All the best for the future, Pat

Well, it wasn't really that much of a surprise, but it is still pretty sad. With the play-offs about to start and no more hockey this year in Toronto, the Leafs fired Pat Quinn today. I guess that they needed a fall guy for the way the season ended too soon this year. It's the man on the right, John Ferguson Jr., in the picture above who should've been fired. Hopefully he'll be gone soon as well.

Quinn came in at a time when the Leafs were mediocre, to say the least, and turned them around. This is the first year the Leafs have missed the play-offs since he arrived in '98. Maybe it is time for a change, but some of the players need to take a hard look at their commitment during parts of the season past and see that they have to shoulder a lot of the blame as well.

Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, gave Ferguson a vote of confidence, saying, "John's our top hockey guy." Time will tell. If Ferguson stays then I hope that is true.

It seems that lots of people want to see Paul Maurice promoted from the Marlies to the head coaching position. That might be a good move. He did take the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2002, losing in 5 games to Detroit.

All the best for the future, Pat. I'm sure you won't be out of a job for too long.