Yeah my point really is that none of us really has an idea of how any coach is doing his job because so much of the results are based on context and most of the job is behind closed doors. Just found it funny how so many people became ardent fans of other coaches when it's so hard to judge. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
- Zezel

I think Babs deserves some criticism but I do agree that GMs know so much more than we do.

Dubas just did not seem happy about the coaching staff...maybe I misinterpreted it.

And Keefe has done an amazing job with the Marlies, with his knowledge of all of the Marlies coming up AND the ones that graduated to the Leafs it’s intriguing.

I for one would applaud Dubas for being bold. I loved it when the Raptors traded Derozen and fired their COY.

You have to wonder if players get into the mindset of “this is all going to happen again each year” when you have the same makeup.

Look at Carolina, Peters is a good coach but he just couldn’t get them anywhere AFTER building their players into good players and playing the right way. They brought in Rod and he’s taken that team to the next level.

Gawd, I hope they panic and do something stupid.
- Atomic Wedgie

They didn't get where they are by doing stupid things, but then again the Leafs didn't either.

Bracco is good, I think people are doing the same thing with him as Kapanen and Johnnson.

Bracco IMO, looks better than Kap and Johnnson did in their Marlie seasons.

As for Korshkov, he looked good in his first game. If Babcock is still around he will be salivating over him.
- Santo_44

I've been saying it since he was in the OHL. It takes him a season to get used to the league he's playing in, and in his second season he dominates.

Now, he might not/probably won't dominate the NHL in his second season but he'll be a lot better and a really good player.

I think Babs deserves some criticism but I do agree that GMs know so much more than we do.

Dubas just did not seem happy about the coaching staff...maybe I misinterpreted it.

And Keefe has done an amazing job with the Marlies, with his knowledge of all of the Marlies coming up AND the ones that graduated to the Leafs it’s intriguing.

I for one would applaud Dubas for being bold. I loved it when the Raptors traded Derozen and fired their COY.

You have to wonder if players get into the mindset of “this is all going to happen again each year” when you have the same makeup.

Look at Carolina, Peters is a good coach but he just couldn’t get them anywhere AFTER building their players into good players and playing the right way. They brought in Rod and he’s taken that team to the next level.
- Santo_44

It was hard to parse Dubas' comments because 'everyone gets evaluated all the time' is the Leafs' party line and a very safe comment. I didn't really expect him to come out and say Mike is our guy.

It's pretty great that they have a strong farm system to draw from if they have to, that's new and exciting.

I've been saying it since he was in the OHL. It takes him a season to get used to the league he's playing in, and in his second season he dominates.

Now, he might not/probably won't dominate the NHL in his second season but he'll be a lot better and a really good player.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I hate when people judge a junior player for being raw. They are all raw prospects

He will be good IMO. I’m excited to see what he does. I think he’s going to be dynamite on the PP next season.

It was hard to parse Dubas' comments because 'everyone gets evaluated all the time' is the Leafs' party line and a very safe comment. I didn't really expect him to come out and say Mike is our guy.

It's pretty great that they have a strong farm system to draw from if they have to, that's new and exciting.
- Zezel

After all the heat Babcock got if Dubas was planning on sticking with him for sure he would of said something.

He’s just going to let the media jump all over him for the next month or so? Great start to his summer

I think you can certainly take from his comments that he wasn’t happy and hasn’t made a decision yet.

Dubas tweets and retweets all the time that he doesn’t give a (frank) what people think of him. He will make decisions based on what’s best for the team not what might get him some heat.

After all the heat Babcock got if Dubas was planning on sticking with him for sure he would of said something.

He’s just going to let the media jump all over him for the next month or so? Great start to his summer

I think you can certainly take from his comments that he wasn’t happy and hasn’t made a decision yet.

Dubas tweets and retweets all the time that he doesn’t give a (frank) what people think of him. He will make decisions based on what’s best for the team not what might get him some heat.
- Santo_44

On the other hand maybe he learned after Nylander never to publicly guarantee anything, who knows.

On the other hand maybe he learned after Nylander never to publicly guarantee anything, who knows.
- Zezel

You back up your guy.

He did not and now Babs is facing some heat. He’s one selfish man if that’s the case.

Although I am the first to point out that London has certain advantages, you still have to give Hunter credit for the job he did there.

I was the first guy to point out that Hunter’s drafting record sucks, but to suggest he has no hockey resume is absurd.

If he is interviewed for a GM position, that speaks for itself.
- Atomic Wedgie

Pierre Maguire interviewed for GM positions..pierre mother(frank)ing Maguire!!!

You back up your guy.

He did not and now Babs is facing some heat. He’s one selfish man if that’s the case.
- Santo_44

It'll be interesting to see if Babs makes adjustments if he stays on then for sure. Maybe Dubas' comments meant exactly that, Babs will have to make a case for himself in the offseason.

The Leafs could potentially have 2 or 3 rookies on D next year.

Can a coach be traded to another team without being fired by the first team?

Them bunch of Jerks are on a roll.

I think Babs deserves some criticism but I do agree that GMs know so much more than we do.

Dubas just did not seem happy about the coaching staff...maybe I misinterpreted it.

And Keefe has done an amazing job with the Marlies, with his knowledge of all of the Marlies coming up AND the ones that graduated to the Leafs it’s intriguing.

I for one would applaud Dubas for being bold. I loved it when the Raptors traded Derozen and fired their COY.

You have to wonder if players get into the mindset of “this is all going to happen again each year” when you have the same makeup.

Look at Carolina, Peters is a good coach but he just couldn’t get them anywhere AFTER building their players into good players and playing the right way. They brought in Rod and he’s taken that team to the next level.
- Santo_44

I would diagree with you on this. Peters had an out in his contract and he might seen the writing on wall with the new owner coming in and desided to bolt.
Ron Francis did a job puting this team togther before being let go.

I’m a big Keefe fan, always wanted him to get hired by the Leafs but I’m not sure throwing Babs away is the right answer at the moment. JMO
- Garnie

I think babs comes back and keefe will be one of his assistants. The asst coaches will be fired, babs is forced to take keefe and he can select the other asst coach.

Changes need to occur.

The Leafs could potentially have 2 or 3 rookies on D next year.

Can a coach be traded to another team without being fired by the first team?

Them bunch of Jerks are on a roll.
- dmnted

It was a great year for the leafs not to have blown it in the first round.
But.
Of course they did.

The Leafs could potentially have 2 or 3 rookies on D next year.

Can a coach be traded to another team without being fired by the first team?

Them bunch of Jerks are on a roll.
- dmnted

Yes they sure beat up on that second class pretending team that will not make the playoffs next season.

Man, the Bakersfield vs San Diego game went to quadruple overtime last night.

https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1019583

I think babs comes back and keefe will be one of his assistants. The asst coaches will be fired, babs is forced to take keefe and he can select the other asst coach.

Changes need to occur.
- Fakepartofme

Coaching changes not enough IMO, Team make-up needs a few adjustments

Man, the Bakersfield vs San Diego game went to quadruple overtime last night.

https://theahl.com/stats/game-summary/1019583
- GreatGigInTheSky

It was a long night for sure. And there really isn't anything to do at 2 am in Bakes.. Trust me. Unless cow tipping is your thing.

But Comtois All he does is score goals. What a pick .. Him, Jones and Ritchie on the LS next year that's 3 big boys and all youngsters.

Coaching changes not enough IMO, Team make-up needs a few adjustments



- winsix

Sometimes marshmellows just need to get put in the fire so they get a molten core and crispy skin.

Sometimes marshmellows just need to get put in the fire so they get a molten core and crispy skin.
- Zezel

mmmmmmmmmm

mmmmmmmmmm
- daeth

Right? How good is burnt marshmellow?!

really hate it when burn starts making things up (i was very clear i didnt like hunter nor dubas for next gm) and when lulmlums pretends having a different goalie only has an impact on a few goals.

to be clear:
i like lou
i like babcock
i dont lije shanahan much.
i would have liked another gm instead of dubas.
i do think dubas had earned himself a chance to be an nhl gm - just not with the leafs which is a top5 nhl organisation and should always go for best available. dubas is not best available as he showed with nylander negotiations, backup goalie failure and holl marincin leivo - connected to this inability do make more moves at trade deadline sue to lack of capspace.

people who cannot tolerate others for having different opinions than theirs, in particular when it's about sports, are a bit sad.

really hate it when burn starts making things up (i was very clear i didnt like hunter nor dubas for next gm) and when lulmlums pretends having a different goalie only has an impact on a few goals.

to be clear:
i like lou
i like babcock
i dont lije shanahan much.
i would have liked another gm instead of dubas.
i do think dubas had earned himself a chance to be an nhl gm - just not with the leafs which is a top5 nhl organisation and should always go for best available. dubas is not best available as he showed with nylander negotiations, backup goalie failure and holl marincin leivo - connected to this inability do make more moves at trade deadline sue to lack of capspace.

people who cannot tolerate others for having different opinions than theirs, in particular when it's about sports, are a bit sad.
- MaximusAurelius

You need to stop making up opinions on the spot with no knowledge or research on the subject.

Like Fedun, come on man. Where the (frank) does that come from? You like how his name is pronounced? Do you want to be unique and like a depth player no one else even knew before you mentioned him?

Yeah (frank) getting a superstar centre in Tavares and a top 4 D in Muzzin. Let’s all get mad at him for choosing a young promising goalie over a 37 year old backup. Because we all know every NHL goalie plays well at 37. Especially backups.

And Marincin and Lievo? Come on man. They are both depth D. They are going to play in meaningless games over Sandin and Liljegren when they can play 25 mins a night in the AHL. That’s a non issue.

And Lievo? He’s a 4th line player that is no better than Ennis or Moore. He barely produced any points in Vancouver given his role. Playing with Boeser and Peterson? And PP time? He didn’t do well at all.

People make fun of you because you try to be unique and hate on or get a hard on for certain players just to be different. We all see it so either quit it or take the abuse you are getting. Because it’s deserved.

Edit: and lack of moves? he traded for the best defender.....and one that has an extra year on his deal.

really hate it when burn starts making things up (i was very clear i didnt like hunter nor dubas for next gm) and when lulmlums pretends having a different goalie only has an impact on a few goals.

to be clear:
i like lou
i like babcock
i dont lije shanahan much.
i would have liked another gm instead of dubas.
i do think dubas had earned himself a chance to be an nhl gm - just not with the leafs which is a top5 nhl organisation and should always go for best available. dubas is not best available as he showed with nylander negotiations, backup goalie failure and holl marincin leivo - connected to this inability do make more moves at trade deadline sue to lack of capspace.
people who cannot tolerate others for having different opinions than theirs, in particular when it's about sports, are a bit sad.
- MaximusAurelius

Good post
Not sure what you don't like about Shanahan. His moves revolving around building a solid managment team spending money on Non-Cap issues like scouting, bringing in experts, setting up infrastructure which was lacking for so many years are hard to dismiss. I don't always agree with Mackenzie but the interview posted about Dubas and Nylander last week was very solid. What exactly could Dubas have done differently with Nylander? He signed for $7 million a year - most agree that the deal should have been for at least $6.5 to $6.7 million a year. So he's a weak GM for giving in on $300K in salary or so - to avoid losing Nylander for the whole season. It was a tough spot, let's see how Marner situation is handled before we pass judgement.

How can anyone not like Shanahan much? The Shanaplan has been bloody brilliant.