John Gibbons has support of players: DeRosa

He is the voice of experience in the Toronto Blue Jays dressing room. His knowledge of the game is unparalleled. He has seen it all.

So when you ask Mark DeRosa if he agrees with Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos, who recently insisted John Gibbons will return as manager, he wastes no time in responding.

“I completely agree 100 percent with him,” said DeRosa. “We’ve had a lot of things since spring training happen to this ball club that John had no part in.”

DeRosa went on to say, “Gibby is a players’ manager. Everybody in here to a man has completely enjoyed playing for him. He’s given us a long leash probably a little longer than to be expected based on the way we played. I’ve completely enjoyed playing for him.”

DeRosa has had a big influence on Brett Lawrie and his improvement in recent weeks. He has become a mentor to the Blue Jays third baseman.

He’s also direct when asked what went wrong this year.
 

“Everybody has their own little piece of the fault as to why we are in the place we are at,” said the 38 year-old. “I definitely don’t feel that Gibby should be the scapegoat for it at all.”

The struggles of the starting staff, at-times atrocious defence, and poor fundamentals are all reasons why the Jays have so badly under achieved this season.

Gibbons acknowledges more teaching needs to be done. He probably was too laid back in that area because he thought he had a veteran team that didn’t need to be taught. He was wrong.

DeRosa for his part credits Gibbons with keeping the team loose during a trying season and not losing the clubhouse.

“You got to have pride in yourself and be willing to compete and do whatever it takes that night,” said DeRosa. “You find the true colors of people when things are going bad. It could have been easy for us to disband in the clubhouse and we haven’t. We’ve stayed strong, we stayed together.”

And with the bulk of the team expected back next season, DeRosa hopes the lessons learned this season will be used to turn things around next season,

“We understand the reasons we are where we are. It’s disappointing coming off a spring training where I felt like we had such a swagger about us and so confident, to find ourselves in this situation is obviously not a good one but we better learn from it.

Anthony Gose and his "very frustrating" year

Ask Anthony Gose to describe what this year has been like, and he won’t mince his words.

“It’s been very frustrating,” said the 23 year-old, recalled by the Toronto Blue Jays from AAA Buffalo.

After a 23 at-bat showing with the Blue Jays earlier this year in which he went 7-23 (.304 batting average) Gose was sent down to Buffalo. Instead of improving on those numbers, he digressed and at times his attitude got him benched.

While his attitude went south, so did his hitting.

“Was I happy I was sent down? No.  I wasn’t thrilled about being sent down,” said Gose. But it wasn’t his frustration at playing in the minor leagues that got the best of the speedy outfielder. It was his performance at the plate that led to his at times poor behaviour.

“It wasn’t so much being sent down it was the fact that I couldn’t hit the ball,” said a candid Gose, just hours after being recalled to the Blue Jays. “In order for me to be here I have to hit the ball. It definitely was frustrating going out every night. You guys see the numbers. 130 strikeouts in 300 at bats and you give those numbers to anybody they are going to be happy.”

To be fair, Gose had 121 strikeouts in 393 at-bats, but you get the point. His .239 batting average in Buffalo had him questioning if he was even going to get called up to the big leagues this year.

But in the last 10 games with the Bisons, Gose was hitting at nearly a .300 clip, and cut down his strikeouts.

“I just kind of said forget about it. Whatever happens, happens,” said Gose. “I didn’t expect to come here now. I figured at best a September call up if I get called up at all.”

But since returning to the Blue Jays in mid-August, Gose has not produced much of an impact. He has had 26 at-bats and has struck out 8 times while batting .231.

Happ and Cobb grateful to return; would consider wearing protective head gear

As J.A. Happ and Alex Cobb stood side by side on Sunday afternoon, it was apparent both men are grateful to be standing and talking – let alone pitching again.

“Not too many people know what you’ve gone through on a personal level so to know his battles, although they were different, they were almost more severe and more troublesome in some cases,” said Cobb, a starting pitcher with the Tampa Rays. “It’s really nice to see him back out on a big league field. It’s definitely a bond that most people won have with another person.”

“We are going to be linked together for this possibly forever,” said Happ, a starting pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays. “The key thing is we were both able to come back and we are ok. It’s something that we will definitely being staying in touch about.”

On May 7, Happ was struck by a Desmond Jennings liner in the side of his head. He suffered a minor skull fracture behind his left year as well as MCL and PCL ligament strains to his right knee. Happ returned to the big leagues three months later and returned to the Tampa mound on Saturday for the first time since the scary incident.

Some six weeks after Happ was hurt, Cobb was struck by an Eric Hosmer line drive in the head of a game June 15^th against Kansas City Royals. Cobb suffered a concussion and returned to the majors on Thursday, two months after his injury.

“We were able to touch- base a couple of weeks ago and it’s good to see things are back to normal,” said Happ, as the two met face to face on Sunday for the first time since their returns to the big leagues.

Happ happened to be watching the game in which Cobb was injured.

“It was just such a surreal thing,” said Happ. “Again, just to see him and be able to catch up and see that the healing has taken place, that’s the biggest thing. Definitely a scare with some of the issues that he had to deal with that I didn’t.

"He had a little bit more to overcome in that sense and really glad to see he was able to do that."

On Sunday the two spoke out in favour of protective head gear for pitchers.

“Whether that pitcher wants to pitch with head gear or not is up to him but I definitely think there should be an option,” said Cobb. “I haven’t heard too much but I do know that it’s moving in the right direction and hopefully there will be an option by next year.”

“You’d be crazy not to look into it if it was available,” said Happ. “I think function is the big issue. We were struck in the ear so like I said it would almost have to be a helmet situation. If it was functional and comfortable and didn’t hinder the performance at all than absolutely.”

Kadri not worried about contract negotiations

If Nazem Kadri is worried about not reaching a deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, he isn’t showing it.

Kadri is one of the Leafs’ key restricted free agents

“We’re in conversation,” Kadri said of contract talks. “It’s been good. There’s still work to be done, but we’re talking and that’s the most important thing.”

The 22 year old Kadri was at the Maple Leafs practice facility Friday for some off-ice workouts, and he watched a bit of the prospects who took to the ice.

He gave no indication the talks have been acrimonious, so that should be seen as a good sign.

Kadri – along with the likes of Cody Franson, Carl Gunnarsson and Mark Fraser are the Leafs restricted free agents. Toronto signed Jonathan Bernier to a 2-year, $5.8 M deal just last week.  

There is no doubt all the RFA’s are in line for pay hikes. Last year, Kadri was paid $810,000. He had a tremendous season picking up 18 goals, 26 assists in 48 games.

Kadri did have a chance to say goodbye to a couple of friends — Matt Frattin and Ben Scrivens — at Dion Phaneuf’s wedding in Prince Edward Island last week. As hard as it was to see them leave the Leafs, Kadri said he likes the moves GM Dave Nonis has made: Bringing in Bernier, centre Dave Bolland through trades and winger David Clarkson via free agency.

“It’s always tough to see some of your good friends leave,” said Kadri. “That’s the hardest part about this business.

“I do feel like we upgraded. Bringing in Clarkson, Bernier and Bolland, veteran guys that can bring a lot to the dressing room and on the ice.”

Kadri was in particular certain that  Clarkson will especially fit in nicely into what coach Randy Carlyle is trying to build.

“He is the type of guy you hate playing against, an agitator that gets under a lot of people’s skin,” Kadri said of Clarkson. “That’s our identity that Randy (Carlyle) has been building up.

“We want to be that tough team to play against.”

How does a Joffrey Lupul- Nazem Kadri-David Clarkson line sound to the Leafs 1^st round pick from 2009.

“I’m excited,” said Kadri, “Hopefully (if it happens) we can find chemistry. Those are 2 players that bring different elements to the game. They are pretty big wingers and hopefully they can do the dirty work and I can get them the puck.”

But first he and the Leafs need to come to an agreement. 

Percy and Broll look to make an impact in the American Hockey League with the Toronto Marlies

Stuart Percy knows what he wants to do next.

“Hopefully crack the (Toronto) Marlies lineup,” said the 2011 Toronto Maple Leafs 1^st round pick. “I want to continue to develop my game (in the American Hockey League) and try to become a regular in that lineup.”

Percy - a puck moving defenceman - was captain of the Ontario Hockey League Mississauga Steelheads last season and played in all 68 games and had 13 goals and 32 assists on a young team that struggled to score goals.

It was a good year for Percy, who struggled the previous season with a variety of knee and head injuries.

In a game against Kitchener on December 11, 2011, Percy got hit by a pair of Rangers. He landed awkwardly against the boards and missed time with a concussion.

It was the second concussion he suffered in a short time. The other occurred in September of 2011 at the Leafs prospect camp. He suffered a knee injury a month later.

In 2011-2012 in Mississauga, Percy played just 34 games (5 goals, 20 assists).

Having played in every game last season was something the Leafs wanted to see and he doesn’t think the concussions have hurt his development.

“It helped my mentally and physically,” said the 20 year-old Percy. “It made me pay attention more off- ice and getting warmed up and ready to play and aware and alert when I’m out there.”

“You also realize in a split second you can get hurt. You pay more attention when you are on the ice.”

Percy is considered by Leafs management an “intelligent player” who is a solid puck mover and has an offensive flair to his game. He needs to get bigger and more physical.

Percy also realizes the Leafs have a number of high-end defense prospects in the system, led by 2012 first round pick Morgan Rielly.

“I think anywhere you go there’s going to be tonnes of defenceman and guys fighting for spots, so there’s really nothing negative about that,” said the 6-foot-1, 193 pound Percy. “It’s good to have competition and that just means everyone will be paying well when they get to the Leafs. It’s a good healthy competition and guys are always pushing each other and all the guys are great. We all get along and that makes it easier as well.”

Percy played 4 games for the Marlies in the AHL playoffs a few months ago, and scored a goal and had 2 assists. He hopes to be a regular with the Marlies this season.
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David Broll has heard all the comparisons to Colton Orr.  One day he may draw comparisons to another Leaf, David Clarkson.

The 20 year-old Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick was one of 34 players in Toronto this week at the annual Maple Leafs prospect camp.

“I can play in the NHL one day, but it’s up to me,” said the 6-foot-3, 235 pound left- winger, who played in the Ontario Hockey League Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds for the last three seasons.

Broll – who is nicknamed Brolldozer for his physical play – got involved in a number of fights his first time at the Leafs prospects camp. This year there would be no fights as the Leafs want him to work on improving his all-around game.

“I want to show my other assets as well, and not be labelled as just a guy that can fight,” said Broll. “My goal is pretty much every kid’s goal: to make the Leafs.”

Former Leafs GM Brian Burke used to say Broll was one of the few Leafs prospects in junior who could step up to the NHL right away because of his size and aggressive play.

“Obviously to hear that it’s a good thing for your confidence level,” said Broll, who was drafted by Toronto in 2001 in the 6^th round (151 overall). “No (NHL) spots are giving. Every day you have to get a little bit better.”

Broll has worked hard at his game – he scored just 8 goals in 2011-2012 but last season scored 17 goals while seeing time on the penalty kill.

“Randy Carlyle likes hard-nosed guys and I feel I can step in and do that,” said the Mississauga, Ontario native. “I like to compete. I’m ready to do whatever it takes.”

The plan is for Broll – who cut down his fighting majors from 7 in 2011-2012 to 3 last season  – to start the year with the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. If he can make an impression like he did this week at the prospects camp, he could be up in the NHL sooner rather than later.

“He has the ability to possess the puck on the cycle situations and he crates offence out of that,” said Leafs director of player development, Jim Hughes. “He buys time and space and he has the ability to make plays. So he was sort of dominant (at the camp).”

He may not have the polished skills some of the prospects in the Leafs system have, but his size and his toughness may have him in the NHL soon.

 

Two famous hockey families asked to work with Hockey Canada

The President of Hockey Canada didn’t mince words.

“Canada has to get better,” said Bob Nicholson Wednesday morning as Hockey Canada announced its coaching staff for the 2014 World Junior Hockey Championship and the men’s summer Under -18.

In the last four World Under 20 hockey championships, Canada has failed to win a gold medal. In fact this year, they didn’t win a medal – at all.

In an effort to end this drought, Hockey Canada is turning to a familiar face – and a coach who has won before – as Brent Sutter takes over the coaching duties.

Sutter led Canada to gold medals at this event in 2005 and 2006.

“One of the things we wanted to do was identify who were the top coaches in this country,” said Nicholson. “And we went after them.”

Nicholson added: “He has won 2 straight world juniors. He hasn’t lost a game.”

No pressure, eh Brent?

“No,” said Sutter, the former New Jersey Devils and Calgary Flames coach who is currently the coach, GM and owner of the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels. “Been there, understand it.”

That he does. He went undefeated in 12 games over the two tournaments and was 7-0-1 in the 2007 Canada-Russia super series which featured both countries national junior teams.

A Sutter coached team plays with an edge and works hard. It’s those type of characteristics he hopes to bring to the junior team for the event to be held in late December – early January in Malmo, Sweden.

“Canada plays a certain way,” said Sutter. “Skill and talent can be overrated cause you need to have the other ingredients to win. The big part of it is character.”

While this tournament doesn’t get much attention in most of the hockey world, it is a huge event in Canada.

The Sports Network (TSN) has done a marvellous job of  broadcasting the tournament over the years. With it being played out over the quiet Christmas break, Canadians have become immersed in what is an annual tradition.

“It’s very exciting but it’s a process to go through,” said Sutter, who represented Canada as a player at the 1986 World Championships and in the 1984, 1987 and 1991 Canada Cups. “The expectations are always high.”

Yes they are. And this won’t be any different.

Meantime, London Knights coach Dale Hunter – who coached briefly the Washington Capitals for part of the 2012-2013 season – will coach the Men’s summer Under-18 team in August at the annual Ivan Hlinka tournament in the Czech Republic.

“To represent your country it’s an honour,” said Hunter. “That’s why we jumped on it.”

Hunter has spent 11 seasons as owner, president and head coach of the London Knights leading the team to three Memorial Cup appearances, winning the title in 2005.

“It’s one of those things as a player you always want to represent your country,” said Hunter. “Unfortunately I wasn’t good enough.”

But he is good enough as a coach.

For years Hunter wasn’t on Hockey Canada’s radar. Hunter doesn’t have a polished image, and as a player he was known more for suspensions than scoring goals.

His addition to the Hockey Canada program you could say is long overdue.

“Definitely, admitted Nicholson. “ We were looking at it was that a piece we were missing along the way? It could be.”

Usually when you coach the summer Men’s Under -18 team, you usually follow that up coaching the Under -20 team.

“What he has done with London is pretty special,” added Nicholson. “It’s great for him to take the  under 18 program. He hasn’t been involved in the program . We are going to learn a lot from him.”

The Memorial of  Ivan Hlinka tournament runs August 5 to 10.

The Under 20 men’s hockey championship will take place December 26 to January 5 of next year.

Maple Leafs acquire Bernier

Dave Nonis may be in store for a busy few weeks.

"Between now and July 5th you likely will see more moves," Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis said after picking up goalie Jonathan Bernier

The first significant move made this off-season occurred on Sunday, as the Leafs acquired Bernier for goalie Ben Scrivens, forward Matt Frattin and a 2^nd round pick in 2014 of 2015.

Bernier has played only 62 games in his NHL career over the course of 5 seasons. He was a 1^st round pick and a few years ago was named the American Hockey League goalie of the year.

The 24 year-old Bernier will come into camp as the number 1 goalie. What does that mean for 25 year-old James Reimer?

“When I talked to Jonathan, I told him the same thing I passed along to Reims,” Nonis said early Sunday evening, in a conference call with reporters. “Which is ‘nothing is being guaranteed to anybody.’ “This is a situation where we feel that we’re deeper [in goal]. Both have great potential and they’re going to get an opportunity to develop and hopefully realize that potential.”

This is a deal that has been brewing for a while.

“We had talked on and off again for months,” Nonis said. “Most of this deal was in place months ago. We just had to find a time that was right for both sides.”

“This shouldn’t be looked as a knock on James at all because it’s not,” Nonis said of adding another netminder. “I believe that when you have someone pushing you, you get the most out of yourself. And I think that’s the situation here where these guys can push each other and we’re going to see some good goaltending because of it.”

By dealing Frattin the door has been opened for the likes of prospects Joe Colborne, Josh Leivo and Tyler Biggs. Can they make the step next season?

With Tyler Bozak and Clarke MacArthur unrestricted free agents, Toronto’s forward unit could have a vastly different look next season.

With the salary cap dropping from $70.2 M to $64.3 M this upcoming season, Bozak and MacArthur may have to accept less money than free agents in their situations in past years.

That’s the challenge facing Nonis and all GM’s.

“I can’t stress this enough: The cap is coming down,” Nonis said. “It’s the first time in history that it’s come down, and we have to make sure we’re spending our money wisely.

“Not to just retain all the players you have but be in a position where you can try to get a different piece or two. We have to make sure if we’re spending a significant amount of money and term on players that they line up [with what we want to spend] and that it makes sense for us.”

So what’s next for Nonis and the Leafs?

Expect them to use a compliance buy- out on Mike Komisarek and that will save them $3.75 M.

Once they do that, the Leafs will have 11 players under contract at $43.5 M.

Bernier, Nazem Kadri, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson are restricted free agents and will likely see slight pay hikes from last year.

The Leafs will look to upgrade their defence and centre positions (just like all teams) and may be willing to make Dion Phaneuf as part of the package to do just that.

They may look to deal Mikhail Grabovski in an effort to shed some salary.

John-Michael Liles and his long-term contract could be a buy-out possibility as well.

The draft is a week away and you get the feeling Nonis will be busy before, during and after the draft.