March 20, 2008

MEMO TO MLSE--IT WOULD BE WISE FOR THE NEW LEAF GM TO KEEP THE OLD LEAF COACH

Whomever that mighty band of supercilious fools down at MLSE chooses as the new Leaf GM I suggest he avoid the pratfall of the new sports executives—that being a housecleaning as  the first order of business.  If that scenario arises during the interview process then I also suggest to the dynamic duo of deference making the choice that take a much closer look at their candidate.  They may see a man with a narrow focus rather than one who possesses perspective.  And that’s not the road they want to travel.

Remember…Boneheads… Your goal is to create a hockey club that is a consistent playoff participant—not one that just looks good in the short term.  This is the smart way now.  No more short cuts.  No more impatient moves.  You’re going to do it the right way this time.  Your fans deserve it.  No more short jaunts, from now on it’s the long road.  No more cache names with aging bodies.  It’s time to build from within.  Stock a young talent pool.  You are always amazed whenever young legs energize your normally old and tired hockey team.  Imagine having a dozen of these young, energetic players on your team?  That’s sounds better—right? 

RIGHT!!

In your own bellicose and pedantic words you stated that you were looking for hockey’s version of a “Colangelo”.   Put aside your legal books and over your money belt--the prototype for that model did not follow rule number one in the executive handbook.  He kept the old coach.

Of course the original brought in those he believed could help him succeed—but he decided that there was unity between the coach and the players and the sole reason the coach could not win was that he did not have the right players.  That is the job of management.

There is a bond between the coach and his players.  They play hard.  When they speak about him it is with respect and belief.  When he speaks of them it is with understanding and support.  There is an open line of communication throughout the locker room.  Remember, it is the duty of each player and each coach to win the next game, no matter what executives decree.  That’s what there job entails. 

It’s not surprising that the Leafs become a better club once the trade deadline passes—there is so much speculation and uncertainty through the year that the players can never feel comfortable enough for any length of time.  They can’t get into a rhythm—can’t find a comfort zone.  They stumble along in mediocrity. 

The fault for this year’s failure—like most failures previous—belong to the executives.  The money men just can’t keep their grubby, destructive hands off the game.

There is no reason why a good man should suffer the ills of stupid men, just because those stupid men have more money and more influence.

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