Jason Blake: Is He Underrated?

Since coming to Toronto, Jason Blake has had a hard time, and by saying he has had a hard time I don't just mean scoring goals.

He has had to deal with Leukemia, which was fortunately caught early enough that he can just take a pill every morning. He has also had to deal with the tough Toronto fans, who have been anti-Blake since he began not meeting the high expectations that came with his contract.

However, after all of that, he managed to keep himself together and not crack under the pressure of playing in Toronto. Overcoming such adversity led to him winning the Bill Masterton Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.

So if Jason Blake has been able to win this award - arguably one of the hardest to win when one plays in Toronto - and he is beginning to come into his own this season, than aren't we, as Toronto Maple Leafs' fans, under estimating him?

Well, we must be.

If he was able to do all of the above, than aren't we under estimating him? There is much more to productive player than goals and points.

Now that the coach, Ron Wilson, has found players for him to work with (Jeremy Williams, and Dominic Moore), Blake has found his groove.

He has been managing to score goals lately, and he seems to be showing his incredible speed that he has always had, but was never really visible before in Toronto.

Additionally, Blake has put up a great number of assists this season. The reason: he has become more of a team player. Last season he never really seemed to pass the puck (and I do realize that he is considered a sniper). In his last five games, Blake has put up three assists. In 29 games this season, Blake has recorded 13 assists.

So, with Jason Blake winning the Bill Masterton Trophy, begining to score goals again, becoming a leader to a rebuilding franchise, and becoming a more team focused player, we, as fans, must be under estimating, and under rating him.