[Matthew Tkachuk] Leafs would be unbelievable if the team wasn't in Toronto

[IdleTraveller]

Not sure. I'm sure they'd do well on any team, but "Don't give a damn" is sort of the last phrase I'd use to describe Brady, the guy cares more than anyone. He also seemed to be pretty frustrated this year with untrue rumors about him wanting to leave Ottawa and he was pretty upset last year when the crowd started booing because they wanted DJ Smith fired. So I can't imagine how he'd handle the Toronto crowd throwing beer and booing one of his teammates every time they touch the puck or the 24/7 rumors that happen in the Toronto media.

Toronto would definitely appreciate Brady's passion and work ethic, but every city would.

I think a guy like Barkov would be a better fit to build around in Toronto. A European dude who is just kind of quiet but a consistent all-around star player. I feel like he'd be able to tune out the noise, whereas guys like the Tkachuks try to feed off the noise.

I agree with you on both Tkachuks - I think they would be popular on any team because they are both great team players, have huge work ethics and very obviously care. In the end, that's kind of what you want as a fan: we don't even need to win (although that's very nice ), but we do need to feel that the players care as much as we do.

Barkov would be awful in Toronto. For one thing, he would absolutely hate it: you could see his sigh of relief from space when Tkachuk became the media face of the franchise, and that's in Florida... For another, although he works so hard and cares just as much, his skill set is much quieter and he's not as outwardly demonstrative. So I could see the media and fans ripping into him in a way they wouldn't with the Tkachuks of the world. Plus, you can't have him. Not even hypothetically. HE'S OURS.

 

[geebster]

This post is just "exhibit ZZ" of proving my point. Throwing jerseys on the ice, beers at players, booing in the 1st period, etc. You would've thought they were playing in Philly after that loss, but nope home stadium. They lost in the same "asshole" fashion as their fans are.

Its just a game and entertainment. Treat it as such and you will be much happier .

If you spent thousands to watch a game and they played like that in a game 7 you'd be mad. I know I would. Not enough to throw something but its not like 18000 people threw stuff probably 5 people did. But when you work hard to make some money and go to a game like that and the guys on the ice worked much less hard, they didnt earn those fans. The fans deserved better and frankly those players didnt earn their paycheques.

They aren't paid in cheers or positive news articles they are paid in dollars and a lot of them. Obviously harassment outside the game isnt OK but that isnt unique to Toronto, has happened many many times in Montreal, and worse has happened to players of other sports in American cities.

If it was actually hard to play there like it is in Montreal, they wouldn't be able to choke every year for 9 years and still be there. They get the odd negative experience but get tons of endorsements and pay and fan love.

Remember this was the first time they've won the division in this era. Their fan base was pouring love on that team all year and were fully bought in on Berubes changes and all. They were not mistreating their players at all, they went and choked in the lrafiest way possible and then a couple people threw stuff on the ice. I'd 100% be booing if my team played like that in a game 7, especially if this was the 6th time they've done this in a game 7. The fact the arena was chanting go leafs go during that 2nd period is proof the fans care more than Auston or Mitch ever did.

Not a Leafs fan and I'm always going to argue with Leafs fans that Auston is overrated (unless he improves as a player or is more appropriately rated). But its clear to me that the fans deserve better than they get. It shouldn't be hard to imagine yourself in their shoes. Like a little exercise in empathy and it'd be obvious why they are upset.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Stanley Cup champions and beloved coaches and athletes took time out of their quest to win back to back cups to call out the parasitic leafs media and how that unrealistically changes fans perceptions, and multiple people in this thread immediately ran to that selfsame parasitic media for denial and comfort. Like no shit the guy who makes a living from exaggerating anything related to the leafs will deny that he’s part of a problem.

I mean Tkachuk ran to a podcast the day after...so no, they didn't take time out of thier quest for this. Its part of that quest. That organization may have finally won a championship, but they aren't known for being gracious winners.

 

[Ratsreign]

I mean Tkachuk ran to a podcast the day after...so no, they didn't take time out of thier quest for this. Its part of that quest. That organization may have finally won a championship, but they aren't known for being gracious winners.

Why, because Chukky showed some love to Calgary after skating around with the Cup?

What exactly has made them become known as ungracious winners? Besides your wounded pride, that is.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Why, because Chukky showed some love to Calgary after skating around with the Cup?

What exactly has made them become known as ungracious winners? Besides your wounded pride, that is.

Doug Cifu
Tkachuk running to the media to put down canadian fans
Tkachuk during the 4nations tournament.
Sam "accidentally on purpose" Bennett

 

[Strangle]

I am sure they will take the series wins, conference wins, a Cup, and hopefully more, over being Toronto famous.

Maybe, but you can’t tell me after all they’ve said in the media that they aren’t also jealous

 

[Oilslick941611]

Maybe, but you can’t tell me after all they’ve said in the media that they aren’t also jealous

He sure run his mouth to the media and doesn't turn down a micophone for someone who says media brings too much pressure.

 

[pb1300]

Maybe, but you can’t tell me after all they’ve said in the media that they aren’t also jealous

Jealous of WHAT? Playing in Toronto? Or jealous that they get to play a little extra hockey in May, then head out to the golf course?

They could care less about that, when they are taking their golf carts to their state of the art practice facility, in shorts and flip flops in the middle of December.

 

[Stephen]

Yes Matthew, what a joke Toronto is that so many people in that city deeply care about and support the sport you’ve dedicated your life to and spend a lot of money and time to support their club directly and your NHLPA brethren indirectly.

 

[BostonBob]

Too bad Sheldon Keefe isn't around to hear this:

 

[Stephen]

Jealous of WHAT? Playing in Toronto? Or jealous that they get to play a little extra hockey in May, then head out to the golf course?

They could care less about that, when they are taking their golf carts to their state of the art practice facility, in shorts and flip flops in the middle of December.

Golf carts, flip flops and shorts, apparently all there is to life.

 

[Ratsreign]

Yes Matthew, what a joke Toronto is that so many people in that city deeply care about and support the sport you’ve dedicated your life to and spend a lot of money and time to support their club directly and your NHLPA brethren indirectly.

Yeah, that’s what he said....

 

[Ratsreign]

Golf carts, flip flops and shorts, apparently all there is to life.

Don’t forget girls in bikinis and Elbo Room.

 

[WaitingForThatCab]

Tkachuk was trolling with his comments, but more importantly, trying to make a pitch to potential free agents. I think people got way too worked up about these comments.

 

[norrisnick]

Yes Matthew, what a joke Toronto is that so many people in that city deeply care about and support the sport you’ve dedicated your life to and spend a lot of money and time to support their club directly and your NHLPA brethren indirectly.

Yeah, and hyper-overbearing helicopter parents "care about" and "support" their kids, but invariably make their lives harder with crippling amounts of pressure that makes said kids resent whatever activity it is they are taking part in. It's 'Of Mice and Men' and the rabbits...

 

[pb1300]

Golf carts, flip flops and shorts, apparently all there to life.

As to what, the shit storm in Toronto? Yeah, lots of players choose that life in South Florida. It also helps that the team actually has the best coaching staff and front office team in the league, and a team that seems to win a few more games and series than Toronto. Few are choosing Toronto so they can be famous there, over what the Panthers can offer

 

[Strangle]

Jealous of WHAT? Playing in Toronto? Or jealous that they get to play a little extra hockey in May, then head out to the golf course?

They could care less about that, when they are taking their golf carts to their state of the art practice facility, in shorts and flip flops in the middle of December.

Jealous of the fact that in 10 years about 7 people in Florida will remember their names. Meanwhile in Toronto the entire city will continue telling stories about their players, who’s names will live on for generations

 

[pb1300]

Jealous of the fact that in 10 years about 7 people in Florida will remember their names. Meanwhile in Toronto the entire city will continue telling stories about their players, who’s names will live on for generations

Jealousy? That’s rich coming from a fanbase clinging to smug superiority while living off faded memories. You mock the Panthers with constant “number of fans” insults, a last refuge of someone with nothing meaningful to say. Meanwhile, this “irrelevant” team just built a Cup contender from the ground up and actually delivered results in the 21st century.

What is Toronto's legacy after the playoffs was expanded to more than just 4 teams? A never-ending cycle of hype, heartbreak, and first-round exits, and a couple of second round exits. A generational team with generational disappointment. The Panthers, with their “7 fans,” have more to show for in the last 10 years, than decades of your storied, pathetic franchise.

If you're going to come at a fanbase, at least try something fresh. Because right now, your insults are about as dated and empty as your playoff success.

 

[Fatass]

Both Tkachuks would probably do well in Toronto.
They are such larger than life figures, with a suitable amount of "don't give a damn", that I think they would absolutely thrive in that environment, in every way.

And both Tkatchuks play big boy hockey. They give everything. They’d be loved in TO, along the lines of previous great Leafs who gave everything.

 

[RevengeOfTheDrai]

And both Tkatchuks play big boy hockey. They give everything. They’d be loved in TO, along the lines of previous great Leafs who gave everything.

Matthews and Marner don’t give their everything?

 

[RogerRoger]

Jealous of the fact that in 10 years about 7 people in Florida will remember their names. Meanwhile in Toronto the entire city will continue telling stories about their players, who’s names will live on for generations

Mt and Marchand will live rent free for generations. Good to know.

 

[3074326]

Jealous of the fact that in 10 years about 7 people in Florida will remember their names. Meanwhile in Toronto the entire city will continue telling stories about their players, who’s names will live on for generations

They won a cup and have millions in the bank, they don’t give a shit.

Can’t wait to hear these stories y’all are gonna be telling about the core four for decades!

 

[BostonBob]

Can’t wait to hear these stories y’all are gonna be telling about the core four for decades!

Leaf Fan #1 - Hey - remember that time they almost made it to the 2nd round
Leaf Fan #2 - I sure do. Those were the days.
Leaf Fan #1 - A toast to the Core 4.
Leaf Fan #2 - Here here.

 

[Strangle]

They won a cup and have millions in the bank, they don’t give a shit.

Can’t wait to hear these stories y’all are gonna be telling about the core four for decades!

Sounds to me like they give a shit, they give such a shit that none of them can stop talking about all the attention Toronto players get

 

[Pablo El Perro]

Sounds to me like they give a shit, they give such a shit that none of them can stop talking about all the attention Toronto players get

Pretty sure they aren't even thinking about Toronto, yet alone talking about Toronto players 5 days later. Next time they should just call them punk ass losers and be done with it