The goombas of the AHL taught him to keep his head up and his legs moving.

I think it's simply the passion/effort that people see and, not surprisingly, reacting favorably to.

Kinda like Kelly ca. 2006/07. Miss that guy by the way.

He seems to want to be there, and is pushing hard to earn a spot.

Reading the piece, I tried to remember my impression watching Regin in those games last year. True, hits don't come to mind, but neither does "soft". I certainly don't recall a Corvo/Spezza type "my safety above all other concerns" mindset.

I am done with Schubie anyway - whoever mishandled what - who cares - I was done when he started complaining about being put on the wing. Bring on the Big Cark.

Dono came here/home to retire, and Brian let him. It would be a dick move for him to send him away again - despite what all of the armchair GMs / Capologist / Comic Book Guys are saying. I'd love a roster spot as much as the next guy, but a deal is a deal - Dono has earned the right not to be treated like Jason Smith.

Stupid bandwagon town.
X.

@Michael: Here's hoping.

@Exx: I'm in agreement with almost everything you said (Picard out for Carkner? Oh HELLZ yes!).

But if we need to ditch 22 or 5, why Regin and not, say Zack Smith whom I think would stand a better chance against the Bruins and Truculences of the world?

I like your point here. Expectations get way too high, way too quickly.

Steve Warne recently said this to me and its bang on:
"The jump from pre-season to NHL is almost as big as AHL to NHL".

@SLC: Don't get me wrong, the point of the post is a valid one.

It would not be entirely inappropriate for Regin, Lee, and Shannon to step onto the ice at SBP to the with the late MJ's "PYT" pounding through the PA system, right before they go off to their other gig modeling size 6X boyswear in the Sears catalogue.

I believe the brain-trust DID expect Smith to make this team. The one intermission interview was somewhat telling: (paraphrased from memory)

Interviewer: What do you need to do to make the team/play better?
Smith: I need to know my role. The coaches need me to be a "role-player" out there and that's what I have to focus on if that's what the team needs.

Translation? Murray & CiCi see the same thing you do (hopefully).

From the very little I have watched (I don't listen to the radio games anymore), Regin has played his way ahead of Smith. He looks like he has a purpose - Smith looks like he's trying: perhaps playing reactively instead of Regin's proactive approach.

Regin must have enjoyed those 11 games.

I'm glad all the Trogs you baited to your website a few weeks ago are gone now, b/c I have to admit (loathe as I am to do so) Burke's plan for a team seems to be the plan I have always yearned for here in Ottawa. Minus Kessel, though, TYVM.

Having Carkner would be nice, but what we really need is a scary MoFo. Like, scary. Like the bizzare life-form in movies that the villian always dramatically reveals to dispatch of the heroes. Please. (Nothing that starts with Z either)

@Burgundy: a.k.a.: Bochenski-itis

@Exx: Patience. Our bizarre life form has arrived, and he's playing in Spokane. As for Burke's plan...and strictly on the DL...me too. Dammit.

You know what pisses me off even more (actually this doesn't really piss me off but whatever)? Is the fact that Mike Fisher needs an AHL player to turn him into a scoring machine.

Honestly last year was practically the last straw with him for me. He's been in the NHL for almost what? 10 years? he should be able to score with whoever, not just one specific player who may not be ready for the NHL yet.

This team needs more Mike Fishers and Daniel Alfressons.

You all should probably check out Clouston's interview on HC@Noon on Fan590 website - it's the longest I have ever heard the guy speak.

I suspect you guys admiring Burke's roster moves now will be singing a different tune by January. Toughness doesn't win NHL games, as much as many people would like to believe it does. Talent and skill are 2 things the Leafs don't have enough of, and all the toughness in the world won't change that.

The jury is still out on Regin, but I think he's the best fit right now to give the Sens 3 lines that are a legitimate threat to score. The team's problem has been lack of secondary scoring (only Vermette and Fisher with 20+ goals outside of the top line in recent years).

Looking at the roster now (with Schubert and Donovan not in it), scoring should improve and be distributed more evenly across the top 3 lines.

I suspect you guys admiring Burke's roster moves now will be singing a different tune by January. Toughness doesn't win NHL games,"

well you see, if the only thing Burke had done was bring in toughness that would be a valid arguemnt, short of Colton Orr and Exelby, Burke has brought in some very skilled NHL talent. Komiserek is excellent defensivly and Beauchemin is an incredible all around defenseman. Not to mention all of the college signings and Gustavsson. All skill signings WITH toughness (although the jury is still out on the monsters truculence level). And of course there is Kessel, who is pure skill, but will be limited by his recovery from surgury.
There is plenty of skill on the Leafs, much more than there has been in a while.