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Toronto Maple Leafs Should Host a Old Generation Game

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 23: Mats Sundin #13, Dave Ellett #4 and Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate against Zdeno Ciger #8 and the Edmonton Oilers during NHL game action on December 23, 1995 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 23: Mats Sundin #13, Dave Ellett #4 and Doug Gilmour #93 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate against Zdeno Ciger #8 and the Edmonton Oilers during NHL game action on December 23, 1995 at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Graig Abel/Getty Images) /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are doing a fantastic job at building the next generation of fans but they should turn back the clock and do an “old-generation” game next season.

There’s a reason why Hollywood has made thousands of remakes and sequals of classic movies. It’s because nostalgia will never die and as a result, the Toronto Maple Leafs should use this to their advantage and do an “Old-Generation” game next year, reminicscing about the past and showing respect to the old-school fan.

For those of you unfamiliar, the “Next Gen” game is meant to introduce younger fans to hockey, sort of like how the NFL introduced the Nickelodeon NFL Game a few years ago. The Leafs used Lego-like animations, had fun giveaways during the game and even colloboared with Justin Beiber and Drew House to create a new alternate jersey this season.

It’s a fantastic game and something the Leafs should continue to do every season, but wouldn’t it be great if they decided to do an “Old-Generation” game once a year?

Toronto Maple Leafs Should Introduce an “Old-Gen” Game

There’s a reason why golf fans love The Masters every year. Not only is Augusta National one of the most iconic golf courses in the world, but the tournament has stayed the same forever. Although the golfer’s equipment has evolved and the course has slightly changed in length, the tournament has stayed the same.

If you look at a picture of the course from 1950, the course itself is basically untouched and more importantly, concession-stand prices have stayed the same. You can grab a full meal with a cold beer for under $10 and you’re not even allowed to use your cell phone on-site. Instead, you have to use their pay-phone’s if you feel like making a call, which brings you back in time and is a nostalgia trip for anyone who remembers the good old days.

Speaking of the good old days, wouldn’t it be incredible for Scotiabank Arena to turn back the clock and pretend to be like a game from the 1990s or earlier? Bring back this iconic jersey worn by Doug Gilmour, lower the food and beer prices and do old-school prize giveways like poloroid cameras, Vtech cordless phones, or something fun?

No offense to the current broadcasters, but let’s put Joe Bowen back on the TV broadcast and bring back Andy Frost to be the PA announcer. They can even paint the ice with the small Leafs logo in the middle and make the rink look like it’s from 1993.

Stop saying the Leafs are cursed. dark. Next

I’m not sure if the Leafs would go for something like this, but everyone loves nostalgia and kudos to the “great minds* and Colin iii” for inspiring this article.  It would be a fun night for every older fan and could even inspire the younger fan to learn more about previous Leafs teams, so I would love to see the team do something like this soon.

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