Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice in Canadian Chat http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20445097 en Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:15:31 EDT Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:15:31 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464570 Dan : Ultimately none of these decisions really matter.

The brand of the "Maple Leafs" is just that, a brand. Just like Shoppers Drug Mart or Sobey's.

They really couldn't give a crap if the team wins or looses. It's the bottom line in the books that counts to them, so regardless of this firing/hiring blitz that's happening, it will still be the same. More advertising of the brand, growth based around cross branding (like those "ugly condos" as SpikeIH put it), and counting on selling out tickets just because it's just expected now.

Never will we see the Leafs as a major contender until the real head of the beast is slain. A major shift in the governance of the organization must happen, but as said, won't happen.

You'll probably also have noticed that the "team" at this point are really just models on a catwalk. All they are here for is to parade the blue and white brand for MLSE. I've not enjoyed watching a Leafs game for more years than I can count. It's like a great sitcom that becomes stale, were everyone watching thinks "Just end it!" .

Ideally they need players/coaches that not only bleed the blue and white, but have business sense, proven skill and passion for growth of a team/brand as a whole.
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Karma]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20464570 Sun, 11 May 2008 08:51:39 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20458141 anon : MLSE's priorities never was with the team itself.

»spykes.net/spike/acccondo.jpg]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20458141 Fri, 09 May 2008 16:50:31 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457845 anon : Next up, fire Peddie, maybe then the Leafs might get somewhere other than ugly obstructive Condo's in front of the ACC.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20457845 Fri, 09 May 2008 15:50:16 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453405 Wolfie00 : I think that there are two interpretations to the board of directors having to bless the decision to fire Maurice. One is that it's a fluid situation right now -- there is no permanent GM, and the future will supposedly hold either someone who is both GM and Leafs president, or two people in those positions. At least, that's Peddie's story (and he's sticking to it! :D ). The other interpretation is that the Peddie-Tannenbaum-Lastman Unholy Trinity will continue to pull the strings and wield supreme power in the future, no matter what. Personally, I'm betting on the latter.
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"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace" -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
"A dog is like a child who never grows old ... always there to love and be loved" -- Aaron Katcher
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453405 Thu, 08 May 2008 18:57:45 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453400 macedon : finally some good news!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453400 Thu, 08 May 2008 18:57:01 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453256 Kardinal :
said by HiVolt See Profile :

said by Wolfie00 See Profile :

It's a perfect fit -- the most hated GM in the NHL going to the most despised ownership in the NHL
Honestly, I hate the man so much, if they hired him in ANY capacity, I would defect to the Sens Army.
This just in: MLSE HIRES BOBBY CLARKE TO REBUILD THE LEAFS

Film at eleven.

jk -- you can start breathing again HiVolt See Profile

What is a new coach going to do unless either Fletcher or someone else comes in and convinces the board of directors to eat a chunk of change to buy out some contracts? It's going to be the same old thing until the legacy of JFJ plays out as contracts run out. Even if there is a new GM, not much will change. Here's why (in a direct quote from this morning's Mop & Pail):

said by Globe article :

Fletcher, however, denied that his decision to fire Maurice was a manoeuvre to clear the deck for a soon-to-be-hired general manager. Fletcher had a simple explanation for why it took 32 days after the Leafs' regular season concluded to let Maurice go.

Fletcher said he needed time to evaluate the coaching staff and that there wasn't a scheduled MLSE board of directors meeting until Tuesday this week. So Fletcher informed the MLSE board of his recommendation that Maurice be fired. The board agreed. Maurice, whose teams missed the playoffs in his two seasons behind the bench, was informed of the decision yesterday morning.
(emphasis is mine)

If the GM has to go to the board of directors of the overseeing company, then he's powerless to make decisions that they don't agree to and can't do anything other than what they say he can. In short, the board of directors who are a bunch of business people, tell the "hockey guy" GM what the hockey team should do. In short, the board is the general manager, not the GM, as he's just a suggestion box.
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All of us get lost in the darkness, dreamers learn to steer by the stars
All of us do time in the gutter, dreamers turn to look at the cars -- Peart/Lee/Lifeson
Join Team Helix
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20453256 Thu, 08 May 2008 18:26:42 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451821 HiVolt :
said by Wolfie00 See Profile :

It's a perfect fit -- the most hated GM in the NHL going to the most despised ownership in the NHL :D
Honestly, I hate the man so much, if they hired him in ANY capacity, I would defect to the Sens Army.
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451821 Thu, 08 May 2008 13:48:18 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451725 Wolfie00 :
said by HiVolt See Profile :

Hahahaha, they had a clip on sportsnet of Bob Clarke on the Fan590 earlier on today...

He practically is begging to be hired... "If Cliff called, I would listen". :D

Yeah, Bob Clarke in Toronto... Sure. :D
It's a perfect fit -- the most hated GM in the NHL going to the most despised ownership in the NHL :D
--
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace" -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
"A dog is like a child who never grows old ... always there to love and be loved" -- Aaron Katcher
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20451725 Thu, 08 May 2008 13:29:37 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449746 capdjq : »www.thestar.com/Sports/Hockey/article/418141

Only the Knicks worse value than Leafs: fans

It has been confirmed – the Toronto Maple Leafs are low-down awful. In its sixth annual survey of fan/customer satisfaction, ESPN The Magazine ranks the Leafs No. 121 of the 122 franchises that make up the National Hockey League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball and the National Football League. ESPN used an on-line survey of 80,000 respondents as well as an independent poll to determine how fans felt about their favourite teams in eight categories – bang for the buck, ownership, fan relations, affordability, stadium experience, players, managers/coaches and titles won or expected.

THE TOP FIVE

1. Indianapolis Colts
Life is good in Peyton's Place

2. San Antonio Spurs
No. 1 ranking in ownership

3. New Orleans Hornets
First on list of affordability

4 . Green Bay Packers
Lambeau is best stadium experience

5. Anaheim Ducks
No wonder they want to keep Burke

THE BOTTOM FIVE

118. Minnesota Timberwolves
Miss you, Kevin Garnett

119. Atlanta Falcons
Life in the doghouse, post-Vick

120. Detroit Lions
Up two places from last year

121. Toronto Maple Leafs
New GM has work cut out

122. New York Knicks
Isiah Thomas has left his mark

- Compiled by Garth Woolsey
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Religious War - The battle for best imaginary friend]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449746 Thu, 08 May 2008 02:15:07 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449482 Thingamajig :
said by HiVolt See Profile :

Yeah, maybe Nonis can lure Alain Vigneault here too.
Fixed it for ya! You guys need some reallllllly boring hockey.
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To write with a broken pencil is pointless.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449482 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:28:52 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449385 corster :
said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

said by HiVolt See Profile :

BTW, why do they have to ask permission, the Canucks fired him!
i don't know...perhaps he is still under contract and technically vancouver still owns his "rights"?
Bingo.

He was relieved of his duties, but not released from his contract. This way the team didn't have to pay his remaining salary in a lump-sum.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20449385 Thu, 08 May 2008 00:06:04 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448854 dirtyjeffer :
said by HiVolt See Profile :

BTW, why do they have to ask permission, the Canucks fired him!
i don't know...perhaps he is still under contract and technically vancouver still owns his "rights"?
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Best Marketplace Ever: »www.cbc.ca/marketplace/speed_bumps/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448854 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:34:13 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448834 HiVolt :
said by dirtyjeffer See Profile :

TSN is reporting that the Leafs have asked for permission from Vancouver to speak with recently fired Dave Nonis.

blech...no thanks...that means, MLSE will hire him.
Yeah, maybe Nonis can lure Luongo here too. That was the only thing he did for Vancouver worth a damn.

BTW, why do they have to ask permission, the Canucks fired him!
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448834 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:30:55 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448790 dirtyjeffer : TSN is reporting that the Leafs have asked for permission from Vancouver to speak with recently fired Dave Nonis.

blech...no thanks...that means, MLSE will hire him.
»www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=237026&···tory_nhl

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Best Marketplace Ever: »www.cbc.ca/marketplace/speed_bumps/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448790 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:22:51 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448746 HiVolt : Hahahaha, they had a clip on sportsnet of Bob Clarke on the Fan590 earlier on today...

He practically is begging to be hired... "If Cliff called, I would listen". :D

Yeah, Bob Clarke in Toronto... Sure. :D
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448746 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:11:23 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448745 digitalfutur : Yet 'another new era' for the Leafs. As long as the cash drawer is full, win or lose, the new era will be the same as the old era.
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All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing - Edmund Burke. "Walk the Talk".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20448745 Wed, 07 May 2008 22:11:09 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447742 Snickerdo :
said by capdjq See Profile :

With the timing now and Fletcher changing his opinion on Maurice's status, this might mean the GM search is not going as planned, and Fletcher might be that GM for the next year, therefore he is going to hire his own coach now.
Or, it could be that they know who they want as the next GM, they've "consulted" with that possibly-future GM, and they've decided to start making the necessary changes now? It can go either way.
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I swear that I will faithfully and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447742 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:59:16 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447726 capdjq : With the timing now and Fletcher changing his opinion on Maurice's status, this might mean the GM search is not going as planned, and Fletcher might be that GM for the next year, therefore he is going to hire his own coach now.
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Religious War - The battle for best imaginary friend]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447726 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:57:16 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447712 dirtyjeffer : Maurice was a great guy, there is no doubt about it, but he failed as a coach for the TML...he couldn't get Blake playing like "Blake" until the last month of the season, where Blake was passing more, and being more involved in the play rather than just shooting the puck regardless of where he was...he also had Wozniewski in the line up FAR too much...and quite often he would break up lines that were successful just to "mix things up"...a coach needs to adapt to change, but stick with what works...and you need to have a system and stick to it...half the time, the leafs looked like they were just playing a game of pick up out there, incapable of competing at a professional level.

that all rests on the coach, and its no surprise he was fired.
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Best Marketplace Ever: »www.cbc.ca/marketplace/speed_bumps/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447712 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:55:26 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447688 LaZ3R : If Don Cherry took the position ... I'd die of laughter :p.

He'd have a stroke on the bench merely from screaming so much. :D

I really feel bad for Maurice though. He seemed like a very good coach, made the right moves at the right times, but in the end, it isn't the coach playing on the ice. It's the players and goalies in front of him and although they are supposed to listen to the plays he wants to set up, half the time these plays can't follow through because of the other team over powering the Leafs, and that comes down to skill, something the PLAYERS are looked at in this case.

Oh well, it's done so lets see who they bring in for these two positions.
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Life is a game of blackjack. You keep playing until you bust.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447688 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:50:19 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447612 dirtyjeffer :
said by vue666 See Profile :

Hire Dirtyjeffer!!!!!! What say you Hoss?
sure...i'd give it a go...if i fail and missed the playoffs, i haven't really done any worse than what has gone on the past couple of years.

seriously though, don't be surprised if you see Glen Healey in the mix somewhere.

the Leafs need someone who KNOWS hockey, and let them do what needs to be done...offer the position to Don Cherry (he would decline) but i can assure you that would be a media frenzy and every post game interview would be a ratings goldmine. :)
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Best Marketplace Ever: »www.cbc.ca/marketplace/speed_bumps/]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447612 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:35:06 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447523 Wolfie00 :
said by capdjq See Profile :

Assistant coach Randy Ladouceur has also been let go.
...
Ofcourse this could all be false. :)
As we all know by now, it's true -- Leafs have officially confirmed Maurice and Ladouceur are gone.

I feel bad for Maurice, and I tend to think this was really premature and more political than rational.

And can someone tell me what the hell it is with Keith Acton? The Leafs can go through upheavals at all levels of players and management, they can fire personnel left and right and high and low, and when all the dust settles, there's ol' Keith Acton with his gleaming bald head, still sitting there as assistant coach, moving neither up or down, as permanent as if he was fastened to the bedrock underneath the ACC! OK, whose brother-in-law is he? Peddie's or Tannenbaum's? :D
--
"Until he extends his circle of compassion to include all living things, man will not himself find peace" -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer
"A dog is like a child who never grows old ... always there to love and be loved" -- Aaron Katcher
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447523 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:18:27 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447515 shaner : Yeah, its always good to replace your non-playoff GM with another non-playoff GM. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447515 Wed, 07 May 2008 18:16:39 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447150 WNGFAN 1 : Well i was correct on assumming Burke will be in Toronto after next season. It looks like the Leafs are going to go after former Vancouver GM Dave Nonis to run the show for the next year:
»www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=237026&···ory_main]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20447150 Wed, 07 May 2008 17:06:55 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446270 CigaR :
said by m0x See Profile :

It was inevitable that he would be fired considering that a new GM is being brought in, but I still feel sorry for him. I don't think it was his fault at all.
+1

He did the best he could with the resources he had in hand.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446270 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:43:07 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446254 WNGFAN 1 :
said by m0x See Profile :

said by WNGFAN 1 See Profile :

Maurice will land somewhere else before too long. Anyone know if He was in the last year of His contract with the Leafs?
What's with the capitalization?

It was inevitable that he would be fired considering that a new GM is being brought in, but I still feel sorry for him. I don't think it was his fault at all.
Thanks for the english lesson :huh: Is a new general manager being brought in or is this Fletcher starting to fine tune the Leafs until Brian Burke is availible after the 2009 season?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446254 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:39:51 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446201 m0x :
said by WNGFAN 1 See Profile :

Maurice will land somewhere else before too long. Anyone know if He was in the last year of His contract with the Leafs?
What's with the capitalization?

It was inevitable that he would be fired considering that a new GM is being brought in, but I still feel sorry for him. I don't think it was his fault at all.
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Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446201 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:32:35 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446087 HiVolt :
said by pat_lc2000 See Profile :

I feel bad for Maurice...he did the best he could with what he was given. Which wasn't that much.
One thing I will fault Maurice for. He didn't give Toskala the chance to prove himself as a #1 goalie right from the getgo. He even started Raycroft on opening day.

Given how Toskala played very well when finally given the #1 job, chances are the Leafs could have made the playoffs.
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446087 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:08:19 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446067 pat_lc2000 : I feel bad for Maurice...he did the best he could with what he was given. Which wasn't that much.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446067 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:05:07 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446047 HiVolt :
said by WNGFAN 1 See Profile :

Maurice will land somewhere else before too long. Anyone know if He was in the last year of His contract with the Leafs?
He had 1 year left. So he'll collect the next season's pay regardless.
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446047 Wed, 07 May 2008 14:00:53 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446025 WNGFAN 1 : Maurice will land somewhere else before too long. Anyone know if He was in the last year of His contract with the Leafs?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20446025 Wed, 07 May 2008 13:56:06 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445668 alamarco : Not surprised, but still sad. Maurice is a great coach and has tremendous hockey knowledge. I hope he'll succeed in his next job, I guess Toronto wasn't the right place for him.

So it looks like next year for the Leafs will be completely different. Hopefully we can get our hands on a capable GM, as that seems to be the biggest problem. No quick fixes, just hire a GM who has a plan and let him complete that plan even if the early phases don't pan out.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445668 Wed, 07 May 2008 13:00:12 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445369 vue666 : Hire Dirtyjeffer!!!!!! What say you Hoss?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445369 Wed, 07 May 2008 12:06:08 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445255 capdjq : Hire Barry Melrose. :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445255 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:49:11 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445243 Snickerdo : Hah, absolutely no surprise here at all.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445243 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:47:09 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445239 capdjq : Ladouceur fired too.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445239 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:46:23 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445226 HiVolt : I can't say I'm surprised...

I think its better that a new coach start the season, rather than Maurice getting fired mid season, which would have happened. There was talent on this team, but Maurice just couldn't unleash it on a consistent enough basis.

I will miss his post-game conference charm though. :)
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GOLF LEAFS GOLF!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445226 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:43:30 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445188 vue666 : Maurice could not work some of his magic he had in Carolina when they had their first run at the Cup only to be swept by the Red Wings...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445188 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:35:08 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445179 corster : Should call up the current Marlies coach :)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445179 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:33:58 EDT Re: Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445160 donoreo : This could mean that they have a new GM lined up and they are just clearing house ahead of time. Maybe. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445160 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:30:30 EDT Maple leafs fire Head Coach Maurice http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445097 capdjq : »www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=237026&···ory_main

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired coach Paul Maurice, sources tell TSN.

Maurice had one year remaining on his original three-year contract.

The native of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario was hired by dismissed Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. Ferguson has since been replaced by interim GM Cliff Fletcher, who had been non-committal about Maurice's future with the club.

"There will be discussions, but you can be sure of one thing," Fletcher told the Canadian Press. "The person coming in is going to be a strong hockey person and he's going to have very definite opinions of his own."

Maurice, 41, originally joined the Maple Leafs orginization June 24, 2005 as head coach of Toronto's AHL affiliate the Toronto Marlies. He was promoted to the Maple Leafs on May 12, 2006 following Pat Quinn's dismissal.

Assistant coach Randy Ladouceur has also been let go.

In two season with Toronto, Maurice compiled a 76-65-22 record, missing the playoffs both years. The Leafs have now missed the playoffs for the third year in a row, something that hasn't happened since 1928.

Ofcourse this could all be false. :)
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Religious War - The battle for best imaginary friend]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20445097 Wed, 07 May 2008 11:20:20 EDT