Five Questions On The Leafs

by J.P. on Dec 5, 2008 2:00 PM EST

In advance of tomorrow night's game, and to help you all familiarize yourself with the Caps' next opponent, I asked PPP of Pension Plan Puppets a few questions about his Leafs. And away we go...

1) Why does the team at the center (sorry, centre) of the hockey universe need Americans behind the bench and in the front office to get them back to waiting until April to annually disappoint their fans?

Yes, please remember that we use the Queen's English here in Canada. As for having to hire Americans, they are as American as baseball, in name only. Ronny was actually born in Canada and Burke has citizenship. Either way, we're ready to try anything. The only person that noted this before the signing of course was "Hall of Famer" Jim Kelley.

2) I've noticed the Leafs don't currently have a captain. Is the leadership void left by Mats Sundin and his 981regular season games played for the Buds with zero Finals appearances really that irreplaceable? (By the way, if the Leafs are looking to fill their bald, aging Swede quota, I have a lead on where you can get one...)

No thanks. We have our scary-looking Swedish player quota filled. We also have our useless player that was signed to a dumb contract and can't be traded quota. As for leadership, maybe a touch of Sundin would have kept the Caps from blowing the series against the Flyers. Well, that or some competent refereeing.

3) I caught clips of 2008 fifth overall pick Luke Schenn's first and second NHL fights the other day. Impressive stuff. Other than his obvious skills as a pugilist, how has his first NHL season gone so far?

Our Luke and Saviour has been a revelation. The stat sheet will reveal some info on the ice-time he's been chewing up or the blocked shots or the big hits but the things that really have me excited aren't found on the game sheet. His patience on the puck is incredible. When I was at the Boston game a few weeks ago he took a pass near the Leafs' blueline and looked to be cornered. He hesitated a split second longer than most players would and fired a perfect pass to set up an odd-man rush. Or, the times when a bad pass comes back his way, he will calmly find another avenue out of the zone. Did I mention the big hits?

4) Toronto hasn't had a season in which their team GAA was below 3.00 or their save percentage above .900 since before the lockout, and don't look to be much of a threat on either front this year either. Can Vesa Toskala turn it around, are they waiting on Justin Pogge, or is the answer not currently with the organization?

Vesa's last three games (San Jose didn't count because they are awesome) saw him getting back to the form that he showed for bursts last year: .959SV% 1.30GAA. Long-term he is not the answer but I expect that the last two thirds of the year will see a much better showing from him.

Justin Pogge had a great preseason. He saw most of the action and looked ready for the NHL. Then he was sent to the AHL and it seems to have affected his concentration. It's his third season in the AHL and first as the number one for the Marlies. Last year he was stupidly benched during the playoffs by Greg Gilbert which is why I assume that he will stay down for the entire season. I think he has the goods to be the Leafs' long-term answer but I wouldn't be surprised to see Burke try to bring in a guy to compete with Toskala and another young guy.

The first would be just a better back up than Joseph who has been more Old Yeller than CuJo and the latter to cover the team's bases since Rask was traded somewhere by some guy for some other guy.

5) You've famously desecrated the Leafs logo in a show of support for the Caps. Who will you be rooting for tomorrow night?

HAHAHAHA Well, technically I was approached by someone that thought that it made sense to take one of the league's most treasured symbols and marry it to the 85th incarnation of their team's logo in order to get a few extra fans. Saturday night I'll be painted blue and white and cheering on God's team and come mid-April I'll probably have to dabble in some Ovietime. But maybe not.

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* Chirp *

Nothing?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 4:24 PM EST reply actions

you write real nice like, Mr.

Jason Blake = the worst. ever. or close to it.

by ns on Dec 5, 2008 4:42 PM EST reply actions

Jason Blake = the worst. ever. or close to it.

It would be hard to find anything closer.

This has to get more comments than Clownboy getting recalled!

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Well it’s hard, I don’t hold any inner loathing for the Leafs…Clownboy on the other hand. Well, Fuck Clownboy!

by wittcap79 on Dec 5, 2008 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

I knew I should’ve asked Chemmy…

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 5, 2008 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Just be glad that Ken was busy.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 8:43 PM EST up reply actions

Why does everybody

at Hockey Night in Canada hate the Washington Capitals? You wouldn’t Ovechkin won the MVP last year the way they talk about Sidney Crosby.

Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words—"mank" and "ind". What do these words mean? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind.
-Jack Handey

by jobe on Dec 5, 2008 4:51 PM EST reply actions

between the Ovi (Russia) vs. Sidney (ooooh Caaaanadaaaaa) nonsense and the Semin comments that won’t die, it seems like Sidney is synonymous with Canada, instead of just a talented albeit whiny wanker.

by ns on Dec 5, 2008 4:56 PM EST up reply actions

I don't know

Probably because Cherry hates Russians.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

re: Schenn

what player is he most comparable to?

by ns on Dec 5, 2008 4:57 PM EST reply actions

Hmmm

Well, that one is a tough one to answer. So far he hasn’t really gotten a chance to showcase any offensive skills (no PP time) although he does ocassionally go on some great solo rushes (no goals yet).

He is a monster (6’3", 220ish) that loves to hit but also uses his body intelligently to separate players from the puck and protect it. He can scrap although Burke would rather he didn’t.

I’d say that he has the tools to become a Chris Pronger-like player except not an elbow-throwing, foot-stomping jerk.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 5:16 PM EST up reply actions

Scott Stevens is his ceiling

Schenn has been compared to Adam Foote many times, and that is a fairly solid comparison. Maybe it’s my Leafs bias, but Schenn has shown to have more offensive capabilities than Foote at his age and Schenn’s skating has him beyond the Luke Richardson comparisons.

I don’t know if Schenn can reach the lofty offensive totals of Pronger, but if he does, it’ll surely be without Pronger’s douchebag ways.

by bkblades on Dec 6, 2008 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Mayers

PPP,

What do the Toronto fans think of Mayers so far? Seems like he’s added some much needed toughness (good fights so far), but at the expense of his point total coming down a bit from his normal pace.

by Cluster on Dec 5, 2008 5:04 PM EST reply actions

Torn

Obviously anytime a rebuilding team trades a draft pick for a 33 year old player it raises some eyebrows. He has definitely added toughness but statistically he’s fallen off from past years mostly because he’s been on the fourth line and killing penalties.

I think his biggest contribution is as an example to the rest of the team.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Hamilton?

Pension Plan—good stuff.

What are your thoughts on another team in the Tronna sphere, and can the city/area support another middling (I joke) franchise. What do folks up there really think of Balsillie?

FYI-#8 loves him some HNC—look for a big night from him

by bigonetimer on Dec 5, 2008 5:29 PM EST reply actions

FYI-#8 loves him some HNC—look for a big night from him

Oh, I expect nothing less than a 3 point night.

Most people here would relish another team in the area and Balsillie is the kind of owner everyone wishes their team would have.

Another team would build great rivalries with the Sabres, senators, Leafs, and Habs right off the bat and quickly with the rest of the Canadian teams. They’d have no trouble building a fanbase. Plus, it would be nice to see a new team in Canada for once.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 8:03 PM EST up reply actions

"Oh, I expect nothing less than a 3 point night."

Well I sure hope so. I drove all the way up here from Maryland for tomorrow’s game and I hope I see a performance more like the Montreal game last friday than the Florida game on Tuesday.

by Sombrero Guy on Dec 5, 2008 8:16 PM EST up reply actions

Nice. If I’m not mistaken, Pepper from The Red Skate and Pucksandbooks from OFB will be in attendance as well.

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 5, 2008 8:21 PM EST up reply actions

Remind me to talk to Canada Border Services Agency about improving security.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 8:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, it’s always been real tough when I’ve crossed.

“Citizenship?”

“U.S.”

“Where’re you headed?”

“The ballet.”

“Have a good night.”

Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world

by J.P. on Dec 5, 2008 9:01 PM EST up reply actions

Damn Famous Politeness

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Dec 5, 2008 9:10 PM EST up reply actions

You are correct, JP. They had lower bowl seats as well as access to the Caps dressing room after the game.

Lucky bastards.

A Haven for the hockey malnourished.
http://www.onfrozenblog.com/

by Gustafsson on Dec 6, 2008 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

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