One of these things is not like the other...

...One of these things just isn't the same

Man, talk about a game of broken telephone. Keeping track of the Leafs final signings through the sports pages is like trying to watch Rashomon after having a few too many. Actually, it's more like listening to teenagers discuss who likes whom more...

Here's what three of the big four had to say on July 14, 2007 about impending changes to the Leafs roster. (The Subscription-required Post filed on Leaf prospects learning to cook - good thing that story's only for paid subscribers...)

Peca

According to the Globe, "Don Meehan, the agent for Peca, has been waiting to hear back from Ferguson after Peca expressed his interest last week in playing for the Leafs."

This is the same message carried in the Star "John Ferguson has not spoken with Peca's agent Don Meehan in more than a week."

The Sun is a bit disingenious with their coverage of Peca, stating rather obtusely - "Ferguson, meanwhile, said the club remains in talks with Michael Peca."

I guess it all depends on what your definition of "talks" is. Mine would be actually talking.

Lindros

The Globe goes headline and sub-head with the news, "Lindros ready to change address: Free-agent forward looks around after Leafs won't budge from offer" this is the angle that the Sun is in total agreement with, "there is little chance of Eric Lindros returning if he wants to be paid more than $750,000."

The scribes at 1 Yonge Street get a bit creative with their sub-head stating, "Lindros could also be back in T.O. for $1 million a year." While that sub-head is literally true, it doesn't exactly capture the apparent state of negotiations between the two sides. By the Star's logic, Lindros could also be back in T.O. if the Leafs paid him half of Edie Belfour's Billion dollar offer.

Allison

Everyone agrees the new NHL is all about speed, so it makes perfect sense to sign Allison. I guess this guy wasn't available.

If Allison was a gangster they'd have to hold a vote to narrow down his mobster handle, there are just too many possibilities: "Molasses"; "Cement Boots"; "the Zamboni"; "Dead Snail"; "The Tranquilized Sloth"; "Wet Greens" (ok, that last one kinda sucked) but seriously, is there a slow joke that doesn't apply to this guy? Here's one: if Allison raced Bengie Molina you'd need a calendar to time them. Ugh.

The Globe reports that the "Leafs still have mild interest in Jason Allison..." The Sun is pretty mum on this one: "Talks with Jason Allison continue.." while the Star states that "the team is closer to re-signing Jason Allison and Eric Lindros...Allison, in particular, is lobbying very hard to make a return to the Leafs after scoring 60 points last season" but the best part of the article (a must-read, really) is the wonderfully detailed six paragraphs on why signing Allison doesn't make any sense.

If I were in JFJ's shoes, I'd be looking at teams that are having cap issues (hello New Jersey!) and trying to figure out how to move some of the Leafs cheap, young D prospects for a younger forward who can help the Leafs score in five-on-five situations.

No Man's Land

I'm not sure what to make of the current composition of the Leafs.

Defensively, I can't recall the last time the Leafs could ice a top 4 that compares with this year's group.

Up front, well let's just say there are some serious gaps.

The short-term success of this club is clearly going to come down to their ability to compete better in five on five situations. The Leafs definately need to find some players that can generate offense outside of special team situations if they're going to have any success.

Considering the challenge facing the composition of the Leafs' forwards, I wonder if JFJ may have mis-allocated his prime trade bait in the Raycroft deal. Given the absolute over-supply of goalies on the market and the complete lack of impact forwards that are available, it likely would have made more sense for the club to deal Rask (or combine Rask in a package) for a forward and scoop a goalie off the free agency/fallen starter/disgruntled player pile.

JFJ's activities since the trade deadline made me think of this Billy Beane quote from a Fast Company interview:

"The key," Beane says, "is identifying the moment" -- the time when continued success with incremental change has become impossible, when you have to cast off existing talent and start fresh.

"The worst is when you try to do it halfway: when you think you can compete and you also think you're trying to rebuild. Then you're stuck in no-man's-land. You either do it or you don't."

I have a bad feeling we're stuck in no-man's land...hopefully, JFJ will do something with the forward corps and prove me wrong.