How can the culture be changed with Dubas still in charge?

[Suntouchable13]

looks like we're gonna run it back with the same group with no changes.

looks like another year wasted.

That’s a joke. AS it stands now, they are not better than TB or Boston and there is nothing that can be done to make us better.

 

[PromisedLand]

Just trying to remember when the last time a player of Matthews level was traded?

'If Wayne Gretzky can be traded ...': Ranking the 15 best NHL stars moved in their prime

Trade #11 the only one that really sticks out as a win-win.

I think the Flames need a significant change.

if flames do Tkachuk for Marner; and we can get Tkachuk signed long term for around 8 AAV that is going to save us about 3M in cap space that can be used for quality depth and we get an asset locked in long term.

Tkachuck is an agitator, can play gritty, net front presence, shit disturber, buddies with Matthews (chances of matthews re-signing increases).

I am not sure though how much Tkachuck is asking for a long term deal.

Ideally we trade Tavares and move Willy to center but trading Tavares is next to impossible

 

[DarkKnight]

looks like we're gonna run it back with the same group with no changes.

looks like another year wasted.

Pretty disappointing to listen to him. His sense of loyalty is admirable, except this is sport and not a brotherhood of men.

Zero pragmatism.

He basically said I believe in these guys and I’ll go down with this group. He also admits we are too passive in big moments but offers no remedy other than bad analogies to other teams.

 

[egd27]

If only Montreal tried hard enough to beat Tampa

When Tampa had a chance to eliminate the Habs in Games 4 & 5 they came out ready to play and outshot the Habs 12-5 and 13-4 in the first periods of those games.

That's how you start games when you have your opponent on the ropes.

 

[notbias]

I don't give a crap about Edmonton and what they do
And really, whatever, Hyman was worse than MM. Who bloody cares, Mitch gets 11 mill

The excuses and bizarre comparisons to other teams just never stop

I am just trying to understand your logic (or lack of it).

Edmonton is a good example, they are struggling to have meaningful playoff runs, they've had their core together for longer than us, McDavid performs well in the regular season but production drops off heavily in the playoffs, is it your opinion that McDavid should be traded since they can't see to win with that core?

I am really just trying to grasp the illogical thought process of trading good young players

 

[notbias]

When Tampa had a chance to eliminate the Habs in Games 4 & 5 they came out ready to play and outshot the Habs 12-5 and 13-4 in the first periods of those games.

That's how you start games when you have your opponent on the ropes.

So Tampa does not try hard enough? I am finding it really hard to follow your logic.

 

[Lauro]

Adding Tavares will be huge.
- Hyman + ???
- Bogosian :-(
+ Sandin and Liljegren
- Thornton
- Andersen
+ ???
+ anything learned from just another first round exit?

Why not. But I won't get my hope up until they are in Rd. 2.

 

[The CyNick]

As a noted Dubas fan, this has been a very very tough offseason for him. The Rittich deal, although made sense at the time with the uncertainty of Freddy has really been tough to swallow given the fact he only provided us 1 win. The Foligno trade retrospectively was terrible. It was always a steep price, but far more tolerable with an actual cup run. Dubas was once again let down by the players he put his neck on the line for and consequently looks like the Jackass, when really it was the players who failed. This was followed by his dumbest move I think he has ever made as the GM of the Leafs. The loss of McCann, Not the loss of "Hallander and a 7th" as people try to frame it. Protecting Holl over going 7F + 3D is inexcusable really. Its poor asset management and I just will never be convinced this was smart with Lilly waiting and ready on the right side. Now the loss of one of the hardest working players we've had in decades in Hyman. Its really just been a very tough 3 months for Dubas.

That said, Dubas has never had a bad offseason as the Leafs GM. He consistently addresses the needs of the previous years and is not afraid to shift gears and go in a different direction. Although seeing Hyman go is extremely hard, It was the right decision by Kyle 100%. That is not a contract we can have for 8 years. I really think there is something bigger that is about to happen. Kyle is very calculated. The fact that they did not hold 1 single interview for the newly acquired Jared McCann should have told us right away that they knew they'd leave him unprotected and that Seattle would select him. I would not be surprised with anything at this point. I know KD will get active in the right way, he has shown time and time again that he will have a Stanley Cup worthy roster assembled in October. I am not afraid to stand by Kyle even in this dark dark time. It will get better, I am very confident of that

I think there's a fundamental problem with anyone who sees this team as a Stanley Cup contender when they can get out of the first round of the playoffs. If they constantly ran into Tampa in the first round, I would say okay, that's just a tough draw. But when you can't beat a stripped down Columbus team or Montreal, you have serious problems.

You are saying Dubas addresses need, but clearly he doesn't, otherwise the team would win. You can say "the players let him down", but he invested half his cap in those four players. If they fail to produce, it's his failure in assembling a team. If the team has massive success, it's not Dubas winning the games, the results on the ice will always ultimately be dictated by the players. The GM puts them in the room. If those players don't produce, then maybe they shouldn't be making top 5 money in the league.

I would argue he hasn't had one GOOD off season. Every offseaon has led to a more dramatic failure in the playoffs. This last one being the worst yet.

Maybe Dubas should stop trying to assemble a great regular season team and look to acquire players who can perform in the playoffs.

 

[ShaneFalco]

He's certifiably insane.

He came out with the "We Can and We Will" crap, he's created this mess and will not even consider trading MM or WN to try and get a better balance. No accountability in Leaf land whatsoever

 

[DarkKnight]

I love the gambling analogy, he’s all in on this group, he’s willing to bet on it. That’s delusional, no updating in his thinking, no “upon further review”, no evolution, just acting like it’s luck and eventually our number comes up. And this guy is a new kind of hockey mind? Sounds like every other failed GM that didn’t get it and kept doing the same thing over and over.

And when he mentions other teams, can someone cite one historical example of a team that loses in the first round every single year then suddenly becomes champs. We have no peer.

The best part, him actually saying “how lucky we are” to have all our core signed.

Same coach, same GM, same players minus important pieces. Sounds like a winner.

 

[Jozay]

Pretty much gotta go through the motions next year, watch them lose in the first round again and then finally some change can be made. Starting with Shanahan & Dubas.

 

[Mancunian]

So now we have to fire Dubas in order for the right changes to be made..? So disappointing to see that nothing has been learned over the last several seasons. I don't want to see Marner wearing a Leafs jersey this season and trading Nylander while his value is at the highest its ever been (remember when Dubas turned down Pietrangelo for Nylander?) is the right move given the circumstances.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I am really just trying to grasp the illogical thought process of trading good young players

I dunno - maybe it's because the team is not constructed well and bows out of the playoffs every year in embarrassing fashion!? How many first round exits does it take to consider maybe we don't have the right formula here?

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Putting even more pressure on this group when they fold every time there’s even the slightest hint of some sounds like a great idea.

 

[PromisedLand]

Zachary Hyman signing a ridiculous contract in Edmonton says a lot about the culture that Dubas has helped create.
Mercenaries.
…. And the fans have to suffer

The biggest LOL worthy scenario was:

Shanny: "We expect our young leaders to give discounts; so that we can keep the team together"

Dubas: hello dear agents, ignore what shanny is saying. what do you guys want? I will give you 10% extra; make sure 5% is sent to me in an offshore account . We gonna be so rich together. screw the leafs.

I can't think of another way a GM can be so incompetent!

 

[egd27]

You seem to be equating shots to effort, which is weird, but you should know that Leafs outshot Montreal 236-198.

Even you must realize the importance of being ready to play from the puck drop and not allowing your opponent dictate the pace.

Maybe you could tell me the xGF for the first periods of Games 5, 6. 7 if that would be more impactful for you.

 

[Dreakmur]

Did we just have a press conference to announce that there is nothing to announce?

 

[inthe6ix]

Sounds like a broken record, but like an idiot, I keep buying in every year and believing:

 

[ShaneFalco]

I love the gambling analogy, he’s all in on this group, he’s willing to bet on it. That’s delusional, no updating in his thinking, no “upon further review”, no evolution, just acting like it’s luck and eventually our number comes up. And this guy is a new kind of hockey mind? Sounds like every other failed GM that didn’t get it and kept doing the same thing over and over.

And when he mentions other teams, can someone cite one historical example of a team that loses in the first round every singleyear then suddenly becomes champs. We have no peer.

The best part, him actually saying “how lucky we are” to have all our core signed.

Same coach, same GM, same players minus important pieces. Sounds like a winner.

This is a beautiful post

 

[hamzarocks]

Man I'm super excited for Connor Bedard. Next year a quick 1st round exit with these same losers coming back. Than a full tear down and hopefully some luck and a competent management team and we are on our way with rebuild 2.0

Kyle Dubas, I don't know what these 4 guys said to you or showed to you for you to be so stubborn about defending this group. They've proven they are certified chokers nothing more than that

 

[Bomber0104]

Did we just have a press conference to announce that there is nothing to announce?

Kyle called all the media members together to announce that he still believes.

That should make everyone feel much better.

 

[egd27]

Shhhh.....facts.

It'a 2021, we only do hot takes and "feelings"

Rather than yet another condescending take, how about contributing to the discussion by indicating what wasn't factual in my post?

 

[The CyNick]

No facts were given here.

Try watching the games, including non Leafs games and you'll see the difference.

The Isles didn't get within a game of the Finals because they are more skilled than the Leafs. They got there because everyone on the team from top to bottom works and works and works. Try watching an Isles playoff game and then watch a tape of a Leafs game and tell me you think each group is putting out similar effort.

 

[ShaneFalco]

lol Lilly was given a shot was he!? So basically if I can't find a cheap vet d-man (because I've overpaid guys), I'll give the young guys a chance. Cuz I have noting else

 

[DarkKnight]

It was funny him listing all the times year after year in the playoffs that we were too “passive” and timid. I was like “yes hello in there”. There isn’t some elixir here Kyle, read the room, the problem is obvious and doubling down is insanity based on your own historical recital of failure.