Shark Week

Zettler Voices Displeasure With Leafs Organisation

JANUARY 13TH, 2022 BY HIERONYMOUS MACMILLAN

It's Shark Week! 

No, not THAT Shark Week. Well, it could be. (checks). Ok, we're good. No, it's the week where San Jose takes a tour through Eastern Canada. And tomorrow night will see the Sharks swim into Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs. 
Now, historically, when it comes to the Sharks and Leafs there doesn't seem to be much to it. I mean, when you think legendary rivals, Toronto and San Jose don't spring to mind. And if you want to get real historic, perhaps even prehistoric, it's unlikely a shark has ever seen a leaf. And if it did see one, it wouldn't have any interest in it. Unless it was some hippie vegetarian Shark (like VideoJ. note: this writer is also a vegetarian)

But I digress. And perhaps now you're wondering why even bother bringing up the subject if there's nothing to takeaway from it. The two teams have faced off once already this season at the Shark Tank where they went to overtime (3-2 Leafs victory). There was a whopping TWO penalties and combined 41 hits. Yawn.
For those paying attention this year, you'll know that the Sharks kicked longtime coach Lindy Ruff to the curb and hired Sharks alumni Rob Zettler. You know Rob Zettler, the leather jacket wearing, Harley riding badass.
Then, not long after that, the Leafs brought in Leafs (and Sharks) alumni Al Iafrate to be their new director of player development. You know Al Iafrate, the leather jacket wearing, Harley riding badass.

Uh oh.

If the Highlander movie/tv franchise has taught me anything, it's that Sean Connery is Spanish. Oh, and that THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

Prior to flying to Montreal to face the Canadiens (in which San Jose thoroughly devoured 7-2) Zettler was asked about the Canadian road trip. The Sept-Iles, PQ native said, "It's always nice to go back home. Playing the Habs is always a game I circle on the calendar for obvious reasons. Winnipeg has been playing great, top of the leauge I think, so that'll be a tough one but I know the boys will be ready to go for that one. We know the Sens haven't had the greatest season so far, but we won't take them lightly either." 
At that point, he was reminded that there was another game they had that he hadn't commented on. That of which was against Toronto (who happened to be 1 of 6 teams Zettler played for throughout his NHL career, putting up his best statistical season with them in 1996-97). "Yeah, I didn't forget. I'm just not going to waste my time talking about them. All I'll say is there can be only one."

Ok, he didn't actually say that. But it would have been fucking awesome if he did and then him and Iafrate had an epic sword battle with hockey sticks like they used to do in the 80s. He was asked about his visual disdain for the team to which he answered, "it's obvious what they were doing when they brought Iafrate in. I think it was a bullshit move if I'm honest. I'm sure there were other guys they could have brought in, but they go out and hire an uglier version of me. What a joke." And with that Zettler was done answering questions.

Well, I don't think anyone saw that coming. I have questions. Is Zettler Connor MacLeod or The Kurgan? Is Sean Connery really Spanish? Will his remarks have any trickle down effect to the players on either team?
Leafs co-leader in hits (tied with Brayden Schenn with 89) had this to say upon seeing the video of Zettler talking trash: "I thought a Highlander was a car. But really, if he's trying to get a rise out of us or pump up his own team all I can say is if they want to go to war we'll be ready."

There might not have been much of a rivalry between these two teams before this game. But all signs are pointing to this possibly being one of the most fiercest rivalries since the heyday of Detroit-Colorado. This is going to be JAWSome.