Well the Toronto Maple Leafs finally did what had been talked about since the summer; they fired their General Manager John Ferguson Jr.

Ferguson must be commended on the class that he exuded throughout the day (and the four plus years at the helm of the Leafs), never blaming anyone. Let's hope he gets another job in the NHL real soon.

Back to the Leafs. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment went once again to Phoenix to get their new GM as they hired their former GM from a decade ago, Cliff Fletcher, on an interim basis. The organization, which also owns the Toronto Raptors, had great success when they hired Bryan Colangelo from the Phoenix Suns almost two years ago as Colangelo has turned the Raptors from a perennial laughing stock to a highly regarded, up and coming team. Perhaps the Maple Leaf Board of Governors figure lightning can strike twice.

Fletcher has a big job ahead of him and it is obvious to everyone, with the possible exception of the Maple Leafs that the club must retool, as their team is not good enough to realistically compete for the Stanley Cup. Fletcher made headlines over a decade ago when he traded away future Maple Leaf draft choices and responded "Draft Shmaft". Well Cliff, it's up to you now and and it better be "Draft, it's the only way to rebuild the franchise."

Fletcher must be able to trade Mats Sundin and if he is able to convince Sundin to give up his no-trade contract, he will have plenty of teams interested in Sundin's services. There must be at least ten teams that think that they have an opportunity to win the Stanley Cup this season and if there is a bidding war for Sundin, it will greatly benefit the Maple Leafs future.

Fletcher needs to get at least three players for Sundin, be it one very good prospect and two high draft picks or two very good prospects and one high pick. Fletcher hopefully can turn Darcy Tucker into a draft pick as some team can use his grit for the playoffs and if Bryan McCabe waives his no-movement clause and returns to the New York metropolitan area, which is where his wife is from, the Leafs could be sitting pretty in the years to come.

Good luck Cliff. You're gonna need it.