Six months later, Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher is satisfied with remodelling
2008-08-26 20:00:00
TORONTO - It's been six months since Toronto Maple Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher had to helplessly watch the NHL's trade deadline pass by without being able to shake up his lineup.
On that February afternoon, he made a passionate promise that major changes were still coming. With training camp and a new season now fast approaching, it's fair to say the veteran hockey executive made good on his word.
There could be as many as 10 new faces in the Maple Leafs lineup on opening night. Fletcher is pleased with the changes he's made but is keenly aware that they won't change one fundamental rule of pro sports.
"Trying to build a team can't be fast-tracked," he said Tuesday.
Fletcher is currently enjoying a rare period of quiet and noted that news from around the NHL has fallen almost completely silent of late.
That includes any news from veteran Maple Leafs Mats Sundin (considering retirement) and Bryan McCabe (considering waiving his no-trade clause).
"There's nothing new as we're talking today," said Fletcher.
No matter how those situations play out, there will be plenty of new faces to get familiar with. One of the more interesting stories to follow will be that of defenceman Luke Schenn.
The Leafs traded up to select the 18-year-old with the fifth pick in the June draft and intend to have him compete for a spot with the team. However, they won't rush him along.
"He'll be given every chance to make the team," said Fletcher. "When you look back historically Toronto's been a graveyard for young defencemen that maybe shouldn't have been integrated into the NHL lineup as early as they were.
"We're not going to make that mistake."
Overall, the GM feels good about a defence corps that will also include free-agent signings Jeff Finger and Jonas Frogen. He's also happy with the goaltending duo of Vesa Toskala and Curtis Joseph.
The area he'll be watching closest is his forwards because that group includes the most number of question marks at this point. Expect to see new additions Mikhail Grabovsky and Nikolai Kulemin among the players challenging for spots on the scoring units.
"When you look at your top two lines, we're going to have a lot of young players there this year," said Fletcher. "How we fare during the regular season will depend very much on how half a dozen of our young players progress.
"We're not going to be able to start finding that out until we drop the puck for real."
That won't come until Oct. 9 when the Maple Leafs visit Detroit.
The team will participate in a rookie tournament starting Sept. 13 and will break training camp a week after that. There were no cure-all solutions to be found during a busy off-season and Fletcher remains content to allow his team to grow.
"The key word for the Maple Leafs management and coaching is going to be patience," he said. "You can't force things to happen - you have to let them unfold and happen at their own pace.
"We will be patient. We will give a lot of young players that opportunity to become better players and to become a good hockey team."
He doesn't think most Leaf fans will have any trouble sharing that philosophy.
"I think most hockey fans in this area understand what our situation is here," said Fletcher. "I think they have a pretty good feeling for what has to be done to build a much better team."
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-29 10:05:28)
Friends with a leafs fan? Never!!!
Seriously... (Posted 2008-08-28 14:50:29)
Wow, a lot of hating going on in here. Can't we all be friends?
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-28 09:25:16)
One other thing, Every Team Sucks, there is no way any sane and rational person can possibly believe that Toronto will have the best defense in the NHL this year. What, the addition of Finger is going to put them over the top? And Joseph gives them a great tandem? Toskala's good, but he's not a miracle worker. Face it, the Leafs will be doing good if they can still talk about making the playoffs after the All-Star game.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-28 09:14:16)
Every Team Sucks, who exactly is your "Young talent"? Did the Leafs draft someone named Young that I haven't heard of? Or did they put the mark of death on Luke Schenn by drafting him, because, from what I can see, Brad Boyes and Tuukka Rask are the only players the Leafs have taken in the first round in the last 20 years that could be true impact players, and they were both traded for a quick fix. Antropov is, at best a mediocre second line center, and when he was drafted, no one had heard of him. Alex Tanguay, Simon Gagne, Scott Gomez and Robin Regehr were all still available. Now, if Antropov had been a highly coveted prospect who had fallen to the Leafs, they could be forgiven for taking him, but no one had heard of the guy, it was a total suprise when his name was called. It won't matter how many years the Leafs suck and how many high draft picks they have. Their scouting is awful. They traded up to get Luke Schenn, an Adam Foote clone, when they could have taken Filatov, a potential Zetterberg. I know the both players are risks, all kids are risks when the rankings are nothing more than someones opinion of what might happen, but who would you rather have, Foote or Zetterberg? Face it, until the Leafs overhaul their scouting department, Toronto won't win more than a playoff series or two.
Steve (Posted 2008-08-28 09:07:31)
As much as people hate the Leafs (and I am no leaf fan) you cannot hide from the fact that the NHL NEEDS the Leafs to ice a good product. They are afterall the number one draw on the road which helps all teams' bottom line. What appears to be different in Leaf Land this offseason is that for the first time in 4 decades the management team has a plan...a long term plan which bodes well for the Leafs and the NHL. Leaf fans should resign themselves to the prospect of their team finishing at or near the bottom of the league standings for the next few seasons...which in the long run is not a bad thing. Finish low, pick high and build a winner. It is a formula all great organizations have used to assemble very succesful teams. Like it or not, Leafs will not suck much longer.
tim (Posted 2008-08-28 08:04:45)
this is witout a doubt the most hilarious set of posts i have ever read. if the laffs had scoring, defense or goaltending then their would be a reason for optimism. sadly there is not. thanks for putting a smile on my face guys. long live the flyers.
Steve L (Posted 2008-08-28 07:18:14)
Funny you mention throwing games for the first pick. The Penguins did that in 1984 so they could get Mario Lemieux. Otherwise the Devils would have drafted him. How would THAT be for changing the history of the NHL. Mario the Devil !!
Moe (Posted 2008-08-28 00:30:07)
Sure the Sens threw games in 1993. They were an expansion team. How long have the Leafs been around? Did the Sens tell their fans at the start of the season, in 1993 they were going to throw games? No. I hate the Sens almost as the Leafs, but even they did not do that!
AFS (Posted 2008-08-27 23:16:48)
Once again the leafs need to add a quality forward if they decide to trade
McCabe soon. If not it could be long season for the leafs. I just hope they
DO NOT add another defensemen.
B.G. (Posted 2008-08-27 22:30:18)
Attaboy Gary!Why should we be subjected to Laffs garbage every Sat. night when we could watch a real team.Laffs fans have 3 or 4 years of pain still to endure.
Gary Bettman (Posted 2008-08-27 22:02:26)
We are currently in discussions with HNIC to to transfer broadcasts of Leafs games to other Canadian based teams,particularly Montreal games(100th anniversary upcoming) due to the extremely poor entertainment value of Toronto games.Unfortunately,we see no upgrade in regard to the Leafs on ice product in the near to medium(4-6 years)future.Further updates as information becomes available.
JohnCase (Posted 2008-08-27 19:42:02)
Only half of the teams in the league can finish in the top half of the standings. Some players who are supposed to be great end up just being good or average, some players get passed over and develop to dominate the league. Sometimes a group of guys just doesn't like playing together, or one guy is a real dick and ruins everyone else's attitude, or a team has a motivation problem. We've all watched play-off hockey so we know that players don't play their hardest every game.
The Leafs don't suck. The group of talented hockey players that they put on the ice the last couple of years just performed at a level below the the other groups of talented players around them. And that is something that will always happen. For a team to finish first, a team has to finish last. The teams that win most consistently don't have the magic formula for bringing in talent, they support the talent they have with good hockey systems. They also focus on fielding a deep team from which stars can emerge instead of trying to luck out on a superstar and trying to build a cast around him.
The difference between perennial contenders and teams that "gear up" to take a run at the cup is the difference between making regular contributions to your RRSP(401K, Roth IRA etc) and making regular contributions to your local lottery corporation.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-27 19:07:32)
Moe, the article doesn't say they are. The "fans" are calling for them to do it. BTW, the Sens later admitted throwing games in '93. I guess some would.
Mike (Posted 2008-08-27 18:55:24)
Moe, where in this article does it say anything about the Leafs organization saying they are going to play "bad" this year?
Do you think any professional athlete would put their career on the line for an organization that does this? Do you think a coach with a successful history would?
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-27 18:17:52)
1993 SJ accused Ott. of throwing games to land first overall pick - Daigle. We know how that worked out. That was the reason the lottery was introduced. Now part of the "Leaf Nation" wants them to throw games for a better chance at the projected next great player? Think about it, Tavares could be the next Daigle! How could anyone cheer their team on to lose instead of win and still consider themselves a fan? I want to know that I can respect the team I root for. Win or lose, I want to believe they tried their best.
Moe (Posted 2008-08-27 17:32:47)
Of all the teams who have been rebuilding over the last few seasons, Hawks, Kings etc. I never heard any of them say we are going to play bad this season for a CHANCE at a draft pick. Just the Leafs. And guess what? The fans like it. They will believe ANYTHING!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-27 17:24:18)
MaxLieb, it worked for the Sens and Pens because they were patient enough to be very bad teams for multiple years. It's a winning concept and if you draft well and can keep that team together as they mature, you've got a contender. However, most teams seem to have gotten the jump on that concept. The Pens, Hawks, Caps, Kings, Blues, Oilers, etc. all have a very good young core. So do the Flyers. The trick is to augment them with the right proven players like Homer did. Or, when you do keep your core together for many years, you bring in young players gradually like Detroit. The maturing together concept worked well for the Edmonton and NYI dynasties and the bring up youngsters bit by bit worked for the dynasties in Montreal. After ruining a once great team, TO has no choice but to go the bad for multiple years route. Hopefully, they get better at drafting. Also, tree, Schenn is a very talented player. But only in TO would Toskala and a recycled Cujo be considered a prime set of goal tenders.
Kevin W (Posted 2008-08-27 17:07:56)
I would like to start with l'm a Flames fan who hates the habs. All you morons who think the leafs are '' canada's team '' need to lay off the crack. Sure there are a lot of leaf fans here in Alberta, but there are a LOT more people who hate them with a passion because the leaf fans here are just as out of touch with reality as some of the pea-brain leaf fans on this website. What other team in sports history has done absolutely nothing in the last 40 years in terms of winning, yet continue to have the most arrogant, loud mouth, foolish fans in the world? Maybe you guys need to get your heads out of the T.O. smog and get some fresh air because the Leafs don't look or smell to '' rosy '' from anywhere else in the country. And as for CBC HNIC playing only leaf games, what ture hockey fan in Canada doesn't love to see the leafs lose a 8-0 blowout!
leafs fallen tree's bare (Posted 2008-08-27 16:59:09)
Egad there's some bitterness from EVEY TEAM SUCKS EXCEPT TH.Look friend,I'm trying to be polite and diplomatic.At first I was going to just re-write your posts while correcting your spelling mistakes but then I realised that your hands are probably sore from dragging your knuckles around all day.Where do I make up such garbage you ask?Well by reading the wealth of leaf information force fed to us everyday.Maybe you would be wise to do the same.Did you know Kubina might be your next captain?Wasn't he almost traded?Finger is just an expensive plug to jam in the leaky dam.Why don't you post the teams lineup as you see it so we can all be blown away by how moronic and blind we have all been to the fact that the leafs are a major contender?Like the name says the leafs have fallen and the tree is bare.
Moe (Posted 2008-08-27 16:32:20)
Every team sucks except for th, what are you like 5 years old? Judging by your posts and your spelling, that would be my guest.
Rocky Saganiuk (Posted 2008-08-27 16:25:10)
Another long season; especially if the new players don't essentially all show some more than marginal ability to play at the NHL level.
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-27 16:18:53)
There are few things more enjoyable to me than watching leafs haters/leafs lovers go at it. I love the blind optimism you leafs fans have, Every team sucks except for T,you keep telling yourself the leafs are great and will win the cup, who knows, stranger things have happened. i.e. "The Anaheim Ducks have won the cup"
Evey team sucks except for th (Posted 2008-08-27 16:18:22)
Oh look, another retard. So Leafs Fallen tree, where did you make up such garbage like what you just posted? We got Young talent that is good enough to make the playoffs and our defence is gonna be the best in the NHL, especially with Toskala and Cujo in net. The Leafs are gonna make it.I can understand if you are a Sens fan or a Habs fan, but like i said before. Leafs haters are morons, just like you :)
Moe (Posted 2008-08-27 16:12:44)
"Leaf haters are morons" that is easily the dumbest thing i have heard in a long time. Enjoy your team, losers, you deserve them.
leafs fallen tree's bare (Posted 2008-08-27 15:54:49)
Well well well,sounds like the leafs are going nowhere this year and all their fans have their thumbs out to go for the ride.Antropov to have a good year?The leafs have been slowly developing him for ten years.Its about time.At that rate Schenn will have plenty of time to become the 4th d-man he has the potential for.I used to get angry at leaf fans for not seeing the truth concerning the team.I pity them now.It doesn't matter what is said no matter how ridiculous just use the Cherry method;say it loud and repeat it louder anytime someone questions you.I bet diehard leaf fans go through keyboards like their going out of style.You don't have to type harder to get your points accross just make them intelligent.The "improvements" that Fletcher has made won't do them any good.They are still too bad to make the playoffs but still good enough not to get the first pick.There is a light at the end of the tunnel,too bad for you,leaf nation,it's another train.
Every team sucks except for t (Posted 2008-08-27 15:51:39)
Leaf haters are morons. We will be the best hockey team on the Ice this year. Our young guys got speed, and they can score. Nowone predicted that the Habs would make it, but look at what happened. I think that the Leafs will be the next Canadian team to win the cup. You sens and Habs fans should be laughing at yourselves if you disagree with me.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-27 14:44:53)
Rebuilding Leafs, so the Leafs are going to draft both Hedman and Tavares in 2009? Look, I know some of you guys are delusional in Toronto, but come on, the number one and two overall pick? Even the Leafs can't suck bad enough to be given the top two picks in 2009 out of sympathy from the rest of the league. (Although, if any team can suck that bad, the Leafs will be that team. Of course, they'll still find a way to draft another Carlo Colaiacovo and Brandon Convery.)
MaxLieb (Posted 2008-08-27 13:55:39)
the leafs are rebuilding i don't get why sens fans are ripping on us for building further success in the future? you did it when you first came in the NHL and you still keep your draft picks more than the leafs have ever had. As for Antropov he will have a good season if he doesn't get hurt cause i think that he can produce he has always had that glare while he is playing but he got hurt to often.
Rebuilding Leafs (Posted 2008-08-27 13:33:40)
Half of you are so dumb the Leafs are losing on purpose becase they want to be good later not know. everyone will be laughing when the Leafs have Schenn Hedman Tavaras and the new guy in 2010 draft Taylor Hall! With that young group they'll win a cup in 6-7 years for sure
SENS SUCK (Posted 2008-08-27 13:26:06)
The Sens Suck but i hope they sneak in the playoffs again so the PENS can beat the crap out of them again. Also Sens fans are so DUMB they are laughing at the Leafs for losing but when the pile up the top 3 picks and have a contender in a few years the Leafs the Hawks and the Pens will be the ones laughing at the Sens and other dumb team.
Todd Foley (Posted 2008-08-27 12:52:01)
CBC SUCKS..and THE LEAFS SUCK. After some carefull research, Ottawa Senators games will dominate local Ottawa area viewers on CBC this season. CBC has drastically increased the number of regional / Ottawa area broadcasts with 10 national Saturday Night appearances as well. So bottom, Sens fans will only miss 2 Saturday Nights broadcasts all season, only because they are not playing. Great news for Sens Fans as who wanted to watch the Leafs Loose every Saturday night anyways. I hope this can be worked out for the Flames, Oilers, and Canuck games as well, so nobody but Leaf fans have to watah their crappy team play. GO SENS GO. Lets Hope CBC broadcasts regional games in HD as well.
Brian Kemp (Posted 2008-08-27 12:13:11)
Antropov's a top six forward...in Toronto, but not many other places. 56 points for a 28 year old, 9 year veteran (including the lockout) is very suspect for a supposed top 6 forward. At best, he's second line. Except in certain cities, where he'll be given first line minutes. As for the direction the team is going in, there have been some good moves, like getting rid of Tucker and Raycroft, and trying to move McCabe, but trading up 2 spots and then passing up a potential 90 to 100 point, 40 to 50 goal scorer who looks to be a two way player in Nikita Filitov for an Adam Foote clone was strange, at best. Nothing against Foote, but for me, I'd rather have a potential Zetterberg than a potential Foote. And they overpaid for Finger, can't forget that. Even if Finger turns out to be worth the money, they still paid more than he would have gotten anywhere else, at least in a sane world. Toronto's D and goal looks good, probably even above average (not great, though), but the offense is AHL, at best. With Sundin, the offense might be good enough to get them in the playoffs, where they can lose to the Habs, Pens, Caps or Flyers, whichever one finishes in first in the east.
Jon Vincent (Posted 2008-08-27 11:37:50)
There is a lot of short term history going on. The leafs have not always been a bad team. they have had some great teams the last 15 years, much better then the eighties that i remember so well. The last three years have been very disappointing and JFJ did a very poor job coming out of the lockout. He should have unloaded almost everyone and do a complete rebuild. But lets keep things in perspective. At least now its seems we have a recalibrated management team that seems headed in the right direction. Even the management style they seem they want to pursue seems light years ahead of the power plays of what I hope is the past
JJV
Drink your Milk! (Posted 2008-08-27 10:53:41)
McCann, have you watched antropov play THIS season? what? neither have I. What a coincidence. There's a reason for that, y'know; The season hasn't started yet. Keep in mind, he had 56 points in 72 games. Those numbers have top six forward written all over them. Also, despite the fact that he may have had the benefit from playing with Sundin, I do remember a game in which he had a hat trick on deflections, which has little to do with Mats. The man can score on his own. We'll find out this season if he really is top 6 material, because he'll be on his own. Don't be so quick to judge, because it can make you look like one of those little frolicking old men dressed up in a costume trying to entertain kids. You know what I'm talking about.
Kevin K (Posted 2008-08-27 10:51:55)
Antropov will never be a top six forward because of his inconsistency. Before last season i had still believed he was prolly one of the worst players on the leafs but he proved me wrong at TIMES. HE wasnt consistent but he is now a solid nhler. IF he puts up 60 and over he will be a top six forward on the leafs. I think leafs can afford to have in on a trial till trade deadline. Would you trade him if he does more then last year or keep him?
Maxime (Posted 2008-08-27 10:37:31)
Wow...i don't think i've ever seen the word "suck" so many times in a thread. First off, I must admit i don't like the Leafs, but let's face it, anyone of their players could skate circles around any of us. Management is the true rally killer, and if someone should be accused of sucking, it is them, not the players. And especially not the fans. I have utmost respect for any fan who stands by its team high and low. I know I do for Montreal. And comments like "Who wants to read about the latest Hab purse-snatcher or hab mob riot when nobody likes Montreal or the people in it? Exactly." come from close minded fools whose only people they could debate with are 2 year olds and monday night hell hole drunkards. When the NHL claims to "sell hate", this is a great example of it. Innocents insulting innocents because 2 or 3 guys in a big office at ACC seem to have as much hockey knowledge as a green plant...
McCann (Posted 2008-08-27 10:37:07)
Antropov is not a top 6 forward.
He's taken the term, "tripping over the blueline" from a figure of speech to the real thing. He's terrible.
Leaf Hater (Posted 2008-08-27 10:30:47)
I wonder how long it will be before the "young, new talent" realize they aren't going anywhere with these "has beens" and start turning down their effort. Maybe in 2067 the Leafs, if they are still in Hog Town, will be a good team. For me I'll take anybody else BUT not the Leafs. Sure hope that the other good Canadian teams do well.
Sam (Posted 2008-08-27 08:40:20)
Well this year will be an opportunity for many players that need to prove themselves. At this point Antropov is their No. 1 centre and he has to prove that he can compete at that level especially because hes heading for UFA. This could be motivation for him to play better or simply a player the Leafs can finally trade at the deadline but they will be awfully thin at centre if they do so. Kulemin should get a good oppurtunity to show his goal scoring as well as his feistiness and should see optimal time, along with Tlusty. There are a lot of players with some potential and the lack of skill could really benefit them. It doesnt matter what happens to them though, the Leafs will suck next year and theres nothing they can do about it. If i were them I'd think about drafting Victor Hedman (hedman and schenn would make a toweing pair for a very long time).
phil turnbull (Posted 2008-08-27 08:36:53)
only biased as it pertains to Ontario...It should be Hockey Night In Ontario..Why would they show a Canadian Team playing in the states on a Saturday night when Montreal is at home..it happens all the time..Just like TSN= Toronto Sports Network.....yes HNIC and TSN are Ontario biased..very much so...
Rick (Posted 2008-08-27 08:12:13)
Do you people honestly think that CBC shows Leaf games because their biased. They show them because they get more than double the ratings. I am from the Ottawaaa Valley and I am a never die leaf fan. So to all those who think that all Leaf fans are from TO, you are wrong. I remember when I was out in Calgary for their playoff run. There were an awful lot of leaf flags flying too.
Steve (Posted 2008-08-27 08:01:20)
antropov is a top 6 forward
alexbonpland (Posted 2008-08-27 06:14:16)
the leafs don't have any top six forward (except mats sundin if he decides to return). the leafs won't make a progress with this roster. the defense and the goalies are solid, but the offense doesn't scare one team in the league. with no additons or surprising developement of some players the leafs will be at the bottom for a couple of seasons.
Moe (Posted 2008-08-27 00:13:30)
Leaffan, Meet the new Leafs, same as the old Leafs. Are you just coming from a Raveen show or are you just naturally brainwashed? Gotta suck to be you. But you wouldn't know that. Would you
Flyer guy 16 (Posted 2008-08-26 23:27:22)
What's the deal with that footage of Fletcher's press conference when he was hired? You can clearly see Peddy(I think it was Peddy anyway) mouthing, word for word, everything that Fletcher said. Has anyone else seen that? Very strange.
Mark (Posted 2008-08-26 23:03:11)
Let's be fair everyone. I'm from Toronto and I HATE the Leafs. There's more than enough Leaf-haters in Toronto. Anyway, the ownership is really the problem, seeing as how Tannenbaum and Peddie are always interfering, but the management has been a train wreck too.
Fletcher traded up two draft spots and sacrificed too much to get Schenn. It was pretty pathetic how McGuire kept boasting about how great Fletcher's move was. Maybe he's on MLSE's payroll too. I sleep well at night knowng that no matter what permanent GM they hire, or superstars they acquire, the team will continue to flounder.
CanadianTough (Posted 2008-08-26 22:51:33)
FF52, Schenn is a good start. We got a tougher roster this year than last year, with more players willing to fight, I just hope it continues over the next few years. I expect when Schenn eventually does make the big club, he'll certainly make some highlight reel hits.
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-26 22:47:43)
Hay Desmond! Leaf fans are already used to short seasons. How did you manage to stretch 8 words into that length of post? I do agree with Todd about showing Canadian teams on HNIC. Unfortunately, the only 2 based in Canada are both in Alberta.
Leaf Fan (Posted 2008-08-26 22:42:45)
Suck now to dominate later, Foley! The sad part is when the Sens were in their heyday in the Havlat-Chara days, the Leafs still dominated the Sens. Even last year at the height of the decline of the old Leafs we still went 4-2-2 against you. Face it Sens fans, you'll always be the laughing stock of Ontario. You'll be lucky to make the playoffs this year with your defense and Gerber in net (Not to mention no-show Heatley as your top gunner). Theres a reason HNIC shows T.O., because he own you all! Without Toronto the league would crumble financially. My dollars pay your players salaries. Its called revenue sharing, show some respect fools!
desmond McKilligan (Posted 2008-08-26 22:35:41)
That very wordy explanation of the state of Leaf-nation can be boiled down to 8 words..."We will suck for the next few years." Years and years of 'gunning up' for the play-offs using draft picks to get veterans has put them in the same situation as the Rangers. Notice how the 2 largest markets in the NHL have let the patients run the asylum. " I better do something or the great unwashed will call for my head" That's why teams like Tampa, Canes, Ducks have won cups. Team management make decisions based on what's good for the team, not what the media and fans think should be done. No one gives a crap about the NHL in those cities, save the 400 season ticket holders each of those teams have. Leaf fans better get ready for some short seasons.
Skippy (Posted 2008-08-26 22:32:19)
ok, being a long time leaf fan I have seen it all and heard it all, constant Leafs suck blah blah blah. But for once in my 30 plus years I finally have hope for my beloved leafs, gone is all the garbage the tuckers raycrofts ect and in are the good young players. Do I want them too tank YES, do I expect them to get into the playoffs NO. Am i looking forward to the labor pains of A rebuilding franchise o ya and its a good feeling. So all you others who are too caught up in the trivial leafs suck routine i'am going to watch a future. ps lets Mats go we dont need him.
Moe (Posted 2008-08-26 22:16:21)
Fletcher likes what he sees? What the hell is he looking at? The Habs?the Wings? Leaf fans will believe ANYTHING but reality. Enjoy Clark and Gilmour's number being retired cause that's ALL you've got for the foreseeable future.
Todd Foley (Posted 2008-08-26 22:14:22)
The Leafs just suck, simply put. Going to be in the bottom 5 of the NHL again this year again and will NOT make the playoffs. Fans outside of Toronto hate the Leafs so much, because we are subjected to watching them every Saturday on HNIC. If CBC woke up and showed the 5 other Canadians as much of the Leafs, there would not be so much negative fan fare about the LAFFS because we would be more interested in watching our own team play, instead of bashing the Leafs all night !! LEAFS SUCK sincerely Chris Neil, Jason Smith, and Jarkko Ruuto ! Can't wait for the Sens to beat the crap of the Leafs in 3 weeks !!!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-26 22:07:13)
CanadianTough, do you think having Schenn can start the equivalent of the "Philadelphia Flu" in Toronto?
Mike (Posted 2008-08-26 22:05:53)
I don't really understand the hate against the leafs. Jealous of the attention the team gets because they're the centre of the hockey universe? Its the biggest city in this hockey-crazy country of ours, what do you expect? Of course the media is going to cater to the biggest fanbase regardless of the team's standing. Who wants to read about the latest Hab purse-snatcher or hab mob riot when nobody likes Montreal or the people in it? Exactly.
CanadianTough (Posted 2008-08-26 21:52:10)
Don't worry Issac and Mike, we'll have our 14th cup in no time while your team is probably still hoping for their first. (Thats you Sens fans!) Although the leafs won't be making the playoffs this year, we're starting to build a team that'll make you girlies cry yourself to sleep at night for the upcoming two decades. Schenn's hits are career killers, your superstars will be faking the flu when they roll into Toronto! I got the patience, I'll just sit back and watch it happen!
Flyerfan52 (Posted 2008-08-26 21:37:16)
I hope Fletcher isn't just talking when he says they won't rush Schenn. TO wasn't just a graveyard for d-men. They ruined a lot of players by bringing them up too soon. That's why they had to keep trading - usually to late - for established players.
Isaac (Posted 2008-08-26 21:09:48)
I want to see the leafs suck too and I've supported them in good and bad times, I just don't like the attitude surrounding the club and I hope they fall hard for awhile so they can become lovable losers again.
Mike Whitelaw (Posted 2008-08-26 20:25:02)
I like to see the leafs suck. I hate the leafs, like everyone outside of Toronto, and am looking forward to their continued struggles. As long as the Leafs don't make the playoffs or have any kind success, I will be happy.
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What should the Ottawa Senators do?
"Contrary to what is being reported by the media, I have made no decisions with respect to any personnel changes within the Senators organization. Winning remains our No. 1 priority and there is a collective focus by our management, our coaching staff and our players to deliver this to our fans."
- Senators owner Eugene Melnyk on a possible coaching change.
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