Leafs: A Sad Analysis

[MOOKIE74]

LEAFS: A SAD ANALYSIS

It seems like every year at this time I have to compose an email about these fuckers. Same shit. Year after Year. 40 years and counting... My son recently asked me, "Daddy, why do you hate the Leafs so much?" I looked at my son and calmly explained. "There are no free rides in life. This team leads a charmed existence in this city and quite frankly I'm sick of it. THe Jays are far superior. The Raptors are the story of the year this year in the NBA. Why do I have to turn to the 10th page of the sports section to get information on either team. What have the Leafs done to warrant such attention and admiration? Absolutely nothing." And here is where the problem lies... The Stupiest Fans in All of Professional Sports

I read an article a year ago in the Financial Times. THey were talking about MLSE, who as we all know, own both the Leafs and Raptors. The article presented a financial analysis in regards to the Leafs and Raptors. The article stated that of course, MLSE had no worries about the Leafs. What was interesting was what the article said about the Raptors. It mentioned that the accountants at MLSE who were involved with the Raptors, told management that the franchise was at a critical stage. They were in jeopardy of losing their ticket holders and fan base if the losing continued. The article had mentioned that the Raptors through great marketing and Vince Carter had built a large fan base but since Carter's departure, the losing seasons etc., the report stated that the Raptors fan base would start to erode quickly if things didn't improve. I checked the date of that article and it was in February 2006. Within a month of that article, Bryan Colangelo was hired. Look where the Raptors are now.

The Leafs of course are an entire different story. There are morons willing to pay whatever it takes to watch this lousy team play. Whatever product they put on the ice, the $$$$ is always there. So why improve??? Why improve if you have talk shows talking about your product 24 hours a day??? Why hire a competent GM like the Raptors? It's not necessary. The fans will always be there. So the fans will bitch and moan etc. MLSE is laughing all the way to the bank. The fans only have themselves to blame. There is one thing that really bothers me this weekend. Why were the fans going ballistic last night after the Leafs beat Montreal? Isn't the goal to win the Stanley Cup? I remember just a few years ago when the lockout ended, the fans were wondering if the Leafs were good enough to win the Stanley Cup. Endless analysis but at least the focus was right. After a lousy season where they missed the playoffs, all of a sudden the focus was on just making the playoffs. Are the fans in this city so utterly pathetic that they can be satisfied with lowering their expectations from winning it all to just making it to the playoffs??? Not just satisfied but I was told they actually dancing in the street at the thought of squeezing in as an 8th seed last night. Celebrating to make it as an 8th seed???? Basically as the 16th best team in 30 teams. Are you guys a bunch of fucken idiots or what????? The only people who benefit under such a scenerio is MLSE because of playoff revenues and scalpers. Can Toronto Sports Fans be that stupid?????? Well, let's just say Toronto Sports Fans got what they deserved today.

 

[iluvbtca]

By having a business own the Leafs, you have typical corporate decisions being made. There is not enough courage in the offices to do what's really needed which is gut the team and start over. Dealing Sundin, Tucker, etc. for picks and prospects is needed to truly lay the foundation for a true contender. However, management is scared of pissing off the same fans noted above.

It's interesting to note what was said during the PHI/BUF game that the Flyers have been terrible all year but averaged 18K fans still. With the price they got for Forsberg, could have TO commanded as much for Sundin? Who knows but for certain, you have to look at Philly and think they have a bunch of young components for not only a rebuild but possibly a chance at being a future Cup contender in two years.

From an opposite point of view from the rant above, the true question is how loyal are fans and will Leaf Nation be patient with a true rebuilding effort???

 

[scouser1]

From an opposite point of view from the rant above, the true question is how loyal are fans and will Leaf Nation be patient with a true rebuilding effort???

Giuseppe and Vito from Woodbridge of the "Leaf Nation" (ugh that term disgusts me) would have made awesome citizens of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany, loyal at all costs and follow like sheep

 

[pblues]

Can Toronto Sports Fans be that stupid?????? Well, let's just say Toronto Sports Fans got what they deserved today.

You make some very valid points, but to suggest that the fans are stupid and got what they deserved is plain ignornance.

 

[21pro]

It seems like every year at this time I have to compose an email about these fuckers. Same shit. Year after Year. 40 years and counting...

that's pretty cool you had email 40 years ago! were you in some top secret department at the pentagon or something?

 

[hardlicks]

I was hoping the Leafs would lose. I've fucking had it with this team. The only way the cocksuckers at the top will do anything serious is if the fans and/or the money dries up a bit.

As I said in the past, Toronto should be THE team that is ALWAYS fighting for the top 3 final standings every year. This team should employ hockey's finest minds and staff. They have the financial resources to to it. But they don't because, I feel, they don't respect their fans.

Same old shit every fucking year. I'm glad they fucking lost. Get some knowledgable people at the top and work your way down!

 

[blueline]

that's pretty cool you had email 40 years ago! were you in some top secret department at the pentagon or something?

possibly morse code?

 

[Corey]

Leaf fans should think like consumers and walk away if they're not satisfied.

How many of us would go to the same restaurant and continue to walk out with food poisoning?

If Leaf fans can survive a year without hockey due to the lockout, they can survive not following the team because of poor performance.

There are other things in life and other teams to cheer for.

In the early 1980's, there were thousands of empty seats at the Montreal Forum because the Habs were performing below expectations.

If Hab fans can do it, so can Leaf fans.

 

[vick187]

no need for analysis!!!FIRE JFJ, and blow up the team, start for scratch or its gonna be another 40 years!!!

 

[JohnLarue]

Leaf fans should think like consumers and walk away if they're not satisfied.

Corporations buy the majority of Leaf tickets. always have, always will.
These Corps give them to their best customers as appreciation for the business sent to these corporations or they give them to employees to show their appreciation
Your average Joe consumer cant afford to buy a set of Leaf season tickets $180/ticket*2 tickets & 41 games / year = $14,760.00 (Sorry not on my salary)

There are so many hockey fans in the GTA who get to go to so few games that these are always in demand and the corporations know it. This will not change in Toronto. I guarantee it

Therefore we as fans can not walk away if we are not satisfied with the product. As a leaf fan I am kinda pissed off when People say "Its the fans fault" Bullshit. Its completely out of my control

The problem as I see it has been the leafs management has consistently dealt away prospects for high priced short term gain and paid too much for good but not great players (McCabe). Which the Leafs Fans demanded. (I want to win now) Cliff Fletcher then Quinn (The Owen Nolan experiment). This left them poorly prepared for a salary cap environment.

Unfortunately this is not likely to improve soon, some of their young players are good (Stajen, Steen, Well wood, White , Carlo C), however they are not great. Kaberle & Sundin are very good talents, however Sundin is on the decline.
The NHL is very competitive and the ability to improve the team is hampered by the salary cap & a lot invested by Toronto in a few players.
However anyone knowledgeable about the game would have recognized at the beginning of the season this team was hard pressed to make the playoffs.
I am little surprised by the outrage. Would you have felt better if they had made the playoffs & then got blow-en away by Buffalo in 5 maybe six games?
(as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow).
In stead of asking for JF Jr's head on a platter, lets stick to the plan it may work by 2010. Quick fixes will not work in this situation

 

[the_big_E]

Leafs basically cannot do anything for 4 years because Kubina & McCabe are soaking up all that salary cap space.

 

[the_big_E]

Kaberle is good though

 

[samcan]

Yes Kaberle is good and I'd keep him but the other 22 can go.
Even if the sign someone to play with Matts he's already to old.
As Bob MaCowan says take you losses now, pay for some guys to go for other teams, fire the gm and get some good drafts.
As for the fans, they dont call it Leaf Nation for nothing and they will not stop coming. They even filled the old place in the Ballard era?

 

[Corey]

Leaf fans should think like consumers and walk away if they're not satisfied.

Corporations buy the majority of Leaf tickets. always have, always will.
These Corps give them to their best customers as appreciation for the business sent to these corporations or they give them to employees to show their appreciation
Your average Joe consumer cant afford to buy a set of Leaf season tickets $180/ticket*2 tickets & 41 games / year = $14,760.00 (Sorry not on my salary)

There are so many hockey fans in the GTA who get to go to so few games that these are always in demand and the corporations know it. This will not change in Toronto. I guarantee it

Therefore we as fans can not walk away if we are not satisfied with the product. As a leaf fan I am kinda pissed off when People say "Its the fans fault" Bullshit. Its completely out of my control

The problem as I see it has been the leafs management has consistently dealt away prospects for high priced short term gain and paid too much for good but not great players (McCabe). Which the Leafs Fans demanded. (I want to win now) Cliff Fletcher then Quinn (The Owen Nolan experiment). This left them poorly prepared for a salary cap environment.

Unfortunately this is not likely to improve soon, some of their young players are good (Stajen, Steen, Well wood, White , Carlo C), however they are not great. Kaberle & Sundin are very good talents, however Sundin is on the decline.
The NHL is very competitive and the ability to improve the team is hampered by the salary cap & a lot invested by Toronto in a few players.
However anyone knowledgeable about the game would have recognized at the beginning of the season this team was hard pressed to make the playoffs.
I am little surprised by the outrage. Would you have felt better if they had made the playoffs & then got blow-en away by Buffalo in 5 maybe six games?
(as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow).
In stead of asking for JF Jr's head on a platter, lets stick to the plan it may work by 2010. Quick fixes will not work in this situation

Corporations would not buy tickets if people didn't want them. Look at the Jays before they went on their spending spree.

It's all a numbers game. If enough fans stopped caring and did other things with their time, management would stop being so complacent.

If it worked in Montreal of all places, it can work in Toronto.

True, you as an individual can't change things but if there were 50 000 people who just walked away, management would notice.

In fact, the leakage has already begun. Ratings for Hockey Night are down this year and were slowly declining in the lead up to the lockout.

 

[iluvbtca]

So complacency is a culprit in the Leafs problems. What do people think of the existence of an immediate threat to push the situation i.e. A second NHL franchise in Toronto??? I'm not throwing it out to debate the possibility of a 2nd franchise. Just whether anyone thinks the Leafs would respond to it.

 

[JohnLarue]

Corporations would not buy tickets if people didn't want them. Look at the Jays before they went on their spending spree.

It's all a numbers game. If enough fans stopped caring and did other things with their time, management would stop being so complacent.

If it worked in Montreal of all places, it can work in Toronto.

True, you as an individual can't change things but if there were 50 000 people who just walked away, management would notice.

In fact, the leakage has already begun. Ratings for Hockey Night are down this year and were slowly declining in the lead up to the lockout.[/QUOTE]

I am afraid you just do not understand corporate logic. If the Leafs finished dead last in the league, corporations in Toronto would still buy their seasons tickets. Why?
1. They know there will always be a demand from clients & employees in the GTA. There are just too many hockey fans who would still take the tickets so they can take their son, daughter to see the good players on the visiting teams. To see if I am correct offer a pair of Leafs tickets @ your work next October. See how many want them. Oh hows all of them sound for an answer
2. They would not want to lose the season tickets the corporation has had for years. Their clients and employees expect them
3. Marketing departments would lose that budget allocation & would have difficulty getting it back. I know it sounds weird but thats the way it works
4. If 50,000 walked away, a different 50,000 would want the tickets (followed by 50,000 more & another 50,000) The GTA is the most concentrated area of hockey fans in the world

As for Montreal
1. They are far more use to having a winner and thus are spoiled. For decades they had the advantage of getting the first shot at Quebec born players, Then they had the advantage of Sam Pollack. In the new NHL with 30+ teams and a salary cap, they had better get use to many years of no Cup & even losing seasons
2. How do you explain any behavior that emanates from Quebec?????
Logic does not always play into their behavior.

I can recall more than one boss trying to flog Argo or Blue Jays tickets @ work
The response was often "Gee thanks boss, I have plans for that night, but keep me in mind for Leaf tickets."

This is a hockey town and the Leaf tickets will always always be in demand, regardless of the product on the ice.

 

[Corey]

I actually do understand corporate logic and it's all about the mighty buck. In this case, getting value for that buck.

Do you think businesses would keep buying corporate seats if clients and workers stopped wanting them?

It all starts with one fan, and then another and then another times 50 000, 100 000 or even 500 000.

If you're not happy, walk away, follow another team or find something else to do.

That's what Expo fans did after numerous heartbreaks in the 1980's and 90's.

MLSE takes Leaf fans for granted precisely because they know one or two season ticket cancellations can easily be replaced.

However, if enough people started acting like dissatisfied consumers instead of bitching but loyal fans, management will start thinking "hey, we gotta smarten up here." That's what they did with the Raptors.

Leaf fans, stop going to games, stop buying jerseys, stop watching and listening to games, stop caring. Boycott the team until they do better. If enough of you put a dent in their bottom line, they will wake up.

Yes, Leaf tickets will always be in demand regardless of the on ice product but they should not always be in demand.

What Habs fans did in the early 1980's worked. They started winning again in the playoffs, first with Steve Penney, then with Patrick Roy. Yes, part of it was luck, but another part was the realization that the team had to earn its fan support.

 

[Corey]

So complacency is a culprit in the Leafs problems. What do people think of the existence of an immediate threat to push the situation i.e. A second NHL franchise in Toronto??? I'm not throwing it out to debate the possibility of a 2nd franchise. Just whether anyone thinks the Leafs would respond to it.

It's both complacency and competence.

A second NHL franchise in Toronto or nearby will not happen -- unless it's owned by MLSE so they can double their profits.

 

[popodaki]

Fellow Leaf fans, at least we have something to be thankful for. That is, we aren't fans of the Chicago Blackhawks.

 

[sailorsix]

Jeeez after preaching for two years for a Laffs boycott finally a few of you come out of the woodwork! It is goo dt o hear that not everyone in Toronto continues t o drink the Kool-Aid!

Now you need to tell somebody at work and have them tell somebody and have them tell somebody, blah blah blah....

And remember it is not just boycotting buying tickets...it is everything Laffs related. When you hear those assholes on Laffs Lunch in July give yourself a shake and switch radio stations. WTF are you doing anyway? hockey in summer? And make sure that you call that radio station and tell them that you are listening to CBC radio 2 everytime that they mention the Laffs. And then call a couple of the Laffs Lunch sponsors and tell them you will not be buying their shit anymore becuse you no longer buy the shit from MLSE. Cancel your Laffs TV. Order Sens TV.

Start pushing the snowball uphill....unless you make your voices known to the
knobs at MLSE and all of the fart catchers who suck on that giant MLSE teat then it will be all for naught.