Toronto Maple Leafs free agency advantage confirmed: Hometown pride is Brad Treliving's best asset
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For many, growing up in Toronto meant that you were a diehard Maple Leafs fan, cheering the team every Saturday night in front of the TV and watching your hometown heroes live.
Many of those kids who grew up idolizing the Blue and White have too found themselves skating for the team in their career. Could it just be a coincidence? Or is it something more personal?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had many people come in and out of their roster over the years and as many free agents come in, just as many head out the door. But what brings these players to Toronto in the first place? Take Mark Giordano for example.
Giordano came over to Toronto in a trade with the Seattle Kraken and within a couple of months ended up signing a two-year extension at $1.6M; a really small amount given his name value. It leads me to believe Giordano had his heart set on staying in Toronto, and money not being a factor for him, he could afford to achieve something I am sure he's dreamed about since he was young: a chance to lineup in a Leafs jersey.
There was reason to believe that Giordano would be coming back this season, although with the Maple Leafs signing Jani Hakanpaa earlier this month that seems less likely. Clearly, 'Gio' loved his time here, but if it was short lived; he got to do something many dream about.
Other cases of Toronto-born players coming over to play for the Maple Leafs include new defensive addition Chris Tanev, Malcolm Subban was here for a cup of coffee, Michael Peca signed in Toronto in 2006; and although he was a notorious pest for the Buffalo Sabres for years, happily signed with his hometown Maple Leafs and since he was so close to the border; wouldn't need to move AND get to play for a hometown club.
Steven Lorentz, a Toronto native, ended up signing a PTO with Toronto this offseason and it's clear that the chance to even suit up for his childhood team is an opportunity that nobody can pass up:
"I had a lot of interest from other teams and I was looking around, doing some reading on depth charts and coaches. Obviously being a Toronto Maple Leaf is something I've always wanted to be since I was a little kid and for an opportunity like this to come up -- this is a group that I thought I could come in and use what I learned last year in winning with Florida to hopefully bring that knowledge and experience to a team like Toronto. I think it could be a good fit pending all goes well.
I feel great going into camp here, to be able to do that in a Leafs sweater, nice and close to home with lots of friends and family in the area, would be something that I would take a lot of pride in. Being able to hoist the Stanley cup here in Toronto would be just incredible for everybody."
I feel great going into camp here, to be able to do that in a Leafs sweater, nice and close to home with lots of friends and family in the area, would be something that I would take a lot of pride in. Being able to hoist the Stanley cup here in Toronto would be just incredible for everybody."
It's obvious that Lorentz is not only excited to win a Stanley Cup, but the chance to do it in front of so many friends and family members is special.
Finally, who can forget arguably the biggest Maple Leafs fan to ever play for them; John Tavares. When Tavares signed in 2018, the anticipation was huge and while fans were absolutely thrilled, Tavares was on Cloud Nine.
«As a kid cheering for the Leafs growing up, you start to get those feelings again. Once I went through the interview process and got that and just what it was like as a kid watching the Leafs and following my favourite players I just thought the timing was too good and it was an opportunity I didn't want to turn down. I'm very fortunate to be here and happy to call myself a Maple Leaf.»
He's been an icon since coming over to Toronto, and his legacy in the city will live on far past when he departs from the team. It's the same for everyone who has called the Maple Leafs home. The allure of being able to not only play for one of the biggest teams in professional sports; but one that you grew up with and have such love, passion, and emotion for?
That sounds like a dream come true.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 203 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs free agency advantage confirmed: Hometown pride is Brad Treliving's best asset Should the Toronto Maple Leafs get a 2nd NHL team? | ||
| Yes Please! | 51 | 25.1 % |
| No, one is enough | 108 | 53.2 % |
| If Toronto gets one, so does Quebec | 19 | 9.4 % |
| Hamilton should have an NHL team | 25 | 12.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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