At most company quarterly meetings, you will hear a long list of executives at a podium speaking about the organisations rosy financial future. I’m sure Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is no different. There is no doubt their economic future does look bright. But with over a quarter of the NHL season now in the books, the on-ice side of the business appears darker with each performance. And now, as if being amongst the leagues bottom feeders wasn’t bad enough, CEO Richard Peddie yesterday told the Toronto Sun that it is was a mistake hiring GM John Ferguson Jr. four seasons ago. Since the team has gotten steadilly worse since Fergusons arrival, Peddie was doing nothing but stating the obvious. Firing Ferguson should, and will happen, but it shouldn’t stop there. This front office needs an entire overhaul and it should start from the very top.

While the Leafs limp through the early part of the season, I can already hear mounting frustration and discontent from the realistic faction of the Leaf Nation. However, their anger isn’t all directed at the feet of the Leafs’ management and players. There are plenty of fingers being pointed the way of a rival faction inside the team’s own fan base. This adversary of the realistic fan is as much a part of the Leafs’ mediocrity as the board of governers itself. These are the delusional fans, who, no matter how poorly the team plays, will not say a word of critisism. They will continue to fill the ACC and spend their hard-earned money on overpriced jerseys, not realizing they are contributing to the Stanley Cup drought they want so badly to end; while at the same condemning the realistic fan if he or she shows any dissent. If you are one of these delusional fans, ask yourself this:”If you owned a business that was making record profits, why would you spend the money to improve it?” Now, it is a free country, and you have the right to be whatever kind of fan you choose to be. But, if you are part of this delusional group, you don’t have the right to lament on the lack of wins, you can only share in the blame.

Four games does not make a season. But early on in the campaign there is an alarming trend that must have even the most fervent members of the Leafs nation concerned. In a time when power plays are handed out like candy on Halloween, the Leafs are not scoring on their opportunities. The Leafs were pasted last night 7-1 by a balanced Hurricanes team that was driven by four goals while being a man up. Conversly, the Buds scored only their second power play goal of the season en route to losing their third of four games. It is crucial for teams that are not as offensively gifted to capatilize when they have their opponents short-handed. The Leafs fit this mold. After just four games this is certainly not an epitaph, but a slow start last season contributed to the Leafs missing the playoffs. So, with eight of their first ten games at home, wins are imperative. Power play goals would go a long way to assist in getting those wins.

The Dallas Cowboys ripped the hapless Rams on Sunday and once again quarterback Tony Romo was front and centre. Romo is quickly proving himself to be a top level player. Now in his second season as a starter, he is putting up Pro Bowl type numbers. He is also demanding the kind of money that matches those numbers. Reports circling around the league has Romo, who is a free agent at the end of the season, asking for 34.5 million in guaranteed money via his agent, Tom Condon. Although it sounds outrageous, consider that the Raiders first overall draft pick JeMarcus Russell received 32 million in guaranteed money before taking one NFL snap. That’s more guaranteed than Peyton Manning got in his deal. With rookies making this kind of money, it makes it hard for NFL capologists to find the bucks to spend on the players that have proven themselves as pros. The league needs to cap rookie spending and redistribute that money to the veteran players who have earned it. As for the Cowboys, signing Romo should be their first priority—just ask the Bears and Falcons what it’s like not having a competent quarterback.

It was recently announced that the San Fransisco Giants are severing ties with slugger Barry Bonds. During his 15 seasons with the Giants, Bonds hit 586 home runs and won 5 MVPs. He also became one of the most vilified athletes in the history of sport. Bonds has been front and centre in the steroid scandal that has dogged baseball for the past few years. Many believe he used steroids to transform himself into the hulking player we now know. This, despite having never testing positive for steroid use. Steroids aside, his relationship with the media has forged his image more than any other factor. The sports media has painted a not so pretty picture of Bonds; one that a countless number of fans have attached themselves to: Believing anything they hear about the man they love to hate. With Bonds doing very little to change this surly portrait, he will always remain a polarizing figure. Whether his image is based on fact or fiction, his astonishing numbers cannot be denied.