Big Phil
Registered User
- Nov 2, 2003
- 31,703
- 4,146
Dave Keon finally showed up at the '67 Leafs pre-game celebration. It had been years since he set foot in either the ACC or MLG. He wasn there for the closing of Maple Leaf Gardens in '99. He's been a bitter man since '75 when Ballard - who was an idiot - mistreated him.
Don Cherry tells the story about how he got so bitter. It was apparently when the Islanders were looking for a final piece of the puzzle. This had to have been before the '79-80 season but apparently they wanted the services of Keon who was still under the rights to the Leafs in the NHL - Keon had bolted to the WHA. The Leafs didnt budge and insteadthe Isles eventuall got Butch Goring. I dont know how true this is but alas its a story.
Anyways regardless of that is Keon right to be bitter. He may ahve softened up a bit, but was he in the right? Sittler, McDonald and co. were mistreated by Ballard. They show up at events. Ballard went "underground" back in '90. So what are your thought?
Oh and by the way I just want to squash the notion that Keon is the best Leaf of all-time. Off the top of my head I'll take Broda, Apps and Kennedy over him at least. In the '60s I think Mahovolich was the better Leaf, not Keon.
Don Cherry tells the story about how he got so bitter. It was apparently when the Islanders were looking for a final piece of the puzzle. This had to have been before the '79-80 season but apparently they wanted the services of Keon who was still under the rights to the Leafs in the NHL - Keon had bolted to the WHA. The Leafs didnt budge and insteadthe Isles eventuall got Butch Goring. I dont know how true this is but alas its a story.
Anyways regardless of that is Keon right to be bitter. He may ahve softened up a bit, but was he in the right? Sittler, McDonald and co. were mistreated by Ballard. They show up at events. Ballard went "underground" back in '90. So what are your thought?
Oh and by the way I just want to squash the notion that Keon is the best Leaf of all-time. Off the top of my head I'll take Broda, Apps and Kennedy over him at least. In the '60s I think Mahovolich was the better Leaf, not Keon.