Faceoff Factor

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League

Jun 27, 06:20 PM | Hype this story!

The Toronto Maple Leafs set a franchise record in 2007-08 – they missed the playoffs for a third consecutive year. Everything seemed to be going wrong and fans just wanted the team to tank the season in hopes of winning the Steven Stamkos sweepstakes.

January 22, 2008 marked the beginning of a new era for the Leafs, or so they hope – it was the day that MLSE fired GM John Ferguson Jr. and brought back Cliff Fletcher. Fletcher made a few deals at the trade deadline, but nothing exciting. Fans hoped that Mats Sundin would waive his no-trade clause and find a new home, sending a handful of draft picks back to Toronto.

It was not meant to be.

The Leafs won a few games after the trade deadline, just enough to keep them out of the basement of the conference and just enough to see that the team would not draft in the top 5.

Fans were depressed at the end of the season and disgusted to see the Canadiens in the post-season, yet still hopeful for the future. Once a Leafer, always a Leafer, right?

Fletcher knew that the only way to win was to change everything. Watching the Maple Leafs lately is like watching an episode of “Overhaulin’”.

Phase one was a change in coaching staff. Paul Maurice was shown the door, and Ron Wilson was ushered in. Wilson may not have won the ultimate prize in hockey, but he has been quite successful in his career. The hope is that he can light a fire under the players and get the team back on track. If he wins a Stanley Cup, Toronto will built monuments in his honour. Heck, the monuments will come if the Leafs make the playoffs.

Phase two was last week. Fletcher picked up gritty forward Jamal Mayers from the Blues (replacement for Tucker?). The Canadiens were given permission to negotiate with Mats Sundin. Fletcher then traded up in the draft to select Luke Schenn 5th overall.

Phase three started this week, with Fletcher cutting players from the roster. Kyle Wellwood was put on waivers and claimed by Vancouver. Andrew Raycroft and Darcy Tucker were bought out. And to top it all off, it was reported that Bryan McCabe may be asked to stay home from training camp if he refuses to waive his no-trade clause.

Fans are sitting by and watching with their mouths open. Tucker was a fan favourite in Toronto, making his contract buyout a very unpopular move. The thought of Mats Sundin signing with the hated Habs is virtually unbearable. Fans have clung to these players in recent years, when nothing has gone right, and it is painful to see them leave.

But no pain, no gain, right?

Fletcher’s work is nowhere’s near finished, as he may wish to trade Pavel Kubina (and his big contract) in the next several weeks. He also has to fill in the holes made by departing players, which may be done on Free Agent Frenzy Day. The goal should be to bring in young players full of potential, as opposed to veteran players on the verge of retirement.

With all that being said, the biggest move of all will not happen this summer. The Leafs are still without a permanent general manager, and it appears as though Fletcher will remain with the team this season. Several reports suggest that Anaheim GM Brian Burke may sign with Toronto at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, though this is merely speculation at this point. It appears as though Burke is the number one choice for the Leafs and the team may wait and see if he becomes available next summer before offering the position to anyone else.

The Cup drought in Toronto will continue for several years and the team may not even be competitive this coming season. Even though the immediate future does not seem very bright for the Leafs, fans must be excited that at least something is happening. No one can accuse Cliff Fletcher of sitting back and twiddling his thumbs.