Thursday Mail Bag

ANAHEIM

Well, the presence of the prez apparently wasn’t sufficiently inspiring.

With Maple Leaf president Richard Peddie on hand last night at the Honda Centre, the disintegrating Leafs were pounded by the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, 5-0.

That’s 27 losses in 43 games to hold down 14th place in the Eastern Conference.

And not a damn thing has been done to even try to fix this team all season.

No trades. No significant demotions. No firings. No hirings.

Zippo.

The way in which the Leafs couldn’t even gain the zone on a pathetic 5-on-3 power play late in last night’s game suggested that the team seems to have become seriously discouraged.

Then there was the total lack of any sense of team camaraderie. When Jason Blake was decked after the whistle by Mathieu Schneider, the Leafs milled about, but no one had even a harsh word for Schneider.

By contrast, when Corey Perry was dumped by Pavel Kubina, both Todd Bertuzzi and then Sean O’Donnell were all over the Leaf blueliner in a flash.

Some of that, you have to believe, is related to the fact ownership and management simply seem willing to accept this dreadful season, one that began with fans being promised this was a talented team that would be hard to play against and would be a factor in the post-season.

Moving Alex Steen to the right point on the power play last night didn’t work at all, and even worse seemed a mark of utter desperation. At one point in the second period, the Leafs put out a second power play group in which the three forwards – Blake, Darcy Tucker and John Pohl – had totaled just 13 goals between them this season.

Every forward on the club other than Mats Sundin is locked in a slump it seems. Nik Antropov hasn’t scored a goal in 12 games, Tucker has one in 17 games, Alexei Ponikarovsky has none in 11 games.

“We’ve gotta find a way to get some of these guys going,” said coach Paul Maurice afterwards.

But isn’t it about time to realize that Blake and Tucker, to name two players, aren’t going to “get going” in any meaningful way? Ditto for the overrated Steen, while Ponikarovsky just seems disinterested.

At some point, if GM John Ferguson wants to save his job, he has to take a stab at saving the season. Nobody would want to be the GM who simply watched and did nothing as Canada’s most watched team went down the tubes.

Now on to this week’s mail bag:

Q: Damien, we've seen many teams use the tactic of placing a player on waivers and demoting him to the minors. Sometimes that player gets claimed on waivers when recalled for half the remaining salary. Worst case, the player earns their money in the minors but it doesn't count against the cap. What's stopping the Leafs from doing a similar move with Raycroft? Is it Ferguson's ego preventing him from doing this since he signed (and extended the contract) of Raycroft before he had played a game with the team?

Scott O., Toronto

A: Well, nothing is stopping them from doing that. Perhaps they figure Raycroft is the second best goaltender in the organization right now, which is probably true. He played well Saturday night against Philly, and while he seems ill-suited to be a starting goaltender, it would be unfair to suggest he couldn’t be a backup. Right now, the salary cap relief sending him to the minors would offer won’t help the team much.

Q: Hi Damien; I've been thinking about John Ferguson Jr.'s situation a bit. It's been said that no playoffs equals no job, and yet it certainly appears to me that what the Leafs need is to do what the Flyers did - sell Mats high (maybe resign him in the summer) and build for next year.

It led me to think, if I'm JFJ, I'd say to Peddie, either I need an extension now so I can do the right thing, or I walk. Do you think there's any chance of him walking? If he did, I can't think that his NHL brethren would think any ill of him for doing so. Thanks.

Jeremy Wideman, Uxbridge, Ont.

A: I think the reality is JFJ is in no position to start tossing out ultimatums. If he simply walked out now on the team, he’d have a hard time finding another employer. Moreover, the man has too much integrity to simply quit.

Q: Damien,

I've been reading you since way back when, and although I don't always agree, I really enjoy your analysis. I wonder - does your brutal honesty when hammering management over the years ever get in the way of doing your job? For example, I can't imagine it is a good way to cultivate "sources" within MLSE. Any regrets along these lines over the years?

Chris Harris, Lafayette, Indiana

A: No regrets, although you’d always like to break more stories and do a better job. As far as cultivating sources, I’ve always found that the best sources are people who respect you for being tough but fair, not the people who need you to suck up to them.

Q: Hi Damien,

I am having a difficult time understanding how Carlo Colaiacovo can be injured so many times. I don't believe it is merely bad luck. Could his playing style be prone to injury in some way? Perhaps he could be more cautious on the ice, especially after returning from a lengthy knee injury? Also, as harsh as it seems, when does MSLE give up on the development of a player who spends more time rehabilitating than playing?

Clement M., Toronto

A: I don’t think you give up on Colaiacovo yet, but you certainly can’t plan on him being part of your team. Injury prone? I don’t know. The kid gets injuries in ways I’ve never seen before. It really is bizarre.

Q: Simon Gamache.

What happened? He came to the team and had a better points per game than half the team that is there now and he was relegated to the fourth line, eventually sent down.

So why cut Gamache? Defence? Name 4 forwards that have been defensive on a regular basis. He was a high pick by Atlanta back in the day and looked better than most Leafs (not saying much) .

Why was he cut? He had something most Leafs don't, the reality his job was not guaranteed and the desire to do anything to keep it. I see it as a great mistake. He looked pretty decent along side several other Leafs at the Spengler Cup.; Not a first liner but a good depth player. Am I alone in this?

What is your opinion?

Kyle Bosley, Brockville, Ont.

A: I think Gamache might be able to be a fourth liner or a role player at the NHL level, but no more. He had a chance, and when you’re a player of his status, you’ve got to do very, very well when your chance comes. Perhaps he’ll get another this season, but I doubt he could be a difference maker.

Q: Call me crazy but I think the Vancouver Canucks have a shot at the Stanely Cup and here is why: Roberto Luongo - 6 shutouts, this guy wins games on his own. If Vancouver at the trade deadline gets a Mats Sundin then I can see them going all the way.

New Jersey Devils won there Cups on solid defence but mostly Martin Brodeur; if you have a goalie that can shut a team down, you have a winner. Detroit and Ottawa are the teams to beat but I am sure Detroit would not want to face a red hot Roberto Luongo in the playoffs and all Vancouver needs is one goal or two.

Well Damien, am I nuts to think Vancouver could win the Cup this year, and what is their possiblity of them trading for Mats Sundin?

Brian Marto, Toronto

A: I don’t think you’re nuts to think that, but I’d worry about Vancouver’s ability to score enough goals to win it all. They’re 19th in offence as of today. So yes, I think they’d be a prime team to try and swing a deal for Sundin if the Leafs decide to move him. Along with Brendan Morrison, Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler, he’d make that team strong up the middle and might even help unlock the mystery of Markus Naslund.

Q: Hi Damien,

I understand that Leaf games generate more ratings than other Canadian teams. But it's tough not to think Hockey Night in Canada is Hockey Night in Toronto. A recent Saturday night forced us to watch the Leafs get beat badly by the Rangers while in Ottawa the Sens and Capitals were involved in a thrilling game where Ovechkin scored 4 goals.

My questions are:

1. Why can't CBC flip to more interesting games like the example I mentioned?

2. Since HNIC is force feeding us the Leafs, doesn't this present a problem for other Canadian teams in the future where a whole generation of kids will grow up watching the Leafs and not other teams?

Sanjay Bali, Scarborough

A: Well, answer to question No. 1 is I would imagine the CBC doesn’t flip because it has an enormous Leaf viewership that prefer to watch to the bitter end. Re question No. 2, I don’t think it presents a problem for other Canadian teams. In fact, they all seem to be doing better than the Leafs these days.

Q: Dear Damien,

Although I can't say I agree with everything you say in your column, I do enjoy reading your unbiased - and when necessary, brutal - judgment of the Leafs.

I've lived in Toronto my whole life and have grown up watching the Leafs, and support them as my home team. That being said, I pride myself on not being one of the many fanatics who seem to think every single year that this is the year the Leafs bring the Cup home.

And that context brings me to my questions. How far out from a Cup do you believe the Leafs are (in a range of years)? I'm thinking it might be another decade before they have a real shot. Sundin, although playing mostly well (he's been doing a few unexpected turnovers), is getting old. The Marlies have been doing well, but how many truly promising prospects are there on that team? The only one that comes to mind is Pogge. However I don't follow the Marlies too much, so hopefully you can clear this up for me.

Jenny Smith, Toronto

A: Pogge is the club’s only true blue chip prospect, although they like to believe Jiri Tlusty and Russian forward Nikolai Kulemin are of that ilk as well. If the Leafs were to move aggressively now and begin an ambitious rebuilding process, its theoretically possible that through quality youth and smart free agent pickups, they could be a contender in three years and a champion in five. But that’s a best case scenario, and thus, a longshot for the truly optimistic of mind.

Every Thursday, Damien Cox answers your questions in The Spin, only at thestar.com. Click here to submit a question.

Comments

[Guido]

I agree Damion .. if you are GM with your job on the line, how can you sit and do nothing? Come on man, demote/promote, anything!!!

But I guess this has been the biggest problem with JFJ so far, he's afraid to do anything. Re-signs what he has and never makes a trade to move away his players, just picks.

The other irnoy is JFJ's "Youth" plan. Is there one player on the Leafs roster that he drafted? yep 1 in 4 years of picks
2004
90 G Justin Pogge
113 F Roman Kukumberg
157 D Dmitry Vorobiev
187 L Robbie Earl
220 D Maxim Semenov
252 C Jan Steber
285 R Pierce Norton
2005
21 G Tuukka Rask
82 D Phil Oreskovic
153 R Alex Berry
173 L Johan Dahlberg
216 D Anton Stralman
228 C Chad Rau
2006
13 L Jiri Tlusty
44 W Nikolai Kulemin
99 G James Reimer
111 D Korbinian Holzer
161 L Viktor Stahlberg
166 C Tyler Ruegsegger
180 C Leo Komarov
2007
74 R Dale Mitchell
99 R Matt Frattin
104 L Ben Winnett
134 D Juraj Mikus
164 C Christopher DiDomenico
194 D Carl Gunnarsson

How do you build with youth, when you suck at scouting and drafting ??

[Father Denis Gray]

It is interesting that those who think that Sundin should be traded don't seem to be taking into account that those responsible for such a move have shown very poor choice/contract judgment re many of the others on the squad.
In other words the players who are not performing but have fat and long contracts were signed by the same folks who would be responsible for trading Sundin and acquiring replacements.
Why would anyone imagine that the Leafs would be an improved team?

[untitled]

In response to why HNIC airs the Toronto games only (Reader Sanjay Bali). Please inform your readers that those of us in Ottawa have to subscribe to digital cable to watch the Leafs games. If there are Ottawa fans across Canada, they can do the same, time shifting offers coverage of both of the teams games at the 7 pm time slot, plus, most of the other Canadian teams at 10 pm (if not all of them). With digital cable, people can stop complaining! Well, except those of us in the 613 area code who are Leafs fans and can't get Leafs TV!! :)

[Lloyd Braun]

Maurice wonders what it will take to get certain guys going in order to help clean up this car-wreck of a season. Well, here are my suggestions:
Blake is by far the speediest guy on the team. Could they at least TRY him on the penalty kill, where he could catch those D-men on the point flat-footed sometimes and get a few short-handed breakaways? I'm sure many others like me have become tired of seeing Ponikarovsky and Antropov standing still, playing the "box" and dutifully sweeping their sticks side to side as their weak attempt at thwarting the oppositions' PP.

Make better use of Kilger: He had his best offensive production a few years ago when placed on Sundin's wing, where his crashing abilities and heavy shot were used to advantage. Of course, as soon as the media noted that Kilger was playing well with Sundin, Pat Quinn immediately broke up this duo and stuck Ponikarovsky back on the wing on the top line. Why is Ponikarovsky considered a top-line guy? What has he done to warrant this place? He scores a few goals here and there, swings his stick at the opposing players and throws one bodycheck per month, but is generally of little use otherwise. His translation abilities are no longer needed for any new Russian teammates, either.
Couldn't they at least TRY Kilger back on Sundin's wing and see what happens?
That's all I have time for at present.

[Nick]

It seems clear that MLSE has zero confidence in JF Jr.'s ability to make a deal for Sundin (and you can't really blame them - a Sundin trade would only be the biggest, most significant trade the Leafs have made in the past, oh...15 years?). If this club is going to rebuild, starting with a deal that moves Sundin out, then you might as well get rid of JFJ now, and let the new GM that MLSE has earmarked as the new, 'rebuilding' GM make that trade.

I can't see it happening any other way. If Sundin is going to be dealt, watch for JFJ to be given his walking papers before they trade him.

[CMS]

Hey Damien...
Another in a series in your weekly selection of questio...um... actually you tend to use "endorsements" rather than questions don't you?

Please try and understand that while not being a 'fan' of the Leafs is fine (even positive) it does not mean you are 'unbiased.' This is an incredibly offensive position for someone who's craft depends upon some understanding of language. Read your own work over the last series of years--your verbs/adjectives when you describe the Leafs on their (all too few) winning streaks vs. losing streaks (do the same with your descriptions of players.) You're now sadly a lazy coddled arrogant member of the Leaf media village who sets out a narrative for the squad (almost always pre-season) and only reports on those things that reinforce your narrative. This is anything but unbiased. 3 columns a week when Mats struggled to for a few weeks at the end of last year documenting his alleged failures...barely a mention as he is a dominant, if somewhat tragic, figure lighting the lamp with regularity this year.
Recent example? Your horror and hurt feelings at the (absolutely bush-league) applause the media got when they entered the dressing room during the Leaf's win streak. This was, to your mind, immature and unprofessional and you screeched about it from you bully pulpit (your relief at not having the excrutiating task of reporting on said win streak was palpible). Did it occur to you while you gleefully banged out your sarcastic Sun-worthy titled column: "Not too Cocky Now, eh Boys?" that you were making it abudantly clear that you don't hold yourself to the same standards? If fact, because you claim to be 'unbiased' this reporting makes you much more unprofessional and immature. Recall, for instance, when you had an absolutely legitimate beef with some of Darcy Tucker's behaviours in past seasons. Did you report on the indescretions? Not so much, choosing instead to (attempt to) stick him with the nickname "Sideshow Bob" (doesn't matter whether you first coined it you loved it and used in incessantly) in some kind of bullying attempt to embarass him into changing said behaviour. VERY unbiased! If you're wondering why it never caught on it might be that the nickname lacked humour or wit and, since it seems to have origninated from someone who had never seen the show the character was from, it actually made NO sense whatsoever. You should look to other avowed 'unbiased' media figures like Rush Limbaugh to learn the effective use of juvenille nicknames for members of the organization you are covering. Since (and you have admitted as much) Tucker has, for the most part, matured and elminated those behaviors that so offended you I would assume (as an unbiased journalist) you would now be referring to him exclusively with a positive (if completely non-sensical) nickname? I know you don't talk but you owe that man an apology.
Cheers,
CMS

[Tom]

Why should management care? They only need to listen to the shareholders who are making a killing in profits. Why should they listen to the fans? Fans should be contacting the sponsors of the leafs, not the management. Then something might be done! I know if I sponsored a loser I would definatley rethink putting my name brand with a loser and how that reflects on my company.

[cdevu]

JFJ is in way over his head as a GM in the NHL.

Once he is fired, he will fit in nicely in the NHL's head office with other ex Leaf execs like Jim Gregory and Mike Murphy.

Perhaps he can work with Colin Campbell's group. I look forward to listening to JFJ explain (in his inimitable speaking style) a discipline decision or an interpretation of a call.

[mark]

Nice of you to offer JFJ tips on how to keep his job "At some point, if GM John Ferguson wants to save his job, he has to take a stab at saving the season.".... but I'm not in favour of him trying. Time to clean house and it has to start with getting JFJ out, Peddie muzzled (or better yet replaced) and a new hockey mind running the dismanting/rebuilding. Only then can we look forward to the 2010/2011 season and beyond.

[Remi]

Toronto has to get rid of Ferguson right now.He is the worst manager that Toronto Maple Leafs ever had.Why they hired him is very hard to understand.It's his fault that Toronto is not winning too many games.The trades he made did not make sense at all.He gave big contracts to players that are playing awful.Get rid of Ferguson and get a real manager who knows how to improve a hockey team.That's what the Maple Leafs need.

[mia cutnaslicre]

Hey DC, I am lost. This team is beyond fixing in the short term so no moves make sense. JFJ is not qualified for the job and he would have been fired long ago if the team was run as a business. It is led by horrible owners who got lucky with a cash cow - no matter what they do the team makes money - horse shoes only. The real answer for leaf fans is for the team to be sold to someone who knows how to win (like Jim from RIM), they could hire people that would rebuild from scratch it would take 3 to 4 years. Right now this team has no future - how about 5 or 10 more years of just making the playoffs. As for the current roster - no one stands out as someone you would miss if they left or got hurt - sorry Mats is part of the past he is not 27 anymore.

[Oh-Praww]

I've got it! The Leafs are in California, right? Why not have Dr. Phil pay the dressing room a visit to give his informative insight into what's really wrong with the Leafs? They are as bad, or worse off, than Britney is!

[Bill O'Neill]

Rest in Peace. There is no hope. Amen

[Garret]

* oogles in disbelief at CMS **

Tucker's paid to entertain. Damien is paid to write about it.

Unbiased means (relatively) free from favoritism, not free from being snarky. It is also never absolute, it is a scale.

Such drama. Nobody is going to accept his claim as "unbiased" as %100 accurate, but he sure is a hell of a lot more level headed than an average fan, and able to entertain while he writes.

Don't take it so seriously. I can almost picture you in Tucker's arms, crying for him.

Oh and "You should look to other avowed 'unbiased' media figures like Rush Limbaugh"?! Politics is one thing, but sports without nicknames is like Limbaugh without medication. There are more than a few of us out there who think Tucker reaps what he sows, and theres no bias in calling it how you see it, nor in having fun with it.

[Steve]

Who's Darcy Tucker?

[Dark Phoenix]

"He is the worst manager that Toronto Maple Leafs ever had."

I assume then you missed the Leafs in the 1980's?

[Greg Smith]

Hi Damien,
A (ashamed) Leaf fan from BC. In looking at the standings this morning after a 5-2 trouncing by the last place team (L.A)over the Leafs (not surprised?)the sad footnote to all this is the Leafs only remain 5 points out of playoff contention. Buffalo, who has lost 8 in a row are only a couple of points out of 8th place!
Aside from what has been suggested of a complete revamping of Leaf Sr. Management, GM & coach (which I 100% agree with) I believe if you delve deeper, there is a root cause to the entire league's dilemma.
All teams are in the same boat, in terms of not been able to move players (via trade)as freely. The symptoms reflect in an overall mediocre performance - which eventually if not already, result in drop in attendances.
My issue isn't so much about the salary cap concept, but rather their iron clad rules.
It's obvious the league realizes now how these inflexible rules have handcuffed the entire league, & the eventual fallouts noted above.
A suggestion in an attempt to solve this dilemma is when a player that is injured & out of commission for 10 days or longer - their salary for that time is to be deducted from the salary cap total. Obviously this would be offset in part by a player been called up.
This would have assisted the Leafs big time this year with the lengthy injuries to Kubina & McCabe (saving in approx $1M).
Your thoughts?