tie one on...or not...

As a Winnipeg Jet, I didn't like him. He was the only goon in a sport that had retired a ton of goons. Unfortunately, due to an injury to Ken Baumgartner, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded competent face-off man Mike Eastwood for the man pictured above. Not their worst trade, mind you, but far from their best.

And I didn't like him much as a Toronto Maple Leaf.

In 2001, in what could be considered his best season as a Leaf (which would be considered a worst season for better players), he selfishly elbowed Scott Niedermeyer during a playoff game. There are some who will argue that Niedermeyer took a dive on the hit, and that may be so. But, in doing this one selfish act, no one will know how the Leafs would have done in the next round of the playoffs. The New Jersey Devils bounced back and took the series and the above pictured player got to go golfing again.

Last season, his coach sat him out and he went to the press to complain. Other players, who contribute far more than he has, did not complain. They sat in the press box and took it.

Now his name is being dragged through the mud. I could care less about his personal life, since everyone I know who's met him says he's a huge jerk. You can visit all the hospitals you want; it doesn't change the fact you're a jerk.

Thank whatever deity the fire hydrant is no longer with the Toronto Maple Leafs.