End of Season Pressers (Monday May 15)

[andora]

With his trading the good moves and FA signings have been spaced apart enough that he pays the price but the value doesn't overlap so good acquisitions like Spezza and Gio perform for a couple years and then age out, or in the case of Muzz, they injury out. Kadri was bad but it was a specific deal to give assets and cap relief at the same time so very few options. The worst of that was he could have dealt Barrie for value at the TDL because the guy wasn't working out, and Kerf last summer after his career year. It might be me but it seemed almost like he was trying to prove the trade was good by winning with them. Like bringing back Malgin a second time in hopes he would justify their initial interest.

He got bent over by contracts in year one, and maybe a bit in the Marleau deal because he had no connections in the old boys club that would throw him a lifeline. Of course the Murray thing was dense as hell but that was more a complete lack of understanding about the player than the value. He didn't overpay, but like Foligno, he just shouldn't have made the add.

I like a lot of his trades, that isn't the weakness in his game compared to the other GMs.

All fair

 

[Gallagbi]

Or maybe a limitation of authority where he is required to clear things with Shanny that were previously in his purview. It may legitimately be the job is giving him ulcers and he needs to step away from it and the offer is in fact market value. Can't spend you're money if you're dead or its wrecking your family life. We will maybe know more in a couple of days.

I dont see the scope limitations because i think he'd just walk to one of the other opportunities or turn it down outright.

I also think theres more dialogue with the Management team including Shanny when decisions are being made than most would typically think or expect.

 

[ACC1224]

Absolutely correct. But that doesn't mean the stress doesn't effect him and his family nor does it mean he can't walk away if he wants too.

Part I don't really get though is why announce it's here or no where?
If not here why wouldn't he want to go somewhere else?

 

[The Masters]

Absolutely correct. But that doesn't mean the stress doesn't effect him and his family nor does it mean he can't walk away if he wants too.

yeah of course he can walk no one is putting a gun to his head.

 

[Gallagbi]

Part I don't really get though is why announce it's here or no where?
If not here why wouldn't he want to go somewhere else?

To quiet the rumblings down over summer so hes not constantly answering questions is my guess. Hes already been "linked" to some openings.

 

[Mess]

I'd rather the organization not reward failure and try to build a culture of accountability and SUCCESS.

Question: When an organization hires a greenhorn President, who hires a greenhorn GM, who hires a greenhorn Coach what could possibly go wrong?

Answer: Everything

Failure and Accountability resides with Leafs Ownership, and some would say they're being justly rewarded for failure based on being held accountable, as to why they would turn the reigns of their fortune 500 company to inexperience and under-qualified team, rewarding them with prime job opportunities without the qualifications on their resumes that suggest this would bring success.

What you're essentially saying Ownership should be considering a Clean Sweep of President, GM and Coach holding themselves accountable, and reset the clock, and try again this time with qualified people to try and build a winning culture that breeds success and not failure.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Talking to your significant other and your family about stuff like this isn't bizarre or crazy or soft. It's what adult humans in healthy married relationships do.

Yes but not even being able to say if he wants to remain in Toronto without speaking to his family first about their own well-being and he's torn between either being the Leafs GM or stepping away from hockey is a little unusual. I don't mean that as a criticism, I just hope everything is alright with him and his family

 

[ACC1224]

To quiet the rumblings down over summer so hes not constantly answering questions is my guess. Hes already been "linked" to some openings.

If he's unemployed why would he be concerned with rumblings?

 

[Mess]

Absolutely correct. But that doesn't mean the stress doesn't effect him and his family nor does it mean he can't walk away if he wants too.

Signs of stress

NHL GM's reaction to playoff loss goes viral​

 

[Martin Skoula]

I like Dubas as a program builder, make sure the draft + undrafted UFA -> ECHL -> AHL -> NHL pipeline is running smooth and the organization is stocked with semi-liquid assets being developed by the best people available. More of a bird’s eye view on the general health of the organization and adjusting the direction to respond to trends in team compositions and market forces. I’m not sure if that title is basically President or it’s one of the 300 VP of Player Development roles we have.

Putting a degree of separation between his macro strategy and the day to day micro of actually dealing with the players and having to move people you have a close relationship with might churn out better decision making in the long run.

I can see the value of a Burke type as a short term GM with no ties to the players that makes a big splash to put the finishing pieces on the roster. The key is making sure that guy only has control over spending a certain amount of resources and doesn’t have clearance to drain the system of assets renting Brad May every year until you have no prospects left and only aging vets on retirement deals with NMCs.

 

[Rude Dog]

I agree but if the stress was that bad, why would the same place be the only place you want to go to rather than a less stressful market ?? My guess is he prefers not to move his family and would need more money to compensate for the stress that comes with this market. Funny thing is, old man Lou never mentioned stress and wanted to stay.

Don't disagree. But not everyone is built to handle stress of being scrutinized in a market like Toronto. When you take on a job, you envision success and statues, not failure and waffles. Maybe he is doing an honest assessment of himself. Maybe he isn't built like Lou. But I also don't see him as a quitter. For that reason, I expect him back. We will see.

 

[Superstar]

That could be and that I understand, however I still think these conversations would have already taken place. I know I certainly would be talking with my wife and adult kids looking for feedback all alone the way. I’m sure you would be too.
. I just find it very strange thing to bring up at a season ending press conference but the entire presser was weird without Shanny speaking

What's Shanny gonna say if he was at the presser? "I think we were killer but lacked the instinct...?"

 

[Squiffy]

I like Dubas as a program builder, make sure the draft + undrafted UFA -> ECHL -> AHL -> NHL pipeline is running smooth and the organization is stocked with semi-liquid assets being developed by the best people available. More of a bird’s eye view on the general health of the organization and adjusting the direction to respond to trends in team compositions and market forces. I’m not sure if that title is basically President or it’s one of the 300 VP of Player Development roles we have.

Putting a degree of separation between his macro strategy and the day to day micro of actually dealing with the players and having to move people you have a close relationship with might churn out better decision making in the long run.

I can see the value of a Burke type as a short term GM with no ties to the players that makes a big splash to put the finishing pieces on the roster. The key is making sure that guy only has control over spending a certain amount of resources and doesn’t have clearance to drain the system of assets renting Brad May every year until you have no prospects left and only aging vets on retirement deals with NMCs.

Release the Fletcher!

 

[Gallagbi]

If he's unemployed why would he be concerned with rumblings?

People ask about it. Friends, relatives, randoms on the street, radio programs, etc

 

[Tak7]

Thanks for the effort all day.

No prob - happy to help.

Hilarious title top but thank you for transcribing the interviews for others.

No worries!

 

[ACC1224]

People ask about it. Friends, relatives, randoms on the street, radio programs, etc

I would imagine they would anyway.

 

[Buds17]

View attachment 709320

Release the Fletcher!

Third time's the charm?

 

[Leaf Rocket]

A buddy just text me and said that the Leafs are doing interviews. Anyone else hear that?

Not from my knowledge. Sent out some feelers that they are ready for both options but should be cleared relatively soon at what direction to go to.

 

[egd27]

I'm trying to remember their user names. The only one that comes to mind is MooseOak.

There was another crazy poster from back then.
Disgruntled Observer was the username I believe.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

I think Dubas is coming back. Seemed like he was just making a point about the stressful nature of the job in this market. Could be he was taking the job home ( a BIG nono ) rather than leaving it in the office where it belongs. It takes some people longer than others to figure that out.
Also i think waiting for the dust to settle before announcing his return is the right approach. Far too much emotion within the fan base at the moment.

 

[Gallagbi]

I would imagine they would anyway.

Maybe, but youre reducing it by stating a position ahead of time.

 

[egd27]

Mathieu Darche TB director of hockey operations
Involved in all major decision with the GM

Scott Mellanby St Louis

Eric Tulsky from the Canes

 

[leafan11]

I think the last year being a lame duck and that crappy finish put a lot of stress on him and likely his family as well but it just peaked a couple of days ago. Its like a fighter announcing his retirement right after getting knocked out. He isn't bound by what he just said and it would be expected he might feel different in a few days.

I think Pridham can handle the draft and July 1st. This would have already been set up and Shanny would be fully involved in the final decisions so not a lot of leeway at this point for any Leaf GM.

He’s let tons of players walk to ufa how is that any different than him being a lame duck? I thought it was very weird for him to come
Out with the family stuff.

 

[egd27]

A buddy just text me and said that the Leafs are doing interviews. Anyone else hear that?

For a specific position ?

 

[ACC1224]

For a specific position ?

To replace Dubas