So what JFJ is suggesting is that had been allowed to blow up the team they would have been much better. I do feel some sympathy for the guy as he is being allowed to twist in the wind. But I can't accept that his plan would have worked because a capable GM would have still pulled off some good deals. I can't think of even one. Look at all the players he signed or traded picks for that aren't even playing in the NHL anymore - Lindros, Allison, O'Neill, Francis. Or just overpaying for players that aren't producing much - Belfour, Raycroft, Blake, Kubina, Tucker, McCabe."The worst thing we did was finish a point out of the playoffs last year and get the 13th draft choice. The year before we missed by two points and got the 13th pick, which we traded away,'' said Ferguson, clearly indicating that a team gone deep in the tank can at least take solace in eventually landing a top draft choice.
"That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world,'' he said of a quality pick, adding that a plan to sacrifice present for future as a method of rebuilding was proposed a couple of years ago – presumably to the same Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment board of directors now said to be shopping his job around.
"That plan was not approved."
12 years ago
