Crisis, What Crisis?

So what was that exactly?

A week ago, Rome was burning, or at least the Maple Leafs were in freefall, candidates were openly lobbying for John Ferguson's job, Richard Peddie was saying all kinds of silly things and major organizational change seemed imminent.

Then came a credible performance in a shootout loss to Montreal, followed by a solid victory in Atlanta and an impressive triumph against the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on home ice Saturday night.

So can the alarm be turned off now? Or should it never have been turned on in the first place?

Well, no and no.

The Leafs did look dreadful eight days ago in Phoenix, Ferguson still is a lame duck GM - a "mistake" according to Peddie - and the team wouldn't be part of post-season play if the playoffs began today.

Morever, the overall concept that the Leafs could use this season to move assets and build for a better future hasn't changed. If they continue as they are, and even make the playoffs, they'll be forced to ice basically the same team next season because they have between $41-43 million tied up in contracts.

Now, if they reel off another 10 games in which they win or get a point, well, then they get to tell everybody to shut up.

Otherwise, all this period of improved hockey really should do is better position JFJ to make the moves that need to be made.

After all, it's always far easier to make trades when you're winning, as opposed to when you're losing.

Trying to do it when you're losing just allows your adversaries to squeeze you a little more. They can smell the desperation.

The NHL governors didn't change the trading system last week as Brian Burke advocated, allowing teams to pay for part of the salaries they acquire in deals. But enough teams are in a state of unhappiness that moves just might start occurring on their own in the next few weeks.

Calgary and Pittsburgh just can't get moving, and don't look now, but mighty Anaheim just lost back-to-back games against Edmonton and has taken a plunge in the standings. Carolina and Ottawa, so hot to begin the season, have hit hard times. Tampa Bay, too, while the New Jersey Devils, after being forced to start the season with nine straight road games, are not moving up the Eastern Conference standings.

The Leafs can celebrate all they want, and they should celebrate improved play from their roster. But the opportunities out there to re-shape this team are still what they were a week ago, and it would be a mistake to let three good games cloud that reality.

Comments

[Sandy T.]

"...all this period of improved hockey really should do is better position JFJ to make the moves that need to be made."
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Problem with that scenario is JFJ. He's like Jack. When given the opportunity - as recent history has showed - he'll trade the cow for a handful of magic beans every time. Winning or losing has nothing to do with it - this is not the guy you want dealing off the few assets you hold to remake a future he screwed up in the first place.

That way lies madness.

[Roberto Calazar]

You are correct in that 3 games and 5 points does not make a season. Neither do a couple of losses to Dallas and Phoenix.
My personal view is there is not much difference between winning and losing in the NHL, and the parity, dare we say mediocrity, is prevalant.
I do think most of the 'storm" after the Phoenix loss was media generated, and not within the team management to their credit.
Waiting until the trade deadline before deciding whether or not to sell assets is the prudent move for this club. They could be anywhere from 4th to 14th at that time.

[Don]

The Leafs history has been reactionary and quick solutions to the lobbying of the media and fan base. One thing out of all this that I agree with is, they did nothing. At least nothing public, they adjusted the team or are trying to adjust the team internally, positive results, so far. To react quickly to the media 'experts' and fan 'experts' would have meant we have back the old Leafs. When was the last time the Maple Leafs showed patience? NEVER. Let them try on patience on for awhile and see if that works.
Perhaps firing Peddie would be a good thing however, he's not a team player, already looking to save his own hide instead of being supportive.

[Heaton]

Damien, you are absolutely right. The Leafs simply are not good enough to make the playoffs. The top 2 or 3 teams will win about 50 games while the worst 2 or 3 will win about 25 games. These last two victories are simply 2 wins out of that 25 (or maybe 30) for the Leafs. It is the die-hard fans role to live and die game to game but every game you have JFJ watching the game as if his next decision can only be made after the outcome of the game. Contrast this with Theo Epstein who didn't look worried when RedSox were about to be down 3-1 to the Indians. If Bosox lost that series then Theo's job would still be the same as it is right now defending the WS title. Leafs Ownership and mgmt need to have a long term plan and stick to it. The current organization is good at making funds avaiable up to the cap but apparently are too cheap for allocating funds in scouting and player development. Until then Leafs organization will remain moribound...forever.

[kenny d]

Some injured players are returning and getting their legs. Confidence is growing and the boys are looking good more often. Let's just stay behind the boys and give them our support. Let managment and the reporters bicker amongst themselves. We have the best captain in the league and that means so much. Let these guys run for a month and see what happens. I got a hunch things will be fine. GO LEAFS GO

[John Hunt]

I agree completely that the Leafs should use this season to retool for the future. But suggesting that any retooling should be left to JFJ is unrealistic, for three reasons. First, JFJ has not demonstrated that he has the acumen to build a competitive team. He certainly has not shown himself a great judge of talent or to have any understanding of the necessary skills of a successful player in today's NHL. Moreover, it is his mismanagement of the salary cap that has gotten us in this predicament. Second, JFJ has so much invested in this team, especially its biggest and most expensive problems (McCabe, Kubina, Raycroft and Tucker), that it seems unlikely he can suddenly distance himself from them and ship them out. Third, as a lame duck, he has no incentive to build for the future. This is probably his last season as an NHL GM. (Can you see any other team hiring him after the mess he has made and criticism he has drawn?) At this point, his only shot at redemption is for the Leafs to make the playoffs. In fact, instead of retooling, JFJ has every incentive to continue mortgaging the team's future in a desparate attempt to make this year's playoffs. So, go ahead and retool, just leave JFJ out of the equation.

[Iain Wood]

For months the Leafs and NHL have been ripped to shreds by the press - It's stupid to play in Europe (what, Nashville is better?), there's not enough scoring, JFJ is no good, McCabe's finished, on and on.

Well, the NHL gave us two superbly entertaining games Sat night with the Leafs & Habs. Plenty of goals, hits and near misses.

McCabe played great offensively & defensively. JFJ's newbees were stars - Blake, clearly a player with awesome speed and detemination, was finally rewarded with a goal. Bell Scored. Toskala was a game star.

And the vast majority of fans are looking forward to seeing less but more meaningful rivalry games next season, though this fact didn't stop Mr. Cox from writing a good story to the contrary.

Something does need to change though...we need some unbiased reporting. A balanced view makes for more interesting reading. I'm not sure what the NHL or the Leafs did to Mr. Cox, buts it seems to stop the man from writing anything positive.

The Leafs win and he offers that "they're still out of a playoff spot".

You only get 2 points for a win...but it's JUST LIKE THE LEAFS to ACCEPT MEDIOCRITY!

Mercy.

[Garrett]

I won't go so far as to claim the current Leaf team will make the playoffs. Been a fan long enough to know better.

But what I do want to address is the fools' logic being used by much of the Toronto media in regards to this team.

Such as what the record from now until the end of the season must be, if they are to get into the playoffs. What a great way to sound the alarm bells - maybe that's what they're trying to do - get the public thinking about X number of wins in X number of games, they start thinking it's impossible.

Now, that approach does work - if you have ESP. Since none of us really do (we'd all have won 649 many times over if we did), how about trying another approach to looking at how realistic a playoff shot - hypothetically - is?

For instance, if the NHL statisticians were to use the NBA or MLB standings format of Games Back (or is it games behind?), you would see that as of Monday Dec 3, the Leafs are only 8 points out of first in the East ... which translates to 4 GB using the alternate standings format.

4 Games Back with 55 games left to play. Yet it's still pandemonium in the great bubble known as LeafLand.

Look, I get that they're not playing well. There is definitely no consistency right now, and they're struggling in just about every facet of the game. Lately, they've stunk, and I say that as a fan of the team.

But.

There are 55 games to go, and they are 4 back of the East leaders. Does that mean they'll make the playoffs? Heck no, nor should it. What it means is pressing the panic button at every miscue needs not be the answer. Last week's media meltdown was ridiculous ... you'd have thought the entire country was going under, just because of a losing streak a third of the way into the season.

Get serious, people. A blow-up doesn't need to happen to make this thing successful ... 4 games out with the current roster is actually pretty impressive.

Best thing to do, at this point is to convince Mats to rent himself out to another team, get some prospects/picks, maybe some playoff revenue if you still squeak into the 1st round, then sign Mats back next year with a better chance to take a run at it all. He'd still get to finish his career as a Leaf, and the team would have the beginnings of a foundation for the first time in a long time.

[john N.]

so true ...the truth in this team lies in the failure to acquire
a #2 or 3 scorer which they never did in the off-season. Ferguson can't be blamed for it all as the BOARD led by Peddie
casts a tall shadow over the leafs ...Toskala is good and there
are some young guys coming along .. but you can't relie on Sundin AND Tucker TO DO ALL THE SCORING .....ISN'T IS THE same
team as last year minus Toskala ?

John

[Jerry]

I agree with you Damien. No and No!!! I was at the Leafs vs. Penguins game last night and to be honest the Leafs did look a little better for most of the game. Now that could have been the result of the Penguins not playing their best hockey also. But then came the third period and the true Leafs were back as they came close to losing it again. So I say again, the right thing to do is fire Ferguson and trade Sundin. Toronto still has a chance to make the playoffs but if they keep the team the way it is, they won’t make it this year or next year!

[Zane Ryder]

I agree. This team needs a change and it has to happen now. JFJ has to be let go and even if they get someone to come in with a specific job - to get rid of as much dead weight as possible, they should do it. Same happened with the Raptors when they fired Babcock and before Bryan Colangelo came in. Someone has to come in and tear it down before the new guy comes in and rebuilds it. The problem with keeping JFJ becomes that he can make some stupid moves out of desperation and screw up even more. I say he had his chance and his bill is due!

[Mike Milner]

I'm glad the Leafs got back in the winning column, however, I still see some difficulty moving the players because of the restrictive contracts they have. I wouldn't be surprised to see Mats just say "no" to any trades this year, and since he is a free agent, pick his team next year. What the Leafs might consider is moving similar contracts dollar wise, but taking back one with less time on it.

[Rob]

Damien, I agree 100%. The best thing that could happen to the Leafs is a total meltdown and collapse, otherwise nothing will change in this franchise. What's the best to hope for? Barely make the 8th spot, get blasted out in the first round and call this year a "big step forward"?
Keep the picks, get better scouts, get a real GM, and see who can be traded or bought out. It won't be pretty but it will be a start, and it's been FAR too long coming.

[Lee]

I remember one of Ferguson's early moves with the Leafs. I looked at my father and just started shaking my head. I mean, here we are in the "New" NHL, everyone's looking for speed, and what does Fergy do? He goes out and signs arguably the slowest Defenceman in the NHL.

I'm sorry, I have nothing against Hal Gill, but you don't win the Stanley Cup with Hal Gill on your blue line. Night in, night out, I watch good skaters blow by the guy like he's standing still. Can you imagine watching that in the playoffs, when goals are so hard to come by?

Then, he pays Pavel Kubina $5M, and our blue line gets slower still.

Everybody talks about our lack of team defense. I can tell you why. Speed. It's killing us. Why has Ottawa been dismantling us for the last few years? Speed and skill. Buffalo? Speed and skill. New Jersey? Speed and skill.

If it were up to me, I'd be trying to build the fastest team in the NHL. Even my 'tough guys' would be fast. Speed is such an important weapon, and we're simply not fast enough.

Want to know why Darcy Tucker hasn't been scoring this year? Speed. He looks slow. He's not beating anyone to pucks. Again, I have nothing against Darcy. I like the guy, he's tough as nails, but he needs to get quicker. I know he has a knee injury, but maybe he shouldn't be playing injured.

Anyway, I'm rambling now. Let's hope Fergy has learned from his mistakes and move forward. Thanks for saying what needs to be said Damian.

[James L]

Nothing beyond the fans boycotting the ACC is going to change this club now or in the future. Nada.

[David]

Damien: Even if the Leafs were atop the standings, there would be vultures overhead waiting for a carcass, any carcass. Toronto is a hockey mecca, nine year-olds will wade in and tell the media what the coaches need to do to improve goal scoring or net minding. No other hockey market is the same as Leaf-land. Spending money? Toronto spends with the best of the NHL, it's how they spend that gets fans dander up. JFJ was an experiment whose time has come to be terminated. They've found that there is nothing of value coming from it. There are great hockey minds out there itching for an opportunity to showcase their talents, but MLSE, with that U.N. style board of directors won't or can't make a decision because no one person has the guts or authority to make the buck stop at them. In any normal operation, once you get high enough into an organization, there is 1 person who makes the tough calls. But not in Toronto, and until that happens, this franchise can spend all it wants, but it won't bring success. Toronto needs an over-haul of both players AND management.

[Maxie]

"Candidates openly lobbying for Ferguson's job." Huh? That's a weighty statement, and a new development that was missed by your readers. Given that these "candidates" were "OPENLY LOBBYING", care to set yourself apart from other journalists and name names?

[Brian]

I agree with Nick Kyperos about trading Sundin for a package of youth and draft picks, then try to resign him after the season, basically Sundin becomes a rent a player, also Tucker I am sure Calgary would love his grit for a high draft pick,
the big issue is builting some talent for this team,
So the Leafs win a few games but they are still not good enough

[Kyle McPhedran]

Hi Damien, I wanted to get your thoughts on the suspensions that have been handed to the Philadelphia Flyers this season. Correct me if I am wrong, but to date I believe there have been 5 suspensions to the Flyers? If the League is serious about stopping the violence in hockey, there is an easy way to do this. Every time a player that is suspended, means that there is a roster spot taken from that players Team for the duration of the suspension. If this was put in place, I am sure that the suspensions would be quite rare!

[Steve Barnett]

Will it ever end?...Two games we win and we are a happening team, lose two and the sky is falling...And Cox, you are as bad as the rest of them for stirring the pot..Although I must admit not as bad as Howard Berger the ultimate rumour monger..I just read Larry Brooks in the New York Post yesterday and he is saying the Leafs are talking to Bowman again...Now, if it is in the same vain as the Colangelo contract then fine. But I am wondering if Bowman is the fit or does he bring us back to the Punch Imlach circus when we brought him back...(for all you 9 year olds, Imlach was a cruel, cruel man who was not liked very much by his players)The premise that you hire a guy and give hm the reins is sound but im not sure Scotty is the man. We know Peddie and JFJ are not. This Peddie guy would screw up the lords prayer...Fergie has to go before he does any more damage. But until Peddie goes we are doomed to repeat the same mistake no matter who we bring in. This guy just refuses to step aside and shut his corporate yap. So in reality we are beating the wrong horse folks...Until this back stabbing, self absorbed, meddling fool is gone nothing will change. Not even the smile on the teachers faces. Peddie was in on everyone one of Fergies moves so i kind of feel for the guy. But give him credit for standing up like a man and facing the media unlike his spineless boss Peddie who sold him down the road last week...

[DAVE KAZ]

Well, let's look at this through deep-tinted blue glasses...best case scenario! What if all the dreamers are even close to being right, and the Leafs finish as high as fourth or fifth (which they won't). Then what? Quick playoff exit, and more hand wringing...and/or dreams about next year. Well this scenario has played out for over 40 years and counting.

Let's not forget that in the past decade, the Leafs managed a few near-100 point seasons. However that never lead to a parade down Yonge St. Why not? Because the formula is all wrong! Management (spelled teacher's pension fund) wants money in the bank. That translates to: "Make money with some home playoff dates. Don't dare miss the playoffs by rebuilding. Hire players well past their "best before" dates, to get you over that hump. Ergo, do not pass go (to 3rd playoff round), do not collect Stanley's chalice, (and, now, with the new CBA)go directly to jail, or, at least, confinement in, or near, the basement in the standings.

Under the old rules of engagement, their system kept them treading just above the waterline, somewhere between mediocrity and respectability...now with the new rules, they are floundering in heavy seas, and bob to the surface only occasionally. Unfortunately nothing will change without a clean sweep at the very top...and that likely won't happen until the team is sold...which means there will NEVER be another parade down Yonge St.

[Roberto Calazar]

I don't think it's a matter of the Leafs "puffing out their chests" after 3 wins as much as disdain for those in the media who were too harsh after the Phoenix game.
You are correct, time will tell whether this team is good enough. The question is, will those in the media admit they were wrong and were too harsh? Is Ottawa a deplorable franchise because they have lost 7 games in a row? Is the genius in Montreal Bob Gainey still a genius now that the Habs are fading?