Hockey Canada is now considering Andy Murray as coach of the 2010 Olympic team following Canada's surprise gold medal at the World Championships. He has now won 3 gold medals in 4 opportunities at that level. Whether or not that happens, he now goes back to his regular job which is coach of the St. Louis blues.What's not well known is that Murray applied for the Marlie job last summer. The competition was essentially between Murray and Greg Gilbert but Gilbert won out because of his association with Ferguson when both were in St. Louis. Gilbert was a disaster as coach of the Calgary Flames and Mississauga Ice Dogs. The Marlies had a poor season and, unlike the previous season when they were coached by Paul Maurice, did not develop any young players for the Leafs to call up during the season or to compete for jobs next fall.
I wonder how much farther ahead the Leafs would be if Murray had been hired? But this is not the only position filled by a Ferguson colleague. He has operated like many before him. Hiring cronies rather than the most qualified.
