Fallen Leafs

Basking in the levity of sports, cookery, and a few ice cream sandwiches on the side.

Send me your lovely banter and your acerbic wit: fallen.leafs@ymail.com

This is where it all is. It’s not easy playing here. It’s a great organization, great fans, but there’s a lot of pressure. And it can get to you.

~ Jason Blake, shortly after his departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs. Blake was miscast as a top scoring forward and his contract was an albatross on the team (thanks JFJ!), but being a scapegoat for the team can take its toll. What was once thought to be impossible, Blake was traded to another team. For his part, Blake was noticeably relieved as well. Fans tend to forget how much pressure there is when playing in a significant hockey market where big money already precedes one’s reputation. Truth be told, I have a lot of respect for Blake. Despite many instances where he could have snapped at the pressure and lashed out in the media for not playing with more talented line mates or being relegated as a 4th-line checking player, he never once complained about his role on this team. Never mind that Blake’s departure was much needed. Hockey-wise, the Maple Leafs made out like bandits trading him and Vesa Toskala for Jean-Sebastian Giguere. But for Blake to thank the fans personally in his interview knowing how many people wanted him gone? That speaks volumes of his character and I can truly say I hope he does very well, in lieu of his overpriced contract. (via National Post)

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