It took weeks for the Toronto Maple Leafs ownership to finally fire general manager John Ferguson Jr but they finally took that step on January 22, 2008.
There’s no need to go over Ferguson’s record as the Leafs GM, as the Toronto media has that more than covered. What’s more important here is where the Leafs go from here.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s richest franchise, worth more than even the New York Rangers, yet since the lockout they’ve been one of the NHL’s weakest teams.
Of course the Leafs don’t have to worry about losing fan support in Toronto, southern Ontario and throughout Canada.
Whenever the “r” word – rebuilding – has been mentioned with the Leafs it’s been suggested their fans won’t wait for a winner, but that’s foolishness, given the club hasn’t won a Stanley Cup – hasn’t even been in a Cup final – since 1967.
No, Leafs fans are used to waiting, and they’ll wait again while the new full time general manager takes over and hopefully begins the “r” word process.
For now Cliff Fletcher, who was GM of the Leafs from 1991 to 1997, takes over on an interim basis. By the sound of things at the press conference announcing his hiring he’ll be making the big decisions at this year’s trade deadline, entry draft and the club’s potential pursuit of unrestricted free agents.
Whoever takes over the role full-time will have their hands full.
For starters, the Leafs have committed over $42 million committed to 19 players for next season. With the salary cap expected to rise to around $54 million for next season, that only leaves $10 million (assuming they leave themselves a $2 million cap cushion), which isn’t really much room.
The only expensive free agent the Leafs might re-sign is Sundin regardless of whether or not he waives his NTC, but re-signing him could cost almost as much as the $5.75 million he earned this season, perhaps more.
The only other free agents of note are UFA enforcer Wade Belak and restricted free agents Alexander Steen, Matt Stajan and Kyle Wellwood, but given the slow development of the latter three it’s doubtful any of them will get offers worth more than $2 million per, if that.
But if Sundin is re-signed, or if another big name UFA is signed, that won’t leave much space to re-sign those youngsters.
Cap space could be made available by trading some players, but unfortunately many of those eating up considerable cap space on the Leafs roster (Sundin, Tucker, McCabe, Kaberle and Kubina) have “no-trade” clauses and little willingness to waive them.
Kaberle’s clause has a loophole whereby the club can trade him this summer without his consent if the Leafs fail to make the playoffs, while Kubina has one that limits the Leafs by only allowing them to trade him to pre-specified teams.
Even if the Leafs could convince those players to waive their clauses, their expensive, long-term contracts make them almost impossible to move during the season.
It’s only a little less difficult to shop during the off-season, when they’d only have a window of a few weeks in July when teams have more available cap space.
Perhaps one of those players will be moved between now and the start of next season, but given the aforementioned factors Leafs fans shouldn’t hold their breath. Most if not all (except perhaps Sundin) could be back next season.
Jason Blake has popped up in trade rumors, but he’s got another four years remaining at $4 million per, is having his worst season in six years and is battling leukemia. Those factors don’t make Blake enticing to rival GMs.
Forget the talk of trading Andrew Raycroft; nobody wants a $2 million goalie whose confidence is shot, not even in a backup capacity.
Buyouts are a possibility, but those are at two-thirds the remaining value spread over twice the original tenure of the contract. That’s why you don’t see too many of those nowadays.
Even if a salary dumping trade or two were possible, it’s the return of young players, prospects and/or draft picks that’ll be most important and what the new Leafs GM does with them.
The Leafs are a team that haven’t drafted very well over the last dozen years or so, and those few blue-chippers they do draft often ended up traded away for veterans in quick-fix deals. Ferguson wasn’t the only one to blame for that, as his predecessors – including Fletcher – were also guilty of shortsightedness.
Fletcher said the Leafs had to improve its drafting and development if the club has any hope of making significant improvement in the future. Easy to say but hard to do, and it requires a seasoned hand to carry that off.
It appears the Leafs hierarchy will be looking for someone with NHL experience (and preferably a Stanley Cup on their resume) to become the eventual full-time general manager, which see,s essential for this club if it is to improve its draft record.
But who could take over? The names of Anaheim’s Brian Burke, Detroit’s Ken Holland, Carolina’s Jim Rutherford, New Jersey’s Lou Lamoriello and Montreal’s Bob Gainey have been floated as potential candidates by the Toronto media, but hiring any of those guys could be wishful thinking.
Most are currently on contracts with their respective teams that stretch into next season and some beyond that. Besides, Holland is a Red Wing for life, Lamoreillo isn’t leaving the Devils, Gainey appears determined to rebuild the Canadiens, Burke just won a Stanley Cup in Anaheim and appears happy there, and Rutherford refuses to discuss leaving the Hurricanes.
As for Scotty Bowman, the Leafs ownership had their chance to hire him as team president last summer but blew it when they wouldn’t allow him autonomy to run the club his way.
Current head coach Paul Maurice will finish the season but it’s doubtful he’ll be returning next year. The new GM will have to find a head coach that can work well both with veterans and young players alike, which can be no easy feat in today’s NHL, even tougher in one of hockey’s most demanding markets.
Finally, whoever becomes the new Leafs GM has to be able to handle the heat of the spotlight of working in one of the NHL’s most demanding markets. Fans and media heavily scrutinize every word and action and are quick to find fault if things don’t work out quickly.
In the end, Leafs fans shouldn’t fool themselves into thinking that firing Ferguson and hiring Fletcher will magically turn everything around. This is merely one step in a long journey that could take years.
But of course, Leafs fans have been waiting for over four decades for a Stanley Cup champion, so waiting a few more years shouldn’t be that tough.
Leafs ownership needs to decide if they are in it for the money or for the championships. To get the management people capable of winning championships, they need to give up some control on the financial side. Or they can hire another inexeperienced puppet gm.
The organization's net worth and profitability has risen to record levels despite years of deteriorating on ice performance. The fans are rewarding poor decision making by throwing so many dollars at the team that there is no reason to make any risky, rock the boat, type of decisions that would get the team on better long term footing. When an organization's net worth grows to $1.5 billion through mediocrity, winning becomes an afterthought. I don't mean this facetiously, I'd have a hard time choosing winning a Cup ahead of making a billion dollars.
Last edited by habsnyc on January 22nd at 12:25 PM.
The Leafs problems are on the blue line. Too big and too slow! Fix that and they will be right back in the hunt! Why is Hal Gill still in the NHL? I rest my case.
If the Maple Leafs are smart, they need to bite the bullet and rebuild. Do what they have to do to cut the payroll and have two or three good drafts. Look at a team like the Blues or the Black Hawks, that is what they are in the middle of doing right now. I know they are all different situations, but that is what they did and seems to be working. They have some good young talent, signed some veterans, and are in place to make the playoffs.
If the Maple Leafs management are so worried about the bottom line, than cut some ties, I know it stinks when they are well respected players, but sometimes you have to say thank you for your hard work, but we are moving in another direction. My Blues did that and I was ticked off, Pronger and Dmitra for example. Two fan favorites, but it was time to let them go. I know that is a bad example, for the Blues were for sale at the time. Bad Example.
Recently, traded Weight to Carolina for picks and young talent, traded Guerin to San Jose for picks and young talent. Didn't want to see them go but the return is much better in the long run.
Sometimes it's hard to let go of what you love, but if the system isn't working, it is time to go in a new direction.
Mucker - Gill is actually a half decent, albeit slow, defenceman. He is of the same mold as Derian Hatcher. In addition, he's actually been a solid d-man for the Leafs, contrary to the opinion the Toronto media has fed you. Being a life long Leafer, who actually once lived in the hockey universe, I recall writers who truly believed that every player who played for the leafs was Gretzky, Howe and Orr all roled into one. Or, they were dirt. No middle ground.
Habsnyc - You hit the nail on the head, why rock the boat when the cash is rolling in? that siad, I can only assume that should the Leafs ever become a contender, the money will flow in like water. It's not like the Leafs are not spending their money on the roster. They've been close to cap since it's inception. It's a far more complex issue than JFJ's decision making, or Peddie's or Tennebaum's. The money will continue to roll in regardless of the product on the ice. That's been proven. I think the media plays a larger role in the TO market than most others. The treatment JFJ received was disgusting. the treatment players get on rough patches is almost as bad.
1) Didn't Ferguson have one of the better regular season records compared to past Leaf GM's?
2) Anyone who believes this move will transform the franchise is kidding themselves.
Question, why do the Leafs have so many players with no trade clauses?
2nd question, is the no trade clause that common in the NHL? It sure seems like we keep hearing it alot lately.
That would really tie managements hands from doing what they would need to do to win. What were there 5-7 players listed with no traded clauses. That just seems silly.
Last edited by jmarks24 on January 22nd at 1:28 PM.
I don't understand this. The management needs to give up financial control?
WHEN have the Leafs not been a spending team? Pre-lockout they were at or near the top of spending, and they sure as hell haven't been worried about spending SINCE the lockout!
The problem has never been lack of spending, it's been lack of spending properly. JUST like it has been for the Rangers. The Leafs practically THROW money at players. Look at Raycroft, Toskala, Sundin, McCabe, Blake, Kaberle, Kubina. The problem has been unwise spending. Anyone who tries to argue that Ferguson wasn't able to spend money is #### delusional.
The problem has been having a GM who doesn't know enough about the game or understand enough about how the new NHL works. Is Fletcher the answer? Obviously not (even he acknowledges that he isn't the answer) but the change...ANY change was obviously needed. Here's hoping that the change will motivate the team to play better soon enough to hopefully save Maurice's job.
"1) Didn't Ferguson have one of the better regular season records compared to past Leaf GM's?"
Can't find numbers (and not sure where to look) but I'm gonna have to go with no...since the leafs made the playoffs four years under Fletcher, making it to the Conference Finals twice, and under Quinn they would make the playoffs five times and again, make the conference finals twice.
the leafs had a good thing going with Quinn, but it is time to move on. Gilmour and Sittler are hockey guys treat your stars like Detroit and Carolina(Yzerman And Francis)give them jobs,Jason Blake is a joke(Kubina)etc. 2yrs ago Mark Savard was available, as for Raycroft last year he set a record for wins by a leaf goalie and in the summer we get Toskala, they should of just walked up and slapped Raycroft,Mark Bell scores 20 goals to our three yrs in a row we get him and put him on the fourth line, and the reason his face is broke is the the coaches fault Tucker and Bell both got hurt that night with Belak sitting on the bench.
Spector, I think a good thing to look at is this no trade clauses. It sure seems to be coming up at the trade deadline each year. This sure seems to hamper what an organization can do.
Also are the no trade clauses that common in NHL contracts?
They're becoming more common with each year, especially with players teams consider their best. Unfortunately, if those players don't pan out as hoped (witness most of the Leafs mentioned above)it can handcuff a club's attempt to move those players. Some believe NTCs are "where do you want to be traded" clauses, but that's just not so. Players sign them so that they cannot be moved with out their consent. It does give them the option of approving where they go but as I've often said in almost every case those who waiver those clauses are in the final year of their contracts, eligible for UFA status, playing on a non-playoff club and looking to move to a contender as a rental player.
Some interesting points here. I personally think the main issue with Gill isn't talent, so to speak, but his paycheck. It's too high, and nearly everyone thought so when he signed it to begin with. So is Hatcher's for that matter, so the comparison is apt.
Everyone could tell JFJ's goose was cooked, but the fault of the Leafs' downward spiral lies beyond the GM chair and in the boardroom. Toronto always seems to be one step behind the trend the league is heading in, and even in a temporary capacity, heading back to Fletcher is indicative of where this franchise has been lately. It's time for an injection of new blood to restore some vitality here. There obviously is not a lot that can be done immediately, as the veterans on this team not named Sundin aren't going to fetch much on the open market.
I think the solution is to deal Sundin for the best package of youth and draft picks you can get, and then slowly chip away at some of the damage previously done through strategically placed contract buyouts and deals as older players get further along in their contracts. As has been mentioned, the fans head to the rink either way, so at this point you might as well start from scratch. But ditch the old school thinking.
fergussons problem was learly he gave away big money who peoplewho dont deserve it and no trade clauses to everyone
now hes left fletcher and the next guy with tons of work to do
they have to figure out how to move big money players like bryan mccabe and darcy tucker who dont deserve the money they make
I think anyone with even partial intelligence knows this is going to be a very long trip.
It's simply going to come down to biting the bullet and drafting for some years. They need to build up a lot of good young players and that is going to take some time to accomplish.
Aside from the young guys that they do have everything else if it has any takers should be moved. Sadly the fans are the ones who will have to continue waiting while the problems of all these years of bad ownership gets repaired.
Just hope that Fletcher and whoever comes in will be able to be patient and follow a plan. There isn't buying your way out of this mess. So if you can convince Mats to go do so. Just keep on moving along and eventually this team will be able to contend.
Spec, say it ain't so!!! Jeff Carter for Mats Sundin? If Philly were to make that trade it might be the straw for me as a 30+ year Flyers Fan. I can't see what Philly gets in that deal except an aging star for a rising one.
Did you honestly think that a rumor involving a big name soon-to-be free agent would be going around that didn't involve Philly? You should know the drill by now. Next they'll have him playing between Forsberg and Selanne. This is the second time there have been reports about the Flyers shopping Carter. If they were going to trade him, it wouldn't be for a center when they just spent all that money on Briere and Richards. The stark reality is that the salary cap is going to be a big reason why the Flyers aren't going to be very active, at least not in a "big name" sense. They need to be more concerned with locking up next year's free agents.
All I can say is the NHL is a fing joke. Look at the prime game on NBC today. Against two great teams and the game was decided by the stupid refs and the dumb #### rules from MR Gary Buttman. Yeah he is the biggest dork for any sport. I will never watch another NHL game again. This is from a life long NHL fan. You tough someone with your stick you get a call. But you can crosscheck someone from behind and the dumb refs look away. One more thing Why doesn't the NHL.com have a place where fans can voice there opinnions? Garage league and I hope they fold because I would reather have no hockey then watch this sissy ####
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
