Comments on: No Conflict In Leaf Land

By: torontosportsmedia

torontosportsmedia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:06:52 +0000

I couldn’t agree with you more. However on the last point, that would require effort that sometimes is called “work” and most, I repeat, most of our local scribes don’t like to do that. Case in point the piece by Simmons today on the apparently 250 lb farmer who used to play for the leafs….Do you think he left the racetrack to hunt that kilger story down???

By: mf37

mf37 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:56:35 +0000

According to Mirtle, the Leafs would have to go Toronto – 27-18-0 down the stretch to qualify for the post-season. Short of transferring the Leafs to the OHL, I don’t think there’s anything the collective prowess of Burke, Nonis, Fletcher and Wilson could do to generate that type of record over the second half of the season.

A few other points:

Ron Wilson has repeatedly said this year is about tearing down the old culture and creating a new one built on accountability and hardwork. I would argue that learning to work hard being held accountable are far more important to young players’ development than squeaking into the playoffs on a hope and a prayer.

MLSE publicly stated that they did not project any playoff revenue from the Leafs this year.

If the media want to file a story that’s interesting, here’s one: contact the NHLPA and each player’s agent to gather all the details on each player’s contract status to determine who has NTCs, limited NTCs, and NMCs. That will provide far more useful information into the possible future of this club than any made up conflict between making the playoffs (not going to happen) and loading up for the draft.

By: torontosportsmedia

torontosportsmedia — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:09:21 +0000

Hi Todd:

The reality is, Burke won’t be able to trade all the guys, nor should he. There are certain guys he will have to keep and those guys I hope are guys he wants to. Players don’t play to lose that’s for sure. I think we leaf fans over-value our roster all the time so if someone offers up a good package for a guy you do it.

By: Todd

Todd — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:01:36 +0000

Do you also think that losing for a draft pick has to also be tempered against our existing prospects in their early twenties? If the team does absolutely awful this year, might that not hurt Schenn, Grabovski, Kulemin, Mitchel, Williams?

I want the Leafs to end up like the Red Wings where I think they have strength in a sort of consistency. New players are rolled in with vets and they improve better than they could on another tank/draft team.

I certainly do want a good pick this year, but if we end up having no vets then the team will lack a certain leadership that can only be provided by other player mentors.

There are lots of variables that have to be played against each other here.

By: Eggbert

Eggbert — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:41:34 +0000

I found this at the Sun site,it’s cute

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Q639dYZyuE

By: torontosportsmedia

torontosportsmedia — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:39:44 +0000

Amen!

By: Eggbert

Eggbert — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:02:50 +0000

Conflict shmonflict…………Berger has been into the the liquor cabinet again.

By: torontosportsmedia

torontosportsmedia — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:42:36 +0000

There is no conflict in what Burke has to do. He isn’t thinking am I a buyer or a seller. The board knows what has to be done. They gave Burke the keys…he is driving

By: eyebleaf

eyebleaf — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:17:32 +0000

TSM, the conflict exists in the fact that the players are going out there every night trying to win.

If the Leafs don’t want to make the playoffs, they’ll play Cujo every night. If Toskala and this team goes out there every night and competes, they might just sneak in.

That’s the conflict.

And make no mistake about it, the Board I’m sure wants some playoff revenue, which they haven’t seen in years.