Some Via Rail cars are so old that the Toronto Maple Leafs were still hoisting the Stanley Cup when they were built. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the dig at Toronto’s NHL team during a news conference in Thunder Bay, Ont. “Our rail cars on our long-distance and remote routes are more than 70 years old. They were built when the NHL had six teams. Goalies wouldn’t wear a mask. The Leafs would win the cup,” a smiling Carney said, garnering laughs from those who were in attendance. “It’s a long time ago.” The prime minister, who cheers for the Edmonton Oilers, added that “things are changing, even for Leafs” as he unveiled his government’s $4.7 billion plan to build new Via Rail passenger cars. The Maple Leafs are entering this season holding the longest active championship drought in the NHL. The last time the Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup was in 1967. It was also the last time the Leafs made it to the Stanley Cup final. Last season, the Leafs failed to make it to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They will begin the new season on Sept. 29 against the Montreal Canadiens.
