Christmas Spirit

With Christmas fast approaching, I find a new rising of optimism towards mine Buds. I don't know where it comes from, maybe its the spirit of the season and all its pretty lights and shiny things, maybe its the eggnog spiked with rum spiked with rye and Christmas cookies spiked with Baileys. But I have a good feeling that all is not lost.
While the Leafs remain a bubble team, the point differential around them is still minimal and ground can be made up quite rapidly (or likewise lost just as fast). This team can do it, they have shown the ability to shutdown, score in bunches and again have a goalie that has win stealing potential (The Tosk gets more and more comfortable in Blue and White every game).

The main thing the Leafs are missing right now is grit, and to a lesser degree heart, or more fittingly gritty-heart, or hearty-grit, whatever your religion says is ok (like pork, only less tasty).
They have grit with players such as Kilger, Bell and Belak crashing and banging and pretty much ruining all who stand in their way. They have heart with Mats, Antro and The Tosk playing their bolloks off nigh on every night and near willing the Leafs into the win column.

What they need is a player who does both. And they have one who fits that description to a Tee. Well he used to any way.

An Open Letter To Darcy Tucker, I know you have your knee issues going on right now, I know your not scoring in bunches like you did last year, but seriously, step the fark up. Step up, and play like yourself. Never in your career have you looked so lackadaisical on the ice night in and night out. You don't need to score, you don't need to be on the first line, or the first power play. You need to do one thing. You need to electrify the crowd, you need to bring back the play that made you a fan, and personal favourite. Agitate, aggravate and irritate. Bring the crowd to its feet the way you used to before you became our secondary power play weapon. That's not who you are. You are the heart and soul of the Leafs, a scrappy, take no shit, doesn't back down from anyone always in the back of every opponents mind shit disturber. Good ol' crazy eyes who's mouth never stops flapping. We miss you. And if your injuries are making you feel that you cannot do that anymore, take some time off to heal and don't come back until you are ready, don't listen to Leaf medical, listen to your body, it will tell you when you are ready. We won't mind if you take time to heal. We do mind, however, if you come back when you aren't ready and play like a shadow of your former self.

Saying that, this will be my last post before festive festivities, so a Merry Christmas to all my (two) readers and Happy New Year as well. Also all the best to you, your families and a rejuvenated Tucker to you all, and to all a good night.