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

[57 Years No Cup]

It’s not even evil, the guy doesn’t have an extension and we hopefully have a new coach implementing a new system, we need to start preparing for life without Marner in case he’s off to greener pastures. Even if we ignore the contract/trade part of it, Marner as the #1 option for carrying the puck hasn’t worked and shows no signs of potentially working one day, we should be doing this even if he was signed to an 8 year 1$ contract.

Looks like a sound strategy.

 

[Isaac Nootin]

agreed but they need to do their end of year presser. the biggest question will be if keefe is staying or going. they cant hide from that question. they either gotta shyt or get off the pot.

Same thing with Masai and Nurse. He waited out a week after the season and did his due diligence on Nurse and held his press conference after that. Same thing likely happening here.

Agree they should shit or get off the pot, I just don't agree with how it was worded. If they aren't ready to make the decision, you don't make one because the media feels they're owed something.

Same goes with naming a new coach of thats the direction they take. Don't make a snap decision because you feel you need a coach in place. Get the best coach possible, no matter the time frame.

 

[thinkblue]

If you all had to pick one, would you give the coach a new core,
or the core a new coach?

 

[Trapper]

If you all had to pick one, would you give the coach a new core,
or the core a new coach?

It depends. If I can get Marner to agree to waive and move him, a new core for the coach.

If he doesn’t agree to waive, a new coach for the core. One that is going to make the players play his system not the other way around. One where the inmates don’t run the asylum.

 

[Leafsfan74]

I would argue it's more important to trade 1-2 of the core 4 than it is to make a head coach change.

I was optimistic when we were eliminated. Now that Shanny is back, it's probably going to be an "evaluation year" and we probably resign both Marner and JT at the end of the year. I want them both gone for culture change reasons and cap reallocation. Resigning them is the worst possible outcome in my mind.

Shanny back, along with keeping Marner (especially) and others will bring historic levels of disdain and mockery on this club. Worse, from its own fans.

They will definitely sacrifice Keefe to try and drum up some "exciting search" for a new coach! They have become a limited series on Netflix where they throw in a few curveballs to keep the viewer coming back for next episode. Next episode "a new coach can turn it all around!".

MLSE is a microcosm of business leadership in Ontario. Fortunately for them, they have a brand that prints money thanks to corporate support. If revenue was based solely on results, the Leafs would have moved long ago.

 

[notbias]

It depends. If I can get Marner to agree to waive and move him, a new core for the coach.

If he doesn’t agree to waive, a new coach for the core. One that is going to make the players play his system not the other way around. One where the inmates don’t run the asylum.

Do you think the players wanted to play super defensive this year?

The system was adjusted to fit the players that came in, I doubt the core wants to have their offense neutered even more, it is weird to think they run the team yet chose the most boring way to play hockey.

If you all had to pick one, would you give the coach a new core,
or the core a new coach?

Core, just for the excitement of next year, everything is new.

I also would be curious to see this core with a coach that is 100% offense, the Edmonton model.

 

[Trapper]

Do you think the players wanted to play super defensive this year?

The system was adjusted to fit the players that came in, I doubt the core wants to have their offense neutered even more, it is weird to think they run the team yet chose the most boring way to play hockey.



Core, just for the excitement of next year, everything is new.

I also would be curious to see this core with a coach that is 100% offense, the Edmonton model.

The team needs to learn over the course of the year how to import different systems when the need arises for the playoffs. You can’t just play one way. Sometimes you can rush, sometimes you have to dump and chase, sometimes physical, sometimes lock it down 1-0. Everything. If you want to come with the best tools to face any 4 given teams and their systems come playoffs.

Or we can just do it your 1-8 way. That’s fine too.

 

[MSZ]

In fact, if I recall correctly, the Leafs in the 1980s, some teams who finished with only 52 and 48 points (and I didnt have to look that up), won playoff rounds and yes, took the second round to seven games.

That is further than this core has gone in about the same number of years!

Ok now I have time to dig out some stats: They played 23 playoff games in 86 and 87, Clark had 11G 6A in those games and Thomas had 8G 11A.

 

[notbias]

The team needs to learn over the course of the year how to import different systems when the need arises for the playoffs. You can’t just play one way. Sometimes you can rush, sometimes you have to dump and chase, sometimes physical, sometimes lock it down 1-0. Everything. If you want to come with the best tools to face any 4 given teams and their systems come playoffs.

Or we can just do it your 1-8 way. That’s fine too.

My way has not been implemented at the roster construction level or system level.

They play multiple systems throughout a game by the way.

 

[CapspaceKiller]

If you all had to pick one, would you give the coach a new core,
or the core a new coach?

A new core. Its just harder to trade Marner and Tavares than fire Keefe.

 

[The Masters]

Agree they should shit or get off the pot, I just don't agree with how it was worded. If they aren't ready to make the decision, you don't make one because the media feels they're owed something.

They chose to talk on Friday though. They need to say either yay or nay on Keefe. They absolutely should do their own process but if they set it for Friday they need to come up with an answer.

 

[Just Rude]

Marner does not have them by the balls. A new coach can 3rd line and p.k him and devalue his next contract. Tavares saw what happened to Sundin. They can offer him front office if he complies. He may even want out now. There are ways to handle it. Especially if a new coach hates Marner.

Let me preface this by saying I think Marner should go. Let me make that 100% clear. I'm not his biggest fan by any means. Why would you do this? Any team worth their salt will see exactly what the Leafs are doing, and so would the PA and every player in the league. That isn't what is going to "devalue" his next contract. His playoff performance is. People know who he is. A dynamic, talented regular season player who doesn't tend to up his game in the playoffs. You put him on the third line out of spite, and you may not even make the playoffs.

Vegas literally treated their franchise's favorite/most storied player in Fleury like that and they won a cup.

Why is there negative repercussions when players are held accountable but there's no negative repercussions when the players fail to hold up their end of the bargain?

Forcing them out sends a message nobody is above the team and if you don't hold up your end of the contract you will face consequences. If they love Toronto so much they can both come back for a league minimum, they obviously won't because they love money more than winning/Toronto

Yes, Vegas did Fleury dirty, but they had traded for Lehner and had just signed him to an extension. Fleury was 36, not 27 and didn't have the NMC while with Vegas, IIRC. That was strictly a cap saving move. They had Lehner to step in. We don't have the same luxury.

Like I said, I think Marner should go, but if he doesn't want to waive, I'm not sure he is the villain. The villain is now in Pittsburgh. What is Marner doing that isn't holding up his end of the bargain? Is he sitting out? Refusing to play? Or is it because he hasn't performed well in the playoffs against Boston?

Do I think he should waive? Yes. I think he should give Tre a list of at least ten teams he would accept a trade to. Am I going to blame him if he doesn't? Not sure. He's playing out the contract that he signed, and was given a NMC.

Again, let me be clear. I'm not Marner's biggest fan by any means but if he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. It's simple. If the Leafs want to play mind games with him, whether they sit him in press box or limit his minutes to "devalue" his contract, they are hurting no one but themselves. Teams like Tampa, Detroit, Philly and Jersey will thank them, because it will sure as hell help them in a playoff push.

Without his free system points he’s looking at a 70-80 point season without needing to visibly sandbag him. That hurts his next contract way worse than purposely torturing him with Kampf minutes where a GM will just ignore the results. A year of regular top-6 winger usage instead of running him as if he’s Kucherov is a realistic look at what he’ll bring to his new team, good luck with the 12+ demands at that point.

But again, what does that prove? How does that make us better? We could very well miss the playoffs next year with this approach. Do you honestly think any GM won't see what the Leafs are doing? So, Marner takes 10m as opposed to 12 in his next contract.

I agree he needs to go. I think the Leafs will be diplomatic and work with Ferris on a deal. It's probably in everyone's best interests. But again, playing hardball and threatening to sabotage his next contract is not a good look. Why would a player sign here when you're essentially telling him the team is willing to give a NMC but won't stand behind it?

I get we all want change, we all want a scapegoat, but the team has to be careful making emotional kneejerk reactions.

 

[Zero1]

Why do the Maple Leafs owe the media anything? For a decision like this, you take your time and analyze every angle. You don't rush because the media wants you to.

I don’t care about the media but how do they not already know what they are going to do? It’s been what, 8 straight years of this and they still need to analyze every angle?

 

[Martin Skoula]

Let me preface this by saying I think Marner should go. Let me make that 100% clear. I'm not his biggest fan by any means. Why would you do this? Any team worth their salt will see exactly what the Leafs are doing, and so would every player in the league. That isn't what is going to "devalue" his next contract. His playoff performance is. People know who he is. A dynamic, talented regular season player who doesn't tend to up his game in the playoffs. You put him on the third line out of spite, and you may not even make the playoffs.


Yes, Vegas did Fleury dirty, but they had traded for Lehner and had just signed him to an extension. Fleury was 36, not 27 and didn't have the NMC while with Vegas, IIRC. That was strictly a cap saving move. They had Lehner to step in. We don't have the same luxury.

Like I said, I think Marner should go, but if he doesn't want to waive, I'm not sure he is the villain. The villain is now in Pittsburgh. What is Marner doing that isn't holding up his end of the bargain? Is he sitting out? Refusing to play? Or is it because he hasn't performed well in the playoffs against Boston?

Do I think he should waive? Yes. I think he should give Tre a list of at least ten teams he would accept a trade to. Am I going to blame him if he doesn't? Not sure. He's playing out the contract that he signed, and was given a NMC.

Again, let me be clear. I'm not Marner's biggest fan by any means but if he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. It's simple. If the Leafs want to play mind games with him, whether they sit him in press box or limit his minutes to "devalue" his contract, they are hurting no one but themselves. Teams like Tampa, Detroit, Philly and Jersey will thank them, because it will sure as hell help them in a playoff push.



But again, what does that prove? How does that make us better? We could very well miss the playoffs next year with this approach. Do you honestly think any GM won't see what the Leafs are doing? So, Marner takes 10m as opposed to 12 in his next contract.

I agree he needs to go. I think the Leafs will be diplomatic and work with Ferris on a deal. It's probably in everyone's best interests. But again, playing hardball and threatening to sabotage his next contract is not a good look. Why would a player sign here when you're essentially telling him the team is willing to give a NMC but won't stand behind it?

I get we all want change, we all want a scapegoat, but the team has to be careful making emotional kneejerk reactions.

It’s not threatening sabotage, he isn’t owed being deployed like Kucherov/Panarin by divine right. Other wingers in his pay scale don’t get used like that. Suggesting using Mitch the same way Pastrnak gets used isn’t an aggressive move, it’s the only sane thing to do after years of Mitch hockey fail at the exact same things year after year. The powerplay has failed every year, why would you keep running the same quarterback on it? Our breakouts suck, why would you have him continue running the drop pass?

Nylander was a threat for 100+ without getting that kind of deployment, it’s not a punishment.

 

[Duffman955]

Keefe still here?

We get the Keefe announcement tomorrow or Friday?

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Probably need a few days to discuss all the interviews they've had for the head coaching job

 

[Just Rude]

The powerplay has failed every year, why would you keep running the same quarterback on it? Our breakouts suck, why would you have him continue running the drop pass?

100% agree, but that is not Marner's fault. That starts at the top, and the way this team is built.

I hope Marner or JT waive. It's in the best interests of this team. I just think a lot of our frustration is misdirected right now.

 

[kevsh]

I can't believe they're going to wait until 5 minutes before the presser before canning Keefe.

Hard to imagine they don't know already what they're going to do, so either end the mystery - and for him the misery, do right by him (while other teams are still looking for coaches) and don't make it all about coordinating the messaging so they can field all the questions on Friday.

Or, if they are bringing him back (which I absolutely believe is possible), let him know already and make it public. But again, coordinating the message?

 

[NVious]

Let me preface this by saying I think Marner should go. Let me make that 100% clear. I'm not his biggest fan by any means. Why would you do this? Any team worth their salt will see exactly what the Leafs are doing, and so would the PA and every player in the league. That isn't what is going to "devalue" his next contract. His playoff performance is. People know who he is. A dynamic, talented regular season player who doesn't tend to up his game in the playoffs. You put him on the third line out of spite, and you may not even make the playoffs.


Yes, Vegas did Fleury dirty, but they had traded for Lehner and had just signed him to an extension. Fleury was 36, not 27 and didn't have the NMC while with Vegas, IIRC. That was strictly a cap saving move. They had Lehner to step in. We don't have the same luxury.

Like I said, I think Marner should go, but if he doesn't want to waive, I'm not sure he is the villain. The villain is now in Pittsburgh. What is Marner doing that isn't holding up his end of the bargain? Is he sitting out? Refusing to play? Or is it because he hasn't performed well in the playoffs against Boston?

Do I think he should waive? Yes. I think he should give Tre a list of at least ten teams he would accept a trade to. Am I going to blame him if he doesn't? Not sure. He's playing out the contract that he signed, and was given a NMC.

Again, let me be clear. I'm not Marner's biggest fan by any means but if he doesn't want to go, he doesn't have to. It's simple. If the Leafs want to play mind games with him, whether they sit him in press box or limit his minutes to "devalue" his contract, they are hurting no one but themselves. Teams like Tampa, Detroit, Philly and Jersey will thank them, because it will sure as hell help them in a playoff push.

Vegas won a cup being shrewd the Leafs should follow suit.

Marner and Tavares would GTFO real quick if they were told 1.Ownership will go public with the request if they refuse 2.They will get sat.

They made their money not performing, they let the city down and then said more platitude nonsense, now is the time for them to do the right thing and leave with an ounce of class or they can become villains, tank their own careers and tank their own earnings.

100% agree, but that is not Marner's fault. That starts at the top, and the way this team is built.

I hope Marner or JT waive. It's in the best interests of this team. I just think a lot of our frustration is misdirected right now.

Did they not want those contracts? Couldn't they have taken less?

Better yet they had all this time to show up in the playoffs, they didn't. It's 100% their fault.

 

[Fogelhund]

Vegas won a cup being shrewd the Leafs should follow suit.

Marner and Tavares would GTFO real quick if they were told 1.Ownership will go public with the request if they refuse 2.They will get sat.

They made their money not performing, they let the city down and then said more platitude nonsense, now is the time for them to do the right thing and leave with an ounce of class or they can become villains, tank their own careers and tank their own earnings.


Did they not want those contracts? Couldn't they have taken less?

Better yet they had all this time to show up in the playoffs, they didn't. It's 100% their fault.

That's not how things work and it's never how things have worked.

It's a fantasy, never going to happen that way. These people are professionals, both management and the players, and they will act like it, not like angry juvenile fans.

 

[Tak7]

Small detail many of us missed on Monday - Sheldon Keefe didn't conduct exit interviews with players. Might be nothing (GMs also hold these meetings), but it did seem notable that he mentioned it

 

[The Masters]

Small detail many of us missed on Monday - Sheldon Keefe didn't conduct exit interviews with players. Might be nothing (GMs also hold these meetings), but it did seem notable that he mentioned it

nice nugget

 

[Marlowe Syn]

It depends. If I can get Marner to agree to waive and move him, a new core for the coach.

If he doesn’t agree to waive, a new coach for the core. One that is going to make the players play his system not the other way around. One where the inmates don’t run the asylum.

So Rod Brind'Amour? Not that I think he will coach anywhere if it's not Carolina. That dude is about as roots as it gets.

 

[Amadeus]

nice nugget

He did mention though that a thorough touch point may occur over the off-season.

 

[NVious]

That's not how things work and it's never how things have worked.

It's a fantasy, never going to happen that way. These people are professionals, both management and the players, and they will act like it, not like angry juvenile fans.

You're right it is fantasy that people get held accountable in Toronto.

Funny how the players have no problem doing everything in their power to maximize their earnings but when it comes time for their own accountability, all of a sudden we have to be realistic about things lmfao.

Do you think if Marner and Tavares were told gtfo or sit out they would stay? So very clearly that can be how things work, ownership just doesn't have the balls to do it. If any other wimps don't like it, they can gtfo too, none of the players here have proven to be some irreplaceable stud anyways.