TORONTO (Apr. 8) — I’ve told this story before and it speaks volumes about the time and money wasted by the companies that have run the Toronto Maple Leafs since the club last appeared, 24 years ago, in the Stanley Cup semifinals. It was Oct. 23, 2007 and I ate dinner in the Air Canada Centre media lounge with Jimmy Devellano, the long–time executive and former general manager of the Detroit Red Wings. The Leafs were hosting the Atlanta Thrashers that night. Toward the end of our meal, without prompting, Jimmy D. told me to “keep an eye on Brian Burke” as it pertained to the GM role with the Leafs. I found that a bit confusing, as Burke was still managing the Stanley Cup–champion Anaheim Ducks while John Ferguson Jr. was gainfully employed in the same job with the Maple Leafs. “Just keep an eye on him,” Devellano persisted about Burke. “He’s done his job in Anaheim and has designs on a bigger hockey market. Like this one. The next year, or so, could be fascinating around here.”

There were few more unassailable sources in the game than Jimmy D. and it put me in a dilemma. Though Ferguson had fallen into disfavour with fans and media, I liked him, personally, and knew his family. His father, John Ferguson Sr., was the former roughneck with the 1960’s Canadiens and long–time president/GM of the original Winnipeg Jets. He had  treated me well in the years (1983–86) that I attended training camp in Winnipeg and wrote stories for the Jets program. While covering an NHL Board meeting at The Breakers in West Palm Beach, Fla. (December 1992), John had provided me among the biggest scoops of my 23–year radio career. On his way to the bathroom, I intercepted Fergie and asked, nonchalantly, if there was anything to report. “Not much, Howie,” he replied, “just that Miami and Anaheim are coming into the league next season.” I looked at him incredulously.

“C’mon, Fergie, I need to get on the air in a few minutes. Be serious.”

“Do what you want with it, Howie. I just gave you a big story.”

Once assured he wasn’t yanking my chain, I walked out the back entrance of the resort and stood on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. I called the radio station and was put on the air with host Dan Shulman. When I reported what Ferguson had told me, Dan paused briefly then replied, “what are you smoking down there, Howie?” I understood his disbelief as there had been absolutely nothing to indicate the National Hockey League would expand for the 1993–94 season. But, the Canadian Press picked up my report and sent out a nationwide bulletin. Hours later, incoming commissioner Gary Bettman made the news official. So, yeah, I had a soft spot for the Ferguson family.

I SPENT MANY A DAY WITH MY FAN–590 MICROPHONE FLASH IN THE FACE OF JOHN FERGUSON JR.

Still, Devellano had given me potentially explosive news. Ferguson Jr. was in trouble with the doddering Leafs; he would be dismissed three months later, in January 2008. I couldn’t ignore Jimmy D.’s “scoop” but I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. The next day, I flew to Pittsburgh for a Leafs–Penguins game the following night. I was dying, because Devellano had many friends in the media and could have told another person of his Burke speculation. So, I went with it. After settling into my hotel room, I wrote a lengthy blog for The FAN–590 website about Burke, citing “a source familiar to everyone in the hockey world.” During the skate, the next morning, at old Mellon Arena, my media colleagues looked at me like I was from Neptune. “Where’d you get that fantasy?” one scribe asked, dismissively. I just smiled, thoroughly confident in my information source. Cliff Fletcher was running the Leafs in an interim role while ownership contemplated a full–time replacement for Ferguson. As the weeks and months progressed (and amid his vehement denials from SoCal), Burke became the indisputable front–runner for the Toronto general manager’s job. In fact, no other person was seriously mentioned. Only timing was a mystery.

At that moment, the Leafs became… the Leafs.

With only one candidate’s name making the rounds, Richard Peddie announced that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment was hiring “a search committee” to find Ferguson’s successor. Respected sports lawyer Gordon Kirke was appointed to the committee. Every stone familiar to man was evidently unturned throughout the “exhaustive” quest. Shockingly, in late–November 2008, Kirke and Peddie sat at a podium with… Brian Burke. Introducing him, as if a secret, as the new president and GM of the Maple Leafs. Six drunkards staggering through a saloon could have done the same job as the “search committee”. But, that’s how dithering sports corporations worked back then. And, still do, as evidenced by a similarly absurd announcement, on Tuesday, from MLSE. This time, it was the company revealing that Neil Glasberg of PBI Sports and Entertainment would lead the “search”.

Among Glasberg’s prominent clients is Florida assistant GM Sunny Mehta, whom Elliotte Friedman first reported was a “top candidate” to replace the ousted Brad Treliving. Coincidence? We think not. And, it further begs the question: What on Earth is Keith Pelley doing? As Chief Executive Officer of MLSE — with no hockey management experience — Pelley took it upon himself to outline precisely the sort of individual the erudite company is seeking: “data–centric” (sigh) top among the qualifications. Forget that leaning heavily on analytics, to the near–complete exclusion of character and resolve, has led the Maple Leafs absolutely nowhere in the past decade. Good ol’ Keith has laid down the blueprint. Evidently, there isn’t enough hockey knowledge at Bay and Lakeshore to form a list of potential candidates. So, MLSE — entrenched in conflict–of–interest while owning Sportsnet — has engaged in another–such affiliation. Glasberg represents GM’s and coaches throughout the NHL. It is challenging to envision any form of neutral or “exhaustive” hunt involving Neil’s firm, solid though it may otherwise be.

NEIL GLASBERG (RIGHT) POSING WITH FLORIDA ASSISTANT SUNNY MEHTA AND THE STANLEY CUP. HOW FAR AND WIDE WILL NEIL’S COMPANY “SEARCH” TO FIND BRAD TRELIVING’S SUCCESSOR?

But, this is how your favorie team operates — whether owned, two decades ago, by the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan… or today, by Ed the Conqueror. Corporations hire headhunters, whether or not they are needed. It allows for extensive procrastination. Another staple of Leafs ownership in the 21st century. If I were Ed Rogers, I’d move Friedman from his role as “insider” on Sportsnet to lead the managerial “search”. Perhaps into the GM’s job, itself. Elliotte has more hockey wisdom (and key contacts) in his pinky finger than Pelley and all of those still employed by MLSE. Which means the worldwide “search” will land on Mehta. Very soon. Astonishing, isn’t it?

50 YEARS AGO — Leafs vs. Penguins

Hard to fathom that my 1970’s Maple Leafs scrapbooks have been around for half–a–century, but little else about the relentless passage of time makes sense anymore. So, why not this? I was laying in Toronto General Hospital, 50 years ago, recovering from surgery for Crohn’s Disease.

Feeling much better and looking forward to watching the suddenly prolific Leafs take on Pittsburgh in a best–of–three preliminary playoff. Look it up: No forward unit in franchise history put up numbers like Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald and Errol Thompson. Prior to 1975–76 and since. And, the troika really didn’t catch fire until the second half of the schedule. Once it ended, 273 scoring points had been accrued (Sittler 100; McDonald 93; Thompson 80).

When coach Red Kelly put that line on the ice with the defense tandem of Borje Salming and Ian Turnbull, it was the equal of any fivesome in the NHL. Problem was the gap between that group and the rest of the team. The Leafs had a strong checking line in Jack Valiquette, Dave (Tiger) Williams and Pat Boutette. A bit of scoring depth in Stan Weir, George Ferguson and Inge Hammarstrom. But, not enough to challenge for the Stanley Cup. There was, however, plenty of inherent toughness with Williams, Kurt Walker and Scott Garland. Soon would come a memorable and rather vicious quarterfinal series against Philadelphia. But, first, the Leafs had to shake off a good scoring team in the Penguins, which produced 339 goals — second in the league to the Flyers (347) and three more goals than eventual–champion Montreal, which out–pointed Pittsburgh 127–82. The series began 50 years ago this week (Apr. 6) at Maple Leaf Gardens.

Here is a scrapbook review of the three games:

 
With the Toronto CBC affiliate (CBLT–TV, Channel 5) already committed to programming, Game 1 of the Leafs–Penguins best–of–three preliminary playoff was carried, locally, by CITY–TV (Channel 79) and CHCH–TV (Channel 11) in Hamilton. Both of which took out ads in the Toronto newspapers (above). Somehow, Piitsburgh no longer had an ‘h’ at the end.

GAME 1: Apr. 6, 1976, Maple Leaf Gardens

 
My old pal, John Iaboni, covered the Leafs for the Toronto Sun. Part of his Game 1 story, above.

While I recovered from Crohn’s surgery at Toronto General Hospital, Mom and Dad went to Game 1 in our season tickets in the south–mezzanine Blues. Dad bought them for the 1975–76 season.

GAME 2: Apr. 8, 1976, Pittsburgh Civic Arena

The Leafs could not carry over their Game 1 performance and were edged by the hometown Penguins. It set up a decisive match, the following night, at the Gardens. John Iaboni’s report:

Ticket information for Game 3 on Carlton St.

GAME 3, Apr. 9, 1976, Maple Leaf Gardens

Toronto killed off an early five–minute major to Dave (Tiger) Williams and then breezed — backed by the goaltending of Wayne Thomas — to an easy shutout of the Penguins for the series triumph. Don Ramsay covered the match (below) in the Globe and Mail. The Leafs moved on to encounter Philadelphia in the Stanley Cup quarterfinals.

One night after being discharged from Toronto General, I went to Game 3 with my father in seats owned by his chartered accountant firm. These Reds were terrific — between the south blue line and center–ice on the east side of the building.

EMAIL: HOWARDLBERGER@GMAIL.COM