An Apology to Damien Cox

[ED Note: I meant to post this on Wednesday night, but my computer decided to commit suicide.]

Dear Damien,

On behalf of Leafs Nation, I would like to apologize to you for our latest game. Some people may be wondering where this is coming from, so here's a link for you. In it, Damien says:

"No franchise in the NHL, it seems, struggles more with maintaining a level of decent consistency than the Leafs. Is it because their fans are so easily satisfied?"

Yes, you read that right. The root of the problem of the Leafs struggles can be traced back to the fact that the Leafs "fans are so easily satisfied". Because if you're not being booed relentlessly (ahem, Habs fans), then clearly as a fan base you are satisfied, and then the players don't need to work anymore. Why bother working for your own person pride or gain if the fans aren't booing you? You're collecting those cheques regardless, so as long as the fans are happy, regardless of your position in the standings, why work hard?



So again Damien, on behalf of all of Leafs Nation, I would like to issue our sincerest apologies for our poor showing against Minnesota. For our next game against Chicago, we will do our very best not to go 0-for on the powerplay or have our PK at only 75%* or take penalties while we're already on the PK. And hopefully we'll be able to score some goals early in the game and not have to rely on a 3rd period comeback attempt. And maybe we'll even pitch in with some all-around good defence throughout the game.



I realize that the money that MLSE pays us to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs dictates that we put forth better performances than we did against Minnesota, and I can guarantee you that every Leafs fan will be playing their hardest to get the win against Chicago on Friday and then against Calgary on Saturday. As Leaf fans, we know we owe it to the fans^* to play our hearts out each and every game no matter if we're making Phil Kessel money, or Jay Rosehill money, the fans expect and deserve nothing less than our complete and total effort every game.*^



So in conclusion, I as a representative of Leafs Nation sincerely apologize to you, Damien Cox, for our lackluster performance against the Wild on Tuesday night. We hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive us, and pray that one day, you shall bestow upon us your never-ending knowledge of the inner-workings of the NHL, both in the front office and on the ice.



Sincerely,



Leafs Nation


ED Note:

* Yes, I know it was 1-for-4, but over the course of a season, that's not good enough - for one game, sure; but not for longer stretches

^* That doesn't make sense. Oh right, this is Damien Cox's head I'm living in right now, aka bizzaro-world. Can anybody rescue me? It's cold and dark, thanks.

*^ Well, except in November, then we really have to play; because as Howard Berger has noted, these games matter most.