The Costs of Taking Your Sweet Time

The Maple Leafs would have you believe there's no rush at all to name a new president and GM.

Everything's working like clockwork with interim boss Cliff Fletcher, and Richard Peddie has assured one and all they'll have a new boss in place by September.

Seriously. The man said by September.

Part of their rationale is that they contend there aren't any critical decisions facing the team at the moment, and so a slow, deliberate search isn't costly in any way.

Well, yes it is. And we may find out as soon as next week.

The Leafs, you see, are like about two dozen other NHL clubs. They covet 23-year-old Fabian Brunnstrom, a free agent out of Sweden who may be the next Johan Franzen or the next Miroslav Ihnacak.

MLSE likes to believe they are the world's greatest franchise, and that every player out there is dying to play for them. Ideally, for less.

So if you're Brunnstrom, you might want to know who will be running the team if he agrees to join the Leafs.

Don't know, would have to be the Leafs' response.

Well, he might want to know who the coach will be.

Don't know, the Leafs would respond.

Okay, but will the team's best player, captain Mats Sundin, be back?

Don't know.

Will fellow Swedes like Alex Steen and Anton Stralman be on next season's roster?

Don't know.

Well, what about veterans like Darcy Tucker, Pavel Kubina, Tomas Kaberle and Bryan McCabe.

Don't know.

Now, sure, an ambitious young man might look at those responses and the current situation and see only glorious possibilities. He might simply have personal preferences, as was the case in 2004 when R.J. Umberger chose Philly over Toronto when it came to his free agent destination.

Or, like Brunnstrom, you might instead decide to look for top-flight organizations with strong management teams in place, like Montreal, Dallas and Detroit.

So if the Leafs get Brunnstrom, then maybe they're right. Maybe there is no haste to get a new hockey czar in place.

But if they don't, you'll sure have cause to wonder if having the entire organization on indefinite pause isn't already proving to be costly.

Comments

[Bill Laidlaw]

The mistaken belief that players want to be in Toronto has been a millstone for the Leafs for years. While some local players would love to win a Cup in Toronto I am sure they are far more concerned with issues like franchise stability, climate, and an assurance that the franchise will provide them every chance to perform at their best every night. I used to believe Ken Holland solved his problems with a chequebook but how can you question what the man has done to a once moribund franchise in Detroit? The Red Wings are the class of the league in every sense of the word. Why would anybody pick MLSE over that?

[Mikey]

I never bought into the rumor that the Leafs were one of the top contenders for his services. For the reasons you just pointed out he would be stupid to join this organization because they are willing to give him lots of minutes at the expense of his development. One thing in the Leafs favor is that they have plenty of other players on their roster who have the same sense of entitlement. Welcome to our big happy dysfunctional family!

[Ken Warden]

The latest Leaf news revolves around the supposed buyout of Darcy Tucker. Tucker is still a serviceable hockey talent so why would this buyout be such a good idea? He did not have a good season but I can't see writing him off just yet. The buyout itself is expensive enough so it would seem prudent to keep him as a veteran presence for another year and give him a chance to improve his play.
Is there a reason that we don't hear about that would dictate his departure?

[Ian]

Wouldn't it make sense to wait till the playoffs are over and see who's been fired, and who's available, before hiring a new coach/GM, instead of rushing to hire them just to get Brunnstrom, who's unproven and has 30 other teams chasing him??

[karl]

Brunnstrom was effectively wooed by the wings last night. Sorry Leaf fans, but how can you say no to a line-up that's 1/3 swedish, filled with that much talent. Oh, and the 8-2 crushing didn't hurt either. With the signing of Mats this summer, the deals all but done... better luck next decade

[TonyI]

As a life-long Leaf fan it pains me to see the franchise in such disrepair. The Wings are the class of the league, irrespective of whether or not they win the Cup this year, they do everything well. If I'm this kid, I'd pick them. As for the kid, he comes with plenty of question marks as you point out Damien, his stats are rather underwhelming considering he played in the second division and if he's so good, why didn’t he make the Swedish National Team that is now competing at the Worlds. I think he’s more Miro than Johan. Pick the Wings kid. You'll only regret coming to Leaf-land.

[Mike]

I think we know which way it'll be for MLSE. Pedanticallty dither everything and paint yourself in a corner. It's the Maple Leaf way.

[smokey]

Damien,

Maybe then you should not have encouraged such a speedy firing of Fergy. Now, you suggest that the Leafs should be making a quick decision on his replacement rather than taking the time to consider every possible replacement including those who are still under contract.

I also have to wonder if Tucker is so bad then why would so many clubs including the Sens want him. Look the Habs missed the playoffs in 2007 and with little significant additions this year, they look great. There really is a very fine line in those who make the playoffs and challenge and those who don't. Who would have believed the fall by the Sens. I suspect next season the Sens will be where the Habs are now. Look at the Flyers, towards the end of the regular season before they caught fire, they were looking for Steven's blood....now they are 1 win from making the Conference final.

[Mr. Right]

Come on Damien, still more Fletcher hate?

Fletcher looks to be the best man for the job for another year.

He can groom Gilmour.

Then either Gilmour can take the job or they can get Burke next season.

Oh, an ex star as GM....didn't work out in Dallas, eh?

[Remi]

I hope that Mats Sundin comes back to play with the Maple Leafs and that Stralman,Tucker,Steen still stay in Toronto.If they can get rid of McCabe,It would be great.He's making too much money and he 's not worth it.There are going to be changes made and I will be anxious to find out about the players who won't be back with Toronto next season.

[Steve]

I find it very amusing when comparisons are made between Fabian Brunnstrom and players like Johan Franzen ... and then people comment on the fact that Brunnstrom has never played in the Swedish National Team program.

Johan Franzen has never suited up for the Swedish national team at any level either, but that didn't stop him from setting a Red Wings record in scoring 9 goals in 1 playoff series. Brunnstrom never played for the Swedish National team because growing up hockey was a secondary passtime of his after music (his major in school). He only recently decided to focus on Hockey, and the guy is VERY talented. He's a diamond in the rough specifically because he didn't focus 100% of his time on playing hockey. Now that he is, many scouting staffs (including the famous Red Wings) are predicting he will improve drastically over a short period of time.

People can invent reasons to think this kid will be a bust all they want, but I'm going to trust the judgement of the experienced folks over a few naysayers on a blog response site.

As for Brunnstrom picking Detroit over Toronto... has anyone actually BEEN to Detroit? It's a hole. If I was picking a city to live in and work in, and I was getting the EXACT same cash in either one... I'd pick Toronto over Detroit any day of the week. He's not going to get more money in Detroit. He's not going to get more ice time. He's not going to get to PLAY with Flippula, Franzen, Zetterberg, Hudler, Samuellson, Lidstrom, Rafalski, Datsyuk, Kronwall et al. He's going to get to sit in the minors and play with Jimmy Howard. Why would he want to live in Grand Rapids???

[Tim]

This is off-topic again but what were your predictions at the end of last season for how Montreal and Philadelphia would do this season? How about how Buffalo would do?
If they weren't close, why should we listen to you now?

[Sandy T.]

Bill Laidlaw says

"While some local players would love to win a Cup in Toronto I am sure they are far more concerned with issues like franchise stability, climate, and an assurance that the franchise will provide them every chance to perform at their best every night."

Can't argue with most of that Bill, but... you really think "franchise stability" is a concern for anyone? Doubt that. As long as there's an NHL, there'll be a Toronto Maple Leaf hockey club. They can't lose anywhere but on the ice. By any other measurement of sporting success there isn't a franchise in the league that's more stable than the TML.

[George Hall]

Toronto has a history of hiring in a panic mode and if the right man is not available let Fletcher do the job until then

[Rob C]

Damien - If the leafs had made a snap decision and hired someone already, you would have criticized them for their haste...they are taking thei time with a very competent interim GM in place and you are all over them. Cliff has credibility and can do the job, you just hate his guts - Leave him in until next June for all I care - there are no quick fixes here, he might even pull off a blockbuster deal. The scouts they have in place are who will be providing the info on the draft, Cliff just makes the decisions. He is dialed in all over the legue, unlike his idiot predecessor Write about something else, like what a bust Brunstom is going to be...even if he turns out to be as good (or bad) as one of the Sedins, he won't be worth the money he will demand, or all this hype.

[Don]

The only reason that UFA's pick this hapless organization is that it's a good place to get a retirement contract.
Toronto has the most undemanding and easily pleased fans in pro sports. As long as you have the odd fight and score an ocassional meaningless goal, they will give you a second, third, or fourth chance.
If you want to play for a team that measures success by the number of championships won, instesd of condo units sold, T.O is not the place for you.

[Robert Roach]

Hello Damien.

I don't know why the waiting of a year to sign a G.M. that has been identified as the number one choice.Why settle for your second choice or third or fourth.If you have to wait a year for Brian Burke,then so be it.
Let Fletcher handle things until then.
It's a rebuild year anyway.
Hopefully a big,mobile and tough defenceman will be drafted.

[William J]

Let us stay on topic shall we? My two cents worth is that it is worth the wait to see who is available after the playoffs is over. Of course, do you want to hire someone else cast off? Fletcher is said to be good at packaging players together in a deal, and if lucky might even clear cup space and hopefully not make matters even worse (yes, I know how much worse can it get? Hire Barry Melrose?) It maybe unnecessary to pick anyone right now. Buy-outs only spread the misery out over several seasons. Until you can get the person you want to fix this situation why hurry. My digression will ask why does the media keep mentioning one GM after another as the "front runner"? And do we really think MLSE really cares who they pick as long as it makes MLSE board look like they are doing something?

[Pete Nardi]

Hey Tim,

I'll tell you why Cox wants us to listen to him...because he believes that he can be the GM for any hockey team in the entire universe. Hey Cox, weren't you the one that heaped loads of praise on Bob Gainey for his great decision to trade Huet? You even said that it wasn't so much the decision, but to have the GUTS to make it. Now, I'm not saying that the Habs are crappy or that they won't do well next year. But wouldn't it have been great to have Huet there for Saturday's game?

I guess I understand why it's called "The Spin." You seem to SPIN your columns any way you want to fit your argument. The LEAFS need to take their time because although that may cost them one player, it will pay off for future decisions. Hell, if we are doing well enough by trade deadline, it may even make us a buyer.

[Michael]

I think Fletcher did a good job so far. It's very hard for anyone to be effective with this mess was created before. But I think it will be a good idea to get a GM soon before the draft and/or offseason signing because the GM should determine who's the coach, what kind of players should be on the team and the identity of the team this coming season. So it will be great that we get a new GM before the draft.

[Gman]

Ha! Damien, this post has helped me figure it all out! The Leafs will soon announce "What, me worry?" fella Alfred E. Neuman as Prez and GM!

I don't think MAD will stand in his way. He's always wanted to live on the Toronto Islands and hang loose.

[Ryan]

Mr. Right???....more like Mr. Wrong.

I was with you in your displeasure for Mr. Cox’s excessively constant disapproval of the Fletch. Let’s Face it Cox, he’s here for now, deal with it.

But after that Fletcher hate comment you totally lost me. Why would they keep Fletcher around for all of next season and have him groom Gilmour while hoping that Burke doesn’t sign an extension in Anaheim? Even if they did and Burke extended his contract with the Ducks, do you honestly think Gilmour is next in line to become GM? Get yourself together my man. And the Dallas reference is deceptive as it was former GM Armstrong that put the Stars together and should deserve the accolades. But then again maybe you have Armstrong 3rd in line for the next leafs GM spot after Burke and Gilmour??

Back to the perpetually negative spinster D. Cox. Why sign a new GM when all the best possible candidates are not yet available? He said himself that it would take about 5 years to turn this organization around so why then rush into signing the one person that will be most important in the rebuilding process. A bad GM signing could set you back several more years where as picking good 1st rounder instead of a great 1st rounder won’t have the same effect. Either way, Leafs aren’t getting Stamkos so let’s relax on the GM issue and make the right decision rather than the “right now” decision.

With respect to Brunnstrom, or Brunny as I like to call him, it seems many of the “don’t know” issues that D. Cox brought up yesterday are much less relevant than he thought and much more misleading. Who’s the GM? Fletcher is our GM while we take the time needed to find the right person to lead our franchise. Who’s the coach? Paul Maurice is under contract for next year and it is the media fueling any coaching uncertainty at the moment. All the questions about players next year? All far reaching questions, I think more to make his point of uncertainty than really relevant questions and any of the forwards not coming back create more ice time for him Brunny anyway. Which leads us to the competitive advantage the Leafs who are on the short list of 4 teams still in the running despite all the uncertainty. The Leafs are the only ones that can guarantee sufficient ice time to Brunny at the NHL level.

By the way Cox, I love to hate your reporting and continue to read your columns/blogs because I can’t help but disagree with your lack of equity while covering the team. Why not try a two sided coin while playing heads and tails.