Ritter's Rant: Burke Not Afraid To Send Veterans Down

Stupid Is as Stupid Does

He may be Ivy League educated but, if I am Dominic Moore, I’d be kicking myself in the stem and cherries right about now. Moore, who turned down a two-year, $3 million deal from the Toronto Maple Leafs last season hasn’t had a sniff from any NHL team and now, with training camp in full swing, he is sitting on the sidelines without a contract for this upcoming season.

It's believed that Moore was seeking a two year deal worth something in the neighborhood of $5 million, a huge increased from the $900,000 he made in 2008-09. Mid-tier players like Moore beware, get too greedy and you too may be stuck on the sidelines, truth is, there are 100's of players stuck in the minors that will play your role for $500,000-$1 million per season, just ask Moore.

Theo, Still a Winner

Theo Fleury looked good in his comeback, debut. Fleury scored a beautiful shootout goal and didn't look out of place. For the Calgary Flames, Fleury’s strong effort can only be positive for a team that could use a little sandpaper and a player that can put the puck in the back of the net.

Did You Catch That Jersey Number?

More importantly, given the massive hit that Dion Phaneuf laid on New York Islanders' forward Kyle Okposo, it looks like, after struggling in the 2008-09 season, the Big D-Man is back with vengeance. Phaneuf left a lot of questions on the ice last season, he answered many of them with that one hit.

The hit, which was clean, shook Okposo up so badly that he had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. A CT scan later revealed that Okposo had a mild concussion and should be alright to play in the near future. NHL forwards beware, Phaneuf is back!

Which Team Will Reign Supreme?

Your call. Which team will take the NHL’s President’s Trophy as the League's best regular season team? See the poll for voting options.

Git’er Done, or Get Moving

One thing is very clear at the Toronto Leafs' training camp, if you don’t work hard and be committed to getting dirty, you are not going to play. Leafs' general manager Brian Burke has stated numerous times that he has no problem eating a veteran's contract and sending them down to the Marlies if he doesn’t like what he sees.

Players on the bubble? Lee Stempniak, Ian White, Jamal Myers, Rickard Wallin, Christian Hanson, and Mike Van Ryn.

The Leafs play the 2008-09 Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins tonight, should be a good test for the Leafs’ young prospects. At some point, the likes of Hanson, Van Ryn, Wallin, White, and Stempniak will have to make a splash, no better place to do it than against the Pens...

Until next time,

Peace!