Reddaye

Has anyone given Insurgency a try yet? TotalBiscuit put up a video and it looks pretty solid. Just wondering if anyone here had given it a try yet?

Assuming this follows the books to the letter (which I expect it will); everyone can expect plenty of death before it's all over. Just caught the first two episodes (FINALLY) and really enjoyed them. Great choices for casting, solid acting, and they've managed to capture most of the first book's major plot threads so far. Impressive stuff...just what I expected from HBO.

Cheechoo has something like 15 points in 60 games played this season with an average ice time of 12 minutes. The Sens picked him up in the Heatley deal; and they're already dumping him onto waivers. That should pretty well tell you if he's worth picking up. A cap hit of 1.5 million (I believe that's half of his salary) next season for a guy who is basically a third line guy at best isn't awful; but he's really not overly effective in a checking or energy role. He's a sniper at heart; but after his knee injury he skates slower than molasses and his massive drop off in production is most likely the result. I just don't see him as an effective roleplayer; and at this stage in his career he's not a very effective point producer either. Wouldn't cry a river if the Leafs picked him up. I just don't really see him being a player worth using a spot, or cap space on. Maybe if a guy like Stempniak is traded. Although honestly Stempniak is a pretty good energy guy IMO.

I actually forgot they got Leopold in that deal. I thought it was just a pick. Still think he did well with what he could. He get's a defenseman, rookie with respectable scoring, a potential third line guy in Cormier, New Jersey's second rounder (which they swapped), and first. Draft intelligently and you dunno what those picks can turn into. Maybe flip them and make another deal. I believe Atlanta has two first's for this year? Fact is you weren't going to get anything back in a package to replace Kovalchuk's scoring. Maybe (now accounting for Leopold) not as good as JayBo; but still reasonable enough given the circumstances. Not at all. Atlanta gets back a defenseman and a rookie who's goal total is respectable for a 2nd/3rd line guy. Florida replaced Bouwmeester with Jordan Leopold in the deal with Calgary. While Leopold doesn't sound like much, I can assure you that he's been just as good as Bouwmeester has this season. So, Atlanta loses top goal scorer, tries to fill void with a safe defenseman and a rookie who's overachieving and will probably drop off a bit in production. Florida lost a top puck moving defenseman and patched things up by acquiring a puck moving defenseman with a little less offensive flare, and a little more defensive responsibility.

Don Waddell was in a bit of a tough situation here. Despite having one of the best goal scorers in the league on the table; he wasn't dealing from a very strong position. Kovalchuk was leaving one way or another, and you know every GM that was dealing with him knew that too. Factor in that Kovalchuk could very likely be merely a rental before bolting to Russia, or signing somewhere than the team he was traded to. I don't think Atlanta got the greatest package back for him. They didn't make out like bandits; but all things considered you had to know they wouldn't. You aren't going to fill the gap left by Kovalchuk in a trade like this; not with the situation being what it was. He did better than Florida did with JayBo last season.

I rented it not too long ago and enjoyed it a lot. Although people complain about the difficulty; it's not really all that bad since you can't really truly die. It's certainly not the type of game you can run through at a blistering pace and expect to get very far though. Very slow and methodical pacing is usually the best way to overcome the tough challenges the game throws at you. Honestly I intend to pick it up when the price goes down a bit. It's a more Western styled RPG with a bit of Japanese flair. A spiritual successor to the King's Field games; except it's third person and in areas that feel a bit more open and expansive. Sort of a dungeon crawl but in more open areas with huge dragons flying around burning everything to death (in the first area anyways). I'm not sure if it's your kind of game or not. It's certainly more of a niche game; so that makes the decision to import a bit tougher. Kind of a love it or hate it type of game. A lot of trial and error. Personally I loved it.

I really wish we would have gone with the traditional rebuild model instead of a retooling. It's obvious we need to see some serious changes on this roster. Our forwards need major upgrades to size and skill. Going to free agency for talent is going to be expensive. In the cap era one of the biggest assets an organization can have is young, cheap talent that can help keep your salaries down. Part of that is especially true with cheap top six talent you can plug into spots (where typically a lot of salary goes). We can't bring a player like Bozak up because his salary is too high to fit in. We lose players to free agency/trade and it opens up space...but our young guys are still going to have a NHL hangover. So basically this rebuilding on the fly thing isn't really looking like the best option. Take a gander at Boston. They rebuilt on the fly and now they're in a hard place with the cap, and struggling partially as a result. I don't see how using this model ensures long term success. I'm probably wrong though. Hopefully I am.

After last night Tomas Kaberle passed Wendel Clark to become the 15th overall in Leafs scoring. 1. Mats Sundin - 981GP - 420g, 567a = 987 points 2. Darryl Sittler - 844GP - 389g, 527a = 916 points 3. Dave Keon - 1062GP - 365g, 493a = 858 points 4. Borje Salming - 1099GP - 148g, 620a = 768 points 5. George Armstrong - 1187GP - 296g, 417a = 713 points 6. Ron Ellis - 1034GP - 332g, 308a = 640 points 7. Frank Mahovlich - 720GP - 296g, 303a = 599 points 8. Bob Pulford - 947GP - 251g, 312a = 563 points 9. Ted Kennedy - 696GP - 231g, 329a = 560 points 10. Rick Vaive - 534GP - 299g, 238a = 537 points 11. Norm Ullman - 535GP - 166g, 305a = 471 points 12. Lanny McDonald - 477GP - 219g, 240a = 459 points 13. Tim Horton - 1185GP - 109g, 349a = 458 points 14. Doug Gilmour - 393GP - 131g, 321a = 452 points 15. Tomas Kaberle - 747GP - 74g, 369a = 443 points 16. Wendel Clark - 608GP - 260g, 181a = 441 points Didn't catch the game last night (saw the highlights this morning). Nice to finally see a win. They've been putting some effort into the last two games...hopefully this trend continues.

We get a complimentary scorer for three draft picks on a team that really has no top three talent. Kessel and Kadri on paper could work out. On paper out defense should be working out better too. On paper. It's not the end of the world, but the fact is that our cupboards still aren't stocked enough to be tossing away three picks for one player. Burke himself said it was a gamble, and with Boston's smart drafting record over the last few years, we've significantly improved a divisional rival for years to come if their picks pan out. I still fully except Tuukka Rask to come back and haunt us for years to come. The organization's previous attitude towards picks and prospects has left us pretty thin in that regard. The team we're icing now isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot as far as I'm concerned. I know it's pretty early to start throwing logs on the fire, but there's a lot of teams in the East on the bubble...and as far as I'm concerned they're far better teams than us. So let's say we miss the playoffs, and have no draft picks. Not only are we not at a level good enough to make the post season, we're lacking impact talent to come through our system cheaply enough to augment the heavier cap hitting players. That leaves us to look at free agency for bringing in new talent...and impact talent on the FA market is expensive. Trading isn't a really bright spot since we lack significant assets to trade outside of Tomas Kaberle, who I think we need to keep unless someone blows Burke's socks off. Tyler Bozak (for example) may be the equivalent of a first round pick in some eyes (which I think is fair), but he also carries a pretty decent cap hit himself. We're already up tight to the cap...and Kessel isn't even on the roster yet.

Toskala is injured, so James Reimer has become an emergency call up. He'll be backing up Joey MacDonald tonight against Colorado. In other news: Tyler Bozak has been called up from the Marlies as well. In other, other news: thank you Brian Burke for giving up our first rounder this year. Really appreciate it. Great way to rebuild.

Is it time to panic yet Leafs fans?

Is there any way to use the actual team masks on your BAP goalie this year? Or are you just stuck using the custom ones?

I still say Price's glove hand needs work. I couldn't believe he missed that Comrie goal last night. It was a nice shot, but I figured Price would grab it. His glove isn't Raycroft bad...but it seems to be slow?

Toronto needs to put some kind of system in place. It seems like Wilson is just randomly throwing mud against the wall to see what sticks. Nothing is sticking...and they're getting murdered. A system needs to be clearly defined and put into place. Toskala has no confidence at all. He's practically sitting inside the net on every shot. The team in front of him lacks direction, and can't provide him support...and the vicious cycle continues. Vesa is totally lost positionally, and honestly right now looks worse than Raycroft did. I'm starting to think Allaire has done more damage than good in the case of Vesa Toskala. The team isn't playing a hard hitting game, they're not playing a skilled game, or a gritty game, or a puck possession game...every line seems to be doing something different, and they're usually being switched up constantly. The best shifts we had came from guys working hard down low, and putting the puck towards the net with someone nearby to pounce on a rebound, or hammer in a dirty goal. No more pretty plays. The team needs to get down to the basics and play with more grit and fire. Play in the tough areas, make it tough for the other teams by being hard on the puck and throwing the body. Make the dirty plays, get the dirty goals...and play like a team that lacks real first line talent. The reason? Well, because we DO lack first line talent. Dump the puck in, chase the puck, win the battles, put the puck towards the net...good things will happen. Long story short...the team needs a system, and needs to establish an identity. It's alright to say "we want a tough team to play against," but frankly they don't have those types of players up front right now. Phil Kessel isn't going to play a rough game...and who's going to help give him the space to operate? Team needs a lot of work...A LOT of work. Also: good on Lee Stempniak. I rode him pretty hard last season, but he's been working hard the last few games.

Gorges is actually the first player of I think of when I compare Ian White to someone. Aside from White being a bit more offensive, I feel the comparison is a good one. We picked White up in the sixth round of the draft. Not too shabby at all considering how solid a player he's become for us.

Even with all the goals scored on us the last two games, Ian White is still a +3, while averaging 26 minutes of ice time a night. This just reminds me of why he's maybe my favorite guy on the team. He's quietly become one of our best players.

I'm just going to forget Toronto vs. Washington even happened last night. That game shows just how long a ways the Leafs have to go before they're a competitive team. I'd paste my thoughts that I posted elsewhere, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to strip down and look at that game from a Leafs perspective. Also, a random note: Shea Weber is a future Norris Winner. Book it. The Predators picking him up in the second round a few years back shows they've got a good scouting staff. Here's hoping with us not having any firsts for the next few years (erhm...) that our scouting staff can pick up some second round gems. The Islanders are a fun team to watch this year. Tavares, Moulson, and Okposo are a really good line. Josh Bailey really shows sparks of being one hell of a hockey talent, and Mark Streit can shoot lasers off his stick. They're fast, quite skilled, and show a lot of promise. Not a very big team physically though...that may be a problem. They worked hard, and really came at the Penguins sometimes. Things are looking up on the Island (team talent-wise).

Managed to catch the preseason fun on TSN last night. This was my first chance to actually see the Leafs play this preseason and I had a lot of fun watching. Kadri is going to be one hell of a player. He just reeks of skill. I was also impressed by Stalberg. The guy has some great speed, good shot, quick release...I can easily see him fitting onto the wing of our second line at some point. At 6'3" he's got the size, especially if he can put on more weight. Pretty excited about this guy. It's also nice to see Komisarek pressing guys against the boards like he's a hungry dog on a raw steak. He's going to give Kaberle a lot of room to move this season. I was a bit worried about us losing Kubina's shot on the PP, but Beauchemin has a fucking RPG for a shot, is younger, less salary, and is obviously a very physical and tough player. I knew he was a good defenseman, but I like him even more now that he's wearing blue and white. We gave up a lot to get Kessel, but looking at some of these younger guys play, I'd say that we can do a Bruins-esque rebuild and start bringing in free agents as a way to move around our lack of first round picks over the next two years. A bolstered scouting staff will hopefully let us pick some gems with the picks we do have. Looking like a fun year to be a Leafs fan. ^_^

Picked this bad boy up at EB Games on Tuesday for $40, and I love it. Not hugely far into it yet, but Paul Dini's fantastic writing already shines through. The familiar voice cast is excellent to hear too. Sadly I've been hearing that Mark Hamill is finding the Joker voice painful to do now, and that this may be his last time voicing the character. That's a real shame. It's great to FINALLY play a game where you really feel like Batman. The satisfaction I get from seeing thugs firing their weapons randomly in terror as I stalk them from above is just epic. Picking them off one by one from the shadows...just awesome.

I suggested this EXACT feature on the Operation Sports Forums like six months ago. Anyways, Be A GM mode (aside from the stupid name) sounds like a HUGE step forward from last year. NHL 09's Dynasty mode played like something from ten years ago. Now EA just need to build on the new foundation they've created by adding in RFA/UFA status, in depth contract negotiations, etc. This year sounds like a great start. Happy as hell that the fantasy draft is back too. I always like playing with that feature. 2K are seriously starting to loose me with their hockey games. They peaked with 2k8...and now EA seem to be taking the reins.

He's a bit of an odd choice to play Hal Jordan honestly. I'd picture RR as more of a Kyle Raynor type myself. Not awful news though. I'm looking forward to the movie.

Daggerfall is a decent game. It's also a very hard game...a lot of people can't even make it out of the opening dungeon. Considering it's free, there's no reason not to give it a whirl. I'll download it sometime, it's been ages since I've played the game.

He can only sign for one year (it's a CBA thing) because of his age and rookie status. I don't remember all the details...but that's basically the reason. We weren't allowed to sign him for longer, or for more money (excluding bonuses).

In the AHL to continue working on his game, I'd assume. He had troubles even holding down the starting position on the Marlies half the time from what I've heard. With Allaire around to work with him a little bit, he should improve a bit more...maybe get a call up or two. There's no way he's ready to play as even a backup at the NHL level. Maybe with our newly built defense he'd have an easier time...but I dunno.

You...you mean they don't? Seriously though, Rick Nash needed to stay in Columbus, so this was a good deal. I honestly thought he'd take less money to stay...but Columbus can't afford to loose him. Big Rick coming to Toronto was the pipe dream of the craziest of the crazy Leaf fans, and nothing more.