If Leaf fans are searching for a silver lining during their team’s current crisis, they need not look any further than the candid interviews and comments that have surfaced over the past few days.
It all started with Scotty Bowman’s admission on Hockey Night in Canada that he was ready to take over the senior advisor position with the Leafs before the season started, and that all seemed to be pointing in that direction when Bowman met with Larry Tanenbaum.
But then he interviewed with Richard Peddie and something changed.
The Leafs decided to go in another direction and weren’t interested in hiring this great hockey mind afterall; who happens to be the winningest coach in NHL history. What? Bowman actually admitted he wanted the job, was ready to take the job and then the job was taken away? Wow. That’s good stuff.
Granted Bowman can afford to be so candid. He has nothing to lose sitting in Detroit with nine Stanley Cup rings (and he doesn’t exactly need a job already working with the Wings as a consultant). Maybe I shouldn’t have been surprised? At this stage in his career, Bowman doesn’t have to worry about stepping on any toes.
Former Maple Leaf Jeff O’Neill on the other hand might have to. Although you’d never know it, listening to him interviewed on Hockeycentral @ Noon with Daren Millard and Nick Kypreos this week. O’Neill didn’t seem to care about pouring fuel and even lighting the match under the bridge leading back to his former team in Toronto. It was quite evident he has no desire of playing in Toronto again as long as Paul Maurice is the coach Even though O’Neill has a history with Maurice which dates back to Carolina, it is not a good one. That fractured relationship may not be a big secret, but instead of giving the standard diplomatic or cliched answers we’re used to in sports, when O’Neill was questioned about what is wrong with the Leafs he jumped in head first by openly questioning some of Maurice’s coaching decisions.
What? Was I hearing things?
Where was the “I think they have to get back to the basics …”; or the, “They just have to take it one day at a time … “; or how about the good ol’: “They just need to find a way to play good hockey for 60 minutes.”
Trust me, I’m not complaining. But when you finally hear the truth, doesn’t it make you wish for more honesty and candour all the time?
But perhaps most shocking of all was John Ferguson coming down from the safety of the press box during the Leafs game against the Hurricanes to be interviewed by Daren Millard in between periods. Gone were the normal lawyer-type quotes that Ferguson is famous for tossing out that leave you going, “huh?” You know the kind of answers that skate around the real truth and tell you basically … well … nothing. Instead, he was candid and dare I say, spoke from the heart. He admitted his team wasn’t a playoff contender and took the blame for the Leaf’s poor performance. I think he deserves some credit for that.
Forget about the Kool-Aid that MLSE will have to serve up to win back many of their disenchanted fans, when this mess is cleaned up, I say pass around more of that truth serum.
P.S. — At the risk of writing the longest blog in Sportsnet history, on a totally unrelated topic I just want to say how excited I was to see Thomas Dimitroff hired as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. I met Thomas years ago when he was working with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Not a lot of people may know about his ties to Canada; from him going to university at Guelph and playing football with the Gryphons to his dad coaching in the Canadian Football League. Before Thomas himself worked in the CFL. Thomas is one of those people who others immediately gravitate towards. In addition to his likable personality … you’d be hard pressed to find someone who is more dedicated or who works harder … all qualities that will serve him well in his new huge position and the biggest challenge of his career.
Good blog Martine, but you’re right, it is a little lengthy! ;) Having said that, I agree with you on the Ferguson thing, he did the right thing by doing the interview with Millard. At least someone in this organization is manning up. I also had a chance to listen to the Jeff O’neill interview on HockeyCentral. If I was Jeff, I would be ticked off too. Other than Sundin, O’neill is the only player to record back to back 20 goal seasons. That’s pretty impressive considering he was a healthy scratch for a good 15 games or so. And when he did get in the lineup, it was for limited minutes. To still put in 20 goals tells ya something. If a guy like O’neill can’t cut the Leafs lineup, then what are the Leafs looking for? Heres a guy who was only making 1.5 million a year and putting in 20 goals per. Compare that to Jason Blake, 4 million a year for what….maybe 15 goals if hes lucky. There is definately a problem with the Leafs management/coaching staff. It’s no wonder all the players don’t want to play there. Would you??
BRIZKA |
12:17 PM, Wednesday January 16, 2008
BRIZKA…
For the record, O’Neil had 20G & 19G last 2 seasons. Splitting hairs I know, but it’s a far cry from the 41, 31, 30 he put up in consecutive seasons with the Canes.
And while we’re at it – Ponikarovsky had 21 G in 2005 & 2006, and Tucker has 24, 28, & 21 goals in 54, 74, & 64 games played respecitvely the last 3 seasons. And oh ya, Blake has cancer… and he’s still the hardest working player on the ice.
O’Neil was in my buddies restaurant 2 wks before training camp in 2006, and he had a beer gut. Quite the picture of a pro athlete. He was lazy, plain and simple. He had no work ethic, and that doesn’t cut it on Maurice’s team.
Think about it – guy is only 31 yrs old, lead a team to the cup, has one of the best shots around, isn’t injured, and yet doesn’t have a job. Why do you think that is? Cause Maurice sat him? SURE.
Badge |
2:07 PM, Wednesday January 16, 2008
I couldn’t agree more Badge. O’Neill is the epitome of the lazy, good-for-nothing, look at me, I deserve to play, so play me player. I know his brother died in a vehicle accident, but c’mon. I watched him when the puck went into the corner, and he was no where to be found. I heard rumours about him signing with Ottawa, but that obviously didn’t happen….someone in the Senators dressing room (Gerber?)must have set them straight. I’d love to see this guy play with some passion, but I guess he thought he could come to T.O. and just float. I doubt there are many teams interested in him, otherwise he’d have signed by now. At least Cujo went to Europe and played for Canada. O’Neill is miffed that he hasn’t had to put his beer down, get off the couch and answer his phone from an NHL GM.
Chuck15 |
4:25 PM, Wednesday January 16, 2008
there are onyl a few proven winners in the leagues history, the brainchild corporate money men can’t seem to get ti that they should surround themselves with the likes of Scotty Bowman, Jim Rutherford, Lou Lamierello, or the Detroit management.. all the rest are wannabes..with the money MLSE has, you would think they would have a 3 to 5 year plan to build a winner, instead they go year by year not really building anything that remotely looks anything like a winner, that goes for the Canucks as well….. get a plan , stay with it, otherwise all the fans can expect to be disappointed year after year
Buster100 |
8:15 PM, Wednesday January 16, 2008
one of the best blogs ive read on here in awhile Martine.
i hope whomever IS GM come trade deadline moves Mats to a contender. As much as Mats seems to want to stay with them, i think the best thing for the Leafs would be unloading him to the highest bidder, preferably prospects and picks instead of more quick fix players.
on a completely unrelated topic, was Huselius in Calgary’s inconsistentcy the reason for no all-star game recognition? also, glad to see Savard in Boston get the nod. underrated talent.
turdberluzzi |
1:11 AM, Thursday January 17, 2008
You Know this Gets pretty boring, Everyone is Blaming JFJ come on get your Heads out of the Sand, JFJ is or has not been Calling the Shots hear “PEDDIE” is the guy when it comes to that.As Far as Cliff Fletcher goes, that is not even Logical when you have a guy right in Toronto Bring in Bob McKenzie
as your General Manager & Craig Hartsburgh as Coach. Then watch the Leafs Roll . Peddie you keep your nose out of things “PROMISE”
BillyBiff |
10:38 AM, Thursday January 17, 2008
As a longtime Habs fan, you gotta know I love Scotty Bowman but what makes everybody think he can be the architect of a great team? When Sam Pollock retired in 1979, it was well known that Scotty wanted the GM job but the Habs chose Irv Grundman (another story in itself)!
So Scotty shuffled off to Buffalo where he was given the task of building the Sabres into a dynasty… and where he failed!
He then did a stint as a HNIC analyst before the Penguins brought him in as head coach only because Bob Johnson passed away and so Scotty took BJ’s very talented team to its second straight Stanley Cup in ’92.
And off to Motown where he masterminded some very memorable teams to more Cup victories all the while with being passed over as GM for the Wings in favour of Kenny Holland.
So the bottom line, Leaf fans, Scotty Bowman is a brilliant coach but is nowhere near qualified to be the GM of a very crap team in need of a total complete overhaul.
Keep searchin’, Leafs.
smiler2729 |
11:38 AM, Thursday January 17, 2008
At the start of the season, Maurice states the Leafs will make the playoffs, and contend for the Cup?! This organization is living in a fantasy world. They are a .500 team at best, and have been for a while. The truth is they need to bottom out before they will get better. Trade at the deadline, pick up some future prospects, and do some good drafting. Stop putting in band-aids to stay at the same level.
PS – Martine, thanks for the note about Dimitroff. I went to school with Tom when he first came to Canada (1979 or so). I saw a title about his hire recently, but dismissed it thinking it was someone else (not many GMs are barely 40). When I read your post I new it was the same guy. This guy had class even as a teenager. I hope he does well in Atlanta.
anon |
1:05 PM, Thursday January 17, 2008
I feel sorry for Paul Maurice. He was in my high school graduating class and is a stand up guy. I must admit that I am a full fledged Detroit fan. But this year I have been torn between support for Maurice and hating the Leafs. Maybe the Leafs could steal Scotty Bowman from Detroit and compensate them with Maurice as an assistant. At least this way, I could go back to hating the Leafs without remorse.
SSM Kooch |
2:40 PM, Thursday January 17, 2008
Well I’ve watched the leafs every year since before expansion — they always cave in to the fan pressure — they always give up their own choices in favour of the quick fix of buying experience for youth — leaving their own future in a mess.
Decisions made in that panic mode by various management teams, have cost the Leafs 3 decades so far and counting.
Based on what their fans want, the Leafs organization has sunk from bad management team to bad management team, while looking for that MAGICAL short cut.
Believe when I say no such short cut exists — getting that one saviour at the trade deadline is the wrong way to go as the last 3 decades have shown every one on the planet, just to bad Leaf management does not get it!!!
It is sad that such a icon in professional sports can not do the following.
Make a plan to build from within — then stick to that plan no matter how many Leaf fans kill theselves over the duration of the building plan.
In the CAP era this is the only way to build and afford a winning team at the same time.
Sure enough — the Leafs well get organized, find some one to manage them, who well in turn sell their future AGAIN, for that MAGICAL short cut that does not exist.
The center of the universe has the worst hockey team to watch, many Canadians would rather watch any other Canadian team rather than watch the Leafs, yet on TSN, CBC hell even Sportnet we have to endure watching that shitty group find ways to cave in year after year forcing us to watch the worse hockey.
I am not a Leaf fan never have been, most likely I would take my own life before I would cheer for them.
Leafs are number one the Oil is number two in crappy management.
Nothing magical — really there is only building from with-in and hanging on to your young talent.
LOL but Leafs fans can’t wait for more than a one game losing streak before the panic button gets pushed again.
tribaljohn |
2:44 PM, Thursday January 17, 2008
Nice post Martine,
Here’s the thing folks. The ONLY way things will change in Toronto is if we boycott the games. Imagine an empty arena with MLSE brass looking out of their plush boxes through their rose coloured glasses.
Face it, if we keep paying MLSE aint playing.
I truly like our team and feel sorry for these guys.
Those of you that have a shi**y work environment know how hard it is to get excited about going into work… Imagine working in THAT circus.
I’d love to see Mr. Bowman in Toronto. As many have said he is a brilliant hockey mind..unfortunately our hockey minds are not the sharpest in the shed at the moment…not mentioning any names ( sounds like “petty”).
Could we do it for one game and just stay away?? Support our players and show them we care too?
wannalaguna |
6:36 PM, Thursday January 17, 2008
Who should be moved??
– Ponikarovsky
– Tucker
– Antropov
– McCabe
– Kubina
Try and keep the rest and build around them. Stop looking on the “up” side of guys like Pony and Antropov.
Get rid of these guys for prospects and picks, bring a few guys up from the baby leafs and see what you really have.
pauleastend |
10:55 PM, Tuesday January 22, 2008