Thursday Mail Bag
Ah, the fun never stops, does it?
The Maple Leafs, it would appear, have now turned their search for executive aid to the beaches of Cancun where Cliff Fletcher has to be enjoying the sun and wondering, “Man, how stupid are these guys?”
Ten years ago the Leafs didn’t want him around. Now he’s the smartest guy in their Rolodex. Funniest inclusion in the alleged pursuit of Fletcher in that he would also bring along David Poile as the new Leafs GM.
Just wondering, but isn’t this the same Poile who turned down the Leaf GM job after Fletcher left, largely because he wanted nothing to do with the crazy Toronto hockey market?
Thought so. Meanwhile, Scotty Bowman must look at all his Stanley Cup rings and wonder what it is about the jewelry that turns Richard Peddie off so much. Now on to this week’s mail bag:
Q: I had the unfortunate experience of being at the Anaheim-Toronto game on the 9th. I don't get very many chances of seeing my team live these days, so it was a complete disappointment to see how listless they were against the Stanley Cup champs. No heart. No soul. I sat next to Joe Bowen's family and even his son had his head buried in his little hands. These are hopeless times in Leafs Nation.
Kam Mohager, Beverly Hills
A: Look on the bright side. The Leafs still own their first round draft pick. Of course, if someone now offers them the 2008 equivalent of Tom Kurvers. . .
Q: Damien:
With the Leafs in a downward spiral and MLSE's refusal to do anything about it, Where are all the loyal Leaf fans in Toronto? Why hasn't anyone picketed the MLSE office yet? It has been done to other sport franchises, why hasn't anyone organized any for the Leafs yet? I might just have to fly up from Honduras and do it myself the Leafs stink so bad.
Aaron Etches, West End, Roatan Honduras
A: See, the problem with picketing is that there would be a lot of congestion with the scalpers doing heavy business outside the ACC. In other words, while some picketed, others wouldn’t be able to wait to overpay for Leaf tickets. Moreover, the real decision-makers, the board of MLSE, wouldn’t be found anywhere near the building. They're in other office towers around the city, snickering to themselves about what suckers Toronto hockey fans are.
Q: Hi Damien,
What's happened to Darcy Tucker? I'm embarrassed to wear his jersey around Calgary despite him being a born and bred Albertan. His point production has fallen off so dramatically to the point that Hal Gill has twice as many points as him. Is it because he signed a hefty 5-year deal with the team? Do you think players start taking it easy mentally and physically after they sign a long-term deal? It seems the same goes for Jason Blake & Bryan McCabe.
John Mullrooney, Calgary
A: Boy, Paul Maurice would sure like an answer to this question. I think Tucker got away from what made him successful and decided he was a goal-scorer, not a scrappy, dogged, snarling winger willing to pay a heavy physical price. That was undoubtedly influenced by the injuries he’s incurred in recent years which have made it more difficult for him to bang and crash every night. He went from being crazed Sideshow Bob to Mr. Finesse, with no stops in between. And yes, I do think the contract had something to do with it. Different dollars often make players believe they have to be something different.
Q: Damien:
Enjoy your column and brutal assessment of the Leafs. I'm a Torontonian who winters in Arizona and still watches the torture called Leafs games on satellite. I was wondering if JFJ has had trouble luring good free agents or players with no trade clauses to Toronto.
You hear the comments about how Leaf players find it difficult to play in "this market" and wonder if they don't complain to the other players about it. (Personally it sickens me to hear these highly paid winers complain about playing a game for a living where they can be set for life after a 5 year career).
I'm not a JFJ supporter, but it may be harder than we realize to rebuild this team because of the poor reputation that our ownership group has amongst the players and potential GM's out there. What do you hear?
Arnie Porter, Phoenix
A: At this moment, I would doubt Toronto would be a destination of choice for a lot of NHLers, but that has to do more with the fact, I would think, that it’s a lousy hockey team with no chance of taking a run at a Cup for five years. Given the players, however, that have signed as free agents in Toronto over the past decade, I don’t really think there’s much evidence to support the notion that players are disinclined in general to play in Toronto. From Curtis Joseph to Ed Belfour to Gary Roberts to Shayne Corson to Alexander Mogilny to Pavel Kubina to Hal Gill to Jason Blake, plus others than haven’t been mentioned, the Leafs have generally been able to compete in the free agent market.
Q: Hi Damien, love reading your blog.
Given JFJ's difficult position on the hot seat with MLSE (they made him a lame duck with no contract extension and the "8th seed or bust" mentality provoked some terrible off-season moves), is there anything that he could do to salvage the season? Conversely, is there any way he could convince MLSE that it is time to rebuild the broken Leafs?
Jim S., Toronto
A: I think he could convince the board its time to rebuild the Leafs. I just think he’d have a hard time convincing the board he’s the one to do it. The curious problem for Ferguson now is that winning more games, which usually makes people happy, is likely to be counter-productive for the team in that it will take them further away from a top draft pick this June. And Ferguson knows that. Losing and losing big is the beginning of the answer for the Leafs, but that sure won’t help JFJ.
Q: If the Leafs do the smart thing and trade for some draft picks for Sundin, I would like to see them try to attach Raycroft to the deal. I was remembering how the Red Sox had to take Lowell in order to get Beckett which hasn’t worked out to be the albatross people were expecting.
Raycroft is a better back-up than Clemmensen but since this season is done and once they promote Pogge they are going to have to get rid of a goaltender anyway why not get rid of him now.
I’m sure there is some flaw in my thinking. What is it?
Rory Macdonald, British Virgin Islands
A: No flaw. And not a bad idea. That’s how teams get rid of bad contracts. That said, if you attach Raycroft to a Sundin deal, that reduces what you’ll receive in terms of prospects and picks in return. Maybe its better to keep Raycroft, who at $2 million isn’t a cap killer, and take more in return for Sundin.
Q: With all of the talk of the possibility/probability of Sundin being traded, I was wondering who you thought would be the likely candidate for the captaincy of the Leafs? Of course that's assuming that the incoming player(s)involved in the trade aren't ready (worthy) to wear the C.
Pat Eales, Oakville
A: Great question, Pat. I don’t really see a player on the roster capable of carrying the “C.” That said, I would also say that Matt Stajan has been a stand-up guy throughout this entire swoon and seems to be a player, while limited, who can stand the heat in Toronto. Perhaps one day he might grow into captain material.
Q: Damien,
What the hell is wrong with Bob Clarke? I guess since people overlooked the fact that he was a dirty player when he played he feels compelled to do the same for others? I find it absolutely ludicrous that he can publicly defend cheap shots and dirty hits with a straight face without someone holding him to account for it!
Ryan Mitchell, London
A: I think Clarke loves to stir the pot, and loves to see people become outraged when he does so. I wouldn’t take everything he says so seriously.
Every Thursday, Damien Cox answers your questions in The Spin, only at thestar.com.
Click here to submit a question.
Aaron buddy, if you guys want to make any kind of protest in regards to the Leafs, then stop making financial investments into your team. Money is the only thing these guys answer to.
Posted by: chris | January 17, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I'm glad Pat Eales asked the Captaincy question which very few people seem to forget should Sundin ever be traded or retires. I agree with you Damien that there is *nobody* on the current roster with the character, maturity, and temperament to wear the "C". Stajan? Not for a while and forget Steen. We had a few past players that could have carried the torch for a while till a young player stepped up (eg. Gary Roberts, Eric Lindros, Mike Peca), but no thanks to JFJ, he was only looking at their physical skills. Looks like the best bet for Captain will have to arrive via a Trade / Free Agency.
Posted by: Gordie Mason | January 17, 2008 at 12:42 PM
"Ah, the fun never stops, does it?"
Indeed it doesn't! Guess what? I did some investigating reporting and even hired a "Philip Marlowe" type P.I. We have been going at it night and day to find out the REAL TRUTH behind who is pulling the strings regarding the Maple Leafs Hockey club. You'll be amazed at what we found out! MLSE is all a facade! Peddie & Tananbaum are just eye-candy for who is really behind the team!
The Leafs are actually owned by "Cheech & Chong" and the guy who is making all of the decisions for them on Hockey matters is "Pauly Shore"....Does it all make sense now!
Posted by: FRT | January 17, 2008 at 04:50 PM
Didn't I read somewhere that JFJ's mandate given to him 2-3 years ago was " to make the playoffs" not 'rebuild" this was given to him by " the board".?? am I mistaken?
This is the road JFJ took. Now, because he had no foundation to build on after the Pat Quinn years, remember Brad Boyes for Nolan, what a stinker trade, and we can go on from there. I couldn't believe Quinn did it at the time.
JFJ got his orders, now "the board" and leaf fans are crapping all over him. Even if, Kubina, Gill, Blake, et al, played as well as they can the leafs would still not be a Cup team. I firmly believe that the board, Peddie and Tanenbaum should go. My biggest wish right now is a prospective buyer comes forward and takes the Leafs out of this mess. Anyone who has worked for a corporation knows of what I speak.
Posted by: DGL | January 17, 2008 at 05:56 PM
Hi Damien,
who is idiot who made Iginla "C" of West All-Star.
Do the peple NHL world have any spine and morals?
If you are not from North America you can't be captain.
Beyond beleif that Lidstrom is not "C".
This is such disgrase for the NHL and all idots inside.
How come not one of the journalists didn't notice this and wrote something!!
Posted by: Marijan Kalman | January 17, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Way to go Leafs! Good win over a flu-ridden Boston squad. Now win a few more in a row, and all the delusional Leaf fans and management will believe again this team has a shot at the playoffs. That way, they will trade their draft picks for a rent-a-player in some futile drive for the 8th spot, AGAIN, instead of trashing the team for draft picks. I love it when a plan comes together.
Posted by: Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan | January 17, 2008 at 10:11 PM
So the Leafs win two in a run!!! So what! they are still in 14th but admittedly tied with other bottom-feeders so I suppose that IS some sort of achievement!!!!!
Posted by: Susan Smith | January 17, 2008 at 11:58 PM
I'd bet a million bucks McCabe gets the C. Before the year I would have said Tucker, but that's not happening right now.
Posted by: Guido | January 18, 2008 at 08:46 AM
HISTORY SAYS FLETCHER NOT THE MAN FOR THE JOB
This is so true! Even given his record after the mid- 90's which should preclude him from the job, he is simply too old.
He is a very classy man but he no longer possesses the incisive mind for decison-making that produced the great trades in the early 90's. This is evident from the interviews on the radio over the past few months. However Maple Leaf tradition is to bring back or acquire worn-out retreads so what's new?
Posted by: susan smith | January 18, 2008 at 10:27 AM
"They're in other office towers around the city, snickering to themselves about what suckers Toronto hockey fans are."
Damien, how come you can't write anything without taking a shot at Leaf fans? Is it that hard to understand that the fans of the team are loyal and not bandwagoners?
Also, with regard to Jim S.'s question, did you miss the quotation that was in your own paper about how JFJ presented the board with a rebuilding plan 3 years ago and they rejected it?
Posted by: PPP | January 18, 2008 at 01:01 PM
@Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan
Hmm, probably a sens fan. How many Leaf fans do you know that still think that this team has a chance at the playoffs? How many do you know that think that these two wins are anything but a disaster?
I am guessing by your name that you are part of the Anti-Leafs brigade that loves to spew it's inane generalities about the Leafs and their fans. Yawn.
Posted by: Leaf Fan | January 18, 2008 at 01:06 PM