The problem with the Leafs' structure isn't so much whether TL is the big boss or not ... this is a team where the assistant coaches aren't hired by the headcoach, the headcoach (or ex-headcoach now) was not hired by the GM, the assistant GM's aren't hired by the GM, the GM isn't hired by the President, and soon, once TL is replaced, we'll also have a President who's not hired by the CEO.
I can't name another organization that's structured like that, nor one that is structured like that AND can be succesful.