Leafs Offseason: Alot of big decisions, 17 key ones [Dubas(gone), Matthews, Marner, Nylander are biggies]

[kevsh]

Swedish media speculating the fact that Nylander has not shown up yet at the worlds may indicate Toronto wants to move him and wont risk him being injured. Thoughts?

I had no idea teams had any say in this? I guess I just assumed if a player wants to go, he goes. But it does seem odd as Willie has played in the past and the tournament is close to home.

I would just be cautious on speculation until he either he goes to the tournament, says he's going or says something publicly about why he's not.

 

[TheDoldrums]

Nylander's agent might not be thrilled with him going to the Worlds when he's about to be eligible for an extension

 

[rumman]

Probably waiting to see what Dubas’ wife thinks……….

 

[Dion TheFluff]

obviously take with a massive grain of salt but u never know

 

[TheDoldrums]

obviously take with a massive grain of salt but u never know

yeah I saw that earlier. Doesn't seem to be followed by anyone noteworthy so I'm not putting any stock into it. But I would be surprised if Keefe is brought back so he'll likely be correct whether lying or not imo

 

[ShaneFalco]

I wonder how much of this is just posturing in the media, while behind the scenes there are differences of opinion on how to proceed. It wouldn't be a complete shock to me, that Dubas wants to make some major changes and is asking for full autonomy, and there are internal discussions as to whether they are willing to give that.

Yeah I suspect something else is going on here. And full autonomy would probably include keeping Keefe. I'm thinking Dubas is too emotionally involved to make the big changes/decisions

 

[The Management]

Again this is just so bizarre. His results weren't good enough last year to receive an extension, the team has the same issues, and bows out early again, but now he's deserving. And sorry I don't buy the whole family thing. If he's feeling too much pressure at 37 ths market isn't for him. He just doesn' want to fire keefe or one of the core, because he's loyal to a fault IMO

Both of these things can be true, though.

Many people who has worked a high-pace, stressful job will tell you that it's difficult not to take that stress home with you at the end of each day. I can't imagine many jobs more stressful, in terms of public scrutiny, than general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And that's maybe the exact question he's weighing; is this particular role for him, is the juice worth the squeeze, or should he resign himself to pursuing another job?

It's a tough question a lot of people face at some point in their careers, and this is probably the right time for him to be asking himself those hard questions.

I thought he seemed sincere when he mentioned his family. I've been in similar positions where it dawned on me that my job may be affecting my home life in unintended ways.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Both of these things can be true, though.

Many people who has worked a high-pace, stressful job will tell you that it's difficult not to take that stress home with you at the end of each day. I can't imagine many jobs more stressful, in terms of public scrutiny, than general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. And that's maybe the exact question he's weighing; is this particular role for him, is the juice worth the squeeze, or should he resign himself to pursuing another job?

It's a tough question a lot of people face at some point in their careers, and this is probably the right time for him to be asking himself those hard questions.

I thought he seemed sincere when he mentioned his family. I've been in similar positions where it dawned on me that my job may be affecting my home life in unintended ways.

I understand all of that I'm just not sure I buy it. The timing of it especially - and the fact he's been so devoted to the core he was willing to bet it all on them. Not his exact words but close. How many times have we heard how much the core "cares deeply". He also thinks Keefe will be a future coaching legend. Perhaps too emotionally invested to make the changes needed and he seems like a guy who would stick his neck out for his coach.

 

[theslatcher]

Does the team have the ability to tell Nylander not to play in the Worlds in the offseason? I don't recall ever hearing something like that.

I had no idea teams had any say in this? I guess I just assumed if a player wants to go, he goes. But it does seem odd as Willie has played in the past and the tournament is close to home.

I would just be cautious on speculation until he either he goes to the tournament, says he's going or says something publicly about why he's not.

Teams can block a player from going. They do this all the time, after all you're under contract.

Usually teams block players during their first year in the big league, or when you want to trade him to prevent injury.

 

[phillipmike]

obviously take with a massive grain of salt but u never know

Not going after you but this shouldn't be a surprise. This is like telling me the sky is blue.

Nothing should surprise me because they have offered an extension to Dubas but Keefe cannot be back. Absolutely not.

 

[mydnyte]

Not going after you but this shouldn't be a surprise. This is like telling me the sky is blue.

Nothing should surprise me because they have offered an extension to Dubas but Keefe cannot be back. Absolutely not.

have they actually offered Dubas an extension? when?

 

[phillipmike]

have they actually offered Dubas an extension? when?

Top insiders have said so (Elliotte, CJ and Dreger).

 

[The Management]

I understand all of that I'm just not sure I buy it. The timing of it especially - and the fact he's been so devoted to the core he was willing to bet it all on them. Not his exact words but close. How many times have we heard how much the core "cares deeply". He also thinks Keefe will be a future coaching legend. Perhaps too emotionally invested to make the changes needed and he seems like a guy who would stick his neck out for his coach.

Yeah, I think that's a fair take.

If he sticks around, he needs to take a step outside his comfort zone and look at making tough choices that may not appeal to him personally, but are for the good of the club.

 

[Fogelhund]

Yeah I suspect something else is going on here. And full autonomy would probably include keeping Keefe. I'm thinking Dubas is too emotionally involved to make the big changes/decisions

I find it interesting that some people think Dubas is too emotionally involved to make the big changes/decisions. I see it completely differently. At every step he's made the deal he thought he needed to, at every step he's corrected mistakes. I think deep down, the guy is pretty cut throat, but has this soft marketing presentation/persona. I guess we shall see who is right in time though, as really both of us are guessing.

 

[ShaneFalco]

I find it interesting that some people think Dubas is too emotionally involved to make the big changes/decisions. I see it completely differently. At every step he's made the deal he thought he needed to, at every step he's corrected mistakes. I think deep down, the guy is pretty cut throat, but has this soft marketing presentation. I guess we shall see who is right in time though, as really both of us are guessing.

He is with the periphery players - but the core, from day one he hasn't even entertainied a change there. We keep hearing how much they "care" and how much he believes in them. That he would stake his job on them. He paid them, sings their praises, sticks up for them, has his coach apologize after calling them out - seems pretty emotionally involved to me. Also thinks Keefe will be some kind of future legend - and isn't he the only coach Dubas has had?

 

[Trapper]

He is with the periphery players - but the core, from day one he hasn't even entertainied a change there. We keep hearing how much they "care" and how much he believes in them. That he would stake his job on them. He paid them, sings their praises, sticks up for them, has his coach apologize after calling them out - seems pretty emotionally involved to me. Also thinks Keefe will be some kind of future legend - and isn't he the only coach Dubas has had?

He bet his job on the core and at some point you have to pay the check.

 

[CaptainCrunch17]

Again this is just so bizarre. His results weren't good enough last year to receive an extension, the team has the same issues, and bows out early again, but now he's deserving. And sorry I don't buy the whole family thing. If he's feeling too much pressure at 37 ths market isn't for him. He just doesn' want to fire keefe or one of the core, because he's loyal to a fault IMO

Imagine if he does resign now, there will likely be ongoing questions about his commitment and enthusiasm for the position.

The Leafs should probably just move on to someone who views this job as one of most desirable executive positions in the league.

Which it is.

 

[Farsailor]

I had no idea teams had any say in this? I guess I just assumed if a player wants to go, he goes. But it does seem odd as Willie has played in the past and the tournament is close to home.

I would just be cautious on speculation until he either he goes to the tournament, says he's going or says something publicly about why he's not.

Yeah he said he was going and Toronto gave him the go ahead but after that it has been nothing for three days. And Liljegren said in an interview when he arrived to the worlds yesterday that Nylander still is in Toronto and that he has not been speaking to him in days. Seems a bit odd. Alex Nylander also would not share any info to the Swedish press. For whatever reason radio silence seems to be the case. Maybe he just did not wanna play Hungary...

 

[Fogelhund]

He is with the periphery players - but the core, from day one he hasn't even entertainied a change there. We keep hearing how much they "care" and how much he believes in them. That he would stake his job on them. He paid them, sings their praises, sticks up for them, has his coach apologize after calling them out - seems pretty emotionally involved to me. Also thinks Keefe will be some kind of future legend - and isn't he the only coach Dubas has had?

I think you sing the praises of your players, stick up for them... right up until the day you move them. We had to give these kids time to grow, and learn how to win... But they haven't, so at least one has to go now, and even Dubas admitted at the season ending presser, it was time.

Frankly, I'd love to find a way to move two... and I'd move Marner and Tavares... but I just don't know how we'd move Tavares, nor do I really have a clue if we'd get anything of value back given his cap hit.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Imagine if he does resign now, there will likely be ongoing questions about his commitment and enthusiasm for the position.

The Leafs should probably just move on to someone who views this job as one of most desirable executive positions in the league.

Which it is.

And if the extension talks are true, surely he knew about it well in advance and could have addressed things then, and not publicly. I dunno, somethig just isn't right. And the fact that Shanny has been MIA basically all year makes you wonder.....

 

[ShaneFalco]

I think you sing the praises of your players, stick up for them... right up until the day you move them. We had to give these kids time to grow, and learn how to win... But they haven't, so at least one has to go now, and even Dubas admitted at the season ending presser, it was time.

Frankly, I'd love to find a way to move two... and I'd move Marner and Tavares... but I just don't know how we'd move Tavares, nor do I really have a clue if we'd get anything of value back given his cap hit.

Those would be my choices as well, but I just don't think they'll go down that road with their captain. Not this year anyway. And I'm not convinced AM wants to stay.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out, but from Shanny's behavior (MIA the whole season) and the Dubas announcement, something just doesn't seem right. Maybe Shanny is on the way out too - either by choice or let go

 

[Notsince67]

Take it with a grain of salt like always

 

[Stephen]

Either all this silence is because MLSE is negotiating with Dubas and won't make any decisions or announcements until that's done, or they are slow-rolling bringing everyone back and hoping that in the meantime Leafs fans get on with their Summer and forget about it?

I'd go with the former as the latter is a ridiculous notion. For us fans, there is no Summer just a transition between being miserable (April/May) and hopeful (September).

I think there’s just a broken link in the chain of command at the moment.

 

[GoonieFace]

Take it with a grain of salt like always

Hey that guy works at the Freshco near me, looks legit

 

[Notsince67]

Hey that guy works at the Freshco near me, looks legit

I think he is actually a powerskating coach who has worked with NHL players.
edit link here

Perfect Edge Powerskating - Atlantic Hockey Group

www.atlantichockeygroup.com