris Bosh only 37, seven minutes less then his average.

It seems like when the Raptors finally get some momentum, Mitchell is quick to either call a timeout or make a substitution. Too many times last night I saw the Raptors top players sitting on the bench while the second unit struggled.

Mitchell needs to do a better job of distributing the minutes.

Rookie point guards Roko Ukic and Wil Solomon played a combined 22 minutes last night while all-star point guard Calderon watched on. When playing a team such as the Lakers, your best players need to play about 40 minutes a game, especially when you are losing. Anthony Parker played only 28 minutes and he is their best defender and the only one who could at least challenge Kobe's shots.

Mitchell needs to turn this team around quickly or he could be out the door.

NHL's Top Rookies: Not What We Expected

G MON — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:38:12 -0500

The NHL rookie race this season has not been what fans expected. It has been the no-name rookies who have been lighting it up. We are a quarter way through the season and the candidates for the Calder Trophy are not who we expected.

The biggest shock has been the first overall, highly anticipated forward Steven Stamkos.

As of right now, Stamkos wouldn't even be on the ballot for rookie of the year. Stamkos has played 20 games with only two goals and seven points and averaging a dismal 13:31 of ice time per game.

We have had the privilege the past three years of seeing star-studded rookies tear up the league at an unbelievable pace. The past three Calder Trophy winners have been Patrick Kane, Evgeni Malkin and Alexander Ovechkin, who are all now considered the NHL's elite.

Other top rookies the past three seasons have included Nicklas Backstrom, Jonathan Toews, Paul Stastney, Jordan Staal, Anze Kopitar, Sidney Crosby, Dion Phaneuf, Thomas Vanek, and the list goes on.

So why is it that this years top rookies are not common household names? Has the young talent started to diminish?

I would say the complete opposite, the fact that the top rookies this year were mostly no-names shows how much young talent the NHL is developing. Here is my list of the top five rookies so far this season:

5. Mikhail Grabovski (TOR)

Grabovski was drafted 150th overall by Montreal in 2004, only to be cut from their starting roster. Toronto picked him up in a trade with Montreal that sent Greg Pateryn and Toronto's second round choice in the 2009 draft. Grabovski currently leads all rookies with nine goals and is third among all rookies with 14 points.

4. Derick Brassard (CBJ)

Brassard is probably the best prospect on a young, talent filled Columbus team. He is second among all rookies with 19 points including eight goals.

3. Steve Mason (CBJ)

Mason got his chance when starting goalie Pascal Leclaire went down with an ankle injury. In his short career as a starter, he has a record of 4-1 with one shutout, .913 save percentage and a 2.28 GAA.

If he keeps up the stellar net minding he can very well become the starter in Columbus. Mason was drafted 69th overall in the 2006 draft.

2. Kris Versteeg (CHI)

Another low draft pick, Versteeg was the 134th overall pick in the 2004 draft by the Boston Bruins. He was traded to Chicago in 2007 and has found his groove playing with the young, talented Blackhawks. Versteeg leads all rookies with 20 points and has added seven goals.

1. Drew Doughty (LA)

The one player who has lived up to expectations. Doughty was the second overall pick in this years draft and has played to his full potential.

He has three goals, seven points and leads all rookies with 24 minutes of ice time per game. The Kings are only two points behind the last playoff spot and if they do get in, Doughty will be a big part of it.

Brian Burke Hired as Toronto Maple Leafs GM and President

G MON — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:59:27 -0500

Sources are saying that the Toronto Maple Leafs have official made Brian Burke the new president and general manager.

Interim general manager Cliff Fletcher confirmed earlier this morning on the FAN 590 morning show that hiring Burke would be a "great move."

The details of Burke's contract have not yet been released, but Burke was quoted as saying, "It's certainly headed in the right direction, but it's not done yet. I anticipate it will get done, but it's not done."

Burke was given a "Term Sheet" by Toronto that outlined the terms and conditions, but the final draft sheet has not yet been offered. Word is his contract will be for six years at about $3 million per year, with added signing and performance bonuses. Although it has not been made official, sources believe that his hiring will be announced Saturday on Hockey Night in Canada before the Leafs' home game against the Flyers.

With the announcement, Burke will become the first American GM of the Leafs, and will be teaming up with his old college buddy—head coach Ron Wilson.

Toronto Maple Leafs Swing Deal With St. Louis Blues

G MON — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:45:14 -0500

Earlier today, the Toronto Maple Leafs sent forward Alex Steen and defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo to St. Louis, in exchange for forward Lee Stempniak.

This comes as a surprise to most Leaf fans since the club is currently negotiating with Brian Burke to fill the GM spot. Looks like Cliff Fletcher wanted to make one more move before he steped down.

Stempniak was drafted by St. Louis in 2003 as the 5th round pick, and 148th overall. The Buffalo native registered 52 points and 27 goals in 06'-07' and has shown great potential. So far this season, he has 13 points in 14 games and is red hot, registering 11 points in his last seven games.

On the other end, the Maple Leafs show us once again how bad they have been at drafting the last dozen years. They trade Alex Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo, two former first round draft picks. Steen was drafted 24th overall in 03' and Colaiacovo 17th overall in 01'.

Both players never lived up to expectations, as Carlo has never played a full NHL season due to injuries. In fact, the most games he has ever recorded in one season was 48 in 06'-07.' Steen had his best year in 05'-06,' when he recorded 18 goals.

Since then, he has not done much.

Since Cliff Fletcher has taken over, 11 players from last season's roster have been shipped out.

Toronto Raptors' Backcourt a Huge Concern

G MON — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 07:08:06 -0500

The Toronto Raptors' loss to the Orlando Magic Tuesday night was an eye opener for Raptor's fans. The complete lack of a secondary back court was evident as Toronto blew an early 10 point lead with some sloppy play.

Will Solomon, starting in place for the injured Jose Calderon, was brutal in every category turning the ball over seven times and hitting only five of 18 shots taken including 0-5 from downtown. Third string point guard Roko Ukic was just as bad, committing two turnovers and shooting 2-10 from the field. Completely miss-matched, Orlando's starting back court of Jameer Nelson and J.J. Reddick picked them apart for 32 points.

What blows my mind about the play of Will Solomon is the amount of shots taken. 18 shots from the field!? You have to be kidding. With all-star Jermaine O'Neal and the unstoppable Chris Bosh down low, those numbers are just insane.

Jose Calderon, a potential all-star this season is averaging 13.5 points and nine assists while only committing 1.8 turnovers per game. He doesn't take 18 shots per game and he runs the offence through Bosh and O'Neal, the way it should be. The Raptor's are in big trouble this season if they don't address this issue, another first round elimination is almost certain.

The Rap's need a point guard who can run the offence through the big men and make smart decisions with the ball. Solomon and Ukic have done the complete opposite. Colangelo needs to shake things up, a trade at this point wouldn't make much sense but I wouldn't be afraid to Sign Mighty Mouse a.k.a Damon Stoudamire to a 10 day contact and see if he still has game.

Jose can play 30-40 minutes and a seasoned veteran is exactly what the Raps need to come of the bench. They showed last season with T.J. Ford that two all-star calibre point guards can't work in Toronto. Heck, bring back Derrick Martin if you have too.