Toronto Maple Leafs: My Leafs Soapbox Vol.2: “A November Not to Remember”

Pick a Leafs soapbox, any Leafs soapbox!  Step right up and wage your opinion about the Toronto Maple Leafs, despite the fact that we all continue to A) Watch, B) Stay Interested, and C) Discuss it.  When I look at any Leafs Forums now-a-days, so many threads take a position of complaint or praise.  Well my Leafs soapbox is “A November not to Remember”

Sorry for posting the article late. I have a kid on the way, which it could be any day now.

Also, I like to give a shout-out to Brad LeClair for his article “Toronto Maple Leafs: Leafs Nation Let’s Face It, the Leafs Stink” Second time he beat me posting an article that has a similar theme. A Great Read!

So let’s begin with my letter to Mr. Brain Burke and Co, which I wanted to get off my chest for a long time ago.

To Mr. Brian Burke, which I like to call you Double B. Really! I understand you called us Leafs Nation disgraceful back in November. Well, Double B. it is disgraceful that you call any member of Leafs Nation disgraceful for booing our captain Dion Not-Phaneuf.

“Sorry Mr. Mark Ritter for stealing one of your headliner”

I would say it is amazing that Phaneuf is a great person off the ice by helping with charities, working with kids in the community or doing interviews. It is very good for our captain to be accessible. Beautiful!  But what I or Leafs Nation really care is for our captain and the rest of his teammates to do the same things on the ice that translate to wins, which we paid to see. And we haven’t seen anything that resemble a winning team. Really!

Let me remind you or anyone else in MLSE that has forgot the Leafs Charter of Rights. It is our God given right, if I or any Leafs fans want to boo our captain for playing like crap, his teammates, head coach & staff, the GM & staff and the owner, which in this case MLSE. Plain and Simple!

Do we not live in a democratic hockey society? When did Leafs Nation became a dick-tatorship?  Did we not pay good money to watch the game live at the ACC or on TV may it be cable, internet or Leafs TV, which I have and I am sure other Leafs Fans across this planet have as well? Or when Leafs Nation unites and spends tons of money on Leafs merchandise would that not be the same as supporting our team?  Does having dinner at Real Sport Brill and Grill and watching the game not count too? We Leafs Nation go out our way to represent the Leafs across Canada, US and the world. We love our Leafs so much, members have bought Condos next to the ACC, just to be near our beloved Leafs and show support. Hell, we’ll go to the moon if we have too. But apparently Leafs Nation is disgraceful when we boo our captain. 

I understand your pay cheque comes from MLSE, but did you know Double B. MLSEs source of revenue comes from Leafs Nation, which it is me and rest of people that support our beloved Leafs across the whole planet. Little hint there is a reason why we are called Leafs Nation, just ask the guys that broadcast the game in Punjabi. 

For me, it is disgraceful when the GM of our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs calls his followers disgraceful. Not only is it disgraceful, but it is disrespectful towards Leafs Nation and its many, many, many devoted members.

One last thing Double B., the fan that tossed the waffle on the ice is sending you a message and that is your team is awful in case you did not get it like the rest of players. Waffle = Awful, Get It!

Checkout this link from TSN.ca http://watch.tsn.ca/nhl/clip387816#clip387816

P.S. To Mr. Ron Wilson, Please teach your centres to win a face-offs at least. Your team has lost so many opportunities to score goals, to prevent goals and to win games. Ronny, Please! Teach your team the basic fundamentals of hockey.

P.P.S. Speaking of basic fundamental of hockey, to the Leafs defensemen.... Wait! Forget it! I am not going to bother....

My Observation:

Is just me or didn’t Kaberle start the season without the “A” and now Kaberle is supporting one now? What was Ronny and Double B. talking about?

Double B. and Ronny stated in the past they wanted to give their young players time to develop in the AHL before playing the NHL. Double B. sighted how he had Perry and Getzlaf down in the AHL. Now we see Kadri playing on the first line? What happened?

It is really nice to see we have a GM and Head Coach talking both sides of their mouths!

Now on the Flipside: 

I believe our message is being heard by Double B. A few weeks ago on TSN, Double B. showed he got served a very big piece of humble pie....MMMMM.... Double B’s tone, demeanour and words that he used in the interview showed it.  Double B. gave himself an F- for the past two years that he’s been here. Double B. “Please” stay away from the Blue & White GM Kool-Aid. This is a cap era and you cannot retool a team anymore from scratch.

Got to love Jonas Gustavsson’s competitiveness! The Monster really hates to be scored on and lose. I just wish the rest of his teammates follow suit.

Finally, Keith Aulie... It is nice to see a bright spot for the Leafs on the defensive-end for a change.     

Comment of the Week!

Chris Russell: From “Toronto Maple Leafs: Leafs Nation Let’s Face It, the Leafs Stink”

It's true. As much as I hate to admit it. The team sucks. They suck so bad it's embarrassing to watch. It's not like I expected them to make the playoffs, but it looks like they're going to give Boston another lottery pick. It's hard to point at one person and blame them. Everyone is sucking. Sure the goalies make some good saves, but they let in as many crappy goals. The offense gets shut out as much as they score. The defense turns over the puck as much as they block shots. The team hits as much as they just stand there and don't press the other team. They shoot when they should pass. They pass when they should shoot. They get angry when they should keep cool. They're laid back when they should be aggressive. Maybe it's the pressure of playing in Toronto or maybe they just suck. Sure they could fire Wilson, but I'm sure it'd have the same impact as switching up the lines. They'd win a couple then they'd loose even more and everyone would be screaming for someone else’s head. As Leaf fans we do it to ourselves. Maybe they are cursed.

Chris VanBos: From “Toronto Maple Leafs: Leafs Nation Let’s Face It, the Leafs Stink”

Brian Burke has not stuck to any set plan. He has over reacted to an impatient and overbearing hockey market by doing exactly what JFJ did...mortgaging the future for a quick fix. The result? An underachieving sniper with no real heart (Kessel), instead of getting Tyler Seguin, and another top 3 picks to come in 2011. What else you ask? How about $4.5 Million for a defenseman that has next to no speed, offensive ability, or vicious physical game anymore in Komisarek. Is that all??? NO!! Getting Francois the terrible, who crimps in on the zone leaving 2 on 1 plays going against his own goalie on a nightly basis. Oh wait. What about Kris Versteeg? Well, he is a BRUTAL -14!! We again traded away young players with skill (and in Stalberg case, size and speed), for an underachieving player that is very small.

The Result? A BRUTAL team that has no prospect of a bright future for years to come.

The Solution? FIRE BURKE, and hire someone who will trade the old players for the best young players and draft picks he can get, and finally allow this TERRIBLE team to rebuild!

Hope you guys enjoy the fun read and please post your complaints or praises for our beloved Toronto Maple Leafs!

Cheers!