tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Rock Bottom: Leafs Lose 3-0

For the 10th straight time on home ice, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost a hockey game this time to the Carolina Hurricanes by the score of 3-0. While losses to the Rangers and Flyers in a shoot out at least showed some determination and desire on the part of the team in Blue & White, last night's display was a total disgrace. This was a team that paid no attention to Coach Randy Carlyle's message earlier in the day when he stated that the Leafs needed to be better at home.

This season cannot end fast enough as the current edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs have mailed it in. The situation in goal has gone beyond critical and should be considered fatal. Without any question, Jonas Gustavsson should not be a Toronto Maple Leaf next year. But for his stretch of games this past January, his career with the Leafs has been mediocre at best. Of bigger concern is the status of James Reimer. Reimer was scratched from last night's game with an upper body injury. What has been reported is that the 24 year old netminder took a puck to the head during practice on Monday and was not feeling well. Reimer has not been the same since the hit by Brian Gionta on October 22. No matter what the Leafs want to say, he probably had a concussion and now with these recent developments one has to wonder if this kid will ever be the same.

As a result of all of this, I think that the off-season needs to address two areas: goaltending and defense. I know that they need a number one center and another big forward who has some offensive capability. But under the Carlyle system, the Leafs could win a lot of games 2-1 or 3-2. Before the bottom fell out in February, this team was scoring goals. The problem has been keeping the other team from scoring.

Brian Burke will need to acquire a goalie via trade. There also needs to be some critical review of the work of Francois Allaire. Burke's defense of Allaire rings hollow. As many of you know, I believe that Burke can turn this around. But I think Allaire is not part of the solution. Bringing in an established NHL goalie should not be hampered by a goalie coach who demands a certain style of play. A coach should try to accentuate a player's strengths. Somehow I don't see Allaire doing that.

Along with getting an established goalie, I think the Leafs should make a run at Ryan Suter. I would open up the check book big time. The Leafs would have a true shut down defenseman who is big and not afraid to throw his body around. Adding Suter to a defense corp of Dion Phaneuf, Jake Gardiner and Carl Gunnarsson would provide the Leafs with a legitimate top 4. Decisions would have to be made on Luke Schenn, Cody Franson, John-Michael Liles and Mike Komisarek.

Thursday night the Flyers are at the ACC and it could get real ugly. There were empty seats last night and one has to wonder how many more will be empty when Philadelphia rolls into town. One thing is clear, Leaf Nation is getting restless and there are some players who need to be out of here come next September.