There was one name in Leafs lore that popped into my head last night which noone has yet mentioned as a possible candidate for Mount Puckmore: Harold Ballard (my inspiration was the revelation on twitter that Jeff Marek literally dug Ballard's grave). Now I know we want Mount Puckmore to reflect the glorious history of the Leafs, but didn't we all enjoy DHSpeedwagon's Mount Puckmore for the Senators, which included an acknowledgement to the disgraces of the team as well? It's hard to argue that Yashin and Daigle shouldn't be on there - they have clearly become closely linked with the identity of the Senators.
I think the same can be said for Harold Ballard and the Leafs. From when he bought the final shares in the Leafs from the Smythe family in 1972 until his death in 1990, he defined the team more than any single player ever did. Or at least he wanted to, and some of the most notorious stories from the Leafs' history - Roger Neilson being forced to coach with a paper bag on his head, Darryl Sittler tearing the C off of his jersey - were because of Ballard. Does anyone think we'd have the longest Stanley Cup drought in the league were it not for Ballard? He was the owner of the team for 28 years, the darkest days in our history came under his iron fist, doesn't that qualify him as probably one of the most significant individuals to ever have an effect for the Leafs?
And for that matter, we almost need to give one spot to Leafs fans. No other team has had fans as willing to pay up for the abuse that we've taken. The Gardens were sold out every single night under Ballard's reign. When Ballard pulled down the Foster Hewitt Broadcast Gondola to make more room for luxury boxes - someone bought those boxes. Maybe it's not the fans that are truly responsible for that, but the faceless corporations, or the almighty dollar. But without the financial certainty that is the Leafs brand, it would've been far more difficult for Ballard to be the dictator he was. Either way, and unpalatable as it may be, I am starting to think that Ballard has to be on Mount Puckmore. And the easiest reason to explain it is the one we all hate so much: 1967.
Anyways, onto your links. I've only included a bare minimum of Kovalchuk, but if you want more, I suggest you head over to In Lou We Trust.
- Full 20-Page Copy of Ilya Kovalchuk Arbitration Decision
An easy link for those of you who haven't seen this around already. - Arbitrator rejects Kovalchuk deal
Mirtle talks about the arbitrator's decision yesterday, and what was said that indicates there's a possibility of other player's having their contracts targeted as well. - Kovalchuk in play?
Vintage Leaf Memories ponders the Kovalchuk situation as well as Kaberle's. - And on the 7th Day God Traded Thomas Kaberle.
The Muppet muses on our obsession with Kaberle being traded. - Jerry D’Amigo Set To Sign With The Maple Leafs
MLHS's take on the D'Amigo story. - D’Amigo To Sign With Leafs
Yakov Mironov looks at why the Leafs would want to sign D'Amigo this summer, on LeafsHQ. - No News, Just Rants.
xterratu rants about the lack of anything happening in the NHL. - Early August Opinions and Musings
LeafsWire has a few things on his mind this month, especially Kaberle, Kadri and Hanson. - Kovalchuk Ruling Hurts Leafs Chances of Moving Kaberle
Be warned, it's Cox, but he has an interesting little tidbit in here about Kaberle that is completely new - apparently there are some "family issues" he's been dealing with./
