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Late-season form not fooling anyone

DAVID SHOALTS

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 12:08 AM EST 28/03/08

Incoming GM must judge the Leafs on their entire season ...Read the full article

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  1. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: I'm a die hard Leaf fan and even this is too much for me. McCabe should be the first player to go after Paul Maurice is canned. Kaberle is not the person to build a defence around, at least not until he starts playing defence. That would include actually knocking people down and making sure that Toskala's front porch is a very nasty place to hang around. The team is just plain not tough enough. This story has been replayed too many times and is really getting boring.
  2. gabriel oak from Canada writes: This is where pro sports walks arm-in-arm with Big Business. You can be CEO of a failing company & stilll receive an obscene cash payout to disappear. You can be an elite athlete, still an abject failure at your chosen game, and receive mega dollars. Who can call you to account if you won't do it yourself? [Tucker, McCabe, Bell, Raycroft & the rest]. Pity the next GM called on to change the loser mentality ['We can only play well with no pressure"] that festers like a toxic sore over this pathetic organization. A few new faces might work for a while, but for how long will you want to bet on it?
  3. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Pro sports IS big business. Always has been, always will be. The name should be Maple Leaf Entertainment, forget the sports. MLE sounds more like the true circus it is.
  4. SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: The TML was cursed by Ballard. Even after his death, he brought in Stavos who brought in another experienced NHL executive Dryden. I believe he mentioned something like a five year time frame for a consistently good team challenging for the Cup. We all know the best they got was paying for a bunch of over the hill veterans like Molgilny, Lumme and fantastic trades like Owen Nolan for Brad Boyce and others. Drafting players like Cereda who quit hockey because of a heart condition. Honestly, don't they test these people medically before drafting them. NOw that the Teachers Pension Plan has taken over. Their primary objective is to make as much dough as possible to provide for the retirements of the teachers. As Ontario taxpayers, we all have a vested interest in seeing them do well financially since the government makes the employer's contribution to the Plan. Oh, well, at least we could take comfort that we don't have pay higher taxes so what if the lousy leafs never win another Cup!
  5. fred daigle from vancouver, Canada writes: It is interesting to me that one of the biggest things that ballard was rebuked for was dumping good players to simply make money off of them. Now the tables seem to have turned, we want the leafs to dump these good players. Whatever happened to coaching? Surely these players are valuable or else they would not have been hired in the first place. Of course, we know that ferguson gave them way too much but, why can't a team be built on their talents anyway? the logic about it doesnt seem to make sense to me. It seems to run like this: the teacher's pension fund bought the team to make money and subsequently approved these bloated non-negotiable salaries. If that is the case, why did they approve these so-called high salaries in order to make money? I think that the salaries are being blamed for a lack of management. Aren't we just looking for a perfect world? This perfect world seems to be one where we have the greatest team for the lowest price. Once again, why can't a good team be built on these talents that we have? The team is obviously making enough money so, let's stop griping about these salaries and start focussing on the talents that we have in the players who are being paid these salaries. If they do not produce, then doesn't that give valid argment for dumping them? I hear the response as I write this: They haven't produced. I respond to that by pointing out that once again where does the management and coaching become accountable for this? Why can't they step up and start making the most of what they have? To me, they have not done this. For instance, when have any of these big salary players been scratched due to, not only, bad play but also bad behaviors on and off the ice? I think that if the management stops treating them with kid gloves and show them that they are simply not going to play if they do not perform, there will be a change of heart in the dressing room and on the ice. That, to me, would be the goal.
  6. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: The Sundin question - take a page out of the minors and other leagues. Hire Sundin as player-coach for one or two years. Bank the salary against the organization as coach and not against player salary (not quite sure of the byzantine salary rules in the NHL if this would work).

    Clears up a ton of cap room to sign UFA's, if any are worth signing or going after RFA's.

    Or management can say the H with it and do nothing because the deluded punters will still buy the tickets, CBC and the other networks will still pay over the rate to have Toronto on its broadcasts and there will reamin the masochistic element that will purchase Leafs TV.

    Should no change for the team come from management, I suggest they add movies to Leafs TV - Night of the Living Dead, Return of the Zombies etc.
  7. Christohper Paetkau from Canada writes: zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
  8. SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: If you want to make them accountable for their actions, surely we should start from the very top, ie. King Richard. He's the one who hired JFJ. According to a well-known broadcaster/former TML employee, JFJ did exceedingly well on his pychological test which must have excited the King who handed the key over. As much as I hate to agree with this former TML employee, King Richard will once again be front and centre in the decision making process of the next GM. As for TPP agreeing to pay mega bucks for stiffs, it is simply a flow thru, ie., pay the stiffs and increase the ticket prices since the demand for tickets is inelastic due to once again subsidy by taxpayers, ability for corporation to w/o at least 50% of the cost. In the end, TPP still makes money even paying megabucks to stiffs. The Leafs defence need major rehauling. The media have been too generous in its assessment of Kaberle. Granted he does make good passes but his unwillingness or inability to shoot the puck makes him far too easy to defend and the power play far too predictable. No more needs to be said about mccabe. As one TO sportswriter wrote McCabe's contract could be the worst contract in Leafs history. I venture to say probably second worst to Vernon Wells'. Kubina is simply an big awkward D prone to errors. Coliaccovo has loads of talents but is like a piece of glass waiting to be shattered. Ian White is Ian White. Not a lot of hope for Leafs fans, unfortunately.
  9. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Careful, Shoaltsy!!

    The G&M advertising might get banned from the ACC if you get too close to the truth...

    PS. Power doesn't like truth speaking to it.

    As petty as that might be...
  10. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: SY GIL from TO, Canada:

    Within my lifetime, Ken Dryden seems to have been the only intelligent person that the Leaf's have ever had in a senior position at MLS&E that had actual hockey experience at a professional level...

    After 1967, the Dryden's years were the Leafs' "glory" days... It's not saying much, I know...
  11. garlick toast from Canada writes: they will only improve when the fans start staying away.the franchise made huge money this season,filled the acc 42 times.i like paul maurice.he has class in a lowkey kind of way.
  12. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: garlick toast from Canada:

    Exactly -- this was another hugely succesful year by the usual standards of many involved with MLS&E...

    Who cares about the actual Leafs' fans anyways?
  13. gabriel oak from Canada writes: Posters who have lambasted the TPP this season for the Laffs' woes are shooting at the wrong target - totally. This organization is in the BUSINESS of expanding the pension fund of the Ontario teachers. Full stop. End of story. To that end, they've been successful beyond measure, taking a pension fund that was nearly bankrupt 20 years ago to one that is worth $70-80 billion, give or take, today. If the dolts and 'old boys' [ie recycled NHL'ers like Rick Ley & company] who worked the hockey management side had been 1/10th comparably successful, we'd have had our parade on Yonge Street long ago. That includes the waffling, hesitant Ken Dryden who never saw a problem or issue that he wouldn't retire into his cave for 30 days to contemplate.
  14. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: gabriel oak from Canada:

    Ken Dryden is a man of serious contemplation...

    Of that, there can be no doubt... What I am driving at is that hockey minds need to be involved in the operations of hockey teams... as doctors should be involved in the operations of hospitals... Look at the Montreal organization, for instance...

    Would you rather have a guy like Dryden who is actually capable of rational thought or a guy like Gretzky in Phoenix?
  15. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ugh... I'm assuming this will be the Leaf thread of conversation tomorrow morning... This article was written directly off the previous blogs/threads.... wow.

    Paul I.... if there is a rebuild over the next 2 to 3 years... Kaberle, Toskala and Antropov are going to be part of it. Same goes for Moore.

    Gabriel Oak.. I agree with you first statement.. but you have to consider how you get rid of the junk.

    Bell and Raycroft are easy... waivers.... not buy outs.
    Tucker is a buyout... no doubt.... he has a no movement clause.

    Because they can get rid of Kubina this summer he will go. Too bad... I would rather keep him and get rid of McCabe.

    Kaberle and White and Stralman and Kronwall and Harrison will all be there next year... add McCabe and we suck. Replace McCabe and I am dancing.

    Forwards are Sundin, Antropov, Stajan, Steen, Moore.... probably Devereaux too.

    Wellwood as an RFA with a lousy resume will probably be there and get one more year worth of chance.

    My hope is that they keep cap space and use the youngsters to fill the other spots.

    Cheers
  16. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: My hope is that they look to add Michael Ryder and Sean Avery..... grit and goal scoring..... get rid of Tucker and McCabe and Blake and Tucker. (Bell and Raycroft are a given).

    They do that and I will bet on them making the playoffs in 2009.

    Cheers
  17. Robert Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada:

    One can play with the pawns all that they want, but until the King is called to account, the Chess match will always be lost...

    Hate to break it to you, but the MLS&E organization is kinda screwed up...

    I know... I know.... Tell you something that you didn't already know...

    Cheers.
  18. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Yeah Yeah Yeah Robert I know.....

    My fantasies are all based on replacement of the entire management team... the entire scouting department... etc. etc.

    Plus ... I wasn't counting on you as being the first one awake this morning :)

    Cheers
  19. Henry Allen from East Bank of Don River, Canada writes: SY GIL, regarding your comments about Ken Dryden, who was brought in to be President of the Maple Leafs. You're right about Dryden having a long range vision for rebuilding the Leafs. However, you skipped over the political problems that strangled him. Dryden wanted to bring in Bob Gainey as GM at the time Pat Quinn was battling to expand his own power and influence. We all know now about the great job Gainey has done since going over to the Canadiens, and could have done with the Leafs if Gainey had similar power and freedom. So, there is no question Gainey would have been a great selection for the Leafs, again if he had been given power and freedom. Dryden became totally frustrated with the roadblocks being thrown up within MLSE limiting his authority as President. He was subsequently demoted from President of the Leafs and given a meaningless job as Co-chairman of MLSE, which he soon left. Eventually, Quinn was released and the Leafs then embarked into the John Ferguson Jr. fiasco. If Dryden had been allowed to do his job as President of the Leafs without interference from MLSE, and had he been successful in bringing in Bob Gainey as GM, there is no doubt in my mind the Leafs would be a Stanley Cup contender today.
  20. Allan Martel from Canada writes: With reference to the deadwood on the Leafs team, the bark beetle isn't done its destruction yet.

    Look at the Sens very recent callup of the defenceman named Lee whio played a stellar game Tuesday replacing an injured Redden. Lee got the third star in the game - something I can't even remember Redden ever being awarded.

    It's long past time to clear the log jam at MLSE digging out the rot at the core since punky wood won't support any weight. As others have noted, in their state of distress, this will be a nigh impossible task but I for one look forward to the dismantling of this disturbingly disfunctional organisation.

    Note also that I didn't diss anyone in dis article and I will now disappear again amid the dissonance.
  21. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: I agree that Ken Dryden was and is a thoughtful man and a class act from start to finish, but the best hockey man ever associated with the Leafs is Mr. Cliff Fletcher. I wish there was a chance to keep him long term.
  22. Ian m from New York (via Vanocouver), United States writes: This criticism of Dryden seems a bit silly considering that he had wanted to hire Gainey, but Quinn blocked it. It's really hard to argue that Gainey isn't one of the two or three top executives in hockey, up with Burke and Holland. He has made Montreal into a contender in a very short time and without mortgaging the future.

    Quinn gets a free pass because of the gold medal in Salt Lake, but really that team barely needed a coach. Canada would have won in 2006 as well if they had picked the right players.
  23. Neil no more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: Scot- if the team is to get young I can't see why Avery should be on the Leafs. Terrible role model, not a leader in the least, and way too big of a distraction. He's a good grit player on a team with a chance, not one rebuilding.

    Other than that - the Leafs need major help. As fans, no use stressing. Wait it out, reconvene at the draft. In the mean time enjoy some good playoff hockey objectively, sans anxiety.
  24. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: There are a lot of people mixing up and confusing their history. For the record, since the end of the Ballard era the Leafs have made the final four four times. They did it twice in the early 1990's under Cliff Fletcher and Pat Burns and then early in this decade under Pat Quinn. Making it to the final four teams in the playoffs means you are a Stanley Cup contending team. In the same era, the Montreal Canadians have won the Stanley Cup once and not been to another final four appearance. Both teams have made the playoffs 10 times in that period. Thus since 1990 Montreal's record as a Stanley Cup contender is slightly better than Toronto's because they actually won a Cup. Gainey has done a very good job with the Canadians but he has not had them appear in two final fours which means his record with Montreal is not as good as Pat Quinn's was while he was with the Leafs. The point is not to diminish Gainey's skills as a GM but to suggest things would have been different if Gainey had been GM is just pure speculation. Going forward the Leafs will need to decide on whether the three players who most underperformed this year (Blake, Tucker, Wellwood) can rebound or whether they should buy them out. Since the Leafs will not be a Cup contender next year, but could be a playoff team, I would keep them. The players to move are Steen, Stajan, and Ponikarovsky who performed the same way this year as they have for the last three years which is they have a few moments but practically disappear for large portions of the season. With respect to the defense, I would still keep McCabe even though he is underpaid but take advanatage of the opportunity to move Kubina in the summer. However, in addition to replacing Kubina's minutes, the Leafs also have to replace Hal Gill's minutes as well as ensuring you have a strong replacement for Coliaccovo who cannot be relied on to be part of the defense. It should be a busy offseason.
  25. Patrick G from Calgary, Canada writes: It's good to see someone like Ian M prattle off topic, but why miss a good chance to pile it on by re-hashing Quinn.

    "Quinn gets a free pass because of the gold medal in Salt Lake, but really that team barely needed a coach. Canada would have won in 2006 as well if they had picked the right players."

    I like it when this is raised. Based on that logic, Marc Crawford should have won in Nagano with an equally impressive roster, but he didn't. I'm not here to rain accolades on Quinn, but he was a very good coach and his record proves it. As a GM, he left more than one franchise scrambling at the end of his tenure.

    Trash him as a GM, but the man's record as a coach stands for itself.

    As for the Leafs, I'll wait until the summer starts and a new GM is hired before I'll comment on any roster moves. The ability is there to start to clean up the mess, but until the ownership hires a President and GM who will have autonomy, nothing will change.
  26. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: J K; You don't think that Steen and Stajan have improved (slightly) over the last three years? I agree with you on Poni... but he is older than the other two.

    Biggest problem I have with Blake and Tucker are that they are being paid top 6 foward money... don't see either of them earning it... ever.

    They have Jay Harrison on the Marlies. He played well when called upon last year and really don't understand why he wasn't given a shot this year.

    btw.... cola ia covo... took me half the season the figure that one out. :)

    Cheers
  27. Dave M from Canada writes: The Leafs are like an out of shape boxer who clinches, runs and hides for 2:45 of a round then comes on real strong in the last 15 seconds in the hopes that the judges will forget about the first part, become overwhelmed by the last second theatrics and score him 10-9 in the round. It shouldn't work with a good judge in boxing and it shouldn't fool the GM or the fans in Toronto either.
  28. Devil Bud from T.O., Canada writes: Come on Scot: Seriously...Harrison? He is nothing but an AHL defenceman at best. I hear way too much about Harrison, simply because he is a local guy. I really don't get it and there are much bigger and stronger guys that can do everything he does, and then some. I do agree with seeing Poni and Carlo go, but maybe not Tucker. I think he deserves a look at least. I mean, the guy was injured for a large portion of the year and he has always been an impact player, so you should expect him to do something next year....should he be healthy. As for Blake...if he says his illness hasn't affected his ability to play, and its true, then I would dump him as soon as absolutely possible. Not only has he demonstrated that he was probably a huge waste of money, but also, that he is a drag upon team morale. The guy whines and complains that people aren't giving him a chance, doesn't get the puck, ice time, power play minutes, etc. Telling of how players feel about him is how no one stuck for him when Downie suckered him. If the Leafs don't get rid of him, he better produce fast next season and pucker-up to fans. Anyhow...sucks that the Leafs are dinnered, but c'est la vie!
  29. J K GALBRAITH from Canada writes: Scot Loucks: If you accept the premise that Tucker, Blake, and Wellwood could rebound next year, you still have to change up the chemistry of the team. One of my complaints about JFJ in last year's offseason was not the Toskala and Mark Bell deal, but that he resigned too many of the same third and four line players again (Battaglia, Kilger, Poni, etc.) If you miss the playoffs two years in a row and you are not going for a full youth movement, then you have to change the chemistry and makeup. This is a lot easier to do because you can take a cheap gamble with experienced veterans (like Jason Alllison, Eric Lindros, Mike Peca, Yannick Perrault) who are now a dime a dozen. Some will work out and some will not but since most are signed to one year contracts for less than a million, there is nothing lost. Now after not making the playoffs three years in a row a change in chemistry is needed even more and Stajan, Steen, and Poni have not improved enough. If you want to then play Tlusty, Pohl, and Williams in their spot but I would do a combination of callups from the Marlies and experienced veterans With respect to the defense, yes bring up one or two of the Marlies such as Harrison or Strahlman but I don't think you want the majority of your defense being unproven players (I am old enough to remember how it destroyed Benning, Boimistruck, and McGill). Again, picking up some role players who can play a lot of minutes is important. Having Hal Gill as your fourth or fifth defensemen was not a mistake but paying him too much for that role was. If Teppo Nuimenan with Buffalo is really healthy, sign him for one year. I also believe in the new NHL that you can build a Stanely Cup contender without blowing up a team as both New Jersey and Detroit have demonstrated Thanks for the reminder on Carlo's last name. I didn't take the time to look up the spelling so I will stick to his first name in the future.
  30. Patrick G from Calgary, Canada writes: Devil Bud, agree with you on the Harrison assessment. A career AHL'er in my opinion. I do however wonder what the criticism of Poni is. Another consistent player who could still sneak in a 20 goal season, which would be his third in a row. He's likely never to score 30 in a year so I don't know exactly what the expectations of him are. 17 of his 18 goals are even strength to boot, so to me that speaks volumes of his value.

    He plays physical, takes a lot of abuse, is responsible defensively and locked up for just over $ 2 million a year. That seems to be a fair price for his production. He's only 28 and outside of this year, he's been durable.

    The problem with the Leafs isn't with players like Poni, Stajan or Steen, it's the lack of premium and elite players up front at the expense of an overpaid underachieving D corps. These forwards constitute a solid core for the 3rd and 4th lines. They need some more help on the 1st and 2nd lines.

    Tha fascination by Leafs fans who overvalue and hold players like Tucker, and Domi before him, in higher esteem over players who play better or have served the team more honourably never ceases to amaze me.

    In the end, I agree to disagree. It makes the world go around.
  31. SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: Thank you Henry Allen for setting the facts straight. I must say that Griffith was the only sane man after Ballard who did more for the Leafs to try to win the Cup by bringing in Flecther. I am more impressed with what Fletcher did in the early years of his reign but not so much toward the end when interference from Stavos resulted in the terrible trade of bringing back Clark - probably the 3rd worst trade after Kurvers for Niedermeyer and Nolan for Boyce, et al for trades since the '80s. Fletcher was decisive, although I don't know how good a scouting staff he had put together as I don't seem to recall too many players developed from within. He chose the right coach, Pat Burns, for the right time. He fleeced Riseborough in the Gilmour trade, he got rid of an old goalie Grant Fuhr for a 50 goal scorer. As big a turnaround tha Pat Quinn managed to accomplish when he took over, I am not all impressed with his records. I seem to recall that he had something to do with the Russian lover Mike Smith who had a strong dislike to Canadian hockey players. The head of personnel development, Anders Hedberg, also had a strong bias toward European players. Quinn was not much better as a GM. I don't know how much money the Leafs signing players like Robert Reichel, Jukke Lumme, Anders Ericson and a whole bunch of other fringe players given millions but did very little. Sounds familiar (JFJ's famous 5)! With the history cited above and King Richard in charge of hiring the next GM, one cannot be overly optimistic about the future aside from hoping they tank next year to get a franchise player like Taveras. To ensure they achieve that objective, they have to retain our hero Andrew (Red light) Raycroft, future Leaf hall of famer, to ensure we accomplish our objective. TPP would also save the cost of the buyout. Having said that, they should unload as many of the gang of 5 to get some more draft picks for 2009 and field a team of Marlies next year.
  32. Patrick Matheson from Canada writes: Doug Gilmour for Prime Minister....
    Or coach
    Or gm
  33. John Stanton from Canada writes: oh please...all the media have been writing has been - the Leafs are trying so hard (AGAIN but only after it is too late). This is the fourth year in a row they try to pull this stunt. No one is fooled. These players are gutless and heartless.
  34. Tim Cares from Canada writes: I hate to break it to you guys but you can't play as well as they have for the last 20 games without having some talent.
    It is up to Cliff or his predecessor to determine why they can't do that over the full season.
    Is there one or two players who are causing problems in the dressing room? Is it the coach? Was the goaltending late in getting started this season?
    There must be talent and it is up to the powers that be to determine what is causing the poor play at the beginning of the season.

    One of the stupidest comments is that they were under no pressure the last 20 games. If they thought there was a chance to make the playoffs, then they were under pressure because pressure is all in ones head.
    Of course what is being implied by that statement is that the negative comments and criticism by the media and fans are directly responsible for the poor showing of the Leafs.
    I think we should get rid of Shoalts and the rest of the sports writers. It's all their fault.

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