Author Archive

Why the Miami Heat Are Better Off Without LeBron James

Posted: 9th July 2010 by Brad LeClair in NBA
On Thursday night at 9:22 PM Eastern, the face of the NBA changed and LeBron James jumped ship from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Miami Heat. LeBron said he made the decision that morning after consulting his mother and friends. To me, the decision was final when Chris Bosh announced he was joining Dwyane Wade and the Heat. In what many believe to be the best three man tandem now in ...
Brian Burke’s philosophy for building teams has always been predicated on building from the goalie out. He won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks with a team built with a Conn Smythe Trophy winning goalie and two Hall of Fame defenders. Not to mention a skilled top six which included the likes of Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Teemu Selanne. This philosophy is quite apparent when taking a look ...

Three Toronto Blue Jays Named To American League All-Star Team

Posted: 4th July 2010 by Brad LeClair in MLB
On Sunday afternoon the Blue Jays finally got a bit of good news after a few weeks of utter despair. Outfielders Vernon Wells and Jose Bautista were odds on favorites to make the American League All-Star team and did so, but to everyone's surprise, catcher John Buck was also named to the team as a replacement for injured Red Sox catcher Victor Martinez. This is Buck's first ever all-star selection. All three ...
Under the control of J.P. Ricciardi, the Toronto Blue Jays never really accomplished what he set out to do: make the playoffs under a five-year plan. Ricciardi opted to try the free-agent approach to winning, and he failed pretty badly. AJ Burnett, who only stayed until his player option came. Frank Thomas, who was pretty washed up by this point in his career. BJ Ryan, who lost all control after Tommy ...
ccording to Ric Bucher of ESPN, the Cleveland Cavaliers have called the offices of Bryan Colangelo and the Toronto Raptors about the availability of power forward Chris Bosh. The soon-to-be free agent is looking more and more like he will leave the organization that drafted him and the city he has called home for seven years. Bosh would like to head to Cleveland only if LeBron James stays there. I don't ...
The Philadelphia Flyers acquired the rights to Dan Hamhuis earlier today from the Nashville Predators. These moves are very common in the NHL and is also a very common tactic the Flyers have employed in the past. Such rights of players to be dealt to Philadelphia have been Kimmo Timonen and Scott Hartnell. That trade ended up being the negotiation rights to Timonen and Hartnell for the Flyers first round ...

The Forgotten Man: An Homage to Mike Van Ryn

Posted: 13th June 2010 by Brad LeClair in NHL
The title says it all. Often injured and mostly forgotten about, Mike Van Ryn has had quite a tumultuous last few years in the NHL. Having only played roughly half a season the last three years, Van Ryn has never really been able to show off his abilities.  In late 2009, Van Ryn underwent micro-fracture knee surgery, the same surgery Steve Yzerman and Jason Kidd have had done.This surgery can either go two ...

Sunshine State of Mind: Tomas Kaberle To Florida?

Posted: 12th June 2010 by Brad LeClair in NHL
In recent reports from TSN's Darren Dreger, it appears another two teams have entered the Tomas Kaberle Sweepstakes. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers have also emerged as possible suitors for Kaberle. Given the no trade clause is lifted before the draft, Kaberle does not have any approval as to where he goes, so these teams reamin real possibilities. From the Panthers, I expect either Nathan Horton or Stephen Weiss coming ...

Dion Phaneuf To Be Named Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Next Week

Posted: 11th June 2010 by Brad LeClair in NHL
According to Sources, Dion Phaneuf will be named the Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs next week when the club will unveil its new team uniforms. I believe this move was an inevitability, since as soon as he got to Toronto, Phaneuf seemed to be the most vocal player around, but also the player who commanded a lot of respect. Naming him captain not only finally gives the Leafs a player to ...

Swamp Monster Deal: Tomas Kaberle To the Devils?

Posted: 11th June 2010 by Brad LeClair in NHL
The New York Post is reporting that the Devils are among the strongest bidders for Kaberle this offseason. Kaberle, who just may be the biggest trade commodity this offseason, is scheduled to make 4.25 million dollars in the final year of his contract; a contract which is extremely team friendly. Of course, the Leafs have been targeting a first round pick in return due to the Phil Kessel fiasco, losing ...