Bowman rejects Leafs offer? You don't say...
Posted 8:13 PM ET | Comments 0
After reading Howard's blog and reading everything else I've got available to me, I've come to the conclusion that Bowman's lack of interest combined with Fletcher's renewed interest with MLSE and the Leafs confirms what many of us have thought for a long time:
MLSE's management is either just as screwed up and politically driven or much worse than some of us may have thought.
If I'm Scotty Bowman, a front office position within the history-rich Toronto Maple Leafs has to be somewhat if not a legitimate temptation right off the bat. I don't doubt Scott carefully considered the offer before making the decision, and it sounds as if even Bowman won't attach his name to the pandemonium that is MLSE management.
It makes sense that, even with his knowledge of the game, connections and abilities, even he knows he isn't good enough to right the ship headed for further years lost at sea. It seems more like he's avoiding a potential blight on his legendary career than anything.
Fletcher, on the other hand, would love nothing more than to even have a sniff at working within another franchise, never mind Toronto. The man is 72 years old, and obviously isn't ready to step away from the game. As much of a mess the Coyotes might be in, the Leafs are in a more complex and static one. If he couldn't affect change with Phoenix, what makes anyone think he'll have a shot of doing it with the Leafs? Fletcher, however, can't do much worse at the moment, so if he can land a position, good for him.
Leaf fans, its time to accept the fact that we won't be seeing a winner on purpose in our lifetime. This organization has no reason to ice a championship team. The fans give them no reason to change that. The best we can hope for in the coming years is perhaps a fluke appearance (Edmonton Oilers anyone?) in the Final. Other than that, the first and second round may be our highest hope for the future.
MLSE's management is either just as screwed up and politically driven or much worse than some of us may have thought.
If I'm Scotty Bowman, a front office position within the history-rich Toronto Maple Leafs has to be somewhat if not a legitimate temptation right off the bat. I don't doubt Scott carefully considered the offer before making the decision, and it sounds as if even Bowman won't attach his name to the pandemonium that is MLSE management.
It makes sense that, even with his knowledge of the game, connections and abilities, even he knows he isn't good enough to right the ship headed for further years lost at sea. It seems more like he's avoiding a potential blight on his legendary career than anything.
Fletcher, on the other hand, would love nothing more than to even have a sniff at working within another franchise, never mind Toronto. The man is 72 years old, and obviously isn't ready to step away from the game. As much of a mess the Coyotes might be in, the Leafs are in a more complex and static one. If he couldn't affect change with Phoenix, what makes anyone think he'll have a shot of doing it with the Leafs? Fletcher, however, can't do much worse at the moment, so if he can land a position, good for him.
Leaf fans, its time to accept the fact that we won't be seeing a winner on purpose in our lifetime. This organization has no reason to ice a championship team. The fans give them no reason to change that. The best we can hope for in the coming years is perhaps a fluke appearance (Edmonton Oilers anyone?) in the Final. Other than that, the first and second round may be our highest hope for the future.