Guess Lou really is diverging from his old principles. But then, under the circumstances he didn't really have much choice.
NJ was very much running on a strict budget when he was the GM, was it not?
I don't think it had much to do with money, it had to do with a principal (he didn't believe in individual bonuses and team bonuses are non in the new CBA). In New Jersey he was around when the rules were implimented, so no one before them had gotten them. In Toronto, guys like Nylander and Marner have bonuses in their deals, it is much harder to justify. I understand Lou's objection to them (I almost feel he would rather guarantee them at a minute played than have goal and point based bonuses), but it wasn't a fight worth pursuing in a new environment.
While he has implemented some rules, he seems pretty willing to let a new culture be created where he is part of a collective. Shanny oversees it, he manages a diverse team (Dubas analytics, Hunters staff and Prindham) and takes Babcock's input. Its easier to go to a new environment in some cases and take a lesser role (still bigger than the ceremonial role he would have in NJ), than stay where you once ran everything but were relegated to the back ground. With Leafs being accommodating with him being based in New Jersey and flying in fairly often, I think that intrigued him.
Does Matt Martin have to get a Hair Cut?
Said in an interview shortly after signing that it was gone.
I'd also add, atleast Lou's rules make sense (while principled) and he doesn't rant about them. That makes him 1000x better than Burke who wouldn't shut up about his extended trade freeze and how prospects at the draft don't were hats (and were the only team that does it).
