I've heard various comments over the last couple days about how awful Toronto fans are for booing Jake Gardiner in Toronto's 6-3 loss to Colorado on Monday night.
Brian Burke, journalist Bruce Arthur and even Mitch Marner criticized the actions of those Leaf fans who decided to display their discontent. This was made into a national issue as to why Leafs fans are so awful that their fans are booing one of their best players.
My question to everyone is...so what? While I personally would not boo him, who really cares that Jake Gardiner got booed? He made one awful play while the Leafs were on the power play, it cost the Leafs the game. Yes, he got heckled every time he touched the puck, but these guys need to have thick skin. I don't really care if Gardiner or anyone else got offended at the boos. If they're not happy, try playing in Europe or try playing at Yankee Stadium. What I saw on Monday night is NOTHING compared to what happens in some of these places.
This whole over-reaction to the Gardiner situation is another one where the media wants to make a big news story out of nothing. The very fact we are talking about Jake Gardiner and not William Nylander is a stroke of luck for the Leafs organization. Imagine if all this was happening with Nylander, who has done as close to nothing in 17 games since he's returned.
The real issue here is that the Leafs are struggling. While Gardiner was at fault for the goal, I wouldn't consider him one of the primary Leafs and frankly won't put the blame on him for this most recent loss. Gardiner has an expiring contract, he's one of those players that has more to prove this season.
Lately, the Leafs have just been coasting. Their compete level isn't quite where it should be. If booing Gardiner at Scotiabank Arena is what gets the team going then I say good. The message should be to start playing better before the booing spreads to more players.
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