FTB - Angry Mob Edition
by PPP on May 29, 2008 9:38 AM EDT
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PrintObviously, the big news in the hockey world are these comments by the greatest Leaf ever Mats Sundin. The quotation that is causing the most consternation is this one:
I'd like to know what's going to happen in the general manager position, whether Cliff (Fletcher) is going to be in charge this year or is there a new guy going to be coming in? I do think that's going to be important. Obviously, what's going to happen in Toronto is going to be very interesting. And it's going to affect my decision in the future.
As a staunch defender of Mats' decision to waive his no-trade clause a huge caveat was that he never play for anyone else in the NHL because that's what he said he wanted. So I'll assume that Mats means that he'll only play elsewhere if the Leafs tell him that he is not wanted at any price and if they do that then they are idiots.
However, if, as has been speculated, he signs with Montreal he'll be dead to me in a way that no athlete has been before. After all of his pleas of undying loyalty to the Maple Leaf signing with the Canadiens would be akin to running over Leafs Nation's dog, punching our old man in the face, and then nailing our hot girlfriend (naturally she still prefers us). This would be like when Alan Smith, a local product of Leeds United, kissed the team's badge, talked about how much he loved the club, and then moved to their hated, hated rivals Manchester United once Leeds was relegated from the Premiership. Actually, Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand did the same thing. Maybe they can give us tips on how to burn down traitors' homes.
Of course, we're all getting ahead of ourselves because it's just speculation but if it comes to pass (especially with Montreal) then it'll be interesting to see the reaction and who the Leafs' name as captain to succeed Dougie.
- Sean's already started the pitchfork and torch gathering process. Don't forget the noose!
- Damon Allen retired. His press conference was pretty funny. He's tossing his hat into the ring for the Leafs' President/GM job.
- Greener unearths the Kristen Bell curse. Normally that involves carpal tunnel syndrome and poor social skills but in this case it involved revealing yourself to be a terrible goalie behind an incredible team. Also, the first cover of HS/HS magazine.
- Pens Win! Thank God. I hate sweeps and I hate Detroit. I am full of hate today.
- The Omen's mailbox will be amazing today. Sorry, I got distracted looking at that picture of Kristen Bell and forgot to finish writing....amazingly predictable/painful today.
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Mats as a Hab
Mats going to Montreal would be one of the greatest betrayals in hockey (sports?) history. Not only are they the Leafs main rival, but they were the same team he refused to waive his no-trade clause to join. It would be an unprecedented “screw you” to Leaf fans, which is saying a lot.
That said, the first Habs game in Toronto would sure be fun, wouldn’t it?
Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/
by Down Goes Brown on May 29, 2008 9:56 AM EDT reply actions
Tracy McGrady-esque
I am not a big basketball fan. I watch the Raptors when they are winning and in the playoffs (mutually exclusive) but I still smile everytime Tracy McGrady reveals himself to be the me-first, all ego, no heart bastard that can’t win a playoff series that he was when he screwed the Raptors.
That hate, would be about a .3 on the scale of hatred I would have for Mats if he signs with Montreal.
I’d be at that game with two effigies – one burning in the parking lot and one for the TV cameras inside.
As Richard Peddie's mentor once said...
“Good. Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you. “
Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/
by Down Goes Brown on May 29, 2008 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions
It will be tough to watch
especially if he chooses to go there, no question. I’ve read everything written below about this, and the only place I could see him playing without getting mad would be for the Las Vegas Roulettes, or something like that. I’ve tried to think about it rationally, but no, I can’t, so it’s going to be along the lines of watching Vince Carter play for the Nets. Ok, too strong, I know, but pretty close!
mats
if the leafs are going to suck, which we are, i would understand if he bolted. to montreal? ouch.
he said he did not want to be a rental player. that problem would be solved if he signed with a new team and spent the whole season with them.
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
Maybe
But…he’d have to be told he wasn’t wanted in Toronto (doubt it) and he would not sign with f*cking Montreal.
Otherwise, on the Dead to Me list.
Actually
Even then because if he leaves because he wasn’t offered some ridiculous amount of money he’ll still be MFing dead to me.
even if it's montreal
it doesn’t really matter a whole lot to me. we’ll make him an offer, and he’s got the right to refuse it. he’s earned the right to go wherever he wants. the leafs aren’t going to be contenders for the next three years, and that’s about what he’s got left in the tank, i’d say…so i can’t blame him if he wants to leave…he’s still the best leaf ever and still the heart and soul of this city and team…
if he stays, all the more power to him…and i think, at the end of the day, that it’ll be hard for him to put on another jersey. at the end of the day, mats owes us nothing. he doesn’t owe us higgins, or a first rounder, or any draft picks.
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
'owing' fans something
Once upon a time players showed loyalty (mostly out of necessity) to the club in the same way that fans still do. They hated their rivals and hated the same players that the fans hated.
It’s sad to see that someone that professes so much love for the Leafs would even consider moving to a rival. And I am equal opportunity hater because I can’t believe Cliff would even have considered that trade.
mtl
he hasn’t said he’s considering mtl…he said he’s keeping all his options open…right?
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the articles
have mentioned that mtl and detroit would be interested…not that he would be interested in them…he’s not mentioned any team but the leafs…who have to show him that they really want him…
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Why Mats Why?
Now, let’s not be too hasty. Perhaps a crazy backlash against Mats for merely suggesting that he might move would actually help push him away.
Still, if he does sign with pretty much any team in the eastern conference other than the Leafs, it would be quite the punch in the goolies. I think I could live with it if he went West, but still.. What about those mufuggin draft picks we coulda got?!
Damn
The backlash will be televised
We’re not starting the backlash just getting organized in the unfortunate event of having the need to mobilize an angry mob.
The lack of picks at the trade deadline doesn’t bother me because, in the context of coming back to Toronto, it was fair for him to not want to be a rental player.
Why the surprise?
Mats was pretty clear at the trade deadline that he wasn’t opposed to playing for another team, he was only opposed to being a rental player.
Looking at the mess down at the ACC, would any of you be in a hurry to end your career with no hope of a Cup?
A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com
Totally agree with your post, MF37. I guess we really can’t blame Mats for going elsewhere, with the incredible bungling that has taken place here over the.. well, pretty much his entire time here I guess.
by LeafFanInVan on May 29, 2008 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions
MF37
his post said it all. you can’t blame mats AT ALL. he didn’t want to go as a rental player. that’s what he said at the deadline. if we make him an offer and he walks, get mad all you want, but it’s his right and his decision. he owes us nothing.
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
He didn’t want to go as a rental player but if he was seriously considering not returning to the Leafs and he loves Toronto and the fans and the team so much then why not tell the Leafs that he wants to move to a team that he would then sign a contract with. Then the team could have been trading from a position of strength (you get Mats for at least one more year) and he would not have been a rental player.
Also, why not do a deal similar to Timonen’s last year where he moves before July 1st to a team that he wants to negotiate a deal with that way the Leafs still get something. It’s not like the situation has changed from JFJ’s firing. He knew the team was going to conduct a thorough GM search, he knew the coach would be fired, and he knew that big names would hopefully be moved.
Of course, this could all be moot if he re-signs…
Trading Mats
I have no issue with the Leafs dealing Sundin’s rights, in fact it’s an option I’d urge the Leafs to pursue (and pursue aggressively).
Given that free agency opens in six weeks (or less) the Leafs have about three weeks to sort this mess out.
MLSE need to confirm Mats’ intentions. If he’s coming back that’s great – the Leafs have the whole summer to work out the terms and conditions of a mutually beneficial contract. If he’s not coming back, MLSE needs to immediately work with Sundin to identify a list of teams he’s interested in playing for and trade his rights to one of those clubs, ensuring that the recipient team has at least a week to negotiatiate exclusively with Sundin and J.P. Barry.
If it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to blame Mats, I’m going to blame Fletcher and the rest of the management team down at MLSE for missing another opportunity to improve the team.
A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com
MLSE need to confirm Mats’ intentions.
And the crippling blow from that article is that Mats supposedly leaves for Sweden on Sunday and will take 4-6 weeks to decide his fate.
If Fletcher can pin him down on an answer and can’t do anything then that’s one thing but if Mats dithers around until July 1st to decide that he wants to leave then that’s a whole other story.
thank goodness for blackberries
MLSE can offer Sundin a June 24 deadline – that give Mats four weeks to say if he’s coming back or not. It also gives the Leafs four weeks to work in parallel with J.P. Barry to establish what teams Mats’ would be willing to have his rights traded to.
As of June 24, Mats can let the Leafs know what he’s doing.
If he’s coming back, the Leafs can prep a new contract for him.
If he’s on the fence or looking for a change, the Leafs can fax off the final trade details to the NHL central office and the other team has a week to negotiate exclusively with Mats.
It will never cease to amaze me how often the media ask the wrong questions. How is it 30 journalists cover the Leafs on a near daily basis, yet none of them are looking at what smart GMs have done with impending UFAs and asked if the Leafs are exploring the same options?
How is it none of them are calling up Paul Holmgren and Wadell and getting the details on how the Timonen deal was done and applying that insight to the Leafs?
A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com
by mf37 on May 29, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
d'oh
I meant Poile, not Wadell…Is there an edit feature in these sweet new digs?
A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com
No joke
And that’s why the Leafs are in a mess. That seems like a great way to run things.
Journalists aren’t asking those questions because they don’t care about informing their readers about what smart GMs would do they just care about telling us that whatever the Leafs have decided to do (or might decide to do) is stupid.
Do you think a PR dept would answer our call?
I’m curious if a lowly hockey blogger like one of us could ever get the questions we want answered by an NHL team…do you think if i called Philly I’d ever have a hope in hell of speaking with someone about how the Timonen deal went down? I should have asked this question of Mirtle during the live blogging thingie yesterday….
A life-long Toronto Maple Leafs fan comments on the team, the media and the exasperation...http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com
Also, why not do a deal similar to Timonen’s last year where he moves before July 1st to a team that he wants to negotiate a deal with that way the Leafs still get something.
Don’t forget he still has his no-trade clause. They’d have to ask him to waive it, and it’s sounding more and more like he’d take that as an excuse to sulk and moan about he’s bening mistreated.
Down Goes Brown - Because it's technically possible that things may get better before we all die. http://downgoesbrown.blogspot.com/
by Down Goes Brown on May 29, 2008 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions
luc bourdon
i just saw on tsn that he was killed in a crash…terrible, terrible news…
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
Yep, that’s pretty sad stuff.. only 21
I’ve always said I could never get a motorbike.. I’d either get killed riding it or my parents would kill me. Either way, it’s a death sentence
by LeafFanInVan on May 29, 2008 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
a shame...
yeah man…totally agree…never understood the lore of a bike, but to each his own…def sucks…he was an up and comer…
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
Tragedy
Wow. Here’s the TSN article.
LFIV – same here. On one of my last visits to Colombia my cousin had two friends get killed in separate accidents on bikes.
Thoughts and prayers with the family.
perspective
puts all this sundin shit in perspective…
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Where we unequivocally and unapologetically support the home team...
Mats leaving
what if he’s only sorta thinking of switching teams—what about retiring instead? you know, while he’s still got some bit of body left? Maybe the marrige this summer (allegedly) just means he’s finally settleing down, out to pasture, and he’s going to start raising little running fetus-things . I mean, nothing’s concrete yet, is it?
Just to throw it out there.
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