The Francis Report - Ep12 - 12 Days of Leafsmas

Latest episode of The Francis Report is out! Mike and I write our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas.  Talk about if the Leafs are for real this time, about The Big Ice chat, and what the Leafs should do to shed some salary.

Episode 6 - Voodoo Magic

The newest episode of The Francis Report is out!

Our Website! www.TheFrancisReport.ca

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Game 9 - Leafs Host Sabres - Predictions

Leafs are not looking good.  After a 4-1 loss to the Bruins Saturday, it seems like the world is caving in around them.  Half the people are calling for the Leafs to Fire Carlyle.  Another 2/3 wants the Leafs to trade Phaneuf and Kadri.  The other 1/3 wants to see Kessel run out of town.  I do not see the Leafs doing much on the trade front.  Carlyle is probably the next to go.  But does it matter?

The Leafs fire Randy Carlyle.  Coach "B" comes in. Then what? What happens if this roster isn't good enough. You have to think another playoff miss would be the end of Nonis.

Buffalo's Record: 2-7-0, 8th in the ATL, 15th in the East
Leading Scorers: Stafford 0-4-4, Ennis 3-0-3, Girgensons 2-1-3
Leaf's Record: 3-4-1, 7th in the ATL, 14th in the East
Leading Scorers: Kessel 4-4-8, Bozak 3-5-8, van Riemsdyk 3-2-5

Mike (0-8): 4-2 Sabres - 3rd jersey toss of the season!
Jeff (0-8): 3-2 Sabres - Leafs continues to lose.  This will be loss 2 in a series of 5 straight losses.  Once the Leafs lose to the Coyotes next week, Carlyle will be FIRED.
Jessie (0-0) 3-1 Leafs - Rielly with the game winner 

Check out Mike's latest article - Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest
The latest episode of The Francis Report - Solidarity & Strength
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Game 8 - Leafs Host Bruins - Predictions

The Leafs, Senators, and Canadiens will simultaniously be holding a tribute to the fallen soldiers at their respective home games tonight. More info can be found at the NHL's website.

Bruins: The big bad Bruins aren't so big and bad anymore.  They lost Boychuk over the summer to a trade to get cap compliant.  Most recently Chara has torn his PCL.  He is out a minimum of 4-6 weeks.  Can he recover from something like that at his age? and his height?
Record:  4-5-0 8Pts, 5 in the ATL, 10th in the East
Point Pace: 73 Points.  That would put them well out of the playoffs.
Leading Scorers: Kelly 2-5-7, Krejci 2-5-7, Soderberg 2-4-6


Leafs: The last game the Leafs were suppose to play was postponed until Nov 8th.  They were to play the Ottawa Senators.  The last game they actually played they took a beating to the New York Islanders.  Leafs have been playing alright in their last 5, going 3-1-1 in that span.
Record: 3-3-1 7Pts, 6th in the ATL, 12 in the East
Point Pace: 82 Points.  That would put them well out of the playoffs
Leading Scorers: Kessel 4-4-8, Bozak 3-4-7, van Riemsdyk 3-2-5

Mike 0-7: 3-1 Leafs, JVR witht he game winner.
Jeff 0-7: 4-2 Leafs. Kessel gets a hatty with Chara out!

Don't forget to check out our latest Francis Report!
Also Mike's latest article - Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest

Questions for the next Report. Comment here, send us a tweet, a message on The Facebook, or an email to questions@thefrancisreport.ca


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The Francis Report Podcast EP4 - Breaking New Ground

Episode 4 is up!

Game 7: Islanders Host Leafs - Predictions

Grabbo and Kuli are back! Look at these two beauties!  I still wish they were on the Leafs.

Islanders:  Off to a hot start this year, the Islanders can tie the Canadiens and Ducks for top in the league.  They only have 1 loss so far, given to them by The Penguins.

Record: 4-1-0, 8pts, 1st in the Met, 2nd in the East

Leading Scorers: Tavaras 2-7-9, Nelson 4-4-8, Okposo 2-5-7

Leafs got swept in the home and home with the Red Wings this past weekend.  They did manage to keep pace with their division rival in the second game, in Detroit, but it wasn't enough to get 2 points. They managed only 1 of a possible 4 points.  

Record: 2-3-1, 5pts, 6th in the ATL, 12th in the East

Leading Scorers: Bozak 3-3-6, Kessel 2-3-5, Komarov 0-4-4

As per The Nation Network's Daily Faceoff, the starting goalies tonight are Halak for the Islanders and Bernier for the Leafs.

Mike (0-6): 3-2 Leafs.  Pretty boy Joffrey Lupul gets the game winner, in OT.

Jeff (0-6): 5-2 Islanders. They are just too good of a team for the Leafs to stand a chance.  Hattrick for Travaras, Kessel getting 2 points for the Leafs.

Leafs travel to Ottawa tomorrow for the next installment of the Battle of Ontario!

If you are bored, check out our latest podcast! 

We are recording a new podcast tomorrow, please send questions for comments to questions@thefrancisreport.ca and maybe they will make it in the podcast.

Game 6: Red Wings Host Leafs - Predictions

Red Wings: Red Wings beat the Leafs last night with Zetterberg notching 4 assists.  That's about all you need to know!
Record: 2-1-1
Leading Scorers: Nyquist 4-1-5, Franzen 2-3-5, Zetterberg 0-5-5

Leafs: Leafs got beat last night by a much better playing Detroit team.  Leafs have lost 3 of the 1st 5 games and are showing very little change from last season's problems.
Record: 2-3
Leading Scorers: Bozak 3-3-6, Kessel 2-3-5, Komarov 0-4-4

Mike (0-5-1): 2-1 Leafs in OT.  Kadri with the Winner.
Jeff (0-5-): 4-3 Loss - Percy gets his 1st NHL goal.

Check out the newest podcast! EP3 - Semi Live From The Air Canada Center.

Game 5: Leafs Host Red Wings - Predictions

 Detroit won their last game via the shootout vs Boston.  With only one win in their first three games, the Red Wings will look to this home and home with The Leafs as an early turning point for them.  They need to get some momentum going. 

Record: 1-1-1

Leading Scorers (G-A-P): Nyquist 3-0-3, Franzen 0-3-3, Abdelkader 1-1-2

Toronto is riding a 2 game winning streak into the home and home with the Red Wings this weekend.  Toronto is looking to rebound form last year's free fall in the Eastern conference. The Leafs need to keep playing the way they were against NYR and COL.  They need to play a full 60 minutes each night if they want to have a chance at making the playoffs.

Record: 2-2-0

Leading Scorers (G-A-P): Bozak 3-3-6, Kessel 2-3-5, James van Riemsdyk 2-1-3

Jake Gardiner is back in the lineup.  James Reimer Makes his 3rd consecutive start.

Mike (0-4-1): 4-1 Leafs.  Phil The Thrill will get a pair and the second consecutive game winner!
Jeff (0-4-1): Leafs win this one for sure, 5-1.  Bozak is going to have a nice break-away goal and it will be Jake Gardiner with the game winner!

Mike's post: Leafs Might Want to Staal Trade Rumours - By Mike Byrne
Latest Podcast: EP2 - Tale of Two Teams
We are recording another podcast tonight, so keep an eye open for it late tonight early tomorrow.

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Leafs Might Want to Staal Trade Rumours - By Mike Byrne

 It’s no great secret the Leafs have made some head scratching transactions over their history. Whether over paying for lack lustre free agents, or it’s trading away young players who eventually bloom into NHL studs. Sure it would be nice live in a world Eric Staal centres JVR and Kessel, but at what price? There is little doubt in my mind this would be one of the best lines in the NHL in terms of points and productivity (not to mention the dangles), however is he worth the reported asking price of Bozak or Kadri, Jake Gardiner and a 1st?

 It seems no matter which GM is at the helm the Leafs have been more than willing to part with their first round picks. Historically we are always reminded of the fact that the Leafs traded away picks that ended up being used on stars such as Roberto Luongo(1997) Scott Neidermeyer(1991) or Dainus Zubrus(1996).  Most recently of course, the two firsts given up by Burke for Phil Kessel, which as we all know turned in to Tyler Seguin(2010) and Dougie Hamilton (2011). Seguin of course had proven he is going to be a star in the league, and the verdict is still out on Dougie Hamilton. Personally I'm happy to have one of the NHL's best wingers in Phil Kessel , also knowing the Leafs they would've muffed the draft and passed on Seguin in 2010.

     

 The Leafs have given up on more than just picks to try and land big name players over the years, which is perhaps even more heartbreaking than trading away picks, due to the fact that at the end of the day, pick scenarios are all hypothetical, This is made even more painful due to the fact the Leafs have been doing quite well with “home grown” talent in recent years (James Reimer, Stuart Percy and Morgan Rielly) . It is painful to watch guys like; Alex Steen (traded in 2008) who had a career year last season (33G, 29A, 62P) playing alongside T.J. Oshie and David Backes in St.Louis. If that's not good enough Leafs nation is reminded of awful trades every time the Buds match up against the Bruins and get stymied by 2014 Vezina winner Tuukka Rask, who also has a Stanley cup ring to go alongside his shiny Vezina trophy. Honourable mentions; Brad Boyes, Anton Stralman. I could continue to provide examples of poor Leafs trades, but it is becoming increasing difficult to not repeatedly bash my face into my laptop.

  

 At the end of the day if you are Dave Nonis (assuming he still makes any decisions anymore) and Carolina calls asking for Jake Gardiner, you listen, however if the next words out of Ron Francis’s mouth are “Kadri”, “Bozak” or “1^st round pick” the phone hangs up immediately. Unless Carolina is willing to eat some of Staal’s $18.5 million dollar salary, beyond Gardiner there shouldn’t need to be much else offered from Toronto’s end.

By the numbers:

C, Eric Staal (29 years old) 771 GP (290G, 400A, 690 Pts)

C, Tyler Bozak (28 years old) 300 GP (75G, 114 A, 189 Pts)

C, Nazem Kadri (24 years old) 181 GP (48G, 67A, 115 Pts)

D, Jake Gardiner (24 years old) 169 GP (17G, 49A, 79 Pts)

We would love some feedback from the Francis faithful; let us hear your take on the Eric Staal trade rumours in the comments below!

@ByrneMGL

Breathe A Sigh Of Relief

A lot of things happened last night when the Leafs strolled into Madison Square Gardens.  James Reimer got the start.  He crawled out from the dungeon of the Air Canada Center and put on a sparkling display of goal tending excellence, until he head his head taken off by Ranger forward Dominic Moore.  You can breathe a sigh of relief though, because apparently, he is fine.

Something else that happened last night, Jake Gardiner was scratched. Really? They just signed this kid on the off season to a 5 year $20.25 million contract. But you can breathe a sigh of relief, because according to Randy Carlyle, Jake "drew the shortest straw". What's the chances of drawing the shortest straw two games in a row?  Although, one could make a case that Jake Gardiner was holding the Leafs back all this time.  The person making that case would be a fool, and be wrong.  There are people out there saying that though.

Phil's line showed up.  In fact, the entire top line for the Leafs combined for 7 points.  Which means I personally can breathe a sigh of relief, because if I heard one more comment about how fat and lazy Kessel is, I think I'd strangle a Habs fan.

Finally, Leafs Nation can breathe a sigh of relief, because the Leafs picked up their first win.  Reimer was great, Kessel's line was great, One of the big things that really stood out to me was how Percy played.  This kid is a rookie defense man and has points in all three games so far.  This has never happened in the Leafs history. I'm hoping that he can maintain this level of play all season.

Today is podcast day!  Mike and I are looking for questions for the podcast.  Feel free to send us your question and we will see about getting them in the podcast. For now just put your question in the comment section below, or you can send me the question through Facebook or twitter.

Watch for our prediction post tomorrow when the Leafs host the Avs.

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Game 2: Leafs Host Penguins - Predictions

Hockey Night in Canada has it's debut tonight, with it's new cast, and new host, George Stroumboulopoulos.  I wish good luck to Strombo with this new adventure in his life.  He has some big shoes to fill.

Sidney Corsby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in Toronto tonight to take on  The Buds. Crosby has had quite the career against The Leafs.  He has 20 goals 23 assists for 43 points in only 28 games.

Penguins: Penguins have won their only game. They over came a Corey Perry hattrick to beat The Ducks 6-4.
Record: 1-0-0
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Pascal Dupuis 1-3-4, Crosby 2-1-3, Ollie Maatta 0-3-3


Leafs: Leafs lost their season opener to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3.  The winning goal for the Habs came with less than a minute left in the game, when the puck went of rookie defence man Stuart Percy.
Record: 0-1-0
Point Leaders(G-A-P): Tyler Bozak 1-0-0, Nazem Kadri 1-0-0, Morgan Rielly 1-0-0

Predictions:
Mike (0-1): 4-2 Leafs.  Kessel with a big game and the game winner.
Jeff (0-1):  5-4 Leafs.  Phil Kessel will get the game winning goal.  

Up next for the Leafs visit The New York Rangers in  tomorrow (Sunday)

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