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Just What The Doctor Ordered

Are the Toronto Maple Leafs finally on their way up?

Over the past few weeks, the sporting world has been dominated by talk of the NHL shutting down with yet another lockout. Although the League will be taking a huge hit in small market cities in the US and losing many fans, an extended work stoppage may actually be a blessing in disguise for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

One of Toronto’s major downfalls over the past several seasons has been their goaltending. When the games matter most, Maple Leafs’ netminders haven’t been able to make the big saves. James Reimer appeared to be the Leafs’ saviour after his great 2010-11 campaign, but struggled immensely last season. The next goalie in line for the Leafs is Ben Scrivens. The former Cornell Big Red has had two great seasons with the Toronto Marlies and even led them to the American Hockey League finals last year. The Spruce Grove, Alberta native is very technically sound and seems to perform well under pressure.  Yet another year of AHL seasoning might be best for both Scrivens and the future of the Maple Leafs, if the NHL has an extended lockout.

Back in 2008, the Maple Leafs selected Luke Schenn as their 5^th overall pick. The Saskatoon native had a successful rookie season and members of Leafs’ management touted Luke as a ‘future captain.’ His last few years obviously didn’t turn out as well as anticipated and he is no longer a member of the organization. Now this past June, the Leafs selected Morgan Rielly, another defenceman from Western Canada with the 5^th overall pick in the draft and GM Brian Burke called him the ‘best player available.’ The expectations will be lofty for the 18 year old and I’m sure he’d be given every opportunity to make the NHL roster this year. However, whether the lockout continues for one more week or an entire season, I believe Rielly should return to the Western Hockey League for another year of development and play a lead role on the Canadian World Junior team. Toronto fans don’t want to see another Luke Schenn type of situation again and another year of junior hockey would benefit both Rielly and the organization in every way possible.

My final rationale requires some good luck for the blue and white. After the 2004-05 season was cancelled, the League held a lottery to decide the order of the June’05 entry draft. Of course, the Pittsburgh Penguins won that lottery and chose Sidney Crosby first overall. They’ve since become one of the most exciting teams in our sport, have won a Stanley Cup and won’t have to worry about team ownership issues moving forward.

Back to this year, if both sides can’t agree on a new CBA and the entire season is cancelled, another lottery will occur to decide the order that teams will draft next June. The Maple Leafs had the fifth worst record in the NHL in 2011-12, so they’d have a chance to potentially receive the number one selection for the draft. The top prospect for the upcoming draft is Nathan MacKinnon, who happens to reside from the same city as Crosby, in Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia. MacKinnon (17) led all QMJHL rookies in playoff scoring last season and many have compared his style of play to that of Crosby. I’ve been fortunate to speak to Nathan a few times and he really appears ready for the national spotlight. If the Maple Leafs are lucky enough to get the first overall selection, they would finally be able to acquire the caliber of franchise player they so desperately need.

Hockey fans across this country obviously don’t want to witness or deal with a lockout. But for crazed Leafs fans in Toronto, it may finally be the catalyst for rebuilding the franchise.

Bubba Watson Feature

Rickie Fowler Feature

Mike Smith Report

The Second Coming of Subban

Malcolm Subban is the number one rated North American goalie for the upcoming NHL Draft and is primed to join his older brother in the big leagues.

       When thinking about some of the most famous families in hockey history, there are many names that stand out. From the Sutter’s, the Hull’s, the Richard’s, the Esposito’s and more recently, the Sedin’s and the Staal’s, they’ve all had a huge impact on the game of hockey. The next family that’s starting to capture attention in the hockey headlines are the Subban’s.

       Everyone is familiar with the oldest Subban, PK, who’s been patrolling the blueline for the Montreal Canadiens for a few seasons now. But the next Subban that’s going to be making his way to the professional ranks in the very near future is Malcolm, who’s currently the starting goalie for the OHL’s Belleville Bulls.

       Goalies have always been known as some of the quirkiest athletes in all of sports. Glenn Hall used to vomit before games, Patrick Roy used to have conversations with his goal posts and Damian Rhodes used to bleach his hair only before home games. Malcolm Subban is like all goalies and is different, but only because he only started to permanently play the position just six years ago!

      “I was a defenseman for a while, but I always wanted to be a goalie. I really had the passion for it watching those Don Cherry videos,” recalled Subban. “Finally, my dad let me play when I was 12.”

       Subban played his minor hockey for the Toronto Marlboros, winning championships with players like Stuart Percy, who was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of this past year’s NHL Draft and fellow first rounder Ryan Strome, who played for Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships.

        Subban was selected 218^th overall by the Belleville Bulls in the 2009 OHL Priority Selection and played the following season with the Mississauga Reps AAA team. He led his squad to the Telus Cup, which is the national midget championship. Although he made 55 saves in a 3-2 overtime loss in the finals, the word was out that the youngster could be the real deal.

      “I know people were talking about it (the Telus Cup) and it was huge for me. It got me some notice and allowed me to have a good start in the OHL,” Subban said.

       The Rexdale, Ontario native had a solid rookie campaign in a Belleville Bulls uniform, sporting a 10-17-2 record with a .900 save percentage. However, he once again brought his ‘A’ game for the playoffs. His squad was matched up against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, who had the best record in the OHL. Although the Bulls were swept in four straight games, Subban had a 2.02 goals against average and a .933 save percentage

      “The series was a huge confidence booster for me and I think it made it a lot easier coming into this year just knowing I ended last year on a good note and I've just tried to keep it going this season.”

       That’s exactly what Subban has done thus far in 2011-12. After missing 12 games with an ankle injury, the netminder had an exceptional month of November, putting together a 9-1 record with a 1.48 GAA, a .952 save percentage and two shutouts. As a result, he was named the OHL Goaltender of the Month in November and there was a lot of talk that the Bulls netminder should be considered for the Canadian World Junior team. However, Team Canada brass elected to pick veterans Scott Wedgewood and Mark Visentin.

       Subban continued to play with Belleville, but unfortunately suffered another injury, this time a groin pull. The incident put him on the shelf for 14 games, but his injury woes haven’t stopped him from being optimistic.

       “I’ve never had an injury (before this season). Both of the scenarios happening at that time was a pretty big setback for me, but just learning how to deal with it was the biggest thing I learned.”

       With the season coming to a close, Subban remains one of the top goaltenders in the OHL, his 2.50 GAA is fourth in the league and .923 save percentage is fifth. He also had 25 wins and was 15^th in minutes played. Had he not suffered the injuries, he most certainly would have been in the top five in both of those categories.

       “I'm just trying to be a consistent goalie. I think I've had my up's and downs, goalies go through it throughout the year. I had to face some adversity with the injuries but I think I'm back on track now.”

       As a goaltender, Subban models himself after New York Rangers puckstopper Henrik Lundqvist. He’s a pretty good idol to have, as he’s third in both GAA and save percentage and leads the NHL in shutouts.

       “He uses his size, plays deep in the net, but he's really good at anticipating the play and using his reflexes so I try to model my game after him.”

       Subban was voted as the best shootout goaltender in the Eastern Conference, as he didn’t allow a goal in three games, going a perfect 12/12. His great play was rewarded, as Subban was ranked as the number one rated North American goalie in NHL Central Scouting’s mid term rankings. Expect Subban to be an early selection for the upcoming NHL Draft in June.

       “It’s pretty surreal, all the hard work. Coming into the OHL as an 11^th round pick, I just wanted to make a name for myself and be on the draft list and being the first ranked goalie in North America is pretty unbelievable and a dream come true.”