The 2018/19 Toronto Maple Leafs - by Moses (a.k.a Stacey Marc Goldman)

  With the triumphant return of Auston Matthews, we see four lines that can compete with any organization in the NHL;

                                                           Lines

            LW                                             C                                             RW

1.  Zach Hyman                       Auston Matthews                     Kasperi Kapanen

2.  Andreas Johnsson                  John Tavares                           Mitch Marner

3.  Patrick Marleau                     Nazem Kadri                          Connor Brown

4.  Josh Leivo                           Frederik Gauthier                         Tyler Ennis


  What this writer would like to know of Leafs upper brass is who we'll acquire by the trade deadline.  Namely a top two defenceman.    

  With Auston Matthews and John Tavares, we have arguably the two best center-men in the game today.  Mitch Marner looks poised to lead the team in points and break the century mark as perhaps the best set-up man in the game today.  Matthews could very well top 50 goals this season (in a 68 game season - if he stays healthy the rest of the way), and Tavares still has a shot at 50 likewise.  Nazem Kadri playing alongside Marleau is a nice 3rd line option for further offensive production.  On the defence, we have Morgan Rielly leading the way, on to perhaps a Norris Trophy.  Ron Hainsey has been our best +/- player to date, and alongside Jake Gardiner gives us three defencemen who we can rely on for a deep playoff run.  Time will tell if Travis Dermott and Igor Ozhiganov can maintain solid defence with the Blue and White.  We also have stellar Toronto Marlies defenceman Calle Rosen who we can call up in a pinch.  

  What I'd like to know is what defencemen are available by trade today.  The assets that we can afford to part with are William Nylander, Nikita Zaitsev, and perhaps a high future draft pick.

Stan Mikita - by Moses

  Stan Mikita has passed on this August 7th, 2018 at the age of 78, after suffering from dementia over his last few years with us.  He was a true legend of the game playing all his 21 seasons for the Chicago Black Hawks.  Mikita was co-leader of the Hawks alongside Bobby Hull (though they played on different lines) and won the coveted Stanley Cup in 1961.

  Stan Mikita was the first player born in Czechoslovakia to play in the NHL when his career began in 1959.  He was playing on 'The Scooter Line' with Ted Lindsey and Kenny Wharram.  After Lindsey retired Ab McDonald replaced him on the Left Wing and was finally replaced by Doug Mohns, when the line was renamed 'The Production Line'.  

  Mikita won two Hart Trophies, four Art Ross Trophies, two Lady Byng Awards, and was named 1st Team All-Star six times.  He had an incredible 150 Playoff points in 155 Games played, and had 1467 regular season points in 1396 Games.  He was a +329 over the duration of his career.  Of his 1467 Points he had 541 Goals and 926 Assists.

  What made Mikita so revered by Hockey fans wasn't just his tenacity of the game (attest to his high penalty minutes in his early years - before toning it down to win 2 Lady Byng Awards), but the fact that he was a true team player.  His 'Hawks were dependent on him producing to make the playoffs (which they did most years in which he played), and he could just have easily won another two Stanley Cups (Stanley Cup Finals that Chicago lost), alongside Mikita's' only sip of the Cup win of 1961.  Mikita was only one of a handful of men to have played in four decades 1959-1980.

R.I.P for a truly great Hockey Man

2018/19 Toronto Maple Leafs Trade Talks and New Roster- by Moses

Trades

1.  From Toronto Maple Leafs - (LW) James van Riemsdyk and (D) Nikita Zaitsev to the St. Louis Blues for (D) Alex Pietrangelo

2.  From the Toronto Maple Leafs - (G) Curtis McIlhenney, (C) Miro Aaltonen, and (D) Calle Rosen to the Columbus Blue Jackets for  (D) Zach Werenski

Other Moves

1.  Free cap space by not signing (LW) James van
Head Coach - Mike Babcock

Projected Record 53 Wins - 20 Losses - 5 OTL - 4 SHL 115 Points

Goalies

1.  Frederik Andersen
2.  Garret Sparks Riemsdyk
3.  Calvin Pickard

Defencemen

1.  Alex Pietrangelo
2.  Morgan Rielly
3.  Zach Werenski
4.  Jake Gardiner
5.  Ron Hainsey
6.  Travis Dermott
7.  Justin Holl
8.  Andrew Nielsen
9.  Connor Carrick
10.Andreas Borgman

Defence-Pairings

1.  Alex Pietrangelo and Zach Werenski

2.  Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner

3.  Ron Hainsey and Travis Dermott

4.  Justin Holl and Andrew Nielsen 

5.  Connor Carrick and Andreas Borgman

Lines

1.  Zach Hyman  Auston Matthews  Connor Brown

2.  Nazem Kadri  William Nylander  Mitch Marner

3.  Andreas Johnsson  Patrick Marleau  Kasperi Kapanen

4.  Matt Martin  Leo Komarov  Josh Leivo

5.  Dmytro Timashov  Ben Smith  Jeremy Bracco       

Muhammad Ali - by Moses (a.k.a Stacey Marc Goldman)

      It is a trying time as we remember the exploits of the late great Muhammad Ali.

  Ali wasn't just the greatest Boxer of all-time, he was an inspiration to Americans, African Americans, and to Muslims all over the World.  From the time he changed his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali he became a figure head of the American Muslim movement and was felt in an adoring way all across America in a time when Civil Rights Movements needed the clout to break down the barriers set forth by the deep Southern States across America that refused to adhere to desegregation.
  In 1960, at the age of 18, Ali, known by his Christian name Cassius Clay won the Boxing Light-Heavyweight Gold Medal for the U.S.A.  A super talent, Ali soon went on to a Professional career and he took hold of the Heavyweight belt defeating Sonny Liston (as a huge underdog no less) in becoming the Heavyweight Champion of the World in 1964.  Soon after winning the belt Ali converted to the faith of Islam going by the name Cassius X Clay and finally was re-named Muhammad Ali, claiming that Clay was his 'slave' name.
  In 1966 Ali refused to serve the U.S Military for the Vietnam draft citing his religious beliefs and opposition to the American involvement in the War, reasoning 'No Vietcong never called me a Nigger'.  He was arrested, and was found guilty of draft evasion charges, and was stripped of his Heavyweight Belts in both the WBC and the WBA.  Ali appealed this decision in the U.S Supreme Court, which overturned his conviction in 1971.  Losing four years in the prime of his career would have defeated a lesser competitor.  Ali was not of that fabric and through dedication rose back to the highest level in what was known as 'The Fight of the Century' against a soon to be well known rivalry with 'Smokin' Joe Frazier.  In a twelve round fight Ali lost in a close decision in a battle of two undefeated Boxers.  Ali won the rematch against Frazier in early 1974 and then went on to win his second Heavyweight Championship Belt in late 1974 in 'The Rumble in the Jungle' against legendary George Foreman, the biggest man in the fight game of that time, knocking out Foreman in the Eighth Round.  In that fight Muhammad Ali toyed with Foreman, taking on Foreman's' hardest shots as a ploy to tire him out.  Once the Eighth Round came, Foreman had nothing left in the tank and Ali was successful in strategy (something that is often lost in following a Boxers' career).
  Muhammad Ali then agreed to a third fight against 'Smokin' Joe in the 'Thrilla in Manilla' in 1975 and won in a 15 Round TKO when Frazier's' corner refused to send him out for the Fifteenth Round.
  After some title bouts and exhibition matches against Professional Wrestlers and Mixed Martial Arts fighters, Ali eventually lost the belt a second time (this time in defeat and not by circumstance) against Leon Spinks in 1977.  Ali won the Belt back in a re-match with Spinks in 1978 making him the only man to have ever won the Heavyweight Belt three times over the course of his career.
  Had Ali retired at this point in his glory, some have speculated that he may have sidestepped neurological damage leading to his Parkinson's which was diagnosed a few years after he retired from Boxing.  As was, Ali went on to two more fights losing both Matches.  The first fight punished him greatly as he took on the young, in his prime, Larry Holmes who won and took over the Belt for a good amount of time.  Muhammad Ali's last fight was against Canadian Trevor Berbick and father time just took over.
  Muhammad Ali finished his Amateur Career 100-5 and Ali finished his Professional Career 56-5 with 37 Knockouts.  It's not the fact that Ali held the Belt at three different times that made him the best Boxer of all-time.  It's the fact that Ali fought in the 60's and 70's when there were the most dangerous and 'Great' Heavyweights around, and in analyzing why Ali would be considered  the greatest Boxer of all-time is the fact that he never ducked anyone throughout his tumultuous career.  Ali fought Sonny Liston twice, Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo twice, Joe Frazier three times, George Foreman, Ken Norton three times, Leon Spinks twice, and Larry Holmes.
  Truly a man for the ages, inside and outside the ring what made Muhammad Ali so special was his enigmatic personality, boastful playfulness, and his flair for excitement in expressing himself in the Media.  His relationship with Howard Cosell was legendary in its' own right, and the way Ali spoke was truly poetic.  'Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee, I'm going to be dropping him in three' was just one of many limericks that Ali devised.

  Muhammad Ali will be remembered by the masses for all eternity.  R.I.P in Louisville, Kentucky and all over the World.

The 20 Greatest N.F.L Tight Ends - by Moses

1.   Shannon Sharpe (Denver Broncos)
2.   Kellen Winslow (San Diego Chargers)
3.   Tony Gonzalez (Atlanta Falcons)
4.   Jason Witten (Dallas Cowboys)
5.   Jay Novacek (Dallas Cowboys)
6.   Dallas Clark (Indianapolis Colts)
7.   Ozzie Newsome (Cleveland Browns)
8.   Jimmy Graham (New Orleans Saints)
9.   Mike Ditka (Chicago Bears)
10. Todd Christenson (Oakland Raiders)
11. Jeremy Shockey (New York Giants)
12. Doug Cosbie (Dallas Cowboys)
13. Dave Casper (Oakland Raiders)
14. Rob Gronkowski (New England Patriots)
15. Mark Bavarro (New York Giants)
16. Pete Metzelaars (Buffalo Bills)
17. Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
18. Brent Jones (San Francisco 49'ers)
19. Billy Joe Dupree (Dallas Cowboys)
20. Jackie Smith (St. Louis Cardinals)

Greatest NHL Hockey Coaches of All-Time - by Moses

50 Greatest NHL Hockey Coaches of All-Time

1. Scotty Bowman
2. Toe Blake
3. Dick Irvin
4. Punch Imlach
5. Al Arbour
6. Glen Sather
7. Jack Adams
8. Fred Shero
9. Hap Day
10. Tommy Ivan
11. Lester Patrick
12. Pat Burns
13. Art Ross
14. Jacques Lemaire
15. Harry Sinden
16. Mike Keenan
17. Billy Reay
18. Randy Carlyle
19. Marc Crawford
20. Joel Quennville
21. Roger Nielson
22. Larry Robinson
23. Pat Quinn
24. Terry Crisp
25. John Muckler
26. Dan Bylsma
27. Mike Babcock
28. Jacques Demers
29. Don Cherry
30. Frank Boucher
31. Dave Tippett
32. Ron Wilson
33. John Tortorella
34. Peter Laviolette
35. Alain Vigneault
36. Paul Maurice
37. Jacques Martin
38. Claude Julien
39. Lindy Ruff
40. Herb Brooks
41. Emile Francis
42. Darryl Sutter
43. Guy Boucher
44. Gerry Cheevers
45. Joe Primeau
46. Bruce Boudreau
47. Todd McLellan
48. Barry Trotz
49. Lou Lamoriello
50. Bryan Murray

Greatest Baseball Managers of All-Time - by Moses

50 Greatest Managers of All-Time

1. Casey Stengall
2. Joe Torre
3. Cum Posey
4. Billy Martin
5. Cito Gaston
6. Sparky Anderson
7. Dick Williams
8. Tony LaRussa
9. Connie Mack
10. Walter Alston
11. John McGraw
12. Bobby Cox
13. Tommy Lasorda
14. Earl Weaver
15. Leo Durocher
16. Tom Kelly
17. Danny Murtaugh
18. Whitey Herzog
19. Terry Francona
20. Ralph Houk
21. Dick Howser
22. Johnny Keane
23. Gene Stallings
24. Felipe Alou
25. Davey Johnson
26. Joe Altobelli
27. Jack McKeon
28. Buck Showalter
29. Mike Scoscia
30. Charlie Manual
31. Pete Rose
32. Danny Ozark
33. Jim Leland
34. Mike Hargrove
35. Bruce Bochy
36. Ozzie Guillen
37. Dusty Baker
38. Chuck Tanner
39. Jim Frey
40. Ron Washington
41. Gil Hodges
42. Frank Robinson
43. Joe Girardi
44. Jimmy Collins
45. Lou Pinella
46. John Maddon
47. Ron Gardenhire
48. Don Baylor
49. Willie Randolph
50. Eric Wedge

Pat Burns - by Moses

A model family man, a man who Coached at the highest level and achieved the greatest accomplishments, a man who battled Cancer for five years and lost in the end, will forever be remembered synonomous to the game of Hockey. Pat Burns was more than a Stanley Cup winning Hockey Coach. A tough, street smart, former Officer of the Law, Pat Burns began a career in Coaching in the late 80's. As a former 'Street Cop' in Montreal, it was only fitting for Burns to start his Coaching career as tutor to the famous 'Les Habitants', guiding the Habs to the Cup Finals in his rookie Coaching season of 1988/89. Pat Burns moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1992 and, neigh a missed call by Kerry Fraser, still managed to guide the Maple Leafs to consecutive Semi-Final appearances in 92/93 and 93/94 thus resurrecting a proud organization. Having a strong showing in the two biggest Canadian (and Worldwide) Hockey Markets, Pat Burns moved to the Boston Bruins Chain where he again came close to guiding his Team to the promised land, a sip from the Stanley Cup. This earned Coach Burns the accolades and distinction of being the only Head Coach in Hockey to ever win the Jack Adams (Coach of the Year) Award with three different organizations. When Lou Lamourillo brought Burns to the New Jersey Devils in 2002/03 it was finally due calling when the Devils won the Cup (ironically Burns didnt't win the Jack Adams Award the year he won his first and only Stanley Cup).
These accomplishments must be attributed to Pat Burns philosophy on life; hard work, honesty and integrity breeding success. Working to achieve, and always remembering that hard work rewards. Many would say these are obvious traits of success, yet how many of us walk the walk. It was Pat Burns work ethic that added character to every organization he was ever associated with, and his 'blue collar' ideology from his years on the Police Force in Montreal earned Burns the respect of the Hockey World and sports fans in general. It was painful for many to see Pat Burns failing health. He didn't deserve an early exit from this World after having dedicated his entire life to the shaping of those around him to maximize their potential, and achieve at levels they didn't know they had in them. It will serve as a humbling to most Canadians, to the level and awe at which Terry Fox is remembered. It's not the success I'm referring to, it's the fortitude that Burns brought out in people he counselled and Coached. The feeling we all had when watching a Pat Burns' Coached Hockey Team, that of people who gave it their all.