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

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Bud Selig will take a cue from Pope Benedict and announce his resignation, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs continued on their winning ways with an impressive 5-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. The win was only the Leafs' second at home this season. The victory was clouded by the injury to goalie James Reimer. Reimer has been solid for the Leafs this season and seemed to be rounding into shape as the team's number one goalie. Coach Randy Carlyle indicated that the injury was not season ending and that Reimer should miss only a short period of time.

* Ben Scrivens was solid in relief of Reimer, stopping 31 of 32 shots sent his way. General Manager Dave Nonis will have to decide if he needs to bring in a veteran back-up. There are free agents available, such as Dwayne Roloson, Ty Conklin or Alex Auld to name a few. If need be, Nonis would be better off signing a veteran free agent as opposed to having to give up anything for a goalie.

* James van Reimsdyk continues to impress as he notched his 8th goal of the year against his former team. And how about Matt Frattin? 7 goals in 10 games for the hard charging winger who was sent down at the start of the season.

* Kudos to Leaf tough guy Colton Orr for his first goal of the year last night. Orr had worked very hard to get into shape and it paid off as he made the team this year after being sent down last year to the Toronto Marlies.

* Brian Burke was at the game last night and it had to be bittersweet for him as the Leafs are playing the type of hockey that he had envisioned when he came to Toronto.

* Sportsnet's camera shot of Nonis when Reimer was going off the ice captured the emotion of everyone in Leaf Nation: oh no not again.

* Curtis Granderson wants to remain a Yankee but unless he is willing to temper his salary requests I don't see the Yankees re-signing him. Granderson is a class act, on and off the field, but with Hal Steinbrenner's desire to get to a payroll of $189 million and the contract of Robinson Cano also expiring, it seems hard to imagine Granderson being in the Bronx in 2014.

* Speaking of Steinbrenner, Hal seemed to be backtracking last week when he said that the $189 million payroll was a goal and that a lot will depend on the development of young players. Someone must have told Hal that a less than competitive team will mean less people at the Stadium and declining ratings for YES.

* The Cleveland Indians are really making a push to be a player in the AL Central division this year as they have signed Michael Bourn. Bourn joins Nick Swisher as the 2 big off season signings along with ex-Oriole Mark Reynolds which should upgrade the Tribe offense.

* It was reported yesterday that Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam was returning to his role as CEO of his family's Flying J's truck stops which are all over the country. I guess with having Joe Banner and Mike Lombardi in charge of his football team, Haslam feels comfortable going back to the family business. Hmmm...somehow I don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling about all of that.

* Haslam's claim that there will be some changes to the traditional Browns uniform. My question is: why??

* With the Philadelphia Eagles re-signing Michael Vick, could Nick Foles be available?? I was impressed with Foles in games that I saw him play and I wonder if the Browns would be interested.

* The Buffalo Sabres are making a huge mistake with how they are handling 18 year old Mikhail Grigerenko. The youngster was in the press box on Sunday for the game against the Bruins. He is averaging only 11 minutes a game, hardly enough for this kid to develop his skills.

* Lindy Ruff must really think people are stupid. In defending his use of Grigerenko, Ruff said that it was no different than how Steven Stamkos and Tyler Seguin broke into the league. Maybe similar to Seguin, but no way similar to Stamkos who was clearly the best player in that year's draft and is one of the best players in the NHL. Sorry Lindy, but I don't see Grigerenko being Steven Stamkos. The kid should be playing in Rochester where he could develop into a solid playmaking NHL center.

* Bucky Gleason's column on Sunday called out Sabres owner Terry Pegula and was right on the mark. Interesting the observations from people around the league about the Sabres and the unbelievable loyalty to Dracy Reiger and Lindy Ruff. The honeymoon period may be ending for Pegulaville.

* Jerry Sullivan added to the chorus yesterday on Schopp & the Bulldog. I was shocked when Sullivan said that Ruff did not want strong-willed players like Chris Drury on his team. Apparently, the control-freak Ruff did not like having a player who also has leadership skills.

* Gasbag Paul Hamilton stated once again that as long as Reiger remains GM, Ruff will be the Head Coach.

* And finally, does anyone know whatever happened to John Gurtler?