When ex-Leafs are cured of blue-and-white disease

Last night in Chicago, with 27.8 seconds left in overtime, Viktor Stalberg deflected a shot to give the Hawks a rousing victory over Anaheim.

Stalberg, exiled from Toronto on June 30 after a trade for Kris Versteeg, now has 6 goals and 4 assists this season. He's chipped in two game-winners, racked up 36 shots on net and is even getting time on the Hawks' first line.

Brian Burke, in Chicago yesterday for a USA Hockey symposium, was at the United Center. When Stalberg was informed of this ironic fact after the game, he grinned and said: "That obviously makes it a little bit more fun. It's fun obviously to show him a little bit but he's a great guy and I have nothing against him."

Riddle me this: Why do ex-Leafs flourish when they leave town? And is it my imagination, or does the opposite hold true far less frequently? Since you started following this team, whenever that was, how many times has an ex-player made you wince with regret?

Do we have to start making voodoo dolls of ex-Leafs? Hey, Nashville is in town tomorrow – quick, someone jab a needle into that Wade Belak doll to prevent him from getting a hat trick!

I know Chicago has a top-notch medical community. But how on earth did they manage to cure Stalberg's blue-and-white disease and then infect him with the red fever? After a terrible training camp, he's getting nothing but raves in the Windy City.

And you know what? Stalberg isn't the only ex-Leaf who is tormenting my soul these days.

What? Pavel Kubina has more assists than Tyler Bozak? Excuse me? Jason Blake has more assists than Phil Kessel? Come again? Ian White has as many points as Fredrik Sjostrom, Colby Armstrong, Carl Gunnarsson, Michael Zigomanis and John Mitchell combined?

Look at this blended scoring chart I hastily assembled this morning while sipping Bourbon out of an old Palmateer mug. Apolgies for the formatting – I actually spent 40 minutes trying to get the damn columns to line-up properly! – but here are Toronto's top scorers and the current point totals of some ex-players who've been traded over the past year:

 

  PLAYER                                    GP        GOALS            ASSISTS       POINTS

1. Clarke MacArthur                        16            7                        6                       13
2. Mikhail Grabovski                       16            3                        8                       11
3. Matt Stajan (CGY)                     14            1                         9                       10
4. Viktor Stalberg (CHI)                19            6                        4                        10
5. Phil Kessel                                  16            8                        2                       10
6. Lee Stempniak (PHX)               17            5                        4                        9
7. Nikolai Kulemin                           16            4                        5                        9
8. Niklas Hagman (CGY)               16            4                        4                        8
9. Tomas Kaberle                            16            0                        7                        7
10. Kris Versteeg                              15            2                        5                        7
11. Tyler Bozak                                 16            2                        3                        5

 

People, I know it's Monday. I know the Leafs are nosediving through an eight game losing streak and in grave danger of becoming squatters in the NHL basement. In the East, all that separates the Leafs from the lowly Islanders* is two points.

I don't mean to depress you any further but, holy hell, how do we explain all of this? And last question before I go top up this mug: Why aren't the new Leafs depressing fans in their old cities?

UPDATE 1 P.M.: *And now the Islanders are doing something about it. Coach Scott Gordon was "relieved of his duties" earlier today.

PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS

Comments

[Laura Leduc]

I wish most days I could be cured of the blue and white disease too. Something has got to change eventually. Players always do better before they become a Leaf, and after they leave, never understood it myself. It must be alot of pressure playing in this city. The media is too involved here. Kessel is the man. I believe he will help the team greatly. I love Phaneuf too, Jiggie rocks. There are some defencemen that dont defend, they need to step it up!

[mark]

You know the saddest thing about this list? Not one of them (current or former Leaf) would be a top line player on any contending team. And yes, I include Kessel in that assessment. Geez it's tough to be a Leafs fan.

[Krakondack]

Getting out of the pressure-cooker, the player relaxes, and produces. That doesn't happen when the Leafs coach doesn't appear to be able to motivate, only criticize.

[Paul E Duval]

The leafs are motivated they never quit.It's a rebuild we're not going to win a lot of games but have to be patient that they'll learn,more trades,more learning ,is what will turn things around.If you change the coach the gm now theirs another 2 years wasted.Come on folks give it a chance.Calling for heads now is totally nuts.If YOUR REBUILDING let it happen .WE don't need to set it back,thats been the problem for years,now with the cap we can't buy ower way out of it.Brian &Ron are doing fine this team is 1 yrs old .Patients

[Randal]

Stajan has always been a good and solid player and will continue to be so, regardless of where he ends up. Even in Toronto he pulled in a lot of points but most Leaf fans want that exciting player that makes them jump out of their seat and spill beer all over themselves.

Consistency will always win in the end.

[Paul E Duval]

Blaming the coach for mistakes is nuts.He has every right to call out lazy play these guys are payed top dollar to play WHY should they get a ride.If your on the job and you f up WHOS AT fault????

[Nik Culoman]

I will explain it to you...VERY SIMPLY PUT....The fans and the Media have created such a level of anxiety and stress for the players that they simply stop playing. Let's add to that list you posted, players who were free agents over the past few years who have decided to not play in Toronto.....Cammy, Rick Nash, ect...

The environment in Toronto is harsh, have one bad shift and the fans and media are already fielding trade offers! No wonder players play better outside of Toronto where there is little pressure, and it is a easier place to play in....

Larry Murphy is another example of a player the fans and media chased out of town...What did he do in Detroit?? Helped them win a cup!!

So media types and bandwagon fans.....Take notice because the environment you have created has caused havoc on this team!

*Why not fire Leaf fans!!* They are the worst of the bunch!!!

[Jon K.]

I agree with Randal, Stajan is gonna be good for 45-60 pts a year, which is what he's on pace for this year. Hagman is a bit below where he should be but also will get about 50 pts. The big surprise is Stalberg. Although he's had three games on the top line, and playing with Toews and Kane will make you perform a bit higher. Maybe Joel Quennville is a better fit in the coach/player relationship. He seems to be able to work with young players.Stempniak is a streaky player, but I'd expect that he'll cool off his hot start. Even in St. Louis, he wasn't consistent.

[Nik Culoman]

Fans that consider themselves fans in Toronto should learn how to type....How can you give an opinion on a topic when you can't even spell?? Who in their right mind spells "our" as "ower".

If you can't spell such an easy word, you know who you are...How can you make such complicated decisions as to the direction of this team???

Let's take things one step at a time! Stop critizing these kids, and encourage them through such difficult lessons. Like I said, only in Toronto do we eat our young...Maybe it was best we didn't get Seguin, Rask, ect...We would have chased them out of town too after a bad shift!

You so called leaf fans...Make me laugh!! You are all a joke across the league....When players continue to skip town and don't sign here, they are laughing at you too!

[Wayne Gretzky]

Jebus murphey, there's that word again: rebulid.

"Rebuild" is just an excuse to allow them to make mistakes. This whole "rebuild" process can be stopped in its tracks, and we could very quickly become a great team with the right players. We don't have anybody that crashes the net WITH the puck. We don't have anybody who WANTS to be the leading scorer in the league. That means, grabbing the puck and firing it IN the net, not 12 feet wide. These guys ALL lack creativity. They shoot the puck right at the goalies crest, every... single... time. Watch any other guy in the league, who really, really wants it, and you'll see the difference. If you watch Schenn, you can see he has that desire when he grabs the puck and blasts through everybody with ONE single intention, every single time... to put the puck in the net. Only problem for him is he is not built like a goal scorer (doesn't have the high-level of finesse required).

Oh, and Kessell will not bring us a cup. He is scared to death to go into the corners, and is really only good for a shot. When, and I mean WHEN, he coughs up the puck, he puts minimal effort to get back to his own end. He is a top-six forward in that he has a deadly shot, but he is definitely not a 1st-liner if there is no Savard/Oates to give him the puck. End of story.

To summarize... to "rebuild" is a cop-out. So, for every year we don't make the playoff's, we just call it a "rebuild"? Maybe if the press weren't so invasive on these guys, talented players would consider coming to Toronto. 'Cause, guess what... when asked if either of the Sedin brothers would ever come to Toronto, they quickly replied, "No way... there is too much media pressure there." How does that make you media guys feel now? And that's just because they were asked... I can guarantee there are countless others feeling the same way. I mean, only here would the media also rip Crosby apart if he were a Leaf.

[Geoff Read]

As another non-Leafs fan who reads this blog, I just thought I'd apologize, Leafs Nation, for Nik Culoman, who seems like a total something I can't write on this blog.

The pressure in Toronto might have something to do with it. You can draft a similar chart of Montreal players - some guys just don't seem to be able to handle the pressure.

That Versteeg trade is starting to have a certain odour to it isn't it?

I think that if the Leafs finish in the bottom five of the league this year, and thus give Boston another lottery pick, Burke should be fired. There are things about him I admire, but for a guy who came on board promising to turn the franchise around he's been a total disaster so far.

[Al]

Anyone could tell Stahlberg was a future star; size, speed, hands, and aggressiveness.

Steeger? Still waitin.

Oh, and White was always good, even on the Leafs.

[Lewis McClain]

Laura is right. No leaf would be a top liner on any contending team. Does this mean the scouting is substandard? Kessel is ok, but no super star. Same goes for Kadri. He did center Taveres in Junior. So we get Kadri, the Isles get the star. The closest player we have to star status is Shen. Hope Wilson doesn't ruin him.....

[Wayne Gretzky]

I agree with Geoff (forgot to mention in previous post): I called Stalberg to be a stud (I also called Bozak, too) for the same reasons you posted. Size, speed and a shot. He shined in the pre-season last year (I know, I know... it was just pre-season), but shortly thereafter fell into the mix by not being given the opportunity to play on any top-lines as he was seen to better suit the 4th-line!?

Bottom line: we are, and have been for a few years now, a second-string team. Any guy who is seen as a first-liner on the Leafs, would be a 3rd, maybe 2nd liner on any top team. We need a Ryan Smythe, or a Steve Nash, or Mike Fischer (would be sweet), and so on. A tough grinder who can score.

[Raina]

How can it even been considered that they are "rebuilding" when their farm system is in such a pathetic disarray that they literally have no player currently in the AHL that could come up without embarrassing himself? Other teams have multiple players just chomping at the bit to get up and are held up only by the talent that currently already exists on the roster. Montreal has an entire line in Hamilton ready to step in, and have several d-men who would be a 5 or 6 on any number of teams.

Don't confusing "rebuilding" with just being pathetic. Rebuilding implies that there is SOMETHING that they are BUILDING towards, either by stacking a farm system with talent that they develop naturally through trades or superor scouting when they're very young (think Detroit, Boston, Philly or Montreal who seldom finish out of the playoffs but use great drafting/trading to keep lots of young talent available) or even tanking a year or two to get several high level picks (think Pittsburgh, Chicago, Washington). Toronto has done neither of those and just overpay for one or two players, who may be above average, but are not good enough to win on their own (think Atlanta when Kovy was there, Columbus, NYI, etc.)

[Nik Culoman]

This is what I am mean about fan talking and having no clue what they are talking about...kessel isn't a star player?????? Have you checked out his stats he is a garantee 35 goal scorer....Do you know how many players scored that many goals last year?? Do you have a clue as to how many players can consistantly put up those numbers??

The fact is only 2% of the players did what Kessel did last year, and Kessel started the year late! I don't get Leaf fans at all....You talk but have no facts to back up your ideas or opinions. So what if he is in a slump, most players go through them...With Kessel being the only great scoring threat this team has, other teams double team him and play him close cutting down his chances or making him shoot from low percentage areas.

So when you can score 35 to 40 goals a year like Kessel can and has proven to be able to..Come talk to me....If not...Than be grateful that this kid is on our team, because no one before him on leafs has had the hands and vision for the net like he does.

[Nik Culoman]

Hey Wayne Gretzky, did you really say the Leafs need Steve Nash???? Steve Nash plays basketball, and you are giving an opinion??????? Burke would laugh you out of his office with such talk......

For your information...Rick Nash (Yes, Rick Nash) had the chance two years ago to sign with the Leafs and decided to resign in Columbus...You want to know why??? The fans like you, who have no clue what you are talking critizing every shift, every second, every game each player plays.....Unless this team is winning every game the players are being ridden out of town!

Raina?? The Leafs farm system is in disarray?? Really?? Have you seen who is the hottest team in the AHL right now ????? Really??? A team who is on a 8 game unbeaten streak is a team in disarray??

Where do people come up with such non-sense?? I guess the old saying is right....BUT MORE SO IN TORONTO...An opinion is like a bum....Everyone has one!

[Mike M]

I think this article suffers from selection bias. The only player on the list who is doing noticeably better than he was as a Leaf is Stahlberg - the rest are doing about the same or a bit worse. You also don't mention a bunch of other recent ex-Leafs who have all but disappeared - Ponikarovsky and Antrapov, for example. My guess is that by the end of the year Stahlberg won't be much better for the Hawks than he was for the Leafs.

[Sandy C.]

Yes, I always wondered that too... Players never perform in Toronto, they excelled before/after they came/left town... like Larry Murphy, Owen Nolan, Stempiak, Steen... why? is it the club atmosphere, the media, the fans or just the food in Toronto? Maybe we should just leave them alone to play hockey and see what happened...

[Chad]

the two guys that we let go that i wish we would have held on to are Steve Sullivan and Brad Boyes. for some reason Pat Quinn never liked Sullivan, and he also made that dumb deal for Owen Nolan that included Brad Boyes (along with another 1st round pick).
the Stalberg-Versteeg trade will even out over time. just right now Stalberg's got the advantage simply because of who he's playing with.

[Chris]

Even if the ex leafs were still here and producing the numbers they are now. People would still be complaining and saying they were no good and how useless they are.

[Hoofheartz]

I've gone a week since liberating myself from the Leafs, however, I continue to read this blog for no other reason than Vinay makes me laugh. Having said that, I just have to call out this Nik Culoman turd for berating posters who can't spell. WHO REALLY CARES. BTW Nikki, you're post at 3:10 is full of both grammar and spelling errors. Good job.

[Nik Culoman]

I stand to be corrected....I was typing without editing like I usually do.....I still think there are a bunch of leaf fans who have no hockey knowledge, no common sense, no real informed idea to speak on this team whatsoever.

How can people bash the Marlies, and Leafs.....With the Talent Burke had given to him...Who of you could have done a better job?? All these trades and signings that most of you suggest couldn't even happen on PS3 NHL 2011, Let alone in real life, with Salary caps, Player movement clauses, ect....

There is a huge section of leaf fans, who need to calm down...Simma down like my Jamaican friend would say....Let the real GM who has experience, who has laid the ground work in Vancouver (Sedin twins), Winning a Stanley Cup with the Ducks...Who of you can say that??

Leaf fan are a product of a negetive and misleading media....Like a previous person said...Those numbers are wonky because they exclude those players who aren't even a factor....Jamal Mayers, Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Ian White, Jason Blake just to name a few. So thanks for another biased article....But maybe you may want to give people the complete picture next time...

[Znoosle]

I miss Rick Vaive

[Vinay Menon]

@Hoofheartz: It's nice to know you're still around!
@Nik Culoman: While I admire your passion and thank you for commenting, I'm somewhat baffled by your constant accusations of bias. The reason, though, is because this blog *is* biased... it's a "fan" blog!
As for the player exclusions, I actually did mention White and Blake. I didn't mention Mayers because his game is more enforcing than scoring. Ponikarovsky only has 2 goals and 2 assists, this is true. But on the current Leafs, this also means there are only 4 players with more goals. As for Antropov, his 8 points thus far would rank him as the Leafs fifth highest scorer.

[Nik Culoman]

I miss the days where fans of sports teams were actually loyal! Only in Toronto is loyalty shown when the team is winning. The local hospitals are flooded each season with fans jumping off the bandwagon!

Loyalty for some of you who have no clue what it is...

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/loyalty

No matter what! In good times and in Bad.....

Because for us who stay behind this team...We will enjoy the winning that much more!

[Regg]

Some facts: Stalberg only played 40 games last year with Toronto and was not on the top line. Stajan already had 10 points last year in his first 10 games. When the Leafs traded Hagman he already had 20 goals in Toronto.
On the flip side, Phaneuf was under-performing in Calgary as well and Versteeg only had 7 points in his first 15 games last year for Chicago.
So the reality is that most of these players are performing at pretty much the level which they performed last year. Its the expectations that are unrealistic. If anything Leaf fans should be worried about the long term affect have having no top players or first round drat picks for the fore-seable future.

[Nik Culoman]

But as a fan, you ignore facts and reason for more fear mongering and hysteria. Have you truly followed this team?? You do understand that since Burke stepped in as GM more than 20 players have seen the door?? You do understand that our minor league team is tearing up the league right now right?

You understand that Kessel is in the 2% of players who has scored 20 or more goals?? You understand that since the last time the leafs won a stanley cup, that these players weren't born yet and probably some of their parents as well?? So to put the 40 some odd years of loosing on this team is unfair and unjust.

To think that BB could have turned the boat around in such a short time is insane in itself. Yes, reason and common sense would do Leaf Nation some good. Yes BB, came in with huge fanfare...But not even God himself could straighten this team out in such a short time.

Let's discuss facts, BB has brought in some solid prospects...Rynnas, Aulie, Bozak, D'Amigo, Kadri, Caputi, ect....The Marlies are the hottest team in the AHL......The leafs yes are struggling...But in one instance some of you complain that Bozak isn't a 1# center...But than complain that he isn't producing as one.....You can't have it both ways..Just to highlite one complaint I have read on this board..I say give this team time...Stop chasing players out of town before we know what we have. Stop Bashing Kessel, because I would be happy to be in the top 2% of players in the best league on the planet for hockey...Wouldn't you?

So Vinay and all those who are running crazy with each loss...Calm down, Take a deep breath, SIMMA down boy....Everything is going to be alright

[Nik Culoman]

PLAYER GP GOALS ASSISTS POINTS

•Clarke MacArthur 16 7 6 13
•Mikhail Grabovski 16 3 8 11
•Matt Stajan (CGY) 14 1 9 10
•Viktor Stalberg (CHI) 19 6 4 10
•Phil Kessel 16 8 2 10
•Lee Stempniak (PHX) 17 5 4 9
•Nikolai Kulemin 16 4 5 9
•Niklas Hagman (CGY) 16 4 4 8
•Tomas Kaberle 16 0 7 7
•Kris Versteeg 15 2 5 7
•Tyler Bozak 16 2 3 5

Where in this list do you see Ian White and Jason Blake?? I don't see them Vinay.....I am sure there is a good reason for excluding them right?? Is it because they would change the results of the point you were trying to make?? Thank you for responsible journalism...I am sure at the Star you have tons of role modals there to guide you...

[Nik Culoman]

Oh I did notice you mentioned them....Are we really going to compare Ian White to Mike Zigomanis?? The same Mike Zigomanis that is playing in the AHL right now?? Are YOU going to throw in ARMSTRONG..The same Armstrong that is injured with a broken hand??? Gunnerson has been benched at least 5 games or so....He hasn't even played a full season, and we all know most players suffer from the sophmore jinx......You are comparing Iam white to these guys??

Ponikarovsky has four points...How many leafs have more points than him?? The goals are just half the story...How about points??? where does he stand on this current team in points??

Thanks Vinay, but the facts and reason just don't add up to your argument. But maybe next time.... thanks a bunch!

[Vinay Menon]

@Nik Culoman: You're making my head hurt. Blake has 7 points. White has 6 points. In other words: 1. They would both be on the chart if I had included them. 2. You should probably check these stats yourself before having a meltdown.

[Hoofheartz]

Nik, you sound like Ostrich Lover (OL on this blog). If I didn't know better I'd swear you were one and the same. If you don't like Vinay's blog the answer is simple, don't read it. Oh, almost forgot, who's Iam white?

[Dat Pantaclas]

To: Randall

Mat Stajan is a cornerstone player for any organization. He is possibly the greatest player in the history of the nhl. The only player who can hold a candle to a guy like Stajan is a guy like Jeff Finger. Two of the greatest NHLers that have ever, or will ever live. Bless you for understanding their greatness Randall.

[Nathan]

I love it... at least the Isles have a bit of an excuse with Okposo and Streit being out long term through their losing streak. Does this mean Boston gets another lottery pick?

Leafs suck.. I was getting a great kick out of all the playoff predictions in October. .... but I guess if you are a Leafs fan, thats all you have really...

[Pyramid Power]

With the Preds in town tomorrow night I thought we might want to mention Steve Sullivan who went on to bigger and better things after being let go by the Leafs in early 1999.
Great contribution to our run for the roses in 1998-1999 and a conference final appearance against Buffalo. Had 20 goals and 20 assists for Toronto that year, with 9 points in 13 playoff games.
Let go on waivers the following year after only seven games. Only had one assist so that may have been why. Can't imagine why this gifted playmaker would have been let go, but I remember him being a little soft defensively. Perhaps other Leafs fans would remember why Quinn let him go for nothing. Perhaps a little Kyle Wellwood-ish? Small, talented but lazy? Not to mention cherubic as in chubby and never saw a restaurant he did not like?
Had a great year the year we let him go on waivers to the Hawks, and the next year had his best year ever posting 75 points.
Would have been great to have him with Toronto during another run for the roses in the spring of 2002, and a conference final appearance against Raleigh.
Alternate captain now with the Preds, long in the tooth at age 36 but had a solid career post-Toronto.
Good Ontario lad from Timmins who played his junior with Sault St Marie.
Won the Bill Masterton Memorial after coming back from back surgery in 2008-2009.

[80s Leafs]

Over the years quite a few players have left the Leafs and become much better players, or performed better,...whatever.

Russ Courtnall
Ken Wregget
Vince Damphousse
Al Iafrate
Jason Smith

The only high profile guy I can think of who didn't fare better was Gary Leeman, although he got a Cup as a bit player with the Habs in 93.

[Raina]

Yes Nik, I would very clearly say that the Marlies team is in disarray. So they won 8 in a row -- big deal. They're still in 5th place out of 7 teams and have less points than teams who have played two fewer games than them. The Leafs won 4 in a row -- how's that working out for them? They have no one in the top 20 in goal scoring (but gee, why would they want to score goals?) and no one even close to being ready to play in the NHL. So they played some weak opponents and got a couple of lucky goals -- that doesn't mean that the team is any good. It was that kind of "blue and white coloured goggles" that made Leaf fans think that their team was good enough to challenge for top 8 in the East.

[Pyramid Power]

@80s Leafs Good list but I would argue against the inclusion of Al 'The Human Highlight Reel' Iafrate on your list.
He did have a career year points-wise with the Capitals in 1992-1993, and man could we have used him against the Kings in our run for a Cup and loss in the conference finals that amazing spring in 1993.
But his best years were with the blue and white no doubt about it. He is remembered as a Leaf first and foremost imo, and was on the downside of his career after he left Toronto in 1991 due to various injuries.
He was arguably the greatest defenceman the Leafs ever had for pure talent. Effortless skater, 'Coffeyesque', tremendous shot and held the record for a long time for hardest shot in the league in the NHL skills competition etc....
Quite a character too. I don't think he and Gary Leeman will ever be friends. lol I think you know what I am referring to there. Will leave it at that.

[nick]

Man Leaf fans need to relax a little. They put so much unnecessary and unrealistic pressure on players. One poster said it best: If the Leafs don't win all 82 games, the city of Toronto turns to bedlam and fans want heads to roll. Christ. Let the team play and learn (they are young). All you armchair quarterbacks should get back to playing some mens league and sucking back a beer or two instead of stressing out how you could do Brian Burkes job or better.

[80s Leafs]

@Pyramid Power:

Word. My brother was actually in a course with the former Mrs. Iafrate back then, so I know what you are talking about. Plus there was also the not so hush-hush John Kordic incident with Leeman as payback for that.

[Phil Chin]

It's the pressure in this city. It crushes young players.

Until the idiot fans in Toronto learn that a player in a slump needs encouragement and not resentment. We'll be stuck with under performing athletes till the end of time.

We also need to learn how to be patient with young players. They need to learn. They're going to make mistakes, INCLUDING messing up a 3 on 1. See Luke Schenn last year. Trade him!!! Send him Down!!!. All he needs was time and he'll get better and better.

I watched the black hawks before their rise to the cup last year. Toews and Kane made many gaffs and defensive errors. The difference, it happened in a relatively obscurity. They flourished under this environment.

The answer is in you Leaf Fans. wake up and smell the coffee

[Pyramid Power]

@80s Leafs. Nice reference to Kordic. Quality memory.
God bless John.
Hope he is duking it out in heaven with Bob Probert right now. Just for fun of course.
Cheers!

[Adam]

last night, the three players who scored for St. Louis were Alex Steen, Carlo Colaiacovo and Brad Boyes. They all have something in common.

Having said that, I really don't think there are very many player who have left the leafs and gone on to all of a sudden become better players. Lee Stempniak may be one. The Leafs should have kept him. Giving up Rask was obviously a huge mistake considering the return. Whether or not Jiri Tlusty adds up to something remains to be seen.

[Pyramid Power]

@Phil Chin Thank you for calling us Leaf fans 'idiots'. I really appreciate that.
And thank you for letting me know that I need to wake up and smell the coffee. I have never done that before. I will try that at once.

[Dave]

Laura Leduc,
How can you say "Players always do better before they become a Leaf, and after they leave"??? Sounds like you are just repeating something you heard. Many players have career years with the Leafs. Or have years as good as any they have ever had. How about Gilmour, Sundin, CuJo, Belfour and Andrechuk to name a few. If you want to go further back remember those who played most of their careers in Toronto and never really did anything after they left. Guys like Sittler and Salming. Sure there are some that blossomed elsewhere but it is a 2 way street. Don't believe what you read in the media. Do some research.

[Pyramid Power]

@Phil Chin I just slapped myself awake and smelled some coffee. Wow man! I feel enlightened and omniscient regarding all-thngs Leaf.
Thank you very much for your advice. I look forward to reading more words of wisdom from you.
@Adam Stempniak is doing pretty darn well with the Desert Dawgs, but I don't think it will last. He was pretty good with us last year before we dealt him away to Phoenix. Such a streaky hot and cold player.
One Leafs fansite liked to call him Ninja for his habit of disappearing for long long stretches of games, and then poof, ninja strikes! Hilarious.
I think Tlusty will possibly 'add up to' a future Playgirl centrefold that women will 'lusty' after. LOL

[leafland'r]

IT'S LIFE. In other hockey centres a player get to live his own life. In Toronto the fans and media live his life. Life within a pressure cooker and under a microscope.

[Pyramid Power]

@leafland'r Same thing applies in Montreal.
@Vinay Don't you just love all the love out there for the horrible awful media that is apparently responsible for every ill in the universe it would appear?
What would the late great Marshall McLuhan say?

[Nik Culoman]

Wow, all of you posters who continue to bash this team now that it is having some difficulties call yourseleves fans......I wonder what would happen if our team found ourselves where the devils are in the standings????

Fans in Toronto, have no hockey or leafs knowledge whatsoever. They allow the media to dictate how they are feeling towards the team on a day by day basis....

This ship was sent on a mission from hell because the fans pushed the buttons...This team was always find stop gap meassures to please you the idiots who if this team isn't winning every game are asking for blood. This article that was written highliting how players are doing outside of Toronto, only shows that fans and media here cause such stress and pressure to build up....

Players tapper off and than flourish in other markets where their fans aren't calling for heads to roll. Only in Toronto, would fans complain about trading for a 35 to 40 goal scorer....Like I said in my previous post, That stat that Kessel continues to reach each year...Is only completed by 2% of the league. So if that is somehow a bad player.....Than not even Jesus, Muhammed, David himself can make you happy.....

I think Toronto fans sound like hissy fitting people who have been dumped by their ex bf or gf and need to run to the internet to complain about it. Stop getting so emotionally connected to this team...Let it have its time to grow, and let the players and administartion do what they need to do.

If you are a true fan, like the writter of this article and so many of you posters claim to be...Than why not stand by your team in hard times.....Stay on the bandwagon, and encourage this team to turn their fortunes around???

@ Vinay: Hey what if a story came out that the Star had been misleading the public for years on the news it was reporting...But in the meantime was making a ton of money hand over fist.....Would you stand there and say it was okay for people to bash you even though you had nothing to do with the mess your company found itself in?? Because all this bashing and critizing of Burke and his players amounts to just that....You know that this admin. is new, most if not all the players are new, but you are going to crucify them for the mistakes of the past that they have no connection to, and you call yourself a fan!

I say get off the bandwagon now, because it will hurt when we true leaf fans kick you off when they start to win!

[Pyramid Power]

@Nik Culoman You really enjoy bashing Leafs fans, posters here and have all the answers it would appear.
I hereby motion for Nik Coloman to be given a job with the Star covering the Leafs, writing this blog for Vinay, taking Damien's job, handing out questionnaires and programs for all fans coming into the ACC to fill out that Nik can approve of or reject etc...
You have all the answers Nik, and we bow to your infinite wisdom about everything there ever was to know about the Toronto Maple Leafs, is to know, and will be to know.
I wish I could be half the fan you are.
Please continue to regale us with your wise words O' Merry Leaf Sage.
Leaf Nation apparently has much to learn from you Great Teacher. I am willing to be your faithful pupil.
Seriously, if you scroll down a few blogs you will find a number of blogs that Vinay devotes to defending Burke and rightfully so. You need to read and think more before spouting off.
I do admire your passion for the team, and some of your posts are enlightening and informative but you need to cool out man.
Just relax and try to stop coming on here and dictating what you see as bandwagon fans, and all the weaknesses and follies of Leaf Nation.
You should try a little more humility, and a little less pretentious patronizing blasts directed at your fellow fans. It gets tiresome.
Have a wonderful day, and hope you will be at the game tonight cheering our glorious Leafs on to a stirring and much needed victory.

[Nik Culoman]

Pyramid Power...Thank you I will try my best to reword my words to make it more constructive...But It does get tiresome for a fan of this team who remembers the Ballard Years, to have fans churp on this team that most know nothing about. There was one poster who stated the Leafs needed to go after Steve Nash! Yes, Steve Nash, the basketball player. It is these types of comments that hold no weight in this debate and have knowledgable opinions and thoughts.

Fans need to cool their heals, and rationalize their thoughts before posting. That is all I ask, as for taking over for Vinay....I think I might.......Stay Tuned....I will be producing a blog in Honour of The Toronto Maple Leafs...Because most talk a big game...But none would want to be in the players position.

My one contructive piece of advice....Turn off the radio, put your newspapers down, and watch the games.....Realizing that we have a young team, who are growing together...We may not have many star players....But we may be witnessing the creation of some if we are patient.

LOYALTY to a team is a lot like a marriage..Stick by your team throught thick or thin...OR move to something else...Don't put a damper on those who decide to stick it out...We aren't delusional...We are proud hockey fans who will stand by our team no matter what.

[Robert]

This is one of the few cities in the league where the press decide the worth of a team, player, manager etc. This is the same collection of parasites that damn Leaf players then write long disingenuous columns after they have left. Not one Toronto 'ink stained wretch' has pointed out that you are watching a team consisting of recent college grads and third line players. What do you expect?
These guys are trying hard, most nights. If Burke is rebuilding?? then you must suffer the slings and arrows of the Tronna press while we work our way through.
College players and second round draft choices ain't gonna get it done. But, there may be something later in the year. Watch for it.

[matt]

just look at st louis last night - they had 3 goals in their win, and each was scored by a former leaf propsect we deemed unworthy. Boyes, Coliacovo, and Steen all scored.

[Nik Culoman]

Boyes we traded away because we needed scoring...So the team went out and traded for Owen Nolan...Than Fletcher traded Carlo and Steen to St Louis because the team was in a slump and well....We needed change....This market has to be the worst to play in, and let's add to that Be a coach/ GM in. The leafs don't finish with 82-0 record and fans want blood

Fans ask for scoring, they bring in Kessel, and he scores 30+ goals in a shorten season and that isn't good enough. They ask for youth and the GM brings in Rynnas, Bozak, Aulie, Kadri, D'Amigo, McKeeg, Mueller, Hanson, ect...Surprise surprise fans say that isn't good either.

I am a fan, but I don't let every trade or every game, or even every shift effect my moods. I enjoy this team, I will stand by them no matter what! I am a huge supporter of the team Burke is trying to put together, and I say give this man a chance to create a winnder and in the meanwhile iron out the wrinkles.