Editor In Leaf - A Toronto Maple Leafs Blog

Feb 04, 2012; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs centre Matthew Lombardi (15) controls the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-US PRESSWIRE

Something that has gone largely unnoticed over the past few weeks is the emergence  of Matthew Lombardi as a far more consistent contributor to the Leafs, especially as an offensive weapon. Last night, against one of the few teams that may boast even more speed than the Leafs, Lombardi was still one of the fastest skaters on the ice, and that speed was on display on multiple occasions that saw him come close to stretching the Leafs’  lead even further.

At 29 years old, Lombardi has been around the league since 2003, and has scored 35+ points every year since 2006, and had a big year with Phoenix in 2008-09, setting career highs with 19 goals, 34 assists and 53 points. It was that season that convinced Nashville that Lombardi had legitimate top-six potential, especially considering the decidedly defensive system that the Coyotes and Predators play in. Unfortunately for the Predators, Lombardi played just two games with them before being concussed, and was packaged to Toronto due to the pricey contract he had signed.

At the beginning of the season, Leaf fans (and probably management) would have been happy just seeing Lombardi come in and contribute in a 3rd-4th line role as a checking forward. However, he scored a big goal in his first game as a Leaf, and has really started to turn his game on of late, as he continues to improve after suffering another minor injury early in the year. The vision and patience he showed on his assist to Phil Kessel last night was a great example of the ability he has, and his capacity to play both the wing and down the middle makes him even more valuable. Playing on a 3rd line with Tim Connolly and for now Joey Crabb, although eventually I figure Colby Armstrong will end up back on that line, Lombardi gives the Leafs a legitimate 3rd line that can be responsible defensively and chip in more than their share of offense. Make the jump for this morning’s Leaf Links. Continue reading this post »

Feb 6, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) celebrates his goal with defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) and center Tyler Bozak (42) against the Edmonton Oilers at the Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Oilers 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

Tonight’s game featured two teams that have been searching for a return to prominence in the NHL.  Both Teams have been working vigorously in trying to re brand their team, using philosophies that could not be further from the same.  Edmonton has been scavenging the low end of the NHL standings ever since they appeared in the Stanley Cup Final of 2006, while the leafs have not seen playoff hockey since the lockout of 2005/2005.  Toronto since hiring Brian Burke has used a nuclear approach if you will, throwing as much money as possible at the front office and scouting staff.  Burke has used every asset that could be found in building his roster including college free agents, trades, free agents, and of course draft picks.  The Oilers rebuild seems to focus exclusively on drafting and developing talent.

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one of James Reimers 48 saves en route his second consecutive shutout and third of the season. Image provided courtesy of Marc DesRosiers of US Presswire

Tonight marked the fifth installment of the Battle of Ontario.  The Leafs won the first installment, then proceeded to drop the next three.  The Leafs entered the game trailing Ottawa by three points in the standings while having three games in hand.  The Leafs started the scoring late in the first period, and never looked back.  They got trapped in their own end on several occasions, but the Senators never really had many dangerous opportunities.  Those opportunities that they did have, Reimer was solid in preventing from appearing on the scoreboard.  The Leafs for the second time this week looked like a playoff team, and if they continue to play this way will be one in April.

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I apologize to all that are reading that this is not a Leaf related blog.  As a matter of fact, it is not even a hockey related blog today.  Unfortunately I a writing this today for a reason that I never thought I would have to.  Every now and again you wake up in the morning and the world just punches you in the stomach, today was one of those days.

As I was sitting through an afternoon of work, it was brought to me and most of my colleagues attention that one of our coworkers daughter has a brain tumor.  The news did not get any better from there, as the information was provided that the location of the tumor made it impossible to operate on and chemotherapy would not be effective in treating it.  The prognosis is that this young girl may have only a few weeks to a few months left to live.  I will admit that while I am not close with this particular person, I have never had something like this happen so close in my life before.  It feels far too real.

I am asking anybody that gets the opportunity to read this today to please visit miracle4maddie.bbnow.org  to get more information on what you could do to help.  I once again apologize for using this space for non hockey related reasons today, but this is the only way I figure I can help this young girl out.  Thanks again for your readership and for your support

Jeffrey Mullen

January 31, 2012; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (71) moves in against Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonas Gustavsson (50) during the shootout at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Anyone who wasn’t petrified when Malkin started skating in from center on that shootout attempt was either too drunk to notice what was happening or hasn’t followed hockey for the last three months. 

I’ve gotten away from these over the past few months, but with reliable help on board, we’re going to start getting you your healthy dosage of links from around Leaf Nation again. Last night’s loss was brutal to say the least, and while I’m sure most of you don’t want to relive it, there were plenty of good things to take out of the first 45 minutes of that game. The Buds grabbed a point, jumped a place in the standings and get a shot at a mulligan back at the ACC tonight, so keep your heads up and get ready for gametime tonight, kids. Make the jump for some All-Star Game discussion and audio, some trade talk, and a look ahead to the Leafs’ playoff push. Continue reading this post »

January 31, 2012; Pittsburgh,PA, USA: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Phil Kessel (81) is tripped by Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) as Fleury makes a save during the shootout period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pens won 5-4 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE

Where to start. After playing two of the better road periods they’ve played all season, the Leafs pulled off maybe their most epic collapse of the seasons in the last half of the 3rd. What initially looked like it would be a great stepping stone for the Leafs to begin their playoff push with a signature win over one of the league’s hottest teams ended up garnering them nothing more than a point in the shootout loss. What’s unfortunate is that throughout the entire game, from start to finish, the Leafs had numerous chances to put this one well out of reach, and while some of the Penguins’ goals weren’t exactly highlight reel, it shouldn’t have even mattered.

The Good

• Mikhail Grabovski had himself one heck of a birthday. 2 goals, an assist, and he should have had at least 2 more goals and another assist. He was flying all over the ice, as he has been all month long. Heck of a January for him – 8 goals, 16 points in 12 games.
• The penalty kill remained perfect for the month of January, the first time a team had done so since either the 1974 Blackhawks or the 1989 Kings (I heard both reports tonight, and I’m too tired/depressed to fact-check right now).
• Tyler Bozak had a pretty solid game. 58.8% in the faceoff dot, a beauty of a goal and a gorgeous chance to get a second that ended with him getting launched over Marc-Andre Fleury.
• His lackluster shootout attempt aside, I liked Nazem Kadri’s game tonight. Tough and physical play and a huge hit on Paul Martin. Continue reading this post »

A Digital Portrait Of Mikhail Grabovski, by Que-ink

“In memory of Samantha Quinn – always and forever a ‘beleafer’ in the Toronto Maple Leafs”

Her brother, Mike Quinn, commissioned me to draw this in her memory since she was always fond of my work over on Twitter. Sadly, Sam was taken away from us due to cancer a few months back…one of her last conversations on Twitter she said, “I remember us talking about you drawing Grabovski someday!” Well, I was so backed up when she originally wanted the portrait that I never got around to it until it was too late. Her brother emailed me about a month ago asking me if I could draw this in her honour – so, here is my memorial portrait to Samantha…I present to you, a Mr. Grabovski portrait, even if its extremely late. I am so sorry I couldn’t do this sooner…”

If any of you are active in the Twitter world of Leaf Nation, you’re probably familiar with the handle @leaferbeleafer. A longtime Leaf fan, Samantha Quinn was responsible for the coining of the now-commonly used #OMGrabovski that tends to explode across my Twitterfeed anytime our favorite Belorussian lights the lamp. Unfortunately, Samantha passed away recently, and her brother has taken over the Twitter account. He recently commissioned a very talented digital artist, Que-ink, to commemorate one of his sister’s passions, and she has more than done so with this impressive digital portrait. A number of Twitter users intend to promote this picture under the hashtag #OMGrabovski, so keep your eyes peeled for that, and do us all a favor and pass it along yourself.

You can view all of Que-ink’s NHL player portraits here. Her personal deviantArt profile showcases even more of her work.

December 19, 2011; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tim Connolly (12) and forward Joey Crabb (46) celebrate a goal by forward John-Michael Liles (24) during the first period against the Los Angeles Kings at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-US PRESSWIRE

Lost in all the All-Star hype was some big news out of Toronto this week, with veteran defenseman John-Michael Liles inking a 4-year deal that will keep him in a Leaf uniform through the 2015-16 season. For the blueliner that has never scored less than 30 points in his career, Brian Burke coughed up a cap hit of $3.875 million per year, with a total value of $15.5 million. The interesting part of the signing is that it comes at a time when trade speculation is at its yearly high in Toronto, with the trade deadline less than a month away and Burke’s propensity for swinging deals before the time constraints of the deadline can come into full effect.

While the initial response to the signing was a bit worrisome, the fact is that the Leafs cannot be the league’s youngest team forever, and having competent veterans on board is an integral part of a successful franchise. If there’s any indication of Liles’ value to the franchise, just look at how inept the powerplay has become in his absence. Despite the recent struggles, with Liles anchoring the man advantage, the PP unit was so successful that it remains one of the higher-ranked in the league. He’s a solid veteran presence, he moves well, handles the puck confidently and is defensively responsible.  Continue reading this post »