One constant you can always count on in the NHL, new or old, is piss poor management.

First, the Toronto Maple Leafs fall under the same spell the New York Islanders fell under and overpaid Mike Peca grossly, to the tune of $2.5mil for this upcoming season.

The same Mike Peca who scored a whopping 9 goals and 23 points in 71 games last year. The same Mike Peca that was a hair away from demanding a trade out of Edmonton. The same Mike Peca who basically quit on his team part-way through the season. Some leadership.

So, he may have 'leadership' and some decent defensive ability, but how can JFJ justify paying $2.5mil for Peca? You can get the same quality of forward, who will work just as hard, on the market for much cheaper, but apparently JFJ likes the BIG name that Peca is.

Whatever. This is just hilarious. JFJ continues to run the Leafs into the ground with his lack of ability to perceive player value. Mike Peca continues to be a me-and-my-money type of guy.

Oh, and we get the obligatory "It's not about the money!" quote

"Obviously being a Toronto kid goes without saying how big this is, but it goes deeper than that," Peca said Tuesday during a news conference. "My willingness to play in Toronto goes beyond being from Toronto, it's recognizing an organization that prides itself on wanting to win, and really taking every step necessary where they see fit to try to provide that for the fans."

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! Oh, that's good stuff!

Speaking of those New York Islanders, Neil Smith stepped down as puppet-GM after about a month on the job. Although I made the mistake of forgetting that he was hired in the first place, the crappy signings they've made in the offseason have obviously been the work of Mad Mike Milbury, who somehow still maintains control over the team despite a very length track record of absolute sucktitude. Milbury must give good blowjobs, because there is no other rational explanation for Charles Wang's loyalty to this doofus.

So, who do they get to replace Smith? A guy with experience? A guy who's good at his job?

No, they get Garth Snow.

GARTH SNOW?? The scary-looking backup goaltender with the huge lacrosse pads?

WOO!! Only on Long Island.

I spoke with Garth at length throughout the spring about the general manager's position and he really impressed me with his passion and his knowledge," said Islanders owner Charles Wang.

"When the job opened up, the choice was an easy one. Garth knows the league as well as anyone, has an eye for talent and understands how our staff works as a team. Most importantly, Garth is a man of integrity, someone I trust will work hard, be creative and represent the Islanders with dignity."

How did Charles Wang ever get to be as rich and successful in the computer world as he did? How can a man to obviously moronic get in a position to own a hockey club?

Yes, Garth Snow has lots of management experience. Oh wait, he doesn't.

Garth Snow has lots of business and management training. Oh wait, he doesn't.

Passion means nothing if you don't have the ability, and it's insulting to see a guy like Garth Snow get a premium job like this when there are about 1,000 more qualified candidates out there. Sure, Snow is just going to be a puppet, but why not do the right thing and hire somebody who can actually, I dunno, run a frickin hockey team?

I feel sorry for Isles fans, all 16 of them that are left.