Potential candidates for the Maple Leafs' general manager job are first trying to clarify the puzzling chain of command in the team's front office and the bizarre arrangement that sees Pat Quinn, the outgoing GM, sitting on the three-man search committee that will select his successor and eventual boss.

"A lot of people have asked me about who Pat reports to and Pat's role and my role," said Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president Richard Peddie yesterday. "They've asked a lot of questions."

"It is different," Peddie said of Quinn's part in the process. "But it's not going to stand in the way of the ultimate decision."

Peddie, contrary to what has often been reported, said Quinn "does not have a veto" to reject a potential hire. And when that man is in place, Quinn will drop to the bottom of the management totem pole befitting his role as coach. He will report to the new GM, who will in turn report to Peddie. 

Peddie made the comments while an in-studio guest on The Fan radio station yesterday as he fielded questions from callers, many of whom were clearly frustrated by the hockey team's inability or reluctance to spend the money that might lift them from playoff team to legitimate Stanley Cup contender.

However, the head man at MLSE also said — in direct contradiction to what Quinn has been stating publicly — that the team is not necessarily finished spending money on players and that the team would be among the league's leading spenders when rosters were set.

They finished fifth in spending last year with a payroll of about $65 million (U.S.) and Peddie expects them to be ranked at least that high this season.

"We're not finished (spending) this year. We've got six weeks to go (before training camp)," he said. "We're not finished yet. I think you're going to see more action in the off-season and look what we did at the trade deadline."

But don't look for the Leafs to bring back Curtis Joseph, the $8-million goaltender the Red Wings have said they might put on waivers now that Dominik Hasek has unretired.

"I don't think we need a goalie," he said. 

In regards to the GM search, Peddie said he has begun the process of paring the list of candidates but "it's not as short as I like because there are so many good candidates. It's kind of a mid-size short list."

Peddie said he has had "phone conversations with candidates" for the GM job and again vowed to have him in place by the start of the season.

Peddie, Quinn and MLSE vice-chairman Ken Dryden have been charged with coming up with the new general manager. The Leafs have received permission to speak to St. Louis Blues assistant general manager John Ferguson Jr. and Vancouver director of player personnel Steve Tambellini.

Others who might be in consideration for the Toronto post include Colin Campbell, Neil Smith, Glenn Healy, Craig Button, Dean Lombardi, Ray Shero and Mike Murphy.

As for Quinn's penchant for publicly contradicting what others in the organization are saying, Peddie said he and Quinn "are on the same page."