Habster:
Dominic Moore is a nice third or fourth line player who will add much needed speed to the Leafs lineup. Obviously, the additions of Moore and Justin Pogge (just called up from the Marlies) are knee jerk/Band-aid solutions which will not solve what really ails the Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to shake things up and start rebuilding the team. Yes, they aren’t completely out of the playoff picture yet (5 points from the 8th and final playoff spot) but being stuck in a constant flux of mediocrity isn’t the solution as well. Thus the question that has to be asked: When will MLSE finally come to the realization that the Leafs need to start a new “hockey mind set” to rebuild the organization? Here’s where they need to start:
- Re-structure the management and hockey operations department which needs a solid hockey man who can bring his own people into the mix. The MLSE board also needs a complete overhaul with the Ontario teachers pension fund being bought out of the picture…..what’s that expression; “too many chiefs and not enough indians”. There are far too many people with their hands in the MLSE “cookie jar”.
- Sundin has to be traded while he has some trade value. If teams are interested in Kubina, Blake, Gill, Antropov and/or Tucker then I would consider their offer which would also change the atmosphere in the locker room. Simply put, the re-building starts with these moves.
- If you can’t find a sucker to take Pavel Kubina or Todd “pylon” Gill, then they should be placed on waivers. If there are no takers, you send them down to the Marlies.
- If the Leafs don’t get the first overall choice in next year’s draft, they should try to move up from their potential draft position (anywhere from #2-#10???) to get a potential star like Steve Stamkos or Drew Doughty to jump start their re-building phase.
- Change their hockey mind set!!!! The new hockey man has to build the team through the draft with smarter UFA signings that won’t handcuff the team’s ability to adapt if injuries occur or weaknesses are found during the season.