Game Day: An email from Conn Smythe's granddaughter

Dear Mr. Menon:

Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Elizabeth Brinton, nee Smythe. I am the youngest daughter of Stafford and granddaughter of Conn. Pictures of both men surround me in my blue and white study where I am currently working on a memoir. While I grew up in Maple Leaf Gardens and thought of it as home, my feelings for the grand old lady and for the era of the sixties are similar to those of fans everywhere.

The Leafs loomed as heroes to me, but as a young girl, I felt so drawn to them as men of great character. We were indeed, as many have written, a brotherhood. To say that we were a competitive family would be the understatement of the century, but in truth, both my paterfamilias as he referred to himself, or my grand sire as he called himself, wanted those in their midst to achieve great things for their own sakes, as well as for everyone else around them.

Once you get a taste of success, you crave it again and again, and the belief in how it will change your life is infectious. I, too, am quite taken by the Leafs of today. My hope is constant. I live far away and listen to the games on the radio but my blood still runs true blue.

Fans who are kind enough to write me, ask questions such as this: "Do I see another Tim Horton?" Of course, I can only reply in the words of Shakespeare: "We shall not look upon his like again."

To answer the question of whether or not we have what it takes, I would say "yes." We have Luke Schenn. We have Clarke MacArthur. We have Dion Phaneuf. I took an instinctive liking to Joffrey Lupul.

Conn Smythe said, "A collection of stars will never bring victory." The greatest moments in the history of the game occur when something else begins to happen, when many parts become one body, when players throw themselves, flat out, as Bill Barilko did, prostrate their bodies, exist on the horizontal plane, unconscious of their individuality and given over entirely to the game.

How do they get there? That is the great question.

Conn told his players that they would stretch themselves until they were as thin as a streak. When Brian Burke said he would build the Leafs from the goal out, I thought it was something my father would have said. While he sat in silence through the games, Dad would sometimes stand and roar, "It's yours!"

Inevitably, we would see a breakaway go into a new gear with a goal to follow.

Personally, my tastes have always run to my great protectors first. Show me a man who will dance on one leg with a frozen, broken ankle dangling, dance the twist with a 10-year-old girl because she asked him to, dance into the night as Bobby Baun did with me all those years ago; show me that man and I will say with him protecting us, no one will take the Cup away in their car tonight. It's coming home with us. Any threat will be met, dealt with and stopped. Defeat does not rest Lightly on their Shoulders.

Secondly, I have always had a thing for the fast ones, the ones with fire, and juice. I favor a slightly wild streak. Dickie Duff and Davey Keon, quite simply, could take my breath away. Regardless of position, it is the quality that made Conn leave the trenches and run into the fight. He did not wait for it to come to him. Darcy Tucker, Doug Gilmour, and of course, his Royal Highness, Prince Edward Shack, all had one quality in common: zeal.

Phil Kessel, Mikhail Grabovski and Colby Armstrong have this talent. I believe it is God Given.

Thirdly, my heart is taken with people who are stalwart and true, men like Alan Stanley and George Armstrong who simply will not falter. The rocks of my young world whom I could only thank over and over and over.

Clarke MacArthur strikes me as such a man.

My faith in Brian Burke is absolute. I pray for him every night. If I could say one thing to him it would be this: "Happy St. Patrick's Day, Mr Burke." To Ron Wilson, my hopes and dreams are with you too. I have faith. I believe. Will we make the playoffs this year? We have to. Every step you take brings you closer. Each time we go around we come away stronger.

We have a new generation in our family now. Little boys who sit watching the games on TV with their Dads who have spent their entire lives yearning for victory. May my father's great grandsons, schooled in the stories of when the Cup was in the living room, see Lord Stanley's trophy come back to us at last, to the place where it lives.

What I tell the little ones and what I told my children is that it was all created from the imagination of one man and to never forget that it was once a dream.

Best of luck to you,

Sincerely,

Elizabeth S. Brinton

***

Elizabeth S. Brinton lives in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

In the top above, she writes: "You see my father crouched in front. Behind him stands my sister, the late Victoria Rose Smythe. My brother, the late Thomas Stafford Smythe has me in hand and beside him in the little navy coat and white hat is my sister Mary Smythe. The rest of the crowd would consist of the families of the Marlies, celebrating as was so often the case in my young life, a championship victory."

The portrait on the left was painted by artist Kelly Sullivan. This email was reprinted with Elizabeth S. Brinton's permission.

Comments

[leafland'r]

Thank you Elizabeth S. Brinton.
I well remember resting on the floor, head comforted on a couch pillow, feet at the base of the TV, waiting impatiently for CBC to bring in the game during the second period. Unfortunately, too many times I'd fall asleep before the third holding onto my Harry Lumley hockey card. A busy Saturday afternoon on the yard rink would, at times, steal my energy. Yet, a few years later when I hung in for the whole game with my dad I'd got to cheer on the squad you mentioned. I was always entertained by Clear-the-Track Shack, amazed by the Big M, admired solid Bobby Baun, and inspired to play like Keon on my minor THL team.
Thank you Smythe family.

[Buck16]

Thank you Mrs. Brinton. What a wonderful, inspirational piece. It's comforting to know that the hockey players I idolize via history books (seeing as I wasn't born until 1979) earned the adoration of those closest to them in their prime for also being good men.

Thank you and your family for creating the glorious past that hopefully will be added to by Brian Burke and Co. in the coming years.

[Ken Baumgartner]

I have got chills down my spine. Oh dear Lord, I hope this letter is posted in the dressing room tonight..

[80s Leafs]

Mrs. Brinton's descriptive words and the images and feelings of yesteryear they conjure make today's game seem strange by comparison, with multi-million dollar players changing teams regularly, multi-coloured advertising on the boards, and loud, senseless music pounding during every possible break in the action. One gets the feeling from her descriptions that fans back in the day were educated folk who had intellectual, polite conversations amongst themselves during intermissions.
What do we get nowadays? Fans in the stands holding up signs saying "Can't Beat Cujo!"

[Ken Baumgartner]

She had me at Dear Mr. Menon.

I've been thinking, You Dear Mr. Menon, are the new Big M. I like that.

[Michael Langlois]

Vinay,

Thanks for sharing Elizabeth's thoughts. Simply wonderful. The Maple Leafs and their history (and the Smythe family) will always be part of what they are right now.

Michael Langlois
"Vintage Leaf"
http://vintageleafmemories.blogspot.com

VM Replies: Thank you, Michael. And thanks for adding link to your blog, one of the best Leaf sites around.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hey Big M, I gotta go. I am playing auctioneer tonight. It will be fun, but I would rather be here with you guys.

Good luck to the team. May their effort be intense and the victory sweet. Amen.
4-1 Leafs. Bozak, Kessel, The General MacAurther, and Colby Wan Kenobi score.

VM Replies: What? No Bomber? This is an outrage!
Have fun tonight, good sir, and thanks for the prediction.

[Elizabeth S. Brinton]

Thank you so much for the lovely comments. I am pacing around my study now, waiting for the game to start.

Love to Leaf fans everywhere,
Elizabeth
twitter: homeice

[moe green]

Thank you Elizabeth for the glimpse into your heart. It's nice to know that the descendants of hockey royalty share the same hopes and dreams with other Leaf fans. I agree Ken, this should be required reading for the players.

[Simmer]

Mrs. Brinton,

I didn't cry but my eyes were soaked. It is great to hear that members of your family still follow the team. I actually wondered about that a while back. I would also like to acknowledge the contributions to the team, the game and certainly our country that the Smythe family has so graciously given. I am so glad that you chose to contirbute in this way, it was moving and appreciated.

[leafland'r]

@ 80's Leafs (re: 6:09pm)
One definite disturbing difference is the empty platinum rows ( packed gold and red in the 'old' days at the Gardens) well into the early part of each period.

[Simmer]

Leafs 5 hawks 3 including an empty netter, I have a tingling that Crabb may do something special aswell.

[Gary]

Thank you so much Mrs. Brinton i too have chills running down my spine. let the journey continue for all Leafs Fans everywhere

[moe green]

Oops and yuck!

VM Replies: Nice pass by Gunner, though. Wrong team, yes. But still.

[moe green]

Remember when those oopses happened multiple times a game?

VM Replies: Uh oh. Another oops! 2-0 Hawks.

[moe green]

Two unforced errors but all is not yet lost. The next goal will decide this game. No pressure.

[Simmer]

huge pk there

[moe green]

Amazing pk! I predict a leafs goal!

[Simmer]

this PP is our chance

VM Replies: The PP is due, my Lord is it due.

[Mary Smythe]

Thank you Liz for keeping our life alive.......Mary (Smythe)

[tml67]

you were right Moe, but wrong team :(

[moe green]

Two giveaways plus one earned goal = poo poo! Are we realists or Leafs? Can we do the impossible? One more goal and it's bedtime for sure.

[Tom]

Moe Green said, "Two unforced errors but all is not yet lost. The next goal will decide this game. No pressure."

How bout now? D:

VM Replies: Tom! No flight simulator tonight?

[moe green]

Hawks are not "too much to handle" the Leafs just gave this one away. It should be 1-0 Hawks now not 3-0. I am a comeback kid but if they score here I'm watching a movie.

[tml67]

okay, who jinxed this game by baking a pan of Lemon Squares this afternoon? C'mon.. fess up!

VM Replies: Yes. The guilty party must come forward. And share.

[Tom]

@VM: We're on break. Finished the first phase of the campaign last week. So, no. :(

Instead I am treated to this nightmare. ;(

VM Replies: Still lots of time! Glad to have you in the booth tonight, sir.

[tml67]

did I just hear Don Cherry say "chicken sh*t" on Coach's Corner??

VM Replies: His voice trailed off but it sure sounded like that.

[Don Grearson]

Fantastic Lizzie. Looking forward to the memoir.

[moe green]

Man we are getting more and more prudish in Canada every day. Please stop copying the unsane US.

VM Replies: What's this about?

[moe green]

The reason the Hawks are dominating now is the score. Too bad.

[moe green]

This would be a great time for a couple of quick ones from Grabovski and Kessel. Just two. We've lulled them to sleep, now pounce.

VM Replies: Will you settle for a Lupul goal? 3-1.

[moe green]

Sweet little move by Lupul!

[Sue]

Getting nervous, but still holding out hope! Get those burners going boys! Shake out the cobwebs and give James a quick shot of vodka!

VM - you hanging in there?

@BooWho Where are you? Need some of your spicy words tonight!!!

VM Replies: Hanging tough, Sue! Still have a good feeling about this one.

[moe green]

Ha. This game isn't over.

[moe green]

I have... it's been... why didn't we do that?

[Sue]

They are getting some zip back!!! Because of Lupey's goal they appear to be waking up! Let's keep it going!

And no, it was not me who made lemon squares today!

[moe green]

So we need a least one before the period ends to have a chance. I'm not sure it's in the cards tonight. Too bad Reimer let in a couple slightly soft ones. I mean not "Toskalas" but soft.

[moe green]

Who's the colour guy I'm hating tonight? Is that Healy?

VM Replies: Healy and Simpson doing colour, so not sure which one is bugging you.

[tml67]

is it just me, or is it a quiet night on the blog because of the score? or because many of the regulars are busy having lives tonight? Just askin'.....

VM Replies: That's a good question. I'm not sure where the regulars are tonight.

[moe green]

Too bad we lost to Ottawa and Atlanta. Those were the killers. The next game is a new "must win."

[moe green]

This is a great time to play Giguere. I would. Anyone still having a good feeling about this game? Hey this was one on the schedule I was penciling in for a loss. Too bad we already lost the ones I penciled in for wins. What do you think? Any chance of a comeback. I would say about 5%.

VM Replies: My good feeling has given way to a lemon drop martini.

[Sensi-Bill]

Burned (rather dramatically) a batch of oatmeal-raisin-walnut muffins.
.
Broiled two dozen veal meatballs to go in the sauce for tonight's pasta.
.
Baked a loaf of bead.
.
Backed a batch of banana-nut muffins to replace the earlier disaster.
.
Made a batch of mid-east style rice pudding.
.
Cooked vermicelli to go with the meatballs and sauce for dinner.
.
That's all I did in the kitchen today, as resident chef. No Lemon Squares in there anywhere --- though I did find a different recipe for them while looking up something else.
.
So, wasn't me.

[Sensi-Bill]

I'm here, busy catching up, instead of in my usual spot --- in the running for comment of the night --- over on HNIC's live chat.

VM Replies: Turncoat.

[moe green]

Are you listening to Hot Stove? Milbury saying it's time to get it out of the game (almost) Ron saying he "doesn't like fighting he likes the threat of it to protect guys like Crosby." The most ridiculous thing I think I have ever heard. The age of the designated fighter is dead. Who cares what fans want. I can't believe I agree with Milbury. An how about Cherry blaming the instigator for the head hits and concussions. The "man" has to go.

[tml67]

@Sensi-Bill... so because of the Leafsi-Bill 'insult' you've abandoned us? Too Sensi-Tive!

[Simon]

Guy's what's going on? I can't seem to find a feed. I can see its 5-1, but is the comeback coming around the corner? Are the Leafs pressing so hard they're about to pop in 5 or 10?

[moe green]

IF this team is for real and I know they are, they are gonna make a run of it in the third. Are we gonna win? No. I bet we lose by one goal. Well hell, if we can get that close we can tie it.

[moe green]

Guess what? Comeback!

[Simon]

Brian Burke should push a new NHL rule: Leafs never play on Saturday.

VM Replies: It is pretty incredible. They've been flying this second half but have not won a Saturday game since Jan. 1.

[wcdixon]

Sorry...sick with the flu. Fell asleep. Woke up and saw score was 4-1. Now 5-1. Trying to get enthusiastic about watching the 3rd but might roll over and sleep more.

[Sensi-Bill]

I'll make one observation regarding the play of Phil Kessel tonight --- he's at risk of developing Kovalevitis #2.
.
What's that, you ask?
.
It's having success going end to end stick handling through everyone and then starting to think you can do it anytime you want.
.
Cost a goal in the first, and almost another with 6 minutes to go in the second. In the first he had three players to pass to decided to try and stick handle through the whole Hawks lineup, coughing the puck up at the wrong time, leaving Lupul in a very unenviable --- and vulnerable position.
.
How many times this year did I see Kovalev cough up the puck needlessly trying to deke the second or third opponent in a row?
.
Before anyone gets excited about an "outsider" daring to criticize one of your kids, this isn't so much a criticism as an observation, and perhaps a bit of a warning that someone should perhaps keep an eye on that.
.
Thank goodness he got rid of the touch of Kovakevitis #1 he displayed earlier in the year.
.
And I think we all know what disease that is --- floating on the exterior, deciding if and when he might decide to get truly involved in the game.

[moe green]

Who am I kidding. I should have watched that movie.

[moe green]

Roll over, it's over. I am gonna watch "Paul," I hear it's pretty lousy.

[Sensi-Bill]

Turncoat?
.
For turning my back on the CBC gang to be here with my Leaf fan friends?
.
A little harsh condemnation don't ya think?
.
Well it's too late and I'm too tired to hop over to the HNIC live chat now
.
(g)

VM Replies: We're always glad to have you.

[moe green]

I almost left. Thought the game was over. I was wrong. Comeback! No, seriously.

[Simon]

COME BACK!

[moe green]

C'mon Lil Bela Grabovski!

[Princess Mononoke]

mmmmm rice pudding.......
Folks, HNIC is just awful. Don and Ron have no idea.
Habs are leading 4-1, not a bad game: lots of Habs fans in Tampa.
Price doing a nice job.

Reimer is not at his best tonight. The guy has been playing non-stop; he's hot, but he's in danger of burning out a wee bit too. Everyone should learn from the Carey Price experiment: young goalies need time to develop. Some things cannot be rushed.

[Simon]

Now this is character!

[moe green]

It's tied right? It should be! Curse you hockey gods!

[moe green]

5-3 Kessel! (Just a thought)

[Sensi-Bill]

@tml67
.
"@Sensi-Bill... so because of the Leafsi-Bill 'insult' you've abandoned us? Too Sensi-Tive!"
.
For the record, I was hanging out Saturday nights at the HNIC live chat BEFORE I discovered this blog.
.
Would still sometimes drop by here on a Saturday night, usually if my team wasn't playing, but a couple of times when they were.
.
Always found it quiet here. Figured people were often nervous and caught up in the game.
.
Also felt I had to be careful what I said here, especially if the Leafs were losing. Usually settled for posting something a little off-topic in case anyone could use a little distraction.
.
Anyway, if I'm playing hooky tonight, it's from CBC's live online chat. (g) Not the other way around.
.
So, was anyone momentarily distracted from the score for at least a minute or two? (g)

[Simon]

Moe, don't get my hopes up like that! I lost my feed and am relying on mass amounts of refreshing to keep up with the score.

[moe green]

How is this not tied?

[Sensi-Bill]

Where in heck did the Hawks get this goof Stalberg?
.
(g)

[Sensi-Bill]

Geeze, just about to compliment Leafs for buzzing around Hawks net and Pliers takes a penalty.

[moe green]

The Leafs had their awesome comeback tonight they only forgot to score.

[moe green]

The Hawks were a little better tonight but that's all. The score is what won them the game. The first two goals really sunk us. Then the Hawks scored a good one and it was over. They are a good team but we could have had them. WE just decided not to score. Another super-goalie I guess.

[Sensi-Bill]

Hats off to the Leafs for showing up and playing with verve despite the score and for NOT packing it in.
.
Have to agree with Houghson. I think the Hawks are coming together for the post-season and were simply more than the Leafs --- or most other teams too --- could handle tonight.

[Sensi-Bill]

They should have Schenn shooting more from the point, not Celine Phaneuf.

[moe green]

Hawks were lucky to win this and we were unlucky to lose it. That's the way it goes. Islanders Tuesday in an actual mist win cuz it's Philly on Thursday.

[Sensi-Bill]

OK. Tired from all that non-Lemon-Squares baking today.
.
Be kind to your boys. The looked good and played hard, even in defeat.
.
So, from me, it's "Goodnight and Happy Motoring."

[Sensi-Bill]

Night Vinay
.
Night Moe
.
Don't know where everyone else is.

VM Replies: G'night, William.

[nugentmania]

I'm sorry, I wasn't following the blog the past couple of days. Was this game a must win?

VM Replies: In theory at this point, they are all must wins. In reality...

[Robert]

Well, Hawks 3 games in 4 nights. Ugh.
Ron MacLean re: fighting. How can you protect the stars, when Crosby, Hall, Toews and Hall have all had fights this year. What have you been watching.
We knew we couldn't win them all. We have beaten some pretty good teams so far, this is the reigning Cup Champs. So lets not get too down.
We did see that Phanny and Schenn are not fast enough when these guys go outside. They simply have to forget trying to hit folks and keep between the forward and our goal.
It wasn't the Lemon squares, we just weren't ready for the way the Hawks started, and that first pass up the middle, was somewhat of a peewee mistake.
Don't panic we shall overcome.
Beautiful Blog Vinnie, met Conn one time when we interviewed him in his office at the Gardens. There is an awful lot of feeling for those old teams around.
Perhaps that is why we are so passionate about rebuilding that feeling!

[Robert]

Sorry, meant Crosby, Toews, Hall and Iginla all had fights this year. So where were the enforcers? I think Mike Milbury is right. We don't need them.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Big M what happened? I looked at my ticker and it was 5-1 in the second. Oh man,

@Liz B, welcome to the blog. Hope to have you back.

VM Replies: A weird night. They didn't play that badly but didn't get any of the bounces. Hawks dominated first period and that was enough.
How was the auction?

[Ken Baumgartner]

That's too bad, at least they did not lose any real ground.

The auction was fun. Give me a mike and a crowd and the freedom to talk. It's a release for a guy who can talk too much.

VM Replies: Well, the timing couldn't have been any better for you. Didn't miss much on the ice tonight.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Ms. Brinton - thank you for keeping the connection to our collective past alive. Wonderful post.

The boys did not give up tonight. If this was last year or the year before, there would have been a palpable deflation throughout Leafland. Not tonight. The score flattered the Hawks. There is a tomorrow. Courage! Believe.

Vinay - you've touched a nerve; awakened the giant that sleeps from coast to coast. I mean, who else gets emails like that from Conn Smythe's granddaughter?

You write with such an intoxicating combination of intelligence, wit and honesty that you inspire Hope. That's a gift, Mister. Don't stop now. Carry on.

VM Replies: No stopping! As I said before, no matter what happens with rest of this season, there are a million reasons for hope.
Thanks for your kind words.

[pinot grigio]

@S-B I think your observation with regard to Kessel is bang on. He is at his best when he functions as an integral part of the team and at his worst when he decides to go it alone. True, those rushes work once in a blue moon but - as we have seen - usually they don't.
Talking about blue, isn't it interesting most of the color commentators really don't seem to like the color blue?

VM Replies: Good evening, pinot!

[Boo Who?]

Thank you for this. This was such a great read. I find it very telling that so many knowledgeable and long-time fans are sensing a reason for hope where this team is concerned. For whatever it's worth, I feel it too.

@ Bill - from your previous post -you send the papers and I'll sign them. I trust in your vision!!

@Sue - Boo was out most of the day and capped off her social commitments by taking in the game with the Vancouver chapter of ALF B - TG77 and his lovely missus, and a couple of my pals who happily sat through the entire game (though neither are really into hockey. But they have the makings of future Leafies!) She has now come home to die quietly of whatever foul disease has invaded her tiny body and broken her mighty spirit. Of course, our performance tonight means that I can never ever see TG ever again. (I kid, I kid)

Honestly though, I wasn't devastated by the result. I knew the Hawks were going to try and hand us our a$$es, and for a while it looked like they might. But we put up a respectable fight (in the third especially) and as noted above, Lady Luck was not on our side. As Robert very rightly said, we (eventually) held our own against the reigning champs. Nothing shameful in that. I was a little bothered by the fear and panic emanating from our players during the first, and sad to see Reimer get pulled (I think he needs to tough out these kinds of games) but I'm not falling on my sword just yet.

Okay, now I really think I need to medicate and attempt to stave off death for a few more hours. I've been brave long enough.

VM Replies: First, the Maritimes Chapter plans an upcoming event. Now the Vancouver Chapter meets for a game.
I feel so left out.

[johnnyk]

Reading some of the posts I got the impression that Leafs won, just that Hawks scored more goals. I know its not fair that they scored more goals and it makes the Leafs look bad.

VM Replies: Oh, man. This is no time for your acerbic wit.

[Rooney]

What a fantastic, affecting and touching email. Thank you, Elizabeth. Born in the early 70's, son of immigrants, the Blue and White and its history was a real way for me to connect with new people
and make real friends. Alas, now a father of two, now I too yearn for that ultimate victory which has never been felt nor witnessed in my time. But the dream lives on. This team today is a young team, but seems to be the start of something wonderful. Even tonight, after being schooled in the first half of the game, most teams would have called it a night, they did not. Who knows what would have happened if Grabbo had scored on that penalty shot and if Brown scored on that give away, the game could have been much different. I do hope this young team gets a chance to connect with some of the heroes and legends of this great franchise's past. I think it was Mark Twain that said, “Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.” As suggested by others, reading this post would be a good start. Thank you again Elizabeth for sharing this with us.

[Boo Who?]

@ VM - Um, did you forget about the Star box seats you promised us? Or is that my fever talking? Either way, I'd fly out in a heartbeat for that. I can fly you know.

[KWood19]

While some of the players addressed in the article are before my time, the legacy they have carried with them is not lost on me. Today, when I asked my dad about the comparisons made between the players, he could not have agreed more. I have read about the heart, character, and skill of those former Leafs teams on many occasions -- all I can say is that I wish I could have been there to see them play myself. However, Elizabeth (and hopefully other leaf fans), I do share your optimism. I feel this team is just starting to develop the character required to truthfully capture the city of Toronto, and by that prospect I am truly excited. I cannot wait for the day when many in the city are not able to say "pffft, the Leafs? not a hope in making the playoffs". I wait for the day when these core players you have mentioned make the city say "Wow, these guys have a real shot at getting to the cup".

You brilliantly expressed your words, and as a younger fan who has yet to experience a winning team, it excites me to hear you say you believe in our boys. Thanks for writing Vinay, it was a brilliant piece to read.

[KWood19]

@ Robert, you mentioned stars fighting, and I felt the need to toss out my opinion on this one. I'd like to know people's opinions on stars fighting in the league.

Iggy has been known to drop the gloves when the time is right. He's a big guy who (if my memory serves me right) has answered the call multiple times and usually holds his own. So Iggy fighting isn't a surprise. The other three that Ron mentioned, however, different story. In all honesty Hall shouldn't have to answer the bell in his rookie year. Crosby has been around enough to know when he should and shouldn't, and in all honesty he rarely ever should. For Toews, according to hockeyfights.com he has only fought twice in his NHL career, and in all honesty in the number of games he as played that really isn't that many times. Should he fight? Depends on the time. Just like Crosby, he's been around long enough to know what the right spots to pick are. I feel the Great 8 needs to drop the gloves more. I feel he at times plays a reckless game, whether it be sticking out a knee or leaving his feet when he makes a hit. If a player of his size and strength is willing to throw his body around like that and possibly injure others with his play, then he needs to be able to answer the bell.

Basically, my opinion is that a guy who has established himself in the league should step up the odd time to make sure people know he's willing to. A rookie like Hall, or even Couture or Skinner shouldn't be expected to step up and fight when they may not have even finished growing yet. Let the kids develop under the 'protection' of veterans who understand these are kids still learning to play in a league of men.

[Robert]

I sit here this morning wondering whether this cap system has destroyed much of the team spirit we knew from older times?
I know the Hawks are now bouncing back from the loss of players and the infusion of new ones this year, to become the winners they were last season.
But, Detroit, won, then lost out, Pittsburgh won, couldn't keep all the players, etc.
We talk about bonding. But in those previous days, it wasn't bonding as a team, it was a team bond under the logo. Horton was always considered a Leaf, even after he left. Keon, Sittler, Bower, Baun, etc. were 'Leafs'. In the proper sense.
These folks today are 'playing for the Leafs' - maybe it takes more than a year or two for that spirit to sink in?
Having said all that, and given the system they play in, I believe these kids do come to play. They wear the blue and white. I will continue to watch them, push them (mentally) and expect them to get better. To build towards the future we can all foresee.
One loss does not a season make! Onward.

[Robert]

@kwood19 - I wasn't suggesting the stars should fight, I was saying that they have fought. MacLeans idiotic statement was that having Colton Orr or some other pugilist on the bench would serve as an intimidation factor to stop other players fighting with the stars. It just is not so. I feel badly for Hall but he willingly engaged in the fight.
What used to happen is, touch Gretzky and big Dave was all over you. That didn't mean someone had to fight. If Phaneuf, Komisarek, Schenn etc came to the rescue, then why do you need Orr to sit on the bench to play 3 or 4 minutes a game? Most of Colton's latest fights were staged events anyway. All you need is your big guys Phaneuf etc, to come into the scrum, a few face washes and it is all over.
I agree with you OV does play on the edge - what has disturbed me about Crosby fighting is that he takes an awful lot of abuse that never gets called.
If the league won't defend their stars, then who will. There is enough toughness on the Pittsburg team that the best player in the league should not be required to fight.
Look at what has happened since the Stekel hit on Crosby. One of the most exciting players of this generation is lost. Probably for the rest of this year.
And there was no retaliation.

VM Replies: Good morning to you, Robert.

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@Boo...where does the ALFB Vancouver chapter meet to watch the games? It'd be nice to not be the only one in the room cheering for the right team.

[TG77]

@ Lotus - we went to the academic pub on west broadway, in between fir and pine.

VM Replies: Good times?

[Robert]

Good day Mr. Menon. Or big M, I like that. Spring must be on the way for the first time since October, I can see the top of our well!

VM Replies: That's a cheering image, Robert. Here in Toronto, it rained yesterday but this morning a thin layer of snow blankets our hopes and dreams.

[TG77]

Yeah it was great. Boo and her friends made for great company too. I am feeling a little less than great however. I needed a few extra heinekens to numb the pain.

VM Replies: Uh oh.

[TG77]

Nothing a large coffee and breakfast can't cure. The game itself was a bit rough last night but Boo definitely is a super fan so there will be more meetings of the Vancity chapter. Not good that the Rangers are up 4-0 on the Flyers right now. I guess we need a large favour from the Minnesota Wild today to beat the Sabres.

[Geoff Read]

I'm a historian, so allow me to sound a discordant note. Let's remember that Conn Smythe ruthlessly exploited his players and fought tooth and nail against the formation of a players' union to make sure player salaries didn't eat into his fat profits. He also took a "principled" stand against Muhammad Ali's being allowed to fight at Maple Leaf Gardens because he was a) a conscientious objector to the War in Vietnam and b) a Muslim. So let's not romanticize this person too much.

[waffles2010]

Should anyone wish to see Conn Smythe in another light, there is a wonderful movie called Net Worth, a CBC production. It may be a little more honest portrayal of the game, and the men involved at that time. I highly recommend every hockey fan watch it.

[sean]

I hope this thread doesn't get hijacked by the politically correct types judging the character of a war hero by today's dubious standards. Anyone with rudimentary hockey knowledge can attest to the fact that Conn and Stafford Smythe were dedicated to winning Leaf and Marlie teams. The unfortunate human weaknesses present in all of us that led to changes in Gardens ownership leaves this city wanting for a greatness we can only hope to see again.

[Geoff Read]

I'm sorry Sean, would today's "dubious standards" refer to the notion that Islamophobia is bad or that workers should receive a fair share of the profits? Just wondering.

[Emma Obodiac]

You will write a wonderful memoir, Elizabeth!