Lindros a Leaf

[CentreHice]

Well, finally the pacifier has been put squarely in the mouths of the crying Leafs fans. They're all talking Stanley Cup again.

1 year $1.55 million

At 32 years old, Lindros can still make an impact....if he avoids making impact with others.

[Forum Ghost]

The Leafs are heading into shaky waters with their two biggest free agent signings.

With a history of concussion problems, Leaf fans are going to hold their breath every time either of these players have their head down.

[roke]

forumghost2 said:

The Leafs are heading into shaky waters with their two biggest free agent signings.

With a history of concussion problems, Leaf fans are going to hold their breath every time either of these players have their head down.

In that case a lot of people are going to be passing out during Leaf games.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

But imagine the revenue bobble-head sales will bring into the MLSE coffers.

[blny]

Hamburgerhead found his home I guess.

[seventeen]

Wonder how long before Carl and Bonnie want Management positions?

As if this team didn't have enough chemistry problems already. They lose Roberts and Niewendyk, they gain Allison and Lindros. Ain't no way they're making the playoffs unless Belfour parts the Red Sea.

[jkr]

The guy hasn't been an impact player for a long time and his best season lately was 4 years ago. Unless he can play that physical game that was his early trademark, he is just not effective.

See link for stats.

www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php3?pid%5B%5D=3158

[Deleted]

He can still be an impact...sometimes. Usually when he is, it just takes one hit to take him out. If he and Allison can stay healthy, good signing by the both of them. If not, well, that's the risk they took.

[duster]

seventeen said:

Wonder how long before Carl and Bonnie want Management positions?

As if this team didn't have enough chemistry problems already. They lose Roberts and Niewendyk, they gain Allison and Lindros. Ain't no way they're making the playoffs unless Belfour parts the Red Sea.

Potential headaches for everyone involved. Still, Leaf Nation is ecstatic and there is renewed optimism. No wonder JFJ was smiling. The pressure is off...for now.

[MC Habber]

seventeen said:

Wonder how long before Carl and Bonnie want Management positions?

As if this team didn't have enough chemistry problems already. They lose Roberts and Niewendyk, they gain Allison and Lindros. Ain't no way they're making the playoffs unless Belfour parts the Red Sea.

I have learned not to underestimate Ed Belfour.

Lindros, Allison, Sundin - IF Lindros and Allison can stay healthy and fit into the team, I think the Leafs can make the playoffs, but it's hard to make predictions when so many teams have changed.

[jkr]

duster said:

seventeen said:

Wonder how long before Carl and Bonnie want Management positions?

As if this team didn't have enough chemistry problems already. They lose Roberts and Niewendyk, they gain Allison and Lindros. Ain't no way they're making the playoffs unless Belfour parts the Red Sea.

Potential headaches for everyone involved. Still, Leaf Nation is ecstatic and there is renewed optimism. No wonder JFJ was smiling. The pressure is off...for now.

This is typical of the leafs - go for the big name past his prime and make a splash. I read the TSN story and the anonymous comments they attach from readers. The fans look split there.

[BadCompany]

machabby said:

seventeen said:

Wonder how long before Carl and Bonnie want Management positions?

As if this team didn't have enough chemistry problems already. They lose Roberts and Niewendyk, they gain Allison and Lindros. Ain't no way they're making the playoffs unless Belfour parts the Red Sea.

I have learned not to underestimate Ed Belfour.

Lindros, Allison, Sundin - IF Lindros and Allison can stay healthy and fit into the team, I think the Leafs can make the playoffs, but it's hard to make predictions when so many teams have changed.

As you said, Sundin, Allison and Lindros down the middle, if healthy, is impressive strength at center. Lindros will always be a concern, but Allison apparently didn't have an actual concussion, but "concussion-like symptoms" which resulted from a whiplash injury. Its not supposed to have any affect on his likelihood of getting hurt again, but...

[clear observer]

Center-strength looks great on paper....

.... on paper.


CO

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

Toronto Paper Leafs.

[clear observer]

mrbozo said:

Toronto Paper Leafs.

Oh, I like that....I like that ALOT!


heh heh heh
CO

[mic]

Year after year, we laugh at the Leafs, calling for their fall which will come soon. However, every year, they finished ahead of the Habs. Their captain is still better than any forward the Habs can ice, Belfour has a cup and is a good competitor. They've lost Roberts and Nieuwendyk but added a great winger in O'Neil and two huge and strong centers in Allison and Lindros. While Lindros is one hit away from retirment , Allison and Sundin still make a very decent one-two punch. Stajan is a very promising forward, as is Steen. If they stay healthy (especially Belfour), I can see them in front of the Habs.

[Forum Ghost]

mic said:

If they stay healthy (especially Belfour), I can see them in front of the Habs.

It may happen, but I'm banking on the tide turning in our favour this year. There are just too many question marks surrounding the Leafs. Sure they have great centers, but aside from O'Neill, who are their wingers? Who's going to play LW with Mats Sundin? Who's going to play LW and RW with Jason Allison? On defence they have McCabe, Klee and Kaberle as their top three. Not bad, but not great when you consider that they are going to have to cover up for the mistakes of players like Berg, Belak and Pilar.

Belfour is a good goalie, but again, there are question marks. He is 40 years old and has a history of back trouble and didn't play anywhere last season so he might be very rusty. I know that there were a lot of players who didn't play competitively during the lockout, but if you're in your forties, then all the more reason to stay in shape and play somewhere, anywhere. By the time the playoffs start Belfour will be 41.

I'm predicting the Habs to finish 2nd in the Northeast. The Leafs are going to be competing with Buffalo for 4th/5th in the division.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

mic said:

Year after year, we laugh at the Leafs, calling for their fall which will come soon. However, every year, they finished ahead of the Habs. Their captain is still better than any forward the Habs can ice, Belfour has a cup and is a good competitor. They've lost Roberts and Nieuwendyk but added a great winger in O'Neil and two huge and strong centers in Allison and Lindros. While Lindros is one hit away from retirment , Allison and Sundin still make a very decent one-two punch. Stajan is a very promising forward, as is Steen. If they stay healthy (especially Belfour), I can see them in front of the Habs.

Philadelphia Flyers 5-1

Detroit Red Wings 8-1

Ottawa Senators 10-1

New Jersey Devils 12-1

Tampa Bay Lightning 12-1

Toronto Maple Leafs 12-1

Vancouver Canucks 12-1

Colorado Avalanche 15-1

San Jose Sharks 15-1

Boston Bruins 20-1

Calgary Flames 20-1

Dallas Stars 20-1

Los Angeles Kings 20-1

Montreal Canadiens 20-1

St. Louis Blues 20-1

Atlanta Thrashers 25-1

Edmonton Oilers 25-1

Pittsburgh Penguins 35-1

Anaheim Mighty Ducks 40-1

Minnesota Wild 40-1

Florida Panthers 50-1

Chicago Blackhawks 60-1

Columbus Blue Jackets 60-1

New York Islanders 60-1

New York Rangers 60-1

Buffalo Sabres 75-1

Phoenix Coyotes 75-1

Carolina Hurricanes 100-1

Washington Capitals 100-1

- www.pulse24.com/Sports/Top_Story/20050812-002/page.asp

[seventeen]

mic said:

Year after year, we laugh at the Leafs, calling for their fall which will come soon. However, every year, they finished ahead of the Habs...... If they stay healthy (especially Belfour), I can see them in front of the Habs.

Not many chemistry majors at HabsRus. The wild card is Belfour, because a hot goalie trumps everything. Excepting him, a really major fact is how players get along, how much they feel like a family, and how they'll battle for each other. On the Richter scale, the Leafs character registers at 2 or less. Both Allison and Lindros have proved many times over that, like the Whitney Houston song, they love themselves first (Not like that CO, so don't bother leaping in with that witty reply). That attitude kills teams. Conversely, you can have a mediocre team like Vigneault's Habs with the 600 man games of injury that still nearly made the playoffs. All character.

When the going gets tough, the Leafs get folding.

[jkr]

mic said:

Year after year, we laugh at the Leafs, calling for their fall which will come soon. However, every year, they finished ahead of the Habs. Their captain is still better than any forward the Habs can ice, Belfour has a cup and is a good competitor. They've lost Roberts and Nieuwendyk but added a great winger in O'Neil and two huge and strong centers in Allison and Lindros. While Lindros is one hit away from retirment , Allison and Sundin still make a very decent one-two punch. Stajan is a very promising forward, as is Steen. If they stay healthy (especially Belfour), I can see them in front of the Habs.

I have to agree with Forum Ghost's replay to your post. While their stregth up the middle looks impressive on paper, it is also fragile. Lindros has not had a strong offensive season in over 4 years and as FG says, who is Allison going to play with?
I agree with you about Stajan. I like him as a player and he stands out because he probably Toronto's best young talent. However, Steen , especially as a centre does seem to have the numbers in the Swedish Elite League to support a jump to the NHL. (I couldn't get the link to work but the numbers are 17 pts. in 50 games.

Belfour covers up a lot of defensive mistakes and is moving into uncharted waters as a 40 year old starter. Should be interesting to see how he holds up.

[Disgruntled70sHab]

Well, Lindros will be motivated there's no denying that. He'll make an immediate inpact me thinks. However, this is another gamble by Jr. though. One good smack and Lindros will be history, but the buds knew that going in I guess.

Wonder if Jr. will make the same mistake Clarke did ... not change is cell or office phone numbers? After all, when you take on Eric, you take on Carl and Bonnie as well. Yep, I'd be changing my phone numbers immediately.

Hmm ...

[Cranky]

The Laffers will be the biggest question mark this year.....

They could either finish top 3 or out of the playoffs. If I was a betting man, I would avoid them like the plauge....

[Cranky]

badcompany said:

machabby said:

I have learned not to underestimate Ed Belfour.

Lindros, Allison, Sundin - IF Lindros and Allison can stay healthy and fit into the team, I think the Leafs can make the playoffs, but it's hard to make predictions when so many teams have changed.

Every time the Laff play Philly, Clarke will give a year supply of cafe latte to the defenseman that wonks Lindros.

As you said, Sundin, Allison and Lindros down the middle, if healthy, is impressive strength at center. Lindros will always be a concern, but Allison apparently didn't have an actual concussion, but "concussion-like symptoms" which resulted from a whiplash injury. Its not supposed to have any affect on his likelihood of getting hurt again, but...

[clear observer]

seventeen said:

When the going gets tough, the Leafs get folding.

Are you kidding....Billy Ocean??!!

[seventeen]

Honest, I have nary a one of his songs in my collection. Some Nazareth, Uriah Heep, some Mountain, a lot of the other usual suspects, some Michael Kaeshammer, Puentes Brothers, but no Billy Ocean.

The Leafs will find out this year just what Gary Roberts brought to the table.

[seventeen]

admin said:

Center-strength looks great on paper....

.... on paper.CO

Or as I've heard it described elsewhere "They look great walking off the bus."

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

Lindros is a perfect fit for Toronto.
He rolled up his sidewalk early in his career.
He and Allison have big questions as to the amount left in the tank or if they already tanked.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

mrbozo said:

But imagine the revenue bobble-head sales will bring into the MLSE coffers.

A Lindros bobblehead doll. Priceless.

I have a Bryant bobblehead that only bobs yes. I ask it if Kobe is guilty.

[M. Beaux-Eaux]

habsfaninla said:

mrbozo said:

But imagine the revenue bobble-head sales will bring into the MLSE coffers.

A Lindros bobblehead doll. Priceless.

I have a Bryant bobblehead that only bobs yes. I ask it if Kobe is guilty.

Well, why not? After all, the marketing geniuses in Cleveland had a Garrett Stafford Bobblehead Night for the Bulldogs' appearance in March of last season.

[Habs_fan_in_LA]

mrbozo said:

habsfaninla said:

A Lindros bobblehead doll. Priceless.

I have a Bryant bobblehead that only bobs yes. I ask it if Kobe is guilty.

Well, why not? After all, the marketing geniuses in Cleveland had a Drew Stafford Bobblehead Night for the Bulldogs' appearance in March of last season.

What next? A Lorena Bobbithead doll?