Bowman turns Leafs down

[MacK_Attack 108]

Scotty Bowman has turned down the overtures of a three-year contract worth at least $6 million because he determined he couldn't, or didn't want to, work for CEO Richard Peddie.

Bowman met with Peddie and, after talking to numerous people in the hockey community, cancelled a meeting yesterday with chairman of the board Larry Tanenbaum. That cancellation ostensibly indicated he was no longer a candidate for the position of director of hockey operations or club president of the Leafs.

Previously, Bowman had publicly denied any interest in a position with the Leafs, denied meeting anyone from the Leafs, but has privately been meeting and talking with different representatives, both on the telephone and in person, for almost a month now.

Bowman, apparently, wanted to make serious changes in both the Leafs front office and coaching staff but balked when asked by Peddie if he would sign general manager John Ferguson to a new contract.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toron...291473-sun.html

[rage 24]

Wow. But can you blame him?

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

That would be like jumping onto a sinking ship.

[NeverForgetMac25 483]

It's always good to keep your options open, but aside from being extremely happy in Detroit, Bowman is too smart to try and rebuild that franchise at his age.

Sidenote: However, this is a Canadian source. I would be curious to see what not only the Detroit's media says, but nonbiased outlets as well.

[rick zombo 3,739]

But it is unsettling that Bowman denied meeting with Toronto brass, if in fact he had been.

[Opie 308]

I love Scotty for what he DID for this team, he changed this franchise, however if he left to help Toronto I would not be upset. If he wants to go through the hell of rebuilding a franchise good luck to him!!

[superstarsingh 23]

I almost want to vomit. Hearing that Bowman and the Leafs even thought about joining forces. Thank God this did not happen.

[superstarsingh 23]

I almost want to vomit. Hearing that Bowman and the Leafs even thought about joining forces. Thank God this did not happen.

[redwingfan19 293]

I almost want to vomit. Hearing that Bowman and the Leafs even thought about joining forces. Thank God this did not happen.

you can say that again

[BowmansBrain 0]

I almost want to vomit. Hearing that Bowman and the Leafs even thought about joining forces. Thank God this did not happen.

you can say that again

And Again! Thank God is right. However I must say that going after Bowman is the smartest thing the leaf organization has done in years. They are clueless over there.

[toby91_ca 620]

Looks like Bowman had some serious plans he wanted to start developing, including discussions with various folks around the NHL about coming on board, etc.

What I get from all of this is that he ultimately didn't want the job because it appeared that he would not be given the control he needed.

I'm really not sure what to think. On one hand, it appears as though the Leafs are actually trying to make changes in management and build a better team, but at the same time, it comes back to the same old crap that goes on with upper management.

[motorcitykid 42]

It would've been interesting to see Scotty hand picking guys to head the front office and coaching staff, but since Toronto is run like a damn pee-wee team, good for him he never signed. I wouldn't have been upset if he did, although we'd lose a great mind here. But i'd be more like does he know what he's getting into? Scotty and Toronto? I think he'd be doomed from the get-go simply because winning isn't important to the board that runs that team. It's strictly the bottom line, maybe a few playoff dates where they can pad their pockets, but nothing else. I mean they just gave John Ferguson an extension for christ sake's. It is indeed fun to laugh at them and their "we are hockeytown" fans though.

Edited June 26, 2007 by motorcitykid

[Hank 0]

Bowman, apparently, wanted to make serious changes in both the Leafs front office and coaching staff but balked when asked by Peddie if he would sign general manager John Ferguson to a new contract.

That right there tells you why Bowman would be horrible for the Leafs. It sounds like he has too much intellligence.

The Leafs are only interested in hiring yes men and morons. They know that they'll sell out every night even if they went 0-82 and didn't win a Cup for another 40 years.

Bringing in Bowman makes too much sense. And the fact that Peddie wants to keep JFJ around tells you that everything I said above is warrented.

The ghost of Harold Ballard lives on!

[SweWings 45]

I'd love to see some housecleaning done in Toronto but with the current management unwilling to hire someone actually capable of doing it properly I don't see the Leafs ever doing anything about it. Any success will come almost by chance than plan.

[motorcitykid 42]

That right there tells you why Bowman would be horrible for the Leafs. It sounds like he has too much intellligence.

The Leafs are only interested in hiring yes men and morons. They know that they'll sell out every night even if they went 0-82 and didn't win a Cup for another 40 years.

Bringing in Bowman makes too much sense. And the fact that Peddie wants to keep JFJ around tells you that everything I said above is warrented.

The ghost of Harold Ballard lives on!

[Darius099 0]

That would be like jumping onto a sinking ship.

What would you call him signing on with Detroit then?

Barely at the waterline at the time. And the ship had been underwater for 25 years before that.

[BringHomeTheCup! 0]

If there is anyone who could turn that franchise around, it's Bowman. I for one would be all for it. I LOVE Toronto. They are a distant second to the Wings, but still my second team. I wish they could get on the map.

[RockyMountainWingGal 108]

The guy is like 75 , and hasn't he has health problems? Enough is enough - he went out on top. Noone will ever win that many cups again as a coach. I'd be disappointed if he returned anywhere - he needs to just enjoy his semi-retirement and scout for us in his spare time.

[superstarsingh 23]

That right there tells you why Bowman would be horrible for the Leafs. It sounds like he has too much intellligence.

The Leafs are only interested in hiring yes men and morons. They know that they'll sell out every night even if they went 0-82 and didn't win a Cup for another 40 years.

Bringing in Bowman makes too much sense. And the fact that Peddie wants to keep JFJ around tells you that everything I said above is warrented.

The ghost of Harold Ballard lives on!

They LOVE failure here in Toronto. You are 100% correct, 0-82 and they would still sell out. Ignorant fans, ignorant management, ignorant organization. God I hate the Leafs.

[Opie 308]

The guy is like 75 , and hasn't he has health problems? Enough is enough - he went out on top. Noone will ever win that many cups again as a coach. I'd be disappointed if he returned anywhere - he needs to just enjoy his semi-retirement and scout for us in his spare time.

I think due to his nature he will always have a great interest in hockey. This man lived and breathed hockey for a long long time.

Anyone that is that good at what they do will always have the game in their heart, just ask Michael Jordan, or Stevie Y. These guys like Scotty cannot get the game out of their system.

[toby91_ca 620]

What would you call him signing on with Detroit then?

Barely at the waterline at the time. And the ship had been underwater for 25 years before that.

The year before Bowman came to Detroit, they finished with 103 pts (good for 5th overall), the year before that they finished with 98 pts (I think that was good for 2nd overall).

[T-Ruff 47]

Now I understand why Leaf fans are so frustrated with MLSE management.... How do you not do what it takes to hire Scotty Bowman, the greatest mind in hockey? He has an unparalleled knowledge of the game, probably would've earned a championship for Toronto within 7 years......

[vangvace 12]

But it is unsettling that Bowman denied meeting with Toronto brass, if in fact he had been.

If I remember right, didn't he say the same thing about Detroit before coming here?

[Zeke 5]

If there is anyone who could turn that franchise around, it's Bowman. I for one would be all for it. I LOVE Toronto. They are a distant second to the Wings, but still my second team. I wish they could get on the map.

You CANNOT be a Wings fan and even remotely admire the Leafs.

I teach my kids never to hate anything,except the Leafs!

[Barrie 900]

The year before Bowman came to Detroit, they finished with 103 pts (good for 5th overall), the year before that they finished with 98 pts (I think that was good for 2nd overall).

Right.... Someone needs to check Red Wings History. The Wings were one of the best teams in the league at the time Bowman took over, like you said. It should be noted too that the Wings made the Conference Finals in 1987 and 1988. Bowman was brought in to take us to the next level.

Edited June 28, 2007 by Barrie