Fletch Lives...with Mr. Wilson

When "Interim" GM Cliff Fletcher made his first major move in his new position with the Leafs and gave former head coach Paul Maurice his walking papers, I had to wonder to myself. The reason I was beffuddled was that Ol' Fletch professed that he was "cleaning house" for the next GM. I was prone to wonder why he wouldn't leave that decision up to whomever he happens to choose as his replacement. My thinking is this: What if the new GM actually likes Paul Maurice? Wouldn't that look a little stupid if he turned around and brought Pauly back on board? And even if he happened to share the thoughts of Cliff Fletcher, if he doesn't have the marbles to fire a head coach...why was he even considered in the first place? What kind of GM can't do his own housecleaning?

Then, the mystery became even more enigmatic when Ron Wilson was announced as the new head coach in LeafLand. This prompted another question to spurt from the dark corners of my brain: If Fletcher were really making way for the new GM, why the crap would he turn around and hire a new coach? Something wasn't making sense. Well, logic was offering the explanation that Fletch had finally gone completely off his rocker.

Soon everything would come together when the anouncement came that Fletch would live as the "interim" GM until the end of the next season...when translated, that means they couldn't sucker anyone into taking over the mess that currently resides at the Air Canada Center.

 So what does this mean for Leaf Nation? I think it means that we Leafs fans now have a pro-American coach that can get us to new heights of expectation with a playoff series win or two before crashing our spirits back into the pit of despair. Whether that's better than almost making the playoffs then going into the gutter, I can't say. At least he has a thing for Americans, so maybe Jason Blake will play better this year. Also, we have a GM who needs someone along with him at press conferences to help him along by mouthing the words of his speech as he talks to the media. The only thing missing with Cliff Fletcher is Rich Peddie's hand up his butt like a ventriloquist dummy.

The one good thing to come from all the personnel movements in recent weeks (in my opinion), is the hiring of Al Coates as Director of Player Personnel. Apparently the man will be in charge of overseeing the scouting operations, which can't be a bad thing, as this has been a long-documented weak-spot for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the past.

 Now if the media could just finally convince Brian Burke to ditch the Ducks...