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MLSE sucks. In all of pro sports, the Leafs might have the worst organization of them all, with stiff competition from the Islanders.

Wow. So true! The Maple Leafs are not committed to winning or greatness. For the last ten years this organization has made extremely poor choices. The only thing saving this organization is their delusional fans who continue to purchase tickets despite the fact that the Leaf's office is not willing to invest in creating a cup contending team. Bowman made a wise choice!!!!

When Scotty was in Detroit of late,look who he had around him: Kenny Holland,Jim Nill,Jimmy Develano,Steve Yzerman.Factor them plus an owner who is committed to the city,the fans...the result is they are Stanley Cup champs.They strive to put a winning product on the ice.The Leaf organization is run by a bunch of bean counters and lack true hockey people to run the ship right.The Leafs have that reputation of doing things half-**** and expecting positive results...instead,their moves eventually blow up in their face.If the Leafs pass up a guy like Scotty with all his credentials,not allow him carte blanche to run the hockey operation,then you know this organization is not focused on winning and will always come up short year after agonizing year.

Gee, that's surprising.

This article is so poorly reported and inaccurate its ridiculous.
First, it was the Leafs that said no to Bowman.
Second, the situation in Chicago is entirely different from the job he was looking at in Toronto.
Third, Chicago had an inside track with Bowman's family.
That's it.
As far as the Leafs are concerned...they look to be putting the past behind them and it will certainly take some time.
Bowman would not have been the right man to do that in Toronto at age 74.

This article is so poorly reported and inaccurate its ridiculous.
Baun-ded

Fair and accurate reporting? What a quaint, old fashioned notion, Baun-ded!
No, no. Forget honesty, research and unbiased opinions. A good dose of sensationalism is the answer - and, whatever you do, don't let the truth interfere with a good story ......

It's not that hard to see why he was not impressed! That place is a zoo!

The answer is very simple in Leaf Nation. Peddie MUST go. Its a must for the entire organization. He was the one that said "no" to Bowman. Why did he say no? Cause Bowman wanted FULL power over the Leafs and he didnt want to be interfered with,BUT NO. Peddie couldnt relenquish that power. People would take the Leafs more serious if Peddie is gone. Thats a fact.

Bgm....Lucic is **** compared to Neely. Re an earlier comment I read from you somewhere...and you would take Neely over Thornton?
How about Rick Middleton?

Hhahahahha. Baun-ded,Lucic just started his career man. Will he ever pot 50 goals? I dont think so. He'll be a very solid 30-40 guy though that brings all the intangibles.

The leafs are not committed to winning because that would cost money. It is a business plain and simple. It the teachers pension fund that pays for the team. The leafs are an investment to them. They want a large return on their investment.

Baund-ed,

Thanks for at least trying to remember what actually happened! So many Leaf-haters out here.. facts get distorted all the time. As I remember it, Bowman wanted full control of hockey operations, and the Leafs refused (for whatever the reason, right or wrong) . Then, Bowman aired his sour grapes on national TV to Ron Mclean, stating he though the job was his, and got meddled out of it by Mr. Peddie and Co. Boo-hoo.

The fact is this, Bowman wanted more responsibility, and was going to take it from anyone. The many-headed management team in Detroit kept Uncle Scotty's hands off all important matters, and when the Hawks came calling, he finally landed a job that satisfied his ego.

Bowman = legendary coach. Mediocre GM credentials at best.

As far as the Leafs are concerned...they look to be putting the past behind them and it will certainly take some time.
Bowman would not have been the right man to do that in Toronto at age 74.
Baun-ded | 08/02/08, 11:02 AM

One thing is for certain. For the past number of years, T.O. had been overpaying vets, signing bad deals/clauses, over-promising fans, and building false-expections - in a misguided attempt to win it all now.
Finally, this season, they seem to have a plan and an honest approach with the fans.
They are trying to clean house of some past contracts and mistakes.
They are admitting that they need to retool and that they are taking a multi-year rebuilding approach back to Cup contention.
Those are some very positive changes...at least so far. Will they stick to this plan? If they do, they can become a contender again (not this year, of course but in a few years) But the jury's still out.

Bowman = legendary coach. Mediocre GM credentials at best.
joec | 08/02/08, 01:27 PM

Not to doubt his strong coaching abilities, but he also no doubt found himself at the right place in the right time on some of the powerhouse talented teams he coached. Detroit...Pittsburgh/Lemieux. He's the Phil Jackson of the NHL. (Everyone says: hell anyone could coach MJ/Pippen or Kobe/Shaq to championships). They forget that it also takes a good coach to know how to manage superstars.

Yes,the Leafs are learning. With the signing of one Jeff Finger to a 14 million dollar contract over 4 seasons They are now the odds on favorite to win the Cup.

Yep,the Leafs got the Finger.Richard Peddie is definitely what's wrong with the Leafs organization...as long as he is there,not much will change...the club will be hard-pressed to win enough games to get into the playoffs.

They may still have spendicitis. But the point I'm making is that the Leafs aren't promising to even make the playoffs or do anything special for the next 2 years. At least on one hand, they are getting a reality check and admitting they are entering a rebuild phase. They usually think they can just sign and overpay some schmuck and that he is that last missing link to put them in Cup contention that year.

The Leafs must be intending to trade one of their under-acheiving d-men. Probably thats why Finger was signed. They want to get rid of McCabe but the guy wants to stay where he's not wanted. The dooche bag. Doesnt he get it? He's not wanted there!!!

McCabe to the Jackets!!! For a broken stick to be names later.

The team is trying, no doubt. That's all they will ever do is try. They want to make the play-offs because it PAYS. To attempt the next step and be a contender would cost too much. Its not just the players that cost money (that has a fixed maximum) but the real front office help.
The teachers pension fund (who own the leafs) is as evil as the midget (Bettman). Until someone offers enough money to purchase the leafs, what you see is what you get.

It's so easy to pile on, but this article speaks for itself. To all of you Leaf fans who say Bowman's too old, it sounds like sour grapes. How old is Cliff Fletcher? Toronto made it impossible for Bowman to say yes, so they could say, "hey, he rejected us." It's typical of the spinning MLSE does to cover their incompetence.