Fans Rejoice Everywhere, the Leafs Are Getting New Owners
With the announcement that the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan will divest itself of its majority ownership share in Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (the company which owns the Toronto Maple Leafs as well as the Air Canada Centre, Toronto Raptors, Toronto FC and Toronto Marlies) fans of all these teams responded with a resounding cry of "It's about time.
" When was the last time a Toronto Maple Leaf fan had any clear focus as to how his beloved team would proceed for the next few years? It's been over a decade, if not more.
Not since the good old days of Stafford Smythe has the owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs been on the same page as its management.
With the hiring of Brian Burke in 2008, and the potential for a solid new owner, Leaf fans may actually have something to smile about.
Burke has always said that he wanted total and complete independence for all hockey related decision.
So far, this part of the deal has been followed.
Burke has even more clout than Cliff Fletcher did in 1992, as then-owner Steve Stavro had designs of installing his own man at the top, but the unexpected run to the conference finals by Fletcher's Leafs in 1993 and 94 kept him in charge until Stavro's financial shortcomings forced a cut of the hockey payroll, ultimately paving the way for the dysfunctional takeover by the Pension fund.
Now that Peddie and the Pension Fund are on the way out, the new owners must continue to give Burke and the hockey department equal authority to run the hockey club as they see fit.
It is difficult to see how they would do otherwise, as Burke has restocked the farm system with some genuine prospects, and playoff contention next year seems likely.
So Who should buy this team? The days of buying a Stanley Cup are over.
The salary cap has made the scouting system that much more important.
In fact, this is where the majority of the focus should be for the new owners: Scouting and Coaching.
No matter how the new owners approach the team, a high degree of passion and commitment to the franchise winning a cup is of utmost importance.
Virtually every successful team in the NHL has the right balance of ownership commitment and management authority.
Perhaps it's time to accept the fact that the Leafs may have a chance at being half way decent.
The excitement is definitely in the air for Leaf fans and even Leaf haters, but it may be years before this team becomes watchable again.
" When was the last time a Toronto Maple Leaf fan had any clear focus as to how his beloved team would proceed for the next few years? It's been over a decade, if not more.
Not since the good old days of Stafford Smythe has the owners of the Toronto Maple Leafs been on the same page as its management.
With the hiring of Brian Burke in 2008, and the potential for a solid new owner, Leaf fans may actually have something to smile about.
Burke has always said that he wanted total and complete independence for all hockey related decision.
So far, this part of the deal has been followed.
Burke has even more clout than Cliff Fletcher did in 1992, as then-owner Steve Stavro had designs of installing his own man at the top, but the unexpected run to the conference finals by Fletcher's Leafs in 1993 and 94 kept him in charge until Stavro's financial shortcomings forced a cut of the hockey payroll, ultimately paving the way for the dysfunctional takeover by the Pension fund.
Now that Peddie and the Pension Fund are on the way out, the new owners must continue to give Burke and the hockey department equal authority to run the hockey club as they see fit.
It is difficult to see how they would do otherwise, as Burke has restocked the farm system with some genuine prospects, and playoff contention next year seems likely.
So Who should buy this team? The days of buying a Stanley Cup are over.
The salary cap has made the scouting system that much more important.
In fact, this is where the majority of the focus should be for the new owners: Scouting and Coaching.
No matter how the new owners approach the team, a high degree of passion and commitment to the franchise winning a cup is of utmost importance.
Virtually every successful team in the NHL has the right balance of ownership commitment and management authority.
Perhaps it's time to accept the fact that the Leafs may have a chance at being half way decent.
The excitement is definitely in the air for Leaf fans and even Leaf haters, but it may be years before this team becomes watchable again.