Matt Stajan Wants Out Of Toronto

by Aaron Carruth… Matt Stajan’s latest comments about wanting out of Toronto have come as a shock to both the organization and the city.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while,” Stajan said. He had the look of a beaten man.

Reporters challenged his vague comments and Stajan budged for a moment, stating “[it] probably started around the fall of 2007”.

As both a journalist and a Leafs fan, I wasn’t satisfied. I decided to get in touch with Stajan to find out what really happened. After days of prying, he is finally letting me tell his story.

—

It was September 12, 2007.

The Leafs were nearing the end of camp, just under a week away from traveling to Edmonton to kick-start the pre-season.

Matt took the long walk down to his mailbox. It was here. NHL 08: Electronic Arts Sports’ magnum opus. Stajan mumbled something about a Staal being on the cover and made his way back up to his apartment.

His adrenaline glands were firing on all cylinders. Apparently, Matt saves his competitive edge for the virtual ice surface.

He booted up the disc, pure excitement pumping through his veins. Matt was going to be a 50 goal man this year… this was his time.

Three shifts later, Stajan scored his first goal of the season.

What happened next would eventually push him to the edge of sanity.

Something went wrong. Horribly wrong.