LOCKOUT 2004: Leafs Robbed of Chance to Lose Cup Again?

If the National Hockey League lockout continues as predicted, the Toronto Maple Leafs could very well be deprived of yet another chance to not win the Stanley Cup next spring.

"Not winning the cup is a springtime tradition here," said Toronto restaurant owner, Leonardo DeCarlos, whose business is a mere 67 blocks from the Air Canada Centre. "I mean, what are people gonna talk about next April without the Leafs getting knocked out in the first or second round?"

The city's typically booming tinfoil Stanley Cup industry is already seeing an impact.

"Our orders have dropped way down. We've had to lay off 200 employees," said Nigel Yarsborough, President of Delusional Cup Replica International, Toronto's biggest manufacturer of imitation tinfoil Stanley Cups. "The owners and players don't realize the impact their little disagreement has on businesses like ours."

Leafs General Manager John Ferguson Jr. also expressed his concerns about a lingering labour disruption.

"With the mandatory retirement age in Ontario still at 65, this lockout might cause us to lose many of our players to retirement...homes," said Ferguson, who is younger than all but three players on his team. "Here's hoping (Ontario) Premier McGuinty gets that legislation [scrapping mandatory retirement] passed quickly."

Leafs starting goaltender Ed Belfour, whom Ferguson re-signed to a $347 million, 11-year contract earlier this summer, is 63 years old.

"At least no one else is gonna win the cup, right?" said Leafs' super-pest Darcy Tucker when reached for comment.

"Right?"

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