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D'you Hear the One About ... |
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When you want direct, pure responses on how to get out of a slump, you go to the source. The coach? Forget it. The General Manager? Forget that too. The Players? Don’t even bother.
You go directly to those well informed. The fans. I asked, and was volunteered recommendations from various sources. I asked them, ‘What do you do if you are the Leafs?’ Some interesting responses.
Names have been altered to protect the opinions provided below. These are paraphrased because some responses made me laugh so hard, I couldn’t find the PLAY button on the voice recorder.
Merlin the Magician said: Trade Sundin
Really? Yes, try to get the best you can for him and rebuild around youth. Blow up the team (I have a potion), start from scratch.
What do they get back for Sundin?
Replies ranged from anywhere between a bag of pucks, a first round pick, Alexander Semin, and Jarome Iginla. Oh yeah! The Flames would Love Captain Mats. They would easily give up Iginla and the Capitals want someone to play with Alexander Ovechkin.
Crazy Merlin. Harry Potter you’re not.
Face it, Sundin is not going anywhere. Not now, not at the trade deadline, not at the end of the season. Is there a better job on this earth, with the exception of the QB of the Dallas Cowboys, or star pitcher of the NY Yankees, better than captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Why else hasn’t he already asked to be dealt? Merlin raised his wand and threatened bodily harm. I backed down. He scared me with his wizard hat. (Should Sundin really be traded? �" Thoughts anyone?)
Vito Corleone said: Fire Paul Maurice
Wow. Not even half a season and already chopping the coach is an option? The character that described this idea used solid reasoning. The team has lost respect for their coach. Less than 40 games in? Are you mad? I asked who they could bring in to steer the ship. The answer? Scotty Bowman. Um, dude, he’s retired. Oh, he would come back to coach the Leafs. Drive a dump truck full of money to his front door and make him an offer he can’t refuse.
Homer said: mmmmm, Maple Syrup … um, Homer. Oh, riiight … mmmm, Maple Leafs … forget it Homer.
Jimi Hendrix said and Jim Morrison agreed: Fire John Ferguson
He’s the cause, man. All their problems, brothah, with his limited ‘vision’ and craaaaazy plan. Gotta expand the brother’s mind, man. This was a tough one to repute only because, it bears some semblance of truth. This is the head of the hockey team, the one who makes decisions, the one who hands out contracts. He also must report back to the board to seek approval from members on hockey decisions. He must satisfy both the fans as a collective and his bosses as part of the profit-making MLSE. Decisions to bring back Tie Domi last season, clearly not a capable performer any longer, was more of a business decision, rather than a hockey decision (1000th game in a Leafs uniform was a great marketing gimmick). JFJ’s job is to spin the signing with a positive light, and move on. Next task. He knows he is on the hot seat, but he has done the things that have made him attractive to the most important people. The board. Ergo, the contract option was picked up for next season.
Rosita Consuella Marina Rosetta Ignatia Valdez Casiquez said: Bring up someone from the Marlies, vato.
I’ve watched a lot of Marlies games this season. They aren’t a bad team, but they currently have their own problems. You thought the Leafs blew leads? The Marlies have been doing that all season. No one on the farm is ready to step into a Leaf uniform and be productive enough to get the Leafs over the hump. There is no Joe Pavelski, the San Jose rookie phenom from out of nowhere located in a Marlies uniform.
Frodo Baggins said: (Flashing a Stanley Cup ring) I got this Ring here, see …
Mephistopheles said: Trade Kubina and/or McCabe
Overpriced and underachieving, not like my Devils (evil snicker). It’s only been 30 some-odd games, Kubina has been hurt. Give them a chance to gel. He stroked his tail, and curled his devilish moustache, explaining how they do not have the time and patience to ‘let them gel.’ Gel is for hair and lubrication, not high priced defensemen. I have maintained that Pavel Kubina will become a fan favorite come season’s end, but then again, I thought the Leafs would finish second in the division. Mephistopheles said he could make it happen if I really wanted to, deep down in my soul. Just sign here …
Tony Soprano said: (The best one ever) �" That guy is making more money than me, and I’m busting my ass?
I am not quoting, but this is how it went down.
In the best Tony Soprano voice, along with a stench of a few pops.
“You see, I’m a player making league minimum, in the trenches busting my ass,” drag of a cigarette, “taking the hits, the abuse the punishment that comes from playing the game, and these high priced pansies do nothing and make millions.” Another sip of pop. “And I have to try harder to get out of this slump, while Guido,” another drag, another sip, “brings home all this cash?”
“Mr. Soprano, how is that going to help the team get out of a dry slump.”
The glazed look, one eyebrow raised, finger pointing, “You get someone to pay them a visit, see?” Eyebrow back down. “Let them know the importance of earning. If I had the last word, I would bring a load of hurt on these overpriced pansy athletes.”
“Um, they are the best hockey players on the planet.”
“Boy, if I was one of the lower paid Leafs, I give them an ultimatum. Either go out and perform on the ice, or be buried six-feet underneath.”
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GAME NOTES
The Maple Leafs last meeting with the Hurricanes on March 21, 2006, produced a 3-2 win with two unlikely candidates as stars. Former Leafs goaltender, current Coyote, Mikael Tellqvist got the win. First star in the game?
Alex Steen.
The Leafs did something that was mentioned as a negative in this blog on game day versus the Lightning. They trailed after the first period 2-1, only to come back and win the game. The first time the club accomplished this feat in the 2006-07 season.
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