2011-2012 NHL Season

Ona Zee is one of the all-time greats. Criminally underrated. And the Blue Jackets are shit too.

 

Agree on all counts.

 

I have no idea who Ona Zee is, but I think the Jackets will surprise, particularly if Mason plays well. They are strong down the middle as they have ever been in the franchise's history, Carter gives Nash his first true No.1 C to play with, Johansen is a stud, R.J. Umberger is servicable, and Pahlsson is solid defensively. Plus they have a serviceable blue-line with Wisneiwski (at least once he gets back from suspension), Methot, Tyutin, Martinek, and Clitsome. And who knows if Russell is able to rediscover his form of a few years ago and is able to stay healthy.

I don't think they'll set the world on fire, but I think they are better than the Blue Jackets we are used to seeing. I think they sneak in. Again, this all hinges on how well Mason plays.

 

Jets making playoffs would be a great story.

 

As 1967 slips further into the mists of time.....

 

Leafs trade for David Steckel.

I guess he'll be hounded incessantly by the Toronto media about his hit on Crosby.

That's because the Toronto media won't be bothered to ask why Jake Gardiner isn't down with the Marlies.

 

Apparently this move doesn't mean a deal is on the horizon, but it does provide a little more flexability to one.

The Leafs centres are a little banged up with Grabovski, Connolly and Bozak all nursing injuries, some that could potentially bug them for a lengthy period of time.

With that being said, and we're assuming Connolly is out for the first two games of the season, this may be the opening lineup up front;

Kulemin - Grabovski - Frattin
Lupul - Bozak - Kessel
Lombardi - Dupuis - Armstrong
Brown - Steckel - Orr/Rosie


With the lineup looking like this once Connolly and Macarthur return;

Kulemin - Grabovski - MacAurthur
Lupul - Connolly - Kessel
Lombardi - Bozak - Armstrong
Brown - Dupuis/Steckel - Orr/Rosie

Gunnarsson - Phaneuf
Liles - Schenn
Gardiner - Komisarek / Franson

Something has got to give if Burke wants to put Frattin and/or in the line up along with Franson.

A move is almost certain at this point once everyone gets healthy, but thats when everyone does get healthy, so there wont be a rush to make a move.

 

Only in Toronto: scrum with David Steckel after Leafs practice this morning

 

That doesn't happen in Montreal?

;-)

 

Forgot about Les Habs.

Speaking of Montreal, here's a reason they just got better: Erik Cole. Nice profile by Pat Hickey

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2011/10/05/canadiens-like-coles-competitive-streak/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

 

Vancouver is getting like this as well, it's pathetic