Game 33: The Leafs give us another lump of coal for Christmas

When I was a kid, a family friend gave us the same gift every year.

Birthdays, Easter, Christmas – it didn't matter. This sweet but odd fellow would arrive with a shoddily wrapped jigsaw puzzle and my brothers and I would pretend to be surprised and overjoyed, even though we were neither.

Some of these puzzles featured knock-off retro cartoons ("Bigs Bunny Carries His Basket In The Woods – 500 Pieces"). Others were printed with generic characters ("Clown Juggles Balls – 300 Pieces").

All were disappointing.

I was reminded of those childhood puzzles tonight while watching a 20-piece puzzle that will never quite fit together titled, "The 2010-2011 Toronto Maple Leafs."

This was the last game until Christmas. This was their last chance to give us a holiday gift to remember, or at the very least, a gift we wouldn't try to forget by swallowing arsenic and running headlong into the closest wall.

So let's peak inside tonight's shoddily wrapped present to see...

Oh, look! Wow! It's a gift assortment!

* Another slow start!

* Two goals against in 28 seconds before the game is three minutes old!

* Two more goals against in less than two minutes in the third!

* Slivers of half-decent cubic zirconia encrusted between thick slabs of bumbling mediocrity!

* A doomed, last-ditch surge that would ignite pathetic hopes for a comeback – why do they keep shopping at Toys R Us? – but soon be extinguished by the twin realities of time and space!

* A sputtering volley of 40 shots plus dozens more that either missed the net or were blocked as the team coached by Captain Jean-Luc Picard dove into the danger zone!

* Two goals by a former Leaf, in this case, Freddy Modin.

* A night when every single Leaf skater except Colton Orr was a minus on the +/- Richter scale.

Thanks, you guys! But you shouldn't have. No, really. You shouldn't have because you've already given us this assortment of goodies. In fact, you keep giving it to us week after week after godforsaken week.

The first period tonight was sponsored by Toyota's "Best Wrap-Up Ever" event, which seemed grimly ironic. Mind you, after 20 minutes it was still only 2-0 Atlanta and not, say, 5-1 Atlanta as it was at 4:19 of the third when Jonas Gustavsson was yanked and the waffles began to rain down inside the ACC.

As the ice was cleaned of breakfast debris, as the crowd closed their eyes shut and clicked their heels and imagined they were somewhere else, Ron Wilson wobbled behind the bench with a faraway expression that silently screamed: Never mind those damn waffles! Someone in the upper bowl, please, hit me with a giant watermelon! Knock me unconscious! Please!

What can you say at this point? What can you do? What can you think?

With Mike Palmateer and Doug Gilmour both watching with barely concealed shame – "Me? No, sorry, kid. I'm not Doug Gilmour. Never played for this organization" – this was yet another one of those games that makes Leaf fans long for a more fulfilling pastime, such as cultivating rutabagas or befriending stray animals.

I especially liked the moment in the first when Greg Millen observed: "This could be embarrassing" for the Leafs when it was "only" two-zip.

Could be?

Dude, we zoomed through the town of Embarrassment weeks ago. We are now standing without our pants inside bubbling quicksand in a really scary place called Abject Mortification.

The worst part? It's the team that is naughty. We're nice. It's the team that starts games with the intensity and focus of a blind albino rat on crack. We're just dazed.

It's the team that is drifting aimlessly until it's too late, always too late. It's the team that needs to get seriously bitch-slapped by a gang of Santa's toughest thug-elves.

We, the fans, did not deserve a lump of coal for Christmas. You know what? We did not deserve most of the gifts we've received this season. But what can we do? These magnificent poor Leaf bastards, they just keep giving them to us.

Comments

[Hoofheartz]

Good, bad or indiffernt, how long can Burke continue to back Wilson. The look on Wilson's face when the Thrashers made it 2-0 was priceless. I swear he looked at the clock after the 2nd goal, praying that it was somehow the 3rd period and the game was almost over. I know I was praying for the same thing.

[moe green]

I think you said it all there Vinay. You've been a real trooper and a bright-spot on this very gloomy half season. I really wonder where you're gonna find the strength let alone the ideas with which to fill these pages for the back half of this gruesome ride. Here's what I'm giving you for Christmas. I'm giving you the hope that this team turns it around and has a spectacular January.

Why not. This team just isn't as bad as they've played. Something is amiss or afoot. It's time for an unimaginable fairy-tale finish to this nightmare of a season. All we fans ever wanted was a fun ride. Just one that doesn't go off the rails halfway through. So far, but for a few blips this ride just hasn't been nearly fun enough. Not nearly fun enough by half.

Merry Christmas season Vin, PP, Hoof, Sark, TG and all the nuts that keep this blog the funnest in Leafland. See you all on Boxing Day.

I have a stupid feeling that it's going to be a crazy-fun January.

VM Replies: Merry Christmas, Moe Green. Thanks for bringing so much to the table over these past few weeks.

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

So anyway, now that the Laff's season is over, what do you think the Hab's chances are this season to make the final 4 again?

You may have heard of the Montreal team. They play something called "hockey".

[Kirk]

Gilmour in the stands was on purpose. Dougie is being courted as Wilson's replacement in my opinion.

[Pyramid Power]

I thought the last couple of years were wretched, but this seems worse somehow.

I turn my back on this team with the world junior championships coming up on the same day these Loafs play their next game - Boxing Day. Canada vs. Russia. Excellent.
And NFL football will provide quality sporting entertainment until early February.
Was nice to turn off that travesty against the Thrashers, and see the Bears win an NFC North title. Good for them.
Once again we are the laughing stocks of the league, and live in cities called Embarrassment and Abject Mortification.
I live in Contempt but town council is pondering a name change to Hatred. I think that will pass motion.
I hate these Leafs with very few exceptions. I hate that they turn my total passion for them into furious rage and then disappointment followed by sadness. Then embarrassment as interraction occurs with other hockey fans and then contempt. Now Hatred.
I despise the Leafs and am so happy the fans dumped waffles on the ice last night, screamed at somebody, might as well yell at Wilson.
I am guessing he has lost the room and control of his team. It would appear so. Kudos to Burke for loyalty to his old friend but how long can that go on?
Is it time to can Wilson? I do not know. I am not in the room. I am not a Maple Leaf.

Time for an enterprising sports reporter to get a Leaf off the record to tell Leaf Nation what is up with the feeling in the room toward Wilson.
Is it his fault, are the players lying down on him? Are they tanking because they detest Wilson?

I somehow doubt it, but am sure hopeful of hearing what the players have to say of course.
If they are lying down on their coach though what does that say about them?
A horrible hockey club and organization in every way. I am ashamed to be a fan of this team and I loathe this team with every ounce of my being.
Merry Christmas to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Enjoy the contempt, disdain, derision and hatred coming your way. You richly deserve it.

[TG77]

I just saw Wilson walk out on the press conference on TSN highlights but missed the lead up to it. I think he hates the job and would actually be relieved to be relieved. If only the fans at the ACC had gone down the road to the Shwa and watched the red and white maple leafs. I have to say the waffle chucking is embarrassing though. Sure, the Leafs collectively take a twosie in our stockings but what is the point of tossing waffles at the players during the game. I missed the majority of the game (actually I will revise that, I saw all I needed to see when ATL scored twice in the first 3 minutes which for all intents and purposes was the game) so I can't comment on what transpired but I am turning my attention to the world juniors. Vinay thanks for another great post today. Do you get danger pay for this blog?

VM Replies: No danger pay. But I'm thinking about sending a note to HR to see if our health plan covers psychiatric services.

[Dave Suchanek]

The league should have a dispersal draft and put the Leafs out of their misery - the good players can be picked up by other NHL teams and the rest can head to the AHL,ECHL, CFL, PGA, WTA, NBA or MLB. Then move one of Florida, Tampa Bay or Atlanta to Toronto and we can start again with a fresh team. Shades of the 1984/1985 Leaf team with Tim Bernhardt and Allan Bester in goal - a 48 point season. Time for James Reimer to get the "nod.

VM Replies: I must say, when it was 5-1 I did start to recall those Bester/Wregget games in the mid-80s.

[Tom]

I have to say, this whole "throw waffles at the Leafs when they really suck" fad is the funniest thing to have come out of this whole affair.

VM Replies: It's only a matter of time until security starts checking bags and coats for waffles. This is where we are right now.

[80s Leafs]

Christmas is about the kids, and nicely enough, the Leafs' coaching staff gave little Nazzi Kadri the nicest gift of all: He didn't have to play in that fiasco on Monday night.

[NomineMalum]

Leaf fans have done nothing wrong? How about believing in false prophets (e.g., Burke)?

[Whispergently]

Hey! we are going into 2011 and no matter what they say about OUR leafs they are the winners in my heart no matter the outcome of any game they play.

They will remain my favorite yet they do have to take that maple out of their name, it renders them a little sticky if you really think about it. A leaf in my eyes, flutters, changes color in autumn and then with a hue of many colors gone the leaves fall to the ground and then turn to green in envy. lol. thought I'd add a bit of humor here.

See, if we would only set our goals upon what we really call ourselves then the outcome would be more on our side, don't you agree?

So NOW, LEAFS ya better pull up those socks or change them because the stench from them is starting to smell way up here and in order to gain momentum new socks are needed for every game, lol, gotta give those sock makers a run for their money. As for the skates, well, if your not going to sharpen them dependent on the type of ice your skating on then forget the speed the maple syrup is going drag you down. All in the way you keep your equipment fine tuned to the good days ahead.

Merry Christmas, and May God bring you guys new skates and socks as a complement to the new-found edge you'll have in the future. Get em guys!

[chris Kennedy]

I get a kick outta players being "disgusted" by chants of "Fire Wilson" or having the waffles rain down on them.

Just put in an effort and these things will stop!

I can't see how they can be so flat game after game. They are making a fortune playing a game they love in front of a sold out building. How can you not have energy when all that is going on?
That's what's Disgusting!!

[Al]

At or near the bottom of the league in: Power Play, Penalty Kill, Faceoffs, Times Shut Out, Goals and Points.

+

No young studs for the future, except for maybe Kadri who has been benched the last two games.

+

Absolute pylons in Komisarek, Beachemin, etc. taking up major cap space.

=

Merry f'in christmas.

[Hoofheartz]

Still working on getting my granddaughter to join in the Go Leafs Go chant but apparently she's a lot smarter than her Grampy, she refuses.

VM Replies: Smart kid.

[Pyramid Power]

@chris Kennedy Bang on. I too get a huge kick outta that crap.

@hockey fan therefore not a leafs fan You stinkin Hags fan! Learn how to spell you clown! Are all Scabs fans illiterate? It is Habs not Hab's. Idiote. Merde.

Where do you post supporting your horrific little bunch of smurfs anyway? I will be there tonight you can bank on that. Let me know as soon as possible. Merci beaucoup.

Your team's chances of going to ANOTHER final four? Are you freakin' kidding me, or are you just stupid AND illiterate? Your team miraculously went to the final four last year based on two miracles, bloody miracles from heaven and then the Flabs got blasted out by a properly prepared and coached team in the Flyers. Five games and bye bye.

First time your stinkin' team has made the conference finals since 1993 as I am sure you do not know. Leafs have made it four times since then as again I am sure you do not know. The Leafs are Canada's most successful playoff franchise since 1993 as again I am sure you do not know.

Your beloved CH has lost four outta five games, and will lose to Dallas tonight. Book it. Denver got your team two nights ago in the first game of a seven game road trip, and you can thank your lucky stars if they come limping home from this road trip 2-5. I pray it will be 0-7.

P.K. Subban, good Toronto lad, is being ruined by Count Chocula your coach. Just like Kadri is being damaged by our idiotic coach. Subban's confidence freefalling and he was on for another game winner the other night in Denver.

Scott Gnomez is a joke. He is an Anchor, so to speak, on your equipe. You have lost your best defenceman for the year. It is only a matter of time before Price has a meltdown under all the pressure, and starts playing like crap - again.

Your team has very little scoring, is small and are not very good. Your team finished 19th last year behind the Blues and the Ducks and should not have been in the playoffs to begin with.

No significant upgrades or off-season acquisitions unless you consider the Halak for Eller and Schultz deal significant. Picking up Halpern was a good move. I like him. He is helping your team. But your team is in freefall, and I pray do not make the playoffs.

BLOW FLABS BLOW!

@Moe Green Merry Christmas to you sir and everyone on these threads except illiterate stinkin' Hags fans who come on to spew their turd.

BLOW HAGS BLOW!

[Robert]

Look friends and neighbours, you hired an American to manage a Canadian game. A turncoat Canadian/American to coach OUR team. Don't think so? The Yank manager traded two great CANADIAN draft picks for an American sharp shooter who couldn't hit the net if he was standing in it. And on. Tongue in cheek, yes. But also somewhat true. Brian, when you say you are going to rebuild this team and make them championship calibre, you do so through the draft. In the day of large contracts and caps, the winning teams (who are all around you) are doing this. Yet, you trade two 1st rounders for a slightly used winger with no support system in place. As said last time, Wilson will keep moving folks around until something works. That ain't coaching. These guys can skate, but, they are essentially doing it alone. Create some breakout patterns, some attack patterns on the other net. Ron, you have some time off before your next game, ask Santa to bring you the CHA amateur coach's manual and study it over Christmas. Who knows?

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

++ on the "stray animals" comment. So, who's up for the juniors?!?

...Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good nigh--- ugh morning, it's morning, I know I know.

[Melis V]

@Hockey Fan: I'm a Habs fan, too but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Montreal isn't playing it's greatest hockey of the season. Plus, this is a Leafs fan blog. Why rub salt in the wound? Leafs fans don't deserve it. They've been through enough. To all the Leaf fans out there, you have my sympathy. Really you do. Here's to a much better January and here's hoping that one day soon the Leafs and Habs will battle it out in a conference final!

VM Replies: My favourite Habs fan!

[Ken Baumgartner]

Moe Green, I hope your January prediction is right. If for no other other reason than to keep it interesting. "Miracle On Bay Street," the headlines will say.
You realize that there is a silver lining in all of this. That is right, come draft day when Boston gets our 1st overall pick and we we watch another blue chipper go to bean town, we will be able to take comfort in the fact that we will still be a garbage hockey team next year and we will finally have that first round, first overall pick in the 2012 draft. Does anyone know if that is supposed to a deep draft year?
Paitence is what we are told to have. I gotta tell ya all I can feel it. I am getting excited for that 2012 draft. It's gonna be a good one. It will be year 3.5 in the rebuilding process and we will finally have paid our dues and begin to draft some first round draft picks. Who knows in 6 or 8 years we may really be able to make a run at the playoffs. The losing is acceptable culture shift should finally be exorcised by then.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Robert, come on man get it right will you. He traded 3 draft pick for Little Phil. Arrrg!

[Pyramid Power]

@vinay How do we get our comments to be properly spaced between paragraphs? I do this everytime but my rather lengthy posts don't generally come out with proper spacing between paragraphs.

Please advise what Moe and others magical tricks are re this issue.

Thank you kind sir.

VM Replies: Let me check to see what the issue is, PP. I'll send you a note.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Melis V: a sensible habs fan? I had your kind grouped right up there with the tooth fairy, easter bunny, and santa.

"Miracle on Bay Street" I like it... Looking forward to 2012 (who's to say BB won't trade that pick away for a Marty Brodeur or Kovalchuk in an attempt to help the devils unload some cap space... It'd be almost funny if it wasn't a possibility).

[Pyramid Power]

Thank you VM and thank you Melis V.

A sensible Canadiens fan is indeed an anomaly in my experience. Most of your brethren could bring out the ugly in the Pope himself.

[Ken Baumgartner]

The thought just occurred to me, Steve Yzerman was available before Brian Burke was hired. Heck Joe Nuewendyck was with the Leafs before Brian Burke and look where his team is in the standings. I like Brian Burke but I am just saying....

[Account Deleted]

"I hate that they turn my total passion for them into furious rage and then disappointment followed by sadness." Yes.That's it Pyramid.After the Flames game my wife of 20 years said "I have never seen you like this."I showed her your comments today.I have lived through The Ballard Era and frustration after frustration.The difference now is,yes,I hate them.All true Leaf fans know deep inside we are in a very abusive relationship.I do not know how much longer I can take this. I look at my Wendel Clark autographed 1993 poster and think "I love every single person in that photo!"I want to feel like that again.

[S.Vis]

I feel like this sum's up the Leafs pretty well right now.

http://www.gocomics.com/thebarn/2010/12/19/

But I'm still going to love them. And hate them at the same time. Multi-tasking is a great thing.

VM Replies: Thanks for sharing. Perfect.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Breath Tim, breathe. We need you, you are a valued member of this group of misfits.
As I said, look on the bright side, in theory, we should have our 2012 first round draft pick to look forward to. Who do you think they will choose with that draft choice?

VM Replies: Bomber is right. We need to stick together through this apocalypse.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Tim B: As you are doing, many times I think back to that old Joe Bowen video "1992-1993 Toronto Maple Leafs: The Passion Returns". Watching that video makes me remember the good ol' days.

[Account Deleted]

I'm with ya'll.At least at the end of another miserable effort I can say "boy the blog will be good tomorrow."I think I'll get out the old Passion Returns tape and give it a view today.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Al, the leafs have no stud prospects?????????? What world do you live in?? Schenn, Kadri, D'Amigo, McKeeg, Rynnas, Aulie, Nicholls, Bozak, ECT.....I'd say that group is pretty solid, because of their mere age I would also throw in Kessel, Gunnerson, Phaneuf, Versteeg, Kulemin, Grabo, McArthur....

What happened to also those that wanted a rebuild????? What happened to those people who kept saying we have patience for a rebuild?? We need youth........Well you have it, this team is in a huge revamping and restructuring process....That traded away deadwood, and let guys like "The long summers in Sweden" Sundin, ect.....

We any team completely blows up its roster like the leafs have there are always growing pain issues, and areas that need to be fixed..I will leave it to BB who knows hockey better than any of us will find solutions for those areas.

So those that were complaining about wanting a rebuild...Here you go...Growing pains...So I ask all of you, who have asked for this...to tap into that patience most of you claimed to have.......If you decide to jump ship.....go ahead.....But don't come back when things get better, because if you can share in success...You should have the courage and loyalty to share in the losses.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Who do you think will be the next Leaf to be traded?

Just read Cox's column, do we really not have a second round draft pick this year also? Who did we give that to? Draft Shmaft as the Silver Fox always said.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

@ PP: Count Chocula... ha haa... I missed that the first time around!

[Pyramid Power]

@Tim B My wife can't believe how engrossed and lost I become too during a Leaf game. It's awful.

I want to feel like that again too. Very much so. Such proud days to be a Leafs fan. It seems like those are all we have are our memories, BUT I keep thinking it could be worse. We could be the Cubbies. 1908.

And we were in a conference final in 2002 only a short eight years ago which is not that long ago in pro sports.

I am trying not to hate this team, but right now I most certainly do. I don't see that changing. And thanks Bomber, I will breathe too, thanks for the support buddy.

We do indeed need to stick together through this apocalpyse. Who is the good side and who is the evil side Vinay? Leafs good? Canadiens bad?

[80s Leafs]

Dear Bomber,
I think the 2nd rounder is another gift to the Bruins as part of the Kessel steal...I mean deal. It was probably thrown in because Leaf management was still feeling guilty for "sacking" the Bruins on the Raycroft trade or something.

There is probably also still something owed to NJ for the Tom Kurvers deal as well. I don't think the suits in the boardroom feel the #1 pick given up that year(which turned out to be Niedermeyer) was fair compensation.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Nik, When a team comes out as flat as the Leafs consistantly do, by there own admission, it is not a growing pain, it is a fundamental flaw. The second group of players you mention except Kulemin and Gunnerson have been in the league a long enough time and should be expected to step up now, not in two years or in 6 years when the first set of players should be stepping up. That group should include Beucheman, Komesarik, kaberle, Armstrong, Orr, Lebda. Young or not these guys are veterans and should be accountable, but they are not because they hide behind the so called youth moement of this team. It's a load of crap. Brian Burke brought these players in to be impact players now not tomorrow. As soon as you can get that through your thick skull you will realize what a disappoinment this season really is turning into. Growing pains with results are what was supposed to happen. If they finish in the same spot as last year, do you honestly think it is progress, remember we are not using the draft to rebuild because we don't have a draft to rebuild from. See it for what it is, which is just a new way to lose! It sucks!!

[Pyramid Power]

@80's Leafs Our second rounder this year was not part of the Kessel deal. I still think we will come out on top of that trade in the end, but I have to think that way. Seguin looking very good for Boston though. Forget the name of the kid they got with our second round pick last year.

I don't know who has our second round pick this year, but it isn't Boston.

Anyone?

[We BeLeaf]

OK it's morning and I've had some time to reflect on last night's game. Were I a Leafs player on this year's team I thinking...(a) losing really sucks. I don't blame the fans for being upset. I am going to give everything I can out there and play it's game 7 of the cup final. Or am I thinking to myself....(b) this team sucks, the coach has lost this team, some of the players are only in it for the paycheck. Maybe if I can get my stats up, then I'll be perfect trade bait to get the heck outta here.
Unless I'm mistaken, I think that this must be the worst the Leafs have ever been, even under the Ballard years. @ Nik Culoman, is this what you expected to have happen under BB's regime for rebuilding? Is Blue & White disease ultimately unavoidable as a player?

[Pyramid Power]

@Bomber Our second round pick this year belongs to Calgary. Part of the Primeau for Stralman and Stuart deal.

I think Beauchemin will be moved first. Just a guess. Might package him with somebody else preferably Lebda and Mitchell for a decent centreman.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Ken, I have a question for you....Who's lineup would you rather have Washington's or Toronto's?? How about Boston's or Toronto's?? Damian Cox's article brought up some great points, we all knew this team was going to struggle....We all knew that there were some areas that needed work and that this team wasn't as talented as some of the other teams...

If I were a fan in Washington, Boston, to a lesser extent Ottawa.....Who on paper have a better line-up than the Leafs are also struggling.....I would be more frustrated if this Leafs line-up contained the firepower like a Washington, Boston and Ottawa who still can't get their acts together.

Everything in perspective helps you understand the position we find our Leafs....Let's remember this team had Sundin and the fans wanted this clown to stay, only to watch him walk away for nothing....The samething with Kaberle, every leaf fan complains when even a word is spoken about trading this guy.....But what has he done that is so great???

Vinay would like this one....He doesn't play defense, he doesn't shoot the puck....and if you want someone to make breakout passes, why not place that machine that shoots out tennis balls, and we can have Schenn flip a pass into it and have the machine make the pass......because we would get better production and better defense from that machine.

We should temper our expectations, and we should put this team into perspective.

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf Good post. I sure hope it is the former scenario that you paint, but I very much fear it is the latter scenario that is the case. Horrible.

We made one conference final or semi-final during the Ballard years in 1979. Remember the miraculous OT goal by Lanny that KO'ed the heavily favoured Isles at Nassau County Coliseum in the quarters in Game 7. Awesome memory.
Popcorn Palmateer was phenomenal that night in a 2-1 victory. He personally stole that game and series for Toronto.
Getting wiped out in the semis by the Canadiens in four straight was not so awesome.
I think the Ballard Nightmare was worse than anything we have endured - so far. Ouch!

About this second round pick in this year's draft. Very difficult and convoluted to figure it all out at Google. It seems from what I can tell that we have our second round pick, but do not have our third round pick. Hawks seem to have our third round pick. We seem to have our second round pick. I can't make sense of it, but that is my understanding.

Anyway, that pick bounced around like a basketball for sure.

[Dave]

It's the Leafs fans that curse the Leafs.
The most negative in North America.
If you would be positive that positive energy would rub off on the players.
Instead everyone who plays here feeds of the negativity of the fans and plays lousy.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I'd like to see Komisarek go before Beauch... but yes, whatever route we go, I don't care as long as the destination is the same: get rid of Beauch, Komi, and Mitchell. I wouldn't mind keeping Lebda if it wasn't for that excessive salary they are currently paying him. He can step in as a forward when needed.

[We BeLeaf]

@ PP, I remember that game very well. If you recall though, the team strategy was run and gun. Most nights it did not work out, but boy were there a lot of goals scored! I hope all is not lost for this year, I still have faith in the team. If by chance we sneak into the final playoff spot, then anything can happen. Remember that the Oilers and Calgary did it a few years ago and went all the way to the final. I know most people (haters) will think I'm delusional, but is possible. What will it take to make this happen?
Cheers...

[Nik Culoman]

@ Dave, you have hit the reason right on the head.......I congratulate you.....I have said that is the reason why certain players don't want to play in Toronto....Nothing is ever good enough, and the pressure is beyond healthy and sane.

[Nik Culoman]

@ We BeLeaf , this team needs time to gel and to form its own identity. I keep going back to my business example. Let's say you get hired on to a failing company, does it than become your fault?????

To place blame for the failure of the past, which is what people and media alike are harping on....on this group of players that has only been playing with each other less than a year isn't fair. There are established teams, Washington for one who have struggled greatly this year...........I think I would be much angrier as a Caps fan than I am with the Leafs....They don't have any excuse over there in Washington...They have one of the best players in the world on their roster....They have the talent top to bottom...Now there is a failure....

Most articles about this season had the leafs right where they are now...No surprises.....The fans and some in the media (Wilbur, Kypreos, ect..) keep harping on this team....But no one with any hockey sense thought this would be an ultra successful year.

No, I don't think this desease has set into this roster.....I feel there isn't a complete roster yet to compete......That is what happens when you are rebuilding....You can't plug all the wholes all at once...Especially when this team had no trade pieces because 5 of them decided to block trades.....

How good would Jeff Carter look on a line with Kessel..and vice versa??? How good would this team look if we had traded Sundin?? If we had traded Kaberle for Carter???

But people forget that BB had nothing or little to work with in respect to tradeable assets.....So he did what he could with what he had.....With Free agency being what it is....There are no top notch stars making it to free agency anymore as mentioned by Damian Cox as well....

That is why patience, and not negativity will correct this ship...The front office knows that there are problems.......They will fix them......The fans are just as much of the problem if anything...We have coddled players for too long....Now some fans have gone the side of the extreme and no matter what they do they can't seem to do enough....

Some of you talk as if no one in the front office sees the issues you do....Too many armchair GM's in Toronto....I still leave my challenge open to those people willing to rebuild this roster from day one of BB's tenure and I would like to see what you would have done differently given the constraints BB had to face, because if you are going to complain...AT LEAST HAVE SOME IDEAS TO FIX THE PROBLEM...

Can you imagine if these same people were on the Titanic?? They would be screaming the boat is sinking...But doing nothing to help their cause to save themselves.....

[fanfare]

WOW.. no first and second round picks...Do we have a 3rd.??? And this is rebuilding???

[Andrew]

How long before the paperbags are worn in large numbes at the ACC? Fans chanting "Fire Wilson", and the throwing of waffles (I still haven't heard a decent explanation for why they chose waffles, but...) on the ice. I think Leaf fans, as foolishly optimistic as we are, have come to the end of our rope. The Leafs have some good young talent, but the players they have are pretty much clones of each other. Bozak, Kadri, Grabovski are small fast centres - 1 will do for the second line but do we really need 3 of the same player? Our best 4 dmen are Phaneuf, Aulie, Schenn and Gunnerson. All young good players. Do we really need all 4 of Lebda, Komisarek, Kaberle, and Beauchemin? Giguere can't help us - and teams will be looking for veteran goaltending (Washington comes to mind). If we are going to build a team through trades, well it is time to start kicking some tires.

[We BeLeaf]

@ Nik, do you think it's better in Montreal? Would you like to be a player that doesn't speak French, has a bad game, etc.? If you want to know the meaning of mob mentality, then Montreal exemplifies that perfectly. My apologies to the knowledgeable Habs fans as you are few and far between, but the rest of them leave indelible smears on society in general.
@gettingkozy...I think that if BB asks Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause, can we swing something for him? I think the longest serving veteran on the team should be a leader like he somewhat used to be. Now I think it appears he's had enough. Maybe he's one of the players just waiting for the end of his contract and see who comes calling...

[moe green]

In fairness, let's assess the hockey team. What the heck, I have nothing pending until January. Here goes. Let's use letter grades.

Lil' Mikhail Grabovski: no nickname yet, how about "energizer"
He used to just go and go. He had only one speed - all out. Now he uses his speed more wisely. Plus he's studying the game - he and Kulemin. This guy is really trying to earn his salary out there. Never quits. Great passes, terrific shot. Plays PP, kills penalties. Near plus-player on a woeful team. - A

Clarke MacArthur: no nickname yet, how about "the general"
I know he's got a great shot and scores some but the guy is a solid play maker. He's smart and sees the ice very well. For me, he could be the centre they were looking for if he didn't fit so well with the Kulebovski. Why not play him at centre there? This is Burke's best move yet. Gonna be expensive to re-sign.
- A+

Nikoli Kulemin: he big-strong, good skates, good shoot. No ego. Great player. Big time keep. Love his game especially with Grabovski. Should not separate them. Paid appropriately. - A

Luke Schenn: very solid, strong, smart, stay-at-home defenseman. Could even supply some points as he gains puck savvy. Gotta admit I was skeptical after last year but he's turned into the Leafs best d-man. Too bad the competition is so weak. B+

Colby Armstrong: Great energy guy, great pest, great on the boards, zero offensive skill. A great pickup at $1 million less a year. B

Frederick Sjostrom: Slightly lesser at everything than Armstrong. A much better deal. Hit's every shift. Would find a way to miss an empty net on a breakaway though. B

Kris Versteeg: "Kristopher" my ass. You EARN a self-proclaimed name change. You're "Kiki-Vee" to me til further notice. You're Delta nickname is "flounder" Not a bad start but considering all the minutes and PP time only average marks for offensive output. A huge minus on the year. B

Phil Kessel: new nickname "coaster" "captain perimeter" Hard to call the team's leading goal scorer a disappointment. Look at it this way though, he's roughly as good a scorer as: MacArthur, Kulemin, Grabovski, Versteeg. But a huge minus player. Not good enough. Really think he's waiting for Wilson to move on. At least I hope that's what it is. He's like Jason Blake but without the likability and hard work. C-

Dion Phaneuf: meh. Ridiculously inaccurate shot. Not very creative with the puck. Solid on the puck. Biggun. B-

Kaberle: Soul is dead as his career in Toronto. Mishandled horribly by both Burke and Wilson. Removing the "A" from his sweater was a classless act by a classless guy, whomever was responsible. Still, Kabby has packed it in on the fans too. D

That's it. Too tired for the rest.

Ds: Beauchemin, Giguere, Gustavsson, Bozak, Orr, Kadri

Fs: Komisarek, Mitchell, Lebda

Honorable mentions: Gunnarson, Aulie, Brown are all Bs in my book.

Anyway, comment if you feel up to it.

[Nik Culoman]

@ fanfare....You do know that rebuilding happens in many different ways right??? The draft is one area of the rebuild.....Under BB we have signed college free agents (Hanson, Bozak, Irwin) , Young European free agents (The Monster, Rynnas, Mueller, ect.), BB I am sure will attempt to package some of the assets he has now for picks at the Trading deadline....If not sooner....Did I mention he has also picked up youth through trades Keith Aulie being one player.

This is one of the youngest teams in the NHL, so if that isn't rebuilding what is??????? I don't get why people harp on the draft when there are just as many teams who continue to fail even though they have had top draft picks...Than there are teams who have actually succeed from drafting. Detroit for example drafted many of it's players we consider stars in the later rounds of the draft.......This team hasn't seen a top 5 pick in years!!! Why are they so competitive?? How many cups have they won recently??

So stop with this questioning if this team is rebuilding...Because all the facts, YES Facts point to the fact BB is doing just that......Have you studied the farm system lately for the Leafs?? Do you see how well some of their picks are looking??

You can't win for trying....Toronto Fans are sadder than the team itself.....So negative...so pessimistic....and yet you can't understand why Rick Nash, Mike Cammie, and others stay away from signing in Toronto.....

[We BeLeaf]

@ Nik, very well said. I agree with you 100%. What's happening in Washington is slightly different: the team was built for offense and left defence a second priority which they are trying to address through trades. I however think that perhaps the Caps coach is in the same boat as Wilson: he's having a difficult time to find a way to motivate his players. So here is my question...since BB has rebuilt the team from scratch, is it acceptable to you that the Leafs do worse this year compared to last season?
@ PP, love the response from you at the other board

[dan]

Why all the critisimn on Komisareck and Beauchemein. The worst d-man on the Leafs is Phaneuf. He's a clumsy oaf. Trade him and Kessel while there is still a perceived value.
BTW Melis V a real HAB's fan would never ease up on Leaf Nation, when you have your foot on the head of a snake, apply more pressure. It's fun.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Dave you are wrong, when the Montreal Canadians are losing the fans are relentless with their negitivity to the point they don't show up for games. They hiss and they boo until the players say enough; find the intestinal fortitide, which is the real cultural problem on this team, to suck it up, look in the mirror take responsibility to turn it around themselves. If there is a problem with the fans it is that we are too easy on them. Totally and completely. If they want a warm fuzzy environment then do bloody something about it. They should not be ENTITLED to one until they earn it. Sadly they think otherwise because we let them.
Convinced it is not blue and white disease Vinay?

[oakville_girl]

Hello everyone! I was in my world of sunshine and light yesterday and this morning, until I was rudely interrupted by a voice on the radio telling me about a hockey score in an alternate universe. At this point, I thought of all of my poor friends who lived in this alternate universe and how sad they would be feeling this morning, so I came over to say hello, and hopefully shine some of my universe's sunshine into yours. I can give only you 5 days of sunshine until the next waffle throwing event, unless you decide to come over to where I am. I will be watching the World Juniors where you can watch good, exciting, entertaining hockey, and dream that one day, the waffle throwing events will have the same view.

[Jake]

You're a joke, Nik. I don't know if you're doing it on purpose but it's not funny.

Absolutely every fan is and was ready to rebuild. But when BB made that ridiculous Kessel trade as if he was the final piece to the championship puzzle, the rebuilding plan STOPPED. It wasn't us who did it, it was Burke himself.

At this point they just suck and they have no future... and, amazingly, they haven't even STARTED to rebuild. I don't think any of us could create such a mess if we tried.

[Al]

Moe green: Great job. "B" is too high a rating for Versteeg in my books, but generally agree with the rest of your assessment.

but - and dare I ask - what about our coach and GM?????

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Hey Pyramid Power.

Wow, such vitriol.
Hard to believe that awful team of mine is only 12 points up on your Laff's.
I watched an ASHL "B" game this summer that had more talent in the game than the Laffs have on their squad. Seriously, 3 NHL guys on one team: Wayne Simmonds (L.A.), Chris Stewart (Col), and 3rd name that escapes me.
That game was far more entertaining that anything that has been on the ACC ice this year.

Maybe, just maybe, if I keep pounding away here, some people might see the light and cheer for a real organization, ANY hockey organization, that actually knows what it doing.

Oh yeah, Pyramid, going back to 1993, can't remember, who won the Cup that year?.
Try this one on for size: See how far back you have to go to find a decade where the Laff's won more Cups than the Habs. And a little hint: In your glory years of the 60's, Montreal STILL won more Cups than you did.

[TG77]

I decided to check out how some ex-Leafs are doing after seeing Modin, Antropov and Tim Stapleton on the Thrashers last night. Alex Steen had 24 goals last year and has 10 this year (is that 2 less than Phil?) and he makes about $2.5M per year and was under contract so he wouldn't have cost THREE high draft picks to have on the team. He doesn't have the skill level of Kessel perhaps but he is coming into his own and put a pretty sweet backhander over Luongo last night. I also remember him as a pretty valuable player on the PK. Fletcher deserves a miserable grade for some of the trades he made too. Antropov would have been the leading scorer by a wide margin last year and I think we got a 2nd rounder? Who did the Leafs trade this pick to? I can only assume the Leafs didn't hold onto this pick.

As for the current roster, we all get quite excited about the Leafs record with Colby in the line-up and perhaps held out some hope that he was the difference maker. I don't want to rip on one of the few guys who has a heart on this team and wins puck battles, throws hits but he scored 15 goals last year and so far has 1 which works out to 3 for the year. Mitchell, hmm, where to start. Tim Brent has 3 goals and for whatever reason he and Sjostrom have been hailed as good penalty killers. Are the Leafs still the worst PK team in the league? I know we have some guests from Habs land on here so I will ask whether Komisarek struggled the way he has this year and last. Was he really sheltered that much by playing with Markov? Or playing in a, dare I say, better system? Did anyone follow Beauchemin closely before he became a Leaf? I only remember him as being a big part of a cup win and he played behind Pronger and Niedermayer so not exactly bad company.

I will move away from the negatives and say that yes, I think the guys in the AHL and CHL that the Leafs have picked up are reason to hold out some hope and if the Leafs were somehow able to manage securing a true, top line centre then all the other guys could drop down to a line they belong on. I am in no way suggesting I would do a better job than Burke or Wilson but how about a line with Kessel-Versteeg-Armstrong and a third-line of D'Amigo -Bozak -Kadri if they are going young? Once Brown is back, Sjostrom-Orr-Brown and then the one line playing with any continuity and consistency McArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin stays together.

PP - you asked about guys who would be able to play on the Canadian Jrs - Duchene, Kane, Seguin, Skinner. Hall and maybe even Tyler Myers this year. Last year, Cody Hodgson was hurt and was by far the best player on Team Canada the year before (ahead of Tavares, Eberle) and the team's best d-man, Hamonic got hurt before the gold medal on a cheap hit by a Swiss player. With Hodgson on last year's team, they would have won gold fairly easily I think. As for the 2012 draft, Nugent-Hopkins is the top prospect I believe and he was cut for this year's team but to be fair I think Crosby, Gretzky and Spezza (maybe) are among the only 16 year olds that made the squad.

Go Leafs Go, Go Canada Go and merry christmas to everyone on here.

[Richard Sarabando]

There is no curse. There is only bad management and even worse ownership. It is blatantly obvious that winning is not significant to this organization. The Leafs sit atop the NHL in terms of franchise value and at the bottom of the league in terms of their on-ice product. This almost seems illogical, yet it is precisely what defines the Leafs as an organization and is what is behind their perpetual ineptitude. Leaf fans are the pawns upon which the Leafs corporate pyramid stands and nothing will change that other than another NHL franchise being placed in the Toronto area or a new ownership group that makes winning the number one goal of the franchise. Neither of these are very likely in the near future so nothing will change, including my ever growing disenchantment with this organization.

[Simmer]

At least with the Juniors we'll have something to keep our spirits up until the New Year.

Happy Holidays everyone, all I want for Christmas is a 48-pack of Eggo waffles and a neon green spandex suit.

[We BeLeaf]

@ PP,
I just happened to stumble onto this...even though she hasn't been seen for a long time, she left an impact on the whole community. Vinay, this user is an inspiration to all. C/P the url and you'll see what I mean...

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3RGFGONAM4L3N3PK3TEEHAJYN4

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Hey Hockey (not Leaf fan): Try the 40s (I know this is pathetic, but I couldn't let it go). Leafs had more cups than Montreal. You bragging about the hobbits superiority over the Leafs is like a 400 lb man calling a 500 lb man fat! The hobbits still suck (and no, getting to the semis once in the last 17 years does not absolve the smabs of their terrible performance since '93). Oh, and it's interesting to note that last year was the FIRST time the bobbletants made it past the 2nd round since 93! I know the Leafs are terrible, but at least I'm not in denial!

@ Moe: Nice job on the grading, although I would give Schenn a solid A for his play this season. I know there isn't much to compare against, but hey, he does what's asked of him with the cool composure of a seasoned vet. btw... I too would get tired/lose interest after the first 10 players too!

[Nik Culoman]

@ Jake......Ridiculous Kessel trade....Let's discuss this for a moment....Ever since Boston drafted Seguin...I don't seem them tearing up the division or conference??? Ever since the Kessel trade Boston has had problems scoring, thus being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs last year.....Toronto has been rebuilding the past two years, the avg. age of the players is roughly 26 or so...I may be incorrect...But they're around that area....Toronto picked up a 1st round draft pick in Kessel.....5th overall in the year that Crosby and Ovie were drafted...Toronto's line-up has 9...Yes, 9 former first round draft picks..Most if not all under the age of 28 years old.

So if you think BB hasn't started a rebuild, I don't know what a rebuild is to you.....Like I said on one of the previous blogs...If you fools want instant success this year, Let's trade Schenn, Kadri, Rynnas, The Monster, Bozak, Kulemin, Aulie, Gunnerson...and so on for some vets.....let's plug every hole externally.....While we are at let's give the players that come in no trade clauses so they stay and don't produce...

But wait...IS THAT WHAT THIS TEAM HAS DONE FOR THE PAST HOW MANY YEARS????? HOW MANY PLAYOFF ROUNDS DID THAT WIN?? HOW MANY STANLEY CUPS DID THAT WIN??? How much was our farm system depleted during those years????????? (Boyes, Sullivan, McCauly, Rask, ect. we lost all these players in an attempt to patch the existing line-up)

Some people are clueless as to how to build a Stanley cup winner...and it doesn't happen over night...It doesn't happen in 1 year or even 2 years when you inherit such a mess that was the Maple Leafs....All this mess and no trade clauses for talent that enjoyed to spend more time in Sweden than playing playoff hockey in the spring caused this mess....

@We BeLeaf, while scrapping a team to it's core....trading away 25 players if not more in 2 years.....He has gutted the goaltending and slowly built that into one of points of strength for making trades or for a source for the future number one goaltender.

Our defense has improved for the future, maybe the vets aren't playing up to par...But how about Aulie, Gunnerson, Lashoff on the Marlies, ect.....How good would a top pairing of Schenn/Phanuef look?? Or Even Schenn/Aulie for the future?? You have to start somewhere...when there was nothing in the system to build from...

Our offense this team has Kessel, Kadri, Bozak, Kulemin, Mc Arthur, young still progressing and still adapting to each other....But all those guys were brought in by BB.....

While rebuilding sometimes you need to take one step back to take 3 steps forward....BB has the foresight unlike some of the fans to see that....only had played 40 games or so....

I really don't get it......All people spew emotion...But they haven't once stopped to think...Wow, when Sundin left us empty handed...When Kaberle decided to block a trade which would have brought us Jeff Carter, When Tucker and the other 3 Muskoka 5 decided to block trades that sent this team back ages....

I said it than and people called me crazy......People begged and pleaded for Sundin and his croonies to come back......They all left with the exception of Kubina/McCabe with nothing for the Leafs to show for their time here. You wanted BB to build a team with what assest???

So to WeBeLeaf...Give Burke time....give these kids time to develop....They are developing and growing into NHL regulars infront of the burning cameras and jeers of the "fans"......

Most Toronto Fans were a joke when they made excuses for Sundin and the loosing in his tenure with the Leafs, and they are a bigger joke for tearing up this group of kids who are trying their hardest....Who are working through their development with media/ fans over analyzing every second of every shift.

Those that complain the most...HAVE NO PLAN TO FIX things........If this team sucks so much...Why not find a new team??????????? Who is holding a gun to your head making you Leaf Fans to begin with???????

I will enjoy this team....For every win and for every loss....I will stay by this team through this rough patch...BECAUSE YOU STAND BEHIND A TEAM WHEN THEY'RE LOOSING....YOU STAND BESIDE THEM WHEN THEY'RE WINNING!

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Nik: I too stand behind the leafs win or lose, but lets get a few things straight, it really helps get your point across when it contains factual statistics:

*Boston was eliminated in the SECOND round last year. Which I believe was the result of a serious fluke that they fell apart (no other team has ever had that happen except DET when facing the leafs generations ago).
*Crosby and Ovi were not drafted in the same year (Ovi '04, Crosby '05), and Kessel was drafted in 2006, therefore, not the same year as either player.
*Lastly, you mention several names of promising young talent that the Leafs traded away, however, I don't think Alan McCauley should be mentioned in there as he was widely considered a BIG BUST. Did not live up to the expectations that were placed on him after his play in the OHL for the 67s

[Nik Culoman]

My mistake.....but here is a list of players drafted in each draft year....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_NHL_Entry_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_NHL_Entry_Draft

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006_NHL_Draft

For those that believe the draft is the way to go...Look at how many players in each of the 3 draft years have become stars.........Some of these players aren't even in the NHL...Others are a complete bust.....

But Draft is the only way to rebuild....Draft..They say....

[We BeLeaf]

@ Nik, Well said once again, and I especially liked your last phrase. I think Burke may be acting too nice with the players regarding trade freezes, asking players to reconsider no-trade clauses, etc. Since I do not know the man personally, that is the impression that I have of him. Others may say he is a media glory-hound, but there have been few Leafs managers who did not exude some flamboyance that I can recall. His resume speaks for itself, so I give him the benefit of the doubt during his tenure here.

[The 5th Line Centre]

That one was extra painful, even more so since it is the last one before the break. I had high hopes that Nik "pylon" Antropov wouldn't score, but forgot about Modin. Another former leaf crushes his old team.
Check out my site for a Christmas rundown of this poor game:
http://5thlinecentre.wordpress.com/

[waffles2010]

Some good thoughts in the comments today. Another nice post by Vinay. Have to give you credit, very well done. I think that the worst thing about treating this team as a rebuilding one is the absolute lack of top end talent. No possibility of a first or second overall pick means that none are coming. Kessel seems to be what he is going to be, inconsistent, yet talented goal scorer. Schenn looks like the real deal, goalies well you never know, but we have 3 good prospects, so maybe. Grabbo looks like a solid number 2 centre, Kadri looks like he is the same type of prospect. A real question. Is it a real patient rebuild when our GM says playoffs? I think like you NIk Culoman, it is a rebuild, but I think that Burke lied. We need some player or pick to turn into a stud NHL'er, Datsyuk comes to mind. It never seems to happen for us. Hasek happens to other teams. We need to forget what has happened in the past, we can't change the 43 years. I was watching the highlights(low-lights) from last night. What follows is the actual play by play
JB - ...and its shot in wide of the goal and uh...
GM - Waffles
That has gotta be something I never thought I'd hear on a hockey telecast. Listen to it if you can, it sounds so funny I laughed out loud. Stay positive everyone, they have some talented players. Burke will get us some more. I think.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I agree with you there Nik. Drafting ,I believe is almost like the "suckers way out". Tank for a few years and build up high draft picks like Chicago, Pittsburgh (though I like them, I gotta be honest), and Washington before once again becoming competitive. I believe I mentioned this before on one of these blogs. I think the wings have their system in order and the most respectable way to build an organization. While every team builds out of the draft (as the primary source of new, young, and raw talent), a team must learn to build without the high draft picks also. Sadly, the Leafs don't hold too many bargaining chips at present.

[Robert]

Ken I know about the second rounder, I am talking about losing Hall or Sequin this year and a terrific prospect next year. The second rounder ?? Who knows? Wasn't two first enough to choke on?

[Nik Culoman]

@gettingcozywithsarkozy This team holds little because the cupboard was empty before BB arrived....The prospects we do have now, are all BB additions.....Aulie, D'Amigo, Kadri, The Monster, Mueller, Rynnas, Nicholls, McKeeg, Ryan, Bozak, Hanson, ect....

This is a start.....When there was none, and all these additions have been made in short order....2 years......Check out hockey prospects database.....They speak highly of the leafs prospect pool....

[Nik Culoman]

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articles/12609/toronto_maple_leafs_minorleague_system_highlighted_by_depth_and_toughness/

For those that think I have no clue what I am talking about...How the future is brighter than you think.....

Thank BB for most if not all these kids in our our farm system! BB has no clue, and BB doesn't know how to rebuild......ect.... I guess this report shows otherwise.

[Nik Culoman]

12
Toronto Maple Leafs
Strengths: The Maple Leafs' management team has done a solid job adding depth to the system. While they have dealt high-end picks for established talent, General Manager Brian Burke has done his due diligence unearthing free agent prospects to fill the ranks. Over the last six months, Burke added seven prospects through the draft, three from trade, and five through free agency. Depth-wise, it seems the Maple Leafs system is the deepest it's been in the last few seasons. Weaknesses: With the dealing of high draft picks comes the downside of being left without top-line talent in the system to build around.

The Maple Leafs roster may consist of young cornerstones such as Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel, and Luke Schenn, but the pipeline runs dry with Nazem Kadri currently the only projected top-line talent in the system. Top 5 Prospects: 1. Nazem Kadri, C, 2. Jonas Gustavsson, G, 3. Tyler Bozak, C, 4. Carl Gunnarsson, D, 5. Jussi Rynnas, G. Lost to trade: Viktor Stalberg, Jimmy Hayes, Alex Berry, Philippe Paradis, Chris DiDomenico, and Stefano Giliati.

Yes they highlight weaknesses... But from where this organization came from....The potential for these kids to catch fire and improve.....This organization has turned a corner with more yet to come...

[Hoofheartz]

I think Burke is doing an excellent job of building through the draft. Unfortunately he doesn't work for the team he's rebuilding (yet). As for you hockeyfan, I seem to recall an entertaining game at the ACC about 2 Saturdays ago. You remember that game don't you? The score wasn't the same as the 1st game of this season but the result cetainly was.

[Hoofheartz]

Nik, how come you constantly mention Ryannas as a prospect but I don't believe I've ever seen you mention Reimer. From the little I've seen of him he has looked pretty solid to me.

[Bracken]

Wow, it's been a while since iI last checked in, but I am happy, and equally as surprised, that Nik Columan (doesn't everyone picture #41 when they see his name?), is still as positive and upbeat as ever. It's a little refreshing, if not completely naive.

Our beloved TML are in a state of turmoil. I don't know what to do to fix it, but I can assure you the following won't help:
-continuing to bitch and moan about the Kessel trade; it's done! He may not of been the guy we thought he was (see Dennis Green rant http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_N1OjGhIFc) but he is talented and is here. Get over it!
-throwing waffles on the ice. It's ridiculous. While the Leafs might not be winning, the notion that they "don't care" about the poor performance they are giving so we therefore have the right to show them what we think is absurd. They are young. Maybe they aren't getting the best coaching, but they are young and skating hard. Boneheaded mistakes aside, booing and throwing waffles does nothing except for make anyone affiliated with the organization look like a 3rd grader. It's not the players, or coaching, or administration, it's idiots like that who make us all look silly.
-as per my last point: Ron Wilson might not be the right guy, but, what does chanting "Fire Wilson" do or prove? Nothing productive.

THE LEAFS ARE TRYING! Maybe that's not good enough to win a Stanley Cup, or even get in the playoffs. But, since everyone keeps pointing out it has been 47 years since we raised Lord Stanley and over 6 season since we last saw the playoffs, what's the freakin' rush!? Perhaps if everyone wasn't so focused on ripping the team everywhere they went, they could stop gripping the stick so tightly and actually play. Look at Alex Steen, Dominic Moore, Lee Stempniak. Remember a guy named Brian McCabe? There are countless players that got booed out of town before hauling us out of here and helping a team move forward. I really hated Larry Murphy, but he would of looked better on our D-line than hoisting a Cup with Detroit the year after he left....

[Corkie Peeler]

Maybe I'm overanalysing this issue, but I feel the three right-handed shots on the Kessel-Bozak-Versteeg line is limiting. They need a lefty in there to have a different angle on things, to pick up/make passes from/to the righties.
I would like to see Kessel getting feeds down low from Mitchell for at least a period just to see if it makes any difference. I'd say try Grabovski, but his line is the only one going in the right direction right now.

[Pyramid Power]

Great to see our junior team tuning up nicely with a 4-1 win over Sweden as they get ready for the tourney beginning on the 26th vs. Russia. Good job guys.

@We BeLeaf Thank you for digging that up on DON! Man, do I miss her and her amazing posts. You wonder what happened to her, such fun. Watch Canada! A legend on the Yahoo sports boards for sure. I really do miss her and I imagine DDI does too along with so many others. Hope she comes back someday.

Hockey Fan Your Canadiens lost tonight in Dallas as I knew they would and you certainly had to feel was coming. Stars simply a better team. Your team is freefalling badly in the standings now after dropping five of six. What a pity.

Montreal now only six points out of being knocked out of playoff contention. They face the ninth place Hurricanes on Thursday night with Carolina six points back of Montreal with two games in hand. Expect to lose that game too to a very well rested and motivated Raleigh team.

I expect your team to battle to the end and possibly squeeze into the playoffs by a goal as they did two years ago, and by a point as they did last year. Very mediocre team when Price is not on. A good team when Price is lights out.

He was good to mediocre tonight but that was not enough sadly. :)

Montreal does not have the talent or toughness to do anything this year except, if lucky, make the playoffs and then bow out in the first round. There will be no miracles for your team this year.

I hope you watched the game against Dallas tonight as I did and saw what I did. A ton of mistakes especially by Gorges which was surprising. Litte offensive thrust. Just a team that was manhandled physically by a tougher, stronger bigger team as they were by Philly last year in the playoffs.

I don't see Montreal getting anywhere near the Holy Grail as they did last year for many, many years. I would advise you to stop bragging about this mediocre squad on a Leafs blog and go play with your own kind.

Merry Christmas sir. LOL

Oh, I notice you did not let me know where you might be posting tonight re your beloved Habs. Typical. No surprise there.

Cowardly Canadiens fans in abundance spewing their ignorant garbage everywhere booing the Star Spangled banner, booing their returning players who left the team, booing Briere still after all these years, booing the refs every chance they get because they feel the refs are not on their side etc......

A despicable fanbase has arisen at the Bell Centre that is nothing like the classy fans of Montreal that I saw as a teenager at the Forum. How anyone can like this team is beyond me. The players are fine save for Yappy Lappy but those fans. Tabernak! Horrible.

[Alecia]

Wow, I find some leaf "fans" to be way more depressing than any Leafs game I've ever seen. Not going to waste my time expressing why I don't hate the Leafs or why I don't feel pain, despair, disappointment or any other synonyms as there are some great points mentioned above by the likes of Nik Culoman, Dave, Bracken and such.

The worst thing these players did was step into that blue and white jersey. No other team has this amount of pressure on their shoulders. A lot of fans are yapping and moaning that we should abandon the team, stop going to games, stop buying merchandise, booing, throwing waffles.... if that's the case, just jump ship already and stop harassing the rest of the fans with your incredible negativity. We are all aware of the situation but not all of us are as disgruntled as the rest and we make a conscious decision to continue to follow and support our team. Can't expect to be there for the best of times if you won't be here for the worst. If you don't see the "best of times" coming, then really, why are you still here and wasting your team on this team? Some of us believe that the best of times are coming because we see it from a different perspective, no point in trying to beat us down. If we are wrong, then we will be wrong.

But don't expect your team to get better by booing and throwing crap on the ice, especially during play. It's like continuously kicking and beating a dog and still expecting it to be a happy dog. You want the leafs to improve? Start by spreading a little bit of positivity and support for you team, isn't that what fans are suppose to do?

Tired of them losing and don't want to support? Move on to another team, there's 29 to choose from.

Go ahead, harp on me. I'm a leaf fan. I can take it.

[TG77]

So the recent Eggo tosser was charged with mischief, however if you saw the quote attributed to him ("I didn't mean to cause no trouble"), maybe they can add a charge of crimes against the English language. He is from my hometown and it's with great relief I can say I don't know him.

Also, I agree with Pyramid's sentiments towards the "hockey fan", but just maybe without as much anger :) The Hockey Fan needs to understand the purpose of this blog and in no time in my life would I consider it a valuable way to spend my time to seek out a Habs fans' blog to talk smack. Price is crashing back to earth and Markov is out for the year so again, it might be a struggle to make the playoffs this year. However, I don't care enough to spend my time on a blog of their fans because that just seems really stupid, for lack of a better word. I would expect that in a years time you will either a) wise up and realize it's a waste of your time to go troll (I hate that term) or b) you will still be here. If it's b) then I guess I just feel sorry for you. This is actually a great forum for true fans to talk mostly about what is wrong with the team, what went wrong the night before and hopefully in 2011, about what is going right. No matter how many posts you put up, I truly don't think any of the fans here will have a moment of clarity and say, yes I want to cheer for the Habs now, thanks for enlightenining me.

[Pyramid Power]

@TG77 Thank you for an excellent laugh! I am laughing hard right now typing this.

"No matter how many posts you put up, I truly don't think any of the fans here will have a moment of clarity and say, yes, I want to cheer for the Habs now, thanks for enlightening me." Ha ha ha ha!

I can't add to that. That is way too funny.

Cheers to you and again thanks for a quality laugh.

[dan]

Stinking HAB's fan here - I have to hand it to Leaf Nation and I'm truly impressed (no sarcasm this time);waffle tossing is classic and original. I'm surprised a HAB's fan didn't think of it first. Now the Leaf organization is going to assist the autorities by making a member of their fan base a criminal. So Leaf Nation the lesson here is that it is ok to toss a squid, a rat and a hat but not a waffle.

[oakville_girl]

@TG77 - glad to know that the waffle tosser and English grammar slayer is not you or someone you know. As a resident of Oakville, I wanted to point out that it isn't me either. And fortunately, I am not acquainted with the person either.

@PP - I have a close friend who is a Habs fan, and he has been trying to "enlighten" me to come over and cheer for his team for a while.

@vinay - keep up the great posts! Even though I am taking a break from watching the games, I am not taking a break from your writing.

[Nik Culoman]

Wow, Alicia thanks for chimming in on this debate...I have been spreading the patience and stay by your team no matter what...I felt at times that I was part of a small group. So good on you for sticking by this team.....I now have one more person to kick people back off the bandwagon once this team starts to win ;)

People only claim to be "fans" when their "team" is winning and everything is perfect......Than these "fans" become a negative cancer constantly complaining and only seeing the negative....Riding on strictly emotion and they rely less on reason and sound judgement.

All these people who complain and complain...All have one thing in common, with all their complaining, they have no solutions......They have no answers, they have no foresight. They don't care to see where this organization was 2 years ago, they don't care to understand how badly depleted this organization was in young talent in their farm system....They don't care to reason themselves with the fact that we had players who weren't producing and yet received no trade clauses and long summers in Sweden.

Since BB came in, he has gutted that group, brought in 25 new players and maybe more come Jan. He has signed College prospects, signed players from europe, drafted some players who were a steal in later rounds, made some huge trades that even the armchair GMS couldn't even make on their PS3'S.

What do we have in short order??? A young team, actually one of the youngest teams in the league....We have 9 former 1st round picks on the roster, a farm system that isn't quite stocked like Detroit...But has improved ten fold.....We have the best goalie coach in the world....An expanded front office staff which has done its due diligence in locating and scouting possible prospects and trades.....

So no longer are we a vetrans paradise.....where careers come to an end...We have some strong pillars that this group can build on.....

@ john.thomas682, I don't get your point of BB not working for the leafs......That is such stupid comment.....Can you tell me how Boston is doing if they are so great?????? They are clinging on to a Playoff spot...Just barely.........By last check...They may still need to clear out some salary which may hurt their prospects of making the playoffs this year.....Whereas the Leafs...Will have roughly 10 million dollars of cap space to sign some free agents over the summer, THEY CAN use some of that space to make some trades as well....

[Nik Culoman]

Hoof, you're right....Reimer is great as well....But I don't think he was BB signing.....I mention Rynnas so much because people don't give BB enough credit for bringing in some young great talent....He may not have done it through the draft...But he has plucked some great talent.........

[We BeLeaf]

I wonder if the waffle tosser would have been charged had he not done it during play. My guess is if he had thrown at the end of the game, it would not have been an issue. I don't condone what this guy did ,and he's definitely going to get what's coming to him, but look at how this has gone viral. Now there's talk of stores making Leafs shaped waffles, and t-shirts. I guess booing just doesn't suffice anymore...

In other great news, the Habs lost again! Can you say 9th place?

GO LEAFS GO!!!

[Hoofheartz]

Dan, ironic isn't it that a TML fan has been charged with mischief for waffle tossing, but MLSE has been throwing garbage on the ice for years and never been charged.

Merry Christmas to all of Leaf Nation and a special little HO HO HO to all the stinking Hab fans who come on here to share their wisdom. Without you, Pyramid Power and myself would have no one to rant at.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Alecia: I don't think people voicing their displeasure with the team is whats hurting the Leafs (actually, it's quite a healthy practice; it reminds the organization that we are not some robots that will mindlessly applaud their (lack of) efforts and be content with failure). It also doesn't mean that we will stop cheering on the team we've desperately clung to for the last (insert amount of years devoted to the Leafs here). In this light, I also don't believe showing "positivity" will somehow magically make them play better. If first and foremost the players aren't putting forth the effort for themselves, we can't expect them to do it for anyone else either. But regardless, here's a Christmas cheer for the blue and white, and to a brighter 2011!!!

[Pyramid Power]

@Oakville Girl Resist his charms and attempts at enlightenment. Oh, he is a Habs fan. He obviously has no charm or abilities to enlighten. Let him blither on then.

And of course you do know that you will be charged with sedition and treason by Leaf Nation police if you go over to the dark side right? That is in the constitution as drawn up by our founding father Conn Smythe. If you are found guilty of fraternizing with the enemy the offence is punishable by hanging from the top of a flagpole at the ACC shortly before the commencement of the next Leafs-Habs game with thousands of fans watching in public.

Oh, when I read that the guy who has been charged with waffle mischief was from Oakville I thought, hhmmmmmm, wonder if the dude knows Oakville Girl? I wonder if she put him up to it? :)

@dan the stinkin' Habs fan Well, you people in Montreal the Motley know all about criminals right? Wasn't it one of your finest citizens that broke into Pat Burns' widow's car during his funeral and rip off his clothes and hockey paraphernalia? Stinkin' Habs fans. Jesting. Kinda.

[Pyramid Power]

@Hoof HO HO HO to all the Habs fans. Second that one. I gotta confess I kinda like slamming the Scabs as it takes away from my time slamming the team I irrationally but unconditionally worship.

I am going to try to exclusively rant at the Canadiens and their stinking fans, and keep my Leaf ranting to a bare minimum. Call it an early New Year's resolution.

I'll very likely break that resolution before 2011 rings in, but what the heck? I'll do my best.

[dan]

@Hoof & Pyramid Power - glad to be of service. We roll and burn police cars and that's when we're happy. Looking forward to 2011 and especially to egging you on. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

"...but MLSE has been throwing garbage on the ice for years and never been charged."

ZING!!! ha haa!

[Nik Culoman]

"...but MLSE has been throwing garbage on the ice for years and never been charged."

Comments like these do wonders for selling the team and the city/fans to potential free agents...With comments like these free agents are begging to come to Toronto..Where the fans are so positive!

No wonder Cammy, Rick Nash, and others are come running to Toronto when they are free agents!

Oh, that's right none of that is positive! None of that is selling Toronto/Fans as a great destination spot for free agents...That is why players are staying away! Home town discount isn't worth the hassel of being under a microscope with every shift critiqued by media and by fans.................

Negativity breeds more negativity....If you don't think Booing or just being negative doesn't affect the way a player plays ( they are human, you know) than you haven't played professional sports, nor would you like someone coming into your workplace and booing and throwing waffles at you....

Some of you deserve just that......Because you have no concept of decency....Or respect.....for yourself or for the players, so stop calling yourself a fan...Because fans don't do what some of you do! It's disgusting!

[Alecia]

Nik, I whole heartedly agree with the things you have been saying.
The problem is, people demand results NOW and as long as the leafs are not meeting the fan standard of winning consistently, there will be this type of backlash.
Reality is, SOME fans just don’t care what’s happening in the dressing room, in Burke’s office, what prospects they have, player stats etc if they are not winning games, and the longer this goes on, the thinner the patience grows. I am not saying that I don’t understand the frustrations of this type of outcome game in and game out, however, having watched the leafs for a number of years now, I feel like for the first time in a few seasons, there are reasons to be optimistic and excited for this team’s future once again. Key word: future. I never expected that the Leafs would burst out the gate running this season, winning every game and claiming a playoff spot. Given their last season finish, that would have just been an unrealistic expectation because no matter what anyone says, there is no denying that we are in fact, rebuilding. I know people are sick and tired of hearing that cause it feels like we have been rebuilding forever but people don’t seem to understand that JFJ’s rebuild or whatever he was doing, failed, and Burke had no choice but to start anew. It’s not a continuation of a neverending rebuilt but the beginning of a new rebuild led by Burke. A lot of changes have been made that we have yet to see and a lot of changes are still TO be made, it’s not a complete puzzle, they are not a complete team, and realistically, we can’t expect them to be a complete winning team only 2 years in, would be nice, but it’s just not realistic for us. The difference this year is that they have shown a lot of potential to take this team where it needs to be but we must remain patient and wait for all the puzzle pieces to be complete. I know no one likes to wait cause “we waited enough” and “it’s been 40 years” and yada yada yada, but we need to stop thinking with our emotions and think with logic. Most importantly, we need to stop treating these players as if they are the same players we’ve always had. They’re not, we only have 4 remaining players from just 2 years ago.

The point I was trying to make with being positive is not so we can blindly cheer for our team regardless of how bad they are doing but it concerns me what kind of damage we are inflecting upon these young players with the waffle throwing and boos we are taking part in. I have nothing against people wanting to expressing their frustrations in a meaningful way but I feel like the aforementioned tactics do NOTHING but upset everyone, including other fans. Such young players being on a team with so much history and such a huge fan base is NOT easy and while I know they get millions of dollars to do their job, no amount of money can drown out the sound of being booed on your home ice, in your city, by the same people that are supposed to support and encourage, and most importantly, inspire you to win. If you are unpleased with the product, stop supporting them, get up and leave the ACC, stop going to the games, cancel LeafsTV…. But throwing waffles? Seriously, who is that going to encourage? Do you think upper management is not aware of the dire situation? Do you think ANYONE is not aware of the dire situation?

People are entitled to have their own opinions and act as they please. This is mine. I know they are at the bottom of the league, I know they make bad passes and bad giveaways but I also seen them come back from crappy deficits, win impossible games, and individually improve. I CHOOSE to continuously support my team because I actually see a shining light at the end of the tunnel and have the patience to weather the storm. I cheer for their successes and frown at their failures and will continue to do so. IF the day comes when I start thinking that this team is an “embarrassment to the city” or start to “despise” them, I will simply stop watching, support and caring. I will not let negative toxic emotions run rampant and sour the moods.

Go leafs Go.

[Alecia]

"...but MLSE has been throwing garbage on the ice for years and never been charged."

Well then they are throwing garbage on their OWN ice and if you don’t like it, then don’t go. Plenty of other teams to cheer for.

[TG77]

Nik - I kinda agree about what you are saying about free agents and if you noticed I really don't like the waffle tossing and I completely agree about disliking how fans at the ACC seemingly attend for the sole purpose of getting to boo when the Leafs screw up.

As for Cammalleri, my understanding is that Burke didn't offer him a contract but I do agree the leafs don't tend to get a lot of hometown marquee talent and I would also agree that the 1967 burden might play a bit of a factor. I guess it's hard to know for sure without one of us setting up interviews with players once they retire (because they would never say it publicly for fear of being "waffled" when they come to town on the next road trip). It is really weird that the Leafs are now know for waffle attacks from the home town fans. Kellogg's must be loving this but it actually bothers me people are wasting Eggos, they are so damn good.

[Vinay Menon]

Another great discussion. Thanks. If you're interested, I had lunch with Burke yesterday and just posted the interview.

[Hoofheartz]

Nikki and Alecia - have a Merry Christmas anyway.