Month: February 2023

Let’s start tonight’s report with the latest in trade activity throughout the NHL: 31 goal scorer Timo Timo Meir is on his way to New Jersey, Ivan Barbshev is off to Vegas and Montreal winger Dadanov has been sent to Dallas.  To me, the most shocking announcement of the day was that lifer GM Dave Poile will retire on June 30^th from his post in Nashville, to be replaced by the one and only Barry Trots !

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won 4 of 5 and embark on a 5 game road trip tonight in Seatle.  Ilya Samsanov will start in goal.  Another tweak by Coach Sheldon Keefe switches up Marner and Nylander on his top two lines.  Rasmus Sandin was back in after a shoulder injury.  The Leafs needed to watch top scorer Jordan Eberle (65 points) for tonight’s contest.

What a pleasure (compared to Minnesota on Friday) to watch two clubs get out and get after it.  The Kraken are a fast, hard team who play at a high pace..  This resulted in a goal less than 4 minutes in as Vince Dunn put in his 11^th from Eberle and McCann.  Not 71 seconds later, the veteran Leafs D-Man Marc Giordano tied it up with his 4^th from partner Liligren and the oh-so-hot William Nylander.  Seems Captain Johhny doesn’t mind the wing after all as he slammed in his 27^th (16^th in 13) off an empty netter thanks to Willy and Justin Holl.  The comeback wasn’t over as Timothy Liligren got his 5^th from Bunts and Marner.  SOG:  TML 20 Kraken 7.

The Toronto squad  looked to run away and hide after AM34 posted his 27^th, chipping in a waste high rebound off the efforts of new linemate Marner and his pal Bunting.  That chased the Kraken starting goaltender Phillip Grubauer.  Later, all time shot block leader Marc Giordano made it official with his 2405^th block.  Real good game as the “mo” changed toward the Kraken.  They ended up with a 14-5 shot advantage to no avail.  The Leafs survived at 2 ½ minute onslaught late in the period to maintain their 3 goal lead.  Several “Sami Saves” were sprinkled throughout that second stanza.

Looks like the Sheldon Keefe manipulation strategy continues to work its MAGIC.  Auston Mathews scores his 28^th from Marner and Bunting to make the final 5 to 1.

HOPPER NOTES:  Loved the guitar anthems by that youngster…OH I beg you Deadline Fairy, please bring me Gabrigov and/or Gudas…NOT Nick Foligno, not Brian Boyle or Thomas Plekanus, David Rittich, Ron Francis or Brian Leetch….I re-iterate my lone voice in lobbying for The Wane Gretzky Assist Trophy…Mitchell Marner would be a contender…did you know that AM34 leads the league in blocked shots at 75 ? …what a great road performance by TML ! …that was Samsanov’s 22^nd win as a Leaf…liked the Giordano/Liligen combo…the Holl/Sandin pairing makes me nervous…CHEERS !!

The Minnesota Wild have played pretty much the same (boring) style of game since the franchise first came into being under Jaques (TRAP) LeMaire BITD.  The Toronto Maple Leafs with their high flying, high speed game needed to avoid being “trapped” in that style of game for tonight’s home game at SBA.

Prior to puck drop, I was examining the various races in the NHL Standings.  I want to focus on two groups:  The Connor Bedard Sweepstakes contenders (40-50 total points to date) and the Wild Card Pretenders in the east (those with 60-70 points).

BEDARD 40 Pointers:                                     WILD CARD 60 Pointers:

Coumbus        41                                            Buffalo            62

Anaheim         43                                            Caps                62

Chicago           45                                            Penguins         63

San Jose          47                                            Florida            64

Arizona           49                                            Detroit            64

Vancouver      49                                            Islanders         67

Sure enough, tonight’s play stated out dull and uneventful for the first half of the opening stanza save for a Samsonov “ooopsy” when he misread a long shot that hit the post.  I was away, but my buddy Glennie tells me that Brandon Duhaime put the WILD out-front, when his shot from behind the net deflected in off Jarnkrok.   The Leafs got that back with 3:53 left as David Kampf converted a nifty pass from behind the net engineered by William Nylander.

The second period didn’t produce much more excitement, but you have to be impressed with the line Kaprisov, Hartman and Zuccerella as they seemed to control every shift they took.

The Minnesotans (as Danny Gallivan loved to say) won in Columbus Thursday night and seemed to be showing some fatigue as the Leaf s continually pounded on the forecheck in the third.  Marner took a cheesy penalty with only 3:42 left and the WILD did generate some excitement but a strong PK and some outstanding “Sami Saves” kept it at ones until overtime.

Willy Nye pounced on the winner off a strong forecheck steal and a remarkable deke to finish off the WILD. BRILLIANT goal. Final 2 to 1 Tranna.

HOPPER NOTES:  Except for the last 5 minutes of the third and an abbreviated 3 on 3 this game was like watching paint dry…why do they call them the WILD and yet have its team play like a desperate AHL squad…honestly, it was like a Swede/Finn game in the medal round (or maybe a chess match)…the final shots on goal (25-24 Minny) was very much indicative of the play… no Leafs Saturday Night Hockey ?  BLASPHOMY !  big shout out to aging superstar Marc Giordano for tying the all time shots blocked record (held by Chris Russel) of 2044…thanks again to Glennie, and I sure hope ACE isn’t too jealous – CHEERS !!

Are the Buffalo Sabres’ fortunes really changing for the good ?  Newish GM Kevyn Adams and second year coach Don Granato have coaxed and prodded a pretty good season out of the young Sabres so far.  They find themselves in the thick of a highly competitive Wild Card race in the east which has the Penguins, Islanders, Sabres, Red Wings, Panthers and Caps all within 6 points of one another for the final 2 positions.  An 11 year playoff absence has got to have the fans and ownership wondering if this finally be their year.

The Toronto Maple Leafs move on to game 3 of the ROR/Accari era.  The big debate seems to be whether the Leafs go with a true 1-2-3 centre ice scenario or should Reilly stay up as C2 with Tavares on the wing.  I prefer the 1-2-3 option with a 3 deep centre ice group that opposing coaches would find difficult to defend.

WOW – what start by Toronto !  Ryan O’Rielly, still playing centre on the second line scored a beauty off linemates’ Marner and Tavares to open the scoring 4 minutes in.   Just :37 seconds later Marner set ROR again as he lifted a back hand roofer to put his new team up 2-0.  Not to be outdone, Captain Johhny slapped in a Marner rebound to make 3 zip at under 13 minutes.  That was Mitchey’s 3rd point of this night.  The Leafs were so dominant in every facet with wave after wave of quality chances.  The Sabres didn’t get their first shot on goal until the 10 minute mark.  Michael Bunting took a breakaway lead from Mo Reilly to pot his 5^th goal in 8  games patiently waiting for a short side opportunity.  That resulted in pulling G Lukenin the starter to have veteran, greybeard Craig Anderson in off the bench.  Final SOG Leafs 16, Sabres 7.

A highly vengeful Sabres club came out for the second period roaring with assertive offensive play.  They outshot the Leafs 8-2 in the first 10 minutes.  But, Ilya Samsonov stood tall and made the blocks he had to make to settle things down.  Slowly, the Leafs took control back of the game.  Willy Nye scored his 32^nd on a PPG From Tavares and Marner to make it 5 to nothing.

It’s always difficult to maintain momentum going in to a final period with a 5 goal lead.  Right ?  No excuses for a Toronto squad looking to get guys a hattrick or maintaining their shutout.  Jack Quinn, Alex Tuch and Jeff Skinner made that arrogance disappear with some hustle and determination.  They just ran out of time.  They HAD to pull their goalie which resulted in ROR’s hattrick goal and Marner’s 5^th assist.  Make the final Leafs 6, Buffalo 3.

HOPPER NOTES:  Three stars:  Ryan O’Reilly (3g 1a), Mitch Marner (5 a) and John Tavares (1 g 3 a)….WOW…despite their extremely sleepy start, the Sabres are in the Wild Card race…they have several games in hand on those ahead of them and with the likes of Tage Tompson, Dylan Cozens, Owen Power and Lars Dahlin in their lineup they will be contenders come April…BTW, where has AM34 been lately ? …Coach Keefe did a real “shake and bake” with his defence combinations tonight:  Holl with Reilly (didn’t like), Connors (rough night) with Brodie and the ever steady Marc Giordano with Lilegren (Sandin out)…does Luke Schenn fit in with that group ?…thanks again to my “ACE” reporter from the other night…my old pal Glennie now prefers the University Avenue route for the parade…CHHERS Everyone !

Sorry to be so late to the party but I’m told by my ACE reporter that the TORONTO Maple Leafs didn’t fare all that well against the bottom feeding Chicago Black Hawks.

Mitchell Marner scored off a nice long pass from new guy O’Reilly.  So far rejected Patrick Kane had a hat trick.  Nice to see Sami Samsonov back in the Leaf goal.  Captain Johnny scored off another Reilly feed. 

As the Leafs tied it up, there was just no winning for Tranna on this night.

HOPPER NOTES:  Noel Acciari got his first as a Leaf and don’t dismiss this guy as a key part of that trade…solid right shot face-off man who loves to hit people – CHEERS !

Bar stools across Southern Ontario, perhaps all of Canada, have been supporting the chatter created from THE TRADE.  Many believe the Toronto Maple Leafs are a much stronger team today than yesterday.  GM Kyle Dubas has pulled off what some have referred to as a blockbuster, bringing in Stanley Cup, Conn Smythe and Selke winner Ryan O’Reilly and his less known but grittier pal Noel Acciari from the St. Louis Blues.  That in exchange for some draft picks (1 first rounder) and some level 2 prospects (Mathew Knies remains a Leaf.)

At first glance the Leafs have upgraded their bottom 6 as O’Reilly is thought to jump in as third line centre and Accari as 3^rd or 4^th right wing.  One of the many hilites of these acquisitions is that Toronto didn’t lose a roster player, they only need to pay half of O’Reilly’s salary and the lesser known Accari led St. Louis in hits, kills penalties and will get you 10-15 goals a season.  Both were in the lineup tonight.   Well done Kyle – what’s next ?

Tonight’s visitor to the SBA are the Montreal Canadiens.  They have already beaten Toronto twice this season, so don’t let their scant 50 points (7^th from the bottom) fool you when it comes to the Leafs.

The TML roster adjustments accounted for O’Rielly centering Tavares and Marner, Acciari centering Kerfoot and Ashton-Reese and Kampf centering Engvall and Jarnkrok.  Matthews-Nylander-Bunting stayed intact.  Holl was in for Timmins and Joseph Woll took the net for an ailing Samsanov.  Not really much to report after the first as the Leafs looked a little cautious under their new alignment and Montreal didn’t put up much of a fuss.

Josh Anderson has always been in a pain in the side of recent Leaf teams.  Sure enough, he opened the scoring early in the second off a nice feed from Matheson.  But, Mathew Bunting came alive on a PPG thanks to AM34 to tie things up.  Interesting to see Coach Keefe’s initial thoughts on the “new” PK.  He sent out Kampf and Marner as usual, followed by Kerfoot and the new guy Acciari.  The second period was a little more wide open which helped the Leafs allow Engvall and then Bunting to open up a 3-1 lead.  Bunting’s goal BTW was a second team PPG from Jarenkrok and new guy O’Reilly.

William Nylander knocked in his 31^st off a nice AM34 feed (his 31^st A) to bring some well deserved separation to this contest.  David Kampf finally got his own (scoring) monkey off his back when he scored his fifth to close out the game at 5 to 1.

HOPPER NOTES:  Chemistry takes time – these two new guys have been here since 2 this afternoon !…some may ask, why put the 2 new guys in as centres ? …my theory, you KNOW how to play centre – it takes time to learn systems as a winger…nice to see Bunts shut his yap as he got accosted with a high stick…29 saves by Woll earned him his first SBA win…LOVE O’Reilly, but don’t forget his little pal Acciari – 168 hits (Leafs closest is Sundin with 108) 10th in the league, right shot face-off man…ALWAYS take care of the ones you love…CHEERS !

The Chicago Black Hawks are a team on the wrong side of a trend.  They stand 31^st in a 32 team league and aren’t going anywhere until the “Connor Bedard Sweepstakes” begin.  With only 16 days until the trade deadline, all the publicity surrounding the HAWKS is who will be the next to go.  Will it be Jonathan Toews (Winnipeg ?), d-man Jake McCabe or the last jewel in the crown, Patrick Kane ? 

It would appear that the Toronto Maple Leafs are in the conversation with Kane.  He’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, with 3 rings, but he is 34, holds a no trade, has a wonky hip, carries a $10.5 AVV and you have to wonder how he would fit in a room with so many younger superstars ?  Suggested trade assets:  half his salary hit + Engvall, Holl and Mathew Knies.  This reporter would prefer Timo Meir (younger, stronger, more long-term upside) for the same assets.  New Jersey, Carolina and Dallas also covet Timo.

Tonight’s game will test the opportunity for the Leafs to improve their horrid (5 wins in 13 games vs bottom 8) record against the also-rans.  They are coming off a humiliating loss to Columbus, have AM34 back in the line-up and the Hawks are 0-7 on back to backs.  No Brainer right ?

William Nylander got the Leafs off to hot start scoring at the 9 second mark.  That was the fourth fastest goal in TML history and moved Willy Nye to his 3^rd 30 goal season.  The patrons had barely taken the lids off their $40 beers when Chicago marched right back with a goal by Lafferty off a brutal Jarnkrok giveaway to tie things up at 1:02.  Rasmus Sandin then bounced in a softie off a Black Hawk d-man to make it 2-1.  Alex Kerfoot scored off a beaty pass from Marner only to be ruled offside.  Newly re-instated AM34 pumped his 26^th high stick side off a nifty Nylander set up.  Chicago looked tired toward the end of the first.

The Hawks would not go away, as witnessed by Kurcherev’s goal from Max Domi in the first minute of the second.  Some were asking, “whatever happened to that second period TML dominance?”  No need to ask, Captain Johnny popped one in from “new” linemate Kerfoot and an as yet scoreless Mitchell.  That was Johhny’s 950 NHL point.  Newly minted replacement (for Holl) Connor Timmins earned his promotion by scoring to make it 5-2 from AM34 and WN88.  That was Connor’s 13^th point in 19 games as a Leaf.

Not a whole heck of a lot to report about the third period.  Toronto maintained control throughout against a tired and defeated team.  Final 5-2 Tranna.

HOPPER NOTES:  The Leafs find themselves in a pitched battle with Tampa Bay for home ice advantage in the first round… tonight’s win will help but TB is in Arizona tonight…the Leafs “bottom six” is at least 2 short…best case scenario would have Kerfoot, Jarnkrok, Kampf and Holmberg – where are the other two ? …not that impressed with d-man Jake McCabe (on the trade bait board) – loved his Dad, Bryan – the “can-opener”… Look, I love doing these reports, but it is now time to investigate “monetizing” my work…so, I reach out to my many followers for advice on potential sponsors –  eg equipment (CCM, Bauer etc), Beveridge, Automotive, supplements etc…I have a full catalogue of my reports and I can accommodate any of your contacts’ requirements….NO, I am not a sellout – just wanna get paid ! …love the Subban/ Thornton TV spot…best Super Bowl ad ? – Zack Braff and his Buddy Turk doing the “Summer Nights” reprieve with John Travolta…Samsonov is now 16-2-1 @ SBA…CHEERS !

Feeling a little under the weather, so this report will be short.

The Leafs came out strong in the first, scoring twice on notable goals by Marner (60th point) and Bunting (his 50 NHL goal). They out shot Columbus by a significant margin.

Boone Jenner led his team to a strong second period, out shooting Tranna 18 to 5. He scored his 15th goal and assisted on another. Had to feel a little sorry for Joseph Woll who only had 4 shots in the first but was swarmed in the second. He looked solid but seems to go down too quickly.

The Leafs tied it up 3-3 early in the third on a PPG by Morgan Rielly – the first man advantage goal by a Leafs d-man this season. Rookie phenom Kent Johnson scored the eventual winner on a controversial (video reviewed) goal off the shaft of his stick from right in front of the net. Final SOG were 40 to 30 for the Blue Jackets.

TO THE SHOW THAT NEVER ENDS !

Seems like a long time since I put pen to paper on a Leafs report.  9 days actually.  Since then Matt Murray is still working off an ankle injury, Auston Matthews is still 2-3 games away from his return, Ilya Samsonov enjoyed his time off, Joseph Woll will get his first start tomorrow night, 23 year old Alex Steeves final gets his shot in the bigs and D-Man Connor Timmins gets a contract at $1.2 x 2.  WOW, a lot of activity.  We’re still 3 weeks away from the trade deadline and GM Kyle Dubas is focussed on one top six forward (Kane, Meir, O’Rielly ?) and one depth D-Man. 

Strap in everyone – 30 games left !

The Toronto Maple Leafs came out smokin’.  Lots of jump, they shook the rust off in a hurry.  Captain Johnny converted his 22nd thanks to a PPG from Bunting and Marner.  New guy Steeves showed well in a mid-period forecheck.   Rasmus Sandin had a solid hit on Ken Johnson.  Was Johnny Hockey playing ?    

Not a whole heck of a lot to report about this second period.  Nylander had a couple of chances, play opened up with 7 minutes remaining with solid chances at both ends, the Blue Jax had a 4 minute man advantage in which the Leafs had the best chance, the BOO Birds came out and Columbus reacted with 2 or 3 chances as the clock ticked down.  Still 1-0 TML.

Clearly the better team was from Toronto.  Yet they couldn’t seem to break through this dullard activity.  This reporter kept saying “Boys – it’s only 1 -0 !  Nylander had 5 shots on goal, Samsonov made the saves necessary to keep his team in the game.  It wasn’t until Pierre Engvall scored his 11^th that the Leafs fell out of an embarrassing danger off a nice 3-way with Kampf and Rielly.  That was followed closely by the clincher with Tavares (23^rd)  scoring just :49 seconds later.  Samsonov gets his third TML shutout.  Leafs win 3 zip.

HOPPER NOTES:  Kyle Dubas says he’s looking for a top 6 forward and a depth defenceman.  Thanks for holding your cards so close to your vest, BTW.  It’s true a top 6 fwd would improve the bottom 6 too.  (Jarnkrock will be a pleasant addition to that group)…LOVED that “No one left Behind” TV  spot…Wouldn’t you love to have Boone Jenner as your third line centre ? …Korporzello would be a nice “safety” back up to Samsanov don’t you think ?….going to see my much improved (health wise) sister tomorrow and then to my newly minted 12 year old grandson Rhys, David, Peter Higgins !  CHEERS !

The Toronto Maple Leafs had one more chance to show the Boston Bruins that they were not going to let them just run away and hide with the Atlantic Division crown.  Boston has been lights out for most of this season and no matter what the Leafs did in their own situation, the Bruins would not yield.  The point differential was 11 points despite the Bruins suffering their first three game losing streak of the series.

As per the script, both teams started off on fire with a slight edge to the Bruins.  Ilya Samsonov had to make 6 saves, including a couple 10 bellers, in the first 3 minutes.  Typical, hardnosed Hockey led to action at both ends.  The Leafs seemed to takeover the momentum with several great chances in close.  Shots on Goal by the 8 minute mark had Toronto ahead 9 to 7.  One particular Leafs breakout had 4 of them penetrating the zone, A Sandin saucer to Engval was just kept out.  The refs reviewed it but – no goal.  A fabulous period of hockey by 2 great teams.

Both sets of defence had great games – very assertive on the rush and forecheck.  We’ve heard about McIlvoy and Lindholm for Boston, but don’t count out support guys like Forbert (1g) and Carlo (1g).  They put the Bruins up by 2 to 1.  Boston has the league’s leading penalty kill @ 83.2%.  They proved it tonight with the aforementioned Forbert’s shorty to open the scoring.  Mitchell Marner got that one back however on a PPG by converting a long, heads up lead pass from Samsanov.  A fourth line shift that lasted WAY too long (over 2 minutes for Sandin and Liligren) resulted in the Bruins go ahead goal.  The Leafs seemed to lose their edge and scrappiness in the second half of the period resulting in very scrambly play especially in their zone.  Final SOG 23-21 Tranna.

That sloppy play from the Leafs continued in to the third as AJ Grier went high, glove, shelf to put the Bruins out front 3-2.  Wayne Simmonds tried to breathe some life in to the Blue and White when he dropped the mitts with Grier off the ensuing faceoff.  This one didn’t last long – Simmonds clocked his opponent with a stiff right early.  Greir was sent off for concussion protocol as a result.  Cake Jarnkrok scored his 12^th off a Giordano cross ice pass.  A dust up behind the Bruins net resulted in a 4 on 4 where Zacha took any life left in the Leafs to make it 4-2.  He later scored 11^th to salt things away.  Next week’s Stanley Cup Parade planning committee meeting has been cancelled.

HOPPER NOTES:  It looks as though the Referee’s union has finally caught on to Bunting’s “act” – love the guy but he’s got to tone it down…Linus Ullmark really is a solid NHL Goaltender: his 26-4-1 record matches up nicely with his 1.9 GAA and his .936 sv%…Marner’s goal gave him 60 points on the season, his 7^th consecutive season with such a total…is our Sami looking a little tired out there ?  That was his 7^th start in a row and despite looking great in the first half, I’m pretty sure he’d like at least two of those goals back…go to the beach Sami – rest !  …guys I’d like on my team Charlie Coyle…Craig Simpson was not at all kind with comments regarding the Leaf pairing of Sandin and Lilgren…see y’all on Feb 10 – maybe I’ll go to Aruba…CHEERS !