#easternconfernce

[gsmcpodcastnetwork]

GSMC Basketball Podcast Episode 481: Tuesday NBA Recap, Knicks, Hawks go in Different Direction

[goldmynetv]

Via @iam_kcee - Congrats my blood Dr @iam_emoney1 #dohdohdoh #kceeeasternconfernce #Easternconfernce new album out now 🙌🙌🙌 🍾🍾🍾🍾❤️❤️❤️❤️ https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7VN5UFdut/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1miox7f0cu1uq

[kphockeyblog-blog]

Burke's Dismissal Brings New Life To Toronto

   If you are a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, you can not disagree with the fact that last season was the final straw for Leafs GM Brian Burke. The team has not reached the playoffs since 2004 and since the 2005-2006, their record is 253-208-78, averaging 36 wins a season and finishing no higher than third in the Northeast Division. Sure, you have to compete with teams like Boston, Buffalo, New York, Ottawa and Montreal, but Leafs fans have just felt that Brian Burke, a once proud General Manager of the 2006 Stanley Cup Champions Anaheim Ducks, has not lost control of the franchise but his confidence to rebuild the team.

   Reports circled Wednesday morning that Brian Burke was fired as general manager of the Maple Leafs and replaced by interim GM Dave Nonis (which Leaf fans seem excited about having a Canadian finally calling the shots again). So what happend? The Leafs front office came to a conclusion last week on agreeing to signing free agent and former Vancouver Canuck goaltender Roberto Luongo. Everyone had agreed on the deal except Burke and after that, they had enough. Goaltending has been a HORRENDOUS challenge for Toronto the past few seasons, calling up and sending down guys like Ben Scrivens and James Reimer. This past season, Scrivens played most of last year with Toronto's AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, but in his twelve apperances, Scrivens recorded a 4-5-2 record, 3.12 Goals  Allowed Average (GAA) and a .902 Save Percentage (SV), while Reimer posted a 14-14-2 record in 34 appearances with a 3.10 GAA and a .900 SV. However, Toronto can not solely plan the goaltending as the key factor for their demise. The Leafs scored 231 goals during the course of the 2011-12 season. How many did they allow? 264. The last time that they scored more goals than goals allowed was also the last time they made the playoffs (2003-04 season with 242-204).

   The funny thing is that Toronto has pretty damn good forwards though and Burke had a voice in bringing them to Ontario. I mean take Phil Kessel for example, who was brought over from Boston in exchange for a first round draft pick, which turned out to be a kid by the named of Tyler Seguin. Kessel finished sixth overall in point leaders last season with 37 goals and 45 assists. They only guys in front of him are names like Evengi Malkin, Steven Stamkos, Claude Giroux, Jason Spezza and Ilya Kovalchuck. Two other players who had a big impact in the points department last season were Joffrey Lupul and Mikhail Grabovski. Also, the Marlies, who were last season's Calder Cup runner-ups, have a handful of solid players on their roster, such as Matt Frattin, Joe Colbourne, Ryan Hamilton, Nazem Kadri, and Jesse Blacker just to name a few.

   Despite of their lack of success in recent years, Toronto is still the most valuable team in National Hockey League. According to Forbes Magazine, Toronto ranks on top of the list in team networth at $1 Billion. Don't believe me, check it out for yourself (click here). Now with Nonis at the wheel and head coach Randy Carlyle, Leaf fans are willing to give it another shot at the season as they open the 48-game season on Saturday at Montreal. 

[kphockeyblog-blog]

2011 Preseason Preview: Game 1/2 vs. Tampa Bay

   Finally, hockey has returned. The 2011-12 Preseason begins Monday September 19th but for the Blues, it begins Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay at home. The Blues, so far, have had a very sucessful training camp even without star forward David Perron (concussion). With all the hype of the new additions to the Notes roster, could this finally be the year it all happens? Can the Blues bring Lord Stanley home?

Tampa Bay (46-25-11) finished last season just one win away from facing Vancouver in the Stanley Cup finals. They also finished 2nd in the Southeast Division and 5th in the Eastern Conference. The Lightning kicked off their training camp Friday September 16th at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, FL. The roster included favorites such as captain Vinny LeCavalier, Martin St. Louis, Ryan Malone, Steve Downie and the NHL 12 cover athlete, Steven Stamkos. There were also some new faces such as 2011 World Junior Silver Medalists Carter Ashton and Brett Connolly as well as Richard Panik (Slovokia).

Entering his second season as head coach, Guy Boucher expects Tampa to be as more physical and motivated to get back to the conference finals. Except this time, they plan to advance. "The B plan can become the A plan pretty quick," Boucher says. With Boucher's wise coaching and GM Steve Yzerman making the right moves for the franchise, Tampa will surely be a contender once again for the cup.

After Tuesday, Tampa will return to Florida to host the Blues...except this game will be held in Orlando. Orlando? Yes. The Blues and Lightning will face off in the Amway Center in Orlando, FL Wednesday September 21. Puck drops at 6PM CST. After the series is over, the Lighting will return home to host Florida (at home and the next day in Sunrise) then travel up to Quebec to play Montreal.

Also new this season is Tampa's new logo and jerseys. Personally, I'm not too excited for the home jerseys but the road ones look pretty nice. What is your opinion about them?

Overall, Tampa is a solid team with plenty of offensive power and a stable defense that continues to grow each year. The Notes only faced Tampa once last year, back on February 6 in Tampa, where Vinny LeCavalier scored the game winner in OT, 4-3. However, we had Conklin back then (no offense, big guy). I think the Blues will take both games from Tampa, at home and in Orlando. I mean look at the Stockholm game against Detroit. I believe it will be a solid year for the Blues knowing that even if Perron isn't ready or if one of our guys goes down, we are well-prepared with some solid backup. Should be a great preseason.

Rejoice, Blues fans. Hockey has finally returned.