An Open Letter To Leaf Fans

Dear Most Valuable Losers:

Yesterday, continuing a long-standing trend, another Toronto reporter took a cheap shot at Leaf fans. This time it was Howard Berger who called us "losers" but we've seem the same cookie-cutter article from virtually everyone who covers the team.

Quite frankly, we've had enough.

As fans, we believe that those most deserving of our praise and our scorn are directly involved in the game, whether it's on the ice, in the press box or in the executive corridors. Fans don't pencil in the starting five, make bad trades, or write the headlines of the day and shouldn't be blamed (or praised) for the totals in the wins and loss column.

Hockey may be just a game but it's also a passion. If you're looking for passionate hockey coverage that offers insight and humour and you're sick of being blamed for supporting a team you're passionate about, you have a better option.

It's time to leave the media superstars behind. There's compelling, timely, wide-ranging content waiting just for you online in the Barilkosphere.

Many have found this better way of following the Leafs, but not every Leafs fan has been so lucky. Please send this message to your fellow Leaf fans via e-mail or postings on message boards and let them know that they do have a choice.

We hope you'll join us here in the Barilkosphere and become regular readers.

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• The Passion That Frustrates Us All
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• Wonderful World of Loser Domi

Berger Needs To Be Fired, Now.

What an absolute joke.

Howard Berger's latest entry is nothing short of a complete disgrace to the entire company of Rogers Communication.

It is a disgusting diatribe that reeks of unprofessionalism.

It's not even worthy of a rebuttal.

Howard Berger needs to be relieved of his duties immediately.

The only acceptable reason not to fire him would be if there is evidence that this posting was not his own.

Because even by Berger's standards, this entry is extremely belittling. So perhaps it was not actually written by him. How he manages to John-Kerry-Flip-Flop from "the NHL’s surprise team of the first three weeks" to "Arguably the worst team in the National Hockey League since the lockout" in less than 24 hours is unexplainable. The style of the entire entry doesn't even read like normal.

It all likeliness, however, it was Howard's writing.

Somehow, he's managed to find a new low. I didn't think it was possible.

Nothing Bad Can Come From Winning

I keep hearing the same debates from people regarding the Leafs and their rebuilding. "The Leafs must tank the season to get a first rounder", "They are screwing everything up by winning", etc etc.

Here's what I say to all that: Bullshit. Let me break things down.

Is the tried and tested method of rebuilding via the draft a sound one? Absolutely. But guess what? It's not the only one. Drafting a top five player more often than not yields a very capable NHL player. Occasionally it yields a superstar. And very rarely it yields a bust. So yes, drafting a number one overall pick is a great way to rebuild and create a core for many years.

However, drafting a player that high, does not guarantee a Stanley Cup. Let's review teams that drafted 1 and 2 from 1990 until 2004 and see how many cups were won with the players they drafted, shall we?

1. 1990 - #1 Quebec, Owen Nolan - 0 cups. #2 Vancouver, Petr Nedved - 0 cups.
   
2. 1991 - #1 Quebec, Eric Lindros - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Pat Falloon - 0 cups.
   
3. 1992 - #1 Tampa Bay, Roman Hamrlik - 0 cups. #2 Ottawa, Alexei Yashin - 0 cups.
   
4. 1993 - #1 Ottawa, Alexandre Daigle - 0 cups. #2 Hartford, Chris Pronger - 0 cups.
   
5. 1994 - #1 Florida, Ed Jovanoski - 0 cups. #2 Anaheim, Oleg Tevodovsky - 0 cups.
6. 1995 - #1 Ottawa, Bryan Berard - 0 cups. #2 NY Islanders, Wade Redden - 0 cups.
7. 1996 - #1 Ottawa, Chris Philips - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Andrei Zyuzin - 0 cups.
8. 1997 - #1 Boston, Joe Thorton - 0 cups. #2 San Jose, Patrick Marleau - 0 cups.
9. 1998 - #1 Tampa Bay, Vincent Lecavalier - 1 cup. #2 Nashville, David Legwand - 0 cups.
10. 1999 - #1 Atlanta, Patrik Stefan - o cups. #2 Vancouver, Daniel Sedin - 0 cups.
11. 2000 - #1 NY Islanders, Rick DiPietro - 0 cups. #2 Atlanta, Danny Heatley - 0 cups.
12. 2001 - #1 Atlanta, Ilya Kovalchuk - 0 cups. #2 Ottawa, Jason Spezza - 0 cups.
13. 2002 - #1 Columbus, Rick Nash - 0 cups. #2 Atlanta, Kari Lehtonen - 0 cups.
    
14. 2003 - #1 Pittsburgh, Mark Andre Fluery - 0 cups. #2 Carolina - Eric Staal, 1 cup.
15. 2004 - #1 Washington, Alex Ovechkin - 0 cups. #2 Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin, 0 cups.

30 #1 and #2 overall picks from 1990 - 2004, and a grand total of 2 of those won a cup with the team that drafted them... hmmmm.

This is very powerful empirical evidence against the 'Tank for Tavares (or Hedman)" theory using the exact same data that the MSM uses to prove the other side the argument.

Will Hedman and Tavares turn out to be great players? Probably. They may even win a Stanley Cup one day, just not necessarily with the team that drafts them.

So let's assume that there is more than one method to building a winner than being last overall.

Let's say as the season plods on, the Leafs continue their prudent work ethic, learn to finish a few more of the chances they are getting and are hovering around 5th or 6th in the conference by December.

The pessimist out there will scream 'They are screwing everything up!'. The realist, will recognize the team for what it is. Fifth in the eastern conference. You say to yourself, 'Self, this team isn't half bad. Perhaps Uncle Cliff has already made this team better'.

So why would you need the #1 overall pick when your team is already spades better than they were last year?

You don't. You take what assets you have, continue to build and get younger with picks. You don't need to be last to get a good pick.

Now let's assume the 'worst': In January this team is just good enough to hover around 9th or 10th in the conference. Damien and Howie are frothing at the mouth just waiting to write more trite worthy of DGB's Bingo card. What happens then? Simple. You trade everything you got at the trade deadline and fleece as much as you can from those trying to put themselves over the top.

Kubina, Kaberle, Toskala, Antropov, Poni, Anyone over the age of 28 that someone wants. You get picks and you get prospects in return, the more the better. Kaberle & Toskala would be worth a first rounder each at the deadline. Antro, if he keeps up his play could be worth a first rounder, or a late second and a prospect. Blake for anything anyone will give you.

Then the tank begins. You are already in 10th. Losing two or more of your top players all but guarantees a losing finish to the season. Which is exactly what everyone wants!

You can't go wrong with winning in this situation. The alternative is losing, and you win that way as well!

Cheer the buds and quit calling the Fan590 and complaining about everything from 'draft schmaft', to 'Schenn to the WHL', to Richard Peddie, to MLSE only cares about money' to anything else. Just realize you can't lose and cheer this team!

They are playing excellent, exciting hockey right now! It's actually fun to look forward to a game night.

Join me, will you?

Pittsburgh is fun...

Playing Pittsburgh is not.

The Pens we're too fast and too talented for the lackluster Leafs.

Some highlights of the weekend:

-While crossing the border, the US Customs guard needled us for our love of the Leafs. I was wearing my Leafs jersey. I should have known better. I quote: "How are the Leafs doing so far? One win isn't it? Buffalo hasn't lost yet (note: this was before their SO loss on Saturday). Did you know that? Only let in 5 goals too" It's nice to have a border guard that doesn't act like he just came from an invasive medical exam.

- It was really nice of the Buffalo resident who found my wallet to decide not to turn it into the gas station that I lost it at. There was about a 40 foot stretch of space between the van we were driving and the front counter where I managed to lose it. Absolutely no other spot I could have lost it but either the kiosk, the area by the gas pumps and the short distance in between. I hope that person enjoys my $240 by spending it wisely on something like extra strong filterless menthol cigarettes or an anesthesia-free surgical castration.

- The Hilton Double Tree in downtown Pittsburgh is perfect for Maple Leaf pilgrims. Stumbling distance from the arena and spectacular service!

- A young Pittsburgh fan sitting in front of our standing room only seats provided endless comedy. Each time the Pens got a penalty this little squirt turned to us and yelled 'That was a dive!' and repeated it over and over. It was great because the kid was American, about 6 years old and totally into hockey. Between the 2nd and 3rd period, his dad asked if he could have a picture taken with us. So 2 of us crouched down, squirt came running over, Crosby jersey and all, stood in front of my buddy and I who were decked in Leaf garb and took a thumbs up picture with a huge grin on his face. It was great!

- At the start of the game, the 6 of us belted out in our best half drunked tone deaf baritone each and every word of both anthems. This prompted the people in the row in front of us to turn around and say to us 'Awesome guys! Now, lets hear you do it again after the 2nd period. We want to know if more beer can make you guys sound even worse!'

- A lady walked by us wearing a 'Got Malkin?' shirt. It was amazing. We laughed and took a picture with her. She told us we we're awesome and true Leaf fans. We cheered her and she high-fived us and kept walking with her giggling children close in tow.

- I only heard one taunt of '1967!'. To which I replied in my drunken state, 'Like I haven't heard that one before! Next time beak something off original!' He smiled and got in his car. At least, that's how I remember it happening.

- Someone needs to tell the Pittsburgh jersey makers that there are other players that are employed by the Penguins besides Crosby. At one snack bar line up, I saw 5 people with jersey's on in a row, all Crosby. Just a thought... It be nice to see other jerseys. I love going to the ACC and seeing Peter Zezel, Ken Baumgartner and Mike Foligno jersey's. I wear my Al Secord jersey loud and proud! (Yes, I actually own an Al Secord jersey, and no I don't wear it outside my own house)

I love making the trip down to Pittsburgh to watch games. We always have a great time and represent Leaf nation with dignity and respect. Well, as much as can be allowed when you have been drinking since you crossed the border at 11am.

The game? Oh. I can't remember. I think they lost.

Was it a good game?

Heading to the 'burgh

I'm leaving shortly for Pittsburgh to watch our mighty Maple Leafs battle out another shutout loss!

Almost two years ago, my buddies and I made this same pilgrimage to watch the buds get spanked 7-2, I think. It was a great time. From the moment the anthems started, Leaf fans we're louder in Mellon Arena than the Pens fans were. Our anthem was sung so loud in the arena, whereas the Star Spangled Banner sounded like the ACC. You know, no emotion and/or excitement.

Our section was almost entirely Leaf fans, as we headed down with a three coach bus trip. While our section was loud and boisterous, it was all in good humor.

I can't say the same for other areas of the arena where I counted no less than 6 fights where people were thrown out, including one particularly emotional bout where 3 full rows of people got in on it.

I hope this trip leads to much fun, a Leaf win and zero fights between fans.

Hockey is meant to be a fun sport to enjoy and I'll never understand the need to throw dukes with someone that cheers for the opposition.

This trip is one we planned on our own as the bus trip was cancelled. I'll be in the standing room only section with 6 other Leaf fans cheering our asses off at every hit, goal and fight(on the ice) that takes place.

Enjoy the game!

I hate Marian Hossa

I hate Marian Hossa.

Yes, actually hate. My blood boils whenever I see that mug on television. Here's a short list of the reasons why.

1. He's a former Ottawa Senator. Ottawa Senators represent to me a group of whiney sore losers who cower when the going gets tough. Four straight playoff exits at the ends of the supposedly inferior Maple Leafs (Yes, I am allowed to bring this up despite the regular season results); a Stanley Cup final choking display unlike anything we've seen since Toronto's 6 shot showing against the Devils in 2000 to lose in the second round; a 3rd period collapse that they had the nerve to blame on a 1 celled organism, granted "Krusty" Alfredsson took the high road; Magnus 'Stickwork' Arvedson getting pummelled by Domi after repeatedly provoking him; Martin Havlat kicking then Boston Bruin Hal Gill; I could go on and on. The point is, they are weenies.

2. He's better at hockey in a coma then I will ever be.

3. His name is Marian. Mary Ann. He has a girls name. So from now on, whenever you watch a game of hockey and Mary Ann Hossa touches the puck, I want you all to say in a reserved, direct fashion "That guy's name is Marian" then snicker to yourself. You will feel better and your friends will laugh. Trust me. I have a friend that does this constantly and we still laugh every time he does it, despite having heard it well over a hundred times.

4. He jumped ship to the team that beat him in the finals. It's gutless and I won't respect his Stanley Cup ring when he gets it this year. The only thing worse than that would be if Johnny Damon left the Red Sox and signed with the Yankees. That happened already? Crap. Ok, the only thing worse would be if Manny Ramirez signed with the Yankees in the off-season.

5. Bryan Berard. This damn senator Mary Ann Hossa couldn't control his follow through and destroyed what would have been a spectacular career and a dominating blue line for the Leafs. There's no telling how good a player Bryan Berard was going to get. He was a slick moving, up and coming defenseman with all the promise in the world. In a split second, Mary Ann changed the face of the Leafs and robbed them of a Stanley Cup.... Ok, maybe not. But it was a drastic change that the Leafs had to deal with as Berard was to be part of their plans on the back end for years to come.

This moment in time gave birth to a new word.


Hossa
-Verb
1. To be the recipient of a high stick infraction that may or may not draw blood

Berard was hossa'ed by the opposition.

-Noun
1. A player who is known for his frequent high stick infractions
2. A high stick infraction

McSorely is a real hossa'er. Wayne Gretzky committed the most obvious hossa ever in history to everyone without the name Kerry Fraser.

-Adjective
1. To be in danger of committing a high stick infraction

Mary Ann is really hossa'ing it up out there.

Feel free to add more of your own.

Next time you are watching a game with your fellow Leaf fans always remember to replace the term "high sticking" with "Hossa'ing".

As I finish writing this entry, I realize one more thing about Marian Hossa: The longer you look at and type the word Hossa, the more foolish you realize the word looks and sounds.

I hate you, Marian Hossa.

No So Great Follow up

In stark contrast to Thursday, the Leafs we're flat, undisciplined, uninspired and for most of the night, shell shocked.

Could this be a sign of what this team actually is? Yes. A team of hard working, fresh faces, and a group that's trying to become a new identity. In an environment such as currently exists on Toronto, efforts like tonight are bound to happen.

You take them for what they are; A prime example of what happens when you rebuild a team. There will be nights like Thursday where you see promise and direction. Then there will be nights like tonight where you see confusion and clutter.

There we're some positives of note:

• Carlo made the collective hold their breath while we witnessed what could have been the end to the Carlo Injury Pool. Thankfully, it's not over yet.
  

• Matt Stajan did his best "I just got my face re-arranged by plexiglass but I'm going to pretend it didn't hurt" impression.

• The game could have had an entirely different feel if the Leafs scored in the first instead of marking up the post with vulcanized rubber when it was 0-0 still.
  

• Antropov would be a real hit at weddings; His chicken dance to score a no-goal was fantastic.

Faceoffs were improved over Thursday. Three shots hit the iron. It wasn't all bad.

All the games can't be near perfection as they were two nights ago.

Take that with you to sleep tonight as we brace ourselves for some real nasty articles in the press tomorrow.

Howerd Berger is lame; He said so himself.

Those of us that froth for Leafs news as much as we do sometimes can't help ourselves. We continually open websites that contain editorials that we know are going to make us angry.

It's a sickness that is hard to control

But we do it anyways, because quite frequently, we get to poke fun at the mittenstringers for gems such as Howard HamBerger wrote last night.

"Toronto rooters pouring onto Jefferson Avenue in unfettered euphoria, oblivious to the rather lame taunts of “42 years!… 42 years!” from the losing patrons on this night "

Are you kidding me? Seriously, did Howie '1967' Berger actually write that line?? Did the radio beat writer that constantly bashes us over the head with reminder that our Buds haven't won the cup in 41 years actually scoff at people for using the exact same taunt he uses himself on a regular basis?

There you have it folks. From the hand of Berger himself; Howard Berger is lame.

You can't make this stuff up.

Great Start

Tonight was a really nice event to witness. Not the Wings banner raising ceremony, but rather the Leafs playing the defending champions hard. They back checked, they clogged the neutral zone, created turnovers, and out worked the Wings just as much as they were out worked.

Against the behemoth, that's pretty encouraging.

There was a lot of promise out there tonight. Kulemin lit the lamp on a gorgeous top shelf goal after a burst of speed capitalizing on a turnover. Dominic Moore played a fantastic game scoring a gritty goal and showing lots of tenacity.

Another amazing statistic? Two, count them, two penalties all night. Against a team as fast as Detroit, that's a great statistic. Ok, three. But I don't count that silly 'puck over the glass' delay of game late in the third, even though it gave Detroit a 6 on 4 advantage.

As I have contended, not officially on this blog, but anyone who thinks the Leafs are going to finish dead last in the NHL, *coughbergercough*, is completely out to lunch and clearly hasn't been watching the pre-season.

They have worked hard, shown grit, determination and most important, are buying the Wilson system.

The trap was delivered as designed tonight. Time after time, the speedy, more skilled Red Wings we're thwarted with turnovers and counter attack unlike anything we've seen in Toronto for a long time.

Most importantly, it wasn't boring.

As the season plays out, there will be their fair share of losses. But in the world of 3 point games, I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs are chasing down a final playoff spot come April.

Although, I'm not expecting it either.

Luke Schenn, Bobby Ryan: What do they have in common? Nothing.

Injuries a plenty have placed the Leafs in a spot where they will need to make some blue line decisions.

As it stands now, it's very likely that Luke Schenn will be in the starting lineup for Toronto on opening night.

As a fan, I am looking forward to it. A chance to see him perform against men will give us a great prospective on what he's going to be in the future.

I'm not about to sit here and say what I think they should do with him come Game 9 of the regular season. The apparent consensus is that he should be sent back to the WHL. There are arguments both for and against that move. All I know is, I'm glad I don't have to be the one to make that decision.

What a surprise, Damien Cox didn't like a potential deal the Leafs had to acquire Bobby Ryan.

As per usual, the article focuses on past mistakes the organization has made and trying to equate them to a move they were alleged to have made.

Here's the problem; They are not analogous. In the past Toronto would make trade deadline or off season moves that sacrificed draft picks for a 30-something just past his prime veteran. Occasionally, this would prove to be a great move (See: Roberts, Gary), but more often than not, it was disastrous. (See: Nolan, Owen - Khristich, Dmitri - Lumme, Jryki - Murphy, Larry, etc.)

In an era where you could buy talent on a whim and in a market where money wasn't an object, this was a smart tactic. It's a shame the Leafs we're terrible at finding talent not yet at their best, instead of former talent that had become worthless.

Trading for Bobby Ryan is completely the opposite. Attempting to acquire a 21 year old, 2nd overall pick behind Sidney Crosby. Ignore all the contract nonsense with entry level contracts and free agency malarkey. This team is actually attempting a rebuild and if things go as planned, (Why make the move if you don't have a plan?) this team will be on the upswing when these players approach free agency and will want to stay with an up and coming competitive team.

The only caveat is the unmentioned prospects. Who those prospects were would have made the move a great one or a terrible one.

It never ceases to amaze how every single move, ahem potential move, made by the Leafs gives birth to negative spin and arrogant elitism by a particular segment of the media.