29 and a start

Sloppy game in Raleigh, but Gus wus Spektak. Any doubt who the Leafs numba 1 is? Please. Now imagine a 7th straight game with a result? -- Could happen Saturday against the Wings. Yes, The Babcock's are a tough team, but not an unbeatable team. If the Leafs respond with a tough effort they might actually... beat'em. Of course, number 50 would have to be nifty... and he usually is.

Jonas Gustavsson is ridiculous. I am the ruler of his fan club. Willing to join?

Congrats to Dorchester's Zorgwijk Kingpin... the little horse that could. The young pacer was winless when we first started doing stories on him. That was about two months ago. Now he has multiple wins under his belt including what'll soon be an epic $130,000 Gold Final triumph at Woodbine Friday night.

Not good enough, again

...but the Leafs had plenty of chances, you knew something would happen the other way if they couldn't deliver...and it did. Hey, Phil. Welcome to the Blue and White. It gets harder as a Maple Leaf, not easier.

1-for-8 with the man advantage isn't good enough for one of the NHL's "best" pp's. It should have produced more. Would've won the game that way. Considering the heart displayed and effort produced, it appears this team isn't that far off from seriously competing for a (better) result. But to get out of the basement, it's gotta happen soon. I think another adjustment to the line-up is in order.

So, points in a 5 straight games. Okay, not bad, but not great either. It still has to stop playing like the reaper is lurking. It has to be more assertive, if that's even possible...with this group?

Kessel is a gamer, he's lethal, a seriously gifted sniper. His accuracy and decision making were abit off in his debut, but signs of an incredibly effective player are there. I'm encouraged by the amount of shots he unloaded, most of them quality. In time, most of those snipes won't end up in the goaltender's chest, but in open spots of the net. Right now its up to the genius, BB to pair Kessel with a facilitator. Yeah, Marc Savard joins this team, but not until the off-season. So that doesn't do much for this season, now does it? Well, unless some adjustments are made.

As for Jonas Gustavsson...there's not much that needs to be said. If you don't think he's going to be a superstar goaltender in this league, you're either too jaded, blind or completely hate anything that wears the beautiful Blue and White. Sure, he can learn how to handle that puck a bit better, but there's way more upside to this guy than down.

Quote o' da day...courtesy of Billy Agua: "that's the future, there's two" referencing Phil Kessel and Jonas Gustavsson, two studs.

More of the same

Oh god, I knew using Vesa Toskala for the Montreal game would come back to haunt Ron Wilson. Look, Toskala didn't play half bad, but he sucks at shootouts which he proved again Saturday freezing up on a pair of top shelfers by a pair of elfers. AND that first goal doesn't go in if Jonas Gustavsson, or anyone taller than 6 feet for that matter was in the Leafs' net. Anyway...

It ain't easy being a supporter of the Maple Leafs. The dichotomy facing the fandom of Leafsnation is enough to drive anyone of them, us, you, over the bloody edge. Like the WTF are we supposed to think of this team? Yes, they've played incredibly hard. Yes, they've shown no quit. Yes, they can be exciting to watch. Hey, these full efforts are great, respectable, admirable, BUT a full result never follows. Honestly, what are we left with with the final whistle blows? Not exactly nothing, but it often feels like it.

Pro sports are about the results. If you want to applaud 'effort' go sit in the stands at an elementary school track meet (try not to get arrested). If you want to celebrate excellence, a winner, a champion...well, the Leafs aren't the best ones to follow, still you'd expect your favorite professional team to be all about the result. I guess we should credit this "professional" team for trying to get what we, they, an entire nation covet, BUT it's painfully obvious: it's not good enough. Never has been. Never will be. Or at least not until positive, winning changes are made to this group of losers (I mean that in the most literal of ways).

The reaper of defeat will not stop haunting the embattled Buds until they've stood up to him. Until they've told him to shove his late breakdown up his ass. That's done by taking care of business at the other end of the ice...with that finisher I've also been going on about. Is that finisher Phil Kessel? Perhaps. Are the Leafs a only a finisher away from conquering their demons? Doubt it, but we'll soon find out. "The finisher" is expected to make his debut in Boo and White Tuesday against Tampa. While I'm almost certain the lack of result will be the same, same as always it'll result in me watching, waiting, wondering if this time things might turn out different? I've become as predictable as the team I support. Hey, I guess I'm just in it to win it? Okay, not exactly.

Leafs stars at Montreal:

1 Tomas Kaberle
- point machine, fattening up for a deadline feast
2 Mikhail Grabovski
- love his aggressiveness, would love more goals
3 Alexei Ponikarovsky
- i dunno, i really don't

Rest in Peace Harry Gauss. You've fought the battle, you deserve it. God bless, my friend.

There's no justice

The reaper slipped. He found his way just in time, but he did let his guard down and the Leafs, a wickedly entertaining, water gun slinging posse, almost shot him between the eyes. Credit the effort. Wow, was that ever an effort! Was it too much? Did they expend everything they had left? Perhaps too much hammered out before the game, the win, the real heart and soul performance we crave tonight? Hope not. I'm also hoping Ron Wilson keeps his sanity intact and goes with Da Monsta in Montreal. He must, because Da Monsta is da man. Always and forever. After all, Jonas Gustavsson is the saviour. He is.

There's passion and there's points. The Leafs need both this evening. It's the only way to head home with happiness and hope.

A "Best of" edition of Da Hook airs tonight, 5:30 at am980.ca

Road to respectability

I laid it out on Leafbuzz last night....

(warning: not for the skeptical at heart)

Jonas Gustavsson will help the Leafs rise from the depths of despair. The question is: how far down the pit of embarrassment will this club be when the Monster finally, officially becomes it's savior? What'll most likely happen is a staggered climb back to the .500 mark, a process made easier if the Leafs can will themselves to a few dubyas on the upcoming road trip. In order for this movement to be successful, the Leafs' deficit cannot grow much beyond where it is right now... down 7, with really, about 3 weeks' worth of catching up to do. I don't believe its impossible for Gustavsson to be back in net and the sole guy guarding that gaping hole by the end of November. His play should inject some life, and more importantly confidence, into a club which to that point would have mostly been lifeless and without confidence, along the way stealing a game here and there. The process, prompted by hard work, luck and a wee bit of help from the hockey Gods, would be strengthened by Gustavsson's presence, a new attitude and ultimately the addition of a new "talent". Finally. The arrival of Phil Kessel, a true sniper, a game-breaker, a game-changer should assist in vaulting the Leafs, a team on the ascension anyway, to a place it hasn't seen for some time now: the .500 mark. If all goes according plan (yes, wacky, improbable but not impossible), all should be content again in Leafland by December. Of course, by then we'll have something new Leafs related to revolve our lives around.

More Monster

He didn't do much, he didn't do wrong, so the Monster deserves more. Honestly, can anyone tell me why Jonas Gustavsson shouldn't get another start? The guy just wants to be phenomenal. I say, we should just let him...be phenomenal. We can sense that it's in him.

Don't worry, folks. Seriously, don't worry, the Leafs are going to break out.

Whether it's Matt Stajan leading the pack, or Alexei Ponikarovsky, or "Beauch" finally figuring it out? This team will figure it all out, and it's going to happen against Pittsburgh. Well, as long as the right guy is between the pipes. Monster, we want more...we want more.

Ron Wilson, are you listening??

Respectable finish

Leafs win the 3rd in Washington, 3-0. Gustavsson the 20 minute shutout... paving the way for his start Tuesday night. Both positives. We could emphasize the many negatives out DC on Saturday night, but that would be too easy. Oh and hey, the Leafs didn't even give up a goal with the empty net. Credit the fight in this club. Again, let's build. Let's not tear down. Besides we did too much of that a season ago. Sure, reminders of those bad ol' days remain, but there are also glimpses of better days ahead. Despite the flashbacks, I refuse to look back. Why bother? Yesterday's long gone, and tomorrow's a comin' fast and furious. If the Leafs' game follows suit then we're laughin'.

Tosk should sit

It's clear. After his dismal performance Sunday night against Buffalo, Vesa Toskala isn't ready to start the regular season as the Leafs' first stringer. When others hoping to quit riding the pine are pushing for better; Vesa, a supposed incumbent has offered little, perhaps even the opposite of what we've been told to expect during this audition stage. If the preseason is for proving your worth (as Burke and Wilson have suggested) then "Tosk" sure ain't produced no puddin'. So here's what I say: let him attempt to work his way back into the number one role. Let him regain that trust we've lost in him. Of course, that's when and a big if "the new guy" gives him a chance to. I think we all knew the true bonus of Jonas was that he was eventually going to be the main guy in Toronto. So why not now? The dude at the front of the line who should've used the preseason to cement his case, failed miserably. His understudy on the other hand, although only briefly examined, passed with flying colours. Was it a thoroughly convincing showcase of brilliance? Probably not, but it's an encouraging start. So let's find out more, like Thursday night when the ref drops the puck. Better that than when the guy who doesn't seem to want it bad enough drops the ball, again.

In Prust we trust

No rest for those who aspire to be the best. Gotta feelin' Brandon Prust is about to truly make his mark on the NHL. The Sutter's even traded to get him back. Some advice for the rest of the league: keep your head up when you're playing the Flames.

Watch 'A' News Sports tonight. 6:48 pm.

Plus: Newly uploaded Jonas Gustavsson recruiting trip to Toronto. Doubt this piece does the excursion justice.

Gustavsstein

I know they call Jonas Gustavsson "The Monster", but I think we've created one. And if not yet, we're well on our way. Can't remember when someone so unproven has demanded so much proof from potential employers?


Will he bite?

Like, the sucking-up thrust upon this guy is mind-boggling. And if he's not overwhelmed by it, he's surely spoiled from it. I mean, Brian Burke, arguably the biggest named and mouthed GM in hockey, flies across an ocean to just get his attention. Twice! That's a lot miles and shitty meals all in hopes of convincing a B-League netminder to play back-up to someone who's probably still better. And you'd think when someone puts in that kind of effort, they'd reap some benefits. Well, not when you're dealing with "The Monster". BB's trip did give him a reprieve from the annual madness associated with July 1st, but not much else. Both times he returned from Scandinavia with nothing but a monster "maybe". I'm sure BB would say it was all worth it. Wonder though if truly feels that way? Geez, it must be frustrating baring your soul only to go unfullfilled. Hey, but if you're Big Bonus Jonas, it's got to be nice to feel so wanted on the promise of...promise.

Waiting for a goalie like you.

I count myself among the many who are waiting with bated breath for this guy to make up his mind. It's like he's a superstar or something. But is he? We have no clue. And that's what so intriguing. That's why the team we follow is digging into what's left of it's dignity to lure him here. It's a very real possibiliy that "The Monster" could really be a monster between NHL pipes. And if that turns out to be the case, it will have been worth of all of this trans-Atlantic running around. But the monster could get mashed and shit the bed, which in hockey's mecca means stinking really, really bad. Maybe that's why he's taking so long to make up his mind? Sure, Toronto would be a great place to win. And so would Dallas. Losing in either city isn't the same however. Taking the money and running for Big-D is almost the better choice for this coveted kid. If he wins, he wins big. If he loses, it's no big deal. There's just so much more riding on Gustavsson succeeding or failing in Blue-and-White. Like careers, jobs, and pride...for a player who's getting treatment fit for a King, and a once dominant Kingdom desperate to re-establish it's former glory. From what I've read, the kid says he's not worried about the pressure of playing in Toronto. Most players say that though, and while some mean it and demonstrate it, others abruptly learn they can't live with the hype.

Can Jonas Gustavsson?

It's probably what he's asking himself. It's a question he'll need to solve and feel comfortable with before he delivers the answer we've waited so long to hear. Finally then this monster-sized suspense will end, just as our monster-sized expectations begin. Hey, he's "The Monster". It may not be what he wanted, but it's what we've created.