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I pose this question today because it seems like every media outlet, when discussing the fact that the Leafs missed the playoffs tend to refer back to Colangelo and the job he's done with the Raptors at the end of the segment.

His name is constantly being brought up in reference to the Leafs, McCown brought his name up several times when discussing the Leafs this afternoon.

Could Colangelo have a significant impact on the Leafs just by his presence? I believe his presence alone and the turnaround he's done with the basketball team could place pressure on Tanenbaum and even the OTP to do something drastic with the hockey club and that can only be positive.

And I don't ask this in reference to Leaf fans becoming jealous of the Raptors. I grew up a Leaf fan but over the last five year's my allegiance has shifted to the basketball club because of a growing interest in basketball and being able to actually go and watch games.

I hope that this pressure slowly changes what's going on on the hockey side.

The only thing I am tired of is all these comparisons between the Leafs and the Raptors. The last time I checked the Raptors have not won any championships yet.

AirCanada_1515 wrote:The only thing I am tired of is all these comparisons between the Leafs and the Raptors. The last time I checked the Raptors have not won any championships yet.

You are right, they haven't done anything and so far it is just one season. But one has to admit, the prospects of a bright futures are more promising on the basketball side.

I don't really want to hear slamming of the basketball side, just hardcore Leaf fans, if they are getting tired of the comparison and should pressure now be added on the hockey side due to Colangelo's recent success.

AirCanada_1515 wrote:The only thing I am tired of is all these comparisons between the Leafs and the Raptors. The last time I checked the Raptors have not won any championships yet.

Yeah but neither have the Leafs for a while.

Raps fans had to endure years of crap while the Leafs were pseudo-contenders, and they were always treated as the scrawny little brother riding the coattails. The fortunes are finally turning after so long, so it's a little expected. If the Leafs were in a similar situation, I imagine the fans would be even more giddy.

As for the OP, I think there are probably quite a few that are sick of hearing about Colangelo, mainly because they see a team that is viewed as insignificant getting so much attention.

I don't think the top guys at MLSE look over at the Raptors and feel they need to do the same with the Leafs, mainly because they don't have to. In fact, I keep hearing that JFJ is going to get a contract extension.

AOC wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Yeah but neither have the Leafs for a while.

Raps fans had to endure years of crap while the Leafs were pseudo-contenders, and they were always treated as the scrawny little brother riding the coattails. The fortunes are finally turning after so long, so it's a little expected. If the Leafs were in a similar situation, I imagine the fans would be even more giddy.

As for the OP, I think there are probably quite a few that are sick of hearing about Colangelo, mainly because they see a team that is viewed as insignificant getting so much attention.

I don't think the top guys at MLSE look over at the Raptors and feel they need to do the same with the Leafs, mainly because they don't have to. In fact, I keep hearing that JFJ is going to get a contract extension.

They picked up the option on Ferguson's deal for next season, so I'm sure they'll wait until after the offseason to further discuss an extension. I think ownership would like to see what he does with the team before they make any other decisions.

Some interesting facts about JFJ:

With Ferguson as the general manager for 186 games since the start of the 2003-04 season, the Maple Leafs have compiled 98 wins, 63 losses, 10 ties and 15 overtime/shootout losses. His .594 winning percentage is the highest of the 12 gentleman to ever carry out the role in the storied history of the Maple Leafs.

During Ferguson's tenure, the Maple Leafs have established franchise records for points (103), wins (45-tie), home wins (26) and road wins (23) in a season. His teams have reached at least 90 points and 41 wins in each of his first two full seasons with Toronto.

(it was written in december, so the stats may be altered a bit)

Those totals do not mean as much now because we did not make the playoffs the last 2 years and there is a potential to gain more points because of the shootout.

Ferguson's number may be somewhat skewed. For example his first year, he really didn't have to do much. He took over what was already a consistent playoff team.

Also, with the way the NHL does it's standings, the record is somewhat skewed.

Personally, I'd like to see the NHL eliminate the tie completely, get rid of the point system and use the W-L record to determine the true playoff teams.

No not really because the Leafs get most the attention out of any toronto team period. if the leafs sign wozniewski to a 1 year contract extension it'll be bigger news then the raptors winning game 1 of the playoffs.

I don't think they should be at all. If anything, this just proves that you need a BRAND NAME to be sucessful. Anyone remember Rob Babcock? I think having two no name GM's during the same time period was brutal and MLSE should learn their lesson.

Being cheap does not pay off.

Garbage2Hero wrote:No not really because the Leafs get most the attention out of any toronto team period. if the leafs sign wozniewski to a 1 year contract extension it'll be bigger news then the raptors winning game 1 of the playoffs.

I'm not referring to newsworthy or attention. Just look at a lot of sports stories, pieces on Sportscentre or in the papers and there is a lot of reference to Colangelo in regards to the Leafs failure.

All I'm saying is by getting Colangelo for the basketball team, and the struggles of the hockey club, the media is putting some pressure on the hockey side. I hope they keep it up all summer long.

vc_dunkchamp wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I'm not referring to newsworthy or attention. Just look at a lot of sports stories, pieces on Sportscentre or in the papers and there is a lot of reference to Colangelo in regards to the Leafs failure.

All I'm saying is by getting Colangelo for the basketball team, and the struggles of the hockey club, the media is putting some pressure on the hockey side. I hope they keep it up all summer long.

How about Brunt's column in tomorrow's Globe

http://www.globesports.com/servlet/stor ... lobeSports

UNC Tar Heel Fan wrote:Being cheap does not pay off.

This is what doesn't make sense about MLSE, at least until they hired Colangelo. They spent $60 million for each of their teams (the only reason they don't for the Leafs is the cap), but wouldn't pay the price to hire quality GMs and coaches. There were a few exceptions (Lenny, Quinn originally - but then they gave him BOTH jobs), but for the most part, they've hired inexperienced, cheap guys for these roles.

It's absolutely crazy to spend all that money on players, but go cheap on the guys who manage those players and make decisions. Leaf fans are realizing this, as Raptor fans did before, and I think (and hope) that because of this JFJ's days are numbered.

Marmoset wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



This is what doesn't make sense about MLSE, at least until they hired Colangelo. They spent $60 million for each of their teams (the only reason they don't for the Leafs is the cap), but wouldn't pay the price to hire quality GMs and coaches. There were a few exceptions (Lenny, Quinn originally - but then they gave him BOTH jobs), but for the most part, they've hired inexperienced, cheap guys for these roles.

It's absolutely crazy to spend all that money on players, but go cheap on the guys who manage those players and make decisions. Leaf fans are realizing this, as Raptor fans did before, and I think (and hope) that because of this JFJ's days are numbered.

I still feel its because Peddie would sign someone he can completely control. First it was Grunwald and Babcock and then JFJ. Imagine if he hired someone like Brian Burke?

But that point aside, who is the equivalent of Colangelo in the hockey world?

The fract remains that there are just to many old boys with their hands in the pot for anyone to possibly do an effective job as the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Hustle&Flow wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I still feel its because Peddie would sign someone he can completely control. First it was Grunwald and Babcock and then JFJ. Imagine if he hired someone like Brian Burke?

But that point aside, who is the equivalent of Colangelo in the hockey world?

Holland IMO

Andrea>Dirk wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Holland IMO

Is he available?

Hustle&Flow wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Is he available?

There is no way he would leave Detroit to come to Toronto in my opinion. The Leafs should have listened to Dryden a while back and hired Gainey.

I don't where those Ferguson winning percentage stats are from but I'm pretty certain that the years Quinn was GM it was higher because every year(except the last) Quinn was with the team they were always around 100 points every year.

Well JFJ has not had the luxury of drafting first overall. Or coming in when there were young players who should be solid pros.

Colangelo made better moves and will be compared becasue he turned the raps around. the leafs have been neutraal.

If you could start with what colangelo did it would be much easier than what JFJ has.

JFJ is still at fault for not bettering the team. But there is so much pressure ON Toronto every year so he cannot really afford to rebuild.

The_Child_Prodigy wrote:Well JFJ has not had the luxury of drafting first overall. Or coming in when there were young players who should be solid pros.

Colangelo made better moves and will be compared becasue he turned the raps around. the leafs have been neutraal.

If you could start with what colangelo did it would be much easier than what JFJ has.

JFJ is still at fault for not bettering the team. But there is so much pressure ON Toronto every year so he cannot really afford to rebuild.

That's complete bull.

He can afford to rebuild in Toronto. Just tell the fans up front that we are going to rebuild, it make take a couple of years, but we are going to play young kids, draft well and etc.

The Leafs fans are loyal. They can stand losing (remember the 80s, when we aren't really rebuilding but we are getting high picks year after year because the team suck), they will sell out the ACC even if the team is losing.

Someone should be honest with MLSE and tell them that the Leafs are a crappy team, and the only way they can be better is to blow it all up.