TORONTO (Mar. 31) — I wasn’t planning on writing tonight, but neither will I sleep soundly without responding to a bit of what Keith Pelley had to say this afternoon about the Leafs. While addressing reporters in the wake of Brad Treliving’s removal, on Monday, from the general manager’s job. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is more the latter than the former. Which might explain why the company leads all of Canadian professional sport in frequency of press conferences. Occasionally to try and avert looming crises; such as when Treliving twice assembled the media to accept culpability for the Leafs plummeting to the nether regions of the Eastern Conference. And, to publicly offer support for the coach that came aboard with him: Craig Berube. Treliving took the blame again on Sunday… then took the shiv 24 hours later. Berube will soon follow and the coach killers of the Core–4 era will begin to work on Victim No. 4. At least, that’s how it sounded today when Pelley — with a straight face — insisted the Leafs have “foundational pieces” that must be “surrounded” with players of unbridled character. To help “change the culture” of the hockey club; synonymous to Treliving’s infamous desire for “more snot.”
Guess what, Leafs fans: your team is “running it back.” Aren’t you thrilled?
Auston Matthews will return as unquestioned leader and pace–setter of the Blue and White; his sparkling reputation during the regular season enhanced each spring by Messier–like heroics; all worthy of Conn Smythe consideration. Big deal that the Leafs haven’t made the Conference final since 2002. What’s a decade or two between friends? Especially knowing that Morgan Rielly will continue to anchor the vaunted blue line; threatening powerplay records with his laser from the point. Should it matter that Morgan would be a third or fourth defenseman, most nights, with the Toronto Marlies? Of course not. Look at the big picture and feel comforted knowing that MLSE, with honor, will assure that Rielly plays out the final four years of his ironclad contract. William Nylander is required for levity after his middle finger went viral for three days. Bare–chested Willie has also vanished during key playoff moments but, heck, he’s the club’s most–gifted performer. Perhaps a bit layback, carefree and ‘I don’t give a damn–ish”… but, still, kind of cute. So, he stays for sure. MLSE has also guaranteed that Chris Tanev will be in the line–up to start next season, even if wheeled out on a flat–board with his head immobilized to preclude cervical manipulation. After all, Chris is the club’s most–complete blueliner. How can they win without him?
Be overjoyed, as well, that the durable goaltending tandem of Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll is set in stone. MLSE has insisted that each man, during the off–season, stand clear of bathroom soap and clean windows. Otherwise, slips and crashes will occur. Also promised the new hockey czar is a continuation of the patented Leafs method: having a coach in place for an incoming general manager. It happens all the time. Pelley — again, without hint of a smirk — claimed Berube’s future with the Leafs will be determined by the new boss. Only if that person is Doug Armstrong might it become intriguing, given that Armstrong and Berube won the 2019 Stanley Cup together in St. Louis. Otherwise, couldn’t MLSE give the poor bastard a head start rather than propping him behind the bench for the final weeks? Berube was Treliving’s guy. The Leafs fired Treliving. Why is Berube still here?
Rather incredibly, I heard CEO Keith echo what someone above him (Ed the Conqueror, Tony Staffieri?) must have whispered in his ear beforehand: “We are not changing the core of our hockey team.” Which is absurd beyond assimilation. If non–negotiable (remember Pelley’s line about selling jerseys?), the Leafs will undoubtedly appoint another puppet–GM. And the monotonous cycle will continue. Unabated. Only if Pelley and the Rogers’ minions step aside will a proven hockey man accept the role. And, honestly, what are the chances of that occurring? An independent thinker would look at the flawed nucleus of the Leafs and question why ownership would insist on continuing the timeworn Matthews era. Should there be no limit to the “insanity” at Bay and Lakeshore?
As I sit here at my computer sounding typically skeptical that the Leafs will ever get it right, the incredulous part of me is prevailing. Despite the above paragraph, I cannot fathom MLSE placing another “yes” man in the GM’s chair. Or, insisting, to the outright exclusion of an alternate plan, that the club continue to orbit Matthews. Anyone can see that the planets haven’t come close to aligning with No. 34 as commander of the ship. How would a hockey person with integrity and self–esteem accept the Leafs’ job under such circumstances? That’s why I suspect that something altogether different may finally be in store at 60 Bay Street. And, no, I’m not vaping tonight.
LOST IMAGES FROM THE GARDENS
I found these strobe–lit images from Maple Leaf Gardens in an old Blogspot file. They are from the early expansion era (1967 to 1970) and feature all 12 teams in the NHL. Strobes were hung from the top of the corner end–glass at the Gardens, illuminating the subjects and darkening the background. The color reproduction in these photos is spectacular for the era. Please enjoy:
FROM THE 1969–70 SEASON. LEFT: GORDIE HOWE OF DETROIT TANGLES WITH LEAFS DEFENSEMAN BRIAN GLENNIE (24) WHILE CAPTAIN DAVE KEON WATCHES THE PLAY. RIGHT: FORMER LEAF PETER STEMKOWSKI (19) ATTEMPTS TO CARRY THE PUCK PAST A SPRAWLING TIM HORTON. STEMKOWSKI WENT TO THE RED WINGS WITH FRANK MAHOVLICH.
ALSO FROM 1969–70, THE LONE NHL TEAM TO NOT WEAR PREDOMINANTLY WHITE ON THE ROAD WAS THE LOS ANGELES KINGS. LEFT: JIM DOREY KEEPS AN EYE ON EX–LEAF EDDIE SHACK. RIGHT: DOREY AND LEON ROCHEFORT (25) OF THE KINGS CHASE A LOOSE PUCK. L.A. WORE GOLD ON THE ROAD; PREDOMINANTLY PURPLE AT HOME
FROM DEC. 13, 1967 WHEN THE EXPANSION PITTSBURGH PENGUINS MADE THEIR FIRST VISIT TO THE GARDENS. LEFT: JIM PAPPIN (18) WAS STILL WITH THE MAPLE LEAFS. HE’D GO TO CHICAGO IN 1968 FOR PIERRE PILOTE. RIGHT: KEN SCHINKEL (12) OF THE PENGUINS DUELS WITH VETERAN LEAFS DEFENSEMAN ALLAN STANLEY.
LEFT: FROM 1969–70. PROLIFIC PHIL ESPOSITO OF BOSTON MOVES IN TO COVER LEAFS DEFENSEMAN MIKE PELYK (4). RIGHT: FROM MAR. 13, 1968 WHEN ST. LOUIS MADE ITS SECOND VISIT TO TORONTO. VETERAN GOALIE GLENN HALL WATCHES THE PUCK WHILE TEAMMATE BOB PLAGER WRESTLES WITH WAYNE CARLETON (25) OF THE LEAFS.
THE OAKLAND SEALS AND THEIR ORIGINAL GREEN PANTS. FROM 1969–70. LEFT: MAPLE LEAFS DEFENSEMAN (AND FUTURE GM/COACH) PAT QUINN (23) JOINS GOALIE BRUCE GAMBLE TO FRANTICALLY KEEP THE PUCK AWAY FROM FORWARD GERRY EHMAN. RIGHT: QUINN TURNS BACK INTO THE PLAY WITH OAKLAND’S EARL INGARFIELD (7).
ALSO FROM 1969–70. LEFT: FORWARD DAVE BALON OF NEW YORK IS PINNED TO THE END–BOARDS BY HELMETED PAUL HENDERSON OF THE LEAFS. BILL FAIRBAIRN (10) IS IN THE BACKGROUND. RIGHT: TORONTO GOALIE (AND FUTURE GM) GERRY McNAMARA CRADLES THE PUCK WHILE DEFENSEMAN RICK LEY MOVES IN ON ROD GILBERT OF THE RANGERS.
LEFT: FROM JAN. 3, 1970, CHICAGO ROOKIE TONY ESPOSITO (35) COVERS UP AGAINST TERRY CLANCY (21) OF THE LEAFS. RIGHT: PAUL HENDERSON, IN 1969–70, TRIES TO JAM THE PUCK PAST PHILADELPHIA GOALIE (AND FUTURE LEAF TEAMMATE) DOUG FAVELL. THE FLYERS WERE THE FIRST OF THE 1967 EXPANSION TEAMS TO WIN THE STANLEY CUP.
LEFT: IN 1968–69, DICK DUFF (8) OF THE MONTREAL CANADIENS APPEARS TO BE SNEAKING UP ON FORMER MAPLE LEAFS TEAMMATE JOHNNY BOWER. RIGHT: IN 1969–70, MONTREAL’S SUPERB DEFENSEMAN, JACQUES LAPERRIERE, IS WATCHED CLOSELY BY BOB PULFORD (20) AND TORONTO CAPTAIN DAVE KEON.
THE EARLY MINNESOTA NORTH STARS IN THEIR HANDSOME ROAD UNIFORMS. LEFT: IN THE CLUB’S FIRST VISIT TO THE GARDENS (NOV. 22, 1967), GOALIE CESARE MANIAGO SEEMS TRANSFIXED ON THE PUCK WITH DEFENSEMAN BOB McCORD (3). LEAFS CAPTAIN GEORGE ARMSTRONG IS BEHIND THE NET WITH JEAN–PAUL PARISE OF THE NORTH STARS. RIGHT: IN 1968–69, DEFENSEMAN MARSHALL JOHNSTON (27) GETS STICKS UP WITH PAUL HENDERSON BEHIND THE NET.
EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM
Matthews has not surfaced for any media comment or health status since his injury. Why isn’t this a bigger story ? He is ( supposed to be ) the captain. He is the ( supposed) team leader but he disappears and has no sense of his responsibilities to the franchise. Has MLSE held him back ? He should want to be heard or is he being protected ? Again. Embarrassing that this inaction doesn’t seem to be challenged by anyone.
I saw a story that the Leafs were charging kids $956.83 to wave a flag on the ice before a game. I laughed and thought good April Fool’s day joke. No way would an NHL team making billions nickel and dime a child out of a dream to be on the ice with his heroes.
where are all the scribes that said when Pelley came on board that he would not stand for this. that he would bring a tougher stance to the team.i guess making changes around the fringe and a few playoff millions is still enough for ROGERS. AT THIS RATE WHAT WAS THE SENSE IN CHANGING GMS. more smoke and mirrors?
I was among those scribes. But, I should have known better. The Leafs are 90% business, 10% hockey to MLSE.
Thanks for the clarification Keith. It hasn’t been totally run into the ground yet but you intend to finish it off. I’ve worked most of my life in corporations working for and with guys like you. The oh so familiar shuck and jive trying to implement ill and illogically thought out strategies based on what they “want”, not what is realistically or actually achievable. “Data Centric”? You work for the wrong company bud. This isn’t NASA or a bank. The Buds are doomed.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are NOT a joke – they’re the punchline.
When the president peppers his press conference to explain the firing of the GM with empty 90’s corporate word-drool like “the verticals weren’t integrated with the horizontals” the organization has definitely crossed the line from serious and credible to ridiculous farce.
Corporate people use those phrases in meetings with people who are paid to attend the meetings, people who aren’t listening and aren’t expected to listen. They have ALWAYS been meaningless phrases where the purpose is only to reinforce the existence of management, not instill confidence, nor explain the direction or purpose of that management.
That the t-shirt salesman trotted out that nonsense tells me that he is unprepared and unsuitable for the role and propelled only by an overdeveloped sense of self.
Sadly then, the only hope for renewal of the team is if the entitled man-child mathews decides he isn’t interested in continuing after the current contract.