The "NEW 5 YEAR PLAN".
I've heard it time and time again. New GM rolls into town..."We have a viable 5 year plan - rapid growth - to return this team to respectability and to the playoffs" only to see that plan either Expire and no changes take place, or perhaps overtaken by a new 5 year plan after the previous GM was relieved of his duties, and then once again.
I do HOPE that this is the START of a viable and thorough rebuild, but I've come to a point of Fool me once, shame on your, Fool me twice, Shame on me... Fool me for nearly 50 years, Well call me a Leaf Fan.
It's funny, my son played in the Ray Scapinello road hockey tournament for the first time this past weekend in Guelph. What a fantastic experience for the kids and parents who watched. And great activities for all to take part in between games. Including, a chance to get up and personal with the Lord Stanley's Cup (well... probably a body double but still) a "Larger than Life" up close experience for kids and adult hockey fans alike. I see "Hockeyfan231's" avatar above and I was reminded of my desire on Saturday to eagerly search and find the engraved 67 Stanley Cup Team, like an eager historian searching for that sought after marking in a famous cemetery I scanned the cup to find the team that I myself am too young to know, but who holds a memory in my mind that has been 100% fabricated based solely on and out of the hockey history books. Then it got me thinking... how the hell can a storied franchise like this, have so much financial success and yet earn so little on ice respect. I mean...WTF? Where ineptness is rewarded with Blind mindless following by a brainwashed fan base. Same effort, Same results, same heartaches, same renewed hope, same effort, same results, same heartache same renewed.....NO... TTHIS HAS TO STOP! INSANITY IS WHAT THIS IS! I literally recoiled from the 1967 vision and image of those names engraved on the cup once found. I can't continue like this in a sport in which I HAVE SO MUCH PASSION as a fan.
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH... SO... I'm taking back the power and instituting a 5 year plan of my own as a long time suffering Leaf Fan(and Oiler's Fan...thanks to my Son... yeah... Hockey playoffs are a strange time around my household).
As of July 2015, post draft, I am instituting my 5 year Toronto Fan Trust and Support rebuilding Strategy. In this Strategy, I am cutting my allegiances to the team and ultimately the inept front office that have consistently Broken my heart season in and season out. I will not Fly the Blue and White Maple Leaf Flag, I will not purchase TML Paraphernalia, nor spend outrageous amounts on tickets to go so see the maple leaf's play live, but through the power, magic and wonders of "Center Ice Pkg" and "Game Center Live" I will watch all OTHER games, however may watch the odd Road Leaf Game that I capture through those aforementioned resources.
If after 5 years, the Leaf's organization has actually done something that can excite me, earn my passion and support and desire to return to the fold, then Fantastic. IF it takes 3 years (because no GM is truly bound to their self imposed "Plan") even better.
but I'm done being fooled season in and season out and I will do My part to help influence change. Perhaps others will too considering we finally saw a NON-SOLD OUT GAME for the first time in what... I believe my entire life time to date. DO I think change is coming thanks to Shanny? For the organization's sake, I do hope so, but I will no longer hinge my blind faith on hope. It's time to SHOW ME THE EFFORT! Actions trump words and especially empty promises. This organization's actions over the past decades have failed each and every time to live up to verbal promises.
I may not have control over what the Front Office does to achieve their goals, but I sure as hell am no longer going to be a pawn. I'm taking back control and focusing my undying hockey passion elsewhere.
So... I guess this is a bit of a break up letter. Perhaps a Separation agreement. Go fix yourself TML, and then prove your worth. Because doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is quite simply the definition of Insanity, and I'm done feeling insane.
Step 1a... Draft well and Draft Smart THIS YEAR.
Setp 1b... Move out the under-producing drain on the salary cap
step 2... Develop Talent
Step 3... Draft well and Draft Smart NEXT YEAR
Rinse and Repeat...
(I'll be casually watching from a far)
Best wishes. I look forward to one day having my "Fandemonium" re-earned.
(now how's that girlfriend team of mine doing? Anything interesting to soak up my recently re-discovered hockey support)?
wow... such an uplifting and empowering feeling I have right now.
To those who choose to remain, I wish you the peace and serenity that I have as I end this sentence with a "." and confidently press "Post Quick Reply".