Formula for the Cure: Five Things the Toronto Maple Leafs Can Do to Save Their Franchise

The Leafs lost another embarrassing one last night, 6-2 to the high-flying Pittsburgh Penguins.

Toronto has fallen to 13th place in the Eastern Conference.

From the Leafs management's point of view, 13th place is positive, because they are only three points from eighth spot in the East, close enough to tread water before they are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention in April.

In order to become a consistent contender for years to come, I have come up with five things the Leafs should do in order to clean up the mess they are in right now:

1. Fire GM John Ferguson

Ever since he joined the organization in 2003, Ferguson has set this team many years back from where they should be.

Bad trades, guaranteed contracts, overpaying defencemen who are average at best—it seems like whatever moves Ferguson makes, the team becomes worse:

The long-term signing of erratic defender Brian McCabe to a contract worth over six million dollars yearly. The acquisition of Andrew Raycroft, which cost the organization Tukka Rask—the same Tukka Rask that beat the Leafs earlier in the season, 4-2, as Rayzor was sitting on the bench.

The Leafs have spent the most money of any NHL team on defencemen, and yet are worst in the league in goals allowed. The aging Darcy Tucker has just been signed to a four-year contract, with a no-trade clause, of course. Do I need to say more?

2. Accountability for MLSE management

Someone has to be held accountable for turning a once-proud organization into the laughingstock of the league. Is it Richard Peddie? Leafs Chairman and CEO Larry Tanenbaum? The Teachers Pension Fund? When it comes to turning up profits and making money they all seem to stop and take credit, but who is gonna take credit for the losing?

Although Glen Grunwald is no longer GM of the Raptors, he did the right thing after the '97 season—stepping onto the middle of the court at Maple Leaf Gardens and promising  fans a better team the next year. Within a couple years, the Raptors became a playoff team.

3. Trade for draft picks and younger talent

With smart drafting and trading, this organization could turn itself around in a year or two. As an example, take the Philadelphia Flyers.

Last year, the Flyers finished close to last in the league, but made some key trades before the deadline and in the offseason, which paved the way for their early success this year: They dumped an aging and injury depleted Peter Forsberg for a first and third round pick in the '07 draft, as well as Scotty Upshall. They also acquired goalie Biron from Buffalo.

In the offseason, Philly also picked up solid defencemen Jason Smith, Kimmo Timmonen and centre Daniel Briere.

4. Leaf fans need to stage a boycott

One just needs to use the example of the New York Knicks to see what frustrated fans can do. A few weeks ago, boycotting fans were seen outside Madison Square Garden with "Fire Isiah" signs—they simply had enough. The Knicks are another example of a world-class organization that hasn't won for a long time.

Although it's easier said than done, loyal fans need to stop going to Leafs games until they see a decent product on the ice.

5. Hire Brian Colangelo

If there is a guy that knows how to turn around a team's fortunes, it would be this man. Unfortunately, I don't know how much hockey knowledge he possesses, but it's sure to be more than John Ferguson Jr. 

Just look at how Colangelo turned the Raptors around in short period of time—from 18 wins in '06 to 47 wins in '07 and an Atlantic Division Championship. He disposed of a "useless" Rafael Arujo for Kris Humphries. Humphries has been getting a lot of minutes lately, due to the injuries to Bosh and the struggles of Bargnani, and has filled in quite admirably.

In closing, the easiest way to right this ship is simply WIN. However, I can't possibly see this happening in a consistent way until these five issues are addressed, and it all starts with the firing of John Ferguson Jr.