wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 While I feel I'd like to see the Leafs be relatively successful (by that I meant, post a winning record/possibly make the playoffs because I think it's good for the league and them), I also can't help but smile smugly at their current demise. This has nothing to do with the Wings at all. I find that, especially from watching 24/7, that there is and has been a certain feeling of entitlement to their team, the players in the locker room and even management to an extent. Everyone knows now that its about drafting and developing your way to success, and that is excatly what Burke should have done when he took the helm. Instead he essentially wasted 2 first round picks, and yes while he fleeced Calgary for Phaneuf, what they really needed was a proper rebuild, but his hand was forced because essentially the crybabies in the media and fans couldn't accept this fact and were too short sighted to see that this would lead to long term success (see Colorado - they bottomed out for a couple of seasons, got some really good first round picks, and now are on the up). I guess I can't help but say they brought it on themselves to an extent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
frankgrimes 1,836 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I like Clarkson - I really do, but not for the $5.25 million cap hit...For $2 million he'd be a good addition. Agreed. I have a soft spot for the Leafs; Wendel Clark, and Doug Gilmour in particular. There are some Leafs players I really like Orr, McLaren, Kessel, JVR, Bernier, Reimer and that Reilly kid but some are just pure arrogant showboaters (Kadri, Lupul). Add to that a very bipolar loud fanbase, where sadfully the knowledgeable people are also the quiet ones it becomes hard to really "like" them. Personally the league should thank all Original Six teams without them this league wouldn't even exist and a certain commisher would NOT be allowed to create plastic teams in questionable locations with a marginal fansupport. As for Carlyle: The guy was just a shortterm fix he is a good coach but also very old school and blunt with his players, some luck that others do not. I know I wouldn't like it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I laugh at the idea that a new facility is going to have to be built in order for the Maple Leafs to host one of the gazillion upcoming outdoor games to be played. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ami 273 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 every time this thread comes up, for what already - three and a half years now? - I scream: NO, they don't!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
evilmrt 636 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 Yep, they do deserve a better team. You have to feel bad for a city that lives and breathes hockey and has the history that they do. Anyone who hasn't been there for a game and a visit to the HOF needs to go so you can see what I'm talking about. The Leafs have turned into something along the lines of the Detroit Lions of hockey. What a joke. No Original Six team should be a perennial loser, year after year after year. It's just not in the best interests of the game. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FlashyG 1,799 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 The Raycroft and Kessel trades are exactly what that fan base deserve. Along with the Clarkson and Phaneuf contracts. Like every other fan base in every other sport the loudest and most outrageous fans tend to paint the entire fanbase in their colors. For all the Leaf fans that deserve those trades there are millions who really do deserve to see some success. Night after night through decades of futility they continue to fill their arena, while also paying the highest ticket prices in the league. The waitlist to get season tickets there is so long that signing up right now would give your grandchildren, or great grandchildren the opportunity to buy tickets. I may hate the team, but living in this city it's hard not to feel bad for the fans that just want more than anything else in the world to see their team win. We should have some sympathy for them considering the 42 years our fanbase went without a cup. They're closing in on 50. 2 BottleOfSmoke and wings4thecup06 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I've said it before, but the die hards that I met/was surrounded by at the WC were awesome and a blast to be around. They live and breathe hockey and were so thrilled after that win. Loud obnoxious fans aside, I'd take them over the Hollywood fans of the week "watching" Kings games any day. And I second the sentiment that I want the O6 franchises to be leading the pack every year. Because of reasons. 3 F.Michael, T.Low and wings4thecup06 reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I've said it before, but the die hards that I met/was surrounded by at the WC were awesome and a blast to be around. They live and breathe hockey and were so thrilled after that win. Loud obnoxious fans aside, I'd take them over the Hollywood fans of the week "watching" Kings games any day. And I second the sentiment that I want the O6 franchises to be leading the pack every year. Because of reasons. Everyone but Chicago... 2 F.Michael and BottleOfSmoke reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Pred 48 337 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 gunna watch the Leafs Flames tonight. Leafs just have to win this one or its the golf course again lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DatsyukianDekes 2,428 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I've said it before, but the die hards that I met/was surrounded by at the WC were awesome and a blast to be around. They live and breathe hockey and were so thrilled after that win. Loud obnoxious fans aside, I'd take them over the Hollywood fans of the week "watching" Kings games any day. And I second the sentiment that I want the O6 franchises to be leading the pack every year. Because of reasons. And then when you live in Toronto? You have no idea what Leaf fans are like in Toronto. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted April 1, 2014 I've said it before, but the die hards that I met/was surrounded by at the WC were awesome and a blast to be around. They live and breathe hockey and were so thrilled after that win. Loud obnoxious fans aside, I'd take them over the Hollywood fans of the week "watching" Kings games any day. And I second the sentiment that I want the O6 franchises to be leading the pack every year. Because of reasons. There were a lot of cool leafs fans there. And there were a lot of leafs fans I wanted to punch in the face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted April 7, 2014 With their "#1 Fan", they could go... all...the...way! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 One last bump for now: Because they do. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Yep. Sure feels good to see their bi-polar fanbase thrashing around hysterically. 2 months ago Kessel was better than Crosby and every single player on their roster was better than ours, and now........here we are Fire everyone. Trade everyone etc etc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cusimano_brothers 1,655 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 St. Shanny to the rescue? 2 derblaueClaus and evilmrt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dabura 12,207 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 I've said it before, but the die hards that I met/was surrounded by at the WC were awesome and a blast to be around. Obviously you were drunk off your ass. 1 HadThomasVokounOnFortSt reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wings4thecup06 504 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Now I'm no longer pissed we didn't beat them in the Winter Classic. 4 days until the leafs are golfing! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rrasco 1,312 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Now I'm no longer pissed we didn't beat them in the Winter Classic. 4 days until the leafs are golfing! I was worried it was going to come down to 1pt. Yes, that point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Euro_Twins 4,476 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Every game we lost this year everyone on the boards said that would be the game that ends up screwing us out of a playoff spot. And all the laughs fans were saying the Leafs were the better team. Fast forward to now, we've clinched a spot, the laughs are eliminated from playing in the playoffs, and I'm happy 2 sjr2012 and Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rick zombo 3,739 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Yeah, after reading all the hateful comments about our 23 years of awesomeness!!!!!! from all the butthurt Leafs fan on tsn and Facebook, I'm going to have to reform my opinion of their miserable fanbase a bit and say that I hope they continue to suck for all eternity. 1 Nev reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Obviously you were drunk off your ass. Have you met (read) me? When am I *not* drunk off my ass? And I like some of you assholes... 2 T.Low and FireCaptain reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marcaractac 3,963 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 And then when you live in Toronto? You have no idea what Leaf fans are like in Toronto. As someone from Toronto, I know all about it. Hence why I think they deserve every bit of the misery they get. Props to my Bruins fan Dad for raising me to not be a Leafs fan. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nev 1,085 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Yeah, after reading all the hateful comments about our 23 years of awesomeness!!!!!! from all the butthurt Leafs fan on tsn and Facebook, I'm going to have to reform my opinion of their miserable fanbase a bit and say that I hope they continue to suck for all eternity. They are the most unpopular team on HFBoards.......and its almost entirely down to their fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BottleOfSmoke 5,965 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 (edited) St. Shanny to the rescue? I'm seeing this thrown around a lot lately, is this a "where there's smoke there's fire" thing or just wild speculation?Edit: Hmmmm... @cotsonika: NHL executive to Toronto Maple Leafs president? The future's wide open for Brendan Shanahan https://t.co/12TH3u65D5 via @YahooEhGame Edited April 10, 2014 by BottleOfSmoke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
T.Low 1,011 Report post Posted April 10, 2014 Yeah, after reading all the hateful comments about our 23 years of awesomeness!!!!!! from all the butthurt Leafs fan on tsn and Facebook, I'm going to have to reform my opinion of their miserable fanbase a bit and say that I hope they continue to suck for all eternity. Damn, dude, well said! 1 Dabura reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites