Maple Leafs Notes: GM Search Continues

Leafs/Capitals Morning Skate Thoughts

It's not a warm day, but it's not a real cold one either.  Spring is on its way and if the Maple Leafs plan to get serious about that playoff push, now would be the time. 

Toronto comes into this game having collected seven out of a possible eight points and continue to hang around in the tight Eastern Conference.

Both teams played last night. Washington is coming off a pretty sound 4-0 win over the New Jersey Devils.  The win was propelled by three third-period tallies and great goaltending by newly acquired Cristobal Huet. 

Meanwhile, the Leafs took an overtime defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  It was the second straight game where the Leafs overcame a two-goal third-period deficit to force extra time.  

Goaltenders tonight look to be Vesa Toskala for the Leafs, while Washington will reply with veteran Olaf Kolzig.

The Maple Leafs did not skate this morning after last night's loss.

Toronto/Tampa Bay Thoughts

I didn't post a post-game article last night, mtlyos because I am still getting over the whole trade deadline coverage stuff.  In order to bring everyone the best trade deadline coverage I could, I had to scale back on some of my Leafs stuff.  So for that I apologize; back to the regular schedule next week.

As for the game itself, I sure hope the Leafs don't think they can be this sluggish for two periods every game.  Toskala kept them in the game both times, and the Leafs were able to come back and force extra time.  Successful in Florida, not so much in Tampa.

There is an uproar about the call in overtime on Pavel Kubina.  Personally, I think the call was a little light.  Dan Boyle gave him a good shove from behind, and he grabbed Boyle's arm.  It really wasn't real close to the play, something the officials could have let go, especially in overtime.

G.M Search Update

Contrary to reports out of Toronto last week that the G.M. search was done, apparently it is still ongoing.  The group, led by Canadian lawyer Gord Kirke, is looking to wrap the search up by the end of the playoffs and announce a new general manager sometime around the draft.

Darren Dreger threw some wood onto the fire last night that Brian Burke continues to be the strongest candidate for the job, despite his denials to the media.

Dreger is also reporting that the Maple Leafs will gauge some interest in Bob Gainey, attempting to lure him out of Montreal.

NHL Media Certified

I would like to report that I was also busy this week applying for NHL Media Certification.  I am pleased to report that I was deemed as eligible and I am now NHL Media certified.  

Technically what this means is I have access to things such as press releases as soon as they are released and I am allowed to join conference calls with NHL superstars (yesterday was new Dallas forward Brad Richards, which was a lot of fun). 

It also gives me the option (and this is the best part I think) to apply for media credentials in all thirty NHL cities, as well as their AHL affiliate teams. Having an arena media credential will allow me access to the teams press box, where I can join other media members (and probably a few fellow bloggers, high above the arena and file my game report as it's happening before my very eyes.

Now that we're done the technicality of it.  What it means in the simplest of terms: More comprehensive coverage for you, my readers, the people who deserve it.

A new beginning.  I'm looking forward to it for sure.