Brad Ross suspended 20 games for PED use

[Potvin29]

@FAN590Walker

Hearing #Marlies Brad Ross is latest #Leafs pick to be handed PED suspension.

[CarltonTheBear]

@FAN590Walker

Hearing #Marlies Brad Ross is latest #Leafs pick to be handed PED suspension.

I'm not saying that Andrew's wrong, but it's interesting that nobody else has reported or touched on this yet.

The Jimmy Hayes for Brad Ross deal doesn't get enough credit for how bad it was. A 6'6'', 221lbs winger would be nice right now. It was pretty clear too that Ross' linemates were driving his high point totals in junior.

[Andy]

@FAN590Walker

Hearing #Marlies Brad Ross is latest #Leafs pick to be handed PED suspension.

I'm not saying that Andrew's wrong, but it's interesting that nobody else has reported or touched on this yet.

The Jimmy Hayes for Brad Ross deal doesn't get enough credit for how bad it was. A 6'6'', 221lbs winger would be nice right now. It was pretty clear too that Ross' linemates were driving his high point totals in junior.

Wasn't Ross drafted by the Leafs in the 2nd round?

[CarltonTheBear]

Wasn't Ross drafted by the Leafs in the 2nd round?

Yeah, but the Leafs traded Hayes to Chicago for their 2nd rounder on draft day to specifically pick Ross. So it was basically Hayes for Ross.

[Andy]

Wasn't Ross drafted by the Leafs in the 2nd round?

Yeah, but the Leafs traded Hayes to Chicago for their 2nd rounder on draft day to specifically pick Ross. So it was basically Hayes for Ross.

Oh I didn't realize that. Yea that is bad, especially since Hayes was pegged as a long-term project anyway. He's still only 25.

[Potvin29]

In my mind it's two separate transactions.  Hayes for a 2nd isn't or wasn't necessarily a bad trade to make at the time but then the draft selection itself was a separate poor decision.

I've also read on forums while looking up stuff about Hayes (so take it with the grain of salt you usually would) that Hayes wouldn't sign with the Leafs (I think like that other situation - Sweatt?).

[CarltonTheBear]

In my mind it's two separate transactions.  Hayes for a 2nd isn't or wasn't necessarily a bad trade to make at the time but then the draft selection itself was a separate poor decision.

If I remember correctly though the Leafs and Blackhawks made that trade when Chicago was on the clock to pick. So if Ross wasn't available they probably don't make the deal.

[Potvin29]

In my mind it's two separate transactions.  Hayes for a 2nd isn't or wasn't necessarily a bad trade to make at the time but then the draft selection itself was a separate poor decision.

If I remember correctly though the Leafs and Blackhawks made that trade when Chicago was on the clock to pick. So if Ross wasn't available they probably don't make the deal.

That may be true as well.  I seem to recall reading that Burke didn't want his scouting staff to have zero picks in the first 2 rounds or something.

[bustaheims]

mirtle: Marlies winger Brad Ross has been suspended for 20 games for violating the terms of the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

[CarltonTheBear]

Ross' statement:

“I truly want to apologize to the entire Toronto Maple Leafs organization, my teammates, friends, family, and fans for violating the terms of the AHL/PHPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

I should have been fully mindful of anything entering my body, and I understand the consequences for what has occurred.  However, I did not, at any time, intentionally attempt to enhance my performance.

All I can do now is learn from this and help educate other players to avoid making the same mistake I made.  I look forward to putting this behind me and getting back to playing the game I love.â€�

http://www.phpa.com/news/story/286

[Joe S.]

(I think like that other situation - Sweatt?).

I completely forgot about that - he came over in the Versteeg trade - remember all the hullabaloo about him not signing with the Leafs, and what a fantastic prospect he was...

I just looked him up, he has 3 games in the NHL and now plays in Sweden.

[Joe S.]

So the 'Ashton' defense.

[Potvin29]

(I think like that other situation - Sweatt?).

I completely forgot about that - he came over in the Versteeg trade - remember all the hullabaloo about him not signing with the Leafs, and what a fantastic prospect he was...

I just looked him up, he has 3 games in the NHL and now plays in Sweden.

Must be why I never hear that one brought up.

Don't think the performance enhancers were really enhancing Ross' performance.

[CarltonTheBear]

I completely forgot about that - he came over in the Versteeg trade - remember all the hullabaloo about him not signing with the Leafs, and what a fantastic prospect he was...

I just looked him up, he has 3 games in the NHL and now plays in Sweden.

Looked up an article on that, this was in it:

"In light of the signing of Marcel Mueller, we are withdrawing all offers to Bill Sweatt," Burke said in an e-mail to the Sun on Friday.

Mueller is the rugged, 6-foot-3, 220-pound winger from the German Olympic team to whom the Leafs awarded a two-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday.

Burke thinks some day the 22-year-old could be a top-six forward with the team and he didn't cost the club a single body or prospect.

Burke said some funny things.

[Highlander]

When you think about the guys that actually make it and then excel at the game is a crapshoot.
When you look at guys like Zettenburg and others drafted in later rounds that actually make more of an impact than 1st rounders it is quite bizarre.