First off, I would like to extend congratulations to Mr. Wendel Clark, and Mr. Doug Gilmour. I grew up watching, idolizing, and essentially praising what you two man did for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the early nineties and have no qualms with a well deserved honour.

The fate of the club, at least for this upcoming season, is up in the air. Similar to the choice that Mats Sundin is about to announce (or so he says), his former club has a choice to make as well. So far as i can tell the current roster additions: Finger, Hollweg, Grabovski, Hagman, etc., that Cliff Fletcher and company intend on fielding a competitive team. Now, there are fans among the Toronto faithful that would prefer having the team failing miserably this year and attempting to gain the top draft choice in the 2009 entry draft.

There is no guarantee that tanking this year will result in a number one draft pick next year. The draft lottery ensures that there is no such possibility that the worst team benefits in the first pick.

I feel that the leafs competitive drive will continue, as fans show support, regardless of their actual place amongst the standings. Ron Wilson's defensive mindset is certainly a new ideal for the recently defense lacking leafs, and the possibility of competing for a lower playoff seed is certainly a tantalizing. The players on the Leafs' roster may not be the biggest stars, but they still managed to attain an 11th position in goals for (NHL.com). A defensive mindset, coupled with all lines contributing to scoring could see the leafs battle into a position of second season life. So long as they continue to strive for a competent, competitive team with the ultimate goal of a championship, rather than concerning themselves with revenues, this team will have a future of hope. Fans just have to Beleaf.....