#torontomike

I don't think winning is the most important thing in the world. I watch sports because I value competition and high drama and I love how any/every game has the potential for its viewers to witness an act of athletic greatness. Like this one. Or this one. (Seriously I love that last one, especially Mogilny's "woo!" face after the OT winner.)

But these memorable plays fade over time when a team just keeps losing. They become oddities and anomalies, not checkpoints on the march to greatness (or in the Leafs case, mere competitiveness). Seriously, as Leafs fans, we haven't seen any reason for hope in ages.

The Leafs suck. They really suck. Forget 2013, when they squeaked into the playoffs care of a flukey 48-game season despite being outshot most games and playing like dogshit. That was lightning hitting the ACC. That won't happen again. They likely won't make the playoffs until at least 2016. (Though I hope I'm wrong. God I hope I'm wrong.)

For this reason. Leafs fans share a special bond of misery. We cry together. So we've decided to start interviewing fellow tortured Leafs fans on here, because misery loves com- ah whatever let's just get on with it.

Toronto Mike is a blogger who has been watching the Leafs since the early 1980s. He knows his shit. He's been blogging about the team forever and writes about them with a generous mixture of humour and despair. Given the amount of despair going around Leafland lately, I think we need a little levity. Alas, his verdict ain't so comforting. Here's the interview:

Love Hurts: How do you feel about the recent additions made through the draft and free agency? Are the Leafs better now than they were last July?

Toronto Mike: Meh. They're no better, and you could argue they're worse since Bolland wasn't replaced. You'd have to be nuts to expect a better outcome next season.

LLH: Do you have a favourite new signing?

TM: Honestly? No. It's tough to get excited about Robidas or Santorelli.

LLH: The Gleason buyout. Good idea or bad idea?

TM: Good, I guess, but it would have made more sense to keep Liles and buy him out instead.

LLH: Many fans refer to the present era of Leaf hockey as the Collapse Era, starting with the February 2012 collapse up until the most recently post-Olympic collapse, with that game-7-that-shall-not-be-mentioned sandwiched in between. As a Leafs fan, do any of these debacles stand out in your mind as particularly painful (more so than the usual dull heartache of loving this team), or do they all blur together?

TM: They all blur together. The Leafs should lobby for shorter seasons. We'd make the playoffs most years with a 48-game sked.

LLH: Can Clarkson bounce back this season? If not, would any team be willing to take him off our hands without gouging us?

TM: I really hope he bounces back because he seems like a cool cat who really wants to play for his hometown team and there is no way in hell we can move that horrific contract.

LLH: Who is your favourite Leaf of all-time?

TM: My favourite Leaf of all time is (surprise, surprise!) Dougie Gilmour. I still proudly wear my #93 jersey. My favourite Leaf legend is Bashin' Bill Barilko. He's our Buddy Holly.

LLH: Least favourite?

TM: Jonas Höglund

LLH: You once posted Hayden’s classic downer jam “Bad As They Seem” to describe the Leafs. Does the song remain the same or are you hearing something else now?

TM: Lately I've been hearing Motley Crue's "Same Ol' Situation".

LLH: How long before Nonis is gone? TM: Nonis and Carlyle won't make it through the season.  LLH: How long before Carlyle is gone? TM: See above.

LLH: Best case scenario, where will the Leafs finish next year?