They could have had their star for less if they had signed him earlier. But after Nylander made it impossible for them not to, the Leafs gave him everything he wanted. Because that's what they do
Sure, make money first and if a championship comes so be it. It's sad that in Canada, the hockey cities have very little additional sports to turn to so the owner always has a rabid fan base that is wiling to shell out big money to watch, in most cases, an inferior product. If Toronto blows it with the big four and the lack of attention paid to defense and goaltending, then the Leafs might go another fifty years without a cup.
Well written as always. The notion that Toronto is a tough place to play is a myth. What other market is so passive as to eagerly pay the highest prices for so little return? MLSE and their compliant company owned media arms peddle the notion that playoff success is nothing more than a lottery chance to excuse/mask their managerial ineptitude and corporate goals. As long as they can sell the regular season and have constant and predictable revenue and profitability the the REAL goal of MLSE has been achieved.
As a Habs fan, I had a faint (and admittedly ridiculous) hope that Nylander would make it to free agency and that Montreal would then bowl him over with an insane offer. Oh, well.
Maybe if they had a franchise defenceman and a top ten goalie they might have won a cup by now. Way too top heavy.
Sadly the MLSE motto is, "A stanley cup if necessary, but not necessarily a stanley cup."
Sure, make money first and if a championship comes so be it. It's sad that in Canada, the hockey cities have very little additional sports to turn to so the owner always has a rabid fan base that is wiling to shell out big money to watch, in most cases, an inferior product. If Toronto blows it with the big four and the lack of attention paid to defense and goaltending, then the Leafs might go another fifty years without a cup.
Well written as always. The notion that Toronto is a tough place to play is a myth. What other market is so passive as to eagerly pay the highest prices for so little return? MLSE and their compliant company owned media arms peddle the notion that playoff success is nothing more than a lottery chance to excuse/mask their managerial ineptitude and corporate goals. As long as they can sell the regular season and have constant and predictable revenue and profitability the the REAL goal of MLSE has been achieved.
As a Habs fan, I had a faint (and admittedly ridiculous) hope that Nylander would make it to free agency and that Montreal would then bowl him over with an insane offer. Oh, well.