PJ Stock

Toronto got off to one of its worst starts in the team's history. Zero wins, seven losses and one extra time loss, which accounted for their one point.

The jokes were everywhere ... what's the difference between a triangle and the Toronto Maple Leafs? A triangle has three points! I hope Burkie isn't going to read this, and if you are sir, please stop.

Expectations were obviously really high in “Leaf Nation” since Brian Burke took over as GM last year. Fans and media in the Big Smoke can be blamed for getting a little too excited over Burke's acquisitions in the summer.

The 2008-09 edition of the Leafs could score goals (which I couldn't understand how they kept doing so), but couldn't keep them out of their net.

Goaltending was thought to be part of the problem so Mr. Burke spun a deal to wheel Jonas Gustavsson, the best goalie outside of the NHL, out of Sveeeeden. (My problem every time I hear about players like this there’s normally a reason why they aren't in the NHL, but hey only time will tell)

The defence gave up too many opportunities and were too easy to play against so Burkie went out and tried to change that image by trading for Garnet Exelby and signing UFAs Mike Komisarek (pinky to side of lip - five years, $22.5 million US … oooaaah … ooooooaaaaahhhha) and Francois Beauchemin (three years, $10.8 million).

Now, I really like all three players. They play with a ton of jam and are super aggressive. My problem with the three of them is that they are pretty much the same player. Three players who tend to make mistakes because of being super aggressive. My other problem is that Komisarek and Beauchemin were very much protected with their other teams.

Komisarek comes to the Leafs after being partners with Andrei Markov, who is a top 10 D-man in the league. Beauchemin comes from Anaheim, where his partners were Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer, both top 10s.

On the Leafs, they will be paired up with? No top 10s, no top 20s (OK, Kaberle) and then, well, there is a bit of a drop off. They don't have that protection or safety blanket that made them successful in those other markets.

Up front, when your number one centre is Mikhail Grabovski, umm ... you are going to be in a little bit of trouble.

So maybe we media and you fans are to blame because of all the hype that was created. If we really had taken more time with our prognostications to start the season we would have all realized they aren't really as deep or better or (sorry Burkie) as good as we all thought they were going to be.

Just when I was getting ready to pencil in an 0-for-82 season ... it happened ... the unthinkable ... the Leafs won! The Leafs won!

Yes sir, 6-3 winners over Anaheim. (It did help that the Ducks were undisciplined and gave T.O. 11 power plays).

Of course, the big win was followed up by a tough loss to Dallas Wednesday.

The Leafs have worked hard in every game this season, but have lost too many because they just aren't as talented as their opposition. You can blame the forwards for not scoring enough goals, but the real blame falls on the goaltending (yes, I know about the injuries) and the defence (especially the newly-acquired ones), their lack of discipline and their poor decisions all over the ice.

I believe in Burke's overall plan. Start with your goaltending and defence and work your way up from there. He's a proven champ who knows how to build a successful organization. He believes in being tough physically and mentally.

I hope the players are just that. It’s going to be a long season for them.

Let’s hope the fans and media are just as tough as well.