| 11 April 2009
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Tonight's match up between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators was supposed to feature two teams that were playing for different things. Having shed salary and some tenured veterans, the Leafs were expected to ice one of the worst clubs in the League. With their Stanley Cup aspirations put aside, fans were left to dream about who they'd take first overall -- Tavares or Hedman.Just up the 401, Senators fans only demanded two things -- a return to the postseason and less douchebaggery off the ice. In retrospect, I should have had lowered expectations. (Especially considering the way the team played in the second half of last year.) Note to readers: When you're more excited about the team's subtractions than you are the additions, you're probably in denial. Odds are, your favorite team isn't as good as you want it to be.
It didn't really help matters that the propaganda machine was in full effect. Last summer, the words accountability and responsibility were thrown around more often than Glen Sather's cap dollars. Even though words don't get saddled with NTC's, 6-year contracts, and don't get booed mercilessly by the Rangers faithful, they're just words and that's the problem. While Murray and Melnyk had bought what Hartsburg was selling, the message never sank in with the players. As they entered the second half of the season, Ottawa had one of the worst records in the NHL and for the first time in over 10 years, fans were whispering the words lottery pick around.
Fortunately, these fans were instructed to build bombs and blow themselves up and we've never heard from them since. If Melnyk's sarcastic mass-suicide comment wasn't the lowpoint of the year, then a Toronto scribe's article that proclaimed that Ottawa didn't deserve to have better odds to draft Tavares than Toronto did. Seriously though, how fucking bad was this season when Toronto beat writers aren't savoring or relishing in the inadequacies of their rival? Instead, they're jealous of Ottawa's projected draft position. That's fucked.
Fortunately for that Toronto journalist, the Hartsburg firing, a prolonged winning streak and a brief playoff tease has restored the world's balance. Toronto's divine right finish lower in the standings has been realized. Congrats fellas.
When the final buzzer sounds at the ACC tonight, it will mercifully put an end to a2008-2009 campaign that never materialized the way either team expected. Regardless of how either team has got to this point, they're both bubble teams that are competitive but shouldn't threaten for contention any time soon. While Brian Burke and co. should have the cap-room and ego to necessitate a splash, Ottawa's cap situation might handcuff Murray from making some changes. Instead, we could face another offseason of enjoying new words, like hope and growth from within.
Confused? Me too. I'm still trying to figure out the Campoli/Comrie deal and why Alex Auld has been giving the bulk of the starts down the stretch.
Let the puck drop already.
UPDATE: 7:15 PM
Ron Maclean states that if the Leafs lose and the Coyotes and King win, the Leafs will slide into a lottery position. Now we know why Alfredsson is scratched. Gerber and Elliott are in nets as well. Also, Elliot Friedman said that Bryan Murray has met with Todd Reynolds, Chris Neil's agent, despite bumping their offer, Neil apparently won't negotiate on offer with the Sens until he's tested the free agent market.
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