I'm Just Not Feeling It This Year

[bax]

this whole, “the playoffs are the only thing that matters” nonsense that has taken over pro sports narratives is so overdone. I turn the Leafs on because I want to watch a hockey game.

Completely agreed! Why a hockey fan wouldn't want to watch the regular season is really strange to me

 

[Stephen]

People get very excited over the offseason player movement and pre-season storylines, but from what I can tell, having an quality team making small boring moves in the summer and trying to do more of the same is really the sign of an elite team in the midst of a window of contention.

 

[kevsh]

Matthews is a special talent, so if nothing else watching him play last year (in fact, every year) has been a treat. 10,15,20 years from now I'll be able to say I watched him play and yes, he was that good.

While I do agree that this year, like at least the past 3-4, what Leafs fans want more than anything is playoff success. But don't use that as an excuse to skip on seeing the best talent this 100+ year original 6 franchise has ever had.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

Being a Leaf fan is like being in an abusive relationship, you hope somethings going to change and before you know it your PS5 is smashed and your Kermit the frog toy you've had since a kid is set on fire in the living room...

But here's hoping this year lol

 

[DarkKnight]

Of course all that matters is the playoffs this year, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride this regular season, I love good hockey. All it means, you know deep down the real test is coming and it’s absolutely how they will be judged. To argue anything else makes zero sense to me, it’s sport.

 

[kb]

Matthews is a special talent, so if nothing else watching him play last year (in fact, every year) has been a treat. 10,15,20 years from now I'll be able to say I watched him play and yes, he was that good.

While I do agree that this year, like at least the past 3-4, what Leafs fans want more than anything is playoff success. But don't use that as an excuse to skip on seeing the best talent this 100+ year original 6 franchise has ever had.

Didn't expect to read a post like this from you, but man.....you absolutely nailed this entire post. 100%

People need to recognize we have a generational talent, 2 elite (borderline at least) talents, and 2 others that exceeded anything else the Leafs had post 2005. This era of talent will come to an end, so why not enjoy it?

 

[garce]

I guess it’s all a matter of mindset. I watch hockey for the pure enjoyment of the sports, and we’re as good as we have ever been. Like we are literally watching franchise history unfolding with Matthews and Marner every game.

But if storylines are what you need to get into it, here are some:

- Matthews and Marner to reach Leafs top 10 in all-time points?
- Marner first time reaching 100 points?
- Can Matthews be the first 60 goal scorer to repeat in the cap era?
- Can a healthy Matthews flirt with 70 goals?
- Division title? Presidents trophy?
- Can the Leafs set the franchise record again?
- Does Robertson make an impact this year?
- Does Knies join the team for a playoff run?
- Can Sandin and Liljegren take a step and cement themselves as top 4 defensemen?
- Will Murray and Samsonov be the answer in goal?
- Can Rielly pass Turnbull for 4th in all-time points among Leafs defensemen
- Can Matthews repeat as Hart and Ted Lindsay winner?
- Could Keefe win the Jack Adams?
- Will a Leaf challenge for the Art Ross or the Selke this year?
- Will the Leafs depth adds pan out?
- Can Matthews score 50 in 50?

Yes to all, because that’s what a new season brings possibilities. Grew up in the middle of nowhere rural eastern ontario in the 1960s and got to watch maybe 1 game a week sometimes 2 if lucky. Struggled to get radio broadcasts and went to absurd lengths to get even a hint of play by play. Now in my 60s and have been to scores of leaf games live in many different cities. Almost never miss a game and it never gets old.

 

[kb]

Of course all that matters is the playoffs this year, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the ride this regular season, I love good hockey. All it means, you know deep down the real test is coming and it’s absolutely how they will be judged. To argue anything else makes zero sense to me, it’s sport.

Fair assessment for sure. Dismissing regular season accomplishments as meaning nothing still doesn't mean a person can't enjoy watching their team dismantle other teams for 82 games.

 

[Nineteen67]

.

Completely agreed! Why a hockey fan wouldn't want to watch the regular season is really strange to me

what’s even stranger is many die hard Leafs fans don’t watch the Stanley Cup playoffs

 

[FlareKnight]

While I know this kind of post is usually an excuse for people to gang up on someone, I will say that I get it. The team has reached a point where it's just stuck in a different kind of mud from the past. It's definitely better mud. At least they are stuck at the point of regularly making the playoffs before going out in a single round. That's definitely an improvement over the mud of just missing out and falling in the ugly middle ground.

But I still get it. The core guys are in their prime here. It's not getting much better than this. They are near certain to make the playoffs somewhere in the top 3 of the division. So while you can absolutely watch for the in-game entertainment, there isn't much mystery about where things are going.

So if you aren't feeling it then take a break. No point letting anyone make you feel bad for feeling that way. In a lot of ways nothing will be settled until several months later when we see if they can beat whoever they get in round 1 this year. I took most of last year off and it was pretty nice. Got nice and refreshed.

But if you stick around no big deal to feel a bit ambivalent. This age of talent is nice, but it's talent that still can't compare to teams we've had that actually could win series. So if nothing else it's worth watching to see if they can someday measure up to those teams and miraculously surpass them someday. Not much intrigue going into the regular season, but you might still have some fun during some high scoring wins regardless.

 

[Tairy Greene]

I tell myself that every year, but I'm like Charlie Brown coming back for that football again and again!

 

[kb]

I tell myself that every year, but I'm like Charlie Brown coming back for that football again and again!

Starring the NHL as Lucy.

 

[Wiseguys]

I've had the misery of being a Leaf fan for over 55 years since they won the cup back in 67. Your still a rookie, you have along way to go to feel the agony of being excited and then let down year after year, this year will not be any different. The salary cap has made it more difficult for the Leafs to win another cup there's just to much parity in the league. Hang in there, you haven't felt any pain yet. What's disturbing is the Jay's and the Raptors were both expansion teams and they've won championships. I'm more excited about them then the Leafs, why, it all starts with the proper management in place, the Leafs have never had it, since 67.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Nothing wrong with taking a step back if you're not organically wanting to watch. When you treat being a fan like a job it will wear you down. I would really recommend only watching when you genuinely feel like watching. That's what I did last year and it eliminated a lot of the overly emotional stuff that only serves to make your day worse. Doesn't make the playoffs hurt any less, but it feels a lot healthier throughout the season.

Sound advice.

Kudos

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

For years the Leafs couldn't even make the playoffs for years at a time.

Now they make the playoffs year-in and year-out, with a better team each season, and that's not good enough either. Time to stop watching until the playoffs.

Next if they win the Stanley Cup, we' ll have to stop watching because chances are they won't repeat.

That's the way it works, right?

No It's not good enough nor should it be, losing in the first round especially when you have done it 6 straight years should NEVER be considered good enough.

Haven't seen the 2nd round since 2004 no that is NOT good enough

 

[fillkessel]

I feel like Willy styles is about to have his best year yet. Why would he be on the decline? I bet he hits 40 Gino’s.

 

[Holymakinaw]

Normally I'm excited for the start of every year but this year it's just meh. There is just so little to look forward too. They've done everything

-Team set it's points records.
-Auston won the individual awards now and set the Leaf Records.
-Marner is B2B 1st team All Star, nothing left to prove.
-Rielly signed long term, no UFA drama
-Nylander had his best year it will only go down
-Tavares will regress, and we will continue to complain about his cap hit
-Robertson is the only prospect that could even make the team and might still end up in the minors
-Goalies are new but it's pretty much lateral changes at best.
-All the new skaters players are bottom 6 wingers

They'll score a lot of goals, they'll give up a lot of goals, they'll win a lot of games, make the playoffs and play someone from Florida. There is no cap space to make a big TDL deal so this is it. Can we just fast forward to April.

I thought last year was an 82 game preseason but for the individuals it really meant something so that was fun to watch..... Now that they've accomplished basically everything possible in the regular season it really is an 82 game preseason and I just DGAF. Never thought I'd say that.

Anyone else feel like this?

Meh. That's normal. I've felt like this for a few years now. It's the "getting suckered into being excited for the team every offseason, then getting crushed every post season" thing. After awhile, it gets to ya.

The regular season will be fun enough if they do well. We will all enjoy the reg. season success and personal crap. Then the post season will come around again, and our team will be exposed. Again. Wash, rinse, repeat. But NEXT YEAR........

 

[Brown Dog]

Being a Leaf fan is complex and challenging.

But watching the Leafs (and I never miss a game) is one of the great pleasures in my life.

 

[Alamo Leafer]

could've been worse, you could've been a Sabres fan

 

[Jojalu]

Meh. That's normal. I've felt like this for a few years now. It's the "getting suckered into being excited for the team every offseason, then getting crushed every post season" thing. After awhile, it gets to ya.

The regular season will be fun enough if they do well. We will all enjoy the reg. season success and personal crap. Then the post season will come around again, and our team will be exposed. Again. Wash, rinse, repeat. But NEXT YEAR........

That sums up being a sports fan perfectly!

 

[LeafGrief]

Being a Leaf fan is like being in an abusive relationship, you hope somethings going to change and before you know it your PS5 is smashed and your Kermit the frog toy you've had since a kid is set on fire in the living room...

But here's hoping this year lol

It doesn't have to be. The "abuse" is all of our own construction and the unhealthy way we attach meaning to our relationship with the team. The Leafs aren't our lover, the Leafs are just a hockey team full of dudes playing hockey in a competitive hockey league. They don't owe us anything. They may never win a Stanley Cup because it's a hard trophy to win and hockey is a competitive game where a lot happens.

This website is full of people in Leafs colours and all the other teams telling you why you can't be happy about the Leafs this year. It's been that way as long as I've been on here and as long as anyone else has, I'm sure. But it literally does not matter what anyone else thinks, nor does it actually matter to your life how well the Leafs do. It's fun to have them do well, and a parade would be an extremely joyful day that we would all remember forever, but we can all live happy and fulfilling lives without it.

What can change, and what some people really should change is how they approach this team. I had to after the Habs loss. I'm working to love the hockey team instead of continuous emotional investment in the parasocial relationship with the hockey team and their accomplishments. It's about watching my team entertain me, rather than worrying about what narratives will be on the boards the next day.

Watching the Leafs is a hobby. I'm very passionate and invested in my hobbies and this one is no different. But it's just a hobby. I love what the Leafs mean to me, but I reject the misery.

 

[Cournoyer12]

this whole, “the playoffs are the only thing that matters” nonsense that has taken over pro sports narratives is so overdone. I turn the Leafs on because I want to watch a hockey game.

You are right brother! What’s the sense of a regular season if you can’t enjoy the peaks and valleys of the entire campaign. Sports are intended for distraction from the everyday mundane roles that we have in life. My Habs have been terrible for quite a while now and I still cherish every game hoping for something positive to see, that’s the beauty of sports! Enjoy your team and experience all the highs and lows while you can.

 

[PromisedLand]

I am not feeling it this year either. Dubas has ruined the Leafs for me. I'll catch a few games here or there but not going to invest a lot of time this season watching

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

If you lived through the 70's and 80's, you'd be nuts not to be enjoying this 15 year period.

 

[Nineteen67]

Meh. That's normal. I've felt like this for a few years now. It's the "getting suckered into being excited for the team every offseason, then getting crushed every post season" thing. After awhile, it gets to ya.

The regular season will be fun enough if they do well. We will all enjoy the reg. season success and personal crap. Then the post season will come around again, and our team will be exposed. Again. Wash, rinse, repeat. But NEXT YEAR........

I didn’t pick the Leafs to win any playoff round because of how they’ve played in the regular season.

I watch a lot of games and have something to compare them to, whereas quite a few Leafs fans and journalist following the team don’t watch other games. For example, Mirtle or Siegel on the Leaf Report made a comment last year that they didn’t know Cernak was so good.

It’s a different team and certainly a different message from the head coach and they 82 games to fix their weaknesses. We’ll know if they’re a legit contender or just two superstars and bunch of guys floating around.