The Leafs: Dysfunctional, but not dishonourable

posted by Mitch Goldenberg:

Last night all the Montreal Canadiens needed to do to clinch a playoff spot was take the Leafs into overtime to pick up that important 89^th point.

Leafs Coach Ron Wilson said he opted not to pull his goalie during the tie game in the third period and attempt to knock out the Habs for the sake of the game’s integrity.

After a disappointing season, at least the Leafs can say they have class.

But this is not the first display of honour the Leafs have shown in the past couple of years. As a matter of fact, this post will show it is just another instance where the Leafs have shown to set aside their own well-being for various reasons.

• The Leafs have refrained from winning the Stanley Cup since 1967 to allow other teams and dynasties the chance to formulate. You are welcome Islanders, Oilers, Red Wings et all.
• The Leafs have intentionally missed the playoffs since 2005 to allow the game to grow in America so teams like the Wild, Thrashers, Predators and Coyotes could get their chance.
• On March 18, 2008, Leafs goaltender Vesa Toskala refused to let Islanders Defenceman Rob Davison finish the season goal-less. So, he let Davison fire a short handed tally past him from 197-feet away.
• The Leafs delay the start of the game for at least 20 minutes every Saturday night to allow various pre-game ceremonies to take place. As a result, the Leafs usually come out flat, which is totally because of the pre-game stuff.
• The Leafs continue to jack up ticket prices despite their poor performances as of late to allow other teams to claim, “at least we don’t charge as much as the Leafs.”
• Pay Jeff Finger 3.5 million dollars a year to be a healthy scratch and play less than half the season, and pay Eddie Belfour, Darcy Tucker and other Leaf buy-outs for doing naught. I guess the Leafs really want hockey families to live large.
• Trade away all our players from the playoff contender pre-lockout days. Actually, this is probably the best way we could have repaid them for their services.
• Let Brian Burke speak to the media every day to tell the league exactly what we are doing. Wouldn’t want the element of surprise to catch the other teams off guard.
• And Finally, instead of doing evil like Kevin Lowe and giving up less, the Leafs give up Taylor Hall AND next year’s first round pick to remedy the loss of Phill Kessel. Now that’s class.

So you see, these altruistic Leafs aren’t anything new. Actually, they could be around for a long time. But even though we aren’t triumphant, take pride Leafs fans, as you support one of the most moral teams around.