TSN: Brendan Shanahan named President of Toronto Maple Leafs

[rojac]

Hey guys,

It seems as though NHL commissioner Gary Bettman pushed for Brendan Shanahan’s hiring by the Leafs.

I guess MLSE does not mind listening to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

If Gary Bettman wants to put another NHL expansion team in the GTA, do you think that MLSE will agree with him?

I am not convinced that MLSE would like to have another NHL team in their own backyard since they would have to finally put together a genuinely competitive NHL hockey team for a change.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1265566/who-wins-in-the-brendan-shanahan-toronto-maple-leafs-deal/

Without more details, we don't really know what Bettman did. It might have been as simple as Bettman saying to Leiweke, "If you're looking for a president, you should consider Shanahan."

And why do you think MLSE doesn't want to put together a genuinely competitive team now? I think they want to and have been trying -- they're just failing.

 

[thewave]

Having a second team in Toronto will change NOTHING. I don't get why some people think it will.

I think the old watering hole is starting to change. Fans are starting to open up to the fact this team is not worth cheering for. A serious blow to this team is like an earthquake that will be felt around the league monetarily.

They are really playing with fire now. An epic collapse in game 7, an epic collapse at the end of this season and 2 seasons ago. The camels back will break sooner or later.

How can it not?

 

[Durrr]

Having a second team in Toronto will change NOTHING. I don't get why some people think it will.

That's just dumb, of course it would. Right now MLSE has a monopoly of the hockey market in central Ontario. When you put a competitor right on their doorstep, they have to begin to compete for fairweather fans. You think MLSE would be okay with first round playoff births/misses year after year while bandwagon fans (the majority of fans) are spending money supporting a Hamilton/Markham/wherever team in the conference finals?

All monopoly's abuse their customers until competition begins to threaten them, it's business 101. Look at the oligarchy that bell/rogers have set up for Canada, how much they abuse the entire country with ridiculous prices from all products. As soon as Verizon tried to get a toe into the marketplace, everyone started to freak out because it threatens the systematic robbery they have been undertaking for decades.

 

[ACC1224]

That's just dumb, of course it would. Right now MLSE has a monopoly of the hockey market in central Ontario. When you put a competitor right on their doorstep, they have to begin to compete for fairweather fans. You think MLSE would be okay with first round playoff births/misses year after year while bandwagon fans (the majority of fans) are spending money supporting a Hamilton/Markham/wherever team in the conference finals?

All monopoly's abuse their customers until competition begins to threaten them, it's business 101.

It's only dumb if you don't believe that they try to win. Many would find that belief dumb.

 

[stealth1]

It's only dumb if you don't believe that they try to win. Many would find that belief dumb.

No one is saying they aren't trying to win. Its that profits have always been first. The would rather qualify for the playoffs every year then rebuild like the way Buffalo is doing and loading up on picks and be crappy for a few seasons.

 

[Durrr]

It's only dumb if you don't believe that they try to win. Many would find that belief dumb.

I would say in the current state they do, but not in the right way still. MLSE has always struck me as a "profits now" type gig as long as I've been old enough to pay attention (teachers union era). They have never been willing to build and sustain a winning team the right way, and Burke making the Kessel trade is an example of this.

A cousin of mine in journalism (now an employee at TSN) was at a CEO banquet (where a CEO sits with a 10 person table, answers questions), where he spoke to (I cant remember his name now, might even be the current guy incharge) the CEO previously incharge of the Jays, who straight up told his table that he had no interest in the Jays winning the world series again during his tenure. His reasoning was, from a business standpoint, the chase is what draws in the most money. After the jays won the world series in 93' profits plummeted, interest declined and has remained low. The same goes for MLSE, I assume that icing a team that can make it to the conference finals 2-3 years would draw in more money from hype alone then a team that wins once, and then becomes a team like Carolina.

Poster above me gets it ^^^, the profits they'd have to give up from 5-6 years of sucking are to great to do it properly, even if the result has been even worse on profits. They assumed they could get profit from a couple of 1-2 round playoff births without rebuilding the hard way, and it really ****ed them over

 

[ACC1224]

No one is saying they aren't trying to win. Its that profits have always been first. The would rather qualify for the playoffs every year then rebuild like the way Buffalo is doing and loading up on picks and be crappy for a few seasons.

No doubt they have a different view of building a Team than Tanking.

So this new Team in theory will steal fans and MLSE will challenge that by losing more and tanking? Can't see that happening.

 

[Joey Hoser]

It's only dumb if you don't believe that they try to win. Many would find that belief dumb.

I certainly believe they are trying to win. If all they want is money, then winning cups is the best way to do it. Yes, the fans are still coming out now, but it's actually nothing compared to the bandwagon that would be created and the re-involvment of the disillusioned masses.

The problem is, I just don't think they understand what it's going to take. They have no problem firing people and demanding improvement, but always seem to believe they just need a better GM who can make a few moves to put us over the top, when what we've really needed ever since the previous lockout is to take a few step back and build a winner from scratch, instead of repeated patchwork and addons.

 

[topched]

No one is saying they aren't trying to win. Its that profits have always been first. The would rather qualify for the playoffs every year then rebuild like the way Buffalo is doing and loading up on picks and be crappy for a few seasons.

I don't think they have a problem with being crappy for a few seasons, hell in 9 years they have had a whopping 3 playoff games. That is the definition of crappy. They might as well have been bottoming out during this period

I don't think there's an intentional mandate to "sneak into the playoffs" I think there's just a general ineptitude at building a team.

It's don't think it's not being able to identify talented players or anything, I think it's an inability to honestly self assess. It seems everytime a new exec takes over they focus on the positives rather than realize the state of the team for what they are

 

[Igy]

"Whether it was behind the scenes or under the glare of hockey's harshest spotlight, Brendan was as much of an 'impact player' at the League as he was on the ice. Brendan brought commitment, clarity and impeccable credibility to his difficult and thankless duties here, and while we are sad to see him go, we knew his unique skill-set and body of work in the sport would make him a valued leader for any Club. Brendan has helped to change the culture of the game, has made it safer on a variety of levels, and his influence will be felt for years. We send him to his new role with our best wishes and our deep appreciation for his many contributions to the game." Bettman

Hopefully he changes the culture of the Leafs.

 

[Durrr]

No one is saying they aren't trying to win. Its that profits have always been first. The would rather qualify for the playoffs every year then rebuild like the way Buffalo is doing and loading up on picks and be crappy for a few seasons.

No doubt they have a different view of building a Team than Tanking.

So this new Team in theory will steal fans and MLSE will challenge that by losing more and tanking? Can't see that happening.

This new team would put pressure on the Leafs to build and sustain a winning atmosphere (like the hawks,pens,Bruins, Detroit) at all times or risk losing a lot if money.

 

[ACC1224]

I certainly believe they are trying to win. If all they want is money, then winning cups is the best way to do it. Yes, the fans are still coming out now, but it's actually nothing compared to the bandwagon that would be created and the re-involvment of the disillusioned masses.

The problem is, I just don't think they understand what it's going to take. They have no problem firing people and demanding improvement, but always seem to believe they just need a better GM who can make a few moves to put us over the top, when what we've really needed ever since the previous lockout is to take a few step back and build a winner from scratch, instead of repeated patchwork and addons.

Exactly.

 

[ACC1224]

This new team would put pressure on the Leafs to build and sustain a winning atmosphere (like the hawks,pens,Bruins, Detroit) at all times or risk losing a lot if money.

I guess that's the difference. Many believe they are attempting to do this anyway.

 

[Durrr]

I guess that's the difference. Many believe they are attempting to do this anyway.

Maybe, maybe not. I'm a firm believer in pressure from exec's causing Burke to make the Kessel trade. Otherwise Kessel would have been had at the previous draft for Kaberle and our 1st (Kadri). Pretty obvious Burke was facing some pressure to win now, and not later by drafting (as he wouldn't give up Kabrele).

Or maybe I'm wrong and Burke is just a poor GM. (Still a huge Kessel Fan)

 

[cack]

This is nothing but more smoke and mirrors by MLSE and Leafs fans are already falling for it again.

 

[Bluelines]

So some interesting questions out there, since I'm in the know ( I have google), I will answer the questions inquiring minds want to know

1) Is Shanahan a plant for Gary Bettman? No he's not a plant, he's human.

2) All MLSE cares about is the bottom line, right? Well they are a company and like any other company if you dont make money you go out of business. If they truly ONLY cared about money they would have a team of all rookies making the minimum, volunteer scouts and exec's that are paid considerably less. I'm sure there is a business consideration they make when it comes to spending money but any person in charge of a corporation would do the same, if they didn't they wouldn't be in business long.

3) Why hire Shanahan he has no experience? Well for those of you who are in an executive role or have the prerogative to be in the circle of executives know that, effective executives like Shanny are more about who you know, how you can leverage your contacts and who works in supporting roles. Is there anyone who has as many contacts within the executive ranks who is not currently employed an an exce role as Shanny? Then there is the three cup rings, eight All-Star games, King Clancy Award (is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community). I'm guessing unless Shanny suddenly develops amnesia he probably has a pretty good bank of life experiences that will help him recognise a player who has Cup potential and one who has basement potential.

 

[BiggestLeafsFanEVER*]

This is nothing but more smoke and mirrors by MLSE and Leafs fans are already falling for it again.

i'm not fooled

 

[Bluelines]

This is nothing but more smoke and mirrors by MLSE and Leafs fans are already falling for it again.

What is smoke an mirrors? They hired a guy. It's that simple. Why does it have to be anything more than they hired a guy.

They aren't saying all problems are fixed, they aren't saying that the cup is ours next year.

Exactly what is the smoke and mirrors?

 

[TheMadHatTrick]

If the hiring is a quid pro quo/wink-wink-nudge-nudge deal that lets us win the draft lottery sure why not.

 

[RadekBong]

That's just dumb, of course it would. Right now MLSE has a monopoly of the hockey market in central Ontario. When you put a competitor right on their doorstep, they have to begin to compete for fairweather fans. You think MLSE would be okay with first round playoff births/misses year after year while bandwagon fans (the majority of fans) are spending money supporting a Hamilton/Markham/wherever team in the conference finals?

All monopoly's abuse their customers until competition begins to threaten them, it's business 101. Look at the oligarchy that bell/rogers have set up for Canada, how much they abuse the entire country with ridiculous prices from all products. As soon as Verizon tried to get a toe into the marketplace, everyone started to freak out because it threatens the systematic robbery they have been undertaking for decades.

I think if anything is inelastic enough to remain unchanged despite the presence of new competition, it's the Leafs. I'm really not sure a second team would be well received within Toronto proper at all.

 

[rojac]

What is smoke an mirrors? They hired a guy. It's that simple. Why does it have to be anything more than they hired a guy.

They aren't saying all problems are fixed, they aren't saying that the cup is ours next year.

Exactly what is the smoke and mirrors?

Precisely.

I am so sick and tired of the arrogant "we know best" so-called fans that are far too common around here ******** on any bit of hope that a fan might show.

You're not a real fan if you don't overreact to a bad game or a bad season.

You're blind to the deficiencies of the team if you hold out a little bit of hope until they're actually eliminated.

You're a gullible idiot who's having the wool pulled over your eyes if you say anything positive about a new hire.

 

[egd27]

Nonis came in, shed the Leafs of their deadweight (Lombardi, Armstrong, Connolly, and Komisarek), and the team instantly improved. His only fault has been signing Clarkson so far. He's been in charge for a very short time and I'd give him another year, or two, before deciding whether or not to let him go

C'mon now. He's being GM for almost 130 regular season games!!! How long is he supposed to get?

 

[leafs in five]

C'mon now. He's being GM for almost 130 regular season games!!! How long is he supposed to get?

he spent a lot of money and assets to make the team worse. and it wasn't exactly a situation where he simply inherited that team. he was the assistant GM. the team is not good. it wasn't good on October 1 or Fubruary 1, either, but Nonis and his guys weren't interested in acknowledging any evidence of that. he deserves to be fired, more than Burke deserved it.

 

[Morguee]

C'mon now. He's being GM for almost 130 regular season games!!! How long is he supposed to get?

Well he is doing a lot better then Shanahan, missed the playoffs after only 4 hours on the job. Talk about running a team into the ground. #fireshanny

 

[Bluelines]

Precisely.

I am so sick and tired of the arrogant "we know best" so-called fans that are far too common around here ******** on any bit of hope that a fan might show.

You're not a real fan if you don't overreact to a bad game or a bad season.

You're blind to the deficiencies of the team if you hold out a little bit of hope until they're actually eliminated.

You're a gullible idiot who's having the wool pulled over your eyes if you say anything positive about a new hire.

The "we know best" is usually the 13-27 crowd...ya know those ones who have little life experiences but know everything about everything... a great man once said .." The older I get the less I know..."

At my age... I think I'm down to knowing how to tie my shoe laces and not peeing on the back of the toilet...