Leafsfan74
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2018
- 5,736
- 6,234
Fair enough, except the circus of coaches who have little control over the ClubHouse is long.How many multi person strategies are involved in wrestling? Hockey coaching requires planning and strategizing, as well a managing egos and accountability.
Don’t confuse the impact of coaches in individual sports to the coaches in team sports.
I remember Carlyle was here and he basically couldn't bench or demand Kessel play defense. In fact, if I recall correctly Phil basically just said at practice he wasn't doing it. Outright dismissed any effort to make him play a two way game.
Randy was clearly defeated in public and it was leaked that he said that "MLSE doesn't care, they just want him to keep scoring and sell tickets" or something to that effect. I'm not even sure Caryle denied it when it was reported in the papers.
Yes, Babcock pulled a dirty move on Marner, unacceptable in todays society. He did demand accountability though and probably propelled Hymans career for one. Once Dubas handed the RFAs the keys to the vault and Babcock was ousted, the same old circus was coming to town, it didn't matter who the coach was.
I don't believe the narratives about the rentals who didn't re-sign. I just think they didn't believe in this core most of the time, didn't want to play for this core.
Now, this offseason was the golden opportunity to make the moves. I've been consistent in saying the Matthews is the only player from the core, and that extends to five players; that was worth the long term large money. He could retire a Leaf and have it all because he seems to care. He is like a work dog who needs to have a strong pack. This is why he was dominant down the stretch with Bert and Domi.
Sundin was extremely loyal to the Leafs and we tried to push him out of town. I despised the management for trying to do that to a guy who never complained when he played with 3rd line wingers and always showed up when it mattered. Matthews could retire a Leaf and with the right team he could have a ring or two. Sundin fell short, lacking the skill this team has but Leafs always built playoff ready lineups.
Regardless, whoever replaces Keefe when the time come, he MUST be a hard ass and in full control. This is also important if the Leafs are looking to add such players to their roster. The Boosh, along with Benoit and McCabb are prime examples. These types love a hard ass coach because they feed off of effort and sacrifice. Seeing a coach ensure that everyone does the same works for them.
I don't care who that coach is as long as they are given full support by management, no more of this corporate hierarchy.
In the end, if the players aren't willing to sacrifice and figure it out, none of it matters. They need to shed salary and bring in the right types who want to go through the wall.