Holland already went public and said he has no interest in leaving detroit at all. So did assistant g.m jim nill, who toronto also showed interest in, and jimmy develano as well... the only one that wanted to go if the price was right and if he would have all the power was bowman, but toronto turned him down....
People forget burke also went public, saying something like, and i'm paraphrasing here, ,,,, " why won't people stop with the rumours? I love anaheim, my family loves it here, everything is going great, the money is excellent, i have no interest in going to toronto"?
Let me tell you what I think the problem is and why toronto will be fortunate if even cliff fletcher stays on after this year, let alone burke or especially holland. The toronto Maple Leafs are just one piece of a multi billion dollar puzzle,, mlse ... they are run by a board of governors that has no intention of EVER letting somebody come in and make major decisions without clearing it with them.... end of story
Prominent general managers are not going to leave prosperous and successful positions where they have all the power in the world to go to toronto. Would you?? They will be hounded every single day by the most aggessive media in hockey. They will be held responsible by everybody involved yet not have the ability to make the decisions that will help the franchise succeed....
Being a religious follower of the redwings, I know a few things. I know that holland does as he pleases at all times. He only consults with ilitch in regards to finances, if necesssary, but ilitch NEVER tells him what to do. I haven't even heard of one potential move vetoed by ilitch in years. The only exception was when bowman considered trading stevey yzerman years and years ago.......... ilitch told him to shut up and that was it,, but other then that, holland does as he pleases.
Now, there is something that can change all of the above. Rumours had it a billionaire , I forget exactly who now but it wasn't a secret, was talking to lawyers and banks about putting an offer in for mlse... if that happens, and it could considering the investors would be more then doubling their original investment, then all bets are off. A new owner with billions in investment would very likely not only pay holland handsomely but also give him full reigns.....
I will continue to pray that doesn't happen . Although the wings have an unreal foundation and a team of experts that would help the next gm greatly I would hate to see holland leave......
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