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Search for Leafs GM broadens

DAVID SHOALTS

From Thursday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 8:32 PM EST 12/06/08

With Cliff Fletcher staying another year, more big names could be available ...Read the full article

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  1. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: The Globe's very own Al Strachan...

    Speculate, speculate, Back peddle, Back peddle...

    Shoalts should be awarded a medal for being able to create stories such as these in the absence of any real information or facts...

    So, it may just be possible that Burke ain't coming to TO after all...

    Whodda thunk it ?
  2. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: This article reveals the long term strategy of the Board. The GM posisition is interim until they get the perfect match for the organization.

    It is beautiful because it is so simple. Continue to search for the perfect fit, hire temporary GMs until the true GM reveals himself.

    The search committee could go on for years, nay decades, before the perfect GM arrives, surrounded by supernatural light - holding the key to success.

    You want to change direction - you fire and hire. This interim stuff just prolongs a very long agony.
  3. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Basically, the fans are being asked to wait another year for the ship to begin righting itself. Might as well tank all season and go for Tavares while they are at it. If you're going to wait....then make it worth it.

    Let's hope the fans are smart enough to realize that the team will gladly be taking their money so they can fund the current holding pattern.

    I wonder who sits on this board and thought this was a great idea to eventually garner enough votes to approve this terrible decision. NHL players and the rest of non-leaf NHL executives must be having a good laugh with this one.

    Fletcher might as well ask for a raise now.....
  4. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Let us look at the logic (insofar as there is any) underpinning Shoalts' "story".

    He would have us believe that the two Wilsons agreed (in advance?) that: they would rather live in Toronto than in San Jose; they would rather manage and coach a total basket case giving up one of the League's best franchises; AND, they would slip the news out to Shoalts in early summer to grab the media spotlight.

    I prefer the rumour that has Hannibal Lechter coming in as GM and wanting an early (and private) interview with Darcy Tucker.

    Question is, can he stomach it?
  5. phil phil from toronto, Canada writes: what a nonesensical article. stupid speculation and conspiracy theory bs...face it, the leafs are like the kid before prom night that thought everyone was going to want to go with, but then realized the night before that no one was interested and decided to go with their grandfather (cliff fletcher)...that's funny, i just came up with that...gross too..
  6. bob miller from Canada writes: Keep writing, Mr. Shoalts.......God, this is great comedy. And thanks to the other half of the Leafs promotional team for being able to turn the NHL awards show (something that has ZERO to do with the Leafs) into a eulogy for a man who won something in the 1950s. It keeps getting better and better (funnier and funnier). How about a story on Sid Smith or Howie Meeker........surely they must rate mention....being Leafs who actually accomplished something (back in your grandfather's day, of course).
    Keep writing, gents....maybe the NHL will open up an award for hockey comedy!!!!!!
  7. Jack F from Canada writes: Until Peddie and the rest of the Leafs board realizes that being GM or coaching the Leafs is not the dream job they make it out to be, they are going to continue getting rebuffed. I would not be surprised if all these guys - Burke, Holland, Rutherford, D. Wilson, are just using the Leafs open GM job as a bargaining chip to renew their current deals at a much higher salary. I'm betting the Leafs will eventually have to hire someone without their pedigree. Which will just make this search look like a complete farce. Oops, too late.
  8. O Boy from Canada writes: I knew when Fletcher got his butt in the GM seat, it was going to be there longer than "interim".
    Heck why not try to hang around, making "executive" decisions, collecting the big paycheck for his estate, just basically having a grand old time.

    Yes, Burke is probably the guy, but as stated, this whole procedure just says "tough beans" to the fans for this coming year.

    Oh, and by the way, your season tickets bill is in the mail.
  9. Donald S. Holmes from Canada writes: Periodically, a team, any team will get hot and win the big games that count but they are not necessarily the greatest team of all time.

    This scenario plays out in every team and individual sport one can look at because a certain person is at the head (manager, coach, captain etc.) does not make that person the end-all and be-all of their business.

    Brian Burke won one Stanley Cup; that does not automatically elevate him to the second coming as so many people would have you believe.

    Last year the Leaf's saviour was going to be Scotty Bowman and this year it is to be Burke. I for one was thankful the Leafs did not get Bowman and may well feel the same way about Burke.

    Surely there are young intelligent men out there who would be capable of running a team if given the opportunity and without being saddled with great expectations of a name such as Ferguson.
  10. Henry Allen from East Bank, Don River, Canada writes:
    MLSE just announced plans to cut next year's season and game ticket prices by half. "It's the right thing to do simply because we won't be icing much of a team. This demonstrates our commitment to turn a page on the way Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has done business. Quite honestly, we feel very badly that we've been over-charging our loyal fans over the years. From now on, we intend to give fair value to our fans," said Richard Peddie.

    Not.
  11. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Arrogance and incompetence are the only two words to describe the leaf.

    The team has a tradition of losing. Why the arrogance?
  12. Spencer C from Canada writes: Wait a second, this article makes no sense, Brian Burke is the next Leafs GM, the T.O. media told me so.
  13. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes:

    Arrogance and incompetence are the only two words to describe the leaf.

    The team has a tradition of losing. Why the arrogance?

    It's in the water for a place where an ejeet like Peddie can run the show and a clown like Grapes can be mistaken as a serious hockey analyst.
  14. The Mangemeister from Canada writes: Why not Mad Mike Milbury probably the worst GM in NHL history?The way the Leaf organization do things he would be the perfect fit.
  15. Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British) writes: Ahhh, the usual suspects have shown up:

    R Miller, the hayseed of Halifax
    Allan "Where are my crayons" Martel, and last but not least,
    "Bilious" Pat Billings

    The Three Stooges of hockey commentary.

    No life without the Leafs, eh Stooges?
  16. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Ahhh, the mere mention of the word, "arrogance" has brought out the keyboard of Larfing Outloud from Virgin Islands (British)...

    Welcome to reality, LOVI...

    Cheers.
  17. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Ok I may as well open myself up for barbs from the crowd but here goes....

    I don't LOVE the Wilson hiring and don't think Burke is going to change anyones fortunes overnight. What I do like is this may (I stress may) be the first time I have seen the leafs develop a plan and then stick to it....so for that I am guardedly optimisitc. Not that I think there will be much of an improvement this year but at least it seems to be a sense of direction.

    I do think Wilson will call out the overpaid non performers though and instill some defensive behaviors in some of the younger players that may get to stick around. I posted a week ago that he may be the right guy for the moment because this team needs someone to hold them accountable....as long as his head does not explode from the media coverage.

    Lastly, it's obvious that no matter what the leaf's did....people would deride their efforts so there is no winning (pun intended) here!
  18. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: bob miller from Canada writes: Keep writing, Mr. Shoalts.......God, this is great comedy. And thanks to the other half of the Leafs promotional team for being able to turn the NHL awards show (something that has ZERO to do with the Leafs) into a eulogy for a man who won something in the 1950s.
    --------------------------
    And you can continure to show how little you know bob miller.... keep amusing us with your comments.

    There is a Leaf up for an award tonight..... Blake... for the Masterson trophy. ..... doh.

    Cheers
  19. P C from Canada writes: love watching this gong show...peddie's outdone himself here. not only does he get fools in the media to write off the leafs for another year and let them make excuses on his behalf, he gets to be president! har har. remind me to make a contribution to the burkie for boston 2009 fund!
  20. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: I get a kick out of the blinded leaf fans supporting this strategy.

    When did throwing a season before it actually starts become a good idea?
  21. Elizabeth Cloud from Raleigh, NC, United States writes: I have a confession: I am completely addicted to the comments section of Leafs articles on the Globe & Mail! Much better than the actual articles.
  22. Allan Martel from Canada writes: Thank you Elizabeth

    Both for the comment and for not singling me out as the poster of particular note - all this fame was getting to me.

    By the way, were you the inspiration for the Rolling Stones song?
  23. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Martel- It has been obvious all season that you were the inspiration for the "Mickey Mouse Club" theme song.

    Cue the rimshot!
  24. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Elizabeth Cloud from Raleigh, NC, United States writes: I have a confession: I am completely addicted to the comments section

    I have a confession to make also Elizabeth; ME TOO!
    Some of this stuff is just goosey wild.

    I just love those Toronto Centre of the Universe beliefs.
    Seems many in Tarana missed the study of Copernicus (me thinks)
    Remember T.O. circles the Sun and not vice versa.

    Seems Shoalts missed some classes in Journalism School too.
    Particularly about how to avoid that Hearst story invention format.
    Have you ever heard of a place called Toronto down in Raleigh?
    Well you should have Elizabeth---Because:
    Toranna is the actually The Centre of the Universe.
    And I got that straight from David Shoalt's mouth (so there Liz)!
  25. Elizabeth Cloud from Raleigh, NC, United States writes: @ Allan - I appreciate you understanding - I didn't want to single you out for praise & make others feel bad..."Hey! YOU!!!!"

    @ Hap - I am happy to report that not only have I heard of TO...we just got indoor plumbing too! Unfortunatley, according to Shoalts, Raleigh does not actually exist, as there are an inadequate number of reporters assigned to cover the local hockey team. As we all know: number of reporters = success of team!

    You guys are too funny :-)
  26. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: R Miller from Halifax,
    Guess what Bookend I just got censored by the G & M censors.

    All it was over was a little play on words aimed at another Bluenoser named JR who is a Maple Leaf fan. And I was kidding that you would get him at the same time you zapped Fancy Don.

    Anyway I thought it was funny but obviously some didn't.
    Talk about Political Correctness --Holeee Cow.

    Wonder what the pay is and the IQ required to be a censor person.
    Note: the neutral gender there Miller.

    After that canceled lunacy that caused much inner thoughts and torment I have reached an important decision for a lot of people in Canada Miller and that is:

    You White Guys have just got to give the country back to us Indians
  27. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Ms.Cloud- Please allow me to introduce myself..I am this groups resident American goaltending expert and most assuredly the most insightful poster (not poser) south of the Canadian Mason-Dixon Line (Fort Erie,Ontario) Re: your post- I wish the number of reporters assigned did = success, then everyday would be a holiday and the Leafs and Canadiens would battle for the Cup in perpetuity.
  28. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: Elizabeth Cloud from Raleigh,

    You are a sweetie, but also a barer of BAD NEWS.
    Your indoor plumbing joke just reminded me that last night,
    My indoor plumbing line broke. The big inlet one from the city.
    And now down in my basement I own my own Indoor Wading Pool

    Bet you 5 cents you ain't got an indoor Wading Pool Elizabeth!
    Got'ta rush down in the world--Toodle Loouu.
  29. bob miller from Canada writes: Sorry Scott.....obviously I wasn`t including a prize they may hand out to a Leaf just for getting sick. I was referrring to the major awards.
    Sorry
  30. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: bob miller;

    quote "NHL awards show (something that has ZERO to do with the Leafs)".

    -----------

    Note the caps on zero. You suggest that Leaf articles are great comedy yet you wrote the above.

    I don't even like Blake and really couldn't care less. Watching the US open... the only NHL trophy that matters was awarded last week.

    Cheers
  31. Hap Stokes from Canada writes: David Shoalts wrote this:

    Feaster has three years left on his contract, but with the Lightning's new owners turning the franchise into The Gong Show, he could be available.

    Gong Show, Gong Show, Gong Show!

    David--He who lives in a Glass House,
    Should not throw stones.

    Or put another way:
    The Pot should not call the Kettle black.

    You got'ta get out more Shoaltsie, you need optometrist therapy.
  32. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Someone was trying to sick miller on me and they deleted the post? That's sad....would have been funny.

    Although down here we usually just go down the lower deck for a pint and all is forgiven....
  33. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ah yes..... the lower deck...

    Some of the best times I will never remember :)

    Cheers
  34. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Loucks,

    If ever in town let me know and we can belt out a few lines of barrets privateers.....gat half cut and go find miller to egg his house!

    Also watching the US Open....the dream pairing didn't give us much but hopefully tomorrow they will!
  35. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: lol J R.

    Not sure I'd waste good eggs though.

    Wouldn't have to walk too far from the lower deck to find some dead things to hide in his car though :)

    Cheers
  36. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: Wilson may be a good start to fix the squad, and Fletcher knows the business more than JFJr - although I think Fletcher might be past it.

    So that's fine, but this organization has been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years - and Peddie and his search committee is going to lead them to the promised land?

    New song for the Board could be some relic from the sixties 'I'm a Wanderer'.

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