Dissecting the Toronto Maple Leafs, Part One: the Management

ut there who do want to be in Toronto, it doesn't mean they will simply turn down all offers, in hopes of getting to speak with Richard Peddie, Gord Kirke, and the Maple Leafs search committee. 

The Maple Leafs don't need to rush into anything, but they also don't need to settle for someone like they did when they hired John Ferguson Jr.

It is time for Richard Peddie to step aside, and not meddle in the hockey operations of this Toronto Maple Leafs team.  So the fans, and other members of the board, namely Larry Tanenbaum, can finally get their way. 

Aside from Peddie, these members of the MLSE board want to win.  Yes, I know, it's hard to believe.  But I am reminded of some things Ken Campbell said in the Hockey News not too long ago.  Tanenbaum is the owner of a construction company who build high priced Toronto condominiums.  Ivan Fecan is a big shot with Bell GlobeMedia.  Yes, that B.G.M.  The group that owns various television outlets (like TSN) as well as radio and print empires.  You see, it truly is like Campbell said in that article he wrote.  The fact the Maple Leafs haven't won the Stanley Cup doesn't speak of the board's character, it simply speaks of their competence.

These guys, for the most part, have been winners their whole lives, and surely they want everything they do to succeed, including the Toronto Maple Leafs. 

The logic that states they only care about the money isn't entirely true, and it is mostly faulty.  You see, these guys have money to spare, it's not as though they need any more (although I am sure they will take it of course.)  I mean yeah, okay, they care about money.  Who doesn't.  After all, we don't work for free do we? 

The thing is, most of these board members want a winning product on the ice as well.  Because, at one point or another, they were sports fans.  At least most of them were.  And they do want to see their team succeed.  The team they own.  And if you don't believe that, then surely you will accept the fact that the logic of them only caring about winning is flawed at best.

Sure, win or lose, the Air Canada Centre is filled.  Playoffs or not, fans are still buying merchandise.  Jerseys, hats, and t-shirts still fly of the shelf, even during this time of uncertainty.  But the bottom line, for those who only care of the monetary gain, is the deeper they go into the playoffs, the more games they can sell, the more revenue generated.  Hell, imagine if the Maple Leafs ever won the Stanley Cup.  They would make millions in cup merchandise.  To say they only care about the money may be true on some levels, and it may apply to some members of this board. 

However,  money and on ice success go hand in hand.

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