Could Colin Campbell (left), Commissioner Gary Bettman’s right-hand man, be named the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs?
If the report out of Windsor is accurate - and really, who knows for sure if it is - suggesting Colin Campbell is about to be named the new General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of two things seems fact.
A. That Richard Peddie and MLSE can't learn from their past mistakes, or
B. Something stinks about this whole thing.
Now no one knows for sure what, or who, Bob Duff knows that virtually every guy pushing a pen in Toronto does not, but according to this unnamed NHL source, there seems to be a ring of finality to the pending announcement, at least if you believe Duff's pseudo-source.
Now rewind your memory back to late January, when the noose was tightened once and for all around the throat of John Ferguson, Jr. and Peddie tried to calm the waters on the shores of Lake Ontario.
"The person who fills that job will be a winner," explained Peddie of Ferguson's successor on the day they tied the can to their GM. "Our ideal candidate will be a long-term builder and a short-term fixer who has an established track record of success on the ice."
So if the report is true, MLSE just pulled the wool over a whole lot of eyes in the T-Dot. Or they really have no idea what they are doing, which is probably a lot closer to the truth.
But perhaps the wild card in this entire drama is Brian Burke. Last week, when asked if he planned on being the Anaheim GM in September and fulfilling the final year of his deal, Burke offered a simple "I don't know."
Less than 24 hours later, he knew. And he wasn't going anywhere.
Rumors swirled in the Toronto media that Bettman helped make Burke's decision for him and, while I doubted it at first - and, quite frankly, still do - one can't help but wonder if the Commissioner wasn't, uh, a little persistent in helping fast-track his good buddy Campbell into the plush offices of the Air Canada Centre.
Seeing his right-hand man named the taskmaster for one of the league's flagship franchises - well, at least when they aren't on the ice - isn't the worst news the NHL head office could hear.
No one can say for sure if this is indeed the case, but as a coach Colin Campbell had a career record ten games or so over .500.
Check out his ring finger. As a coach, it is bare.
As a general manager, he has no experience. None. Nada. Not exactly what Peddie told Leaf fans a few months ago.
Right now, Campbell's calling card is being one heck of a Senior Vice-President and league disciplinarian.
Without, it must be said, that proven track record Peddie promised the restless faithful of the Leafs.
One and one doesn't always equal two.
And if Campbell takes over in Toronto, it will be safe to say something just doesn't add up.