Maple Leafs Notes: Ron Wilson Introduced, Darcy Tucker Says No to Trade

Wilson Introduced As New Leafs Coach

The Toronto Maple Leafs officially introduced Ron Wilson as their new head coach. Wilson was very excited today to come full circle with the organization he once played for. Wilson said today he was "the happiest man in the NHL." 

He signed a four-year deal with the club that will see him paid $6.8 million total over the term.

The press conference was full of honesty, something that many Leafs fans feel the management has lacked over the past few years. When asked about his goals, Wilson admitted he obviously wants the Stanley Cup, but did go onto say that this Toronto team is "nowhere close."

Wilson went onto say that he will be patient with the rebuild and development of the Maple Leafs' younger players.

Wilson also said the team will be implementing a new defensive system, something that was certainly the downfall of the team last year.

Tucker's Agent Says His Player Will Not Accept Trade

Carlos Sosa, the agent for Maple Leafs forward Darcy Tucker, said in a Toronto paper this morning that his client would not accept a trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs, and that if they wanted him off the team they would have to buy Tucker out.

The buyout period is from June 15-30.

As a Leafs fan you get angry, but it's hard to blame Tucker. Why would he accept a trade when he can take the buyout (which will see him paid a nice sum of money) and then sign a new deal with a different team?

However, we have heard interim GM Cliff Fletcher state before that he would get creative, and possibly take the hard line with certain players.

If Tucker is unwilling to accept a buyout, would Fletcher consider sending him to the minors, in hopes someone would take him off the Maple Leafs hands for free, or at 50 percent of the cost if on re-entry waivers?

There is also the scenario of having Tucker sit the entire year, but that really isn't a serious option.  Having a disgruntled player like that riding out a contract will only hurt the team in the long run, both financially and from a development standpoint.

Fletcher Getting Busy As Draft Nears

Cliff Fletcher spoke with members of the media and admitted that he is getting busy as the NHL entry draft comes up. 

Here are a couple of snippets from various places (take them for what you will).

From the Bill Watters Radio Show: Apparently there is a team willing to trade with the Leafs that would see Toronto move up in the draft, all the while still maintaining their seventh overall draft choice. It is likely the team interested is looking to acquire an NTC player.

From Leafs Lunch Radio Show: Cliff Fletcher was a guest and said that since the team did not make the playoffs, they really only have three no-trade clause players on the roster.  Cliff is of course not including Kubina, who is more than likely to be traded, or Mats Sundin, who is a free agent.

Cliff later went on to say that a team has indeed offered him a first-round draft pick in this year's draft in exchange for a player.  He, for obvious reasons, wouldn't name the Maple Leafs player going the other way, or who the other team involved was.

He also said he is trying actively to move the remaining no-trade clause players before pursuing other avenues.

The Big 1-0-0

Just a quick big thanks to everyone who reads my articles here on Bleacher Report, or any other syndicated sports Web site you might be checking in from.

This article is my 100th article written, and every one of them has been a blast.