The Next Leafs GM

Is there such a thing as ‘the right fit,’ especially for the Toronto Maple Leafs? Since 1967 we haven’t discovered the formula for a Stanley Cup team.

Cliff Fletcher brought us within inches. Pat Quinn got us pretty close as well. Could this be it in the next few years?

Brian Burke is thought to be a current contender for the GM position beginning next season. I don’t know about the rest of the Leaf populace, but I would not like to bring him to the east. Take a look at his transaction history. As others have mentioned before, he has been pretty lucky.

He has made decisions that any reasonable GM could make. Burke’s moves included things such as getting Corey Perry or picking up Scott Niedermayer who wanted to play with his brother. There were no giant risks in giving away a club’s favorite player (Wendell Clark) in order to get what was needed for a shot at the cup.

Paul Holmgren will also be available next season. I am confident he will again sign with the Flyers franchise, but let’s take a look at what he was able to accomplish: a complete one-eighty.

Granted he was able to deal away Forsberg for quite a return. However, he has made several smart acquisitions which have all turned out pretty well. The Flyers will have a few more Stanley Cup runs in the next several years and will be a team to watch out for. It would be interesting to see if the Leafs brass tried to pull him away.

I am going to avoid further speculation on possible candidates because frankly, there are too many. Time has proven that those with no experience can be great (Lou Lamoriello) or horrible (John Ferguson Jr.) as well as those with years behind their belts can make mistakes. It happens.

The future GM of the Leafs will have to disregard the fans. Leaf fans are far too dramatic; like breaking a nail and claiming it’s the end of the world. Yes, you heard me: Leaf’s Nation, you are melodramatic (myself included)!

This GM will have to have an innate ability to spot talent. The next GM will also need a strong relationship with his colleagues across the league, as this will be essential in brokering trades.

But wait; we have this all ready: Cliff Fletcher. At 72 years of age he could care less what anyone else thinks. I can’t blame him either. He knows talent when he see’s it as well, and will do his best to get it.

I think he is a fantastic fit for the Leafs. He built the Flames into a strong franchise. He left Tampa right before they won their cup. He almost won two cups in Toronto. This man knows and understands hockey. I know he only has a 19 month contract and I have no clue if he would be willing to extend it.

However, he must be the right fit. Why do we keep looking elsewhere for the next GM, when he is already right under our nose?

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