Leafs - Who goes first?

[Indio]

Can't sleep so I was flicking through the sports channels overnight and I found one never ending theme playing! All the Toronto media sports shows were discussing who would go first, the GM or the coach.

Well, what do you guys think? Who will they sack first if anyone?

I have a feeling tht if they lose a few more 'stinkers' Ferguson will be replaced and the new GM that comes in will have a look at the coach and if he thinks it will give the team a shot in the arm, he will bring someone of his own choice in to take the reins or the new GM might be foolish enough to take the coaching job on until year end.

[Hacker]

I agree with you Bob, Jr. goes first and the new GM will bring in his own man

[Pinshark]

I agree with you guys that JFJ has to go and I would like to see JFJ gone and a new coach brought in. I am not so sure anything will happen though. After two losing seasons the MLSE did nothing in managment. I hope this year will be different and I hope they do it soon.

[Fallys0820]

You know what cheering section I come from, and I will not be happier than when I see JFJ gone. Think of how happy you guys will be if the Sens win the Cup. Now multiply that by 10 lol.

I really don't think Paul Maurice is a problem. I invite you to look at the situation with the Raptors. Colangelo gave Sam Mitchell a chance. Colangelo realized what Mitchell had to work with. Colangelo shook up the boat and didn't go out and nab as many stars as he could. He got role players. Currently the team is underachieving, but they are a team and Sam Mitchell was coach of the year last year in January I think, when they were ready to throw him out the door the year before.

I think Maurice is in the same boat. I like how he handles the Toronto media, he doesn't take a lot of garbage, but he's not a jerk about it like Barry Bonds lol. I think Maurice is a good coach. Maybe not one of the elite, legendary coaches like Bowman or Keenan, but for the Toronto market I think he's a great fit.

Fallys
aka Scott

[LobWedge]

As soon as I posted that, I knew someone would misunderstand I mean that JFJ would fire Maurice and hire another coach.... there is no way even an Idiot like me would even thin JFJ would go behind the bench!

I doubt that with the situation there right now that JFJ is even allowed to order so much as a large double-double without permission from the board.

You know what cheering section I come from, and I will not be happier than when I see JFJ gone. Think of how happy you guys will be if the Sens win the Cup. Now multiply that by 10 lol.

I really don't think Paul Maurice is a problem. I invite you to look at the situation with the Raptors. Colangelo gave Sam Mitchell a chance. Colangelo realized what Mitchell had to work with. Colangelo shook up the boat and didn't go out and nab as many stars as he could. He got role players. Currently the team is underachieving, but they are a team and Sam Mitchell was coach of the year last year in January I think, when they were ready to throw him out the door the year before.

I think Maurice is in the same boat. I like how he handles the Toronto media, he doesn't take a lot of garbage, but he's not a jerk about it like Barry Bonds lol. I think Maurice is a good coach. Maybe not one of the elite, legendary coaches like Bowman or Keenan, but for the Toronto market I think he's a great fit.

Fallys
aka Scott

Yeah, but the situation is reversed somewhat. Colangelo is a proven administrator who helped build Phoenix into a powerhouse before coming to Toronto, and Mitchell is the rookie coach. That is a great place to be for Mitchell. BC wheels and deals, and brings in some great talent, and Mitchell works with them on the floor. JFJ has done nothing to significantly improve the roster from the mess that was left to him by Quinn and guys before him. Meanwhile, a great coach like Maurice is stuck with trying to hold together what he inherited with "baling wire and spit".

Unfortunately, just like cream, sh** also floats to the top...

[foxman]

The way the leafs work its anyone's quess.JFJ should go and put a intern GM in for the rest of the season and see whats available in the off season.Maurice will depend on who the next GM is.They should get rid of the upper management as well as JFJ.

[LobWedge]

I honestly believe that JFJ will go, but Maurice will ultimately stay. Maurice is an excellent coach who was left with making the most of the "LOFT" that was dealt to him. It's not going to get any easier for him with both ends of the San Jose connection now out of the lineup (although Toskala may play tonight).

I had to laugh at your "JFJ behind the bench option". I think the only time he's ever been back there was when his old man was coaching the Rangers back in the mid 70's.

[Indio]

I honestly believe that JFJ will go, but Maurice will ultimately stay. Maurice is an excellent coach who was left with making the most of the "LOFT" that was dealt to him. It's not going to get any easier for him with both ends of the San Jose connection now out of the lineup (although Toskala may play tonight).

I had to laugh at your "JFJ behind the bench option". I think the only time he's ever been back there was when his old man was coaching the Rangers back in the mid 70's.

As soon as I posted that, I knew someone would misunderstand I mean that JFJ would fire Maurice and hire another coach.... there is no way even an Idiot like me would even thin JFJ would go behind the bench!

[Pinshark]

I was very excited when Maurice replaced Quinn however I am losing faith quickly.....The team that Toronto has on the ice right now is not GREAT but they are certainly better then they have been playing. They need a coach who can motivate them for a whole 60 min to play like the first period against the Pens the other night. Also what is with Wozniewski? This guy is awful IMO. He cannot get the idea of not clearing the puck through the middle of the ice and Maurice plays him on the PK.

[Hacker]

I don't understand how the phrase 'Great Coach' and the name Paul Maurice go together in the same sentence.....unless it goes something like 'At the awards dinner Toronto Maple Leaf coach Paul Maurice was sitting next to Scotty Bowman, a great coach who is now retired.'

Come on guys Maurice's NHL coaching record is right around .400 - that might be great for the Leafs but it certainly isn't nearly close to being worthy of the 'Great' tag

[jonf]

Nobody could make winners out of the leafs group of players. It's that simple. Ferguson needs to go. Maurice deserves a chance with some real players.

[LobWedge]

I don't understand how the phrase 'Great Coach' and the name Paul Maurice go together in the same sentence.....unless it goes something like 'At the awards dinner Toronto Maple Leaf coach Paul Maurice was sitting next to Scotty Bowman, a great coach who is now retired.'

Come on guys Maurice's NHL coaching record is right around .400 - that might be great for the Leafs but it certainly isn't nearly close to being worthy of the 'Great' tag

Isn't that right around Paddock's career percentage? That doesn't change the fact that he's still a great coach. He's just had the benefit of inheriting an already great team, that was brought along by the likes of Nielson, Martin, and Murray. Maurice was instrumental in helping build Carolina into a contender, but he's inherited a fat, arthritic, old pig, that's blind in one eye. I'd say he's done a great job so far with what he's been dealt.

[Hacker]

Isn't that right around Paddock's career percentage?

You certainly won't hear me call Paddock a great coach - I have issues with him to be sure

The 'Cains were still a good team when Maurice was fired, I'm having problems seeing anything that he's done that would leave me to believe that his a great coach.....personally I think that he fancies himself to be a stand-up comic

[LobWedge]

You certainly won't hear me call Paddock a great coach - I have issues with him to be sure

The 'Cains were still a good team when Maurice was fired, I'm having problems seeing anything that he's done that would leave me to believe that his a great coach.....personally I think that he fancies himself to be a stand-up comic

Dude, you gotta have a sense of humour if you're going to coach in Toronto. It's the only way to keep the media from eating you alive.

[Hacker]

Dude, you gotta have a sense of humour if you're going to coach in Toronto. It's the only way to keep the media from eating you alive.

I agree, but you have to be serious at some point - and the way that the Leafs keep blowing games in the final minutes of games I think that a good 'eating alive' is well over due

[Golfbum]

After last nights slaughter by the DUCKS I would say the Leafs should start at the blueline and work forward when it comes to getting rid of bodies!

I hope Sundin comes to his senses before the trade deadline and gets out of The Big Joke and to a team where he has a shot at the Cup. He is the only player I feel sorry for on that sad sack hockey team.

Now with that, they'll likely beat my Sharks on Saturday night. At least I won't be around to watch it unless the condo in Ft Lauderdale beams in CBC!

[Indio]

I would not want to be in Toronto if the Kings beat the Leafs someone will get 'lynched'

[foxman]

I would not want to be in Toronto if the Kings beat the Leafs someone will get 'lynched'

Dan i think Indio should be suspended for 2 weeks.

[Indio]

Dan i think Indio should be suspended for 2 weeks.

He would have to send me to Hawaii to make sure it was an equitable suspension or I would claim discrimination

(besides, its the cheap drugs I am on that made me say that!)

[foxman]

He would have to send me to Hawaii to make sure it was an equitable suspension or I would claim discrimination

(besides, its the cheap drugs I am on that made me say that!)

I'll go to Hawaii with you to make sure you don't cause anymore trouble.What was the excuse before the cheap drugs

[Hacker]

Someone's gonna be taken out to the woodshed soon in the Big Smoke

[Indio]

Someone's gonna be taken out to the woodshed soon in the Big Smoke

Believe it or not, I am starting to feel sorry for Leaf's fans No sports fan should have to go through the ineptness of what management is doing to that team.

[Hacker]

Believe it or not, I am starting to feel sorry for Leaf's fans No sports fan should have to go through the ineptness of what management is doing to that team.

Are you mellowing on us Bob?!?

Rule #1-B states...........

"Thou shalt NEVER feel sorry for the Leafs or a Leafs fan.....they deserve everything that they get"

[Indio]

Are you mellowing on us Bob?!?

Rule #1-B states...........

"Thou shalt NEVER feel sorry for the Leafs or a Leafs fan.....they deserve everything that they get"

Bob and mellow does not go in the same sentence!

But Fallys is a nice guy to play golf with and geeze..... Poor guy is getting married soon and now he is getting his ass handed to him on a platter this year by the Laughs

[Golfbum]

Are you mellowing on us Bob?!?

Rule #1-B states...........

"Thou shalt NEVER feel sorry for the Leafs or a Leafs fan.....they deserve everything that they get"

The sad thing about the fans that attend games at ACC. The Leafs could lose all of these road games. come back to play a game in the Big Smoke and the ACC will be packed. How much abuse can they take from the management team that is attempting to run this hockey team?

Of course it is all about the money for the management team. Damn the fans, let's make CASH.

The talk about firing JFJ. What is the point really? Who in their right hockey mind would want to step into that big pile of poop in Toronto?

If Sundin does not demand a trade this time around I will no longer feel sorry for him. If he honestly feels he can lead that bunch of sad sack players into the playoffs then maybe he has taken too many shots to the head. His dream of winning a Stanley Cup with the Leafs is like my dream of winning THE MASTERS. Just ain't going to happen in my lifetime and it will not happen in Matts time with the Leafs.

HEY MAYBE NEXT YEAR

[Indio]

Are you mellowing on us Bob?!?

Rule #1-B states...........

"Thou shalt NEVER feel sorry for the Leafs or a Leafs fan.....they deserve everything that they get"

I would hate to see the definition of Rule #1-A

[Hacker]

I would hate to see the definition of Rule #1-A

Rule 1-A is the most basic of all rules. It simply states............

"The Leafs SUCK!!!"

[Wes]

Ferguson is gone by the end of next week. Even though he is still here and has the ability to talk to other GM's the President won't let him do any trades. Why would they be looking for a new GM and let him do that. If they did and it was a bad trade then the President would look worse then Ferguson himself. I think they'll let him go even without having a replacement by the end of next week... prob. by this Sat. the 19th.

Ferguson and any GM that allows players to put a no-trade clause in their contract should be fired. This allows no change in your organization. It would be a lot better just to give them a extra year on their contract then do that. At least if you do that you still have the ability to trade them.

The Leafs need to decide what young players on their teams they are going to build the team around. I believe you will see Steen be their main player around this build. He has fantastic skating ability which all the top players have, has the skill with the puck and has the constant work ethic on the ice.

Players that definitely need to go are Sundin, Tucker, Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Kubina and McCabe. Now Sundin, Tucker and McCabe have no-trade clauses but I'm not sure about Kubina.

Sundin is a great Captain but he is at the end of his career and playing well. So might as well get something for him like what the Leafs did with Clark's trade.....thats where the Leafs got Sundin btw

Tucker isn't getting any younger either and his game doesn't fit the new NHL. His game is based around close quarter fighting over the puck with clutching and grabbing. Well if you do that now you get a penalty. I know many of you are saying look at his year last season and all the goals he scored. Well 99% of them were on the PP and in the same spot. Doesn't take long for other teams to figure out he's there and thats where he's scoring. Plus the only reason he scores their is because its easy. He has no real hockey skills compared to the elite players.

Antropov has been with the Leafs since they drafted him and hasn't been a threat till the first part of this season. He's always getting injured so another words we are paying him to sit and watch the game like us. Antropov has never been able to skate. He looks like Frankenstein on the ice and the new game is a open game for fast and quality skaters. The only reason he has scored this year is because they finally put him in front of the net like a Andreychuck. I still think he is a reliability to have on the team.

Pony has the speed but not the skill of a first liner. He also isn't a team player. If you watch games which I hope you do if you have a opinon. Pony is always standing still in the offensive end and waiting for everyone to pass to him. Sundin is suppose to be the one with all the skill....... the Leafs #1 ..... but Sundin is doing all the work with the puck around the net with guys holding on to him. Pony also will always get at least one penalty a game but usually more. All of them are hooking when all he has to do is skate and you'd think after getting 100 of them he'd realize...hmm I shouldn't do that.

Kubina was signed by our wonderful Ferguson for 5 mill. I think he hurts the team more then he helps. I swear he thinks he's the only player on the ice against the entire team because he won't stay in one spot. He floats so much especially in his own end which leaves the front of the net open and confuses the rest of his teammates and puts them out of position. I don't believe he is a very smart guy a simple source of that was the winning game against the Hurricanes. There was 8 seconds left at center ice....... he gets the puck and from his blue line tries for the open net. The Leafs were up by one goal and all he needed to do was skate in his own end with it or simply give it to his goalie.....by that time the game would've been over. Instead he missed and it was icing giving the Hurricanes the chance to win a faceoff in the Leafs end and tie the game.

McCabe has never and I mean never been a #1 player in his end. What he is .... is a forward trying to play D. He is getting payed 7 mill for a played thats really should be your 7th D. If you think he is so great... try comparing him to Scott Neidermayer getting payed 6.75 mill and Pronger getting 6.25. While McCabe is getting 7.15 mill. I ask.... do u think he's nearly as good as them. NOT........ Even though he had a couple of good goal seasons his plus/minus is nowhere near what is used to be 5 or 6 years ago. Actually he has been either a minus or barely a plus since then. What does that mean? It means he is either responsible or partially responsible for there being a goal allowed when he's on the ice just as much as he's been on the ice when they scored. That doesn't take when he's in the penalty box over 100 minutes...because you don't get a minus when your PK.

Well that's my view..... a frustrated fan lol