| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 13:49:35
My beloved Maple Leafs, one of the most storied franchises in any major league sport, are dying. It's a slow death, apparently, and no one is doing anything but stand by and watch.
Recently, on Hockey Night in Canada and on radio, Scotty Bowman told of being in negotiations last summer, but that they had come back to him two weeks before the season and said basically, "sorry for wasting your time". It sounds as if Scotty was asking for more control over the team than Richard Peddie and co. were willing to allow.
Scotty Bowman is a legend, as many of you know . . . but would he be the right general manager for the Leafs to return to some semblance of glory? If not, do you have other suggestions? |
| 35 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MarkhamMax |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 17:50:23
LOL (just because laughter is good medicine and I don't want anyone here to think I'm fighting with them.
Other LOL, because I thought Antroman was referring to my use of the term "they owe it to us", which I was in turn based my rant on. Not sure how Slozo thought it was something he said. But group hug regardless).
Now then, Slozo... I've lived in Toronto for 38 years buddy. I have a pretty good grip on the climate here. I was not suggesting we all get our battle gear on and march down to MLSE halfway through the season in the middle of winter to picket for changes.
Any student of the game knows little can be done to impact change halfway through a season. That's why nobody wants to take Fergie's job. Nothing gets done until the END of the seaon, which is when I was implying it would make a good time to picket. Though I never said "at the end of the season", I don't know why you are convinced I intend to picket in sub-freezing temps even though I clarified that in my second post to suggest otherwise.
Maybe you just think I was implying a winter picket, because you think picketing would only be effective during the season?
I'm not going out there now man - I'm cold half the time inside my house!!
But thanks for the weather report  |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 09:34:58
Guest 7693 - Good post but I have one bone of contention......Firing the scouting staff is probably a little drastic. Saying the Leafs draft badly is really not a fair statement because they usually don't have their high picks come draft time to pick with. I think the criteria of drafting is weather the players drafted can be useful commodities to the organization which includes the farm. Many more players who are drafted don't make it than do in all organizations. The point is unless you draft early then your chances of getting the blue chippers are more remote. There are many of the Leafs picks on the club right now including Stajan, Steen, White, Kaberle etc etc. They have three excellent prospects in Stralman, Pogge and Kulemin on the horizon and their first pick in this years draft after trading away quite a number of first and second rounders the last few years. The scouting staff was ramped up two years ago and I think are doing an admiral job considering the bufoonery going on in management when it comes to keeping those sacred picks. |
| Guest7693 |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 09:09:24
Whatever happens, just make sure that...
A) Get Peddie back in line and let him know that he's not the reincarnation of Harold Ballard.
B) Unload JFJ NOW before he can do any more damage to the team by the trade deadline.
C) If you keep JFJ for the balance of the season, DON'T let him make any transactions at all. No trades, no signings, nothing.
D) Fire the scouting staff. When was the last time the leafs really, and I mean really, scored big in the draft. Other teams seem to do ok in the draft because they have decent scouts. The leafs apparently don't.
In the words of John Candy from SCTB "Blow the whole thing up! Blow it up real good!" |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 08:27:45
Hey Slozo,
I was talking in general and not about just one thing. Sorry if it seemed pointed toward yourself. I just get kind of bummed out when things are extracted from the main content which leads away from the point of the thread. It is for instance like a drunk driver running over a pedestrian and someone notices the back left tailight was out and goes on about vehicle safety and how wrong you were to drive the car with the tail light burnt out when the real point was that the guy was driving drunk? By the way, I enjoy your posts as well. We don't always agree but that is what makes it good. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 07:12:52
Wow. Or rather . . . hunh?
Some people here seem to have taken my little "rant" (wasn't much of one, IMO) as a personal attack . . . strange, in light of the fact that I didn't explicitly say I disagreed with MarkhamMax, but wanted to expand further on his points (which I mostly agreed with).
I think, perhaps, that my line about "the average fan is no longer seen as relevant" hit a nerve. Either, way, a couple of clarifications, then I am done with this topic:
1. MarkhamMax - It is now winter. In Toronto this coming weekend, we are expecting -10 temperatures (could be worse with wind chill). If one were to "picket" outside of the ACC, one could expect at least -10 temps, in that wind off the lake. So, by logical extension, if you suggested picketing, you indeed were suggesting that people actually stand outside in temperatures resembling -10C. Unless, of course, you thought picketting would be better served in Florida?
Again, I repeat - I mostly agreed with your commentary. I was in no way offended by it; on the contrary, I welcomed it.
2. Antroman - dude, can you explain to me (I think you were referring to me, if not, sorry) what exact phrase did I use to "pick a word or phrase out of your post and completely either run with it in another direction or rip you with it like it's some kind of sport"? You seem very, very defensive with phrases like "it never fails to amaze me", and "get over it" . . . especially when I was only admittedly expanding on the subject (Bowman good as GM) and core issue (GM needs full control to be competent). In fact, I started the thread!
Normally, I like your comments, so I think you took my opinion in some strange way . . . either way, it's got me scratching my head.
Also, I agree (for now) with your Stralman observation - kid looks good.
3. Beans - as usual, I agree with almost everything you have said here - with one big exception, of course. The Leafs are my first team, and your last. Such is fate. But don't worry - Edmonton is my "second team", since I have family there and have spent a bit of time there myself.
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| MarkhamMax |
Posted - 01/17/2008 : 00:49:34
My banter certainly wasn't intended to rip on anyone in a spiteful way. It's not in my nature to be an e-thug. I'm just bantering with ya.
But this is a discussion about shaking up the Leafs, so yes, I did pick up on the notion of being owed something. My angle is nobody owes anybody. If you want something, you make yourself heard.
As for picketing in -10 degree weather, I never suggested that. I just suggested picketing.
Essentially... being heard.
Some off-season summer picketing is just peachy by me.
Now you say let's get back on topic, but I have only heard reasons why things can't be done.
As the Rolling Stones wrote "You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need."
;) |
| Alex |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 15:12:51
Ya but the management at top can not afford that. Rebuilding admits there is a problem, the fans will lose hope, they will lose money... it isnt worth it for the people up top. Unfortunately.
Habs get number 25 this year |
| Jeremy12 |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 15:09:31
leafs should just give up and start over
[IMG]http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x49/Jeremy12_24/spezza_sig21.jpg[/IMG] |
| Alex |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 14:52:19
Let us not think of Bowman's passing before he signs on any dotted lines. Which, should not be any time soon.
Scottie wants to be the head honcho, the guy with the authority to run it the way he wants. I agree. Hockey world agrees. Some selfish (ok, not selfish, they want to retire happily) teachers and investors. He does not want to have to report to anyone.
And he shouldn't have to. What we have in Toronto is a bunch of controlling, anxious rich men who want to keep it that way. I dont blame them for having their reservations, I would almost definitely do the same. We all would probably.
They can sleep with themselves at night, that is the biggest accomplishment
Habs get number 25 this year |
| Beans15 |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 14:46:28
It doesn't bother me at all. As long as the current ownership is there, they will keep running things the same way. And, if they run things the same way the Leafs will not be a good team. If they keep making money, the ownership will stay.
In not so many words, my least favorite team appears to also be a horrible hockey team for a long long time.
On a side note, those who say Bowman wouldn't help. Do you guy not realize that he is still involved with the Wings?? He has remained as the Sr. Advisor to the Red Wings Management since he won the Cup as Coach with them in 2002. Pretty sure Detroit has had a great team since then and I am also pretty sure that Bowman has had a hand in that. Bowman would do a great job in given the chance, but I still am not sure if he would be around to see his work come to fruition.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
| Alex |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 14:04:38
What never fails to amaze ME is that amidst all this talk, what was one of the front page sports stories in the National Post? How MLSE continues to make money. Howard Ballard was quoted and mentioned more than once. Richard Peddie was made into the saviour of retiring teachers who get pension out of the fund. And us fans were made to feel as if we are not looking at the big picture.
Does this not bother anyone?
Habs get number 25 this year |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 10:53:43
It never fails to amaze me that when someone is trying to make a point in one of these topics how someone will pick a word or phrase out of your post and completely either run with it in another direction or rip you with it like it's some kind of sport. The point of this thread is that "It is time to completely rebuild this franchise". We have long surpassed the good old days when you could take your family to the Leaf hockey games. That has been gone probably since the sixties. Get over it. Paying for Leaf games on television has already arrived in the form of Leaf TV. The population in Southern Ontario is immense and even if the prices were lower the average guy would still have trouble finding a ticket because the place only holds so many. Demand out strips the available seating. This is simply the age which we now live in and you can protest all you want but nothing is going to change. Like Bob Dylan wrote "The Times They Are A Changing and You Better Start Swimming Or You'll Sink Like A Stone". Now lets get back on topic with this damn problem we have here. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/16/2008 : 05:19:59
A good point, MarkhamMax . . . but to add to your point:
The essential culture of watching and enjoying hockey has changed quite a bit over the years, and fans are apathetic for the millions these athletes are paid to entertain us. The old days of the average fan being able to go out with his family a few times a year to catch a game are over - unless you want to take out a second mortgage. To be a private owner of Leafs season tickets is to be part of a dying breed; every year, more and more change from private to corporate hands. And now, the move has quietly started to take away the freedom of watching the games on TV for free. Don't even tell me that at least BigBrother will let you watch the buds on saturday night for free . . . that will be the last brick in the wall, my friends, mark my words.
But back to my point - the culture has changed, and because of the corporate structure of the game, the AVERAGE FAN IS NO LONGER SEEN AS RELEVANT. Why would big business heed the call of a bunch of shmoes like us, if we hardly ever contribute to their bottom line? The corporate entities that support the Leafs franchise are the "relevant fans", and it will take a lot more than a picket line to change their spending habits!
Although, in terms of embarrassing the Leafs management by starting to protest outsidethe ACC in -10 C weather - good luck with that! I would support that initiative with jocularity, pats on the back, and cheering; but if it means spending my free time to get get frostbitten ears and a runny nose in the icy wind, count me out. That's not lazy; it's just common sense. After all, if a guy like Tucker is getting paid tens of thousands of dollars to play for a couple of hours and can't put in a full effort, then why should I be expected to work for free? |
| MarkhamMax |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 23:11:00
I don't think the Maple Leafs owe anyone.
We choose to support them, the same way we choose (or not) to open a door for somebody. Yes, we expect to be thanked when we open that door, but it is not owed to us.
The only way to vocalize our objection with MLSE is to not show up to games. A collective stand-down, if you will. And that is not going to happen, because the people who fill those seats are a mixture of corporate season ticket holders who don't really care about the end-result, and blind, blue-blooded Maple Leafs fans who think if they keep showing their unwavering support the organization will pay their fan base back with a Stanley Cup.
The scenario essentially handcuffs the many tortured Leafs fans who are pining for change. But that doesn't mean there aren't alternative means to be heard. If people really want to see change they could choose to organize.
The problem is, most people are lazy. It's easier to just bitch to each other, but it doesn't really amount to squat. Therefore, you are owed nothing
A bold move by people who really want to see results would be to picket in front of ACC and the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan offices to voice their objection.
Basically, embarrass them.
We continue to rely on a few local sports journalists to whine the same old whine on our behalf. Those journalists need something compelling to write about. Some ammunition.
"Maple Leafs Fans Take Action".
Now there's a headline I'd like to read.
Anything short of that is just wasted air wafting the halls of the internet.
Can you imagine the following statement has ever been made in the board room?
"Gentlemen, we really owe our fans something this year..."
Not.
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| Antroman |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 20:35:38
Hey Slozo. I meant no offense......I wanted to make sure we were on the same page here. Good win tonight but two points further away from the first overall pick? I have been watching that Stralman kid ever since he arrived and I think we have something special here. All he needs to do is get a little stronger and more NHL experience through quality ice time and we have a five star player. What better time than now for his on ice training? He is already a terrific passer, has very quick acceleration and a real good puck sense about him. The rebuild is already in progress. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 13:33:30
Yeah, rampant rumours about Cliff Fletcher coming back in the interim. Well, it just shows that the people in charge weren't looking for anyone to replace JFjr with in the first place . . . just keep the status quo unless there is a public uproar. As long as the money keeps rolling in.
We need a new buyer for the Leafs! Hey, Domi didn't answer my last post - any other multi-millionnaires/billionaires out there?!?
Also - Antroman, I know what autonomy means. Was just responding to the Bowman opinion, and had to make it clear that although I think Scotty would be a very good choice, it would have to be with full control, otherwise it's all a moot point. |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 13:02:55
I am not questioning Scottie Bowman's mind or hockey ability. You can't second guess him in any way and his track record speaks for itself. It is just my personal opinion that the Leafs could use a younger long term kind of a guy. The talk around town today is all about Cliff Fletcher returning........He is 72 and I feel the same way about him. He accomplished some outstanding things while in Toronto but he was also road out of town as well. If they are going to blow it up then lets move forward and hire a younger guy with new ideas and a real zest for taking this ship and rebuilding it from stem to stern. The days of packaging up assorted pieces and swapping players and picks all over the place are gone. Sometimes you used to get lucky and aquire a Doug Gilmore with following sucess but that was then for Cliff but this is now. |
| Guest5643 |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 11:07:40
Gretzky had interests to play for toronto right from a child, he grew up only hours from there, watching them every saturday just like everyone else in ontario. If u read the book 67, the end of an empire, there was a interview in there with grezky where he mentioned for 2 weeks he had fully planned on playing in toronto and was shocked when they didn''t take the offer.
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| kingwoody2 |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 10:35:24
I think they should have hired Scotty Bowman. Who cares if he is 74!! If he was 104 I would hire him. He is the smartest hockey mind in a long time, if not ever!! Plus people if you havent read, he was being interviewed for president, not GM. He would in turn hire the GM which in turn would give you basically 2 GM's to discuss everything. Even he hired a no name GM he could teach him what it takes to win. |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 09:31:21
Hey Alex.........You know there are people that dislike Pat Quinn but all he did was win. I am not a big stat guy like yourself but I think it was six out of seven years in the playoffs and quite a few 90 point plus seasons. I know there was at least one of those seasons that was over 100 points. When you have a chance to go to the dance, then trading draft picks in the old NHL for short term gain was the proper thing to do. Unfortunately, the cup wasn't won but two trips to the semis in a 30 team league is not too shabby? Since the inception of the new NHL then this practise is less favorable and building through the draft and then maybe adding a couple of lesser parts to give you depth is viewed upon as the way to go. I am kind of tired of all this past critcism being thrown out there as it relates to the league today. Quinn's teams were good hockey teams. This team today as it stands is not and the blame falls directly on the upper managements shoulders i'm afraid!!!!!! |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 09:08:49
Hey Slozo, That is exactly what the word autonomy means (complete control). I agree with Beans. I have nothing against Bowman other than he is 74 and his accomplishments were made for the most part in the old league. I want to look toward the future with a younger but still experienced GM......a guy like Burke keeps coming to mind. I know he has said in the past he wasn't interested but he has to say that while under contract to the Ducks. My point was that the Leafs upper management owes all long suffering Leaf fans everywhere for their undying support over the years. We have made all those board members excessively rich buffoons and all they have done in return is basically screw up a once proud franchise. They owe it to us to do everything possible, including throwing wads of cash at one of the best Gm's they can find or rip from another team and then get the hell out of the way. They can afford it and it will be repaid in spades if the Leafs do well.
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| Beans15 |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 08:51:40
quote:
Originally posted by Guest5643
T.o does not need a new GM or coach, they gave up Gretzky when they could of had him for 3million when LA paid 12million, any monkey Gm would take that, T.O Gm is not in charge. T.o gives away any draft pick with potential to bring ticket sale names like...hmmmm...Nolan, Francis, Lindros, Leetch, Mogilny, just to name the recent ones who were far past there prime but people wanted to see on there ice in there uniform. I sometimes feel like we still have Punch Imlach and Smythe JR running the show
Do you have any kind of fact to support this??? Firstly, Gretzky was never paid $12 million in a season. Second, Toronto was in the runnning for Gretzky when he went to New York, but not before that.
Getting back to the Topic, Bowman is not that far removed from the game to not be effective. Plus, he has been in the league since the 67 as an assistant. He seen the 70's, the high flying 80's, the trapping 90's, and won the Cup only 5 years ago. I am pretty sure he could figure out the "new" NHL. He might be the only guy that has been involved in hockey through every part of the expansion era.
The issue with Bowman is at 74, I'm not sure if he would be around to see the Leafs succeed. I don't mean that as a slight. With the contracts they have in place today and the lack of prospects, they are 3-5 years away, at the very least.
I do think that Bowman, with autonomy, could get them steered in the right direction.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 06:46:38
Also, although it is off topic, I feel I have to respond to Guest 5643: You need to get a new prescription for those eyeglasses, dude!
From you list of players to keep on the Leafs if they are revamping the team - I would only agree with Wellwood, maybe Kaberle. Personally, I think Steen, Stajan, Antropov - they need to get traded while their value is near the highest it's ever going to be. We've waited, and waited and waited for Steen and especially Stajan to develop into the forwards they were projected to be. We've given them TONS of ice-time, often with quality linemates like Sundin and Wellwood. And they HAVE NOT PRODUCED. They would be third liners on a mediocre team anywhere else.
Personally, I would also like to keep Ponikarovsky - for a third "energy" line. If he is put in this role, he will reach full potential and be an excellent cog in the wheel. |
| n/a |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 06:37:10
Some thoughts:
Antroman - Yeah, your point is well taken, but I also think Bowman (with full control) would have done better than most. No guarantees, but he is a very smart hockey man, even if he is getting on in years.
But Beans and others hit the nail on the head - no big or good changes that need to be done can be done without full control of the team. And it doesn't look like that is going to happen anytime soon. If a guy with the resume and respect of Bowman couldn't convince the board, then who can?
So, the only solution: someone new buys the team!
Hey Domi, you still there?!? |
| Guest5643 |
Posted - 01/15/2008 : 00:11:23
T.o does not need a new GM or coach, they gave up Gretzky when they could of had him for 3million when LA paid 12million, any monkey Gm would take that, T.O Gm is not in charge. T.o gives away any draft pick with potential to bring ticket sale names like...hmmmm...Nolan, Francis, Lindros, Leetch, Mogilny, just to name the recent ones who were far past there prime but people wanted to see on there ice in there uniform. I sometimes feel like we still have Punch Imlach and Smythe JR running the show |
| Guest5643 |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 23:57:13
Has no one caught on yet that T.O doesnt need the cup to be a successful team! There interests are elsewhere. I am unfortunately am a Leafs fan, I feel sundin is a great player, I love the loyal fans and the great atmosphere, they r the complete underdog package! But this is not 1967 and they make way to much money to care if they win a cup or not. If Sundin is there they will make $, Jerseys etc, if he is gone they will make $ and still sell his jerseys just b/c he has broken all the records. Leafs need to pull an oilers move, keep steen, wellwood, stajan, coly, poni, antro, Devereux, Kabs, gill ,white, kubina and toskala and then dump the rest, give the poeple a young team and something to get excited about, We have waited 40 years, what is 4 more |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 21:44:51
I believe I already stated in the second post that to resolve the issue we need to hire a guy and give him complete autonomy. I think there was quite a bit of repeat posts and glad handing going on after that. However, we can't live on past glories and I am referring to Scottie Bowman. The Leafs need a younger guy. To say Scottie would have fixed it is pure speculation for sure. The man is 74 yrs and this is a brand new NHL. This rebuild isn't going to happen over night but I am big time hoping it does happen. Those tight wad business people in that bloody tower owe the faithful fans of this franchise big time. Please, step aside and hire a qualified field general who knows what he is doing and just tend to your money games and the rest of us interested in the Leafs can get on with the future. |
| PuckNuts |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 20:40:51
Wow I would hope that Burke will never be the commissioner of the NHL, he may be a smart hockey man but he is too opinionated to do that job.
He will want to see rules changed that he has been burnt by in the past, and I think that Lowe will not be happy either.
Imagine all the whining that he could do throughout the league when things did not go his way…
He is best to stay as a GM in the NHL, and most likely in Anaheim…
Of coarse you know that this means war!
- - Bugs Bunny
http://www.maldesigns.ca/top50since1967.htm
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| Beans15 |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 19:30:28
I would say that Burke will never go to Toronto. Firstly, he's got a winner, so why leave. Secondly, he would never go to a team unless he had complete control. He's proved himself, he shouldn't have to do it again. And finally, word on the street says that he is the heir apparant to Bettman for Commish. Not sure if he wants it or not, but I've heard many people say they'd like him in the job.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
| leafsfan_101 |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 16:43:18
http://www.pickuphockey.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3096&SearchTerms=Richard,Peddie
I was saying all this Richard Peddie stuff from last year, finally the media decided to listen to me. |
| PuckNuts |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 16:33:16
You hit the nail on the head Beans. This team will continue to go nowhere as long as the GM has to answer to anyone.
By the way Burke was on CBC a while back when his name came up as a possible replacement to JFJ. His answer was I am not leaving Anaheim, my wife, and I are very happy here.
So anyone who thinks that Burke is coming or even thinking about it do not hold your breath, you will suffocate...
Of coarse you know that this means war!
- - Bugs Bunny
http://www.maldesigns.ca/top50since1967.htm
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| Beans15 |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 15:14:36
Here's the thing with the Leaf's. You could have the Creator clone a GM with the hockey minds of Bowman, Arbour, Sather from the 80's, Sam Pollock, and Milt Schmidt combined and it wouldn't help the Leafs.
I am not saying that negatively, it's the fact that the team has far too many people involved in running the team.
The only way that the Leafs improve (long term), is if they bring in a great hockey mind that has total control of hockey operations. As soon as he runs into problems with the board of directors, he's toast.
So, in the end, it doesn't matter who takes the GM job in TO. Until one person has complete control of the team, I, you, or anyone else could run the Leafs as well as it is happening today.
Wayne or Bobby?? How about both!!! |
| Alex |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 14:58:54
Definitely Brian Burke-caliber guy is the first step. Patt Quinn, who in my mind was a great coach, couldn't get it done when he kept a roster on that team as long as he kept a library book.
And now, following the analogy, Maurice doesn't even get library books to work with, he gets newspaper-comic calibre players.
I think that with Burke in charge at the front desk, essentially, a Mike Babcock is not needed behind the bench. Think of who Maurice brought to the cup finals in '02. He did it in Carolina, he can do it with a half decent team in T.O.
It is up to a Brian Burke - type guy to get us to the half decent. Paul can do the rest, if he doesn't give up in the meantime.
Habs get number 25 this year |
| Guest7418 |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 14:44:44
Scotty would have brought the leafs back to respectability. Kinda hard to expect miracles of ANYONE to do more than that. Scotty would have done more than anyone else could.
Time for a firesale in leaf-land.
and... 'one of the most storied franchises in any major league sport'.. may have been true several decades ago. |
| Antroman |
Posted - 01/14/2008 : 14:41:33
I do not think at 74 years old that Bowman is the right answer for the club. I think the team should wait until the end of the currant season to try and pick an overall hockey seer. Maybe they could pry a Brian Burk away from Anaheim for instance. I think we need someone that is younger and aggressive but has some history and rapport with other GM's in the league. I would like to see the new guy with complete autonomy and no interference from any board or board members. I think we need to see one of the board members that is a hockey person support and pull the strings for the club behind closed doors and be able to do the back room stuff like dealing with the little general Gary Bettman etc. As far as the club itself goes we need a GM who will handle all the duties from the GM on down to the complete staff. This could include an assisstant of his choosing of course. There is no point in continuing to belabor the current bunch because the net results since the dismissal of Pat Quinn speak for themselves. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the flagship hockey franchise for the entire planet and it is high time they started to act like it. They can easily rebuild this organization from the ground up because they have the capital and the largest fan base. All they need is a bona-fide person to take charge and see it through. Enough said!!! |
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