If The PrairiePuck was the Leafs' GM for a day....

Oh, what hilarity would ensue if we were Co-General Managers of the Leafs for just a day. Not only would we mix things up, we would create a team that would be entertaining to watch, and would have a much better shot at the playoffs than the wash-ups they are working with now. If we could choose the day that this power would become bestowed upon us, we would go with the upcoming NHL Trade Deadline on March 4, 2009.

First order of business:

1. TRADE

Goaltender: Vesa Toskala

traded to SPORTCHEK

Terms of deal: The Leafs receive a bucket full of the 158 pucks Toskala has let in

this season

In return, Toskala must compensate Sportcheck for their loss in

puck sales, as well as work evenings and weekends at the location of

his choice.

2. RELOCATION

As our 2nd order of business, the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the most storied franchises in sports history, has been relocated to Elbow, Saskatchewan.

Why, you ask?

Simple - 1. Because nobody knows where Elbow, Saskatchewan is, and

2. Because it would be cool as shit

3. TRADE

Goaltender: Curtis Joseph

Traded to: Florida

For Defenseman: Bryan McCabe

Confused by our tactics?............................

4. RELEASED

Defenseman: Bryan McCabe

5. TRADE

Forward : NIK ANTROPOV

Forward: ALEXEI PONIKAROVSKY

2nd Rnd Draft Pick

to Minnesota for:

Goaltender: NIKLAS BACKSTROM

6. JEREMY WILLIAMS NAMED CAPTAIN OF THE ELBOW CANOLA FIELDS (Formerly the Toronto Maple Leafs)

7. LUKE SCHENN NAMED ASSISTANT CAPTAIN

In all seriousness, the Trade Deadline is approaching fast, and the Maple Leafs seem to be big-time buyers in the next week, with just under $10 million in salary-cap room for Brian Burke to maneuvre. Their best move is to go after goaltender Niklas Backstrom from Minnesota. The problem with any trade that Toronto proposes is that it is like offering Monopoly money in a restaurant for food. Nobody is dumb enough to accept the offer. This deal could benefit a good SK kid though, as it may see back-up Minnesota netminder, and Regina native Josh Harding take the reigns for the Wild.

So in our little excercise about becoming the Leafs GM for a day, I'm pretty sure we just committed blasphemy in the eyes of all Leafs' fans, but we don't really give a shit.

PP

PRAIRIEPUCK'S PREDICTIONS ALL THE WAY TO JUNE

Hello to all, and as Benji said, we apologize for our tardiness in updates. As our treat to you, we have provided a series of predictions as to what will happen, both expected and surprises right until the month of June. Kicking it off:

1. JAY BOUWMEESTER WILL BE TRADED, BUT WILL NOT BE PLAYING IN MONTREAL.

-For many years, there has been talk of Florida defenseman Jay Bouwmeester being traded, and this WILL be the year. As the trade deadline approaches, Bouwmeester seems to be packing his bags each day. There was speculation that Bouwmeester may be heading to Montreal, but mark our words: HE WILL NOT BECOME A HAB. The addition of Mathieu Schneider has sidelined many discussions, and a team that desperately needs his services is the New York Rangers. They have some cap room to fit him in, and if the Blueshirts want to make a serious run at the cup, Bouwmeester is a good place to start. Watch for a trade to New York in the next week or so.

2. THE MONTREAL CANADIENS WILL NOT MAKE IT ANY FURTHER INTO THE PLAYOFFS THAN LAST YEAR

-In a year when the expectations couldn't be higher, the Habs will not win the cup in their 100th season. Speculation of Lecavalier coming to Montreal, the recent benching of Alex Kovalev, the recent scandal involving the Kostistyn bro's love for drugs and hookers....the list goes on of negative press that the team has received, and it is crippling the club's ability to buckle down and focus on the task at hand. A 1st or 2nd round exit in the playoffs is going to crush the Habs' fans dreams, forcing them to riot in the streets once again.

3. MIIKKA KIPRUSOFF WILL BREAK MARTIN BRODEUR'S SINGLE SEASON WIN RECORD

-The Flames are playing extremely well as of late, finding ways to win, even if they are down on the scoreboard with 2 minutes to go. A big reason for this, is the play of Miikka Kiprusoff, who has earned every single win for the Flames, (35), which is leading the league in goaltender statistics. With 23 games to go, the Flames will click at the best possible time en route to the playoffs, and will win 13/20 games. It is probable that Curtis McEhlinney will get a few games in this span. A scenario that could prevent the record from being broken is if the Flames plan to add a secondary keeper to help out Kipprusoff by the trade deadline, which is very possible.

4. A SK-BORN CAPTAIN WILL HOIST THE STANLEY CUP THIS SEASON

-Really, there are only 2 SK-born captains in the league. One his currently hurt, (and possibly able to play in the playoffs if his team makes it), and the other is the captain of the league's best team. Of course I am talking about Brendan Morrow and Patrick Marleau. Make no mistake about it: We said at the beginning of the season that San Jose will win the Stanley Cup. Not the Red Wings, not the Bruins....the SHARKS, and Patrick Marleau will hoist the Stanley Cup in June.

5. THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS (NO SURPRISE)

-It's not going to surprise anyone when the Leafs don't make the playoffs yet again. Something significant will happen for the Leafs in June, as their 1st round selection in the NHL Entry Draft in Montreal will be Brandon Wheat Kings' forward, Brayden Schenn, brother of Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn. As of right now, draft rankings has pinned Schenn at 5th overall, and the Leafs currently sit 5th last in the league. It would be smart for the Leafs to throw every single game from here on in order to have a better chance at the Jon Tavares sweepstakes, but Brian Burke WILL draft Brayden Schenn at either 4th or 5th overall.

Another surprise draft choice would be the selection of

Defenseman Jared

Cowen (of Allan SK.) to the Ottwa Senators. Just you watch.

PP

Saskafocus: Brayden Coburn

We at the Prairie Puck would like to apologize for the lack of posts lately. We tried to tell our professors and bosses that it's important to write about Saskatchewan hockey players, that our readers survive by our words of wisdom and wit. They refused to cut us a break, and were rather unapologetic about it. We couldn't be more sorry about this. If you have visited out site enough to notice we haven't been posting much lately, then know that we love you. We friggin LOVE you. Now back to the show.

Today's Saskafocus is Brayden Coburn, aspiring defenceman of the Philadelphia Flyers. I checked on Wikipedia to be sure, and that site said he was born in Calgary. Perhaps that is the truth, but I happen to know he grew up in Shaunavon, SK (I remember playing against him in novice hockey. He played 58 minutes per game and would dominate us every one of them).

He played his junior hockey with the Portland Winter Hawks of the WHL, winning the Rookie of the Year award in his first season. After an excellent junior career, with two first-team all-star seasons and two trips to the World Junior tournament, he was drafted 8th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers. After working back and forth between the Thrashers and the AHL Wolves, Brayden was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, where he has developed into a solid two-way defenceman.

Although we left him off our list of choices for the Olympics in 2010, we would be completely happy if he proved us wrong. The way he is developing, he has an excellent chance to represent Canada in years after. We wish Brayden all the best, and we'll be keeping an eye out for the pride of Shaunavon, Saskatchewan.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON....

Because January was a shortened month in the NHL due to the week-long All-Star break, we will hold the Players of the month for both January and February combined at the end of this month, making them even more prestiguous. Front runners right now include Ovechkin to notch his 2nd monthly MVP award, forward candidates Michael Camalerri, Jamie Langenbrunner, Defensemen Jay Bouwmeester and Scott Neidermeyer, and goaltenders Timmy Thomas and Ryan Miller. But for now, with the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games only a year away, Mr. GM Steve Yzerman has his work cut out for him, and the crop of talent to choose Team Canada has never been more promising.

Needless to say, a roster of 19, with 3 goaltenders and only 3 reserves does not leave much room for error when these players try to impress GM Yzerman.

2010's Team Canada must learn from their mistakes in Torino in 2006. Instead of experience, Canada needs to be a younger team. Instead of being a defensive-minded squad, Canada needs to be agressive and be Offensive minded. Sweden and Russia promise to be insanely fast, skilled, and tough teams to beat, so the key to victory over these countries is 2-way players that where their hearts on their sleeves and are tough enough to shut their opponents down. The forwards, as chosen by the PrairiePuck will most likely be chosen to the team. Mike Camalerri is a bit of a wild-card, but one thing Yzerman should be looking at is how well certain players play together in the league, and Mike Camalerri could be a good pick as the 13th forward to try with different lines. You may also notice that there is no Jason Spezza or Eric Staal. Make no mistake about it, there is so much talent to choose from that some players WILL be snubbed.

The defensive core will probably see a major overhaul in 2010, with a huge dose of offensively-minded younger defenseman, most notably Brian Campbell, Dan Boyle, and Shea Weber. It wouldn't be a total surprise to see SK born Wade Redden brought in as veteran experience though. If Scott Neidermeyer is selected (If he is still playing), either he, Iginla, or Doan would make excellent candidates for the captaincy of team Canada. (Crosby is still 21 years old...his time will come).

The goaltender battle will be an interesting one. It will most likely be the first international tournament in a long time which Marty Brodeur is the backup, to the most-likely starter Roberto Luongo. It is really Luongo's spot to lose at this point. Providing Brodeur agrees to play, which we believe he will step down and give someone else the opportunity, front-runners out of the gates that come to mind are Marty Turco, SK born Cam Ward, Marc-Andre Fleury, and possibly even Columbus youngster Steve Mason. Each one of these goalies has big-game International experience, but if the roster had to be set today, we would probably see a goaltending crew of Luongo - Turco - Price.

There is always the opportunity for 3 players to be named reserves, and just like in 2006, they need to be ready to fill in at any opportunity. Jeff Carter and Mike Richards of the Philadelphia Flyers have been on the Team Canada radar for a few years now, ever since their participation on the Gold medal winning World Junior team in 2005. Jonathan Toews is also a player with big-game International experience, and this kid is wise beyond his years. Generally, we will probably see 2 forwards and a defenseman. and at this point, we will probably see Toews, Richards, and Mike Green as the reserves, but don't count out Mike Richards.

And we know some of the forwards ore not listed in their usual positions, but Yzerman may have to do some shuffling around. So the roster will be:

LEFT WING CENTER RIGHT WING

Dany Heatley Sidney Crosby Jarome Iginla

Rick Nash Joe Thornton Shane Doan

Simon Gagne Vincent Lecavalier Martin St. Louis

Mike Camalerri Ryan Getzlaf Jeff Carter

Marc Savard

DEFENSEMAN DEFENSEMAN

Scott Niedermeyer Sheldon Souray

Dan Boyle Brian Campbell

Dion Phaneuf Jay Bouwmeester

Shea Weber

GOALTENDERS

1. ROBERTO LUONGO

2. MARTY TURCO

3. CAREY PRICE

RESERVES

Mike Richards

Jonathan Toews

Mike Green