Time Flies

Too much time has passed. So much time gone. So little accomplished. 

I remember when Paul Maurice was hired. Young, smart guy. Honoured by the gig. Oh, the optimism. Since, he's been fired, almost guided a rival to the cup final, then split for Russia. Back then it was like, huh? What just happened? It was only yesterday he...

We should have known.

The Burke hiring was a great moment. So much promise (or promises) accompanied him to a place where people were so starving for something decent. We could feel it then. It was going to be worth it. Our patience would finally be rewarded. Yeah, ah... wishful thinking. It's over already, and we can't feel a thing. He's stunned. We're stunned. What the **** happened to the grit and greatness sold on us? Looking back, yes, there were many chances for Burke to make good on his plan. Several of them, moments, seasons. There was plenty of opportunity to resurrect the sleeping giant. None of it however was enough. It's hard to believe, man. After all of that, the fact Burke's tenure concludes without anything of substance produced is simply surreal. Again. Nothing.

When does this end?

And when does it begin?

So here we go, again. Another start to what most just have to expect will be a lacklustre finish to follow. And again it's Burke's understudy tasked with mopping up his mentor's mess, in addition to at last breaking the Leafs' perpetual, comical succession of failure. Good luck! But give Dave Nonis credit. He's done it before, like Burke had done it before. Just not here. See, that's where just about everyone who comes and then goes from this organization is linked.

Elsewhere.

Other places. That's where things happen for these hockey people. They come in with cred. Then start re-building it minutes after lift-off from a runway at Pearson. So what about us? What about here? When does success grace this place? The one that clamours for it most, yet continues to go without?

Well, I will say it like I've said before: It is our time, again.

It's always been our time.

So, until the next... we hope.