The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Monday the AHL board of governors has approved their request to relocate their St. John's farm club to Toronto for the 2005-06 season.
While playing in Newfoundland, they were known as the St. John's Maple Leafs. Now that they will be playing in Toronto, a name change is necessary to avoid massive confusion. This isn't the CFL and we can't have two franchises called the Toronto Maple Leafs. The question is what to name this AHL team.
Personally, I like the "Baby Leafs" as their new moniker. It's already their nickname and I think it's pretty cool. The only reason not to name them the "Baby Leafs" is because it's humiliating to the players and coaching staff and I don't think that gives them enough credit. It's a funky name and all in good fun and I'm hoping they take a serious look at it.
The other natural name for the Maple Leaf's farm team is the "Toronto Buds" but that's not nearly as funny.
