Confirmed with Link: Locker Room Exit Interviews Monday May 6 (Players and Keefe) + Pelley/Shanny/Tre on Friday VIDEO LINK PG 57

[The Masters]

What do you think the chances are that its all be pre arranged that Shanny steps down at the press conference? Like they give him a parachute instead of pushing him out of the plane.

I'd love that but dont think it happens. I think its going to be talking about keefe being fired and how Tre will re-make the team now

 

[CaptainCrunch17]

The entire D core got worse at transitioning the puck, which will limit the offensive ability of everyone.

Our bottom 6 got less skilled as well.

The top 6 remained relatively the same.

And once again, the top 6 didn't produce well, and the bottom 6 and all the D looked worse offensively.

Woll made this round closer than it should have been.

The Leafs led the Eastern Conference in goals scored and were second in the entire league to only Colorado who scored 304 versus the Leafs 303.

Boston who beat the Leafs and advanced to the second round scored 267 goals in the regular season. Florida who are the favourites to advance to conference finals scored 268 goals in the regular season.

The Leafs problem is not a lack of offense.

Their lack of playoff success lies in the fact they have two many soft forwards like Marner who are afraid to take the puck hard to the net and enter the dirty areas of the ice when their opponent clogs up the front of the net.

 

[PromisedLand]

its that McAvoy bullshit isn't it?

 

[Racer88]

We have seen what happens when owners have had say on the on ice product, I'd rather Shanahan run the show if those where the two options.

I would rather the new boss fire them all and start again. We have seen 10 years of Shannys “run it back again “ style and it sucks

 

[MCR74]

Steps on what to do with Marner:

1. On July 1st, ask him to sign at very substantial hometown discount without a full NMC (maybe 10 team trade list).
2. If that fails, ask him to give a list of 10 teams he would accept trade to now and if he does agree then trade him this offseason.
3. If he doesnt agree to waive NMC then have someone anonymously leak to the media that he both wouldnt take any hometown discount and also wouldnt waive his NMC.

Mitch cares too much about what the city and others think about him and the pressure on him/hatred would be too much and I think that he would accept a trade instead of likely getting frequent boos at home games.

Paul wouldn't approve of this.

 

[MSZ]

its that McAvoy bullshit isn't it?

Not sure, we can speculate all we want but Matthews himself just doesn't want to say anything.

 

[Torontonian]

I would rather the new boss fire them all and start again. We have seen 10 years of Shannys “run it back again “ style and it sucks

The main reason why it sucks right now is because we lack the ability to ever get better due to limited rise of the cap. We haven't been able to add a long term solid d-man or another quality forward. When the 11m anchor in JT is off the books, it will be better for the Leafs.

 

[Rob Brown]

its that McAvoy bullshit isn't it?

That was Game 3.

 

[PromisedLand]

feel for ya Mo but what about our tears? year after year after year after year!

And we don't even have millions... all our evenings invested in the Leafs and that time for us is not coming back. What about that?

Sorry but I am really bitter about Rielly's play this post season. Absolutely BITTER!

 

[TonsofPuppies]

If Shanny stays, it just proves that the new CEO isn't on board with a new culture of accountability either, imo. How on earth you can preach a message of accountability from the top, down through your org, when you allow that snake oil clown to stay after a decade of failure is beyond me.

Enough with the "I need a year to evaluate" bullshit. It's the same f***ing garbage as it was last year with Tre, needing a year to evaluate Keefe. You want an evaluation? Go talk to any Leafs fan who has been unfortunate enough to watch the team play at home during the playoffs for the last 5 years. They'll tell you what you need to know. And it's not like these guys don't know anyway. Canadian citizens, living in Canada, where the Leafs are endlessly covered on TV?

f*** off that you need a year. By the time these morons go through enough evaluation years, Matthews and Nylander will be on the wrong side of 30, exiting their primes and our window will be closing.

 

[Racer88]

The main reason why it sucks right now is because we lack the ability to ever get better due to limited rise of the cap. We haven't been able to add a long term solid d-man or another quality forward. When the 11m anchor in JT is off the books, it will be better for the Leafs.

That’s one way to look at it but reality is we can’t get better players is because the 4 guys we pay 50% of the cap to do not provide 50% of the cap value in the playoffs.
Plain and simple they have proven other then Willy they are not playoff performers

 

[PromisedLand]

Nylander was asked about about Keefe and you can tell he’s had it with his coach. I’m sure the feeling is mutual.

Damn it I need more info. Someone please chime in... LOL

 

[Racer88]

If Shanny stays, it just proves that the new CEO isn't on board with a new culture of accountability either, imo. How on earth you can preach a message of accountability from the top, down through your org, when you allow that snake oil clown to stay after a decade of failure is beyond me.

Enough with the "I need a year to evaluate" bullshit. It's the same f***ing garbage as it was last year with Tre, needing a year to evaluate Keefe. You want an evaluation? Go talk to any Leafs fan who has been unfortunate enough to watch the team play at home during the playoffs for the last 5 years. They'll tell you what you need to know. And it's not like these guys don't know anyway. Canadian citizens, living in Canada, where the Leafs are endlessly covered on TV?

f*** off that you need a year. By the time these morons go through enough evaluation years, Matthews and Nylander will be on the wrong side of 30, exiting their primes and our window will be closing.

Agreed. There has been 8 freakin years of evaluating these guys. They have been weighed, they have been measured and have been found wanting. There are no surprises that need to be uncovered.
There is enough data on this gong show to make decisions right now

 

[Tak7]

WHY???????

He HAS to give details.

What the heck is this crap?

Was pretty disappointed that he didn't divulge more - I'm guessing his / the team's approach is to leave it left unsaid to ensure we weren't making any excuses, etc.

Either that or it's a longstanding issue that will have to be managed moving forward .

 

[wingman75]

If Shanny stays, it just proves that the new CEO isn't on board with a new culture of accountability either, imo.

Remember, the board is made up of Bell and Rogers members. Word on the street is Bell is willing to spend to the moon, Rogers not so much since they are bleeding money from their NHL broadcast rights contract. I guess the tie goes to Tanenbaum?

Regardless, the fact we don't have a single owner and have this board in place is the root of at least half the problems imo.

Hard to believe Kelly takes the job if he's going to be neutered.

Shanahan has to be gone. Like Keefe and Marner.

 

[usernamezrhardtodo]

If Shanny stays, it just proves that the new CEO isn't on board with a new culture of accountability either, imo. How on earth you can preach a message of accountability from the top, down through your org, when you allow that snake oil clown to stay after a decade of failure is beyond me.

Enough with the "I need a year to evaluate" bullshit. It's the same f***ing garbage as it was last year with Tre, needing a year to evaluate Keefe. You want an evaluation? Go talk to any Leafs fan who has been unfortunate enough to watch the team play at home during the playoffs for the last 5 years. They'll tell you what you need to know. And it's not like these guys don't know anyway. Canadian citizens, living in Canada, where the Leafs are endlessly covered on TV?

f*** off that you need a year. By the time these morons go through enough evaluation years, Matthews and Nylander will be on the wrong side of 30, exiting their primes and our window will be closing.

The idea that each new guy needs a year to evaluate is simply buying themselves more time. Keefe was kept on because Tre knew he wasn't the only issue and firing him and bringing in a new coach with this same core would give the same result. It's all about ass covering...they are just extending their time so to speak.

 

[647Hockey]

The fact AM is being coy with what hit it was that caused it is weird as hell. The series is over. If he got nailed by a Bruin causing an injury just say which hit.

It's probably not even a big hit. But something stupid he doesn't want to say.

He probably gently bumped into a Bruin, tweaked an arm or leg and doesn't want to admit it lead to a major issue because people will call him a wimp.

 

[TonsofPuppies]

The idea that each new guy needs a year to evaluate is simply buying themselves more time. Keefe was kept on because Tre knew he wasn't the only issue and firing him and bringing in a new coach with this same core would give the same result. It's all about ass covering...they are just extending their time so to speak.

Oh, I know exactly what it is. Clowns looking out for themselves ahead of the success of the team. Just like everyone else on this shit team.

 

[Tak7]

thanks @Tak7 and you better be here on friday

Haha - I already moved a Friday meeting to Thursday once they changed the dates. I'll be here

Will do my best to summarize what is said, though based on some of the softball puff crap the media were lobbing at the players today, I don't expect a single difficult or hard to answer question to be tendered to any of Friday's speakers.

 

[PromisedLand]

As much as keefe should go, he wasn’t the one who constructed the team and handed out contracts. It’s always been a poorly constructed team while keefe has been here.

I said it in the Keefe thread. I like him as a person. He seems like a nice dude and is always courteous to others at least in the interviews I've seen

I just wish he was more of a hardass on players and held everyone accountable with the same yardstick. Him having to walk back comments because the previous GM had given full reign to players was absolutely PATHETIC. I still think the Keefe was 100% right to call them out. Monty just called Pasta out and have you seen Pasta's response? Thats the kinda mindset and attitude that is required from your players and you need demanding coaches else players would coast having made millions.

If Keefe is back next year, I don't mind it quite frankly. Next season is a flushed season anyway with four forwards making 11 AAV+ there is hardly going to be any compete from the team anyway. I'd shoot marner into the sun but of course I don't have buyout powers (yes thats how much I am pissed at marner but....).

Anyway, if he is back I really hope Matthews-Marner together are HISTORY! Nylander needs to find a new center to play with and Matthews needs to play with other wings. Marner can be traded or just walk as UFA and we will see what happens next....

TBD. I do feel for Keefe. He was hardly put in a position to have full autonomy IMO under glasses so tbd.... And the only reason I believe that is the team played differently under keefe this year with Tre as a GM compared to when glasses was sucking the life out of the Leafs.

But if Keefe is gone I won't be sad as a fan; I'd just feel bad for him cause he seems like a nice dude

 

[darrylsittler27]

No, he thinks some fans think of the Leafs players kind of like gods. I suppose including him.
A lot of fans on here have the Leafs directly influencing their lives, they pray that the Leafs win or just want to see the Leafs win one cup before they die. I mean they are not gods but although Mitch put his foot in his mouth, understands the impact that the team has on many of the fans.

 

[PromisedLand]

Sheldon Keefe EOY presser:

• Today is always a difficult day. Worst day of the season. Should feel that way when you don't meet expectations. We are in the results business, and we didn't get results. As head coach, I take responsibility for that. It's not a good feeling. My job is to find solutions, and try to path ahead. I haven't done that. Took a step last year, and loved the resolve we showed this year. Clearly that's not enough, and that sits with me.
• On the advantages of player exit interviews - each season is different. A lot of times you take direction of the GM on how they want to handle it. This season, it was just the coach, but less meetings. More casual conversations. Not much value in exit meetings. Moreso direction on offseason and training. More of a formality. Spoke with the team after Saturday, moreso than in seasons in the past. Let them know how I felt about the group. This is not a good day. Not a lot of productivity, but a chance to see the guys off and open door for more meaningful conversations moving forward.
• On whether the lack of offense year after year is connected - You reflect and discuss it. Thinks that in each of those playoffs, you look at some of the missed opportunities - clean chances, breakaways, two-on-ones, rebounds that normally go in during the regular season but now they aren't. AS a coach, you think about how you can help your players through that and how you can generate more of it. Don't think they created enough of those chances. Faced a goaltender that put up great numbers. Part of that is on the goalie and opposition team, but my job is to find more ways to get through and generate more.
• On opponents setting up so the Leafs "beat themselves" - on that comment, he meant teams sitting back in structure and being patient, and forcing you to make mistakes. We aren't unique in that sense, but ways to counter that are getting through the NZ quickly before structure is set, capitalizing on line changes, and getting to the net. Spending time on the inside. Thought as the series went on, felt they got better. Felt early in the series, they were getting plenty of looks in the inner slot as well. Thought they played much better defense, and showed great level of patience which is ultimately what it takes to win in the playoffs. Most disappointing is one shot away from getting away, and then the narrative changes - Leafs know how to play tight games, come back, win the right way. Felt after game 6 the best he's felt about the Leafs. Have to stick with that for the long haul
• On what form him taking responsibility takes - looking for solutions, continuing to work, and build upon the things that were discussed. Felt this series was the best he felt about this group being able to play a playoff type of game consistently. Felt they came up big in big moments against Tampa, but in terms of their process and buyin for defending and physicality, that is the recipe for success. It takes what it takes. Felt his group took big steps.
• On the OT winner - hasn't spent much time going through it. Their best player was flying through the NZ, and we didn't pick him out. Tough one, because I thought we did a great job defending through the NZ with structure, especially in Games 5 and 6. We didn't pick it up, and we didn't get a save.
• On his expectation of returning next season - I'm in the coaching business. You don't get to make decisions on your position. Out of my control. My job is to find solutions and to create a path. Ownership and management make those decisions. I accept responsibility for not meeting results. I believe in myself, and I love coaching the Leafs. I believe, now more than ever, that we can win. The path always looks different, but you learn along the way, and I know I'm in a good place. My job is to continue improving as a coach, and take accountability for the fact that we haven't met expectations. I would certainly love the attention and focus to be on me as the leader.
• On the PP struggles - In February, we were #1 in the NHL. We've been a top PP in the league for years. It was really good in the Tampa series. But like our overall offensive game in the playoffs, it hasn't executed. WE spent a lot of time searching for answers. Fact that it has looked elite, means you go to that and build trust towards that, which is difficult to do when it doesn't go well. Part of it is trusting in the plan - we tried different things around, and many different iterations to the first unit, but ultimately it comes down to execution and competitiveness. Winning faceoffs and puck battles, and then trusting and staying with it. The powerplay was good in game 7, just didn't score. There were times where the process was in place, but just didn't work.
• On the criticism Marner is facing - Mitch is an exceptional player. Wants to win in Toronto. There's things that he did in the series that set us up for success. Took on tough roles, and helped stabilize the PK later in the series. THere's so many things he does that doesn't show up on the scoresheet. My job is to help our entire team, including Mitch, to come through in those moments, and I failed to do so, so I took responsibility for that.

Wow - that was... genuinely fantastic by Keefe. He might be out the door, but how f***ing refreshing is it to have someone actually take responsibility.

f***ing FINALLY someone with the f***ing BALLS to take responsibility!

 

[Evilhomer]

Not sure, we can speculate all we want but Matthews himself just doesn't want to say anything.

It's like Lou is running the franchise again. Everything is a secret.

 

[LeafsFan89]

If we can't move them for reasonable deals, and they become UFAs, I don't want to resign Mitch Marner nor John Tavares. The culture needs to change; Toronto needs a captain that shows more emotion than a brick wall and holds the players accountable.

 

[Evilhomer]

I said it in the Keefe thread. I like him as a person. He seems like a nice dude and is always courteous to others at least in the interviews I've seen

I just wish he was more of a hardass on players and held everyone accountable with the same yardstick. Him having to walk back comments because the previous GM had given full reign to players was absolutely PATHETIC. I still think the Keefe was 100% right to call them out. Monty just called Pasta out and have you seen Pasta's response? Thats the kinda mindset and attitude that is required from your players and you need demanding coaches else players would coast having made millions.

If Keefe is back next year, I don't mind it quite frankly. Next season is a flushed season anyway with four forwards making 11 AAV+ there is hardly going to be any compete from the team anyway. I'd shoot marner into the sun but of course I don't have buyout powers (yes thats how much I am pissed at marner but....).

Anyway, if he is back I really hope Matthews-Marner together are HISTORY! Nylander needs to find a new center to play with and Matthews needs to play with other wings. Marner can be traded or just walk as UFA and we will see what happens next....

TBD. I do feel for Keefe. He was hardly put in a position to have full autonomy IMO under glasses so tbd.... And the only reason I believe that is the team played differently under keefe this year with Tre as a GM compared to when glasses was sucking the life out of the Leafs.

But if Keefe is gone I won't be sad as a fan; I'd just feel bad for him cause he seems like a nice dude

I don't think he would be unemployed for long. I think he will pretty quickly pick up an assistant coach job if that's what he wants. He would also likely be interviewed for every head coaching vacancy in the league just based solely on his record.