You may have heard of this 'story' already. As reported by Howard Berger of The Fan, there exists video evidence that Richard Peddie was mouthing the words to Cliff Fletcher's introductory speech on Tuesday. That is, Peddie knew exactly what Fletcher was about to say, and was lip synching it.
I gotta say, I don't see this as the big deal Berger made it out to be.
I watched the press conference on Tuesday, and did notice Peddie's lips moving with Fletcher's words. To be honest, I didn't think much of it...I thought so little of it, in fact, that I didn't even bother to mention it in my post about the press conference.
Anyone that thinks Fletcher's speech wouldn't have been passed around to MLSE brass before he went in front of the media is totally fucked. I mean, the worst case scenario here is that MLSE wrote the speech for Fletch. Am I missing something terrible here?
Here's the thing: Cliff Fletcher is a man of integrity. He has 50 years of experience in professional hockey management. He was already under contract (with Phoenix), which means he was being paid for doing nothing. He has nothing to prove, and doesn't need the job with the Leafs. What that all means to me is that Fletch isn't about to be forced to read a statement he didn't believe in. The man just returned from a vacation with his wife when the press conference was held. If MLSE wrote his speech for him -likely because Fletch didn't have adequate time to prepare his own - so fucking what? Fletch would have approved any speech he was to give, and vetoed any bollocks therein. It isn't as if he has MLSE's collective hand up his ass.
In any event...if you want to check this video out yourself, I've placed it below. The part you are interested in is about 4:45 in.
The Leafs did play a game last night, beating Washington 3-2. The newish first line of Steen / Sundin / Antropov provided 2 of the Leafs' 3 goals, including the game-winner with 30 seconds to go. They looked very cohesive as a line, and will certainly stick together so long as they keep the play up.
This just in: Matt Stajan is circling the drain. He's been taken off Alex Steen's line, so he no longer has talent playing with him to make him look like an NHL calibre player. Last night, Stajan played over 3 minutes less than newcomer and career 4th liner Dom Moore. His PP and PK time have been cut. He was a team-worst -2 last night - which means he was on for all of Washington's goals and none of Toronto's - had zero shots on goal, zero hits, a team-worst 2 giveaways, and won only 3 of 11 faceoffs. Please, Fletch, do not bring this guy back next year. He's a sopping vag!
Alexei Ponikarovsky was injured on a hit from behind from Steve Eminger. He left the game in the first period and didn't return. Coach Maurice estimated his return will be in 'weeks, not days'. Poni's injury may hurt the Leafs, as he is an important part of their secondary scoring, and has been hot of late. The good news is that this season is already a write-off, so scoring a few less goals really means nothing.
Next up are the very same Capitals. The Leafs head to Washington tonight to complete the home-and-home series.
The Leafs have won 4 of their last 5 games - their only loss occurred the game that Andy Raysoft played over Vesku - and I really wish they'd stop winning. All that a winning streak is going to do at this point is give the typical Leafs fan hope when there is none. It will only prolong the acceptance of mediocrity in Toronto. My vote is for a total 9/11 of a season*. Finish in the bottom 4 or 5 in the league and pray to Jeebus that you land a top 3 draft choice. That, in addition to all of the rebuilding Fletch does before the trade deadline, should be enough to change the fate of this team.
Lastly, to anyone feeling sorry for JFJ after his firing, read this. Yeah, his firing was too public, but if I employed someone that fared as poorly as John did, I'd have fired him publicly and kicked him in the ass on the way out.
* To all of you that give me gears about using 9/11 references, fucking stop it already. It was 6 1/2 years ago. Get over it. 'Twas an inside job, anyhow.
I gotta say, I don't see this as the big deal Berger made it out to be.
I watched the press conference on Tuesday, and did notice Peddie's lips moving with Fletcher's words. To be honest, I didn't think much of it...I thought so little of it, in fact, that I didn't even bother to mention it in my post about the press conference.
Anyone that thinks Fletcher's speech wouldn't have been passed around to MLSE brass before he went in front of the media is totally fucked. I mean, the worst case scenario here is that MLSE wrote the speech for Fletch. Am I missing something terrible here?
Here's the thing: Cliff Fletcher is a man of integrity. He has 50 years of experience in professional hockey management. He was already under contract (with Phoenix), which means he was being paid for doing nothing. He has nothing to prove, and doesn't need the job with the Leafs. What that all means to me is that Fletch isn't about to be forced to read a statement he didn't believe in. The man just returned from a vacation with his wife when the press conference was held. If MLSE wrote his speech for him -likely because Fletch didn't have adequate time to prepare his own - so fucking what? Fletch would have approved any speech he was to give, and vetoed any bollocks therein. It isn't as if he has MLSE's collective hand up his ass.
In any event...if you want to check this video out yourself, I've placed it below. The part you are interested in is about 4:45 in.
The Leafs did play a game last night, beating Washington 3-2. The newish first line of Steen / Sundin / Antropov provided 2 of the Leafs' 3 goals, including the game-winner with 30 seconds to go. They looked very cohesive as a line, and will certainly stick together so long as they keep the play up.
This just in: Matt Stajan is circling the drain. He's been taken off Alex Steen's line, so he no longer has talent playing with him to make him look like an NHL calibre player. Last night, Stajan played over 3 minutes less than newcomer and career 4th liner Dom Moore. His PP and PK time have been cut. He was a team-worst -2 last night - which means he was on for all of Washington's goals and none of Toronto's - had zero shots on goal, zero hits, a team-worst 2 giveaways, and won only 3 of 11 faceoffs. Please, Fletch, do not bring this guy back next year. He's a sopping vag!
Alexei Ponikarovsky was injured on a hit from behind from Steve Eminger. He left the game in the first period and didn't return. Coach Maurice estimated his return will be in 'weeks, not days'. Poni's injury may hurt the Leafs, as he is an important part of their secondary scoring, and has been hot of late. The good news is that this season is already a write-off, so scoring a few less goals really means nothing.
Next up are the very same Capitals. The Leafs head to Washington tonight to complete the home-and-home series.
The Leafs have won 4 of their last 5 games - their only loss occurred the game that Andy Raysoft played over Vesku - and I really wish they'd stop winning. All that a winning streak is going to do at this point is give the typical Leafs fan hope when there is none. It will only prolong the acceptance of mediocrity in Toronto. My vote is for a total 9/11 of a season*. Finish in the bottom 4 or 5 in the league and pray to Jeebus that you land a top 3 draft choice. That, in addition to all of the rebuilding Fletch does before the trade deadline, should be enough to change the fate of this team.
Lastly, to anyone feeling sorry for JFJ after his firing, read this. Yeah, his firing was too public, but if I employed someone that fared as poorly as John did, I'd have fired him publicly and kicked him in the ass on the way out.
* To all of you that give me gears about using 9/11 references, fucking stop it already. It was 6 1/2 years ago. Get over it. 'Twas an inside job, anyhow.
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1 comment:
'typical leafs fan' link is broken....
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