The Leafs Blow into Town

Yeah, I'm the woman who keeps saying the Leafs are nothing but the Islanders North and the Isles are nothing but the Leafs South. The preview on the NHL.com site said they were headed in two different directions. I say bunk. Look at their numbers, they couldn't be more alike. Both have yo-yo seasons and problems left, right and in goal.

But the Leafs have their own TV station, radio shows and the biggest fan base in the NHL. God love 'em. Too bad they don't have a better record historically. Can you imagine what their fans would be like if they had won a cup recently? OMG! I shudder to think.

They also have the two men who will be running Team USA for the upcoming Olympics and... oh yeah... Phil Kessel. Throw in my favorite (through struggling) little hockey player and I've got aspirations of wearing my signed Leafs jersey in the press box tomorrow. But, of course, that ain't happening. Not if I want to LIVE.

Our Islanders had better find a way to make the Power Play click tomorrow night or the Leafs will make them pay. Ron Wilson said that Kessel isn't himself, he's a little tired. But I'm sure he'll find a way to get his name on th stat sheet tomorrow. I'm also pretty sure Jason Blake will score a goal, or even the game winner, just to annoy Big Angry Man and make me have to be quietly confused about how to feel.

I want him to score goals. I just don't want him to do it on our ice. I would far prefer for Matt Moulson to find his scoring touch again. I'd like to John Tavares to stop trying to make all the pretty plays and just make quicker decisions so he doesn't turn over the puck. I'd like Robbie Schremp to take off on a breakaway, find an angle, and bang one in just so I can see the "goalie dance" again.

Scott Gordon and Ron Wilson will both be on the bench for Team USA in Vancouver. But tomorrow night they stand on separate sides and see how close their strategies are. Something tells me, they are eerily similar.

If I had to venture a guess, I think Gordon may go with Biron tomorrow. The Leafs have had their own problems with both Toskala and the Monster with a repaired ticker. There are so many calling for Toskala's head on a platter, I'd assume we may get to see Jonas Gustavsson in net. I also hear rumor that Tim Jackman may be back in the line-up soon. It would be nice to see. Actually, two points would be nice to see.

I'm going to try to get out of work and get to the morning skate. If I find out anything good, I will let you know. If not... I look forward to another chance for the Isles to redeem themselves in front of their fans. I hope they pull through.

Jason Blake Gets the Toronto Treatment

I still have a Google search on my favorite hockey player, no matter what team he plays for. There is always something coming up in my email in the morning. Sometimes they are just a reference of his name, but recently, there have been full feature articles on the ex-Islander with the highly controversial $20 million deal with the Leafs.

While many articles have been exceptionally critical and some downright rude, the last two items Google presented me have softened their stance considerably.

With his birthday looming large on September 2nd, Jason Blake still has something in the tank. Even at 35, he's still the little-hockey-player-that-could. He's one of the interesting hockey stories of today and the driving force behind that book in my head that I insist will have it's final chapter written this season.

First there is this entry and video from Leafs TV. It discusses his inconsistency and questions his production this coming season without line mate Dominic Moore. It also makes note of the unexpected benching Ron Wilson imposed on him last October and November. (Yes, I've watched the video more than once and yes again, that was the game I travelled all the way to Boston to see! Ron Wilson, I'd like to have a chat with you about that.)

Then there was this article appropriately titled "Don't Give Up On Blake Yet" on Leafs Hot Stove. I should have written back, "I never have. I never will."

For all those who know me well, you know I've never taken my eye off the Energizer Bunny of hockey. He was the reason I started actually ENJOYING Islanders games again and the reason I started writing. (So for many of you, that's just two more reasons to hate the guy.) An Islanders buddy of mine was even so generous as to buy me a signed Leafs Blake jersey from a Charity auction. (I'm not allowed to wear it out, but I DO wear it when I'm home watching Leafs games!)

The Toronto media and many of their fans have been relentless in their coverage, especially his first disappointing season with them. But I have a feeling that Jason Blake will not disappoint Brian Burke this upcoming season. I'll bet on it.

*Oh, and I wouldn't count him out of the Olympics either. As Brian Burke said, there's still a chance he'll make the squad. It all depends on him.

Hockey Static - 9-8-08

What an incredibly empty weekend on the hockey front. Good thing since I was busy with my usual September whirlwind family responsibilities. So much to do that I can't even get excited about the impending start of the 08-09 season... yet.

This morning I took some time to read the headlines from all the major sites to see if I missed anything. Um. Not much. There are a FEW hockey related tidbits that I did want to mention. I guess you could consider this "twitter."

Congrats Chris Chelios: So the man who Bill Jaffe called "a freak of nature" has signed up for yet another season of Hockey with the Red Wings. Good for him! The Hockey News has a great article on the time line of his career. Chelios: Setting the standard for excellence in aging.

Ron Wilson not high on Sundin: Ya think? It's like being held hostage. Totally not fair to the Leafs new coach. Good for him for speaking out. Shouldn't the league have a rule that says you need to make a decision no later than Labor day if you're playing or not?

NHL Live to Return to XM 204 on 9-15-08: Thank God. But I'd like to see an announcement on the NHL.com site. But thanks to TravelChic for the information.

Belated Happy Birthday to Jason Blake: Wishing you a better year to obliterate the memory of this one.

Thanks to Islesblogger.com Mike S.: He didn't take the nickname on the NYIC board of "teknics" for nothing. Every time I have a "technical" question, he's the first one I go to. And thanks to his constant iPhone addiction, it doesn't take long for the proper answer. I owe you, and I didn't forget YOU didn't get Birthday cookies. I'll have to rectify that soon.

Single Ticket Event Sept. 13th: Single game tickets go on sale Saturday the 13th. Let's overtake the Ranger fans on the line this year people. It's our building, let's make sure it stays that way.

Are we there yet? Almost.

What's new in the NHL on 6-10-08?

Little Nikita: Oh my! Is there any team out there that doesn’t want this kid? No. So don’t plan on Garth being able to get him. Sorry, the only Russian to be spoken in the locker room next season will probably be coming from Martinek who took two years to be able to say more than “stick.” Think Stamkos is getting pissy about all this kid’s publicity?

Ron Wilson new Leafs Coach: Who is going to crack first: the Toronto media or Mr. Wilson? That may be the more entertaining part of the next Leafs’ season. As soon as I heard the news I wondered if his arrival would help or hurt Jason Blake’s future on the team. After all, Wilson coached him on Team USA and knows his personality (or lack thereof), even if it was for only a few brief weeks.

Portland Pirates New Affiliation: What gives? How often do AHL teams change their affiliation? That must be havoc for a few people. And what’s going to happen to my boy Darryl Bootland? Where does he end up? Is he actually an Anaheim Ducks property? I don’t know enough about the AHL to figure this stuff out. But it has to be very confusing for everyone involved. So now they are the Buffalo Sabres’ farm team. Wonder if they have to order new jerseys.

Another one Bites the Dust: Marc Crawford got his pink slip today from the LA Kings. And suddenly there’s more room on the NHL Coaching Carousel. Two years of losing, one more year on his contract. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Ok, I just scared myself.

33 years and Counting: So with all the hype about the come from behind the 3 - 0 deficits in playoffs being set for this year as it is the 33rd year since the Islanders performed that amazing feat. None of the teams in the Stanley Cup playoffs pulled it off. So maybe it’s set for the Baby Pens to do it in the AHL as they are battling Chicago? Not a chance with Krog scoring like crazy.

One Big NHL Retirement Party: Hasek retires after 16 NHL seasons. Rumor has it he’s looking for a GM job somewhere. Once he heard about Dominik, Trevor Linden decided to hang up his skates after only 19 NHL seasons at the ripe old age of…. 38. Well, he is a forward, and they don’t seem to have the longevity of NHL goalies. Come on guys, there’s plenty of room left for more names on this retirement cake. Who’s next?

JUMPTV merges with NeuLion: And here in New York we said, who? All I know is that I found it interesting that NeuLion’s income for 2007 was $7.8 million with a net loss of $4 million. Does Mr. Wang have a business that actually MAKES money? Just curious.

Ravioli with Yellow Tomato Sauce & Lobster: So today I reached out to someone in the know looking for anything draft related that no one else was covering or that would tweak the imagination of the Islander faithful. I sadly underestimated this someone’s workload, so no real information was exchanged. I warned them I was out of material. In case they didn’t believe me, here’s the recipe I warned would end up on the blog:

½ cup Lobster, crab or cooked shrimp
1 lb cheese ravioli
½ cup good olive oil
8 yellow tomatoes poached, skinned and seeded
6 springs fresh chives
¼ cup fresh oregano leaves
2 tbls chopped garlic
Parmesan cheese

Cook ravioli according to instructions. Sauté garlic in olive oil and add tomatoes. Sautee for 5 minutes and add all herbs chopped. Sauté for an additional 8 - 10 minutes, add cooked seafood and sauté for just a few minutes until all is heated through. Pour over cooked ravioli and top with grated cheese.

About now, you’re wondering who the hell would have yellow tomatoes and lobster meat on hand. Yeah, that would be me. The McGyver of the Kitchen as I’m called.