Leafs Drop the Axe: What Comes Next in the Center of the Universe

The hockey world got a huge surprise on Monday afternoon as the Toronto Maple Leafs and Brad Treliving parted ways. That is a kind way of saying Brad got the axe. What surprised me was not so much the firing as the timing. I was not surprised at the firing, since it's usually the coaches or managers who suffer through a bad year. The timing is rather curious. Why not wait until the end of the year? I am expecting a coaching change at the end of the year.

Where do the Maple Leafs go for a new General Manager? I would stay with the division, as with the Florida Panthers.

Rick Dudley

Rick is serving as the Senior Advisor for the Florida Panthers. He has been heavily involved in the Panthers' success. He has been General Manager for Florida, Tampa, Atlanta, and Ottawa. He has also been a head coach. He knows how to maintain a stable franchise. He can step right in with very little training. Perfect for a team that does not want to rebuild.

Doug Armstrong

The process is probably pretty much done. I am sure if the Toronto Maple Leafs had their choice, Doug would be their man. The Maple Leafs need a man who can work under plenty of scrutiny and pressure from the media and the emotional fan base. Doug knows how to work with people, having been the General Manager of Canada's hockey team.

The wild card

If Toronto were going through a total facelift, is there one name I should look for? Mark Messier.

Mark has never been a General Manager, but he has learned from Glen Alther, who was one of the best. Mark brings in some new blood, which could bring some life back into the center of the universe.

Final word

Whoever gets the job, the General Manager's first responsibility will be the future of Matthews. He will have to work on the fly; there is no rest for the wicked. The Leafs are not in the business of rebuilding; this is a retool on the fly.

Randy