IS THIS THE LEAFS YEAR? It’s now 57 years since the NHL’s richest team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, won a Stanley Cup. Can you believe it – more than half a century! Of course, hope springs eternal with Queen City fans and this year is no different. Our Toronto correspondent Mark Nussbaum really believes that this IS the year. Here he tells us why: “We have elite goaltending for a change and superior coaching in Craig Berube who won a Cup in St.Louis. He’s brought ‘accountability’ and, as a result, we have the most disciplined defense in my memory. Finally, this squad comes to play every night and knows how to battle adversity.” (Seems to me we’ve heard that song before.”
REMPE BECOMING A REGULAR: Ever since returning from his suspension, Matt Rempe has been a model citizen. It’s no coincidence that the Rangers fourth line has gained stature in that time and Rempe’s ice time has virtually doubled. This is no joke. The Blueshirts record with The Skating Giraffe is a top-heavy 24-7-4. (Doubters, please take notice.)
ANOTHER SIMON AUDITION IN NJ: Simon Nemec, who is a big part of the Devils’ future, was promoted for last night’s game in Newark. Checking Nemec out at the Vegas victory, Solon was not impressed with the prospect. Then again, it was only one game and Simon was only minus one.
RECOMMENDED READING: Veteran author and Hockey News contributor Ronnie Shuker crossed Canada from East to West and back. He stopped at every possible hockey venue and the result is his fabulous book “The Country And The Game – 30,000 Miles Of Hockey Stories.” (A must for every Beer Leaguer.)
RECOMMENDED COACH OF THE YEAR: The Hockey News Yearbook had Washington finishing fifth in the Metro. Right now the Caps could be a strong Cup contender. Alex Ovechkin – as always – gets tons of credit. But The Maven says how about The Adams Award for Spencer Carberry who’s done wonders behind the bench. (My 18-year-old grandson, Ariel, says he remembers Carberry coaching the AHL Hershey Bears. “Spencer was terrific in Hershey and keeping it going in D.C.”)
THE Q QUESTION IS PUZZLING: Last October it seemed as if it was only a matter of time before Joel Quenneville was hired to replace a fired NHL coach. He was – as THN Yearbook noted – “At the top of the list of NHL coaches-in-waiting.” Sad to say, but Q still is waiting. Meanwhile, Joel’s former boss in Chicago, Stan Bowman, is riding the crest with his Oilers.
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