Tsn.ca: Reports John Ferguson was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs as general manager and is not interested in a position with the club. Former gm Cliff Fletcher will be the interim gm and makes clear he does not want the position full time. Former Islander Jason Blake comments.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
This is one of the NHL's worst kept secrets that has been coming for months, the bigger surprise would have been if he was not fired.
Leafs are in contention for a playoff spot as every team is but the treatment of Mr Ferguson from here seemed to have been inappropriate. The media distorts things in a hockey centric market like that because they are all in competition with one another and even though his trades and signings justify a dismissal the apparent treatment of him did not seem fair at all by the media. I have no idea how much input he was allowed in the decision making process.
Many may recall Cliff Fletcher made some of his worst trades with Mike Milbury which led to the Islanders acquiring Kenny Jonsson and a fourth round pick which became Eric Brewer or Roberto Luongo and Mr Fletcher's eventual firing. My guess is decisons will not be made entirely by him at the trade deadline to hamper his successor.
If the blame goes on anyone to me it's MLSE President and CEO Richard Peddie and the pressure to win now.
From an Islander standpoint you want the distractions to take it's toll on the ice because that leads to a club not focused that has enough problems being consistent from game to game.
Penguins website: Report Sidney Crosby will be out six to eight weeks with a high ankle sprain. Evgeni Malkin will replace him at the All-Star game.
NYI Fan Central Comments:
I may be in the minority here but this is a good team that's far more than about one franchise talent. They scored five against Washington in a shootout loss and before that Ty Conklin had a shutout. His play since Marc Andre Fleury/Sabourin injuries has been outstanding and carried the club. They also lost Gary Roberts which is no small sidebar.
The young players on the club are a year older and more experienced. Even with Crosby healthy they were not going to continue that long winning streak but to me this club is just good and only getting better.
And they will get Crosby back.