Its OK

Only a Leaf hater

I've totally come to terms with the Maple Leafs, their lack of a top 5 pick and impending absence from the playoffs for the 4th season in a row, 5th if you include that shitty lockout year. I've not only accepted what's going on, I'm interested in how things play out over these final few weeks. I want to see this refreshingly fun and evolving version of the Leafs win as much as possible leading up to game 82. With 9 to play I'd say a hard fought 6 and 3 will do for me.

Its a no-brainer.

Critics will again whine about the Leafs position in no man's land and wah wah also about how the team is getting nothing out of yet another nothing season. Hey, I used to be one of those whiners, but no longer because there's nothing to whine about. OK, ticket prices and the lack of true blue Leafs fans in the platinum seats are definately worth the angst, but I typically watch from home so that's a battle someone else can fight. Back to the point, there's no reason to be disappointed over this group, however the group itself has plenty of reasons to work hard, compete and win even during the beginning of this so-called rebuild. Its like this: while the foundation is being poured it shouldn't be compromised. Sure the Leafs are few laps down with just a few to go, but do you expect them to pull off the gas? No way. Ya give'er, hard. That need for speed will hopefully carry over to that next race, one in which you might end up being more of a factor in. By appearances the Leafs seem set on givin'er and that's exactly the way it should be.

Mikhail, Nik, Luke, John, Ian, Alex, Jiri, Ron, Brian.

The Leafs have several players, young and talented MF's who I'm keen on watching develop. Over the past couple of weeks has there been a more exciting young player at work than Mikhail Grabovski? Watch him with the puck. He can move it, keep it, pass it and all at good speed. His greedy tendencies are lessening. His commitment is consistent. His shot kind sucks right now, but 'a shot' is a quality some players are blessed with while others develop. Grabovski's shot will get better with time. Meanwhile a pair of monster weekends against Canadian foes on HNIC will only help to echo his name. Its obvious his game is already growing.

Nik Kulemin is big boy who can skate and finish from time to time. If he continues to stay locked in on the defensive end of things he can be an effective two-way guy for this team annually producing 15-20 goals complimented by responsible play in his own end. I can still see it, Kulemin stripping Tom Kostopolous of the puck last Saturday night. TK was on a two on one just crossing the blueline when NK caught him and embarrassed him. Jaw dropping stuff and encouraging for Leafs fans.

Luke Schenn is about as steady as you can get for a rookie blueliner. His calmness with the puck especially in tricky situations is impressive. He's 19 for God's sake and he's as mature as a 30 year old. I'd love to see him lay out a few more people. It'll come, so in the meantime I'll try to stay as patient as he is.

John Mitchell is another role guy. The idea of building a team usually involves the stars sprouting from within while management augments the roster with character guys from elsewhere. The Leafs seem to be doing things opposite from that with Mitchell, almost a veteran AHL'er when he got "the call", whose graduating into one of those support roles. Smart, smooth and again steady are attributes Mitchell can claim. He's an OHL alum and I like that.

What about the emergence of Ian White? The resurgence of Alexei Ponikarovsky? The addition of Brad May? The possibilities of Jiri Tlusty? The 1st class management team? The coach of the year candidate? Its all pretty exciting if you ask me. Its something. Something better than before. Something that can get even better. And hey, July 2010 is closer today than it was yesterday.

Its OK.

Just had to be optimistic for a moment. The downer that's been 2009 notwithstanding I think its OK to feel good for a while, about life, about the Leafs.