Sooo... Now that I "blog", it'd be insane for me not to put out a few comments/observations I have re: the firing of Turd Ferguson and the overall state of the city's hockey franchise. I'm pretending that someone is interested in this.

Oh yea, and I know it's bad for "media-types" to admit they have favourtie teams. That's shite. I've loved the Leafs since I was a wee'in. So, trust me when I say this stuff matters to me.

1. Ferguson's Gone, Celebrate: Bottom line, this guy did a TERRIBLE job assessing player personnel. Sooo many terrible contracts, way too much tinkering with 3rd and 4th line players, an inability or simple disinterest in making a bold move and complete incompetence in at least making it seem like he knew what he was doing - the final nail in the coffin in a Leaf-mad city. No one ever looked at this guy, heard him speak, read what he said and thought "yup, he's capable!".

2. Shut-Up About "The Board": Simply put, if Turd has an ability to assemble talent and something that, at least, passes as a cohesive unit with potential NO ONE is even talking about "the board". Yes, the board seems annoying, yes it's "different" than other teams, but, frankly, Pat Quinn was forced to deal with the same crap and he was able to put together a team that appeared to have a chance. A good GM has this city talking about players, playoffs and line combinations NOT "the board".

3. Woodbridge Arguement re: "The Board": This one is for all those misguided Leaf fans who call in to Norm Rumack's show and simply have no clue what their talking about. This is the one that kills me: "All they care about is making money"! Of course they want to make money, it's capitalism, the do it well - but do you honestly think they're stupid enough to sacrifice their individual integrity for the sake of cash? Wait, I should put that another way: Do you honestly think they're stupid enough to think that winning is nothing but good for their wallets. More wins means even more fans means a stronger brand means more cash. That's economics 101 and you don't need Naomi Klein to explain the whole "brand thing" to get this.

4. Fletcher's In: Good, not great. Obviosuly, bringing in a 72-year old man who was with the team more than a decade a go is not the BEST possible outcome. However, considering the corner that Turd backed this team into, and considering that the organization reacted waaaay too late re: his firing, how could we expect any better? We wanted an interim guy with some savvy who was connected and garners respect amongst the players and fellow managers throughout the league. Well, Fletch fits the bill.

5. Gut The Team: Honestly, Fletch, there's not single player you SHOULDN'T move for the right deal. If Kaberle, Toskala and Steen are still with this team next year, I won't freak - they all have decent salaries and play roles that all hockey teams need filled - but if another GM offers something of value for any of them, gas 'em! Make this as clean a slate as possible for whoever takes over...

6. The Next Guy: Everyone is up in arms because Richard Peddie has not completely removed himself from hockey operations. He, along with Gord Kirke (wtf?) and a lil' help from Fletch will find the next guy. Whatever, I'm not about to pretend I know exactly what goes on within the walls of MLSE (like a lot of media and people in general do - shame) but I will say this: Richard Peddie, like all people, are subject to being human. If Peddie were to step away now, when calls for his removal are in vogue, he'd be a loser. He'd look weak. Why would he do it now? Here's what happens: The 2.5 Amigos go out and get a Big Fish. They pay him HUGE cash and hand all hockey-related decisions to him. At that point, Peddie removes himself from the hockey side "for the good of the team" and he emerges as The Good Guy. I don't know Richard Peddie (he knows me, whammy!) but I refuse to believe this guy is going to put his own reputation at risk for the sake of approving a trade or two.

Whatever!

Jamario Moon is on the show tomorrow: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FcCIBLoNQ8

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