Let me start by saying that Iappreciate everyone that takes the time to post their opinions on this site, whether I agree or disagree with those opinions. I'll have to say that it is a rare occurrence indeed when a person can actually partake in civil discourse on the Internet, particularly with a subject that can get as heated as sports can. Now, with that being said I would like to take another look at MF37's post  (http://bitterleaf.blogspot.com/2009/07/price-of-truculence.html) and share with you a possible alternative outcome.

I feel as though that maybe MF37 is making too much out of the penalty minutes that Orr, Exelby, and Komisarek have had in the past. MF37 does make the point that:

"(it does not mean that) it’s a given that the Leafs are going to lead the league in penalty minutes or that there’s some sort of linear progression or predictive model here".

but MF37 does suggest that there will be an increased number of penalty minutes next season. It's true that this possibility exists, and in my mind is a guarantee, but let me paint you a picture of an alternative. Yes, the Maple Leafs have signed three truculent players to the roster to the tune of a combined 434 penalty minutes in a single season, but consider this: these are players that had a particular "role" on three separate teams. This role, as we all know, was basically to to be the tough and testosterone type players that Burke is attracted to. No surprises yet, right?

Now consider what the other teams in the league may think. Let's look at the Habs in particular. Let's say that on ice we have the physically fearsome (sarcasm just dripping off of that) Lollipop Guild line for the Habs, and for examples sake, the Leafs have Montreal's most loved player on the ice, Grabovski. It's going to take just one cheap shot to him or any of the other smaller guys before any one of our three newly acquired Habsmashers come in and make them pay for it (they may be the Lollipop Guild but they're going to find Tootsie Rolls in their briefs). Yeah, maybe one penalty is taken after that, but I also would imagine that the other teams are going to start thinking twice or maybe three times before they start anything with any member of the Leafs squad. I think that just the potential of having one of these guys checking you so hard that you fly out of your gear is going to make opposing players just a tad bit more honest. In the long run I think the addition of these players will minimize the injuries that our "skill" players receive, and also reduce the amount of time that they will spend in the box for having to defend themselves. On top of all that a more solid defensive defense corp will let those skill players concentrate more in the opposite end of the rink and not worry so much about their own end.

It's my feeling that Orr, Exelby, and Komisarek provide a sort of insurance for the other Leaf players, opening up the game so they can do what they're all signed to do: score, and entertain. Eventually the reputation will proceed the Leafs that they are not a team to be trifled with, and our truculent players won't even necessarily have to be as truculent as they were towards the beginning of the season. That means they probably won't be taking as many penalties, and the overwhelming concern for the PK isn't as overwhelming. My prediction is that there will be an initial spike in penalties that will drop fairly dramatically as the season continues.

Another note: unless I am mistaken, the majority of the PIM that Orr, and Exelby received were Fighting majors that ordinarily don't create an uneven strength situation. Both fighters generally end up in the sin bin for the same amount of time. Komisarek in comparison had more lazy or hurtful penalties, and not fights, but there is also the consideration though that Komisarek didn't exactly play on a team that had any other player that was as truculent as he, thus assigning him that "role" on the club. Plus according to MF37's post; Komisarek led the Habs with short handed time on ice, which as is pointed out in the article is a step in improving the PK situation.

I'm going to hope that I'm not out of line in saying this, but maybe MF37 (and others too) need not be so bitter, and as much as they see the glass half empty with this years Leafs, they can stop and take the time to see it as half full too. Do I expect miracles this year? No, absolutely not, but I am currently putting my faith in Burke's plan and am hoping that the rebuild that has worked for him before, works for Toronto too.