R.I.P.

So, so sad. 21 year-old Brendan Burke was killed today in a car accident. Burke is the son of Toronto GM Brian Burke. He had been in the news semi-recently for coming out that he was gay. It breaks my heart that his life was taken from him so young. We're the same age. It hits you hard.

Count your blessings folks.

Rest in peace, bud.




Photo.

In Other News ...

Brian Burke signed a deal with Toronto, and no one was surprised.

Really Ron Wilson?

As you may have heard by now, Leafs' coach, Ron Wilson, decided to play Curtis Joseph in the shootout after Vesa Toskala played the entire 65 minutes before that. Apparently this is because Joseph has a better shoot-out record. Okay, fair enough. But really though?

I think it shows a lack of confidence in Toskala. The kid played the entire game for you -- and kept the Leafs in the game (granted he only faced 21 shots). You say thank you by putting Joseph in? I know it's totally legal, but it's just strange to me. It'd be different if both goalies had seen action during regulation, but that was Toskala's game. Let him finish it.

Needless to say, the Ducks ended up winning the shoot-out. Way to go Ron Wilson.

Photo Credit: Dave Sandford/Getty Images

October is Hilarious

Okay, so the beginning of the regular season is so amusing to me. Can I just point out some examples?

+ The Maple Leafs beat Detroit in their first game. Sure, that's been their only win so far -- but it's still funny. Suck it Detroit.

+ The Ducks are 0-4. Not one point. Zero. Awful. Hint: stop taking penalties like it's your job ... it's not.

+ Chicago already tossed out their coach.

+ The St. Louis Blues are in first place in the Central Division.

+ I really don't care if the Rangers have been sick so far this year. They will choke in the post-season as they always do.

Just some Friday musings after a week of midterms. Gross. Bu vs. Merrimack tonight. Pittsburgh vs. Boston on Monday. Sooo excited.

OH... RED SOX ANYONE???

Did You Say Free?

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced they tacked on an extra preseason game this September, and all tickets will be free. As in $0. As in - an NHL game for nothing?! What?!

This is a great move by Toronto. They've been struggling for what seems like forever now (okay, maybe it hasn't been quite that long), and with a pretty decent new head coach, they're more than ready for a fresh start. This is a great way to promote it.

On top of that, NHL ticket prices always tend to get ridiculous. It gives fans the opportunity to see their favorite team - or if anything, just some great players. Granted it is the pre-season. I hope that the Leafs and the Sabres play some of the top guys for this game.

I think it would be a great idea to do something like this in the U.S. - maybe in hockey markets that don't draw as well. It can give people a chance to see a game (most first timers fall in love with hockey the first game they attend) without paying. I think it would definitely help generate some new interest.

The game will take place on September 22 against the Buffalo Sabres.

Props T-Dot. I love it.