LET THE DISMANTLING BEGIN!

OK so I haven’t been on the forum since Saturday morning, and I made a point of writing this update prior to checking out the fan reaction in various threads. I would assume by this point that half the team should be traded, Ryder burnt at the stake, Carbonneau fired and replaced by Youppi, Gainey fired and replaced by the beer vendor, etc, etc…

I will be the first to admit that this team has been on the bubble/ fence between stardom and mediocrity, and as of late every indication shows that we are sliding towards the wrong side of the line. However, everyone needs to get a grip and realise that we’re not there yet. We’re only just over a quarter of the way in to the season, we’re still in good shape in points standings. We should also note that every team (including the “mighty” Senators) go through their rough patches. This is a test for the team, a test we failed miserably last year, and it gives many of the players an opportunity to have a second crack at the cookie. Also its advantageous to go through the rough patches earlier rather than later in the season, because if and when we fix the glitches, we’ll be flying into the post-season with momentum.

All that to say that we are going through a rough patch, but all it takes is a few games winning streak and a 0.7, 0.8 winning rate over a dozen games or so, and we’re back on cloud nine. Things change quickly in the new NHL, and the standings, as many must have noticed, change rather dramatically every weekend. It’s not the first, nor will it be the last time the HABS teeter-tot through the ranks, but if the general public wants to enter mass hysteria and send the ¾ of the roster to the firing range each time we drop a few, than there is a high likelihood of the team demoralising throughout the long season.

This is where we will see how much maturity the players and the coaching staff has gained through last year’s debacles. And it all starts with a solid test against another team in a dire situation, who incidentally has our number: The Leafs.