Respecting Ronnie

[tommy]

This is kinda controversial, but I've heard it both ways...

[nccanes]

I voted no, but meant to vote yes. Probably just as well because I'm sure I'll get over it.

IMO if he'd done either of the following two things, I wouldn't even give it a moments thought (other than sadness to see him go).

1) if had any inkling at all that he would waive his clause and go elsewhere, even if it was for just one team, he should never have said the things he did in the media over the last month about staying

2) if he really had no idea how he felt about getting an offer from the Leafs until he actually had one, he could have done a better job in addressing the fans/community about what playing here meant to him (we now know what it means to him to be a Leaf) and publicly addressed the team/players that he left behind (I'm sure he did that in the locker room before he left, but to my knowledge he's not even acknowledged the Hurricanes other than thanking JR in his farewell chat to the media)


I don't expect tears flowing like Peter Bondra - Ronnie's just not that kind of guy.

So less respect? No. Disappointment in him - you bet. But I don't feel bad, Forslund said he was disappointed, Kaiton said he was disappointed, JR said he was disappointed, and O'Neill admitted that he didn't think he'd leave. I'm in good company. :beatup:

As a small footnote, I've wondered if maybe Ronnie has unknowingly done the same thing that the media has done - underestimated this fanbase and what hockey means to us.

[Stormbringer]

Very well said Eileen...even though I am supporting Ronnie as a Leaf and all, I cannot help but admit that I was and still am disappointed with how things were handled. Of course, as I said before, it was a last minute decision, and perhaps things were a little rushed for Ronnie to say more than he planned to come back and live here. Even rushed, the PR and such certainly could have been done better.

Of course, I voted "No".

Edit: Then again, found the following in an article about the trade at ESPN.com...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1754970

Francis said he will always have fond memories of the Hurricanes' 2002 run to the finals.

"I don't think I've ever seen such a passionate display by sports fans for this team," he said.

[Jeff O Rocks]

I voted yes.. I feel that Ronnie let everyone down. I wish he had been upfront and said that if "certain" teams" made an offer, he might think about it. Instead he stood his ground about how he would not waive his clause.

If O did this, I would be even more hurt!! To choose to leave, regardless of the opportunity, makes you feel like you don't matter as fans and supporters to them...I know..it is business... :roll:

[nccanes]

Edit: Then again, found the following in an article about the trade at ESPN.com...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=1754970

Francis said he will always have fond memories of the Hurricanes' 2002 run to the finals.

"I don't think I've ever seen such a passionate display by sports fans for this team," he said.

SB, that quote if from the departing new conference at the RBC center. It was in response to a question asked about his fondest memory as a Hurricane. He talked about the SCFs and how exciting that was and made the comment you quoted. To my knowledge that is the only comment he's made and it was in response to a direct question.

I think those of us really bumming about this is that Ronnie has never made a statement about his time here and what this organization/team/fans meant to him. The first question in the press conference was "What's up Ronnie" and he said "I'm going to Toronto". That's it. He never prepared remarks or did anything other than answer the questions.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Maybe I should wait until I've had a few more days to let this sink in before I vote.

[hyena]

for some reason, i can't vote, but i would vote "yes," for the reasons Eileen mentioned and for the ones SHC had in her deleted post in the Ronnie thread.

namely, that there was no foreshadowing of this anywhere. out of the blue, we're supposed to accept this 'longtime dream' of Ronnie's to play for the Leafs and win a Cup with them. and sorry if i'm taking the words straight out of somebody else's post (i've read so many on the topic), but i don't see the glory in playing crap minutes for a team for the last two weeks of the year and "leading them to a Cup". it's almost laughable.

and, for the fact i feel betrayed, hurt, ripped off even. that i've respected this man and supported him as our team leader and Captain and he can't reciprocate this in anyway to the fanbase? not even after JR plays fairy godmother for him? instead he bails. i guess two years of suckage was too much, even for him. :sad:

and not to call you out SB, but you said something that i've seen other people say and i want somebody that shares this viewpoint to clarify something:


I cannot help but admit that I was and still am disappointed with how things were handled. Of course, as I said before, it was a last minute decision, and perhaps things were a little rushed for Ronnie to say more than he planned to come back and live here. Even rushed, the PR and such certainly could have been done better

so people are disappointed with how "things are handled" -- you mean, like how Ronnie handled the situation? it was his decision. you can't tell me he didn't have control over how this was relayed to the media, etc. Ronnie made this quick choice and Ronnie is the one that STILL hasn't said anything thanking the fans here.

[guinevere]

Maybe I should wait until I've had a few more days to let this sink in before I vote.

I HAVE let it sink in and the longer I go the more disappointed in him I become. It was a shock at first , now I"m rooting for the Leafs to lose every last game.

[Alicia]

for some reason, i can't vote, but i would vote "yes," for the reasons Eileen mentioned and for the ones SHC had in her deleted post in the Ronnie thread.

namely, that there was no foreshadowing of this anywhere. out of the blue, we're supposed to accept this 'longtime dream' of Ronnie's to play for the Leafs and win a Cup with them. and sorry if i'm taking the words straight out of somebody else's post (i've read so many on the topic), but i don't see the glory in playing crap minutes for a team for the last two weeks of the year and "leading them to a Cup". it's almost laughable.

and, for the fact i feel betrayed, hurt, ripped off even. that i've respected this man and supported him as our team leader and Captain and he can't reciprocate this in anyway to the fanbase? not even after JR plays fairy godmother for him? instead he bails. i guess two years of suckage was too much, even for him. :sad:

and not to call you out SB, but you said something that i've seen other people say and i want somebody that shares this viewpoint to clarify something:


I cannot help but admit that I was and still am disappointed with how things were handled. Of course, as I said before, it was a last minute decision, and perhaps things were a little rushed for Ronnie to say more than he planned to come back and live here. Even rushed, the PR and such certainly could have been done better

so people are disappointed with how "things are handled" -- you mean, like how Ronnie handled the situation? it was his decision. you can't tell me he didn't have control over how this was relayed to the media, etc. Ronnie made this quick choice and Ronnie is the one that STILL hasn't said anything thanking the fans here.

I voted yes for pretty much all of these same reasons. Just seems kinda sh*tty, IMO.

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I voted "yes" . Mona and Hyena said it best. Mona...I'll have to call you out :D but in a good way because I totally agree with your points. he denied any team interest in him and the interests of HIMSELF in leaving. I feel betrayed and still upset even after these weeks. I've simmered down a bit, but the sight of him at all affiliated with or smling with anything Leafs related churns my stomach. It just isn't right.

But I guess it's mostly for the disappointment reasons. It was like when Markov kept holding out and holding out to come here for a contract that HE liked. I was pissed and for the longest time was all like well FINE dont come here then...but after time, and seeing how great the fit was with the Canes for him, and that he seemed happy, the feelings subsided and I was proud to call him a Cane. I miss him now...and sometimes I wish I wasnt all p'oed at him at first. I guess you hafta look at the personal beef, and then realize what a kick a** player they are and how lucky you feel to have seen them and you get over it because they're just so damn kewl. I dont know if I'll ever be like GO RONNIE WITH the Leafs...and I probably never WILL be like that...but I definitely think I'll be mad at him or whatever forever....

Things will all just be good if he just returns here to Cane country... :D

[talkingcanes]

I was shocked and surprised when he left, but it didn't diminish my respect for him. I don't have, and didn't have even initially, a lot of the bitter feelings that others' have expressed. I understand them, I just didn't have them for whatever reason.

It also didn't change my feelings for Toronto. Losing every game is good unless they are playing Tampa Bay :beatup:

[lvscolencanes]

I am not telling what I voted, b/c I really didnt know which one to do, so I closed my eyes and clicked around the general area... ;)

I have always had mixed feelings about that whold situation, maybe just a little shock, maybe I should have waited to vote too.. :crazy: ;)

[GrumpyCane]

Dissapointed, but doesn't change what he has accomplished.

[lvscolencanes]

Dissapointed, but doesn't change what he has accomplished.


thanks Grumpy, kinda explains my feelings..... ;)

[rons#1fan]

Same here as far as losing respect. That will never happen. Yes, I was disappointed that he left but I know he will be back and I feel lucky to just have had the experience of seeing him play.

I think if you look at most of the posters who lost respect are the ladies - they tend to let their emotions take over. Ooops did I say that? :angel:

I am surprised at some of the people who lost respect for Ronnie for doing this and yet think of all kinds of excuses for a certain player who wrote something on a fans jersey that was totally uncalled for. Do you still have respect for him? What Ronnie did was far less offensive than that and yet this disappointed and respect stuff is just endless and quite honestly old (In my opinion :D ).

Just when we beat the issue up in one thread another one opens and it starts all over again. Oh boy...where are my migraine pills.. :crazy: