Leafs Fire Ferguson

You knew it was coming. The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired GM John Ferguson Jr.

The Leafs currently sit in 14th place in the Eastern Conference and have a 19-22-5-3 record. They are 4-6 in their last ten games. They've been blown out twice this month, losing 6-2 and 5-0 to Pittsburgh and Anaheim respectively.

How this is expected to help is not known at this time. While Ferguson was far from a great GM, the problem with the Toronto Maple Leafs is deeper than this. Solving the issues with this franchise will take more than one or two personnel changes. The entire organization is in need of a major overhaul.

Could it be the start of this overhaul? Or will it be another band-aid solution from a team that seems to have lost touch with the modern NHL?
Former GM Cliff Fletcher has been named as the interim general manager. Fletcher was GM of the Leafs between 1991 and 1997 when the Leafs underwent a successful resurgence. During his original reign the Leafs made blockbuster trades to acquire names such as Doug Gilmour and Mats Sundin.

"Cliff Fletcher is the ideal person to lay the groundwork of positive change for the Leafs," said Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. President and CEO Richard Peddie.

Ferguson has not made an official comment on the matter, but stated that he is not interested in taking another position with the Leafs' organization.