Less than a year, one statically dubious playoff appearance based on 48 games and were enough to get Dave Nonis a five-year contract extension as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Nonis after the lockout. Toronto made the postseason despite abysmal shot and puck possession numbers, largely because the production of a few key forwards and the play of goaltender James Reimer.

Nonis' main moves since:
— Trading for Jonathan Bernier, , and increasing the club's cap dedication to goaltending in the process.
— Signing David Clarkson to a seven-year deal that he has minimal chance to live up to,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
— Overpaying center Tyler Bozak, who produced like a third-line center despite playing with Phil Kessel.
— Buying out Mikhail Grabovski, who had a bad offseason season largely because he was playing brutal minutes alongside fourth-liners
— Trading for center Dave Bolland,
— Signing depth defenseman Paul Ranger to a one-year contract with a no-movement clause.
The end result: Toronto is carrying the same team (built by Burke, mind you) into next season, plus some flawed, high-priced pieces that don't address any needs. Also,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], key RFAs Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson still don't have deals. If there's an upside, it's that the Leafs have less than $35 million dedicated to 10 players for the 2014-15 season.
The problem, though, is that there's no real reason to believe that the money will be used wisely. There weren't many reasons to do anything the Leafs have done, really—Nonis' extension included. Ironically enough,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], ,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], one half-season was enough to get Grabovski punted; the same timeframe was long enough to get Nonis a long-term vote of confidence.
"This extension will allow David the time to build his kind of team to produce steady results,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], year after year,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]," MLSE president Tim Leiweke said in a statement. "Everyone is excited about his ability and grasp of the NHL landscape, and today's new contract agreement will offer the Leafs consistency and a long-term vision."
There's always the chance, however small, that Clarkson and Bozak will pay off, and that Nonis will be proven right. He'll apparently have enough time to give it a chance. More than 48 games, at least—which is apparently enough time to make important decisions. Next up—contract extensions for Kessel and Dion Phaneuf. This should be fun.

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