Rumor: Maple Leafs Head Coach Candidates Thread (Rumours + Discussion)

[Machinae]

I know there's nothing else to talk about, but we're talking about Roy like it's a done deal and not just another name in the pile. Do we not want Chayka to do his due diligence? That would require interviewing a lot of people.

 

[SprDaVE]

When do you start worrying that this new management group struggles to make a decision?

Why is there a worry they are struggling to make a decision?

 

[ULF_55]

Happens all the time.

There are legitimate with cause firings, and then "redundancy / we don't like you" firings without cause.

With cause you don't have to compensate, but most companies don't want to go down that path. Legal costs likely end up costing more than package.

In this case, I just think it is Vegas' standard operating procedures.

It works for them, although "It's only an issue because Edmonton brought it up" is stanky response but it is Vegas not exactly a city built on character.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I don't know if Roy would be my guy, but I do like that they're casting a wide net in this search, and not just hiring their buddy like Dubas and Tre did.

As a Dubas apologist, I feel obliged to at the very least defend the fact that he chose a coach who he philosophically aligned with. Dubas and Keefe had very good collaborative discourse. When Kyle acquired a player, he was used as intended. If/when that player was not working out, Kyle moved on from them. There was absolutely no point in their tenure where Kyle and Sheldon were not on the same page. So as much as Kyle did go back to his well and in a way had his own little version of his old boys club with his hirings, they all fell in alignment.

The same cannot be said with Tre. Him and Chief were on 2 different planets near the end. Case in point trading a 1st round pick for a player that never saw any meaningful minutes.

I am not trying to bring up an old wound for some, I know Dubas is a polarizing figure around this place, and everyone is entitled to feel how they want about his tenure. But I just felt it was appropriate to mention his lack of casting a wide net was not because of any other reason other than having complete conviction in Sheldon.

 

[Budz]

I don't know if Roy would be my guy, but I do like that they're casting a wide net in this search, and not just hiring their buddy like Dubas and Tre did.

Or leaking stuff, for the public perception that they are.

 

[kevsh]

Roy with a strong X's and O's assistant coach (or 2) could work?

Hey, I'm just bracing for what seems like a genuine possibility that he'll be the next coach of the Leafs.

 

[TheTotalPackage]

Roy seems like the right coach at the absolute worst time.

Maybe if the Leafs weren't due to draft McKenna I'd have a different mindset on it as he'd be good to try and squeeze whatever he could out of Matthews and Nylander by lighting a fire under them. But with McKenna coming in and a likely gradual shift to a retool/rebuild, I think the Leafs are better suited to find a coach who will grow with these guys over the next half decade, than a coach is seemingly has a short shelf life.

All that being said, I certainly wouldn't be against him being the next coach. He did very well in the juniors, and maybe he can spark something in our youngsters (and veterans) that hasn't been there for a while now.

 

[Malachi Crunch]

Roy with a strong X's and O's assistant coach (or 2) could work?

Hey, I'm just bracing for what seems like a genuine possibility that he'll be the next coach of the Leafs.

Yep. I'm doing the same.

Remember, Kypreos said "Chayka had an impressive interview" way back when. The same thing they're now saying about Roy.

Hey....just sayin!

 

[colchar]

There are legitimate with cause firings, and then "redundancy / we don't like you" firings without cause.

With cause you don't have to compensate, but most companies don't want to go down that path. Legal costs likely end up costing more than package.

In jurisdictions like Ontario the legal threshold to fire someone 'for cause' is extremely high and difficult to justify.

 

[ULF_55]

Why is there a worry they are struggling to make a decision?

I'd say maybe the audience is struggling with the concept of interviewing candidates, and prioritizing items in order of importance.

Draft preparation has to be done before the draft, coach has to be hired before preseason.

They'll be hiring a coach with coaching experience, not someone who needs hand holding. Whether they have NCAA, CHL, European, ... they will still be experienced.

 

[colchar]

Roy with a strong X's and O's assistant coach (or 2) could work?

Hey, I'm just bracing for what seems like a genuine possibility that he'll be the next coach of the Leafs.

Yeah, since reading that he had done well in the first interview and had moved on to the second round I have had a nagging feeling that he will be hired. Chayka might be trying to show how much smarter he is than everyone else, or make a splash upon his return to the league.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

 

[Twine Tickler]

When do you start worrying that this new management group struggles to make a decision?

I actually don't think there is a huge rush on this tbh. There are 3 active vacancies and no real "cant miss" candidates available.

There has been a ton of discussion about what vacancy is the most attractive between TOR, EDM, and LAK. And although all of them pose significant upside, I really don't think there is a more attractive opening. Unlimited budget, unlimited resources, star players, 1st overall pick, original 6 and the potential of being the person to end the longest cup drought in the league. Not to mention, after not making the playoffs for the first time in 10 years, the spots on the apple are starting to come into focus. Appetite for change has never been higher, and expectations have never been lower for this group. We finished 5th last in the standings last season. Not exactly a high bar to exceed for an incoming coach.

Make no mistake, this is the big fish for vacancies.

I imagine they have a short list, and they may even have 1 person who they have privately expressed very real interest in. I still think that person is Jay Woodcroft. It just makes way too much sense to me.

But I rally don't get the impression that they struggle to make a decision. I think they understand their position of leverage

 

[kb]

Therein lies the problem. We are talking about coaches but the issue is the same it was 9 years ago.

At least with some coaches we will see some who care more than others. Fans are dying for a pulse in this sterile franchise.

Being more fiery and demonstrative behind the bench has zero correlation with caring. In fact, I would say the opposite is true.

Clown shows are best left for circuses.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'd say maybe the audience is struggling with the concept of interviewing candidates, and prioritizing items in order of importance.

Draft preparation has to be done before the draft, coach has to be hired before preseason.

They'll be hiring a coach with coaching experience, not someone who needs hand holding. Whether they have NCAA, CHL, European, ... they will still be experienced.

I don't think there's a huge rush, get it right. But I also think it would be good to have it done by the draft for sure. A lot of trade activity in that time frame and you want your coach to have some form of input and what not. Also could be a factor with players determining to play here.

 

[ULF_55]

Yeah, since reading that he had done well in the first interview and had moved on to the second round I have had a nagging feeling that he will be hired. Chayka might be trying to show how much smarter he is than everyone else, or make a splash upon his return to the league.

I've got a bad feeling about this.

Berube, a good coach, 5th. worst results in the league.

On the surface snickering about Roy.

But what do I know about coaching a NHL team.

Maybe they need a bit of a hot head to get some of the players going?

I think I'd prefer Pat Quinn over Pat Burns, but maybe this team needs an emotional coach on the bench?

But it isn't just one coach that runs the team, it is the coaching team.

 

[FerrisRox]

Roy would be terribe for this team. That be awful hire..... bring a coach who can motivate our guys.

How do you pretend to know that Patrick Roy couldn't motivate the Maple Leafs roster?

 

[ULF_55]

I don't think there's a huge rush, get it right. But I also think it would be good to have it done by the draft for sure. A lot of trade activity in that time frame and you want your coach to have some form of input and what not. Also could be a factor with players determining to play here.

Now that is an interesting proposition.

Kind of insinuating a coach who'll be around for 4 or more years, since other than McKenna/Stenberg/Reid ... the draft is about 4 from now and the next coach would have to have some success to still be the coach in 2031.

That would be an ideal situation.

 

[Daisy Jane]

coach has to be hired before preseason.

technically I'd argue you'd sort of want to have a coach in place before the draft. isn't that week open to UFA wooing, and some players would want to know whom is coaching before they contemplate signing here, i'd imagine.

 

[Fogelhund]

I don't think there's a huge rush, get it right. But I also think it would be good to have it done by the draft for sure. A lot of trade activity in that time frame and you want your coach to have some form of input and what not. Also could be a factor with players determining to play here.

Agreed... get this done at least a week prior to the draft. It gives you time to formulate that input, potential trade activity etc.

 

[fancy lad]

I don't know too much about Patrick Roy's coaching career other than it's been somewhat successful especially with the memorial cup.

But one thing i do know is that Roy would be reminiscent of Pat Burns who was easily my favorite Leafs coach of all time.

So a montreal/toronto history isn't really a bad thing.

 

[Buckley]

I don't know too much about Patrick Roy's coaching career other than it's been somewhat successful especially with the memorial cup.

But one thing i do know is that Roy would be reminiscent of Pat Burns who was easily my favorite Leafs coach of all time.

So a montreal/toronto history isn't really a bad thing.

If you watched the Islanders play the past two seasons, you would see that Patrick Roy is nothing like Pat Burns when it comes to coaching.

 

[FerrisRox]

coach has to be hired before preseason.

Good luck signing any free agents of value without the head coach in place.

 

[ULF_55]

technically I'd argue you'd sort of want to have a coach in place before the draft. isn't that week open to UFA wooing, and some players would want to know whom is coaching before they contemplate signing here, i'd imagine.

Just saying you have to do draft preparation before the draft.

You can't put off a hard deadline.

Maybe you turn off players with a coach, which means the player isn't the right fit for your team if your choice of coach has to be vetted by the player?

 

[-DeMo-]

Roy is a bit of an interesting name on the surface I think no way, but when you look at it it might be a little more interesting then you think

last two teams Roy coached his first full season both times he had a newly drafted first overall pick join the team in Mackinnon and Schaefer and he seemed to do alright with them. Mackinnon had a good rookie year but he didn't really break out into the player we see today till the 2nd year after Roy was fired by Colorado but I don't think anyone can doubt he must have had some positive influence on Mackinnon for him to become the player today. did his fiery persona play a part in the drive and and passion Mackinnon displays today? probably.

Schaefer also looks like a high quality player and I'm sure Roy has had some influence on him as well, am I saying he's the reason why these two will/are be great players no. but he must have had a positive influence.

also when you look at the Islanders last year they were terrible offensively 25th in the league for goals for but were very good defensively 5th best goals against. so he had that team playing well as a unit to defend well with good goaltending, but just lacked offensive talent, something we have already. not sure what style of play he's had his teams playing and weather that would fit our players or not. be interested in knowing that both for Colorado and Islanders.

he's won multiple cups as a player, been to the Mem Cup in the Q as a coach and should know what a good dressing room / team looks like. being that he was a goalie maybe he can improve that side of our team. that kind of fiery personality might also be what this team needs as a coach to help bring them into the fight more.

so do I think Roy is a guy who should be hired probably not but there are reason's to interview him and see what he says. not such an out of left field type of interviewee.

 

[ULF_55]

Good luck signing any free agents of value without the head coach in place.

Haven't you heard, no one want to play in Toronto, regardless.