The Problem with the CFL

     For many years now, I have been a pro football fan. I pay attention carefully to the NFL(National Football League - American) and the CFL(Canadian Football League - Canadian), and I love both of them, despite their rule and gameplay differences. However, there is one issue with the CFL that bothers me the most, and that is the amount of teams that exist within the league.

      In the CFL, there are four teams in the eastern conference, and another four in the west. In the NFL there are thirty two teams. Now I know the market in Canada is no where near as large as that in America, but, I think that the CFL can afford to have two more teams in the CFL. The fact that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats had to play the Winnepeg Blue Bombers four times at the beginning of the season is appauling. Not only that, but it seems like the same teams are dominant every season: Montreal Alhouettes and Saskatchewan Roughriders. These two teams have a very good chance of meeting each other in the Grey Cup final this year, just like the previous year. I mean c'mon...when does that really happen in pro sports, except for that odd time when the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins met for the second consecutive time in the Stanley Cup finals.

      It just takes away from the excitement of the game to have teams facing each other many times during the season, and to have the same teams as dominant figures year in and year out. In my opinion, there can be at least two more teams in the league...one in the east and west. Put a team over in Nova Scotia, where they have no professional sports teams, but they are crazy about sports...ironic. Also, put a team back in Ottawa, where we already know they can attract a fan base. Thus, you have five western teams (BC, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Winnepeg, and Edmonton), and five eastern teams (Hamilton, Ottawa, Nova Scotia, Toronto, and Montreal).

      If each division in the CFL had five teams each, teams would not have to face each other many times each season, more players would have a chance to get a job playing pro football, and the general excitement of the league would increase.

      The culture of the CFL needs to change, because the way I see it, fans are becoming less interested in the league every year, which is a shame because it is such a beautiful game.

Vince Cianciolo

New Toronto Sports Franchises: NHL vs. NFL

     I was listening to TSN 1050 radio one day with my best friend and there was a debate as to whether it would be better for Toronto to have a second NHL team, or an NFL franchise. I thought that was a pretty intriguing question, so I'm going to give you my take on that debate. It is obvious that Toronto is one of the biggest sports cities in North America and has the capability to support either a second NHL team or an NFL team. There are both positive and negative factors that would go into the decision for either team. Ultimately it depends on what the fans want more, and how the addition of such teams would change their respective sports, and the teams surrounding them.

     Another NHL team in Toronto would definitely be something that hockey fans would love, while also adding another rivalry to the already existent Toronto Maple Leafs. This rivalry would definitely be intense, similar to that of the two NFL New York franchises, which are the Giants and the Jets. However, it is important to understand the the Leafs already have many regional rivalries, such as the Montreal Canadians, Ottawa Senators, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and the Detroit Red Wings. Therefore I believe that creating another rival for the Leafs would not only put a strain on the players since they would have to play more intense hockey games, but it would ruin a tradition the Maple Leafs have built since the birth of the league with their relationships with already existing regional teams. Also, it is obvious that the Leafs already sell out every single game, ever year, so the addition of a second team in Toronto would hurt the Maple Leafs with regards to revenue. And finally, this second team would also split fans between those hardcore Leafs and this new franchise, where in such case there would be division between sports fans within the city. The main point I'm trying to argue is that adding this second NHL team in Toronto would generally have a negative effect on the sport, and it would endanger the team that is already in the city (despite the fact they can't ever make the playoffs anymore). 

     Now with regards to having a NFL team in Toronto, I have contrary views. I truly believe that hockey is the greatest sport in the world, however, I also think that the NFL is the best professional league, and would have a lot to contribute to not only Toronto, but all of Canada. Adding a professional football league would add a whole new dimension to sports in Canada. It was stated on TSN radio (although I forget who) that sporting operations in Canada is very tight with regards to rules and regulations. By that I mean there are laws against being able to tailgate before football games in the CFL, and it was said that through the addition of this team that these rules would have to be changed so that this dynamic of the sport would be allowed. I would personally be in favor of this, because it is clear that one of the main reasons for even attending a football game is the tailgating parties that people have before. This experience would bring the people of Toronto together as a whole where they can relate to each other and create friendships. Also, this changed rule for tailgating would also expand into the CFL, where fans throughout the nation could also enjoy the same experience. Another point I want to make is, through the addition of this NFL team, Canada would gain much more hard currency, and by that I mean American dollars. This would have a good effect on the nation with regard to economics since the American dollar is stronger than the Canadian dollar for the majority of the time. However, there is one downside to this, and that would be the ultimate decline of the Canadian Football League. It is obvious that if there was a NFL team in Toronto then the Argonaughts would be kaput. And, seeing that the Toronto Argonaughts are such a big market, the end of that team would eventually lead to the end of the CFL. With this end brings the death of long living traditions, and more importantly, jobs for these players. But, it is important to realize that the players in the CFL have to find alternate jobs anyway considering the low salaries they earn playing for teams like the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (unless you're Anthony Calvillo), therefore I don't believe that these players would have a difficult time making a living. 

     In the end, you have to base your answer on which team would have more to offer to Toronto, their leagues, and Canada as a nation. Ultimately I believe that having an NFL team would be a better investment, because the National Football League simply operates more efficiently than the National Hockey League. Also, the amount of football fans in Canada is outstanding, and would rally around this one team, potentially leading to a second, or even a third team in the country sometime in the future. Essentially, with a new NHL team you're basically getting a lesser Toronto Maple Leafs (if that's even possible), and by establishing a NFL franchise you're adding a new dimension to sports in Canada.

Vince Cianciolo

Leafs Fans, Let's Forget About Rick Nash

     There has been much speculation lately as to whether or not the Toronto Maple Leafs' front office will attemt to attain Rick Nash through a trade. I personally wouldn't be against it, like c'mon it's Rick Nash who has been a 30+ goal scorer for most of his career. Also, he won a gold medal with Team Canada in the Vouncouver Olympic games. However, I think we need to forget about Nash for a moment, because people seem to be forgetting what the Leafs already have, especially in comparison to what the team was like when Brian Burke took over as general manager. Think about it...before Burke came along, the Leafs were terrible, a bottom-feeder of the NHL. However, came along Burke and within 3-4 seasons the team is now contending for a playoff spot. This type of turnaround doesn't just happen over night, and you have to admit it is pretty impressive, especially when you consider the average age of players on the team.

     When you watch the Leafs this season it is evident that they are now an exciting, young, and fast team that is quickly building the chemestry that would lead to a Stanly Cup finals berth. I think we need to ask ourselves: if the Leafs seem to finally be gelling as a unit, (despite the past five or six games) then why would Burke want to be active before the trade deadline? Since Burke has been in Toronto, he has surrounded the organization with young, raw talent, and people need to understand that development of these players takes time. People seem to feel it is necessary that the Leafs make the playoffs this season, which is why Leafs fans have been pushing for the trade that would bring Nash to Leafsnation, but, wouldn't this trade basically cancel out the entire rebuilding process? Wouldn't this trade destroy this developing chemistry? If your answer is yes, then we should just forget about Nash and think about the talent the Leafs already have. Players like Grabovski, Kulemin, Bozak, Schenn, and Crabb. If we lost any of these players in this trade, or all of them, then what was the point of even rebuilding in the first place? The Leafs could have just made a bid trade when Burke initally took over, and avoided the rebuilding process. The point I am trying to make is that fans need to recognize the job that Burke and the Leafs front office has done over the past few years. If the Leafs don't land Nash, I don't necessarily believe that it would be a bad thing, simply because it would be more efficient for the Leafs to maintain the chemistry they already have. Also, if the Leafs don't trade for Nash and don't make the playoffs, then you have to admit that fans will be blaming Burke for not making the trade because Toronto fans always find something to complain about...but let's be realistic, are the Leafs really going to make a legit push for a Stanley Cup finals appearance? So I say let's stay away from Nash, continute the rebuilding process, and allow these young players to build chemistry with one another.

Vince Cianciolo

The Maple Leafs and Rick Nash

     If you're any type of sports fan, than you know that the Columbus Blue Jackets of the NHL are shopping Rick Nash to try to deal him before the trade deadline. There have been several teams linked to this trade, such as the New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings, and the Boston Bruins. Also, another team that is said to be in the bidding for Nash are the Toronto Maple Leafs, who could definitely use him in their race for the playoffs. As a Leafs fan, I would personally love to see Nash in a leafs uniform, but at what cost? Firstly it is important to understand what the Blue Jackets want in return for Nash, and that is draft picks and young players who have potential. It is also significant to know that Rick Nash wants to go to a team that has potential to win a cup, and is Toronto really that team?

     If the Maple Leafs are going to land Nash, Brian Burke, the general manager for Toronto, is going to have to give up some good young players. There is one problem in the Leafs making this trade: it is clear that Toronto has been in rebuild mode for the past three or four years, and to give up young players would somewhat cancel out that whole process. However, if the Leafs are realistic on attaining Nash, I believe they would have to cough up players such as Mike Komisarek, Luke Schenn, and Nazem Kadri. Also, Burke would have to at least provide the Blue Jackets with a 1st round pick, and possibly a 2nd or 3rd, along with a prospect player. I mention Komisarek and Schenn simply because they both have potential (despite being disappointments this season) and the Leafs have a very strong defensive corps. I also say Kadri because not only was he a first round pick, but is a player with a lot of raw talent, and is still developing. Of course this trade would bring a lot of excitement to Toronto, and rightly so, but I do not think that this move would get the Leafs to that Stanley Cup final. It is clear that the Leafs do not have that true first line center, and it is definitely not going to be Tim Connolly, therefore, I believe if Burke is going to make this deal, than he also has to try to find that center man who can at least play on the second line, which would lead Mikhail Grabovski to move up to the first line, and Tyler Bozak down to the third line, where he belongs.

     To be perfectly honest, if I were Nash, I would not want to go to Toronto. No offense to Toronto fans, but the Leafs are not making the Stanley Cup finals anytime soon. If I were Nash, I would be desire a team with Stanley Cup potential, and long-term success. One could argue that the Leafs would be a good decision for long-term success because they are a young, up and coming team, but I believe he has to base his decision on a team that is going to win now, and for a long time. Teams that come to mind are the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, and Boston Bruins. All three of these teams have the potential to win the Stanley Cup this season, and perhaps the next few seasons. One could also argue that if Nash went to the Leafs he would be the face of the franchise, which is a reason he may be lured into Toronto. However, Nash has been the face of a franchise in Columbus since he joined the NHL, which is why I do not believe he wants to be traded for the fame, making sense for him to go to a team like the Red Wings. 

     Of course I would like to see Nash in a Leafs uniform, but it is important to understand that if the Leafs do not land Nash, it would not necessarily be a bad thing for this franchise. Burke and Ron Wilson have done a great job over the past few seasons in rebuilding the Leafs without Nash, and can move on without him too. Nash is a great winger in the NHL, but, without that first line center, the Leafs and their fans cannot realistically believe in a Stanley Cup finals berth this season.

Vince Cianciolo