A Habs Fan Helps Leafs Nation

By Eric Rosenhek

There isn’t a more confusing species than Leafs Nation.

Fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs are madly in love with their team. They are passionate and dedicated. But almost every year, the Leafs and their parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, have embraced this devotion by hurting their fans and filling them with an enormous sense of disappointment.

As a fan of the Montreal Canadiens and a resident of the Greater Toronto Area, I have witnessed the actions of Leafs Nation for many years. There are times when I have admired Leaf fans for their enthusiasm. There are also moments when I couldn’t understand their reasoning for being so enthusiastic.

Leafs Nation is like the parent of a child who constantly screws up. The child doesn’t do well in school, can’t keep a steady job and is unable to find a fulfilling relationship. Despite all these flaws, the parent showers this child with love and affection. It’s as if the child can do no wrong.

That’s Leafs Nation – a large collective that is willing to pay for extremely expensive tickets and fill the Air Canada Centre, even though the product is habitually poor.

But Leafs Nation is angry.

Leaf fans will always support their team. They’ll wear their jerseys with pride and shout “Go Leafs Go” until their lungs are sore. But they are sick and tired of always being slapped in the face by an organization that relies on dollars and cents instead of wins and losses. And every year, that anger grows.

Being a fan of the Maple Leafs is a fun occupation. It’s also a miserable one as well.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t have to be that way.

It’s time for Leaf fans to embrace a new way of thinking; one that keeps the passion alive and gets rid of the bitterness and resentment. It’s an optimistic approach that involves three steps:

1. Be Patient

I know, I know. 1967. I get it.

Look, it was a lot easier to win the Stanley Cup in 1967 than it is in 2010. There was a one-in-six chance back then. Now it’s one-in-thirty. Only one team gets the opportunity the hoist the cup and the other 29 clubs have to grin and bear it.

Expansion has not only affected the Leafs, but other original six teams as well. Look at the Canadiens: Just two Stanley Cups in the last thirty years!

You’re going to have to be patient, Leafs Nation. I realize that’s a lot to ask for, but there’s really no choice. The Leafs will win the Stanley Cup one day. I don’t know when it’s going to happen and anyone who says they do know is full of it. However, I do know your patience will be rewarded one day. Blackhawk fans will concur with this notion; so would Ranger fans.

2. Support the Marlies

The American Hockey League has the most dedicated and passionate players, and Toronto has the opportunity to witness pure, professional hockey without inflated salaries or ego.

Tired of spending a fortune to watch the Leafs? Then go watch the Toronto Marlies instead.

Marlies tickets are very affordable and their arena, the family-friendly Ricoh Coliseum, is a nice, intimate setting.  Fans are closer to the action, which is usually crisp and entertaining.

Plus, most of the Marlies will one day play for the Maple Leafs. So it’s a great opportunity to witness Toronto’s young stars up close and personal, before they move to the stuffy Air Canada Centre; home of corporate seats and seven dollar hotdogs.

3. Look Forward, Not Backward

If I had a nickel for every time Leaf fans bring up Kerry Fraser’s missed penalty call or the questionable actions of Harold Ballard, I could afford a single platinum ticket at the Air Canada Centre.

Leafs Nation, from the bottom of my heart, GET OVER IT!

No matter how many times you moan and complain, the result of the 1993 Campbell Conference final will never change and the damage caused by Ballard or any other front office executive, coach and general manager cannot be undone.

Take one last look at the heartache, then turn and look forward; and there are plenty of wonderful reasons to look forward.

The Leafs are now boasting a young and energetic team. Brian Burke has built a good foundation featuring a top defenseman in Dion Phaneuf, a talented forward in Phil Kessel and strong goaltending with J.S. Giguere. With the addition of rookies like Luca Caputi and Nazem Kadri (both currently with the Marlies) and players with a physical presence such as Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchemin, the Leafs are slowly transforming themselves from last-place occupiers to playoff contenders.

It’s too early to tell if the current team has enough talent to make the playoffs in April. However, Leafs Nation will definitely feel impressed and content at the end of the season.

So chin up, Leafs Nation. It’s time to stop the sulking and blaming. Your beloved Leafs are no longer at the bottom of the NHL; they’re starting to climb the ladder. No more tears (unless they’re tears of joy). No more broken hearts.