Cliff Fletcher announced the firing of Paul Maurice Wednesday, leaving many to wonder if the Leafs have a plan in motion to unveil their new GM or if the organization is just spinning their wheels. (CP Images)
Here we are, set to watch the four best teams in hockey lock horns for the right to play for Lord Staley's ancient urn, and those $@&*$!&$@#! Toronto Maple Leafs — as they are known everywhere outside so-called Leaf Nation — try to upstage the proceedings yet again.
So while we have a few hours to kill before watching some real hockey, I must confess that yes, like you, I am actually as stunned as anyone over the expected-but-not-quite-yet demise of head coach Paul Maurice from the city that Stanley forgot.
So, let's take stock, shall we? With a month and change left before the alleged facelift begins with the seventh pick in the NHL Entry Draft, the Good Sinking Ship TML is minus a full-time GM, a head coach and, for the time being, a captain.
Granted, it was only a matter of time — as in, about 20 minutes after the press conference to announce the new GM — before Maurice found himself on the soup line. But why now?
The timing of the firing is peculiar, to say the least. Fletcher was adamant that the new general manager would make the call on Maurice's future but, somewhere between the end of the season and Wednesday, someone had a change of heart.
Putting one and one together, Fletcher was less than subtle when he said the Board of Directors met the day before he stepped up to the podium. Read between the lines. In other words, thanks for taking this gig, Cliffy, but here's what you are going to do...
On the GM watch, Doug Armstrong, who would have to be considered on the short list as a potential suitor for the full-time gig, hasn't even been contacted yet, although the Leafs have apparently asked the Canucks permission to speak to recently-canned GM David Nonis.
Hmmm. David Nonis. Brian Burke. The teacher and the prodigy in Vancouver. Connect the dots. Conspiracy theorists unite.
"It's being run as a normal operation," said Fletcher of the Leafs Wednesday.
You can stop laughing right about now.
Well, something is up in Toronto. There has to be.
Nothing else makes sense.
Then again, look who we are talking about.