Is Dany Heatley Right for the Leafs?

Dany Heatley was placed on waivers by Anaheim today.  Given that the Blue Team has had a historical penchant for signing players who used to be good - looking in your direction Eric Lindros, Brian Leetch, Phil Housley, Ron Francis and Larry Murphy - he seems like a very good fit for Toronto.

Before any team signs Heatley they NEED to listen first to this disclaimer.

"IS DANY HEATLEY RIGHT FOR YOU?"

Season's Greetings!

My Mumps, My Mumps, My Mumps. Check it out.

With the Blue Team taking on Anaheim this week, I am beside myself with worry that Phil Kessel will be infected with the mumps.  I worry even more that it may go completely undiagnosed.

Oh no he di-in't!

Leaf Goalie Inspired by Mandela, Whoever That Is

I don't expect pro hockey players to know much outside their privileged millionaire bubbles.  Whatever. 

We all have topics we'd look foolish trying to discuss.  For example, I don't know anything about the TV show, Game of Thrones.  But if I went to a Game of Thrones gala, I'd at least learn about the show's basics.  If a TV reporter put a camera on me and asked me to talk about Game of Thrones, I would politely decline or at least fake a heart attack.  As a last resort, I'd admit I knew nothing.

I certainly wouldn't try to wing it and shovel bullcrap everywhere.

That's how Leafs' goalie Jonathan Bernier played it Friday night.  Bernier was invited to a fundraiser that honoured Nelson Mandela on the one year anniversary of his death.  Bernier showered, put on his best Leaf-coloured suit and slicked back his greasy Sam Smith haircut.  But never once did it occur to him to find out who Nelson Mandela actually is.

So he tried to B.S. his way out of it with hilarious results.



I bet Bernier still cherishes Mandela's rookie card to this day.

They'll Have a Blue Christmas

With Christmas a couple of weeks away, the Blue Team has begun sending out their Christmas cards. Here's Dion and Phil sending out their best wishes for the yuletide season in a portrait that can't possibly be photo shopped.

Tucker and Alfie Sittin' in a Tree...

With Daniel Alfredsson ready to retire here in Ottawa next week, it brought up many great Alfie memories.  Darcy Tucker doesn't have particularly good memories of #11.  He tweeted this out yesterday:

Guess I should book my trip to Ottawa December 4th.  I'm sure Alfie would want me there on the big day #waitingbythephone.
— Darcy Tucker (@16DarcyTucker) November 26, 2014

Tucker's most famous run-in with Alfredsson was this attempt to draw a penalty during a playoff game vs Ottawa.  Like a car putting on the brakes on the Queensway, Tucker stopped short on Alfredsson in hopes of protecting the puck along the boards.  Alfie had no time to stop, bumping into Tucker.  Tucker took advantage of the bump, lunging into the boards, trying to make the bump look like a vicious hit from behind, worthy of ejection.  Good try.

Fans in Toronto were livid about the situation, particularly because Alfie scored the game winning goal immediately afterward.  I'm not sure how the announcers though it could be Tomas Kaberle.  That whole thing had Darcy Tucker written all over it.

Here's video of the incident. I apologize for all the laughter it contains.  I assure you.  Never in a million years would I intentionally not edit this video.

Leafs Get Back to Saluting - Half-Assed Style

Salute-gate is apparently over in Toronto.  After a win over Detroit last night MOST of the Leaf players tried to calm the waters by suddenly restoring their post game salute.  Kinda.  It was a fairly weak attempt at an apology for snubbing the fans after their last victory.

This is how it came off:  "Bah!  Fine!  Here's your stupid salute back!  You people happy now??!!  But know this!  We are NOT skating to centre ice anymore!!!   HOW DO YA LIKE THEM APPLES??!!  HA!"

It's hilarious.  A group of multi-millionaires playing for a team that hasn't won in 47 years having the nerve to try and "punish" the fans, even in this small way, by denying them a traditional gesture.  And even when they tried to restore the thank you gesture last night, they refused to do it properly, because they're still being pissy.