People like the author of this article are the reason why the Leafs have been crap for so long. It infuriates me. Take off the blue and white glasses and maybe then management will make some real changes. This team is an absolute joke in every single aspect.

If we dont end up with a top 4 pick, Im giving up on this team. And I used to be an absolute die hard. Enough is enough. Wish there were more people like me, but most people keep watching games and buying merchandise. SMH.

Bang on, great article for once. Here's another issue..........a ton of players in the NHL come from southern Ontario, and when they come home they step up their game in front of friends and family. In a league with so much parody the smallest of gains can and does make the difference.............that said, the media and fans can and should offset that with the immense support the Leafs have across the country and in away arenas. Bottom line, fans AND media especially, need to step their game up.

These players deserve to be treated way worse than they are. No heart, no competitiveness, no effort. Were the biggest and most expensive team in the league but also the crappiest. Its a joke. I blame the salary cap for benefiting small market teams, but I mostly blame management for icing this disgrace of a hockey team. NYR, Montreal, Detroit, Chicago found a way to adapt. Why cant we....absolute joke.
- cesareborgia

this is what Shannahan is finally attempting to do. It appears he is not bending to the pressure, and is going to attempt to rebuild the correct way. Dubas and Hunter should hopefully have some great insight on the upcoming drafts, especially in the later rounds from the OHL talent pool.

no guarantee they can pull it off and make it work, but it's the first attempt at this approach as an organization that I have seen.

This leafs core, is the most unlikeable team in NHL history. Its Pathetic.

As much as i hate the media, you cant blame them or the fans.

If you want to change the fan attitude...Win. The team hasnt been good in a decade....a decade.

This team is unlikable, soft and lacks heart. The team that made the playoffs, played as a team and with grit...and fans got behind that team. This team, led by Kessel and Phaneuf is just going through the motions. Lets face it, both Kessel and Phaneuf appear to be rich bumholes.
- TincupCanuck

Especially Kessel. Heartless. And Phaneuf is just an idiot...starts playing well when the games are pointless. NOW IS WHEN YOU LOSE!

this is what Shannahan is finally attempting to do. It appears he is not bending to the pressure, and is going to attempt to rebuild the correct way. Dubas and Hunter should hopefully have some great insight on the upcoming drafts, especially in the later rounds from the OHL talent pool.

no guarantee they can pull it off and make it work, but it's the first attempt at this approach as an organization that I have seen.
- vermie22

I agree..I cant wait until we get past this BS phase
I think we know what has been wrong, the leafs have never taken the patient structured draft and develop approach. By all accounts that has started.

something I saw on twitter a while ago was that the 2 OHL teams that have made the most draft picks in the past (x-whatver) years was London and SSM (Dubas and Hunter). So lets get on with it already

Especially Kessel. Heartless. And Phaneuf is just an idiot...starts playing well when the games are pointless. NOW IS WHEN YOU LOSE!
- cesareborgia

Did you ever like Kessel? not being a dink.. honest question

Taking Boston, the team that had our number for years and a top 3 favourite to win the cup, to game seven. Yeah that game was the worst of my life but the series was incredible.

Lupul coming back from injury and scoring every time he touched the puck for weeks. Man that end to end against Carolina.

Grabo's spin-o-rama.

Bro-zak's Mighty Ducks-esque drop pass to Kessel to break his cold streak.

Reimer after every win.

Every time JVR does that thing between the legs.

Dion almost killing countless unexpecting victims.

That fight with Montreal and Orr and McLaren, you know the one I mean.

Kadri's 'nifty mittens' shootout goal.

I could do this forever. If your team had to win a cup for you to like it 12 teams wouldn't have a single fan. The Blues. The Capitals. The Sharks. I'm a Leafs fan because I grew up that way and I love living in the same city as my favourite team, and just like every team they do some great things and some horrible things. Its too bad that they (GMs players coaches) haven't figured it out but it doesn't mean I'm going to be bitter about it 24/7. Obviously every fan wants them to go to the playoffs and win the cup, but the thing about being a fan is you have no control over that. You do have some minute effect on whether Kessel feels like a hero in Toronto or a zero, and it's clear he plays best when he's the hero.
- bwindeler

I dont need a cup. Id be happy if they won a playoff series every 10 years or so.

not disagreeing, but the ownership and management has changed numerous times, including management that has won prior. do we really think that all of those guys were really horrible at their jobs, or did they too fall victim to the fan and media pressure and attempt to rush into quick fixes that failed over and over again.

again the constant is the fans and media.
- vermie22

I believe the quick fixes have been a result of pressure from ownership to bring in playoff $, not to appease fans or media

this is what Shannahan is finally attempting to do. It appears he is not bending to the pressure, and is going to attempt to rebuild the correct way. Dubas and Hunter should hopefully have some great insight on the upcoming drafts, especially in the later rounds from the OHL talent pool.

no guarantee they can pull it off and make it work, but it's the first attempt at this approach as an organization that I have seen.
- vermie22

Well put.

For the 1st time, things look like they may change.

A very interesting and accurate statement about the treatment of the team by the Toronto media. The original poster hits the nail on the head regarding the constant bombardment of negatively the players face on a continual basis. For instance if anyone of us were faced with the same ferocious level of criticism (that the leaf players endure) undoubtedly it would have a negative impact on our own jobs.

Also touched upon is the level of talent on the current roster. These aren't bad players. So I can only hypothesize how the exact same roster would fare in a city without the same level of media scrutiny as Toronto. For example I'm quite sure the current team would be higher in the standings if it were in a locale like Sunrise Florida, where there are like only two reporters covering the team (I don't know how many cover the panthers but I know its a hell of a lot less than in Toronto).

So lets take things to another level. The leafs are owned by Rogers and Bell, who employ the bulk of the same media types who continually pound away at the team resulting in the state we have today. Here is a unique idea for the owners, since you control the media covering the team you own, ban all coverage or limit the number of reporters covering your team. This sounds very unorthodox, and I'm not even sure it can be done, but if its possible to limit the criticism's to a stream rather than the current tsunami, perhaps it would allow the players (who after all are just human) to better deal with everything.
Yes it seems counter-intuitive for a media company to limit media coverage for a team they already own, but think about the potential. If the team is insulated from the negative barrage it seems to always drown in, they can focus on what they need to do...playing hockey. I'm not saying everything would change, but it might translate into a better on ice product and result and at the end of the day that is the engine that drives the profit factory at MLSE.
- slam81

Completely missed the point. The media is not the problem. The team just sucks and has no heart. Thats the problem.

It's the player's (in general, not every single one) fault for not playing their sacs off day in and day out and doing whatever it takes to win. It's management's fault for awarding huge cap crippling contracts to these players.

It's also management's fault these players were the best they could sign because they've tried to build a team through trades and UFAs (other team's expendable players) rather than drafting and developing their own players under a specific team identity/philosophy.

Blaming the media is a scapegoat and doesn't address the core issues described above. The media and fans (again, in general; not everyone) in this market are knee-jerk sensationalists who blow everything out of proportion. By the same token, if the team was winning consistently, they would be equally as irrational, but on the positive side of the pendulum.

I agree..I cant wait until we get past this BS phase
I think we know what has been wrong, the leafs have never taken the patient structured draft and develop approach. By all accounts that has started.

something I saw on twitter a while ago was that the 2 OHL teams that have made the most draft picks in the past (x-whatver) years was London and SSM (Dubas and Hunter). So lets get on with it already
- senstroll

This is the only way to break the cycle; not getting the media and fans to calm down and act more rationally, but to build a proper team, the proper way.

If we dont end up with a top 4 pick, Im giving up on this team. And I used to be an absolute die hard. Enough is enough. Wish there were more people like me, but most people keep watching games and buying merchandise. SMH.
- cesareborgia

I understand your frustration.
I too am a Die Hard Leafs fan, and I don't believe that you'll turn your back on this team.

However, watching them suck for this long is troubling.

Shanahan has promised a PROPER rebuild.
Lets look at the positives of this:
1) They are dismantling the core.
2) They will recieve assets for these pieces - REALLY GOOD ONES!
3) They are sticking with their own homegrown players.
4) The Leafs\Marlies can come up with a philosophy on how they will be coached, so that there is a seamless transition to the NHL -- Just like Detroit.
5) We could get lucky and draft a top 2 C in the draft, but I think we're getting a damn good player this draft.

The cupboards are half full of decent players that can fill the roster. As long as Nonis stays away from UFA contracts, the Leafs wil be competitive in 3-4 years.

Bang on, great article for once. Here's another issue..........a ton of players in the NHL come from southern Ontario, and when they come home they step up their game in front of friends and family. In a league with so much parody the smallest of gains can and does make the difference.............that said, the media and fans can and should offset that with the immense support the Leafs have across the country and in away arenas. Bottom line, fans AND media especially, need to step their game up.
- Bullot

Uh, no. The players need to step their game up. What are you smoking bro

This is the only way to break the cycle; not getting the media and fans to calm down and act more rationally, but to build a proper team, the proper way.
- 1979AD

yeah exactly.. I am getting tired of hearing about the media and Dion/Kessels lack it caresi and heart... I myself dont believe thats remotely close to the issue..but it doesnt matter.

I agree..I cant wait until we get past this BS phase
I think we know what has been wrong, the leafs have never taken the patient structured draft and develop approach. By all accounts that has started.

something I saw on twitter a while ago was that the 2 OHL teams that have made the most draft picks in the past (x-whatver) years was London and SSM (Dubas and Hunter). So lets get on with it already
- senstroll

yes, as a fan I might actually look into following the Marlies more than the Leafs for the next 3-4 years, and this also only helps MLSE grow their entire brand more, as the season tickets for the Leafs will always be sold no matter what, but the Marlies are where they can grow the most.

This is the only way to break the cycle; not getting the media and fans to calm down and act more rationally, but to build a proper team, the proper way.
- 1979AD

I'm hopeful that somehow Shanny can manage ownership expectations and stick the plan in the face of falling television ratings and the perception of lost play-off revenue.

Did you ever like Kessel? not being a dink.. honest question
- senstroll

I used to defend him. I guess it was the blue and white glasses. Boston knew he was a heartless poison, which is why they traded him. And then won the cup after they traded him.

yes, as a fan I might actually look into following the Marlies more than the Leafs for the next 3-4 years, and this also only helps MLSE grow their entire brand more, as the season tickets for the Leafs will always be sold no matter what, but the Marlies are where they can grow the most.
- vermie22

Huh... you want to help MLSE out? Them being rich and greedy and wanting more money is the reason were in this mess and you want to give them more money and help grow their brand? Give me a break. This team is hopeless.

I understand your frustration.
I too am a Die Hard Leafs fan, and I don't believe that you'll turn your back on this team.

However, watching them suck for this long is troubling.

Shanahan has promised a PROPER rebuild.
Lets look at the positives of this:
1) They are dismantling the core.
2) They will recieve assets for these pieces - REALLY GOOD ONES!
3) They are sticking with their own homegrown players.
4) The Leafs\Marlies can come up with a philosophy on how they will be coached, so that there is a seamless transition to the NHL -- Just like Detroit.
5) We could get lucky and draft a top 2 C in the draft, but I think we're getting a damn good player this draft.

The cupboards are half full of decent players that can fill the roster. As long as Nonis stays away from UFA contracts, the Leafs wil be competitive in 3-4 years.
- Climuster

It will very much be like the state of the team when Burke took over, only they will have prospects already in the system with better upsides than Robbie Earle, and by all accounts, they'll stick to the drafting and developing mantra, and not try to take a giant short cut like Burke did.

The part you mention about keeping the Marlies/Leafs on the same philosophy is key. They need to determine what that philosophy is (big/tough/mean, possession/skill, defense first, etc.), and hire a coach for the Marlies who will operate under a clear understanding that his job first and foremost is the development of the prospects under that philosophy of play. When a young core is developed in that system, and is about to hit their primes, UFA's can be brought in to improve the team and they'll immediately get with the program, because it will clearly be the culture of the team and they won't want to be treated as outcasts.

This is the only way to break the cycle; not getting the media and fans to calm down and act more rationally, but to build a proper team, the proper way.
- 1979AD

The problem with that is that they kick these guys when they're down.

The Toronto media is insatiable.
Fans should protest by not going to the games for the rest of the year.
But they won't.

Next year, when they start the true rebuild, the media will whine about the lack of wins, and that the GM should do something about it.

Sound Familiar?

To all REAL Leafs fans:

Stop buying tickets.
Stop watching games.
Stop buying merchandise.
Encourage the tank. Make sure we get a top 4 draft pick and guaranteed impact player in this draft (please lord let it be McDavid).

These are steps that need to be taken by REAL fans if you want the team to start succeeding. Stop being sheep.

Huh... you want to help MLSE out? Them being rich and greedy and wanting more money is the reason were in this mess and you want to give them more money and help grow their brand? Give me a break. This team is hopeless.
- cesareborgia

it's not about me wanting to help them out...but I bet they are sitting there wondering how to increase revenue and profits. The one property they own that has the most potential in a hockey crazed market is the Marlies. To make the Marlies grow they need to draft and develop good young talent, which will help the Leafs in the long run and help me as a fan get the competitive team I want to cheer for.