Leafs Making The Right Moves
The opening of the NHL season is a little over 24 hours away and the direction of the Toronto Maple Leafs under new GM Dave Nonis seems to be directed toward youth and for me it's the right move. On Wednesday evening, the Leafs moved Matthew Lombardi to Phoenix for a 2014 fourth round draft pick which could turn into a third round pick if Lombardi re-signs with the Coyotes at the end of this season.
To further clear up space for young players, the Leafs yesterday put Tim Connolly on waivers. Connolly was one of the worst free agent signings by Brian Burke. The oft-injured center hardly made an impact last year playing like a third or fourth line center as opposed to being the guy to center Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. On Wednesday, Coach Randy Carlyle indicated that he was not happy with Connolly's effort in practice. It's highly unlikely that anyone will claim Connolly with his $4.75 million salary cap hit which could mean that he will find himself playing with the Marlies.
These moves would indicate that Nonis is ready to give more younger players a chance to excel in the NHL. It would appear that Nazem Kadri would be a lock to start with the Leafs. It was reported in the Toronto Star that Kadri was paired with newly acquired James Van Riemsdyk and Leo Komorov. Komorov is the type of player that the Leafs have been looking for as he is a banger who will go into the corners and be a real pest to an opponent. The Leafs haven't had that since Darcy Tucker. Van Riemsdyk is a big body who likes to go to the net and has a good scoring touch. Take these two and add them with the offensive skills of Kadri and the Leafs could have a very talented high energy third line. The other factor to consider: this line is young. Komorov is the oldest at 25, while Van Riemsdyk is 23 and Kadri is 22.
Who is kept on the defense corp is also going to be interesting. It appears that Jake Gardiner is close to coming back from his concussion. Obviously, Dion Phaneuf, John-Michael Liles and Carl Gunnarsson will anchor the blue line along with Gardiner. It would seem that Cody Franson will also be a part of the team's defense corp. The competition will be for the sixth and seventh spots. Based on reports, Marlies Mark Fraser and Mike Kostka have outperformed veteran Mike Komisarek. Would the Leafs send Komisarek down to the Marlies?? What is also interesting is whether or not Korbian Holzer has a shot of making the big team.
The Leafs must get their roster down to 23 by 3pm today and it will be interesting to see who makes the trip to Montreal. Tomorrow, I will share what my expectations are for the upcoming 48 game schedule and the goaltending situation. Go Leafs Go!!!
My Take On The Firing Of Brian Burke
Let me start out by saying that Rogers and Bell Communications, the new owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs, have the right to select who they want to run their hockey operations. It is true that the Maple Leafs under Burke's leadership has not made the playoffs. It is also true that the goaltending position has been unstable with Burke in charge along with the lack of a first-line center. If these were the reasons why Burke was fired then so be it. But by there actions and information as presented in this morning's Globe & Mail, hockey reasons were the lipstick that ownership put on this pig.
As reported in the Globe & Mail, the Bell Communications portion of the ownership group did not want Burke being the face of the franchise. You see Burke doesn't take any crap by the media and that obviously rubbed the media conglomerates the wrong way. In addition, according to the article, Bell wasn't happy with the way Burke conducted himself not only with the media but in general. I'm not sure what that meant as the article is very vague on this matter.
If this was about the hockey performance of the Maple Leafs, then why would Burke's entire management team be kept in place? Many speculated that Dave Nonis would be given the job on an interim basis. However, that is not the case. So Burke's right hand man is now the 14th general manager of the team with no interim tag attached. Clearly, the direction of the team was not the issue. This was about image.
The fact that the direction of the franchise appears not to be changing, in my opinion, is a good thing because this team is headed in the right direction. While Burke's free agent signings were not good, his trades have certainly improved a farm system that was barren when he came to Toronto and the team's contract obligations heading into next season will give them plenty of cap space to compete for free agents as some teams will have to drop players because of the salary cap.
As a result, as Nonis said yesterday, down the road people will realize that Burke set this team up for long term success. I'm convinced that if Burke coddled the members of the media then he would still be GM today. The other issue that no one wants to address is the fact that Brian Burke is an American. I remember when he was hired there being outrage on the part of some fans that the most storied franchise in English-speaking Canada was now being managed by an American. The defense of Ron Wilson (American citizen) by Burke and the acquisitions of Mike Komissarek & Phil Kessel (both Americans) added to the angst of some fans. The tipping point of course was Don Cherry's rant that Burke had something against Ontario boys and that was a reason why the Leafs were not making the playoffs. And of course, whatever Grapes says must be true.
Many times on this blog I have said that the young talent the Leafs have right now is the best it has ever had since the early 70's when the like of Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, etc. came up through the ranks. The fact that the Toronto Marlies went to the Calder Cup Finals last season and are in first place this season bears this out. While fans and media alike have advocated patience and building through the draft, somehow they will not acknowledge the young talent that has been amassed and that patience is required for these kids to develop. Yes Burke got Kessel for Tyler Seguin and Doug Hamilton. But the question I have for everyone is this: would Tyler Seguin be the cornerstone of this franchise?? Who would have Seguin centered if he was selected by Toronto?? He is not the number one center in Boston and obviously did not have the pressure of being the saviour in Boston as he would in Toronto. The other thing that is constantly overlooked, Kessel today is only 25 years old. It's not like Burke acquired a 30 year old for that draft pick.
In the end, the Maple Leafs record on the ice certainly would justify Burke's firing and I can't argue with that even though I believe Burke had the team moving in the right direction. However, his dismissal had nothing to do with hockey and for that this whole thing is a joke. Good luck to Dave Nonis. Hopefully, he will be around for awhile provided he doesn't ruffle any feathers, particularly those in the media and Don Cherry.
NHL Is Back & What’s Up With Kelly
I was going to write a post on the Yankees situation but obviously with the news overnight I will put that off for sometime this week. Let's start out with the news that the NHL & NHLPA have come to a tentative agreement which would ensure a 48 game season for this year. There is no bigger hockey fan than me. I love the game. It may be my favorite sport. However, while I'm happy they are going to play, for some reason my enthusiasm is dampened.
In my opinion, Commissioner Gary Bettman is an absolute failure. There is no doubt in my mind that he and the owners believed that they would break the union. Unfortunately, they ran into someone who is just as forceful (or stubborn) as they are and that person is Donald Fehr. Fehr is an expert in professional sports labor negotiations. He had plenty of experience representing the Major League Baseball Players Association. In the end, Bettman realized that he had to compromise to keep his job because another lost season would mean the end of his 20 year reign. In my opinion, this whole debacle should be cause for his dismissal but I'm sure it won't.
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It seems that Friday reports of Chip Kelly being the Cleveland Browns next head coach were grossly overstated. It seems that Kelly is mulling over an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, who supposedly were focusing their attention elsewhere, met with Kelly for nine hours yesterday while the Browns and their attorneys sat and waited.
I'm beginning to wonder if Kelly and his agent haven't used the Browns to get a better deal from the Eagles or get something more from the University of Oregon. Quite frankly, if the Eagles keep Michael Vick then Kelly has his Quack Attack QB. Even if they don't have Vick, I would rather have Nick Foles than Brandon Weeden or Colt McCoy. Not to mention Jeremy Macklin, LeSean McCoy and Brent Celek. It has been reported by Chris Mortensen that Kelly knows that he will need another QB if he goes to Cleveland.
That leaves the Browns holding the bag. It will be interesting to see what the Dynamic Duo of Haslam & Banner will do if Kelly signs with Philadelphia. If they want to make a big splash they need to go to Jon Gruden and back up the same Brinks Truck they had for Kelly and give him what he wants. Otherwise, hire Ken Whisenhunt and lets move on. The next 24 hours will be interesting
Open Letter To Gary Bettman
Dear Mr. Bettman:
I have followed the NHL for 45 years. Living on the Canadian border in Western New York, watching my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada has become a Saturday night tradition. With the NHL Center Ice television package, I now have the ability to watch every single Leaf game. I consider myself a die-hard Leaf fan but even when the Leafs are not playing I love watching an NHL game on Center Ice or NBC. Hockey is my favorite sport and it was my hope that the 2012-2013 season could be saved. However, it appears more likely that this will not happen and that is why I'm asking you to have the courage and come out right now and cancel the season.
You see I don't believe that there is a desire on the part of you and the owners to settle this dispute unless the NHLPA capitulates to your demands. From where I sit, the players have agreed to a 50-50 split. They have acknowledged that there is the need for a limit on the length of contracts and a longer term for the CBA. Yet, you have said that the players must accept your package in total or else no deal. You see Mr. Bettman I agree with Donald Fehr that both sides are close. The problem is that I believe that the goal of the NHL is to bust the union.
To have a position in negotiations of "take it or leave it" is arrogance at the highest level. It only leads me to believe that you want to embarrass Donald Fehr and break the union at the expense of the 2012-2013 season. Negotiations means give and take and I don't believe you are interested in that at all.
Mr. Bettman, your record is that of 3 lockouts, the expansion of franchises in non-traditional hockey markets that are losing money and the loss of ESPN as a television outlet. It is evident that the owners are happy with this record. It is evident that they were satisfied with the cancellation of the 2004-2005 season. So I ask you, why not make it 2 cancellations in your 20 years. That's what you and your bosses want. Put us out of our misery and come out this afternoon and tell us that the 2012-2013 season is cancelled and then you can add to your "stellar" record of relegating the NHL to the laughingstock of professional sports in North American.
Tuesday’s Thoughts (on Wednesday)
While wondering why someone would need to own an assault rifle, here is what's on my mind this morning:
* There was a report in the NY Daily News that the Yankees have inquired about Vernon Wells. Getting Wells would require a trade with the Angels. The Yankees would be looking for the Angels to pay a substantial amount of the outfielder's salary. My question is: what prospect would the Yankees have to give up?
* I am probably one of the biggest hockey fans around and I really could careless if the lockout is ended.
* The two best things that could happen as a result of the lockout are Bettman being replaced as Commissioner and the Florida, Carolina, Nashville, Anaheim, and Phoenix franchises folding. Neither will probably happen.
* The Knicks were slammed by the Houston Rockets for the second time Monday night. It's more and more evident that they need Carmelo Anthony to come back as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see if he plays Thursday against Brooklyn.
* The Browns loss to the Redskins Sunday has probably sealed the fate of Head Coach Pat Shurmur. I have never been sold on Shurmur and I'm not a big Brad Childress fan either. It was evident that Shurmur was out coached by Mike Shanahan.
* I'm also not convinced that Brandon Weeden is the answer at quarterback. I think former Brown wide receiver Reggie Langhorne said it best on Bruce Drennan's "All Bets Are Off" when he said that Weeden doesn't have that WOW factor. I know what he means. I have seen nothing this year to give you the hope that this kid can make plays to win a game for you.
* I wonder how Colt McCoy would fare with better receivers and better running backs around him than he had last year.
* Check out Tony Grossi's post on ESPN Cleveland's website about a possible Joe Banner-Mike Lombardi-Josh McDaniel team in Cleveland.
http://espncleveland.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=17&post_id=9761
* Joe Namath was criticized this year for speaking out about the state of his former team, the New York Jets. Well, Broadway Joe was right. The Jets are a joke. I was never sold on Mark Sanchez. People fail to remember that Sanchez only started one year at USC before going into the NFL draft. His confidence is shot and the Jets are stuck with him because of his contract.
* Like him or not, the Jets treatment of Tim Tebow is a disgrace. Here's hoping the kid can go somewhere and be a productive player.
* I always find it amazing when Bills fans and media types go off on the fan response at the Rogers Centre when their team plays there. Quite frankly, if it wasn't for the Toronto games old Ralph probably would have been moving the team a few years ago. The other thing is that from purely an entertainment standpoint, would you get excited watching Ryan Fitzpatrick??
* Chan Gailey should be fired. It is clear that he is clueless as a head coach. The problem is who will come here with any credibility when you have to deal with Buddy "Foghorn Leghorn" Nix and good ole' Ralph.
* When the Bills season mercifully ends, what will the gasbags at WGR 550 have to talk about??
* And finally, whatever happened to the "Tiny Tot of the Kilowatt" Art Wander
Just End The Misery Now Bettman
It is more evident to me as each day passes that Emperor Gary Bettman wants to break the NHLPA. A week ago, it appeared that the two sides were close to making a deal. Optimism was running wild as fans believed that the season would start on Christmas Day. Then Thursday hit and the roof caved in. As we have come to find out, the league made an offer to increase the revenue pool, make the term of the CBA ten years and limit the term of contracts to 5 years. The players came back with 8 years for the CBA and 6 years for contract length. Emperor Bettman lost it. You see it was a whole package and if the players didn't accept everything the league offered then there was no deal.
So let me see if I understand this: the parties are good with the revenue share and two years separate them on the term of the CBA and term of individual contracts is separated by a year. If Bettman and the militant hard-line owners really wanted the season to start, this thing could get settled by next week. The reality is that they hate Donald Fehr and they are incensed that the players are standing united.
What really infuriates me is that it was the teams that offered 10 and 12 year contracts to players this past summer. Now they want to blow up these contracts as this is "the hill that we will die on." Fehr was right when he said last Thursday that the parties were close. The Emperor couldn't handle that and lost it. So now he is going to show Fehr and the players who is boss by going to court and filing an unfair labor practice against the players.
Bettman's conduct throughout this has been awful. He has tried to discredit Fehr and it is clear that the little bully can't stand it that Fehr has the stones to stand up to him. Bettman has made this personal and as a result it will be difficult for him to give up anything. As a result, the Emperor needs to have the guts to come before the world and shut down the 2012-2013 season, 8 years after he shut down the 2004-2005 season. It is clear that the Emperor wants to destroy the NHLPA and Fehr. He could careless about the game. If he did we would have a deal. Have some guts Gary and put us all out of our misery.
If Bettman Were President
One of the biggest stories in the news today is the impending deadline of fiscal disaster if the President and the Congress can't come up with a deal. Can you imagine if Emperor Gary Bettman was President??? He would have convened a meeting with Speaker John Boehner and told him we are raising taxes on everyone, not cutting any entitlement programs and Congress will relinquish its right to question anything. Boehner of course would reject this ultimatum and then President Bettman would call for a two week moratorium on any further negotiations.
The above scenario may seem ridiculous but it is exactly what is happening with the NHL-NHLPA negotiations. Some fans like to place blame on both sides. You will get some who say that the players are getting paid well and should just be happy they are playing a game and earning great money. But these positions neglect the following:
1.) The owners are the ones who give out outrageous long-term contracts. Right up until the league announced there was going to be a lock out, teams were signing players to multiple year contracts.
2.) Bettman put forward a take it or leave it proposal on the first day of negotiations setting the tone for distrust among the players.
3.) The players have agreed to go down from a 57-43 split to a 50-50 split of the revenue. All they are wanting are current contracts honored. They have proposed a gradual phase-in of the reduction. Remember the players in 2004-2005 took a pay cut.
4.) In my opinion, it is the players who came up with the most creative proposal to achieve fiscal stability by proposing a revenue sharing plan which would see big market teams helping out small market teams.
5.) The players in the last contract gave in on a salary cap, changes in eligibility for free agency, a salary roll back (reduction) and salary arbitration.
Emperor Bettman is leading the league to disaster. Fans are getting outraged. Sponsors are not happy. And in spite of all of this, Emperor Bettman has called for a two week moratorium on negotiations. It's a slap in the face to the fans, the people who work at the arenas, the tavern and restaurant owners near the arenas, the owners & employees of sports apparel stores and the parking lot attendants. But as far as the Emperor is concerned, let them all eat cake.
Torres Needs To Be Suspended For 30 Games
After watching the hit by repeat offender Raffi Torres on Chicago's Marion Hossa, it is clear to me that the NHL needs to grow a set and suspend this thug for the rest of the Coyotes playoff games and for the first 30 games of the 2012-2013 season. I viewed the hit on a nearly 4 minute clip that was on CBS Sportsline. They showed what happened from many different angles but the one that was really telling was from behind the play.
Hossa is skating with the puck just outside the Hawk blue line. Torres is in the Hawk zone and makes a bee line toward Hossa, leaves his feet and leads with his elbow at Hossa's head. For Torres to say that this was just a hockey play makes him the biggest cement head ever. Torres pulled the same crap last season in the playoffs. He is a cheap shot artist who needs to be sent a strong message.
I am not one of these guys who wants fights taken out of the game. I love the hard-hitting and emotion that comes with playoff hockey. But the hit on Hossa has no business in the game. He's a thug and not a very good hockey player at that. What's as disturbing as the hit was the fact that not one official on that ice saw what happened because if they did a penalty should have been called on Torres. 2 referees and 2 linesmen and no one saw the hit??? Really?? The NHL should be ashamed and the 4 officials should be reprimanded.
John Tortorella was right when he said that players don't have any respect for the game. If they did, this stuff wouldn't be happening and guys like Torres would have to change their ways.
My Plan For The 2012-13 Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leaf organization enters into one of the most important off seasons during the Brian Burke era with considerable pressure mounting as a result of the team missing the playoffs for the 7th straight year. There are moves that the Leafs can make which I think will help this team move forward and get to the ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup. Let me be clear, I'm not predicting that the Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup next year. Nor am I saying that this team is definitely going to make the playoffs next year. What I'm saying is that with the right moves this team will not go into the nearly two month funk that cost them a playoff spot. A big reason for that is the style of play that Coach Randy Carlyle will demand next year.
From where I'm sitting the Maple Leafs need to acquire a goaltender, a number one center/big body forwards and a shutdown defensman. In my opinion, the number one priority is getting a goaltender. Yesterday at his press conference, Brian Burke indicated that he would not part with his first round pick (which is 5th overall) to acquire a Jonathan Bernier or a Anders Lindback. I agree with that because neither of them has a proven body of work. The Leafs need a proven goalie to push James Reimer and possibly carry the load. I agree with Burke that Reimer can be a number one goalie. It is apparent that the injury the young netminder suffered in Montreal on October 22 impacted his play for the rest of the season. The Leafs cannot roll the dice with Reimer and another young goalie, whether that's Bernier, Lindback or Ben Scrivens. Based on what Burke said, it is possible that the Leafs could make a trade with a team that has two capable NHL goalies. St. Louis is a possibility as it would seem that the Blues could acquire some help by moving either Brian Elliott or Jaroslav Halak. Chicago could be another possible trade partner as the Black Hawks just signed Ray Emery and might be willing to move Corey Crawford. Another possibility could be someone like Dan Ellis of Anaheim who Randy Carlyle would know something about and I would imagine would not cost the Leafs that much in a trade. While Burke dismissed free agency, one has to wonder if it wouldn't make sense to sign a Tomas Vokoun to a one year deal or someone like a Marty Biron.
The issue of getting a number one center is not easy nor do I think that it is a top priority. The Leafs have to commit to Joe Colborne. Colborne is big and needs in the off season to bulk up a little more. I would start him in training camp with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. It is more important to get some big bodies up front. Someone like a Brandon Prust or even Jarret Stoll who had 165 hits. Would Dallas be willing to part with an Eric Nystrom?? The Leafs need to get a couple of players like that to give the team more grit and still have the ability to contribute offensively. Stoll is an interesting possibility since his history shows that he can score between 15-20 goals. This past season was his worst as a pro but maybe a change in scenery will help. The other thing with Stoll is that he is making $3.6 million a year. This would be a perfect opportunity to swap a big contract, like a Matthew Lombardi, and get a player who is more physical. The only Leaf forward to have more hits than Stoll was David Steckel.
On defense, the Leafs need to make some decisions about Cody Franson and Mike Komisarek. These two were moved in and out of the press box all season. In my opinion, Komisarek needs to go. He has a modified no trade clause, which means that he can supply the Leafs with a list of teams he would be willing to go to in a trade. The Leafs would have to take salary back but it would be worth it to them to move him. I have tried to give Komisarek the benefit of the doubt but it is apparent to me that he needs a change of scenery. The play that sticks in my mind was the last game in Buffalo where he lost his head going after Markus Foligno that resulted in a Sabres goal. For a veteran that's inexcusable.
Franson is an RFA and has some trade value. But if anyone could get Franson to play with more of a physical edge it would be Carlyle and Assistant Coach Dave Farrish. Another guy who can benefit from their instruction is Luke Schenn. Carlyle's disclosure yesterday about how Francois Beauchemin's confidence was completely shot when he came back to the Anaheim Ducks in the Jake Gardiner trade was compelling and may explain how Schenn's game has plumetted since his rookie year. The Leafs need to decide whether Schenn can be made into a solid stay at home defenseman. I really believe that Ron Wilson wanted Schenn to be something he is not: a defenseman who is going to join the rush and create scoring chances. That's not Schenn's game and in his rookie season he wasn't expected to do that.
The Leafs also need to determine who from the Toronto Marlies will be able to contribute next season. Darren Dreger has said that he believes that Korbian Holzer is ready to make the jump to the NHL. If that is the case, the Leafs could move a Komisarek or Franson to try to get bigger upfront. Matt Frattin needs to be with the Leafs all season next year. He's physical and he has offensive ability. In my opinion, the Leafs number one trade asset is Nazem Kadri. As I mentioned in yeaterday's Tuesdays Thoughts, I don't see Kadri fitting in with Coach Carlyle's style of play. He doesn't excel in a defensive style of play and he doesn't believe that its necessary based upon an article in the Toronto Star earlier this week. Maybe Kadri is the type of chip that would be necessary to get a top goalie along with a young goalie like Ben Scrivens. If the Leafs keep Kadri then they need to play him.
If its possible Burke needs to try to move Komisarek, Lombardi, and Colby Armstrong. It would be great if he could also get rid of Tim Connolly but that might be wishful thinking. The Leafs may have to take back salary unless they're dealing with a team that needs to get up to the salary cap floor. But taking back salary would not be a bad thing if you can get someone in return who is going to provide veteran leadership and a physical presence because the players that I have listed have not been able to supply the Leafs with neither.
None of what I'm suggesting will be easy but it is apparent that Leaf management team knows that it is crunch time. They need to score big this off season. Despite the naysayers, I believe with acquiring a proven NHL goalie and getting bigger up front, the Leafs could be a playoff team next year with Carlyle behind the bench. We will have several months to see how this all plays out.
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NHL First Round Predictions
The first round of the National Hockey League playoffs begins Wednesday night and here are my fearless first round predictions:
Ottawa Senators (8) vs NY Rangers (1): The Rangers have had an outstanding season this year but have had trouble with the Senators. Ottawa has been one of the biggest turnaround stories of the year however at one point they were in 6th place in the Conference and hung on to finish 8th. Henrik Lundqvist is the difference. New York in 6.
Washington Capitals (7) vs Boston Bruins (2): The defending Stanley Cup Champions have hit some bumps in the road but still managed to be the number two seed in the Eastern Conference by winning the Northeast Division. (Philly and Pittsburgh actually had more points) Tim Thomas has not played the way he did last year and that could be a problem for the Bruins. The Capitals may be turning it around at the right time however their goaltending is suspect. This series is going to go as the goaltending goes. I'll take the Bruins in 5.
New Jersey Devils (6) vs Florida Panthers (3): The Panthers return to the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Southeast Division Champs. The Devils have had a great season and should win this series. New Jersey in 6.
Philadelphia Flyers (5) vs Pittsburgh Penguins (4): This may end up being the best series of the entire playoffs. Both of these teams have over 100 points and make a good argument to seed for the playoffs based on points without giving the division champs the automatic top three seeds. These teams hate each other. This is going to be a war and is a tough one to call. I'm leaning to Pittsburgh in 7.
Los Angeles Kings (8) vs Vancouver Canucks (1): The Kings only chance is if Jonathan Quick can steal a couple of games. It's possible but the Canucks would seem to be poised to advance into the second round. Canucks in 5.
San Jose Sharks (7) vs St. Louis Blues (2): Well, things certainly do change. Who would have thought several years ago that the Blues would have home-ice advantage in a playoff series against the Sharks. Coach Ken Hitchcock has done a tremendous job with St. Louis and his team swept the Sharks in the regular season. St. Louis in 6.
Chicago Black Hawks (6) vs Phoenix Coyotes (3): The key to this series will be Mike Smith. He has had a great season and gives the Coyotes the edge in goal. They will need that edge because the Hawks have plenty of offensive firepower. This is a tough one to call. Chicago in 7.
Detroit Red Wings (5) vs Nashville Predators (4): This will be the most interesting series in the Western Conference. I like the way the Predators play and give their organization full marks for building a team that is very competitive in the tough Central Division. They are going up against the Red Wings who are playoff tested. It's hard to pick against the Wings. Detroit in 6.
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Tomorrow is Tuesday's Thoughts and Wednesday what the Leafs need to do for the 2012-2013 season.
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