Being from the southern ontario region and a huge fan of hockey, i have to encourage everyone to join the facebook group, follow the twitter posts and check out the website to see all the information and updates about what Jim Balsillie is going to do to make it happen.

Although i am a die hard Leaf Fan, i hope this team does come to ontario, creating a new rivalary for toronto and hamilton and even hamilton and buffalo, and dont forget hamilton and ottawa.

Nuff Said!

DPP

|

So i read this on T.O. Sports, Mike Ritter this is pure genious

This is the call for the number one pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, aka John Tavares.

Ring…Ring…..Ring……..

Garth Snow- Hello?

Brian Burke- Yeah, Garth? This is Brian Burke….

GS- I have been expecting your call…

BB- It’s not what you think, I am not looking to take Rick Dipietro off your hands…

GS- Well that’s good Brian, we still like that deal, in fact, we envision DiPietro being a major contributor next season…

BB- Ahh huh, (Think’s to himself- yep, Garth must be high)

BB- Well Garth, the real reason I am calling is to discuss that number one pick you have

GS- We have what now?

BB- Yeah, well…ummm, Garth, back in April your team won the draft lottery, as such you have the rights to the number one pick in this years entry draft…
GS- Hey that’s great Brian (Think’s to himself- I wonder if I can sucker this guy into trading up again..hehehe…), so what’s up?

BB- Well, I have been looking over the draft, and from what I can tell JT would be a bad fit for your team…

GS- Really? How so?

BB- Well, JT is talented, he has the heart of a lion, he’s wicked good in the slot and from what we can tell he’s a natural born leader…From everything we can see this kind of player goes completely against everything you have been trying to do on the Island…

GS- I couldn’t agree with you more Brian, I have watched JT on television, he doesn’t look like much of a hockey player to me, he’s a hell of a singer though, and he’s down with that Jackson girl, she’s no good Brian, we don’t want problems here …..

BB- (Thinking to himself- what an idiot, he thinks I am talking about Justin Timberlake..) Umm, Great observation there Garth. Listen, I know you were disappointed with the deal you made at the draft with Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher last year, nobody feels worse for you than I do Garth, really. Hey…uhhh, what would you say if I tried to make it up to you???

GS- Man, I could really use some luck around here Bri, what did you have in mind?(Thinking to himself- maybe I can land Schenn this year???)

BB- Well, remember that Schenn kid we selected in the five slot in last years draft?

GS- Sure do, he’s got mad talent…

BB- Sure does, we love the kid…Well, Garth…I wanted to propose a trade with you that would all but guarantee you a chance to draft Schenn…

GS- Really Bri? I am listening…

BB- Ok, so here’s the thing, we would like to get our hands on that number one pick that you got there, in return we would be willing to send you our number one goaltending prospect Justin Pogge, we will also send you 2 second round draft picks in this years draft and our first round (Seventh overall) draft choice in this years draft and our first round draft pick in next years darft….

GS- How does that guarantee us Schenn?

BB- Have you looked at the Central Scouting listings?

GS- Sure have
BB- Ok, so you noticed who is in the seven slot then? It’s Brayden Schenn, he’s a helluva player Garth…

GS- So, what your say’in is, if I took your deal I could get a goalie who actually has some talent, I could take a flyer on a player or two in the second round, a get your first round pick in next years draft (Thinking to himself- The Leafs sucked this year, and they are gonna suck next year too, that’s twp great first rounders) and I could right the wrong I made in last years draft and land a Schenn, a real Schenn???? (Thinking to himself- I can’t believe this guy is going to let Schenn go, what an idiot!)

BB- Listen Garth, you are bang on! It’s killing me to give up on Pogge (Thinking to himself- that kid lets more through his legs than a porn star in a gang-bang scene) and as I stated before, we love that Schenn kid…..

GS- (Thinking to himself- I am going to be sick to my pants…I am going to land a Schenn!!!!!)…Well Bri, I like the deal, do you think you could throw something else into it though??? (Thinking to himself, man am I slick….)

BB- (Thinking to himself- I am going to be sick to my pants if I don’t land Tavares)…Yeah, I think I could send you another player in return, ever heard of Evgeni Malkin?

GS- Sure have…great player!

BB- He is a great player, and we have his old linemate on our team, his name is Nikolai Kulemin, and we’d be willing to throw him into the deal….(Thinking to himself, I wonder if he’s gonna fall for all that “Used to play with Malkin” crap like we did???)

GS- So, let’s be clear here, we get Evgeni Malkin’s Linemate too??? (Thinking to himself, what a moron, Sidney Crosby plays with Malkin most nights, not Kulemin…hahaha, I got this sucker just where I want him)

BB- You got it Garth, for you buddy, anything, who loves you baby???

GS- Ok, there’s just one more thing…(Thinking to himself- I am gonna make this sucker beg, just like in that movie)…Brian, I want you to say “Show me the money”

BB- What? Are you serious Garth?

GS- Say it! “Show me the money”

BB- (In a soft tone) “Show me the money”

GS- Nah nah, Brian… that just ain’t good enough! Now say it like you mean it…NOW!

BB- (in a loud, yet cautious voice) “Show me the money!”

GS- Better, but it still ain’t on point, now for the last time, say it like your life depended on it Bri, let me hear it- Come on, hit me Brian….

BB- (Enthusiastically) “SHOW ME THE MON-NEYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

GS- Ok, ok, I think you’ve earned the pick, you’ve got yourself a deal. It’s been nice doing business with you…(Thinking to himself- what a dumb-ass!!!)

BB- Thanks Garth, you drive a hard bargain…(Thinking to himself- what a dumb-ass!!!) Great doing business with you too…Well, until next year, right?

GS- Later Brian, good luck with JT…maybe he can sing at your home opener?

BB- I am sure he will make Leaf fans sing for years to come…….

And with that the deal was consummated, Burke acquires the number one pick and John Tavares becomes a Toronto Maple Leaf, who’da thunk it???

|

Here's a neat one,
In Canada, you are only legally allowed to pay up to 25 cents in pennies.

Second fact,
Scientists believe that there are 11 different types of canadian geese

Third fact,
Boyd Devereaux recorded his first ever career hat trick with the leafs tonight in the leafs 08-09 season finale against ottawa (5-2 vitory).

Fourth fact,
bees have five eyes

Fifth fact,
Mosquitos are attracted to people who just ate bananas (so lay off the bananas when camping this summer)

Nuff Said!

Happy Easter

DPP

|

So what a week it was in sports, we has Michigan St. make it to the finals against UNC, with Duke losing to Villanova, who then upset the heavily favoured, and my pick, Pittsburgh, but fell way short to UNC in the final four game last night. The big game is tomorrow night and should be a good match, Ty Lawson vs. Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas and All Time ACC Leading Scorer Tyler Hansbrough vs. Goran Suton. All i know is that this game should be a good one and i wouldn't want to miss a minute of it.

Next in the NHL, Leafs are gone, disappointing, although an upside they signed two young hot prospects in Chris Hanson and Tyler Bozak. This could help them next season when they decide to revamp the team. Also justin pogge is doing well with the marlies as the won two in a row this weekend against Manitoba 3-1 & 3-2. Maybe if he has some better supporting cast and is less nervous he may do well as the buds number 2 tender?

Also the sens lost their chances of making the playoffs and the sabres are showing some weakness against non-playoff teams. Nice pass Vanek, with 30 seconds left in ot to Ilya Kovalchuck to ruin your chances since the panthers, rangers and red-hot canadiens seem to be pulling away every day. Kudos to bob gainey! Kovalev, Koivu and Tanguay are on fire as a unit, especially last evening when Kovalev torched the leafs with a goal and 3 assists.
Bobby ryan is proving to be the number two pick after Sid the Kid with his magic this season with 30 goals and 26 assists. I have to say he's been a steal in my yahoo fantasy hockey league.

On to the NBA, the raps just lost all chances of showing that Jay Triano did some good for the team by losing to the Knicks tonight to ruin their playoff hopes and their 7 game winning streak (Longest of the season). Jason Kidd had a historic afternoon by passing the great Magic Johnson on the all time assists list. Overall the cavs continue to dominate and the overal race between Kobe, Lebron and Wade is only getting better to see who will be the Player of the Year. Stay tuned to all the NBA updates to see the lead.

Lastly we move to the beginning of the season for the Toronto Blue Jays, since the NBA and NHL seasons are officially over, we Torontonians have to look for the next two sports MLS and MLB. Although TFC looks promising the red hot expansion seattle team look to show they are perfect for the league. Anywho, the jays have an all new starting rotation this season
1. Roy Halladay
2. David Purcey
3. Jesse Litsch
4. Ricky Romero
5. Scott Richmond
This list is promising as Purcey, Litch, Romero, and Richmond are all young guns and could be the big and bright future of the club. Since we all await the return of two members of the starting rotation Marcum who could be back in sept, and McGowan, who could be out the entire season.
Other promising young guns include Travis Snyder and Adam Lind, who have made it into the lineup in left field starting and replacement respectively. The return of aaron hill is a two fold, good at bat and great defensively. All the jays need is rolen and ryan to stay healthy and do their job and they need overbay and barajas to step up and flat out show their stuff.


Well, tomorrow night I will try to give a post game reaction to the home opener, stay tuned for more.

Nuff Said!

DPP

|

So, at work the other day we discussed how rough and tough the NHL was and how one area of hockey that we all miss is the rare but always exciting goalie fight.

Some of my most memorable goalie fights were between the Ron Hextall and Felix Potvin. Also the classic Roy vs. Osgood or Roy vs. Vernon in the exciting playoff matchups between the Colorado Avalanche and the Detroit Red Wings from 1996-1998.
I enjoy embedding youtbe videos so here is my favourite roy vs osgood match.



Although hockey is still exciting and I find myself watching every leaf game from start to finish, even when losing 6-0, I find that if the hockey games had classic fights like the great face-offs between Rob Ray and Tie Domi, I think the games would be that much more exciting. Which is a main reason why I oppose the new outlook on stage fighting, its entertaining and those who stage fight know the risk they are bringing themselves into.

I am exciting for the next few weeks while the teams battle it out for the right to play in the NHL Playoffs. Go Leafs Go, although a high draft pick would be nice for a change.

By the way Pitt will win March Madness, I was away before it started to place my pick, but they will beat UCONN in the finals.

Nuff Said!

DPP

|

So, what a day for the unofficial canadian national hockey game, NOT!

Although from 250-445pm, 1 hour and 45 min after the actual deadline occured at 3pm, the fire sale of trades was on.

Even though the calgary flames added oli jokinen and brought back jordan leopold, who they traded away by these same flames in 2006 for alex tanguay, and 41 year old mark recchi was traded once again, but this time to Boston, this day was not near the hype TSN and Sportsnet make it out to be.

Other than about 8 trades of the total 22, most were insignificant or a waste of tv time. Teams that added players they needed were Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, Carolina, and San Jose. And i hate to sound like a TSN rerun but you can physically tell who made the best deal although on paper ottawa and columbus was the best in my eyes. Ottawa got the goalie they needed in Pscal LeClaire and columbus added some grit and offence to take the pressure off nash in Antonie Vermette.

The main reason why this trade was even possible is the fact that rookie goaltender Steve Mason, former London Knight, Kitchener Ranger and gold medal world junior hockey star, is having an outstanding start to his career with 25 wins, 8 shutouts and a remarkable 2.20 GAA. Ottawa was able to deal Vermette because they already have a high powered offence, when they play, and they have been statistically out since the all-star break.

What did make my day was spending the last 30 min of my work day listen to Brian Burke tell the media that he did what he planned to do and how he attempted to make fans and critics alike forgive John Ferguson Jr. and his no-trade clause handouts over the past 4 years. Also when TSN attempted to inquire about the last trade all Brian Burke said was "No" to the question of an explanation.

And for those fans upset that the leafs only got 2 second rounders, i have to say congrats to Burke, although Moore was doing great he could be risky for a 2nd rounder. And Antropov, the 1998 10th overall pick has been a flop since then with his highest point total coming in 2002-2003 with 45. So the 2nd rounder was a clutch pick for the leafs.

Overall it was a good day for all involved and it provides excitement to all who love the game and fall victim to the media.

Well thats my rant for the day

Here's the list of all the trades

|