A new agreement for the Leafs and their fans

Good afternoon, Leafs Nation, and welcome to the rest of our season.

Around the NHL, the post-All-Star home stretch is a time of escalating thrills as teams jockey for position in the standings and tweak rosters for the big show this spring.

In blue-and-white country, well, the situation is a little different.

With no playoff action since 2004 – and no reason to believe this will change by April – the thrills are more fleeting than escalating. Instead of gearing up for the big show we are now gearing down for the small signposts that occasionally zoom past our sad faces as we cruise along Highway 67: The Unorthodox Rebuild in search of cheap gas and moral victories.

Hey, look over there, the billboard we just passed read: "CAUTION: THEY ARE YOUNG." Cool. And look at that sign: "YIELD TO BETTER DAYS AHEAD." Awesome. Or that one over there: "WARNING: WATCH FOR INCONSISTENCY."

Yes, we have reached the point in the season when Leaf fans sigh loudly, crank up the tunes and ignore the ominous sounds rumbling from underneath our rusty vehicles.

Me, I'm just going to enjoy the bumpy ride, starting with tonight's game against Florida.

I know this sounds lame and pitiful. I know it smacks of defeatism, of surrender, like I am part of the problem or a feckless cog in the gnashing MLSE machine. Am I suffering from Stockholm Syndrome? Perhaps.

But as my grandmother used to say: "You can't fit a square peg inside a round hole."

Here's the thing: If Leaf fans are deprived of the playoffs for yet another year, if we are forced to trade escalating thrills for lowered expectations – Let’s not give Boston another lottery pick! People, we can do this! – we at least deserve some quid pro quo.

There are 33 games remaining this season. This morning, I drafted an agreement contract for the Leafs and their fans. Feel free to make amendments or changes:

  

GENERAL AGREEMENT

 

THIS AGREEMENT MADE ON THE__1st____ DAY OF ___FEBRUARY____, IN THE YEAR 20__11__, IS BETWEEN __THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS____ AND __LEAFS NATION__.

In consideration of mutual covenants and prior agreements such as winning or making the playoffs or not trading first-round draft picks, the two parties agree to amend the rules of engagement hereto:

 

___LEAFS NATION____ agrees to:

1. Be patient and comply with the tenets inherent in this reconstructive phase, hereby referred to as "The Rebuild."

2. Support "The Other Party" in good times and bad times and times of bitter despair, but reserve the right to be critical during the latter two periods within a) specific game situations and, b) the general parameters of "The Rebuild."

3. Refrain from throwing breakfast items on the ice and/or scrawling profane messages on the expensive vehicles belonging to "The Other Party."

4. Not scrutinize the standings each and every morning while weeping and/or calculating magic numbers and/or longing for the days of Doug Gilmour.

5. Not ask questions of co-workers, family members and others outside either Party, such as "Did you see the highlights from last night? Are these guys on crack?"

6. Look for positives and, when none are present, consume lemon squares in stony silence.

7. Second-guess players, coaches and management only if said second-guessing is predicated upon actions that meet the legal threshold of "gross incompetence."

8. Create an atmosphere inside the Air Canada Centre that is boisterous and upbeat and not consistent with a prayer group, though praying is permitted at all times.

9. Limit booing and/or heckling to short intervals when the team is losing and/or getting outworked for no apparent reason.

10. Maintain felicity and devotion to "The Rebuild," however difficult, and experiment with chants, rituals, superstitions and potent potables.

 

_THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS_____ agree to:

1. Work hard every shift, every game, irrespective of fatigue and/or travel.

2. Refrain from using the words or phrases "fun," "we tried our best," "we ran into a hot goalie," "we just didn't catch any breaks," "we can't explain it," "it was just one of those things," "we really can't explain it, really" or "snake-bitten" during interviews following a loss.

3. Create the impression of really caring.

4. Remember how lucky they are to be doing what they are doing.

5. Learn from mistakes.* (*This learning shall be limited to two weeks per mistake.)

6. Skate with enthusiasm, pass with vision, hit with cruel intention, shoot with accuracy, play with confidence.

7. Reject any and all excuses related to "The Rebuild."

8. Support each other on the ice while embracing a sense of individual responsibility.

9. Make an effort to see "The Other Party," not as a source of distraction or nagging frustration, but as a source of inspiration.

10. Avoid complacency, indifference, apathy, learned helplessness, despair, vanity, selfishness and/or comfort with proximity to mediocrity. Any symptoms of Blue and White disease are to be reported immediately.

 

This agreement shall be binding upon the Parties, their successors, assigns, personal representatives, mascots and fellow travelers. All undertakings are subject to unforeseen circumstances, such as a 10-game winning streak. This agreement shall be enforced under the laws of _____LEAFS NATION_______.

Signed in the presence of:

 

Witness: _______________    First Party: _______________

Witness: _______________    Second Party: _______________

G O     L E A F S     G O

Comments

[Alecia]

Do I need to sign this and bring it to the ACC tonight?

VM Replies: Yes! Print off 19,000 copies and carry them in your designer purse! Don't let us down!

[Charlee001]

I'll sign this. I think The Star should circulate paper copies of this agreement in their paper one day this week. We the fans should then sign and mail them or deliver them back to The Star and The Star should deliver them to The Leaf's dressing room and management office. If it was televised it would be even better but that may be too much wishful thinking. I have been saying this kind of thing to the people (and I use that term loosely for some of them) who comment on the articles written by The Star's competition (can I say their name here?). So far the few who get the message of young team needs patience, or stop trying to make heroes out of players who have a good few weeks, are being shouted down by the mob. I have been reminding them that we asked, no, begged for Brian Burke to come to town just like a lot of us are begging for him to be sent away. I have told them that they are suffering from SAD and that they should take their meds. I have asked them to consider how difficult it would be to do a job if you also had 20 000 pessimists show up to watch your every move. All to no avail. If fans are the seventh man on the ice we do have some impact upon what is happening with our team. I want a Stanley Cup in this city therefore I will stand against the trolls wherever I find them until we the seventh man show up to play a more complete game.

I just discovered your blog today and until now it never occured to me that I could read The Star and still enjoy your competition. Good job! I'll be back.

VM Replies: Thanks for stopping by.

[A True Leafs Fan]

As a Die Hard Leafs fan I agree To these terms... even though I use Number 5 for Leafs Nation in the General Agreement as I pick up line.

But we all must make sacrifices

Signed,

A True Leafs Fan

[A True Leafs Fan]

11) We promise not to put baileys in our coffees the morning after... as long as they play 60 minutes not 55

VM Replies: Okay, now that's just crazy talk. Leave the Baileys out of this.

[waffles2010]

Vinay, I think you missed one. Please refrain from any and all references to the Playoffs, unless said team is going to actually compete for said objective. Expectations need to be lower, so that they can then over deliver.

[Chris Hunt]

Just one question - what qualifies as gross incompetence?

I'd like to suggest that signing Brett "My +/- is Rapidly Approaching Absolute Zero" Lebda to a cap hit of 1.5 million for two years be our starting point.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Exit strategy, What is the extit strategy?.

[JP]

vindaloo what is this? a dream sequence we should buy into? the leafs will improve and we will all watch endlessly as is our fate in leafnation (and it should be)the problem is the way leafnation talks about their team? so negative. laughing at OUR Kessel and ronnie! this is our team embrace it in a positive way. positive talk will at worse get the same results the negative gets now! if it spreads the positive feeling could benefit our team unlike now and the lowlife moments the NHL players spew at our team! Right ERIC STAAL that comment will never be forgotten by leafnation! negative comments birth negative reactions which is what I hope you get next time you come to OUR house! Vinny your wife is right! the draft was belittling and Staal rubbed it in like a loudmouth in a pack of schoolyard bullies ON NATIONAL TV!! great role model ERIC just great :( lets hope they tweak it to eliminate the belittling like Kane/Staal/Ovechkin promoted to our kids

[Alecia]

Designer purse?? Oh man, you have me pegged all wrong Vinay.

VM Replies: My apologies. Your backpack? Your saddlebag? Your MacBook canvas tote? Do you even carry a bag? How are you going to transport 19,000 contracts without a bag, designer or otherwise?

[waffles2010]

OMG Vinay, Saddlebag? The poor girl is not a horse. I'm sure she doesn't even look like Sarah Jessica Parker.

VM Replies: My wife has a saddlebag! At least, I think that's what they are called. If not, you know what I meant, Alecia.

[Ostrich Lover]

Ha! This was pretty funny.

Ill sign.

[red5]

Please allow me to put a big Red 5 on this contract.

[Robert]

I cannot sign this. I do not have the intestinal fortitude to stop myself from screaming at the TV. Not yet, it is too soon and the lemon squares haven't taken hold. However; I recognize the veracity of this document and salute both the intent and those capable of signing in good faith. I await the rebuilding process.
I will promise to always try to believe that Brian is doing his best for us, that Ronnie is really on the ball and that with the coming trades, this corp of young stallions will begin a charge forward. I am still unsettled that a couple of Yanks are in charge of this team, trying to show us Canucks how the game should be played. However I will soldier on with my thoughts, perhaps alone, but, so be it.

[TimB]

I think my pen will stay put until one Leaf signature hits the contract.

VM Replies: Don't make me forge "Brett Lebda"

[omar]

I, Hereby agree to this contract vinay.

Also, since i am feeling lucky. They will play a lot better than most of us think. (Yes i know, i am still optimistic).

[hoofheartz]

VM: sent you my agreement via email (had to use the dog as a witness) but it came back undeliverable. Does MLSE control the email system too?

VM Replies: Really? Hmmm. Yes, I'm now wondering if my Star email has been hijacked by dark forces.

[searcher]

I object to this sham of a farce of a mockery of a contract. It is manifest that one party to the contract is mentally incompetent, to wit, any party that supports the Leafs despite not seeing a playoff game in 5 years. To offer such support would show the reasoning power of a crackhead lemur (pass the pipe and the bananas).

VM Replies: A crackhead lemur? We need to incorporate this image on our letterhead for all future contracts.

[Alecia]

I look forward to a 4-2 win tonight at the ACC.

[hoofheartz]

Maybe firewalls won't let attachments through. I also included a picture of a Hab tattoo burning away to reveal a Maple Leaf tatoo underneath.

VM Replies: Could be the firewall. Or dark forces. Tough to say, really.

[TimB]

@searcher.Love the Woody Allen reference.

VM Replies: Don't encourage any more Bananas. Still, I hope searcher will join us on the road.

[hoofheartz]

Searcher, does that mean you aren't going to sign?

[Transparency & Accountability In Hockey]

Give up Leaf fans. Your team will never get better. MLSE has struck a deal with the Devil for eternal profitability, in exchange for eternal mediocrity. There are some other great Canadian teams, let's focus on supporting them.

VM Replies: You are now in charge of all chants, balloon animals and face-painting for toddlers.

[pylon]

Man, I love reading this blog. Thanks again for doing this Vinay, it's been a lot of fun to read, rain or shine. Hopefully we'll be able to have even more fun when the team is winning again.

VM Replies: Thanks for reading, pylon. As Robert often says, "We shall overcome."

[Boo Who?]

I'm citing Article 15 a) of the Collective Fandom Agreement: "Notwithstanding any other terms, covenants or conditions contained in this agreement, The Hockey Team will indemnit the Fans and save them harmless from and take up their defense for all claims, costs, actions, damages, expenses (including reasonable legal costs and expenses), and liability in connection with loss of games, loss of individual sanity, or damage to property or personal relationships that occurs during the course of the season and post-season."

I request that I be permitted to strike clauses 4 and 5 under 'Leafs Nation', as I cannot accept these terms. I move that we make them conditional on clauses 1 - 10 under 'The Toronto Maple Leafs'.

VM Replies: You just made me dizzy, as per usual.

[Chad]

for the following reasons, i will not sign this:
1) knowing they'll come out and play a great game tonight; and
2) probably follow that up with an absolute stinker on Thursday

that's the way this team has played all year. don't expect it to change now.

[Boo Who?]

@ VM - Sorry, I sometimes have that effect.

P.S. Don't you go forging Ledba's name on any more contracts, mmmmkay? Unless you're trading him or sending him down. Please and thank you.

[Rooney]

@Boo, what is your retainer like? I like the sounds of an indemnity and conditional clauses. Can you also get us a termination for convenience/mental anguish clause?

@VM, if Boo is unsuccessful, I will still sign. I was trying to convince my wife that this weekend would be a good time for a "shopping trip" to Buffalo but the forecast is putting her off. If I make it, I will see if I can get some signatures from south of the border.

VM Replies: Thank you, Rooney. This is the kind of initiative both Parties need during these bleak days.

[Alecia]

Vinay, the printer jammed when I tried to print 19,000 copies.

It's 5pm! Do you know what that means? It means the work day is done and I will now go put on my diseased blue and white jersey, walk down University to the ACC, and go cheer on the only Canadian team that matters. I have missed the bastards!

VM Replies: Have fun, Alecia. Bring the noise.

[Boo Who?]

Oh geez - 'Ledba' made me LOL for some reason. Because it sounds like 'leadbutt'? I think I've found a new pet name for him. Okay, I'm shutting up now. Puck drops in about 2 hours. Go Leafs go!

[KWood19]

Hey Vinay, make sure every leaf gets a copy of this!
I'd like to add in that Ron Wilson will no longer be so annoying to watch in media interviews to the list of things the team will do... but we know that is one thing that for sure will never change. Alas, we are stuck with the seemingly grouchy coach for the interviews.

[TimB]

Alecia's last post painted a picture for me.A picture of a true Leafs fan!Damn it,I'm embarrassed!The next four games are against teams we have to catch to put it to the Bruins.These are all four point games and I think we can get em' all!Go you magnificent Leaf bastards go! ( could not seem to fit the word "feckless" anywhere in my post) Anyway,if we sweep four,I'm signing!

VM Replies: She is truly an inspiration. You on the other hand, are a man of rampant conditions.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Charlee001
" I think The Star should circulate paper copies of this agreement in their paper one day this week. We the fans should then sign and mail them or deliver them back to The Star and The Star should deliver them to The Leaf's dressing room and management office."
.
Great idea.

[Sensi-Bill]

@JP
"Right ERIC STAAL that comment will never be forgotten by leafnation! negative comments birth negative reactions which is what I hope you get next time you come to OUR house!"
.
JP, might I respectfully invite you to lighten up? It was a joke. Perhaps even a poke at how some in the Toronto market, aka Leaf Nation, tend to overreact to every little thing that touches upon their mighty-yet-incompetent (or so I'm told by other Leaf fans) team?
A friendly word of advice: Paranoia never looks good on anyone.
Not trying to put anyone down; just trying to be helpful.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Transparency & Accountability in Hockey
" MLSE has struck a deal with the Devil."

I categorically deny ever having entered into ANY agreement with MLSE!

Yours truly,
Sensi "The Devil" Bill

[Sensi-Bill]

Vinay
.
If an outsider (aka Enemy) signed this would there be a danger of him contracting Blue and White Disease (BAWD)?
.
Yours truly,
Skair D. Katt

[Boo Who?]

@ Rooney - all work done on behalf of Leafs Nation is pro bono. With regard to the termination clause, I'm pretty sure they'll push back and request the language that asserts their rights to 'loss or misplacement of legs' be re-inserted, but I'll see what I can do.

[Sensi-Bill]

For the record, Skair D. Matt is a cousin of Spart E. Katt in Kanata, not to be confused with Kannat A. Katt.
Oh dear, I think I need a nap. LOL

[Sensi-Bill]

Darn!!!
Skair D. KATT, not Matt. Geeze, I really DO need a nap. (g)

[Rick]

Please Please add a rider that all persons signing promise NOT to give this group of people playing hockey a standing ovation for the last game of the season for the sixth time. Ovations are only for playoff exits. Then I will sign.

[Sensi-Bill]

Oops. Forgot to leave my prediction for tonight.
5-1 Leafs, with a where-did-that-come-from hat trick for Phil. (Or if the get lots of power plays, two or three goals for Kabs.)
And NO, I'm not trying to be a sm*rt *ss. It's just a feeling that just hit me and I suddenly felt like sharing, even though I don't usually make predictions.

[Robert]

Vinnie: 'It was a dark and rainy night' These are the folks the contract needs to go to - right to the top. Although I haven't signed, as a Leafian, I reserve the right to discuss and offer my opinion on all things Leafian. (I didn't use the word considered opinion, cause I'm trying to comply so I can get to sign the contract when everything stops spinning.) We SHALL overcome!

[Princess Mononoke]

I'm not a citizen of Leafs Nation, being a "stiking Habs fan," but to me #9 is one for the ages:
9. Make an effort to see "The Other Party," not as a source of distraction or nagging frustration, but as a source of inspiration.

Truly, here is a nugget of wise advice that applies to so many of life's great trials. I feel like writing it on the board tomorrow for my junior high students to think about.

[Adam]

I'm not signing this. To ensure my continuing sanity (or what's left of it), I've hired a hypnotist to convince me that the Toronto Maple Leafs are the Vancouver Canucks. Given that the Canucks are currently first in the Western Conference, there is no reason to believe they can't make it to the finals. If they win, the Leafs will have ended their Cup drought (in my reality, at least).

Ignorance is bliss!

VM Replies: Damn, that is a diabolical plan. We need to be friends in real life.

[TG77]

So atdhe.net got seized by the department of homeland security, same deal with channelsurfing. any ideas on how to watch the game? thanks in advance.

VM Replies: Can anybody help? The broadcast booth has already lost Pyramid Power and Moe Green. We need TG77!

[TG77]

It was a bit unnerving going to the trusty atdhe.net site and seeing this huge homeland security crest. i expected FBIagents to come crashing through the window to my office. what's this our marketing ethics professor got arrested last night for watching free streaming sports? Talk amongst yourselves until he posts bail.

VM Replies: Wow. That's weird. You'd think they'd have better things to worry about than shutting down streaming sports.

[TG77]

Hmm, this is funny. I just went to NHL.com and voila, have a stream.

VM Replies: Really? That also is weird. We're waiting for Snowpocalypse here in Toronto. Moe says it's freezing in Texas. Armstrong just hit the crossbar. Something very strange is happening in the world tonight.

[Vinay Menon]

Make that 3-2 Leafs. Grabovski now has a career-high 21 goals.

[Ken Baumgartner]

cool I am watching the streaming on that website

VM Replies: I should ask the team if we could get like 10 free all-access passes to the online Leafs TV feed. Maybe do a contest or something.

[pinot grigio]

Where is my no-trade clause?

VM Replies: pinot, you definitely get a no-movement clause.

[TG77]

Yeah it turns out nhl.com provides a great feed for a few minutes of a free preview in order to entice you. atdhe.me is the new link and same old content so watching that now. just saw colby hit the crossbar. Speaking of strange things going on, Phil Kessel just forechecked...

[Ken Baumgartner]

You certainly should.

That site is the Florida feed. It's weird.

[TG77]

and by weird Ken, I assume you mean horrible! these two announcers could be the reason why hockey is not followed in the Miami area.

VM Replies: Oh, man. Now I want to go find the Florida feed.

[Ken Baumgartner]

The Florida guy just said Giggy looks shakey and not confident

[Ken Baumgartner]

The colour guy is Dinnis Potvin I think.

[Ken Baumgartner]

I mean Dennis Potvin

[Ken Baumgartner]

Apparantly Florida controlled the play that period.

[Ken Baumgartner]

It is not Denid Potvin, but yes they are bad.

[Ken Baumgartner]

My typing is bad. I think faster than I type.

VM Replies: I love the new names you've created for Potvin. Genius!

[TG77]

Yeah, it's funny how they said Jiggy looks shaky but then also said they didn't understand why Weiss took a long slapper at Jiggy instead of dumping it into the corner. Contradict yourself much there?

[Vinay Menon]

Psychic Alecia is at the game tonight. The Leafs scored the first goal -- first time in 10 games. So in our email exchange, I stupidly said we should start a fund to get her season tickets. She thinks this is a good idea. Long story short: I may need to start collecting money from everyone.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Thanks Vinay. You know, rubber was discovered by accident and the glue for sticky notes was a failed formula.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Certainly we should work on renting a box for a game. Maybe the last regular season game, Hoof Heartz can come from he maritimes and he and Ostrich Lover can settle the score once and for all.

VM Replies: I should beg the overlords here at The Star for their box.

[Ken Baumgartner]

I totally agree. We deserve it. It would be worth the trip from Ottawa. You need to come up with all the reasons why it is benificial.

The contract still needs an exit strategy.

VM Replies: Yeah, I have not forgot about the exit strategy.

[hoofheartz]

Bomber, I've been very civil to OL since his guest blog. If I remember correctly I even gave him a "not bad" for his effort.

VM Replies: You did indeed.

[Ken Baumgartner]

These guys announcing are really not very exciting, but I guess it is because their team is losing.

VM Replies: The third period doesn't have much in the way of flow or intensity.

[hoofheartz]

VM: does Cox use the Star box? There's someone I'd like to talk to face to face.

VM Replies: We plebs do not frequent the Star box. It's more for management and clients (I think).

[TG77]

Okay, the Vancouver chapter will just skype in...you have to put the laptop facing the ice though and I want a $14 beer sent by courier.

VM Replies: You have to come! Let me see if I can get The Star to chip in airfare for you and Boo-berry.
By the way, if this is the last entry in A Leafs Fan Blogs it was because I was fired overnight.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Who says you can't settle the score with beer?

[moe green]

Leafs are in a playoff race until they are mathematically eliminated. I expect every player on the team to play that way. Nothing else will do. In fact, it's the very least they could do. If they give up before I do then they will lose me for a long, long time.

Is anyone here concerned with Ron Wilson as coach moving forward? I am afraid that Burke is too stubborn and/or loyal to fire him. In either case I think it could be costing us. I think this team could have been in the playoffs with a better (different) coach. What do y'all think?

Nice stop Jiggy!

VM Replies: Jiggy has played really well tonight. In fact, he's played really well since he returned from injury.

[Ken Baumgartner]

You see, now that is the kind of save that gets a team into the playoffs

[Ken Baumgartner]

If they fired you Vinay we would revolt. You are safe my man. We are clients. Your clients.

VM Replies: Hey, thanks, Bomber.

[hoofheartz]

My mistake VM, with Cox's (how the hell do you pluralize that?) holier than thou attitude I thought for sure he would have to be management or the Grand Poobah or something equally as important.

[moe green]

Just read an interesting post. Is there a conflict of interest regarding Burke and Wilson? Could that be why he was hired by Fletcher? Interesting.

VM Replies: I don't know what you mean.

[TG77]

I just barfed in my mouth as that goal went in. The announcers are ripping on Kessel now for taking the penalty. Man, the PK again is sucking the life out of this team (and fan-base).

VM Replies: What's really frustrating is Florida has the worst power play in the league. They only had 19 PP goals coming into this game!

[Ken Baumgartner]

Burke said he wants to give Wilson the horses and won't consider firing him until he does. (crap they scored). I think Burke will honour that even if I am not convinced he is the coach for this team.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Cox would be in the media gondola.

[moe green]

Well, Wilson was Burke's best man at his wedding. Couldn't that be construed as a conflict of interest. Like hiring your wife? And couldn't Fletcher hiring him simply be in the interest of plausible deniability? Am I off base here. It's not like it's easy to fire you very best friend is it?

VM Replies: Ah, I see what you mean by conflict. Yeah, they are good friends. They've been good friends since college.
But I don't think the reason for not moving on Wilson (right or wrong) has to do with what Bomber said: There's a feeling the coach hasn't been given the right mix of horses and deserves another trade at the very least.

[Princess Mononoke]

Let's all go to Montreal for a Leafs-Habs game...that way I get to meet you all and we can rekindle the rivalry with spirited cheering from both sides! the Bell Center is *such* a great place for hockey!
Plus all you single guys can meet some of those aforementioned gorgeous Habs fans. It's a win-win! (well, off the ice, at least).

[TG77]

Corey Stillman is older than Sensi-Bill (sorry Bill, had to be done) and he just scores the tying goal? I think I can just add (g) or (wg) and then it doesn't mean I am being offensive right? What a waste, at the very best we gain 1 point on the Panthers.

[moe green]

How was Phaneuf tonight? Average? Better?

VM Replies: A couple of failed passes, a couple of failed shots. And horrible one-on-one coverage during Florida's second goal. So I would have to go with... below average.

[moe green]

Wow, see the Leafs kill the "Go LEafs, Go " chant.

[Ken Baumgartner]

What do call a dion Phaneuf fan? A Phaneuwfy?

[moe green]

Wow, Kessel fooled a defenseman.

[Sensi-Bill]

@TG77
(chuckle)
Oh gee, with or without virtual grins, I see no reason to be offended. In fact I'm still chuckling. Good one. (vbg)

[TG77]

What in god's name was that attempt by Versteeg? Such intensity. Oh my Colby Armstrong. Oh my.

[moe green]

I understand Vinay I just don't agree. I think it is a conflict of interest. The hiring should never been allowed. It was not above board. As usual it's we the fans who ultimately suffer.

I love your contract Vinay, but I have to insist that MLSE drop ticket and tv prices. It is the very least they could do.

This Leafs team is preposterous. This has to be coaching. Burke is gonna keep Wilson until his contract expires. I can feel it. Burke's words are utterly meaningless. Too bad.

VM Replies: My contract? What? Now you're really confusing me.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Nice win, but they gave up a point to a team they can't afford to,

[Sensi-Bill]

Oh well, an unfortunate deflection off Chris Phillips' stick late in the 3rd gives Jersey a 2-1 victory.
Congrats to the Leafs on their SO win.

[moe green]

You know Vinay, I think virtually any coach can win with the "right mix of horses."
Like Cito during the 90s. Or Pat Quinn. I am concerned that Burke's friendship with Wilson has clouded his judgement. I am more concerned that it will continue to do so.

VM Replies: In my humble opinion, you shouldn't be concerned about their friendship.

[TG77]

I think Moe is referring to the contract you put in your post today, right Moe? 12 points out of the promise land but I still feel no more confident in spite of the win tonight. 2 PP goals by the Panthers who are truly not a very good team and they played their back-up goalie.

VM Replies: Ah. Thanks. My brain is fried right now. I thought I had a contract with MLSE that nobody told me about.
Yeah, shame they gave Florida a point tonight.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Sensi-Bill, the team1200 will be up in arms tomorrow. Lehner must have played well .

Good night all.

VM Replies: Goodnight, Bomber. Thanks for joining us this evening.

[moe green]

I accept your insight Vinay. I hope you are right.

VM Replies: I'm just glad you're back with us.

[Sensi-Bill]

Night Bomber.
And yes, I understand Lehner was quite good, which made Jersey's no-chance-on-it winning goal all the more unfortunate.
So Bomber, do you listen to Pierre Knows Everything in the morning on the Three Idiots On The Radio show on Team1200?

[Sensi-Bill]

OK, just watched Montreal win in a shoot out over Washington, now back to the Pens-Rangers game for that shoot out.

[Sensi-Bill]

Oops, Pens and Rangers still in overtime. Must say from what I've seen from channel hopping between games, both games close and exciting.

[Sensi-Bill]

NOW we go to the shoot out after a decent, closely-fought overtime with a fair bit of end-to-end play, if few shots actually on goal.
Been a good night for close hockey games, even if Sens failed to pick up even a point. I sure hope we get a higher pick than the Bruins.

[Rooney]

Both Atlanta and Carolina lost. Leafs still have a game in hand on Carolina and three in hand on Atlanta. Don't worry VM, I will not "scrutinize the standings each and every morning while weeping and/or calculating magic numbers and/or longing for the days of Doug Gilmour". Tonight is a different is story.....

VM Replies: You're not going to sign the contract, are you?

[Sensi-Bill]

Great goaltending, Fleury and Lundquist. Goes to 7th round of shooters. Pens' call-up Justin Jeffrey scores winner.
Night Vinay, and as always, thanks for the hospitality.

VM Replies: Goodnight, Sensi-Bill. Sorry about your Sens. And thanks for keeping us updated on other action throughout the league.

[Sensi-Bill]

Oops. make that DUSTIN Jeffrey.

[Princess Mononoke]

You guys see Gionta tonight in the Habs comeback win after a 2-goal deficit? This little guy, about my height, beat the Caps almost by his lone little wee self. THAT is a captain.

VM Replies: Your point is well taken, Princess.