Confirmed with Link: Leafs Hire Jim Hiller as Head Coach

[JKG33]

This is officially the death of anyone in the media knowing anything that is going on with the Leafs

No leaks of the trade yesterday, not a single hint this was going to be the hire today

The media couldnt even makeup stories that are worse than this reality

 

[Duffman955]

So strange to hire him above other more analytics and possession driven coaches.

He does run a good PP, and good defensive structure.
Lets see what happens.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

Some people believed that after the Vegans finish their run, they will let him talk to teams.

Vegas > Vegans

 

[TMLeafer]

This is... Unexpected. Not what I was thinking they had planned.

 

[JKG33]

Interesting hire, the people criticizing it literally have no idea who the guy is, which is typical.

Try again.

During the 2024 and 2025 seasons he coached one of the best defensive teams in the league, so there's that.

That team had a solid D core and forwards who could buy in

I'm intrigued, I'm interested what he's going to say is his approach. Not against this at all.

Lol

 

[Anthrax442]

Fan way of thinking

Players don’t think like that

Maybe not all of them, but they do. Some want to play where it counts. Some want to play where theres golf 24/7 . Which kind of players do we want here?

 

[The Masters]

The Carolina Hurricanes have the best overall 5-on-5 Expected Goals Against (xGA) metrics in the NHL. They are followed closely by the Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, and Edmonton Oilers over the three-season stretch spanning from 2023 to 2026. [1, 2]
Analytics tracking sites like Natural Stat Trick and MoneyPuck evaluate defensive efficiency using 5-on-5 Expected Goals Against per 60 Minutes (xGA/60). This metric filters out the noise of high or low goaltending save percentages to measure exactly how well a team suppresses high-danger scoring chances

 

[Anthrax442]

Vegas > Vegans

played like Vegans

 

[Twine Tickler]

Not overly familiar with the play style that Hiller employs. Not sure how I feel about the hire. As always I will give him a chance. Feels a bit out of left field, but what the f*** do I know at the end of the day. For all we know he is a widely respected voice in the hockey community

Being a right hand man to Babs can be a pro or con. Babs, like him or not, knows the game. Even Frankie Corrodo mentioned last week that if you watch a full 60 minutes with Babs you're going to come away from that experience learning something about the game. I imagine that has had an effect on Hiller to some degree.

Lets just hope he doesn't take anything else from him lol. Although I would put that chance as close to zero given the known punishment associated to that type of misconduct

Disappointed to not have Pavs and/or Woodcroft. Felt like that was the right fit for this particular team. But once again, I have no reason to not endorse this decision and give Jim my full support

 

[fahad203]

Interesting hire, the people criticizing it literally have no idea who the guy is, which is typical.

During the 2024 and 2025 seasons he coached one of the best defensive teams in the league, so there's that.

I'm intrigued, I'm interested what he's going to say is his approach. Not against this at all.

What you mean people have no idea to who he is? He was our assistant coach for 3 years

But none the less to your point, I agree. He has gained a lot of experience since, managed a very lackluster aging talented LA kings

I would have rather still someone a bit younger and more in touch with today's players.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

So strange to hire him above other more analytics and possession driven coaches.

He does run a good PP, and good defensive structure.
Lets see what happens.

You can only hire people willing to come here

 

[Metroid]

When Boobsock was hired we were all excited. Then he was fired and we were all excited, then Keefe, we were so excited, then we were excited when he was fired. Then Berube was going to fix everything, barely lasted 2 years. So I'm going to feel nothing about this now, till I see the standings at Xmas.

Best thing to do is to wait it out before shitting or praising this. But all know that's not how people and the Internet work nowadays.

 

[HamiltonNHL]

played like Vegans

lol

 

[aingefan]

One big move a day until the draft and free agency.
Own the news.
I don’t know enough about coaching to thumb up down anything, so I’m in wait and watch mode.
But familiarity with the market helps, at least.

 

[hamzarocks]

I wonder what the plan is for this year.

Does Hiller run a good offensive system? If we want to rebuild and Chayka realized that but knows he needs to deal 34 + 88 to do so then maybe this makes sense.

If Hill can get those guys off to a hot offensive start but the team is just medicore then we could possibly see AM34 be willing to be dealt like Q Hughes was for a strong package.

Then in th summer deal nylander after another ppg+ season for the team.

If tbe goal was to hire the best coach for player development, strong results who can build with the team I dont understand this hire

 

[Suntouchable13]

I hope Lalonde stays. The PK was the only good thing about this team last season.

 

[francis246]

Cassidy? Thought he wasn't allowed to speak to anyone?

Some were speculating Vegas would allow Toronto to speak to him once the season was over. I just never saw Cassidy as a fit. He’s not a players coach and they need a guy who’s established but can create complete buy in. Hiller fits that profile plus he’s been here before so your stats are comfortable with him, it makes sense. Now who Hiller brings into his staff is more intriguing to me

 

[definedMF]

I am not following this, wasn’t he fired cause Kings couldn’t move past 1st with him….

 

[The Masters]

So strange to hire him above other more analytics and possession driven coaches.

He does run a good PP, and good defensive structure.
Lets see what happens.

mirtle says hes a big analytics guy

 

[HamiltonNHL]

I wonder what the plan is for this year.

Tank..

Like last year.

 

[The Masters]

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Jim Hiller x Toronto Maple Leafs

First round exit duo

 

[Anthrax442]

What you mean people have no idea to who he is? He was our assistant coach for 3 years

But none the less to your point, I agree. He has gained a lot of experience since, managed a very lackluster aging talented LA kings

I would have rather still someone a bit younger and more in touch with today's players.

I didn't even remember that. Babcock's shadow was too big.

 

[LeafsMob]

Left field hire, nice to see the Leafs being tight lipped. Familiarity with AM34 & Willy coaching under Babs. Gotta wonder if they had any say or pushed for him?

 

[Go4soda]

0/2 so far imo. hoping for something redeeming.