Now there's an alibi out there for the Maple Leafs horrendous loss in Game Seven on Sunday night. It's the media.
Too much attention – as the sobbing goes – is foisted on the darling Toronto players – day in and day out. It wears them out.
The Really Scary Similarities Between The Rangers and Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs are the richest team in the NHL and the <a href="https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers" target="_blank">Rangers</a> are second richest. (Can you guess what's coming next?)
Supposedly, it makes them nervous and that's supposed to explain why they capsized at home by 6-1 scores in Games Five and Seven.
From time to time The Maven hears the same nonsense in relation to the Rangers' demise this past season. Media avalanche buries the Blueshirts.
Getting back to the Leafs, let's remember that Captain Auston Matthews is a skating cartel – a very, very well-paid fellow.
Like Mitch Marner and that other multi-millionaire John Tavares, these fellows are not in any torture chamber when they are asked simple questions in English. They answer. What's the big deal?
The Leafs are babied everywhere they go – 5-star hotels, fancy restaurants, a dream training facility and a luxury private plane that's like a flying hotel.
This is what they're asked to do during the regular season if you are Auston Matthews:
1. Play about 20 minutes of ice time a few times a week. Practice for a couple of hours a few times a week.
2. Speak to the media for about – maximum – five minutes after practice and after the games, if p.r. allows it.
3. Miscellaneous stuff that shouldn't amount to much. The rest of the time they do what they want. And have the whole summer free since they never win The Stanley Cup.
Considering how well they are paid, they should expect media scrutiny. What's the big deal – it's just words. Over and out in minutes.
Anyone who's afraid of that deal should give up big-league hockey and try something less trying like siestas and oversleeping.
Bottom Line: These Maple Leafs never had it so good. Too bad that they don't appreciate how lucky they are.
Too bad they can't play like the Champs in Sunrise, Florida, of all places.