Join us » Whoever thought that David Bakhtiari

DETROIT – Randy Carlyle made sure he was being asked about James Reimer after a one-goal loss in Detroit, pausing before he offered an assessment of the now 26-year-old understudy. “I thought he was okay, you know, just okay,” said Carlyle with a tone of evident frustration after a 3-2 defeat to the injury-riddled Red Wings squad, the Leafs third in the past four games. Long a point of stability this season Toronto goaltending has suddenly been thrown into question with Carlyles remarks, Reimers performance and the uncertain status of injured no. 1 Jonathan Bernier. Starting in place of Bernier for the second straight game – his fourth consecutive appearance – Reimer allowed three goals on 31 shots, including a game-sealing squeaker under the left arm from Daniel Alfredsson with the Leafs down one in the final minutes of regulation. It was the kind of stop Bernier has made routinely this season, one that Reimer needed to make at that point in the game and perhaps what soured Carlyle most afterward, Torontos comeback attempt ultimately falling short. “So he said I was just okay,” said Reimer, responding to Carlyles comments. “I thought I played good, but obviously youd like to make at least one of those saves in the third.” Such blunt discontent was certainly out of character for Carlyle, who rarely, if ever, singles out any one player, even under the most obvious of circumstances. He was surely agitated by the loss – which saw the Leafs drop further behind Tampa and Montreal in the race for second in the Atlantic – unhappy with the officiating and displeased with a schedule that has his club right back at it Wednesday following 10 long days on the road. To land Reimer in the cross-hairs though on this night was unfair. His team started slowly opposite a Detroit squad that was missing a slew of key components, including Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. They also suffered breakdowns – Tim Gleason and Paul Ranger both caught flat-footed at the offensive blue-line – that led to Nyquists two breakaways, while also managing just two goals for the third time in four games (all losses). Whatever his motivation the remarks wont help a sketchy dynamic between coach and player, one that includes a very public stare-down from Reimer in the first period of a loss to these same Red Wings on Dec. 21. Further inflaming the matter afterward were the words of Reimers agent and close friend Ray Petkau, who tweeted, "As is customary in Toronto, when your team plays poor defensively game after game you blame your goalie." Petkau later said the tweet was not in response to Carlyles comments. Doubted and dissected often throughout his Toronto tenure and a restricted free agent to be in the summer of 2014, Reimer will probably use this latest bit of critique as motivation and for the Leafs that may be a good thing. Bernier remains out for the foreseeable future (more on that in Five Points) leaving Reimer as the go-to guy in goal with key division battles ahead against the Lightning and Canadiens. They need him to regain the form he showed last year and displayed recently in relief against the Kings, a brilliant performance that saw him turn aside all 31 shots he faced in an impressive road win. “I dont know if I was great and I would like to be great, but I thought I made some good saves when I needed to,” Reimer concluded of his evening. “Unfortunately at the end, especially that third one, you want to come and make a big save for your team there. Unfortunately wasnt the case tonight.” Five Points 1. Kessel Cools Off Cooling off from an unsustainably scorching stretch that saw him post 31 points in a 17-game span, Phil Kessel had seven shots and was a force against the Red Wings, but ultimately went point-less for the fourth straight game and sixth time in the past eight. Its the fifth time this season that the 26-year-old has gone three games or more without a point. The Leafs are now 6-19-2 on such occasions, two of those wins coming in recent weeks against the Flyers and Kings. Chasing the first 40-goal season of his NHL career – he has 34 currently – Kessel has just one goal in the past eight games. James van Riemsdyk, who thrived through a recent stretch of 11 goals and 21 points in 17 games, has also cooled some, snapping a seven-game drought with the late marker in Detroit. The Leafs have leaned heavily on their top line – which also includes Tyler Bozak – for offence, needing the likes of Nazem Kadri (two goals in the past 13 games), Joffrey Lupul (two goals in the past 13), David Clarkson (one in the past 22) and Mason Raymond (the hottest of the group with six in the past 15) to chip in regularly for support. Aside from the odd contribution, however, theyve not done so consistently. Toronto forwards were responsible for only five goals (of 12) during the five-game road trip. 2. Road Trip A road trip that began with so much promise for the Leafs – following wins in Anaheim and Los Angeles – soured at the end with losses in Washington and Detroit. Toronto finishes the season-long swing with a 2-3-0 mark, not bad, but hardly desirable. “I wouldnt call it a success,” said Jake Gardiner, who scored for the fourth time in the past six games. “We were thinking three out of five wouldve been good. Two of five is okay. Games on the road are always tough, something we have to move on from.” “This game and the last game I dont think that we played as well as we have been playing or can play so thats the negative about it,” said Carlyle. “But we battled back, we didnt quit, we found a way to get two goals tonight and make a game of it. Flush this and get ready for tomorrow.” The Leafs have played two more games than the Lightning, whom they host Wednesday, and trail them by a point. They sit three back of the Canadiens, whom they face at home on Saturday. 3. Wearing Down? Second and third among Toronto forwards in ice-time this season and both key members of Team USA at the Sochi Olympics, one might be led to wonder whether Kessel and van Riemsdyk are simply wearing down at this late stage in the season. Both have seen their ice-time rise (slightly) in March as the Leafs trend toward an 11-forward, seven-defender lineup. Kessel, who had a second period breakaway attempt stopped by Jimmy Howard, actually entered the night as the team-leader in ice-time this month, averaging more than 22 minutes. van Riemsdyk was just a touch behind at nearly 22 himself. “Its been very demanding,” said Carlyle of the schedule and its effects on playing time. “Its the first time in my career that you go out on a 10-day road trip and you come back and youve got to play back-to-back at home with your first game back. I dont know where that one comes from.” van Riemsdyk led all Toronto forwards this night with more than 22 minutes, Kessel a shade behind with just under 21, including exactly nine minutes in the third. Carlyle employed eight forwards for most of that final frame as the Leafs looked to even the score. 4. Bernier Status Nursing a groin injury, Bernier remained off the ice for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday. He then missed his second straight game in Detroit and will sit out again at home on Wednesday when the Leafs host the Lightning. With a likely day off for the team on Thursday, his status for the weekend also appears in real doubt with a back-to-back looming against the Canadiens and Devils. That would mean a return next week at the earliest, all of which ups the pressure on Reimer to perform. “Theres always going to be that push to get your people back,” said Carlyle ahead of a tilt against the Red Wings. “Bottom line is the player makes the decision. All we can do is treat him medically, provide him with the right environment, give him the opportunity to test his injury if hes good enough to go and well make the decision based upon input from him the player.” Though hes split each and every back-to-back set between his two goaltenders this season, Carlyle would be hard-pressed to not come back with Reimer on Wednesday even in light of Tuesdays circumstance. Though hes enjoyed a fine season with the Marlies, Drew MacIntyre has yet to start an NHL game. 5. Phaneuf Scare Upended by the stick of David Legwand in the final frame of Tuesdays affair, Dion Phaneuf remained down on the ice before quickly departing for the Toronto dressing room. He returned to the bench a few moments later, chirping at ref Dan OHalloran for the non-call on Legwand. “Theres no point in talking about it,” said Phaneuf afterward. “It wasnt a slew foot, it was actually a stick, but its done and over with.” The Leafs captain said he had the wind knocked out of him on the play. He still managed to lead his team with more than 23 minutes on this night. Stats-Pack 2-3-0 – Leafs record on five-game road trip. 1 – Goals for Phil Kessel in the past eight games. 208 – Man games lost to injury for Toronto this season, a pittance compared to the 322 lost by Detroit, who were without the likes of Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Stephen Weiss, and Darren Helm on Tuesday night. 6-19-2 – Leafs record this season when Kessel does not record a point. 4 – Consecutive appearances by James Reimer, doing so for the first time this season. 6 – Consecutive games with a goal by the Toronto defence, four of which have come from Jake Gardiner. 5 – Goals from Toronto forwards on the five-game road trip. 41-48 – Leafs penalty kill over the past 16 games. Special Teams Capsule PP: 1-4Season: 20.7% (5th) PK: 4-4Season: 78.7% (28th) Quote of the Night I “I thought he was okay, you know, just okay.” -Randy Carlyle, on the performance of James Reimer against Detroit. Quote of the Night II “So he said I was just okay. I thought I played good, but obviously youd like to make at least one of those saves in the third.” -James Reimer, in response to Carlyles assessment. Quote of the Night III “Nobodys feeling sorry for us two months ago when we were missing our top two centres. I didnt see you pointing the question at us then.” -Randy Carlyle, questioned on the Red Wings injury troubles ahead of Tuesdays game. Up Next The Leafs host the Lightning Wednesday night in a key division battle at the ACC. Fake NFL Jerseys Cheap . Rooneys latest piece of football genius lost in the furore which now stalks David Moyes, and the man who gave the Manchester United striker his start as a 16-year old at Goodison Park back in 2002. Fake NFL Jerseys Online .C. - Brent Sutter scored 1:32 into extra time as the Charlotte Checkers came from behind to defeat the visiting Abbotsford Heat 5-4 on Sunday in American Hockey League action. https://www.fakenfljerseys.com/. "He came up to me and said, I want to train," said Toronto coach Ryan Nelsen. The 26-year-old midfielder is expected to play Saturday night when Toronto hosts D.C. United, returning to his Major League Soccer squad with mixed feelings about the Americans World Cup run -- sad that it ended when it did but proud of his teams performance. Fake NFL Jerseys Free Shipping .com) - The top spot in the AFC South will be on the line when Houston native Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts shoot for their fourth straight win when they take on the Texans at NRG Stadium. Fake NFL Jerseys For Sale . - Dolphins safety Louis Delmas has been carted off the field with a right knee injury against the Ravens.After another exciting week in the NFL, TSNs Chris Schultz offers his thoughts on the Browns quarterback situation, Jeff Fishers choice of captains for the coin toss and more. 1. All week, the Cleveland Browns were embroiled in Manziel or Hoyer and, after watching the Colts win 25-24, maybe it is time to go with Manziel. I am not much of a Johnny Football fan as he seems to have an edge of arrogance that is not earned on the field. Maybe I am wrong because sometimes arrogance is confidence just misinterpreted by those on the outside. But his money gestures I dont get. Is he saying he is money if he ever gets on the field or that he is getting money and wants everyone to know? Either way, he should stay humble and play. Pro football can humble you as fast as it can create you and trying to have a career as opposed to an experience in this sport is different. Very few actually have experienced a career. Thousands more just an experience. The bottom line with Brian Hoyer is he has trouble throwing consistently with accuracy at moving targets. I counted five times in the loss that he was clean and clear but could not deliver. With Cincinnati, Carolina and Baltimore left, it would be the ultimate in experience, much better than three exhibition games next summer. He would be playing with starters in meaningful games so at the end of the season, you know what you got. In the 2015 draft, there are three or four good quarterbacks and some serious underplayed ones that could be surprises. Brian Hoyer is good but he is not great, and probably why New England let him go. 2. The hardest position to play in modern football is defensive back on 3rd and long. Even though there are crystal clear rules on what is and what is not legal, I still look at pass interference as a judgment call. In the New England-San Diego game, you could have called Patriots corner Brandon Browner on every play the ball was thrown his way while covering Malcom Floyd for San Diego. He did get called but sometimes he did not. NFL receivers have never been better, taller and faster with longer reach and teams throw the ball more than ever. Out there on an island and in space, it is easy to call illegal contact or pass interference because there is no congestion with bodies. In one play, the game can change and it is you and the receiver and no one else. It is similar to the centre, guard or tackle that has 60 good plays and one bad one and the bad one changes the game. With a defensive back, it produces six points at the toughest position to play and play well. 3. If, and only if, Arizona wins the division, Bruce Arians should be NFL coach of the year. No Carson Palmer, no Larry Fitzgerald and no Andre Ellington and on defence, five other starters have been absent at various times. Great teams have great depth and great depth is due to exceptional scouting and coaching individual players to improve. When you look at the Chiefs and Cardinals, the Cardinals should have lost. I know luck exists but planning, preparation and responding to pressure in a moment is much more tangible. Arizona is not lucky, they just prepare to win. 4. In Baltimore, the Ravens have three games they can win: Jacksonville, at Houston and Cleveland. Blake Bortles, Ryan Fitzpatrick and probably Manziel. With Baltimore, you see Joe Flacco as relaxed and confident more now than earlier in the season. Only seven incomplete passes is outstanding and I know within the division, Roethlisburger is the most dramatic but Flacco is catching up. Four players have made a difference for Baltimore and the first is Steve Smith, who just brings a desire and emotion to a team that all teams need. Not all players can be leaders and not all can be followers but leaders are a necessity and followers a reality. Smith is the emotional leader that is not in Joe Flaccos personality. Then there first two draft picks in C.J. Mosley at middle linebacker and Timmy Jernigan at defensive tackle. When you can get two starteers in a single draft, you have done well and both are choices by Ozzie Newsome.dddddddddddd Suspended Haloti Ngata was not missed. And in free agency, Eugene Monroe has done well. When Jonathan Ogden retired, the likelihood of finding the next one was unrealistic. So you kinda pick and choose, try and experiment until you find the next player even close. Monroe is not the next Ogden but he is close enough. 5. There are three teams that are desperately regressing for maybe the same reasons: San Francisco, New Orleans and Washington. To me, all three head coaches have similar push, push and push some more personalities. Nothing wrong with that but its not working. Bill Belichick pushes and it works but with Jim Harbuagh, the players are not responding. Sean Payton the same. As for Jay Gruden, it is surprising because it is his first year. The worst thing he could do is not have RG3 next year. There are very few players with his potential and yes, he has gone from rookie of the year and NFC East champion to the bench, but he can get it back; just re-dedicate. 6. I am a big Jeff Fisher fan in St. Louis and after shutting out Oakland and Washington, his team is on its way. They are going to be a team no one wants to play and Arizona, New York Giants and Seattle still have to. The captains for the Redskin game were the six players they received for the RG3 trade. I dont know why or for what purpose that served in Washington with RG3 on the sidelines. I guess it was a good comparative point to be made but also insulting to the Redskin organization. Just didnt seem like the right thing to do at the right time. Jeff Fisher surprised me on that one. 7. In Denver, the Broncos beat the Bills 24-17 and Peyton Manning threw 20 passes; 20. I have never seen or heard of Manning winning a game with only 20 passes. Kyle Orton threw 57 passes for the Bills. If the Broncos can continue to have success running and not taking the risks with too many passes, then a good playoff run will happen. The Broncos have had problems with the right tackle position. Moving Manny Ramirez from centre to right tackle was an immense risk that has worked out well. And I wonder if that is a reason for running success as much as CJ Anderson and others. 8. Just like in Super Bowl XLVIII in New York City, a great defence beat a great offence as Seattle beat 24-10. Remembering that seven of the points came on the Jon Ryan mishandled 4th down snap. It is always interesting how a season changes in a short time. Now Philadelphia is tied with Dallas and plays Dallas this week but Dallas has time coming off the easy win in Chicago. Dallas had three days to get ready for Philadelphia in the first game, now they have 10. Football is the ultimate team preparation sport and Dallas will be rested and ready this week as last time, they were exhausted and not properly prepared. Best game of Week 15 should be Dallas at Philadelphia for inside track in the NFC East. 9. Opening drive; Touchdown Green Bay. Yes, they do have the best quarterback in football with the best arm, but who thought Eddie Lacy would be such a good power back? Coming out of Alabama, he was considered a risk as his dedication was questioned. Whoever thought that David Bakhtiari would develop into an above average left tackle as fourth round draft pick? And at centre, Cory Linsley was a fifth round pick. I remember Week 1 in Seattle where Linsley was the weak link at centre and looked like it. Not any more. In the first half, the Packers had 43 plays, 21 first downs and 30 points. Green Bay at home is going to be tough to beat. In the second half, you have to give credit to Atlanta for playing to win. I am not sure who is a better receiver; Jordy Nelson or Julio Jones. Both are at the top of their respective wide receiver games. Regrets for each team; Atlanta that they did not play defence at a higher level in the first half and Green Bay that they didnt play better defense in the second half. ' ' '