A Foot In The Crease

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Maple Leafs earned points in all four games this week but should they be satisfied? We’ll take you through the four games against the New York Islanders, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins and Atlanta Thrashers to kick start the Redline Report. How did this week position the Leafs going forward? We’re all over that question before providing an update on Jonas Gustavsson in the Revolving Door and wrapping the segment with Quick Hits on Sidney Crosby, Eric Staal and Bryan McCabe. Back Checking brings lots of Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and Email on a variety of subjects including concussions, the Leafs goaltending situation and what Brian Burke should be doing at the trade deadline. The Gong Banger happens by at end of the segment to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at whether Brian Burke should fish or cut bait with the Leafs leading scorer Clarke MacArthur. It’s Oscar Night here on Planet Earth. In just six weeks, we’ll find out if the Maple Leafs playoff push is for real or deserves an Oscar in the category of best impersonation of a playoff team. This is Episode 6.23 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, more trades shake up the Leafs as they entertained a brief dance with playoff aspirations. But after Saturday night’s performance against the Ottawa Senators, those notions should be put to bed. We'll take you through three games against the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators to begin the Redline Report before examining, in depth, the deals that saw the departure of Kris Versteeg and Tomas Kaberle. The Revolving Door follows with injury updates before Quick Hits talks Peter Forsberg and the increase in individual playoff scoring in the last decade. Back Checking features a multitude of terrific Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and Email. Later, the Junior Hockey Report follows with news on the conclusion of the St. Michael’s Buzzers season and of course, the Gong Banger stops by to ring in the Troubling Fact of the Week discussing concussion protocol to wrap the segment. Finally, rigmarole wraps the show with a look at why Tomas Kaberle never was in the Leafs future plans at the conclusion of this season. There’s lots coming your way right here on Episode 6.22 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC – the Goalies Gone Wild Edition – we’ll start with a look back at a busy week for the Toronto Maple Leafs that saw them play four games and endure their first major trade of the season. The details on those games as well as who’s in, who’s out and what it all means are along to kick start the Redline Report. Some injury notes follow in the Revolving Door before we conclude the segment with a look at a potential feud between Ron Wilson and Phil Kessel along with another major trade from the Nation’s capital. Later in Back Checking, Listener Contributions feature some of your thoughts on the trades made by Brian Burke and Bryan Murray and two great emails from Alan and Aaron on the sudden outbreak of goonery in the NHL. The Junior Hockey Report updates you on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games and the Gong Banger stops by to ring in a goon themed Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why the mountain is likely too tall to climb for the Maple Leafs to reach the playoff summit. Alex Rodriguez was caught on camera at the Super Bowl with Cameron Diaz feeding him popcorn. While some said it was a moment of embarrassment, I say for any regular guy, being seen having Cameron Diaz feeding you popcorn would be a major accomplishment. This is Episode 6.21 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, just when the Toronto Maple Leafs start to convince people that they’ve turned a corner, reality snaps back in a hurry. We'll take you through two wins over the Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes as well as an abyssal effort against the Buffalo Sabres to kick start the Redline Report. Mike Brown resigns, will Clarke MacArthur soon follow? We'll discuss those two players who have been among the few consistent performers for the Leafs this season. Are the Leafs taking the best course of action with the development of Jerry D'Amigo? We'll address his status before spinning through the Revolving Door and wrapping the segment with Quick Hits on Evgeni Malkin and an NHLPA poll that left some dubious results for the Leafs. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions, the Junior Hockey Report and a not-for-the-faint-of-heart Troubling Fact of the Week. To wrap the program, rigamarole looks at the core of the Maple Leafs and explains why Brian Burke’s rebuild, so far, has been a bitter disappointment. Toronto’s schools were shut down on Wednesday due to snow. For the record, if we had planned to do a show that day, the snow wouldn’t have stopped us. This is Episode 6.20 of AFITC!

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs concluded the unofficial first half of the season with losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. We’ll take you through those games to kick start the Redline Report. Has any Leaf overachieved this season? We’ll explore that topic as well as news on the Vancouver Canucks defense, Alex Semin and the All Star Festivities. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions on a variety of subjects from Twitter, Facebook and Email, the Junior Hockey Report with an update on the one St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week and later, the Gong Banger stops by to ring in an All Star themed Troubling Fact of the Week. To wrap the show, rigamarole looks at why isn’t necessary to feel bad for Phil Kessel after getting picked last in the NHL All Star Game Draft. Zdeno Chara won the hardest shot with a record blast at 105.9. Is that the speed of a shot or the price of gasoline in Ontario? Episode 6.19 of AFITC starts now!

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Leafs mention the importance of the five games before the All Star Break towards getting back into the playoff race and then respond with two regrettable efforts in three games this week. Why can`t the Leafs handle pressure? We`ll examine that question as we take you through losses to the New York Rangers and Washington Capitals and a win against the Anaheim Ducks to kick start the Redline Report. The Revolving Door updates some Leaf injuries before Quick Hits wraps the segment with a look at some expensive comments made by LA Kings GM Dean Lombardi and why this year is turning into the year of the waiver claim. Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter, Facebook and a great email about Martin Brodeur, news on Peter Forsberg and Ray Emery, the Junior Hockey Report and the return of the Gong Banger with another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at the heartwarming reception Saku Koivu received in his return to Montreal on Saturday night.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Leafs conclude a busy week with losses to the Phoenix Coyotes and Calgary Flames but not before equaling their season high win streak of four games with victories over the Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks earlier in the week. We’ll take you through those games to begin the Redline Report. James Reimer and Mike Brown up for discussion as well before Quick Hits looks at whether or not Ron Wilson’s little cash incentive in San Jose was such a bad thing. Back Checking gets lots of good Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Facebook as well as a great email from Aaron Balsillie. The acquisition of Fabian Brunnstrom and the continuing epidemic of head shots in the NHL, two points that Aaron touches on in his email, are also up for discussion in this segment. Following that, the Junior Hockey Report comes your way with an update on one St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. Finally, the Gong Banger’s off again this week so instead we welcome Matt Reiter of “Matt’s Musings” to the show to talk all things Leaf. To wrap the program, rigamarole focuses on one of the most painfully stupid things in the NHL. Stick around, lots coming your way on Episode 6.17 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs hit all kinds of extremes this week with a narrow loss to the Boston Bruins, a sloppy victory over the St. Louis Blues and a blowout win against the Atlanta Thrashers. We’ll guide you through those games to kick start the Redline Report. The Revolving Door welcomes several new members to the Leafs injury list. Later in Quick Hits, Sidney Crosby is on the shelf. We’ll tell you for how long and discuss how Jack Johnson’s contract extension with the LA Kings could impact Luke Schenn. In Back Checking, Canada’s Juniors choked against Russia but is it fair to criticize them as we would a pro team in a similar situation because of their youth and inexperience? We’ll touch on that along with bringing some Listener Contributions onto the show via Email, Twitter and Facebook. The Junior Hockey Report features news on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games from the past week and the Gong Banger stops by to wrap the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a further look at Team Canada’s collapse at the World Junior Hockey Championships and explains why looking for an excuse just is not necessary. Stick around, lots coming your way on Episode 6.16 of AFITC.

We’re turning it to eleven today on the first show of the New Year. Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs struggled through another week with losses to the Carolina Hurricanes and Columbus Blue Jackets until laying a sound beating on the Ottawa Senators. What would we do without the Senators? We’ll touch on those games and other Leaf news including a trade rumor to kick start the Redline Report. Later to wrap the segment, the Tampa Bay Lightning acquired some depth in goal this week. We’ll tell you who, and how it affects the trade market going forward. Back Checking features a discussion on the World Junior Hockey Championships and why it might not be all that it’s cracked up to be as well as Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Later, the Gong Banger checks in with another Troubling Fact of the Week pertaining to a ringing endorsement of one Maple Leafs’ player from General Manager Brian Burke. Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at the NHL’s Winter Classic on New Year’s Day from Heinz Field and suggests an idea that might make the whole event just that much better. Leaf fans exhale and rejoice; your team has not lost yet this year. This is Episode 6.15 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Maple Leafs benefitted from a very light stretch of games around Christmas but were they able to take advantage? We’ll cover the two games against the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils to begin the Redline Report. Later in Quick Hits, two significant injuries occurred that could actually benefit the Leafs. We’ll tell you who and why before touching on a coaching change and who has been a bigger disappointment this season: Alex Ovechkin or Ilya Kovalchuk. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email, a brief edition of the Junior Hockey Report with news on one St. Michael’s Buzzers game and another edition of the Troubling Fact of the Week. Finally rigamarole looks at the importance of the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night and why excuses are no longer an option at this point for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The new year is almost here; will this be the year for more cheers? We can only hope. This is Episode 6.14 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the Christmas Edition of AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs exacted some revenge over the Edmonton Oilers but finished up an otherwise disappointing Western Canadian road swing with losses to the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks. We’ll take you through those games to being the Redline Report before taking a spin through the Revolving Door with news on a key injury to the Leafs line up. To wrap the Redline Report, Quick Hits features news on Chris Pronger and a new Executive Director for the NHLPA. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Email. As well, the Junior Hockey Report follows with news on two St. Michael’s Buzzers games. Concluding the segment, we welcome York University Lions forward Cassidy Preston for a fireside chat. Rigamarole brings an end to the show as usual, this week taking a look at the position the Leafs find themselves in after thirty two games and what the future is likely to hold for this season. Hop into your favorite rocking chair and grab a glass of Christmas cheer, the Christmas Edition of AFITC is here.

Ahead this week on AFITC, a busy week of four games saw the Toronto Maple Leafs bookend a pair of losses with victories to start and finish the week. We’ll take you through the details of games against the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens to kick start the Redline Report. Later, Jonas Gustavsson has been showing noticeable displeasure after allowing goals by smashing his stick against the goal post. Is this a bad thing? We’ll discuss that as well as taking a spin through the Revolving Door and touching on an incident involving Matt Carkner of the Ottawa Senators. Back Checking brings Listener Email, the Junior Hockey Report and the return of the Gong Banger in the Troubling Fact of the Week. To wrap the show, rigamarole explains why Clarke MacArthur is very similar to Domenic Moore and why the fact that he’s leading the Leafs in scoring isn’t a good thing. Stick around, there’s magic coming your way on Episode 6.12 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued their downward spiral in losses to the Tampa Bay Lightning and Edmonton Oilers before salvaging their week with a victory over the Boston Bruins. We’ll take you through all the details to kick start the Redline Report. Has the team quit on Ron Wilson and how much longer until Brian Burke starts to become a regular target of criticism? We’ll touch on those topics as well as the story that broke earlier in the week suggesting Rogers Communications was looking to buy the Leafs. Back Checking features some great Listener Contributions from the past week from the Twitter and Email accounts. The Junior Hockey Report follows with updates on two St. Michael’s Buzzers losses from the past week. To wrap the segment, we welcome back to the program platinum award winning artist John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting to talk about the growth of hockey in California in recent times, the resurgence of the Los Angeles Kings and much more. To wrap the show, rigamarole examines how much worse things need to get before the Toronto Maple Leafs make major changes. Stick around, there’s lots coming your way on Episode 6.11 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs started the week with success against the Dallas Stars but then returned to their discouraging ways in losses to the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators. We’ll take you through those three games to kick start the Redline Report before spinning through the Revolving Door with updates on three injured Leafs. Later, Quick Hits wraps the segment with rumors of a possible return to action for Chris Chelios. An ambitious edition of Back Checking comes your way next with some great Listener Contributions via Twitter and Email followed by the Junior Hockey Report with news on four St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. To wrap the segment, we welcome back the Host of the NHL on TSN James Duthie for his much anticipated return to AFITC. Finally in rigamarole, we wrap the program with a look at whether the Leafs are in a better position now than they were two years ago when Brian Burke took over as President and General Manager. Stick around, lots coming your way when Episode 6.10 of AFITC begins now.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Toronto Maple Leafs got back on track after an eight game losing streak, winning two of three games. We’ll take you through the details of wins over the Nashville Predators and the New Jersey Devils along with a loss to the Montreal Canadiens to begin the Redline Report. The Revolving Door updates three injured Leafs before Quick Hits features news on a coaching change, a trade and the very dicey situation that NHL VP Colin Campbell found himself in last week. Back Checking turns to the listeners as we feature more great tweets and three solid emails from Richard, Alan and Aaron. The Junior Hockey Report covers the lone St. Michael’s Buzzers game from the past week. As well, we’ll play you back a brief interview with Team Canada East silver medalist Jesse Beamish where he recalls his experience at the World Junior A Challenge. The Gong Banger stops by as well to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. And finally in rigamarole, we wrap the show on a somber note with a look at the impact that the late Pat Burns had on hockey in Toronto. All that coming your way on Episode 6.9 of AFITC.