The latest news out of the Leafs' camp seems to be about the moves our dear interim manager is making. Many question his signing of Jeff Finger at $3.5 million a year, and yet they fail to appreciate the other moves he has completed.

Placing Raycroft and Kyle Wellwood on waivers, buying out Tucker, and continually looking for a means to field a competitive team are all things  that Fletch has done with the best interests of the club in mind.

The debacle that is the Bryan McCabe situation is something that could be handled a little more delicately. With the impending tensions boiling over into a possible public relations catastrophe should the NHLPA be forced to step in on McCabe's behalf.

Regardless, the Leafs have a loyal fan base, as evidenced by the unwavering support and crammed nights at the Air Canada Centre. It seems that no matter what is to come in this new season, the fans will continue to scratch their heads, levy their two cents, and complain about what wasn't done. Or worse, what was done wrong.

The 2008-'09 campaign will no doubt receive a great amount of criticism from the overzealous, hockey hungry, Toronto media, but it is my hope that one fact doesn't escape even the most critical analyst.

This year is meant to be a step forward to a future of competitive hockey in Toronto, with the ultimate goal of a Stanley Cup being brought back to this championship famished city.

So, as long as they are striving for a team to do that, with the ultimate goal in mind, shouldn't we give them a little leeway to operate without putting them under a microscope for every move?