I have been watching hockey continuously since 1999/2000 season, after i was immerse in the WWW already with motorsport so wanted to continue the thrill and I re-found hockey. And by default, I'm a Toronto Maple Leaf fan.
I learned a lot, i believe, through all these years. Thanks to my many friends and many hockey forums (Thank you Stebro for your patience! :). First i really fell in love with the sport, then i realized that it was bad as any other sport; and now for sure i know it's as bad like any other sport or worse.
Of course, no sport can top the F1 circus, at this point.
Let me explain.
The Toronto Maple Leafs under Forbes NHL Team valuations has been the most profitable team in the NHL for awhile. How? why? what do they do that the others ones don't do? For sure is not having a good team. For sure is not having a good management. For sure is not having a good marketing program. For sure is not having the best arena in the NHL. For sure is not the most accessible team in the NHL. For sure is not for their cheapest ticket holder in the league. And i could keep going on and on.
So, what is it that it makes the Toronto Maple Leafs so successful, money wise, and so harsh as hockey team; with no Stanley Cup on the horizon any time soon?
Simple, they already did it long time ago! They already made history and now we just live in it.
I'm not saying that we live in the past, what i'm trying to say is that the team had so many good players, and good sesasons on their back, in a Canadian city that is embrace by the entire world of hockey, that it's very, very hard to top.
The Toronto Maple Leaf is one of the original NHL six hockey teams. (New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens)
Every sport fan knows Toronto, and how most of them knows Toronto by? HOCKEY!
I went to England in 2001, and in a very little town, i found some people wearing t-shirts of the Toronto Maple Leafs! I was amazed!
So, what's wrong with this current team, 2009/10?
Easy.
It doesn't matter who you bring to the team.
Let's make an experiment for fun.
I would like to bring the entire Pittsburgh Penguins team and change their jerseys to the Toronto Maple Leaf. Then, make them play an entire season, with all the players healthy, and then let's see if they will be able to win the cup.
NO, they will not!.
Why?
Because every team that plays against the Toronto Maple Leafs plays even harder than against any other team in the league.
Why? Exposure!
First, because if they are at the ACC on a Saturday night, they know for sure across Canada will be watching. And the most important one, their families and friends will be watching them.
Second, because how motivated are you gonna be playing against a team like Phoenix? instead, if it's the Toronto Maple Leafs! everyone is following, most people are a fan of!
Third, because even that Gary Bettman doesn't want to a admit it, hockey is follow by Canadians more than USA fans.
I remember the Roberts, Mogilnys, Sundins, Cujos seasons! Going to other arenas was even better than playing at home! Those arenas were half full with leafs fans! (Reminder, going to play against the Senators was really fun!)
Why?
It's just a legend, a legacy that can't be change.
Now i do understand Mats Sundin.
As soon as you get in the players payroll, as soon as you wear that Toronto Maple Leafs jersey you don't need anything else. You've done it!
I'm sure that even Gretzky regrets not having the chance to be a "Leaf" once in his life time.
When you are a "Leaf", you are for LIFE!
That's your career highlight.
You can go and play for another teams, and be successful, but being a "Leaf", it doesn't compare to anything else.
To be a Leaf is not easy. A leaf player has to play harder than any other player in the league EVERY NIGHT! It has to give 100% EVERY NIGHT! There are not easy games for them. The Toronto Maple leafs players have to play 82 HARD games, and there are not freebies.
Every player in the league wants to play against the Toronto Maple Leafs every night. And those players are gonna play ONE GAME as hard as they can. Only ONE GAME!! maybe 4 in the whole season; depending for how many games they meet.
Why?
Exposure.
Leafs fans care. In good or bad. Unconditional hockey fans. Live or die, white and blue blood. Forever.
If you are a Toronto Maple Leaf player you are gonna give up the dream to win the Stanley Cup, but instead, your name will be forever in the Maple Leaf history book.
So, what do you choose?
Being attached to a team for your entire career (or some years), that you know you are gonna be remember by fans, or the Stanley Cup and disappear after that?
There is not doubt, and if you do, you are in denial; that Toronto is the Mecca of hockey.
Everything happens in Toronto around hockey.
The Hockey Hall of Fame is here.
The Battle of the Blades is here. May remind you is at the Maple Leaf Gardens arena.
The NHL office headquarters are here.
The Hockey Night in Canada headquarters are here.
Every tourist wants to get to a game, doesn't matter if they like hockey or not; they know about the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team.
Saying all that, do not expect anyone to admit that, ain't gonna happen.
The question is:
One season and win the Stanley Cup or your entire career and being a Leaf for life?
Your choice.
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