HANS DERYK
Yesterday in this space I made a joke about things going so bad for the Leafs that it was just a matter of time before we got word of the dreaded "players only" meeting. We got word yesterday afternoon that the players did in fact close the doors and talk amongst themselves, only to follow it up with another dismal effort in Florida.
For those keeping score at home (and the Leafs make that a pretty easy job by refusing to put the puck in the net) the team has now lost seven in a row and is a sparkling 1-7-2 in the last 10 games.
The blue and white are off until Saturday night when the Vancouver Canucks' eastern road trip comes to town. The Globe Hockey Roundtable podcast tapes this afternoon, and the woes of the Leafs are one of the topics up for discussion.
Until then, the links:
Michael Grange, who just launched a new blog on globesports.com, talks to Richard Peddie about rumours he's on his way out of MLSE.
Mirtle spoke with a rather perplexed Clarke MacArthur after last night's loss.
Toronto Star columnist Vinay Menon is feeling a little under the weather after Game 15.
Star columnist Damien Cox suggests the Leafs stop digging.
Toronto Sun columnist Mike Zeisberger rips the Leafs' special teams.
Hockey News columnist Adam Proteau invites irate Leaf fans to blame MLSE.
maplestirup.com begins the "Countdown to Kadri"
Matt Bracken at Maple Leafs Hot Stove on Ron Wilson and the talent he has to work with.
And because a little comic relief seems in order, here's Ilya Kovalchuk's shootout fail from last night courtesy Puck Daddy.