Greetings everyone, its been a while since I last blogged, I think the over joy of Canada beating the United States in Hockey at the Olympics took my breath away. It kinda felt like Jennifer Love Hewitt in Can't Hardly Wait reading the letter that the dude wrote for her. You get all giddy inside and you can't overcome your emotions...ahem STRIP CLUB?!??!!? lol
Well, after some of the best hockey that I've seen in four years (you figure out why four years), we now return to the regularly scheduled programing that is the NHL. Before I get to the subject of my rant, let me say this...to all those who believe that the NHL should take fighting and rough play away from the game and look at the Olympics as an example should remember one thing. The top 6 teams in the Olympics, can never be done in the NHL. If the NHL can put together in the cap world a team that looks like Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden, Finland and the Czech's...then I'll eat my socks after playing hockey in it.
So why do the Leafs suck so much...its unreal sometimes just to think about how bad this team actually is. From a business stand point, obviously Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is savvy. Raptors, Leafs, TFC, Marlies, BMO Field, Air Canada Centre and G.M. Centre in Oshawa all under their belts. Throw in the TV rights on regional games and the merchandising, and you've got a multi-billion dollar conglomerate (wait we already do). So why do the leafs suck so much...the main reason, in my humble opinion...this team has no Identity, and an Identity starts with naming a Captain.
The Leafs haven't had a Captain since Mats Sundin left for greener pastures (and then playing time in Vancouver), It really is a sad state when the Leafs have no captain to take the face off in the opening ceremonies of games on Hockey Night in Canada. I agree with Ron Wilson and Brian Burke, that no Leaf is privileged enough to be bestowed the honour that is required of a Maple Leafs captain. The Captain is the face of the franchise, he's the one that the fans look to and lifts up the spirits of the team, at the same time pushes them to be better players. On January 31st, 2010...after a humiliating loss on a Saturday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs got their captain. DION PHANEUF!!! This 24 year old from Edmonton Alberta is a gem, a true gem in the National Hockey League. He's a big, strong mean defense man who plays on the edge constantly. His pounding hits would make Lil Wayne squeal like a lil pig in jail. Phaneuf leads, the players listen to him, and they respect him. He's won a Gold and Silver medal at the World Juniors, and has represented Canada at the World Championships (winning Gold). No doubt, he'll be on the Canadian team again this summer...I think the one that sets him a side from all the other players on the Leafs Roster, this kid brings the intensity that's needed, and expects all his team mates to give it too. And what happens when they don't, he call's them out on it (not publicly but in the dressing room). Nazeem Kadri who came up for an emergency call up, was told by Phaneuf that if he better be well conditioned if he wants to make the Leafs roster next season after training camp. Kadri could go back to London and cry, but knowing his tenacity, he'll be ready for training camp to make sure he's a Leaf.
Cliff Fletcher made a trade, in fact, he made two trades that brought in two future Leaf Captains. Brian Burke in less than a year brought in a young American who is a natural sniper to be the Assistant Captain, but saved the crown jewel for January when he got Dion who after this season is done will be named the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
A Captain is required to keep the ship afloat...like my dad says, if the Captain shoots himself in the head...well you remember how the Titanic sank...
More posts will be coming, follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Cheers!!!
AND GO LEAFS GO...APPARENTLY IT'S TIED AGAINST BOSTON TONIGHT...AS I TYPE THIS BLOG!!!
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