Don't Ruin Luke Schenn: An Order From Leaf Nation

Mike Ayoub — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:11:41 -0400

If Leaf Nation was able to give one order to MLSE, its head office goons, and coaching staff as of now it would probably read like this: DON'T RUIN LUKE SCHENN!!!

He is going to be amazing and if we throw him in the league when he is not needed then they are taking the chance of obstructing his development.

To think Kaberle is the latest player the Leafs were able to draft and condition to be an NHL elite...the sad thing is he's been playing for what is it ten years now??? Where are all the other prospects in between? We keep throwing them in to the den of lions and hoping they will survive...but you have to teach them how to defend themselves before they make that leap!

Conditioning, conditioning, and some more conditioning is what they need to do to these players before they are league ready.

How many names have we heard over the past five-six years that were supposed to be the next Gilmours, Sundins and Clarks? They praise these players until their heads are stuck in the clouds and then they throw them in a uniform and say "OK Kid, go save our season!"

C'mon!

Lets all hold hands and pray for Shenn, a prospect that has the potential to be the next Lidstrom, Neidermeyer, or just LUKE SHENN (which from what I've seen is good enough in my books).

Or he could be just another Leaf prospect that was suited up too early and ended up a 3-4th line player until he gets lost in the world of has-beens and vanishes away...or moves to Russia!

Mats Sundin and The Toronto Maple Leafs: If You Love 'em Let 'em Go

Mike Ayoub — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 06:15:08 -0400

Hello to the world of Leaf fans.

For 13 NHL seasons, Sundin has dedicated himself to the mediocre Maple Leafs and has not made one complaint. During times of questionable play and down right crappy performances, he always showed prosperity and perseverance. Yet why after 13 years of his devotion do we as fans have the right to tell him he's not allowed to sign somewhere else?

I know it is not the fault of the fans directly. In fact, many would speculate it is the head office caring about monetary success over season standings instead.

Before you put all the blame on the front office, think of who's at fault when you buy that $800.00 Leaf ticket to watch them get romped by the Sens 8-1. How about the Leaf slippers you bought for a family member last Christmas?

MLSE shareholders are laughing.

They hold the leash and we are at the end of it. The sad thing is, it doesn't have to be this way. We could be holding the leash.

And don't think MLSE giving a free game to its fans makes up for all the years lost. I feel I've let down Sundin as much as every Leaf fan should feel. I would hate to say it, but I really think Sundin has wasted his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

He's a diamond in a bed of rocks and although his past performances will shine, it saddens me that he will not have a Cup to show for it.

If another team is capable of taking him the distance, then I would be the first to stand behind him. Let's not give the 'big wigs' of MLSE the right to speak for us. If he wants to come back, our arms will be open, but if he chooses to leave then that's his right.

He has given us his career and his life the past 13 years, yet really, what have we given him?

Bleacher Report - Articles by Mike Ayoub

Don't Ruin Luke Schenn: An Order From Leaf Nation

Mats Sundin and The Toronto Maple Leafs: If You Love 'em Let 'em Go