Maple Leafs hire Jim Hiller as head coach

[Bounces R Way]

Probably was more to it than what they saw and actually had conversations on philosophy and coaching...you know ...interviewing.

Ahh so his entire time with the Kings was nothing more than an elaborate ruse to make people THINK he coaches the NZ trap and nothing but.

Incredible work by him then.

 

[OldCraig71]

A lot of Montreal fans are coming in here to give their opinion on a coach they have never watched.

After the Carolina series and realizing how far they are from competing against the best teams, they need something to talk about, so I am glad you can all pretend like you know anything about Hiller. It's good to take your mind off that disastrous series.

Fair or unfair, the reason most teams chirp the Leafs HF fanbase is that they always proclaim that their team is a contender, despite being in the second round only once, with a core forecasted to win multiple cups.

I understand taking a shot back at Habs fans because we have plenty of fans who do the same thing.

You are correct in saying that Montreal fell flat against Carolina. No one would argue that, but when you look at the way a young bunch of kids was able to make it so far, it is promising, much more so than anointing a core 4 as cup contenders only to see them fall flat every year when it matters.

Most posters are confused by the reports that the Leafs did an exhaustive head coaching search only to end up with a lesser name. It would have been a better move to elevate your own AHL coach if you were just planning to settle for a B-grade option.

MLSE probably got a great deal on both Chayka and Hiller and that might have been the angle?

 

[notbias]

Fair or unfair, the reason most teams chirp the Leafs HF fanbase is that they always proclaim that their team is a contender, despite being in the second round only once, with a core forecasted to win multiple cups.

I understand taking a shot back at Habs fans because we have plenty of fans who do the same thing.

You are correct in saying that Montreal fell flat against Carolina. No one would argue that, but when you look at the way a young bunch of kids was able to make it so far, it is promising, much more so than anointing a core 4 as cup contenders only to see them fall flat every year when it matters.

Most posters are confused by the reports that the Leafs did an exhaustive head coaching search only to end up with a lesser name. It would have been a better move to elevate your own AHL coach if you were just planning to settle for a B-grade option.

MLSE probably got a great deal on both Chayka and Hiller and that might have been the angle?

Fell flat is an understatement. It was the most lopsided series I've seen. I think their future is less promising now than before that series.

What about Hiller's coaching style do you dislike? What about Grunden's coaching do you like?

I look forward to your in-depth analysis. It'd be stupid to comment something like that without doing your research on both coaches, right?

 

[Thrasymachus]

Not a serious franchise

 

[Osprey]

It should be noted that the 1-3-1 wasn't Jim Hiller's system. It was Todd McLellan's. Hiller simply kept it at first to maintain consistency and because GM Blake had built the roster around it. The Kings' defensive prowess in his first full season was largely due to keeping McLellan's system. Last offseason, Hiller and new GM Holland decided to move away from the 1-3-1 in order to increase offense. It backfired badly. Will Hiller go back to it in Toronto because he had the most success in LA with it? Maybe, but, again, it wasn't his idea in the first place, so maybe not. The point is that we can't be sure what kind of system the Leafs will play next season.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Fell flat is an understatement. It was the most lopsided series I've seen. I think their future is less promising now than before that series.

What about Hiller's coaching style do you dislike? What about Grunden's coaching do you like?

I look forward to your in-depth analysis. It'd be stupid to comment something like that without doing your research on both coaches, right?

Again, a weird chirp from a fan of a bottom five team.
And if that’s the most one sided series you’ve ever seen then I’m guessing you’re a new hockey fan. Welcome aboard young fella!

 

[Nothingbutglass]

1-3-1 coach for a team with its marquee players fwds and a slow old blueline
John Chayka: Innovation that Excites



Soooo... they saw what he did in his one head coaching gig and decided they're going to hire him to do the exact opposite. How the f*** would that make sense

Willy aint playing no 1-3-1. WIlly plays WIlly hockey.

 

[Natey]

A lot of Montreal fans are coming in here to give their opinion on a coach they have never watched.

After the Carolina series and realizing how far they are from competing against the best teams, they need something to talk about, so I am glad you can all pretend like you know anything about Hiller. It's good to take your mind off that disastrous series.

"Not bias" should maybe be changed to "extremely bias especially when butthurt so I pretend things are fact that I can't possibly know."

It's an absolutely disingenuous comment.

People don't want to debate puck with people who need to make things up to prove their point.

Crazy behaviour.

 

[OldCraig71]

Fell flat is an understatement. It was the most lopsided series I've seen. I think their future is less promising now than before that series.

What about Hiller's coaching style do you dislike? What about Grunden's coaching do you like?

I look forward to your in-depth analysis. It'd be stupid to comment something like that without doing your research on both coaches, right?

Ran out of gas is a more accurate statement, a group of kids learning how to win but at least showing the compete level to actually get there, instead of falling apart under a bit of pressure.

Craig Berube wanted to play a conservative, somewhat defensive style, and it didn't seem to go over well with the core group in Toronto, which led me to believe they were going in a different direction. But they chose a low-event, defense-first coach, one who fans have mentioned has used a 1-3-1 style. I don't think I have heard much about that style since Guy Boucher was in the league.

I don't know your AHL coach, but it looks like you went off the board with a seasoned but somewhat underwhelming choice, and the reported scope of the search suggests it may be a surprise hire. Time will tell, I guess.

Your AHL guy has his team on the verge of winning the Calder cup and while I can't speak of his style, the results are great and he should have been considered for the position.

 

[Natey]

Kind of a weird flex chirping a team that lost in the Conference Finals to a team that walked over every team on the way to the Cup. Especially given Toronto’s bottom five finish.
But hey, you do you!

Hey now.

7 wins in the playoffs is Mount f***ing Everest to Leaf fans.

 

[Natey]

Ran out of gas is a more accurate statement, a group of kids learning how to win but at least showing the compete level to actually get there, instead of falling apart under a bit of pressure.

Craig Berube wanted to play a conservative, somewhat defensive style, and it didn't seem to go over well with the core group in Toronto, which led me to believe they were going in a different direction. But they chose a low-event, defense-first coach, one who fans have mentioned has used a 1-3-1 style. I don't think I have heard much about that style since Guy Boucher was in the league.

I don't know your AHL coach, but it looks like you went off the board with a seasoned but somewhat underwhelming choice, and the reported scope of the search suggests it may be a surprise hire. Time will tell, I guess.

Your AHL guy has his team on the verge of winning the Calder cup and while I can't speak of his style, the results are great and he should have been considered for the position.

A defense first style with that d-core will sure work out.

 

[notbias]

Ran out of gas is a more accurate statement, a group of kids learning how to win but at least showing the compete level to actually get there, instead of falling apart under a bit of pressure.

Craig Berube wanted to play a conservative, somewhat defensive style, and it didn't seem to go over well with the core group in Toronto, which led me to believe they were going in a different direction. But they chose a low-event, defense-first coach, one who fans have mentioned has used a 1-3-1 style. I don't think I have heard much about that style since Guy Boucher was in the league.

I don't know your AHL coach, but it looks like you went off the board with a seasoned but somewhat underwhelming choice, and the reported scope of the search suggests it may be a surprise hire. Time will tell, I guess.

Your AHL guy has his team on the verge of winning the Calder cup and while I can't speak of his style, the results are great and he should have been considered for the position.

Seems weird to comment about coaches, recommend one, and have no clue about the coaches you are talking about...

 

[DGLeafy]

If it's top ten it goes to Boston, outside the top ten Philly. Any other interpretation is incorrect

Nope.

 

[Roo]

I didn’t like any of the names, so I’m ok with it.

Leafs management really are contrarian, hope it pays off.

 

[DJIncognito]

He had a hockey analytics company so I could see the alignment.

 

[Divine]

They should have kept DJ then?

 

[CupsOverCash]

Leaf fans usually are very supportive of almost any move they make. How do y'all feel about this hire?

 

[Lilou]

Not a serious franchise

Disagree. They're the most relevant team in hockey and pretty much the only one that matters. They could finish last for the next decade and still get more coverage than any other team in the league, and you'll all still be here talking about the leafs. You just can't get them out of your head. Obsessed.

 

[PaulD]

As a Leaf fan I'm not sure this guy has what it takes to get McKenna the Calder and steer my Leafs back to playoff success...

He does not.....but neither do lots

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

Disagree. They're the most relevant team in hockey and pretty much the only one that matters. They could finish last for the next decade and still get more coverage than any other team in the league, and you'll all still be here talking about the leafs. You just can't get them out of your head. Obsessed.

...being the League's Laugh Track isn't the "relevance" you think it is, amigo...

 

[stealth1]

I have no issue with giving Hiller a chance, it might work out.

The bigger question is why a franchise who is supposed to have the financial muscle to outbid any team for staff ended up with Chayka and Hiller?
I get not wanting a retread but there are lots of up and coming young staff they could have went with. Instead it feels like they went the budget option.

 

[balancedmoithai]

View attachment 1255312

Why does he look like me ( i just don't have the earings )

 

[MoneyManny]

Fell flat is an understatement. It was the most lopsided series I've seen. I think their future is less promising now than before that series.

What about Hiller's coaching style do you dislike? What about Grunden's coaching do you like?

I look forward to your in-depth analysis. It'd be stupid to comment something like that without doing your research on both coaches, right?

Man your coping is so transparent it's hilarious.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Disagree. They're the most relevant team in hockey and pretty much the only one that matters. They could finish last for the next decade and still get more coverage than any other team in the league, and you'll all still be here talking about the leafs. You just can't get them out of your head. Obsessed.

literally the only time I have even thought about the leafs in past few months was when they made a historically bad GM hire, but do go on

 

[balancedmoithai]

Maybe Pavelski comes in once the *Cough Cough* rebuild is a few years in?

I can see it. Pavelski may agree once the culture turns around ( With sundin in front office ).

Still think Chayka and Hiller are short term choices. Sundin will find a way to make things his own. ( If he doesn't Retire or Quit )