from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun,

How did it all end up going so wrong for John Ferguson Jr.?

It is a question he himself must address with some honesty and some distance if he hopes to work again as a National Hockey League general manager.

Ferguson’s run—five-years, one lockout and parts of four seasons—was long enough for him to have every opportunity to succeed with the Maple Leafs. But he stumbled in his introductory press conference and that foreshadowed the hockey seasons that would follow.

continued

added 7:02am, from Howard Berger of Fan590,

And, though almost all of the momentum is on the side of Fletcher returning, the deal must clear some important hurdles. They include:

*A monetary provision that will allow Fletcher to virtually off-set the $300,000 salary he is still earning, this season and next, from the Phoenix Coyotes.

*A deal without the so-called ”interim” tag. Though every person hired by a hockey team is essentially on an interim arrangement, it is believed Fletcher has little enthusiasm for a short-term fix. He is looking to assume a presidential-type role, with full authority to hire the next general manager of the Maple Leafs.

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