The Toronto Maple Leafs now head toward season's end as one of the hottest teams to not make the playoffs...again. They continued their "too little too late" campaign Saturday night with a convincing 4-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Leafs' fans can take some pleasure in Vesa Toskala’s performance this season. However, while new to the team, it must be remembered he is already 30 years old. He is a here and now player who does not represent hope for the future.
Captain Mats Sundin is at the end of a long and stellar career. While he could prove invaluable to any strong, well-managed team, it is entirely possible we have seen the last of him.
Management remains the club's most glaring weakness. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO, Richard Peddie and lawyer, Gord Kirke, have teamed up to find a new general manager. Unfortunately, it is unlikely they will get the job done in time for the draft June 20 - 21.
The Leafs have 10 choices in the draft including eight in the first five rounds. Whoever lands the GM's position will probably be saddled with whatever choices Cliff Fletcher makes. Hopefully, this disadvantage will be offset by allowing the new GM to make a coaching change.
Remember, John Ferguson tried to fire Paul Maurice...has anyone out there seen or heard from Fergie lately?
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3 months ago
I think Fergie is out looking for a new hairdo.
I think Toskala has more good years left in him, provided he gets some much needed help in the D dept.
(look at Detroit's situation, their goalies aren't exactly spring chickens...although Hasek does look like a rooster)
from 3 months ago
LOL..I'll check the barber shop.
I agree Toskala isn't ready to be put out to pasture but I don't think he is the sort of goalie I'd like to build a team around. Hope I'm wrong.
3 months ago
The future is only bleak insomuch as the Leafs will have to actually rebuild and ice a young team. Something they probably should have done after the lockout, given that the salary cap effectively neutered a perennial play-off team.
Toskala/Pogge will be a very effective tandem the next couple seasons, and if Pogge can shoulder sooner than expected then Toskala becomes a nice trade chip.
Maybe I'm just optimistic, (or still celebrating JFJ's firing), but even if the Leafs cannot find a GM candidate until after the draft - Mike Penny and the scouting staff have done a great job for this team the last few seasons. With Fletch at the helm working his ass of to move up in the draft, the Leafs have enough picks to really give this rebuilding team a boost.
from 3 months ago
Good points. I feel that when rebuilding a team you want a good, strong GM in place who has a vision as to what sort of team is going to be created. Having input into this draft would go a long way toward realizing that goal.
BTW...why wasn't I invited to JFJ's going away celebration??
3 months ago
I have seen Pogge play a few games this season for the Marlies - he is a real 'keeper'. Toskala.. thank God we had him..was the most popular Leaf jersey that we had crested @ my store this year!
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