Confirmed with Link: Leafs Hire Jim Hiller as Head Coach

[Nineteen67]

.

100%.

We have a direction we know this team/organization is clearly going.

That alone is a breath of fresh air.

seems like it’s mix of the new age hockey to provide information with some traditional elements to execute and use the data.

 

[Sypher04]

Perhaps Cassidy feels Matthews is a coach killer and didn't want to be a yes man.

Only thing that makes sense.

That would be a pretty baseless thing for him to think.

 

[CtrlAltDel]

Yeah I don’t think that’s at all what’s happening

Some of the takes on here are honestly hilarious.

 

[thewave]

That would be a pretty baseless thing for him to think.

I don't know man. Babcock had to fly to Arizona with a basket of oranges and flowers for Matthews.

 

[Nineteen67]

Since Chayka said their team spoke with people at different levels to learn more about each coach’s character, my sense is that Cassidy may not have passed that background check, and that this was likely one of the reasons they didn’t choose him.

I like that. Tells me they’re not looking for a short term coach and want someone that could be around for a long time. I don’t know if he will be or not, but Cassidy is known to wear out his welcome.

 

[Sypher04]

I don't know man. Babcock had to fly to Arizona with a basket of oranges and flowers for Matthews.

Had to or chose to. And do people really think it’s abnormal for a coach to visit the top players on his club during an offseason to get a feel for their thoughts on where things are.

The only likely difference is here it’s news whereas elsewhere nobody talks about it.

 

[htpwn]

Aside from the initial shock (given Hiller wasn't on the radar at all), I feel nothing in regards to this hire. Watching the press conference and reading some of the early articles/tweets has not changed that.

Part of that is I was pretty unenamoured by the list of names that had leaked out. I know some of you were selling yourselves on the hiring of Pavelski or this or that junior coach. I was open to that, but it would also be quite the risk to take and I don't blame the Leafs for searching out someone with experience.

Part of it is that Hiller is just... a coach, I guess. He's a dude. I like the hire better than if it had been Patrick Roy or Dallas Eatkins. Maybe I would have preferred Cassidy, but he never seemed like he was all that interested in being here. It seems like LA Kings fans have some negative opinions on the job he did but his record there was... quite decent, despite a relatively medicore roster. And it is not as if Jon Cooper was available.

So basically... okay, sure. Hiller it is.

 

[Dayjobdave]

I like where Hiller has been and I was impressed with his remarks in the presser. Good to have a coach that will combine a structure with enthusiasm and getting the boys to skate. Let's see how we do - just watch out for the late challenges in playoff games.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Perhaps Cassidy feels Matthews is a coach killer and didn't want to be a yes man.

Only thing that makes sense.

I’d say nothing makes sense by you do you.

 

[MCR74]

I get a sense he isnt so popular around here.

Is he popular anywhere?

 

[htpwn]

I like where Hiller has been and I was impressed with his remarks in the presser. Good to have a coach that will combine a structure with enthusiasm and getting the boys to skate. Let's see how we do - just watch out for the late challenges in playoff games.

We have Jordan Bean and Sam Kim to make those calls.

 

[rumman]

Cynically, I'm pretty sure a lot of these decisions are to appease Matthews. I don't think it's necessarily Hiller himself, but more that they are hiring a guy whose mandate will be to play a style that prioritizes Matthews rather than the team.

The real question was did Hiller have to make a pilgrimage to the desert to wash Captain America’s feet before 34 gave his consent?

 

[Daisy Jane]

I like that. Tells me they’re not looking for a short term coach and want someone that could be around for a long time. I don’t know if he will be or not, but Cassidy is known to wear out his welcome.

which is why it probably took so long. I honestly feel just going by everyone going "OMG WHY THIS GUY?!!?!" is the more i am fine with it. the Leafs did not need to make a sexy hire. or this big bombastic name. (I sitll was okay with the idea of roy).

to me this hire is basically "where the chips fall." My HOPE again is that they don't murder the organization to try to get into the playoffs - but I can also see them trying not to be terrible because our first round pick is going to Bos/Phil wherever. and I DO think they don't want to have McKenna's first two years mired in being super duper patheticly bad. [that's one thing I'll always agree with about the Shannaplan].

and you DO regardless of what side of the fence you fall on need to make matthews be viable. if not for the team. for trade. nylander too.

 

[deli meat]

Bam.. Guy came out like rabbit out of a hat

 

[yubbers]

Chayka reading from a script is already annoying me.

But I don't hate Hiller. Let's see

 

[Daisy Jane]

Chayka reading from a script is already annoying me.

how do you know he's reading from a script? that could just be how he communicates
why is it bothering you?

 

[authentic]

I don't know man. Babcock had to fly to Arizona with a basket of oranges and flowers for Matthews.

So you believe the player who leads forwards in blocked shots, takeaways, 55% faceoffs, while scoring 60-70 goals, plays deep in the defensive zone constantly and doesn’t cheat for offense is the coach killer, as opposed to the entirely one way winger who’s afraid to backcheck too hard?

 

[budzz]

Could be worse, we could be hiring Mike Babcock fergoshsakes.

 

[yubbers]

how do you know he's reading from a script? that could just be how he communicates
why is it bothering you?

it's pretty easy to tell by his eyes. His entire opening monologue introducing Hiller was being read.

It comes across lazy to me. An occasional glance at notes is fine.

 

[thewave]

So you believe the player who leads forwards in blocked shots, takeaways, 55% faceoffs, while scoring 60-70 goals, plays deep in the defensive zone constantly and doesn’t cheat for offense is the coach killer, as opposed to the entirely one way winger who’s afraid to backcheck too hard?

He didn't look very remarkable last season. Injury prone or something. Nyalnder is locked in and not waiving regardless.

 

[fahad203]

Offside?

 

[crump]

 

[rumman]

Chayka reading from a script is already annoying me.

But I don't hate Hiller. Let's see

They’ll be judged by their success or lack thereof. I have zero expectations so I won’t be disappointed if the wheels come off yet again.

 

[Daisy Jane]

it's pretty easy to tell by his eyes. His entire opening monologue introducing Hiller was being read.

It comes across lazy to me. An occasional glance at notes is fine.

why is that lazy. Yubs. expand please.
some people. again, can't just "glance." and rip off what he wants to say, but he clearly feels what he wants to say needs to be said and he doesn't want to miss a step

if he was a stuttering messs and couldn't remember what he wanted to say, would that have been better for you? like i'm just trying to figure out why it's lazy.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

- 1-3-1 hockey while effective with the right group, is so, so boring.

Matthews called Berube hockey boring in post game pressers a number of times.

He could have narcolepsy with 1-3-1.