By George E. Norkus

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a problem between the pipes. And unless management is willing to make a move to bolster their goaltending in the short-term, the Leafs’ fast start could soon become a distant memory.

It’s been 19 days since James Reimer was elbowed in the head by Montreal’s Brian Gionta, an injury originally classified as “whiplash”, which forced the Leafs #1 netminder to the sidelines. Now, almost three weeks later, Reimer (4-0-1, 2.58, .912) is still not close to returning to the nets, reduced to off-ice workouts after suffering setbacks in his rehab, his injury re-classified as “upper body”, or in other words, a concussion.

Reimer, who signed a 3-year deal in the offseason with Toronto, was undoubtedly the key to the Leafs early season success, keeping them in games with big saves and his overall steady play. His replacements during his absence – Jonas Gustavsson (4-4-0, 3.78, .878) and rookie Ben Scrivens (1-1-0, 4.05, .867) – clearly do not appear up to the task. And if Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss at the hands of the Florida Panthers at the ACC was any indication, Head Coach Ron Wilson has run out of options in his attempt to fill the void left from Reimer’s injury.

Gustavsson, now in his third (and apparently final) year with the Leafs, has been terribly inconsistent in goal this season, if not downright terrible. It now appears “The Monster” has fully lost the confidence of Wilson, who unceremoniously yanked the 27-year-old after he allowed two bad goals in 0:19 seconds during the 2nd period vs. Florida to put the game out of reach. This decision was on the heels of Wilson electing to go with the untested Scrivens in back-to-back starts last week, a surprising move that left Gustavsson alienated on the bench and Wilson with egg on his face, after Scrivens, who granted was lights out in a 38-save effort at Columbus in his victorious NHL debut last Thursday, came crashing down to earth in a 7-0 loss against the defending Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins Saturday night. He followed up that performance by allowing two bad goals in mop-up duty against the Panthers.

The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the tremendous pressure on Wilson and GM Brian Burke to win now. For Wilson, he’s coaching for a contract, his future fortunes in Toronto hinging on the team’s ability to continue to make solid strides and build on their hot start, after failing to make the playoffs in each of his three previous seasons behind the Leafs bench. Burke is equally invested in the dire need for team success in 2011-12, as upper management along with the Stanley Cup-starved fan base won’t tolerate any more losing seasons.

With Reimer’s status uncertain, and his return in the foreseeable future in doubt, Burke may need to pull the trigger on a deal to shore up the Leafs goaltending right now. One name that’s being thrown out there is New York Islanders’ Evgeni Nabokov, who would be reunited with Wilson from their time together in San Jose. Nabokov (1-3-0, 2.81, .911), who’s in desperate need of a change of scenery, could undoubtedly step in and be the #1 in the short-term, with the added bonus of creating a solid duo in net for Toronto upon Reimer’s return.

Another name being mentioned is Florida’s Scott Clemmensen, who’s just returned to the Sunshine State after coming off of knee surgery. Clemmensen is expendable, following rookie Jacob Markstrom‘s impressive performance with the Panthers this season, prior to him being sent down to San Antonio (AHL) to make room for Clemmensen. The 34-year-old career backup would be making his second go-round with Toronto, after playing 3 games in a Leafs uniform in 2007-08. But the truth is, Clemenssen’s only ever had one solid season in the NHL (he won 25 games in 39 starts for New Jersey in 2008-09), so he’s a bit of a risk for Burke, even though he likely wouldn’t cost the team much more than a 5th or 6th round pick.

And don’t forget, Marty Turco‘s out there looking for work too.

What do you think the Leafs should do to solve their goaltending woes? Ride it out with their current guys, or hit the trade market and go after someone?

Follow Dan following the Leafs all season long on Twitter @Dan_Berlin

The Toronto Maple Leafs unveiled a new look Jersey and with it, a new Captain.  Dion Phaneuf, acquired in a January 31^st trade that saw 7 players change teams, is the ^18th Captain in the long and storied history of the Maple Leafs franchise.

The announcement this afternoon ended the 2^nd longest captain-less period for the Leafs.  Phaneuf joins a list of the greatest Leafs to wear the “C” a list that includes names such as Hap Day, Ted Kennedy, George Armstrong, Darryl Sittler, Wendel Clark, Doug Gilmour and Mats Sundin.

With 3 former Captains: Armstrong, Sittler and Clark at his side, and 3 current teammates: Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak and Luke Schenn sitting front row, Phaneuf proudly put on his new #3 “C” Leafs jersey.  “It’s a tremendous honour…means a lot to me” was his immediate response to being named the new captain.  “I just want to be myself and lead on and off the ice…we have to learn and get better as a team” sounds like a captain in my books.

GM Brian Burke opened the conference by saying “He’s the guy I would have begged Wilson to pick” while also stating that Phaneuf is the type of leader that the team has been waiting for since Sundin left.

“Dion represents everything we want a Leaf player to be, he plays with passion” was how Coach Ron Wilson introduced the new captain to the media.

Leaf great Wendel Clark had these words of wisdom for Phaneuf “Just be yourself and have fun with it, things can be tough when its bad, but when they’re good, there is no better place to be captain.”

Phaneuf’s time with the Calgary Flames ended amid reports that he was at the center of some dressing room issues, which led to his subsequent trade to Toronto.  While several former Calgary teammates have stood up for him, Craig Conroy said “I think Dion is a great player and a good guy, I didn’t have a problem with Dion” others took backhanded shots at him. “Maybe things weren’t working out here, or guys were plateauing, there were changes made. The feeling around our dressing room was better after that, no one was having any fun” according to Robyn Regehr.

His teammates and coaches in Toronto have nothing but praise and respect for him, “We would have to make a mega-deal to bring the greatest captain of all time in order to not name Dion the captain” Head Coach Ron Wilson said in an interview.   Christian Hanson, Phaneuf’s stall mate had this to say “You just look at how the team’s been doing since he got here. The energy’s really picked up” and “He comes in and he’s just always talking, always getting the guys going. I definitely think it rubs off.”  Doesn’t sound like the bad apple Calgary made him out to be, but again, give it time and who knows what his new teammates and coaches will be saying about him.

While his offensive numbers are not what they used to be, just 32 points in 81 games in ’09-’10 his lowest total since joining the league in ’05-’06, he has brought a steadying force to the Leafs defence corps.  Under the mentoring of Jean-Sebastian Giguere, and an improved defence, Jonas Gustavsson finished the season by going 7-3-1 with a 2.48 GAA and a .910 SV% compared to the 9-12-8 record with a 3.03 GAA and .899 SV% he had prior to the trades.

Much of that can be attributed to Phaneuf’s presence.  Combine that with the improvement to the Leafs Penalty Kill due to the additions of Phaneuf and Fredik Sjostrom, finishing the season on a run that would have put them in the top-10 had it been achieved all season long, and you can begin to see the positive impact Phaneuf has had on this Leafs team.

It comes as little surprise to me, that the Leafs brain trust of GM Brian Burke and Head Coach Ron Wilson, feel comfortable with Phaneuf’s performance and demeanour to stick the “C” on his freshly designed, new Leafs jersey.  However, only time will tell if Phaneuf can live up to the short list of great Leafs captains, and dispel any rumours that he was a cancer in the Flames dressing room, or just be another case of talent wasted in a blue-and-white uniform.

I’m hoping it all works out and he leads the once proud franchise out of the basement of the NHL and back amongst the elite where they belong.

At an average player age of 27.52 years, the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the younger side of the league. Unfortunately though, they could not use their youth to their advantage this season.

This year the Maple Leafs fell flat, again. After making a costly trade with Boston to acquire Phil Kessel, the Leafs saw their future disappear. Toronto gave Boston their first and second round pick in the 2010 draft and their first round pick in the 2011 draft.

Unfortunately, Kessel did not save the Leafs. He missed the first month of the season because of a shoulder injury. Plus he never prolifically scored for the Leafs. Kessel even finished the last six games of the season with only one assist.

Then, at the end of January, their season mostly gone, the Leafs traded away Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers, and Ian White. Those four skaters produced 108 points with the Leafs this season and an additionally 48 with the Calgary Flames.

In return from the Flames, the Leafs acquired Dion Phaneuf and Fredrik Sjostrom. Neither outstandingly succeeded in Toronto.

Furthermore, the Leafs traded veteran Jason Blake to the Anaheim Ducks. He registered only 26 points with the Leafs this year after successfully recording 63 the year before.

Though most of the younger teams happily absorbed the youth’s talent, the Leafs could not seem to make it work. Their youth hurt them more than anything.

Defenseman Luke Schenn, who had a fantastic rookie year in 2008-2009, flopped. He became a liability on the ice many nights, that is when he did not sit up in the press box as a healthy scratch.

With the big trade in the second half of the season, the Leafs once more traded away their future by surrendering sturdy defenseman White. His number may not exceed anyone’s expectations, but he did learn a lot the last two seasons.

Though Phaneuf is a year younger than White and the better of the two, he could become the Leafs’ next captain. At 25 years old, Phaneuf already played with one of the best centers in the game, Jarome Iginla. He knows leadership from Iginla.

Yet, one of the other big stories throughout the year (and offseason) with the Leafs comes at the expense of Tomas Kaberle. The defenseman has a no-trade clause in his contract, but the Leafs constantly seem ready to trade him away.

Kaberle, 32 years old, ranks as the oldest defenseman on the Leafs. His play never lived up to what the Leafs hoped he could become. Although, in the last five years he broke the 40 point mark four times, and only missed on the fifth year because he missed 25 games.

General manager Brian Burke already stated this offseason that he has some interest from other teams for Kaberle, and the defenseman could relocate soon.

If Kaberle does receive a trade, it could possibly involve the Leafs acquiring a draft pick for the first or second round.

But wait, the Leafs had goaltending issues all year too.Vesa Toskala started the year as the starting netminder, but quickly lost that spot after the first four games (which he lost).

Additionally though, Toskala suffered many injuries throughout the year before the Leafs finally traded him to the Ducks.

Jonas Gustavsson went on to play 42 of the remaining games for the Leafs. Unfortunately, in December, Gustavsson left after the first period of a game due to a heart murmur. He played just 16 days later.

With Toskala gone, the Leafs grabbed Jean-Sebastian Giguere from the Ducks. Giguere won six of his fifteen games with the Leafs– with his first two wins coming by shutout.

Despite all the drama and heartache the Leafs gave their fans this year, their age could help in the future. Their oldest player, Wayne Primeau(34 years), may not last much longer with the Leafs. But, after that their youth will develop into a strong team that could possibly resemble this years’ Chicago Blackhawks (with a few strong draft picks though).

Unfortunately, the Leafs gave up their first round draft pick this year, which ended up as the second overall pick. That move will hurt the Leafs in many years to come.

Probably the biggest factor to worry about next season though comes in the form of injuries. Seventeen players suffered injuries this year, and many of them lasted a significant time. Youth can bounce back from injuries, but not all the time.

Katlyn Gambill
NHLHS Feature Writer
kgambill@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @freezethepuck

Atlantic Division

• Original recipe served the Penguins well on Sunday. Winger Matt Cooke‘s deflection off a point-shot by defenseman Sergei Gonchar provided the Penguins a second power-play goal and a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers at Wachovia Center.
• The Flyers’ nationally televised 2-1 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins Sunday can be explained in two words: special teams. The Flyers were just 1 for 9 on the power play, while Pittsburgh was 2 for 6, including Matt Cooke’s winning goal with 1:47 left. With the loss, the Flyers are 3-1 on the six-game homestand, which also has meetings with Atlanta and the Islanders.
• Sweep away the tumbleweed; Nassau Coliseum isn’t wasteland anymore. It finally is fertile ground again, a space where careers can blossom. Not to get hasty or anything. The Islanders still are not guaranteed a spot in the playoffs and they still have not won a postseason series since 1993. But they have succeeded in allowing players at least to get a foothold.
• The Rangers have 30 games to go in the season and there is a total disconnect within the team itself and between the players and the coaching staff. There is no better way to explain what became yet another blowout and yet another shutout, last night in an embarrassing 6-0 defeat to the Canadiens in which the Rangers competed only sporadically for one another and for head coach John Tortorella.
• Nothing is set in stone, but there is a possibility that the Devils could have center Dainius Zubrus back when they face the Ottawa Senators Tuesday night at Scotiabank Place. Zubrus said he will find out Monday, when his right knee is examined and he speaks with general manager Lou Lamoriello.

Northeast Division

• Despite web traffic that had him getting named as a substitute for the Russian Olympic team, winger Nikolai Kulemin had not heard anything as of Saturday. Tomas Kaberle (Czech Republic), Jonas Gustavsson (Sweden), Niklas Hagman (Finland), Mike Komisarek, (USA) and Phil Kessel (USA) are going. Mikhail Grabovski (Belarus) might not play due to a wrist injury.
• There are benefits to playing against — and losing to — the top team in the NHL. “Yeah, it shows we’ve got to learn,” Buffalo Sabres defenseman Toni Lydman said. The Sabres practiced in Vancouver on Sunday and tried to shake off Saturday’s 5-2 loss to San Jose. Buffalo held down the league’s best for long stretches while dictating play. It didn’t matter. The Sabres made several costly mistakes while the Sharks committed only one.
• Once again Saturday, the Ottawa Senators received the magic touch from the return of a long lost player. This time it was Jason Spezza who stepped off the injury list and into the starring role, scoring the winning goal as the Senators extended their winning streak to six games — their longest since December 2007 — in a sound 2-1 victory over the slumping Boston Bruins.
• The Canadiens appear to have grown tired of waiting for some of their young forwards to turn their season around and took action on Sunday. Early in the day, the team announced that Max Pacioretty had been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League. The team also assigned Matt D’Agostini on a conditioning assignment.
• If it turns out that yesterday’s game was not rock-bottom for the Bruins this season, it’s frightening to imagine what a worse performance might look like. Facing the last-place team in the NHL entering the game, the B’s accomplished little offensively and were even worse on the defensive side, absorbing a 5-1 thumping at the hands of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Southeast Division

• All Brandon Sutter could do was smile, shake his head and say, “Wow.” Sutter was on the bench, admiring a replay of a nifty move by Ray Whitney that set him up for a goal, but he could just as well have been talking about the Carolina Hurricanes’ play Sunday against the Boston Bruins.
• There’s a clear presumption of excellence, immediate or otherwise, attached to being a first-round pick, and that has been Eric Fehr‘s burden since the Washington Capitals selected him 18th overall in the 2003 draft. From virtually the first time the right wing began skating with the club, Fehr has fielded questions about when he would fulfill that promise and when Washington would be able to look to him as confidently as it does some of its more established players.
• Slava Kozlov‘s franchise record for consecutive games played ended Saturday. It was not a health issue that snapped the Thrashers veteran forward’s streak at 251. Kozlov was a healthy scratch against Tampa Bay.
• Speaking of Tampa Bay, Mike Smith will at least be on the bench Wednesday against the Canadiens after the Lightning on Sunday sent Dustin Tokarksi back to AHL Norfolk. Tokarski backed up Antero Niittymaki while Smith recovered from a neck strain that kept him out of six games. “I’m getting close,” Smith said. “The goal is to be ready for Wednesday.”
• It was the goal Kenndal McArdle had waited for since the Panthers drafted him five years ago. Gregory Campbell grabbed the puck after a Toronto turnover near center ice, streaked toward the net with it on a 3-on-1 rush and slid it over to McArdle, who fired a shot from the inner edge of the right circle into the top right corner. McArdle scored his first NHL goal with 6:55 left in Saturday’s 2-0 win against the Maple Leafs, and he did so against his hometown team.

Hat tip to the now defunct Illegal Curve for their permission in taking over this daily series.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

Brian Burke stepped into the Maple Leafs organization promising to build a contender. His theme of truculence has not paid off.  The Maple Leafs currently sit in 14th place, nine points out of a playoff position.

Off-season acquisitions Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Phil Kessel, Wayne Primeau and Jonas Gustavsson signed to substantially upgrade the Leafs roster.  Spectators could only describe the reality of it as failure. From Gustavssons health issues to Toskalas “7-11″ five hole the team fell far from expectations.

Burke must now understand the time arrived to build around “Franchise” Kessel.

Of the aforementioned, only Komisarek would gauge the best return.  However, based on his play this season and inflated 4.5 cap hit he would certainly become a tough sell.

The issue with this Leafs club: UFA central. Lee Stempniak, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Rickard Wallin, Matt Stajan, Vesa Toskala, Jamal Myers, Mike Van Ryn, Garnett Exelby and Primeau all expire at seasons end.  Veteran wing Jason Blake and powerplay quarter back Tomas Kaberle omit themselves from trade talk with a NTC and immovability, respectively.  Burke believes Kaberle reserves the right to stay with his hard work in the organization and thinks Blake to be the hardest working player on the team, which makes him not worth trading at his value.

The question is are these players good players due to being on bad teams or are they held back by being on a bad team?

C: Matt Stajan, 26 – UFA with 734,456 million remaining

Is Stajan case of glorification or actual top line talent? Either way Stajan would make a useful edition for a playoff bound team as his two-way abilities, scoring touch and occasional grit solidifies most team’s top-six. When challenged he proved capable of stepping up his game but will any other team than Toronto bother?

W: Alexei Ponikarovsky, 29 –  UFA with 883,446 million remaining

As an original Leaf, sentimental attachment need not apply. This year the 29-year-old proved he can score without Nik Antropov, certainly a boost in value.  Comparable to Antropov he should fetch at least a second round draft pick and a conditional pick at the trade deadline.

W: Lee Stempniak, 26 – UFA with 1,049,223 million remaining

The lesser of the cast, Leafs fans often regard Stempniak negatively.  Only eclipsing the 20 goal mark once in his career fans hoped he would regain his scoring touch.  This year he may come close to 20 but nothing compared to the dominant power forward he projected to be.  At this point his game lacks great value and would not merit a substantial return.  Stempniak could be moved but low will Burke go?

D: Mike Komisarek, 28 – Signed through 2014 with a 4.5 million cap hit

The Leafs brought in this 6’4″, 243 lbs blue liner to add size. Unfortunately, Komisarek carries a hefty cap hit with very little return besides a physical presence.

Probably unlikely to be traded, but Burke should reconsider when looking at his effect on the current roster.  He does not throw his weight around appropriately which should be his strength.  A change of scenery might benefit the Long Island native.  Would the Islanders be interested in bringing in this hometown boy?

If history repeats itself Stajan’s abilities will show their true colors but not immediately. Observing the careers of other young players who left Toronto, Carlo Colaiacovo and Alexander Steen took over a full year to recover their confidence.  A full season away from a judgmental hockey city, who often find themselves on the losing end of the spectrum, should elevate a player’s game once more.  Ponikarovsky may not fit into this mold but Stajan and Stempniak seem a prime candidates to produce consistently elsewhere.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

Atlantic Division:

• Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello won’t use the word concussion when discussing the injury Patrik Elias suffered during Saturday’s game against the Colorado Avalanche in Denver.
• More likely, it was another discouraging start and an unhappy coach – either way, something lit a fire under the Rangers Sunday night, and they responded by hammering the Montreal Canadiens, 6-2, to break a three-game skid.
• Rick DiPietro stopped Patrick Kaleta to secure a 3-2 win in the second game of his comeback from the knee surgeries that kept him sidelined for much of the past two years. “I can’t tell you how good this feels,” DiPietro said.
• Despite a 6-2 loss at GM Place on Saturday night to cap a 3-2-0 road trip, Penguins coach Dan Bylsma witnessed encouraging signs from his club over the past 11 days. “We were more determined to play our game … and that means managing the puck and executing the way we need to,” he said.
• For the Flyers, the return of goalie Ray Emery did not mean a return to their winning ways today. Left winger Brooks Laich scored two goals – including a shorthanded breakaway after he took the puck away from Flyers captain Mike Richards early in the final period – to carry the Washington Capitals to a 5-3 win at the reverberating Verizon Center.

Northeast Division:

• Buffalo enters tonight’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes in Jobing.com Arena with a 7-0-1 record against the West — the only team in the league without a regulation loss to a club in the other conference.
• Sarah Anderson of The Ottawa Citizen sat down and got some one on one interview time with Senators defenseman Chris Campoli.
• Claude Julien didn’t have a lot of answers yesterday. The Bruins coach is presiding over one extremely banged-up hockey team, and he didn’t know who would be available to him for today’s matinee against the Ottawa Senators at the Garden.
• We’ve all heard that expression: You should quit while you’re ahead. The Canadiens took it literally last night as they forged a 2-0 first period against the New York Rangers and then folded their tents en route to a 6-2 loss.
• Somewhere between the summer signing of Jonas Gustavsson and the impressive training camps of Tyler Bozak, Viktor Stalberg, Nazem Kadri and Carl Gunnarsson, Leafs Nation took a turn off the long and winding road of a team-building process and started looking for the short cut to the Stanley Cup parade.

Southeast Division:

• As the Washington Capitals’ league-leading offense shifted into high gear in recent games, one name had been conspicuously absent from the score sheet: Brooks Laich.
• While Tampa Bay players used a shotgun approach to try and score Saturday, the Panthers brought their high-powered rifles equipped with laser scopes and scored five goals on their first 15 shots to beat the Lightning 5-2.
• The Thrashers held a two-goal lead over Carolina on Saturday when it happened – again.  Atlanta had to kill off a two-man disadvantage after drawing back-to-back penalties in the third period. It was a near disaster.
• Injured Lightning goalie Mike Smith has been sent back to Tampa, but he has not suffered any setbacks and could return to practice Wednesday, team athletic trainer Tommy Mulligan said Sunday.
• Speed is the biggest difference. And smarts. And let’s not forget the goaltending. The Carolina Hurricanes have brought in players in revolving-door fashion this season from the Albany River Rats, their American Hockey League affiliate. And though most already had played some NHL games, two made their NHL debuts.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS Senior Writer
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @ACHockeyGuys

Starting with Allan Bester (my ball hockey mask is a tribute to his) Felix Potvin (my early net minding days were styled after him) and Jonas Gustavsson (give this kid some decent D and a couple years, he’ll be great) to Ken Wregget (took playing time away from Bester) Mark LaForest (saw more of him then I wanted to during a tour of the Leafs change room) and J.S. Aubin (you’re not as good as you think you are).

But where in all this, does Curtis Joseph fit in?

Well, initially I hated him.  He came in, and took playing time away from Potvin which eventually led to Potvin’s trade to the New York Islanders.  But his never-give-up-on-a-puck mentality combined with his contributions to the community and his friendly demeanour quickly had me loving him.

I won’t bore you with his stats, 454 career wins ranking him 4^th all-time or his 51 career shutouts ranking him 20^th all-time, but instead I’ll approach this from purely a fan point of view.

In the summer of 2002, Joseph made a decision that broke the hearts of millions of members of Leafs Nation.  He opted for free agency and accepted the offer of the Detroit Red Wings, a decision that he still regrets to this very day.  I felt hurt, betrayed, crushed, abandoned, deceived and a bunch of other –ed  words that I can’t remember.

My goalie just said that he didn’t think my beloved Maple Leafs could win a Cup.  I was angry, I wished him nothing but bad luck in Detroit, as I think many members of Leafs Nation did.  As long as he wore a Red Wings jersey, he was the enemy.

The fall from grace was quick and deep for Joseph in Toronto.  I believe most of the city had November 16, 2002 circled on their calendar.  That would be the first time Detroit and Joseph would play in Toronto. I don’t think I’ve seen any other former Leaf get booed the way Joseph did in his first game back in Toronto and he did npt even play!

Manny Legace got the start in that game and Joseph sat on the bench, listening to boo’s the entire game.  It was not until he went to Phoenix, without the Cup he left to win, that I personally forgave Joseph.  The rest of Toronto, probably a lot longer.   When he returned home to the Leafs for the 2008-2009 season, he was welcomed back with open arms.  Surprised at how much the Leaf faithful still supported him, even though he turned his back on them, he played his heart out every game, as a way to thank the fans for still loving him.

When I heard the other night that Joseph would officially announce his retirement today, I took a moment to pause and reflect on everything he’s accomplished over his career.

Again, I won’t bore you with those details, being undrafted as a teenager and signed as a FA by the St. Louis Blues to winning the Spengler Cup as a member of Team Canada in 2007, but I will say he had a surprising career for a kid from Keswick that nobody wanted.   With Gold Medals at the 1997 IIHF World Championships, 2002 Winter Olympics and 2007 Spengler Cup, the one trophy he never won was the Stanley Cup.

With his 454 career wins, he is the winningest goalie to have never won the cup.  His induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame will be debated until his first year of eligibility, when I believe he will be inducted, but that is an argument for another article years down the road.

Tuesday, January 12^th 2010, Curtis Shayne Joseph announced his retirement from the NHL.

I shed a tear.

Jose Simoes
NHLHS Contributor
jsimoes@nhlhotstove.com

The title says it all.  This article will be no more than a comprehensive list of NHL (and some other players owned by NHL teams) players set to participate in the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For the sake of clarity we have sorted players by team.  Minor league players in red, injured players in blue.

Anaheim Ducks (8) – Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Scott Niedermayer, Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, Jonas Hiller, Bobby Ryan, Luca Sbisa

Atlanta Thrashers (5) – Ilya Kovalchuk, Maxim Afinogenov, Ondrej Pavelec, Pavel Kubina, Tobias Enstrom

Boston Bruins (6) – Patrice Bergeron, Marco Sturm, Tim Thomas, David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, Miroslav Satan

Buffalo Sabres (4) – Toni Lydman, Ryan Miller, Henrik Tallinder, Andrej Sekera

Calgary Flames (3) – Jarome Iginla, Miikka Kiprusoff, Olli Jokinen

Carolina Hurricanes (3) – Eric Staal, Joni Pitkanen, Tuomo Ruutu

Chicago Blackhawks (6) – Brent Seabrook, Duncan Keith, Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky

Colorado Avalanche (3) – Paul Stastny, Peter Budaj, Ruslan Salei

Columbus Blue Jackets (6) – Rick Nash, Jan Hejda, Samuel Pahlsson, Fredrik Modin, Milan Jurcina, Fedor Tyutin

Dallas Stars (4) – Brenden Morrow, Jere Lehtinen, Loui Eriksson, Karlis Skrastins

Detroit Red Wings (7) – Valtteri Filppula, Brian Rafalski, Niklas Kronwall, Nicklas Lidstrom,  Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Tomas Holmstrom

Edmonton Oilers (2) - Lubomir Visnovsky, Denis Grebeshkov

Florida Panthers (2) -  Dennis Seidenberg, Tomas Vokoun

Los Angeles Kings (5) – Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson, Jon Quick, Dustin Brown, Michal Handzus

Minnesota Wild (5) – Niklas Backstrom, Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen, Marek Zidlicky, Martin Havlat

Montreal Canadiens (6) – Tomas Plekanec, Yannick Weber, Jaroslav Halak, Andrei Markov, Sergei Kostitsyn, Andrei Kostitsyn

Nashville Predators (6) – Alexander Sulzer, Shea Weber, Marcel Goc, Ryan Suter, Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist

New Jersey Devils (6) – Martin Brodeur, Paul Martin, Zach Parise, Jamie Langenbrunner, Patrik Elias, Johnny Oduya

New York Islanders (1) – Mark Streit

New York Rangers (5) – Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Henrik Lundqvist, Andres Ambuhl, Marian Gaborik

Philadelphia Flyers (5) – Chris Pronger, Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen, Oskars Bartulis, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen

Pittsburgh Penguins (5) – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc Andre Fleury, Sergei Gonchar, Brooks Orpik

Phoenix Coyotes (3) – Sami Lepisto, Zbynek Michalek, Ilya Bryzgalov

Ottawa Senators (6) – Jarkko Ruutu, Filip Kuba, Milan Michalek, Daniel Alfredsson, Kaspars Daugavins, Anton Volchenkov

San Jose Sharks (8) – Dan Boyle, Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau, Dany Heatley, Douglas Murray, Thomas Greiss, Joe Pavelski, Evgeni Nabokov

St. Louis Blues (3) – Eric Johnson, David Backes, Roman Polak

Tampa Bay Lightning (5) – Antero Niittymaki, Ryan Malone, Mattias Ohlund, Martins Karsums, Andrej Meszaros

Toronto Maple Leafs (6) – Jonas Gustavsson, Mikhail Grabovski, Phil Kessel, Tomas Kaberle, Mike Komisarek, Niklas Hagman

Vancouver Canucks (7) -  Roberto Luongo, Sami Salo, Christian Ehrhoff, Pavol Demitra, Ryan Kesler, Henrik Sedin, Daniel Sedin

Washington Capitals (4) Tomas Fleischmann, Nicklas Backstrom, Semyon Varlamov, Alexander Ovechkin

-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove

Earlier this afternoon, Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke discussed numerous topics on Leafs Lunch – Leafs Nation Edition with Dennis Bayak.  With the Leafs playing much better than their winless start, they may make some noise during the trade deadline or as Burke alluded to before it.

Personally I have always admired Burke’s honesty in discussing his teams.  He usually gives his fans a perspective on what he plans to do while playing his cards close to the chest.  The GM of the 2010 Team USA program also announced he will release the roster on Monday, December 28th.

Lets break down some of the topics discussed.

On the State of the Team

• Thinks the playoffs are realistic and notes the team work ethic has been great to date.
• Reemphasized not winning their first seven games really hurt their chances of climbing the standings.
• Would like to see both goalies healthy and in rhythm.  Wants two weeks with both Jonas Gustavsson and Vesa Toskala healthy so he can assess the situation and rely on one of them down the stretch.
• Thinks the team shows strong character.  He signed and traded for character and therefore did not ship out players during the beginning of the season.

On Specific Player Personnel

• Likes the added offense of Niklas Hagman, noting the Finn already scored 16 goals, a total he did not make until February of last year.
• Feels Nikolai Kulemin will not be a top six forward but makes a great shut down player and “has third line written all over him.”
• Discussed Jason Blake as the hardest working player on the team.  Does not mind the salary owed to the veteran.
• Will honor the NTC of Tomas Kaberle noting he deserves it with his excellent career performance as well as loyalty to the team.
• Thinks Luke Schenn needs to sit out to teach him lessons.  Last year they did not have the dept to do so.
• Disagrees with Rickard Wallin scoring goals at the NHL level.  Believes he is a fine bottom six player capable of winning face offs but is not nearly strong enough on the puck.
• Believes Matt Stajan plays great with Phil Kessel, filling the first line center position admirably.

Trade Talks and Trade Rumors

• During the losing streak, there were two vulture trades which Burke would have entertained had they continued losing.
• Felt Jiri Tlusty would be an NHL player but not in Toronto.  Thinks Philippe Paradis could be a power forward eventually but was taken too high.  There was one more offer for Tlusty but offered significantly less value.
• No contract talks with Gustavsson.  Still unsure what he has with The Monster.  Prefers not to talk during the regular season but understands it may need to happen.
• Spoke with the Philadelphia Flyers numerous times but nothing regarding Jeff Carter.
• Regarding the Kessel trade, noted how he cannot wait for the stars to align just to make a move for a valuable piece.  Clearly will build around the talented right wing.
• Nobody is untouchable but Burke will not trade a young player who is playing hard.
• The Leafs hold an advantage in the ability to take on salary both on their cap and budget. Burke will try to swing something to that effect before the deadline, but otherwise will make according buy or sell moves depending on the team’s playoff positioning.

On Prospects

• Gave us an update on Chris Didomenico, noting he should be back in six weeks.  Burke mentioned that the injury sustained to his femur could be career threatening but not in this case.
• Expressed excitement to see Nazem Kadri at the World Juniors starting this weekend.  How he performs will be crucial to this kid’s projection.  Kadri scored twice in Team Canada’s 16-0 drudging of Latvia today.
• On OHL overager Jacob Muzzin, the GM showed interest but was not nearly as high on him as other teams.  If you are unfamiliar with Muzzin, we discussed his signing with the Los Angeles Kings last week.

That pretty much sums up the variety of topics discussed.  Some interesting talks in the trade rumors section, as Burke seems to feel Carter will stay in Philadelphia.  The Leafs do hold a competitive advantage with some added cap space and this general manager seems willing to use it at his discretion.   Despite the teams record, the building blocks are there with what could be a very solid core down the road.

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-Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Founder
thehotstove@gmail.com