[blueandwhite]

so there is actually talk about a team wanting Belfour - and it's not the Leafs. Apparently the Oilers, who are resting somewhat comfortably in 8th place in the Western division, think he will improve their standings and play better in a more "positive situation" (newspaper quote). After the Leafs loss to Buffalo 6-2 last night (it was Tellqvist in net), I see what they mean - this is no positive situation. This hurts.
Buffalo is a good team, small and fast. Their goalie Miller is exciting to watch. After the epic long tribute to Pat Lafontaine.
Leafs were resting Belfour up tonight for The Senators. They're going to paste the Leafs to the wall. This season, the combined score is 36-12 for the Senators. Urg.
But I think I doubt Belfour's ability to thrive elsewhere, Edmonton or friggin Carolina, for crying out loud.
So Cujo is one that'll be up on the blocks come trade time Thursday. I hate to say it, but I'd actually welcome him back with open arms. Not that a new goalie is the answer to our woes. There are too many to address here. On a newspaper poll, 85% said give up on the season and give away the veterans.

[Lefty Noob]

I can't see the Leafs giving up the ship just yet. You guys are a .500 team and only 5 points behind Montreal for the 8th seed in the East, right? There's still something like 24 games to go, I believe.

It'd be foolish to throw in the towel already, if you ask me. Not sure I wouldn't sit Belfour and give ol' Mikael Tellqvist a chance to be the No. 1 goaltender though. He's got a better save percentage and GAA, and unlike Belfour he's actually got a shutout this season. I'm no hockey expert, but it seems like a move like that might get the team to respond.

[pete_b]

Then again Lefty. If you have been thinking about how to get rid of Belfour for the whole season and then someone finally bites, maybe you should just go for it. You never know what Belfour is gonna do. He could crash and burn and then NOBODY will take him. With the trade now, at least you get something for him. Do I sound harsh? I know that Eddie has some sentimental value to the Leafs but this is Hockey and business should be just that...business.

[Lefty Noob]

Good point, Pete. Maybe they should deal him now while he still has value. But I wouldn't jettison everyone, like that newspaper poll suggests. Deal Belfour if necessary, bring in a new goalie, but don't blow the whole thing up when you're not all that far out of the playoffs.

[blueandwhite]

I agree, if someone's calling for Belfour, deal him. I think we need to give Tellqvist a shot at more games as well. Not giving up on them yet (I couldn't) but the loss streak makes it hard to sit in you my chair without squirming (and turning to booze). I think Sundin's playing a good game, Ponikarovsky, Tucker, Kilger - but the cohesion is missing, the passes not met. A quote from Sundin was, Every time we made a mistake we paid for it. Well, yeah.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

On a newspaper poll, 85% said give up on the season and give away the veterans.

...Or maybe they just need better fans... ...I mean if I am skating for a team that has 85% of the fan base saying throw in the towel...do I really want to give it 100% for those folks?...Or would I be calling my agent and say, "Hey hoss, get me out of this two bit town...get me some real fans...I'd take a salary cut to get me to a hapy place"...maybe...just maybe that's all Eddie wants now that his career is on the backside...a happy place...

[blueandwhite]

Are you kidding? ARE YOU KIDDING? There is no more loyal fan base than Toronto. Yes, there's complaining, but we frigging love this team. Do I love belfour? Yes. Do i sit down at every game and say, it's going to be better tonight? You bet-all that *****ing aside, this is MY team. Does that arena fill up every game night with huge Maple leaf fans that cheer them on like you've never heard? Yes. It's impossible to get tickets you can afford. It's impossible to get tickets period. Do we travel to Ottawa, buffalo, Montreal, detroit just to watch them? Yeah. I watch every game. this is hockey town, and we haven't seen the cup since 67!
Do you hear the ED-DIE, ED-DIE chant every time he plays like the man he could be? Yeah.
We ask that they don't give up. We ask that they play like the team we know they can be.
Old hockey players come to die here, man. Don't question the faith of the fan. Question the team's ability. They have it - they just aren't giving it.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

Are you kidding? ARE YOU KIDDING? There is no more loyal fan base than Toronto. Yes, there's complaining, but we frigging love this team. Do I love belfour? Yes. Do i sit down at every game and say, it's going to be better tonight? You bet-all that *****ing aside, this is MY team. Does that arena fill up every game night with huge Maple leaf fans that cheer them on like you've never heard? Yes. It's impossible to get tickets you can afford. It's impossible to get tickets period. Do we travel to Ottawa, buffalo, Montreal, detroit just to watch them? Yeah. I watch every game. this is hockey town, and we haven't seen the cup since 67!
Do you hear the ED-DIE, ED-DIE chant every time he plays like the man he could be? Yeah.
We ask that they don't give up. We ask that they play like the team we know they can be.
Old hockey players come to die here, man. Don't question the faith of the fan. Question the team's ability. They have it - they just aren't giving it.

Chill Blueandwhite girl...I can see you bleed blue and white...but to quote a song, "and if you can't be with the one you love/ it's alright/
Go ahead and love the one, love the one, love the one your with"...Isn't the fact you haven't won a Cup since 1967 part of the charm of being a Leafs fan?...worked for the Red Sox...and the Cubs...but I get it ...the fans can pick on thier players...but hey, if these over paid, fragiled ego superstars need a little love and comfort over the course of a season...well its a litte too much to ask...I mean sure, I can see the chants of "Eddie, Eddie, Eddie," helping the man...but then he gets up and read.."Oh yeah, and 85% of the fans want me out of here "...Where's the love blueandwhite girl?...that's all I am asking...

[ThePundit]

I have an alternative to trading Belfour:

Maybe Darcy Tucker should take someone out by the knees and ruin his career like he did Michael Peca's a few years ago. But first I think he should
threaten to do it - and then follow through - exactly like he did with Peca.

Maybe that will get the team jump started.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

I have an alternative to trading Belfour:

Maybe Darcy Tucker should take someone out by the knees and ruin his career like he did Michael Peca's a few years ago. But first I think he should
threaten to do it - and then follow through - exactly like he did with Peca.

Maybe that will get the team jump started.

Pundit my Old School lovin friend...now you are thinking outside the box for once...what do you think blueand white girl...will it jump start the team as Pundit claims it will?

[blueandwhite]

I'm not a huge Peca fan, but I'd never wish being taken out at the knees on anyone.
The Leafs were so crapped out after that Islander series, they bottomed out against the Devils, so karma got them. The moment with Tucker and Peca was a 'crossed the line' moment - Darcy's changed his game and he's got the most goals on the Leafs right now (getting Corson out made Tucker a smarter player). He's the kind of player you LOVE on your team, and the morale thing is a huge part of that. could he get the team motivated? Yeah. by taking out another player? No - by scoring more goals, playing a smart game - and he's doing that.
Sidebar: every team has at least one 'crossed the line' moment in their history (usually more). This darcy tucker one comes up alot. It's gone now.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

I'm not a huge Peca fan, but I'd never wish being taken out at the knees on anyone.
The Leafs were so crapped out after that Islander series, they bottomed out against the Devils, so karma got them. The moment with Tucker and Peca was a 'crossed the line' moment - Darcy's changed his game and he's got the most goals on the Leafs right now (getting Corson out made Tucker a smarter player). He's the kind of player you LOVE on your team, and the morale thing is a huge part of that. could he get the team motivated? Yeah. by taking out another player? No - by scoring more goals, playing a smart game - and he's doing that.
Sidebar: every team has at least one 'crossed the line' moment in their history (usually more). This darcy tucker one comes up alot. It's gone now.

There you have it Pundit...In the words of blueandwhite girl...sooo not a motivation method...YOU got to respect the Rules of the Ice man...read the side bar...that "cross the line" ship has sailed...but hey Pundit thanks for playing man, at least you are thinking outside that box for once my good man ...Props for integrit there blueandwhite girl...