A Foot In The Crease

Ahead this week on AFITC, a third of the way through the season and the Maple Leafs find themselves in a playoff spot. And they didn't even trade for Roberto Luongo. Surprised? Shocked even? We'll answer that question as well as look at why things have gone right, if it's time to change the perception of the Leafs goaltending and what to do with a glut of defensemen. Back Checking gets the Listeners voice onto the program as we check in with some emails and tweets. The Gong Banger is along as well later in the segment to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the program as well with a look at arguably the biggest question that Dave Nonis and company will have to answer in the coming year. Also in this episode, we'll make an announcement about the future of the podcast. You know “the nobody on the ice until the zamboni doors are completely closed” rule in minor hockey, well it doesn't apply in the NHL. This is Episode 8.2 of AFITC.

It's the season eight premiere of AFITC on the day the NHL season was supposed to begin. But alas, the memories of 2004 turn to the reality of 2012 as NHL arenas again sit dark with yet another lockout in our midst. The owners, the players; who's right this time around? What makes this time different than 8 years ago? We'll answer these questions along with a host of other lockout topics in the Redline Report. Back checking brings your voice onto the program as we check in with some contributions from listeners about their thoughts on the lack of NHL hockey. Wrapping the segment, the Gong Banger rolls in to ring in a Troubling Fact of the Week. Are you feeling lost, forlorn, aimlessly wandering about with nothing to do without NHL hockey? Rigamarole will wrap the program with some ideas as to how you can fill that deep void the NHL has left for you.

Ahead this week on the program, Season 7 of AFITC comes to an end as we look back at the first week of free agent frenzy (?) in the NHL. The Leafs make some minor moves while the Minnesota Wild went wild luring Zach Parise and Ryan Suter with massive money deals. How does this shift the balance of power? Is spending out of control? What does this mean to the Leafs? We're all over it in the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next. We turn to you for Listener Contributions through Twitter and Email and welcome the Gong Banger in for another Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week looking at the ripple effect that could be seen in Nashville now that Ryan Suter has hit the road. This is Episode 7.39, the Season Finale of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the penultimate edition of Season 7, Brian Burke waited until late in the weekend but then dropped a bomb when he announced Luke Schenn had been dealt for James Van Riemsdyk. We'll tell you who won that trade coming up in the Redline Report. As well, the Leafs General Manager doing too much talking? We'll tell you his latest eyebrow raising remark along with which team can least afford to move forward under their current scenario, the Leafs starting the season with Reimer and Scrivens or the Canucks bringing  both Schneider and Luongo back to camp. Wrapping the segment, we'll follow up on a trade involving considerable consanguinity and debate whether the Penguins owed Sidney Crosby his massive contract extension. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and close it out with the Gong Banger and a Troubling Fact of the Week. And finally rigamarole wraps the show. This week, I'll tell you why the Hall of Fame debate about who should be in and who should be out bores the hell out of me. They said it would be so hot in Toronto today that it would feel like oven like conditions. Well when I got home, the bread dough I'd left on the sidewalk hadn't baked yet. This is Episode 7.38 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, if the NHL offseason was a game of musical chairs, Brian Burke might end up without a chair when the music shuts off. Lots of options falling off the table for the Leafs to upgrade so what should they do? Would you be happy with Reimer / Scrivens next season? Could Jordan Staal be in play? Should the Leafs try to move up in the draft? We're all over it in the Redline Report. Later in Back Checking, we tip our hats to Jake Gardiner and Teemu Selanne, check in with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email before making way for the Gong Banger to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Also in this segment, we reveal the word that was the final cut when Brian Burke was holding tryouts to fill out his team of four big words. Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at why the wheeling and dealing has been rather quiet so far in the week leading up to the NHL draft.

Ahead this week on the program, California Dreaming, the Kings crowned in LA as the Cup heads west. Where does the Kings playoff run rank all time? How does their win affect other team's mindsets going forward? We're all over that to kick start the Redline Report. The Toronto Marlies made the Calder Cup Finals but the magic ended as the third round did. Swept by the Admirals but what does it mean to the Leafs future, and more specifically how will Ben Scrivens affect the Leafs goaltending. Back Checking follows next with some bullet points from around the league, Listener Contributions from Twitter and emails from Alan and Aaron. After that, the gong banger is along with a Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look back at some of the things we learned over the last year in the NHL. Did Buzz Aldrin make history when he became the second man to step on the moon first? This is Episode 7.36 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, nine days since our last program yet only two games in that time. The NHL's really got to up the games to days ratio. We'll hit on the start of the Cup Finals between the Kings and Devils. Do teams have a responsibility to play entertaining hockey at this time of year? We'll give you our thoughts to kick start the Redline Report. Also on tap, Nick Lidstrom calls it a career. Where does he rank all time and what does this mean for the Wings going forward? Wrapping the segment, we'll look at Tim Thomas' suggestion that he might want to take a year off and what the Flames hiring Bob Hartley as head coach means for their organization. Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email along with the Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at the Marlies loss of Matt Frattin for the season and how it could affect the Toronto Maple Leafs next season. New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan was at game one of the Cup Finals with his wife on Wednesday. Reports tell us he was impressed with the footwork on Anze Kopitar's game winner. This is Episode 7.35 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the LA Kings are through to the Stanley Cup Finals but not without controversy. We'll touch on the contentious end to game five of the Kings / Coyotes series, why the Mike Rupp punch on Martin Brodeur was not the smartest thing Rupp could have done for the Rangers and whether the Marlies success has you raising your expectations for the Leafs next year. Back Checking comes your way next. We'll feature Listener Contributions for Twitter and Email and a locally inspired Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a local at how the off-ice shenanigans of Patrick Kane should start to become the problems of the Chicago Blackhawks. All that and more ahead on Episode 7.34 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the LA Kings are two wins from a date in the Stanley Cup Finals and are showing no signs of slowing down. How surprised should we be that this 8th seed is just mowing down the competition? We'll touch on that in the Redline Report. Later we'll tell you why the heat that the BS column (blocked shots column) on the score sheet is taking is just that, BS. The NHL has served customary notice to the Players Association required to make changes to the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Could this lead to a work stoppage? We'll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking is next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email as well as another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at Alex Semin's future in Washington and whether the Leafs should look at acquiring him if indeed he moves on. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.33 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Montreal Canadiens new General Manager Marc Beregevin came calling on the Toronto Maple Leafs for the services of Rick Dudley but the Leafs are none too pleased about it. We'll tell you why to kick start the Redline Report. Do you know who Leo Komarov is? You might become pretty familiar with him as soon as next year. We'll tell you who he is in the Report Report. The Toronto Marlies are a win away from the Western Conference Final in the American Hockey League. But do you care? Are you on the Marlies band wagon? We'll get to that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next where we'll look at the downfall of the Nashville Predators and how this could be a franchise defining off season in music city. A Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment before rigamarole wraps the show, this week looking at why just squeaking into the playoffs in 8th spot doesn't leave you in as tough a position as it used to. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.32 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, well into the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs and it's as wide open as ever. We'll go through some Mid Playoff Musings out of the gate in the Redline Report, who's the odds on Cup favourite, and who would you give the Conn Smythe to if the playoffs ended today? A couple of Nashville Predators are misbehaving, we'll tell you how they were punished and what it means for the Preds. Raffi Torres and the NHLPA have appealed his 25 game suspension for his hit on Marian Hossa. We'll tell you how this could set a precedent for the NHL depending on how the appeal is ruled upon to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking brings an announcement about the Toronto Maple Leafs, Listener Contributions and a Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole this week looks at why the NHL should never even consider altering the current playoff overtime format. 

Ahead this week on the program, the NHL came down hard on Raffi Torres for his hit on Marian Hossa of the Chicago Blackhawks. We'll tell you why 25 games was too much of a suspension for that hit. As well, this is shaping up to be one of the busiest off seasons of big name player movement in recent memory. We'll tell you who could be on the move and if the Leafs should get in on the action. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is the Gong Banger as we ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole this week wraps the show with a look at who holds the edge in the second round of the Western Conference playoffs. Is there anything more awkward than running into somebody at a grocery store for the second time in the same visit? This is Episode 7.30 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, absolute chaos bordering on anarchy so far in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nine suspensions already and likely more to come. Has the violence turned you off or are you loving it? We'll give our thoughts on that, the Raffi Torres hit on Marian Hossa, the Penguins / Flyers and Kings and Canucks coming up in the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and emails from Alan and Aaron. After that, it's a Troubling Fact of the Week, this week featuring what we think was the most sickening act of the playoffs so far. Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at Canada's National netminding crisis. Tweety Bird from the Looney Toons, is it a guy or a girl? Seriously, still haven't been able to figure that one out. This is Episode 7.29 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally brought an end to another disappointing playoff-less season. We'll look back on the last couple games against Tampa Bay and Montreal, look back on the season as a whole and tell you where the Leafs will draft in June.  Larry Tanenbaum wrote an open letter to Leaf fans apologizing for the season. Did his letter soften your anger toward the disappointing season? We'll touch on that as well as some reaction from Randy Carlyle and Brian Burke's season ending press conferences. Back Checking comes your later with Listener Contributions and a Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week telling you what to expect in the first round of the playoffs. If Ilya Bryzgalov is afraid of bear in forest, he should be glad he isn't facing the Boston Bruins. This is Episode 7.28 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs are just about out of their misery – just two games to go before closing the book on just a dreadful season. Three games in the past week, a loss to Philadelphia, a win against Buffalo and an overtime loss to Buffalo; we'll take you through those games in the Redline Report.  Would you be happy with a James Reimer / Ben Scrivens combo in net next year? We'll answer that question as well as why this off season might be as good a time as ever to trade Phil Kessel. Later in Back Checking, we get a variety of Listener Contributions onto the program from Twitter and Email and wrap with a Troubling Fact of the Week. In addition, we get into a discussion about the importance of repairing the image of the Maple Leafs to players around the NHL. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at one of the best rivalries the NHL has seen in recent memory. 

Ahead this week on the program, close the door, turn out the lights, no they won't be home tonight. For the seventh straight season, Air Canada Centre will be free of playoff hockey. We'll take you through the three games from the past week against the New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes to kick start the Redline Report. Later, Tie Domi is disgusted. We'll tell you why and let you know about the Leafs newest signing. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. We'll lend some context to just how far the Buffalo Sabres have come in a short period of time and wrap things with a Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show this week as we give a tip of the hat to the…Ottawa Senators. This is Episode 7.26 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued to slide their way down the Eastern Conference standings and it wasn't pretty. Tank job? Probably not, but it was ugly. So how do you see it? This is what you want right? The draft pick! So if that's what you want are you still angry with how poorly they played? Can't have it both ways. We'll debate that to kick start the Redline Report. Do you hop on another team's bandwagon once your team is out? Two very different schools of thought on this. We'll give you our thoughts in the Redline Report as well as a look into the latest chapter of the Canucks and Blackhawks rivalry. Back Checking comes your way with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and wraps with a Troubling Fact of the Week. Would you trade Phil Kessel straight up for Scott Hartnell? Think about that. We'll tell you coming up in rigamarole. This is Episode 7.25 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs season went from worse to horrid to…what's after horrid. Three more games, three more loss and the Leafs are now well within range of the draft lottery. We'll take you through those games in the Redline Report. Later, was this year a step on the road to further development or just a complete write off with no progress whatsoever? We'll answer that as well as introduce you to Muskoka Five, Version II. In Back Checking, we get to your Listener Contributions via Twitter and Emails from Trevor and Matt. The Nashville Predators are poised to add a top calibre player to the roster after the trade deadline. We'll tell you about that before welcoming the Gong Banger back for another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at which team is emerging as the leading contender for the Stanley Cup.

Ahead this week on the program, drop the black curtain, this season's done. The Toronto Maple Leafs free fall continued with two losses in their last three games giving them just two wins in their last 14 games. Ron Wilson's gone, Randy Carlyle is in. Mikhail Grabovski's back and for a long, long time. We'll fill you in on all of that coming up in the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is the Gong Banger with a very disconcerting Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole this week looks at why we have become so accustomed to the culture of losing in Toronto. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.23 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, three more games, three more losses for the Toronto Maple Leafs as their season continues to implode before our eyes. We'll take you through losses to San Jose, Washington and Florida to kick start the Redline Report.  No help on the way either as the Leafs added nothing to their roster at the trade deadline. We'll touch on the inactivity at the deadline as well as a few of the more eyebrow raising quotes from Brian Burke's post deadline media conference to wrap the segment. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions. We'll get to some great tweets and emails from Bruce and Matt. Wrapping the segment, the Gong Banger is back with another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show this week with a look at why the Rick Nash situation in Columbus has the chance to become rather awkward as the season rolls on.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to turn in their worst hockey of the season at the most crucial point in the year. We'll take your through the games against the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils to kick start the Redline Report. Has your mindset changed heading to the deadline? Is goaltending now the biggest need? We'll offer our thoughts on that as well as look ahead to the Leafs upcoming games against San Jose and Washington. Back Checking comes your way with Listener Contributions via Twitter and Email. After that, the Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment looking at a surprising contract extension from the past week. Rigamarole wraps the show, this week looking at why the phrase “Oh the Leafs never ever get any help on the out of town scoreboard,” should never be uttered ever, ever again.

Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs hit the wall with a four game losing streak before finally getting back on track with a win in Edmonton. We'll take your through games against the Flyers, Canadiens, Flames and Oilers to kick start the Redline Report. With just over a week until the NHL's trade deadline, should the Leafs be making a move or two? Rick Nash perhaps? We'll touch on that as well. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions to the program via Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment is a Troubling Fact of the Week, this week focusing on more disappointing behavior in Vancouver. Wrapping the show is rigamarole, this week looking at the mighty surge of the marching Anaheim Ducks. All that and more this week on A Foot In The Crease – The Toronto Hockey Podcast.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs continued rolling along with a pair of wins against the Ottawa Senators and Edmonton Oilers before being tripped up by the Winnipeg Jets in their final game of the week. We'll take you through those games, what impact they had on the Leafs position in the standings and a whole lot more to kick start the Redline Report.  Later, the worst kept secret in hockey: the 2013 Winter Classic will be announced on Thursday and it involved the Leafs. We'll touch on that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and wraps up with a Troubling Fact of the Week. With Mats Sundin's #13 banner being raised to the rafters on Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens, rigamarole looks back at the legacy of Sundin in Toronto.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs took three of four points against the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins but it very easily could have been and probably should have been four of four points. We'll take you through those pair of games to kick start the Redline Report. Later, Mikhail Grabovski was the second highest scoring player during the month of January but he's a free agent at the end of the season. Should the Leafs keep him and sign him or trade him? We'll touch on that as well. Sidney Crosby's injury situation became even further muddled this week after it was reported he had fractured vertebraes in his neck but then the next day the story changed? How close is he to returning? We'll look at that situation to wrap the Redline Report. In Back Checking, Listener Contributions come your via Twitter and Email. Wrapping the segment, we feature a multi faceted Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole concludes the show this week with a look at why it made sense for the Leafs to send Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie back to the Toronto Marlies. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.18 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs took three of four games this week heading into their week long All Star break. We'll take you through those games against the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens and a pair against the New York Islanders to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.  Later, John Michael Liles re-uped with the Leafs for four years? We'll weigh in on that deal as well as exploring whether it's time to look at extending another pending unrestricted free agent: Jonas Gustavsson. Wrapping the Redline Report, Tim Thomas said no to President Obama's invitation to the White House. Disrespectful? Off base? We'll give you our thoughts before jumping into Back Checking with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email as well as a Troubling Fact of the Week featuring Alex Ovechkin. Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at the stark contrast between the way the Leafs went into the All Star Break last year compared to this year. All that and more coming up on Episode 7.17 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, a perfect week for the Leafs followed up by a winless week and all of a sudden they're back out of the playoffs looking in. We'll take you through games against the Sabres, Rangers and Senators to kick start the Redline Report.  Wrapping the segment, Taylor Hall cut badly by a skate during the warm up on Tuesday but it could have been much worse. Hall wasn't wearing a helmet, is it time for that to change? We'll touch on that as well to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking gets your voice onto the program with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Emails from Matt, Alan and Aaron. The Gong Banger is back on vacation this week – actually he's on hiatus considering legal action after the disparaging comment we made about him on last week's show – so for the final time, we are joined by the boys from Sens Underground for a Babble of Ontario. Wrapping the program is rigamarole, this week looking at the consistency of the Leafs inconsistency. 

Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs ended 2011 with a whimper but started 2012 with a bang winning four straight home games to set a new season high for consecutive wins. We'll take you through games against the Jets, Red Wings and Sabres to kick start the Redline Report. Midway through the season now, we'll hand out our half way report cards, grading the offense, the defense, the goaltending and the coaching staff as well as a few individual players. Alex Ovechkin this year is not the Alex Ovechkin we've come to be familiar with. Does he deserve to go to the All Star game? We'll debate that as well the format of choosing the rosters for the All Star Game to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking follows after that with Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email and concludes with a Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at how the Leafs past week has demonstrated their rarely seen killer instinct.

We're back on AFITC for our first show of 2012 after a very relaxing and restful week off over the holidays. The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled through the month of December finishing 2011 on a three game losing streak that saw them fall right out of the playoffs. We're all over the Leafs to kick start the Redline Report. Ron Wilson gets a contract extension and announced it on Christmas Day on Twitter. Is that acceptable to you? We'll touch on that as well as the Leafs goaltending situation to wrap the Leaf Notes portion of the show. Team Canada failed again at the World Junior Hockey Championships but almost managed a comeback for the ages. What's wrong with Canada's National Junior program? We'll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking comes your way next with Listener Contributions from Email and Twitter. Wrapping the segment, our Philadelphia correspondent Alan Bass checks in. He was at the Winter Classic so we'll hit on that, Ilya Bryzgalov and the state of the Flyers. Rigamarole wraps the show as always, this week taking a look at the crossroad the Leafs have reached for the 2011-2012 season. Sit back, make sure you not forget early in the morning your thermos, put some nice tea, and enjoy the program.

Ahead this week on the program, three games, six available points but only one secured by the Leafs this past week. Are the Leafs drowning? We'll answer that question as we take you through games against the Sabres, Canucks, and Kings.  The Habs fired Jacques Martin but their new coach Randy Cunneyworth can't speak French and that has all sorts of people all upset. Did Sweden throw games at the 2006 Olympics? Peter Forsberg hinted that they did. Listener Contributions, a Troubling Fact and rigamarole follow to wrap the show. It's the Christmas Edition of AFITC. Sit back, grab a glass of cheer and enjoy!

Ahead this week on the program, we often promise a shorter show but rarely deliver. However, this folks, might be the week. Just two games for the Leafs this past week against the Washington Capitals and Carolina Hurricanes, we'll take you through those games in the Redline Report. Did the Leafs earn a win or luck into a win against the Hurricanes? We'll answer that question specifically and get to an injury update in the Revolving Door. Wrapping the Redline Report, Sidney Crosby's out again indefinitely. Is his career in jeopardy? We'll dive into that as well as touch on another coaching change in the NHL. Back Checking brings Listener Contributions, a discussion on the sale of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment and a Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look at why the next four games are ever so crucial to the Leafs success. Complaining about having to get up to change the channel. Problems from our parents generation. Complaining about having to reach out from under the blanket into the cold for the zapper to fast forward the commercials on the PVR. Problems from my generation. This is Episode 7.12 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs won one, lost one and lost another in overtime this past week. We'll take your through the three games against the Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils to kick start the Redline Report. The Revolving Door brings you up to speed on some Leaf injury updates. Later, we weigh in on Jordan Tootoo's hit on Sabres netminder Ryan Miller and try to find Brian Burke a suitable barn to fight Kevin Lowe. Back Checking this week touches on the oversleeping Tyler Seguin before welcoming Listener Contributions onto the show from Twitter and Email. Does it bother you when coaches lie about injuries and line up decisions? We'll answer that question before making way for the Gong Banger to ring in the Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping the program is rigamarole where we'll explain why fan balloting for the All Star Game has got to go! Brian Burke admitted last week he was actually considering renting a barn to fight Kevin Lowe. You can fight in a parking lot, the street, but renting a barn? That's ever so pugnacious. This is Episode 7.11 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs wrapped a very successful four game road trip with a loss at home to the Boston Bruins. We'll take you through the three games against Dallas, Anaheim and Boston to begin the Redline Report. Trade winds swirling around Bobby Ryan. Ducks GM Bob Murray says he's not available but would a player like him help the Leafs and what would you give up to get him? We'll touch on that, Nik Kulemin's goalless drought, and assess the Leafs after the first big checkpoint of the season: American Thanksgiving. Later in the segment, we'll spin you through the Revolving Door with updates on a few injured Leafs. Coaching changes galore this week in the NHL, we'll tell you who's in, who's out and what sort of result teams that made coaching changes might be hoping for. In Back Checking, we welcome your contributions onto the program through Twitter and Email.  Wrapping the segment, Detroit Red Wings prospect Brendan Smith joins the show to talk about his NHL debut, his thoughts on Jersey Guy and whether Nickelback is a legit band. Rigamarole wraps the show as always with a focus this week on the plight of the Anaheim Ducks. If I don't know what you're saying, saying “You know what I'm saying?” is not going to make me understand. This is Episode 7.10 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, two wins and two losses for the Maple Leafs but in those wins, they were absolutely dominant. We'll take you through the four games against the Predators, Capitals, Hurricanes and Lightning to kick start the Redline Report. Tyler Bozak, nine points in his last seven games. Has he finally figured it out? We'll touch on that. As well, injuries decimated the team last week, we'll update on a long list from the infirmary in the Revolving Door. Sidney Crosby finally back on the ice and in the Penguins line up and what a return it was on Monday. We'll get into that to wrap the Redline Report. In Back Checking, some news and notes from around the league, your contributions from Twitter and Email, we'll debate our Twitter Question of the Week regarding Joffery Lupul and Phil Kessel and the Gong Banger stops by to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping the program is rigamarole as we look at some of the bigger surprises from the first quarter of the NHL season. If you don't want people sneaking up from behind you when you're at home, carpet your house in bubble wrap. This is Episode 7.9 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, a win, a loss and a shootout loss for the Leafs this past week but some frightening signs have continued to creep up. We'll take you through the three games from the past week against the Blues, Senators and Coyotes in the Leafs notes portion of the Redline Report. Tyler Bozak, Phil Kessel, Cody Franson also up for discussion as well as updates on a growing list of injured Leafs in the Revolving Door.  Interviews with player's parents. Is that out of bounds? We'll discuss the fallout from Dave Feschuk's piece in the Toronto Star after quoting James Reimer's mother as well as touching on the NHL's decision not to suspend Milan Lucic for his hit on Ryan Miller. Back Checking features Listener Contributions from Twitter and Emails from Jay, Matt, Alan and Aaron. The Gong Banger wraps Back Checking by ringing in an OHL themed Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole explains why the Leafs cannot procrastinate when it comes to determining a solution for their netminding situation.

Ahead this week on the program, are the November Blues upon us? Just two games for the Toronto Maple Leafs since we last spoke but both of them, just abysmal efforts. What went wrong? How concerned should you be? We'll take you through the two games against the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers with all the details in the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.  James Reimer's status, we'll update you on that as well as the statuses of a number of other Leafs in the Revolving Door. Back Checking comes your way next as we welcome your thoughts onto the program from Twitter and Listener Email from Matt and Richard. The Gong Banger is along as well to ring in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping program is rigamarole where we'll tell you just how close the Leafs are to sliding in to a full on November Blues.

Ahead this week on the program, four more games for the Maple Leafs, three more wins. But the question is still relevant, is this team for real? We'll take you through games against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, New Jersey Devils and Columbus Blue Jackets to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report. Later in the segment, we'll spin you through the Revolving Door and bring you the latest on the mysteriousness surrounding James Reimer's injury. To wrap the Redline Report, we'll look at a potentially revolutionary breakthrough for minimizing the risk of concussions. As well, we look at hazing and initiation in hockey after a disturbing story came to light involving a junior hockey team in Manitoba.  Following that it's Back Checking where we bring your thoughts onto the program from Twitter and Email. The Gong Banger stops by to wrap the segment with another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole concludes the show with a look at one area still very much plaguing the Leafs; one that is very much in need of improvement.

Ahead this week on the program, the Toronto Maple Leafs won a couple and lost a couple but how good a week did they really have? Off the ice, safe to say not a great one as James Reimer's status is suddenly very murky indeed. We're all over the games from the past week, what's wrong with James Reimer and trade rumors involving the just recently acquired Cody Franson to kick start the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report.  Quick Hits wraps the segment with an update on Sidney Crosby, the Montreal Canadiens strange timing on the firing of assistant coach Perry Pearn and the trade demand of Kyle Turris from the Phoenix Coyotes. Back Checking gets your voice on the program as we feature your Tweets and emails from Matt, Mark, Andre and Alan. The Gong Banger wraps the segment with an $850 million Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the show with a look why it's still important to view the Leafs start to the season with a healthy dose of cautious optimism. This is Episode 7.5 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on the program, the Leafs are off to a great start – or ARE they? 4-1 through their first five games. We'll examine whether that really should be viewed as a good start after we take you through the three games from the past week against the Flames, Avalanche and Jets in Leafs Notes to kick start the Redline Report. How should the Leafs approach the goaltending situation, where has all the secondary scoring gone, how good has Phil Kessel been? We'll touch on those questions as well. Wrapping the Redline Report, we look at Hockey Canada President Bob Nicholson's suggestion that the NHL raises the Entry Draft age to 19. Back Checking brings your voice to the program with some great Listener Contributions including an all timer sighting of Jersey Guy. The Gong Banger concludes the segment by ringing in another Troubling Fact of the Week. To wrap the program, rigamarole this week gives some perspective to the way the Leafs have started the season thus far. This is Episode 7.4 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, it didn't look like all systems were go coming out of the preseason but the Toronto Maple Leafs proved once again preseason results matter very little once the real games get going. Two straight wins to start the season against the Habs and Senators. Leafs Notes kick starts the Redline Report with all the details.  The Leafs in Trenton, Ontario on a team bonding excursion this week? How much do team bonding trips actually benefit performance? We'll share our thoughts on that as well as spinning you through the Revolving Door with a variety of injury updates. Don Cherry made headlines again for some controversial comments pertaining to three former NHL enforcers on the season's first edition of Coach's Corner. We'll touch on that to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking features some noteworthy tidbits from the past week as well as your thoughts and contributions through Twitter and Email. The Gong Banger wraps the segment by ringing in another Troubling Fact of the Week. Jeremy Roenick said people should stop focusing on Sidney Crosby's absence and start focusing on what is actually happening on the ice. Do you agree? Dave shares his thoughts on the daily updates of Crosby's recovery status at the end of the program in rigamarole. This is Episode 7.3 of AFITC.

The NHL's regular season is upon us once again and we've got you covered. Ahead this week on the program, we'll look back at the Maple Leafs preseason, tell you what to make of the team's performance and address some of the decisions that were ultimately made as a result. Frattin, Gardiner both stick as do both tough guys Rosehill and Orr. Franson sits while Komesarik plays. We'll discuss all those storylines coming up in the Leafs Notes portion of the Redline Report. Later in the segment, we'll spin you through the Revolving Door and update you on the plethora of Leafs injuries already. Also, another gut wrenching injury as a result of a touch icing. Is it time for a change? And is Brendan Shanahan going overboard and ruining the physicality of the game? Clarke MacArthur and Mike Milbury think so. Those topics wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking gets your voice on the program as we check in with a variety of Listener Contributions from Twitter and Email.  Our little discussion on Episode 7.1 about appearances from "Jersey Guy" (random guy who wears sports jerseys in places one wouldn't think sports jerseys would pass as acceptable attire) drew a lot of response so we want to hear from you. Where are the weirdest places you've seen appearances from "Jersey Guy?" Tweet us your responses and we'll keep mentioning them on the show. The Troubling Fact of the Week wraps the segment. After that, it's rigamarole where we'll tell you, flat out, if the Leafs make the playoffs in 2012. Episode 7.2 of AFITC starts now.

The summer hiatus has come to an end! We're back to start the engine on another season of A Foot In The Crease.  Kicking off Season Seven today, we check in first with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Most of the cuts have been made leaving just a handful of battles for spots on the third and fourth lines and the back end of the defense. We'll tell you who should stay, who should go and how much stake should be put in preseason performances.  Mike Komesarik has a no movement clause – surprising considering a statement made by Brian Burke at his Leafs introductory press conference. This means Komesarik likely starts the year with the Leafs regardless of if he's outplayed by one of the youngsters vying for a spot on the blueline. We'll explore this situation further before spinning through the Revolving Door with some injury updates to wrap Leafs Notes.  New NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan has been a busy guy handing out six suspensions already. Has the punishment been accurate? We'll give our thoughts to wrap the Redline Report. Back Checking brings your voice to the show with some great Listener Contributions from email and twitter.  Closing the show is Rigamarole as we pay tribute to Wade Belak, a former guest on our show, who passed away tragically this summer. This is Episode 7.1 of AFITC.

It's time for the annual celebration of the best that was in the past year of AFITC with the Year End Awards Gala Show Extravaganza Palooza Spectacular. Eleven awards or YEAGSEPS as they're now called (listen and find out) are handed out this year to some exceptionally deserving recipients.  The categories include Word of the Year, Tweeter of the Year, Email of the Year, Emailer of the Year, Moonlighter of the Year, Irreverent Moment of the Year, Rant of the Year, Whipping Boy of the Year, AFITC Leaf Player of the Year, Rigamarole of the Year and Guest of the Year. Four terrific songs from Season Six come your way as well throughout the course of the Gala. So sit back, enjoy, and walk the figurative red carpet with us as we honour the best from Season Six of AFITC.

Forty shows down, one to go before we close the book on Season Six of AFITC. Ahead on this week's program, the Leafs retooled adding one player through free agency and two through a trade while resigning two of their own restricted free agents. We'll discuss those moves and how they'll affect the Leafs next season in Leaf Notes. Kicking off the Redline Report, we feature another Defining Moment In Leaf history, ironically about finding a number one centre.  Paul Kariya had some strong words about how the NHL is dealing with concussions when he retired this past week. Will the NHL listen? We'll give our thoughts on that as well as this year's Hockey Hall of Fame inductees to wrap the Redline Report.  Back Checking looks at some bizarre contracts that were recently signed and gets some Listener Contributions onto the program. Later we turn to our closer, the Host of Off The Record on TSN, Michael Landsberg as he shares his thoughts on the Leafs, the Shark' overhaul, the future of NHL discipline and much more. Rigamarole will conclude the show, this week answering the biggest question on the minds have all Leaf fans: have they improved enough to snap their six year playoff drought.  With Season Six in the books, a number of thank yous are in order to the numerous people who have been so generous with their time in helping to make our show better.  First off, to our outstanding guests. To Will Gunton, Alan Bass, Cassidy Preston, Jeff Brown, Paul Hendrick, Alex Guptill, Brendan Smith, James Duthie, Joe Bowen, John Ondrasik, Lucas Lessio, Matt Cauz, Matt Lashoff, Nick D'Agostino and Michael Landsberg who all appeared this season on the show, thank you all so much! To everyone who corresponded with us through Email, Facebook or Twitter, thanks for sharing all your thoughts and opinions with us. Inspiring discussion and debate means we're doing our jobs and there was certainly no shortage of that this year. Getting different perspectives on topics and stories is what we love; we consider ourselves lucky to have been presented with so many outstanding contributions again this year! Finally, most of all, thanks to our many loyal listeners. Without you, we're just talking to ourselves. We recognize there are so many sources available for hockey talk and opinion and for you to have included our humble little program in your weekly routine and look forward to each week's episode; that, honestly, to us, is the biggest honour. Thanks so much for all the outstanding support! We sincerely hope you enjoyed us entertaining and informing you as much as we did putting show together.

Ahead this week on the penultimate edition of Season Six, the Toronto Maple Leafs shook up the coaching staff, added another former general manager to the front office, made a trade and drafted twice in the first round but should the weekend be considered a success? We're all over all things Leaf in the Redline Report. Later, we revisit our picks for the NHL Awards and discuss whether it's time for the Awards Show to move on from Las Vegas.  Before all that though, another Defining Moment In Leaf History – this week, featuring the Leafs historic 10-0 start in 1993 - comes your way. To wrap the Report, we look at a couple of blockbuster deals from the Flyers and Sharks that overhauled their rosters in one fell swoop.  Back Checking features three solid Listener Emails from Chris, Alan and Aaron, as well as a variety of tweets.  Our guest this week, Matt Cauz – the host of Game Day on TSN Radio – wraps the segment with thoughts on the Finals, Leafs, Brad Richards, Ryan Smyth and more. He even tells us how pick a proper wine for dinner.  And in rigamarole, we explain why Brian Burke might want to pay some attention to a specific Elvis Presley song. It's Episode 6.40 of AFITC and it's coming at you now!

Ahead this week on AFITC, many thought it was a sure thing that the Stanley Cup would be back in Canada for the first time since 1993 but the Boston Bruins said, “Not so fast.” We've got extensive coverage of the Stanley Cup Finals coming up in the Redline Report; what went wrong for the Canucks, are major changes required, where should the blame be focused? AFITC West Coast Correspondent Will Gunton checks in as well with his thoughts on the series and the ugly aftermath that followed on the streets of Vancouver. We kick off the segment with another Defining Moment in Leafs History, this week featuring an excellent single game performance from Doug Gilmour. Following that, we bring you Leaf Notes with news on Carl Gunnarsson and a big need that Brian Burke needs to fill over the next two weeks. Back Checking touches on the growing speculation of Jaromir Jagr's return to the NHL and brings some more great Listener Contributions onto the show. Wrapping the segment, welcome Dallas Stars prospect Alex Guptill back to the program as he gets set to begin his NCAA career with the University of Michigan Wolverines in the fall. Rigamarole wraps the show and pays some well deserved attention to the success of the Boston Bruins. Sit back, enjoy, it's the Father's Day edition of AFITC coming at you now! 

Ahead this week on AFITC, two horrific performances in Boston from the Vancouver Canucks left us with a series but a rebound performance in game five leaves them one win away from returning the Cup to Canada. What went wrong for the Canucks in Boston? How'd they manage to get back on track? What has to happen for them to win in Boston? We've got it covered in the Redline Report. Kicking off the Redline Report is Leaf Notes. We'll discuss James Reimer's new deal and how it benefits both sides.  Back Checking brings news on how NBC retaining their Olympic broadcast rights could affect NHL participation in the next Olympics. As well, some great Listener Contributions are on the way from Twitter and Email before the Gong Banger ushers in another Troubling Fact of the Week to wrap the segment. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Nick D'Agostino co-hosts the show this week with Dave and Jeff. He shares his thoughts on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Chris Tanev who he played against in Junior A hockey just two years ago including whether you should be surprised he's been able to make the jump to the NHL so quickly. Nick also gives his opinions of the Stanley Cup Finals, former Cornell University teammate and current Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Ben Scrivens and much more. Big thanks go out to Nick for devoting an entire evening to the show and doing an absolutely terrific job. Safe to say he's a better broadcaster than Dave and Jeff are hockey players. 

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Vancouver Canucks are two wins away from returning the Stanley Cup north of the border for the first time in eighteen years. Goaltending duels, Alex Burrows making an impression on the score sheet and Patrice Beregeron's finger, sky high TV numbers, a struggling Zdeno Chara, we're all over the first two games of the Finals in the Redline Report.  Checking in as well is our West Coast Correspondent Will Gunton to update us further on the scene from Vancouver. Defining Moments in Leafs History kick starts the Redline Report again this week before we look at the possibility of Brad Richards signing with the Leafs.  Wrapping the segment, we shift east to Manitoba and look at the return of the NHL to Winnipeg. In Back Checking, we tell you why regularly picking up hitch hikers might be a good habit to get into; who the new sheriff in town is; get to some Listener Contributions and welcome the Gong Banger back for another Troubling Fact of the Week. Rigamarole wraps the program with a look at why Bruins' Head Coach Claude Julien might not be feeling to confident in his defensemen heading into game three. All that and more coming up on Episode 6.37 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, three rounds down, one to go. The Stanley Cup Finals are set between the Vancouver Canucks and the Boston Bruins and we're all over it in the Redline Report. We'll take you through the path the Canucks and Bruins took to get there, which team holds the edge and what has to happen for both teams to have success.  Wrapping the segment, we check in with Will Gunton, our newly minted West Coast correspondent, to plug us in with the mood in Vancouver as the Canucks continue their march to the Cup. Kicking off the Redline Report is another Defining Moment In Leafs History, this week featuring the Leafs comeback from a 3-0 series deficit in 1942. Later, Leafs Notes touches on a report that Ron Wilson won't get a contract extension…just yet. Later in Back Checking, we turned to the listeners for some great contributions from Twitter and Email.  To wrap, we welcome top prospect Lucas Lessio of the Oshawa Generals to the program as he heads towards the NHL Entry Draft coming up in June. And finally, rigamarole concludes the show with a look at why the Stanley Cup Finals in recent times have been very good for the NHL. All that and more coming up right here on Episode 6.36 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Conference Finals are reaching the tipping point. The Vancouver Canucks have the San Jose Sharks on the brink of elimination while the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have been back and forth all series long. We'll get you caught up on all the action in the Redline Report including Ben Eager's antics; whether changes are necessary in San Jose if the Sharks bow out and a goaltending controversy in Tampa Bay.  Kick starting the segment is another Defining Moment in Leafs History, this week looking at the hiring of Pat Quinn. In Back Checking, we turn to our listeners for some contributions via the twitter and email account. The Atlanta Thrashers appear poised to be on the move to Winnipeg. We'll address that situation as well before welcoming this week's guest, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Matt Lashoff to talk about the end of the Maple Leafs season, the Eastern Conference Finals and about his burgeoning career as a musician with his debut release “Living on Heart.” Wrapping the program is rigamarole where we'll look at the big test Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland suddenly has on his hands. Given his past history though, I'm pretty confident he's going to pass. This is Episode 6.35 of AFITC. Make sure you pick up a copy of Matt's terrific debut release “Living On Heart,” available in the itunes music store or at lashoff.com.

Ahead this week on AFITC, the Conference Finals are underway. Sharks and Canucks, Bruins and Lightning; which teams have the edge? We'll tell you coming up in the Playoff Report. Jeremy Roenick calls Patrick Marleau's playoff performance “gutless.” Did he cross the line? Was Marleau and Joe Thornton's performance at the end of the second round enough to shake their playoff choking image? We're all over it in the Redline Report. Kicking off the segment is another Defining Moment in Leafs History followed by some news regarding the Leafs ownership. Later is Canadian hockey in crisis mode after a second straight defeat at the World Hockey Champions. Back Checking gets some solid Listener Contributions on the air and the Gong Banger is back with another Troubling Fact of the Week. Wrapping the program, rigamarole looks at the ultimate determining factor that can bring down great teams. Despite a ten day layoff, the Tampa Bay Lightning showed no signs of rust in a commanding 5-2 defeat of the Boston Bruins in game one which could only mean one thing. Guy Boucher had the WD-40 can working overtime. This is Episode 6.34 of AFITC.

Ahead this week on AFITC, we look at a second round of the playoffs that hasn't quite match up with the first. Two sweeps in the Eastern Conference as the Philadelphia Flyers and Washington Capitals had their seasons come to a sudden end. Which result was the bigger surprise? Should Bruce Boudreau take the fall in Washington? Just how good could the Flyers have been if they'd had some semblance of a goaltender? We'll answer those questions coming up in the Redline Report. The Green Men in Vancouver, a baffling NHL ultimatum, an update on Team Canada at the World Hockey Championships and another Defining Moment in Leafs History round out the segment. In Back Checking, we look at the Calder, Lady Byng and Selke Trophies and the ongoing Coyotes saga before getting to great some Listener Contributions. Wrapping the segment, AFITC legend Jeff Brown of the OHL's Windsor Spitfires stops by to talk on a variety of topics including head shots and why the OHL banning hits to the head has not led to a reduction in the physicality of the play. Rigamarole concludes the show and explains why the Vancouver Canucks might have already played themselves out of Cup contention even if they get past the Nashville Predators.