In Dean Wormer We Trust

Dean Wormer, bless his imaginary Animal House heart, can provide direction and inspiration when all seems lost to the Leaf Nation.

Remember the immortal line, "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son," with which the embattled dean lectures pathetic Flounder?

Now apply that to the Leafs, with a bit of a twist.

Gentlemen. Stupid and nice is no way to run an NHL team.

See, it's one thing for the kingpins of MLSE and prez Richard Peddie to moronically make one bad decision after another. It's one thing for them to clumsily and idiotically mishandle the Mats Sundin situation to the point the classy captain has now become a villain to some and still won't agree to a trade before tomorrow's deadline.

When you don't win for 41 years or even once make it to the Stanley Cup final, you're Flounder stupid. No way around it.

But it's the additional niceness part that's the real killer.

Nobody EVER makes a tough decision in Leaf-land. When Cliff Fletcher was fired the first time around in 1997, they offered him another job to stay in the organization. . .and a decade later he took it.

Pat Quinn was managing the team poorly, so they replaced him as GM but let him stay to coach and make life uncomfortable for his successor. Ed Belfour and Tie Domi were bought out only after Belfour got an extra few million and proved definitely he couldn't play and Domi received the most absurd tribute night in the history of tribute nights. (And could the rumours be true that one of the conditions to be the next Leaf hockey boss will be to hire Domi - Larry Tanenbaum's buddy and Sundin's new off-the-record "spokesman" - on as part of the hockey office?)

Now look at the current situation. The core "leadership" group of Sundin, Tomas Kaberle, Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker proved emphatically several years ago that together they could not provide the central focus and direction the club needed.

In response, the team - either MLSE as a corporation or JFJ as a GM - gave them all lucrative no-trade contracts and hoped they'd turn into a quartet of Bobby Clarke's or Bob Gaineys.

Now, they're heaping all the responsibility on Sundin, pretending as though the other three had nothing to do with it. But Fletcher - never cutthroat, always a nice guy - never once even slightly indicated he would play hardball with the captain, but instead gently prodded him to waive his no-trade contract and failed, in the end, to get him to do so. Geez, Ferguson could have accomplished that.

Which brings us to Kaberle, Tucker and McCabe, the three caballeros who never seem to have to be accountable for anything.

Kaberle, like Sundin, has at least put two strong seasons together. He's no leader but he's a darn good player.

Tucker has been a disaster. He took a fat contract last season, didn't score down the stretch (zero goals in final seven games) as the team was trying to make the playoffs and has produced a lemon of a campaign this season while making sure one and all are aware at all times that he's battling injuries that would have a lesser man in hospital.

A hardminded, toughnosed organization, now faced with the fading winger's plans to stay another three years in Toronto, would send show him where the waiver wire was, a strong signal to the rest of the team that Tucker does not represent a successful leader or player, and that while he has a no-movement clause as well as a no-trade clause (Ed note: Earlier post suggested he had only no-trade) for two more years, that doesn't make him indispensable or untouchable.

And McCabe? Back-to-back lousy seasons from him. The Bobby Orr of the Leafs has got 15 points in 35 games and hasn't scored since Nov. 20 (he was out with an injury from Dec. 1 to Feb. 7).

Now that he's back from injury and playing mediocre hockey, rather than dreadful hockey, everybody wants to hold his hand and tell him how well he's doing.

Can't send him down because he has a no-movement clause and a no-trade. But a tough, win-at-all-costs organization would sit him down, tell him his days as a Leaf are over. If he won't accept a trade, that's fine, but don't bother coming to camp next fall and forget about playing in the NHL until he will accept a move.

No hard feelings, pal. Just can't use your brand of shinny any longer, and its abundantly clear he can't succeed in the Toronto spotlight, which is no crime. If he simply stays home and happily counts his money, that only confirms the worst possible suspicions and believe me, you're not worse off.

Every other Leaf will see the way in which Tucker and McCabe have been dealt with and take notice.

The nice days are over. This organization doesn't mess around, even if it means spending millions to correct past management errors.

Of course, Fletcher isn't the guy to do this, and unless he pulls a rabbit out of his hat tomorrow, his second go-round with the Leafs will have been a waste of time.

But even with the Sundin disaster now complete, this team needs to understand it cannot go forward again with the leadership group of Sundin, Kaberle, Tucker and McCabe.

Tough times require tough decisions. Look at the tough calls David Poile made with Nashville last summer when it looked as though the entire franchise was going down the toilet. Let Paul Kariya walk, traded Tomas Vokoun, Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timmonen. Now look at the Preds (Hint: They're not in 28th).

Now look at the Leafs and Alex Steen. The former first round pick, just shy of his 24th birthday, has underachieved again this season, and his next 20-goal season will be his first. He had 18 goals two years ago, 15 last year (in seven more games!) and has beaten enemy goalies all of 11 times this season.

So, of course, he's rewarded with a new deal that doubles his pay, the first major decision of the temporary Fletcher regime. Wouldn't want the young boy to feel bad. Wouldn't want the hockey world to know (it already does) that the phenom the Leafs wouldn't trade for Chris Pronger isn't really a phenom but rather a soft third-liner whose apparent mentor with the Leafs is, of course, Tucker.

Being nice AND stupid, you see, has got the Leafs where they are today.

Comments

[Bmay]

We should not be surprised if MLSE hires Vince McMahon since he runs a very profitable entertainment empire. That way we could move all articles on the leafs to the Entertainment section since they do not qualify to be a sporting entity. Paris, Lindsay, Britney meet Darcy, Mats and Brian. This way Damien can sleep at night rather then finding a new way to say this is a futile waste of all of OUR time.

[Guido]

I agree to a point .. but say you do that to McCabe. Will this not affect future Free Agents coming to Toronto in the future? I know I would think twice is this is the way they treat a player that's been with a team for awhile.

I find it hard to blame McCabe for the money they are paying him, he took what was offered to him, and everyone else would have done the same.

JFJ created this mess, and in 2 years it will mostly be over.

[andrew z]

*applaudes*

kudos to you damien for having the fortitude to voice a growing opinion of this lacklustre club, without fear of reprisal from peers, the players and god-forbid the moneymaking machine of MSLE.

[Sean]

Harsh.

Harsh, but deserved. It's clear that the current Leafs "leaders" are more than comfortable with losing. Doesn't seem to bother them a bit. And now we know that they play to stick around, clogging up the Leafs cap situation and poisining the locker room, for another two or three years.

I'm going to go lie down in traffic.

[Howard Priest]

I have never read a more spot on assessment of the Leafs situation and the action required to correct it.

[Steve D]

I absolutely agree with everything you have said. The Sundin issue is an absolute and utter disaster for the rebuilding dreams of the Leafs. A) it sets them back a minimum of 2 years in rebuilding (considering the Leafs could have gotten a top end prospect and a first round pick) and B) all signals are pointing to Sundin probably retiring at the end of the year. Thanks alot Mats! Way to be the captain of the team you supposedly love!

[Martin England]

Best article ever.

Bravo Damien, bravo.

[Peter]

Well put Mr. Cox, well put.

[John H]

Your on the money Damien. By not trading the No Trade Five, we just condemned the rest of this year, as well as future years. We currently sit 3rd from the bottom, but these players will play just good enough to make us 10th from the bottom, and deny the team a decent Blue Chip prospect. This mess should have been dealt with, two years ago, when they allowed J.S. Auban to take the team on a last munute 10 game winning streak, and miss the playoffs by two points. Instead of being able to draft Yuri Tlusty, we could have drafted Jonathan Toews. History is about to repeat itself, thanks to the NTC5, that now controls every aspect of the Leafs dressing room.

[Jake Fogels]

Damien

For once, I could not agree with you more. It's time to close the country club and run a proper team in Toronto. Sir Alex Ferguson would be disgusted with the attitude of these atheletes. It is way too comfortable for these pampered millionaires, who will turn mercenary when its convenient.

First step, fire Maurice and the crew and bring in a real ball-buster to straighten out these Leafs who have an exagerated sense of entitlement. Remember, it was the stupid Leaf fans who put the pressure on the poor-Leaf-management that resulted in these ridiculous contracts. Now these players owe it to the fans to either get humble quickly or get out of town.

[Dom M]

I hate the excuses for McCabe and Tucker. That they only took what was offered. The Leafs committed big money and a chunk of cap space to these guys. They committed to playing to the level of the salary they requested. McCabe isn't playing up to his part of the agreement. To date, I am sure the Leafs are still writing his cheques.

[Aaron Campbell]

Great article.

I agree emphatically with your assesment of Mr. Tucker.

The best thing he has done for the franchise is sell a bunch of Jerseys to Moms and Daughters.

I hear people talk about how he is the heart and soul of the leafs? I say he has absolutely nothing on Wendel, Darryl, Mats and Dougie. Get rid of the bum.

It is a great shame in this day and age of the rent a player, that everyone is down on Mats for being loyal. If he won a cup with another team this year what does it really mean?

Ray Bourque will be remembered as one of the greatest Boston Bruins ever, not a Stanley cup winner for, who did he win it with anyways?

Thanks

[Drew]

I am not sure why so many people are assuming a first round pick and top end prospect would be coming the Leafs way! Sundin may or may not have attracted a good offer - and in my view, likely not as much as people think ... the rent-a-player moves of the past did not provide as much help as clubs expected, and in some cases hurt. Not all clubs are run by idiots.
also why does anyone feel that Sundin has to allow himself to be traded?? he is disloyal?? And what loyalties should he feel to a club that tries to push him out the door??? should he be expected to put himself out to help such a team???
would the Leafs expect a "rental player" to come to the leafs yet to also remain loyal to their old team??? would Leaf fans really want a new player that they know is only there in order to get your prospects and players for their old team, and will only to leave again when the season is over?? as a non-leaf fan, and a non-Sundin fan, I do now have to admit that the man has principles and class ...
I am glad he did not go to my team in order to get prospects and then leave at the end of the season! Can't imagine that would help my team either, no matter how good he may be. I have more respect for him today than ever ... and less for most Leafs fans than ever!!

[corey martin]

great article. i just wish MLSE would get tough with their players like this. we need to totally start from scratch.

[Nathan Goveas]

It's been a long time Mr. Cox, but you and I finally agree on something. The time for pleasentries is over. The Leafs need to do whatever it takes to get rid of McCabe and Tucker, even if it means shaming them out of town.

[Doug]

Second the gent who called this your best article ever.

(Well, perhaps your coverage of the Moore family has been better. Let's say, best article of yours that I've yet read on the subject of the Leaves.)

[Dave Json]

I dont know what youre smoking but I want some of it. If it wasnt for Sundin this would have been the Leafs permanent parkingplace in the leauge for the last 6-7 years. Sundin hasnt let the Leafs down, its the other way around. If he had been dealt a better hand this would have been a great club but what has he been given? Players like Hoglund who he helpt out to around 50 points season. Dont act like Bitter the 8th dwarf towards Sundin, he´s doing his part of the deal playing great hockey. Direct it at MLSE for being totally oblivious how to handle a hockeyteam and having no clue what it takes to be a GM in Toronto when picking one.

[Tony C]

Is that right, Fletcher asked Sundin to extend is contract for another year, Is he mad. This year must be the last for the captain

[Mark Schadenberg]

I don't think that first-round pick Alex Steen has under achieved. He was simply drafted too early and therefore people have bigger expectations because he was drafted in first round. I would hope that the only team drafting him in the first round that year would have been Toronto, and Jiri Tlusty is the next Steen.

[GrantRankin]

I couldnt agree with you more,what a spineless organization.The only thing i wish you had written this article a couple of weeks ago,maybe someone would have taken some action to correct this awful mess.

[Glenn D]

WOW! A proper assessment of what really ails the Leafs. Many thanks Damien. I've been a Leaf fan for 50 years and watched 4 cups(all in the 60s of course). If I can hang in all that time through the bad stuff, then why shouldn't Mats? He mightn't be a greatest hockey leader yet he has produced solidly each and every one of his 13 Leaf seasons. He took a cut in salary to stay with the Leafs. Kaberle has also been an effective player while, as you say, not a leader. He took a very conservative, long term contract instead of trying to bend MLSE over the barrel. Tucker and McCabe are different. Neither played well enough, in the past, to be offered the ridicilious contracts given to them or the terms. They have played worse since then. Why can't a team, who has indicated trust in a player to perform, have to suffer when that player doesn't keep his part of the bargain. MLSE is a poor hodgepodge of mismanagement, lack of leadership and soft coaching staff. No one is accountable and the fans are always left frustrated.

[Justin M]

Thanks, Damien, for finally spelling it out loud and clear: "Being nice AND stupid, you see, has got the Leafs where they are today." EXACTLY! Fans must accept part of the blame for allowing "feel good" images of Tie Domi and his Sick Kids Hospital visits. Yes, these are nice things, but they should not overshadow the abysmal on-ice product (which is what they are all paid for). Kudos to Sundin for not caving to the pressure. As for Tucker, has there ever been a player more out of his depth? Just atrocious.

[Joseph Arturo]

Damien - perhaps you and all the other Maple Leaf "fans" didn't see the press release that MLSE issued early today: owing to this recent stretch of good weather, construction crews at Maple Leaf Square have been able to make up for lost time and it now appears that Phase IV of their condo development will be completed and ready for sale on time! Operators are standing by to take deposits and advance orders. Call now to reserve your condo at the corner of Champion's Lane and Lord Stanley's Avenue. MLSE! MLSE! MLSE!!

[D.J.]

It is not just Maple Leaf management that is dumb and nice. It is also the Maple Leaf Fan who is dumb and too nice to settle for this mediocrity (wow, that is being very kind). It is Maple Leaf Fan who continues to watch and support this team, proudly wearing his 4th line Stajan jersey to his local sports bar.

Haha

[Joel]

I ABSOLUTELY AGREE !!

The core of this team may be (arguably) individually talented but as a group they are hopeless. Completely and uterly hopeless.
They are as a group complacent and comfortable.
This should FINALLY dispell the myth that Toronto is by any measure a "tough" market to play in.