Last night, we were once again afforded the opportunity to watch two rebuilding teams in The Toronto Maple Leafs and The Edmonton Oilers. It was a fun, wide-open game, that saw that Leafs cash in on going up against some pond-hockey defense, and walk away with two points. Jolly good show.
It wasn't that long ago that we were hearing about how much better positioned the Oilers were to succeed than the Leafs, because, hey, they were building their team via the only possibly route for success - the draft.
Fast forward a couple years, and things don't look quite so rosy in Edmonton. James Mirtle at the Globe and Mail with his take:
The problem in Edmonton, however, may come in the fact that they're not ready to take enough steps forward while those four youngsters are still underpaid. Gagner needs a new contact this summer, Eberle and Hall will come due in 2013, and Nugent-Hopkins is the year after that.
Oh yeah, and the Leafs? Well, they may not be a lock to make the playoffs this year, but Sports Club Stats has 'em sitting at a 90% chance of making the post-season. Awww yeah.
Leafs Links:
The Leafs Nation Podcast Part Deux
PPP joins myself and Danny Gray for our second podcast.
Leafs roll over Oilers in battle of rebuilders
MUAH AH AH AH AHHHH. From James Mirtle at the Globe.
Anatomy Of A Rivalry
John Lofranco has a tryout over at The Leafs Nation.
'Tis But A Scratch
Scott Reynolds with a few thoughts on last night's game at the Copper & Blue.
The Man in the Middle: Who the Heck is Tyler Bozak?
Curt S at Blue Chip Prospects wonders.
Marlies Hot & Cold: January 30th- February 5th
Kyle the Reporter with an update from the farm.
My Year in Sports
For the first time in a while, mf37 has a new post up at Bitter Leaf.
Who is the Most Valuable Leaf player so far this season?
Michael Langlois from VLM says it's Dion.
Game In 10: Game 53, Leafs vs. Oilers
Mislav Jantoljak with a few thoughts at MLHS.
Other Hockey Links:
NHL conspiracy theories abound
No matter what happens to your team in the coming weeks, it will be because the league is engineering it all from the top. Roy MacGregor tells us to get our tinfoil hats ready!
The negotiator: Donald Fehr tops The Globe’s Power 50
In public statements, Fehr has made the link between baseball’s labour peace and the absence of a salary cap, suggesting to many that he will push for an overhauled system of revenue sharing and a luxury tax in the NHL. That will be a tough sell to owners. From Jeff Blair at the Globe.
Rick Nash Has To Want Out Of Columbus Right?
Dream on, Dirty Dangle.
Backhand Shelf Podcast
The latest from Justin Bourne and Rob Pizzo.
Press Box Musings: Home Sweet Home?
Relevant to tonight's game. From TJCAPS Arctic Ice Hockey.
