Thirteenth with An Anchor

So at the official halfway mark of the season the Leafs have all of 16 victories and are trying their darndest to hold on to 13th place in the Eastern Conference against the hard-charging Washington Capitals.

Yes, that Leafs-Caps race for 13th could be a dandy.

With the club on pace for an 80-point season, fair to say the Ferguson-Maurice plan isn't working so far?

It all went bad, really bad, in Pittsburgh on Thursday night in a 6-2 thumping, including three goals against in 48 seconds in the third period, again the nightmarish portion of the evening's proceedings for the heroes of Toronto.

And now we all get to wonder what Don Cherry will do Saturday night with the Darcy Tucker-Jarkko Ruutu fight.

In case you missed it, Ruutu fed Tucker a steady diet of right hands and bloodied him, as badly as Tucker has lost a fight while a Leaf. Tucker's not a big guy and he always gets marks for taking on bigger opponents, but this defeat just added to his awful season.

Ruutu was, you will remember, the stompee in the infamous Chris Simon stomping incident, excoriated by Cherry for somehow deserving it and for always being unwilling to fight.

Well, the ferocious Finn was certainly willing last night, and Tucker paid for it.

But will Cherry, who loves to show fight after fight after fight on his segment, feature this scrap on Coaches Corner? Somehow, I doubt it.

(Ed. Note: There were two fights shown Saturday night on Coach's Corner. Neither featured the one-sided Tucker-Ruutu scrap.)

Meanwhile, with Scott Clemmensen beaten for six goals last night, coach Paul Maurice faces the prospect of having to start Andrew Raycroft at the ACC on Saturday night. Maurice acknowledged on Wednesday that there has been an effect "on the bench" when Raycroft has struggled at home and been booed for it.

The club could, of course, rush Vesa Toskala back, but what would be the point of that?

To review, the Leafs have, over the past seven days, been hammered by the Rangers on home ice, edged past the 29th place Lighting at the ACC in a shootout, then been whaled on by a Pittsburgh team that's been struggling all year to find a measure of consistency.

After seven losses in nine games, and with the club sitting in a truly embarrassing position in the standings, there would be a lot of markets in which ownership would simply not stand for the current situation.

But this is Toronto. This is MLSE, which counts gate receipts, not wins and losses, and employs people to convince the public on a daily basis that a hockey team that was out of it in October isn't really out of it now.

Comments

[Sean]

MLSE is doing their best to convince the public that the team is still a contender. But is anyone buying it?

Yes, the seats are still filled. That's simple supply-and-demand -- Toronto loves hockey, there are four million people in the city (not to mention an enormous business community with expense accounts), and only 19,000 seats to go around. The sellout streak isn't an indictment of Toronto fans, it's basic math at work.

But beyond that, are there still fans in Toronto who are buying into this team? Even the call-in shows, usually the last refuge of the truly delusional, seem to be a mix of "blow it all up" and "only blow some of it up". Talk to a Leaf fan over a few pints and you usually get a picture of hopelessness. Even the fans who fill the building are booing the team off the ice most nights.

Damien keeps writing as if Toronto fans are thrilled with what's going on and overflowing with optimism. That makes for a great strawman (strawfan?) to pick apart in columns. But does anyone, anywhere, see any actual evidence of this? At all?

[Don]

The Leafs just keep finding more embarrassing ways to lose hockey games. Last night was just sad.
I hope the drop continues until the Leafs capture their rightful place in the conference - 15th, maybe then management will wake up and smell the coffee, but I doubt it.
The sense of hopelessness that most Leaf fans feel just keeps getting worse.

[Guido]

It's funny when it was 2-1 I was thinking to myself, hmmm.. well it looks like Raycroft is going on waivers as soon as Toskala comes back. Then whammo.. Now they have to put Raycroft back in goal on Saturday. I think this is it for him, if he wins or plays well he'll stay up, if not it's waivers/minors.

Cherry won't mention the fight at all. And don't forget Malone pasting Bell, another one of Cherry's favorites.

This season is pretty simple. It's up to Vesa Toskala. The East is horrible with everyone, including the Leafs all within a total of 8 points of the major playoff spots, with half the season to go.

If Vesa returns from injury normal, we'll be in .. if not, we're on the outside looking in again.

What sucks is after looking at Crosby and Malkin you realize that the Leafs actually suck at losing as much as winning. I mean they can't even lose enough to finish last to get a stud like those 2 or like Stamkos or Tavaras.

[Guido]

"Damien keeps writing as if Toronto fans are thrilled with what's going on and overflowing with optimism."

I take it you missed the "Season's over folks" column?

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

Assume 92 points are needed to make the playoffs. That means the Laffs need 52 points in their last 41 games to squeak in. Only Detroit, Ottawa, and San Jose have exceeded or matched that pace in the first half. It is impossible to even imagine the Laff's playing as well as those three over the next 41 games.

So Damien, now that the Laff season is over,would it be possible for you to concentrate on real hockey teams and more hockey issues? You do a decent job of that already, but would your editors allow essentially a non-Laff focus?

There are a tremendous amount of interesting things happening in hockey right now, none of which involve the Toronto franchise. I am sure you would lose as readers a significant portion of the Laff fans, but think of all the real hockey fans you would pick up.

[Sanj]

You know what is really sad? Hockey Night in Toronto will continue to force feed us with a steady diet of the Laffs fighting for 13th place every Saturday nite. In the meantime viewers outside of Southern Ontario will see REAL hockey teams in meaningful races (i.e: Ottawa, Montreal, etc, etc).

[Shane]

I've been a Leafs fan pretty much since Clark's rookie year, and it seems that the way things are now are even worse than some of those real dog years with Ballard. The best thing I have seen is that "Passion Returns" run in 92 and 93 with Clark, Gilmour, Burns et al. It seems now that the fans are really being misled - and everybody knows it. I agree with Sean's comment - the seats will always be filled - so, does anyone know any way that this situation will ever change? If not, guess I'll have to find a way to root for another team - except maybe Ottawa. Just can't bring myself to do that yet. But it's getting closer the worse the Leafs become, and the longer this organizations acceptance of mediocrity continues. It's embarrassing.

[dave varin]

I`m 45 yrs.old.I was 5 yrs old when the Leafs last won the cup.I`ve seen this hockey club play decent hockey...in 1993...it`s basically been down hill ever since.I think it`s time to forget about watching this team play....THEY SUCK!!!And management stays and they get worse,the owners get richer and the play of the team keeps going and going and going DOWNHILL!!!I live in Cornwall,i was in Ottawa last time they got spanked again by the superior Senators...I was embarassed to wear the Leaf jersey that night...to bad the Leaf players were not!....WOW it`s making me sick to watch them...Please fire Peddie and John Ferguson Jr.NOW!!!

[john]

I think it is interesting that no one has focussed on the fact that the Leafs are one of the only sub 500 teams in the league. The teams they are fighting against are all 3 or 4 games above 500.

Perhaps, it would be better to give baseball or basketball style Games Behind Leader stats to show just how far back the leafs are.

[PPP]

We can only hope that the Leafs finally stop their streak of just not good enough and finish last and pick up someone like Drew Doughty so that at least at some point in the future Wozniewski will finally get sent back to the ECHL.

Of course, since parity (read: mediocrity) is the theme in the East were even the sens are 11-7-4 since their 14-2 start (or 11-11 as Damien would put it) a decent run once Vesa returns could vault the Leafs back into a playoff spot which will do nothing put paper over the cracks.

[Michael Nestlehut]

Boy, watching the Leafs this season has become akin to watching what new ways Britney Spears will embarrass/shock us on a daily/weekly basis.
It used to be the Leafs were known for playing two great periods. but since somebody told them about a third period being part of the game they have to realize the last minute of any given game is not a "gimme" if you're ahead.

[Gareth]

This organization is in as big of a mess as I've ever seen it during my 20 years of following the team. People continue talking about this team making a push for the playoffs, but anyone with two brain cells to rub together knows it's virtually impossible at this point.

It will likely take 90+ points to get the 8th seed, and the way this team has played now for the last two seasons I have seen nothing to indicate this current group of players is capable of doing so. Even if they did squeak in, would a first round demolition at the hands of Ottawa really be in the team's best interest?

At this point, it's clear the team needs to be rebuilt. Our so called young talent (Wellwood, Steen & Stajan) have had their chances, and proven they will not be effective NHL players in the long term. Why not bring Pogge up for Saturday night? Let's see what our 'goalie of the future' is made of. There's little chance he would be a downgrade from Raycroft, and it's not like one decent game from Raycroft is going to increase his trade value. Not all GM's are as nearsighted as JFJ.

The absolute best thing that can happen to the Leafs this year is finishing the season as low in the standings as possible, getting a top 5, or top 10 draft pick and hoping that Ferguson is out of a job before he can botch it. Wouldn't a hometown boy like Stamkos look good in Blue?

[Conn Smythe]

I love it.

As a die - hard Leaf fan, the farther we tumble in the standings, the better position we are in to get a higher 1st round draft pick. And we won't have to worry about JFJ trading it away because he will be fired. It's a win - win situation.

Start the fire sale - Let the other teams in the NHL know that we are getting rid of everything for the right price, ha...

[Calvin Harrington]

I really like your commnets regarding Don Cherry ( Big Time Leaf Fan, keeps him in a job he shouldn't have) probably not showing his little Leaf Hero Tucker getting taken to the cleaners. To hear the Leaf Medai talk about the fight one would think Tucker either won or held it to a draw. The Toronto Media which icludes the CBC in the East really needs to take off their Leaf Fan T-Shirts, Leaf Fans deserve the truth, thank you for at least trying to say it the way it is.

[smokey]

You really seem to enjoy the leafs woes Damien. You can hardly wait it seems to post on your blog and diss The GM, the Coach and the players. Yeah, we all know they are not playing well and maybe won't make the playoffs....guess by your logic we should only support the team who wins every year to make sure we are on the right side. Sure would be nice to reada positive story for a change...bad enough to see the losses mounting!

[mike tymeczko]

Damien,

In the past I have sometimes felt that your articles were somewhat overly critical. But I must admit that the 13th with an anchor really hit the mark. While I dont have Leafs TV, I am a long-time fan from Nothern Ontario who makes a point of seeing all available Leaf games. I listen on the internet to the ones I cant get on TV. I go to Leaf games when I am in Toronto. The three goals in 48 seconds debacle in Pittsburg really was horrilbe to listen to. Picturing it my head was bad enough, and I must console all those who had to actually watch our Leafs be humiliated once again. My point for your comment is that while Pat Quinn was axed after just one miss to the playoffs, I really cant fathom why Paul Maurice and Robert Fergsuon havent been dealt similar fates. Pat drafted, coached and mangaed better than those two guys combined. I know Pat had the leisure to spend his way out of trouble, but at the same time, he usually got good bang for his buck. Remember when Dimitri Yuskevich wanted +4 million, Pat cut him loose. Dimitri was a far better DEFENCEMAN than any of the current Leafs on the back end. Fergusons contract savy is inferior, handing out a plethera of bloated-long-term-unmovable contracts. I could go on to talk about trading, drafting and coaching - but I wont. I dont want Pat back either. Is there any hope of a Philidelpia-like turnaround. Keep up the good work Damien. PS: The Leafs upper-management sickens the heart of all loyale Leaf fans. GO-LEAFS-GO FIRST PICK OVERALL - Fergy would trade it for another goalie!

[Jon H]

Just a comment about Ruutu and Don Cherry. I bet Cherry will show the fight and I know what he will say. Ruutu is too much of a baby to fight Simon, Belak or Magratton so he takes on a guy half his size like Tucks. So don't come off like Ruutu is some tough guy. I only wish he had the balls to fight someone in his weight class. Thats why Cherry doesn't like him, he talks the talk but can't walk the walk. At least Cherry tells it how it is, the delivery might be a bit harsh but most of what he says is true. Oh, and by the way I'd check on Ruutu's right eye today, cause it was cut and swollen after Tucks hit him a few times.

[Rory]

Finally someone calling out Don Cherry for the ditz he is. But judging from your comments Damien, you could have said Ottawa was out of the playoffs by October last year... things turned out a little differently didn't they??

Not comparing Toronto to Ottawa here (not by ANY means), I just thought it worthwhile to mention that you can never count a team out as early as that, especially not in today's NHL. And to be honest, the Leaf's still aren't out of it in the close-knit Eastern Conference. I mean, Tampa could even still be considered in the race!

There's still hope of playoffs. A cup doesn't seem to likely while Mats is around though :( It hurts me to say it.

Lets just hope come the deadline we're in solid playoff position or far out of contention. Otherwise Mats and Kabs go no where, and come next season it starts all over again.

Such is life as a Leaf fan. I'm far too loyal ;) haha

[Steve]

I hope they keep losing, lose all the way to last place. Than hopefully they can finally get rid of some of the people in charge that obviously have no idea how to run a hockey club. Even though the leafs are a profitable team whether they make the playoffs or not, that playoff money is free money for the teachers. They spend to the cap anyways, so why not put some people in charge that can get them that free money for the playoffs?

[Kenai Andrews]

I think the evidence that Leafs and their fans are tolerating the status quo is the perrenial sold out games, which is not exactly putting one's foot down on forty years of futility. Just being able to sniff the playoffs ( long tolerated ) will be considered a good season and ammunition for next years positive outlook.

When will this charade end? When Leaf fans want it to and start putting the screws to the management where it always hurts - the pocketbook. Until then, the comfortable, delusional and long odourless aroma of medicroity will continue.

[Barb]

The first writer asks if anyone sees evidence of Leaf fans overflowing with confidence. I do. Everytime they win a game, the bandwagon is full again. Even in this blog a few days ago, fans were writing that the Leafs were only a few points out of a playoff spot and a winning streak would have them back in the race. That is what MLSE banks on - it doesn't matter what the quality of hockey is on the ice, as long as the fans show up. If you want your team to improve, stop buying tickets, stop going to games, cancel Leaf-TV and if you can't stomach cheering for the Habs or the Sens, watch the Marlies for a while until management gets serious and addresses the many weaknesses of this club.

[Montgomery C. Burns]

Yes, let's see if Don Cherry has the cohones to show Tucker getting the stuffing knocked out of him.

[Earl Nelville]

Like a deer caught in the headlights. I've said it before and I'll say it again. It's this simple, MLSE does not know what to do or how to do it. The suits can't agree and they simply don't have the hockey intelligence to build a winning team. They have a goalie that I'm sure they would like to unload but the only problem is, he is so hopeless he can't even put together 2 good games in a row to make himself marketable. As this version of the Leafs dips below the waterline don't look to the suits to do anything intelligent, don't expect them to do anything. They haven't got a clue and anyone who does, doesn't want anything to do with this team. The much maligned Pat Quinn is looking pretty good right now isn't he Leaf fans.

[Terry]

Amen brother. You are preaching the absolute truth. I am 48 and gave up on the Leafs at the age of ten to go for the Wings (I live in Windsor). Two Stanley Cups later, I see the way an organization with a real owner expects the best (he also owns the Tigers), while I wonder who will win a championship first the Maple Leafs or the Detroit Lions (last championship in 1957). It is utterly disgraceful what the Toronto ownership gives back to the loyal fans who have endured this garbage. The sad part is the Wings are millions under the cap and this team has nothing, I mean NOTHING on the horizon for the fans.

[Don]

This is just sad. Toronto is in almost every way a world-class city but the idiots in charge of this enterprise couldn't manage an oat concession in a one-horse town. There is really only one way - just stop going to the games. I am not a Leaf fan but many Canadians are - and they deserve far better than this.