Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with forward Mikhail Grabovski.
As per club policy, financial terms of the contract were not disclosed – however TSN.ca reports that the deal is worth $27.5 million.
Mar. 3: Leafs 3 at Canadiens 1
(Grabovski with 2 goals, assist and first star)
Leafs scorers: Frattin (6), Grabovski 2 (20)
Canadiens scorers: Cole (23)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Steckel-Connolly, MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin, Crabb-Lombardi-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Komisarek, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win 60:00 minutes played 21 saves 1 GA) Reimer (0:00)
Recap:
New bench boss Randy Carlyle did what former coach Ron Wilson couldn’t in the previous six games – get his team to settle down and win.
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 3-1 in a tight-checking affair that featured something else the Leafs were lacking in the last few weeks, solid goaltending.
For Leaf fortunes to change it really was a simple plan that took effect; something that mysteriously disappeared for the most part in recent games, checking and goaltending. Is this the Carlyle effect? He certainly had the bench humming, making play corrections on the fly with his old-school analog pen and paper, and the Leafs seemed to embrace the change of guard.
Continue Reading…
Feb. 29: Leafs 4 vs. Blackhawks 5
(Good start including Bozak goal, late flurry, same result)
Leafs scorers: Bozak (14), Lupul (25), MacArthur (19), Brown (2)
Blackhawks scorers: Shaw (6), Kruger (8), Kane (15), Hossa 2 (26)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Armstrong-Connolly-Frattin, MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin, Crabb-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Loss 58:39 minutes played, 30 saves, 4 GA) Reimer (0:00)
Recap:
It appears the Leafs season is circling the drain as the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their sixth straight – and 10th of their last eleven games – to the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Whatever the stretch drive was supposed to be, it may have just snapped – some might say – back into reality.
The Leafs rediscovered the secret to their success through most of the season, using their speed to push the opposition back on their heels and get that all-important first goal. Hitting the road appeared to be a relief in the first period as the Leafs seemed to relax the death grip on their sticks and play their game. But in the end, defensive miscues and lack of finish when it counted cost them the game.
Continue Reading…
Feb. 28: Leafs 3 vs. Panthers 5
(Phaneuf: “We’ve got to do a better job starting games”)
Leafs scorers: Kessel (32), Kulemin (7), Lupul (24)
Panthers scorers: Goc (6), Santorelli 2 (8), Garrison (14), Weiss (16)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin, Lombardi-Connolly-Kulemin, Crabb-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Komisarek, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 57:45 minutes played, 18 saves, 5 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Recap:
There’s a familiar refrain that we’ve all heard at some point from either parents or teachers.
“If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve always got.”
For the Maple Leafs, whose roster went essentially unchanged following the trade deadline, their game Tuesday against the Florida Panthers eerily mirrored their match-up from three nights ago against Washington. A home game against a SouthEast Division opponent, who is expected to be a competitor in the playoff race.
A horrific start in giving up two early goals. An abnormal lack of urgency from the Leafs in what is deemed to be a crucial game.
And, another loss.
Feb. 25: Leafs 2 vs. Capitals 4
(James Reimer called out by Ron Wilson following early goals)
Leafs scorers: Armstrong (1), Connolly (10)
Capitals scorers: Johansson (12), Semin (17), Halpern (4), Aucoin (1)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur, Lombardi-Connolly-Frattin, Armstrong-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 58:14 minutes played, 32 saves, 4 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Recap:
The Washington Capitals appeared on paper to be the antidote for the Leafs recent ailments. Toronto’s Saturday opponents had played the night before, coming into the matchup at Air Canada Centre 8 games under .500 on the road.
Unbelievably, it was the Leafs who turned in an effort unbecoming of a team embroiled in a tight playoff race.
Coming out on the short end of a 4-2 decision, Toronto earned the wrath of the 19,577 fans in attendance, with the players receiving unflattering boos at the end of each period.
|
Feb. 25, 2012 by S-Mo
Jesse Blacker, taken in the 2nd round of the 2009 NHL entry draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, is making a case for himself as a pro and appears to be on the verge of taking the next step to the big league.
The 6’1”, 195 lb native of Toronto has been enjoying top minutes with one of the best defensive teams in the AHL, the Toronto Marlies, under the tutelege of coach Dallas Eakins and Gord Dineen among others. Whether applying his craft to sound positional play, learning the ropes in after hour sessions on the ice, reviewing tape or building his conditioning in the gym, Jesse is truly soaking up his experience and has little time for anything not hockey related.
Speaking with Jesse today we discussed some of his earlier triumphs, notably with the OHL champion Owen Sound Attack last year, and the learning curves and inspirations on the road to pro hockey.
Continue Reading…
