Viewpoint

forget the leafs, they suck and it looks good on HNIC to see them lose. they keep televising that lousey franchises games every saturday.
GO CANUCKS GO!!!!

How to build a competitive team:
Clean house from top to bottom, trade anyone approaching the age of 30 in exchange for prospects and draft choices. Buy out the overpaid veterans that nobody else wants. Finish close to the bottom of the league for 3-4 years to acquire a high draft position and stockpile blue-chip prospects. THINK LONG TERM! Did this approach not work for the Isles in the late 70s, the Ottawa Senators now, and as we will see in the next couple of years, the Penguins?

How to be mediocre (MLSEL's Mantra):
Employ band aid solutions to try and scrape into the playoffs, keep the roster as is and still miss the playoffs. Trade draft choices for retreads and sign as many has-beens to inflated contracts as possible. They have the highest paid defence in the NHL and yet they have the most goals against!

Bottom Line:
MLSEL are a band of idiots who know zero about hockey. Any hockey fan with half a brain would run a franchise much better than these bozos. Stop thinking short term or it will be another 40 years before the Leafs win the Cup again.

Even Harold Ballard did better than this.

Trade Sundin ????? He's practically the only one who shows up to play every game.

Morrison is running out of stuff to write about.
Come on Scotty , have the Leafs been taking you out for a few Tall Boys lately??

You know what needs to happen,clean house and start over.( It really should have happened at least once in the last thirty years, nows their chance) The Leafs have failed for yet another year and the settle for anything Blue and White Fan is going to be confused, yet again, by your most recent writings.

Lets call it for what it is...they stink and have been giving off that recognizable smell for quite some time. Now I am sorry if I am hurting your feelings or the hopes and dreams of the much confused Leaf Nation following, however, the madness has to be stopped, get a new GM and have his mandate to produce an acceptable product within three years or be let go. Then start again. Think about it Scotty, the building will still be full whether they win or not, Leaf fans thrive on middle of the road hockey teams. So the only thing left to do now is, hey, lets try to ice real team for a change , what a concept!!

Tell us what the real deal is in your next article and don't worry , I am sure the leafs will still get you out for a few pints now and then.

Have a great day..

Morrison must be on the MLSE payroll to offer this opinion. The Leafs need to destroy the current organization and start from the net out to build a great team. Their problem is their never good enough to win the cup and never bad enough to get someone like a sidney crosby in the draft. I could wait another 5 yrs knowing a reasonable plan was underway, but it's always the same story. Does anybody think that if Scotty Bowman was in Peddie's job 4 yrs ago the Leafs would be a contender?

How shameful for Richard Peddie to blame JFJ for this mess. I'm no JFJ fan, but Peddie was the guy responsible for hiring him.

If anyone should go, its Peddie. Obviously JFJ was not ready for this position - if it's so obvious to a fan like me, how can't it be obvious to a guy who's creditials put him at the top of running MLS&E.

Now that a salary cap in effect, Peddie should be addressying the real problem with this organization - the Teacher's Pension fund. Teacher's has never had an interest in seeing this team succeed, only in seeing its pockets filled.

A qualified leader for MLSE must convince
Teacher's that with a salary cap fixing the biggest part of the budgetary costs, the way to maximize profits is for this team to go deep into the playoffs. And to make that happen, the CEO needs to be empowered with approval to make whatever changes needed to achieve that goal.

Serge Savard said he needed 5 years to turn the Canadians into champions again - I think he did it in 3 years. I expect Gainey will return Montreal to championship form within the next few years too. A 5 year plan is a realistic goal for the Leafs... hell, we've waited 40 years already, what's another five?

I'm certainly not a fan of the Leafs, but if they want to rebuild it would be foolish to wait until the end of the year. The successful overhauls of the Flyers and Blues are just as much based on their trade deadline fire-sales as their summer retoolings. In fact, in the long run, the Spring trades were even more important, as both teams received a king's ransom of prospects and picks.

In the case of the Flyers, they received two solid depth players with star potential in Upshall in Coburn. They also received the 1st round pick which they used to secure the early negotiations with Timonen and Hartnell. The foresight of the Flyers' management to trade a 2nd round pick for a soon-to-be UFA goalie was outstanding, as Biron's friendship and the wise management moves I mentioned above influenced Briere to sign there. Likely none of this would have happened had Clarke been left in charge for the remainder of the season.

It's already been said - give the Leafs until Christmas, and if they don't look like a team that will compete in the playoffs, fire JFJ. Until then, the Leafs should try to line up a GM who can start the rebuilding process at the trade deadline.

GO TORONTO!!!!!!!!!!!!
:) *Woot Woot!!!
(: *Woot Woot!!!
TORONTO ALL THE WAYY...

What ever happened to the farm team and bringing up good, strong, fast, and young players to handle major defensive and offensive roles. The signing up of aged, worn-out players to extensive and questionable contracts prohibited the leafs from developing younger and refreshing players, instead the leafs find themselves wracked with injuries and insecurities and the aged players looking forward to their pensions and hall-of-fame plaques.

Frankly, I put the curse of the leafs down to the Harold Ballard years. I call it the curse of Darryl Sittler. Do you remember: a perfectly good, respectable and energetic captain who as demoted from Captain to an ordinary player during a February (when the leafs officially begin their decline) -- leading a leading team, mind you -- for defying Harold Ballard. Ever since that -- I think 1980-81) -- the decline of the leafs have progressed.

Just an opinion.

It is getting tougher to be a Leafs fan. It is time to start over -- most of the veterans need to go and they need to rebuild through the draft -- the only place that money should be spent is on scouting and their farm system--I for one could easily stand a few more years of pain if I could see light at the end of the tunnel with new young talent that have been deleoped by the Leafs.

Trade Sundin to Ottawa while you can still get something for him,fire Ferguson and Maurice ,then maybe things will change

it's time to clean house.....get rid of the "deadwood" at the top and begin a rebuilding program

Wow...I can't believe this is even a discussion. JFJ is a complete joke, he never should have got the job and the fact that he hasn't been fired yet just shows the lack of hockey knowledge around MLSE. Let's see ok I will trade the best goalie outside the NHL who is soon to be a star in the NHL with a few draft picks for the worst goalie ever to lace up a pair of skates! What a joke get Raycroft a one time wonder who did that on a team the won the east mind you. Boston was a powerhouse that year, anyone could have pulled off those numbers. Look at his junior #'s his AHL #'s and every other year in the NHL, BRUTUL but yeh i'll go get him. Fire him for that! If that was his only mistake, perhaps you could let it go...but we should only be so lucky. Sign McCabe to a no movement no trade clause and a HUGE contact. This guy really has no clue! Overpay for Kubina, Gill, sign a cripple in Peca oh yeh pay him 2.5million, re-up Toskala's contact before he has played a game so he feels better...lol does he have a brain? Seriously???? Let's go get Blake and keep him till he's 40 pay him a lot of money great move eh!!! Haha did he do his research? This guy is a hog! Yes I know he has a lot of assists but they are not real assists, if you watch the game he thinks about himself first then the team. He would score 40 on a team with nobody else, we don't need him! Anyway another great move by JFJ. What has he done honestly to keep his job...that should be the real question? I have much more to say but nobody listens anyway, and I hate when they say well who knew this would happen....well I KNEW>>>>>I SAID IT FROM DAY 1!

Scott you make very little sense my man. Trade Mats Sundin duh, just when he's having one of his best years. I suppose you wanted to keep Clark rather than get Sundin also. One thing is certain, doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results is a sign of madness. You only have 2 choices, fire the players or the manager and coach. Make a choice Mr. Morrison, but staying the line is crazzzzzzyyyy

As the fan of another team I applaud Scott's views. This inspired thinking will keep the rival leafs terrible for years to come! Keep it up leaf thinkers!

Eventhough I do agree that John Ferguson is not cut out to be GM of the Leafs, he hasn't been GM of this team since 1967. More needs to be done with this team besides replacing the GM and Coach. The organization as a whole needs to change their philosophies and ways of thinking.

The Leafs need to look at the way they scout players. Who was the last impact player that was drafted by the Leafs? Wendel Clark in 1985? 22 years ago. You would at least think they would have fluked into a winner since then (ok well maybe Kaberle). In any case, drafting is perhaps the weakest part of the organization and with the Salary Cap, the draft is perhaps the single most important event of the year.

The Leafs problems are not unique. Look at the Montreal Canadiens of the late 90's....GM troubles, coaching troubles, trouble between the pipes....Sound familiar? Just because we have the greatest organization in hockey, does not mean that we have to do things differently than other teams. Pick a model franchise and copy what they do. No matter how many players the Detroit Red Wings lose, they always manage to ice a strong team. Is it luck? Not likely. They have a competent GM who understands the necessary balance between drafting and free agent signings. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Finally, this board of directors who control the Leafs needs to be abolished. Having too many people with power is detrimental. You need one person who is there for the sole purpose of hiring and firing the GM. Once the GM is in place, he should have the say in all hockey matters. If eliminating the board of directors means selling the Leafs to a single owner then I say good bye Ontario's Teachers Association. The current situation is obviously not working!

Anyways, these things can't happen overnight. It's going to take a few years to right this situation and the sooner these problems are addressed, the sooner we can realistically start thinking about winning a Stanley Cup!

Don Cherry for GM.......its the only answer! I'm not even joking, after all things can't get worse! Go Grapes Go!

The leafs problems are not with the coaches or GM. It is the players. All the high paid players have been doing nothing, and they are ALL locked into long term contracts. A wholesale change of players is needed. The problem is, is that no other team will want any of them. The leafs are doomed, just as they are every season. Toronto fans need to speek up and start complaining. Its impossible to get leafs tickets (except on ebay) so as long as the games keep selling out, why would management care if they are not winning. They are still making lots of money

Hey Danny from Toronto:
How many beers did you drink before making your post?
I wouldn't be too critical of Alfredsson (or Alfredstink as you call him). He's a class act just as much as Sundin.
1) Your talking about a guy who deferred his salary when the Senators were in financial trouble back in 2003. (He wasn't getting PAID until the financial mess was sorted out)
2) He has brought his team closer to a Stanley Cup than the heralded #13 EVER HAS, probably ever will too.
3) Sundin deserves better by trading him to the Senators where at least he'll have players who can play at his level and then both Matts and Alfie can sip champaign from Lord Stanley's mug at the end of the post-season.

Agree with the article...only it should have been written a year ago and the said 'changes' should have been made in the last off-season. This organisation is a joke.

A co-worker and fellow Habs fan recently said that John Ferguson Jr. should be made G.M. for life.I couldn't agree more.

It's clear from the Leaf's play that they have lost any confidence they may have had going into the season, ie they don't believe in the team Ferguson has assembled. The main reason is the play of Kaberle, and most of all McCabe. Signing this pair for the money they got may be the single biggest blunder in sports history.

However, there's no point in firing Ferguson until a replacement is locked up, and that simply will not happen unless the Leafs brass get out of the way. No quality GM will take the job if he has to report to the likes of Peddie. Similarly, the Leaf's scouting system is woeful judging by the mediocrity of the product on the ice.

The state of the Leafs is best summed up by their stated goal this year - to make the playoffs. What a lofty aspiration in a league where you have to be dreadful to not make the playoffs.

As a Habs fan I really wish that Morrison was the owner of the Leafs. He'd maintain the status quo for now and virtually guarantee that the Habs have one less team to worry about in their efforts to make the playoffs.

Has Ferguson made any reasonably good moves during his tenure? Name one. Remember when he tried to make the organization look like an old folks home? Was he reponsible for signing McCabe to the most undeserved contract ever, with a no trade clause to boot? Yikes.

Fortunately for the Leaf ownership, corporations ensure guaranteed sellouts.

Highest paid "D" in the league. Mats Sundin as their only real bonafide super star. He has always been a 2nd team allstar, so that doesnt say much about the Leafs Saviour.
Why is it that the Pittsburgh's , Washington's , Atlanta's and such have drafted the likes of Crosby, Malkin, Ovechkin and Kovalchuck? Ottawa is ripe with talent. Does Ottawa drink different water than the management of Toronto?
There's no direction with this rudderless ship. Sundin has been the only star player who was brought in in the prime of his career.
For such a fiscally minded business as MSEL, why would you throw such huge amounts of money to pylons like MaCabe, Kabina and yes even Tucker, a guy beyond his best years?
Nothing makes sense with this company. NOTHING!.....

You Toronto fans seem a little sensitive when all the Leaf haters get going. This is nothing compared to the Hab haters of the '70s, but of course the Canadiens would shut them all up by winning multiple Stanley Cups, not really an option for you guy's is it?

I'm a former Leaf fan who gave up these guy's years ago. Started making the trip to Ottawa to watch the Senators, It's been great. The team's always good, management in Ottawa is a lot smarter than down here and Alfredson is the best. My hockey life is so much better since I made the switch. C'mon Leaf people, join me...You'll LOVE it!

What I don't understand is this: Who in their right mind would want to become GM of the Leafs? Everyone says, "Go out and get an experienced, champion-level GM". Who? Will Burke leave Anaheim? I doubt it.
Besides, what can a new GM do? His hands would be tied for at least a couple of years. Most of the big busts have no-trade clauses. Assuming he waives his no-trade clause, what would TO get for someone like McCabe? Samsonov, or another bust? Great! The other legacy of JFJ will be the lack of draft-picks, again tying the hands of a new GM. Nobody is going to want the job!

Are you blind morrison??? JFJ has made some very big mistakes like tradeing for two goalies instead of defensemen and signing them to extensions without them proving themselves. JFJ has to go and Paul Maurice does not deserved to be blamed!!

Anyway you look at it, the leafs suck.
It's a shame for the fans in Toronto, that the management has consistently sacficed talent for popularity. Keeping around old fan favourites that eat up way too much cap space.
I don't mind though. I hope leaf fans never see the cup again.
Go Sens...burn leafs.

After reading through many comments calling for changes, I can only think of the old saying, "Be careful what you wish for, because you may get it." Changes in Toronto should probably have happened this past summer. As the Ghost of Harold Ballard still walks the streets of Toronto, there will be no Cup for the Tryinto Make Beleifs. This will probably continue for the rest of my life. At 50, I have actually seen them win it. I have also seen my beloved Habs win it 12 times. I have now the perspective to say that winning almost anything is never going to be Old Hat again.

I also have the perspective to say that Toronto's problems are many and that a solution to them will be somewhat lengthy like Montreal's is. The difference between the two teams' managements is a matter that is not so easy to fix and will probably be a much longer term problem. Losing has become a way of life in Toronto. This affects all teams that base themselves there. The Leafs have not been a consistent challenger for the cup since the early 60's. The Blue Jays will probably never have the money to buy a team like the Yankees or the Red Sox. The Argos will probably fold. Toronto FC ? Put on something mediocre and they will come. Hollywood has this figured out.

The business people who run the Leafs know this and they make an inordinate amount of money. Salary cap or not, they make money on the Leaf experience. Unless they run this franchise into the ground, they will make more money every year. As it is, I do not see the powers that be in Leafland really making much of a change in the corporate culture of Losing-As-A-Way-Of-Life.

Expect many many years of losing teams packed with bad players irrespective of who the coach and/or GM is. The really bad news is that this is not the bottom of the barrel, nor is it the gutter from which a resurrected Maple Leaf team which I as a Montreal fan can say is truly my worthy enemy. The Laffs will remain just that.

Scott...get a grip. You've written nothing of substance here...just like what the Leafs have for a GM and a coach...nothing of substance. If it's not broke, dont fix it...ya ok...sure...but if it's as broken as the Leafs are now, to suggest that waiting to see what happens is just wrong. Strap on a pair and write what needs to be said...changes are in order, on the horizon and very much needed.

The Leafs need to clean house...the sooner the better.

Leafs ownership created the present situation when it failed to show leadership and remove Pat Quinn from the hockey club. Let Quinn help decide his successor? That was a sure receipe for hiring a mediocre GM. Quinn trying to save his coaching job by opposing any of the really quailifed people looked at for the GM job. So who do they get? A
compromise. John Ferguson Jr. wasn't ready to take on such a demanding job as an NHL GM. He was set up to fail. Every GM should be able to choose his own coach and people who are loyal to him. Ferguson was told he had to keep the dinosaur Quinn. As Quinn filled the role of GM he traded away young talent for older players in a desperate attempt to compete and win a Cup. Quinn was never a winner anywhere. Quinn wasted draft choices for old has-been's. There must have been some excellent talent the Leafs could have had.

No way should the GM and Head Coach (Case) of the TML be fired! Why blame only them? The whole team from President to their trainers should! As long as I can remember they have been a losing organization that their fans fanactically follow. Why? Is their not any better laughable entertainment in TO? NOT!

Perhaps every paying or probono ticket holder should boycott the ACC one game to show their dismay!

The solution to the woes of the Maple Leafs is simple – instead of the seats starting to empty part way through the third period, the seats need to be empty at the beginning of the game and remain that way until the team proves itself consistently successful.

For me being Die hard leafs fan who is living on the other side of the world.I think that John Fergson Jr and the Leaf should bring in some top manger like Mark Messaer or any other top manger. Can turn thinghs around and bring wining hockey and hopefully a trip to the Stanley Cup final and wining the cup which would nice for the first time since 1967.

I'm kind of curious how any Leaf fan would know how to improve their team? You've been watching bad hockey so long you wouldn't know what good hockey looks like!
While the Leafs are admittedly the single most popular team, they are still hated by most hockey fans. Yet the CBC continues to try and force us to watch them. I bet if people had equal access to all Canadian teams , the Leafs wouldn't be most popular for long. Alas there is hope! There is now the internet. Most teams live stream their games. Check it out, you can see what real hockey looks like.

I'm from Toronto and every time the Leafs are on I watch or listen with hope of a victory but to no avail .I say dump JFJ he's not putting a quality product out there.Does Canada have to wait for another Cenntenial for another cup?

It's time for the firesale, or a huge 5-man trade. I don't care what it takes but we have so many dismal players on our team it's embarrassing. Please get rid of the following players:

McCabe
Pony
Kubina
Gill

Please acquire the following:

Two good stay-at-home defencemen
A scoring lineman for Sundin
Someone with true character and integrity who won't settle to play sub par

I'm willing to give up:
Stajan or Steen (preferably not both)
Andropov
White

It would be completely disrespectful to trade Sundin now. He has played great for us, and the organization hasn't put a real team around him since Mogilny left, or even the Dougie days.

Something in that dressing room needs to change. A big trade would be awesome.

Aarghhh, Billy, this problem starts beyond the bridge, so why are we keel-hauling the skipper and first mate? Admirals Peddie and Tannenbaum of MLSE can't agree on the hors d'oeuvres for a boardroom cruise, let alone what course to set for the Stanley Channel! Press all the wet-behind-the-ears "captains" into the lifeboats you wish, but old salts like Scotty Bowman are hardly gonna board this floundering Leaf without enough rudder to right the ship or chart proper course. As long as the tiller is in the perilous grasp of multiple, feuding, pin-striped Peddiegogues, the pilots with tickets for stormy seas will stay ashore. Once wildly amusing (especially for a Sens fan!), this nautical disaster is getting tedious to watch. I can't fathom how Peddie's latest bilge that he was mistaken to pipe JFJ aboard in the first place is gonna calm these troubled waters! Though decidely tippy, the bankrupt Senators of years past managed to keep a decent crew afloat. But not all the gold bullion in the Maple Leaf hold will right this ship - it needs real sailors with ballast, not more breeze from the admiralty! Either tow it out past Harbourfront and scuttle it, or pull it back in dry dock for a proper refit. Even the Argonaut sails better than this tar'd old blue tub!

Lets forget the past for a moment. JFJ has made some very questionable decisions.Trading for two goalies and signing them to an extension without first proving themselves doesn't make a whole lot of sense(although he probably received some advice) Managing the salary cap can't be that easy, but the leafs can't afford to develope GMS. John should go based his moves, but if you going to bring in one of the people mentioned in the paper, I think you would back to square one. As for Paul Maurice, well that's a totally different story.I believe he has spent more time skating his players into the ground during practice than he has during a game. Last year he was quite proud of the fact that a number of marlies were occupying a roster spot on the leafs. I wouldn't be, that marlies team he coached didn't do much either.

Right from training camp Tlusty and Gamache should have been on the team, they weren't.The leafs spend far too much waving their sticks at pucks and not finishing their checks, because their spine isn't dressed again(Wade Belak)but Battaglia,Pohl et al are. I thought he said they would dress if they made a difference, well they are not.Bell, Tucker, Kilger try but they need big time help.Wozniewski is playing too timid and needs a lot more developement, he too is out. Kronwall isn't making a difference, McCabe has lost the toughness that made him a junior star and gained him the captaincy on a couple of NHL teams, Kaberle is also afraid of getting hit.The lines are different every shift, can't figure that one out. The team has no identity. They are not tough, they are not a fast team, they are not an offensive team and they are not defensive team. What are they? Ted Nolan said maybe the NHL did change but my coaching style isn't going to.You see i think the leafs don't know how to play hockey any more.... because their coach doesn't, Maurice would make a hell of an assistant coach, but yes he has to go.

I disagree that they should be given until the off-season. That is way too long, is Morrison crazy? I say they have until Christmas, either its working by then or JFJ goes.

When JFJ came on, all the talk was about building from within. They have done better at that, but to truly rebuild you need to make space at the top. That means your veteran forwards have to go. To develop good players they need lots of minutes. JFJ hasn't done what he said he would.

I for one am quite surprised with where the Leafs are at. I picked them to make the playoffs, and from there they might be dangerous. But, a loss tonight and blood might be spilled.

Did Pat Quinn and John Ferguson wear helmets when they played hockey? I'm guessing from the continued woes of the 'Leafs (and their concomitant endless crack-brained mgmt decisions) that they played during helmet optional times....

I would like to see the owners of the Leafs to change management and also the coaching staff. Once that done, look into trading the Captain of the Leafs and appoint a player that was born Canadian as all Canadians have the heart to win the championships. That is on the minds of most fans of Toronto Maple Laughs.

We have lived in Southern California for 15 years and have missed Hockey Night in Canada and now watch all of you via Direct TV. It has been great to watch something other than the Ducks and the Kings. One day the Leafs will get Stanley back. We enjoy watching Ron McLean and Scott Morrison and also the ever loud and lovable Don Cherry he sure is a Canadian Treasure.

Thank you all for your great commentaries and tell the fellows that call the plays to give our Leafs a break.

Life time leaf fan. I've put with decades of bad teams.Living in Detroit, thru the Detroit Tigers bad years, at least there winning now. Years of bad Detroit lions teams... they still stink, and to rub salt in my wound... the Red Wings win the cup ... 3 times &@$#@*##. The leafs just don't seem to have that fighting desire... that heart & soul, like they did, during that glimmer of hope 92-93 93-94 season. I was so proud to be a Leafs fan... still am, but I guess the years of losing have taken there toll on me to. I have no solution to the problem, if I did I would have DHL'd it to the Maple Leafs brass. Watching HNIC when I can... has become less & less inviting, but I know when the Leafs score I cheer still, when they lose, I feel I've lost, but I can always count on Grapes.
Leafs Fan Forever

Its taken the Canadiens 12 years to become a slightly respectable team since they went through a wholesale change at the top with the hiring of Rejean Houle and Tremblay, after the departure of Patrick Roy. And it will take another 4-5 years before they win another Cup, which will make it 20 years since the last time they won a Championship. I'm not a Leafs fan, but I agree with Morrison; they should not fire Fergy, and certainly don't fire Maurice; he's too good of a coach. If they do, it may be another 20 years minimum before Hogtown parades a Cup down Yonge St.

The real blame should be put on Pat Quinn; he literally drove this team into the ground. All those years during his reign, the Leafs were nothing more than a bunch of thugs skating a halo around Doug Gilmore, their heart and soul. They were dirty and played cheap. When it came time to perform and play at a high level, they took cheap shots and penalties to compensate for their lack of skill. It got so bad, even Mats Sundin got enveloped in this web of deception. Toughness and intimidation won Cup for Philly in the 70's. But for the most of part, you need a captain with a huge heart, an excellent goaltender, and a character fourth line to win. Just look at the 1993 Habs.

TO is caught between a rock and a hard place. They will lose a lot of games this year, but it is part of the process of change they must embark on. They should start experimenting with their farm players (if they have any), and start making trades for the future. The road to the Cup is a long and arduous one. Maybe decades long for the Leafs.

While the author's correct in saying that the Leafs remain within 3 points of the playoffs, that doesn't change the fact that they're playing terribly. Third worst in the league, in fact.

As a Leafs fan my entire life, this is the first time I've actually wavered in my support for the team. I'd never go so far as to boo them in their home rink (that's not helping anything) but I am questioning how the team I support can make millions upon millions each year (the most of any team) and still rank so poorly in the standings.

What exactly is "Leaf Nation" paying $150 a ticket for?

It's always a comedy to watch the Leaf spin on teh screen and in the press. Honestly, Paul Maurice is the ONLY positive I see in the whole thing, I like the man, and, I am a anti Leaf hockey fan. Paul has courage and the guts to stand up every night and be candid....if the Leaf's let him go before cleaning house I will totally believe that no one in the Leaf Organization has a clue about anything.

Paul Maurice, You Rock my friend....

A major fix (now, or in the off-season) is not going to make the Leafs contenders. Even with a run of brilliant and lucky player moves starting right now, it would take at least 3 years before real consistent gains are seen on ice. But they'd might as well start the process sooner and this means dumping Johnny Jr and deciding which young players they currently have could contribute on a third line down the road. All this losing must really annoy the CBC who rely on The Leafs for ratings - boo hoo to them.

Until the ML owners care as much (if not more!) about hockey than their bank accounts, the Leafs will fall further and faster. I was a very little girl when they won the Cup back in '67 - a Leafs fan for a long time. I used to watch the games faithfully. But the game has changed - certainly as far as TML goes. I haven't even bothered to watch this year at all - I'd much rather play the game and watch the excitement and intensity of our local OHL Jr A games. Leafs need to rebuild - give Sundin a chance for a Cup with a real team - and start with new young talent who really want to play with passion and desire and a love for the great game of hockey. Maybe I'll have a granddaughter by the time they win the Cup, or even come close. And I'm not near that ahe or stage yet!

To you Plain-bellied Sneetches; You yourselves have created the Leaf Nation. You have made it more than a love for the Leafs could have ever done. We have unified in response to your taunts and jeers and infantile ramblings. You flatter us by posting your comments here. Why do you take the time to write a response to an article on the state of the Leafs? Rest assured, I don't post anything in response to the Habs or the Sens; I'm not that interested. Yet here you are. You are insensed that HNIC and TSN favour Leaf broadcasts, but you must understand that those entities are driven by the bottom line. And the Leafs sell. You're horrified that the Leaf Nation turns out in droves at your homegames, so much so that Dan Alfredsson is booed loudly in his own arena. Many of you were part of the Nation before turning your coat. The Leafs are struggling, that is true, but it does not mean that we will be jumping ship, or that we welcome your fancy. Our sufferage will only seem that more sweet when the Blue and White, and the Leaf Nation, hoist that cup again. Go Leafs!

How can a team with such constant support and wealth have had such a marginal record of success for so long? I can't speak...

My god Leaf haters are just about the worst hockey fans in the world. What is your problem? Do I sit around and relish when your team plays like crap? When the Senators were setting records as the worst team in NHL history did I sit there and point and laugh? No. Yes the Leafs are playing horrible this year, and yes changes need to be made. But I must say, you're pretty small people to just not enjoy that fact your team is playing well, but you need Toronto to play poorly. I understand the Leafs won't be truly competetive for a while, but I'm a Leafs fan, and I can't do anything about it. So please stop telling me to cheer for another team, or that my team sucks or blah blah blah, cause I won't cheer for another team, and Toronto fans are more aware than any other how poorly the Leafs are playing.

Peddie's public remarks are ill-timed, inappropriate and clear indication of how high up the dysfunction of Leafs' management goes. A comment such as this all but undermines what little confidence there is in John Ferguson, Jr. and leaves everyone asking, "Then why is he still there after four years time?" Such public musings about someone's limitations usually coincide with a firing that ends a bitter acrimonious relationship. Scott Adams is getting enough fodder from the MLSE's idiocy to keep Dilbert running indefinitely. I must applaud JFJ for having the thick skin and the stomach to keep going to the office day after day. It is bad enough when the media questions you like this, to have the same said by the guy who hired you but is still keeping you around is painful.

As a Leafs Fan since birth, they need to make some drastic changes - I am not sure that firing Paul Maurice is the answer. Toronto has not had good goaltending in a while and the need to get a younger core but it is a little late in the season to rebuild the team. They need a couple of trades to shake things up.

As a lifelong, long suffering, but non-rabid Leafs fan I have been quite willing to admit when they have sucked - which has been for most of my life! I have finally begun to take the only steps available to me as a lowly non-corporate fan. I now refuse to purchase or accept anything (tickets, merchandise, etc.)that has anything to do with the Leafs. When they start giving me something I can hold my head up and support I will start supporting them. Until that time - not one cent will I spend on them!

I don't understand where all of these comments directed at the OTPP are coming from (besides ignorance).

OTPP are hands off, any blame with the current situation must fall on the operations / management team - especially the GM.

Hey all us Leaf fans! We are all gonna need some broken limbs because the only way to fix the problem with the Leafs is to fall off the bandwagon and stay off! I've been a DIEHARD Leaf fan since the day I was born, and each year I have new hope for this team. However since JFJ has come into the scene the team is going backwards, not his fault, the guy has little hockey experience. Com'on Peddie, have some guts and put a REAL hockey guy in the GM position and give Maurice some talent to work with, this is not Maurice's fault. So far, Maurice has had only 1 talented player to work with (#13) so you can't blame Maurice. I feel sorry for #13 as he is a class act (UNLIKE ALFREDDSTINK) and deserves better. Trade Kaberslow & Mcgoof, bring up some young, hungry players from the minors and we should all look toward the future because I am looging off as a Leaf fan/viewer until all this Hogwash improves! I'll be checking in in 2008 to see improvements, because this team is not worth wasting my time on! This is the only way...:(
GO OILERS GO!

Why was John Ferguson ever given the GM job in the first place? It was a horrible decision. And when was the last time the Leafs made a decent draft pick? Wendel Clark? There may be a salary cap now, but MLSE really needs to open up their pocket book and get some talent in the organization.

The Leafs tend to run their organization like some who maxes out their credit card for something they think is needed right now, but won't need to be actually paid for until later. The promblem is, the things that cost so much when picked up didn't work as well as hoped, are no longer being used, and the bills are all now past due.

So, lots of draft picks and prospects gone for mostly over-the-hill trade-deadline quickfixes, no Playoff success to speak of, a mediocre team with a ravaged farm system, both their next first and second round picks gone for another band-aid solution and weighty, overpriced contracts for underachievers. And still no closer to a Stanley Cup. The problem is, unless the corporate mentality of MLSE changes and new personel are brought in, this trend is likely to continue.

There's nothing like this kind of article to get all those Leaf "lovers" to comment. I have a suggestion to all those "fans." While Toronto is not a good team, even they can beat the "best" team in the NHL at times - even a shut-out at that.

A couple of comments on some of the email responses:

1. I was there at MLG in the Ballard years. Team was generally poor, and Ballard did not care if the team won because - you guessed it - the stands were full. That is nothing new.

2. To blame the salary cap system is ridiculous. All the other teams play by the same rules and there are many successful franchises who spend less than the Leafs. Besides, when there was no cap the team wasn't tearing up the league, was it?

Other teams sell out consistently but it seems to be the Leafs that rarely rise to great heights whereas most teams have had their ups as well as downs. I sympathize with fans who want action taken but you have to realize things could get worse before they get better.

The problems seem to be obvious: Ownership mistakenly hires an inexperienced GM; GM makes a series of bad trades; a lack of good drafting and continuity with the farm system and younger players.

I think the fans need to see some action:

Fire the GM now. Get someone with championship experience. Let him plant the seeds of a contender by making whatever player/ coaching changes he thinks will help right now. This may be painful but the season is almost lost now anyway. The best chance is to instill a system that is simple for the remaining players – not exciting, maybe, but simple so that each player knows his role. Discipline must be maintained so that anyone who slacks off will be benched, no matter who they are. Finally, I agree that Sundin will be best utilized as a good trade offer to bring new blood to the team, but this should be done later in the season when it makes more sense. The players you trade may not bring you much but it may be worth it for the change in team 'culture'. And keep your draft picks!!

I am a Sens fan but I say this is the only route for the Leafs.

They only play when they feel like it, well why not they dont get paid to win the cheque is already in the mail.

To begin with, I am a HABS fan & have always detested the Leafs. That having been said, I am of the opinion that any personnel changes should come from the top down. Dump Peddie & Tannenbaum and any other non-hockey thinkers on the board of directors. What's happening in Leafland now is the very same thing that old Harold Ballard did to the many proud Leaf teams of years ago. Dollars first, team second, fans last. MLSE doesn't give a rat's behind about either the players or fans. One solution is to send some of the big buck players down to the "A", regardless of contract clauses or salary, let 'em ride the damn bus for awhile. There are lots of boys on the Marlies who would give 100% every night just for the opportunity to play & stay in the "Show". By the way who is this Sundin fellow anyway?

The Leafs will never contend as to contend the team must be broken up and started again from scratch. A complete rebuild is required - but the fans of the Leafs won't permit this. They will demand stop gap free agent signings and trade deadline deals that will continue to decimate the teams youth and draft position. JFJ has simply bowed to fan pressure - rather than ripping the team up and starting over. The only way the team will contend is that if a very reputable GM is brought in and has complete control and a thick skin - and a willingness to admit the team is a pile of garbage and that wholesale changes are needed. I just don't see it happening - not that I care, I am a fan of another Canadian team anyway.

Sadly, changing the GM or Coach right now will not likely solve much. Problem is above their heads where business needs outweighs hockey needs. You've traded away your 1st and 2nd round picks; you only have midround picks which translates into 3rd and 4th line players more often than not leaving no real framework in place for the future.

I say ride the brutal tide until the trade deadline and see if you cant get some idiot to take these no trade, no play, players off your hands for some draft picks and in the offseason clean house.

The leafs deserve their fate. Even years of pre-parity profligate spending, unparalelled bias by HNIC and legions of fans across this country, they still suck. Study a team like the senators and learn....but not before we kick you a few more times while your down.

The Maple Laughs are not a hockey team but a business. I find it amusing that all these fans are shocked and angered by the way the Maple Laughs are playing. As long as the Maple Laughs are selling out, why change the winning formula? The investors don't care about winning, they care about earning. Ferguson and Maurice are safe until the corporate sponsers get upset ..... then changes will be made.

Beautiful, love it...not enough turmoil for team Snotnose. Let more smoke from the Big Smoke blow up their collective you know whats. The more the merrier...the sad thing is as bad as the Leafs are we'll still be stuck watching them on Hockey Night in Toronto.

Scott. If not now, when? One third of the season is gone and the slide will only get worse if nothing is done. Now, I am like Sones from Barhaven. The more the leafs lose the happier I am. Anything to stem the unfounded arrogance of a team living 40 years in the past. However, if I look at the Leafs objectively, I think one can lay the blame for the sorry state of this franchise squarely at John Ferguson's feet. Why is Tuukko Rask in Boston and the Leafs are starting second stringers? Why do so many Leafs have no-trade clauses? Talk about limiting your options with older players and creating an atmosphere of complacency. Jason Blake as saviour? Better Chris Drury or Ryan Smith or anyone who has a legacy of years of quality play and leadership? Is Jason Blake supposed to replace Mats Sundin?
It reminds me of when the Canucks traded for BJ MacDonald from Edmonton after he scored 50 goals on a line with Gretzky. Surprise, surprise! No Wayne, no goals.
What it comes down to is that Toronto needs a heart transplant and GM Ferguson is too busy trying to save his job by making short term band-aid fixes, to do what needs to be done.
As we say in BC. Leafs Suck.

Being a Leaf's fan since I was born (in utero perhaps even) I have endured more than can be asked of for a fan of any team (besides the Red Sox perhaps). I hate to say it, but Toronto will not have a team in contention until there is another team in Southern Ontario. As long as there is no competition for attendance and for selling shirts and hats in the most populous area of Canada (which means the most hockey fans per squre KM in the world) then there is no need to ensure a quality product is on the ice. The rink is sold out every night. And if they could figure out how to fit 40,000 seats around an ice surface, it would still be sold out. Maurice is not at fault, he can't do anything to control the veteran players who are playing below their abilities, because he is in Toronto, where there are 4,000,000 back-seat coaches. It is like watching a train wreck. Please, will someone who LOVES hockey buy the franchise!!!!!!

The Toronto Maple Leafs don't win because top management isn't driven to win. While many Leaf fans would like to see a winning team, MLSE top management reports to a pension plan which is looking for one thing: wealth maximization.

In an open market, a profitable team should be able to afford the talent they need to put together a winning team. In the case of the Maple Leafs, however, this has not been possible due to the relationship which exists between MLSE and the NHL.

By agreeing to support the NHL salary caps and other revenue-sharing mechanisms, MLSE has effectively eliminated the competitive advantage associated with having a financially successful team.

If the Maple Leafs are to improve as a team, there needs to be a fundamental change in strategic direction; one which extends far above the levels of head coach or general manager.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need ownership that wants to win, supported by a top management group which is compensated based on the hockey team's performance.

As long as the pension plan owns MLSE and rewards management based on the team's financial performance, it is unreasonable to expect that anything will change on the ice.

OK, everyone has their take on how to fix the Leafs. Firing the GM and/or the Coach won't change the on ice product any better. replacing Peddie and Tannebam with a real knowledgable hockey guy won't either BUT would be a start. The only immediate fix would be to trade. So let's see Sundin is our only untoucable (in my view). Many of the youngsters are OK and may be worth the wait... Sooooo...find a team McCabe will go to....trade one or both the goalies....Tucker looks like he's tuckered out in Toronto....throw in Battaglia, Pohl, Kilger, any third or fourth liner...do something! Change the team's face now and show everyone the new rule is: play well in the spotlight or get traded, demoted, or put on waivers.. Really...how much worse can it become? Yes, the vultures might be circling but that's not the point. The point is to show you're not afraid to make drastic changes.

Ownership blows. When you care more about generating profits then winning the cup, you get the same results year after year. They know that whatever product they put on the ice, along with price increases, they will be sold out nightly even if they don't make the playoffs. Even before the salary cap they brought in players near the end of their careers rather then sign players in their prime!

Dear Leaf's Management:

Take a lesson or two from Mr. Melnyk. Not only did he fire good guy Mr. Muckler for falling short of winning the cup, but also made sure that both Heatley and Spezza came back next season. Show some ownership commitment towards winning, which you clearly lack.

I'm sorry leaf fans, but your misery will continue for years. You are welcome to jump the wagon though...go sens go!

Well im really not sure where to start or where to finish on this constant criticism of the Leafs problems icing a competitive team. For far too long have i been on the bandwagon of the blue and white only to see every hopefull start of each season go down the crapper. Obviously something has to be done....and soon...but what? Each sport personality, fan or not, has their opinions. Some good, some bad. Can you blame John Ferguson Jr? Yes! Can you blame Paul Maurice? Yes! Can you blame the players? Yes! Hmmmm, a complete overhaul? No! Other teams have made their turnarounds by implementing a new system with an addition of one or two key players while in the meantime parting ways with underacheivers. Look at our team. Where are our strengths/weaknesses? Ive said for many, many years that we should have built our team around a franchise player like Mats Sundin. And when i mean build a team i dont mean going out and spending a pocket full of money for guys who are turning 40. To be honest, the more i try to think of ways in which Toronto can improve their team the more frustrated and confused i get. Maybe the city of Toronto (fans and media) should finally settle for youth. Get a smart hockey man behind the helm and build and buy youth, not falter and trade for age. Hopeful talk from a longstanding frustrated Leaf fan.

I agree with most of the comments, well, the ones about finances. Here we have the richest organization in the NHL playing terrible hockey. Tis true, if the leafs were playing anywhere else, seats would be empty or close to it. Why would management fret when seats range in the hundred dollar range and are consistently sold out home game after home game. The fans who attend these games are the ones who i feel sorry for. Are they idiotic for continuing to pay for these tickets? No, we support our team through the thick and thin (or at least we should). It is frustrating to be a leaf fan right now.

Richard Peddie.... listen closely... this is free advice...How many games have the Leafs lost in the 3rd period this year? That smacks of a team out of shape - coaching issue. Why does one of the wealthiest sports franchises in the world hire a rookie GM? When you trade a top goalie prospect for a #1 goalie, and the prospect beats your #1 goalie head to head ...... it usually considered a bad trade. Time for a new GM at least. Maybe a new coach. I bet Dale Hunter might be willing. Let him bring an entire staff to Toronto.

Time to blow the team up and start over again from scratch. This team is going nowhere because they have a bunch of stiffs on skates and it has been that way since before Paul Maurice, so I don't blame him. It'll take time but in the hands of some one who knows what he is doing (i.e. not JFJ) it might come to pass. Remember how fast Cliff Fletcher turned the team around in the early 90's? Now there was a GM!

Count my vote in not blaming Paul. When management sets the tone, the staff follow. I see Paul and Mats as being genuinely upset at this floundering team, and everyone else offers lip service. This is a trickle-down effect and it will never be fixed until someone in management (who knows hockey--i.e. a new person) has complete control. This greed even drags down new players as everyone's (massive) salary is ensured no matter how badly they play. Also, these last-ditch efforts at improving the team ALWAYS involve someone at the end of their career, or a young player who learns quickly that the market will bear any half-assed effort as Toronto is hockey-mad (not a bad thing) but Bay Street will pay anything for the seats.

I am certainly not very experienced with come previous comments as per the Ballard days, but from what I can remember they (the owners) were content on putting a winnig team on the ice but were just not successful. The real problem is the OTPP (Ontario Teachers Pension Plan) they are only in for the cash. There is a reason the Raps are doing much better than the leafs. There was no fan support. Collangelo was brought in to build a franchise which he is doing. Once the Brass realizes they have a very loyal fan support they will turn the tide. I am a die hard leafs fan I hate to say it but there is no hope for the leafs in this league. This both created by the leafs brass and the one and only Gary Bettman.

I feel that both Paul and Fergie need a big thank you. Thank you for continuing the downward spiral, thank you for destroying the team, thank you for continuing the 40 year cup drought. I Looooooooooooooove that the leafs are suffering. There is nothing better in this current NHL regime than to see the leafs mired in trouble. thanks again Fergie and Paulie

The Leaves should have unloaded Sundin last
February. There must be other stories in hockey
other than to dwell on Leaves. I would agree
that MLSE has no interest in winning hockey and
championship and is solely interested in the
money. Leave Nation can blame themselves for
supporting this . Note to CBC : Focus media
coverage on contending teams .

I am certainly not very experienced with come previous comments as per the Ballard days, but from what I can remember they (the owners) were content on putting a winnig team on the ice but were just not successful. The real problem is the OTPP (Ontario Teachers Pension Plan) they are only in for the cash. There is a reason the Raps are doing much better than the leafs. There was no fan support. Collangelo was brought in to build a franchise which he is doing. Once the Brass realizes they have a very loyal fan support they will turn the tide. I am a die hard leafs fan I hate to say it but there is no hope for the leafs in this league. This both created by the leafs brass and the one and only Gary Bettman.

I got a laugh when Kieran used the term "Leaf Nation." I know I can't be the only person who thinks that using this term is dumb. You're a bunch of people who like the same hockey team, not a society, you have never achieved anything together and you are definitely not a nation. You probably couldn't even stand each other if you ever met. Keep JFJ and the rest in place forever...I can never get enough of that team loosing.

I agree, There's nothing wrong with Paul Maurice's Coaching. The Leafs are just not very Good team Defensively. And The Goaltending is brutal. John Herguson, Gave up 1st Rd. Pick, Tuuka Raask, Goal to Boston for Andrew Raycroft. And then gave a 1, 2 round picks for Toskala & Bell. The Leafs since expansion. overall, Have drafted some great players, Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Ian Turnbull, Wendel Clark, However overall, They have drafted terribly. And have failed to look any further then The OHL. They need too develop players. It would be great to see Mats Sundin have some talented linemates such as himself.

B T from Toronto, Canada writes: There are many sports fans who wrote excellent comments and some who are *special*. Peddie does have to go, the Teacher's Union needs to become a minor shareholder, not major. They have NO IDEA how sports work. Ferguson has screwed the Leafs by signing deals with no trade clauses and paying far too much with nothing in return, who does that to players that are not Crosby or in his league?

However most of all.... the organization should be run like a business, not a blockbuster movie. Players should get a salary than a *BONUS* based on *Good Performance, something we have not seen consistently these past two seasons, instead we get players with a whopping salary just to hand us a show that leaves us wondering how they got into the NHL.

The worse part, we have some good players and they are getting crapped on because of the mistakes of teammates, management and poor shareholder choices. Why would a good quality player be attracted to come to the Leaf Organization when their return is us complaining about them on these boards? The Leafs have the right to print their own money, we continually go to games regardless of how they play, and we have the most ignorant people running the team. Where is Tannenbaum??????

Keep it up Leafs, you are going in the right direction as far as I'm concerned. You even make the Flames and Oilers look good!

It is obvious the Leafs are not going to compete this year. Make the change now on the GM so that the new GM can start building the franchise into a winner. The other change they should make is to deal Sundin to a contender. Not because he deserves any blame but because of his character he deserves the chance to compete for the Cup.

I agree with Kieran. You need a commitment to winning, not just making bucks. Although they can't see it, TO just isn't a good team. Anywhere else, they'd be playing to empty seats. If you sell out all the games though, there's no push to change things. It's the real hockey fans in TO that suffer.

Wow Morrison, are you paid to write that stuff? Or is it just because the CBC is the Leaf's biggest cheer leader that to say something negative about the team would make the team's management slap you guys on the wrist for taking a poke at them?
How 'bout just saying the truth...the Leafs are a team so concerned about making money that they really don't care about winning.

Leafs are getting worse every year since JFJ has taken over as the GM.Not a single one of his free-agent signings or trades have made the team any better than the year before and now the Leafs are stuck with all these players for a few more years because most of them are overpaid and no other team will want to take over their contracts.

Hey Scott - I don't remember the Leafs ever being in this much turmoil not even the Ballard days. It's one big collosal mess and somebody has to fix it, and I have absolutely no sympathy for them. As far as I'm concerned they dug their own graves.

Accountability:
It seems to me nobody is being held accountable. While I can agree that Peddie made a mistake hiring JFJ, shouldn't Peddie be accountable for his mistakes and on down the line? Pedddie should resign or be fired I think. Not sure what should happen to the rest. (JFJ and Maurice)

On the ice:
I think the big weakness with the Leafs as a team is their defense. I bet if they had better defensemen, the goalies would be better too. They have no confidence in their D to make the right decisions with the puck and their jobs easier.

The new rival:
I've been a Sens fans the last 8 years, as soon as they got rid of Yashin in 2001. (See even the Senators make mistakes..) But at least they were able to get rid of him. The Leafs because of their contracts, can't get rid of the players they need to replace.

The Tale of 2 Captains:
As nice as it would be to see Sundin in a Senators uniform, I don't think it will happen. Still, we'd love to have him. Just as much as if the Leafs were a contender, they'd love to have Alfredsson to bolster their team. If Sundin gets traded at all, I suspect it will be to a Western team.

Go SENS!!

I really think they need to can John Ferguson Jr. His first mistake was the firing of Pat Quinn. At least they made the playoffs with him. Look at the players he has brought in - A guy that scored 40 goals once in his career and is nearing the end, 2 unproven goalies, ridiculous money offered to defenceman that shouldn't be paid that much, and last but not least, relying on guys like Nik Antropov and Pony boy to play on the first line....I mean c'mon, isn't that enough evidence. Besides Mats Sundin, this team only has one or two other players that have over 50 points in the last 3 seasons!!!! Who is he supposed to play with!!!! ENOUGH SAID!

I'm hockey fan not a Leaf fan...here is my take... The problem that lies with in the great Leaf Nation is its self. The corporation side buys up as many tickets they can so the "Head Office" really doesn't care about a true hockey..or a new generation of fans those 10 -11 year olds that are bashing the team now. The scapegoat is always the GM..coach, what about the players?, do the math Antropov, Sundin, are the only 2 players playing at a NHL level.The rest of the team are crying the blues... Please until the "Leaf Nation" rebels against your Hockey GURU Pettie who makes the "Corporations" hirings/ firings. Toronto will continue to spiral down to the bottom. I wonder why would anyone, would or come to Toronto to be a puppet just to be hung out. Bowman. Muckler said no they are hockey icons...Gilmour, Messier, same as JFJ no experience just a name...another 40 years people.. see ya in 2047 on Younge street for the cup parade.

The more the Toronto team looses the happier I become. The only thing that could make me happier is if they were contracted right out of the league. Keep the current management structure in place for as long as possible.

Firing the coach, Paul Maurice, will not solve the problem, but only make it worse by lowering the morale of the players. If someone has to go, look elsewhere. Paul Maurice has kept his composure at all the games I've seen and been one of the most respectable coaches in the league. Why is everyone ganging up on him??