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Oct. 6: Leafs 2 vs. Canadiens 0

Leafs scorers: Lombardi (1), Phaneuf (1)
Canadiens scorers: (none)
Links: Discussion boards
Forward lines:Frattin-Grabovski-Kulemin, Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Armstrong-Steckel-Lombardi, Rosehill-Dupuis-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Schenn-Liles. Komisarek-Gardiner.
Goaltenders: Reimer (Win, 59:58 minutes played, 32 saves, 0 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
Remember that awful Leafs penalty kill that has plagued the team for several years??

Leafs obtain David Steckel from Devils

The Maple Leafs acquired David Steckel from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a 2012 fourth-round draft pick, general manager Brian Burke announced Tuesday.

Steckel, 29, was traded from Washington to New Jersey at last season’s trade deadline and played the last 18 games of 2010-11 with the Devils. The native of Milwaukee registered just 12 points in 75 games, but will make his presence felt in the faceoff circle. Steckel’s 62.3% winning percentage on draws led the entire NHL.

Jake Gardiner a pleasant surprise as Leafs make final cuts

The Maple Leafs finalized their 23-man roster on Monday, sending forward Mike Zigomanis and defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

Not having a reserved stall at Ricoh Coliseum for now is 21-year-old blueliner Jake Gardiner. Instead the 2008 draft pick of then-Anaheim general manager Brian Burke will have a Leafs roster spot on opening night when Toronto hosts Montreal.

Mikhail Grabovski shows resilience in Leafs win

Pre-season Game #6 Sep. 27: Leafs 5 at Senators 3

Leafs scorers: Grabovski, Liles, Kulemin, Boyce, MacArthur
Senators scorers: Zibanajed, Smith, Folingo
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines: MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin, Lupul-Kadri-Kessel, Armstrong-Frattin-Boyce, Crabb-Dupuis-Rosehill
Defence pairings: Liles-Schenn, Phaneuf-Aulie, Franson-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Reimer (60:00 minutes played, 32 saves, 3 GA), Scrivens (0:00)

Recap:
Don’t try to tell Ron Wilson what his number one line is.

Late last week the Leafs head coach grumbled at the suggestion that the line consisting of the team’s three highest paid forwards, Tim Connolly, Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel is the team’s top forward unit.

Based on the production output of last night’s game, the $14.4 million trio took a backseat to Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin and Clarke MacArthur, each of whom had a goal in Toronto’s 5-3 pre-season win over Ottawa at Scotiabank Place.

Maple Leafs make training camp cuts

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Sunday that the hockey club has reduced its training camp roster by 14 players.

The following players have been assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League:

Forwards: Luca Caputi, Joe Colborne, Jerry D’Amigo, Ryan Hamilton, Marcel Mueller, Kenny Ryan, Greg Scott, Mike Zigomanis
Defencemen: Jesse Blacker, Jeff Finger, Simon Gysbers, Korbinian Holzer, Juraj Mikus
Goalies: Mark Owuya

Jody Shelley hit on Darryl Boyce draws ire

Pre-season Game #3 Sep. 21: Leafs 4 at Flyers 2

Leafs scorers: Mikus, Frattin 2, Colborne
Flyers scorers: Hyka, Gustafsson
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards
Forward lines:Frattin-Bozak-Armstrong. Caputi-Colborne-D’Amigo. Kulemin-Dupuis-McKegg. Rosehill-Boyce-Hamilton.
Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Schenn. Gardiner-Komisarek. Mikus-Holzer.
Goaltenders: Scrivens (32:05 minutes played, 10 saves, 0 GA), Gustavsson (Win, 27:42 minutes played, 11 saves, 2 GA)

Recap:
Time to start earning your paycheck, Brendan Shanahan.

The newly appointed NHL Vice President of Hockey and Business Development will be tasked to make his first big decision on the job as he reviews the hit by Philadelphia’s Jody Shelley on hard-luck Toronto forward Darryl Boyce.

At issue is the newly worded Rule 41 of the league’s record book, which was revised in the off-season to now read:

A boarding penalty will be assessed to a player who checks or pushes a defenseless player in a manner that causes the player to have a potentially violent and/or dangerous impact with the boards

The incident occurred at the 12:34 mark of the second period in the Leafs’ 4-2 in over the Flyers in pre-season action Wednesday. Shelley was assessed a game misconduct on the play.

Reaction from Twitter was swift:

Shanahan’s decision will be a precedent setting one, and will demonstrate the league’s commitment (or lack thereof) to reducing headshots. Shelly isn’t exactly a choir boy, as shown by video evidence depicted a pair of dirty infractions in December 2010 which both earned him a two-game suspension.