May 15, 2008 | 10:25am ET
Fletcher to remain GM? TheFourthPeriod.com
The Maple Leafs search for a new GM might not be going in the direction everyone thought, as it's now believed interim GM Cliff Fletcher could spend another year at the helm, reports the Toronto Star.
Leafs management met with Dave Nonis twice this week to discuss a position with the organization.
Nonis left Toronto yesterday with a better understanding of the Leafs' plans, and is expected to meet with St. Louis Blues, a team he's already spoken to, and the Atlanta Thrashers in the near future.
According to the Star, the Leafs' apparently want Nonis to be their Assistant GM, which would allow him advice Fletcher and focus on contracts, salary caps and legal issues.
Nonis, who already has an open offer to join the Anaheim Ducks as a pro scout, is expected to return to Toronto next week.
The Star also notes of another scenario involving Ducks GM Brian Burke. If Burke fails to sign an extension with Anaheim and finds himself without a contract after next season, the paper suggests he could join the Leafs as the team's president and Nonis would take over as GM.
For now, the Leafs will continue to weigh their options, although it appears they're quite interested in Nonis joining their organization in some form.
Taking a quick break from being on the road, I thought I'd offer up my two cents on this subject. For the life of me, I wish I knew what the heck the Maple Leafs were thinking. Dave Nonis is a tremendous hockey mind and could do quite well in Toronto. When the Canucks let him go, I immediately thought the Leafs would jump all over him. And yes, they are definitely interested... but it appears they're looking to - yet again - play games. Give the man the post, give him a few yeas and let him run the team. It's hard to imagine he can make the Leafs any worse, and with a guy like Nonis leading the charge, the Leafs would definitely be on the right track.
