Lack of Leadership

[Frank E]

While there's no shortage of stupid things about the non-salute, whether about the non-act itself or about the reaction to it, I think it only gets stupider after their next home win.  If they salute, then it gets taken in the media as an acknowledgement of wrongdoing and a beg for forgiveness.  And if they don't salute, the team is doubling down on their arrogance and disrespect for the fans.  Surely they have a marketing team trying to dream up a third option for the players, besides losing every home game going forward.

If you're taking bets, I'll put my money on them not doing it. 

 

[bustaheims]

Like I said u can believe what you want. I grew up in the Shuswap area and have friends who visit the Sicamous area for hockey schools etc and my best man is friends with Shea Webers Dad and this is what we hear.

I'm not even saying I don't believe it. I'm saying without knowing why he said it, it's a pretty meaningless comment. Is he talking about how the fans see Phaneuf? Players on other teams? Other Leafs? Without that context, you can't really take much from that comment.

 

[Frank E]

Scroll about halfway down and you'll see it.

http://www.hockeystats.ca/game/2014020292

Very nice.

 

[hockeyfan1]

The more players get paid, the higher expectations from the fans.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

11/30/14

Controversy continues to follow Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs, dogged by controversy in recent weeks, have brought even more such trouble upon themselves following a spirited 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.  The team's leadership, plagued by blunders both on and off the ice, made what can only be described as a gravely ill-conceived attempt to make amends with fans.  At the conclusion of their win, the players took off their skates, autographed them, and threw them as souvenirs into the crowd.  34 fans had to be rushed to St. Michael's Hospital for treatment of lacerations to faces, hands, torsos, and even a scrotum.  Most of the injuries were confined to fans in the lower bowl of the ACC, but shockingly, captain Dion Phaneuf was successful in his targeting of a young fan all the way up in Section 320.  "I really thought that little dude could catch it," said a somewhat shaken Phaneuf, "I hope he's okay."

Defenseman Cody Franson and winger Leo Komarov appeared initially unaware of the skate-throwing plan, but were encouraged to participate by their teammates.  Komarov, the NHL leader in hits, surprisingly managed to injure 5 fans with his two skates.  Only Phil Kessel and Jake Gardiner failed to hit anybody.

It was the 7th largest number of fan injuries at a game in NHL history, and 1st among cities other than Philadelphia.

 

[ZBBM]

11/30/14

Controversy continues to follow Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs, dogged by controversy in recent weeks, have brought even more such trouble upon themselves following a spirited 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.  The team's leadership, plagued by blunders both on and off the ice, made what can only be described as a gravely ill-conceived attempt to make amends with fans.  At the conclusion of their win, the players took off their skates, autographed them, and threw them as souvenirs into the crowd.  34 fans had to be rushed to St. Michael's Hospital for treatment of lacerations to faces, hands, torsos, and even a scrotum.  Most of the injuries were confined to fans in the lower bowl of the ACC, but shockingly, captain Dion Phaneuf was successful in his targeting of a young fan all the way up in Section 320.  "I really thought that little dude could catch it," said a somewhat shaken Phaneuf, "I hope he's okay."

Defenseman Cody Franson and winger Leo Komarov appeared initially unaware of the skate-throwing plan, but were encouraged to participate by their teammates.  Komarov, the NHL leader in hits, surprisingly managed to injure 5 fans with his two skates.  Only Phil Kessel and Jake Gardiner failed to hit anybody.

It was the 7th largest number of fan injuries at a game in NHL history, and 1st among cities other than Philadelphia.

Have you considered a second career with The Onion?

 

[Wendel's Fist]

Whether anyone likes it or not, the Toronto Maple Leafs really shouldn't be the first team to stop saluting their fans. The Leafs have no idea how lucky they are to have any fans left to spend as much as they do.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

11/30/14

Controversy continues to follow Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs, dogged by controversy in recent weeks, have brought even more such trouble upon themselves following a spirited 5-2 victory over the Washington Capitals at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.  The team's leadership, plagued by blunders both on and off the ice, made what can only be described as a gravely ill-conceived attempt to make amends with fans.  At the conclusion of their win, the players took off their skates, autographed them, and threw them as souvenirs into the crowd.  34 fans had to be rushed to St. Michael's Hospital for treatment of lacerations to faces, hands, torsos, and even a scrotum.  Most of the injuries were confined to fans in the lower bowl of the ACC, but shockingly, captain Dion Phaneuf was successful in his targeting of a young fan all the way up in Section 320.  "I really thought that little dude could catch it," said a somewhat shaken Phaneuf, "I hope he's okay."

Defenseman Cody Franson and winger Leo Komarov appeared initially unaware of the skate-throwing plan, but were encouraged to participate by their teammates.  Komarov, the NHL leader in hits, surprisingly managed to injure 5 fans with his two skates.  Only Phil Kessel and Jake Gardiner failed to hit anybody.

It was the 7th largest number of fan injuries at a game in NHL history, and 1st among cities other than Philadelphia.

Have you considered a second career with The Onion?

Only if it pays better than my first career of international playboy.

 

[Peter D.]

So on my drive in to work I tune in to Brady & Walker, and what else dominates the show but none other than "Salute Gate" as they coined it. 

Of course, they piggybacked on the notion that the decision to not salute the fans was reflective of the leadership group, going as far as to suggest Phaneuf and some of the others showed mental cracks ("crumbling" was thrown out there as well) when it comes to withstanding the heat.  That the team might need to look elsewhere so this doesn't arise again.  Now, I don't care much for Phaneuf one way or the other in terms of leadership or skill set, but to suggest this of all things is reflective of his ability to lead is as silly as when it was suggested that him coming in to the dressing room and taking over the stereo showed leadership.  Give it a rest already.

The kicker is that they went on to say the whole thing is not media driven, and instead it started the second they decided not to salue the fans.  Yup, sure.  You're the ones talking ad nauseam and bringing up this stupid topic any chance you get.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

So on my drive in to work I tune in to Brady & Walker, and what else dominates the show but none other than "Salute Gate" as they coined it. 

Of course, they piggybacked on the notion that the decision to not salute the fans was reflective of the leadership group, going as far as to suggest Phaneuf and some of the others showed mental cracks ("crumbling" was thrown out there as well) when it comes to withstanding the heat.  That the team might need to look elsewhere so this doesn't arise again.  Now, I don't care much for Phaneuf one way or the other in terms of leadership or skill set, but to suggest this of all things is reflective of his ability to lead is as silly as when it was suggested that him coming in to the dressing room and taking over the stereo showed leadership.  Give it a rest already.

The kicker is that they went on to say the whole thing is not media driven, and instead it started the second they decided not to salue the fans.  Yup, sure.  You're the ones talking ad nauseam and bringing up this stupid topic any chance you get.

If it showed issues of the leadership group (and if leadership is that important) wouldn't they have not won two straight games after it happened?  I feel like if they lost those two games it would be used as evidence of poor leadership but since they won them they'll just conveniently ignore that.

 

[ZBBM]

Of course, they piggybacked on the notion that the decision to not salute the fans was reflective of the leadership group, going as far as to suggest Phaneuf and some of the others showed mental cracks ("crumbling" was thrown out there as well) when it comes to withstanding the heat.  That the team might need to look elsewhere so this doesn't arise again.  Now, I don't care much for Phaneuf one way or the other in terms of leadership or skill set, but to suggest this of all things is reflective of his ability to lead is as silly as when it was suggested that him coming in to the dressing room and taking over the stereo showed leadership.  Give it a rest already.

I agree.