LOS ANGELES — It appears John Ferguson will not serve out the final months of his contract as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. In light of the Maple Leafs' most recent losing streak, which culminated in a 5-2 loss Thursday night to the last-place team in the NHL, the Los Angeles Kings, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president Richard Peddie said Friday morning that the board will be discussing Ferguson's future very soon. His contract expires in June. Peddie said that, contrary to other reports, the MLSE board did not have a meeting scheduled for next week. However, after the loss to the Kings, which was the Leafs' 10th in their last 12 games, at least some directors have been in contact with Peddie, who is on the Leafs' California trip and watched the disaster first-hand. Peddie said it is too early to say what the board will do but indicated the directors do not need to meet in person to discuss Ferguson's fate. That means something could happen in the next few days by conference call or other electronic communication. Globe
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Universe @ Jan 12 2008, 11:37 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Thank goodness. He sshould have dealt Sundin while he had the chance.</div> Nah - the time isn't right to trade Sundin yet. A week or two from now would be better when GM's will give up a little more to put them over the top. Good time to start tanking though, the next two drafts are going to be solid.
Finally! I never liked Fergie, even when we hired him. We need a GM who understands the re-building process and who doesn't care about who you are. He just wants you to win.
Maybe now they can decide on a real direction for the team rather than putting hopeless patchwork squads together every year.
Cliff Fletcher's coming back, which is interesting because that's the same guy that Larry Tanenbaum forced out when he took control of the organization. I bet there'll be some tension in the upper management if Fletcher stays for long. I thought this was interesting: <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>"Cliff Fletcher is the ideal person to lay the groundwork of positive change for the Leafs," said Peddie. "As all of our general managers have had, he will have the autonomy and responsibility for all hockey decisions with a focus on establishing a foundation from which the next general manager can build. He will guide us through the upcoming trade deadline and toward the draft and free agent signing period."</div> Peddie can claim that all he wants, but everyone knows that it's not true. I was listening to the radio this morning and there were rumours that Fletcher had made several demands when offered the job, which included (1) removal of board of governors from the decision-making process, (2) authority to hire his own GM and staff, (3) removal of interim status, (4) substantial pay raise. I wonder how many of those demands were met in the end.
Clean up the bird poop. If Sundin and Tucker go, gotta give the boot to the 29 year old goalie too. Tough situation.
