NHL must come down hard on cheating Leafs

Jonas Frogren

I've stayed out of the Jonas Frogren controversy, largely because I know my opinion won't be popular in the Leafs community. I'm often accused of being overly negative when it comes to the Leafs, and my critics will no doubt have a field day with me here. But so be it.

I think Gary Bettman let the Leafs off easy. I think the Cliff Fletcher and the Maple Leafs knew they were breaking a league rule when they signed Frogren and they went ahead and did it anyways -- thumbing their noses at the league in the process. And I think they need to be punished. Severely.

Losing a fourth round draft pick, which wasn't even their's to begin with, isn't enough. Frankly, it's a copout.

The NHL needs to make a stand. And they should do so by taking a page from the NCAA's book, and finally getting serious about sanctions against organizations that intentionally flaunt the rules.

Recently the NCAA discovered that Florida State had committed several academic violations and responded with a punishment that will see the school forfeit victories, including as many as 14 from the powerhouse football program.

The NHL should do the same to the Leafs. If Jonas Frogren's contract was illegal, then he should not have been playing. And that means the Leafs should forfeit any and all games in which Frogren dressed.

Harsh? Yes. Unprecedented? Sure. But the league needs to make a stand here.

If Gary Bettman has an ounce of integrity, he will immediately announce that the Leafs have forfeited the points earned in all 41 games in which Frogren played. The decision won't be popular, but truly visionary leadership never is.

Understand that as a Maple Leaf fan, I'm happy to see this whole episode swept under the rug. But as a parent, responsible for shaping a young child's view of the world, I expect more. Rules exist for a reason. Cheating has consequences. I will not lower my standards just because a hockey team I personally root for is involved.

Now, there is the small matter of the NHL standings, which of course would need to be updated to reflect the forfeited games. The Leafs would now find themselves in last place overall by a wide margin. This change should be made immediately.

What's that? The draft lottery? Hm. Good point. I guess the Leafs would now be in position to receive the first overall pick. I hadn't thought of that.

Oh well, no time to bicker over minor details like who gets to draft John Tavares. This is about integrity. Nay, this is about the very essence of right and wrong.

So make the call, Gary. Do it right now. Or at least, as soon as possible. Definitely before the draft lottery.

And for the next two decades, every time Leaf fans watch John Tavares suit up and lead the team to yet another victory, let it serve as a reminder to all: cheating never pays.

Liveblogging tonight

Three quick hits, before I go put my head back in the oven after last night's performance...

• I'll be liveblogging tonight's Leafs/Habs game over at TheScore.com. Feel free to drop by and join in the fun. Word is the Leafs will be switching goalies before every faceoff tonight, and may even try a few goalie changes on the fly. Should be fun.
  
  
• I had somebody contact me today to ask if I minded when they post links to DGB content in forums. Not only do I not mind, but you're doing me a huge favor by helping to expose the site to people who may not know about it. In fact, I have no objection if you post full cut-and-paste versions of anything I post, as long as there's a credit and link somewhere. I know some forums discourage that, so if the mod gives you crap just point them back to this post.
  
  
• Finally, a quick thanks to everyone for helping DGB to its highest traffic numbers ever in March, doubling the previous record. For a great discussion of why traffic to Leafs blogs is skyrocketing at the same moment that traditional media claim fan interest is dropping, visit Sporting Madness

Ottawa or Toronto? Let's help Tyler Bozak decide

Future HOFer
and/or money-grubbing bum

One of the biggest stories in the NHL these days is the status of star college center Tyler Bozak. The highly sought-after free agent has been courted by as many as 20 teams, and has apparently narrowed his options down to a short list. According to TSN, the two top teams on Bozak's list are the Maple Leafs and the Senators.

Bozak is a playmaking center who was passed over in the 2007 draft because of concerns over his size -- he was only 155 lbs at the time, but an emphasis on conditioning has allowed him to fill out to 180 lbs. And while gaining 25 lbs in just two years is impressive, it's worth noting that it still falls well short of the record set by Kyle Wellwood during a single morning at Denny's during the 2008 off-season.

Bozak's decision had been expected on Wednesday, but as of Thursday night he was apparently still considering his options. While no reason has been given for the delay, Bozak's apparent inability to make a simple decision about which team he wants to play for has many Leaf fans calling him captain material. But I can sympathize with the kid.

As someone who grew up in Toronto and now lives in Ottawa, I know how difficult it can be to choose between the two cities. So as a favor to Bozak in these final hours, I'd like to help nudge him along with my unbiased views on some of the pros and cons of either destination.

Coaching
Toronto Maple Leafs - Would have the opportunity to play first few years as a pro under well-respected head coach Ron Wilson.

Ottawa Senators - Would have the opportunity to play first few years as a pro under anywhere from four to six well-respected head coaches.

Opportunity
Ottawa Senators - Based on current organizational depth, would enter training camp with realistic chance of securing job as second line center.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Based on current organizational depth, would enter training camp with realistic chance of securing job as starting goaltender.

Local atmosphere
Toronto Maple Leafs - Would need to be careful to stay focused on hockey, avoiding distractions poised by city's exciting night life, excellent dining, vibrant ethnic communities, world famous theater and cultural attractions, not to mention the presence of the MLB, NBA and NFL.

Ottawa Senators - Would need to be careful to stay focused on hockey, avoiding distractions poised by Local Heroes wing night, the Blockbuster down the street, the experimental farm, and that other Blockbuster a little further down the street.

Fan loyalty
Toronto Maple Leafs - Opportunity to play in front of 19,000+ die-hard Leaf fans every night.

Ottawa Senators - Same.

Travel
Toronto Maple Leafs - Central location means it only takes a few hours to make plane trip from downtown Toronto to cities of division rivals.

Ottawa Senators - Central location means it only takes a few hours to make bus trip from downtown Ottawa to the ScotiaBank Place.

Fan knowledge
Ottawa Senators - Staying focused on the game can occasionally be difficult due to unsophisticated fans mindlessly screaming in your ear all night long.

Toronto Maple Leafs - Fans appreciate the importance of focusing on the task at hand, and will leave you alone with your thoughts by vacating the ten rows behind the bench during the first half of every period.

Hero worship
Toronto Maple Leafs - While it would be exciting and flattering at first, the constant praise, autograph requests and almost sickening level of devotion could eventually wear thin and lead you to dread contact with fans.

Ottawa Senators - While it would be exciting and flattering at first, the constant praise, autograph requests, and almost sickening level of devotion could eventually wear thin and lead you to dread contact with local media.

General Manager
Toronto Maple Leafs - Brian Burke, who is credited with building a Stanley Cup champion in Anaheim.

Ottawa Senators - Bryan Murray, who actually did build a Stanley Cup champion in Anaheim.

Ownership
Toronto Maple Leafs - Team is owned primarily by a pension fund, meaning ownership is often perceived as being focused on profit and not especially accountable to the city or fans.

Ottawa Senators - Team is owned by Eugene Melnyk, a wealthy businessman who is passionately committed to the city and its fans and will tell you this whenever he is interviewed via satellite from the home in the Barbados where he spends 51 1/2 weeks of the year.

History
Ottawa Senators - As a relatively recent expansion team, the franchise has a limited history from which to draw.

Toronto Maple Leafs - The team has a long and rich history, and the friendly local media will be more than willing to constantly remind you of fascinating facts such as what year the team last won a Stanley Cup, and how long it's been since the team last won a Stanley Cup

Women
Toronto Maple Leafs - Players can count on having plenty of opportunity to court the beautiful local women.

Ottawa Senators - Players can count on having plenty of opportunity to court the beautiful local women, unless both of them happen to be sick that weekend.

Update: He chose wisely.

April Fools - NHL Style

This worked so well last year that I'd thought I'd make it an annual feature. Here's this year's list of suggested knee-slapping pranks and practical jokes that fun-loving NHL players and personalities could play today.

Sidney Crosby - After unsuccessfully removing visor in effort to goad Marc Savard in to a fight, announce intention to continue removing one item of clothing every shift until Savard finally drops his gloves.

Colin Campbell - For one day only, spin giant wheel to randomly determine suspensions and fines for on-ice incidents, instead of pulling numbers from a hat like you usually do.

Garth Snow - Deliver spirited pre-game speech to Islanders players, culminating in dramatic shout of "Now get out there and win!" (Immediately assure players that you were just joking, and they are to continue tanking as normal.)

Brian Burke - Jokingly threaten to sue innocent blogger over harmless prank, before allowing him to return to his volunteer work at the puppy orphanage.

Alexander Ovechkin - Pretend that hockey stick is too hot to handle when, in fact, stick is well within the range of acceptable temperatures.

Luke Schenn - At team dinner, turn water into slightly lower quality of wine than usual.

NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom - Play hilarious prank on Flames fans by changing goaltender interference rules for one game without telling anybody.

Cory Clouston - Attempt to spike punch bowl at team gathering. Fail, because jerk at the liquor store insists on seeing photo ID.

Toronto Maple Leafs veterans - Play traditional joke on rookie Justin Pogge by having him lead the team onto the ice for the warmup, then waiting in the entrance way while he skates around alone. Continue joke by leaving him out there by himself for the entire game too.

Chris Drury - Tell off-color joke to Sean Avery, the kind he would find absolutely hilarious if he was still capable of human emotion after the steady stream of tranquilizers, antidepressants and beta-blockers he must ingest as per clause in his Rangers contract

Henrik and Daniel Sedin - Play prank on travel agent by mischievously swapping passport photos while booking one-way tickets for flight to Toronto on July 1.

Duncan Keith - Wear novelty tear-away wig. You know, just on the off chance that you get into a fight with a teenaged girl, a toddler, or anyone else who might try to pull your hair.

Andrei and Sergei Kostisyn - Jokingly tell Belarusian friend that you wish Guy Carbonneau would just disappear. Wait, crap, he did know we were joking, right?

The archive: all of Fake Brian Burke's tweets

As part of winding down the fake Brian Burke twitter account, I'll eventually be removing the tweets from the account page. Rather than have them disappear forever, I'll preserve them here.

Here's the full list, in chronological order, of the parody tweets from the parody Brian Burke account, which was a parody. By reading them (or, in the case of hockeybuzz subscribers, having them read to you), you acknowledge that you understand that it was all a joke and that the real Brian Burke never said any of these things. You further agree that in the event that the real Brian Burke ever finds me, you will help pay for my legal and/or hospital bills.

(Side note: I'm trying to come up with something else I could do on twitter that would be as much fun as this was, without all the headaches behind the scenes. If I do, I'll let folks know via a tweet on the Burke account. But I promise won't start spamming Burke followers with blog links or other stuff that you're not interested in.)

I've added notes for a few entries that don't make sense out of context, and just for fun I've bolded the ten lines that were my personal favorites.

---

Finally going to have a chance to spend some time looking at this roster in-depth.
1:21 PM Jan 26th

Hmmm... not really much to work with, is there?
2:23 PM Jan 26th

Wait, what's an "NTC"? And does every one of these guys seem to have one?
8:36 PM Jan 26th

Oh well, I love a challenge! Ha ha!
11:24 AM Jan 27th

No, seriously, was the last full-time GM an idiot or something?
11:37 AM Jan 27th
(This was originally going to be the end of the joke. But when a few people followed, I figured I'd do one or two more.)

Cliff Fletcher just told me a story about how he used to wear an onion on his belt.
1:23 PM Jan 27th

Just ordered Nonis to go trade for Luongo again. That's one problem solved.
2:44 PM Jan 27th

Office hockey pool update: Richard Peddie still in last place.
4:35 PM Jan 27th

In the press box in Minnesota. Just noticed that every time Cliff Fletcher walks by, Doug Risebrough instinctively covers his bumhole.
8:08 PM Jan 27th

Just wondering: if Mayers or May fight Derek Boogard, do they come off the salary cap right away or do we have to wait for the funeral?
9:21 PM Jan 27th

Brian Murray called to talk trade, but he kept using this obviously fake lisp so I hung up on him.
10:03 AM Jan 28th

Just found a copy of Jason Blake's contract that says he still has three years left. Must be a typo.
8:04 PM Jan 28th

Found out the guy who works at the sandwich counter in the lunchroom is European. Fired him.
10:17 AM Jan 29th

Howard Berger has been walking around with scrambled egg in his moustache all day. Should I tell him?
4:11 PM Jan 29th

Post-game thoughts: Andrew Raycroft has gotten a lot better since he was here.
12:07 AM Jan 30th
(This was after Raycroft gave up seven goals to the Leafs.)

Kaberle made me give him my word that I won't trade him if he wants to stay. Damn. Now that means I'll have to kill him.
10:37 AM Jan 30th

Got stuck behind Damien Cox at the bank machine. In case you're wondering, his PIN is "1967".
4:05 PM Jan 30th

Doug Gilmour night tonight. Some day soon, we'll hang Mats Sundin from the rafters too. Not his number. Him.
10:46 AM Jan 31st

Breaking news: Kaberle has a broken hand from the Colorado game. I *told* the guys not to high-five after every goal Raycroft gives up.
2:04 PM Jan 31st

After the game, the Pens called and offered Crosby and Malkin for Schenn. Told them to call back when they were willing to offer fair value.
2:39 PM Feb 1st

I wonder if I should apply for the Senators' head coaching vacancy? Nah. I'll just wait a few weeks for the next one.
8:28 PM Feb 2nd

Ran into Eklund last night. He kept grilling me about trades and rumors. Finally I just paid him for the pizza and slammed the door.
3:07 PM Feb 3rd

Nice to Bryan McCabe back to doing what he does best: Scoring into the Leafs net during overtime.
1:04 PM Feb 4th

After tonight's effort, I'm ready to pull the trigger. Not on a trade. On a gun.
10:11 PM Feb 4th

Trying to work a deal, but other GMs keep asking for something completely unreasonable: NHL-calibre players.
5:39 PM Feb 6th

Toskala doesn't work hard enough in practice. Then again, neither does any goalie who faces our forwards.
2:02 PM Feb 7th

@SedinTwinsAgent... OK, you've got a deal. But remember we have to keep this a secret until July 1.
4:01 PM Feb 8th

Wishing a happy one-year anniversary to my favorite Leafs blog: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/
11:15 AM Feb 9th
(Spam.)

Just to clarify: When I said Antropov needs a "change of scenery", I didn't mean trading him. I meant trading every one of his teammates.
10:12 PM Feb 9th

The only untouchable on this roster is Mike Van Ryn. Because if you touch him, he goes on the injured list.
3:33 PM Feb 10th

In hindsight, my motivational pre-game locker room speech to "get out there and play a full 50 minutes" may have been a mistake.
9:48 AM Feb 11th

In Tampa. Working on sending Jeremy Williams to the sharks. Which is to say I'm going to invite him out water skiing, and cut the rope.
12:24 PM Feb 12th
(Seems like a good time for a reminder: there were people in the media who thought it was worth contacting Brian Burke to ask if these tweets were real.)

@johnfergusonjr: Welcome to Twitter. I didn't know you could access this site on a Leapfrog.
1:27 PM Feb 12th

@BobGainey: You want new blood in the dressing room? Do what I do: randomly sucker punch a player while he's tying his skates.
8:13 PM Feb 12th in reply to BobGainey

Congratulated Stempniak on scoring in his first game as a Leaf. He said he's actually been here for three months. First I've heard of it.
9:27 AM Feb 13th

Leaving Florida, but we'll be back in mid-March. And by "we", I mean me, the coaches, and about four players.
2:40 PM Feb 13th

The Blake/Grabovksi fight resulted in a serious head injury. To me, after I slammed my head in a door after watching that girlish slap-fest.
8:41 AM Feb 14th

@johnfergusonjr : Hey moron, you really screwed up on the Jason Blake contract. It's *way* too short.
2:27 PM Feb 15th in reply to johnfergusonjr

@BobGainey: Mathieu Schneider? Any relation to the guy who played for the Habs when they last won a Cup? Like his grandson or something?
6:18 PM Feb 16th

Looking forward to a rocking pro-Leaf crowd for tonight's game against the Sabres. Oh wait, the game's not in Buffalo.
1:45 PM Feb 17th

Thinking about following Gainey's lead and telling the underachievers to just stay home. Would we be allowed to only dress Schenn next game?
10:42 PM Feb 17th

@JasonBlake: You know, there are some really nice tanning salons in Toronto. Even an hour or two a week can work wonders. Just saying.
11:49 AM Feb 18th

Tomas Kaberle and I are working together on his trade deadline options. He gave me a list of 10 teams. I gave him back a list of 20 more.
2:37 PM Feb 18th

Really looking forward to the Blue Jackets coming to town. We can show Rick Nash where his locker will be in 2010.
10:28 AM Feb 19th

Can we just pull our goalie for an extra attacker during the shootout?
10:29 PM Feb 19th

@BobGainey: I used to be a lawyer. Let me know how I can help.
11:25 PM Feb 19th in reply to BobGainey

Just saw who we're playing next. Note to self: Stop by Home Depot, pick up torches, pitchforks.
10:38 AM Feb 20th
(The Canucks, of course...)

Can't believe how Vancouver fans have embraced Mats Sundin. As if Toronto fans would ever welcome some ex-Canuck reject as their saviour.
12:38 PM Feb 20th

@BryanMurray: Next time you want to trade a first round pick for a bag of crap, give me a call. I have several bags available.
5:11 PM Feb 20th in reply to BryanMurray

Just saw Sundin at the Toronto airport, waiting in line for the shuttle bus. Guess he doesn't believe in rentals.
8:00 PM Feb 20th

Just ran into Kyle Wellwood arriving at the ACC. He seemed kind of depressed. Told him to keep his chins up.
1:37 PM Feb 21st

They're not booing. They're saying "October through Juuuuuuuuuunnne".
7:57 PM Feb 21st

Returns are tough. Sundin looks like he has butterflies in his stomach tonight. Wellwood just looks like he has butter in his stomach.
8:17 PM Feb 21st

That Battle of Alberta game last night was great. I wish there was a second NHL team in Ontario for us to play against.
10:51 AM Feb 22nd

Wade Redden looks disinterested, worn down and flat out terrible against the Leafs tonight. Or, as he calls it, "playoff form".
9:58 PM Feb 22nd

Dave Shoalts is outraged that someone would fraudulently pass themselves off as a Leafs GM. Where was he when JFJ did it for four years?
11:22 AM Feb 23rd
(This one came afer Shoalts and Eklund discovered the Burke account and summoned up their fake outrage.)

Is every coach who loses to us this season going to be fired? Because that could end up being as many as four or five more guys.
12:57 PM Feb 23rd

Shoalts and Eklund working on their next scoop: Carlton the Bear, actual polar bear wandering the ACC or just a fraud in a bear suit?
3:29 PM Feb 23rd

Kubina says he won't give me a list of teams he'd accept a trade to. So I gave him a list of apartments in Edmonton with vacancies in June.
10:16 AM Feb 24th

Was in town to scout the Wild last night. Then realized that would involve actually watching an entire Minnesota Wild game. Went home.
12:10 PM Feb 25th

I promised Mark Bell I'd put him on waivers to give him a shot at playing for an NHL team. He was just claimed by the Rangers. Close enough.
3:37 PM Feb 25th

Leafs vs. Islanders. The good news is there will be one NHL-calibre goalie in the building tonight. The bad news is it will be Garth Snow.
2:47 PM Feb 26th

Still trying to figure out how not being allowed to dress Brendan Witt is considered punishment for the Islanders.
8:40 AM Feb 28th

The Toronto Maple Leafs: Utterly and completely unbeatable when the season is already a writeoff since 2006.
12:45 PM Mar 1st

Thinking about a Chris Pronger deal. Just imagine the mentorship possibilities with Luke Schenn. Chris could learn so much from him.
9:25 PM Mar 1st

Crazy times. I've been on the phone non-stop for a week. At some point I might take a break from the media and actually call another GM.
10:24 AM Mar 2nd

Anyone know of any moving van companies that offer a volume discount?
5:28 PM Mar 2nd

Just sent every NHL GM a box of fortune cookies with a fortune that reads "You are falling in love with Nik Antropov".
9:46 AM Mar 3rd
(One of my favorite, but I don't think anyone else got it. Background is here.)

Doing my homework on Boston Bruins prospects. This Rask kid looks amazing. Why don't we ever draft guys like that?
5:07 PM Mar 3rd

Told Kaberle we'd move him last night. Thanked him for his service and gave him a firm handshake. In hindsight, it might have been too firm.
9:29 AM Mar 4th
(Kaberle was sidelined with a broken hand the day before the deadline.)

Was excited to see Fletcher and Nonis on the phone all morning. Just realized they were talking to each other. Guys, you sit ten feet apart!
11:20 AM Mar 4th

Just got back from a Tim Hortons run. Why are all the other front office guys crowded around the waiver wire machine, trying not to laugh?
12:18 PM Mar 4th

Just realized I had the ringer on my phone set to 'silent' all day. Oops. Hope I didn't miss any calls.
2:10 PM Mar 4th

I didn't make as many deals as I'd hoped today. Oh well. There's always tomorrow, right?
3:25 PM Mar 4th

Having the maintenance guys re-enforce the twine in the nets and put new bulbs in the goal lights. Welcome to the Martin Gerber era!
2:16 PM Mar 5th

Hosting the Oilers. Looking forward to a chance to see my old friend Kevin Lowe. In fact, I think I may wait for him in the parking lot.
5:46 PM Mar 7th

In Ottawa. Senator fans are planning to boo Gerber all night long. Luckily, as usual there will only be ten of them in the entire building.
11:05 AM Mar 9th

Congratulations to Cory Clouston on becoming the longest serving head coach in Senators history.
8:56 AM Mar 10th

Ron Wilson vs. Howard Berger in a battle of wits? Well, at least a Maple Leaf will win one fight this year.
11:25 AM Mar 11th
(I should have posted this one in November...)

We won't be starting Kolzig tonight against the Lightning. Should somebody break the news to Bruce Garrioch?
2:59 PM Mar 12th
(A reference to Garrioch's memorable meltdown.)

Apparently Steven Stamkos is from the Toronto area. Interesting. Sure wish the media had mentioned that during last night's game.
11:57 AM Mar 13th

Not sure I agree with Wilson's decision to go for two after the touchdown.
9:39 PM Mar 14th
(After an 8-6 win over the Flames.)

Just talked to Steve Simmons. He actually says "dot dot dot" between each sentence.
2:54 PM Mar 15th

In Tampa Bay. Since when is Rick Tocchet so cranky? All I did was ask him for some help filling out my March Madness brackets.
10:10 AM Mar 17th

Lots of Toronto fans on March Break at tonight's game. We gave them just what they've come to expect: an embarassing loss by the home team.
10:40 PM Mar 17th

Ran into Jay Bouwmeester. Very patriotic young man. Told him I'd be calling to wish him a happy Canada Day on July 1 at exactly 12:01.
1:31 PM Mar 19th

Told the team to embrace the role of "spoiler". They've responded by telling playoff contenders the endings of movies they haven't seen yet.
6:24 PM Mar 21st

Nice win, but let's not get too excited. This time of year, anyone can beat up on a team with absolutely no playoff hopes.
10:33 AM Mar 22nd
(After a win over the Habs.)

Updating my address book. @BobGainey, will you still have the same e-mail when you're fired five minutes after the regular season ends?
10:16 PM Mar 22nd

Rumors that the Habs may be for sale. I'll ask Mikhail Grabovski, since based on the past few games he apparently owns them.
8:26 AM Mar 24th

Oh, so now you can be suspended for a girlish shove and a weak wrist shot that misses by 30 feet? We may not be able to dress a full team.
1:03 PM Mar 25th
(After Gerber's meltdown...)

Curtis Joseph is Mr. Consistent. He's given us eight or nine saves and six solid minutes in every game he's played this year.
11:43 AM Mar 26th

For the last time, Darcy Regier, I don't care if you kept the receipt for Dominic Moore. No refunds!
8:55 PM Mar 27th

In honor of Earth Hour, the Leafs and Bruins will be turning off our defence and goaltending for 60 minutes tonight.
8:32 PM Mar 28th

Pogge was so upset after last night's game that he threw himself in front of my car - but it went through his legs! So I backed over him.
2:55 PM Mar 29th
(I'd been waiting to use this line for four weeks. I was probably the one Leaf fan cursing them for a string of solid goaltending.)

The end of the fake Brian Burke twitter account: http://tinyurl.com/fakebrian
11:30 AM Mar 31st from web