TORONTO: FALSE HOPE AND FLAWED VISION

by E. Spencer Kyte, Bugs and Cranks

As was anticipated, the Toronto Maple Leafs relieved Head Coach Paul Maurice of his duties yesterday. After a day of breathing a long sigh of relief and laughing about the torment the next poor bastard to take the job is going to have to endure, Maurice had his customary Media Exit Interview earlier this morning in the self-styled epicenter of hockey.

Maurice was all class during his news conference, avoiding saying anything negative or challenging about the organization that just gave him his walking papers. In truth, Paul Maurice is the kind of coach the Toronto Maple Leafs need and this is just another example of the misaligned mindset of the powers that be in charge of the Leafs.

The problem plaguing the Maple Leafs existed long before Paul Maurice's run behind the bench and, in actuality, he can only play with the guys he is provided. Disposed General Manager John Ferguson Jr. gets the bulk of the blame, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment gets the rest, but no one is showing Larry Tennebaum or "Tricky Dick" Peddie the door anytime soon, so get used to this misery Leafs fans.

This is an organization a fistful of years away from success. Holding Philadelphia up as a possible glimmer of hope is incorrect, as the Flyers drafted wisely even during their successful years and managed to make a couple of shrewd moves that have worked out exceptionally well during their injury-riddled, bottom-feeding year last season. Who knew Martin Biron could carry a team in the playoffs?

There are too many overpaid, under-performing veterans and not enough skilled youngsters in the organization. Kyle Wellwood isn't a first line guy and not just because he can't stay healthy. Alex Steen and Matt Stajan are solid two-way players, but they're also not top line material. Mats Sundin is - and believe me, it's hard for me to say that - yet there is only a 50/50 chance he returns to the club next season, despite everything his has done for the city and the franchise.

Nothing illustrates the issues infecting Toronto more than the story making the most hockey headlines in the de facto hockey capital of Canada today. Not the firing of Maurice, but the potential General Manager situation being speculated.

Water cooler reporting says the Leafs are looking at ousted Canucks General Manager Dave Nonis as a one year stopgap, someone who can hold the title and keep the seat warm until the following year when, you guessed it, Brian Burke can join his BFF in Toronto and lead the Leafs to the Promise Land.

Here's my suggestion to all the Leafs fans out there:

For the first time in your existence, aim low.
Expect nothing.
Next year is not going to be your year.
2009 won't be either.

Cross your fingers that the Leafs don't go with a one year solution with the hopes that Brian Burke, his inflated sense of self-worth and Stanley Cup ring with a team Bryan Murray built leave sunny California and give your team a chance to do what they have needed to do for quite some time...

Blow up the team and start again from scratch.

If they do anything else, you're looking at the hockey version of the Chicago Cubs. Ask them what 100 years of misery is like.