Leafs. 2013 Short Season
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
I wonder if the 2013 Leafs is a "team of destiny". (The Kings finished 8th in 2012 and won the Cup.)
I hate that term. There is no such thing. It is strictly a media created cliche.
The cup is won on the ice one game at a time, not pre-ordained.
Congrads to the boys in Blue-and-White.
While they haven't won anything just yet, they have achieved the impossible (according to some), they have been outstanding this season, consider:
- The fragile mentality of this hockey-mad city: lose a couple of games or outshot badly (even from the perimeters
), not getting the "better" goalie (?) at the trade deadline... anyone who survive this pressure cooker will do well.
- The inexperience of this young group, almost with no big name on its roster, many has been a re-claim project, and been constantly reminded of it (how would you feel if everyday the only thing you hear is doubt?).
- Unsung heroes, like #3, who has been the focus of ridicule in the media (and on Terb too), who quietly go about their business in an un-assuming manner, coolly clear the puck up, joint the rush, score an important goal... and not babbling about themselves.
- This division has 3 qualifiers so far, and so tightly competitive unlike any other division in the league (except the Pacific) it seems EVERY point is harder to earn..
- Clearly, this team will be the underdog in every series they involve come the post season.
I wish the BUDS well in the playoffs, whatever they achieve from this point on, to me, is the icing on the cake.
Bring on whoever the opponent, how hard it would be to play when "the experts" are NOT expecting anything from you?
GO LEAFS GO! ENJOY YOURSELVES YOU EARNED IT!
While they haven't won anything just yet, they have achieved the impossible (according to some), they have been outstanding this season, consider:
- The fragile mentality of this hockey-mad city: lose a couple of games or outshot badly (even from the perimeters
), not getting the "better" goalie (?) at the trade deadline... anyone who survive this pressure cooker will do well.- The inexperience of this young group, almost with no big name on its roster, many has been a re-claim project, and been constantly reminded of it (how would you feel if everyday the only thing you hear is doubt?).
- Unsung heroes, like #3, who has been the focus of ridicule in the media (and on Terb too
), who quietly go about their business in an un-assuming manner, coolly clear the puck up, joint the rush, score an important goal... and not babbling about themselves.- This division has 3 qualifiers so far, and so tightly competitive unlike any other division in the league (except the Pacific) it seems EVERY point is harder to earn..
- Clearly, this team will be the underdog in every series they involve come the post season.
I wish the BUDS well in the playoffs, whatever they achieve from this point on, to me, is the icing on the cake.
Bring on whoever the opponent, how hard it would be to play when "the experts" are NOT expecting anything from you?
GO LEAFS GO! ENJOY YOURSELVES YOU EARNED IT!
Finally clinched a playoff spot.
Burke should be happy, his team finally made the playoffs.
If they are going anywhere in the playoff rounds they have to 1) get more shots on goal and 2) not allow so many shots on their goal.(Feel free to revrse that order).
Hope now that they have clinched a spot they can get back on a winning streak heading for the playoffs.
Burke should be happy, his team finally made the playoffs.
If they are going anywhere in the playoff rounds they have to 1) get more shots on goal and 2) not allow so many shots on their goal.(Feel free to revrse that order).
Hope now that they have clinched a spot they can get back on a winning streak heading for the playoffs.
I believe that the point is that a regular NHL season has always been 82 games. This is simple fact. Therefore this season is not a real, actual season. The NHL is just doing damage control because if they did the right thing and properly scrap the season after the lockout, they would lose millions of $$$. Greed rules and is totally dependent upon all the fans who said: "Screw the NHL!" during the lockout but like a Pavlovian dog, suddenly they forgot everything they said. It was the perfect moment to send Bettman and the disgraced former Sports League known as the NHL the message that fans wanted to send. Now that opportunity is gone and the fans pissed it away themselves.
Even the most diehard fans of NHL hockey, good friends of mine, who respect and value the tradition of a proper hockey season agree this season is 'partial' at best. It should never have been played. They're still paying attention out of the corner of their eyes but aren't sitting down to watch any games and don't take it seriously at all. They're waiting for the next proper full season.
To think that they would hand out the Stanley Cup this year is reprehensible. That action will slap in the face every single team that ever played a full season to rightfully earn it. In the future, any player from the winning team this year will get a condescending pat on the shoulder meaning: "You won the Stanley Cup in 2013? The Lockout year without a proper full season for the league? Sure. Right. Good for you." How could any player want that asterisk (*) to follow him for the rest of his life!? Blech!!
There's no telling what would have happened to any team if they played the proper 82 games. There never will be because this is not a real season. Making the playoffs in a league that allows 16 (!!!!) teams to make the playoffs is no sort of accomplishment anyway.
It's like winning the "World's Tallest Midget" contest.
Pat in the shoulder (or head): "Sure. Right. Good for you."
See post #786 above. Very well said.
Also the season is shortened, but not the playoffs. If the NHL wanted to add a bit of excitement, the playoff series should have all been reduced to best of five series.
Look it guys. I predicted it some time ago. With Phaneuf holding down 27 minutes a game on DEFENCE....LEAFS WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS.
Lets hope he is gone at the trade deadline. As hard as that will be with such an unwarranted contract!
Double puke
Hmmm.
Hmmmm indeeed.
A bunch of idiots.
Bullshit had one of the better ones ....
lol
Feb 15; Toronto 3-0
Feb 23; Ottawa 3-2
Mar 6 ; Toronto 5-4
Mar 30; Toronto 4-0
Apr 20; Toronto 5-1
Oh dear, Leafs are real scared.
That has to be one of the best 4 letter posts ever. Thanks for doing some digging.
I doubt if any of these know-it-alls will be man enough to step up and admit that they know much less than they think they do and spout off about.
As for Mr. Draper, I think all of his posts on the topic of hockey are nothing but negative, from the Leafs, to the league, to Don Cherry and now to the playoffs and the fact that the Leafs did very well in a competition that was equal for all teams. All this negativity on anything hockey related indicates somebody whose posts on this particular topic (I enjoy most of his other articulate posts) are meant to be ignored. He's better off discussing his views with his particular brand of "diehard hockey respecting friends" instead of bringing nothing but negativity to TERB hockey discussions. I seem to recall some kind of saying regarding "if you have nothing nice to say". How did that one go again?
I highly doubt that Don Draper has any 'diehard' hockey fans. Considering the visceral hatred he seems to have for the sport, the organization and the fanbase, I have no idea how he could have any hockey fans as friends.
All the Maple Leafs I know are over the moon happy that this team finally put it together and is poised to make a playoff run. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of hockey or the Leafs, I'm a little excited about this. I don't think the Leafs will make it past the second round at best, but there's nothing like the excitement of a home playoff hockey game in Toronto. The atmosphere will be insane, however short or long the playoff run goes on.
I wish baseball would get back to the level that it was at during the early 90s, and while I have very little respect for what the Raptors front office has done for the last 5+ years, it would be nice if the Raptors became competitive. However, I think what will be clear over the next couple weeks is how much Toronto is a hockey town first and foremost. If the Leafs can make a serious run, the city will be electric I think. Sure, there'll be lots of fair-weather fans, but the crowds will still be amazing. And I guarantee that noone, not the players, not the pundits, not the fans, will be placing any kind of asterisk beside this season if the Leafs somehow win the Cup. To suggest so, is an insult to the sport and the people who participate in it.
I think it's clear from his posts that this playoff run, and the enthusiasm that will accompany it, will cause Don Draper a hilarious amount of frustration and actual anger. For that, I am amused and grateful. Just the fact that he is so angry that he types long bitter screeds against the plebeian sport of hockey, in bold font no less, shows that he is deeply annoyed in fantastic way. Perhaps the 19-year Chinese immigrants he lures with his cognac and cufflinks persona will be safe for the playoff season?
All the Maple Leafs I know are over the moon happy that this team finally put it together and is poised to make a playoff run. Even though I'm not the biggest fan of hockey or the Leafs, I'm a little excited about this. I don't think the Leafs will make it past the second round at best, but there's nothing like the excitement of a home playoff hockey game in Toronto. The atmosphere will be insane, however short or long the playoff run goes on.
I wish baseball would get back to the level that it was at during the early 90s, and while I have very little respect for what the Raptors front office has done for the last 5+ years, it would be nice if the Raptors became competitive. However, I think what will be clear over the next couple weeks is how much Toronto is a hockey town first and foremost. If the Leafs can make a serious run, the city will be electric I think. Sure, there'll be lots of fair-weather fans, but the crowds will still be amazing. And I guarantee that noone, not the players, not the pundits, not the fans, will be placing any kind of asterisk beside this season if the Leafs somehow win the Cup. To suggest so, is an insult to the sport and the people who participate in it.
I think it's clear from his posts that this playoff run, and the enthusiasm that will accompany it, will cause Don Draper a hilarious amount of frustration and actual anger. For that, I am amused and grateful. Just the fact that he is so angry that he types long bitter screeds against the plebeian sport of hockey, in bold font no less, shows that he is deeply annoyed in fantastic way. Perhaps the 19-year Chinese immigrants he lures with his cognac and cufflinks persona will be safe for the playoff season?
I did everyone a favour and shortened this bunch of crap. As for all the rest of your "rubbish" tell that to the '95 Devils. Feel free to give Scott Stevens that pat on the shoulder (or head)
Every time Don dips his toe into the Sports Forum on Terb I think "Thank God I don't watch soccer"
We're number 5! We're number 5! We're number 5! We have the best goalie in the world. Bring on the playoffs!
Better than was predicted by the wannabes in post #788 and most of other teams in the league.
DD might be interested to learn that the season has only been 82+ games since 1992-93. From WWII to the expansion in 1967, the season expanded from 50 to 60 and finally to 70 games. It use to end the middle of April, but now it's the middle of June.
Some time ago he railed on about the horror of hockey, especially when compared to the glorious game of soccer/football. It was hilarious.
Makes no sense at all. Same could be said for the other 29 NHL teams. The Stanley cup is not won on the regular season, it's won in the playoffs and the playoffs have not been shortened, all series are best of seven. Who ever wins the Stanley Cup this year would just be as good as any other season.
