Leafs Out, Islanders In

It looks like the loss of Rick DiPeitro for the Islanders was not enough to put them out of the playoffs. The Islanders pulled off a 3-2 shootout win over the Devils in New Jersey. While watching the game on TSN, the game looked to be in the hands of the Islanders all night long. When Richard Park scored the Islanders second goal with a quick wrist-shot, I knew the game was over and the Leafs would not being on the "quest for the Cup" in the 2007 campaign. When I eventually turned the TV back on to see how the game finished, I felt let down, as once again the Leafs would not make the playoffs, but also angry at Lou Lamoriello for not putting Martin Brodeur in net. However, now, after a few hours too cool down, maybe having Clemmensen in net for the Devils was a blessing in disguise. Why? Had the Leafs clinched that final 8th spot, they would be facing the Buffalo Sabres; a team which the Leafs play hard against, but still only won 3 of the 8 games against them during the regular season. The second reason is now the Toronto media and Leaf fans can begin to call for the head(s) of some of the brass over at MLSE. First on the block will no doubt be Leafs GM John Ferguson Jr. In fact, Steve Simmons at the Toronto Sun as already written a piece about JFJ's future. The rock begins to roll. Next, the management at MLSE, Richard Peddie and Larry Tanebaum, will be scrutinized for their complacency and possibly compared to Harold Ballard - running a team that will never win, because you know the fans will show up and fill the ACC. The Leafs not making the playoffs for the second time in a row and never since the lockout could put some power back into the hands of those die-hard Leaf fans, who want to see changes. I hate to sound repetitive, but again, all we can do is wait.

Questions in the off-season:
The Future of Mats Sundin: Will the Leafs pick up the option on his contract, will the Leafs try to get a new deal done, or will Sundin be elsewhere next October?
John Ferguson Jr: Was Leafs management expecting this outcome, hence the reason for the one-year contract extension inked back in November, was it basically Peddie taking care of JFJ in case is in unsuccessful in 2007?
The Blue Line: With over $16 million tied up in 3 defencemen, can the (new?) GM do anything to unlock this handcuff on the point?

I am positive more questions will arise in the off-season, but don't worry I will still maintain this blog throughout the off-season, so I look forward to see what the future has in store!