An Old Story, But Still A Good One

These days, news can be news twice. Just depends on how its packaged.

So HNIC's interview with Scotty Bowman on Saturday night, while well-done by host Ron MacLean, was a case in point.

Many news outlets are breathlessly now writing and broadcasting stories on the interview, particularly the part where Bowman tells how he was turned down by the Leafs - or Richard Peddie - last August as the team's new hockey boss.

All good stuff. Just old.

Bowman said all of this several months ago on The Fan 590 morning show, where he is one of the weekly insider guests.

He talked about his discussions with Larry Tanenbaum. He talked about meeting with Peddie, and then eventually being told his services weren't required.

This is not to say, by the way, that HNIC was claiming it was breaking new ground with the Bowman interview. It's just others who weren't paying attention back in the fall when Bowman first laid out the entire course of last summer's events who are interpreting this is as hot new stuff.

So to repeat myself, I don't think the important point here is whether Bowman would or would not be a good choice. It would depend on the role and the job description and the authority he was given.

What's interesting is that Peddie, who has a history of hiring weak, inexperienced executives to run the basketball and hockey operations, was clearly not interested in Bowman mostly because, having already given up ground to Bryan Colangelo on the Raptor side of the things, he wasn't will to do the same on the Leaf side.

He wasn't willing, essentially, to hire his own replacement as Leaf president.

So choosing to tell Bowman to take a hike had nothing to do with hockey, or building a championship team in Toronto.

It had only to do with MLSE politics.

And that's nothing new either.

Comments

[Tom Richard]

Bowman is NOT a good fit for the Leafs. He's been a failure at the GM's job in the past, and he's only successful as a coach whenever he's got VERY talented teams, which the leafs certainly are not. He's never built up anything from scratch, and there must be a reason why so many teams have passed on his GM aspirations (starting with the Habs, even after all those cups).

For my money, I'd hire Bobby Smith, the former GM of the Coyotes, who wasn't doing such a bad job before his arch enemy became part owner and fired him to bring in his buddy (who promptly dragged the team into the sewer). I believe that he's currently owner of the Halifax Mooseheads and would be very well positioned to assess the junior talent from which to build a team from.

[Sean]

Steve, re: Peddie's backgrounf at Lipton -

"I will bet he is the guy who invented Cup of Soup."

Doubtful. If Peddie's reign has demonstrated anything, it's that he doesn't know the first thing about Cups.

[Wayne Death]

You have succinctly stated what is apparent to everyone in the Leaf Nation. Even as a former teacher (and pensioner) I'm more than willing to see the investment sold to get proactive management and success on the ice. What joy is there in retirement when you have to watch this ineptness year after year and now week after week? Life is too short! Peddie should be run out of town like the guy in the Molson Canadian commercial.

[Steve]

Despite the gaping chasm it would leave in our local broadcast journalism world, the only answer is Gord Stellick. And then Healy takes his old spot, and hopefully he'll also master a way of working the Leafs into an interview with a Marty Schottenheimer or Wolf Blitzer.

[David]

So, there was speculation they offered Cujo a contract in the last day or so, and the blogs are on fire tonight with word that Cliff Fletcher has been contacted about being the Interim GM. Do we know for sure that Punch Imlach and King Clancy are both dead?

[Garret]

I think you nailed it right on the head. Bowman is probably not the right guy, but for the purposes of Leaf fans, hes the right conduit to point out that no GM is going to get autonomy. Strange that, tho. Why not grant it .. its not like they can end up with too much worse.

One thing has really bothered me. Peddie has said as much that hiring JF was a mistake. If hiring him was a mistake, who is he to block his moves? How on earth does one give himself the authority outside of blatant .. er authority while airing in the court of public opinion that he hired the wrong guy? What kind of insincere human says, "My bad" and then puts himself in a veto position? Is it not just Peddie? Is there a layer above him?!

[Jorge Nanez]

With all do respect to Matt Sundin. Why is he keep insisting in the possibilities of the Maple Leaf can make the play-off? Yes, there is a possibility, slim, but it is. But, for what? To embarrass themselves and the city lossing it in the first round? Of course, I believe in miracles, but, I don't live waiting for miracles, I would rather work hard to make sure I dont have to expect one. Just start now rebuilding the team. Accept the fact that is better to give up this season for many more years of success. I admire Sundin, but sometimes his comments making look dumm.