• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

Minor Ex-Leaf News

Phil Kessel looks exactly the way I'd have imagined Phil Kessel would like if his partner forced him to get "we're" pregnant pics.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Bullfrog said:
He's got 23 points in 21 games this season!

Over half of those points (12) have came in his last 4 games. Ride that wave!

Even still 11 points in 17 games still seems wild for the player we had in the organization.  He really didn't do anything that made me think he would be in the league long enough to be playing regular minutes in 2022 let alone a guy putting up PPG points. 

It's a good for him kind of moment but in no way do I look at this as a move where the Leafs let one get away.    I'm still frustrated by trades the Gunnarson/Steen kind of move where we gave up the better (and younger) player because the talent discrepancy was obvious from the get go.  Marchment was a 13th forward when we traded him and had done nothing to show that he was anything more than that (other than maybe a debate about giving him a longer look as the 12th forward with regular lineup opportunity but certainly not because of production).
 
L K said:
Even still 11 points in 17 games still seems wild for the player we had in the organization.  He really didn't do anything that made me think he would be in the league long enough to be playing regular minutes in 2022 let alone a guy putting up PPG points.

Even in those 17 games he had a 5-on-5 on-ice shooting percentage of 10.34%. Which for some context is higher than anyone on the Leafs this season except for Kerfoot (who's definitely riding that PDO train) and Mikheyev (is a scorer now). I think he's definitely a guy who most teams would like to have on a 3rd or 4th line but his offensive is definitely a little bit boosted right now because of whatever the hell is going on in Florida this season. Talk of him being a "point per game" player, even if that's what his current stat line says, is a tiny bit disingenuous to me. We're talking about a guy who also had a decent offensive start last season (6 points in 9 games) before getting 0 goals and just 4 assists in his remaining 24 games. So I dunno, colour me skeptical about that PPG rate sticking.

But like I said still a valuable bottom-6 forward and I'm glad he's having success. There were definitely those who watched the Marlies closer than most who thought he had a NHL future.
 
One of the best Leafs draft picks to play the game in recent history is set to retire shortly.
 
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1501383408265662468

I always thought the "Nick Ritchie hat-trick" was 3 goals in a single calendar month.
 
Heroic Shrimp said:
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1501383408265662468

I always thought the "Nick Ritchie hat-trick" was 3 goals in a single calendar month.
No expectations/pressure there like there was here for the hometown boy.
 
Guilt Trip said:
Heroic Shrimp said:
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1501383408265662468

I always thought the "Nick Ritchie hat-trick" was 3 goals in a single calendar month.
No expectations/pressure there like there was here for the hometown boy.

Would be hilarious if Arizona is able to flip him at the deadline for something because he's produced there.
 
Zee said:
Guilt Trip said:
Heroic Shrimp said:
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1501383408265662468

I always thought the "Nick Ritchie hat-trick" was 3 goals in a single calendar month.
No expectations/pressure there like there was here for the hometown boy.

Would be hilarious if Arizona is able to flip him at the deadline for something because he's produced there.

Dubas will soon wise up to his huge mistake and trade a 1st to Arizona for him. 
 
Rob said:
Zee said:
Guilt Trip said:
Heroic Shrimp said:
https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1501383408265662468

I always thought the "Nick Ritchie hat-trick" was 3 goals in a single calendar month.
No expectations/pressure there like there was here for the hometown boy.

Would be hilarious if Arizona is able to flip him at the deadline for something because he's produced there.

Dubas will soon wise up to his huge mistake and trade a 1st to Arizona for him. 
And don't forget Robertson in the deal too.
 
Arn said:
2014 4th round pick J.J. Piccinich who managed 10 games for the Marlies and a championship with the Growlers has signed in Belfast  8)

52 games, 32+42 for 74 points so far. One of the best shots I?ve seen in the league here in a while.

 
After playing the last few years in Europe Peter Holland announced his retirement today. Reposting his long twitter thread to avoid clutter:

PRESS RELEASE!

I have decided to step away from the game of hockey. It feels weird to say retire, but I guess that?s what it is.

I?m not sure if a Twitter thread is an appropriate forum to announce this but when you were a bubble guy, there?s no press conference, banner raising, or puck drop at centre ice. 😂

So here it is:

It?s strange to think that something which has been a part of me since before I can remember will no longer be a part of my future. This was not an easy decision, but in order to be honest with myself, it was time to confront the reality that hockey had become unenjoyable for me. I was no longer committed to getting better and therefore I was getting worse. It was an unsustainable trajectory not only for my career but also for my mental health, and therefore it was better to stop altogether.

Also, life comes at you fast! With a young family of my own, having to pack up and move every 6 or 8 months, being away from extended family (sometimes 10 hours apart) - it just wasn?t worth it anymore.

But perhaps most importantly, I?m doing it on my own terms with my health - something not to be taken for granted. Especially after playing a highly competitive and physical game professionally for over a decade. Not to mention the 15 years before that.

Admittedly, my passion for the game really fell off a cliff the moment I was traded out of Toronto. I could never rekindle that spark I had when wearing a Leaf jersey. It was like my hockey path was always destined to allow me to wear my boyhood colours; the blue and white. And wow, am I ever blessed to have gotten that opportunity. Once that was over, it was as though I had accomplished the pinnacle of all my hopes and dreams. Did I dream of hoisting a Stanley Cup?  Heck yeah! But as a boy - to even make it to the NHL was a long shot. So what are the odds I got to play for ?my? team too? There?s some things in this world which you just can?t explain.

And now it?s time to move on to the next chapter; where I can put my education, zest for knowledge, and passion towards a new endeavour - closer to family.

I?ve already expressed my sincerest thanks and gratitude to my family so I don?t need to do that again here, but I did want to thank each and every one of you for supporting and following my hockey career. Our potential social impact as players was something I never took lightly, and I always tried to represent my family, my team, and the community in a positive light.

In fact, one of the things I am most proud of from my playing days was my willingness to get involved in the community. None more special than visiting and contributing to SickKids Hospital Toronto. I?m sure I got more out of those visits than the kids.

Some things I know for certain: I always tried my best; I cared deeply about my team; I wanted to win for everyone in the dressing room, as well as everyone in the stands (especially everyone in the top bowl!); and most of all I cared about being a good teammate.

With that said, I want to extend a HUGE thanks to all my teammates, equipment staff, and all the team personnel who made the day-to-day operations tick - I see you guys too! I have made some life long friendships from this game, both players and staff, and for that I am eternally grateful.

A thank you to all my coaches and GMs. Although not all of our relationships were equal, even the ones where we butted heads, I know there were meetings I wasn?t involved in where you went to bat for me and helped give me an opportunity to live and continue living my dream. So thank you.

Last but certainly not least, Thanks to you: the fans, the critics, and the media. The combination of you all makes this crazy sport of hockey worth playing.

I?ll never forget the feeling of coming out of the tunnel onto a fresh sheet of ice, with the potential to bring each and every one of you out of your seat with a good play, hit, fight, or goal. It was an honour to provide you some entertainment and let you escape from your day-to-day lives if even for just a few moments.

Finally, if I can offer any advice to parents of young hockey players out there; let them decide how much they want to play. I played multiple sports growing up - It was never just hockey. I played flag football, basketball, volleyball, competed in track and field, golf and competitive soccer. I truly believe I loved hockey as long as I did because I didn?t burn out of it. If your kids are lucky enough for hockey to become a job that?s great - But I promise they?ll miss the days when it wasn?t!

That?s it. Thanks for reading and taking part in my Twitter retirement press conference.

I wish all of you the best and I look forward to enjoying this game from the stands again! See you around the rinks.

-PH

Happy retirement to Peter. He's a guy I was always surprised wasn't able to put together a longer NHL career. But glad he got to live out his dream of being a Leaf regardless.
 
Yup. Always thought he had skill, just didn't seem to be able to put it together. The ultimate sort of tweener.

Still, seems like a good guy and best of luck to him in retirement.
 
Back
Top