Did Gleason Break The Code...?

Last night, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason, the team leader in PIM got into a disagreement with Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nikolai Kulemin at the end of the first period.

Here's the fight...
However one-sided it may have been...
((HT: Leafsvideos/Sportsnet))


Kulemin has 10 minor penalties this season- that's it.

Gleason was assessed a 5-minute major penalty for fighting as well as a 10-minute misconduct and game misconduct while Kulemin received a minor penalty for roughing but did not return to the game.

When an enforcer pairs off against a scorer, is it up to the scorer not to pick a fight with a more physical player, or is it up to the enforcer to pair off with someone else...???

Leafs' Mike Brown Suspended For Three

For his hit to the head on the Phoenix Coyotes Ed Jovanovski late in the second period of Toronto's 5-1 loss to Phoenix Thursday night.

No penalty was called on the play or the ensuing scuffle after Jovanovski got back to his feet and skated from the Phoenix goal-line to the benches to get at Brown.

Here's the analysis from our friends at Rogers Sportsnet...

Here's the hit...
((HT: FSCoyotes/NHL/Youtube))


"It's the game of hockey and I play that style of game," Brown said after the game. "I'd never try to hurt anyone.

"If he hadn't reached for the puck his head wouldn't have gone down. The refs made a good call. Obviously, they didn't call it for a reason. It wasn't a bad hit."

Jovanovski didn't return for the third because of a lower-body injury sustained on the same play.

More when we know more...

Thrashers Eager Suspended For Four

((HT: NHL/Youtube/Hockeyfights.com/LeafsTV))

From the Thrashers their ownselves...

Ben Eager has been suspended for four games and will forfeit $20,752.68 in salary for delivering a blow to the head with a punch to Toronto Maple Leafs forward Colby Armstrong in last night's game in Atlanta...

The incident occurred at 17:05 of the second period- in a game that was spiralling out of control in a 6-goal second period for the Leafs...

Eager was assessed a match penalty under Rule 21.1 "Attempt to Injure."

Eager will miss games over the next eight days- at Carolina, Philadelphia, at Dallas and at Florida. He is eligible to return January 20th against Tampa Bay.

Here's the sucker punch...

Oh, Kovalchuk You Devil: Game One, Two Assists...

((HT: NHL/Rogers Sportsnet))

Wearing his familiar number 17 the Newest New Jersey Devil, Ilya Kovalchuk ((pictured picking up two points last night in two ways, thanks Saed Hindash/Newark Star-Ledger)), was paired with Jamie Langenbrunner and Dainius Zubrus for his coming out party against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The end result: two assists in the 4-3 win. The Devils were, actually, down 3-1 with five minutes to go in regulation. They also scored two goals in the final minute-and-a-half for the come-from-behind win.

Here's your highlights, and by the way, the Atlanta Thrashers lost to the Washington Capitals 5-2 and abandoned their morning skate Saturday as they get ready for a back-to-back. Their opponent, provided they can get out of the tri-state area, is the Florida Panthers at what is left of Philips Arena.



Did you notice the smattering of "True Blue" 17's in the audience...???
The HQ did, and we can't be happier for Kovy if he gets to make a run for a Cup.

Leafs Start NHL Trading Frenzy Early, Grab Phaneuf And Giguere...

((HT: TSN, ESPN-Lebrun))

Two teams hemorrhaging in the NHL standings have decided it's time to shake up their rosters before the Winter Olympic break... and Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke ((pictured, knowing he got the better part of the deal, thanks CP)) is already looking like he improved the worst team in the Eastern Conference.

The Calgary Flames broke an 0-6-3 losing skid last night by playing Edmonton and winning 6-1. They sent defenseman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and defenseman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenseman Ian White.

Mayers, along with defenseman Garnet Exelby, had asked for moving papers earlier in the week. Leafs GM Brian Burke had said their demand would not effect how the team plays on the ice- and he was right...since Mayers is now no longer with the team.

ESPN's Piere Lebrun reports that the Leafs added the Ducks JS Giguere in goal in exchange for Vesa Toskala- and then some...

Giguere waived his no-trade clause and was sent to Toronto for Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake.

Giguere has one year left on his deal next season at $7 million while Toskala, earning $4 million this year, will be an unrestricted free agent July 1. Blake has two more years left after this season at $3 million per year, although his annual salary cap hit is $4 million.

Kevin McGran's work from The Star is here...
Eric Duhatschek's analysis is here from the Globe and Mail...

Here's Burke talking about his trades...
((HT: LeafsTV))

Burke Not Interested In Kovalchuk

He's into you, he's just not that in to you...

In a discussion today on the "Leaf's Lunch" program on the FAN590 radio in Toronto, Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke was asked if he was in the Kovy-Stakes...

His answer was "no," and it had to do with the sheer numbers of the deal. Burke and Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos disagreed on the terms that they've heard through the grapevine- Burke has heard he's turned down 8 years/US$80M, Kipper has heard 12 years/US$100M...

Here's the interview, thanks to our friends at Sportsnet...

The HQ would have figured that the Leafs wouldn't be interested in Kovalchuk ((or the other way around)), since the Buds are in no condition to make a Cup run this season... or any other season at the moment...

We're still looking at Detroit, Chicago ((as a rental)), Philadelphia, and Boston.

Mark March 3rd on your calendar as Kovy will be trading sweaters with someone else.

NHL, Maple Leafs Disagree On Relocation Veto Power

((HT: GlobeSports/Naylor))

In a letter dated Nov. 29, 2006 – filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Arizona by Balsillie's lawyers last Friday – the Toronto franchise states it does not share the NHL's interpretation of its constitution.

“The Toronto Maple Leafs do not agree that a relocation of another club into their home territory would be subject to a majority vote [of the league board],” said the letter to league commissioner Gary Bettman. “They continue to believe that a unanimous vote would be required before a team could relocate into their home territory.”

The letter was in response to a decision made at an NHL board of governors' meeting in September of 2006 to tell the Canadian Competition Bureau that approval for franchise relocation was determined by a majority vote. The Leafs did not attend the portion of the meeting where that was decided, and later voiced their objections.

“The statement in the minutes that none of the [NHL] board members objected to the statement about relocation into home territories does not represent the Toronto Maple Leafs' position,” the letter said. “The Maple Leafs … reserve all rights to take whatever actions are necessary to protect their exclusive rights to their home territory.”

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league stands by its position – even if the league's most prominent and wealthiest franchise does not.

“It doesn't really matter how one of 30 teams may interpret league rules,” Daly said. “It's the league's interpretation that matters. And the league has interpreted its rules to require only a majority vote in these circumstances since at least 1993. The league's interpretation has been enforced and communicated to the clubs consistently since Gary Bettman was elected commissioner.”

On Wednesday, Balsillie is expected to argue that the NHL's opposition to his participating in the auction for the Coyotes is to protect the Leafs' stated right to keep NHL competition out of their territory. The hearing is to determine whether Balsillie's $212.5-million (U.S.) bid will be allowed at the auction on Sept. 10, despite his being denied approval as a potential owner by the NHL this summer.

The Leafs' 2006 letter makes clear the NHL's public position on relocation runs contrary to the wishes of the Toronto franchise and its owner, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. And it suggests if the NHL was to deny the Leafs access to their veto, the league could expect a significant legal fight over the issue.

Gee, just what we figured... more legal battles should things not go one party's way or another...

What is it we say about the idea of the "ruler...?"

Remember, now that the National Hockey League has stated in its public filings that they may not be able to keep the Phoenix Coyotes in the desert, those of us at OSG HQ think they're eyeing the Hamilton area as well. Trying to set the idea in motion of a team at Copps Coliseum ((pictured, thanks CP file))- regardless of the owner Balsillie, the league, or the league's designee.

If The Bettman has to take on MLSE to get it done, apparently, he is resigned to that fate.

"Monster" Signing In Toronto

((HT: CP))

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed coveted free agent goaltender Jonas Gustavsson ((pictured, thanks Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty)) to a one-year contract Tuesday.

The 24-year-old from Danderyd, Sweden was also pursued by Dallas, San Jose and Colorado, among others.

"Jonas is considered by many to be the best goaltender not playing in the NHL today," Leafs GM Brian Burke said in a statement. "He has a unique combination of size and agility and we're excited to add a player with his potential to our roster."

Gustavsson played for Farjestads in the Swedish Elite League last season, registering four shutouts with a league-leading goals-against average of 1.96 and a .932 save percentage in 42 games.

He also led Farjestads to the league championship after allowing just 14 goals in 13 playoff games with five shutouts.

"I want to thank Brian Burke and his staff for giving me the opportunity to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs," Gustavsson said in a release. "Toronto is a great city, with tremendous fan support, and I am very excited about the future."

Gustavsson also played for Sweden at the world championship, posting a 3-2-0 record with a 2.83 goals against average and a .914 save percentage en route to a bronze medal.

Here's what the Leafs are getting to back up Toskala...
Some of it borders on the truly ridiculous...

Burke Doesn't Want Heatley

((HT: TSN))

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke ((pictured, thanks Getty Images/Bennett)) let it be known that the Leafs will not be in on the Dany Heatley sweepstakes, and he pulled no punches along the way.

In a phone interview with Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe on NHL Live! broadcast on the NHL network, Burke stated that the Leafs had no interest in the two-time 50 goal scorer, largely because of the way he has chosen to handle his trade request.

"We're not going to be in on that," Burke stated. "He's a good player but I have certain guidelines on how players ask for trades."

Despite being only one year into a six-year, $45 million contract extension, the 28-year old Heatley went public with a trade demand last week, claiming he was unhappy with his role on the team and his relationship with Sens head coach Cory Clouston. Heatley, and his agents, J.P. Barry and Stacey McAlpine's actions did not sit well with Burke.

"When you have players come ask you for a trade, I tell the players 'don't finish that sentence,' because once you ask, I'm going to move you," Burke stated. "If a player wants out, you're darn right I'm going to move you. I'm not kissing anyone's ass to play in my town, so to hell with you, don't finish the sentence. My second rule is if I hear about this, you're not going anywhere."

While Burke stated that he has no problem with players requesting a trade, he was unhappy with Heatley's decision to go public with his request, thus making Senators general manager Bryan Murray's chances of moving the sniper extremely difficult.

"For a player to pop off and say he wants out or leak it (to the media), in my mind you are now no longer interested in your team. If you've done that you've handicapped them, you've handcuffed your GM."

While Burke admitted that the Leafs planned to be very active in the off-season and had plenty of money and cap space at their disposal, the 2002 Calder Trophy winner would not be welcome in Toronto under his tenure.

"As long as you are on that team, you owe them to maximize the asset, and once you've taken that step, sorry I don't accept that."

Here's the segment with Deb Placey and Billy Jaffe...
Thanks to our friends at the NHL Network/Sirius-XM

Isles Win NHL Draft Lottery: Burke Wants Tavares

Brian Compton of NHL.com has the run-down from the Draft Lottery where percentages held true- which was a good thing for the New York Islanders.

With a 48.2-percent chance of being awarded the No. 1 pick (250 number combinations were assigned to New York), the Isles won the Scotiabank/NHL Draft Lottery on Tuesday night. The Islanders, who suffered more than 500 man-games lost to injury in 2008-09, had just 61 points (26-47-9), the fewest in the League.

The first round of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft will be held on June 26 at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Because the Islanders won the lottery, the draft order remains intact with the League's regular-season standings. The Tampa Bay Lightning (66 points) will draft second, followed by the Colorado Avalanche (69), Atlanta Thrashers (76) and Los Angeles Kings (79), respectively. All five teams had a crack at the No. 1 pick.

"It was obviously something that was very well-publicized and something people were looking forward to, but being a goalie as long as I was, there's a lot of things you can't control," Islanders General Manager Garth Snow told NHL.com. "We hoped for the best and probably didn't sweat it out, knowing that I really didn't have any control over the situation."

"It would obviously be a great opportunity," Tavares said of being drafted by the Islanders. "It's a very historic franchise. There's a great tradition there, so it would be a great honor and a special feeling. I'd be glad to be a part of the organization. Hopefully to win a Stanley Cup would be amazing."

Certainly, Tavares ((pictured, thanks Claus Andersen/Getty)) would bring the Islanders some much-needed publicity and a shot in the arm in the ticket sales department. While Snow could have come out minutes after the lottery winner was announced and proclaimed his desire for Tavares, the Isles' GM isn't ready to do that just yet.

"It's too early in the process to even comment on that," Snow said. "My responsibility to our fans and for this organization is to build a consistent contender that's going to win a Stanley Cup. We're going to do whatever it takes to bring a Stanley Cup back to Long Island. All those other pressures really don't mean a lot to me. It's about getting the best hockey players."

But there's one guy who wants Tavares badly- Toronto GM Brian Burke.
He's what we would refer to as "damn serious."

"We'll immediately attempt to move up," Burke said during a morning news conference. "We're going to talk to everyone between us and the first pick and see what the landscape is.

"We're going to see what it costs and we're going to try and move up."

Anybody on his roster, with the exception of standout rookie defenceman Luke Schenn, might go in a package that would be required to get a higher position.

"No player is untradeable," said Burke. "Wayne Gretzky got traded."

Burke has a history of draft coups, most notably the ones that landed him Chris Pronger when he managed the Hartford Whalers and maneuverings that procured the services of the Sedin twins for the Vancouver Canucks. So, teams will be ready for his spiel this time.

"I don't think we're going to sneak up on anyone," he said. "They've seen that movie."

He wouldn't necessarily need the No. 1 spot to draft Tavares, he said.

"I'm not confident every team has John Tavares as No. 1," said Burke.

Here's Pierre McGuire, wearing his NBC toque, explaining the impact he thinks Tavares will have on the National Hockey League.
((HT: NBC Sports))

And here's the 2009 NHL Draft Lottery for those of you who missed the Islanders giving Bill Daly the frozen envelope to secure the Number 1 selection...
((HT: TSN/NHL))

10 Years Ago: The Last Game at the Gardens

Maple Leaf Gardens, genius...
And, yeah, so what if the Blackhawks won the last game there. We know if would have been a nice touch...

Those of us at OSG HQ can't believe it has been that long. The old barn was unceremoniously replaced by the post office around the corner- The Air Canada Centre. The irony doesn't escape us, either, that since the team left they still haven't come anywhere close to doing anything since they found the wreckage of Bill Barilko's plane.

MLG is still in great shape from what we hear from Howard Berger and his article from the National Post. We laugh and point an index finger at MLSE.

The Loblaw's grocery store chain still has the property. And they still haven't been able to pull off that multi-use project they wanted when they picked up the lease.

We wag another index finger, laugh, and ask Dikembe Mutombo to explain your faulty logic. We also follow that with a hand to the belly for unending support as we chuckle.

Here's Part 1 of the closing ceremony.
There's always a good excuse to see the CBC's Ron McLean in top hat and tails...
((HT: CBC/NHL/the youtube))


Tim Wharnsby follows with an article for the Globe and Mail
We commend all of you for remembering what matters and not leaving history behind...

Worst Kept Secret In NHL- Burke To Leafs Official

Hey... guess what...??

Did you hear the one about the Toronto Maple Leafs wanting Brian Burke ((pictured, thanks Getty Images)) to be the team's General Manager...??? All that had to happen was his leaving Anaheim- and getting out of that particular contract first... like the second Cliff Fletcher was named the replacement for John Ferguson, Junior last season.

Well, it happened... he's the President and GM of the Leafs now...

''You're talking about the Vatican if you're Catholic, you're talking the centre of the hockey universe, you're talking about one of the most important jobs in hockey running the Toronto Maple Leafs,'' Burke said. ''It's a dream job.''

Burke will reportedly earn $3 million annually on a six-year deal.

Burke, the 13th general manager in the club's 92-year history, became available after the veteran NHL executive stepped down from his post as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 12.

''I'm extremely honoured to join the Toronto Maple Leafs,'' said Burke. ''This is one of the most prestigious jobs in our game.

''This is an opportunity of a lifetime to work for a team in a world-class city with passionate fans, solid ownership and a rich history. I can't wait to get started.''

Now all he has to do is fix the Leafs situation... which is in pretty sad shape. The team recently traded away two former Number One Draft picks- Carlo Coliacoivo and Alex Steen- to St. Louis for Lee Stempniak.

They're currently 11th in the 15 team Eastern Conference and have lost five in a row heading in to the weekend. But the Buds are also only one point out of the cellar.

Let the new round of overly-optimistic expectations begin in the T-Dot.

Let's go back to January when Burke was a guest of Michael Landsberg on "OTR" when he said he wasn't interested in the Leafs job since he already had a job...
((HT: TSN))

From The Rafters!!!

Here are the highlights of your weekend's National Hockey League jersey-raising moments...

First- Patrick Roy's Ceremony in Montreal... after years of acrimony ((that's a fancy word for not liking one another...)) both sides buried the hatchet. He came home for one hell of a night...

Dick Irvin is your MC ((HT: CBC/NHL/the youtube))
Here's Part One...


Part 2 is in black... Part 3 is also in black...

And the Toronto Maple Leafs Wendel Clark had the same event happen at the Post Office in downtown Toronto. You gotta give the CBC credit running both for an entire country.

Simultaneously...
((Once again, HT: CBC/NHL/the youtube))


Two of the toughest get their nights...

Kostopolous: Yet Another Dirty Hit

The Montreal Canadiens Tom Kostopolous pile-drove the Maple Leafs Mike Van Ryn into the boards over the weekend...

Once again, the issue of dirty/not dirty/chippy play comes to the fore in the NHL...

If you look below ((or to the right- thanks Citynews.ca)), Van Ryn's head is clearly driven into the plexi by Kostopolous. The look on the Habs player's face, as he is being escorted away for the evening, is priceless...

"What did I do...?" clearly is being asked to the official...

((HT: CBC Sports/the youtube))

What was done was the following- according to CBC Sports...

"The NHL determined that Tom Kostopoulos's check from behind against Toronto defenceman Mike Van Ryn was worthy of three games in the press box for the Montreal Canadiens forward.
Kostopoulos was assessed a five-minute boarding penalty and game misconduct after ramming the Maple Leafs blue-liner while the latter retrieved the puck in the corner during Saturday's 6-3 Canadiens loss in Toronto.

"While it is my determination that Kostopoulos did not deliver a check to an unsuspecting opponent, his actions caused injuries," NHL vice-president Colin Campbell said in a statement."

Van Ryn remained on the ice for several minutes after sustaining a concussion, broken nose and broken bone in his hand. He will miss several weeks of action.

But the question remains: Can a defenseman do his job with the back to the play, or should a forechecking player have the forethought to lay off if he notices someone isn't looking his way...?

What say ya'll...??

Shattering Hit

Milan Lucic of the Boston Bruins crushes Mike Van Ryn of the Toronto Maple Leafs and shatters the glass.

Check out the video courtesy of TSN