On paper Mark Hunter will get the job. Should he? Yes he is a
skilled scout and player negotiator. The problem for the Leafs is to
get more of a politically diplomatic powerhourse. Unlike other clubs,
the Leafs have a monumental wailing wall of sports media. The guy
should have some Leaf cred but been on his own so as not to get
tainted with failure.
In that light then, if they are as smart as they pretend to be
there is only one effective choice. The only person to fit that role
and is now a General Manager, is Doug Gilmour of the Kingston
Frontenacs.
He played for the Leafs during a more successful period. He does
wear a Stanley Cup ring. He has played with a variety of hockey
clubs, not just the Leafs. The variety means he's been in a position
to study other organizations. He would also provide cover for those
who will assert that the Leaf's have no tradition blah, blah. He has
been away from the Leafs long enough so as to be free from the taint
of the recent Leaf regimes. Gilmour would be far more recognizable
and popular with the fans and with the media in other words,
Leaf-cred.
And most important of all, unlike Hunter, the presence of Doug
Gilmour would be a hip check to Don Cherry's voice. He's a good
Kingston boy too.
