by Derek @ Cloud9 Sports

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Very interesting reporting from Dave Shoalts of the Globe and Mail has revealed that the Leafs are up to some trickery – or at least up to something other than underachieving. A very unique set of circumstances surrounding the OHL’s top goal scoring talent have prompted the Leafs to offer John Tavares an equally unique employment opportunity.

Much has been made about Tavares domination in the OHL and his failure to receive an exception for the next NHL draft – for which he is 5 days too young for eligibility. Tragic as it may be given the success of young talents like Toews, Kane, Cogliano, Gagner, and Price in the equally young season, the NHL has chosen to remain stringent on its draft eligibility policy.

Rather than play another season in the OHL, Tavares and his agent have some decisions to make. They have shopped around for interest in Europe, and now are considering an offer which would see Tavares opt out of the draft and play for the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Read the conclusion of this article here….

Game Theory 101: Professor Paul Maurice

Without officially announcing anything, the Toronto media deduced the starter for tonights Leafs v. Sens season opener: incumbent Andrew Raycroft. To many peoples surprise, the Leafs big off-season prize, Vesa Toskala, will be riding the pine. Inherent to this sticky situation is the ‘controversy’ that will brew for the next several months. Additionally, the brilliant declaration by Coach Paul Maurice, who claimed he will not announce his starting goaltender for the duration of the season, is a glowing indication for his plans this season. He is telling us, without telling us, that he is going with a goaltending-by-committee system. I love it. If this isn’t reason to shower Coach Maurice with the praise, then you just don’t get it.

The pre-season in Leaf Land was a venerable disaster (from a goaltending perspective) as neither Raycroft or Toskala could effective grab the bull by the horns and win the starting position. Rather than reduce his hairline further, the cunning and courageous Paul Maurice turned it into an opportunity to seize and exploit in an effort to improve his club. A top notch game theory lesson worthy of the Jack Adams Trophy (of course, only if it pays off).

Maurice may have come to realize that the best option for the Leafs is a tandem ‘tender system. If you can’t rely on one of them, make them compete – scratch and claw each others eyes out – for that starters role. This competition, among men nearing the prime of their career, will bring out the best in both of them just as it did for Jacques Lemaire in Minnesota when Roloson and Fernandez played their finest hockey to date. By the way, this move helped Lemaire take home the Jack Adams in 2002-03, for those wondering the potential dividends of move of this nature can have on the success of the team.

This move makes so much sense when you consider the following. Firstly, nothing in the hockey world aside from a trade will abolish the goaltending controversy talk in TO, so get used to it. Given the current Leafs lineup, there are only three logical hypothetical scenarios whereby the Leafs make the playoffs. We can dream that either Raycroft or Toskala will post Luongo & Brodeur-type numbers, but if you know enough, you’ll know better. The most probable scenario that sees the Leafs playing meaningful games in the Spring features both Raycroft and Toskala playing well. I’m talking well in the neighborhood of .905-.920 SV%, 2.66-2.88 GAA, and +20 wins (each), something that is both realistic and necessary for the Leafs to compete.

Furthermore, Toskala is a veteran of the tandem system, splitting time with Nabokov in San Jose for the past two seasons. This setup — not surprisingly — featured Toskala as the back-up, in other words in the same scenario he finds himself on opening night. Do you think Paul Maurice considered this when he gave Raycroft the nod for the season opener? If Raycrofts’ poor season last year is any indication, it is safe to assume that the money and the pressure that accompanies a starting keeper in Toronto is crippling. Placing Toskala in a scenario that he is very familiar with will only expedite comfort in the chaos that is playing the most scrutinized position, in the most scrutinized event in all of Canada. Well done, Mr. Maurice.

The END.

[PS — Another indication that this is the right play in Toronto is the fact that perennial foghorn Mike Milbury hasn’t gotten anything right in a decade, exemplified by his deplorable track record as a GM on Long Island. He thinks this is a terrible play by Maurice – thanks for the support Mad Mike, you’ll be proved wrong again at seasons end.]

From Cloud9 Sports @ http://floatoncloudnine.blogspot.com/

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The NHL is looking to change back to every team playing every other club in the league by next season. The board of governors met last week and edged closer to getting rid or the unbalanced season schedule that took effect after the lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season. The governors board will meet in November to place a vote on whether or not to change the scheduling, a two thirds vote is need for the change to take place. Gary Bettman said “I think it’s clear that there will be a change”

Justin Blackshere former 18 year old busboy for Cheli’s Chili Bar will send the remainder of his days in prison for killing two employees at the restaurant owned by Chris Chelios defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings hockey team.

Blackshere was convicted last month on two count of first-degree murder for stabbing to death Mark Barnard and Megan Soroka both employees at Chelios’s restaurant. 

 The Colorado Avalanche have singed a few new player in hopes to improve on last years 44-31-7 season. The Avalanche first deal came with the one year contract singing of Wyatt Smith, former center for the Minnesota Wild who made an appearance in 61 games last season. The Avalanche second signing was Wes O’Neill to a three year contract. O’Neill who plays defense was drafted 115th overall by the New York Islanders in 2004.

Rick Tocchet got off easy on Friday when he was ordered to serve two years probation instead of the possible jail sentence for his roll in an illegal sports gambling ring. The former assistant coach and NHL player was charged with running the gambling ring witch could have lead to five years in a state prison. Tocchett apologized to the court, his family and friends for his involvement. No evidence of betting relating to hockey was ever found but other sports such as college football and super bowl games were with a possible 1.7 million in bets.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman called Pollock influence on the hockey “unmatched” a day after the former Montreal Canadiens  vice president and GM’s death.Pollock died of cancer in Toronto on Wednesday at the age of 81.Pollock’s career in hockey consisted in nine Stanley Cup championships with the Canadians.Pollock ’s genius was see the penitential of other be for any one else did.

Ryan Duncan of the University of North Dakota was announced as the winner of the Hobey Baker trophy on Friday Night.  The crowd stood up and cheered and chanted “Ryan Duncan” after his name was announced. Fellow UND players could be seen high fiveing from the crowd.

On April 5th the University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux fell to Boston College in a hard fought 6-4 game. Boston racked up two empty net goals in the 3rd period to win the game.

Michigan State Spartans overcame the Maine Blackbears today with a score of 4-2. It was a hard fought game with Maine up 2-0 in the first period. Michigan’s Chris Mueller scores first for the Spartans to wrap up the period.

Chris Snavley scores just inside the second period to tie up the game throughout the second period.

Michigan tallies two more goals to win the game in the third period.