Credit where it's due, even if it's Toronto
The Toronto Maple Leafs are often considered to be the class of the NHL, a largely unfounded title, but facts are facts.
Last night it couldn't be argued, as they honoured Leafs great Borje Salming in a touching & emotional ceremony pre game vs the Vancouver Canucks. It was the stuff of legend, with the camera panning to former Leafs' greats Dave 'Tiger' Williams & Darryl Sittler, both taking it all in with emotion flowing watching their former teammate during the face-off.
When you looked at the starting lineup for the Blue & White, something became very clear. They had started 6 Swedes in what was no question a tip of the hat to Borje.
Hockey is a tough sport.
It's built on the pride of fighting through ailments & injuries, which when you peruse Salming's career as a Maple Leaf it is remarkable the consistency & also proficiency he was able to play with as a newcomer to the North American game.
Some call him Nicklas Lidstrom before Nicklas Lidstrom, which probably isn't a stretch considering Lidstrom would have watched Salming as his career wound down & no doubt heard stories of legend from his own father.
We will continue to update Salming's condition, obviously with no cure there is no way to say how much time he has left with us, we can only hope it is filled with as much love as he had for the game.
