As far as we know, the Shanaplan is a long-term plan.

Babcock was hired for 8 years.

Admittedly, we have no idea what the Shanaplan is or what was discussed prior to Babcock being hired, but I'd be willing to bet a beer or two that Babcock was not brought in here for a quick fix.

And here's the funny thing: there are no quick fixes anymore. The only option is to trade away your 1st round draft picks for talent, and the Leafs simply don't have the stomach to do that. Not after Burkie.

Sit back and get comfortable. Shanny is playing the long game here.
- Atomic Wedgie

I don't see them doing a quick fix and trading all their draft picks, but I do see them not having a firesale (or to the degree it should be done). I also don't see them tanking in the next few years which makes it harder to get those high-end prospects they so desperately need.

I was kinda thinking the same thing.
- Atomic Wedgie

And as I said before, Phaneuf isn't a bad player at all. He's simply sitting in the wrong chair at the moment.

We get the best coach on the planet. Happens to be Canadian. Head coach for Team Canada. Gives instant credibility.

And leave it to UG to have a problem with it.
- Lee Denault

so you hate playing him but love him on your team eh? i wish iggy was a leafs fan so he could troll other teams for us
- clark_griswold

if UG has the same opinion as you... you dont even need to speak.

Regular Chips ‏@GoddTill 42s42 seconds ago

There's a real cognitive dissonance going on with those who say Babcock's hiring will derail the rebuild.


*Looks at U_G JFJ*
- lumlums

now dont (frank) it up by giving a UFA clarkson money, im looking at you Matt Beleskey

I think having Reilly and Gardiner maybe take a step forward outweighs the negative in this. Maybe it gets Bernier back on track also.
- stormey

Kadri too. Babcock demands a lot of his centres so Kadri will either get better or get pushed overboard.

Yes, he was. Did anyone ever think he had a shot of making the team?
- 1979AD

Well, that's beside the point.

Widely reported by various media outlets that he is wickedly comeptitive and tanking is not in his agenda.
- JohnFergusonJr

Then he signs for 8 years with a team just starting a rebuild. Hmmmmmm. Actions or words? I'll put my money behind actions.

Well he wouldn't win the Olympics with Leafs roster

Yup. Just like Detroit did.
- Feeling Glucky?

When you can prove to me that the Leafs can draft the likes of Lidstrom, Franzen, Datsyuk and Zetterberg and so on in the 7th round, then I'll be okay with it all but somehow I doubt they can do that right now.

I like Dubas and Hunter as much as the next guy but they haven't proven they can do that in the NHL yet and it's pretty foolish to assume they can right off the bat.

Well he wouldn't win the Olympics with Leafs roster
- Landsbergfan

You are really trying to get noticed.

Well, that's beside the point.
- Pecafan Fan

No, not really. My point was that Team Canada was going to invite one Leaf to camp, and he was the best candidate.

Widely reported by various media outlets that he is wickedly comeptitive and tanking is not in his agenda.
- JohnFergusonJr

Since when does tanking = rebuilding?

You can still build a team and also develop a winning culture. All about drafting well, developing well, and having patience.

You don't need 10 straight lottery picks.

When you can prove to me that the Leafs can draft the likes of Lidstrom, Franzen, Datsyuk and Zetterberg and so on in the 7th round, then I'll be okay with it all but somehow I doubt they can do that right now.

I like Dubas and Hunter as much as the next guy but they haven't proven they can do that in the NHL yet and it's pretty foolish to assume they can right off the bat.
- JohnFergusonJr

You understand that Detroit is incredibly lucky correct?

No, not really. My point was that Team Canada was going to invite one Leaf to camp, and he was the best candidate.
- 1979AD

hmmm... what? and more importantly, why?

As far as we know, the Shanaplan is a long-term plan.

Babcock was hired for 8 years.

Admittedly, we have no idea what the Shanaplan is or what was discussed prior to Babcock being hired, but I'd be willing to bet a beer or two that Babcock was not brought in here for a quick fix.

And here's the funny thing: there are no quick fixes anymore. The only option is to trade away your 1st round draft picks for talent, and the Leafs simply don't have the stomach to do that. Not after Burkie.

Sit back and get comfortable. Shanny is playing the long game here.
- Atomic Wedgie

You make sense. You've eased my fragile mind.

Tanking is gutless and ruins the integrity of the sport. Good for Babcock.
- twiztedmike

BULLSEYE!

now dont (frank) it up by giving a UFA clarkson money, im looking at you Matt Beleskey
- DDM-Coga

Pffft. They'd never do that again. They'll sign Joel Ward instead.

Then he signs for 8 years with a team just starting a rebuild. Hmmmmmm. Actions or words? I'll put my money behind actions.
- 1979AD

He has an out after year 5 by the way.

And the team hasn't started a rebuild until they trade Kessel, Phaneuf, Bernier, JVR, Bozak and the rest of the veterans on this team.

now dont (frank) it up by giving a UFA clarkson money, im looking at you Matt Beleskey
- DDM-Coga

Agreed. I like Beleskey but he'll be overpaid by at least 1-1.5m for too many years.

Bring in a couple of solid supporting veterans to help the kids, but don't forget that we also have the youngest AHL team, and that theymanaged to get into the AHL playoffs... there are some solid pieces there who will be on the big team in a couple of years.

Gardner seems exactly the type to flourish under Babs, he has the tools, he's just dumb....

We get the best coach on the planet. Happens to be Canadian. Head coach for Team Canada. Gives instant credibility.

And leave it to UG to have a problem with it.
- Lee Denault

I'm not saying it's going to happen, but this definitely increases the odds of attracting top UFAs like Stamkos, or Tavares in a few years.

I don't see them doing a quick fix and trading all their draft picks, but I do see them not having a firesale (or to the degree it should be done). I also don't see them tanking in the next few years which makes it harder to get those high-end prospects they so desperately need.
- JohnFergusonJr

Just stop

I don't see them doing a quick fix and trading all their draft picks, but I do see them not having a firesale (or to the degree it should be done). I also don't see them tanking in the next few years which makes it harder to get those high-end prospects they so desperately need.
- JohnFergusonJr

So if I'm reading your argument correctly:

Babcock is wired to win. It's in his DNA.

Because of Babcock, the Leafs are going to embark upon a plan that deep Hockeybuzz thinkers like you and me already know is doomed to failure.

If Babcock is so smart, why are you smarter than him? Why can't he see that keeping all of the vets is an inferior path to success than building from the bottom up?

So many questions. I may need to lie down.

hmmm... what? and more importantly, why?
- Pecafan Fan

dont they need a representative.. or am i confusing that with allstar.... most likely confusing that with allstar.