JFJ = HORRIBLE GM
I have a very VERY hard time accepting the fact that Toronto (possible the hockey mecca of the world) has honestly one of the WORST GMs in recent history. Lets look at some transactions he has done lately that have boggled a few heads…
Lets start with contracts and JFJ’s poor negotiation skills..
Bryan McCabe: signed a fan favorite for 5.75 (cap hit) a season. This defenceman was more suited for the OLD NHL with his can-opener move. He is incapable of playing defense and runs into his own net with nobody around him. Granted he has an offensive touch but he is a one trick Pony.
Pavel Kubina: seriously? 5 million a season? just because he won a cup?!? are u out ur mind. The answer is yes, yes he is.. OK realistically i am being a little biased because i dont like Kubs, he was scoring roughly 35 points a season before Toronto but IMO thats a 3-4 million dollar defenseman, NOT 5!
Jason Blake: 4 million dollars for 5 years for a player who only ONCE scored 40 goals, before that he was a 20+ scorer a year. A second liner being paid sniper money..ridiculous. NOT TO MENTION the guy is 33 years old, how do u sign a above average player who is getting old to a 5 year deal, its like he WANTS to screw the leafs over the next few years.
Vesa Toskala: Before the guy even plays a game for the leafs, he TRIPLES his salary. Last i checked you have to PROVE your a starter before you make starter money. This is still TBD if it was a good move or not. IMO huge gamble.
Darcy Tucker: I might get yelled at for this one but IMO hes overrated. He is a gritty player *cough* sorry i meant USED to be a gritty player, is he getting old or something cose he seems to have lost his fire. Anyways i dont have any problems with how much he makes, just how long the contract is for. Its too long for an aging fan favorite. The reason he kept getting so many goals was becose he was on the PP with Sundin (one trick pony at the side of the net) which brings me to wonder WHY DO YOU SIGN A SIMILAR PLAYER LIKE BLAKE when you already have Darcy Tucker. I just dont understand JFJ’s logic.
Now lets talk TRADES
Tellqvist for NOBODY: yes i understand he had to be moved but wat the hell is a nobody (tyson nash) and a low round pick going to do for us, nothing, might as well of kept him.
Brian Leetch for Immonen, Kondratiev, 1st, 2nd: This guy SUUURE was great and all but he played a quarter of a season for us and then got injured if i recall during the playoffs? (correct me if im wrong). JFJ failed to resign the guy and i cant blame Leetch for leaving, hes ALWAYS played in the states and for the NYR, why would he suddenly want to be a Leaf, way to waste 2 prospects and 2 picks JFJ.
Raycroft for Rask: OMG my FAVORITE, jeez wat a stupid move that was and we all know it. Its like the man has no patience, at the time we had two of the best goaltending prospects out there who were going to BATTLE for the starting job in a few years (god that would have been entertaining) but instead he trades (arguably the better one) for a washed up goaltender. Boston didnt even want the guy and they managed to wrestle our top goalie prospect who we picked in the first round. Wow JFJ, wow..
So overall JFJ has sacrificed tons of youth, screwed the leafs over long term with all these huge contracts, and what does he have to show for it? nothing we are a marginal team, and a streaky one at that. It was rumored this past summer that Scotty Bowman was being approached by the leafs for a position but he would ONLY accept a big job. Hopefully JFJ gets fired sometime soon. If we as leaf fans are lucky enough, Bowman will manage this team and build a contender. He has roughly 10 cups as coach or GM, that kind of experience doesnt just fall out of the sky.
Im TIRED of seeing my favorite team being mismanaged time and time again, its becoming REALLY hard to remain a leaf fan (i will always bleed blue and white but jeeeez). This is my opinion, take it for wat it is.
Problem = JFJ
Solution = Scotty Bowman (legend)