The Star: Tim Leiweke says ripping down old photos not disrespectful

[Jackothy]

The biggest question is what is more important, building himself up, or building the team up? Personally I am a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, not the Toronto Tim Leiwekes. So I will gladly support him in trying to better the team, not matter how much he has earned the right to make a change.

And like I said before, he has earned the right to do everything within the Presidents powers. He can make any and all moves as of day 1, that's part of his job. If he sat on his hands and told Bell and Rogers he was waiting to build himself up before making changes (also please explain how you can build yourself up without doing your job? Great speeches? Handing out candy? Wearing a great suit?), he would be canned before you can say "Hanging on to history is for losers".

Ahhh, finally you say something worthwhile.

Fair point, and yes he is well within the rights of his job...I've never debated that. I also already gave you an example of how to build himself up, by moving forward with his idea about getting people in their seats. This is where I differ in opinion.

He's three weeks into a job and trying to act (or rather perhaps being portrayed as) the be-all and end-all of the Toronto Maple Leafs. What I'm saying is why should I respect him three weeks in? I don't and I don't like the approach he is taking. Is he going to care what I think of him? I sincerely doubt it. When asked if I like this guy, should I lie? Not happening. So I don't really see what the issue is here. I don't like it, you do.

I don't think this particular idea is going to make a difference and it's like he's trying to prove he's in charge. Don't dig it three weeks in, just seems tacky.

 

[MrLegend28*]

if you guys feel you are better suited for the job, go to school, and become President of the Toronto Maple Leafs and MLSE. I'm sure the extremely wealthy people at Rogers and Bell knew what they were doing.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

This is a bigger problem than the Leafs. Peddie didn't have the balls that TL is showing. Peddie also didn't hold any accountability for winning with MLSE; just building condos and keeping the teachers happy.

Burke and TL have completely different roles. The only similarities between the two are the attitudes to go against the grain. One built a hockey team, the other was brought in to turn around an entire sports corporation.

There IS a difference. And at least the LEAFS management has someone who DOESN'T mess around to answer to.

Spot on.

 

[charliolemieux]

He's had the job how long?

I don't know about you but since when did "the fanbase" hate Burke and wanted him fired? The day of, it caught everyone off guard. Don't see what this has to do with the fans.

Where the **** have you been? LMAO

the only real argument the anti-Burke crowd has had has been his pompous ******* personality.

WEll this clown is twice that but people are falling all over themselves to kiss timmy's ass.

We got rid of the better HOCKEY mind and brought in a BUSINESS mind. But they are the same Apples from the same tree.

But people are lapping this **** up where they wanted to hang Burke. ****ing joke.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

I hope you aren't comparing the 2.

If you can give me a logical, tangible reason for removing photos, I'm all ears. Anyone that is gullible enough to believe removing them leads to success, well I've got some swamp land to sell you. You want accountability, bench people who deserve it no matter what their name. Make people earn spots. Think hard about giving out franchise contracts to middling players. Don't sign your in laws to contracts. But yeah, removing your history.....that's where it's at.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

if you guys feel you are better suited for the job, go to school, and become President of the Toronto Maple Leafs and MLSE. I'm sure the extremely wealthy people at Rogers and Bell knew what they were doing.

Rogers has an extremely long history of producing very crappy product.

 

[Jackothy]

Oh I understand exactly what you are saying, but it is so convoluted and twisted it makes no sense. You want someone, whose job it is to make changes to prove himself before he is allowed to make changes. Think about that for a minute.

I don't think you do understand. I want for him to be around for a while before he's considered the face of the leafs. I want for him to make some small decisions before he makes one so huge. I want him to meet the team before he's considered in the media as the leader of the team. I want him to try and earn respect and trust from the fans rather than just signing his name and being God (though essentially he is). I know you think differently. It's cool, I'm over it.

 

[mapleleaf979]

Does anybody actually like this guy?

Cant stand him. He seems like an over confident jerk. He seems to crave attention with his actions like Burke did. Leaf fans are obsessed with everything and he will get attention easily to fuel his massive ego.

Taking the pictures down is a HUGE SLAP IN THE FACE for the History of the Maple Leafs. Disgusted with him. The parade route mapping? Grow up.

 

[The_Chosen_One]

Kessel will become a elite playmaking winger. No longer will be obsessed with the prototypical playmaking centre.

 

[htpwn]

Well when you call it "ripping down" old photos it makes it sound that way.

But I understand where he's coming from. He's trying to remove the sense that the old Leafs' were some mythical team that can't be matched by any mere mortal players in today's game. Obviously we want to be proud of their history and retain a lot of it, but he wants the players to start defining their own team.

I can understand that as well, but I think he's going about it the wrong way.

The past is undoubtedly a burden that players have to bear but it is one they should learn to bear, not avoid. We are the most historic franchise in the NHL (**** the Habs). This franchise means a tremendous deal to the city and the sense of history is strong among its fan base. You aren't going to get Leafs fans to stop talking about Doug Gilmour just because you take down some pictures or stop some pre-game ceremonies.

Other Leaf teams have managed to build strong identities of their own with history front and centre in the Hallways. The Bay Street Bullies. The Pat Burns Leafs, who had the added pressure of playing on Maple Leaf Garden ice, as opposed to the cookie-cutter Air Canada Centre. There is no reason why this team shouldn't be able to and if it is truly an issue, then you have to wonder whether this group of players have the fortitude to play in Toronto.

 

[Bedards Dad]

I don't think you do understand. I want for him to be around for a while before he's considered the face of the leafs. I want for him to make some small decisions before he makes one so huge. I want him to meet the team before he's considered in the media as the leader of the team. I want him to try and earn respect and trust from the fans rather than just signing his name and being God (though essentially he is). I know you think differently. It's cool, I'm over it.

He is not making himself the face of the Leafs, the media is. He has very little say in what the media is going to print and if he refuses to comment, well that would just be a **** storm. I am all for giving a guy doing a bad job a hard time, but this guy is just doing his job and in no way hurting MLSE, which is his number 1 priority.

 

[Bedards Dad]

If you can give me a logical, tangible reason for removing photos, I'm all ears. Anyone that is gullible enough to believe removing them leads to success, well I've got some swamp land to sell you. You want accountability, bench people who deserve it no matter what their name. Make people earn spots. Think hard about giving out franchise contracts to middling players. Don't sign your in laws to contracts. But yeah, removing your history.....that's where it's at.

When TL can start being players then you may have a point. And you think he won't be sending down pressure to make people accountable? He isn;t some hack, he has done this before.

Now will removing the photos make us win the cup, probably not, but it could create some drive for the players. It is now their team, not Johnny Bowers team. You have to own it if you ever want to be good at anything. At very worst all this does is make the place look a little less cluttered. It's not like he is burning the pictures while dancing naked in a field. If you think he came in just to take some pictures down and leave it at that, well I don;t know what to say. This man is a train professional and a very proven one at that, I'm more than confident he has a better idea than some keyboard warrior (including myself). I'm just willing to let him make his choices and if he crashes and burns, then I will rip on him.

 

[1995]

Smear ***** on the walls of the ACC, I don't ********** care! Give us a GOD DAMN cup!!! It's been a billion years and we're a laughing stock. The loyalty of Leafs nation needs to be rewarded.

 

[Stephen]

Now will removing the photos make us win the cup, probably not, but it could create some drive for the players. It is now their team, not Johnny Bowers team. You have to own it if you ever want to be good at anything. At very worst all this does is make the place look a little less cluttered. It's not like he is burning the pictures while dancing naked in a field. If you think he came in just to take some pictures down and leave it at that, well I don;t know what to say. This man is a train professional and a very proven one at that, I'm more than confident he has a better idea than some keyboard warrior (including myself). I'm just willing to let him make his choices and if he crashes and burns, then I will rip on him.

Vehemently disagree. If you put on that uniform, you belong to all the "boring" history young people are too busy to learn today whether you like it or not. If I were a hockey player, I'd find it way more compelling to know I was wearing a historic jersey and carrying the mantle of some past greats and that when the team has success, it falls into a long tradition of it.

At the end of the day, we don't need players who shy away from the Leaf experience. We need guys who want to be the next George Armstrong or Dave Keon or whomever. If there are guys who want to play for a generic team with no past, there's lots of them out there, and the sooner they leave the better.

TL has a very poor understanding of this historic brand.

 

[TootooTrain]

Some people are assuming EVERY picture and poster will be taken down. Jumping to conclusions in the developmental stages of a concept. That's so toronto.

An excerpt that wasn't included in the OP. Sounds more than reasonable as long as it's a trim.

“I think we could use our history and our tradition to build a legacy. But I think at the end of the day if we want to win a Cup, what we’re going to have to do is we’re going to have to find a team that wants to be the guys in those pictures as we walk down the hallway.

“That’s all that was meant to do. And if I said it in an improper way or did something to offend people, I absolutely apologize. That’s not what I’m trying to do.”

 

[Stephen]

Some people are assuming EVERY picture and poster will be taken down. Jumping to conclusions in the developmental stages of a concept. That's so toronto.

An excerpt that wasn't included in the OP. Sounds more than reasonable as long as it's a trim.

How about the players focus on achieving success that warrants having their photos put up on a wall somewhere?

 

[TootooTrain]

How about the players focus on achieving success that warrants having their photos put up on a wall somewhere?

I love comments like this.

 

[Porn*]

he's yet to do anything good or bad. too early to judge.

he's definitely bold and I don't have a problem with big changes, sometimes its necessary even if it comes off as abrasive.

 

[Mindrust]

Does anybody actually like this guy?

I love the guy. Support him all the way. He's right in making these changes.

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

When TL can start being players then you may have a point. And you think he won't be sending down pressure to make people accountable? He isn;t some hack, he has done this before.

Now will removing the photos make us win the cup, probably not, but it could create some drive for the players. It is now their team, not Johnny Bowers team. You have to own it if you ever want to be good at anything. At very worst all this does is make the place look a little less cluttered. It's not like he is burning the pictures while dancing naked in a field. If you think he came in just to take some pictures down and leave it at that, well I don;t know what to say. This man is a train professional and a very proven one at that, I'm more than confident he has a better idea than some keyboard warrior (including myself). I'm just willing to let him make his choices and if he crashes and burns, then I will rip on him.

So to summarize, you were unable to come up with anything logical/tangible. That's pretty much what I figured.

Taking 16 years to win more than one playoff round seems to impress some more than others.

 

[Yosho]

Where the **** have you been? LMAO

the only real argument the anti-Burke crowd has had has been his pompous ******* personality.

WEll this clown is twice that but people are falling all over themselves to kiss timmy's ass.

We got rid of the better HOCKEY mind and brought in a BUSINESS mind. But they are the same Apples from the same tree.

But people are lapping this **** up where they wanted to hang Burke. ****ing joke.

Again, Burke and TL have two completely different roles. One didn't replace the other.

 

[Metal God]

Does anybody actually like this guy?

I like him.

 

[Bedards Dad]

So to summarize, you were unable to come up with anything logical/tangible. That's pretty much what I figured.

Taking 16 years to win more than one playoff round seems to impress some more than others.

Your argument.

Pictures = Stanley Cup Banners : TL = Ballard

Please enlighten us how TL s going to ruin MLSE the way Ballard ruined the Leafs. What a joke.

 

[Daisy Jane]

if you guys feel you are better suited for the job, go to school, and become President of the Toronto Maple Leafs and MLSE. I'm sure the extremely wealthy people at Rogers and Bell knew what they were doing.

what would one need to take?
I would totally go back to become President! (mahuauahuahauhauha).

 

[Future]

Where the **** have you been? LMAO

the only real argument the anti-Burke crowd has had has been his pompous ******* personality.

WEll this clown is twice that but people are falling all over themselves to kiss timmy's ass.

We got rid of the better HOCKEY mind and brought in a BUSINESS mind. But they are the same Apples from the same tree.

But people are lapping this **** up where they wanted to hang Burke. ****ing joke.

It's clear you have not a clue what you're talking about. First off, Burke was the president and GM of the Leafs, TL is the president of MLSE. Of course Leiweke is a business mind. Next, I will say again you have no clue what you're talking about. Burke was brash, arrogant, and stubborn. He would constantly pick battles with the media. TL is just simply a confident man with a dream. Hes trying to change the culture of these sorry ass loser franchise (leafs, raptors, and FC). Just because he's in the media a lot recently doesn't mean he's the same as Burke.

God some people have no clue at all.

I mean, he's already done great things for the Raptors. As soon as he came on, he fired the cursed Colangelo, and got the executive of the year out of Denver to come be Toronto's new GM who's done a good job so far. They are now changing the culture of the raptors and trying to make them Canada's team like the Jays. I mean Ujiri got assets back for Bargnani ffs who people thought that he was going to be amnestied.

The guy is good at what he does.