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The development is the first time that an acting or former army chief has been indicted for treason in Pakistan, where the military has taken power in three coups since the country was founded in 1947.
It's unclear whether the case will ever get to the verdict stage, however. Musharraf's lawyers are pushing for him to be allowed to go abroad to see his ailing mother.
The indictment - the latest high drama in a series of legal cases Musharraf has faced since returning to Pakistan a little over a year ago - showcases the tensions between a civilian government that initiated the case and the military, which has generally been above the law.
Musharraf, who appeared in court on Monday for only the second time since court proceedings began in December, pleaded not guilty and delivered a nearly 30-minute defense of his time in office.
The former general, who has been at a hospital in the nearby city of Rawalpindi since January, said he was appearing in the proceeding against the advice of his medical team.
''I am being called a traitor,'' he said. ''I put the country on the path of progress after 1999 when the country was being called a failed and a defaulted state.''
''Is this the way to reward someone for being loyal to the country and for loving the country'' Musharraf asked the court.
On a defense request that Musharraf be allowed to leave the country to see his ailing mother, the judges ruled that they didn't have the authority to remove him from an official exit control list that restricts his movements, essentially leaving the issue to the government.
The three-judge tribunal was constituted just to deal with the treason case.
A lawyer for Musharraf, Ahmed Qasuri, said the legal team would now decide whether to petition the government or the Islamabad High Court to allow him to leave.
If convicted, Musharraf could face the death penalty but it remains unclear whether the trial will ever get that far.
''The mother is dying, for God's sake,'' Musharraf's lawyer, Farogh Naseem, told the court. ''He will come back. He wants to face the trial. He wants his name to be cleared.''
The prosecutor, Akram Sheikh, expressed sympathy for Musharraf, and while he didn't say whether the former military ruler should be allowed to leave, he didn't object either.
After the proceedings, the prosecutor, who has often been part of testy exchanges between the prosecution and defense, walked up to Musharraf, greeted him warmly and the two chatted briefly.
The indictment had been expected back in December when the court first met. But Musharraf repeatedly failed to appear in court - first due to security concerns and then due to the health scare - leading to speculation that he was trying to avoid the embarrassing experience of subjecting himself to a civilian court.
He finally appeared before judges on Feb. 18 but was not indicted while they ruled on a defense challenge. Once that was settled the judges ordered Musharraf appear in court so the charges could be read and the trial proceed.
Security was tight Monday. All traffic near the courtroom was shut down to allow Musharraf's convoy to travel. Paramilitary Rangers and police took up positions inside the courtroom.
Musharraf's was rushed to a military hospital in early January, sparking speculation that the military was moving to protect him and that he would soon leave the country under guise of receiving medical treatment.
The 70 year old took power in a 1999 coup but was forced to step down in 2008. The high treason case stems from his decision to suspend the constitution on Nov. 3, 2007 and detain a number of judges.
Musharraf said Monday that he did not subvert the constitution and that his actions had been taken on the advice of the prime minister and the cabinet.
He returned to Pakistan last March with the hope of running in the national election held in May. But he was disqualified and has spent most of his time since battling legal cases.
The other case against Musharraf involve his alleged role in the murder of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, the death of a Baluch separatist leader killed by the army, the killing of a radical cleric and the detention of Pakistani judges. But the treason case is by far the most serious.


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A Sandwich a Day: Italian Sandwich at D'Agostino's
Reviews of Chicago sandwiches.
The Italian grinder at D'Agostino's in River West does its best to avoid anything resembling subtlety. All the salty and heavy meats (capicola, pepperoni, salami, and ham) fight for dominance on your palate, while a blanket of melted provolone covers as much as possible. This is the kind of sandwich that feels more like an assault than a meal (plus it keeps up the fight with your stomach long into the night). But isn't that kind of the point of a grinder?
Plus, this one has far more going for it than the usual gut bomb. I thank the vegetables, which are spared the trip in the oven. Added afterwards, they remain crunchy and fresh, acting as a welcome relief. Hey, even a sandwich known for utter excess needs something reasonable to ground it. Sure, this Chicago-area chain is best known for pizza, but I can see how this could hit some extra-salty sweet spot you may have. That's a thing, right?
D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub
752 North Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642 (map)
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subset: commoncrawl


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NASCAR Xfinity Series
Justin Allgaier talks about the potential of winning back to back races at Iowa this season. Watch Video
Xfinity Series
Points leader Elliott Sadler talks about his success at Iowa Speedway. Watch Video
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series
Iowa native Brett Moffitt talks about his struggle to gain sponsorship for the series despite lots of success. Watch Video


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Zakary Pelaccio's Lobster Club Sandwich Recipe
Part of the allure of the club sandwich is that extra piece of toast in the middle of the sandwich. Not only does it give the club height and and an excuse to use a frilly toothpick, but it also acts as the dividing line between the bacon tier of the sandwich and the chicken salad, or turkey, or whichever club you prefer.
Zakary Pelaccio, author of Eat with Your Hands, has upped the club sandwich ante by adding butter-poached lobster and turning that middle slice of bread into a riff on that classic Chinese restaurant app, shrimp toast, only here it's lobster toast. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, it also features slices of crispy bacon and sambal aïoli.
Recommended playlist and drinks pairing:
Listen: The Beach Boys, Pet Sounds, a classic—and well suited to gin and tonics and club sandwiches.
Drink: G&Ts—club service, nudge, nudge.
What Worked: This is an outrageous sandwich on its own but we're all for serving the lobster toast on its own as a kitschy app.
What Didn't: Don't skimp on the oil for the lobster toast; use too little and it will stick to the pan.
Suggested Tweaks: If you're not game for mixing up your own aïoli you can always sub in mayo and sambal olek.
Reprinted with permission from Eat with Your Hands by Zakary Pelaccio. Copyright © 2012. Published by Ecco. Available wherever books are sold. All rights reserved.
- Yield:makes 4 sandwiches
- Active time: 1 hour
- Total time:2 hours
- For the lobster toast:
- About 4 cups peanut oil
- 1 cup parcooked lobster meat
- 1 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon MSG
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup rice flour
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups sparkling water
- 4 slices Pepperidge farm white bread, crusts removed
- To finish the sandwiches:
- 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
- Two (1 1/2-pound) lobsters, parcooked and meat removed from shells
- 12 slices bacon
- 8 slices Pepperidge farm white bread, lightly toasted
- 8 teaspoons Sambal Aïoli (recipe follows)
- 2 heads of Boston or Bibb lettuce, the best inner leaves only
- 4 slices medium gorgeous heirloom tomato, about 1/4 inch thick
- Sambal Aïoli:
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 small garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups grapeseed oil
- 1 teaspoon brown rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- Sea salt
- 1 tablespoon Sambal Belacan, a Malaysian chile shrimp sauce
For the Sambal Aïoli: Put the egg yolk and the garlic in the bowl of a food processor and pulse, using a spatula to scrape any yolk that gets stuck to the sides of the processor back to the blades, until smooth. Then purée, slowly adding the oil with the machine is running until the aïoli has emulsified. Add the vinegar and lime juice and process to combine. Season with salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until you're ready to use it and stir the sambal belacan.
Make the Lobster Toast: Heat at least 2 inches of oil in a deep heavy pan over medium-high heat to 375°F (measured on a deep-frying thermometer).
In a food processor, pulse the parcooked lobster meat, fish sauce, MSG, 2 tablespoons of the all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper until a paste forms. in a bowl, whisk together the rice flour and the remaining all-purpose flour. Season it with salt and pepper. Then add the sparkling water, starting with 1 cup, whisking to incorporate evenly and ensure there are no lumps. Whisk in up to 1/2 cup more sparkling water if necessary to obtain the consistency of a slightly watery pancake batter.
Spread the lobster paste evenly over each piece of bread, all the way to the edges. The coating should be 1/4 inch thick. Working with one piece at a time, dip the lobster-smeared bread into the batter and coat fully, shaking off the excess. Carefully add each piece to the hot oil and fry, flipping once, until golden and crisp on both sides, about 3 minutes total. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt.
Finish the sandwiches: In a medium saucepan, heat the butter and 1/2 cup water over low heat, whisking until the butter has completely emulsified. Cut the lobster tails in half lengthwise. Add the tails to the butter mixture and poach gently until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer them to a plate and gently poach the claws until just cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat, return the tails to the liquid, and set the pan to the side.
In a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat, cook the bacon until brown and crisp, then transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Cut the cooked bacon slices to fit perfectly on the bread and eat the trimmings.
Trim the crusts from the toasted white bread. Spread each slice with 2 teaspoons of the sambal aïoli. Top each of four of the slices with a few lettuce leaves, a slice of tomato, a slice of lobster toast, and 3 slices of bacon. Put half a lobster tail and a whole claw on each stack. Top with the remaining toasted white bread, slice each sandwich diagonally, and serve immediately.
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With solutions that meet today's challenges, our focus on secure IT solutions for a more secure environment.
About RNTrust (RECRO NET Middle East - a member of RECRO Group).
At RNTrust, we're very focus and looking to the next 10 years and beyond with a vision for innovation, BPO, Achieving excellence in Project delivery and we continue to pursue growth in EMEA and US region.
The RNTrust is forming a "strategic synergy group" centered on the Consulting, global system integrator, Digital Enterprise , Enterprise Security & Risk Management , Value Added Distribution, Application development and 24/7 support Services and expanding it on an EMEA scale. By generating synergies between group entities, strategic business consortium and continue expand the entire Group.
RNTrust was founded in 2001 as a response to a lack of specific skills required for ICT technologies with an aim and a vision to become a leading company in this industry in Croatia and the region and then set-up UAE office as regional ME H.Q in 2009.
RNTrust is a leading ICT company in the area of Digital Enterprise, IT security & Risk management, Business process outsourcing and system integration services that operates and has its Customers in Middle East and South East Europe.
We are highly specialized and offer the following services: design and development, consulting, implementation, monitoring, maintenance and sophisticated IT system improvements with an emphasis on quality relationship with our Customers as a foundation of our and their development.
Today we offer comprehensive ICT, Digital Enterprise, Security solutions and application development and 24/7 support for large and medium information systems based on the equipment of leading global providers and tailor-made technological solutions for any specific system and Customer needs. We take special care of integration of our products and services into the existing Customer's environment to retain the current Customer's investments. Our solutions are modular and enable easy system upgrades to reduce operational costs of the IT system and network.
Our Customers are Internet, Telco and financial institution, Airways, large enterprises, state and local administrations companies and SMEs.
Our group employs a large number of professionals who have experience with a substantial number of solution deliveries.
Our work is based on long-term relationship development with our Customers. We understand their business requirements and consider their needs. Accordingly, we deliver:
- Timely,
- Business validated,
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- Cost-effective solutions.
The power of our company relies on know-how and experience of our employees.
We strongly believe that competencies and professionalism is the only key to our market success.
Our portfolio is based on its strategic partnership with global IT Solution providers such as IDNomic, Microsoft, IBM, Thales, INSIG2, SPAN, Outpost24 and many others.
In order to keep abreast with current trends and use our know-how and experience to help development of our Customers outside the region, we have also developing partner network in the EMEA.


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FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) Jonathan Lee scored 20 points and Quincy Ford had 18 to lead Northeastern to an 84-74 victory over George Mason in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams.
Zach Stahl chipped in 15 points for the Huskies (6-7), who snapped a five-game losing streak.
Sherrod Wright led the Patriots (7-5) with 19 points, and Vertrail Vaughns scored 13.
Northeastern shot 52.8 percent from the field (28 of 53) and 56.3 percent from 3-point range (9 of 16). The Huskies outscored the Patriots 19-11 from the foul line.
Trailing 37-30 at halftime, the Huskies tied it at 42 on David Walker's dunk 3:46 in. The Patriots led 50-44 on Sherrod Wright's layup with 13:15 to go, but Northeastern finally pulled ahead 60-58 on Demetrius Pollard's 3-pointer with 6:55 left.
Zach Stahl's three-point play made it 73-63 with 3:09 to go, and the Huskies cruised to the victory.


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The NBA really is Jordan Belfort. The Wolf of Fantasy Sports! It's tantric and never slows down, from the Finals ending less than two weeks before the draft, free agency hitting a week later and we're already starting summer ball. And the NBA will soon revel in the excess that is the 16-17 salary cap boost with a TV deal that put Seinfeld reruns to shame. I need my ludes to get me through!
Even the Spurs couldn't avoid the world of excess and massive free agency signings, bringing in LaMarcus Aldridge for a cool $80 million. Loosening up the purse strings! My first thought was, "dammit, Kawhi is never gonna be the guy!" Then again, he got over $90 mil with his extension, so there's that! But Kawhi Leonard sometimes struggles with the mid-range and long-distance shooting, so L.A. should help Kawhi by opening up some lanes and keeping him in his game. This is going to be a crazy offense, with Tim Duncan moving to center and likely being his solid old self. Which leaves us with what to expect from Aldridge… And, me no likey for fantasy. After being really durable early in his career, he's had a few bumps and bruises (I know, I know, playing through a torn thumb tendon gets mad props) and the Spurs – as we all know – love to limit the minutes. I also don't think he quite gets to 20 shots a game like we've seen the past few years. I had him 20 in my way too early rankings, but the move drops him a few spots at the least. L.A. in S.A. is not OK! Here's what else has gone on through the first few days of free agency and rookie ball:Please, blog, may I have some more?


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From Australia to Alaska, coastal communities throughout the Pacific basin are bracing for tsunamis generated by a powerful earthquake that struck the central Chilean Coast just after 3:30 a.m. local time Saturday.
The undersea quake, which hit magnitude 8.8, unleashed some 500 times the amount of energy released by the quake that struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Jan. 12. The epicenter is not far from the site of a temblor in 1960 that – at magnitude 9.5 – remains the most powerful quake on record.
The stricken area along the Chilean coast reported tidal waves some six feet above normal surf levels.
IN PICTURES: Images from the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile
Warnings have been posted for the Hawaiian islands, New Zealand, and for portions of Australia's east coast, among other locations. The US West Coast, British Columbia, and the Alaskan Coast are under tsunami advisories. So far, Japan has posted no advisories or warnings.
In Hawaii, forecasters aren't certain how high the waves will be when they reach the islands, but suggest they could be the largest tidal waves to hit the state since the Alaskan earthquake of 1964, when 12.5-foot waves struck Hilo.
Awareness of tsunami hazards has heightened in recent years, following a magnitude 9.3 earthquake off the Indonesian island of Sumatra in December 2004. Tsunamis the quake generated struck the coastal city of Banda Aceh, killing nearly 178,000 people.
Improving tsunami forecasts
Before the quake, the US had deployed only six tsunami-detection buoys, largely as tools for exploring ways to improve tsunami forecasts, according to Helmit Poartmann, director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center near Biloxi, Miss. Now, the center has 39 buoys spread through the Pacific, in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and in the Caribbean Sea.
In addition, NOAA received funding to keep its two tsunami-warning centers, one based in Honolulu, the other in Palmer, Alaska, operating full time, notes Jenifer Rhoades, the tsunami program manager for the National Weather Service.
The additional data these buoys provide, combined with advanced models of the sea floor along coasts and the behavior of tsunamis as they radiate from their source, allow forecasters to constantly refine their projections of likely wave height at landfall.
The buoys, which are set out on the sea floor and awakened by seismic waves from a quake, use sensitive pressure detectors to spot a passing tsunami. Saturday's quake was so strong, it activated buoys in the Atlantic and Caribbean, although no tsunamis are expected there.
Overall, Washington invested some $42 million to beef up seismic and tsunami detection and warning efforts.
What's the difference?
Tsunamis differ from ordinary waves in significant ways.
The swells that roll along the open ocean to become a surfer's playground originate at the surface as wind blows across it. Tsunamis, triggered by a sudden change in sea-floor height from an undersea quake, or from an undersea landslide involve the movement of an entire vertical extent of ocean.
As they reach shallow water offshore, they slow down and build in height. At sea, a tsunami's height can be measured in inches and so are hard to detect at the surface. When they reach shore, however, they can mount to heights of several feet above normal surf levels.
Tsunami events typically involve several waves arriving over several hours. And the first wave isn't necessarily the tallest, Ms. Rhoades explains.
Where a tsunami meets a bay or inlet, tsunami height is further magnified. In Alaska's Cook Inlet, tsunami heights from the '64 quake topped 100 feet at some locations.
Yet it doesn't take an overwhelming wall of water to inflict serious damage, Rhoades cautions. She points out that in flash floods, two inches of water can knock a person over.
"With a tsunami, even a foot of water moving at 35 miles an hour endangers life and property," she warns.
IN PICTURES: Images from the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile


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- Tech Trader Daily
Internet of Things: Mammoth Morgan Stanley Note Tries to Explain It
- Order Reprints
- Print Article
It's a question with too few really clear answers: What exactly is this stuff everyone keeps referring to as "The Internet of Things"?
Into the fray late yesterday slipped a 29-page research note from Morgan Stanley's Katy Huberty and colleagues Keith Weiss, Joseph Moore, Bill Lu, Shawn Kim, and Shoji Sato.
The "next evolutionary step in personal computing," as they term the IoT, could "reach tens of billions of units at maturity" of various sorts of devices.
The authors offer several definitions:
The Internet of Things is an army of tens of billions of tiny robots making our lives easier. While this may seem a simplistic definition, in our view it summarizes very well the aim of the Internet of Things. It is like an army of small semiconductor based robots, all connected and able to take decisions on their own or based on higher level decision making [...] The Internet of Things is the next generation of personal computing, whereby objects interact, potentially independently, with each other and with their environment. This is more of an historical definition, as it positions the Internet of Things as the next evolutionary step for personal computing [...] The Internet of Things is the combination of sensors, actuators, distributed computing power, wireless
communication on the hardware side and applications and big data/analytics on the software side. This is more of a functional definition, but it shows that there are many prerequisites for the Internet of Things to exist.
Here's a visual explanation:
The authors trade the IoT to the development at MIT in the late 90s by one Kevin Ashton of the RF identification tag, commonly called RFID, which have been used to track warehouse inventory wirelessly.
The authors cite his manifesto, from a presentation when he was still a Procter & Gamble researcher:
If we had computers that knew everything there was to know about things – using data they gathered without any help from us – we would be able to track and count everything, and greatly reduce waste, loss and cost. We would know when things needed replacing, repairing or recalling, and whether they were fresh or past their best. The Internet of Things has the potential to change the world, just as the Internet did. Maybe even more so.
So much for history. The authors predict by 2016, there will be 4 billion to 5 billion connected "hubs," by which they mean smartphones that can connect to devices, such as sensors of one kind or another.
Connectivity to all those things will be aided by a new wireless standard, endorsed by Apple (AAPL), called "Bluetooth Smart":
This is not a new concept, but we believe that a unified wireless standard (Bluetooth Smart) able to communicate with any smartphone and at a low price will enable the proliferation of the Internet of Things. Bluetooth Smart also allows long battery life (two years) from a coin battery cell.
They even provide a table of some of the products already shipping with Bluetooth Smart:
The universe of connected things will be a vast "addressable market," they write, citing data from Cisco Systems (CSCO) and others:
At the individual level, there are 200 connectable things per person in the world today. Of all of these, Cisco estimates that 10bn things are connected today or 0.66% penetration. However, we note that most of those 10bn things are smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs. This represents a growth rate of 40% CAGR compared to 2000. Cisco estimates that only 200 million things were connected in 2000. Extrapolating the same growth rate up until 2020, this could mean that 75 billion things could be connected by then. This compares with Ericsson's prediction that 50 billion things will be connected to 6 billion people by 2020 [...] Cisco expects smart factories, smart grid and smart buildings to play a prominent role [...] There are 1 billion electricity meters in the world, more than 1 billion homes, 200 million ship and sea containers … the potential is huge [...] Intel (INTC) forecasts that the Internet of Things will represent a 3.8 billion device opportunity by 2015 (including mobile computing i.e. tablets, smartphones…) and ABI research forecasts that number will reach 30 billion by 2020.
Cisco's CEO John Chambers is a huge fan of IoT: See the Barron's interview with him from earlier today.
As far as the impact on tech companies, makers of microcontrollers should find this a boon. And semiconductor content should increase overall, good for chip makers. The authors offer a graphic depicting that rise:
Another big trend will be Big Data and data analytics, because all the connected sensors will report back information of which some sense must be made:
The atomization of processing power allows things to become aware of their environment and to be activated remotely. Apps running on smartphones allow the visualization of data and the activation of things remotely. However, apps today work in 'silos' collecting 'lots of data' without really knowing what to do with it. We view the Internet of Things as a key enabler of Big Data, as it collects vasts amount of information from the real world. For example, if the cloud were aware that I was coming back home, as I got closer my positioning and movement tracked on my smartphone would communicate with software to switch on the boiler to increase the temperature to 20 degrees by the time I arrive home, and switch on the lights as I enter. Taking the idea forward, let's assume that all the smart meters in a country were connected to utility companies. Utility companies could predict in advance any consumption peak and start gas turbines in time to optimize the cost of production.
As for stock recommendations, the authors think ARM Holdings (ARMH) should be a major beneficiary, with all its chip designs dominating the semiconductor landscape; Big Data firm Splunk (SPLK) will benefit by sifting and sorting data; microcontroller maker Atmel (ATML) can sell more chips; Samsung Electronics (005930KS), through the acquisition of wireless chip designer CSR, gets a lift from all that Bluetooth being used; Taiwan's MediaTek (2454TW), as "a key play on the wireless connectivity solutions"; speaker technology makers AAC Technologies (2018HK) and China's GoerTek (002241); and Gemalto NV (GTO) of the Netherlands, which has a "machine-to-machine" business that includes vehicle telematics, remote monitoring, and other applications.
Here's the report's table of companies with a hand in different aspects (click for larger image):


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Also, don't just be swayed by "stats"- either the conventional things like simple 'plus/minus' or the followed-like-gospel modern-era 'advanced stats' that so many have adopted as what matters most. Look at all that, but include your own ability to identify what a good hockey player is, too.
Let's take the emotion out of it: how good are these Leafs?
Also, don't just be swayed by "stats"- either the conventional things like simple 'plus/minus' or the followed-like-gospel modern-era 'advanced stats' that so many have adopted as what matters most. Look at all that, but include your own ability to identify what a good hockey player is, too.
- at 3:00 PM
39 comments:
You know that I make an effort to honestly evaluate the games I watch, you do as well. It is my opinion that most fans are fans first, and are critical of the team only superficially. The this guys a bum perspective, or whatever the theme of the day is. As fans most of us lack any objectivity at all. I have raised many questions in the comments here about our team. Is this player elite, that player? Would other organizations give up their best players for ours? Do the Leafs do enough of the important things that will win them tough hockey games in the playoffs? My take on this team has largely been dismissed as being negative, and not focussing enough on the good things they do. I don't see this group doing a lot of good things, even when they win. Except for the goaltending, this team is a train wreck.
If I was to scout this team for another organization. My message would be simple. Make the Leafs pay for every inch of ice, every play that has to be made. The majority of the players won't make the tough play, especially the skilled players getting lots of ice. When was the last time you saw Kessel, Bozak, JVR, Kadri, Lupul, or Raymond, bust their ass on a backcheck? Or sacrifice their body for the team by blocking a shot, or taking a big hit to get the puck out? I will say it again, there are obviously reasons that other teams gave up on most of these guys, and to me, they haven't changed. I do mean the majority of the roster, and not just the players I mentioned. Even our captain, our best player by a mile, is a castaway. He's flawed enough in some way that Calgary wanted him gone. Up and down the roster are guys that were deemed expendable in other places. Where the hell is our development stream? I know, it's always two to three years away. If I could go just one day without having to hear about some nobody on the farm team tearing it up, I would be so happy. The reason they are there, is because they aren't good enough to be here.
This season can be summed up as the year of excuses. From injuries to suspensions, to the schedule, HBO distractions, and on and on. Other teams it seems to me, soldier on. Pittsburgh has been ravished by injury. Tampa lost arguably the best player in the game, other guys stepped up. Every team goes through challenges in a season, some triumph over adversity. We make excuses. Dave Bolland is a fine player, he is not Stamkos. The players, coaches and management of this team need to take a good long look in the mirror. If they try, they will see where the problem lies.
These guys are good, is the motto of the PGA Tour. The Leafs are good as well, just a long way from being anything close to great. Even, as you like to say in a very mediocre Eastern conference.Replies
I can appreciate your comment regarding being seen as 'negative', Jim. When I post honestly here, some will sometimes wonder why I'm being negative. To me, it's not a question of negativity when I say the goalie situation is a mess, because, well, it is- in my view. I may be wrong, but that is my view, having watched similar movies in this market before.Delete
Trying to be objective while still being a fan surely does not mean we all have to applaud lousy play. The bar in this market has been way too low for a decade almost. We should try to step back, look at the team in the context of the rest of the league, and be fair - not emotional - in our assessments.
We may draw different conclusions, and that's OK, too.
It's funny that you raise "excuses". The former GM used that as one of his many mantras, but I thought that whole 'era' was all about excuses and loud, empty talk. And I'm not sure we aren't still in that mode.
The Leafs are a good. Lots of talent here. The NHL, though, is filled with talented guys. That's why I raised the question today: "who are these Leafs, really?
Thanks for providing your point of view, Jim.
- InTimeFor62January 5, 2014 at 4:20 PM
You've done an excellent job defining the parameters for a response, Michael!ReplyDelete
As a result, I must say that at this point the only guy I see as willing to go through a wall to succeed is actually James Reimer. It seems to me that everyone else have their moments and almost all of the team are actually excellent 'support' pieces.
The historically 'ready to go through a wall' would include Clarkson, who hasn't had a playoff to show that in Leaf-land and those on the cusp of doing so in the future are: JVR, Phaneuf, Lupul, Kessel and (quietly) Rielly. What we need now, is exactly what you've identified repeatedly... someone (or two) more upgrades from 'support' types to 'carry the team on your back' types (a la Wendel, Sundin, Roberts, Sittler, et al).
There are others in the fold who may one day provide this, but can they do so without more veteran leadership (or are we really missing Bolland as much as many of us have acknowledged)?
I think other managers that may have an abundance of top end talent that are looking for more balance and willing to part with a top-end player (eg. Malkin/Crosby) for financial and/or other reasons, might be very happy to pluck that support from our roster. Whether the ideal opportunity presents itself (or not) is another question entirely.
In the meantime, we may find someone on the current roster 'stepping forward' though I doubt we'll see that until Bolland returns (hopefully, close to his earlier form). I hope we can maintain a playoff spot and improve in the (weak) east standings in order to deal from a position of strength (if that is in the cards)
- InTimeFor62January 5, 2014 at 4:23 PM
PS re: C) and D) Our 'team game' is lacking and inconsistent and our coaching seems a little slow to respond to what appears significant to us (lacking our own coaching prowess) - pertaining to the 4th line makeup and our defensive support from the forwards, not to mention breakout support.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, InTimeFor62- you've handled the assignment well!Delete
I think that while all of your comments are noteworthy, your initial point is worth a second look. If indeed Reimer is the one guy that would go through a wall to try and help the Leafs win, why is that? This is one of the proudest franchises in hockey history. Every guy in that room wearing the sweater should be prepared - every night - to do everything possible to help their team win.
I'm not suggesting these players don't care. Of course they do. But just as there is a difference between an athlete who works hard and an athletes who really works hard, there is a difference between caring - and, well, wanting it badly enough to work more than your opponent for the same prize.
Bolland's return may help, yes. But we both recognize that we will need more than one 'vet' to steer this ship in the direction it needs to go.
One loss against the Rangers may mean precious little. But the concerning questions are still there, despite that recent run of extra-time victories. Thanks, InTimeFor62.
- InTimeFor62January 5, 2014 at 5:31 PM
Against NY, Reimer struck me as a guy who was ready to stand on his head to get the team back in the game, but rather than get in while down 3-0, he was sent in to 'mop up' after 5 goals... looked like a sure way to crush the spirit of the only guy willing to work harder than anyone (before, during and after the game).Delete
Perhaps part of the problem is the stigma of so many players on the team being acquired with the stigma of being 'discarded' by their former team. It makes me wonder if a team psychologist could help these guys to get past the past and give their all now (without protecting their damaged psyche's - if that has anything to do with the inconsistency).
All we can do is speculate on the reasons and hope they can be overcome!
In watching the game Saturday night two things struck me Michael. One was the total lack of effort that was displayed and two was how we kept giving up the blue line so easily and then getting hemmed in. I try to put myself in the players shoes, they just came off a big win, the Rangers are 5 points back and a win makes it 7. I wouldn't need any more motivation than what I just stated. Instead it is the worst performance of the year, even worst than the Columbus game. The team can compete and showed that in the playoffs last year but there is something missing with this team but I can't put my finger on it. The hard to play against team look like cream puffs most nights even when they win. Carlyle looked flabbergasted last night without any answers. I Dont think he has any idea what to do with this team. I really think that there is as much talent as most teams but something just isn't right. We could use a player that can stir things up when the team comes out flat, we Dont have anyone like that, a Steve Ott type that you have mentioned here before. Is complacency setting in? Is there a sense of entitlement? Would a big trade that would not be an exchange of minor pieces but that would reset the dynamic of the team work. I don't know about you Michael but is exasperating watching this team now, you don't know what to expect from night to night.ReplyDeleteReplies
The thing that really stood out for me in your post today purch is the reference to the Leafs no longer being hard to play against. While they certainly weren't a great team last season, I do honestly believe they were hard to play against most nights. Nobody looked forward to playing them.Delete
It can't be just the loss of Komarov, or the current absence of Bolland. Team toughness and being "hard to play against", is always about more than one player. It's an overall team attitude- as in, we will not give in. We may not be good enough every night, but we will not yield.
They have skill, for sure, but right now, I don't see this squad having that type of mentality. I'm open to hearing a different perspective. Thanks purch.
It seems as though the last part of my post didn't make it. So as best as I can remember, here it is.
a) Make the Leafs best players play hard minutes. Finish checks at every opportunity. The cycle game down low should be productive as the Leafs D doesn't handle it well at all, other than Phaneuf. Even though the D is mobile, they don't as a group handle wide rushes appropriately, very soft on the body. Bottom half of the lineup are easy to pin in their own zone for vast stretches, make them skate to tire them out, East West in their own zone. If you can get McClement in the box their penalty kill is pretty awful. Take away time and space from Kessel, get in his kitchen, he will react and perhaps take a penalty. JVR likes the wide move one on one, and the down low play at the crease. The goaltending has been excellent. There is no margin between Reimer and Bernier, no backup vs starter gameplan to exploit. Bernier handles the puck, and rebounds better, yet is susceptible to the soft goal. They are both capable of stealing two points, beware.
b) The teams will to make the difficult play is pretty much zero. Make them take the most difficult route to the puck. It won't take long to wear down their resolve. By the second period you will beat them to every loose puck, and their battle to regain it will be gone. Do not engage their most physical players, physically. Orr, McLaren, Fraser, Phaneuf are willing to take it and give it back. This kind of play gives the Leafs momentum and energy. Just skate away from these players.
c) The Leafs demonstrate very little in the team aspect of some games. They are very willing to pass the puck, but unwilling to make the tough play for their team. Going hard to the front of the net and looking for rebounds is not a strength. They are terrible at helping out a team mate that makes a bad decision. Not back checking is evident throughout the lineup. This is especially true of the top players. There seems to be a lot of individuals in Toronto and very few team mates. For example, letting their best player and captain fight his own battles. Taking him out of the game for five minutes at a time is advantageous to our cause.
d) The coaching staff is still willing to dress a top six bottom six, that was prominent a few years ago. The Leafs play a short bench for some reason, and dress guys who don't see the ice. The philosophical disconnect is easy to see as not working. They are willing to run Orr and Fraser over the boards even when struggling. The coaching staff is not an adaptable one. Jay McLement is a decent defensive centre, playing him when behind is a favourite move by the staff. This might be due to the staffs willingness to engage in matchups, line vs. line. The staff is seen as slow to adapt to changing conditions in a game as well as on the whole. The players are either unable to play the coaches system, or unwilling. The message one way or the other isn't getting through. The team is very willing to give up the blue line, we can and need to exploit this strategy.Replies
Not adapting or adjusting is clearly an issue, Jim. You've articulated it very well, point by point.Delete
- WillburJanuary 5, 2014 at 8:02 PM
If I'm an opposing coach I tell my players to get the puck in deep and work the boards. Look for a cycle and then pass to the point. If at any time you get in trouble look to the point because they are always open. I would tell my defenseman to look for the pinch down along the boards. The Leaf forwards have an awful time getting to pucks on the half boards in their own end. Lastly I would tell my players to grind it out along the boards as the Leafs consistently lose one on one battles. They aren't interested in going to the hard areas. They like to score pretty, pretty goals but if they have to work for them they will fold up and go home.ReplyDelete
The Leafs don't have enough "muckulence". This was the case last year but in a shortened season there simply wasn't enough time for it to catch up to them. There was more than a few of us saying last year that the way the Leafs were playing was simply not a recipe for a winning team. The same problems that are apparent now were there last year as well. They have four regulation wins in the last 29 games. That simply is not a playoff team let alone a cup contender. They simply aren't good enough. I posted after Dion's contract that the Leafs were simply following the rest of the league in locking up their core. Well the core is now all signed long term. Lupul, JVR, Clarkson, Bozak, Phanuef and Kessel are now on contracts of 4 years or longer. Factor in young controllable players like Rielly, Gardiner, Bernier, Reimer and Kadri and you about half of your line up on any given night. Individually all these players are good players. They have boat loads of talent and all but Clarkson's contract are inline with their talent. My big fear is the Leaf's have just locked up a core of mediocrity. Something is wrong with this group of players and I'll be dammed if I can put my finger on it.
Last nights debacle notwithstanding, 4 regulation wins in 29 games is awful. That is not a blip, that is not a slump it is a sign of an ailing team. That is a third of a season and other than some heroic goaltending early in the season it would be an entire season. This is a bad team. I was not as optimistic as you about the Leafs Michael to start the season and thru the early part of the season. I figured they would be a bubble team and probably just miss the playoffs. I now worry that they may be heading for lottery draft area. Something needs to be done to save this year but it will have to be done soon. Thank God the Metro division is so awful or this year would be over already.Replies
Hi Willbur- yes, I have slowly seen my early-season optimism fade somewhat. I do recall your comments at the time, and to tis point you have been prophetic.Delete
I think you hit the nail on the head today when you said: all those signed or controllable players are "good" players. But something seems to be missing.
The Leafs have locked up their core, as you cite. But is that core (and yes, some of them are still young and "developing") good enough to be a contender for a championship? It's hard to feel - or see - that right now. Thanks Willbur.
It's difficult to be dispassionate about this most exasperating team, but here goes:ReplyDelete
a) The Leafs have a number of highly skilled players on their first two lines who will kill you if you give them room but who, for the most part, aren't prepared to really fight for the puck. So it's important to make them pay for every inch of ice, frustrate them, get in their way, rough them up. They don't like that. They also tend to be lazy on the back check, so play lines with some speed against them. The few players who will fight for ice aren't really scoring threats. The defence is prone to mistakes, and consistently weak on clearing the puck out of their zone (exacerbated by the lackadaisical play of the forwards. Only Phaneuf is a game in/game out tough guy to play against. The goalies are the MVP's, but regularly face around 40 shots a game. So just keep shooting.
b) The Leafs exhibit no team "will to win". Individual players may show it from time to time, but as a team mindset, it's simply not there on any regular basis. There is no one player who you could call the team leader - the one who won't sit complacently by as the team delivers a subpar performance, the one who makes the other players accountable. It feels very much like the team that got Ron Wilson fired.
c) The Leafs' team game has been consistently one of underperformance, excepting the first line and the goalies. They have dominated, maybe, ten periods of the first 123 they've played. They seem to always start slow, with a lack of passion that's extraordinary in pro sports. It's thanks to their first line, essentially, that they've been able to eke out points in games they deserved to lose. There is a noticeable lack of cohesion amongst the players, again excepting the first line and the first D pair, and it seems there is a disconnect between the coaching staff and the players. Carlyle's post-game interviews sound remarkably similar night after night: not executing, not playing our system, saved by our goalies, etc.
d) As noted above, there's a disconnect in the dressing room and on the ice. It seems as if the coaching system is set up for another group of players. Or the players the Leafs have won't buy in to what Carlyle is pushing. Either way, it leads to an astounding number of giveaways, blown coverages, players out of position game after game - things that would normally indicate a coach will be fired or there'll be some significant player movement. Noticeably, management seems to be content with the core of this group, who are accomplished on paper but have consistently failed to inspire their teammates to deliver this year.
Summation: Unless the Leafs do a 180, we won't have to worry about a playoff performance this year. And if they do squeak in, and play according to this year's form, it'll be a short series.Replies
That was another post that I simply nodded along with from beginning to end. Thanks Gerund O'.Delete
- WillburJanuary 5, 2014 at 9:44 PM
Bingo. That was about as good of a summation as I have read so far. So very true.Delete
On a side note it is kind of funny to see the two sides (the eye test guys and the advanced stats guys) come to the same conclusion albeit from very different directions. Everybody knows that something is dreadfully wrong with this team. We argue passionately about what it is and from different sides of the same coin, but everybody is reaching the same conclusion. Reading around the net today, nobody seems to be arguing anymore that the Leafs are on their way.
Why do we consistently talk about the players stepping up? Why isn't it the coach's problem? I submit the following incidents from a long line of incidents as evidence:ReplyDelete
1) Jay McClement played 19:57 in the 7-1 loss, which was the highest of any forward on either team. Jay "Hasn't hit 30 points in a season" McClement. The guy we use as a shutdown centre. The guy with a 0.12 PPG pace this season. Can anyone explain why the least offensively talented centre was playing the most time in a game when we were behind 7 minutes in?
2) Remember the Pittsburgh game in December? Down 2-1 in the final minutes, Pittsburgh gets a penalty, and we've pulled our goalie for the 6-on-4? A timeout is called, one of the assistants draws a plan on the whiteboard, and the puck is promptly chipped in to the Pittsburgh zone, scooped up by a Penguin, and sent back to the empty net? Did they only draw the "how to take the faceoff" part of the plan, and forget the whole "plan of attack"? Or are we going to assume the players just love chipping the puck in, and that it's not how Carlyle likes to play? (It totally is how he likes to play)
3) Peter Holland has scored 9 points in the 15 games where he plays over 10 minutes. Trevor Smith has 9 points in his 25 games with the Leafs. Colton Orr has 7 shots in 31 games. Not 7 points, 7 shots. Why does Colton Orr touch the ice without there being injuries?
Every major complaint I have about the Leafs has to do with systems, player selection, and player usage first. Why do they collapse around the net so much? Why do the wingers play so low in their own zone? Why do players who are offensively awful play so much when we need to score? Why do keep playing Colton Orr and co after embarassments like the 2 minute shift vs San Jose where SJ's fourth line hemmed them in long enough to conduct a full line change and score? Why do players who are clearly injured and not pulling their weight (see: Fraser) still see the ice when we have other players available?
This team is playing the same way they played last year. Awful at gaining the zone, awful at holding the zone, collapsing around the net, awful at clearing. The only differences between this year and last year are lower shooting %, more questionable player usage, and that teams seem to have figured out the easy counter finally.Replies
Certainly how the personnel is utilized has been a concern for many Leaf supporters again this season, Derek. There also seems to be mounting evidence - both visually and statistically - that Carlyle is pointing the team in a direction it has trouble playing effectively.Delete
Are the players unwilling, incapable or is it simply the wrong system?
I do think they were an edgier team to play against last season, and while they were perhaps fortunate to make the playoffs because of the shortened season, they were a are pretty hard working team, comparably speaking. They did take the Bruins to 7 games and that surely suggests they were capable- and that they could win with Carlyle behind the bench.
Yes, they have lost some players, but it is hard to believe MacArthur, Grabovski, et al were losses that could not be dealt with. Every team has injuries or loses guys in the off-season.
You are not alone in looking at Carlyle. I tend to look at the players, who are paid handsomely to work hard and produce. Even if the system the coach asks you to play is not to your liking, you can still play your tail off. Kessel, Kadri, JVR, etc. all get plenty of ice time. Is everyone on this roster pulling their weight?
Thanks for chiming in today, Derek.
I think a lot of us made the classic "Spring Training" error that you allude to in your piece, Michael. Playing up the strengths of the players and ignoring the weaknesses. Yes, there are a number of good, useful, young players on this team, and some that will likely develop further, but I think we've been fooling ourselves into thinking that we've got a bunch of elite players. We've got one elite offensive talent, a very solid first line winger (JVR) and a bunch of guys with a lot of minuses on their ledgers.ReplyDelete
Players like Lupul and Kadri are exciting dynamic offensive players, and I think that's why we overrate them--they have puck skills and are dangerous when they have it. But these are still limited hockey players due to their inconsistency and weaknesses (puck possession, retrieval, etc). And don't get me started about our defense--plenty of dogs with fleas there. This is what we forget when we rate our own players--yes, most of our players have things that they can offer a hockey team, but the same can be said for the players on other teams. Tyler Bozak is good on faceoffs and has a nice passing touch. David Clarkson has grit and is good along the boards. Great, are their skills so rare that we should be raining them with money for a half decade? Look at the talent all around the league and the answer should be obvious.
You don't get consistently outplayed night after night after night to this degree if your core talent is sufficient, regardless of Randy Carlyle's deficiencies as a tactician. Colton Orr sucking is besides the point with this team--yes, he hurts the team a bit in his 2:34 of ice team per night, but he mainly serves as an emblem of our coach and GM's frustratingly old timey sense of how to construct a hockey team) Our main problem is that our top 9 and top 5 simply aren't good enough.
Think about where this team would be without Bernier and Reimer providing more or less Vezina quality goaltending throughout the first three months of the season. Now tell me this is a core worth building around.
And the maddening thing is that Nonis is leaving himself little wiggle room by locking up everyone up. It's do or die for this core for the next 4 years. I'm not bullish on our chances.Replies
Hi Craig,Delete
Your spring training reference captured my attention right away, I often speak with one of my grown sons who has long been a baseball fan. We talk every spring about how so many teams always seem to over-inflate how good their five starting pitchers are. Usually by June they are scrambling to find three guys (much less five) who can get past the fifth inning.
You express it well: this is a team with some talented, even exciting players. Who doesn't enjoy watching Kadri, Kessel, Lupul, Rielly, Gardine, etc.? When the puck is going in the net, and our goalies are superb, we look pretty good and all is well.
But as we all know, championship teams don't only have skill and clutch goaltending. That's a given. They are accountable. They play hard. The have grit. They block shots, eliminate the man, fight through traffic (all the time, not just sometimes) and play in the tough areas- and usually win more puck battles than they lose.
And most of the teams who play that way don't even get to the Cup finals, much less win a championship.
And yes, they usually have an outstanding coach.
Your point about locking up the core (also reflected in some other comments above, and here at VLM in previous posts) but wondering if the core we have signed is actually good enough remains the million dollar question.
Today, it feels like that core, while talented in spots, is too flawed to be what we need. Thanks Craig.
Hello Michael, I'm going to give a quick report card of each player (more prominent ones, not everyone) and then say how I feel about the team at the end:ReplyDelete
Kessel - top line player, one of the most dynamic wingers in the league
JVR - a solid top line option. Can play anywhere in top 6
Bozak - Top 9 center. Should only play in top 6 in case of injury
Kadri - Top 6 center
Lupul - Top 6 forward. Has lots of intangibles. Love watching him play although he's less than stellar defensively. Injury prone.
Raymond - Top 9 forward. Similar to Bozak. I'd rather have him on my 3rd line while occasionally filling in in case of injury. Subpar defensive player.
Clarkson - Oh boy haha. Top 9 player? I guess? He can't produce like you'd expect from most top 6 players unless given absolutely every opportunity too, which he won't here because he's too far down the depth chart. I do really enjoy watching him on the cycle though.
Holland - Currently top 9, could develop into top 6 player C but he's not there yet.
Bolland - Great top 9 C, could probably play top 6 on the Leafs fulltime but he's far too injury prone.
McClement - Good 4th line option. Solid on the PK but he shouldn't be sold as more than what he is. I still can't believe he got Selke votes last year...
Orr/FML - I don't think today's NHL has any place for these two. If you're going to fight you'd better be able to play at the NHL level too. Get them off the team please. I'd rather them as what? 5th/6th line forwards if such a thing existed.
D'Amigo - Great 4th line winger. Solid on the PK. Can play on the 3rd line in case of injuries because of his subtle scoring prowess. Small but doesn't play that way.
Kulemin - Solid bottom 6 guy. I think on a different team he'd be a good top 6 option but we're too deep at wing to use him there.
Phaneuf - Still a top pairing guy but his defensive game has been worse this year. I'm questioning his new deal but for now I'm ok with it. Money is good but term I fear a bit.ReplyDelete
Gunnarsson - I think his hip is still bugging him. Before he had a bad hip I would have said he's a solid top 4 guy. Now? Bottom pairing maybe? He's not looked good this year, IMO.
Gardiner - Currently top 3 guy who has a lot of potential to be a top pairing guy by as early as the end of the season. I'm genuinely scared he's traded before we see that to fruition here though.
Rielly - On the Leafs? I'd say he's a top 4 guy already. League wide? He's a solid bottom pairing Dman. Needs a bit of sheltering but he'll develop. Still very young.
Fraser - Last year was his peak. He should be in the AHL/7th Dman.
Ranger - Hasn't been as bad as he's looked but hasn't been good either. Bottom pairing.
Franson - BIG step back this year. Hoping he can rebound in the second half of the season but my gawd he's been a mitigated disaster defensively this year. Could end up being no more than a bottom pairing Dman who's an elite PP specialist. Who knows? Hopefully he becomes a good top 4 option.
Reimer - Should be the team's #1 goalie, IMO. Apparently lacks in the technical aspect of the game compared to Bernier but I also think he has way more athleticism than him. His "weak" glove hand and 5 hole are fabricated stories simply to be...well stories. If they were legit problems he'd have numbers more resembling Pavelec, not .920sv%s.
Bernier - Could be a very good #1 goalie but I'm not quite convinced yet. I mean look at Scrivens. He's posted a .931sv% in LA this year in 19 games (most starts by an goalie this year in LA). If he can post a couple years while in tandem or one year where he's the clear starter with these types of numbers I'll believe the hype.
Anyways, that's my take on it. Our goalies are clearly our strongest contingent (which is a nice change compared to the 8 previous years of futility) followed by the forwards who are a good group but lack down the middle a decent amount, our best being Kadri who's only shown to be a good top 6 center at this point. Hopefully Holland develops into a top 6 center. Really hurts not having Grabovski right about now. Our defense has been dreadful but I think that could be fixed if our coaching staff *cough Carlyle cough* started using the players properly. I think he makes far too many questionable decisions. Defense. Forward. Doesn't really matter. Like seriously, Holzer on the top pairing last year? Bozak on the top line? Grabovski (best offensive forward) as a shutdown center? Scratching MacArthur? Playing FML/Orr like every game. Even giving them 10 minutes a night sometimes??? WHY!?ReplyDelete
I think if he deployed the lineup properly he'd have a lot more success. The systems are another issue unto themselves. Some days it feels like he's asking the players to put a round block into a square hole. It's frustrating to watch. So...I think the Leafs can make the playoffs this year simply because we're talented enough to do it. And frankly, the East is brutal brutal brutal. If Carlyle deployed proper lineups and used better systems I don't see why this team can't be right around 2-3 in our division at the end of the season considering how bad the East is. Will that happen though? No. No way. I doubt it. I think this team has talent in most spots. I just don't think it's being deployed properly. Cheers Michael! Keep up the great work :)Replies
Good to hear from you, Sasko.Delete
I concur with a lot of your player assessments. For me, however, the thing that is missing sometimes (in terms of player performance) is the grit quotient. The league has lots of skilled players. How many on the Leafs, though, combine the grit required (with the skill) to be difference-makers against good teams?
I agree (and have said here for years) that the East is very mediocre. Yes, if the Leafs play like they "can", they should be able to finish near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
And if they get the playoffs, who knows? Teams play harder, so maybe the intensity that is lacking some nights will be evident for the Leafs.
Whether we have the right coach is a question for debate in the minds of many fans, obviously.
For now they are a difficult team to gauge, in terms of commitment. Thanks Sasko!
- KiwiLeafJanuary 6, 2014 at 4:38 PM
Well, I don't have much more to add, Michael. The usual thoughtful commentators above have covered off my perspective nicely.ReplyDelete
Wanted to wish every one a Happy New Year though. Cin cin.Replies
Thanks KiwiLeaf- Happy New Year to you as well!Delete
- leafdreamerJanuary 6, 2014 at 7:08 PM
I can't believe you guys. Actually, I can't believe myself - I can't believe I've managed to remain hopeful and optimistic in this atmosphere. This used to be the only Leafs fan-site that wasn't completely depressing and now you've finally joined the club as well.ReplyDelete
Luckily, I don't think the general media and fans are as depressed about the Leafs and it's a pleasure to talk about the Leafs with informed fans of other teams. At this point - it's becoming almost necessary to step away from the Leafs discussion forums to maintain any semblance of hope and optimism.
The Leafs have a mighty, stable, wealthy beyond compare ownership group, a solid management team and all the perks, facilities, trainers, all the 'extras' that many of the other teams can only dream of. This matters. For a first time in a long time investment is being made.
Carlyle won the Cup with a poor team. He's a bit old fashioned and stubborn but he has a winning strategy and he has managed to bring 'respect' back to this Leafs team by establishing the truculence and work-ethic that has previously been lacking in the last season. He is trying to build a complete team identity - grit/toughness, skill, cycle, speed etc. and I think what we're seeing as failure is just growing pains. He's very demanding and it's not easy for the very young leafs to focus and deliver every night. They've been taking many nights off. And that's the problem - motivation. Last year they really wanted to make the playoffs - they were sick of being the laughing stock of the league - when they saw that they had to face the Bruins they stepped up and played well. This year they won that Winter Classic and the associated media frenzy and now they're taking a break - they're not giving 100 % and it shows. You can tell that the leadership cares and is frustrated - Carlyle is freaking out, Pheneuf is playing as well as on any other night, Lupul is trying hard and is visibly frustrated, Reimer already said his bit about the lack of compete that he's noticing... but the rest of the kids are chilling. And I repeat - that's ok. It shows because with a young and inexperienced team like this there is no 'auto-pilot' button like there is in Boston or Pittsburgh or Chicago - I don't think any of those teams are playing at 100 % percent either - it just doesn't show because they can coast and still win because they have the plays all worked out, they know where each other are etc.
Leafs have elite talent and amazing speed on the rush. Our offence is literally second to none in the league. Kessel, Lupul and JVR are elite. Bozak is a perfect fit for the 1st line. Kadri is still, it looks like, developing. Holland, D'Amigo, Smith are pretty good but so young and green... Raymond, Clarkson and Kuli are solid hard-working bottom 6 and JayMac and Bolland are special elite bottom 6 centers that can shut down any top line in hockey. Our goons are the strongest in the league and are there if needed. I miss the fights - the league seems to go through spells during which fighting goes away for some reason, then it comes back... weird.
I'm really impressed with Phaneuf lately (and by that I mean the last few seasons). He's just shutting the door - there is no scoring for the oppositionwith him on the ice it seems. It is him and the goalies that are keeping us in games as the young, inexperienced super-talented but so young defensemen are fooling around most nights.
All we need is patience. This is a team on the way up - a team loaded with skill, speed, size and grit that only needs a bit more time to start clicking and become a serious contender. They'll step it up as the going gets tougher. The best part is they know what they need to do - just do what the coach says and focus. It's all good.
Hi leafdreamer- I obviously do not agree that VLM has become a negative site. I don't know how asking the simple questions I asked today is somehow negative.Delete
The individuals who post here are, for me, as thoughtful (if not more so) than anywhere you find in the blogosphere and in the Leaf-oriented "Barilkospehere". Because they assert an opinion based on what they see, does not mean they are necessarily, in my mind, being negative.
I welcome your posts any time. You happen to have a hopeful perspective. That's great.
To be clear, of the almost 1,400 posts I have done here over the past (almost) five years, I would not be surprised if I tallied things up and saw way, way more "positive" and hopeful posts than what would fairly be described as negative- even during some awfully dismal Leaf seasons.
But I have always been willing to try and look at the organization realistically, and try to do that every time I post here.
- leafdreamerJanuary 6, 2014 at 7:50 PM
I apologize if I came off as more critical than I meant to be. I didn't mean to slight this wonderful forum. Of course your commentary and the site has been an exception and that's why I'm here - there is definitely diversity of opinion here and not all is negative, or, even the negative is thoughtful and insightful and pleasure to read.Delete
You've been trying to keep the torch burning but it's looking lately like it is becoming ever so hard to do. It's just getting depressing lately - look above - there's a dozen opinions and all but mine are pessimistic. It's just the way things are right now. Most likely, I hate to admit it, the majority is right. Do you not see it Michael? There is no optimistic voice anywhere. How come? Do the Leafs really suck? Or do the Leafs fans suck? Do you have an opinion on this negativity?
This is one of the reasons I developed this particular post, leafdreamer. I was trying to say that, in my experience as a fan of the team for many decades, there is inevitably a tendency to over-rate the team when they play a few good games and pass them off as awful when they struggle for a bit.Delete
My feeling right now is this: the Leafs are better than they have been in years in terms of talent/skill. They actually have a number of young players on the team who may well (no guarantees) get better over the next few seasons.
But the probelem is lots of teams have skill, and lots of teams have some pretty good young talent.
So no, I do not feel everything is terrible, but the difference between between a team that looks really good once in a while and one that actually has a legitimate shot at a championship is the willingness to compete your tail off pretty much every might. The Leafs have as much skill as most teams in the East- maybe more than all but a few teams. But they need to find the missing link, whether that is experience,e leadership, playing together better, whatever. Thanks leafdreamer.
- WillburJanuary 7, 2014 at 12:29 AM
Please don't misunderstand me Leafdreamer. I am a Leaf fan thru and thru. Over the last decade I have missed less than 15 games. I desperately want them to succeed and would give anything to see them win a cup. That's probably why I am so frustrated right now with this team. This is one of the more individually talented Leafs teams I remember. They have some wonderful young talent, even one who has super stardom written all over him (Reilly). This is the best goaltending in a decade. Yet something is dreadfully wrong with this team as well. It is just so frustrating that this team didn't take a step forward from last year and in fact seems to have regressed badly. Nothing would make me happier to be proven wrong but I just don't see a consistently winning hockey club as currently constituted.Delete
As one of those who has watched a lot of hockey over the past 55 years or so, and seen good teams and bad, a negative review of the current team seems only realistic. What is it they have - 4 regulation wins in 29 games? That ain't the road to the Cup!Delete
And having seen teams with grit and teams without, it's only stating the obvious to note that this team doesn't have it.
I know it's probably depressing to find even the clear-eyed and fair-minded commenters here delivering negative verdicts, but if we were scouting the team objectively, that's what you get. There are other issues which no one's mentioned yet - such as why do most lines (excepting Jvr/B/K) seem to have no idea where their linemates are going to be? Why is there no designated trailer play on a three-on-two? Why do defencemen routinely cover the same side? Why can other teams plug in replacements so much more easily? For me, again, these are objective hockey questions.
Just cheering for the Leafs because they're the Leafs and I've been a fan all my life - well, my days are good or bad depending on whether we've won or lost the day before. But if improvement is needed, then I think fans have to be honest about it - and demand it. I'm tired of being expected to be excited because we eked into the last playoff spot of a weak division because we're barely good enough. We should be dominating by now, given the time and money that's gone into this team over the past few years. It's really inexcusable that we're still begging for the point-crumbs from other teams' failures.
- AnonymousJanuary 6, 2014 at 10:23 PM
Hi Michael.ReplyDelete
There are times when the amount time and thought that go into VLM posts amazes me and this is one of those times. The funny thing is that we all seem to agree completely as far as what we are seeing, we just have different opinions on why certain things are happening. If we picked just one problem with the Leafs this season such as inconsistency we could easily think of several reasons why it might be happening-youth and inexperience, lack of effort, lack of cohesion, using certain players too much, others not enough, lack of leadership, the 4th line....-the list could go on and on. In the end the answer could be all, none or a combination of reasons. (We all may be right!) I think we all do agree that the Leafs are still a work in progress.
I have learned so much from this site and posters -negative, positive, it's all good reading to me and I find myself often viewing the game with comments read here on my mind. For better or worse, this season and next, I expect we, the VLM Leaf fans, will all be here. Thanks Michael!Replies
And thank you, Anon. I appreciate the good words. I also agree whole-heartedly with your statement above, that while many fans agree that the Leafs have under-performed at times this season, the reasons we each "notice" often differ from fan to fan. We all see things a bit differently. Fans will always follow the team because the Leafs still matter. Thanks again.Delete
- AnonymousJanuary 7, 2014 at 9:35 AM
You're Welcome!! C.NReplyDelete
It is an interesting point about how as fans most over value their team or individual players. My friend and I tend to go overboard the other way. Even on a win we tend to pick on tendencies that showed up that were negative. And we tend to do it too much. Maybe being a Leafs fan since 1970 has something to do with me being too negative:)ReplyDelete
Lots of great things discussed above so I will not just reiterate what others have said. Gerund O's post was excellent and covered most of what I think.
When the Leafs hired Carlyle I was hesitant. I tend to be negative remember. But then I thought after Wilson perhaps they need a boot camp guy. It seemed to work last year but with a 48 game season the sample size was on the small side but there was some tendencies that were starting to show. This year those tendencies became the norm. If the East didn't suck so badly the Leafs would be 7-11 points out of a wild card already and pretty much dead in the water for any chance at the playoffs. Without the goalies stealing the show on a fairly regular basis they would be dead in the water in the East as it is.
Ken Hitchcock talked about how much he had to change when he got his chance in St. Louis. He realized what he did in the past would not work anymore. I am sure he didn't totally change but he bent his leopard spots into slightly different shapes and sizes to adjust with the times. He mentioned how he had to be more of a teacher than he did in the old days. That is what this generation of players requires more and more he said. I found that to be a fascinating incite from a very old school coach.
Many great points have been made already about personnel usage and I won't state them again except to say, I agree with the points. 24/7 also confirmed something that I wondered about. When you listened to Carlyle talk to the team in the room and from the bench it was totally different than when Babcock did. Carlyle was always talking about a result. Shoot on the net, hit the guy, play smart, etc. Babcock was always telling the players how he wanted something done. We need more shots by doing X and Y. We need to be more aggressive on the dmen by using this system this way. Carlyle preached. Babcock taught. Fact is, Carlyle has not changed from what he used to do. And his way is not going to be even less successful going forward in my opinion.Replies
Your reference to identifying things in the team's play even she they win just demonstrates how much you support the club, Pep. That doesn't make you "negative", it simply means you know the Leafs need to be better to become the kind of team fans really want them to be. (And as you say, following the club as you have since 1970 means you have plenty of experience regarding how they need to be better!)Delete
Your Hitchcock reference is noteworthy. I wondered if he would ever really "change". He always had been an excellent coach, but eventually would wear out his welcome (like most coaches do, I realize). So I thought it would be 'same old, same old" in St. Louis. So far he has proven me wrong.
Can Carlyle make similar adjustments? Right now, the answer appears to be no. We expect players to make adjustments- in between periods, etc. and throughout the course of a season - but coaches need to adapt as well.
Really good post- thanks Pep.
Another interesting aspect of the two coaches methods revealed in 24/7 is that with Babcock, it's "we", and with Carlyle, it's "you". "We've" got to be more motivated as opposed to "you've" got to be more motivated. I also think it was clear from the expression on the Leaf faces during the dressing room dressing-downs that coach and players are not on the same page philosophically, if you will. Carlyle's gibe about Bozak getting Kessel to the rink on time was not appreciated, it appeared. As Hitchcock discovered, today's players can't be treated like Imlach-era players. I don't believe Carlyle has figured that out, or perhaps he doesn't have it in him. We'll find out!Delete
Excellent point Gerund. It was a small snipped of both rooms only in reality but it seemed obvious the players on the Wings respected and liked playing for Babcock. It sure didn't seem to be the same in the Leafs room based on body language I saw. Again, small sample size but I tend to believe where there is smoke there is fire. Good discussion.ReplyDeleteReplies
Appreciate you sharing those observations, Gerund- and Pep as well. Thanks guys.Delete


text: 2013-2015 Subcommittee: Control Strategies for Reducing Foodborne Norovirus Infections Subcommittee Members Dr. Margaret Hardin and Dr. David Gombas: Working Group Chairs Dr. Robin Atkinson Dr. Wafa Birbari Dr. Larry Goodridge Ms. Susan Grooters Dr. Dallas Hoover Dr. Richard Linton Dr. Nandini Natrajan Dr. Alison O'Brien Dr. Ruth Petran Dr. Lance Price Dr. Juliana Ruzante Dr. Stacey Schultz-Cherry Dr. Robert Tauxe Executive Summary Many viruses can be transmitted by contaminated foods and subsequently cause disease in humans. Human noroviruses (HuNoVs) are now recognized as the leading cause of foodborne disease in much of the developed world. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and the Department of Defense Veterinary Service Activity (DoDVSA) believe a unified approach to reducing illness from HuNoVs is essential. These agencies issue this charge to NACMCF because: HuNoVs are the most commonly identified cause of foodborne outbreaks in the United States; information gaps exist for the overall burden of disease, different transmission pathways, and most importantly, contamination routes; and improving the ability to control the transmission of HuNoVs through food is critical to the public health. Background HuNoVs, and the less prevalent, but related human sapoviruses, are members of the Caliciviridae family. Members of this virus family are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) worldwide. Symptoms usually last for 1 to 3 days, and include nausea, acute-onset vomiting, and watery non-bloody diarrhea accompanied by abdominal cramps. Virus particles are shed in high numbers in the stool and vomit of infected people. Pre-symptomatic, asymptomatic, and recovering persons can shed viruses for days to weeks. Transmission can occur through several routes, including: i) direct person-to-person contact with shedders, ii) exposure to aerosolized vomitus, iii) consuming HuNoV contaminated foods or liquids, and iv) touching contaminated surfaces or objects followed by placing hands in the mouth. Outbreaks Based on the most recently published data from the CDC electronic Foodborne Outbreak Reporting System (eFORS), 337 (54%) of 624 foodborne outbreaks with a confirmed etiology were attributed to HuNoVs. The 2002 to 2006 eFORS data from 6 states showed that 220 (53.8%) of the 409 confirmed or suspected foodborne HuNoV outbreaks were associated with restaurants, 55 (13.4%) were associated with private settings, 41 (10.0%) were associated with schools and workplaces, and 5 (1.2%) were associated with hospitals and nursing homes. During the same five-year period, there were 1,475 non-foodborne HuNoV outbreaks reported in these states, of which 1,170 (79.3%) occurred in nursing homes. These data help to characterize the relative importance of different HuNoV transmission routes, but more information is necessary to understand the multiple routes of HuNoV transmission and their association with different types of facilities where food is prepared or served. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Office of Food Safety monitors the safety of food served in the National School Lunch Program. FNS identified HuNoVs as the leading cause of reported outbreaks of foodborne illness in schools based on analysis of eFORS data. From 2005 to 2008, 50% of foodborne outbreaks of known etiology associated with schools were attributed to HuNoVs. School settings present unique risk factors for virus transmission because of the particularly close contact among children, the use of common restroom facilities, exposure to common toys and other fomites, and the sharing of foods. Recent changes in food handling practices in schools, such as the movement to encourage salad bars in school cafeterias, may impact HuNoV transmission. Food Relationship The food vehicles most commonly associated with foodborne HuNoV outbreaks include molluscan shellfish, sandwiches, salads, and fresh produce. Dairy products and delicatessen meat have also been implicated in outbreaks. Data collected by the CDC, recent publications, and a Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) study on foodborne outbreaks indicated HuNoVs are the most common microbial hazards linked to outbreaks associated with fresh produce (i.e., fresh fruits, vegetables, and salads). In fact, CSPI data have shown that nearly 25% of all produce-associated outbreaks are associated with HuNoV contamination of lettuce and salad greens. Although foods are often contaminated at the point of service, HuNoVs may be introduced to food vehicles further up the food distribution chain, such as during production, harvest, or processing. The 2009 FDA Food Code specifies preventive controls to reduce the survival and transmission of pathogens in foods prepared and sold in retail and foodservice settings. These preventive controls become regulatory mandates for the retail food industry when adopted by state, local, and tribal authorities that license and inspect these facilities. Since the first edition of the Food Code in 1993, requirements that address the control of HuNoVs and other pathogens have been reviewed and updated as scientific information and best practices have advanced. Charge Questions for the Subcommittee The epidemiological evidence clearly indicates that HuNoV infection is both common and difficult to control. Progress in reducing foodborne transmission of HuNoVs requires careful review of our current understanding of its epidemiological significance, transmission, and control. The specific charge to the Committee is to consider the following questions during its deliberations: What is known about the incidence and public health burden of HuNoV infection in the United States and in other developed countries? Are there population subgroups at increased risk of more severe disease? Please consider in your response: the value of improvements in compliance with the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) in an effort to increase HuNoV outbreak reporting for the purposes of characterizing differences in mode of transmission. What is the relative importance of the various transmission routes, including foodborne, in the burden of HuNoV disease in the United States? the information gaps for which additional epidemiological or microbiological research or improved public health surveillance might help in controlling foodborne transmission of HuNoVs; and the benefit of a sequence-based strain subtyping method (for example the information collected by the CDC CaliciNet initiative). What additional information could be collected to increase the value of the CaliciNet system? For instance, what would be needed to use CaliciNet to determine whether HuNoV genotypes vary as a function of route of transmission or specific food vehicle(s)? Which types of foods can be attributed to foodborne HuNoV infections? How common is HuNoV contamination in various foods before they reach final preparation and point of service (i.e., during production, harvest, and processing)? What are the most likely mechanisms of such contamination? Are there conditions or food matrices for which the current minimum cooking temperatures in Part 3-4 of the FDA 2009 Food Code might be inadequate for destruction or inactivation of HuNoVs? What temperature must molluscan shellfish be heated to in order to inactivate HuNoVs and is this temperature reached when the product is prepared in traditional ways such as steaming for culinary (but not food safety) purposes? Is foodborne transmission of HuNoVs affected by the holding temperature of food? Does recontamination of cooked foods present increased risk for transmission? Considering only preparation and point of service, how likely is food to be contaminated at this phase? What factors most significantly affect the efficacy of removal and/or inactivation of HuNoVs from surfaces and hands when using common cleaning and sanitizing practices? What is known about HuNoV survival, persistence, and transfer on and between foods and surfaces? Are there any concerns about HuNoV survival on surfaces that have been subject to the minimum cleaning and sanitization requirements specified in 4-6 and 4-7 of the FDA 2009 Food Code? What methods exist for the detection of HuNoVs in foods and environmental samples and what are the limitations of these methods? How should the issue of virus infectivity be approached when using molecular-based assays? What is the potential for a standard method to be developed and used? What is the value of existing and emerging cultivable surrogate viruses for studying methods development, virus persistence and inactivation, sanitation efficacy, etc.? What interventions are available, or might be available in the near future, to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of HuNoV contamination for at-risk foods? Please consider interventions based on: Separating ill or infectious persons (including asymptomatic) from foods/time interval for when ill food workers can return to work; Reducing contact with contaminated hands; Cleaning and sanitizing hands and food contact surfaces; Using appropriate procedures in response to incidents of vomiting or diarrhea that occur at food establishments; Focusing on interventions upstream from final preparation and point of service. Discuss the possible impact and burden of HuNoV illness if the preventive controls such as those specified in the Subparts 2-2, 2-3, and 3-3 of the FDA 2009 Food Code for retail operations were also required of producers and processors of ready-to-eat foods. What data are available, and what data are still needed, to conduct a formal quantitative microbial risk assessment of HuNoV transmission in high-risk commodities? Please take into account exposure (levels/frequency) and dose response. When addressing exposure, consider the potential (if any) for zoonotic and secondary transmission of HuNoVs. Do certain types of facilities, such as schools, long-term care facilities, restaurants, cruise ships, airplanes, or carriers of foods in interstate conveyance, require a specific HuNoV control strategy? If this need exists, the Committee should develop a generic plan by which to control HuNoV transmission in restaurants and institutions that could be used as a template upon which facility-specific plans could be based.