Confirmed with Link: Brad Treliving named new GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs

[Mess]

It's a lot of change for one season, I would hold onto him as well.

Keefe based on performance and constantly getting out coached and losing to underdog teams in the playoffs should be fired on merit.

However because of the timing of the GM change and all the pressing things that need doing, also adding a new coaching change to the list while he is still under contract not the most pressing need.

Also as you point out the players are familiar with Keefe and his systems at present, so that would provide a level of consistency and stability at present, even if its not meeting winning expectations.

Besides there is no deadline for firing coaches and that could still happen before next year and a few months down the road when the new GM has a better idea after the draft and UFA season and signings what the player personnel will look like and the type and style of game he wants the team to play and then decide if that fits Keefe's profile or not.

 

[LeafGrief]

Pretty sure Keefe teeing off on players and cutting ice time would have been viewed unfavorably by Dubas. If Treliving allows Keefe to hold players accountable I think that, plus some changes to the lineup, would more than qualify for 'new team smell'.

Short leash though, the second he f***s around with 11/7 he's on notice.

I mean, if we're expecting Keefe to completely rebrand himself during the offseason I suppose that counts. But I'm not expecting that leopard to change his spots any more than any of our megamillionaire yahoos to change theirs. I think you're being way too easy on the players here by saying that Keefe teeing off was viewed unfavorably by Dubas. Marner probably cried, Keefe's coddling was expected up and down the leadership structure of this whole org. Shanny is still here, the important players are still here, a new GM and the coach yelling "PHEASANTS" is a new coat of paint and a ridiculous spoiler on the back, not a new car.

 

[mydnyte]

Pretty sure Keefe teeing off on players and cutting ice time would have been viewed unfavorably by Dubas. If Treliving allows Keefe to hold players accountable I think that, plus some changes to the lineup, would more than qualify for 'new team smell'.

Short leash though, the second he f***s around with 11/7 he's on notice.

Keefe only ever held 2 players accountable, Nylander, and Lily.
and Holl was his man crush for whatever reason

 

[SprDaVE]

from the Hotstove re: Keefe

They were coached to play so slowly. Constant regroups. Very little attacking off the rush. Very little attacking from the defense; Timothy Liljegren led their defense with six goals (there were 68 defensemen in the league that scored at least seven goals last season). The forwards were well structured defensively and checked very well, which is a good thing overall, but Auston Matthews led all forwards in the league in blocked shots and scored 40 goals in 74 games (which is good for most players, but truthfully, not for him; he tied the second lowest goals per game rate of his career). The team finished 16th in the regular season in 5v5 corsi. In the right situation, it’s fair to wonder how this group looks under a different system.

Isn't that what people wanted from this team and structure? A team that plays defense first because that's how you win? Don't pinch, don't cheat and take care of the defensive end first. It seems like this team went through this same mentality, for better or worst.

 

[yubbers]

Y

The last 5 years are the only reprieve from the clown show that we've had in decades.

My expectations are high. That's why I'm not thrilled with the patchwork mess this offseason has been so far.

You just witnessed a rookie GM learn on the job and piss away our ELC years from generational talents.

The Leafs have never failed this bad in my 42 years. We just pissed away the best opportunity this franchise has seen in decades.

And you still won't eat your crow. LOL Dubas homers are a special kinda special. He just spit in your face and you're still licking his boots. You're in a cult my guy.

 

[LeafsandSharksfan]

""

Yeeeeeeaaaaah, signs not looking great here.

 

[hockeywiz542]

 

[al secord]

His father decided to put pierogies on a pizza. With judgement like that...

 

[Ianturnedbull]

So boring eh!

It's not boring. It's putting Treliving on trial without making a single move in Toronto. Expecting perfection too. Was Dubas perfect? He was hardly perfect. He made fundamental mistakes as well as making hasty decisions. Treliving is not my first choice, but I'm willing to give him some time here.

The craziest thing is that many hockey fans on HF crowned Treliving last offseason for getting Hubereau/Weeger/Kadri. Such hypocrites.

 

[Apex Predator]

Don’t tell me we’re running this back. Next thing they’ll resign Holl and Keefoot

 

[TMLAM34]

Honestly seeing Trelivings previous head coaching hires, might not be bad to keep Keefe…

The way Treliving likes building his teams, Gallant seems like he would be a perfect fit. But this team at this moment is nowhere close to that kind of style of play.

 

[justashadowof]

The way Liljegren scored some of his goals (rushing into the open ice in the face off circle for a high danger scoring chance) is the only way I want my defense going deep. Pinching artificially boosts the offense but it's always eventually countered in tight contests. I'm sure someone has run the numbers and they can contradict me but I imagine for the most part the trade off between increased scoring and increased goals against is at best a wash. Not to mention the inflation of the individual players' offensive stats leading to contract inflation for certain players on the team.

 

[Smif]

Keefe lost to the montreal canadiens

So did Winnipeg and Vegas.

 

[justashadowof]

Honestly seeing Trelivings previous head coaching hires, might not be bad to keep Keefe…

The way Treliving likes building his teams, Gallant seems like he would be a perfect fit. But this team at this moment is nowhere close to that kind of style of play.

Wait until he sees the defensemen we have in the pipeline. He's going to see that he has his work cut out for him.

 

[hockeywiz542]

Poulin on Treliving reportedly being the next Leafs' GM and if he's an upgrade over Dubas - TSN.ca

TSN hockey analyst Dave Poulin joins us to chat about the reports that Brad Treliving will be the next Leafs GM, if he is an upgrade over Kyle Dubas, what the first order of business will be for Treliving, Carbery being named the head coach of the Capitals, Andrew Brunette being named the head coach of the Preds and more.

 

[Menzinger]

Keefe seems like a nice enough guy and I think people are too harsh on some of his tactical/line up decisions.

I'd prefer a coaching change - but if he stays around this will if anything will help Shanny/Pridham/Treliving with their Matthews/Nylander extensions

 

[InfinityIggy]

Flames fan stopping into to say I think this is genuinely a great hire for Toronto. Treliving did so much for the Flames franchise and I feel as though a lot of fans don't realize how much better he was than past Flames GMs, but also how much he was able to do with his hands constantly being tied.

The short of it is, Calgary is not a city a lot of players want to be in and Brad still managed to put together some great teams and make many shrewd trades throughout his tenure. His drafting record is very strong as well. I think he learned a lot of lessons about not getting too tied up in the UFA market, and he improved in that aspect as Flames GM as he went along.

A huge market like Toronto is the perfect place for him. I haven't read through to see your thoughts on the signing, but I just wanted to give an outside perspective.

 

[kb]

Don't hate it but don't love it either. It's about as exciting as a Toyota Prius.

That being said, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that his hands were tied in Calgary

Oh boy.

Are his hands going to be freer here with Shanahan calling the shots? I mean....unless he's into bondage along with hand tying, no point in him taking this job. lol

 

[Trapper]

Keefe seems like a nice enough guy and I think people are too harsh on some of his tactical/line up decisions.

I'd prefer a coaching change - but if he stays around this will if anything will help Shanny/Pridham/Treliving with their Matthews/Nylander extensions

The first order of business is getting Matthews locked up.

Then you want to fill a team around who is signed. If you can work our own prospects (Knies,Lily,Woll) in around the others you sign, that’s great.

The coach and Nylander can wait. Keefe is signed and Nylander has a 10 team trade list if you need to explore that later.

 

[Apex Predator]

Flames fan stopping into to say I think this is genuinely a great hire for Toronto. Treliving did so much for the Flames franchise and I feel as though a lot of fans don't realize how much better he was than past Flames GMs, but also how much he was able to do with his hands constantly being tied.

The short of it is, Calgary is not a city a lot of players want to be in and Brad still managed to put together some great teams and make many shrewd trades throughout his tenure. His drafting record is very strong as well. I think he learned a lot of lessons about not getting too tied up in the UFA market, and he improved in that aspect as Flames GM as he went along.

A huge market like Toronto is the perfect place for him. I haven't read through to see your thoughts on the signing, but I just wanted to give an outside perspective.

There’s a lot of talk on his recent drafts not being good. Any insight on prospects that were recently drafted by Calgary that aren’t getting as much love as they should?

 

[GrizzGreen]

“Really smart guy,” an NHL player agent who has done business with Treliving said. “He’s a ball-buster and not afraid to tell you to you know what. No issue if he’s the guy the Leafs hire.”

If the Leafs get to a point where one of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner or William Nylander is to be traded, no one we’ve talked to thinks Treliving wouldn’t be able to make it happen for Toronto.

but bro... HFLeafs basement dwellers dont like him :-(

 

[ACC1224]

So did Winnipeg and Vegas.

What happened to their coaches?

 

[andora]

This is so true.

I genuinely hate this about HFboards in general. We are afforded the ability to apply hindsight to our judgements, where GM's/Coaches/Players are making these decisions in real time. If you can stand behind the decisions in real time, you should not be critical of the GM/Coach/Player if the outcome does not work out in your favor.

Brad was rightfully applauded for his work on the Tkachuk deal, as he was dealt a terrible hand with his trade request. The amount of people pulling out the hindsight gun on this one is pathetic IMO. The overwhelming consensus last year when the deal was made is that Brad did very well given the set of circumstances he faced.

Sometimes deals jus don't work out. It just is what it is.

And lets not pretend like Calgary was some shit team last season. They had historically bad goaltending, and the Daryl Sutter experiment was clearly running out of steam. I would not be surprised if they return to some level of competitiveness as early as next season.

I am not trying to dissolve Brad of any blame in Calgary, but he wasn't exactly given a full deck of cards to work with. Ownership is a complete nightmare, and he has been fighting an uphill battle trying to convince guys to become or stay on as Flames his entire tenure. I just don't think either of those things will be the case in Toronto TBH

Good post

Also throw in how unlucky they were... their overtime record and i believe the historical number of posts hit

 

[rocketman588]

Shanahan is happy with the coaching, perhaps another area where the GM isn't in charge?

Yes Shannahan hired the dude who had worked his entire professional career with Dubas

This is getting as bad as the Dubas chose Mitch Marner but Mark Hunter made every other pick trash

 

[notbias]

If by great they mean bad, then yes I agree.