Lee Stempniak News

As we all know, it's getting a little uncomfortably crowded in the Maple Leafs locker room, especially along the blue line.

Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke laughs at all the rumours about his team, even if he can't address them.

The Czech Republic handed Slovakia an 8-0 defeat for its worst loss in world hockey championship play on Saturday in Zurich, Switzerland.

As much as the Americans would like a win before the quarterfinals at the World Ice Hockey Championships, coach Ron Wilson would just settle for a practice.

Russia scored three power-play goals to beat the United States 4-1 Saturday in a second-round match at the ice hockey world championship.

Another year with no playoff berth for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the new regime brings with it a sense of optimism moving forward.

Ron Wilson will have a few familiar faces when he takes the bench behind the U.S. Men's National Team later this month.

"You never want to be here this early," the Toronto Maple Leafs centre said. "This is four years now.

Not shaping up will expedite the process of shipping out for Maple Leafs hoping to be part of team's future.

Like several of his Maple Leafs teammates, winger Lee Stempniak will get a chance to extend his hockey season.

Leafs winger Jason Blake will lead Team USA at the world championships in Switzerland.

Now that the Maple Leafs season is in the books, it's time for the grades. Mind you, and general manager Brian Burke would probably concur with this, sports writers grading NHL hockey players is a highly suspect exercise -- like the school janitor grading the students.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson reacts during second period NHL action against the Boston Bruins in Toronto on Saturday, March 28, 2009.

Martin Gerber made 37 saves against his former team and helped the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators 5-2 on Saturday night in the final game of the season for both clubs.

Brad May, centre, will play his 1,000th NHL game as a Maple Leaf, but the gritty forward is best known for his time with the Sabres.

It's all about a chance to save face. With the playoffs out of the picture for the Maple Leafs and after a pair of embarrassing losses this past weekend, coach Ron Wilson is hoping for an inspired effort tonight at the Prudential Center against the New Jersey Devils.

When they made it back to the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup after a long absence, Niklas Hagman and Tomas Kaberle received a typical Ron Wilson welcome - a verbal broadside.

In his two games with the Maple Leafs, the former Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward has watched 14 goals pounded into the Toronto net.

Brian Burke was a day removed from landing one of the fab four U.S. college free agents available, but the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager was as bitter as ever.

Rookie forward Christian Hanson worked out on a line with centre John Mitchell and winger Jason Blake in his first full practice with the Toronto Maple Leafs.