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

[rumman]

It won't be up to the GM. Leafs management will want them signed at whatever they want. And around and around we go. Cash is king in Toronto. I am now convinced we are never going to see a Leafs SC win in our lifetime.

if this is true, why bother supporting this team? Boy Wonder's gone and there's still no hope? I got to believe change is in order, guess we'll know when they let 34 take them back to the woodshed..........

 

[Hellcat]

it doesn't have to be, jettison any player that thinks HE's in control of the team's direction. For the love of God stop pandering to these entitled divas, it's no wonder this team can't win..............

I'm with you on that, it does not have to be. When I hire, resumes eliminate technically unqualified, then I ask questions that give me a clear picture on a persons character, the interview process is 100% character based, if you get to my interview you have the technical skills but do you have the quality of character that I hire? I hire quality humans and then teach them "my way". Unfortunately in sport you don't have that luxury, elite talent will always trump elite character. If you want a drama free environment it may mean having a team of Kerfoots. Teams talk about culture, chemistry, they don't really believe in it, other wise guys like Kane in Edmonton and coaches like Quenneville and Babcock wouldn't be getting 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances... their talent is just to hard to pass by.

 

[rumman]

I'm with you on that, it does not have to be. When I hire, resumes eliminate technically unqualified, then I ask questions that give me a clear picture on a persons character, the interview process is 100% character based, if you get to my interview you have the technical skills but do you have the quality of character that I hire? I hire quality humans and then teach them "my way". Unfortunately in sport you don't have that luxury, elite talent will always trump elite character. If you want a drama free environment it may mean having a team of Kerfoots. Teams talk about culture, chemistry, they don't really believe in it, other wise guys like Kane in Edmonton and coaches like Quenneville and Babcock wouldn't be getting 2nd, 3rd, 4th chances... their talent is just to hard to pass by.

man you depressed me with the reference of a team of Kerfoots, can't we have a team of Dale Hunters???????

 

[hockeywiz542]

Mirtle: Get ready for a Maple Leafs-Penguins rivalry — on and off the ice

With Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh and ready for battle in the Eastern Conference with his old team, a heated new rivalry has just been born.

theathletic.com

There are battles happening behind the scenes here, too. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment isn’t happy about the various leaks that have been coming out of the organization basically since the moment Dubas was let go, and they’re attempting to root out the sources of those comments and get them out of the front office.

(What’s happening at one of their other clubs, Toronto FC, isn’t helping from a PR perspective, either. MLSE has cleanups on multiple aisles right now.)

Part of what’s going to happen in the coming weeks is changes in personnel. Dubas began clearcutting almost immediately in Pittsburgh, moving out three Ron Hextall-era staffers, and Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday on his podcast that Jason Spezza could soon resurface with the Penguins.

Other talk I’m hearing is that the Leafs will try to keep assistant GM Brandon Pridham, although they don’t have a vacant GM role to offer him and the Penguins now do, so theoretically that could be a factor.

Other teams believe Dubas will also attempt to bring over Leafs head scout Wes Clark and members of Toronto’s analytics department, although the complicating factor is many of them are under contract.

If the contracts of some of these staffers are structured in such a way that they can leave for a promotion, the Penguins may be able to make inroads that way.

One person potentially in line for a bigger role in Toronto could be Laurence Gilman, who was largely marginalized the past few years under Dubas (to the extent he’s not even listed on the team website despite being on staff).

Gilman has decades of assistant GM experience, including his time in Phoenix and Vancouver, and overlapped with Treliving in the Coyotes organization, back when the new Leafs GM was in charge of their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

Some of the front office movement may have to be on hold given the way the NHL calendar is about to unfold. Day 1 of the draft in Nashville is a little more than three weeks away, and Shanahan has publicly mentioned Clark as central to the Leafs plans there.

The Leafs just held their scouting meetings at the Memorial Cup here in Kamloops, B.C., and by all accounts, it was very much business as usual up at their temporary headquarters at Sun Peaks Resort.

Among those in attendance were assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser, assistant GM Darryl Metcalf (who oversees Toronto’s analytical work through the research and development department), director of player personnel Dave Morrison and long-time director of scouting Reid Mitchell.

 

[Sypher04]

Pretty sure there were reports Pridham is completely satisfied with his current role.

 

[Peasy]

Mirtle: Get ready for a Maple Leafs-Penguins rivalry — on and off the ice

With Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh and ready for battle in the Eastern Conference with his old team, a heated new rivalry has just been born.

theathletic.com

There are battles happening behind the scenes here, too. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment isn’t happy about the various leaks that have been coming out of the organization basically since the moment Dubas was let go, and they’re attempting to root out the sources of those comments and get them out of the front office.

(What’s happening at one of their other clubs, Toronto FC, isn’t helping from a PR perspective, either. MLSE has cleanups on multiple aisles right now.)

Part of what’s going to happen in the coming weeks is changes in personnel. Dubas began clearcutting almost immediately in Pittsburgh, moving out three Ron Hextall-era staffers, and Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday on his podcast that Jason Spezza could soon resurface with the Penguins.

Other talk I’m hearing is that the Leafs will try to keep assistant GM Brandon Pridham, although they don’t have a vacant GM role to offer him and the Penguins now do, so theoretically that could be a factor.

Other teams believe Dubas will also attempt to bring over Leafs head scout Wes Clark and members of Toronto’s analytics department, although the complicating factor is many of them are under contract.

If the contracts of some of these staffers are structured in such a way that they can leave for a promotion, the Penguins may be able to make inroads that way.

One person potentially in line for a bigger role in Toronto could be Laurence Gilman, who was largely marginalized the past few years under Dubas (to the extent he’s not even listed on the team website despite being on staff).

Gilman has decades of assistant GM experience, including his time in Phoenix and Vancouver, and overlapped with Treliving in the Coyotes organization, back when the new Leafs GM was in charge of their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

Some of the front office movement may have to be on hold given the way the NHL calendar is about to unfold. Day 1 of the draft in Nashville is a little more than three weeks away, and Shanahan has publicly mentioned Clark as central to the Leafs plans there.

The Leafs just held their scouting meetings at the Memorial Cup here in Kamloops, B.C., and by all accounts, it was very much business as usual up at their temporary headquarters at Sun Peaks Resort.

Among those in attendance were assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser, assistant GM Darryl Metcalf (who oversees Toronto’s analytical work through the research and development department), director of player personnel Dave Morrison and long-time director of scouting Reid Mitchell.

Is Mirtle going to cover the Pens from now on?

I dont think the Leafs really care at this point. If anything it'll be a one sided petty "rivalry" promoted by Dubas himself and his shills like Jonas and Mirtle.

 

[ToneDog]

if this is true, why bother supporting this team? Boy Wonder's gone and there's still no hope? I got to believe change is in order, guess we'll know when they let 34 take them back to the woodshed..........

Once they got their claws into you, it is hard to let go. Logic says stay away and proof is in the last 56 years. Tre gives us a little hope. Wonder Boy had his head in the clouds.

 

[ULF_55]

If Keefe got the inner beast going he'd have a mutiny on his hands just like Babcock did, the real question is would Tree allow his coach to be demanding? Rumor is he wanted to can Sutter and I think Sutter is a great coach because he is demanding. It's a players problem if your asking me, they're too soft............

If Treliving does a Dubas what's the point?

 

[ShaneFalco]

Mirtle: Get ready for a Maple Leafs-Penguins rivalry — on and off the ice

With Kyle Dubas in Pittsburgh and ready for battle in the Eastern Conference with his old team, a heated new rivalry has just been born.

theathletic.com

There are battles happening behind the scenes here, too. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment isn’t happy about the various leaks that have been coming out of the organization basically since the moment Dubas was let go, and they’re attempting to root out the sources of those comments and get them out of the front office.

(What’s happening at one of their other clubs, Toronto FC, isn’t helping from a PR perspective, either. MLSE has cleanups on multiple aisles right now.)

Part of what’s going to happen in the coming weeks is changes in personnel. Dubas began clearcutting almost immediately in Pittsburgh, moving out three Ron Hextall-era staffers, and Elliotte Friedman reported on Saturday on his podcast that Jason Spezza could soon resurface with the Penguins.

Other talk I’m hearing is that the Leafs will try to keep assistant GM Brandon Pridham, although they don’t have a vacant GM role to offer him and the Penguins now do, so theoretically that could be a factor.

Other teams believe Dubas will also attempt to bring over Leafs head scout Wes Clark and members of Toronto’s analytics department, although the complicating factor is many of them are under contract.

If the contracts of some of these staffers are structured in such a way that they can leave for a promotion, the Penguins may be able to make inroads that way.

One person potentially in line for a bigger role in Toronto could be Laurence Gilman, who was largely marginalized the past few years under Dubas (to the extent he’s not even listed on the team website despite being on staff).

Gilman has decades of assistant GM experience, including his time in Phoenix and Vancouver, and overlapped with Treliving in the Coyotes organization, back when the new Leafs GM was in charge of their AHL affiliate in San Antonio.

Some of the front office movement may have to be on hold given the way the NHL calendar is about to unfold. Day 1 of the draft in Nashville is a little more than three weeks away, and Shanahan has publicly mentioned Clark as central to the Leafs plans there.

The Leafs just held their scouting meetings at the Memorial Cup here in Kamloops, B.C., and by all accounts, it was very much business as usual up at their temporary headquarters at Sun Peaks Resort.

Among those in attendance were assistant GM Hayley Wickenheiser, assistant GM Darryl Metcalf (who oversees Toronto’s analytical work through the research and development department), director of player personnel Dave Morrison and long-time director of scouting Reid Mitchell.

Seems Dubas likes to surround himself with guys that think like him.

 

[rumman]

If Treliving does a Dubas what's the point?

exactly

Once they got their claws into you, it is hard to let go. Logic says stay away and proof is in the last 56 years. Tre gives us a little hope. Wonder Boy had his head in the clouds.

I protested following the team the last two years because of Dubas' half the cap to 4 concept, if nothing changes I'll continue to go without. Oh, and I had plenty of other things to keep me busy............

 

[PromisedLand]

Still counting chickens before they’ve hatched, some people never learn……..

Bettman basically said the cap increase this summer is probably 1 million, the following year once again "expectation" is that it may be larger but no one has yet defined what "larger" means and what may be the circumstances where it doesn't come to pass.

Its almost like people are still trying to justify what dubas's incompetence that completely screwed the Leafs; although not invoking his name but continue to display the same philosophy

 

[PromisedLand]

It's probably a necessary evil to lock up Matthews at that kind of AAV but it does suck a bit to prematurely allocate hypothetical cap to him. That JT contract cannot end soon enough.

of JT's 11 AAV if we say that Matthews, Marner and Nylander get approx 2 to 2.5/3 AAV increase each you are looking at 6 to 7.5/9 AAV already spent. Doesn't give us much flexibility as but naturally some RFAs will need to be re-signed and some UFAs will need to be signed to fill up the roster.

Mack's 12.6 is the ceiling as far as I am concerned for Matthews for 8 years and Marner should be extended at the same AAV he has now not a penny more for 8 years and Nylander at max 9 AAV for 8 years.

 

[Stephen]

Bettman basically said the cap increase this summer is probably 1 million, the following year once again "expectation" is that it may be larger but no one has yet defined what "larger" means and what may be the circumstances where it doesn't come to pass.

Its almost like people are still trying to justify what dubas's incompetence that completely screwed the Leafs; although not invoking his name but continue to display the same philosophy

Yes, of course. It's always next summer that the cap goes up by leaps and bounds. Like they couldn't split the difference to generate a more interesting offseason for the league in a capped out landscape with zero interesting player movement or forgive the operational debt they're paying themselves back for. The imaginary 50/50 player owner split under the shadow of franchise valuations going through the roof... where the Ottawa Senators could actually sell for a billion dollars... Sure, Gary.

 

[PromisedLand]

Maybe short term is best. 5 years. That way if this team spends the next 5 trying to win a round again, you can just say goodbye to all and start over. I don’t really want to say the next 5 the same as the last 5.

Its all good and dandy but it really depends what the next 5 years mean.

Are we going to give me them full NTC/NMC again? Are we going to continue to waste draft capital to just win a round? etc.

if we continue down this path the rebuild is going to be very painful and long becasue we will need to suck bad for a good 4 to 5 years where we have our own picks to be able to draft for another rebuild.

 

[PromisedLand]

Yes, of course. It's always next summer that the cap goes up by leaps and bounds. Like they couldn't split the difference to generate a more interesting offseason for the league in a capped out landscape with zero interesting player movement or forgive the operational debt they're paying themselves back for. The imaginary 50/50 player owner split under the shadow of franchise valuations going through the roof... where the Ottawa Senators could actually sell for a billion dollars... Sure, Gary.

LOL yup tell me about it man. Its economics 101 man. Most of the owners in the league do not own team as their primary business venture; they have other investments/businesses where they have hedged the risk with sports a bit. Also they keep throwing terms around like "large" cap increase and what not but never say what "large" means? is it 10 million? is that large? or is it 2 to 3 million that they are defining as large? All they have now is guesswork and conjecture no guarantees.

And based on international news there are expectations that there may be a global recession and that will put a dent I assume on every sports league not just NHL. This hypothetical "next year" where everything is sunshine and roses seems far fetched to me. I really think Leafs especially should proceed with caution. A management with foresight was something that I had advocated strongly and I still continue to advocate similar management.

 

[HolyCrap]

Holl at $2M was a bargain. When he and Muzzin were together they were one of thr best shutdown pairings in the league. He plays tough minutes, not glory minutes in the offensive zone,. Effectively killed penalties against star players, his value to the Leafs exceeded his pay among a cap strapped team of "Sunsine List" stars.

Here is the REAL litmus test as to his worth. Watch what he is given on the open market. You want to bet he gets a nice raise?

Now name for me the current Leaf D Man who is going to replace his heavy minutes and penalty killing alone. All for $2M,. 20% of Marners salary.

He isn't Lindstrom or Bobby Orr, but for his salary, he was a steal. Don't blame him for the fact that Leafs don't have a true #1 who can eat 22+ mnutes on both ends of the ice.

All Leaf fans see is some of the decisions he makes in corners under pressure where without support (that Muzzin was good at) he floundered at times.

They don't remember his posiitoning in front or simple play to get it out rather than coughing up the puck.

This isn't specific to you but I often wonder if todays hockey fans watch other teams. He will be in demand this offseason I guarantee it. Ask yourself "why"?

Not gonna lie this made me laugh.

 

[PromisedLand]

Maybe future generations of the Leafs should be built more on a 90s New Jersey Devils collective model. Go back to the roots of the franchise in the Original Six days that downplayed individual stardom for a team mentality. Maybe they'll be more successful but less individually glamorous. Who knows.

You'll also notice the homegrown talent from the Schenn, Kadri, Rielly crop were really not overpaid at all. The star making machinery really went into overdrive with the Nylander, Marner, Matthews crop.

thats why i liked what Tre had to say. Its about the "TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS" its not about the core4

 

[PromisedLand]

Well if what Elliot Friedman said earlier on his 32 thoughts that Treliving is talking an extension with Keefe, we already know the answer.

It was interesting to note that Tre on either sportsnet or TSN (i don't exactly recall where) said that Leafs played a better series against the bolts last year and lost than this year when they won.

He basically said what some of us had been saying even in the Tampa series. To me it was the stupidity of TDL by dubas i.e. you don't freakin have such a huge roster turnover on the TDL you do that in the offseason; and the player usage/deployment by Keefe which was absolutely DUMB.

I hope Tre uses the hindsight of Leafs being a 100 pt team even before Keefe got his mits on them so it isn't that Keefe took the team from the bottom to a 100 pt team. I hope it is just a one year extension with a very short leash.

Personally I would most definitely can Keefe unless there is a very good reason not to i.e. keefe being told by dubas to play certain players/system/etc. i,.e. unless dubas forced keefe's hand...

 

[weems]

Found this post in the international hockey forum talking about each countries playstyle.

I think the past few years we've played close to number 3 when I think playing closer to number 1 is the best design for success in the playoffs.

 

[theTTC]

LOL yup tell me about it man. Its economics 101 man. All they have now is guesswork and conjecture no guarantees.

And based on international news there are expectations that there may be a global recession and that will put a dent I assume on every sports league not just NHL. This hypothetical "next year" where everything is sunshine and roses seems far fetched to me. I really think Leafs especially should proceed with caution. A management with foresight was something that I had advocated strongly and I still continue to advocate similar management.

It's happening now. Financial (and all other societal pillars) swirling down the drain, actually. Bettman, like every person in his position of authority and responsibility, has to present the optimistic spin narrative - it's a confidence game, like banking.

Don't give that cap increase no never mind. Ain't happenin'.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

LOL yup tell me about it man. Its economics 101 man. Most of the owners in the league do not own team as their primary business venture; they have other investments/businesses where they have hedged the risk with sports a bit. Also they keep throwing terms around like "large" cap increase and what not but never say what "large" means? is it 10 million? is that large? or is it 2 to 3 million that they are defining as large? All they have now is guesswork and conjecture no guarantees.

And based on international news there are expectations that there may be a global recession and that will put a dent I assume on every sports league not just NHL. This hypothetical "next year" where everything is sunshine and roses seems far fetched to me. I really think Leafs especially should proceed with caution. A management with foresight was something that I had advocated strongly and I still continue to advocate similar management.

"The cap will rise next year' is like the sign at the bar that says "free beer tomorrow".

 

[PromisedLand]

if this is true, why bother supporting this team? Boy Wonder's gone and there's still no hope? I got to believe change is in order, guess we'll know when they let 34 take them back to the woodshed..........

Tre in his presser had said something along the lines of "it isn't a dating game, you gotta push through here" when discussing about contracts.

I took it to mean that there is not going to be "oh you are so nice, i will do what you want just to keep dating you"; it is only after marriage one thinks "f***.. I wish i had a backbone then"

translated into hockey terms: "We respect you, we want to do whats fair so lets get the deal done one way or another".

Atleast the way I am reading the situation is that Tre ain't gonna bendover backwards for Matthews. Although Tre said that he and matthews' agent have good relationship; i couldn't find any connection or past deals between Tre and Muldover

Johnny Gaudreau's agent was being a complete jackass in Calgary (i recall Burke's comments about it); and Tre still managed to get the deal done for Gaudreau at a reasonable cap hit.

Both Nylander and Gaudreau share the same agent if am not mistaken so TBD I guess what happens there either.

We will see soon enough

 

[PromisedLand]

Is Mirtle going to cover the Pens from now on?

I dont think the Leafs really care at this point. If anything it'll be a one sided petty "rivalry" promoted by Dubas himself and his shills like Jonas and Mirtle.

pretty much. mirtle is such a f***ing loser. most of the die hard leafs fans wanted the incompetent hack that is dubas out of the organization

as far as pens go; it is a 2 pt game and if we meet them in the playoffs then we will see then. other than that pens don't mean much to the Leafs they are like the other 30 teams in the league competeing for assets/personnel/etc.

someone needs to slap the stupid out of mirtle. he really pisses the F outta me. after his continuous whining and painting the doomsday picture, he is now coming up with this stupidity. there are 16 teams that qualify for the playoffs, 4 teams make conference finals and one wins the cup. its been like that since dubas has been in the nhl, since dubas was the gm. Leafs didn't F all under dubas while other teams continued to progress. dubas can get wes clark, i personally think clark is trash anyway

Seems Dubas likes to surround himself with guys that think like him.

"Think like me or you are cancelled" the new age mantra of geniuses

 

[myleafs]

exactly


I protested following the team the last two years because of Dubas' half the cap to 4 concept, if nothing changes I'll continue to go without. Oh, and I had plenty of other things to keep me busy............

Im a sucker (leaf lifer) and will continue to watch even if I complain about it but quite a few people I know who never missed a game for years starting scaling back the last couple years and watched less and cared less and if nothing changes and things stay status quo the same people have vowed not to watch at all and more are following suit. I know, I know there are many more fans to fill in but its not a good trend or a good look for the organization.

 

[The Masters]

Duh lol. Its so obvious. He flew out on the sunday.