JFJ Receives a Passing Grade

From David Shoalts at the Globe and Mail:

Any doubt about John Ferguson's immediate future as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs ended Wednesday when the board of directors of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment approved his plans for the team for next season.

Ferguson and Leafs head coach Paul Maurice made a presentation Wednesday afternoon to the board, although MLSE president Richard Peddie declined to give any details. All he would say is that the directors approved their plans and that Ferguson will be around for the final year of his contract.

"[Ferguson] and Paul Maurice came in and presented to the board what they wanted to do over the next year," Peddie said. "John's contract did not come up. He is under contract for another year. He is not going any where."

Speculation had been rampant in recent weeks that Ferguson had to impress the board, as there was talk MLSE chairman Larry Tanenbaum and a couple of other directors were unhappy enough with the Leafs' second consecutive finish out of the National Hockey League playoffs that they were talking to potential replacements for Ferguson.

Peddie said that all the board was interested in at Wednesday's meeting was Ferguson's plan for developing talent and acquiring new players through trades and free agency.

"It was a private meeting, so it really makes no sense to say any more than that," Peddie said.

Ferguson was not immediately available for comment.