Still Twelfth, But. . .

Two things are known.

One, the Maple Leafs might be able to survive with an overtime or a shootout defeat, but one more regulation loss and they're cooked.

Two, sweeping the Bruins this week will have them in some kind of enhanced position by Friday, perhaps not a playoff berth but something better, and will have the ACC rockin' Saturday night against Montreal.

Minus their former GM, John Ferguson, and six vets once thought critical by many - Hal Gill, Chad Kilger, Wade Belak, Carlo Colaiacovo, Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov - the Leafs played terrific hockey last week in piecing together three straight road wins with a lineup of young leaders and Marlie callups.

So now Sundin's ready, or close to being ready.

And isn't this interesting?

Leaf fans, of course, remember the team that fought through the 2002 playoffs largely without Sundin then fell to Carolina in the conference championship even though the captain was back.

Of course you put him back in ASAP, right? Right?

Yes. But as the franchise mulls over what to do with No. 13 this summer - somebody's mulling, correct? - it would be an intriguing and complicating factor if Sundin returns but isn't able to help keep this snowball rolling.

The Bruins, to be sure, are a vulnerable team these days, and lost again to Montreal on Saturday to lose all eight against the Habs this season.

Maybe the Leafs should come out wearing red tomorrow and Thursday.

Comments

[Lewis McClain]

Hi Damian: I live in Florida in the winter, and have been a Leafs fan since back in the 60's.(Have the hockey package for T.V.) This years team, regardless if they make the playoffs or not,has given the most exciting gutsy,hockey we have seen in some time. It has truly been a team effort for the last two months. I think John Ferguson should get more credit fot the build of this outfit. His players are starting to jell. We do need a couple of breaks,but if they do not make it it will not be for lack of effort.

[Spencer]

Matt Stajan for captain eh? Ah, whatever. Stajan is a much better candidate that someone like Bryan McCabe that's for sure.

Off-topic: Good to see Patrick Roy's son is a chip off the block (read: a real a**hole). "I can't control my players in a game," said St. Patrick. Then in my view he's got no right pretending to be a coach, especially on a junior team. But when you've got money ...

[steve g]

I hope none of you are actually falling for this again (end of last season ring a bell)? I am praying that there are fans out there who haven't forgotten what this 'team' did to us at the trading deadline (and games 1-65). It sure as hell won't leave my mind. Draft is strong up until 7 or 8th pick. Looks like these monkeys will manage to choose somewhere around 11th. Would have been nice to have this dedication when it was needed.

[Guido]

it's funny because that was my thought after watching the Fri/Sat games. Maybe Sundin retiring isn't all that bad. It's real nice to see Stajan (who most media wanted to trade in Oct) and Steen step up to become leaders on this team. The more shocking surprise is seeing Kubina ascend to almost untouchable status.

[paso]

no ne ever talks about 02-something knowledgable leaf fans know-the closest sundin ever got to a cup was that year and he wasnt even playing! gary roberts carried us all the way, and there was talk of sundin not even dressing when he was ready. then he came back and we tanked. nice comment spencer, at least there are still some leaf fans that no whats up. this is the worst leafs team in history. this is nothing more than a charade by tucker (who doesnt want to get bought out) and stajan (who doesnt have a contract). these guys stink-but leaf fans once again are buying into the joke.

[Steve]

Come on….come on....just a little bit further....you’re almost there...oh no, you couldn't do it. Maybe if they can pull out 2 more wins this week you will jump on the wagon for Saturday night. I doubt it though. You must be a joy to be around all the time. Do you take medication for your depression?

Give them a break would you. The kids have played great with a little help from some veterans in the last 30 days and have a shot at the playoffs. Even the most die hard of fans recognizes it is a long shot still, but it is exciting. Sure part of our excitement comes from the fact that in the last 3 years this playoff push has been our playoffs but it is better than conceding early in February as you wanted.

You have to admit that Sundin has been a great leader and a few of the young kids are stepping up to lead also, this is a positive thing. Give Mats a break. He earned the right to waive any trade and I can’t think of many others I would want mentoring the kids.

[mark]

I can't believe that if the Leafs lose a game when Sundin returns that anyone with any hockey sense would draw the conclusion that they are better off without him next year. This is the kind of media garbage that Sundin has put up with for years now (... actually since about 2002...). Who do you think put fire in the belly of these guys to begin with? Maurice? Mats carried this team and never gave up. His attitude is the only reason this team is still sniffing the playoffs. Just once Damien, give some credit where it is due.

[dav]

Stajan for captain? I hadn't really thought of it that way, figuring that Kaberle is the rightful heir. Knowing this team though, it'll be McCabe or the Big Minus: Darcy Tucker

[Kevin B]

"Leafs ... wearing red"?!?!?

Sacrilege!!!

I'm just trying to figure out who should be more upset by the notion; Me (a Leafs fan), or my best bud (who bleeds bleu/blanc/rouge).

[King Leary]

I wish they would have competed this hard at the beginning of the season.

Steve G, this year's draft is supposed to be one of the best in recent years, so I'm not sure who told you that this year's draft would 'only' be good until the 7th or 8th pick.

[Rob]

No Steve G,not all Leaf fans Have forgotten what the team has put us through since the trade deadline,or for the last 3 years to be more exact.If the Leafs idea of a rebuild is Stajan as the captain, and the call ups from the Marlies with a couple new free agent signings. Well I don't think that will do it for most fans, but it won't surprise me if that's what they try to do. By the way you were right even though it is a deep draft the top 7 guys are special, and one of them is exactly what the leafs needed.

[Mike Hili]

Stajan as Captain???? I don't think so. Just because he has played well the past few games doesn't make him a candidate for the big C. The only real time he shines is on the penalty kill. Sundin and all real Captains play well ALL the time! Being good with the media is nice for you Damien but it don't make a difference to me. Stajan is the choir boy of the Leafs. We want a Captain that will play every shift like it is his last!!! Who cares about the 2002 playoffs we didn't win the cup, this year is already done....time to look to next year.

[Clark]

It's not really fair to pin the loss to Carolina in '02 on Sundin's return. That Leaf team was gassed, plain and simple. It took everything they had just to get past the Islanders and Ottawa, and the combination of

a) Sundin and Tucker's rust from being out of the lineup
b) everybody else running on fumes
c) Irbe playing out of his mind
d) Carolina's defence just being too good

was too much for the Leafs to overcome.

Say what you want about the Leafs sabotaging their own draft pick, and not playing like this early. But I do know that most teams that find themselves last in the conference at the end of January would use that as an excuse to look toward next year and just worry about their draft pick. To go from where they were, to the glimmer of a playoff berth getting brighter by the day is simply remarkable.

Its this kind of heart that wins championships, and I think that we're learning that the Leafs might have a couple more pieces of the puzzle in place than we originally thought. Enjoying the ride thoroughly...

[paso]

guys like you steve re: leaf fans that arent buying into this charade are depressed, downers who must be miserable people just dont get it and you need to resort to these kinds of comments to disguise the fact that you know nothing about hockey. fact is my friend that its fans like you that mlse loves-they know they dont have to ice a winner they just need to hover in mediocrity to appease all the people like you who dont demand more. are you kidding me? you're enjoying the ride of watching a bunch of stiffs trying to sneak into the playoffs, which they wont, and messing up what should have been their best draft pick since wendel clark. what a joke, keep enjoying the ride as you say steve...a ride that constantly leads to nowhere. 02 we had cujo on fire, roberts was playing the best hockey of his career and there was more than just a little talk in the media that sundin shouldnt dress as crazy as that may sound to those who idolize a guy who never won a scoring title or any major individual award, never won a stanley cup or played in a cup final. even alfredsson's done that for the sens

[Tim]

Looks like they have more talent that you were saying just a few weeks ago.
Now, instead of a complete rebuild, Cliff has to figure out what/who caused the problem earlier in the season and rectify it.
Was is something in the clubhouse? Is it just Vesa? Was it the mood due to all the negativity from people like you?

It looks like the Leafs are in a much better position, talent wise, than you or any other media commentator thought. A few additions or subtractions and they could be a top 10 team again.

[Steve]

Re: “guys like you steve re: leaf fans that arent buying into this charade are depressed”

I am not really sure what you are going on about Paso. My comments on being depressed and unhappy are directed at Damian Cox, not anyone posting comments. It sounds though like you may have some issues to deal with.

As far as hockey knowledge goes, I am sick and tired of fans like you that think you know everything. Since you know it all there is no sense in me challenging you on anything.

Fact is this is a pretty weak Leafs team but right now they are pushing to make the playoffs. I like every other true fan want change. We need to rebuild to become one of the strongest in the league that can legitimately compete for the cup every year. But why not get excited about where we are right now. One draft pick is not going to make this team a cup contender. Multiple draft picks over time will help build a team down the road but you need a few veterans around to help develop the kids into leaders and show them the way. Sundin shows up every night to play hard. Young players respect him. Older players look to him for leadership. Throwing the last 2 months of the season in order to get a high draft pick is no way to teach the young players how to win. It disrespects the players, the fans and the game.

If Sundin had wanted to go somewhere at the trade deadline then let him go and take the best deal you can get, but he didn't want to go. Since he wants to stay here then why not build a young team around him, Toskala and Kaberla for a couple of years. There are a few other veterans already on this team that can help build a strong franchise with young players. Let the veterans teach the kids the ropes. You couldn't find a better Captain to do it. We aren't going to win the cup next year with this team or the one we would have had if Sundin had accepted a trade. Once the season is done, lets get the best GM around in place to make the moves that need to be made to make this team a contender.

My only point to Mr. Cox was why be so doom and gloom all the time. Right now the Leafs are playing exciting hockey. I have no problem with Damien or anyone else taking MLSE to task for bad hockey moves but once in a while you have to stop and enjoy the game.

Read his article in the sports section today and you will see that he has one foot on the wagon and trying to lift the second foot up.

And by the way, Tucker and his lazy A$$ need to be the first one out of town. But my rant on him can wait for another day.

[Patrick]

Not all captains need to be the team's best player. I think Stajan would be a suitable candidate for many of the reasons Cox stated, especially his union involvement at such an early age. I don't know what fans expect of Stajan. He's been remarkably consistent as a player and has become more defensively responsible. People need to realise he's never going to be a 30 goal guy. It appears that Steen may be in the same boat. However, both are still young and while I acknowledge that the team seems to have a lot of these kinds of players, Stajan and Steen can be counted upon.

As for the 12th place limbo the Leafs are in, I still wish the team had chosen to play the younger guys and bench some of the vets who haven't been cutting the mustard. I wouldn't call that tanking in so much as evaluating talent for next year. It's too bad that coach is playing the guys hard for his job and that the GM hasn't stepped in and axed him.

Guido, I wouldn't count on Kubina, despite his recent surge, to be untradeable. That stunt of him reneging at the last moment to be traded to San Jose has likely left a bad taste in Fletcher's mouth. Personally, since I believe one of Kubina or McCabe needs to go for cap reasons, I'd still trade Kubina to the Sharks for McLaren if the Sharks aren't able to sign Cambpell to a deal.

[Steve g]

You wonder why some contributors get perturbed and sometimes rude?? A few weeks ago, the rallying cry was basically this: 'Stupid and nice is no way to run a hockey team'. Today most of you are once again quite content with a mediocre team and would be happy to see a role player take on the captaincy. It's difficult to find someone to blame and despise for this pathetic franchise when you're being run by a faceless empire. However, anyone gullible enough to fall for this late season run (for country club membership renewal)is just as responsible and should be treated accordingly until they wise up and stop accepting the garbage they're being fed.

[ChuckyCheese]

Wow! All this talk about the Leafs never giving up in the face of adversity and "be proud of what the boys are doing" crap that the idiot faithful are spewing forth right now. Now wonder the Teachers Pension Fund doesn't want to sell their shares in MLSE. When you got dopes like these believing in anything in Blue and White, the money just keeps pouring in!

[paso]

hopefully some of the fans that wrote on this blog will come back here after that joke of a game against boston last night. take your lousy captain who has never won us anything and couldnt even dress for some time on the power-play (what a joke leader-see stevie Y on one good leg for the wings if you dont have a clue), your new tie domi self-promoter tucker, your overated steen, stajan, wellwood, anton the next todd gill not the next nick lidstrom as well as all the other jokers and take a hike. while stamkos et al are superstars in this league for years, you dopes can take solace in the fact that you got to cheer for the worst leafs team ever (not an overstatement) on their run to absolutely nowhere.