Fletcher to remain as Leafs GM

Richard Peddie all but removed Cliff Fletcher’s "interim" general manager tag today, saying the Maple Leafs had begun shifting their search for a new hockey executive to “the robust free agent class” of executives in the summer of 2009.

Peddie, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., and one half of the GM search committee with sports lawyer Gord Kirke, was asked if their task was now on the back burner, with Fletcher set to make every key decision pertaining to the 2008-'09 NHL season.

“Gord and I did the due diligence, did analysis, spoke to a number of people and a trend developed that the best people are already signed,” Peddie told Sun Media. “There have been reports that we’ve contacted people seeking permission ... We’ve said all along that we’d be patient.

“At this stage, it definitely looks like it will take longer, maybe until next spring.”
The name most associated with the job of course is Anaheim Ducks’ general manager Brian Burke, who has been unable to wiggle out of the last year of his contract.

“Much like free agency with players, there is a robust free agent class of executives (in 2009),” Peddie said.

That would include Burke, but not Ken Holland and Jim Nill, the two men at the top of the Detroit Red Wings, which Peddie and Kirke call the model franchise for the Leafs.

Without mentioning Burke, Peddie said the Leafs have abided by league rules on tampering with execs under contract.

“From the moment we started the search, Gord met with (NHL commissioner) Gary Bettman and (deputy) Bill Daly,” Peddie said. “We’re the Leafs, of course they’re going to look at what we do. But we’ve been (careful).”

Peddie agreed the rush to bring someone in for this season has passed. Fletcher has hired an A-list coach in Ron Wilson and within three weeks, the junior draft, contract buyouts and the best free agents will all be settled.

“I don’t go around addressing Cliff as interim GM and I wouldn’t put that title on his business card,” Peddie said with a laugh. “There was no guarantee we could get the person we wanted and that’s the luxury of having Cliff here (on a 19-month contract expiring next summer).

“I read that Cliff’s supposedly campaigning for the full-time job, but he’s told me he plans to be touring Italy by next summer.”

Fletcher was certainly in command mode this week, hiring Wilson, announcing he wants a new player personnel director to replace Mike Penny and another hockey executive to join Jeff Jackson and Doug Gilmour. The Wings’ current operation features Jim Devellano as senior vice-president, Holland as VP and GM, Steve Yzerman as VP and Jim Nill as assistant GM.

Fletcher, hardly a novice at running a hockey team, has insisted he can’t let hockey business idle while the search committee is tied up and Peddie defended himself against charges of back-tracking on big talk that his hockey guru would have autonomy in all hirings.

“In business, a new president will often come in and inherit the vice-president and those under him,” Peddie said. “A good example might be Ron Wilson, who has impeccable credentials and would be (valued) by anyone coming in.”