The mall... the place I would least wanna be on December 17, but I had to get the last of my Christmas shopping done so what could I do?
Of course, my Toronto Maple Leaf apparel drew the usual reactions. The nods and envy of other Leaf fans as well as the laughs and snickers from the Habs and Senators supporters.
As I made my way through the crowded mall, I was suddenly distracted by a chubby white-haired man sitting on a bench outside the Liquor Store. (No... it wasn't John Brophy)
"Psst.....excuse me sir," said the old man.
"Are you talking to me?" I replied with a bewildered look on my face. "What can I do for you?"
"Well young man, I noticed that you had on a Toronto Maple Leaf jacket..."
"Yeah yeah," I interrupted rudely. "Whatever buddy... save your jokes and have another bottle of whatever it is ya just bought in there. I've heard 'em all!"
"No no no... I have no problem with you being a Leaf fan young man," he protested. "No problem at all, but i'm in a bit of a pinch. You see... Christmas is just one week away and I haven't a clue what to bring anybody on the Maple Leafs this year."
It was at that precise moment that I knew who I was talking to.
"Holy crap," I said. "Are you Santa?"
"Ho ho ho," he replied and I knew he was the real deal. "You better believe it. Can you please help me though? Their roster is so new this season and I'm running out of time!"
I decided to go with the obvious.
"Well Santa... you know it's been 41 years...."
"Be realistic Robert," he interrupted. "I'm not a miracle worker you know. I can't just give them the Stanley Cup! They have to earn that on their own, but maybe you can give me some suggestions on what I can get each of them. Then, when put all together, maybe, just maybe, it will add up to a drink from Lord Stanley's mug!"
That seemed fair to me, and after just a few seconds of thinking, I started to rattle off my suggestions for most of the 2008/ 2009 Leaf roster.
Vesa Toskala- Goaltending coach Steve McKichan
McKichan was a huge part of Toskala's success last year in the Finnish netminder's first season with the Leafs. This summer brought plenty of changes in the Leafs' coaching situation and McKichan's contract was not renewed. The result: Toskala has been inconsistent and seems to be back in his net more often than not.
Curtis Joseph- An off-ice job with the Leafs.
Though his age is quickly becoming a factor in his declining play, Cujo remains a class act and the Leafs should keep him around for that reason alone.
Tomas Kaberle- A trade to a contender.
After almost 10 seasons of being the Leafs' best all around defenceman, Kabby is now closing in on the prestigious "Larry Murphy Award," given by fans to the Buds' defenceman they choose to hate in that particular season.
Other past notable winners include Todd Gill, Aki Berg, and most recently, Bryan McCabe.
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