Game 56: C'est la vie

Toward the end of tonight's game assault on our sanity, my eyes drifted away from the play and toward the boards. My eyes had an out-of-hockey experience.

I can't recall noticing rink-side advertising before. But as Montreal protected their 3-0 lead, as the Leafs re-enacted scenes from The English Patient and/or drifted into the offensive zone with the urgency and cunning of three-toed sloths, my eyes couldn't take it any more.

Coca Cola Zero, eska, Tim Hortons...

Oh, what's that I hear? Are they now singing the Olé song? That's nice. What a nice song.

Molson Export, MasterCard, Pay Pal, metro...

Didn't Carey Price earn a shutout last time Toronto was in town? If he gets another one, does that mean Toronto has been shutout nine times this season, or roughly once every 6.2 games?

Dejardins, Bell, aircanada.com...

How many power plays did the Leafs botch tonight? Five? Was it five? My brain couldn't keep track of Toronto power plays because Montreal had all the scoring chances. I'm surprised the Habs didn't play the entire game with three skaters – the final score could've been 12-0.

Jean Coutu, Banque Scotia, AGAT Labs...

Do the Leafs even work on the power play any more? Do they spend more than five minutes on passing and shooting drills? Do they use video to breakdown an opposition PK before a game? Or does working on special teams now involve tickle fights and clumsy games of All-y All-y In Come Free after a buffet meal at the Mandarin?

Expedia, Samsung, Techno-Bloc, Pizza Pizza, Viagra...

Everything about this night was aggravating. Absolutely everything.

The Leafs, once again, set our expectations to bunker buster and then delivered a stink bomb. They did that magic trick where they make themselves disappear.

Against a team decimated with injuries, a team staggered by two embarrassing losses, the Leafs were outshot, outplayed, out-hustled, out-desired, out-worked and just flat out embarrassed.

As the clock ticked down, as it became painfully obvious only one team had any real interest in winning, even the Hockey Day in Canada broadcast became unbearable.

I swear to God, if I ever see Ron MacLean in that striped Hudson's Bay coat, I will push him into a muddy puddle. Then I'll abduct Bob Cole at gunpoint and force him to listen as I keep yammering even though we’re going into a commercial break! And for good measure, I'll kick Glenn Healy in the kidneys – just because.

What an aggravating night.

The magnificent poor bastards had no energy, no drive, no focus. Each and every line had the chemistry of Kid Rock, Stephen Harper and one of the Wiggles. The defence looked lost and confused, as if they were hitchhiking along an unknown road on another planet in a galaxy far, far away.

The only one who deserved better was J.S. Giguere.

Earlier this afternoon, as the snow was falling, I noticed a black squirrel sniffing around my backyard. That's odd, I thought. Shouldn't he be hibernating? He must be hungry.

So I tore up a slice of bread and tossed it on the deck. Then I watched from behind the patio doors as the squirrel bounced two steps forward, got spooked by something and then retreated.

Two steps forward, spooked, retreat. Two steps forward, spooked, retreat.

Did this squirrel not realize his good fortune? Was he not hungry? Did he not realize the importance of grabbing what you can in the middle of February? Was he reluctant or skittish or scared or disinterested or too foolish to make the right decision at the right time?

Two steps forward, spooked, retreat. Two steps forward, spooked, retreat.

The bread is still out there. The squirrel is gone. My eyes are tired.

C'est la vie.

MAIN PHOTO: RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES

Comments

[palbo]

good post vm - i missed most of the game - but i guess i didn't miss much. good thing u make me laugh... or i'd be using the butter knife.

[Emily]

Vin! I was waiting for this blog so I could point out the 'two steps forward one step back' ritual the Leafs have been showing off all season, but you beat me to the punch! This game was absolutely brutal to watch... I actually started feeling embarrassed to be a Leafs fan. Our powerplay reminded me of a hockey game I went to last week... except the guys on my TV screen were at least 20 years older, less energetic, and weren't having nearly as much fun.

Anyway, thanks for another awesome blog Vinay! Win or lose, I always look forward to your blog post at the end of each game... the thing that amazes me most is how you manage to express yourself so beautifully after each loss without whipping out any swear words!

[heaven in '67]

I think we can safely title this season..............thus far "Opportunity Lost".

Again and yet again this team,and most Leafs teams over the last..................ahh nevermind the timeline,have forsaken hard work and,well,everything that constitutes what winners eat for breakfast,lunch and dinner and replaced it with an entire team ethos that screams to me,the average yet entirely reluctant fan(at times),that by being just 'average' most nights their team should still win more than it loses.

Maybe they should be forced to read the wonderfully amazing poem,set to great video and audio,by Mike Foligno(a man and player who walked,well skated at least, what he spoke so eloquently in this missive) that it is in the soul of a player whether he succeeds or fails,though his heart and mind are not far behind.

These seem to be some very soul 'less' times and I have to question how many of my dear Leafs have the 'soul' that propels most athletes to Championship status.

A hard question that echoes without answer too many nights in this fans mind.

[Ken Baumgartner]

It is not so much the loss that is the worriesome. You can't win every game, you just can't. The offence is worriesome though. If you don.t score a goal you cannot win the game. A shutout every 6.2 games? It is their lack of compete level game in game out, now that is reason for concern.

Let's go to Boston and see what we come up with.

Giguire has rebounded nicely and should fetch a decent player on the market I would think.

[Princess Mononoke]

Vinay: you go easy on our national hockey broadcast. Even as the rabid Habs fan I am (who stayed home sick, had to cancel her date with hubby, and took a chance watching very quietly so as not to break her man's heart with cheering and leaping into the air), I find the drivel they spew unbearable. Bob Cole seems to be channeling some game that is taking place in the future, conctantly throwing out hypotheses from the 5th dimention and then confirming them loudly ("Something will probably happen here. And it does!")..and Healy mostly talks about himself, his greatness, and everybody else's mediocrity.
As for Ron and Don, pure torture. There are so many smart, classy hockey minds out there (You? Boo Who? Sensi-Bill? Moe Green?), why why WHY do we have to put up with this!???? Watching HNIC, you'd think everyone's drunk, creepy, forgetful and foolish uncle with halitosis is the program director. Is he?

In the end, my hubby's heart was broken not by me, but by Phil Kessel. He spent the evening swearing at Phil, Cole and Healy in equal measure. Handmade chocolates covered in pink Tibetan rock salt could not heal him.

[TimB]

Sometime late in the third period,I had another episode.I don't even recall feeling the tranquilizing dart hit me.(can she buy those at Walmart or what?)I was apparently waving the remote around,saying that I could levitate the cat in between tirades about every coach and player on the team.I'm now sipping a "russian" coffee and feel much better.Even though I'm not sure squirrels do hibernate,the analogy works and once again you have expressed the thoughts of Leafs Nation to the letter.

[oakville_girl]

Vinay, I'm a rink board advertising reader. The ACC ones are ok, but the American ones are pretty cool. I always google some of the local ones because they names are interesting.

I thought the Bell Centre board advertising was riveting tonight. Made me forgot about the Keystone Cops look of Leafs. I stopped counting how many times the Leafs bumped into each other during play, amongst other bone head moves.

I think an investigation needs to start, first by looking at what is in the water bottles. Sometimes I think there is an enhancer slipped in, and on nights like this, I think Valium is dropped into them.

So, Boston on Tuesday, and Buffalo on Wednesday. I'll be looking to see if there is any new advertising on their boards.

[hoofheartz]

If anyone doesn't believe that this farce isn't the result of poor coaching I'd like them to explain their reasoning to me. Hab PK - attack, attack, attack. Leaf PK - defenders stand in front of their check waving their stick back and forth hoping that an errant pass will hit it and bounce out. Leaf PP - around the perimeter all night long. I can't even remember a shot on goal during a Leaf PP last night. Can't remember if it was Galley or Healy but one of them mentioned that opposing PKer's know Kaberle won't shoot so coverage is easy. Another no effort game except for the poor bastard in net. How can he not want out of this unmitigated disaster? If BB and RW are such good friends why doesn't RW just do the honourable thing and fall on his sword?

[Will Baker]

Tree squirrels don't hibernate.

[chris]

Shoulda tossed him a waffle.

[80s Leafs]

I think Schenn was actually trying out there last night, too, although he probably only gets my nod of appreciation for his lambasting of Packyourspaghetti's face into the glass. Lupul better be careful. He actually tried to show some passion by scrapping with P,K "I didn't know we are supposed to take off our visors" Subban, sometimes even attempting to get to the front of the net. Goffrey better be careful. Showing that much drive is a sure way to make enemies in that Leaf dressing room. Mr. Kasual Kris Versteeg, he of the dangling mouth guard, is probably already giving him the evil eye.

[TimB]

There is a paper in T.O. called the Star which has been running a Kessel series.I've added a link to the Paul Hunter article.I've said before I do not like to hear excuses for Kessel or the Leafs for that matter.It's human nature that if we are given excuses for bad behavior we will not change that behavior.I repeat that I do not care about the draft picks but do not see Phil as the kind of forward that fits the so called Brian Burke model.On the other hand he fits perfectly into a team that night after night we can't figure out.
http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/mapleleafs/philkessel/article/936671--nhl-legends-say-linemates-not-to-blame-for-kessel-s-slump

[CQc]

-shared from one of my (long-deleted) Sep '04 musings:
Subversal Night in Canada?

I was watching some of the World Cup Hockey last night at the ACC. Typical enough, HNIC, family-rated entertainment, 'til I noticed the cumulative advertising along the boards.
Viagra, Duracell, Lays, Gillette's (the best a man can get) M3Power, McDonald's - I'm lovin it, Home Hardware (home of the handyman), (the twin globed) Mastercard, Gatorade - Is it in you?, Maxwell House (good to the last drop), Pepsi (I don't know but some people think it means something else), even UPS takes on a less than wholesome double meaning in this context, essa. Then add 'Mr. Wendy' on the commerical breaks as well.

I think maybe someone within the ACC or CBC offices is having themselves a private(s) joke on the mass audience. One question 'pops up' though, wouldn't Mr. Big have been a better fit than Mars (bar)?

Check it out for yourself with Saturday night's semi-final game -this ain't King Clancy's good 'ol hockey game.

[Geoff Read]

The Leafs didn't make much of a game of it, it's true. And as you say, the Habs were missing Markov (their best defenseman), Gorges (a top 4 D-man), Darche (useful role player), and Cammalleri (their top goal scorer). Plus they'd just suffered the beat down in Beantown and then lost to probably the worst team in the eastern conference. If ever they were ripe for the picking, last night was it.

Wow. I couldn't agree more with the comment about Ron McLean and his HBC jack. Even worse though was that bizarre routine he and Cherry did about the Mad Trapper. That was painful. I actually turned the channel and watched Family Guy for a few minutes to be spared the agony.

[1967]

Vinnie: Squirrels are not true hibernators. During the winter, most of them do sleep for periods of time a few days to a week. Then come back out to feed etc. Somewhat like the Leafs, you are never sure when they are going to wake up and become active. I watched last night's game - it could have been a replay of so many this season, a lackadaisical skate for an hour at the Montreal Bell Centre.

One thing we have overlooked to some extent, Dallas Eakins is doing a great job with the Marlies, why not do what the Leafs do, send down Wilson, bring up Eakins!

[waffles2010]

Good morning Leaf fans. I hope your morning coffee has washed the bitter taste of last nights' game from your palettes. Quite the stinker of an effort against a team devastated by injuries.
The Leafs have a lot of spare parts, minor leaguers to say it another way. No need to list them, they know who they are. Lots of guys never got on camera last night or mentioned by the booth. Perhaps a good thing, Healey does have quite the hate on for the Leafs, doesn't he? It was actually embarrassing to listen to him.
Are the Leafs scared by Burkie's promise of more trades to come? Worried they will be shipped out of town? Maybe they are is my opinion.
It can't be just me who thinks this. Lupul, Versteeg and Kessel are all very slight variations of the same player. Soft perimeter player, needs someone to feed him the puck. Easily frustrated, doesn't want to go to the 'dirty' areas on the ice. All 3 can score, all are decent one on one with the puck. None of them can check, haven't seen them hit, they aren't good passers.
I think the Leafs have at least one too many of these guys, and it will be Versteeg who leaves town. He was a third line guy on a cup winner, he is a third line guy here. More ice time, more opportunity same Kris Versteeg. I hope Burke finds a taker for him and gets us a centre or a power forward in return. Someone who tries to be a difference maker.
Has anyone heard any trade rumours?

[TimB]

@waffles2010.Are you still on the all Kessel needs is a centre bandwagon?

[TimB]

Dug up one of Burke's statements at the Kessel signing. "Bringing Phil Kessel aboard, it's a statement to our players that we intend to be competitive right away, and I think he gives us a dimension that we need."Yeah,There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man,it is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow between science and superstition and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge.This is the dimension of imagination it is an area which we call - the Twilight Zone.

[waffles2010]

@TimB, hey there. To be honest, I have no idea what Kessel needs to be a better player than he is today. A centre, new coaching staff, a kick in the ass. All I know is that right now he is what he is. A talented, uninspired, undisciplined, one way hockey player, who has shown better effort since moving to the top line. I will note that the top line has been worse, not better since adding Kessel, in place of MacArthur.
I do think that Kessel would be best served by playing with a centre who is the best player on the team. A complete player. I know, very few of them are available. But it would take pressure off Kessel, he doesn't seem to handle it well. I have to be honest, I don't remember stating on this forum that Kessel needs a centre. My position has always been, he is what he is, nothing more, nothing less.
The Leafs need him to be more than he is right now, and they need to do whatever is necessary to get him to be all he can be.

[Alecia]

I'm over the loss. Whatever. I'm more worried that we're visiting Boston next.

How long is Burke going to continue to protect Wilson's contract? Calgary and NJ were both struggling, had changes in management, and now are both on fire. Why can't we have a management change? I believe in our team, I don't believe in Wilson. We've already blown up the team, and we're still no better. How do you account for that!? You see sparks of talent and motivation, and then we flatline.

When I was in high school, I did really well in all my math courses. I even tutored math at some point. But sometime in grade 11 or 12, I almost failed the class because I could not understand the teacher, I could not understand his method of teaching. For someone who had always been good at math, I was so frustrated at not understanding something I was supposedly good at and getting a bad grade. Next semester I retook the class with a different teacher and was back tutoring math and getting good grades. Same in University, every time I had a prof that was not excited and fascinated with what they were teaching, regardless of the topic, it was difficult to stay awake. But the most boring topic could be made exciting when you have the right prof, a prof who is passionate about what they have to say and teach.

I can't help but think that Wilson is that high school teacher. He is so unmotivated, uninspiring, dull... come on, show some emotion and passion. How do you expect the players to come out on the ice and show some passion for the game if the coach can't do that himself? His passion should transcend through the players and onto the ice, but if there's nothing there...well, don't expect to win. No we don't know what happens in the dressing room, but I can't help but think Wilson is any different from what we see of him behind the bench and in post game interviews.

I'm excited for the future. Schenn, Aulie, MacArthur, Kuli, Grabo, Brent, Armstrong, Reimer... these all get me really excited for our future, even next season. But I can't help but feel that as long as Wilson is behind the bench, we're never going to see passion and motivation it takes to win games.

[Alecia]

Oh and a note on the ads on the boards, did you know they come out in intermissions and switch some of the ads?

[Geoff Read]

@Alecia - you may be right that Wilson needs to go - I don't know - but surely, "a lack of passion" isn't his problem? If anything, the guy seems to be wound too tight to me.

[TimB]

@waffles2010. I was not suggesting you said that.But every time I hear we need a centre,it sounds like an excuse for Phil.He is about the same size as Tim Brent and every man on the Grabo line,yet he has 8 hits.How does that fit the team we are trying to put together?By the way my rough math shows that even if we assumed a playoff spot in the low 90 point range,we would still have to play between .750 and .800.Can we move on now and get some real opinions on this guy?I remember thinking if we only had Sundin now to feed Kessel we would be deadly.Now he looks mentally destroyed.(Kessel not Sundin)

[1967]

@waffles - John Shannon on the McCown Fan 590 show says Versteeg is unhappy and wouldn't mind leaving Toronto. Your observations are spot on.

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

OK, my Habs gave the Laffs another does of reality last night.

For all those that are still delusional to think that this current offering spawned of MLSE's greed has a chance at the PLAYOFFS (omg, he said the word), the following math will be meaningless, but here goes anyway:

To reach 90 points (likely playoff cutoff), Laff's need 38 points out of a possible 52.
That is a .731 winning percentage. You know how many teams are playing at that winning percentage this season? NONE. Not Philly, not Vancouver.

So can you guys at least talk about some part of the Laff organization and season that does not include the term or inference PLAYOFFS?

[TimB]

Also noted Alecia did not include Kessel in her vision of the bright future.

[Robert Bates]

Total domination of the Laughs by Canadiens ( who were missing 4 players, 3 major contributors Markov, Camillari, Gorges,Gill, Darche) -- just image how
embarrasing the score could have been.
Don't Maple Leafs fans get it??? You are going nowhere with Burke and Wilson --- FIRE THEM BOTH NOW!!!! This Hab is feeling sorry for the whole
Maple Leaf organization - you used to be a hockey team.

Go Habs Go

[leafland'r]

It is after a game like this that I shall make my admission. I at times pick my choice of Three Stars from the Leaf team as the game unfolds. However, this year I've had to add the "Three Assteroids" ( spelling intentional ). While there are players that shine, there are some who lack lustre and come to pieces.
Last night, the Leafs Three Stars are _______, and the Assteroids, ________.
Sorry OL and Nik, if I'm too harsh, but some need an awakening.

[Geoff Read]

So... I just read Colin Campbell's explanation for the suspension of the Islanders' goons as well as Eric Godard: "targeting the head by whatever means will be dealt with by suspensions."

Hmm. Yet, trying to punch someone in the head apparently doesn't qualify. These people are not exactly Rousseauian when it comes to the consistency of their arguments are they? One need only think of Gregory Campbell (oh wait, whose son is he?) beating on a prone and defenseless Tom Pyatt to see how consistently the NHL applies its dicta.

What a joke.

[Geoff Read]

@Alecia: yes, I think they do switch the ads at the Bell Centre (if memory serves).

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

I totally agree with you VM, the game last night was a total disgrace to all the great and loyal leaf fans. No emotion or passion on our so called leader, Mr. Ron Wilson. How then can you expect the players to perform to their optimal level when they obviously have no guidance? The powerplay was as pathetic as I have ever witnessed. Special teams are the responsibility of the coach, they need to be taught, Ron does not, therefore, fire him already. We all know he is gone at the end of the year anyhow. Please BB, this season is not lost yet, with the proper tutelage, we could still make a run for the "p" word. Glenn Healey, what an absolute disgraceful display of what is supposed to be unbiased commentary! The hate you spewed for the leafs is as unprofessional as ever seen on HNIC. If you have any rights to the leafs alumni, they should be suspended immediately. Shame, shame on you. I am a big fan of Bob Cole, but, it is time Bob to retire. Hold your head up and retire with some dignity.

[Habs Fan]

Leafs are back at the Bell Centre in 11 days,Feb.24. Will they make it 0 for 3..as in no goals in 3 games there this season?

[waffles2010]

@TimB I don't make excuses for any player. What I will suggest to you is that Kessel is not a player who is making his teammates better. I agree he is not the physically engaging type of hockey player, he never will be. He isn't going to be the open ice hitter, banger that some others are.
The change I am suggesting that needs to take place is his willingness to compete, for the puck, for open ice. He has recently been more willing to battle for the puck. This hasn't been the case very often in his career so far. Any change in Phil, will come when he wants it too.
If I may try to tackle the Leafs need a centre idea. It seems to be more of a comparison issue. We look at other teams and see Crosby, Staals, B.Richards, Datsyuk, Getzlaf, Malkin, Carter, M. Richards,etc. Then we look at the Leafs and wonder how our centres would stack up in a playoff series.
Lets face it, the Cup is the goal. To get there you have to beat guys like Crosby. I love Grabbo, but I am sure that he isn't the kind of player who carries you to a Stanley Cup. Going night in and night out against the best centres in the game. In the playoffs guys like Staal and Mike Richards are playing 25 minutes a game. Against each other, no easy shifts. No bad games allowed, or you go home.
I do agree with you that we did this to an extent with Sundin. The thing that is consistent, is that we all think the talent level of the team needs to improve. That hasn't changed since we wanted some wingers for Mats. We feel that there is a piece in place, and we want some more. Deja vu, all over again.

[Alecia]

@TimB - I actually like Kessel. However I did not include him in that list because, well, he is Kessel. He was brought in here as a star player, under a huge contract, with all that draft pick for Boston hype. He just doesn't fit that category of players who were all kind of quiet signings and suddenly have emerged to be really integral to our team. I like what they all bring to the team and think they will all be part of a winning Leafs team in the years to come.

As for Kessel. I DO like him. I don't think he does well under Wilson, and I really do believe Wilson is a huge part of the problem. All the commentary from last week should NOT be swept under the rug and forgotten. What Kessel said really confirmed what a lot of people believed about Wilson and I can't see him being successful under his coaching. I do believe Kessel is trying, I really do and frankly, what he did in the previous two games against the Devils and Thrasher did not go unnoticed in my eyes. Assist or a goal (or even his fast speed that avoided an icing call in the last min of the Thrashers game), doesn't matter to me as long as there is progress and he gets something going. I can't, just can't, pinpoint all the team's failures on Kessel, there is a lot of other failures on the team that haven't AT ALL proved themselves and are not getting as much attention and scrutiny as Kessel, at least we know he can get something going from time to time.

I do expect him to be a more steadily contributing player on the team, but I won't expect that of him until I see a coach that gives ME a reason to be hopeful, let alone the team.

Sorry, I'm not anti-Kessel. I quite like him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98GwmKZGG1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iC-kKUk6Ws

[1967]

Poor Coley, the game is just a rumor!

[Macky]

From all HABS fans - good luck in Boston.

[Alecia]

Wow, Habs fans are so nice.

Thanks, we will have fun at Boston. Thanks for pummeling them all in last time for us...oh wait..what?

[Rooney]

What a stinker is right! Spent last night watching the game while being tortured by a good frenemy (Habs fan). He kept at it until I asked him which team the Habs plans to beat in the playoffs. Lots of drinking and silence after that point. I am still not convinced that this can all be blamed on the coach. It is the same multiple-personality team that plays well on some nights and has absolutely no drive on most other nights. I just can't seem to be able to blame the coach for a lack of work ethic. Just like the days I slack at work cannot be blamed on those above me on the corporate ladder.

[Macky]

That's right Alecia. The HABS leave it all on the ice. LEAFS could learn from them but wait there too ........

[hoofheartz]

Who needs the 3 Stooges (and more) when the great and lovable hab fans are posting here? How quickly they forget Isles 4 - stinking habs 3 when they are grasping at straws.

[TimB]

I'm sorry but in my opinion Kessel looked better because he could not look much worse.This guy has mad talent but still crosses the blue line and shoots?I want Wilson out of there too,but can't blame him for everything.I would be thrilled to see Phil finally break out against Boston.

[Lasogga]

I live in berlin.Recorded the game.Forced myself through it...
Its a gamble being an overseas leafs fan sometimes...

[Alecia]

@TimB - that makes you and every other Leaf fan. But I feel like they unleash Chara the beast every time Kessel is on the ice.

Deadline is in 2 weeks, any thoughts/opinions on who is going next? I am positive that Burkie is in talks for another trade.

[see the light]

Being a Leafs fan is an assault on reason. I can't understand how when no sane NHL player wants to play for the Leafs, they still have this delusional fan base. I mean close your eyes and pick a team ANY team they are better than the consistent crap show that are the TML. They're only good for a laugh!

[80s Leafs]

Ha, @ Alecia, good one at 12:42!

[no moe green]

I have come to terms with the fact that this team is not going to beat Boston or Buffalo this week.

What I haven't come to terms with is Wilson behind the bench for the rest of this season and next.

Have you guys considered what next season will be like with Wilson behind the bench if we don't sign Richards?

[Princess Mononoke]

Dear fellow Habs fans: please be classy and courteous.

[TG77]

It is interesting having a fan base being branded as lacking reason, being delusional etc when there is one poster of the opposing team who continually comes here in order to provide updates on what the Leafs winning percentage must be in order to achieve the minimum number of points based on prior years.

I think every person here who supports the Leafs is frustrated by the lack of playoffs since the lockout so maybe we as a fan base do get overly optimistic when we inch closer to being in the playoff race. You should note the title of the blog and by default, no fan is overly rational or logical about their own team.

I was impressed by the Habs making it to the semi-finals last year given they had 88 pts (not the minimum required 90 pts so by Hockey Fans logic they should have been teeing it up, same goes for the Flyers last year) and by all accounts, including my friends who are die-hard Habs fans, they looked done like dinner in the first round.

If there is going to be some level of rational discussion here, tell me this, was making it to the semi-finals last year considered a success for the Habs? Yes. When the Leafs made the semi-finals four times over the same span the Habs made one, can Leafs fans not say those teams were successful? Yes. Making the semi-finals can't only be a sign of success for one team. I wish the yard stick for success wasn't conference finals but it is what it is in Leafland.

There are some great posters on here from the Habs fanbase ie. Princess, Geoff Read etc but honestly, why would you waste your time to come here and call the Leafs the Laughs, update the required winning % and consider it a valuable use of your time. Be happy, the Habs won for the first time in 4 games and did it without a number of key players and outplayed the Leafs in virtually ever facet of the game.

As suggested by 'see the light', I closed my eyes and I came up with the Islanders. Oh crap, they are worse and are still paying Yashin's salary. Where was that promised enlightenment?

[Boo Who?]

I feel for Habs fans sometimes. It must be lonely out there, being one of the only members of your fan base that can do complex things like type and count. It must be why they spend so much time pleading with Leafs fans to 'see the light'. They just want some intelligent friends. Cannot blame them, since I love my fellow Leafs fans.

Hopefully, in the post-season Habs and Leafs fans will all see the light together and start cheering on the Canucks, Canada's only elite team. And wow, when I look at it that way, I feel even worse for Habs fans. Being second best in our little family is like being the second fastest in a group of lemmings. (At least if history is any indication. And Habs fans sure like history.)

[Alecia]

@Boo - you really are the yin to my yang. :)

[Princess Mononoke]

@ Boo Who: if I took offense to your remarks and decided to take a page from the dime-store book of blog psychoanalysis, I would point out that you constantly reiterate these weird images of sibling rivalry and dysfunctional family contests for love and attention. I would probably openly wonder about the neurotic, unresolved and angry baggage you seem so intent to reveal, just as you wonder about the extent of my literacy and the presence of my opposable thumbs....
Not that I would so uncouth as to delve into such personal matters online, of course.

(Second best in whose little family? there's some kind of bitter family psycho-drama being gestured to here, but it is inaccessible me. I'm just a hockey fan. I don't need proof of my family's love, and I'm not competing for Mom and Dad's approval. I'm a grown woman who just wants to watch hockey and care about her favourite team).

[Boo Who?]

Oh Princess, please relax. I'm really not talking to you. I like you being here.
And not to worry, I have a wonderful family thank you. I make references to 'family' only because the Canadian teams are a minority within the league. I'd love for us to get along better, given that this is supposed to be 'our game'. But that's obviously not in the cards.

VM Replies: I was out most of the day. Back now. What did I miss? Is everybody getting along famously? What?

[Alecia]

@Princess - I don't think Boo's commentary is directed at courteous and respectful fans of the game such as yourself but more towards people that come on here, a blog entitled a "LEAF FAN Blogs", and tells us Leaf fans that we are delusional and need to see the light. She's standing up for us, as someone should when a stranger comes into our house to try to belittle us.

I think I speak for the majority of people here when I say that everyone here enjoys your presence on this blog, Habs fan or not.

[Vinay Menon]

Further to Alecia's note, I just wanted to add: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sONfxPCTU0

[Boo Who?]

@ VM - It's no fair!!! Princess said I said she had no opposable thumbs and then she tried to psychoanalyze me! And then she took my doll's head off and threw it outside! *falls on floor kicking and crying*

VM Replies: Am I doing a poor job moderating? My instinct is to push through 99 per cent of all comments since we're adults.
There were a couple of comments today that were needlessly antagonistic and/or personal and I didn't put those through.
But maybe I need to do a better job keeping out the drive-by trolling as well.

[Princess Mononoke]

You know, I think in some ways Habs fans and Leafs do care about each other, because we love to get at each other and that is the opposite of indifference. If Habs fans didn't care, they wouldn't come here and gloat to try to get your collective goat. I'm sure if the Leafs had won last night, you guys would be gloating too.

There is a strange attraction between us, and it's part of a historical rivalry. I think it's fun, as long as people aren't pushing it. It's silly for someone to come here and tell you guys what's wrong with your team, when you all know better than anyone what's wrong with your team. In some ways, our team's fates have often been intertwined, and I think we share a similar idealism and insane passion that borders on the religious.

[Boo Who?]

@ VM - I think the matter has been settled? It was a misunderstanding. You do a fine job, and let's all move on.

VM Replies: Works for me.

[no moe green]

I was sure rooting loudly for the Habs in the playoffs last season. I love a good Habs fan and j'adore Montreal. Now Flyers' fans, that's an entirely different story.

[no moe green]

Heart-wrenching video Vinay.

VM Replies: I know. But a valuable message.

[Alecia]

What goes up, must come down and in time, what goes down, will come back up again.

That being said, I wish people would just be happy when their team wins and that's it. Gloating is such a childish act, it speaks volumes about people's character and integrity. Whether Hab fans, Leaf fans...whoever. There will come a time when the Islanders, Leafs and Devils are contenders and Philly and Vancouver are fighting out of the lottery. People just seem to forget that things have a way of coming full circle.

VM Replies: Well said.
Personally, I don't mind trash talking. It's the snarling proselytizing that's baffling.

[Sensi-Bill]

Sorry guys.
.
As I sometimes get to do now that I have this portable device that let's me be online from anywhere in the house, I watched the game while taking part in HNIC's live online chat.
.
At the end of the late game from out west, they have a live poll in which people get to vote on the best comment of the night.
.
I've been informed that last night, long after I was in bed, I was declared the winner, for the following comment:
.
  "I'm back. Leafs power play = good time for bathroom break."
.
OK, not my best zinger, but it got a good response when I said it, and, at the end of the night, it got the most votes for Comment of the Night.
.
Yeah, it was a shot at the Leafs, but judging from comments here, I gather I wasn't the only one who found the Leafs' power play last night far too boring and ineffectual to watch. (sigh)

[TG77]

I agree Princess with your comments entirely. I lived with two Habs fans in TO and while I eventually had to get a tv for my bedroom so I could watch Leafs games without non-stop mocking and complaining about every PP the Leafs were awarded, they are two of my closer friends and were by far my best roommates I ever had. I was able to bug them about the Habs and they bugged me non-stop about the Leafs. We took a trip to Montreal that still makes my liver shake in fear and went by the Bell Centre and I appreciate the amazing history they have as a franchise and have liked a number of players over the years. And yes, the history of the two franchises are intertwined, the magical run of last year could have been stopped by a Leafs win in regulation in game 82 of last year.

@ Alecia - I am pretty sure the Canucks alternated between winning the division and missing the playoffs the years before I moved here so you are definitely right and the Flyers were last overall a few years back. The Leafs on the other hand never suck quite enough in the strong draft years and then the one year they do, they don't have a first rounder!

[TG77]

Good point Bill. I am not really sad to see Beauchemin leave town but without him on the PP, Lebda is on the 2nd unit. Beauchemin has way too hard of a point shot to not have scored a few more times than he did. What was the stat they said last night, 80 games without a goal on the PP from a Leafs D-man?!? Maybe the Leafs coaching staff can implement an in-game discipline program for Kaberle (I am thinking like in the movie Major League where Wesley Snipes had to do pushups for each pop-up). The equivalent is push-ups for each time Kabs passing up a good shooting opportunity. Based on the way the PP performed last night, one guy doing push-ups shouldn't really harm them, right?

[Alecia]

TG77 - I was just using Vancouver and Philly as random examples. I do believe that the leafs are (slowly but surely) on the upswing. The past few years have been pretty hopeless and I have a feeling that this is the worst of it. Who knows though?

[moe green]

So what are we talking about these days? Anyone really care about the upcoming Boston travesty? Does anyone here think Kessel will ever score against Boston? As a Leaf? Period? Who will be with the team longer: Wilson, Kessel or Burke? Does Versteeg want a trade? If so is it because of Wilson? Can we afford two $3 million dollar third liners? Are they reuniting the MacKulebovski line? Dos it matter now? Anyone excited about a line of Bozak, Lupul and Kessel? Anyone miss Mitchell or Colton Orr? What's on everyone's mind regarding our Leafs? Are we even unrealistically still in a playoff race? Can we escape the lottery? Do we care? Does Komisarek need a conditioning stint of say four years with the Marlies?

[moe green]

Aren't you allowed to slash another player's stick? Was that always a penalty? I'd like to eliminate the trapezoid and make all goalies fair game when they leave the crease.

[TG77]

Yeah what I was saying is your random examples are actually perfect examples. Even when the Flyers had guys like Richards and Carter on the team, they outright sucked a few years ago and finished dead last and the Sedins etc missed the playoffs a number of times too. Look at the Blackhawks, horrible team and drawing 5,000 fans a night to home games, then they draft Kane, Toews back-to-back and eventually win the cup and this year are out of the playoff hunt as of today. The salary cap has a huge impact on sustained success it seems. Could you imagine if the Leafs had Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Bolland, Sharp, Campbell etc and were out of a playoff spot? Oh wait, we would all still be hammered from reliving the cup victory the year before and wouldn't care.

[Alecia]

@Moe, I know how you men like straight answers so..

- So what are we talking about these days? Leafs fans, habs fans, Leafs, Wilson, Kessel.

- Anyone really care about the upcoming Boston travesty? I won't call it a travesty till after the game.

- Does anyone here think Kessel will ever score against Boston? Not sure, but I hope for at least an assist.

- As a Leaf? I think he will be a Leaf for a while.

-Period? Yes, but at home.

- Who will be with the team longer: Wilson, Kessel or Burke? Burke.

- Does Versteeg want a trade? Not sure, but wouldn't be surprised if he went.

- If so is it because of Wilson? Partially. But also because he went from winning a cup one year and being at the bottom the next.

- Can we afford two $3 million dollar third liners? I don't think so.

- Are they reuniting the MacKulebovski line? PLEASE!

- Does it matter now? Always matters, can't break that confidence.

- Anyone excited about a line of Bozak, Lupul and Kessel? Is this an official line now? If so, I'd like to see Kessel and Lupul together.

- Anyone miss Mitchell or Colton Orr? Nope.

- What's on everyone's mind regarding our Leafs? *sigh* Loaded question. Love them, hate them, still will watch them.

- Are we even unrealistically still in a playoff race? Mathematically it's possible, but I'd rather not think it.

-Can we escape the lottery? Do we care? Yes we care and yes we can.

-Does Komisarek need a conditioning stint of say four years with the Marlies? Will never happen! But he def needs some kind of change.

[Alecia]

Maybe this is the wrong time to ask but am I the ONLY one who feels some hope for next season?

VM Replies: No.

[scagneti]

Actually TG77, the only way the Habs couldn't have made the playoffs last year -- Leafs win in regulation or not -- would be for the Rangers to have beat the Flyers in their shootout (then both the Rangers & the Flyers would have made the playoffs and the Habs would have been 9th). So the Leafs had no control over the outcome and it also explains why the Habs cared so little about the OT point (their spot was guaranteed).

And the reason why Habs fans were so proud of the Conference Final run but belittled the four Leaf runs over the last what, 20 years, is because unlike the Leaf runs, the Habs didn't buy their way into the later stages of the playoffs. Maybe the NHL will reverse the salary cap and the Leafs can get back to what they do best -- buying old players to try for a shot past the 1st round.

And frankly Hab fans are cheering for the Leafs. We're all really sick of the Leafs making the Bruins better. Another lottery pick would be really aggrivating. And Alecia -- yes Boston beat Montreal (and their Hamilton-filled d-corps) last week. That makes Montreal 3-1 on the season's series against Boston. How's Toronto doing against the Bruins??

[Chad]

hope? any time this team gives us a sense of hope, they viciously tear it away from us with game like this! and with Boston and Buffalo coming up back to back later this week..............i don't even want to think it.

[Rooney]

Alecia, I still have hope for next season but I am probably the wrong guy to ask since I had hope in the late 80s, when after one season, if I recall correctly, Eddie O led the team in scoring and Wregget had close to 5.00 GAA.

[enJoy hockey]

@alecia: No
@VM: You and the Leafs must be on the same wavelength; they were also distracted by the advertising on the boards --or something.

[Nik Culoman]

Well, Well, Leafland...Look how things change quickly...Some of you were talking playoffs not too long ago..Now after one loss, albeit a bad one at that...Everyone has jumped back on to the bandwagon of firing Burke, Firing Wilson, Kessel sucks ( without no true number #1 center, in which he can't be blamed for...), everyone is tearing this team apart!

What happened to the "P" word everyone was talking about?? Dreaming about??? Very few of you took my advice and most of you jumped on me for saying the playoffs were out of reach..

Look this season is a wash, But I haven't lost faith in BB.....That doesn't change from one game to another...I haven't lost faith in Wilson, as I think they may be a couple of players away from being competitive. I certainly haven't lost faith in the prospects in our system, not like some people who were ready to run Gardiner out of town and write him off before he has played a game in Toronto.

I am more of a realist, it will take a better part of 5 years to correct 43 years of mismanagement, and it starts by gathering as many prospects and skilled young guys you can... BB hasn't gone down the tank path...Which I feel is honorable, he has brought in a great bunch to of prospects and young skilled guys who haven't hit their prime...Should they hit their stride together, I think this team could be very competitive for years to come.

I will disengage from the negativity, and from the knee jerk reactions of some....As I feel patience, and support, will take this team a long way. STOP BRANDING THIS GROUP OF 20 SOMETHING PLAYERS, WITH THE BRUSH OF 43 WITHOUT A CUP...NONE OF THEM WERE EVEN BORN yet......

STOP CHASING PLAYERS OUT OF TOWN......If their names aren't Kaberle or Komi.........LEAVE THE Young guys alone

VM Replies: Your faith sustains me. Also, your hatred for Kaberle amuses me.
Don't disengage!

[hoofheartz]

After one loss Nik? One loss? You're kidding right. How about after every game where there is no passion or drive? How about every time a forward refuses to go in front of the net? How about every time a defenceman gives up the puck? These are supposed to be professionals. Maximum effort should be a given. While your assertion that Kessel has no number one centre is true, did you happen to read the article that was linked here a couple of blogs ago that talked to four of the most prolific scores in NHL history? Everyone of them said the same thing, scorers score, no matter who they're playing with. How can you have any faith left in Wilson or the rest of the coaching staff for that matter? No PK, no PP, no discernible system. Even your rose coloured glasses must be fading to a dull pink by now.

[Sensi-Bill]

What, me worry? Yes. A little.
.
As a fan of a provincial and divisional rival, I'm still worried that despite the growing pains, this young team is actually better, with far more potential --- despite Kessel --- than any Leaf team in a decade or so.
.
Even the pre-playoff-drought Leaf team that beat the Sens in the playoffs wasn't that good. Lead by one of the grittiest, gutsiest player (Roberts) the Leafs have ever had, they played with heart and determination to knock off a hated rival that was just starting to gel as a near-future Cup contender.
.
But knocking off the Sens was about all that that edition of the Leafs could do. They weren't good enough to go much beyond that.
.
And hindsight confirms it happened at a significant intersection of team destinies. The Leafs were on their way down to a dysfunctional state that has kept them out of the playoffs for six years, and now a most likely seventh.
.
The Sens were on their way up to a couple of President's Cups and a final-round bid for the Stanley Cup.
.
Today, one team is in the midst of a (quick?) rebuild and the other is about to start.
.
I remain fairly confident that ours will ultimately work out better than that of the Leafs. But while I believe Leafs GM Brian Burke is overrated by some as a masterful team architect, I think he is vastly underrated by many who are so impatient, and conditioned to expect failure, that they want the rebuild to be a proven success, YESTERDAY!
.
It's impossible to always be perfectly correct in estimating a player's skill level, and more importantly, his ability to live up to, and possibly exceed, that level, once thrown into a mass of variables --- a specific team's combinations of potential achieved, missed or fluctuating between the two.
.
In the Senators case, I seem to recall just about everyone, analysts and experts as well as Sens fans, predicting Gonchar was just the stellar puck-moving defenceman and power-play QB the Sens needed, especially having lost a different-style but quite-effective D-man in Volchenkov.
.
I don't recall anyone knocking that trade. And certainly no one foresaw Gonchar being a major failure and a significant anchor helping to drag the Sens to the very bottom.
.
I really don't think Burke even vaguely thought, let alone expected, that Kessel would be so ineffective, especially in his so-called specialty --- scoring --- and as a positive, star-quality inspiration to his teammates.
.
There are others who haven't lived up to potential --- or even previous levels of effectiveness --- that have kept this team far lower in the standings, and Boston's pick far higher in the draft --- than expected.
.
So did Burke misjudge these players or did these players themselves simply fail to do well in this environment --- including playing for this coach? Probably, as usual, a bit of both.
,
But as an outsider, I see enough signs of potential here and there, as well as tweaks a man with Burke's hockey savvy could make, to be a little worried that this Leafs rebuild could eventually, and ultimately, be the best and most lasting of any Leafs makeover in a good long time.
.
We may have to rely on the basic insecurities and impatience of Leaf Nation to undermine the whole process. (soft smile)
.
That's just a view from here and I offer it NOT because there's any chance of me becoming a Leafs fan --- despite some apparent wishful thinking here --- but because I DO like THIS small section of Leaf Nation.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hey, Nik why is it you only post after loss and come on here to tell everyone how wrong they are nd how right you are? Your support of Brian Burke is wanting in that you don't support HIS playoff expectations and you have never come out and admitted that oversight.Why is that?

[hoofheartz]

Mr Bill you have stated "It's impossible to always be perfectly correct in estimating a player's skill level, and more importantly, his ability to live up to, and possibly exceed, that level, once thrown into a mass of variables --- a specific team's combinations of potential achieved, missed or fluctuating between the two" I would submit that Leaf management, not just Burke, have made some serious errors in evaluating skill level, not at the raw rookie level but at the established veteran level. How could they have been so wrong in judging Komisarek, Lebda, Beauchmin, Versteeg, and yes to some extent even Kessel and Phaneuf. I don't think it's a stretch to say that none of those players have lived up to anyones expectation, most of all their own.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Senis-Bill. I am here in Ottawa as well and I see no indication that the Sens are on any path right now so I submit to you that your confidence in their rebuild be better than ours is pure speculation. Trading Fisher for a first round draft choice guarantees nothing. Prospect wise the Leafs are miles ahead of the Sens. Robin Lehner may be good but they are thrwing him into the fire at 19. If that were the Leafs you would be all over thatabout how we would are ruining a fine prospect. The media here is pretty intense as well. I think the Sens may be in a wrold of hurt for more than2 or 3 years

[TimB]

@Sensi-Bill. Enjoyed your post very much today.I posted an original Burke quote from the Kessel trade about how "we intend to be competitive right away."What should Leafs Nation have taken that to mean?Impatient?I don't think so.I believe most of us would have patiently accepted a rebuild.I still love the trade but I'm not feeling the love for Dr.Phil right now.

[Vinay Menon]

Just FYI: Our friend TG77 has written a guest post, which is now ready for your eyeballs.

[Nik Culoman]

Guys, some of you who think this team would be better without Phanuef need to give your heads a shake.....Do you think that if we were to reverse that trade today, that this team would be better for it now, and down the road??????

I get it, people are frustrated, but I am starting to get the feeling that fans in Toronto want this rebuild to fail...Everywhere you go that is all you seem you to hear, this trade failed, that trade failed...How many of think we would be better if the trades from last January never happened?? Be honest with yourself......

Those that hate on the Kessel trade....How many teams like the Oilers, Islanders, and the list continues who have drafted in the top 5 season after season...Why aren't they so successful?? How many years has it been since the Islanders were competitive? How many first round picks do they have in their line-up...How about St. Louis and even the Kings??

Burke is trying something new, and some have already said it has failed...We have no clue what other moves Burke might be able to make, we have no clue where Brad Richards might go in the summer should he part from the Rangers....

I would excited as a fan to see how well Kessel would be if we had a number center to set him up. I would be excited to see how another year of the Grabo, Kulemin, McArthur line would do....

There have been signs that Burke was right on Aulie, he def. knew what he was doing when he signed Brown, Armstrong. Rebuilding anything after 43 years of mismanagement takes time and patience.

I have always said that, no matter if they were winning or loosing. I have remained a believer in the GM, I still believe that this team is on the right track even if it doesn't appear so today. So for anyone to say I come on here and bash people to prove my point after each loss...Have forgotten how many times I have come on here and stated that this team was on the right the direction, and this difficult season is just part of the growing pains.

I was just calling out those who put themselves on this roller coaster...Because you do it to yourself...

The Leafs don't kill people...People kill people

VM Replies: I don't know, Nik. I'm pretty sure Brett Lebda is killing me.

[Nik Culoman]

correction...Should Brad Richards part from Dallas...My mistake

[TimB]

@Nik Culoman. Brian Burke: "we intend to be competitive right away." "we intend to be competitive right away.""we intend to be competitive right away.""we intend to be competitive right away.""we intend to be competitive right away."......

[Nik Culoman]

@ Tim B, sure he said that...But how many other GMs have said that?? Had their plans not go their way. I intended to have a great job and owna business, be a millionaire by 40.

How many thing have you intended to do?? How many of your best decisions and action not gone to plan??? Things happen, but while BB was building Vancouver, he went through the same thing...The same forms of insults, but how great do his decisions look now??

Do you remember the crap he took for taking the Sedin twins?? Do you remember the flack he took when their careers didn't start of so hot?? Now look at the Canucks, wouldn't you like to have a team like that??? How many of those same players that the Canucks are icing today were brought in by Burke???

Things happen, but I will continue to believe that patience will be key...Mark my words, if BB is here or not when the Leafs get competitive again...It will be because of the trades and signings that BB has completed over the past 3 years that would have made a huge difference. All you of you bashing him now, will be left with eating your words.

This GM built a team that came second in the Olympics, built a Stanley Cup winning team, because without Niedamyer, Selanne, Pronger the ducks probably wouldn't have won anything.....

This is an only in Toronto symptom....We chase away people before giving them a chance, I get it....We have been loosing and people want immediate results....But 43 years of mismanagement from the Prospect pool to the big club wasn't going to be fixed over night......No matter what the intentions....Because I feel his intentions were well placed......

[Nik Culoman]

@ Vinay, if signing Lebda is the worst of his moves...Than are we lucky....We have Kessel, We have McArthur, Brown, Aulie, Gardiner, Rynnas, Scrivens, Kadri, McKeeg, Freddy S.. I think time is needed, and this summer should be interesting, we have an aggressive GM with a large amount of cap room...Things will get interesting.

VM Replies: I agree with every word, Nik.

[Nik Culoman]

Do you really agree my dear friend Vinay?? Are you just humoring me? Either way, I guess time will tell if I was and have been right all along.

VM Replies: Have I ever humored you in the past? Come on. No, I agree: It will be an interesting summer. The next two weeks are even going to be interesting, I think.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Vinay, have you heard of any rumours that you could report?? You are well connected, just wondering if anything has come down the pipeline and your way?

VM Replies: I've heard lots of rumours. But since they are just rumours it would be irresponsible to run with them.

[Ken Baumgartner]

@ Nik, no one wants any of those players gone.

Tell me though, why should we not take Brian Burke at his word? That is what he wants. I am certain he does not want us to think he is untruthful when he says he expects this team to make the palyoffs. I could be wrong but I doubt it, it is his credibility not mine.

Pesronally I am looking forward to Kadri centering Kessel next year or the year after, but it doesn't diminish the fact that this team, as constituted, is not meeting its expectation. That is not impatience, that is standing beside the GM and agreeing to and supporting his plan. They should not be let off the hook if it fails to meet its expectation. Unfortunatley as a fan, all I can is voice my dis-satifaction or stop supporting it. I choose the former because I believe in the GM and the future of this team.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Ken "But how many other GMs have said that?? Had their plans not go their way. I intended to be and do many thing but some times life throws you for a loop. How many things have you intended to do?? How many of your best decisions and actions have not gone to plan??? Things happen, but while BB was building Vancouver, he went through the same thing...The same forms of insults, but how great do his decisions look now??

All I have stated is yes, you are right...He did intend to have this team contending sooner than later...But things happen, there are many teams this season who have played below expectations. This isn't solely a Leafs' issue. L.A. has played below expectations with all their talent, the Sens are also playing below expectations (Their GM also intended to having a successful year).

Burke isn't one to believe in tanking, which should be commended for his competitive spirit. But like I have repeated, 43 years or terrible mismanagement like this blog has pointed out, wasn't going to be fixed in short order.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Ken Baumgartner
.
"Senis-Bill. I am here in Ottawa as well and I see no indication that the Sens are on any path right now so I submit to you that your confidence in their rebuild be better than ours is pure speculation."
.
Ken, kind of hard to prove a team is on a successful path when management has just confirmed its intention to conduct a major overhaul in which as few as only two players will be "untouchable" and has made only its first move along that path.
.
As I say, I, and many others, believe the trade of such a popular player, on-ice and off, as Mike Fisher, indicates that this team is serious about going forward with its new plans.
.
Of course my view that we will be ultimately more successful in rebuilding than the Leafs is my OPINION, and thus highly speculative. It's impossible to declare it a fact IN ADVANCE, and I don't present it as such.
.
As such it is mostly a projection of my confidence in my team.
.
As for prospects, we'll see. But again, one example I have already noted: One of our top propects, Bobby Butler, earned MVP honours in the AHL All-Star game while your boy Nazem Kadri didn't even make the team. (Yes, Aulie played as the Marlies representative, but Butler was one of TWO players we had in the game.)
.
There's no proof yet that the path laid out by our Brian is the right one, but as we take our first steps along that path, we do so with faith in our team.
.
That's all we can do so far, at this point.

[Sensi-Bill]

@TimB
.
"@Sensi-Bill. Enjoyed your post very much today.I posted an original Burke quote from the Kessel trade about how "we intend to be competitive right away."What should Leafs Nation have taken that to mean?Impatient?I don't think so.I believe most of us would have patiently accepted a rebuild.I still love the trade but I'm not feeling the love for Dr.Phil right now."
.
Thanks, Tim.
.
I think I would have taken "competitive right away" to mean competing for victories, with the intent --- but no guarantees, which are impossible to make --- of being better than last season, and moving forward towards being even better next season.
.
If players can have great games without scoring, can team's be better without it yet showing up in the standings?
.
I know this is not what you are referring to specifically, but I have yet to see ANY proof that Burke said ("promised") that this team would make the playoffs. Being competitive for a playoff spot is NOT a guarantee of success in that endeavor.
.
And yet I still see people here, even today, maintaining the myth that Burke promised a playoff spot.
.
Anyway, it comes down to one's own interpretation of what was meant by being "more competitive." I still think that if Burke was suggesting that the team was gong to be within striking range of a playoff spot, OR definitely gaining a playoff spot, he'd have been more specific and said just that.
.
GM's will note that a playoff spot is the goal but I don't think you'll find too many GMS foolish enough to promise one.
.
As for not feeling any love for Kessel, well anyone reading my posts of late will know I am no fan of his either.

[Vinay Menon]

Forgot to mention this yesterday. A belated thanks for disabusing me of the notion that squirrels hibernate in the winter. It seems I've been walking around for years with bad rodent information.