Leaf Rumors

News and Rumours

January 10, 2009 - Grabovski suspended:

PHILADELPHIA -- A contrite Toronto Maple Leafs rookie Mikhail Grabovski phoned NHL linesman Scott Cherrey to apologize for his actions late in a game on Thursday that resulted in an automatic three-game suspension for abuse of an official. Grabovski promised to shake Cherrey's hand and express his regret the next time their paths cross. The Leafs' forward also assured his teammates that he will hold his emotions in check in the future.

"It won't happen again," the Belarussian said through his translator, teammate Alexei Ponikarovksy.

Ponikarovsky went on to report that Grabovski will take his punishment with no protest and promised to control his emotions next time an opponent incites him with remarks. Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said the root of the incident was that brothers Sergei and Andrei Kostitsyn "were barking" at Grabovski from the Montreal Canadiens' bench late in the Canadiens' 6-2 victory over Toronto. Cherrey was trying to restrain Grabovski from getting at Sergei Kostitsyn. The linesman and Leafs forward tumbled to the ice and later Grabovski shoved Cherrey.

Rule 41.4, category III states: "Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official solely for the purpose of getting free of such an official during or immediately following an altercation shall be suspended for not less than three games."

Not only are the Kostitsyns also from Belarus and played with Grabovski on the Canadiens last season, the three represented their country at the 2008 world championship in Quebec City and Halifax. Asked what the Kostitsyns yelled at him from the bench, Grabovski said he could not remember. But later he intimated there was some sort of insult about playing on the Leafs. After the game at the Bell Centre on Thursday, Sergei Kostitsyn claimed that Grabovski made some nasty criticisms in a Russian newspaper and that's why there is an intense dislike between the countrymen. "It must go back to the old country," Wilson said. "They got under his skin. "Hopefully, he'll learn from it. We don't condone that. You have to realize what's going on." Grabovski, 24, did remark that he'll ignore any insults from opponents in the future. He won't be eligible to return until the Leafs visit the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday. Grabovski didn't practise yesterday because of the flu. The Leafs might promote a forward from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL to replace Grabovski for their contest against the Philadelphia Flyers or they could move defenceman Ian White up front or they could dress extra forward Ryan Hollweg. The heated game between the rival Leafs and Canadiens featured 150 penalty minutes. It was the first game for newcomer Brad May, who was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for a conditional sixth-round pick on Wednesday.

Leaf Fanatic's Take:

The rule is clear and he did apply physical force to get free. I don't think you can even appeal this. Credit Grabovski and the Kostitysn's for generating some much needed heat into the Habs-Leafs rivalry. I wouldn't have thought it would come from this group but at this point I'll take it. The next time these two teams meet it will be worth watching for sure.

January 8, 2009 - Leafs get May

Courtesy of Canoe

The Maple Leafs rebuilding process took a peculiar twist yesterday with the acquisition of 37-year-old winger Brad May from the Anaheim Ducks.

On the surface, it might seem a little short-sighted for a club looking toward building a Stanley Cup contender to secure an aging tough guy for a for a conditional 2010 sixth-round draft pick.

But what May brings to the Leafs, even more than toughness, is leadership. And not just for the remaining 40 games of this season. Basically, bringing May into the fold is a move designed to show Toronto's young veterans -- Matt Stajan, Nik Antropov and even Tomas Kaberle -- what it takes to be a leader. Which May is.

So while May's tenure with the team likely won't extend beyond a season or two, the move was made with an eye on the future. Coach Ron Wilson has been losing patience with the lack of leadership in his dressing room -- which was the case again in a uninspiring 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night at the Air Canada Centre.

"We're in the beginning of the whole process," Wilson said yesterday of the rebuilding process. "And it's just baby steps right now as we try to address certain issues and try to teach people the right way to do things."

Wilson has been quick to defend the younger players on the team, and just as quick to criticize, or sit, the so-called older players, such as Jason Blake.

"In a game we went through (Tuesday) night, I'd like somebody to stand up and express a little anger," Wilson said. "Whether it would be with his own play or his teammate's play. I'm not sure if Brad May is that kind of guy. But we do need some more (outspokenness) in our locker room. It can't be as quiet as it is sometimes."

May was a member of the 2007 Stanley Cup champion Ducks under Leafs GM Brian Burke, and also played for his new GM in Vancouver. This season the Toronto native has played in 20 games for Anaheim collecting five assists with 28 penalty minutes and has a plus-5 rating.

In 963 career NHL games with Buffalo, Vancouver, Phoenix, Colorado and Anaheim, May has recorded 285 points on 126 goals and 159 assists, along with 2,121 penalty minutes.

Wilson planned to put May into the lineup tonight, meaning that he'll probably sit Ryan Hollweg.

Earlier yesterday, the Leafs demoted rookie forward Nikolai Kulemin to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

"He hasn't played very well," Wilson said of Kulemin. "I don't know if it's confidence. But you go down to the minors and you get to play in different situations and hopefully he'll earn his minutes down there and improve his play and we can call him back."

Kulemin's demotion opened up a spot for the returning Matt Stajan, who will dress against the Habs tonight after missing five games with an eye injury.

Leaf Fanatic's Take:

No big surprise here as Burke had May in Vancouver and Anaheim and obviously values what he brings to the table - toughness, grit, leadership. Something the Leafs lack. Yes, he gave up a pick but it is a late one (6th round conditional). The move also sends Kulemin down to the Marlies, which some of us (myself included) have stated that's where he should be. He's decent, he may even be better than May on the scoresheet but he can likely develop his skills in the AHL better (if that makes sense). I do think Burke will try to obtain (or reacquire if you like) earlier picks such as 2nd, 3rd and 4th round picks. I don't think anyone is safe from being traded...maybe Schenn....

January 6, 2009 - Deal with Columbus coming?

The Leafs need draft picks and the Blue Jackets have them. A couple of scouts from Columbus were at a recent Leaf game - this has led to speculation. The rumour is that the Jackets are interested in Antropov and one of either Kaberle or Kubina - both have NTC's but may waive them with Burke's "nudging".

There is no rumour (or anything significant) as to who Columbus would give up. Burke would surely be looking for young players / prospects and picks. The word is Columbus won't give up much....if anything but that could change as they desperately want to make the playoffs for the first time.

Keep an eye on this one as it seems legit.....although Columbus has other options like trading for Doug Weight (Islanders).