Tape or Plastic

The ACC is primed and ready to handle passionate fans that are eagerly awaiting the opening of the main gates. The smell of pop corn, hamburgers and hot dogs fills the halls as they hit the turnstiles.

This is going to be another great season of hope.

After all, Stanley is up for grabs once again. Anyone who has the heart, talent, and determination to take the silver “grail” of hockey, can.

Throughout the league this summer, Board of Directors and Presidents have looked to their GM’s for troop selection. GM’s have hired a coaching staff they feel will get the most out of their prized players. Coaches ponder over who will provide the much needed leadership and strategic advantage in a new and speedy NHL. Will it be a youthful rookie or the established but aging veteran that usually delivers?

These older more experienced players walk slowly but proudly to the dressing room on game day, the enthusiastic rookies rush in like puppies with a fetch ball in anticipation of hitting the big time.

Cameras are rolling, commentators are commenting, life is good in a hockey mad city of blue and white.

When you look around you see that the locker rooms are overflowing with hockey “amour” just waiting for action in the frozen arena. Stick blades are curved, taped and ready to go, skates have been sharpened and the equipment is as clean and fresh smelling as it will every be.

The one thing that catches the observant eye is a little piece of white tape over the rookies’ heads clearly defining their space in that room. Their name is prominently displayed there for all to see. Yes, these rookies have made it to the big leagues, for now anyway. There’s the proof their name is directly over their heads, a life long dream has come to fruition. They finally have the chance at the brass ring. Yet each one of these rookies recognizes one fact, that the tape can just as easily be removed in the same manner it was applied. Just peel it back and you’re gone, maybe never to be seen again.

In striking contrast, the veteran’s names have permanent name tags above their heads. Why? Because they are the force behind their team, year in and year out there is no need to change their name tags, they have earned that right of permanence.

But have they in today’s NHL?

Should a player be paid in excess of 5 to 7 million dollars just on veteranship alone? Shouldn’t daily performance be what counts to determine your length of stay with any club? What do you do when there are numerous rookies that may fit the bill of talent and in some cases leadership if given a chance? Coaches think, “Can I send a player down to the minors that makes millions to give some snot nosed kid a chance?” The answer is yes they can, but at a very high risk of losing that player to another team, if he doesn’t clear waivers. Why can’t a veteran (if willing) play for any amount he wishes in order to make room for the new blood coming up the ranks? These are all questions that should be addressed before the next CBA.

Training camp is a place for the players to display their wares, be it good or bad. If good the player should be given a place on the club. If bad the player should be sent to the minors to re-evaluate his conditioning, talent, heart or commitment to the club and winning. Money should not be part of this equation; ever. Too many young players are left to rot in the minors because a veteran that makes piles of money cannot, or will not go down because of contract clauses and CBA rules. This is a real shame and dishonor to the front line players of the past who gave it their all and left everything they had on the ice for “the love of the game” not the size of their bank accounts. .

Some players in the past have been so proud to wear that jersey that it brought tears to their eyes, saying: “The proudest moment of my life was when I put on my Leafs jersey”. Keep in mind that big money to the players was very scarce in the early NHL. It’s only been the last ten to twenty years that players have amassed fortunes playing this beloved game of ours. So when a player said it was the “proudest moment of my life” you know it came from the heart and not because of the pocket book.

Most will agree that the NHL is a far better league today then it was in days past. It’s a much stronger viable business as proved by the 04/05 lockout where the loyal fans base came back in droves, seemingly willing to stick with their NHL team of choice no matter what. This fact goes beyond question in Toronto. In the entire world there are maybe one or two other sports conglomerates that rival MLSE and the Leafs; Manchester United and The New York Yankees.

Big time bucks govern sports not only from a managerial perspective but from a players view also. At times it seems that when a player reaches the pinnacle of his career, he signs the big bucks contract, and then decides to turtle and simply collect a paycheck. This has to stop and stop fast. I know in the real world contract or not if you don’t perform you’re out on your fanny. Maybe this should be the case in sports also, especially in Toronto in my view.

Training camp should be a place where you either make the team by your production and effort or leave because of your lack of it. Veterans should keep this in mind when the pull that Maple Leafs Jersey over their heads. Your permanent status can be very easily changed to your name being put on tape.

Youth, energy, speed, and talent seem to be the winning formula in the NHL today. As a Leaf fan I am tired of waiting for a cup. If you’re going to build, build now, even if it means putting all the pups out there.. 40 very long years in obscurity at times, is long enough. There should be no room at the top for players that mail it in on certain nights. The days of veteran players willing to come to Toronto because they want to retire in the “Mecca” of hockey are over and should never ever return again.



Comments are welcome as always.