League News: NHL Talk - (News n' Scores n' Stuff) - 2022-23 season, Vol. 4, Off-season Edition

[Marshall]

Its entirely possible that he wasn't fired because he didn't have a written plan when asked, or that he wrote his plan on a napkin in crayon, but because his plan that he did write down, stunk?

Both?

 

[Hivemind]

Its entirely possible that he wasn't fired because he didn't have a written plan when asked, or that he wrote his plan on a napkin in crayon, but because his plan that he did write down, stunk?

The full version of the article goes into more detail, but a summary is basically:

After Rutherford's abrupt decision to resign, the then Penguins CEO led a quick search for a new GM/front office - and one of the questions he was asking of the new GM candidates was if they were willing to break up the "big three" (Crosby, Malkin, Letang). Hextall was more than willing to do that.

Fenway Sports Group then buys the Penguins.

FSG asks Hextall to share his hockey plan for the organization (this is where the anecdote about him not having anything on paper comes from). FSG doesn't like that his plan for 2023 has Malkin and Letang off the team. They instruct Hextall to make it a priority to sign them.

Hextall eventually signs Letang. Key sticking point was offering a full NMC.

Negotiations between Hextall and Malkin/Malkin's agent turn sour. Hextall offers lowball terms, and doesn't bring them up. Malkin feels like he isn't valued. Other key members of the Penguins staff aren't aware of Hextall's plan. Malkin informs people close to him that he will test UFA to "show them" his value. Crosby, Letang, and Sullivan all have long phone calls to Malkin, sharing some of their favorite memories together, in order to persuade Malkin to stay. Malkin eventually signs. Hextall brags to other members of the front office "that's how you negotiate" and that he "got Malkin on his terms."

Sullivan's coaching term predates Hextall as a GM. The two of them are never on the same page. Hextall is surprised when FSG extends Sullivan's contract. They don't talk to one another, and have disagreements (sometimes publicly) regarding certain players, such as Kasperi Kapanen. Hextall eventually waives Kapanen after Sullivan keeps scratching him, telling other members of the front office that Kapanen will do better elsewhere (which is somewhat true, as he does have 14 points in 23 games for the Blues, albeit shooting at 17% which is well above his career average). Sullivan views some of Hextall's moves as shortsighted, and leaving them in a salary cap bind (such as when they didn't have cap space to activate Jan Rutta from LTIR).

Unnamed members of the Pens front office state that Sullivan and Hextall don't get along, and that Sullivan has more supporters.

Hextall waives Brock McGinn during their dad's trip. McGinn is given the player of the game honors in the locker room following that final game. During the same trip, he trades Teddy Blueger. Bluerger finds out about this via social media during a team dinner with the fathers. He leaves immediately. Crosby follows him out, and returns saying "this is not how we do things in Pittsburgh."

Hextall tries to add JT Miller, but both Sullivan and the FSG balk at the idea for different reasons. Hextall trades for Mikael Granlund instead. Pretty much everyone in the media pans the trade, and Hextall attempts to defend it by implying Granlund was a hotly contested asset.

Penguins are mediocre down the stretch and miss the playoffs. Hextall is fired. His firing was so predictable that he (and Burke) had already cleaned out his desk before it happened.

There's a heck of a lot more in the article, so it's definitely worth reading. Tons more on Letang's rough season, Sullivan's homecoming trip to Boston, specifics on the contract negotiations, the "fire Hextall" chants, attitude in the locker room, etc.) It also largely meshes well with some of the things from Hextall's time in Philly (not working with coaches, making an enemy out of the locker room, mirco-managing things, favoring full rebuilds over retools, etc).

 

[HTFN]

The full version of the article goes into more detail, but a summary is basically:

After Rutherford's abrupt decision to resign, the then Penguins CEO led a quick search for a new GM/front office - and one of the questions he was asking of the new GM candidates was if they were willing to break up the "big three" (Crosby, Malkin, Letang). Hextall was more than willing to do that.

Fenway Sports Group then buys the Penguins.

FSG asks Hextall to share his hockey plan for the organization (this is where the anecdote about him not having anything on paper comes from). FSG doesn't like that his plan for 2023 has Malkin and Letang off the team. They instruct Hextall to make it a priority to sign them.

Hextall eventually signs Letang. Key sticking point was offering a full NMC.

Negotiations between Hextall and Malkin/Malkin's agent turn sour. Hextall offers lowball terms, and doesn't bring them up. Malkin feels like he isn't valued. Other key members of the Penguins staff aren't aware of Hextall's plan. Malkin informs people close to him that he will test UFA to "show them" his value. Crosby, Letang, and Sullivan all have long phone calls to Malkin, sharing some of their favorite memories together, in order to persuade Malkin to stay. Malkin eventually signs. Hextall brags to other members of the front office "that's how you negotiate" and that he "got Malkin on his terms."

Sullivan's coaching term predates Hextall as a GM. The two of them are never on the same page. Hextall is surprised when FSG extends Sullivan's contract. They don't talk to one another, and have disagreements (sometimes publicly) regarding certain players, such as Kasperi Kapanen. Hextall eventually waives Kapanen after Sullivan keeps scratching him, telling other members of the front office that Kapanen will do better elsewhere (which is somewhat true, as he does have 14 points in 23 games for the Blues, albeit shooting at 17% which is well above his career average). Sullivan views some of Hextall's moves as shortsighted, and leaving them in a salary cap bind (such as when they didn't have cap space to activate Jan Rutta from LTIR).

Unnamed members of the Pens front office state that Sullivan and Hextall don't get along, and that Sullivan has more supporters.

Hextall waives Brock McGinn during their dad's trip. McGinn is given the player of the game honors in the locker room following that final game. During the same trip, he trades Teddy Blueger. Bluerger finds out about this via social media during a team dinner with the fathers. He leaves immediately. Crosby follows him out, and returns saying "this is not how we do things in Pittsburgh."

Hextall tries to add JT Miller, but both Sullivan and the FSG balk at the idea for different reasons. Hextall trades for Mikael Granlund instead. Pretty much everyone in the media pans the trade, and Hextall attempts to defend it by implying Granlund was a hotly contested asset.

Penguins are mediocre down the stretch and miss the playoffs. Hextall is fired. His firing was so predictable that he (and Burke) had already cleaned out his desk before it happened.

There's a heck of a lot more in the article, so it's definitely worth reading. Tons more on Letang's rough season, Sullivan's homecoming trip to Boston, specifics on the contract negotiations, the "fire Hextall" chants, attitude in the locker room, etc.) It also largely meshes well with some of the things from Hextall's time in Philly (not working with coaches, making an enemy out of the locker room, mirco-managing things, favoring full rebuilds over retools, etc).

Blueger has at least responded saying that the article isn't representing his part correctly and it didn't go down like that, but overall bad reporting probably isn't negating the likely fact that Hextall is a complete doofus.

 

[Acallabeth]

In addition to Hextall's incompetence, front office inconsistency couldn't help: if Morehouse wanted to move on from Malkin and Letang and Hextall was one of the few (if not the only) GM candidates who was on board with that idea that would be vastly unpopular, and FSG had keeping them as a priority, signing a grudging franchise legend with soured relationship is actually a decent outcome. We can complain that Ted wants Ovechkin and Backstrom to retire as Caps, but at least there's no fraction working towards the opposite.

It's also perplexing that owners would hire Hextall for a rebuild after his Nolan Patrick pick and rumours that he ignored the scouts ' advice on draft day.

 

[Raikkonen]

JFC...

Back to Caps, even if Caps have to have issues due to Backstrom keep playing for 2 more years - that wont bother me much.

GMBM has to play around it. That's it.

 

[Langway]

Rongos are leaning Lavi. Could happen this week.

 

[HTFN]

Rongos are leaning Lavi. Could happen this week.

That fit, with all those young players, would basically be the final nail in the "can Laviolette do anything with young talent" debate. Although if he's smart and learning anything from his experience here he may have to adapt just to stay in the game, something tells me that won't be the case and the Rangers will punt on some of those guys for cheap in the next few years if they take Laviolette on board

 

[Hivemind]

JFC...

Back to Caps, even if Caps have to have issues due to Backstrom keep playing for 2 more years - that wont bother me much.

GMBM has to play around it. That's it.

I mean this is the “Around the League” thread, so talking non-caps is kosher here. Lol

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Lavi gonna cram that better roster down our throats….

 

[Corby78]

Lavi gonna cram that better roster down our throats….

Maybe, if they do end up with the better roster… it’s a better roster. This is one of those “doesn’t matter to me what he does next” situations. Lavi looked like a good idea but he didn’t mesh here. He could go win three cups with the rags and it didn’t mean we should have kept him. He was the wrong guy for our roster.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Maybe, if they do end up with the better roster… it’s a better roster. This is one of those “doesn’t matter to me what he does next” situations. Lavi looked like a good idea but he didn’t mesh here. He could go win three cups with the rags and it didn’t mean we should have kept him. He was the wrong guy for our roster.

Just would mean he’s just a great coach, which some of us already recognize.

 

[Langway]

Lavi can institute a better sense of responsibility, defensive detail, engagement and togetherness. Those are his clear strengths. But it may come at the expense of offensive production 5v5. They likely still come out ahead of the bargain but judging by their play against NJD I don't think it was just defensive structure that killed them. They're also weak controlling the middle of the ice thanks to center play. They have neither a Selke level defensive guy nor high-end playmaking. They have a high-end but inconsistent shooter in Zibanejad, a light 2c in Trocheck and then Chytil doing fine at 3C. Can Lavi bump Chytil up to 2C--would he be willing--and let the kid line cook? Or will he overuse Trocheck? I'd bet the later and also that the kid line is broken up.

I don't think their current mix cuts it as a strong contender. Their strength is on the blueline, where guys like Miller & Schneider should only improve under Lavi/McCarthy, and in net. There's a recipe there with goaltending and special teams but Lavi seems like a Dolan move. Their time is now but they're going to need some perhaps substantial tweaks. Mostly it's hard to say just how much more he can get out of Zibanejad, Panarin and the kid line. The first two had 90 points season--maybe not something it used to be--but were pretty terrible in the playoffs. Lavi will at least be entertaining in pursuit of getting those guys right. His job will be a lot easier with a legit Norris talent in Fox to lean on. But I doubt he fully figures out how to sort their various issues up front.

 

[Ovechkins Wodka]

How much better is Fox then prime Carlson ? They seem pretty similar in comparison. If Carlson had the NYC media (Same with Mike Green) he would probably have a Norris like Fox

Lavi will have a A+ goalie and some skill. I think the rangers traded off most their prospects and picks to go all in this season. And don’t really have much cap space to play with.

 

[StrikingDistance]

Lavi gonna cram that better roster down our throats….

The Rags don't need Lavi to make us look incompetent. Just put Zibs onthe ice so he can score his 18 annual Gs on us. LOL

 

[895]

The athletic is fan fiction. Don't believe any of the details but it's probably true that Hextall sucked.


I refuse to believe Malkin still texts Crosby in a Russian accent.

 

[twabby]

Trotz makes his first hire. Not a bad choice in Brunette.

 

[John Price]

Good hire. Brunette gets another chance.

 

[twabby]

I agree with Dom. If there is one thing the Leafs need it's a new coach.

The probability of the Leafs doing something really dumb with their roster this offseason is rising! I hope MacLellan jumps on this opportunity!

 

[Langway]

The probability of the Leafs doing something really dumb with their roster this offseason is rising! I hope MacLellan jumps on this opportunity!

Dubas seemed more poised and prepared to do something drastic. I don't expect the new guy to immediately do something big, particularly moving out a prime piece after the Tkachuk situation last year. He'll more likely take his time to assess, starting mainly you'd think with Keefe on borrowed time. I guess you never know. They could move Marner or Nylander but it seems less likely than if Dubas remained.

They'll need a rack of forwards and probably need to dump Murray but I wouldn't expect fireworks.

 

[twabby]

Dubas seemed more poised and prepared to do something drastic. I don't expect the new guy to immediately do something big, particularly moving out a prime piece after the Tkachuk situation last year. He'll more likely take his time to assess, starting mainly you'd think with Keefe on borrowed time. I guess you never know. They could move Marner or Nylander but it seems less likely than if Dubas remained.

They'll need a rack of forwards and probably need to dump Murray but I wouldn't expect fireworks.

It appears that Shanahan is calling a lot of the shots and so far he hasn’t shown well.

Them keeping Keefe leads me to believe they think it’s on the players while absolving the coach of blame. That leads me to believe they are going to shake up the core. There is going to be a lot of pressure to do just that given the media narratives being created.

Treliving being their next GM also adds an interesting wrinkle. On one hand he saw how altering the core in Calgary could lead to disastrous results. On the other hand he could see how “toughness” is paramount given Tkachuk’s success in Calgary and then Florida. He doesn’t strike me as a rash guy but again I think he’s going to be facing a lot of external pressure to make moves.

I don’t know that they can go into the season with Nylander and Matthews unsigned. They are way too valuable and they can’t risk letting them go to free agency. Matthews’s and Marner’s NMCs kick in on July 1 so there’s pressure to move Marner too.

I still expect them to make a desperation move or two and I hope Washington is all over the phones with Toronto.

 

[um]

How much better is Fox then prime Carlson ? They seem pretty similar in comparison. If Carlson had the NYC media (Same with Mike Green) he would probably have a Norris like Fox

Lavi will have a A+ goalie and some skill. I think the rangers traded off most their prospects and picks to go all in this season. And don’t really have much cap space to play with.

I’d say Fox is much better than Carlson, Green too.

It appears that Shanahan is calling a lot of the shots and so far he hasn’t shown well.

Them keeping Keefe leads me to believe they think it’s on the players while absolving the coach of blame. That leads me to believe they are going to shake up the core. There is going to be a lot of pressure to do just that given the media narratives being created.

Treliving being their next GM also adds an interesting wrinkle. On one hand he saw how altering the core in Calgary could lead to disastrous results. On the other hand he could see how “toughness” is paramount given Tkachuk’s success in Calgary and then Florida. He doesn’t strike me as a rash guy but again I think he’s going to be facing a lot of external pressure to make moves.

I don’t know that they can go into the season with Nylander and Matthews unsigned. They are way too valuable and they can’t risk letting them go to free agency. Matthews’s and Marner’s NMCs kick in on July 1 so there’s pressure to move Marner too.

I still expect them to make a desperation move or two and I hope Washington is all over the phones with Toronto.

They could just be leaving the coaching decision to the new GM.

 

[twabby]

They could just be leaving the coaching decision to the new GM.

It’s possible but if so they need to jump on it now. Washington and Nashville already plucked two of the younger and fresher options out there. Other teams like ANA, CGY, NYR, and CBJ are actively interviewing candidates. They’ll be left picking off the scrap heap if they wait any longer.

I don’t know. I’m sure I’m projecting my desires just a bit. But I just doubt that Toronto runs everything back the same next year plus or minus a few middle 6/depth changes given the media pressure cooker in Toronto and their stars’ contract situations coming to a head. I feel like something has to give this offseason.

 

[um]

It’s possible but if so they need to jump on it now. Washington and Nashville already plucked two of the younger and fresher options out there. Other teams like ANA, CGY, NYR, and CBJ are actively interviewing candidates. They’ll be left picking off the scrap heap if they wait any longer.

I don’t know. I’m sure I’m projecting my desires just a bit. But I just doubt that Toronto runs everything back the same next year plus or minus a few middle 6/depth changes given the media pressure cooker in Toronto and their stars’ contract situations coming to a head. I feel like something has to give this offseason.

Agreed that options are starting to disappear, if they hire a GM soon the coaching situation will become more clear.

I don't know if the Leafs have the balls to make big changes but think they should. They gotta move on from one of Nylander or Marner and address other more urgent needs.

 

[kicksavedave]

It’s possible but if so they need to jump on it now. Washington and Nashville already plucked two of the younger and fresher options out there. Other teams like ANA, CGY, NYR, and CBJ are actively interviewing candidates. They’ll be left picking off the scrap heap if they wait any longer.

I don’t know. I’m sure I’m projecting my desires just a bit. But I just doubt that Toronto runs everything back the same next year plus or minus a few middle 6/depth changes given the media pressure cooker in Toronto and their stars’ contract situations coming to a head. I feel like something has to give this offseason.

Thoughts on TO hiring Treliving as GM?

Treliving hired as general manager of Maple Leafs | NHL.com

Replaces Dubas after 9 seasons with Flames

www.nhl.com

 

[twabby]

Thoughts on TO hiring Treliving as GM?

Treliving hired as general manager of Maple Leafs | NHL.com

Replaces Dubas after 9 seasons with Flames

www.nhl.com

I don't think he was terrible in Calgary given the limitations he had to work with but he's not inspiring either. Sorry no true hot takes on this one!