Maple Leafs, Raptors, Jays, Argos: Toronto Fans Look to Interesting Offseasons

It’s been quite the year in Toronto.

The Leafs missed the playoffs for the third straight year. The Raptors disappointed down the stretch and eventually flamed out in 5 games to Orlando in the first round and the Jays have kicked off their season with a 17-20 record, good enough for last place in the division.

It looks like our only hope as Toronto fans is to wait until the CFL season kicks off and watch our beloved Argos go for the Grey Cup. However, let’s face it, no one in this city cares about the Argos and the CFL, but if there ever is a year to show interest in the CFL, it might as well be this year with all our other pro sports teams flaming out like a candle.

Let’s analyze this closely.

The Leafs missed the playoffs for the third consecutive year. The first time since 1928, I believe. To make matters worse, they have no coach, as Paul Maurice was fired earlier this week. They have no GM, as John Ferguson was canned back in February, and interim GM Cliff Fletcher and Co. are still continuing their search for a full time GM.

They have no captain, as Mats Sundin is contemplating whether to come back or call it quits as he is ready to focus on married life with his fiancé Josephine, who is 25 and 12 years Mats' junior.

There are plenty of candidates available to take the GM’s job, including Doug Armstrong. Doug Armstrong has made it clear that he is interested in taking the Leafs job, but he has received no calls from MLSE.  However, it’s been made clear that their focus is on Brian Burke, currently tied up to Anaheim for at least another year.

Just to summarize the experience of both gentlemen, Doug Armstrong built the Dallas Stars into a Stanley Cup champion in 1999 and they were a contender for years to come until he got fired in 2007. Brian Burke arrived in Anaheim in 2006 and instantly became a success for the Ducks, as they won the cup in 2007. This situation can be compared to an ordinary single guy, that has this relatively decent—looking single girl that is interested in him, but the guy shuns her to go for another beautiful looking girl that already has a boyfriend. The search and saga continues.

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