As much as I long for hockey at the highest competitive level, there's plenty to keep you busy outside of the NHL. The absence of hockey has made me a much more productive person in terms of school work and other personal interests. I'm excited for the AHL and have been keeping tabs on the KHL here and there to scratch that hockey itch. That said, I'm still unhappy with the lockout and would like the season to resume as quickly as possible. My point is that there's so much fans could be doing instead of complaining and staging fruitless protests. Free time is opportunity!!!

sorta glad the nhl locked out(dont get me wrong i want it back asap) it gave me a chance to watch other leagues like the CHL pretty fun watching Junior players and a lot of time u get lots of goals and tons of come backs...AHL has only been back for what 2/3 days but its okay and its nice to see teams up and coming prospects

Steve, you are living proof that talent is what matters. You came across something you were good at, dedicated yourself and put the work in while still being entertaining. Nobody can say you don;t deserve where you've ended up. Now give me a damn hockey card! Oh wait, that was mine..........

Congrats Steve on all of the stuff you have accomplished! One thing I have to say about hockey is that I'm pissed right off that with the lockout there will most likely be no HBO 24/7 this year for the Leafs. Of all the years, the one with the Leafs.

Dear lockout, please end. Sincerely, Dangles McGavin

SOMETHING ABOUT HOCKEY

well the marlies are doing good!

Hey Steve,

Been watching your LFR videos for around 3 years now. Don't plan on stopping any time soon! In the video you said to leave a comment and talk about anything hockey-related, so I want to talk about the 2013 NHL draft!

The draft is something I look forward to every year (seems the Leafs haven't been in the playoffs lately and usually select top-10), and every draft I invite a bunch of my buddies over to my place where we watch it and enjoy many, many beverages. I can still remember the '08 draft when Ottawa took Karlsson at 15th overall and I was so angry because he was actually who I wanted Toronto to take at #7 that year.

Hypothetically, if this upcoming season is completely cancelled (crossing my fingers that it isn't) and Toronto ends up picking at #2, do you think Brian Burke and co. should draft based on team need or BPA? I think that, as of right now, MacKinnon will go #1. That leaves us with Seth Jones, who's rated #2 overall. The Leafs defensive depth is already at a peak, so do you take the BPA in Jones, or draft by organizational need and take someone like Sean Monahan from the 67's or Sasha Barkov from the SM-liiga? I, for one, would love to have Sean Monahan. Big bodied center who reminds me so much of Jonathan Toews.

Also, Reilly with 12 points in 8 games thus far. :D :D :D :D

Gardner is awesome. Sick card. Steve, I've been watching since the 1st season!

Steve, thanks so much for all of the time you have committed to your videos. Despite not even being a leafs fan, I still watch your content because it is hilarious and keeps me in the loop.

I also have been following your KHL videos and I hope that the NHL adopts the Olympic sized rinks. The passing plays look a lot prettier with that much ice.

I went to the opening game with the Marlies vs. the Amerks. Gardiner looked amazing in the game in all three zones. Can't wait to go to more Marlies games to watch him play.

I got into the Maple Leafs & Marlies because I love the city of Toronto. I live in Switzerland (tiny country in the heart of Europe) and your LFRs videos make me feel closer to what's happening in The Centre of the Universe. I also attended a Leafs game (2-0 victory over Buffalo) and a Marlies game (1-4 loss to Hamilton) back in January and will do the same (for the Marlies, we'll see if the Leafs are back by then) when I come back end of November/beginning of December :) Toronto rocks, the Leafs should try to rock and the Marlies are rocking the AHL! Cheers.

I think you should talk about the Marlies after there deep run they are up and running again with a few new faces

Okay here it is, I have always been a hockey fan or so I thought! I met my boyfriend 2 years ago and he showed me the awesomeness that are the Toronto Maple Leafs. I think I've actually become a bigger fan then him. I'm not a fan because he is, I don't watch because he wants to. I love the leafs even when they lose. I'll defend them whenever, where ever! For my birthday present this year, my boyfriend got me a leafs jersey (not pink I'm a girl but I wanna be legit) Kessel of course. Honesty he couldn't have got me a better gift I love it! I am now one of those girls that will watch the game, then watch the highlights the next day. I'm a huge hockey fan needless to say so this lock out thing, is so not working for me. Ps nice card :)

No NHL? No problem. Watch the future stars of the game playing in the CHL. Can I win more than 1 card in these contests this year?

i miss steves real LFR video reviews. lets get hockey back! this gardiner card will go well with my jersey of his and my signed/framed 8x10 on my wall!

Hockey is usually played on ice. It is a fantastic sport. I like Jake Gardiner young guns.

Hey Steve! Long time reader, first time poster. Just wanted to say that you're doing one hell of a job (in all your jobs). Also, I love hockey, I love the Leafs and I would damn sure love that Gardiner card!!!!

Hockey is awesome cause its AWESOME! Its faced past and extremely fun to play.

When i was about 7 years old, in the last regular season game before the last lockout they called some fans down the ice. I of course was one of them. We had to pull a puck out of a bucket and say the name on the puck. That player would then skate over and give you his jersey and autograph it. I got Sundin. That day cemented my fanship as a toronto maple leaf fan.

I guess wat i want to talk about is how excited i am about seeing the leafs defense finally shape up this year. I am pretty sure Carlyle is the best defensive coach if not second to Bylsma. The man did wonders in Anaheim and developed a lot of strong defensive minded players. Our defensmen will have a massive turn around, too bad schen's gone. I cant wait for guys like phaneuf, gardnier(the man on the card that id love to have), lyles(if he can stay healthy, and even riley wholl have hopefully a few more games of experience. Once the lockout is over im excited that the leafs wont be as carless, however if burke can close the luongo deal id be emphatic. Anyways srry i keep commenting paragraphs if u stuck with me spelling errors i rlly hope ud give that card. Btw i think ur great and i hope to see u one day on hockey central, the hotstove or the quiz lol, keep up with the vids!!! IM sure u will get there!!!!

on a side note u mind tlkin bout wat u think leafs 2012 season will end up like, because i have faith in both burkes ability to get a startin goaltender and im praying reimer has that breakout, bounce back year

We are the ones that should thank you. You use all your hard work and talent just to entertain us, and do a hell of a job at that. I don't remember seeing any of your videos without laughing my socks off.

See what you've done? We are all spoiled viewers now! Why did you have to start producing entertaining, insightful and funny content about the greatest sport in the world?! Why!?

Seriously now, I know sometimes it's hard to keep the motivation up, but we'll always be here to read and see your work. This it's not only true for Steve but also to all the Nation Network. Many thanks, from this Portuguese fan.

Nice Steelheads jersey in the back. Think I'm gonna buy a tshirt and a card pack once they make a Steelheads team hockey card pack.

Anyways one thing I'm thinking about hockey - I'm pissed to see some of these prospects lighting up the AHL and thinking about missing out on an NHL season and the possibility of what pts they would have put up this season or what contributions they would have made. Oh but then I think about the 2013/14 rookie class if this whole season is cancelled and...drool.

Hey Steve,

Nice Steelheads jersey!

The 2012-2013 Calder Cup Champions will be the Toronto Marlies in Six or Seven Games over a certain AHL opponent that I will not name yet.

No NHL, means more OHL, AHL and CHL coverage in newspapers like the Toronto Star!

Who needs the nhl when you can watch peewee hockey! btw nice videos

Lets go devils

A) congratulations on hitting 2.7 million views on your channel you've been one of my many inspirations to get into the journalism course that i'm in at centennial.

For the hockey side of this, I'm getting frustrated with all of it, but complaining about it won't do anything. Acting together as a whole is the only way we can show to the league that we should have a right. Watch your ahl and ohl teams. Marlies are looking good this year and they should have a awesome year, and the Oshawa Generals are really good especially with the addition of Tyler Biggs.

Morgan Rielly is gonna be a champ!

Go Leafs Go!

i want hockey... now

Glad to see the LFR videos again. Is talking about lockout hockey talk? Marlies have definitely benefitted from extra attention. Is Chansler still covering Marlies?

Gardiner looked good in the first game. Hopefully Kadri can step up to the big league.

Wonder how the lockout will affect Olympic Hockey?

Go Canada!

IF the Oilers ever get sold or bought out i think they should have the Calgington Flapitals as an actual hockey team, anyone agree?

This year, I hope the leafs either make the playoffs or finish last. If we miss the playoffs in 9th then we wont get mackinnon. We need a player of the caliber for the present and the future.

Steve, thanks for the videos, congrats on your milestone and your welcome!

With the NHL lockout I have been able to invest some time into the Marlies and Oshawa Generals. Great start by the Gens, why Biggs was selected over Jenner is still a mystery. As for the Marlies, it is good to see some future Leafs play with some NHL competition.

In regards to the Leafs, I hope to see them play this season. How will Gardiner come back in season 2, can Lupul repeat, will Kadri stick opening day, can Connolly be a #1 or will he be a shutdown centre, and can Reimer rebound. Most importantly, can the Leafs break the playoff drought.

Some question I hope I will get to see answered and in a positive way.

Hockey makes me happy, in a.... odd way.

I haven't been happy in like 5 months, depression.