How would you fix the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Question

How would you fix the Toronto Maple Leafs?

Answer 1

Lure Brian Burke from the Anaheim Mighty Ducks and give him full control as the MLSE did with Bryan Calangelo and the Toronto Raptors. I think HE is the right guy for the job.

Of course that would be during the off-season, until then, they should have Trader Cliff trade off diminishing assets for future draft picks and prospects.....Mats Sundin first and foremost. He can garner a very nice package from a contending team and is an UFA free to sign back on July 1st is he so wishes.

"Try" to trade other dead weight, namely Darcy Tucker, Andrew Raycroft, and Pavel Kubina.



Ultimately, they need to get worse before they get better, so tough times are ahead but that means some good draft picks, clearing cap space for future acquisitions, and getting some good prospects. If they go this route, they can contend within 5 years.



Throw this year AND next year out the window, what has them in this mess has been that they are always between 6th and 10th place, good enough for a "chance at the play-offs" but not good enough to win "if" they get there. So, in turn, they become trade deadline BUYERS instead of SELLERS, trading their youth and drafts for rentals, FIRST OFF they NEED to realize that they should be sellers.

Cliff Fletcher is not going to make any friends if his first order of business is trading Mats SUndin, the fan favorite but you CANNOT let fans run the team. Fletcher should ask Mats to waive his no-trade clause and announce to the league that he is available to the highest bidder. This will encite a nice bidding war and some teams will actually join in just in a preventitive measure to block an opponent from getting him. Look what Philly got for Forsberg last year, well Sundin has more worth than that so it should be a good deal for them.

Answer 2

I may not be Canadian, but I've noticed the Maple Leafs not doing as great as I remember them doing back in the day. Switching up management is usually a good idea since it will give fresh eyes a chance to look at the team and figure out what to do. Veteran management may not realize what's really going on. It's like trying to write an essay or article for hours straight: the longer you go, the more mistakes you make. It's good to take a break and come back to it later.



I wonder if this works out, other struggling teams might follow through if they know their coaching is proven strong. The Sabres definitely need a GM change, for example.



As for stopping broadcast countrywide, it may prove to be good for a while as the team rebuilds. However, there will be diehard Maple Leafs fans who will be quite disappointed by it because they might live in British Columbia or Alberta and will have to pay their TV service providers extra in order to watch the games.



Then again, all this could be just a natural cycle of sports. Win a whole bunch of years, then lose a whole bunch of years, and cycle through. Some cycles last longer than others, though. So the losing years may seem long and depressing, but the winning years will be well worth it.

Answer 3

Get rid of the greedy upper management people and just rebuild the team from there. The leafs should focus on losing this year and getting high draft picks. This is only a start, but at least it is something that will help the team in the long run.



The main focus for the leafs is to get young players, who have lots of talent and potential.



The leafs should trade Sundin. They could get some good picks and/or some talented players for him depending on what his value/worth is to a contending team. He is a Unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so that means the leafs could lend him out and just resign him in the off season. Why not sign Sundin in the off season to a 1 year deal and do the lend thing over again and get some more draft picks and talented players in the 2008/2009 season :P



The leafs should also trade off all the dead weight like Hal Gill, Darcy Tucker, Mark Bell, Bryan McCabe, and Andrew Raycroft. They can trade these guys for draft picks or young talented players.



Hopefully in my life time they will win the cup. Until then.......



GO LEAFS GO!

Answer 4

Three words...



Lose

Draft

Tavares

Answer 5

I'd start by gettin a good hockey mind and give him total charge of hockey operations. Scotty Bowman would be the top choice or Brian Burke if he can be sprung from Anaheim. If I own the team that's as far as I go. It's up to the guy you hire to fix things. Meddling just makes messes. Give the guy a five year window to make noticable changes and then give him room.

The best thing that could happen to the club is for it to be taken over by a single owner like Jim Balsillie. At least then all the stupidity from the boardroom that has paralyzed this team for years is finally put behind it.

Answer 6

First of all, get rid of Sundin. He should have been gone several years ago. Get rid of all the management and start fresh with people who want to play hockey for the game instead of the money. The Leafs have possibly the best fan base, give it back to the fans, and like said previously, get rid of all the corporates and businesses in the stands and make the organization actually work for its money. Its like the big shots at GM and other domestic car companies, they've sat on their a**es too long, and are now being taken over by the people who actually work and strive to make their 'product' better. Leaf mgmt has been sleeping for decades because they haven't had to work at keeping their 'business' afloat. Get the younger talent, get the draft picks. I've seen alot about 'stop listening to the fans'. I disagree, the Leaf fans have been right for a long time-no one listens. And take air time away from the Leafs, **** off the fans, and get them shouting. Yes-even more than usual. Maybe then mgmt will awake from their hibernation.?!? They haven't won the cup in my lifetime, and I'm 40 this year, I just missed the last one, I would love to see at least one before I'm 6 feet under!!

Answer 7

I would fire Cliff Fletcher tomorrow, he is after all about 70 years old, and i would hire Carlo Piazza to run all operations for the Maple Leafs on a 3 year contract.

Answer 8

First I would put on a cape and walk into the dressing room to freak everyone out. Let them know things are going to change.





Have a meeting with Sundin. Let him know he is honored and welcome to stay with the team but we are going into a rebuilding period right now. So if you have any hope of winning a Stanley Cup with the Leafs you better work on Longevity.





Find a new General manager. Don’t know who but see who is available. Must have been a player and a winner in the league. Hire Doug Gilmour as the head coach and allow him to select his own assistant staff.





Then I would issue an official statement to the Leafs fan about the direction the team is going and we need their full support.





Finally I would hold a public ceremony where I would share a gift to Leafs fans everywhere by erecting a Gold Maple Leaf Tree. On the leaves of this tree would be the names and numbers of past and present TML players. With the words, ” My Strength is Your, for we are all Buds of the Same Tree,” crested below.





Then I would take my cape off and return to the Bat cave where I would continue shine in the shadows and do yoga.





I can’t promise anything but the team would be healthier and with a brighter future. No sacrifice = no reward. There are going to be tough seasons of hockey but its better to watch kids compete and grow then lose all hope.





That is what I would do.

Answer 9

Hi! I am a life long Leaf Fan, they are my team.



I would hand cuff Richard Petty's hands and close all doors when the real hockey minds are at work.



I would apologize to Mr. Bowman and get on my knees and pray he would forgive us for our poor judgement and hope he would consider taking over hockey operations. He will know what to do with Mr Ferguson and his henchmen.



And Please leave Matt's alone he is a true leader, I had lunch with Daryl Sittler when he was in London last summer and he agrees with me about Matt's.

Answer 10

Holy crap, we're noticed site-wide...lol



Clean house in the offices. Ferguson's a good first step, but they also have to get rid of Peddie. Unfortunately, that won't happen because of Tannenbaum's allegiance to him. Also, getting rid of the majority owners, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan, would improve the team tremendously. Their main concern is making money and not about putting out a decent product.



Sundin is another one who has to go. The city loves him, but he would be the team a huge favour by waiving his no-trade clause, so that Fletcher can get some high draft picks and prospects. Plus, he can always re-sign with the Leafs in July. That's his prerogative.



As a Leafs fan, I am hoping that they lose every single game from here on in. Each loss brings the team closer to that first overall pick in this coming draft which can be used towards rebuilding, and closer to the Cup years down the road. If they do something stupid like NOT trade Sundin and make the playoffs, they will get swept in the first round and nothing to rebuild upon for several more years.



LOSE, LEAFS, LOSE.

Answer 11

I'd try to do something like Dave Dombroski did for the Tigers (I know it's a different sport but it works almost the same way). First, I'd go for a good veteran player who is also a good leader, something like a Brendan Shanahan but with a couple more years left than him. He would be able to help the team win and teach the younger guys. Next, I'd put a lot of focus on drafting. The mark of a good franchise in any sport is a top level team with guys that came through the system. I'm not sure how Toronto has drafted in the past but, this is just a guess, seeing how they've played in recent years it couldn't have been too good. At some point, there would be a surplus of young players, which is a good sign that you're drafting well. At that point, I would deal some players for a guy or two that could take us over the top and get the Leafs to the Cup. As for coaching, I'm not sure what I'd do with Maurice. He's had some good points but I'm not sure if the down points are him or a product of bad players. I'd probably keep him around for a bit to see if it was one or the other. If it's him, I'd fire him and hire someone who will win. If it's not him, then I keep him until he wants to leave.

Answer 12

I've run companies for years and know how boards can strangle great innovation and winning companies by over-ruling the right moves in the interest of keeping control in the hands of specific shareholders.



The Leafs are no different. They are a cash machine and the fund doesn't have to spend money and allow the GM to put the best team on the ice. I'm not a fan of Ferguson but he was doomed from the start. They haven't made a good trade in years (that hasn't resulted in an old guy coming back to the team and being benched with injuries) and until the Fund backs off the same will hold true.



The only way to fix the team and provide for the results the fund wants is to allow all the fans access to ownership. Take the team public do a massive equity raise to acquire other sports assets (and dilute the fund) - setup and indepenant board that actually wants to win and understands hockey (and that would be appointed by shareholders, i.e the fans who buy shares) and let that board run loose building a profitable and successful team once and for all. What the heck, throw the raptors into that max as well. All these great 'older' GM's can sit on the board with some financially savvy people. Any new GM and Coach would love to work in that enviroment. Bonus the players and coaches with shares and avoid salary cap issues by giving the performance base options (that they have to buy) - if the Leafs win and make money those shares could be worth plenty more than any salary. Raise prices then (because they do very year anyway) and you won't get one objection from fans if the Leafs are winning.



Ah..but that sounds like work - the reality is that it is done on Bay street every day and if the ownership wanted to make it work - they would.

Answer 13

The answer that has been stated many times in the past has nothing to do with the owners but in the owners represntatives. If all the owners in the league were as good as the leafs owners three teams would not have changed this year alone. There wouldn't be another half dozen teams looking for new owhers. All the teams would be near the Cap and none would be receiving aid from Toronto and the other six successful teams.

What to be done? Hire a hockey man to run the team. There were a number mentioned on the press shows after the press conference. Toronto can pay the most money and they are the prize franchise. Hollands or Rutherford come to mind. Possibly Campbell or even Goodenough (?)

Some one above suggested the Belleville Bulls. Talk to their AGM and get him to convince his old man to take the job.

Trading Sundin will not solve the problem. Buy outs and demotions will make room under the cap to more than off set any thing the team will get for Sundin.

Sundin question The leafs are a three game winning streak out of the playoffs and making the playoffs 1 round is a $6 million profit. That'll buy a number of prospects. With Sundin there's a chance without him there's none. By the way Fletcher says we'll do what's good for Sundin.

Buyout three or four of the higher priced players. Free space on the Cap and do a Kevin Lowe and buy an RFA or two. better than any prospects you're going to be offered. There are only three or so draft prospects this year that can help a team this year or next. There is no Ovechkin or Cosby this year so don't count on that.

A hockey man running the team with autonomy in dealing for the team.

Let's let the new guy show us his plan. After all with due respect to the people on this forum he has probably the best ideas what to do.

Answer 14

The Leafs are no different. They are a cash machine and the fund doesn't have to spend money and allow the GM to put the best team on the ice. I'm not a fan of Ferguson but he was doomed from the start. They haven't made a good trade in years (that hasn't resulted in an old guy coming back to the team and being benched with injuries) and until the Fund backs off the same will hold true.



The only way to fix the team and provide for the results the fund wants is to allow all the fans access to ownership. Take the team public do a massive equity raise to acquire other sports assets (and dilute the fund) - setup and indepenant board that actually wants to win and understands hockey (and that would be appointed by shareholders, i.e the fans who buy shares) and let that board run loose building a profitable and successful team once and for all. What the heck, throw the raptors into that max as well. All these great 'older' GM's can sit on the board with some financially savvy people. Any

Answer 15

Trading Sundin will not solve the problem. Buy outs and demotions will make room under the cap to more than off set any thing the team will get for Sundin.

Sundin question The leafs are a three game winning streak out of the playoffs and making the playoffs 1 round is a $6 million profit. That'll buy a number of prospects. With Sundin there's a chance without him there's none. By the way Fletcher says we'll do what's good for Sundin.

Buyout three or four of the higher priced players. Free space on the Cap and do a Kevin Lowe and buy an RFA or two. better than any prospects you're going to be offered. There are only three or so draft prospects this year that can help a team this year or next. There is no Ovechkin or Cosby this year so don't count on that.

A hockey man running the team with autonomy in dealing for the team.

Let's let the new guy show us his plan. After all with due respect to the people on this forum he has probably the best ideas what to do.

Answer 16

Not listening (nor matter if your market is Toronto) leads to a losing team and a losing investment. In a nutshell then, do what everyone is telling you. Scrap the management, Ferguson was the start but he was a puppet for the CEO, and everyone knows it. No use hiring a new GM that will not be allowed to run the team properly (yet again). Keep Maurice, he can only do so much with what he's got. Scrap everyone on the team. I'd try and keep Kaberle but if it means draft picks and good ones, he should go. No more stupid contracts, like the one McCabe has which allows him to do whatever he wants ( by the way, he makes 7 million this year, Chris Pronger makes 6 and change, figure that one out). Smart draft picks and a few years of being a crappy team in order to be a good one. In any business plan that's good, you'll bite the bullet for the first few years to make a solid return in the end -that's what you want. Merchandising from a cup win would be insane. Face it. Leaf top brass got lazy. Nothing's a sure thing. Oh and if a draft isn't working out, ditch him for another one (don't pull another Antropov) and not for an older player (don't pull another Olan Nolan scenario). In sum, listen to your fans!!!

Answer 17

What is more astounding is that it took this long for owners/management to find out that they were tanking the team, and a solid money making team at that, by making stupid hockey decisions which leads to stupid financial ones. Hockey fans know how to build a team which leads to a successful team and a profitable one. Not listening (nor matter if your market is Toronto) leads to a losing team and a losing investment. In a nutshell then, do what everyone is telling you. Scrap the management, Ferguson was the start but he was a puppet for the CEO, and everyone knows it. No use hiring a new GM that will not be allowed to run the team properly (yet again). Keep Maurice, he can only do so much with what he's got. Scrap everyone on the team. I'd try and keep Kaberle but if it means draft picks and good ones, he should go. No more stupid contracts, like the one McCabe has which allows him to do whatever he wants ( by the way, he makes 7 million this year, Chris Pronger makes 6 and change, figure that one out). Smart draft picks and a few years of being a crappy team in order to be a good one. In any business plan that's good, you'll bite the bullet for the first few years to make a solid return in the end -that's what you want. Merchandising from a cup win would be insane. Face it. Leaf top brass got lazy. Nothing's a sure thing. Oh and if a draft isn't working out, ditch him for another one (don't pull another Antropov) and not for an older player (don't pull another Olan Nolan scenario). In sum, listen to your fans!!!

Answer 18

This means from top to bottom. I have been saying that for 5 years.Maurice is a good coach.He can only play with the cards given to him.Right now , the only way to the top is through the draft.They have no player of trade value. You will only get back what you give.The Leafs need a TRUE 5 year plan of drafting(and keeping)young talent that is truly talented.And then they must excercise patience in developing these young players. The leafs have a history of annointing the next one about 4 minutes after the draft and seldom has it panned out.A new philosophy is called for ;NOW. I don't understand bringing back Fletcher.It is the Leaf way.Retreads.I still believe the Leafs need ME.Over the past 20 years,I would have built a winner.Especially with the funds available to a very rich team.Only by building,not trading,will this team ever be champions again.

Answer 19

Please lose the falicy that the Leafs don't care because they make too much money... ...they'd make MORE if the team performed and was in the playoffs - that's money that doesn't go to players. Also, please stop whining about paying more for better talent - there's a Salary cap now, and they're at the top end of it. MONEY is NOT the issue.



The Board of Governors bickering between Tannenbaum & Peddie, and the rest is the very beginning of the issues at hand. The GM's inability to build the team without someone staring over their shoulder is the next problem. The Raptors are doing better since the hiring of Colangelo. The Board knew they had no CLUE about B-Ball, but like the rest of us Die-Hard Hockey Canadians (Me too), they think they know about hockey. Cliff Fletcher & Everybody's favourite sports lawyer should be searching for the new GM, Richard Peddie should be searching for new Real-Estate investments, and stay out of the Hockey Business.



I haven't changed my TV Habits. The Leafs changed my TV Habits. What channel is the game on? Saturdays on CBC, k, I know that. But the mid-week games, where are they? I can't afford Leafs TV, so I lose those games. There are so many agreements - because they can do it - with the different networks. PICK ONE. I'm sure the income from the Advertising will work out just fine. Give us Consistency - which by the way - is what we're looking for with the team, too.



My only sad side - why couldn't this be 2009 and Tavares be within our reach? Stamkos is nice, but not Tavares. The other Leafs issue - Scouting. Justin Pogge. Outside of him, please name one up & coming Leaf Prospect. The days of buying a team - which Cliff Fletcher was outstanding at - are long gone. The teams with outstanding Scouting are the teams of the future - Anaheim, Minnesota, ugh - Philadelphia, double-ugh - Ottawa. Until these non-playing & non-coaching issues are addressed, sorry friends, nothing will change.

Answer 20

Bob Loblaw is right.



The leafs just happen to be situated in a city with hockey fanatics. If they were in any other market they would have been long gone/relocated. Not many other cities would be this tolerant. For some reason people in TO think they have a winner every year. The hope never fades.



HOWEVER, here's what I would I do... They need young talent mixed with some of their current veterans.



I would finish last this season and draft Steve Stamkos as the #1 pick. He is considered to be just as good as John Taveres [possibly better all around]. However, it seems unlikely that they'll finish last this year. They'll have a horrible record but probably not as bad as the Kings.



That said maybe sacrifice next season by finishing last and draft John Taveres as the 1st pick. He's 18 now or will be soon and is eligible to be drafted in 2009.



Under the above scenarios, I would start to rebuild the team around Stamkos or Taveres and keep some current veterans.



They also have a great young goalie named Justin Pogge who has tremendous potential. Pogge and Toskala would make a solid combo. Therefore, I would trade Raycroft, Sundin, Blake and Tucker while they still have value, in exchange for some young/mid-career talented/proven and aggressive players. I would also package up 4-5 other players who don't produce much on their own but packaged together might provide the Leafs with a good future draft pick.



That's how I would do things.

Answer 21

This isn't rocket science or a surprise to most hockey fans who know something about hockey. What is more astounding is that it took this long for owners/management to find out that they were tanking the team, and a solid money making team at that, by making stupid hockey decisions which leads to stupid financial ones. Hockey fans know how to build a team which leads to a successful team and a profitable one. Not listening (nor matter if your market is Toronto) leads to a losing team and a losing investment. In a nutshell then, do what everyone is telling you. Scrap the management, Ferguson was the start but he was a puppet for the CEO, and everyone knows it. No use hiring a new GM that will not be allowed to run the team properly (yet again). Keep Maurice, he can only do so much with what he's got. Scrap everyone on the team. I'd try and keep Kaberle but if it means draft picks and good ones, he should go. No more stupid contracts, like the one McCabe has which allows him to do whatever he wants ( by the way, he makes 7 million this year, Chris Pronger makes 6 and change, figure that one out). Smart draft picks and a few years of being a crappy team in order to be a good one. In any business plan that's good, you'll bite the bullet for the first few years to make a solid return in the end -that's what you want. Merchandising from a cup win would be insane. Face it. Leaf top brass got lazy. Nothing's a sure thing. Oh and if a draft isn't working out, ditch him for another one (don't pull another Antropov) and not for an older player (don't pull another Olan Nolan scenario). In sum, listen to your fans!!!

Answer 22

They need to hire a GM that knows the structure of the

hockey club inside and out and also a coach to motivate the

players to play a team game, not as individuals. They had that GM back in the early 90's when FLetcher was there BUT didn't do anything to improve the youth of the hockey team by drafting good young talent. This has hurt the club in the long run. WHY ? You look at other teams in the NHL and their farm

system has got some terrific players from either the OHL,

QMJHL and even the WHL where these kids have worked

their butts off to move on to the next level. Case in point,

Matt Foy, Corey Locke, Steve Mason, Jonathan Toews playing with Chicago after his great work in the CHL, and the list goes on. For over 34 years, I've been watching teams

have their ups and downs but not has many as the Maple Leafs team has gone through. The 80s has got to be the talk of the town of how many BAD trades were done to get rid of

Sittler, Salming, McDonald, Palmateer, Turnbull, for absolutely nobody. Do you think that what the Leafs got in return for those players still have a negative effect on this

team today ? Does it take 40 years for any NHL

team to get a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup ? 1967 folks,

that's prior to the first expansion the NHL had since the

original six. With this Leafs team, it's been termoil. Yes,

there were some good years when Pat Burns coached

the Maple Leafs to the Conference Finals in 1993 and 1994,

yes the Leafs did play Montreal in 1978 and 1979 only

to get swept in both while Roger Neilson was coaching.

But beyond that, not too much. Hopefully, with Cliff

Fletcher back as GM, he'll hire a coach that'll get his players

to play at a level where they can achieve a goal this team

hasn't reached for so long, the Stanley Cup Final. Only time

will tell.

For yahoo.ca, I'm Danny B. from Sudbury, ON.

Answer 23

The other GM's are aware of Toronto's desperate situation and they will most likely take advantage them and how the new cap system works will be reluctant to give up any quality young players or high draft picks (which have no guarantee's). Embarass your players who are not producing and send them down to the minors. If they do not clear waivers, good ridden's, if they do make them earn there spot back on the big club and possibly there desire back for the game of Hockey. John Ferguson has made a mess of this team with stupid contracts (Belfour, McCabe, Kubina, Domi, Raycroft, Blake and Peca), he has traded a way most of future (prospects and draft picks) and has put this team so close to salary cap that there is no room for any worth while change. I would have to say that the Andrew Raycroft trade was the absolute worst mistake of all. He should have kept Belfour (who was bought out anyway) and found an excellent back-up, all those overtime and one goal game losses would most likely have been prevented and they could had a post season last year. Missing out on Chris Pronger was also a huge mistake and the team could have built around this guy. Anyways still a leaf fan and probably will be for Iife, I watch almost every game and think its about time that all of loyal leaf fans see them complete for Stanley Cup, not just a short lived playoff run.

Answer 24

Let's all take a second to have a deep breath and get settled for a dose of reality. You all are assuming that all the other GM's in the league are as lame as John Ferguson, Jr., was. You devise these pie in the sky plans with the belief that the other GM's are willing to abide.



Secondly, to suggest the Leafs should lose to get the draft picks is like asking an NBA ref to shave points. The Leafs have to ice a competitive squad and attempt to actually win games. And making the playoffs is good regardless if they are out in four or advance in the rounds. Playoff games = big money; money that can be used in the free agency market.



While getting draft picks and developing your yonger players for the future is nice, those of us who have been waiting since '67 want something a little more timely than having to wait another five years to see any improvement. Besides, drafting starts earlier than when you step to the mic and announce who you're selecting. It starts with your scouting team and system. If you think that the Leafs would select the next Crosby, you'll be awfully sad when they come away with two more George Ferguson's.



Here's what has to be done...



Don't have a fire sale. Don't trade just to get rid of people. You're not going to get much for McCabe, Raycroft, or Hal Gill, but you do have to get something in return. Consider trading Wellwood, and/or Steen.



Don't consider trading Sundin. The only legitimate star on the team, and captain, will not volunteer to be traded and then return again. Do you make him captain when he comes back? He is needed to provide leadership toward a playoff run.



Revamp your scouts and farm system so that it'll be better able to develop those players that are drafted, and provide greater depth to the club.



Make the playoffs, because this year's crop of free agents can help to turn any team around.

Answer 25

Ferguson was the start but he was a puppet for the CEO, and everyone knows it. No use hiring a new GM that will not be allowed to run the team properly (yet again). Keep Maurice, he can only do so much with what he's got. Scrap everyone on the team. I'd try and keep Kaberle but if it means draft picks and good ones, he should go. No more stupid contracts, like the one McCabe has which allows him to do whatever he wants ( by the way, he makes 7 million this year, Chris Pronger makes 6 and change, figure that one out). Smart draft picks and a few years of being a crappy team in order to be a good one. In any business plan that's good, you'll bite the bullet for the first few years to make a solid return in the end -that's what you want. Merchandising from a cup win would be insane. Face it. Leaf top brass got lazy. Nothing's a sure thing. Oh and if a draft isn't working out, ditch him for another one (don't pull another Antropov) and not for an older player (don't pull another Olan Nolan scenario). In sum, listen to your fans!!!

Answer 26

The only way to fix the team and provide for the results the fund wants is to allow all the fans access to ownership. Take the team public do a massive equity raise to acquire other sports assets (and dilute the fund) - setup and indepenant board that actually wants to win and understands hockey (and that would be appointed by shareholders, i.e the fans who buy shares) and let that board run loose building a profitable and successful team once and for all. What the heck, throw the raptors into that max as well. All these great 'older' GM's can sit on the board with some financially savvy people. Any new GM and Coach would love to work in that enviroment. Bonus the players and coaches with shares and avoid salary cap issues by giving the performance base options (that they have to buy) - if the Leafs win and make money those shares could be worth plenty more than any salary. Raise prices then (because they do very year anyway) and you won't get one objection from fans if the Leafs are winning.

Answer 27

They need to tear it down to build anew. This means from top to bottom. I have been saying that for 5 years.Maurice is a good coach.He can only play with the cards given to him.Right now , the only way to the top is through the draft.They have no player of trade value. You will only get back what you give.The Leafs need a TRUE 5 year plan of drafting(and keeping)young talent that is truly talented.And then they must excercise patience in developing these young players. The leafs have a history of annointing the next one about 4 minutes after the draft and seldom has it panned out.A new philosophy is called for ;NOW. I don't understand bringing back Fletcher.It is the Leaf way.Retreads.I still believe the Leafs need ME.Over the past 20 years,I would have built a winner.Especially with the funds available to a very rich team.Only by building,not trading,will this team ever be champions again.

Answer 28

1

Answer 29

Right now, I can't.



I need full control of my team. If I'm the GM, I make the GM moves. I won't be someone's toy, and I need to be able to do what I want to do, not what 8 or 10 business men want to do.



See, there's no way you can fix the Maple Leafs without overhauling the entire system. We need hockey people as owners, we need hockey people as management, we need hockey people from upstairs to down on the bench.



Say you find an antique at a junkyard. The body is rusted, taillights are beat out, it's missing one a half hubcabs. The doors squeak, the roof leaks.... but the engine purrs like a kitten.



Yes, you can still drive it. But the value isn't close to being what it should or could be. You need to fix it up. After all, any car will get you places, whether it's worth $50 or $50, 000.



See, the Leafs are like the car. Yes, they have a lot of problems, but the engine (upper management) runs perfectly, and as long as it gets you there, fine.



This "engine" is doing its job by bringing in enough dough to satisfy a french bakery for a year or two. In their eyes, nothing is broken, they are doing great.



But where is the value? Only part of the car is working fine and it certainly isn't what someone would expect to see when they hear about it.



So, the Leafs need to start repairing this car. The engine may work fine, but the body is in desperate need of repair. An engine sometimes is only half of what's needed to be valuable.

Answer 30

Getting rid of Ferguson was a good first step, although the way that Peddie and the MLSE Board let him twist in the wind was unconscionable. Peddie's duties should be limited strictly to the business side of the organization. Just as Bryan Colangelo is given 100% control over all decisions for the basketball operations for the Raptors (and, as a result, the team is definitely on the upswing), the new GM for the Leafs has to have the same setup, with NO interference from Peddie or ANYONE else in MLSE!!!!



Trade Sundin and any other expendable player on the roster for young prospects and draft picks. This team needs to rebuild and it can only do so with youth and draft picks.



Bottom out and try for the 1st overall pick in the next two years. Imagine any team with the chance to build around Steven Stamkos AND John Tavares. Very much on the level of Crosby and Malkin in Pittsburgh.



Hire the best GM available and give him 100% control of the hockey operations. Whether it's Brian Burke, Scotty Bowman, Neil Smith... whoever, hire the best and let him do the job.



Then the Toronto Maple Leafs will take back their rightful place... on top of the NHL, contending for the Stanley Cup!!!

Answer 31

Trade Matt Sundin ? How insulting for all his dedication over the past 13 years, he has a no trade clause and took less money to play here. The other GM's are aware of Toronto's desperate situation and they will most likely take advantage them and how the new cap system works will be reluctant to give up any quality young players or high draft picks (which have no guarantee's). Embarass your players who are not producing and send them down to the minors. If they do not clear waivers, good ridden's, if they do make them earn there spot back on the big club and possibly there desire back for the game of Hockey. John Ferguson has made a mess of this team with stupid contracts (Belfour, McCabe, Kubina, Domi, Raycroft, Blake and Peca), he has traded a way most of future (prospects and draft picks) and has put this team so close to salary cap that there is no room for any worth while change. I would have to say that the Andrew Raycroft trade was the absolute worst mistake of all. He should have kept Belfour (who was bought out anyway) and found an excellent back-up, all those overtime and one goal game losses would most likely have been prevented and they could had a post season last year. Missing out on Chris Pronger was also a huge mistake and the team could have built around this guy. Anyways still a leaf fan and probably will be for Iife, I watch almost every game and think its about time that all of loyal leaf fans see them complete for Stanley Cup, not just a short lived playoff run.

Answer 32

Fix the franchise!?? The rest fo the country is rejoicing that the Leafs will finally be taking a seat behind the other fantastic teams that belong to this country...and rightfully so!It's CBC not TBC!

Vancouver has such a faithful following and great fans, Calgary has had one of the leagues top teams and the city supports the flames with a pride that becomes nation wide by the end of the season! Montreal, the most winning franchise in sports history, a team that the city holds up as champions and is tough on when they do not perform. All of these teams are not only equal but FAR MORE deserving of the spotlight!



Fix the franchise!? No! Let it rot and perhaps in future years Toronto and the rotting corpse of the leaf franchise will prove fertile for a new roster of younger players that can push them even a little bit closer to a Cup! Until then i say the Toronto fans should catch the highlights the next day and not force the rest of the country to watch this lame, losing, and fallen team on CBC!

Answer 33

I will briefly outline a new plan for Maple Leaf success:



Firstly, we must observe the recent success of the small market American teams, as well as the Ottawa Senators. Basically they have thrived on ice due to young new talented players which have obviously come to determine how the game is successfully played all within the last five or so years.

Toronto has moved away from this trend by signing players like Nolan and Lindros in the past.

These players obviously encourage seat sales but didn't have much longevity, no matter how well they played when they weren't injured: They are old by contrast of the new generation of top-notch players. Giving Blake a five-year contract also fits into this category because his scoring record is not up to par with a player who should be signed in such a way- this is bad on-ice business, period.

In professional hockey, there aren't really any quick-fix CEO measures that can be taken to strengthen the Leafs. The reality is that the team needs about five seasons of restructuring. This- as hinted above, means using resources to get young talented players on the team who can work with Sundin and other proven Leafs. The fan-favourite Leafs like Tucker may be photogenic players who deliver a certain style of play that fans pick up on- but need to be replaced again with new fresh youngsters. This is an unlikely move for the team though, but the only realistic way to move to more success.



On the other side of the same coin however, and satirically so: The Leafs reside in the largest city in the most prolific 'hockey country' and by default will always be the most financially successful team, so changes in the ways I have mentioned are almost set to never happen.

Also, the redneck aesthetic that the NHL was built on that (unlike any other popular sport) allows and encourages players to fist-fight during games and pay reverence to conservative loudmouths like Don Cherry is the weaker part of a duality of senseablitliy and some rural form of 'old boyism

Answer 34

Unfortunately there are to many people in MLSE upper management team, with silver spoons in there mouths. They need to clean house up there as well. Richard Pettie should be next to go after clearly showing for all to see, he can't manage.

The MLSE board needs to be rid of the Teacher fund and have one solid owner, and it shouldn't be Mr. Tanenbuam either.

On the hockey side; Cliff Fletcher is a great hockey mind, that I hope they leave alone to do his job. He needs clean house of the old guard. McCabe, Kubina, Gill, Tucker and any other underachievers. They should be traded and younger, faster and more disciplined players.

Paul Maurice has to given have the players with the right tools for the new game, and I believe he can still do a good job.

Oh, and they need to find a scouting team who really knows the new game, and not the old recycled bunch they have now.



Will MLSE make any or some of these changes. Well if the past is our giude, NO. So what else is new!!!!!!!



The answer, STOP going and buying there products!!!!!!

Answer 35

While getting draft picks and developing your yonger players for the future is nice, those of us who have been waiting since '67 want something a little more timely than having to wait another five years to see any improvement. Besides, drafting starts earlier than when you step to the mic and announce who you're selecting. It starts with your scouting team and system. If you think that the Leafs would select the next Crosby, you'll be awfully sad when they come away with two more George Ferguson's.In professional hockey, there aren't really any quick-fix CEO measures that can be taken to strengthen the Leafs. The reality is that the team needs about five seasons of restructuring. This- as hinted above, means using resources to get young talented players on the team who can work with Sundin and other proven Leafs. The fan-favourite Leafs like Tucker may be photogenic players who deliver a certain style of play that fans pick up on- but need to be replaced again with new fresh youngsters. This is an unlikely move for the team though, but the only realistic way to move to more success.

Answer 36

EZ. The Maple Leafs belong to the people of Toronto. Ownership should make them a public company like the Packers. Then fire everyone they have in there now, from the president to the GM. Yeah they just got Cliff, but they need someone who'll get things done. He wont. Only then will the Leafs become a great franchise. And who cares if they make the playoffs, they wont be winning the cup anytime soon. They're just concerned with making playoff money. That's it. So, make the Leafs public and we'll be fine!!!!

Answer 37

While getting draft picks and developing your yonger players for the future is nice, those of us who have been waiting since '67 want something a little more timely than having to wait another five years to see any improvement. Besides, drafting starts earlier than when you step to the mic and announce who you're selecting. It starts with your scouting team and system. If you think that the Leafs wouldFix the franchise!? No! Let it rot and perhaps in future years Toronto and the rotting corpse of the leaf franchise will prove fertile for a new roster of younger players that can push them even a little bit closer to a Cup! Until then i say the Toronto fans should catch the highlights the next day and not force the rest of the country to watch this lame, losing, and fallen team on CBC! select the next Crosby, you'll be awfully sad when they come away with two more George Ferguson's.

Answer 38

There are a few obvious moves already mentioned by other readers trade Mats etc, however the most important choice is the off ice leadership and the choice the Leafs will make in the next 6 to 8 months is critical. I have a suggestion, hire Mark Hunter as the GM and Dale Hunter as the coach. Trust me these guys have the "touch". They have turned the London Knights into the envy of the Canadian Hockey League. They have vision on what a team should be, they are fearless in making decisions and have an uncanny eye for talent. Every player almost without exception, loves to play for them. Most importantly they find a way to win and win and win!

Answer 39

Do not take the leafs of hockey night in Canada.



Look what Gretsky did for the Coyotes, youth!



Yes you will have to trade Sundin to a contender, but what else can you do.



Gretsky made a big difference this year, I know that the Leafs can do the same thing.



Tucker, come on guys time to move on. Put the right package together and you will get some young talent and some good draft picks.



Have a 5 year plan!! And stick by it!!! Youth, Youth, Youth.



The 1989's, 90's age group they will be ready in three years and they will be the next crop of kids that will hit the big leagues, look at Steen, he is a good example of what a young player can do for you.

Throw in a couple of franchise type players that will keep the kids in line and then let them go. Again Gretsky has done that this year, Who would have thought, look at some of his draft picks. He is a proven example.



Get the right coach who believes in having a 5 year plan, forget about the old guys, especially the ones who feel they have one more year. Start dumping them now because all they will do now is skate through the motions, why get hurt for the golf season.



I am a leaf fan, but they better keep skating hard and trying to win, if not, well you might lose one fan.

Answer 40

I am a fan but a realist. The Leafs are simply not stocked with good players.Aside from Mats and Darcy, there are no upper echelon players. The rest of the cast is average at best and from their record in the standings,not even average.

They need to tear it down to build anew. This means from top to bottom. I have been saying that for 5 years.Maurice is a good coach.He can only play with the cards given to him.Right now , the only way to the top is through the draft.They have no player of trade value. You will only get back what you give.The Leafs need a TRUE 5 year plan of drafting(and keeping)young talent that is truly talented.And then they must excercise patience in developing these young players. The leafs have a history of annointing the next one about 4 minutes after the draft and seldom has it panned out.A new philosophy is called for ;NOW. I don't understand bringing back Fletcher.It is the Leaf way.Retreads.I still believe the Leafs need ME.Over the past 20 years,I would have built a winner.Especially with the funds available to a very rich team.Only by building,not trading,will this team ever be champions again.

Answer 41

I think that hockey in general has left the "sport" and gone to who is worth the most and too many players that think the talent they have gained to be where they are is going to last with no more effort.

As far as the Maple Leafs go they are not paying enough attention to the other teams and how they play. The Leafs seem very predictable in their moves and should try some things differently. Have good direction on this would be a start and perhaps add a little more shots instead of passes would help.

Answer 42

Wow where to start?



First restructure the organization so you don't have to ask the board every little thing and get quality hockey people in the front office.



Trade:



Sundin: Love you man, but 36 and a UFA. This team cannot win the cup so I don't see a problem with him waiving his no trade clause. If you look at similar deadline deals, Sundin might be worth something like 2 1st rounder and a good prospect. For a hunch, I think Dallas would be interested and that's where he might go.



Raycroft: At only 2.2 mil next year you can't say a team like LA isn't thinking about it. At the very least he's a little bit of insurance or competition. He's not great, but he can still be decent at times. Toskala has the ability to be a great goalie and is the player the Leafs should build around. If you can get a 2nd or 3rd round pick for some dead weight than it's worth it.



Try To Move:



Blake: Just not the type a guy you need to build a young team around. I don't if it's even possible to move him. 4 million dollar man who's got 9 goals in 49 games. If can get something like a 2nd round pick or decent young d-man then jump all over it.



McCabe/Kubina: McCabe never would have got that money on any other team in the league. If you can get a high draft pick and a prospect, great. Sadly you cannot move both, leaves too big of a hole in the back end.



Keep:



Tucker: First reaction is to move him, but at 33 and only 3 mil I think the Leaf can hold on to him. Yes I know he's only scoring a point in every for games, but playing his best I think he has shown he can contribute in many ways including offensively. I know it's a risk, but really I don't think there is too much demand for an underpreforming Tucker....better to bite the bullet.



Steen/Stajan/Wellwood: All guys under 25 & RFA who need to be signed to atleast 2 or 3 years.



Kaberle: Their best defenceman and worth every penny.



Prospects: Pretty bare right now. Some young guys who will hopefully be nice pieces are Pogge (Canadian World Juniors and they guy they chose over Rask) and Tlusty (a 1988 born first rounder).



The Leafs (or Laughs, as some people refer to them) need to make these moves to pick up 4 or 5 draft picks (hopefully 2 or 3 in the first round) and some solid prospects. Next year might be even worse than this year, but atleast there'd be light on the horizon....something Leafs' fans haven't seen in their aging fleet in a long time.

Answer 43

the worst franchise ever since 1967, arena is full, the fans watch Toronto as if they were #1 ,every goal is a celebration,the worst ,the worst. I see the guys at work IDOLIZING the leafs, wearing leafs gear,10 lost in a row and no complaints,one win and smiles everywhere. I am a habs fan from chicoutimi,i am proud of the habs with good reasons but the maple leafs fans? why are they proud????? They have to go back to 1967 to solve the leafs problems, pride,come to work and hatred towards losing. Why comments like:" we will take the positive out of that lost and carry it to the next game": That is enough leafs fans, give them boos, don't go to the games and get Canadian players especially at the captain position, go back to Canadian blood.The team you have now needs Canadian blood transfusion. Make tucker the captain,first of all, move the Canadians up ,keep the same team and you will see the leafs of 1967. If you keep on feeding this fat cow,forget the stanley cup. Stop feeding this cow and you will get a stanley cup....250 answers? i don't believe it,you guys are blinded fans, the expos had 2000 blinded fans , you guys have 10 millions.

Answer 44

The Leafs are no different. They are a cash machine and the fund doesn't have to spend money and allow the GM to put the best team on the ice. I'm not a fan of Ferguson but he was doomed from the start. They haven't made a good trade in years (that hasn't resulted in an old guy coming back to the team and being benched with injuries) and until the Fund backs off the same will hold true.

Answer 45

It starts with the C and works its way down from there. The only players that should be kept by the team are Toskala, Kaberle, Stajan, and the young guns. Tucker, Sundin, McCabe, Antrapov and the likes ALL HAVE TO GO. The Leafs have been run so poorly ever since Ballard owned the team and it is time for the fans to get something that is worth watching. The ownership group should stop relying on the 41 guarnteed sell outs and think of the devoted fans that go to those 41 games.

Answer 46

The only way that Toronto will ever get any better, is if there is a new team in the market. Without any competition, there's no motivation for management to try to build a winner. Hockey fans buy the only NHL product in the market. Look at what New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils had to do to compete with to the New York Rangers. Both franchises had to win to be able to compete. New York Ranger fans should actually thank the Devils and Isles for their Cup win in 1994. After both new franchises became successful, Rangers had to go out and build a winner. (Enter Mark Messier). The Leafs are a profitable, publicly traded company that continues to sell out without a viable winning product. Bring on the new Hamilton franchise. It's the best way to ensure a winner in Toronto!!!!!!!

Answer 47

Getting a permanent decent GM is going to be difficult now. The way they handled Ferguson was very unprofessional. No GM with a brain is going to want to work at MLSE. Upper management needs to keep their noses out of the daily hockey business and just keep their noses in the books.



This organization practically prints its own money. With a salary cap and a sold out stadium EVERY GAME they cannot lose. The unfortunate thing is that the stupid fans keep buying up tickets no matter what the product on the ice is. When other teams slump, attendance goes down. Not in TO.



How to fix the team?

New upper management with a new vision. A long-term vision.

The players? Trade the deadbeats on the team to get young players, picks or bags of pucks. Don't trade the leaders! You need guys with experience to lead the young guns. Look at Detroit! Look at New Jersey! They are always in the hunt because of their mentoring program. Don't trade Sundin. He is the draw. Let him finish his career there and then give him an office job. He would be good as a PR man or something. All great organizations in the NHL do that.



And to really make the Leafs better! Another team in Southern Ontario - Hamilton, Windsor...hell even one on Toronto.

Answer 48

Well.. it's a bit late for this season, but maybe sending them to training camp in Ottawa would help... Or Montreal.. Or Tampa, for that matter.

I do agree, though about the countrywide coverage... living in Kingston, I don't know why we get a Leafs game every Saturday on CBC when Ottawa is closer..

Oops, mentioned Ottawa twice... well, not really a fan of Ottawa either, though the management seems to put a better team out..

If you want a serious answer, the owners should do some headhunting. Pick up an assistant coach who's been with a team that's done well, and put him in charge..

Hold on to draft picks, and stop buying up players two thirds of the way through the season, while giving away the future for a 'right now' gain. Good teams seem to grow together. Plan for four years from now, not March.

Answer 49

First and foremost you have to start by building a solid group from youth, ie: Keeping draft picks and trading up in a draft if possible, then bring these young players along into a cohesive unit. Geeze where have we seen that before. The Leafs have done this in the past (a run of 10 years) however they drafted players that disappeared into hockey oblivion at the time. Lets turn over a new Leaf Cliff and start drafting with some intelligence(and luck). Perhaps Mats should be traded to a legitimate Stanley Cup Contender for 3 top draft picks and two players who can step right in. I'm glad its in Cliff's hands now as Interim GM, maybe I can start to sleep at night. It's still hard to believe Peddie stood between the board and Scotty Bowman (according to the ink stained wretches in the papers)?? Ok I don't know all the facts but Geeze could Scotty have made it worse??? I THINK NOT. Scotty's 9 Stanley cups speak for themselves. Let the Qualified Full Time GM Lottery Begin! Accent on the word Qualified....

Answer 50

It's about time Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment realize that winning a Stanley Cup should be the organization's goal not filling the Air Canada Centre every night. It seems MLSE has not cared about the true Leafs Nation fans since corporate customers such as the banks and law firms and the out of town fans are the ones buying up tickets and filling the venue night after night. As long as profits are high they don't worry.



It's time management get some brand name players in like Iginla, Crosby, Le Cavalier, Bonk and Alfredsson around Captain Mats Sundin. Sundin has been solid year after year and would have even more goals to his credit if he hadn't been out to unfortunate injuries. Trading Sundin would be absurd and better to get him some help.



Here's hoping that MLSE under Cliff Fletcher will make some decisions that focus on putting a winning team on the ice not a flailing one that makes money only because of the high end clientele that visit the ACC. If I was a corporation I'd refuse to buy season tickets until they can win a Stanley Cup. May be attendance would drop by 50% or more if that happened they'd be faster at solving the team's problems.



Andrew

Answer 51

I've watched the Maple Leafs for over 40 years. They have the best, most loyal fans in hockey. Unfortunately, the team has never lived up to its fans. The fix is simple and is the same fix which should have been used years ago. Get rid of the management (NOT necessarily the General Manager) but the actual money people. Stop gouging the fans and spend some money on talent. Stop trying to build a team around one or two players, which just sucks up the bucks. Stop trying to follow the flavour of the month. You know, I'll bet there are all sorts of players today who would take a pay cut just to play for the famous Leafs - if they were worthwhile playing for.

Answer 52

It's gonna be tough.

For all those that think trading Mats would be unfavourable.

Don't forget the most popular Leaf EVER (#17) was traded

for a EUROPEAN !! gross.

You aren't gonna get anything for the underachievers.

Waive Kubina and Raycroft. .

If we were proactive we could of grabbed an underachieving,

injured Kevin Bieksa or a disappointing Jordan Staal.

OPEN YOUR EYES MLSE.

I imagine a team where 4 lines make a team.

It only took 40+ games to put together a decent 3rd line.

I don't care if Kilger scores 4 goals in a game.

Keep a productive line together.

The fourth line is underachieving 1st liners and the

1st line is over-achieving fourth liners.



and yes .... FIRE PAUL MAURICE !!!!



PS thanx Steve Downie for waking Jason Blake up.

Totally different player after the sucker punch.

GO TO THE NET !!!



Don't worry Philly about retribution as this Leafs team

is the softest Iteam have ever witnessed.

Embarassing even.

Why doesn't Darcy play with an edge anymore.

If you've ever played hockey you'd know that

better players make others around them better AND

tougher players make others play tougher.



Who's our toughest player ?

170lb DARCY TUCKER.





CANCEL LEAFSTV and make a statement ...

Answer 53

Wow, so we finally got rid of Ferguson! I've been saying that we should fire him since his first day in office.

To fix the Leafs: we should also get rid of Maurice. I never liked that guy much. As some have stated, Sundin should also go, as well as McCabe, Gill, Blake, Tucker.....Come to think of it, lots of Leafs should be released. For each of these experience players we can probably get few young players with potential.

We have to start putting on some of our boys from the Marlies. We have some pretty good players there that have never had the chance to play. Goalies should also be replaced. Raycroft and Clemmenson...they were never any good. Give Pogge a chance to experience the big leagues.

Get a good young team going, even though that may mean we will get off to a slow start the first couple years of the new and improved Leafs, it's still much better than getting old players that were once good but now suck.

Finally, salaries...people such as Sundin and McCabe are payed way too much. We can't overpay these average (Sundin) to below average (McCabe - was good once, but now he SUCKS) players. It's holding us back from getting anyone good

Answer 54

New ownership is the only answer to the Leaf's woes. It seems that a good product is not needed in Toronto when the seats are full every game whether the Leafs win or lose. The board is only interested in delivering the bottom line, not the Stanley Cup. We need an owner with deep pockets who can offer the Teacher's Pension Plan enough money to get them the hell out of the picture. A pension plan should never invest in a sports team, as sometimes you have to take unorthodox actions in order to win it all, and putting aside extra funds to 'win' is not in the Teacher's Fund's best interest. 40 years without a Stanley Cup in the greatest hockey market in the world is so beyond ridiculous, it is absurd. Change it. Soon. Please!

Answer 55

Sure, the Teachers' Pension Plan is not the least interested in hockey, nor should they. Heck, if I had a pension, I sure hope the people running it will not invest it in money-losing ventures.



Their focus is to make money, and when people continues to buy even Purple seats for over $100 each, no matter how badly the boys in blue & white are playing, sure the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Ltd looks like a pretty good investment.



Even those of us who can't quite afford to blow $500 on a night of booing in person are still guilty of "spoiling" the Leafs. Why do you think HNIC covers the Leafs more than any other Canadian team? Because it's got the biggest viewer base (and thus ad money), that's why. If they were picking by performance, we'll be seeing a lot more of Sens, that's for sure.



So, in the end, *WE* are to blame for why the Leafs don't care how well (or poorly) they play. Stop buying tickets, stop tuning in to watch/listen when they play (you end up with a heartache anyway), stop buying licensed merchandise like jerseys, stop flying the flags on the side of the car. Even for just a year or two, and you'll see them turn around.....

Answer 56

I remember growing up in Toronto and the last Cup victory in'67. From that point on the team has not played like a team but as a bunch of individuals.

The only way I can see of "Fixing" the Leafs is for the fans to stop buying tickets and supporting this complacent organization. When the support financially and faithfully is not there then maybe head office will wake up and smell the coffee. Until such a time, the Leaf faithful will continue to waste their time and continue to be suckered in to a gold mine that doesn't have to win because the seats are paid for whether they are winning or losing.

How badly does the Maple Leaf Sports Enterprise "BELEAF" in the team? The fans of the Buds deserve a winner and shame on management for wasting the time of fans for the past 41 years.

Answer 57

I think the best thing we can do for the Leafs is support them and cheer for them unconditionally. All season I have heard only negative things said about them. It doesn't do much for team morale to have every loss over-analyzed to death by supposed fans. It has to hurt them to look in the paper every day and read the bad things said about them. They are quite capable of playing good hockey and can beat many of the top teams. Even when they win there are still negative things being said, like they only won because the other team is down with the flu or the other team isn't trying too hard because they are in first place and don't need the win. I want to hear people supporting the Leafs and pointing out all their good attributes instead of constantly criticizing everything they do. When the team morale is up, the performance will be as well.

Answer 58

As much as I hate the Leafs, I know that they are in a ripe hockey market and get a lot of exposure due to their location.



Hockey is about team, but a lot of the times it is an individual game in regards to morale and drive. If a player doesn't want to play, they won't, plain and simple.



First place I would start is in the are where the players are affected most, coaching and upper level management. I hear the Leafs are already on the road, but as long as they don't **** the bed in hiring a new GM, they should be on a good start. The new GM should want to be there and make it a priority to get this team back to the greatness they had... Umm... Like... 40 years ago.



Anyways, coaching should be the next priority, this team needs someone who will not only motivate them, but has a system in place that works with the current roster, utilizing the talent, and minimizing the shortcomings. It also has to be someone who is not going to put up with the crap that todays players insist upon serving up. He needs to be hard, but fair, and his goal should be winning.



The next step would be getting rid of cancerous players, nothing worse for a locker room then someone who has a problem. Even if it means cleaning house and getting new players, or bringing up rookies from the minors. You need a fresh start with players who want to be there, and who want to play for the team, and who are genuinely interested in being there (and not just for a paycheck). Someone who is willing to learn a new system and make the best of it.



This is not an overnight solution. Step one is understanding that you have a problem, now they can start doing what it takes to turn the Major Losers into the Maple Leafs again. Quality personnel is the first step to a program that works, and prepare to spend a few more years in the toilet bowl of the NHL until the problems are corrected.

Answer 59

First and foremost they need to get rid of Richard Peddie. He can stay on at MLSEL in the capacity of condo builder and money maker. He should have nothing to do with the running of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club. He needs to admit that he is not the best man for this job and step away. He is not a hockey person, he does not understand the business of running a hockey team but I think he is too egotistical to see this and as long as he's making money for the Teachers Pension fund why would they care if the team does well or not. Fire Peddie, hire an established hockey person to be the president, who can in turn hire anybody that he wants to be the new GM. The president and GM should be able to make whatever moves they see fit without ownership looking over their shoulder. Hire more scouts and hire a more knowledgable front office. Easy as Pi.

Answer 60

Here's an idea. Blow the entire franchise up and let it die! There are five other franchises in the country that have all been to a Stanley cup final since 1967, one has won numerous cups (Habs baby!!). The leafs are not the end all be all for the hockey world and it would be nice if all our supposed national sports broadcasters stopped treating them as such. Every team has lean years. The Canadiens have been in one since 93, the Sens were horrible for how many years!!! Edmonton...once the last of the young guns left, they stopped being a serious contender. Calgary is on the rebound now. Vancouver likes to tease people but they haven't really shown consistency. Yet the fan bases of those teams have been relatively calm, with the exception of Montreal, but I don't want another headache so I digress. The point of my rant is that you leaf fans need to get over yourselves and relax. Everything ebbs and flows!

Answer 61

Peddie needs to go also... he has too much power, and is the one who brought in Ferguson in the first place. He doesn't know what he is doing at all.



Also the Leafs have no short term fix, Players like Kubina, McCabe, and Blake are locked up for another 4-5 years, and no team in their right mind will take on salaries like theirs.



Sundin for the better of the team, needs to waive his no trade clause,and be traded, so the Leafs can get some picks for the draft. If Sundin truly does love the Leafs, he will sign back. This situation is different from the Oiliers/Smith situation, in which Smith did not have a no trade clause, and could be moved even if he didn't like it



Raycroft has to be traded also, Pogge (with the Marlies) is a good enough goalie to back up Toskala



Truthly, I don't see how the Leafs are going to be contenders for awhile, it will take 4-5 years to get rid of the enormous contracts, and another couple of years for the draft picks to become stars.

Answer 62

First, for the person issuing the statement to "stop giving the Leafs countrywide distribution", give your head a shake. That statment makes as much sense as not hanging the Canadian flag in this country.

In fact, a loyal fan would not make this kind of statement. Learn to live by the brand TMLF...the most loyal fans.

As for fixing the Leafs, why stop there, fix numerous other teams, fix the NHL again, fix Don Cherry, in fact fix everything. Here's one fix the bandwagoners that jump on the next hyped team( another reason for the "red mile" barforama) ....Ie Calgary Flames fans cause they are going to win the cup a third straight year in a row.

P.S. not if Edmonton has final say again, you must remember the run that year. Ask a loyal fan for this Team in Medicine Hat.

Answer 63

Toronto is a lucky team... every other teams fans would have left them in the dirt long ago.. I am a HUGE Toronto fan.. from Ottawa ... so its not like i dont have a choice... The leafs definitly need to rebuild their team.. and if they are not going to pay more for the big names (which they aren't) they should go back to the fundamentals of hockey... what is hockey all about?.. not the money the heart of the game... i would go see a hockey game if the players lost every game but it was a GREAT game because they have the heart and they worked their *** OFF i am so sick of watching million dollar players not even want to be there and complain... go down to the farm teams and pick some guys who actually want to play and are GOOD there are SOO many of them that want to play but cant because of these big name big pay players.. this is why i am starting to hate hockey all together.. not just a certain team!! I think if all teams want to get back on track they will focus more on the heart of the game them what big name they can have in their roster......

Answer 64

1. Rent Sundin to another team for these playoffs in return for a high draft pick, with the intent of resigning him in the off-season to provide leadership to the younger prospects.

2. Stay the course, i think Ferguson had the right ideas in not making any knee jerk reactions to the fans and trading away their youth like they did in the past just to make the playoffs, however he was a bit too inactive in the off season. They have a good supporting cast and need some star players to compliment Sundin. That's been the problem for the past few years, the Leafs don't have any game breakers on their roster other than Sundin.

3. Give Maurice a vote of confidence, look what he did for the Marlies a few years ago.

4. BYE BYE TEACHERS UNION !!!!!

5. Get a good goalie coach - Raycroft is a good goalie when his confidence is there, he's struggling by letting out too many rebounds and would make a good backup, but he's far from starting goaltender material....

Answer 65

O.K.,



I am a Toronto fan, but Toronto NEEDS to rebuild. Trade Mats Sundin, Pavel Kubina, Darcy Tucker, Andrew Raycroft, Bryan McCabe, and if they NEED to, Toskala. For that they could get young talent, draft picks, and extra money not seen since the Nordiques traded Eric Lindros. Fire the G.M. Ferguson. That guy can't take a hint. the team is doing horribly, but he sits there like the Red Wing's GM during a game against L.A.! Also, lower ticket prices! Hardcore Maple Leafs fans don't always have as much money as needed for a few seats. Hire some reliable scouts. If the Leafs have draft picks, they might as well have scouts that know who to draft. Bring up some people from the minors! Pittsburgh threw their minor league team into the NHL, and look how well their doing! At least THEY'RE in the top 10 in their conference. Don't forget to develop your prospects! If you don't develop them, they'll never blossom into scoring stars in the NHL. Sign Free Agents! You could've signed Cujo, but NO, you had to be more concerned with revenue!



This is what I have to say about how to improve the Toronto Maple Leafs.





LONG LIVE SAKIC!!! GO AVS GO!!!

Answer 66

first, get back alexander mogilny. Him wellwood and sundin would be a huge line.

we need better defence

andrew ference has great speed

Robyn Regher is awsome to

no more woznewski or kubina

mccabe would be someone u could bargain with

keep sundin

raycroft did nothing wrong but if he asks for to much there can be a trade possibility

for scoring you need, kovalchuck, ovechkin or lecavilier

tampa has to unload sum of its big 3

go for it

toskala is good

we desperatly need ryan getzlaf

he's pure skill and has size

blake could be a trading tool

hez just not scoring

but then again as soon as we picked him up he got cancer so......

pohl should play more

belak is a leaf for life

give coliacovo a chance

but if he gets injured again....... traded

ian white doesnt score or prevent goals so wotevr

kilger is crazy keep him

clemmensen isnt playing great......not worth the money

pogge can take places and dont cost much

battaglia is pretty good to

but if wer not gunna use him....trade

stajan and steen dont do crap

steen cant even take a pass

unload 'em

keep tucker

hell come back

if in the long run we really need a goalie

backstrom it is

kopiter could be good too

finally we gotta get a top 3 draft pick

we need some huge rookies

Answer 67

Move them to Winnipeg.



Honestly, what an unhealthy obsession with a loser team. Edmonton is not doing too hot either but there's no media addiction to their troubles, outside of Edmonton.



The problem with the Leafs is the rest of the country is tired of you. It would be great for Canada if the Sens win the cup and the Leafs end up last in the standings. At least then, the Torontocentric media will realize there's more to hockey in Canada than white and blue. Go Sens go!

Answer 68

The best thing for the Leafs would be for Hockey Night in Canada to stop airing them because maybe lost revenue would make them do something. The Leafs are in the business of making their shareholders happy - not winning hockey games. As long as large corporations continue to buy out the seasons tickets (and to a lesser extent fans as well) there is little incentive for the franchise to win games. The Leafs are the highest valued NHL team whether they win or lose so it makes good business sense to let them flounder at the bottom of the standings and watch the cash stream in. I would LOVE to see a coordinated boycott of just one Saturday night game and see what the owners would do in the face of the public rejecting the terrible product they are putting on the ice. The platinums are empty most of the game anyway so all it would take would for ticket holders in the golds on up to stay home. Sad, but Toronto deserves better.

Answer 69

I was going to say get rid of the team but Canada only has 6 teams (outs of 30 in the NHL) including TML. One of them has to be the worst, and may it always be the leafs.



Seriously now:



1. Get fresh legs (young talented players) in and old ones out, N.B. talented players are not always first pick.

2. Keep Mats S. for 2 yrs max as a tutor after you've done number 1, but he cannot remain as captain

3. Goal-tenders not an issue if all are healthy

4. My goodness, I think some people in management are having multiple brain fart for not cutting a deal with Scotty Bowman. If he cannot turn the team and management around I don't think anyone else can.

5. The good news: if they keep this 'impressive' season up they just might end up with first pick, and if all else remains the same, this might be the NHL's first Black hole.



If they can get Scotty on board, I will be one less that hates the Leafs, but by no means will I love them.



By the way, you can let the fans run the team, they've been doing it in Montreal for years (they want or prefer only french-Quebec born players for starters, oh yes coaches too).



Peace, from a HABS fan who still knows that we can beat the Leafs even at their best or worst.

Answer 70

It's all about the money. It always has been and always will be. You want to win the Cup? Spend more of it, but put the team (Maple Leafs) through a strainer. There are so many young talented players that need to be given a chance. There should be a cap on how long someone can play for a certain team. Mix it up a bit. As for GM's and head coaches, let them do their jobs. Stop pressuring them. That's all I have to say. Oh by the way you learn something from other teams like Anaheim, Detroit, Ottawa and yes Philadelphia.

Answer 71

The simple answer is you cannot fix the leafs, not right now at any rate. With the salery cap a GM cannot buy his way out of makeing mistakes. Ferguson made huge mistakes at the blue line signing high priced blue liners that are not worth half of what they are getting, not to mention tradeing them is not an option no GM in the world would touch half of the blue line corpse. Hall Gill is about the only good aquisition he has brought in via free agencey, some would say Blake has worked out as well but you have to remeber the Leafs signed him to score goals not assist and he is on pace for mabe 20 goals for the season if he gets lucky. The leafs do have a very good number one goalie but nothing in front of him, the good thing about that is Toskala is young enough to go threw the growing pains of a bad team and might even benifit from the extra rubber heading his way. However the face of the franchise is not so young anymore. Mats Sundin one of the top five players in the league, however he cannot do it all. Heck Wayne Gretzkey could not do it all and the leafs managment has been luckluster at signing free agents who not only want to come to toronto but some even begged. The only way out now is too bite the bullet suck for the next 2 to 3 years and try to build up some youth talent, and no Steen,Stajan,Wellwood are not what I am talking about those are 3rd line players. Sundin should be traded, not because I want to see him go but because I have too much respect for such a talent to be wasted on such a bad team. If he was on the Detriot or Ottawa he would be haveing 50 goal seasons and over 100 points every year, not to mention even if its not in a leaf uniform I would still cheer just as loud too see that man raise the stanley cup over his head. For a leaf fan to say that shows you the kind of quality player and person he has been over the years. I personally beleave he can play for another 3 to 4 years of all star hockey but that is not long enough for the leafs too recover from the damage Ferguson has done over the years.

Answer 72

I would fix them by getting rid of Peddie and Tanenbaum, those two guys have done so much damage. Anyone in their right mind would not want to work for MLSE knowing the kind of power struggles that lay within the boardroom. The teacher's need to step back and let hockey people run a hockey team, not business people. Hire some good CA's to control the finances and get a guy in there who knows the game. I left the Leafs nation after the playoff exit to the Canes, I realized that they don't want to win a cup. GO CANUCKS GO!

Answer 73

I don't want to answer this question.



My comment is, why the performance (or lack of) of the Maple Leafs a 'Canada's problem' that it requires a forum of its own?



The Toronto Maple Leafs, IMHO, is the most overrated major league sport team in North America. It has nothing, repeat nothing, to achieve to deserve the treatment it receives from the public and the media. It is, in fact, the most losing Canadian NHL team in recent history.



But look at the way the media treat the Leafs. We are always led as if Leafs are the Canadian representative in the NHL. Case in hand is Hockey Night in Canada. Whenever Leafs play, the program plays them in HD and in national basis. Meanwhile if the timing is in conflict with either Sens or Habs game, the other teams' game will be put in local feed (and no HD of course) or not shown altogether.



So my suggestion is actually directed to their fans. Don't watch them until they improve. Don't waste your dough to go to ACC. Until the fans do something tangible to the management (MLSE in this case), they will not consider the problem seriously. All in all, unless it changes, I don't see that Leafs will win the Stanley Cup in my lifetime.



PS: Go, Habs, go!!

Answer 74

what do the leafs and the titanic have in common?

- they both look good until they hit the ice . i suffered through the long and losing harold ballard years as a teen and now that i am almost 40 nothing has changed. i realize that $$$$$$$ are the most important thing to the people that have the ability to improve the team and as long as they sell out all the time and go one or 2 rounds in the playoffs those people won't give a #@%$#@^!! Until leaf fans get an owner that is as passionate about winning as they are about $$$$$$$ and put proper upper management in place forget about a stanley cup until at least 2015. LEAF's ORGANIZATION (not most of the players&coaches) YOU TRULY * DISGUST * ME AND I KNOW YOU WON"T CARE IF I FINALLY SNAP AND BECOME A HABS FAN. AT LEAST MR. GILETTE HAS SOME PASSION FOR WINNING AS WELL AS FOR $$$$$$$. XOXO trish

Answer 75

It's no secret that the Leafs are the Yankees of Hockey: a Retirement home for over-paid has-beens. You wanna fix the team, then there's only one solution: clean house. Retire the old farts and bring in some fresh blood. That goes for the management as well.

I'd like to see Chara "ragdoll" McCabe again. That has nothing to do with fixing the team, but it's a feel-good moment that I hold close to my heart. I think that's my only fond memory of the team.

Personally, I gave up on Hockey ofter the Strike, so I couldn't care less if they replace Hockey Night in Canada with Simpsons re-runs.



I say: GO LEAFS GO! GO AWAY! FOREVER!

Answer 76

As long as the stands and corporate boxes are full for every game and seasons tickets have to be willed to be obtained, nothing will change. The Leafs are not cup contenders and never will be as long as they can put butts in seats every night.



It's a business and, as such, will continue to be run in such a way as to increase profits year after year. The owners will spend money to make money but if earnings are already near maximum, the only way to increase profits is to spend less on the team. Less is more.



The formula for the Leafs to maximize profits appears to be to have a team who are contenders for the playoffs. As such, they are never good enough to contend for the cup and every few years the team misses the playoffs. What's my proof of this? As long as they make the playoffs, even to be knocked out in the first round, little or nothing changes. The owners are happy enough to just make the playoffs as this is enough to keep butts in seats. It's only when they miss the playoffs, when butts in seats are theatened, that they make serious changes, fire the coach and trade some players.



There is a big difference in quality, attitude, determination, etc between a team that is trying to win the cup and one that is just trying to get into the playoffs every year. There is also a big difference in how much it costs.



The Leafs will not improve until the problem hits the owners in the pocket. If we ever see that the stands are half empty and the corporate money starts to pull out, the quality of the Leafs will improve shortly thereafter.The Leafs will change when the fans do. When the fans demand a quality team and stop showing up to watch the also-ran kind of team the Leafs have been for as long as I can remember, the team will improve.



Unfortunately, I don't see this happening. Die-hard fans will continue to fill the ACC for every game. The real shame of it is that it is the fans that love the Leafs most are the ones who are keeping them from being real contenders.



Timbo

Answer 77

the one problem in all sports today is MONEY! The owners want another boat or car and the players have no heart left after they sign the contract. this leaves the fans not being able to afford the family night out, and now they complain. if the players are good enough, let them make their money in advertising. where are the Bobby Orr's , the Frank M, etc... these guys really played hockey and put on a show to watch. bench the players that whine when their not happy with the club, and bring up the farm team. these kids want to play. make it known that there's no big money, just a chance to play what they say they love. if their good enough, they'll advertise for sport drinks or something. make a deal with the city for taxes etc.. to keep the team, but when you do this prices have to drop so your average kid can see a game. alot of companies have profit sharing. if the league makes money, share it with the players as a bonus. you may not win the cup the first year, but the respect from the fans will grow and then watch what happens. other teams will follow. let the americans have their teams , this is a canadian sport, lets treat it as one. there are doctors out there saving peoples life who are worth more than sports players.

Answer 78

First thing would be to fire the entire management team, Richard Peddie all the way down to the water boy. Then hire one person to run the day to day operations, from the business side. Second, get a quality hockey person, and give him/her total autonomy over player/personnel of the hockey team. The new GM can bring in his/her own coaching staff, and with the new coach, evaluate every player in the organization, to determine their long term value to the franchise. Then sell off all the teams "assets" and build through the draft. The team has been lousy for 40 years, what is another 3-4 while they rebuild again.

Answer 79

The Leafs (or Laughs, as some people refer to them) need to make these moves to pick up 4 or 5 draft picks (hopefully 2 or 3 in the first round) and some solid prospects. Next year might be even worse than this year, but atleast there'd be light on the horizon....something Leafs' fans haven't seen in their aging fleet in a long time.

Answer 80

Honestly, most people here have it right. We need youth and we do need to gamble on prospects. Fletcher has the right attitude, and hopefully he'll have the right scouts for the job. Yes, that means trading Sundin, Tucker, McCabe, Kubina and whoever else you can.



Yes, that means some losing seasons, but I don't care. As long as the team is making the moves to be on the way to a cup, it's better than 'almost' making the playoffs or being blown away by a top team if they squeak out the 8th seed.



IMO, the best recent leaf teams we had was in Pat Quinn's first year as coach. They were young, speedy and Quinn had them playing a run and gun style. What happened? They all left for quick, older fixes and the team deteriorated. I mean, we could have had Brad Boyes on our team.



As for Maurice, I have mixed feelings about him. I like him in general but he doesn't seem to know how to keep his guys in defensive mode late in games to keep a lead.

Answer 81

It really starts at the top. The guy who hired Ferguson has to take responsibility.

Now, to fix this mess, give full reigns to someone knowledgable. Cliff is an interim so they'll have to be aware of replacements in the off season. A major shake up is also needed on the ice - make some trades, acquire top draft picks, etc. Focus to be competitive not only short term but long term. Also, the captain is getting up there in age - we'll need to get a new (young) star player who'll one day step up and take over.

Answer 82

I would clean house, but start at the top. Trade Sundin, Blake, Raycroft, Kabina, Tucker, and get some get draft picks with some prospects. Let Toskela run the show in net until Pogge is ready, work with some of the defense and get them ready as a unit. Allow Steen, Stajan, Tlusty, Wellwood and the other younger players to get time in game situations. I think Paul M is a great coach, but give him players that are welling to listen. Last but not least sign some good free agents this summer, younger ones that will grow into great players.

Answer 83

The answer is one word, Bowman. The leafs should have given him full power when he asked for it. Instead, Peddie lost interest. It's Peddie's fault for losing him. Peddie is one of the worst presidents in the NHL. He hired Ferguson. Why did he hire Ferguson? Ferguson, who was just coming out of St. Louis as assistant GM for five years, clearly had the experience for handling the Toronto Maple Leafs, centre of the hockey universe. We all know what happened in St. Louis. They went from a President's trophy winner to league basement. Peddie's brilliance doesn't end there. He removed Pat Quinn from GM after he started winning, and he refused to sign Wayne Gretzky because the seats were already full. Peddie is greedy, selfish and has no interest in winning a Stanley cup. The only way to fix the problem is to get a new president.So lets boycott the team until he's gone. Kill the body and the head dies that's what I say!

Answer 84

Hire one of the following GM's or assistant GM's- Ken Holland,Brian Burke,or Neil Smith. Attempt to get an assistant GM of Detroit or Anaheim or New Jersey.



Give him a five year mandate to slowly dimantle the team.

Ask Mats Sundin if he would waive his no trade clause.If he does,then trade him to a contending team in the western conference.



Detroit has some fine prospects,such as Cory Emmerton,Jakub Kindl,Brendan Smith and Jan Mursak. Trade for as many as possible and a number of draft picks.



Anaheim has Edmonton's first round draft pick and two very good prospects in Bobby Ryan and Mark Mitera,and Logan Mcmillan. Mats could be traded for some of those.



San Jose has some good prospects as well.Logan Couture and Nick Petrovicky would look good in the blue and white along with some draft picks.





Toronto must spend more money on their scouting department and terminate the scout who have failed to make good recommendations.



Toronto needs to slowly bring Jiri Tlusty,Stralman,Kulemin and Pogge into the mix.



This team must also remove some of the massive contracts such as Bryan Mcabe,Pavel Kubina,and Jeff Blake.A healthy Mcabe would only help Toronto.



This rebuilding project will only happen MLSE allows it to happen This years and next years draft are very strong.The future is bright if Toronto guts the team and is willing to suffer for a couple of years





The team should look at purchasing another farm team if possible.You can never have too many players given the competition.



The public must wait for the team to get better.It will take time.

Let the people hired do their jobs and then review.

Answer 85

I think this question has been asked to often since 68. The first thing I would do is hire a magician. Maybe a guy like Chris Angel or David Copperfield and put him behind the bench. I think a coach with the ability to produce a great illusion might trick the rest of the country into thinking they really can win. It's not only the scoreboard that is the report card of success but it's the image in the fans mind. I know with a little magic anything can be fixed. Just ask anyone who works at Disney....

Answer 86

LEAFS = Losers Even After Forty Seasons

Who cares about the Leafs and their following. To say that Leafs fans are the best in the NHL is a joke too. The Air Canada Centre has the same atmosphere as a library (even when rivals like the Habs (Canada's Hockey Team) come to town. I can't wait to till H.N.I.C. stops showing the Leafs and starts giving the Habs and Senators national distribution. It'll give Toronto one more thing to whine about. What a classy move too by publically embarrassing John Ferguson JR...maybe they should fire Clifton the Bear too. They have a lousy team, they've been lousy for years, and I think I speak for the rest of Canada when I say I 'm sick and tired of the focus and spotlight of CBC, TSN and Rogers Sportsnet being on the Maple Leafs. In the last 15 seasons, 5 of the 6 Canadian teams have been to the Stanley Cup Finals, guess who hasn't??? Time to move on CBC, TSN & Sportsnet...Canada is tired of the Leafs.

Answer 87

Well, here it is. Your answer. Hiring and firing doesn't always fix problems. In fact, constantly changing leadership can be a temporary fix, not to mention can cause confusion within an organization.



I always look to the NY Rangers for an example of the big problem. Hiring big names doesn't solve a thing. It is harmony and players that can compliment the ONE OR TWO stars that a team has. Look at Tampa Bay Lightning, or Buffalo (last year), good supporting cast to highlight and make better the stars that are present. Flash and Pomp does nothing, the fans are smarter than that, and temporary fixes (like attempting to hire Curtis Joseph) will do nothing but spend more money and put the team in a worse position than they already were.



Now back to the management. If you can't get a manager that is on board with what I just spelled out, then he needs to go. If he is looking for bandaids, he's gotta go. Same with a coach. You need a leader, not a nice guy, but someone who will put the players in their place (something NY always failed to do). Coach and manager need to work together, not be looking to backstab each other in order to save their own hide. Let's face it, harmony on the ice starts off the ice.



Lastly, I bring you to another step to this problem (obviously, one solution is a bandaid afterall). Young players. Overlooked players. People with something to prove. Bring in your support players from these two avenues, not washed up older players looking to prolong their career. Build a squad instead of buying a squad. That is the true key to any great team. Arsene Wenger (of Arsenal- EPL) has done a miraculous job doing just that. Build. Don't buy. Spend less money for greater potential. I don't believe in one star saving a team, I believe in building an even better team.



I know this is the solution.



P.B.

Answer 88

Well in the past years Toronto has traded their prospects and future draft picks for sub-par goalier. Raycroft has been terrible since coming to the Leafs and this year Rask has been doing a stellar job as Boston's back-up goalie. Then they traded some draft picks for Vesa Toskala who has been inconsistent this year. Leafs have Pogge in the minors, a goalie who is poised to have a solid NHL future. The leafs should stop trading for goalies because their biggest problem is the defense.

Toronto only has on stellar all-around defenceman in Kaberle. McCabe has been a liability denfensively. Kubina has shown his old self here or there but he has had a lot of mental lapses this year. Gill is sub-par and is too slow for the fast offenses. Coliaicovo is always injured. but White, and Kronwall are solid youngsters who should prosper in the next few years.

Also, Toronto needs another solid forward who can help Sundin with the offensive load. Blake was supposed to be the leafs offensive catalyst this year but he has not been able to produce what-so-ever. Wellwood looked poised to be a big offensive threat this year, but he has been playin very poorly this entire season. Antropov and Ponikarovsky have been playing stellar hockey but they are still just average players. Tucker has not been doing anythin this entire season, and he needs to start working harder. Steen and Stajan are both solid two-way players but they have not been able to establish as much offense as they were thought to do this season.

It is time for the leafs to trade away a propect or a future draft pick for a big-time forward or a shutdown defensemen. Hopefully their new GM will be able to save the leafs from this disastrous season.

Answer 89

FIRE RICHARD PEDDIE! He is afraid of losing his job, which is why he publicly discredited John Ferguson Jr. (JFJ) a few months ago. This guy needs to go sell condos and allow the new GM full autonomy. Peddie is not a hockey mind and should not be allowed to meddle. No doubt, the new GM must have a similar set up like the Raptor's Brian Colangelo. If not, then the new GM will be just like JFJ and the Leafs will continue being the laughing stock of the NHL.

That's right the Leafs are a joke! It really hurts me saying that but until things get straightened out, I have no choice but to make such a comment.

Answer 90

The funny thing is I saw this coming back during the draft and decided to boycott this team. I know that sounds odd, why not just cheer for another team? But I have been cheering for this team for 30 years now and it seems odd to now change. The management of this team have no interest in winning a cup. Also the fans don't care they just go to the games and keep cheering and complaining. These guys have sold out every game for the last thirty something years or more, so why in the hell would you try and build a winning team when there is no affect on profits. This team also places no value in drafting good players, they just trade away their draft picks for has-been players. You want a better leafs? I honestly believe that will never happen and they will never win a cup. I guess I'm just waiting for an new exciting Canadian expansion team to cheer for :)

Answer 91

First I would fire CEO Peddie, hire Boman to take his place. Then I would write off this season, after all fighting for the last playoff spot is not what I call a chance to win the cup. Then I would talk with Sundin and ask him to give up his no trade clause, telling him we would bring him back next year if he wanted. This way we get draft picks, and a young roster player. There are to many players with no trade clauses, like Tucker trade him, Blake trade him, Mcabe trade him, Raycroft well you would just have to eat that contract as no other team wants him. I would be looking to finsh last overall so that we have a good chance for the number 1 pick overall. Time to rebuild

Answer 92

First off, the TMLSE has to disband.

Ever since the last time the Leafs won the cup in '67, there has been this under-current expectation of rehashing old glory from veteran players. Think of the days of Gilmour, Joe N., (gasp) Lindros, Eddie the Eagle, etc....etc....



ENOUGH!



Get young talent ... combined attitudes and skill sets ... and BUILD. Gee, I'd never thought I'd say this, but look at what Ottawa had done. Gee ... it DOES work.



The business of hockey is killing the hockey business in Toronto.



Now Fletcher is back with us (no surprise there) ... gee .. I wonder how long this bubble will last before IT bursts as well .... leaving this city looking for answers once again.



Alternative, Toronto hockey fans boycott the game entirely. We're making very selfish people very rich.

Answer 93

I'm not a Leaf fan and I'm enjoying their current predicament. Firing JFJ is a start, but the real problem is higher starting with the management structure above GM. Upper management needs to get out of the way of the hockey operations and turn it over to a real GM with full power to operate. Trade Sundin, Kubina, Tucker and if at all possible McCabe. Keep Maurice as coach, but let him hire people to work with him as assistants. Only after this is done can Leaf fans hope to see the team go forward. And oh yes, make sure you finish last to get a good crack at first pick at the draft.

Answer 94

The Leafs are very similar to the world junior team in the sense that (some may disagree here) they both wear the maple, both are symbols of and both represent the best of Canadian hockey becuase they both wear the maple leaf and are the hope of close to the entire nation. A symbol both of Canada and Candian hockey. The Leafs need not conduct themselves with self importance or arrogance but rather as unaccepting of mediocrity ad pursue 'excellence' as does the world junior team. the Leafs have lost that pride and wallow in...something other than the pursuit of hockey excellence. I have become embarrased for the Leafs where I feel I shouuld be as proud of the Leafs as I am of the world juniors. I's like to see the leafs pursue a program of excellence similar to the world juniors.

Answer 95

That's the best suggestions ever --- to fix the Leaf's, DON'T give them automatic TV broadcasting across the nation.



Here on the West Coast, I remember last playoffs. What an excellent enjoyable time to watch the Leafs left in the dust of not making it, and getting to watch ALL the Ottawa Senators race to the final. Previous years, we'd be forced to watch Toronto get knocked out, then see maybe 1 or 2 of Montreal or Ottawa games that were left. Thus, I am again cheering for the downfall of Leaf-nation again this year, with the main reason being, so they will not make the playoffs again, leaving me with quality hockey viewing.



I was pleasantly surprised to see that Ottawa game on CBC last Saturday. I generally tune in only to watch Don Cherry then take a nap until the second game of the double header.



But if you broadcast the games that are expected to be exciting, and TML has to compete to get its time, the franchise may actually try compete.

Answer 96

A lot of what has happened over the last few years not only has to do with management but with the fans. Toronto fans are paying higher and higher prices for tickets to these games. All we get to see is mediocre, overpaid players. But what does management care about value of money. They will sell out the house no matter what.

But to get down to the management, we need to get rid of our overpaid players who are doing nothing. Sundin needs to go. People say that he is what holds the Leafs together, and is the best thing for the team. But think back 2 years ago.....Sundin was out, Roberts took over as captain, and the Leafs did alright.

Not to mention goal-tending. Two well paid goaltenders, who are neither really a No. 1 starting goaltender. They do alright, but are very well paid for their efforts (but why have two like that?)

Finally, the Leafs should stop making an entire team around one highly paid player who isn't all that great. Get a few key guys in there instead of one useless Sundin.

Answer 97

First of all management has to start caring about winning then making money. The Leafs are the only team in the NHL that have won nothing nor come close in years yet they play to a sell out crowd and have massive waiting lists for season tickets. They don't care when it doesn't matter on how the team ends the season because they are still getting rich. They need somebody in there that cares about bringing a title back to Toronto and being proud on how the team they are associated with does instead of how much money it brings in for them. All Leaf fans take beatings year after year because they believe and are passionate about their love for hockey.........now it just has to rub off on everyone else and with some Management, player and coaching fixes everyone might be able to achieve their goal on this team moving on to a positive future!!

Answer 98

Here is my oppinion on what needs to be done to fix the Leafs:

1. Get ride of Richerd Peddie and ,Tannenbaum so the new GM can do his job without any disruptions and get two cheifs that are on the same page.

2. Find a proper owner for the team, other than the teachers pension plan which focuses on making money. If a new seperate owner buys the team his focuse will be on wining the stanley cup

3. Try to bring Burke to Toronto and give him all the freedom he wants to create a new Leafs

4. Trade Sundin for as much as you can get for him..

5. Bring in an expericened GM who knows what he is doing

6. Trade off all the garabge on the team .. Raycroft, Gill . for players that can make a difference on the ice , instead of letting in goals and taking stupid penalties

7. Bring in a goaltender with, experience as a starting goalie

Answer 99

It's been a heck of a long time that the Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Stanley Cup. So far in current years they've tried and attempted to savor the Stanley Cup spotlight, and have been unsuccessful, it makes me sad because I'd like to see the Toronto Maple Leafs win and get the Stanley Cup glory. I'm saying this as a loyal Toronto Maple Leafs fan. If I were able to fix this then I'd be their GM, however I'm not. The only way that the Toronto Maple Leafs need to have things fixed is themselves and with my support.

Answer 100

I don't agree with alot of people. Don't trade Sundin. Yeah sure, rebuild but don't think he's the problem. It was the same with Alfredsson in Ottawa. The team wasn't doing what was expected and there was talk of trading him to rebuild. I don't know what it is with people when a team starts going down hill they automatically think trading there best player is the solution and a start to rebuilding. Toronto has alot of talent that isn't performing right now so get rid of those guys. Rebuild the team around Sundin and get him the support he needs. I can't even believe I'm writing this down. I'm not a fan of Sundin and definetly not a fan of the Leafs but to me it doesn't make sense. Upper management changed around first then trade the young talent that's not performing for more young talent and hope those guys that come can do a better job than what's going on right now. I mean it can't be hard to better than what's going on right now.

Answer 101

First off all it's a dumb question. Why does the Leaf franchise need fixing? Believe me, the Leafs are doing better than ever. The ML corporate ownership collective is making a killing off you people. The games are all sold out, merchandising is booming and fans still keep on buying into this whole sad farce. People, your beloved Leafs were stolen from you a long time ago by corporate interests. The owners are greedy, corporate "snake oil" salesmen masking as a hockey team whilst fleecing you into believing this pathetic charade. It's just a business! And the games are only commercials which try to hook you, the consumer, into buying their "brand loyalty" program. It's not about the "scoreboard", it's about the "boardroom". And until that changes, (which isn't likely to happen anytime soon), the Leafs franchise will continue to be winners, and the fans, well... they will continue to blindly buy into this joke. A brilliant business plan indeed.



sport = business / profits = winning / fans = suckers

Answer 102

The Board of Governors bickering between Tannenbaum & Peddie, and the rest is the very beginning of the issues at hand. The GM's inability to build the team without someone staring over their shoulder is the next problem. The Raptors are doing better since the hiring of Colangelo. The Board knew they had no CLUE about B-Ball, but like the rest of us Die-Hard Hockey Canadians (Me too), they think they know about hockey. Cliff Fletcher & Everybody's favourite sports lawyer should be searching for the new GM, Richard Peddie should be searching for new Real-Estate investments, and stay out of the Hockey Business.

Answer 103

Hello,



An invitation to make suggestions on how to improve the Leafs? Funnily enough the ones who need to go are the ones would ignore any of these suggestions. It is actually simple; there are four parts: 1) GET RID OF PEDDIE AND TANENBAUM - the team will forever be religated to brutal hockey decisions as long as this duo is in power, 2) blow up the team this year and rebuild from the bottom, we're already at the bottom so it's not a far stretch, and 3) stop signing players who are well past their prime and trading away our picks for them, and 4) STOP SIGNING REDICLULOUS WELL OVERPAID DEALS WITH NO TRADE CLAUSES! No trade clauses to mediocre players is crazy. No trade clauses to above average players is not worth it. No trade clauses to a player who has one decent year of putting the puck in the net? unbelievable. Yes McCabe. what was his plus/minus that year? minus 1... he's a defenseman!!



I hope Peddie and Tanenbaum leave the hockey operations to someone who knows what they are doing. Leave it Fletcher...

Answer 104

I'd loosen the purse strings and sign some proven producers of stellar two-way hockey. Guys that can score and/or set up great goals, yet play defensively effectively. Those type of players come with a big price tag but it's the only way Toronto can truly become a contender. Right now they're a one man show and Mats needs a little support..

Answer 105

first of all. who wins stanley cups...super teams. Toronto is the only team that winning or losing has standing room only at every game. Toronto has to be the richest team in the leauge cap on salary or not. I say hire Ted Nolan to coach, ask Daryl Sittler what he thinks about managing the team and between them see what they can do. we,ve seen what fletcher has done.we,re not trying to reinvent a wheel that has proven not to work. Sorry Savard you are not good at your job. im not saying i can do it any better. you should go sell cars tho. Hell i,ll buy one. Number one...DO not gamble away the heart of the team. Matts is the best.Long live the King.!!! theres been Keon, Sittler, Clark.....who i think should get back on the ice..and of course Gilmore. what a dynasty of great hockey players.!!! put some money out there!! Hire the sharpshooter Marion Houssa. get Wade back into his game.put Tie where he should be...on the ice making a difference in the playoffs..what a warrior!! and never, ever think of dealing off The Tuck!!! he is Toronto!! we all are. but if Darcy , Wendel, and Dougy boy were on the ice togeather...STANLEY CUP !!!!! not to mention Daryl and Teddy at the wheel. Just a suggestion. kelly roote

Answer 106

Stop giving The Leafs so much air time on Hockey Night in Canada, and give the air time to Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver ,

Calgary, and Edmonton. I never watch the first Hockey night in Canada game because it is always Toronto vs who ever. Give other Canadian teams the first slot and throw Toronto games into the can because they are boring. Toronto sucks because they only do enough to make their team OK and never, go the extra step to win.



So an answer to your question on how to fix the leafs franchise is to take away their valuable CBC air time, I bet that will fix em.

Answer 107

I've been a Leaf fan for 50 years. I assume I enjoy pain; how else can someone be a Leaf fan for so long?

Hire a GM with power, or give Ferguson the leverage to make some changes.

Whomever the GM will be, hopefully (he) will recognize valuable free agents that seldom end up wearing a Leaf uniform.

As long as MLSE makes millions, the focus probably won't change.

Answer 108

I would find another buyer to replace the teachers pension plan ownership as they only care about profits and not the GAME. Then I would:

a) fire all Managment staff.

b) keep the coach

c) trade Sundin

d) replace Raycroft

e) trade some defencesive players

f) light a fire under Blake

g) give the youngsters a crack at it

h) pay the fans for being faithful to the team ( price break in tickets)

i) IF Paul Maurice doesn't make the cut hire Scotty Bowman & Olin Nolan to coach and manage.

This is good for starters. It is time to rebuild a team that has no Harold Ballard influences.

Answer 109

How to fix the Leafs? First get rid of Sundin and some of the other ones in rocking chairs. What the Leafs need is youth. Start building the lines and don't change them. Give them time to jell. The worst thing they have been doing of late is juggling lines. Look at the Leafs when Fletcher was orginally there. The lines stayed the same and look at what they did. It is too late this season but build for next year.

Answer 110

The owners need to quit if they actually want any real change to happen. Although it is irrational for me to be so pro Toronto Maple Leafs, I will likely remain an avid fan for quite some time.

Answer 111

T.O needs to keep sundin and get rid of rest of the team for draft picks, if you keep sundin , he could bring in alot of guys who would like to play with him, which could help short term, but long term is darft smart, and TAKE CANADIAN KIDS, and not russians, look at the 2 that play with sundin on the top line, they suck, they want to be golfers, not hockey players.



The leafs do not need to go far to look for a good GM, what about Don Cherry, NOW there is a man who knows hockey and knows alot about good young kids in the minors right now, well give him the job, and leafs would be cup winners in 3 to 4 years

Answer 112

Unfortunately, the Leafs cannot be fixed. It wouldn't matter what you did... fire the GM, get rid of the coach, trade every player, the Leafs would continue to be the most disappointing and underachieving sports franchise in North America. Poor Leaf Nation... the tradition continues!

Answer 113

The comment about the cost is right on- Every Ontario Kid should be able to say they attended at least one Leaf Game in their life, but no one can afford it , the stands are filled with an elitist group that does not represent all of the hockey fans.

PS In reality the only way to fix the leafs is to move them to Montreal, that is where real hockey comes from *

Signed the gal from Markham who always planned to marry Guy Lafleur, and still would

Answer 114

As long as the Teachers own the Leafs, they will never win. Money and performance of the "stock" is their primary interest.

Peddie must definitely go, as does Tannenbaum. Then perhaps some hockey-minded decisions can be made. The rest about which players are currently on the team etc is irrelevant until those issues are fixed.



Toronto will not see a Stanley Cup as long as the Teachers own the majority.

Answer 115

Fire the group of so called leaders, Peddie and associates. Get some hockey brains to run the team and put the money where and when it's needed. The length of time since the Leafs were competitive is the prime indicator that its not the players and coaching staff. Although Maurice's ways make you want to shake your head. Show the players that it's their responsibility to be a winning team, demote or get rid of those that don't want to step up and be accountable to the fans.

Answer 116

First I attempt to bring in Scotty Bowman as GM. Second I trade Mats Sundin for a young proven forward,prospects, and a first round pick similar to what Philly did last yr by trading Forsberg and Parent.



Second I have 3 decent goalies in Toskala, Raycroft, and Clemensen. I dangle Clemensen and Raycroft as trade bait to gain a decent young forward .



In the draft I aqquire another young star stocking the team with young talent.



Finally in the offseason I look to sign JP Dumont from the Preds. Then I offer a longterm deal to Sabres D Brian Campbell well dangling Pavel Kubina in trades for a good gritty forward. Finally I perhaps resign Sundin if the cost is right.



Through this I aqquire 2 young forwards, prospects, a good forward in Dumont, an all star defenseman in Campbell and perhaps keep Sundin. I get a winner in the front office and the Leafs are ready to contend in 08-09

Answer 117

Well, my answer would have to be, put a fire under the player's butts. Seems that only a few of them really want to play for Toronto. You can really see the effort a few players put into the game, the rest just skate on by, waiting for others to take up their slack.



Management really needs to STOP getting rid of Toronto's "good" players. Get rid of the waste of space the slackers are taking up on the bench. Time to spend some money the great Leaf fans have given over the years.. and find us some "hockey players" !!!



My 2 cents

~DebK~

Answer 118

Firing Ferguson was a good move. Clearly, as everyone said, we need to trade Sundin, Kubina, Gill and some other players. Personally, I wouldn't trade Tucker or McCabe yet. I would give them both the season of to rest, heal, and prepare for next season. Both have been on and off the IR, and there is no doubt in anyones mind that they are very good players when at their best. We dpn't need to trade everyone past their 30's neccaserily. I also feel that we need to take it much easier on our young players. The last two we decided to start giving major responsibility (Carlo Colaicavo, Kyle Wellwood) couldn't handle it and got injured early. We should give Stralman more time. We need to trade Raycroft and bring in Pogge as back-up. Sundin shouldn't go for picks. We won't get any better then 20th overall. I'd rather have a more proven prospect.

Answer 119

Change the name of Hockey Night in Canada to Who wants to beat the Leafs?



Trade Sundin? Why? The management will waste the chance to upgrade and will probably end up trading top draft picks to get two old players eady to retire. Same sh#t, different year.

Answer 120

I think it's incredibly true on how Toronto Maple Leafs are on their free fall. As a 'Torontonian' I always liked the TML but now it's really getting to me on how 'useless' they are becoming. Comparing to all the ex-Leafs... TML are becoming very embarrassing .



Instead of being a hockey team, I think they are one big thing to gossip about. Pictures of J Tlusty... some little fuss between Sean Avery and Tucker...??



Last year was a shame... but I believe it wasn't fair, so pointless to talk about it!



As for fixing TML...? Pretty much not our thing but rather the management. I believe they can't change in just two days and become one of the top team again.



But I believe that if the large audiences starts to fade away... maybe the management will start to fix up our players.

Answer 121

Bring the seats back to the fans and lower ticket prices. Corporate suits who show up at the games don't even care about hockey... Toronto is Leaf's nation.. not a hockey town. I don't want to see people in the seats reading a book.



Reward players by the amount of goals and assists they make... $10,000/goal... cut back the salary. Trade big names like Tucker, Sundin, McCabe and untalented Belak away... hell.. bring more AAA players into the game... they've got the passion.



The Leafs have gotten complacent... and they should be kicked in the butt for it.

Answer 122

There are other ways to improve the team other than by firing everybody involved at present...instead of throwing away good talent, why not bring up fresh blood from the farm team? The Marlies have some excellent players who may fit in just fine, whether it be putting Justin Pogge between the pipes to take the pressure off Raycroft, or bringing back young pornstar Jiri Tlusty. Sometimes it doesn't take a wholesale clearance to change the chemistry of a team but some adjustments are obviously necessary....selling off the veterans for future potential is tempting but I always favour a mix of veteran savvy with youthful enthusiam to create a winning combination.

Answer 123

I'd start at the top & get a President & CEO who knows something about hockey & knows the Board has no place interferring in the day to day operations of the team. Peddies's treatment of Ferguson (whose hiring was a huge mistake in the first place....not enough experience) has been a disgrace. No class CEO, no class organization, of course the results on the ice are bad. I wouldn't let this Board hire the permanent GM either. Get rid of Peddie & get more people on the Board who have a love of the game not just a love of money.

Answer 124

One complaint, can we STOP USING THE WORD "REBUILD" already????? I been hearing that word since Ballard died and here we are 15 or more years later talking about rebuilding still like someone just thought the idea up...



How many times do you 'rebuild' a team per decade and they are now worse then ever! I'm no expert and neither is most of the people posting, but when all people can come up with is a novel idea thats been tried umpteen times already in the past 4 decades, maybe the only REAL answer is for fans to hit the club in the wallet and stop donating so much cash to such a pathetic organization, who gladly takes the cash this past 40 years and offers only new uniform designs and a fancier rink to LOSE in in return...



just a thought

Answer 125

The majority of Leaf fans are simple sentimentalists as a hangover from the six team NHL. Fathers have inculcated their offspring with the myth that the Leafs are "Canada's Team" with the support of continual propaganda from the media.

The truth of the matter is the Leafs suck big time as a result of a gluttonous, profit-only oriented cabal of elitists running TMLE. Assisted by the syncophantic CBC and their motley crew of overpaid broadcasters who continue the Leaf myth non stop, Leaf fans naively keep the faith.

Forty-years without even being close to a Cup and missing the playoffs likely 3 years in a row is NOT Canada's Team but rather Canada's embarrassment.

The solution? Demolish the current management structure and free the Leafs from the self-serving, profiteering TMLE and its board of gluttons and set up a system of management interested in hockey. Ferguson and Maurice are only scapegoats to these eminence grise. Peddle and his cohorts are a joke.....a sick joke to the faithful fans.

Answer 126

I could write a book on how to fix the Leafs but here are three points:



1. Hire the best scouts in the world (steal them from other clubs if you have to) and scout every level of junior and college in North America, Europe and Asia.



2. Develop you own - Buy and operate an IHL Team out of Toronto to have a place to develop players for the AHL Marlies. Having three levels of the organization in one city will help the development process of the players and will deepen the pool of players in the organization.



3 Use MLSE's vast resources to help resurrect (and pay for) the Canadian National Team program (with the other Canadian NHL Teams). Grow and nurture all levels of hockey.



Three simple ideas to help the Leafs grow the talent pool.

Answer 127

First reaction is to move him, but at 33 and only 3 mil I think the Leaf can hold on to him. Yes I know he's only scoring a point in every for games, but playing his best I think he has shown he can contribute in many ways including offensively. I know it's a risk, but really I don't think there is too much demand for an underpreforming Tucker....better to bite the bullet.

Answer 128

Problem with the leafs is the fans seem to be running the team. How many times have they traded away players only to have the fans cry until they got them back. Wendell Clark comes to mind. Get some good draft picks and HANG UNTO THEM, no matter what the fans think. If the fans want a winner. Sit down, shut up and let the head office do it's job. Leaf fans are winers anyway.

Answer 129

I better get something good for this answer...some kind of recognition or job offer in some fashion, or else I will be pissed.



Here is the simple, easy quick fix for this mess of a once great hockey team.



You have a short while until the trading deadline. Fletcher is now in charge.



So here are the steps that need to be taken:



1) Find a damned identity. Are you a tough, gritty team or a finess team? Do you have stay at home defenseman who will clear the garbage around the net or do you have high-flying quick skating, mobile defensemen?



2) Identify exactly what the coach of that team will be looking for in players and skills associated with each position that fit within the team identity.



3) Once you have a team identity--stage an open calling for any player in the NHL who wishes to be a part of that type of team, who thinks they will fit the mold of that team's identity.



3) Once you have players willing to be a part of that team, trade your current team for those players in a fire-sale and re-build for next season with your new team and your new team's identity.



With the public announcement of your teams identity and player-types to fill those positions, the team, the fans of the team and the media will know exactly what to expect. The team itself will have no identity crisis and will know what to expect.



Most important of all, you will have players on that team who know their role and actually want to be there and play 100 percent.



Its brilliant, and its never been done before, in this manner.



Cliff, you owe me big-time, dude.

Answer 130

There’s a question you could lay awake at night and ponder. I think what needs to happen is a fresh perspective in both front office and in players, HOWEVER Toronto fans and media this will require patience and more then likely 3 – 4 years of missing the play offs in order to rebuild with GOOD draft picks and guys that come from with in the system. It has become clear that the “Band – aid” tactic is not working and a complete change is necessary, patience is the key… patience. Good luck with that one…



And remember while its fun to play arm chair CEO its not that easy to run MLSE with all of it’s share holders, as long as the old boys are in the club trying to run the show your Stanley Cup picture will be in black and white.

Answer 131

OK - Point form:

-tank the season, get some high draft picks (or a good chance in the lottery)

-Deal Sundin with a promise to resign him in the summer and get some more picks

-Get a manager who can do his own deals, not a puppet (Sorry John)

-Raycroft goes with the Sundin trade, part of a "package"

-put Wellwood on the IR, along with Tucker. They both are hurt and not playing well

-Get some confidence, they are all about the same playing level as other teams. Too bad their 50% mental is missing from the mix.

-start having fun again.

Answer 132

This is a tall order. First, I believe Toskala is the right goalie so he stays.



Defense - Everyone seems to think we should trade them and if it was that easy, we would. Ferguson would have but they are the highest paid defense in the league. Who is going to want to take an overpaid, underachiever off your hands? Face it, we are stuck with them so we have to make the best of it.



They need someone to motivate them and raise their game as well as their value. Most of these guys are capable but someone has to push their buttons. I don't know...hire Anthony Robbins for a couple months? I'm joking but how about benching the whole works and let the farm team take care of it? Obviously they have lost their passion. Give them a reason to play. How about a month or so of conditioning on the farm team, mental conditioning. They are too sure of their jobs...that's the problem with a contract.



One thing I notice is that they do nothing to help each other out. Raycroft is great at making the first save but he gives up so many rebounds and the defense never seem to clear those for him. I see a defenseman screws up and the other almost stands around watching doing nothing to help. Whatever happened to the idea of "I've got your back"? They need to go back to primary hockey and learn to follow in to help out when another Leaf messes up. If one defenseman loses the puck, the other should hustle in to help out. A;so, Let Belak have some icetime but just ask him to play sensible.



Up front, it is the same as always...if you don't screen the goalie, he will stop most of what he sees. This is a big team so play big. They are so scared of getting hit. Here are some guys that could be traded if they won't shape up. They look so lethargic it makes me sick.



Hire Don Cherry for some council on how to play tougher in a sense that will be benificial. And then...draft well. I hate to tell you but Ferguson probablly is not the problem. Front office needs to but out.



Well, thats my say.

Answer 133

Since Ferguson Jr. has just been fired I would ask Sundin

to waive his no trade clause and then trade both him and

Kaberle for high draft picks.

Richard Peddie and the Ontario Teachers Fed Pension Plan

has also got to go. Sell the team to an owner who actually has interest in a winning team not just the $.

Do anything to lose the rest of the games for the rest of the

season to get high draft picks.

Put Raycroft in net rest of the season to the team will

lose as much as possible.

Lose Leafs lose!

Answer 134

This is a start, now trade Sundin for somethign before he is worth nothing. Get rid of Tucker, and raycroft. Let Poggy get some action in between the pipes. Try to get someone like a Hossa, or a caliber leader, who has some life left, not an old guy. Send the coach back to the Marlies, and find a proven leader ont he bench. Pay a guy like Scotty Bowman the money for a couple of years, and watch what happens.

Answer 135

Get rid of the overpaid defence corps(keep Kaberle, and build around him), buy out Raycroft, and bring up Pogge as Toskala's go to guy. Trade the overpaid underperformers like McCabe, Blake, Tucker, Gill, Kubina for prospects and picks...the one thing Ferguson did badly, was trade away the Leafs future for quick fixes(which, by the way, didn't fix anything)...Write off this season, and focus on a 2-3 year rebuilding plan around those younger players. And if Sundin wants to come back in the summer, to finish his career as a Leaf, GREAT! But for now, convince him to move to a contender for more prospects/picks....the future is the key, quick fixes should not be their first move anymore....

Answer 136

I don't know man, I LOVE the LEAFS!!!



Why can't we have a winning team? I think they tend to have the answer over in Montreal there so why can't we just copy and paste what those fellas got going??



Where are the Lanny McDonalds of days of old?



PS: I agree with DZ and that is probably the crux of the matter....when a place like the ACC is sold out all the time and seats sell for $150 why should management CARE if the team is good or not? It sells the tickets regardless of how good a team it is or isn't.



Still, fans remember what REAL hockey is like and CRAVE the days when it was played for the actual sport of it.



If people stopped paying those ridiculous prices (but hey it IS the corporations who buy most of them and price really is no object) maybe they should be the ones bailing out...then perhaps someone will start focusing on building a real team and stop blaming the coach for not being able to be a miracle worker.

Answer 137

I think what the leafs need to to is to a total rebuid on the ice. I think that they shold hold onto sundin towards the end of the season and then trade him and try and get the first draft pick in the entry draft and bring in Steve Stamkos. Get Stamkos and then start to rebuild the team around himjust like the Penguins did with Crosby. And if that does't work get the pick for the 2009 entry draft and bring in John Tavares because Tavares in my opinion is going to be bigger and better then Crosby and then have tavares and stamkos as your one two punch. And always you need toget a god goalie because raycroft and Toskala are jokes

Answer 138

Everyone says get rid of Sundin. I disagree. I think he should be paired with different wingers.

If i was to get rid of someone, it would be Blake. He doesn't pass the puck when he should. He's looking for all the glory. Teamwork is important.



Also, I would have the trainer work with Kaberle and try to break his habit of passing to other players when at the point in the opponent's end. He's got a rifle of a shot and he needs to use it! Especially on the PP.

Answer 139

Scrap Fletcher and take Maurice while they're at it. Bring in Scotty Bowman and give him full control and what the Leafs transform in front of your eyes.

No doubt this will come at the cost of getting rid of the dead wood like Sundin, Antropov, McCabe, Ponikorovski, Gill, Raycroft, to mention just a few.

Slash the prices of seats and make then earn what we pay them to do, that is bring the Cup back where it belongs.

We lost some great opportunities to make this team better and that has to change.

Yes they need to get some young great talent but who will lead them to the cup? Some great veteran players, we should have kept guys like Roberts.

Go Leafs Go!

Answer 140

First thing has been done ,Ferguson GONE .. Next get rid of the number crunchers who only know about bottom line, that's Peddie and Tannenbaum. These two know nothing about running a hockey team .. Next get rid of McCabe,Kubina,Gill,Antropov and Ponikarovsky .. The first 3 make way more money then they are worth and the last 2 show up to play only once in a while .. Next make Nick Kypreos the new President in charge of hockey operations .. Listen to the guy on hockey at noon on sportsnet HE MAKES SENSE ... Make Bill Berg his assistant these guy's played the game and would good hockey exec's ... Joe

Answer 141

I know for Toronto Maple Leafs fans this is the last thing they want to hear, but I think they should stay away from anyone who once worked for the Leafs' organization. I look at as if they hire someone who worked within the organization no true changes will be made.

Answer 142

In a way it's, ironically, because Toronto has such a huge fan base that it is doing so badly. When it comes down to it professional sports are a business and, from the management's point of view, why should they go out of their way to make Toronto a better team when they know full well that no matter how badly the team does they will always sell out their games? The only incentive or the owners for the team to improve is the few extra bycks they could make off of the playoff games if Toronto makes it. I'm not actually suggesting people do this but realistically if people actually stopped going to games when Toronto does really badly then the management would be forced to reassess their team or lose big money as a result. It all comes down to money.

Answer 143

They could get some good picks and/or some talented players for him depending on what his value/worth is to a contending team. He is a Unrestricted free agent at the end of the year, so that means the leafs could lend him out and just resign him in the off season.

Answer 144

As for stopping broadcast countrywide, it may prove to be good for a while as the team rebuilds. However, there will be diehard Maple Leafs fans who will be quite disappointed by it because they might live in British Columbia or Alberta and will have to pay their TV service providers extra in order to watch the games.

Answer 145

Having the Maple Leafs win the cup would be like changing our flag. It just wouldn't be right. The city of Toronto will get 2 NFL teams before they get a Stanley Cup.

Answer 146

To fix the Leafs:

- Get rid of Andrew Raycroft for whatever they can (preferably draft picks)

-Allow Justin Pogge to start games that Toscala needs to rest (Hero at the World Juniors just about 1 year and a half ago)

-Get rid of McCabe for a stay at home defensive player and a draft pick if possible.

-Trade Sundin for a good young winger prospect and a draft pick and sign Forsberg if he decides to come back.

Answer 147

Where to start? The Leafs have got themselves into such a mess that it will be near impossible to fix in the next few years. They've invested too much in under-achieving players. Sundin is good, but not elite, Tucker needs to go, and keeping McCabe would be a huge mistake. They need to rebuild. Keep Toskola, ditch Raycroft. Justin Pogge needs his shot in the NHL. Use Raycroft to pick up a later round draft pick, you won't get much more for him. Then to defence, Kaberle, White, and Colaiacovo. Now, you won't get much for Gill or Kubina so maybe send them in a package deal for a solid two-way forward, like a John Madden. Despite the uselessness of Bryan Mccabe, you might be able to get a 2nd line forward. Now on to the forward group. Keep Tlusty, Wellwood, Stajan, Steen, Deveraux, and Blake. The rest NEED to go. Use Sundin and get a 1st round pick and young defenceman. Kronwall from Detroit? Use the 1st round pick to get another good young defenceman. And NOT these 6 foot 5 inch pylons like Gill or Kubina. More than anything, Toronto needs defence. Believe it or not, Toronto has a good, young core of forwards in Steen, Stajan, Tlusty, and Wellwood. Then they need to do anything they can to pick up a scoring free agent or trade for one before the deadline. Hossa, Jokinen, or one of the big 3 in Tampa. Luckily, Ponikarovsky and Antropov are considered to be good NHL hockey players (for some unknown reason). They could both be used as good trade bait for 2 line scorers or some good hard working grinders to play with Deveraux. This process will take the rest of this season, the entire summer, and possibly all of next year - which is a sacrifice the Leaf Orginization has to be willing to make. Basically it comes down to a few easy steps...

-Draft Picks -> REBUILD!!

-Defence -> No more slow, useless d-man

-Get rid of the has-beens -> Get rid of Tucker and all the players that were good in the OLD NHL. You need speed in todays game and I hate to say it, but Mark Bell is lacking in that ability.

Desperate times call for desperate measures....and to call the leafs situation a desperate time is probably being a little generous.

Now, where can I get an application for the GM job?

Answer 148

Don't trade for anyone over 25 unless they are bona fide leaders with at least five years left in the tank at their current level of output. Make available anyone but Pogge, Steen, Stajan, White, and Tlusty - these guys are young and talented, and know how to handle the pressure of playing in TO. Don't jump the gun on trades for Mats or Kaberle - they'll be the best available talent this season, and there's plenty of teams that could use them for a good playoff drive. Let the bidding begin!



And if anyone on the MLSE board thinks the Maple Leafs cash cow will continue dispensing ridiculous profits with this kind of product...think again. Sick of the heartbreak at season's end, I've cancelled my Centre Ice package (used to watch Leafs games in Ottawa), and refuse to buy the products of your advertisers (except maybe Tim Horton's). I may only be one, but the longer this is allowed to go on, the more will follow suit. Way to go CBC, not carrying Leafs games nationally is yet another message that the Leafs product is less entertaining, and consequently, less marketable.



And for the love God, would you please can your President?!?!

Answer 149

Get rid of one or both goaltenders before their value really falls of the charts. It was not the best move to bring in Toskla when Raycroft struggled the previous season then start the new year off with a goalie competition (aka controversy) for number one, not a bright move at all in the salary cap era when you just signed Raycroft to big dollars. This was the biggest bone head move that ranks right up there with signing Peca, Lindros and Allison. Sundin wants to stay and appears to want to handle his future the same way that Joe Sakic is doing with Colorado and Mats has earned that right in my opinion. Keep Mats and dump the goalies is a good start.

Answer 150

Get rid of all the older players. pick up only fast skating and talented players (not costly superstars). Get 3 young goalies who would fight for their place in goal. And to top it all, hire a coach who can read the plays and gain respect from all the players. By the second season, with the new rules in effect, the Leafs will have a winning season and make the playoffs. By the third or fourth, Lord Stanley will rise from his grave to watch his cup go up in Air Canada Centre.

Answer 151

Two things.

1. Sell the team or

2. Get another team here that's owned by a different franchise that won't actually steal money from fans for decades and sit around doing nothing but moving a few pawns around on a chess board, pretending they care about something other than lining their own pockets.



Are all fans in this town blind to the fleecing that has being going on unchecked for years. Or are we all typical Canadians, that just grin and turn the other cheek?

Answer 152

ALL of this starts with the Board of Directors. They "own" the direction of the Maple Leafs through their vision of what is to be accomplished. Right now, consistently delivering a winning team is NOT a board vision. And so management (Richard Peddie on down) delivers what they are instructed to deliver. I mean really, if a winning team were the #2 priority (profitability being #1) would Richard Peddie ever have hired a rookie coach and GM?



Folks, this is simple - the ire of Toronto Maple Lead fans is misplaced. Find out who the board members are. Direct your disappointment and wallet at them and let them know "If you want my money, given me value for my hard earned dollar".



The board is counting on the sad cycle of media frenzy and misplaced concern for accountability. Meanwhile MLSE gets richer and richer. Hit them where it hurts. Montreal fans do ...

Answer 153

Hire Jimmy Karl as GM. There is no one in Canada who knows more about prospects, player trends and attitudes then me. I am always in the upper percentile in all types of hockey pools. I am able to gather the best group of skaters under any sallary cap!!! All I need is the opportunity.



Needing a Cup



Die Hard Leaf Fan and Hockey Connoisseur.

Answer 154

I hate to say it, but out of all the different hockey teams, I notice that the Leafs have the least amount of spirit. It's like they are there for the money and that's it. Matt Sundine and a few others really want to win and almost carry the team, but if they dumped the players obsessed with money and put together a team there to win, we would have one heck of a season.

Answer 155

I would trade Kaberle for a top notch defensive Dman and Sundin for a few young forwards plus a 1st round draft pick. I would also see what I could get for Ponikarovsky and Tucker, if it was worth it...sorry guys. Raycroft should be dumped to any team that will take him just to free up some cap space for the UFA signing period. They should definately butter up Sundin so he comes back for next season. Go Leafs!!

Answer 156

1.) Get owners who care as much about winning hockey as they do about getting a good return on their investment. If you find an owner who wants to win hockey more sell the team to him. Don't sell the team to a pension plan or fund managers. They are in it for the wrong reasons.



2.) Use Toskala regularly. You can't keep alternating goaltenders and expect to win.



3.) Give younger players more ice time.



4.) Let the coaching staff do their job. Leave them alone. Support them when they need help with an issue.



5.) Don't rely on the fans to tell you how to manage a hockey team. Hire professionals to do the job and LET THEM DO IT.

Answer 157

Right now the only player playing on the Leafs is Sundin, everyone else is expendable. If I was in Fletcher's shoes I would be sellers come the trade deadline. The Leafs have very little prospects and need to rebuild and stop getting worn-out has-been players at every trade deadline. I would trade Raycroft, McCabe and Tucker for younger players, prospects.

Answer 158

Stay the course. They have already assembled a team that gives them a realistic shot at Lord Stanley's Cup. We always seem to be in a state of panic derived from a sense of hockey passion seen nowhere else in the world. We have to hope Mr. Toskala can carry the load to the playoffs and then watch the experience and proven ability take over. And, yes I remember cheering the 1967 team. I was only 8-years-old but I do remember.

Answer 159

Nothing,let all the true maple leaf fans start to believe. Let's cheer louder even when they lose 10 nothing. Because the only way we will ever when a cup is when then leafs see that we live and die with them. The game is on the ice, not in the lux.box with the corporate fat cats.MAPLE LEAF 4 LIFE

Answer 160

Gut the old timers and hire good scouts to find talent. No one respects store bought teams like the Flyers of old and the Rangers. The Leafs, in my opinion, are store bought, but they went to a rummage sale. I'd love to see the Leafs flying high again, since my Sabres are going down the drain because of billionaire cheapskate Tom Golisano.

Answer 161

Move the existing team to Saskatoon, where we can fix it using our prairie ingenuity and hard work ethic, unheard of in TO, then you at the center of the universe could start all over and build a team out of all the super fantastic better than anyone else talant in greater TO, Maybe use some of the brains at TSN, as they seem to know everything anyway.Seriously, start by trading Sundin to the Flames, who do have a legitimate chance at winning the Cup!

Answer 162

How would i fix the leafs, well first, id think Torontonians need to stop being so supportive of a team, that itself doesnt seem to support.How many years will we fill the stadium, and pay the prices we do in Toronto to watch a team that doesnt chose to get it together.There paid very good salaries, and in many ways for the publis eyes, and for many kidds Mentors and what they look up to.Maybe we need to revert there wages, till they actually earn it, insteaed of how they first appear, when coming into the league, instead of allreayd sigining millino dollar contracts.One would think with so many seeing your team, you would want to get it together, it is not like they dont have follwers, and very loyal ones at that.They fire this person, that player is traded, how do you make a playing team when its always mixed about and tossed like a salad, for me id rather have and enjoy a slad for 10.00 dollars , than pay 100.00 dollars to watch the same team fall apart.They have the best of one of the newset arenas, best equipment, docotors, all all else, so where is the problem, Management, or simply they dont care as they fill the stadium.

The only true way i think to solve a prblem like this, is as in all things when it comes to money, Cut the profits, until they themeselves wonder why and actually try to make a Team.With the bottom line always being there, what does mangement, team members have to worry about, there paid.

Any person who choses to be in the pulics eyes, and is doing aything like so for the public is paid by the public in general with the revenue that comes in, so as a person in that position, you would consider there would be much more efort to resolve a continuing teams problems, they dont have to win all games, but where are they hiding there talent, or does it only show when needed, like when there in the juniours.

Well is just an opinion like everything else, and a loaded question, i offer you honest opinion, i myself love the team, but they cant seem to fix any problems they have, no matter whos in charge.

best wishes to all listners

D.Eastman

Answer 163

Its does not matter who you fire the GM or any other that still doesnt improve anything much

they think its will work but here my option

for the weak player should be in more training and my practices before send the player out. try to focus on the stronger player not , maple leaf should practice more pass puck and try do some hands signal so other will get the signal like what there plain is

Answer 164

Like everyone know, the only good market player in this team is Mats Sundin. I would trade him to give him a chance to win the Stanley Cup and get some young prospects in return. They also need to get rid of McCabe's big contract and recall some farm players. At least they'll have some cap space and sign big name players once Sundin comes back to the Leafs next year.

Answer 165

First, take Richard Peddie out of hockey operations. He may know how to make money but knows nothing about hockey.



Second, hire a "Bryan Colangelo" type of President of Hockey Operations. He is responsible for all hockey operations. His contract should stipulate certain goals:



a) make playoffs

b) make quarter finals

etc



He reports to the Board on a quarterly basis. The Board has no say in hockey operations except whether "Bryan" is achieving the goals as per his contract.

Answer 166

Get rid of everybody that's there now, and start from scratch.

Preferably with players from the west: That is, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC. The Maritimes are okay, but not Ontario, or Quebec. They're off the list at the outset.

No research is necessary.

This is from the gut.

Jonathan Michael Reiter

jmr

aka Atomtetsuwan2002

at2k2

Answer 167

Im not sure if I should help the team I hate but its quite simple.

A). Hire Sittler for the GM not Fletcher

B.) Trade Sundin now for some young blood and draft picks

C.) Get the board out of the GM's job they have no reason to stick their noses where its quite obvious they know nothing about hockey.

D.) Its too late this season but try to pick up Curtis Joseph to take over the net and finish his career with the team he loves and trade off the bums they have in net now.



GO FLYERS GO #1 WOOT WOOT WE LOVE DOWNIE

Answer 168

i would say good bye to the playoffs this year and make the following changes: fire the gm, fire richard petty and trade mats sundin. the gm and richard petty are not doing the best job and u know that it is going to happen so why not sooner. I know sundin is a true maple leaf but if he was to waive his no trade clause the leafs could get a lot for him just like the flyers and forsberg.



the leafs can build a great team but they need to start with the things above to get their.

Answer 169

Do the St. Louis Blues trick and trade Sundin for 2 young players and some draft picks and whatever else you can get then sign him back in the off season. I don't understand why it's so hard. St. Louis did it for 2 years. If Sundin wants to finish his career a Leaf fine....but he should allow himself to be traded to a team like Detroit and get SOME talent back then re-sign with the Blue again in the off-season. Let's face it after Sundin there nothing but a bag of pucks and would be stars. We need draft picks.



p.s. I'm sure you can find a team who would take Tucker for a 2nd and 4th round draft pick. Or even for nothing. Get him out and bring back Belak.



p.p.s Trade anything and everything else not named Tomas Kaberle or Vesa Toskala.

Answer 170

not a leafs fan but grew up watching 60's hockey and the leafs are part of a 6 pack tradition.

Problem is that fans pay stupid outrageous prices to watch crap hockey. If they were brighter they would stop showing up and the hint my be realized by owners to get a real team. That's not going to happen so maybe if they take away their airtime they may or may not spend some of the money putting a real team together.

Leafs should not have any more airtime than any other Canadian team anyway.

Answer 171

I'd move them to a different city where the fans are smart enough to punish them for poor performance by not buying tickets and merchandise so that the owner's are forced to fix the team. So long as everyone keeps paying top dollar for tickets all year, the owners (Teacher's Pension, looking for maximum return) will continue with their intentional recipe of mediocrity.

Answer 172

I think they should bring back the old team from 1967.Who cares if they're 80yrs old I'm sure they could do a better job than the present ,LOL! The organization really owes it to the fans to win a cup.Come on ,it's going on 50yrs,take some of the profits and build a new team with some young new talent.Out with the old in with the new.....Just hurry up already and get your .... together!!

Answer 173

1) Hire someone, preferrably someone arrogant, who has FULL AUTHORITY on all hockey matters. It's no coincidence that the teams run by Bob Gainey, Brian Burke, Lou Lamoriello, Glen Sather, Jim Rutherford, Paul Holmgren, etc. are doing well.



2) Trade or release the dead weight. There are at least 10 of them.



3) Draft Draft Draft



4) If he allows it, as much as it hurts to do this to someone who has been so good/loyal to the Leafs, you have to trade Mats Sundin for prospects/draft picks.



5) Lure at least one prominent free-agent. It works. Look at PHI.



6) Make tickets cheaper. (this is the most unlikely)

Answer 174

Sell the team, preferable somewhere there is a big market without hockey fans - like Mexico City (el Mexico hojas del arce - has a nice ring). They'll be impressed with the novelity of the team, and be able to fund it to actually attract star players and win a Stanley cup. When the novelty wears off, buy the team back, or wait until the next league expansion for a new team. Whatever you do, stop playing their games on TSN.

Answer 175

find a new owner for the team. the teachers union/pension have all the money in the world...they dont need more so to put out a winning team is not a priority. give scotty bowman full rein of the team, there are few bigger winners in the game today then him, so to talk about trades is imaterial. dont start from the bottom up, start from the top down. the board is too top heavy and thats why they crumble.

Answer 176

Clean House!!!!!!! Right from the top with the Board of Directors and onward down.....Start this team from scratch with the right hockey people who cannot be hand-cuffed by the directors and let them build a winning team once again... Trade away any or all the current players and grab what you can for them....not like ACC won't still sell-out the leaf games

Answer 177

Simple to say less easy to do. They need to hire a Hockey person to put in charge of the hockey operations call him GM / President of Hockey operations or Jesus, it doesn't matter.



What will matter is that he/she has to be given a five year mandate to fix the team with full control, ie no mgmt interference, no fan interference, no media interference. After 3 yrs when the leafs start to improve no more bowing to fan pressure to go for it now and repeat past mistakes of starting to sell off the future cause we are getting closer.



Firing JFJ changes nothing as evidenced by what Peddie said in a TSN article



"Our ideal candidate will be a long-term builder and a short-term fixer who has an established track record of success on the ice,"



They are still not committed to a long-term strategy, as evidenced by the short-term fixer reference. Forget the short-term Peddie, as it does not matter.

Answer 178

its simple,really the problem has not changed,I have heard the term "blow it up" get tossed around but what they need to do is buy , not sell, they need to get into the hossa or richards/prospal sweepatakes and get sundin(whom they should re-sign)a proven winger,they tried to do that with jason blake but he is clearly not the answer.The Eastern confrence is a tight race and believe it or not, they are not out of it yet.Hockey is a team game and one player usually cant make a difference but in this case i think it would.along with that you waive raycroft,take the hit and move on with toskala and clemmenson with pogge waiting in the wings.Sometimes one deal can make the differece to a teams success or failure and this may be the case here.the one important thing is haste , if they are going to but this all has to happen soon,well before the deadline in order to gain the chemistry needed for a playoff run.they arent that far out and i know that whatever they do will take a long time because they are the leafs but really with 3 or 4 simple steps a playoff run is not at all out of the question.

Answer 179

Have the city of Toronto or province of Ontario buy the team and bring in owners who actually want to win as well as make a profit. It seems to work well in Green Bay (NFL), until there is a company (from the CEO to the European scouts and everyone in between) wide commitment to winning and not just making an extra buck, we as true fans will continue to suffer

Answer 180

Yes , rebuild, get rid of the dead wieght we have, Darcy Tucker, Mcabe, and trade Sundin for a few prospects. Marlies have a well stocked talented team, bring some players up and start giving them experience. One name for sure and I am not sure why he has not played more is Jeremy Williams. Here is a talented young player, played 2 games in the NHL and scored 2 goals. They should be able to give him some game time, along with some others.

Answer 181

This is rebuilding time! I really like all of the players on the team, but we simply are not going to win with this group. So let's trade Sundin, trade Tucker, trade Kaberle, trade Toskala, trade Antropov, trade anyone who will give us a young player who will likely become better than the player we are trading away. We ought to stock up on draft picks and hope with all of our might that we end up with Tavares.



The target must be a cup in five years. By then Pogge will be between the pipes and our young defencemen will be seasoned pros. Go Leafs Go!!!

Answer 182

1. Get sundin to opt out of no-trade claus to join a team with a chance of winning a cup for him in the next few years (detroit, ottawa, calgary, etc.) Pick up a 1st and 2nd round draft pick



2. Let raycroft get in against some of the weaker teams in the league so that he can be on readily on the market. Tampa is looking for a goaltending solution, as well as washington, st.louis, etc.



3. Somehow get mcabe the hell out of the leafs as quick and as swiftly as possible for either an established younger defencemen: tobias enstrom possibly



4. We could also market clemmenson too if he gets in for some more games if we are interested in making pogge our steady #2



5. STOP PICKING UP AGGRESSORS. If it were up to me we would just get rid of bell, and tyson nash what the hell were they all about



6. call up prospects from marlies to establish their skill and get some experience, tlusty is making himself into a good fit



7. NEVER get rid of blake, he will lead our future, or kaberle for the time being



8. could try to trade a couple prospects for an established rookie such as patrick kane or jonathon toews...



thats it for now

Answer 183

Well, getting rid of the Gm, was a good start, but I think they should also get rid of some of the older players and get some "new blood" in there. Get some good draft picks and actually keep them. Just build the team from scratch and see what happens.



Other option, as we all know the Leafs have lots of money, go out and spend it on some good players.



Thats all.

Answer 184

personally nor a Leafs fan but is cliff fletcher the real answer. I think not. Teachers union should sell they've had offers trade for some future draft picks and do a major rebuild . cliff will be a bandaid solution and try to get some wins to look good but I think a good three year rebuild is in order with incentives to those who produce.

Answer 185

hire me because its all about the game lol. with all the new teams and only 1 winner give me a break. play your best and things will get better even without top paid players. money helps buy talent but you still have to get past all the other teams ... at best you can only hope to be a part of the few that make it to the top the rest is luck and determination. better to be number 2,3 or even 5th spot then dead last. the goal should be to improve and have that goal achieved so again number 1 spot is the goal but what is the 1st goal achieved?????? number9 if you are now number 10

Answer 186

Well first of...they need some more consistent goaltending.....get rid of raycroft and bring Joseph back...he is a free agent! I know many people are bitter about when he left but he did some great things for Toronto including leading them into the playoffs every single season he played for them...now what's that tell you...? Then you need a stronger scoring forward...the one who will get down and dirty and get the job done....another stronger defense would also do good....Kaberle and McCabe should NOT be on the same line together...they are both STRONG defenceman and should be paired with a weaker defenseman in order to push him to be better.....

Answer 187

Fireing Ferguson is one phase done. Next fire the coach and beg Pat Quinn to come back no matter what some of the players think. The team did better under Quinn. And next get Belack out there and leave him on a line and get more guys like him to protect players like blake. If you don`t want to work for the money you are makeing then you should be cut back on the ice time. The Leafs is a good team and has alot of good players but it offends me and alot of other Canadians when the leafs let the other teams man handle them. In fact I remember when I lived in BC. and saw a team called the flying fathers. They were more aggresive than the leafs and hit more as well. This team has to learn to play as a team and not a bunch of high payed players. I watch them and they look like they have no idea where thier team mates are going to be. That shows a team of individuals and not a team of one. I hear alot of people talking about Blake and Tucker and they should be traded and tucker can`t fight. Open your eyes. Blake night after night proves that he has some hidden rockets on him and he should be teamed up with guys like him and you will have a good line. Put Belack on Blakes line to watch out for him. Tucker may not be a fighter but, but he just like Blake have loads of heart and I watch the team just because of these guys with heart as well as getting disapointed when i put the game on and not see Belack. What is the problem here. This is not a team to be turning the other cheek, because you are out of cheeks. Defend your selves and play with heart. And definatly get rid of the coach as well. The leafs should have kept Domi as well. Around the beginning of the season I saw a fight with a player I think his name was Parrot. He hammered the hell out of the other player now he`s gone. Why ? The leafs need these guys like Belack, Domi and Parott. The leafs are a large and strong team with alot of good players being let down by managment and by them, selves as well. Wake up they are not a premadonna team they should be aggresive and defend them selves and knock the other players out of thier rink. Be the players and winners the leafs have always been. I`d like to see them at least make it to the play offs and of coarse beat the heck out of people like that Avery ect ect. You all know this needs to be done and maintained.

Answer 188

Also, they CANNOT be compared to last year's Flyers in terms of a quick rebuild. The Flyers had a good young nucleus in place already and had expiring contracts. Toronto is handcuffed by contracts and have NO great prospects. Pogge is their best and he is hit or miss.

Answer 189

The toronto maple leafs should get a good playmaker in his late twenties. Someone to accompany Sundin on line 1. And maybe get johan hedberg as backup!

Answer 190

41 years is enough. Fold the franchise and put those poor miserable, confusingly cocky, confusingly obsessed, confusingly loyal, obnoxious fans out of their misery. Or, move the team to Southern Ontario and give them their franchise that they say they deserve.

Hamilton Maple Leafs anyone? Jim Balsillie would be all over that.

Answer 191

I would give the Leafs less coverage than before on CBC and CBC should give more coverage to other Canadian teams because they are other Canadian teams that deserve the coverage as the Leafs. I used to watch both games on Saturdays but lately the first game is a disappointment

Answer 192

The answer is simple ONE person needs to be responsible for the actions of the organization.One owner means one person responsible.The bad decisions of past are here to haunt the future and if it is not taken care of now say goodbye to at least 3 yrs of toronto hockey .they need to make good decisions for trades and picks and not throw away perfectly good players that are traded for a old man and brought back when their career was almost over. SMARTEN UP cause I aint buyin what the leafs are selling.

Answer 193

When the time was right back a few months ago, I would have bought the Pittsburgh Penguins and given the Leafs to the 1st sucker that came along.



The Penguins have "Stars" of today and the future. The Leaves have none. When you best player is 36, Bonne Chance.



Bob, in Markham

Answer 194

That's a no brainer, let the ship sink like the Titanic did. Start new with real managers and real players, not over the hill prima donnas. I am not so sure the owners shouldn't be replaced as well.



In the long run I guess you get what you pay for. However, let's be realistic, as long as the arena is full of paying customers, there is no reason to ice a "winning team". If the fans are willing to pay top dollars for a mediocre team, so be it, why spend more money?

Answer 195

Trade away/buy out McCabe, Kubina, Tucker, Raycroft, Blake, Bell, and Gill. Clean house in front office management. New president, coaching staff, scouts, etc. Start putting effort into the drafts because that's where the new talent has to come from. DO NOT trade away draft picks for crying out loud. Sundin and Kaberle are our two best players and I prefer we kept them to help us re-build. They will be good mentors to the young players.

Answer 196

My first step would be to move the team from Toronto to a city that has more appreciation for the talented players (home and visitors) that play in their arena.When talented players like Orr, Gretzky,Alfredson and many others are booed when on the ice and there are cheers for the untalented Leaf goons, it is obvious that many of the Toronto fans do not deserve a winning team.



John Goddard

Brantford

Answer 197

Well the firing of JFJ was too little too late! JFJ is not the only problem...just the scapegoat. Yet another classy move by a classy organization. My fix for the Laughs, oops I mean Leafs, would be to send them to the ECHL or the CHL. That is the only answer. Oh yeah and they might be the most hated but not the most loved! H.N.I.C should show other canadian teams on national TV from now on........wake up people!

Answer 198

First: Fire everyone and start again. They went on strike for what?? Pay? Yeah, well start playing like you actually want to earn it people.

Second: Stop the commercials on the mighty leafs; they sure ain't mighty right now. When they redeem themselves then continue to spend what you want on promotion and tv slots.

The fan base is amazing and for a team to have such a large following yet get worse and worse is sad. They don't know how lucky they are.

Answer 199

My two cents worth is - they've paid way too much for the players; it's time to pump fresh blood into the team - do an overhaul. Bring in young players. Start from scratch; but retain Sundin tho'!

Answer 200

I love the people that suggest the Leafs should trade away "dead weight" for "young talented players." Because there are so many teams out their looking to trade away their young talent for dead weight ... no wonder the Leafs are in trouble, even their fans don't understand the game.

Answer 201

well make me laugh fans( that is me as well) its not the Gm!! he is a yes man, its the staff above him that should be fired. we cant forget about some high price players not doing the team any good. we need to dump some players and start from scratch and suffer for three more years and get some young talent in. we also have high priced net minders who should be dumped and bring in the kids so they get some time with the big boys as we have no goalie for our future and we all know we need a solid guy between the pipes like every other team in the NHL

Answer 202

i would get all the seasons ticket holders and alike to boycott the home games until these guys realize that fans want to watch the leafs win...they pack the hanger every game...so the franchise dosent care about the team...just the cash!.

i honestly don't bother watching the games anymore...it just depresses me.i was born in toronto 1962....i have been a leaf fan all my life...but i'm seriously considering jumping ship.

good luck leaf fans....maybe they should bring the'Houndline out of retirement!

Answer 203

The Leafs are 25 goals too high in goals against (over only 49 games) and have 8 overtime losses with a leading scorer who is the subject of trade talks (yet has only 20 goals). Quick fix: a good scorer in shootout. 4 less OT losses and they are right there.

Medium fix: They are there in terms of team scoring(138 goals), defence is weak(160). Trade for defence, coach defence now. Goalie is pretty good, he needs some help in front of him.

Answer 204

I have boxes into which stray items that belong to other family members go. If I don't know where an item belongs, it goes into a box or basket that is stored in the spare room. If a family member can not find something, they know to check the box. It doesn't take too many trips to the box for them to learn to put their own belongings away. After an item stays in the box for a while, we are able to ask, "Do you really need this or is it time to donate it?"

Answer 205

Sell them somewhere down south , seems like any redneck can build better organization than here in Toronto . Can always watch them on the cable since I can't afford to go to live games anyways . Exhausted MF fan .

Answer 206

I think that there is wayyy too much attention paid to the leafs, they win two games and the crisis is over they loose one more and its back to panic mode. The leafs are just too old. They need youth in there line-up and there fans need to chill out for a couple seasons and accept the fact that there team will suck. They can switch GM's or coaches all they want but if they keep the same old attitude and the same old fans then they will always be losers.

Answer 207

Simple: back to basics. Tape to tape drills standing still, then moving, then moving in groups around face off circles. Conditioning, Conditioning Conditioning! Key for winning in hockey. Remove all stressors in diet and environment and put fun back in wherever possible. For instance, no media..at all. Impromptu soccer games in the back lot ..YES! Forget retreats to brainstorm. Hockey's about the puck in the net, body positioning and strategy. Stop coming down so hard on the guys and let them work.

Answer 208

Bring in Wendal Clarke, word on the street is that he lives just North of the T dot. If he couldn't be lured, why don't they bring back Pat Quinn?



Another option would be to change their jerseys to look

identical to the Habs.



This may not be effective, but at least they'd look like a great team.



Ha, ha, ha

Answer 209

A change in ownership would help, someone who cares, that would be a start. Then work your way down. Clean house, including the prima donna players, who forget how to compete, once the big contract is signed ( Darcy Tucker ) ( Brian McCabe ), and who whine when they are booed out of their lack of concentration. To make millions of $.s to play a game for a couple of months a year, a couple of nights a week, and for perhaps 25 min.s or less. a game. Do your job Fella.s

Answer 210

First of all they finally took the correct step by firing Ferguson. Next I would trade Raycroff and get a good up front player and then i would trade a character guy like Sundin or Tucker to show that if things don't change no one is safe.

Answer 211

Fletcher has to review all contracts, to many leafs are overpaid and are underachievers. After review start lining up trades for draft choices, don;t worry this seasons is finished. Some leafs such as Bell, Kubina and McCabe are going to be very hard to unload, not to mention Raycroft and Bell. Sundin, Blake and Tucker could bring draft choices for next year. Not one of the leafs are untouchable, Maurice was stuck with a very poor team but his style of coaching has made me wonder where is head is, in the final minutes of the third period. Be patient the leafs will improve but it will take good draft choices and even better free agent signings.

Answer 212

A couple of things first:



To all armchair hockey analysts, STOP GIVING YOUR STUPID ADVICE!!



Trade Sundin?



WHY? Lose teams identity? who will step in? he has no trade clause, why should he waive it? is this how we treat arguably the best LEAF ever? ask him to leave? Give your head a good shake!!



Change ownership?



Who changes it? Everyone keeps saying the owners are a greedy bunch, so ask these greedy guys to change themselves? Everyone owner, every concern is in this business to make money, so why not MLSE? Too bad we are not in a GOD forsaken market like OTTAWA, where you have to win to stay alive! its a sport, enjoy it, its not the end of world if Leafs have not win in a gazillin years.



Trade everyone??



and who would you get? is everyone a dork to get your "***-ets" and give you their picks? maybe 2 or 3 guys have value and can go but trade the whole team? Yeh i can them lining up!



Look at how dead towns like Ottawa and MOntreal are laughing at us because we have made a joke of ourselves by WHINING our pants off!...shut up, just shut up and stop listening to BOb McCown, its those doomsday day prophets who claim to know the best of of everything is every sport who stir the pot.



Relax, chill and take it as a sport. Enjoy and have pride in wearing blue and white...



GO LEAFS GO!! Forever!

Answer 213

Don't consider trading Sundin. The only legitimate star on the team, and captain, will not volunteer to be traded and then return again. Do you make him captain when he comes back? He is needed to provide leadership toward a playoff run.

Answer 214

Well, my 6 year old is a diehard sundin fan ,his even gone as far as to say he will not play ninor hockey if he does'nt get no. 13. He suggested to me we go up and help out on his line. I think he hit on a good idea. some young blood for a change, lol.

Answer 215

I would set out to change the image as loosers.Never would I sign any GM in a walker,like Fletcher.No free agents of any value,sign with the leafs.Keep the coach and give him something to work with.Give Sundin the golden handshake and go out and sign a franchise player,which we haven't had since the Sittler days.It's time we gave Toronto a winning team.We deserve it!!

Answer 216

Fire the whole team,replace them with younger& eager players that want to play HOCKEY!! Clear out the dead wood management(just about everybody) .pay them for thier performance on ice if the shift sucks lower pay!! Tell new management sports fans deserve better(ie)--so the working majority can go to a game without mortgageing the house.

Answer 217

the Toronto maple leafs suffer from heart and a huge lack of it and this is directly a result of poor nutritional support. watching the team in action rarely now in days they the players need to be fueled properly with cutting edge supplements and a food regimen that will maximize there game. I am confident that our studio can totally change the lack luster leafs to become a threat for real in the NHL...

looking forward to your comments.....

Answer 218

The team needs to be rebuilt. They have a lot of adequate players but not enough Super Stars or Above Average players. Mats Sundin being traded is a start. They need to look at moving about 5 other players and bring some talent and youth to the organization. They are stale. Look at what the Flyers did two years ago. They brought in a lot of youth and last year they were horrible, but they were getting experience. Now they are making plays, winning games and will most likely go deep into the playoffs. Barring unforseen circumstances,they could be a CUP contender in the next 2 years.

Answer 219

Also, losing breeds winning. Alot of people will point to a team like Ottawa, well they had seasons of 9 wins and 10 wins, they were bad and THEN drafted well. Also, look at the turnaround of the Pens, they owe it to having some poor seasons that enabled them to have some good draft picks.

Answer 220

Some one above suggested the Belleville Bulls. Talk to their AGM and get him to convince his old man to take the job.

Trading Sundin will not solve the problem. Buy outs and demotions will make room under the cap to more than off set any thing the team will get for Sundin.

Answer 221

Convince Cuban or Jerry Jones to buy the Leafs. They are owners who have proven to go after and pay for top talent. They want a winner, not just a money getter.

Answer 222

trade all the players exceped some younger 1s get a top rated goal tender in the draft and use him as you rebuild next spend some money on a top team leader sign the young players to long term contracts. look at what pitts is doing take sundin off the ice put him behind the bench

Answer 223

i am sick of people saying its fergies fault if anybody is to blame it is the board. The board of a hockey team is supposed to have 2 meetings 1 for the budget and 1 at christmas for a review of everyones performance but torontos is choking the people who really know hockey from doing what they need to do. As much as i love him they need to rebuild the team and suck for a couple of years and probably one of the most imprtant thing as much as i hate it is to trade sundin and get a bunch of draft picks for him

Answer 224

I would trade away our great captain Mats for any young player that has upside or draft picks. I would also trade away any other player on the team that is not younger for any draft picks. I would only keep kaberle, wellwood, tlusty stralman white. Idealy we wold like the first overall pick in the draft and select stamkos. there is also a chance to sign mats back in the offseason as he will be an unrestricted free agent

Answer 225

It's long overdue - time to start trading some of the 'babies' on the team including Kaberle and McCabe and I hate to say it but Tucker and Sundin. There needs to be a major shake up and now is the time. These guys have been coasting and under achieving for too long.

Answer 226

Thats a tall order,how to fix the Maple Leafs.The problem has always been leadership from the top.That's where you need to start and we all know that's never going to happen.To many fat cats making big bucks.Start by cutting the fat at the top,of with their heads I say!

Answer 227

There's no hope for the Maple Leafs. Never was. Demote the whole team to the minors. Or better still, send them to another planet!



P.S. I'm a dedicated Habs fan.



Smiles.

Answer 228

Well take them off Hockey Night In Toro...sorry I mean Hockey Night in Canada every Saturday.

Answer 229

first things first I would loose a lot of the older players and build a team around Toskala and hold on to one line of old timers like Sundin, Tucker, Caberle, Gill, and Blake. I would do everything I could to create space in the salary cap in order to bring in fresh blood. I would also bring up a lot of the top Marlies players. I would write off a season or two (I mean hey what's one more crappy season?) to get good draft picks. I would also not trade my draft picks unless they got me better ones.

Answer 230

i would just dismantle the team since they can't win anyways why waste money on a loosing team, if doesn't happen they should get rid of all there over the hill over paid players like matt sundin, he hasn't done anything good for the leafs wheres the cup he was going to win for them when they first hired on...chokers is all the leafs are.

Answer 231

Fire the players too and hire the Belleville Bulls! 11 straight wins and still going! The GM is not the one out there slapping the little black peice of rubber around, it's the players! Come on!

Answer 232

After cleaning house in the front office I would then pack up the team and move it to Alberta where everyone who wants success goes..



I would also probably trade that old 'n bald swedish guy with the bad teeth...

Answer 233

well, its quite simple:

if the board wants to win, then they should bring in a GM that has been to the promise land, and of course trade Sundin to a winner/contender.

secondly, if the present coach fails to deliver after a certain period, then he should be let go and replaced with a coach who has also been to the promise land, or one with a good track record.



look, this is doable. look at our cross city rivals the Sens. they are doing it majorly. If we want to stop the defection of Leaf supporters, then its time we paid attention Now!!

Answer 234

The first thing they need to do is lower ticket prices! They also need to get off there high horse, all mighty better than everyone attitude.

They haven't won the cup since 1967, yet they demand some of the highest ticket prices!!!

And the fans keep on going!!! The fans need to wake up and boycott some games and show there discuss with the whole organization.

Answer 235

Forget about this year, drop down to last place and get the 1st draft pick. Hire Don Cherry to coach and let him do whatever it takes to build a winning team, without interference! Sign Darcy Tucker to a long term contract, and get rid of McCabe.

Answer 236

Do the Leafs not have any draft choices to bring up?Then never seem to bring up any new blood like other teams do.They seem to wait too long to make any decisions involving the team.They say they have lots of money, but they never go after anyone of any consequence.You usually have to give up something to get something worthwhile in return.I think if they really wanted to please their fans they would spend a little money to get new blood and scoring into the team.

Answer 237

this is how i look at it,just like anything start from the ground up,need some better scouts in europe and north america,trade some veterans for some great draft picks,the fans are to critical in toronto,the front office this time will have to be patient ,and not run off course here,it will take alot of effort,give 4-5 years.the ghost of harold ballard still hovers toronto,shew shew

Answer 238

Too many answers from cities that don't have a good hockey history.



For the Leafs to win, they should do what the Nordiques did. Fold, move cities to Hamilton, where or better yet - out west where fans have more heart than money and will propell their team to a Stanley Cup.



So from a real hockey town.. I say fold or move cities. Leafs and their fans are always going to lose. Its their destiny.



Go Habs. :)

Answer 239

Do nothing. Hire nobody. Trade nobody. They're perfect the way they are. A team of losers for a city of losers. Go Leafs Go! Get off my TV and stay out of my life.

Answer 240

'What would i do I would plan a 5 year outlook and build up. Lets face it we are not going to have a playoff team this year. Keep some of the young guys and Toskala and build from the net out.

Answer 241

Relax Maple Leafs Entertainment - Get It ?



Put a crappy team on ice & Toronto-dummies-&must be at the game (just in case they get seen on TV) will come and pay big bucks for a team of OHL-level or less...



So as long as they can rip you off with mediocrity passing themselves of as an NHL-team and you come back for more.. you get what you deserve!!!!! Suckers.....

Answer 242

Get rid of the Canadian hating Sundin. Get two good players for him. Other teams will fall for it. Its the hockey Gods wrath punishing Sundin for bad mouthing Canadians at the olympics. So get rid of him and hope the bad luck follows him.

Answer 243

Not a Leaf fan, but what I would do is, trade Mats Sundin, if he waives the no-trade clause. McCabe has a no movement clause, and no one will want that contract. Tucker, I believe has a no-trade clause but could be put on waivers. Blake, Kaberle, Kubina, Raycroft......if they can't be traded put them on waivers. Start from scratch, just as if it were an expansion team.

Answer 244

Get rid of all the old wood. Sundin, Tucker all the players that have been there for more than 5 years. Lets get some young blood back in the game and get some ppl that r hungry to win the cup!!!!!!!!

Answer 245

The Leafs need to start the we can and will win the cup mentality. For too Many years they have had the Ballard mentality. Who cares the fans will still come anyway attitude why pay money for superstars. Look at Ottawa,Carolina,Pittsburg,Anaheim,Detroit. They need to get more than 1 star and build. SPEND SOME MONEY. Change the attitudes.

Answer 246

Move the Leafs to Kansas City for a few years.

Answer 247

i have been a fan since 1968, i am 45 now. i think they send some minor hockey players from the OHA ,hire pat guinn and get back on track to a worthy stanley cup win for 2008

Answer 248

Simple solution. You have everyone from the Leafs organization - from the president to Zamboni driver attend a workshop. Then you bring in the management teams from the Patriots and Redsox to show them how to do it right!

Answer 249

I would start another NHL team in TO. Maybe then the money the Leafs are bringing for owners would have to go to finance a winning team, if it could ever cost them at the gate!!

Answer 250

I would trade some players,draft picks what ever it took to get a couple good defensemen and a couple of goal scorers. In reality its going to take years of rebuilding to form a good team. Switching GM's ,Presidents, coaches isn't the answer. They should look over their roster see who is doing their job and who isn't ,it should be pretty obvious who to get rid of.

Answer 251

Get rid of Sundin...he's useless and always will be... They need to look at how the RedWings run a class act operation.... it will never happen...sorry Leaf fans



Wing Nut

Answer 252

Don't do anything, this is why its great to be a leafs fan, to thrive in mediocrity and sub par performances is what keeps us all talking.guessing and hoping. What happens after they win the cup? The same thing that happens to a bride after her wedding. Here is to a life long engagement party

Answer 253

Easy as 123.



Only hire players from Ontario, Canada. Its a win from the heart.



Now was that so hard?

Answer 254

Also, when trading Sundin, they should FORCE their trading partner to take another contract off their hands if they want to land Mats. Not much unlike their trade for Toskala which was dependant on them taking Bell off of SJ's hands as well.

Answer 255

Prospects: Pretty bare right now. Some young guys who will hopefully be nice pieces are Pogge (Canadian World Juniors and they guy they chose over Rask) and Tlusty (a 1988 born first rounder).

Answer 256

Toronto sux They paid ottawa to lose most of there games Thats a FIXED game but ottawa the morans took the offer!

Answer 257

good start fired ferguson,wave sundins no trade clause,trade tucker not performing,bring up pogge ,send down raycroft,make some good trades or bring up the young guys from their affiliate teams to shake things up,it only makes sense.come on and do something soon or miss the playoffs again. a diehard fan who says its time for change.

Answer 258

The only way of fixing this disaster is to buy out all these high priced stiffs that call them self's player's, This way they will have a lot more cap space to sign young talent!! Ive never seen a Manager make such a mess of a team!!!.......he really left his mark!!

Answer 259

To start, it's all of the 'head honchos' that need to get cleared out. They don't help anything.

The Leafs have a TON money, so why are they not spending it on necessities, such as a wack load of decent players!

I'd say they're basically toast though!

Answer 260

Ferguson's departure is a first step, management needs to get better players who have talent and desire. Right now the only Leaf with desire is Wade Belak and he has no skills . Trade them all but Blake.

Answer 261

1.Unload a few big contract players. 2.Make a few trades. 3.Send down/call up a few players from the AHL Toronto Marlies,let those sent down endure the 5am wake up calls,ride the bus THATS AHL road trips in a nut shell,them 3 in 3 nights games., play,bus play bus play fly home.Stop paying a $ 100 or so and go see the Marlies better product,cheaper too.

Answer 262

They need to be more active in pursuing talented players. This means spending money. Also, they need to remove the non-hockey distractions by managing the press a bit better.

Answer 263

As a huge fan of the Ottawa Senators, I am tempted to say, "Let them die." But there is one way for them to get out of this mess. Hand the Team over to Scotty Bowman. Give him a Colangelo deal and let him build a winner.

Answer 264

Plain and simple. The Leafs can't be fixed. The organization is a joke, and no matter what players are brought in, the team will suck. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter if you fire the GM or the coach, because the delusional fans will soak everything up no matter what happens. There's a reason why they're called the Leafs:



L osers

E ven

A fter

F orty

S easons

Answer 265

-Trade just about everyone and make getting good goaltending and young prospects as the top concern.

-Sell the team to an owner who cares about winning and tradition.

- Get across the attitude that winning is important and having respect in the organzation is manditory.

Answer 266

Fix the Leafs? That's easy. Get a nice sharp hatchet, lay out their balls on a block of wood, and have at them.

Answer 267

First of all im sooo happy that JF jr is gone ... the only way to fix the leafs is to get into 30th place that way we get more chances of getting young players like Stephen Stamkos , jonathan taveres all those guys that would really help them

Answer 268

trade!!!

start with sundin, but every player over 32 should go, for draft picks or prospects. that will not win games this year, but will get them on the right track for 2-5 years from now. of course they need beter scouting too, but if they have enough picks they can hit some winners.

Answer 269

Dismantle the team. use the arena for concerts and other events, distribute the players to the strongest teams, in order to weaken them, creating a more even playing field for the rest of the league. Never mention the name Leafs and Toronto in the same sentence, ever. GO HABS

Answer 270

My quick fix..................I've said it before and I'll say it again.



I heard Anaheim is interested in Mats.



Trade Mats for Bobby Ryan and the Edmonton 1st round pick



Then you'll have likey 2 of the top 5 picks this year.



If you get stamkos great, if not, a couple great top five picks would be nice.



Then trade any other "dead weight" for 2009 draft picks.



Use those picks to sign Correy Perry to an offer sheet, as Anaheim can't afford to keep him, and maybe him and Mats just went on a magical run for back to back cups with Anaheim, so Mats will bring him with him when he resigns with TO. If you trade Pavel Kubina, even if you get nothing in return, you would have the space to do this.



And you have a sick looking team next year with a bright future in ryan, 2 top 5 picks this year, and perry (23 years old)



Maybe a little far fetched, but I don't think so.

Answer 271

I would find a new coach and trade some of the old player for fresh blood. More practices and crack down on partying

Answer 272

i would get rid of the entire team

and bing in all new young people

who actually know how to win a hockey game

Answer 273

Umm well I would get rid of Peddie. It's his fault it has gotten so bad, he should have fix this thing before it got out of control. Good drafts picks would be next and then see what happens there

Answer 274

hahahahahahaha. this is so funny how everyone praised him when he brought in toskala and blake before the season and now everyone wants him gone. stupid leafs fans. save yourself some dignity and cheer for a good team. we will all understand. i think they should cut todays roster and sign the 1967 team for the rest of the season.

Answer 275

start sitting the star players . let some young players show their stuff.trade some of the under achievers for draft picks.fire the coach and get somebody that works a deffensive type of game [ the trap].......

Answer 276

Praise the Lord John Ferguson has been fired!

Answer 277

the first person that should be fired its its president peddie.

he brought in j.f.j. in then first place. he has taken a team that was close to stanley cup finals and given us a cellar dweller.

instead he has brought in cliff fletcher???? what has he done in the last ten years. the house cleaning has got to start much higher on the corporate ladder.

Answer 278

Bag 'em up and incinerate 'em far away. On a more serious note, take a year off and build build build. Train through the summer as well. I don't know why are you asking me?

Answer 279

Relegate the team to a minor division until they prove they can play in the big league.

Answer 280

Hire Lanny Mcdonald as general manager and hire Darryl Sittler as coach

Answer 281

Replace all Leafs with Marlies, the marlies seem to be having a good year with Poggie in net,

Answer 282

i think you need a manger who is not afraid to make a deal.

Sundins time is almost over he had enough years there to help toronto win a stanley cup . trade sundin, get a first round pick , get a good goalie, without that you got nothing . you have a good bunch of youngsters keep building around them

get rid of the old dogs .

Answer 283

Buy them all a set of golf clubs for severance pay and buy a new team and move them to Hamilton

Answer 284

If I could change the leafs the first thing I would do is trade Sundin and Blake.

Answer 285

Quit sucking so much...



GO WINGS GO!!!



Seriously, though - the other people have it right - get rid of the dead weight like Tucker, Gill, Sundin (yes, Sundin...) and sign some young talent.



Just look at Montreal, Philly, Chicago, etc... that should be your baseline...

Answer 286

Revamp the team. Trade everyone and start fresh. We have a great team, but it is time for fresh blood and new eyes

Answer 287

they need to stop thinking they are the centre of the universe and lose their arrogance then maybe they will start winning again. Or just move them out of Toronto.

Answer 288

-rent out sundin for the rest of the year. let him win the cup he deserves, and if he wants to come back in the summer, let him make that decision.

-get rid of mccabe

-get rid of tucker

-get rid of raycroft

-get rid of most of the other players: if they didn't play in toronto, they'd all be a bunch of no-name 4th line grunts somewhere else.

-the leafs have some young players... but they don't have good young players with promise. use all the players they need to get rid of to get good draft picks, not more end-of-their-career-gee-i'd-like-to-finish-off-in-toronto veterans

Answer 289

I wouldn't change a thing. As long as they fill the arena every night, why should I care. My pension wins even if the Leafs don't.

Answer 290

Give the seats at the ACC back to the fans, and out of the hands of corporations and businesses as gifts and promotions. Then watch how long it takes the Leafs to figure out what they need to do when they play to an empty house.

Answer 291

Goverment and teacher pension plan should invest their moeny somewhere else, not in Maple Leaf and Entetaiment.

Answer 292

I see two possibilities:

1) Getting rid of the whole team.

2) Giving the team a year off to think and, most importantly, to practice.

Answer 293

I am an Montreal/Ottawa Fan and I would hire Muckler

he is available and it keeps the hype going withe the teams.

Answer 294

Good Idea they will be a playoff contender in 2010

Answer 295

OUT;



MACABE

TUCKER

WELLWOOD

RAYCROFT

PONAKAROSKY

STRALMAN

RAYCROFT

CLEMINSON

MOORE



IN;

THE LIKES OF;

ERIC STAAL

DION PHANEUF

JEROME IGILNA

OVECHKIN

POGGE

ANDREI MARKOV

BRIAN CAMBELL



GET A COUPLE DECENT DRAFT PICKS AND USE THEM, DONT USE THEM AS TRADE BAIT, USE THEM AS PLAYERS!!!



MAKE A CANADIAN CAPTAIN. SORRY BUT EUROS DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE STANLEY CUP IS.



JEROME IGILNA I THINK WILL BE A FREE AGENT NEXT YEAR, SIGN HIM AND GIVE HIM THE "C"



MATS...GET TOUGH AND USE YOUR SIZE OR GO BACK TO SWEDEN.



ONE WAY OR ANOTHER A FEW OF THESE NAMES CAN BE WORKED OUT.



CHEERS

Answer 296

http://www.wholesalesoccerjerseyser.com/



Design custom hats for your team, group or occasion at CustomInk. Choose screen printing or embroidery and a wide selection of brands & colors.

Answer 297

Simple. I'd move them to Hamilton. Lock, stock and barrel. Then start all over with a brand new team and build it by the draft. (see Pittsburgh and watch for Chicago next)

Answer 298

Hire Brian Burke as their new Gm

Answer 299

Move the franchise to a minor womens league in the burbs.

Answer 300

Woohoo!! International-yep slow day for news...

Fire Richard Peddie and the dang board of no-nothings. Trade the guys who don't want to be here.

Answer 301

I wanna be the leafs new GM!!! that would be amazing to be the first woman GM of an NHL team!!! a girl can dream! :D

Answer 302

Rename the Leafs the Canadiens or Senators. That oughtta fix'em good.

Answer 303

well i would fire Ferguson and have Doug Gilmour as interm GM and then trade Sundin to Montreal for like Ryder, Locke, and first rd and second rd

Answer 304

Move the franchise to Hamilton. You will instantly improve the quality of fan base. The rest will follow.

Answer 305

Keep the owners away counting their money ( I'm sure that will keep them busy for a while), and let the hockey people do their "JOB". Plain and simple.

Answer 306

Take a page from the flyers. Blow it up and start over. The team cannot win with the existing line-up. Unload the older players starting with Sundin and load up on draft picks and prospects.

Answer 307

Move them to Cache Creek

Answer 308

Move them to Hamilton and they will win the cup in 3 years.

You could also move them to Red deer alberta. They will win the cup in 5.

Answer 309

Fire Fletcher!

Answer 310

I would trade Sundin To Montreal with a first round draft pick for Halak.

Answer 311

I would try and get a team full Toronto and GTA players that would be prod to play for there home town.

Answer 312

start from scratch, bring in YOUNG DECENT HOCKEY PLAYERS that have something to prove. these guys will play their HEARTS out, and win! How long have we tried to build a team around one guy? It doesn't work in Toronto. I believe there is enough talent in the juniors to create a winning team. I am sure they will do better then our Leafs teams of late. "NO NAME PLAYERS" that have some talent, the heart, the drive and the love of the game and watch us win. This is the "Canandian" way

Answer 313

Getting rid of Ferguson is a good start. However, they still suck large!

Answer 314

It's Really simple you deduct an fix amount

of Dollars from them Like $6000.00 per game,

If you don't pull your weight you don't get

payed.

How much more simple can it get.

Steven

Answer 315

Fix them? Let them join that league in Greenland, where they'd be more competitive. Sign some croquet house league talent to beef up their scoring. Show the video of Downie sucker punching Blake over and over again, with the subliminal message "You are not professionals" so they don't get thinking that they really are, and start trying.

Answer 316

Fire the GM. Ferguson, I hope Edmonton is watching as the same should happen there. Get rid of these guys that know nothing about Hockey.

Answer 317

well when you find your self in a hole STOP DIGGING !!!! start at the top and work your way down 99% of the big problems are from the top level good luck go LEAFS

Answer 318

the first step was ferguson. next, get rid of mccabe, which is the hard part because of his no-trade clause. next is sundin. then get rid of all of the defence except for kaberle. that'd be a good start going into next season...

Answer 319

Trade Sundin to the wings, resign him next season!

Answer 320

Trade Sundin to Calgary for Yelle, Premeau and Nilson... GO FLAMES GO!!!

Answer 321

I'd get rid of them all together. Can't stand the leafs. They suck bigtime. We don't need them in the league...they are just a waste of space!!



Oh by the way....GO SENS GO!!!

Answer 322

Trade the team to Ottawa + money and get the Senators in return.

Answer 323

Clean slate in front office. Instead of going and signing old has-beens that get injured alot (ex. lindros, nolan, peca, etc.), they should get good young talent.

Answer 324

1 HIRE SCOTTY BOWMAN LET HIM DO WHAT HE DOES .

2 TRADE EVERYONE AND GET THE BEST PROSPECTS FOR WHAT YOU HAVE NOW. BRING UP THE REPLACEMENTS FROM THE MARLIES,AND OH YEAH HIRE SCOTTY BOWMAN THE BEST HOCKEY MAN THERE IS AND PLAY IN THE FINALS IN 5 YEARS.

Answer 325

Take everything they currently do and do the exact opposite. They have such unprecedented success at failing they have almost perfected it. Do the opposite and we could have the next dynasty.

Answer 326

i think they should get rid of sundin and get some players like

tucker in there he's like the heart of the team

Answer 327

fire paul maurice next then take a good look at the rest of the coaching staff

Answer 328

Move them to Winnipeg

Answer 329

I would get some better players, but I would also like to see some better staff. If they can get some better offense and defense and maybe a better goalie or backup goalie It would help.

Answer 330

Trade Sundin NOW, before he's worth nothing. Should have done this two years ago.

Answer 331

I wouldn't do anything. I would let them continue to freefall. The Leafs losing is one of my great joys in life.

Answer 332

Replace Ferg and get on with it. The indecisiveness at the top is pathetic.

Answer 333

Very simple..next time they play Ottawa trade jerseys

Answer 334

That's easy. Move the franchise to Winnipeg.

Answer 335

id fire the whole team

Answer 336

Move the team to Winnipeg..

Answer 337

send them to the minors, trade places with their farm team.

Answer 338

trade darcy tucker, jason blake, and mats sundin for some young guns and draft picks.

Answer 339

blow them up and start from scratch! they have given away to many draft picks and young players in the last five years .That leaves starting over the only option. trade as many old players as possible,e.g. sundin, tucker,mccabe,to get young faster players and draft picks.

Answer 340

Easy.Send them to Hamilton.

Answer 341

trade sundin to the canucks for a bag of pucks.

Answer 342

Have the " Curse of the seven outhouses " removed.

Answer 343

yes fire ferguson and the coach

Answer 344

Well being a Habs fan I would pack the leafs up and sell them to a city in the USA....Then laugh when they win the Cup a year later.....LEAFS SUCK!

Answer 345

send the team to WInnipeg. at least someone there would cheer for them. ha ha haha.

Answer 346

Do nothing! Let them suck, as it is a wonderful thing! Go Canucks Go!

Answer 347

Get a first class goalie. Otherwise, Toronto you ROCK!

Answer 348

maple leafs suck

Answer 349

There is no quick fix. Draft wisely and spend even wiser in the free agent market. Have patience.

Answer 350

Perhaps we should consider selling to the United States.

Answer 351

Swap them out with the Marlies!!!!

Answer 352

would have got Scotty Bowma

Answer 353

sell them to the highest bidder and let one owner run the show

Answer 354

Move them to Winnapeg

Answer 355

get rid of McCabe / Tucker / Sundin

Answer 356

dissolve the team

Answer 357

I would get rid of the BALLARD curse.

Answer 358

fire the whole team and start from scratch!

Answer 359

sell them on ebay and bring up the marlies.

Answer 360

Pray to God!!!! Hopefully, we will see a cup in our lifetime

Answer 361

I'd move them to the AHL, they might have a chance there.



Sens fan.

Answer 362

Get rid of sundin

Answer 363

FIRE JOHN FERGUSON HIRE SCOTTY BOLMAN

Answer 364

Fold

- from a beloved HABS fan

Answer 365

I'm so sick of NHL hockey!



What a worthless circus of sport celebrity worship.



The only time I have respect for hockey is when it's played on a frozen lake or pond by people and families in the community.



So much gear and crap is needed to play this sport so that players can smash into eachother.



Millions of dollars to chase a puck!?



The same could be said of most other mainstream sports as well, but hockey pisses me off most because I hear about it all the time.



The Leafs suck! Get over it!

Answer 366

Get some new Players.......

Answer 367

start giving them money on their performance.

the players will be playing for their money.

Answer 368

coming from a redwings fan dont fixem ....but i know if you hire scotty beauman you will win a cup ...please dont hire scotty

Answer 369

Hmmmm......let me think.......I know.....move them to Winnipeg!

Answer 370

Move them to Siberia!!!!

GO HABS GO!!!!

Answer 371

move them to winnipeg

Answer 372

move them to winnipeg

Answer 373

BOW LOBLAW IS A FUKIN TOOL

Answer 374

I wouldn`t. I would let them DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Habs Fan.

Answer 375

CLICK KLACK BOOM !!! The WHOLE damn team!!!

Answer 376

i wouldn't. they are more or less a lost cause...

Answer 377

Sell them to Hamilton, ON



Lets Go Buffalo!!!!