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?

Continue reading "Fletch Lives...with Mr. Wilson"

The NHL Entry Draft (or what I like to call The Second Trade Deadline) is done for 2008 and this year marks the first in recent memory that the Toronto Maple Leafs actually used a first round pick for something other than procuring the temporary use of a post-prime big-named player. For those of you who follow the Leafs, the name Owen Nolan probably comes to mind at this moment...you may remember the price being Brad Boyes, Alyn McCauley, and their 1st round pick in 2003 - a draft that boasted names such as Marc-Andre Fleury, Eric Staal, Dion Phaneuf, and Ryan Getzlaf. In fact, even though the Leafs would've picked 21st, the draft was so deep that Mike Richards, Corey Perry and Patrice Bergeron were still available. I'll let you decide whether that was a good trade or not.

This year, GM Cliff Fletcher was bound and determined to overhaul the Leafs' roster and usher in a major rebuilding era for the Buds....so where's the most logical place to start? Why, you trade one of your draft picks to bring in Jamal Mayers, that's where! I don't really have a problem with a guy like Jamal. If he's good enough to play for Team Canada, he's most likely good enough for the Leafs. He's a character/role player who adds some toughness to the team. My belief is that he was brought in to open the door for a Darcy Tucker buyout. They're similar players, although Tucker has shown more of a scoring touch in recent years, but Mayers comes at a 60% diiscount to Tucker's $3 Mil contract.

Continue reading "Draft Blows Leafs In New Direction"

It was reported in the media Friday that the Leafs are trying to cut ties with defenseman Bryan McCabe. I was reading the story on Sportsnet.ca, which states that Cliff Fletcher is frustrated because he's offered to trade McCabe to a destination of his choice, but he won't waive his no-movement clause to facilitate a trade. McCabe's agent has gone on record saying that if the Leafs are that interested in parting ways, they'll have to buy out his contract. As I finished reading, I couldn't help noticing the sheer quantity of comments posted under the news feed. There are a few who defend McCabe, but the rest of those comments were very quick to attack him as a player and as a person. Some sentiments included that his play wasn't up to the hefty contract the Leafs signed him to, others pegged him as arrogant and disloyal for not accepting a trade "for the good of the team", and others contend that he lacks the heart and drive required at the NHL level. Here's where I go out on a limb and try to defend the defenseman.

Continue reading "Leafs Not McLovin' McCabe"