In what can only be called the culmination of a morass of mixed signals this week, Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment revealed on Thursday that Chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke will be leaving the organization by June 30, 2015 or “until a successor is appointed….
The former head of AEG(Anschutz Entertainment Group) joined MLSE in late June 2013 and oversaw the reorganization of Toronto FC, the hiring of Toronto Raptors GM Masai Ujiri and the addition of Brendan Shanahan as Maple Leafs Team President.
This revelation comes on the heels of rather strong denials from Leiweke Wednesday that refuted Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman report this week that he would be moving on “soon….
In a press statement released Thursday morning, Leiweke’s departure is due to interest in “owning and operating his own business following his departure from MLSE,… but reportedly other factors such as his family not enjoying the recent Toronto weather, the almost certain failure of the Tanenbaum/Rogers/Bon Jovi bid to buy the Buffalo Bills and the difficult task of managing MLSE with constant in-fighting between Bell Media and Rogers Communications.
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One of the bigger question marks next season is whether Nazem Kadri can improve after an inconsistent performance in 2013-14. The 23-year-old center scored 50 points in his first full season and is hoping to put up big numbers before becoming an arbitration-eligible restricted free agent next summer.
“One of my goals, as I mature and get stronger and (be)come more familiar with the league, I want to be one of the best players in the league. Not just on our team.… Kadri said in a phone interview on Tuesday. “ I think that’s a very realistic goal for myself. Now when that expectation is going to come is a different story.…
In an article by the National Post’s Michael Traikos , the Leafs 2009 top pick expressed his desire to supplant Tyler Bozak as the club’s first line center.
“Me and [Bozak] work well together, we’re great friends.… Kadri said. “In order for this team to be successful, we’re going to need both of us. So it’s not like you’re picking one or the other. It’s probably a 1A and 1B thing.…
Kadri scored nearly at a point-per-game pace during the lockout-shortened 2013 season, continues to be adept at drawing penalties and managed to score 20 goals for the first time, but his lack of maturity defensively and penchant for giveaways at inopportune times did not earn the confidence of Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. If Kadri hopes to achieve his lofty aspirations, his physical strength, decision making and contentiousness in his own zone will have to improve. *******If you are interested in sponsorship or advertising your business in the Greater Toronto / Southern Ontario area on this column, please send a message for more information by clicking on the “Contact… button at the top of the page.*******
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