Silver Fox to help the Gelding?

Following the public emasculation of JFJ, former Leaf executive and HHOF member Cliff Fletcher has thrown his hat into the three ring circus that is MLSE’s search for a senior consultant.

Fletcher’s first run with the Leafs started off with tremendous promise; however, like all things Toronto Maple Leafs, it ended with a whimper and left the franchise in a bit of a shambles.

Given the overwhelming success the Coyotes have experienced with Fletcher in a consulting role (the GM and much of his executive team fired, a $7.5M contract for Jovo, signing Brett Hull, a dismal draft history, the worst finish in franchise history, missing the playoffs four of the last five years…) I can certainly see why MLSE would be interested in bringing his unique vision to Toronto to assist JFJ.

Here’s a quick look at the possible new MSLE tandem:

	Cliff Fletcher	John Ferguson Junior
Nickname	Silver Fox	The Gelding*
Early hockey influences in their careers	Studied at the knee of the great Sam Pollock of the Montreal Canadiens	Roomed with Paul DiPietro with the Fredericton Canadiens
Big Decisions	Engineered blockbuster trade that brought Gilmour to Toronto	Once rented Happy Gilmore from Blockbuster
Respective teams’ winning percentage in the three years prior to their joining the organization	Phoenix 2001-2004 .548	TML 2001-2004 .585
Respective teams’ winning percentage while they were with the organization	Phoenix 2005-2007 .474	TML 2005-2007: .577
Made the playoffs…	20% - Once in five years as GM/Consultant of Phoenix	33% - Once in three years as GM
Great moments in prognostication	“draft schmaft”	"I did not anticipate a year-long [labour] stoppage…"
First and second round draft picks traded while GM of the Leafs	1st to Philadelphia 1st to NYI 2nd to Hartford 2nd to Pittsburgh (and many flips of first round picks to move up and down in the draft)	1st to NYR 1st to San Jose 2nd to NYR2nd to Phoenix 2nd to San Jose (Also dealt former first round pick Tukka Rask)
The Gretzky Connection?	Worked out a deal to make Gretzky a Leaf but was vetoed by ownsership	Still willing to consummate that deal for Gretzky if he can find cap room for Gretzky's salary demands

*not really, but I'm hoping it will catch on