Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker recently revealed why he left the team after the 2007-8 season. The change was apparently very difficult for Tucker, who retired after just two seasons with the Avalanche.
Tucker makes shocking revelation about time with Colorado Avalanche
Darcy Tucker was a unique player in the NHL despite being just 5'10" he made a living being physical, often going after some of the biggest players in the league. He regularly racked up over 100 penalty minutes in a season, including a few years where he got close to 200 PIMs. Recently, he was on a Spittin' Chiclet's podcast where he discussed what it was like for him to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs and join the Colorado Avalanche.
"It ripped a piece of me when I went to Colorado, and I was never the same player."
@16DarcyTucker's heart was always with the Leafs #LeafsForever
Tucker played just 134 games for the Avs, recording 18 goals and 40 points in the process. This came after his 531 game tenure with the Leafs which spanned eight seasons. He recorded 141 goals and 349 points with Toronto. During the podcast, he also revealed his thought process, breaking down what he would do in specific game situations.
There was a whole method to Darcy Tucker's madness.
In a sense, Tucker played a similar role to Ryan Reaves, whom Brad Treliving and the Leafs signed to a three-year deal this offseason. However, Tucker was a much more effective scorer than Reaves has ever been.