Breaking Up the Gang

Don't expect to read any rejoicing over the departure of Darcy Tucker here.

No, he and I never liked each other, never got along. That's okay. We're all grownups.

But for the majority of his time in Toronto, you had to like his spirit and moxie, even if it was too often more self-serving than team oriented.

Tucker, like Tie Domi, created an image in Toronto, and like Domi, went south as a player when he started to believe too much in those press clippings.

But that doesn't change the fact that, pound for pound, he was one of the fiercest players to ever wear blue-and-white. Had he stayed real, had he not tried to re-invent himself as a scorer rather than his natural role of agitator, the Leafs surely would have liked to have kept him.

Fair or not, Tucker was viewed as one of the leaders of the so-called Muskoka Five, a gang now broken up by GM Cliff Fletcher. Fletcher vowed big changes, and you have to give him credit for following through. Tucker's gone, Mats Sundin's all but gone, and Kyle Wellwood, John Pohl and Andrew Raycroft are also no longer Leafs.

Bryan McCabe, by autumn, will almost certainly be playing somewhere else, as well. So the players who banded together to defy the wishes of management and remain Leafs at the 2008 trade deadline have, really, gained very little in the end.

Tomas Kaberle, at this point, seems the only one of the five certain to stick around. Tucker's pink slip was signed the day new head coach Ron Wilson mused aloud that the truculent winger seemed to have "worn down," likely echoing the thoughts of the rest of the Leaf management team that watched Tucker play all last year.

Tucker, if he can get back to his roots as a player, may find new life elsewhere. Sundin certainly will. It's less clear about Wellwood and Raycroft. McCabe, once traded, will undoubtedly be a better player elsewhere with the pressure of playing in Toronto and living up to his ridiculous contract lifted from his shoulders.

But it really doesn't matter what any of these players do in their post-Leaf career. None were going to help the team in the immediate future, with a very difficult 2008-09 season looming, and with their no question any longer this is a major rebuild.

Essentially, Fletcher has, indeed, blown up the Leafs. The next steps will be interesting. Does he try to replace Tucker with free agent Sean Avery? Would the Leafs pitch for Marian Hossa to replace Sundin as the team's franchise player?

Or will this club do the smart thing, suffered through a difficult season next year, pick very high in the '09 draft and really try to build something that lasts?

Comments

[omair rana]

I think this is great, I'm happy they are finally rebuilding.

My question now is, who is going to fill in these empty roster spots?

I don't recall the farm system having any budding prospects, and the majority of who the Leafs just drafted are not ready to step in.

I hope they pursue a youth movement, and don't bring in a bunch of 31 and aboves!

[DG Leslie]

I'm not sure that Tucker has not gained by insisting on his no trade clause. He seems to be six million dollars richer without having to fire a puck in anger and can still find another team to play for. Unless he takes a major drop in salary to play elsewhere, he has made a financially sound decision not to accept a trade. That said, I don't think it it is fair to criticise him for invoking a no trade clause if he could have been paid more to play elsewhere as he claims.

[Kcvin]

The biggest problem I had with Tucker is that he couldn't fight. He always lost his fights and got the team in penalty trouble. He didn't handle Avery last year is one proven example. I didn't like his big mouth. He shot it off during the games; yapping at refs. He scored some big goals and that will be missed. I can't say that I will miss McCabe or Raycroft. Both cost them a lot of games with poor judgement or timing.
The Leafs want to draft no 1 next year. Each week that is becoming obvious. We will have to watch Fletcher during when the free agent market opens. I just hope that they don't ruin this years draft crop by expecting too much from rookies.
Finally someone sees that the direction they have taken is one of failure or close calls. To win, they have to start fresh.
Fletcher did it when he brought in Gilmour and I am sure he has a plan. Wilson is also a smart coach which is another postive.

[Gary]

To be honest, it is not really the Muskoka 5 that I am worried about long term. It is the likes of Stajan, and some of the other young leafs, who when questioned by the media are long on excuses, often rude, and extremely self-serving. The truth is that it is very unlikely that these young players will develop into anything beyond a 3rd or 4th line asset. Given that such players are easy to find, and that these players have, in my opinion, a less than desireable attitude, I would love to see Cliff trade them and get them out of town. If he is really serious about re-building this team, it is some of the often over-hyped youth that needs to go. I would rather finish last 5 years in a row, draft high, and build around true young talent.

[Don]

To even contemplate making the playoffs this coming season is a big mistake for the leafs now, if by chance it works out and they do, great. As of today with only $17 million for UFAs and RFAs it doesn't leave much room to build.
They have spots they can fill with UFA role players, but big ticket UFA's forget it. The only one worth his salt out there is Sundin, and we know all that story. Hossa is just more of what we've seen in the last few years, stay away from him.
If Fletcher gets rid of Mccabe and/or Kubina, and it looks like one of them will go if not both, it's going to be a long season in Leaf Land.
On the brightside, they will get a good pick next spring. Which is the best way to go.

[ROB GODDEN]

I would think the Leafs are destined to finish dead last in 08-09, it will not be pretty but it something that should have been done years ago.....cannot put a bandaid on this one. The Leafs will pick first overall next year...why would any notable franchise player want to come to Toronto...they would need to drastically over pay. They are going to the bottom....lets just hope they can get rid of McCabe and a few more at next years trade deadline.....this club would be better served to finish at thebottom for the next 3 years.

[ROB]

Rumour from Eklund indicates Gary Roberts would like to come back to Toronto as player coach, as long as he comes cheap he may be a good mentor for young guys, he should have had Wellwood on the protein shakes. Also it may not be a bad idea to bring back Mike Peca who would also be a good leader for the young guys in Sundins departure, both would come cheap and would give young guys good role models to follow.

[Tuning the Leafs Out]

Fletcher is absolutely the wrong person to be taking this team apart. It seems like he is a stubborn old man making changes for the sake for making changes. Driving Sundin out of town is a classless act. Sundin is the heart and soul and the face of the franchise and will go down as one of the Great Leafs in history. It’s a shabby treatment of a player that has meant so much to the franchise. Hey Mats will you agree to being traded so we can get picks and prospects back? I agree that the Leafs need to re-build. That being said you don’t diminish your assets and give them away. You try to maximize their value and get something in return.

Quinn did the same thing giving away Sullivan, Smith, Boyes. He even prevented the Leafs from getting Gainey as the GM.

Tucker had an awful year, so what – he played hurt. His production was up after coming back from injuries. The only way Fletcher’s actions make sense is if Tucker is medically unable to play at past levels. Otherwise he is acting like a bitter old man that is butting heads with the players on the team. From the looks of things its at least 5 years of misery for Leafs fans. They will ice an AHL over the next several years.

[mark]

I can't wait to see John Tavares in a Leafs uniform. Good work Cliff; gutt this team and look towards the next two years of drafting smart. You can look Philly, Washington & the Pens as prime examples. Teams who took it on the chin and are now on the upswing.

[J Mac]

Finally! "Sideshow Bob" and his selfish penalties are gone. I can't wait to watch another team have to put up with his act. I can't think of one player in the Leafs' history that took more penalties because of his lack of discipline and self-control. To this day, this clown believes that he is innocent on every call there's ever been against him.
Isn't it strange that Kaberle isn't getting any attention? No one's trying to pry him away from the Leafs. He has rare offensive talent, but you won't ever find him in position in his own end - not even with a search warrant!! Maybe Cliff will notice that too and trade him for a whack of draft choices. Just dreaming...

[Kevin Brown]

I've enjoyed having Tucker in the Blue-and-White. I have tired of his antics a little bit, but overall he's been a guy that I've enjoyed. I would have kept him (Fletch never called me, though), but I'm not too broken up about the buy-out.

I'm also a huge fan of Sundin's, and I hope that he goes to Montreal.

There's a simple fact to consider: The Leafs will not win a Stanley Cup before Tucker and Sundin retire (with or without them). As such, keeping them on the roster serves no purpose. "If you're not part of the solution, then you're part of the problem". Granted, Sundin's (often debated) leadership qualities might have a positive influence on some younger players. Or they might not.

I wish both players well. They played their hearts out for this franchise.

As for McCabe, I don't see a real reason to rush tontrade him. McCabe is a serviceable d-man. The biggest knock against him the past two years was that he wasn't worth what he was being paid. Now that his annual salary has dropped from $7.1M to closer to $5M, it's not that far out of whack. I could go either way on this one.

[KW Guy]

While I agree that the Leafs are finally going in the right direction, I doubt very much that they'll have the top pick next year. Let's face it, they could have had a better pick this year but Fletcher didn't force Maurice to rest Toskala and finish higher in the draft. The Leafs will find a way to bugger it up again and will be lucky to land a top 3 pick.

I don't want to see Sundin back because he's too good and they don't need to spend the money. I don't blame him for leaving and, while it would have been nice to get some picks and/or prospects for him at the trade deadline, he certainly never owed that to the Leafs.

I'm worried that they'll try to bring in some talent because that won't help them position themselves for the draft. I'd love to see Roberts back and any other cheap, short to medium term verteran player that will give the young guys motivation and character. Then I think they should load up on as many good, young players as possible and get them two years of experience before bringing in skilled FA and making a run.

[Pete W.]

This is sad. If I see Sundin play at the ACC with the CH on his chest its time to cry.

The Teachers Fund should sell there interest in the team, and allow for a rich Torontonian with blue and white in is veins to buy them. Why the hell are these morons still in charge? Peddie is the new Ballard - get used to many years of no cup with him at the helm.

Where is the Mark Cuban of Ontario?

[Maxie]

Please someone, anyone - enlighten me. Why wouldn't the Leafs play hardball with Tucks? Why not say "Darcy, if you refuse to waive your no-trade clause, allowing us to trade you (and to a team of your liking!)for another player, you leave us no choice. You will sit. And if dressed at all, you will get fourth line minutes." Now Darcy has last laugh. He leaves town with a truckload of money for services NOT rendered, gets to collect anoteh salary from a team of his choosing! The Leafs get nothing in return! Can't tag this stinker on JFJ. But what gives with the kid glove treatment?

[jimmy- the one intellegent leaf fan]

These comments are embarassingly misinformed. one thing you guys need to realize is that the leafs have missed the playoffs for 5 years, and had one high draft pick. They do not need 5 more years of losing. In the salery cap era, you can build a team through the draft ,then (and we are talking about the leafs here) if there is the slightest mismanagement, your players will forced to sign with other teams when they finally get good. Just look at the Islanders last 15 years of draft record. Fletcher is on a roll, starting with landing mayers, and moving up in the draft, drafting shenn, drafting Hayes, and letting Sundin go. ( Dont be an expletive deleted to Mats, if you know anything, the guy is all class, so is Cliff. But its in everyones best interest to move on. ) Buying out tucker is a decent move, so is letting the other duds go. And can we please stop using the lame term "muskoka 5"

[Joel G]

I'm not overjoyed that the Silver Fox is back to run the show, and I wonder if each move he makes isn't automatically compromised by his so-called "interim" tenure tag. And the racketing up of Burke's friends and colleagues past in the Leafs front office makes me cringe a little, too. But I can't help but smile at the flip he made to pick up Schenn; that had some vigor to it, yes? And Jimmy Hayes was ranked mid-1st round before a tumble this past season in his confidence and his play; he has some potential to be a sleeper pick, I'd say.

But if Cliff were to get REALLY bold -- he said, taking a long drink of his draught -- Fletcher might do more than just consider moving Kubina, Antropov, Bell, Ponikarovsky, Earl (we'll need to lose at least one of our future keeners), Steen, McCabe (if he were willing), and though it certainly won't happen now with Raycroft newly gone and Wilson at the helm, Toskala, to teams who are keen to add pieces for a run at a Cup, or to just carve a deeper path into the playoffs. There are excellent young prospects who could be had if the Leafs could be bold: Claude Giroux in Philly, a team that seems keen to go deep each spring and will be in need of more size, speed and skill from the blueline; Brissard waiting in the wings in Columbus, who are desperate to MAKE the playoffs, not win the Stanley Cup, and may be prepared to deal a fine piece of a somewhat-distant future for some players who could contribute right now. Why not pitch your best pieces, youngish and oldish, for the best blue-chippers under 21 that you can find? Move Blake for a late pick, if possible.

But as per most of Leafs Nation, I'm left to dream of bold rebuilding moves, and watch a mix of strong and suspect ones made instead. Let's just hope they don't make as many are saying here and in other threads and hunt down high-priced talent ready to cash in on our management's absolutely grotesque addiction to mediocrity. If I were a member of the Teacher's Union, I'd be ashamed for the example my nest egg investment was showing to my students.

And let's hope the Habs sign Sundin and we get a decent token for their right to negotiate before July 1. Sundin deserves a shot at a cup in a cup town, and if he has to go elsewhere, let it be the Habs, and not the Sens. That would have STUNG.

Fingers crossed that the Leafs will hit TRUE rock bottom two seasons in a row. That would be AWESOME.

[Negative critics short sighted]

Its always easier to tear things down than to build. It takes foresight and talent to re-build. So far all Fletch has done is give assets away. He has laid the ground work for a long, painful re-build. Keep at it Fletch and we will end up with an expansion franchise - thanks for nothing MLSE. No genius in his actions. No returns for any of his clean up actions. Wellwood picked up by the Canucks. Leafs - zippo. Tucker has many suitors - Leafs minus $6 million. For all the critics of Sundin and McCabe, they will be picked up in a heartbeat. For all the knee-jerk short-sighted fans who love to criticize players on the current roster and thinks Fletch is doing a great job - Enjoy Marlies masquerading as an NHL team for the next couple of years. Absolutely no reason to follow the Leafs - no light at the end of the tunnel - natta.

[baac]

Why is it the assumption that the Leafs are going to implode (further) now? What's with the '$17 million ain't much' talk? Seriously, Leaf fans need to get a grip. Once the other problem players are dealt with, almost half the cap space will remain. (But then Leaf fans have always been glass-half-empty sorts, I suppose.) There's lots of shopping to be done, and we have money for once.

I also don't understand the Sundin pity party expressed above. Sundin hasn't 'earned the right' to do squat. This is a business. (Try the 'I may work, I may not...' approach with your boss next Monday morning...) Hockey is about winning - now. Play or get lost, but stop holding the team hostage with your passive aggressive nonsense. He's made lots of money being a Leaf's captain. That's his compensation. You don't get back rubs too.

Resigning him will just put off rebuilding for that much longer. Fletcher is just doing what has to be done - what every Leaf fan has been screaming for for the last 5 years.

[FRT]

It just boggles my mind that some Leaf fans can't let go of Sudin. Mr. ME ME ME FIRST! He is easily one of the most selfish players in NHL history. It has always been about Mats first team last! Tell me has he ever won a bonafide NHL award (not including this hokey Messier award)...NO! Has he ever played in a Stanley Cup final let alone win one...NO! Has he ever finished in the Top Ten scoring as a Leaf...Not that I can recall! What the hell has he done that some people are so worried to lose...NOTHING! I said 4 years ago they should have traded him for some young talent! The Leafs wouldn't have missed the playoffs these last 3 years if they had. He is DONE! An injury away from being TOAST! Get rid of the BUM! Finishing last is a good thing...at least we can then draft a future Captain that will bring us glory like George "The Chief" Armstrong did in young John Tavares!

[Mike G]

Question...what was the reason behind placing Wellwood on waivers? Season's over, so no salary cap savings. He doesn't have a contract for next season...they could have simply not tendered him a contract, and he'd still be a UFA. Was this to embarrass him? To make the point of waiving him? Or is there something in the CBA that required the Leafs to do this?

[George Hall]

Sundin would be a great fit for Montreal. I would love to see him win the whole thing and at least have a playoff run.
Toronto should try to do everything next year to develop players and not worry about making the playoffs.

[Ken]

Wow, I am so surprised that there hasn't been more people crying about how Tucker "their favorite Leaf" is leaving. I follow the Leafs for over 15years and still cannot understand why so many fans love the 3rd/4th line guys like Tucker (3mil) and Domi (2mil) so much and have them become overpaid while skilled guys like Sundin, Mogliny and Kaberle never get any respect in TO. I bet you that if we have like Lidstrom on the Leafs, people would complain that he doesn't hit and Domi/Tucker would still be more popular. I seriously think that this attitude both by the fans and management is why the Leafs haven't gotten anywhere.

[Tracy Walker]

I am sad to see Tucker go. I have been a Leaf Fan my whole life and he ranks up there with the other greats such as Gilmour, Clarke and Domi for putting his whole heart into each game. He makes watching the Leafs exciting and fun. Tucker, whereever you go the fans will still love you here in Toronto and I'll still be cheering for you. Good Luck, watching the Leafs next year won't be the same without you.

[Sam]

Looks like Fletcher is there to tank the leafs for Tavares. Not a bad idea. Optically - the leafs are in disarray, an interim GM can take the heat, and it still looks like they were 'trying'. Brilliant!

[Sanj]

Darcy Tucker is a punk. I am glad he is gone.

However, he probably will have the last laugh since he just made 9 mill for one season's worth of work. There is no justice!