The Maple Leafs…are not a Maple or Leafs. Discuss.
Part of me just wants to just write “Mats Sundin…discuss,” but you’d probably think I was the laziest blogger ever. Yet what a topic that would make for an episode of “Coffee Talk!”
While die-hard Leaf fans such as Mike Myers (the star of that famous Saturday Night Live skit) are clinging to slim playoff hopes after the back-to-back victories against the Flyers, the team is on such precarious ice. Losing a game down the stretch would all but eliminate them, but another huge loss they can’t afford is Sundin to injury. Ironic that the Leaf captain didn’t go down with a shoulder injury from carrying this team so often this season, however, the groin strain he suffered Wednesday could be the last nail in the Leafs’ coffin.
But if Sundin is able to play these last few games, you know the player who wears the “C” is going to bring his “A” game. It appears Sundin knows no other way.
In the eternal words of Linda Richman of “Coffee Talk,” Sundin has been “like buttah.” Game in and game out this guy continues to amaze. Scoring goals, playing physical, breathing life into his teammates when there appears to be none. Before leaving Wednesday’s game, Sundin was on a nine-game point streak (six goals, seven assists). What he has done for his team, at the age of 37 no less, is remarkable.
Even if you aren’t a Leaf fan, you have to admit, it would have been a pretty cool storybook ending to see Sundin lead the Leafs to the playoffs after being criticized for pledging allegiance to the Maple Leaf and refusing to waive his no-trade clause.
Speaking of cool, I know it happened a few days ago now, but I was at the Leafs-Devils game on Saturday when Gordie Johnson, formerly of Big Sugar, played the Canadian national anthem on his double neck electric guitar. It was easily the most awesome rendition of O Canada I’ve ever heard! Purists may cringe. A lot of people prefer the more conservative Lyndon Slewidge route, the Senators anthem singer in Ottawa who does it the same way every night. Or do you like it when teams change up the musicians letting them put their personal touches on the anthem? Who has been the best anthem singer you’ve ever seen?
I admit I don’t usually like our national song to be messed with, preferring the more traditional route…but Gordie’s version brought the house down and gave me chills. It was truly moving. Great, now I’m all verklempt. Talk amongst yourselves!
Even if the buds made the playoffs, then what?
The problem is that every single player this year, with the exception of Sundin, has not been consistent. Tucker shows up for a good week and then vanishes again. Kubina has a great week, but where’s he been the rest of the year?
Oh sorry, my mistake. There was one other consistent Leaf this year: Wellwood. Consistently invisible.
outburst |
9:02 AM, Thursday March 13, 2008
that all-guitar and no singing version of O Canada was unbeleivable, no doubt about it. i usually don’t like the singers they get to to the anthem at leafs games-there’s something about their voice that irks me to no end-the except for when INXS did the anthem.
i’ve been very impressed with all the grit and resilence the buds are showing right now. hopefully the other players’ll step up their game if sundin’s out for a few games..
leafsgurl18 |
9:30 AM, Thursday March 13, 2008
On the anthem – guess it all depends – the guitar thing’s been done to death too, especially in the US.
We don’t pay enough respect to our own country as is…I like my anthem to at least include the words when it’s played.
How about a Slewidge/Johnson duet? That would be awesome.
Kenothicles |
10:44 AM, Thursday March 13, 2008
I loved the anthem also… I enjoy some great licks on the ole guitar, and Gordie Johnson has been quite decent at it for a while. I actually am glad he didn’t sing the anthem, since he basically butchered the Star Spangled Banner right before lighting it up for O’ Canada.
As for the Leafs making the playoffs without Sundin, try reasons to think the Leafs can win over Philadelphiacomparing that to Buffalo’s chances of making it minus three of their top defenders.
castigat0r |
1:27 PM, Thursday March 13, 2008
Roger Doucet kicked and still would kick their butts if he was still alive.
The Doctor |
1:49 PM, Thursday March 13, 2008
I’ll admit that I was disappointed when I went to the Oilers game last month and Paul Laurieau wasn’t singing the anthem. He’s part of the experience of going to an Oilers game in my mind and would much rather see him than some girl I’ve never heard of that has just signed a minor record deal. I suppose it could be different for a season ticket holder who can afford to go to many games in a year. I don’t mind Laurieau being bumped for a big name, but if it’s a choice between him and someone I’ve never heard of, I’d take Mr Laurieau.
On another note, as a non-Leaf fan, I wouldn’t have considered it a cool storybook ending if Sundin led the Leafs into the playoffs. It wasn’t non-Leaf fans who were criticizing Sundin. I imagine most of us didn’t care that much that he didn’t want to move, aside from respecting his decision and, of course, the leaf haters were happy the Leafs didn’t get the pieces to improve anytime soon. All the rest of us would be seeing is a team getting into the playoffs backed by undeserving, whiny fans (at least as far as those that criticized Sundin’s decision to stay go). It would be like one of the ugly step-sisters getting Prince Charming. Hardly a fairy tale.
Centacre |
5:33 PM, Thursday March 13, 2008
Sundin getting injured seems about the most ironic thing that could have happened to this team. Well that and the other frozen four coming down with injury.
oilerz94 |
7:12 PM, Thursday March 13, 2008
Although for the buds to make the post season is still a slim dream, anything can happen in Gary Bettmans “new NHL”. The race for the last place is now turning into the last 2 spots with the Bruins losing 6 of 7 and only a mere point in front of Philly. Now begs the question , if your a Leaf Fan how many wins will it take? Probably the same as Glean Heally said they had 11 left to play and they need 13. On more realistic stage their schedule is the toughest of all the remaining teams in the hunt for the last 2 spots. The Leafs will have to “run the table” to acheive that last spot with the help of a few other teams to sputter. So before we get to excited about buying playoff ducats , One week from now and I’m sure there will be all other arm chair GM;s everywhere throwing there “well fletcher should have, and Paul Maurice should have and Fergy should have been fired long ago..It all comes down to a little too late.
TURKEYHUNTER |
5:14 AM, Friday March 14, 2008
The storybook ending for the Leafs is making the playoffs not winning the Cup? I guess that’s a Leaf fans mentality.
As for the national anthem…Gordie has been doing that version of O’Canada for at least 15 years and they released it in 2001 on Big Sugar’s Brothers & Siters, Are You Ready? it’s a great album if you like to rock!
LaRue |
1:57 PM, Friday March 14, 2008
I’d give them a chance…except they have to play the sens twice and will lose both of those games. Other than that, they might’ve had a chance. I do think they have a damn good chance of making 9th again. I hear that’s who they give the best draft pick to, eh leafers?
redgeneral08 |
3:00 PM, Friday March 14, 2008
Playoffs…shmay-offs! I want this team to finish in the bottom 5 to ensure a shot at picking first overall. I have been a leafs fan my entire life of 45 years. I can finally see a glimmer of hope in 2-3 years and this late season surge (again) is nothing more than a perfect way to screw things up. If they lose tonight and if Mats is going to miss another game or two, management is obliged to tell Paul to play the kids…play Raycroft, play all the kids on the top two lines and sit the vets two-three at a time each night, every night. Get the message…this team is NOT good enough to make the playoffs, is NOT good enough to be considered a playoff team and IS IN SERIOUS NEED of a gut job. Bring in Burke and let him run with a clean slate…buyout the no trades and hope that Mats decides to call it a career (as one of the best Leaf players to ever put on the Blue and White).
mikecheliak |
1:11 PM, Saturday March 15, 2008
gordie johnson’s anthem was a beautiful touch for a leafs game. imagine, a guy pretending to be a good guitarist opening for a bunch of guys pretending to be good at hockey. the irony was delicious.
check out a fellow named zakk wylde. THAT, folks, is how you tear up an anthem. if only he were canadian.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2MP8Gl_nqqc
nicknicknick |
5:04 PM, Saturday March 15, 2008
For my money, the night Jim Cuddy (of Blue Rodeo fame) opened the festivities at Rexall Place this past season was the best anthem i’ve heard. Damn thay guy can sing. I like it when teams mix it up a bit. the same singer gets stale after a while and although there is something to be said for tradition here, i think it dosent hurt to mix it up. maybe Miss Gretzky could do it a could few more times :)
Ganzie |
4:47 PM, Sunday March 16, 2008
Martine that anthem rocked,as for Mats he has carried the leafs now for a decade now & i fear what our buds will look like when he leaves.
Doppelganger |
4:40 AM, Wednesday March 19, 2008