As you have perhaps already noticed, Brian Burke has said that the Leafs will be shopping for a goaltender at the deadline, which, I guess, means he already is. Normally, a single, wretched performance like the one Jonas Gustavsson turned in against the Devils on Tuesday night would be nothing to worry about. "It's only one game", we'd say. "Heck, the team is still in the playoffs, how could we be mad?"
While a single game should, logically, seriously alter no one's opinion of a player, I'm on board with ditching rational thought in favor of anything that helps Brian Burke see Gustavsson as expendable.
Naturally, James Mirtle has the story:
"I’m not sure that we’re not going to be in the market [for a goalie] before we’re done," Burke said. "It’s something that we have to at least explore what the price tags are. The fact is we’re losing games because we’re not stopping the puck enough. … We’ve got to get our goaltenders to stop the puck."
And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen.
Jump for more links.
Leafs Links:
Leafs goalie guru Allaire preaches patience - The Globe and Mail
"We've got two young kids in the net," Allaire said. "Not a lot of experience. Nobody has more than 90 games in the NHL. So that's normal and we're right in the middle of [the playoff race]. From James Mirtle.
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltending problem just won't go away
"Three of those goals have to stay out ... I'm not sure we're not going to be in the market before we're done." Brian Burke on TSN Radio. Link from Bruce Arthur at the National Post.
Fraser: Was there an instigator in Phaneuf-Clarkson fight?
Fraser is one to talk about lines of sight, but he does agree that Clarkson should have received an instigator. From TSN.
As Per @Real_ESPNLeBrun
Leafs front office met yesterday. Decision was made to at least search the goalie market.
Young Swede shines in minors for Maple Leafs
OK, so it's in Reading, Pennsylvania, but still. From Kyle Cicerelli of the CP at the Globe.
Brian Burke: the legend and the myth
From Michael Langlois at VLM.
We Should Hang Out Tomorrow
And by 'tomorrow', Jeffler means 'today'.
Born and Bred
John Lofranco with a few notes on the birth places of players.
Other Hockey Links:
Score-Adjusted Fenwick standings update
Leafs sit 19th. From Eric T at Broad Street Hockey.
Senators sink Capitals
Yes, the Sens win, but the Leafs are still in the playoffs.
Mike Smith’s Wile E. "Coyotes" mask is all kinds of awesome
From Justin Bourne.
KuklasKorner: Hemsky Reportedly Wants A 4-5 Year Deal
Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal is the source.
The Columbus fire sale begins; Vermette to Phoenix
A few thoughts on the deal from J.P. Quayle at Puck Drunk Love.
Bernier Is a Hot Trade Topic, but Are His Numbers Good Enough?
Relevant. From Jeff Z. Klein at Slap Shot.
TSN Said What?
Over at the Copper & Blue, dawgbone98 isn't sure he's reading this correctly.
