If you're reading this, it means that the playoff dream has come to an end. Chin up, I know it hurts, we just can't let the bad times define us. Every team has their hardships, we just have to work through them, and build off of them. We had a good run, we just fell apart when it mattered most. All we can do now is look towards the future, and rather than look at the failures, we can look at the bright spots.
I'm not sure what happened to you guys lately, but you aren't being yourselves right now. You're not performing at the level that we all know you're capable of. As a loyal Leaf fan, it pains me to see you guys like this. I'm truly disappointed.
I understand there are other factors such as the bad schedule, and the horrendous officiating, but those are out of our hands. What is in our hands however is our level of play, which just hasn't been good, and you are much better than this, and we all know it.
We can't keep making excuses and pointing the fingers elsewhere, we have to look within ourselves and point the fingers at ourselves. This is not meant for one particular person, this is meant for all of you. We win as a team, we lose as a team.
I wish I had some explanation for what happened to you between last season and this season, but you aren't the same team you were then. It's as if you've lost your identity. Was it game 7? Did it completely shatter your confidence?
The one thing that the collapse did to everyone is make them think the team is a lot further from playoff contention than they actually are. All we need is just to tighten up our team defensive play, and then we are a playoff calibre team.
A lot of you had great seasons, and I for one cannot be more proud. I know we say this every year, but I truly do see better times just beyond the horizon. Next season is OUR season. We just have to do all we can to make it ours. I can assure you that you will always have the fans' support (especially mine), even though most of them may not be as supportive now.
Some of you may not be here next season, whether it be management's decision or yours, I wish you the best of luck wherever you end up. I already know that you will be a great addition to any team, and Leafs Nation will miss you.
I want to give each of you a word of encouragement.
Kessel, if you look in the dictionary for the word "Superstar", you'll find your picture. We got to see you elevate your game this season, and believe me, we loved every minute of it. You truly are a dynamic player and I only see you elevating your game even further. I'm looking forward to every minute of it. I'm so happy that you're going to be around for 8 more years. Be proud, and keep up the good work.
Van Riemsdyk, I think you gave everyone a pleasant surprise and showed them why you were selected 2nd overall in the draft. Your play was admirable and you really put your heart into every shift and it showed out there. You had a career year and I can definitely seeing you eclipse your numbers next season. Like Kessel, I can only see you elevating your play even further and being even more dynamic than you already are. Keep up the good work.
Kadri, you proved to everyone that you can perform in any situation, whether it be a limited role or a role where you are more depended on. You proved to be a reliable, versatile player and I see more opportunity for growth, which I'm sure you will take full advantage of. You had a career year, and with more opportunities next year, I see you shattering the personal records you set this season. I for one am looking forward to seeing every minute of it.
Bozak, I want to say sorry and thank you. Sorry that I unfairly criticized you and said that you were not an impact player and not worthy of playing on the first line. Thank you for proving me as well as other Leaf fans wrong. Since you came back from your injury just before the Winter Classic, you have shown game in and game out your true value to this team. Your defensive face offs were critical to our success. The added scoring punch you brought was the cherry on top. Thank you for bringing it every game, and I look forward to seeing you continue to bring it.
Raymond, I cannot believe that you had to take a professional tryout to be on our team. I think you proved to 30 NHL teams that you are a worthy NHLer. Your season was incredible, and I'm sure if you keep it up, no one will ever make you try out for their team again. I look forward to seeing you tear it up in the NHL for many years to come.
Lupul, I think you'll always the MVP of the Leafs. Most Valuable Palindrome. You were playing injured and I think it showed everyone just how much heart you have. I believe you truly enjoy playing for the name on the front of your jersey and not the name on the back. I know you'll get back to your dynamic ways and will be one heck of an offensive weapon on our team. Keep giving it your all, and I'm sure you will be a huge part of this team's future success.
Franson, you did well on the blue line this season, especially on the power play. More times than not, your point shot led to a goal, whether it be your goal or an assist for someone else. You are an integral part of this team's success going forward, and I hope to see you anchoring our blue line for many years to come.
Phaneuf, I want you to read this entire paragraph, no matter how much it seems I'm criticizing you. You are the Captain of the Maple Leafs, and as a result, you take a large part of the blame for the team's failures. I think Burke acted hastily when he named you Captain and I don't think you can handle the pressure that comes with being Captain. When you are the Captain of the Maple Leafs, you have to be a leader on and off the ice, which unfortunately, you're neither. I do however commend you for your work with the Hospital for Sick Children, and I have a great deal of respect for what you do for those kids. Unless it's an emergency, you should always make yourself available to speak to the media (no matter how dumb they are). I do think the criticism you get is unfair though, you weren't ready to be Captain and you take a humongous load of the work. That being said, I think being a +3 with the amount of minutes you get amongst our opposition's top talent says a lot. You just need to clean up your game a little and find your roots. Don't be afraid to dish out a big hit or drop the gloves when times look bleak, those things can completely swing the momentum of the game. You have 7 years to prove everyone (including myself) wrong. I can't wait to see you do just that, and I know with a bit more work, you can do it.
Gardiner, your skating is incredible. You look like a natural out there on the ice. People may forget that you haven't been in the NHL that long because you play like you've been around for many seasons. Your offensive prowess and uptempo play have the power to completely change the outcome of the game. You look solid in both ends of the ice and you still have time to develop your game and get even better.
Rielly, I still can't believe you were a rookie this season. There were times where you looked like one of our best defensive weapons. Your rushes to erase 2 on 1s or take away a breakaway were impeccable. I only see your defensive game getting better from here, and I'm sure you will be around for a long time for us to enjoy seeing. Keep up the great work!
Kulemin, every shift, you gave it your all and it really showed out there. The defensive aspect of your game is what makes you valuable. You're responsible in your own end and don't make mistakes too often. You may be one of the better 2 way players in the NHL and I for one am glad that you're on the Maple Leafs. Keep doing the little things that make you awesome, and I'm sure you will be effective for many years to come.
Gunnarsson, you were quietly one of the most reliable defensemen on the ice. No one noticed you out there, because that's how serviceable you are. You didn't make any mistakes out there, and if you did, they weren't noticed. You had a great effort and Leafs Nation appreciates the solid defensive play.
Ranger, you struggled a bit this season, and I think it was return jitters. You came back to the NHL after an absence and it took you a while to find your groove. When you found that groove, you were a defensive monster. Now that the return jitters seem to be gone, I expect you to be a force on the blue line. Keep up the great work in the defensive end.
Bolland, unfortunately due to the horrific injury, we didn't get to see enough of your play. When you were in the lineup however, you were a catalyst. You were the perfect addition to the Maple Leafs. You had the grind game going and had some offensive flare as well. I hope the leg fully recovers this summer and you come back next season to tear it up. You will continue to be a catalyst in the NHL and will continue to add what you can to the team, and Leafs Nation will be appreciative of it.
Clarkson, I think with being given a large contract and coming to your favourite team growing up, the nerves got the better of you. The 10 game suspension to start the season didn't help either. With that said, I completely expect you to shake it off and be the impact player you were with New Jersey. You have the tools to be a valuable player. There is nowhere for you to go from here, but up.
McClement, without you, our penalty kill would be among the worst in the league. You sacrificed your body to make the big play and keep that puck as far from our net as possible. Your face off skills were very useful especially on the penalty kill. If you keep up the good work, I don't see any reason why we won't have the best penalty kill in the NHL, we already have the best penalty killer.
Bodie, you are the perfect bottom 6 NHL player. You do it all, you'll throw out the big hit, you'll grind in the dirty areas, and chip in offensively with goals that tend to shift the momentum of the game. Keep bringing that sandpaper like grit to the team, and you'll continue to be a valuable member of the Maple Leafs.
Smith, while you were only given a limited opportunity during the season, you made the most of it. You showed plenty of heart and grit and filled in admirably without missing a beat in the bottom 6. With more opportunity, I see you flourishing as a role player.
Gleason, you were without a doubt, one of the best acquisitions this season. You are a defensive monster and you have impressed me with your defensive skill and toughness. I'm hoping some of that offensive game will rub off on some of the other players anchoring the blue line. You sacrifice your body shift in and shift out, and that is something that you just don't see enough. Here's hoping for some more great years out of you. Keep up the great work in your own end.
Ashton, while you were only given a limited opportunity, you made the most of it. Whenever you were on the ice, we noticed. You were always banging bodies or banging faces with your fist. That toughness is something that this team needs going forward. Keep it up, and I see plenty more opportunities opening for you.
Orr, you've proven time and time again that you are not afraid to drop the gloves with anyone. You may not believe it, but your toughness was a vital part of our team's success last season. I expect that toughness and jaw smashing to continue. Keep up the good fight.
McLaren, you weren't given much time this season, but like Orr, your toughness is vital to the team's successes both now and in the future. Keep up the good fight, and soon enough that fight won't be to change momentum of a game, it'll be to change momentum of a playoff series.
Bernier, I have to hand it to you, you came in here as an unproven commodity and you proved to the entire NHL that you are a #1 goaltender. It's a shame that you had some injury troubles, as I would've loved to see what you could've done with more time. Rest up this summer, let your body heal and come back in September better than ever.
Reimer, you have one of the biggest fan bases of loyal fans. Your play dropped a bit this season and I truly believe it was a confidence issue. You have to come to training camp prepared to take your job back. I as well as many others know you can and know that you have what it task to be a truly great NHL goaltender. I'm sorry that your wife was attacked on twitter. She definitely did not deserve any bit of it, and the fans who took part in it are not real fans. The real fans have both yours and April's backs no matter what. I'm looking forward to see you compete for your job back in September. Keep that smile on your face, Leafs Nation will be seeing a lot of it next season.
All of you, it has been one heck of a ride that we have all enjoyed being a part of. You are a part of our lives and we feel what you feel. When you win, we're happy. When you lose, we're as devastated as you. I for one look forward to the next season and plan to be along every step of the way inviting you into my living room every game day like the family that I see you as. Leafs Nation loves you guys. Thanks for the memories!
Go Leafs Go!
Sincerely,
Abdalla Freihat (@AbTheLeafFan) Proud Member of Leafs Nation
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