Der Vorhafen » That immediately got the Penguins tough guys atten

TORONTO a€“ The easily erasable whiteboard of the Maple Leafs head coach takes a beating this time of year, but Randy Carlyle has a pretty good idea now of what his final roster will look like for the October 8 opener. In question is whether 26-year-old Matt Frattin will be on it. A a€?mediocrea€? training camp, as Carlyle put it earlier this week, has Frattin lingering nervously on the bubble at the end of the exhibition season, pushed out of a likely job by Brandon Kozun, the small, but feisty winger determined to make the NHL for the first time. Kozun, a former sixth-round draft pick, put a final bullet on that effort with another impressionable performance Friday, which included a highlight-worthy goal, bursts of impressive speed and a couple of assists. a€?Hea€?s playing desperate,a€? said Carlyle of Kozun, who totaled five points in six preseason games. a€?And that is the word to describe it. Hea€?s making life difficult for the opposition and making life easy for coaching staff and management to notice him.a€? Frattin, meanwhile, was held without a single point in the preseason and was unable to distinguish himself much in the preseason finale against Detroit, an open-ice hit on Justin Abdelkader the lone moment of any consequence. He is veering toward the same uncomfortable fate he faced in January 2013 when he was cut at the end of a week-long (lockout-shortened) training camp. Frattin rejoined the Leafs later that winter after a very brief Marlies tour and blazed with seven goals in a 10-game span a€“ though he went the rest of the year without another marker. Now 26, he is coming off a disappointing season. Only two of his 60 shots found twine in 40 games with the Kings and, before long, he found himself in the press box and then eventually shipped to Columbus. He suited up in only four games with the fast-rising Blue Jackets and failed to score before returning to Toronto via trade in the summer. And now a silent preseason has him in danger of failing to make the Leafs roster. Hea€?s had opportunity, including a stint alongside first liners, Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk, but offered little to secure himself a spot in Torontoa€?s crowded forward ranks. a€?[Frattin] has had, I would say, a mediocre camp,a€? Carlyle said earlier this week with some disappointment. a€?[Frattin] needs to find a way to regenerate some enthusiasm. I feel sorry for him right now. The pucka€?s not his friend. Ita€?s going away from him versus bouncing for him. Hea€?s a guy that has to be physical and usually when hea€?s physical goals follow him around.a€? At his best, Frattin can employ his stocky 6-foot frame, decent speed and potent shot to some effect, but hea€?s been quiet in most aspects this fall. He had one of his more noticeable (though still generally quiet) games Friday, his physicality emerging for Carlyle on a night of about 13 minutes. Ita€?s unclear whether that mild final impression will be enough to land him a job on the depths of the roster. a€?Ita€?s building blocks,a€? said Frattin, prior to the 5-1 win. a€?Every day you want to get better and thata€?s something youa€?ve got to do. Just keep working at learning the system and try to get to play your game and reach your potential.a€? One, maybe two, forward jobs are on the line a€“ the Leafs could opt to keep an extra defenceman in light of Cody Fransona€?s injury a€“ amongst a bubble group that likely includes Frattin, Carter Ashton, Frazer McLaren, Colton Orr and William Nylander, the 18-year-old picked eighth overall in June. Orr would seem the likely leader in that race given Carlylea€?s affinity for intimidation, however little used that intimidation may be. Toronto parted with Jerry Da€?Amigo a€“ making a late push for a roster spot in Columbus a€“ and a seventh-round pick to get Frattin back in the offseason and cutting him would mean risk losing him for nothing on waivers. Kozuna€?s spot, meanwhile, is all but locked up. The 24-year-old, who made a positive first impression on Carlyle last year with the Marlies a€“ he was traded to Toronto in late January a€“ has gotten better and better with each day of camp, his comfort and confidence continuing to grow. Any late drop-off, which Carlyle warned of before the game, was nowhere to be seen in 14 impactful minutes against the Wings. NBA Jerseys Cheap . Halak did not get the start in the Washington Capitals Tuesday night game against the St. NBA Jerseys China . With newly minted president of hockey operations Trevor Linden looking on from above one day after being handed the keys to the franchise, it was more of the same on Thursday night. http://www.cheapauthenticjerseysfornba.com/ . - Tom Brady and the Patriots routed the Bengals and quieted the doubters. Cheap NBA Jerseys From China . And, just for good measure, lets say the lottery team finishes the game short-handed because two starters come down with the very same injury. Wholesale NBA Jerseys .com) - The fading Ottawa Senators have a chance to make up some ground in the playoff race on Tuesday night as they play host to the New York Rangers.Got a question on rule clarification, comments on rule enforcements or some memorable NHL stories? Kerry wants to answer your emails at cmonref@tsn.ca! Hi Kerry, Upon watching Datsyuk`s goal against Dallas the other night, I could not help thinking what the referee who was watching his incredible deke was thinking. This also made me remember Mike Cammalleris referee high-five. Have you encountered any goal celebrations where the player used you as a prop? How about ones where you just couldnt help but laugh? Also, were you ever just in awe of a goal that was scored on the ice? All The Best, Eric G.Montreal Eric, During my 30 year NHL Officiating career, there was countless times when my jaw dropped in awe as I watched the sheer magic performed by some of the games greatest stars. I had the best seat in the house every night while following the play from a safe distance a mere 15 feet away. When the stars shone, I was able to maintain my focus and duties as a referee but my love of the game and true appreciation of their unique talents often caused me to become the biggest fan in the building. In the early days of my career, Wayne Gretzky and then Mario Lemieux provided highlight reel moves and goals on a nightly basis. There was never a game I worked involving these superstars that they failed to do something really special. The two of them had amazing vision of the ice like no other players I encountered. They were truly the best of the best during their time on the ice. The precision with which their no-look passes and shots found the intended target through sticks, skates and bodies was uncanny. The Great One was always four to five moves ahead of the game and the albatross-like reach and grace with which Super Mario swooped around opposing players and goalkeepers was mesmerizing. I remember my jaw dropping as Mario scored on a breakaway in the 1990 All-Star game which I worked and then again in the Stanley Cup Final against the Minnesota North Stars that same year. Kent Nilsson was the guy they called “Magic” for his soft hands and the tricks he could perform through his exceptional puckhandling skills. Mike Bossy always knew where the net was and his accurate shot penetrated the smallest opening imaginable, often while carrying a defender on his back or while wheeling around with his back to the goal and falling to the ice. Alex Kovalev had the hands of a surgeon. While playing s a member of the Montreal Canadiens, he scored a highlight reel goal against the Florida Panthers in my last game in Sunrise. I approached Alex immediately afterward and told him if I ever required open-heart surgery, I wanted the knife placed in his hands. It was a little unnerving when Kovi responded, “Some nights maybe not!” I was amazed by the leadership demonstrated by New York Rangers captain Mark Messier in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Final against the New Jersey Devils. Mess promised a victory that afternoon but with the Rangers down 2-1 at the end of the secondd period and about to start the third killing a penalty I had assessed to Esa Tikkanen for kneeing Stephane Richer, I made a bold prediction of my own.dddddddddddd In the our dressing room, I told linesmen Pat Dapuzzo and Gerard Gauthier they could stick a fork in the Rangers because they were done, out of gas and unable to solve Devils goalie Martin Brodeur! Messier then proceeded to take the game upon his back, making good on his called shot by scoring his first hat trick as a Ranger (a natural one at that) to force Game 7 two nights later. The feat has been described as one the greatest individual efforts in the history of the game. The modern game is blessed to have so many young players like never before with soft hands and exception skills that bring us out of our seats. While I was never “high-fived” the way Erik Cole celebrated with referee Greg Kimmerly, I want to share a couple of unusual moments I encountered on the ice with two, shall I say, less gifted scorers. Steve McKenna played eight seasons in the NHL from 1996 to 2004 with four different teams (LA, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and NY Rangers). In 373 NHL games, the 68”—255 pound left winger scored a total of just 18 goals, all of which Im sure were cause for an outburst of celebration. The big guy wasnt there to put the puck in the net and picked up a total 824 penalty minutes during those seasons, most of which were for fighting. Steve was really a funny guy and kept what little hair he had cut close to the wood. We got along really well together on the ice. One game in the Igloo in Pittsburgh, McKenna was in the middle of a scrum and before he got rolling, I grabbed the giant by the sweater to get his attention. I only stood as tall as McKennas belly button but I told him if he didnt break it up, I was going to “kick the %^&* out of him myself!” That immediately got the Penguins tough guys attention. Steve got a big grin on his face and, looking downward lightly, speed-bagged my chin with his two fists as he rolled his tongue with a “bdllllllllllt” sound. McKenna then picked up his gloves and skated to his players bench! The altercation was over before it even got started as my chin was used a prop. The most bizarre goal scoring celebration ritual I ever saw occurred from John Flesch, who, like Steve McKenna, shaved his head to the wood. For his own personal safety, given Fleschs unorthodox method of celebration, he is probably fortunate to have scored just 18 goals in 124 NHL games during parts of four seasons with Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Colorado. Whenever Flesch dented the twine and the red light flashed, the big guy would charge full speed and launch into the glass with his bald head. I also saw Flesch crank himself in the head with his hockey stick in celebration of scoring a goal while playing in the Minnesota North Star organization with the New Haven Knighthawks of the AHL. Being just an 18-goal scorer was a gift to the mans health! ' ' '