They Just Don't Get It!

[Editor's Note] I promoted this diary because it highlights two good discussion points about the Leafs: When do the player's attitudes need to change and when have enough games been played to gauge the team's prospects? Their record through 10 games is worse than in either of the past two years in which they missed the playoffs both times. I'll have more on this tomorrow but this should kick things off.

In today's Globe & Mail, Tim Wharnsby gives it the right title: Beaten by the Worst.

Halfway through the article, I found this gem, that helps to explain the outright mediocrity of this team:

"I don't think we put much stock in 10 games," Leafs forward Chad Kilger said. "Maybe, the quarter pole so you see where you stand. Sure we would like to be better off and get better results in these three-point games. But we still have time to get better."

Talk about not learning from your mistakes (see 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 seasons).  Goddammit! Every game counts, Kilger.  Please pass that on to your teammates.  You have to play desperate every shift, not on-and-off, one game yes, another no.

The next paragraph is just as bad:

"The atmosphere in the Leafs' dressing room after losing to the lowly Thrashers was mixed."

What the ...? How can it be mixed? This is not novice Timmy Horton's hockey, it's not "oh, well, it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game" hockey, it's not "married against singles, Saturday afternoon" shinny.

They just don't get it.