Who should be the next coach?

Martin Skoula

Registered User
Oct 18, 2017
12,197
17,160
Yeah I may be in the minority but I don't think anything gets better unless the players can start executing basic plays.

It’s crazy that this isn’t the biggest talking point. 90% of our problems come off unforced errors from our skill guys forgetting how to handle a puck for long stretches.

Wouldn’t matter if they were grizzled vets that eat nails for breakfast coming off an 8-peat if every offensive zone possession is an unforced turnover waiting to happen.

It’s at the point where the best money contribution towards winning would be spending millions figuring out if there’s a hidden source of lead or maybe an oil barrel of LSD dripping into the Scotiabank water. Gotta watch out for those Zamboni fumes.
 

Squiffy

Victims, rn't we all
Oct 21, 2006
14,009
3,858
Toronto
We can agree that the corrected albeit it inaccurate reply, “Torts in the Toronto market, no thanks”, is fair lol..?
 

SeaOfBlue

The Passion That Unites Us All
Aug 1, 2013
35,591
16,776
For me, I wouldn't fire Keefe for the sake of firing Keefe. At least not before doing something larger with the actual players.

Bruce Boudreau is an easy 'no'. Bourdreau's crowning achievement in his 15+ year NHL career is a Conference Finals loss and he had a ton of very successful regular season teams fall short. He is just more of the same as what we've already had, except over a much larger sample size. And the last two times he made the playoffs, he lost 4-1 in the first round.

Gerard Gallant can't stay anywhere for very long, even though he has had some playoff success. No idea why, but his run with the Rangers is a major concern. A lot of his top guys totally disappeared, and had it not been for Shestyerkin, he would have had a quick exit last year too.

Q is just not happening.

I think Laviolette is already going to the Rangers...

So as far as I can see, we are either going with unproven again (which I would be fine with if it is the right guy) or we are keeping Keefe.

As far as what Keefe or the coaching staff can do differently, I am not sure there really is anything. He has experimented. He has tried different combinations. If people are getting pissed off at him for not constantly or immediately throwing things in the blender as soon as things are not working, or benching guys, then IDK... Cooper rarely threw things in the blender when Tampa was going through rough patches in the playoffs. He is also not benching his top guys when they are not scoring... Maybe he rides the hot hand more, although Keefe did the same thing with Lafferty and Kampf yesterday and they were eventually on the ice for the OT goal against.

I'll take this from Maurice's presser today:

A lot of people on the outside would assume the coach has his thumb on everything. Where did it come from with you to give the players more freedom than most people would think a coach would allow?

Maurice
: I am maybe not articulating it right. We have a set of things that we do — a set of standards designed to a concept that fits the style of play of the personnel that you have. But we don’t sit with them on the plane, on the bus, or in the room.

There comes a time when you are standing behind the bench, you go to say something, and someone else is saying it. That is way more impactful.

“We have to pick up that F3 through the middle.” Someone else says it, so I don’t have to say that anymore.

If you give up a goal and three guys get up and down the bench, “We’re fine. We’re fine.” I don’t have to say that anymore.

That is more what I mean. We have a job, but the players eventually take it over.

I don't see that happening with many guys on the bench. I am not sure how much the players hold each other or themselves accountable out there, and the fans are immediately putting it all on Keefe to hold guys accountable.

Are there things that he could have done better or differently? Sure. But ultimately, in this series and really in every other series, a lot of it just comes down to execution. We are getting good looks and then we can't score. Or our goalie lets in a weak goal after making a series of great stops. Or our PP goes dry. Or we are missing on basic passes and break outs with minimal pressure and we are either turning it over or icing (literally did it 3 times in OT). Or a defenseman misses a basic coverage or makes a stupid mistake after playing well for 95% of the game. Or guys are not moving their legs and winning battles. It would be easier if we were just getting run over all of the time or it was clear that Keefe was not getting the most out of his players (similar to Babcock), but at this point, the players haven't really proven they have more to give than what we've seen and that there may not be any coach on the face of the earth which can change that.

And that is related to Dubas too. Dubas has done what a lot of the great GM's have done: Trusted his core of extremely talented young players to rise to the occasion while building a strong team around them. He has given them every chance to be successful. But they've let him and everyone else down when it mattered most. And at this point, they are probably out of chances and may be taking the coaching and management staff down with them.

Of course, they could do the unthinkable and still win. I believe this team is fully capable of doing it. Of course if they do lose, and if Keefe/Dubas are gone, I have little doubt both will land on their feet and have a nice amount of success elsewhere (potentially including some Cups). I think the same could apply to many of the players on this team (especially guys like Rielly and Nylander). But I just hope that whoever does take over in that scenario can continue a lot of the great work both Keefe and Dubas have done in bringing success to this franchise and that more than anything, the players (whichever ones end up staying/coming here) start executing in whatever they need to do (make saves, score goals, limit stupid mistakes, etc.)... Because if that doesn't happen, we can rotate through every coach/GM combo to fanfare of fans and media and it won't make any difference. Didn't make a difference in most of the series we've played over the last 7 years despite being the favourite and in complete control in the vast majority of them.
 
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LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,330
15,947
For me, I wouldn't fire Keefe for the sake of firing Keefe. At least not before doing something larger with the actual players.

Bruce Boudreau is an easy 'no'. Bourdreau's crowning achievement in his 15+ year NHL career is a Conference Finals loss and he had a ton of very successful regular season teams fall short. He is just more of the same as what we've already had, except over a much larger sample size. And the last two times he made the playoffs, he lost 4-1 in the first round.

Gerard Gallant can't stay anywhere for very long, even though he has had some playoff success. No idea why, but his run with the Rangers is a major concern. A lot of his top guys totally disappeared, and had it not been for Shestyerkin, he would have had a quick exit last year too.

Q is just not happening.

I think Laviolette is already going to the Rangers...

So as far as I can see, we are either going with unproven again (which I would be fine with if it is the right guy) or we are keeping Keefe.

As far as what Keefe or the coaching staff can do differently, I am not sure there really is anything. He has experimented. He has tried different combinations. If people are getting pissed off at him for not constantly or immediately throwing things in the blender as soon as things are not working, or benching guys, then IDK... Cooper rarely threw things in the blender when Tampa was going through rough patches in the playoffs. He is also not benching his top guys when they are not scoring... Maybe he rides the hot hand more, although Keefe did the same thing with Lafferty and Kampf yesterday and they were eventually on the ice for the OT goal against.

I'll take this from Maurice's presser today:



I don't see that happening with many guys on the bench. I am not sure how much the players hold each other or themselves accountable out there, and the fans are immediately putting it all on Keefe to hold guys accountable.

Are there things that he could have done better or differently? Sure. But ultimately, in this series and really in every other series, a lot of it just comes down to execution. We are getting good looks and then we can't score. Or our goalie lets in a weak goal after making a series of great stops. Or our PP goes dry. Or we are missing on basic passes and break outs with minimal pressure and we are either turning it over or icing (literally did it 3 times in OT). Or a defenseman misses a basic coverage or makes a stupid mistake after playing well for 95% of the game. Or guys are not moving their legs and winning battles. It would be easier if we were just getting run over all of the time or it was clear that Keefe was not getting the most out of his players (similar to Babcock), but at this point, the players haven't really proven they have more to give than what we've seen and that there may not be any coach on the face of the earth which can change that.

And that is related to Dubas too. Dubas has done what a lot of the great GM's have done: Trusted his core of extremely talented young players to rise to the occasion while building a strong team around them. He has given them every chance to be successful. But they've let him and everyone else down when it mattered most. And at this point, they are probably out of chances and may be taking the coaching and management staff down with them.

Of course, they could do the unthinkable and still win. I believe this team is fully capable of doing it. Of course if they do lose, and if Keefe/Dubas are gone, I have little doubt both will land on their feet and have a nice amount of success elsewhere (potentially including some Cups). I think the same could apply to many of the players on this team (especially guys like Rielly and Nylander). But I just hope that whoever does take over in that scenario can continue a lot of the great work both Keefe and Dubas have done in bringing success to this franchise and that more than anything, the players (whichever ones end up staying/coming here) start executing in whatever they need to do (make saves, score goals, limit stupid mistakes, etc.)... Because if that doesn't happen, we can rotate through every coach/GM combo to fanfare of fans and media and it won't make any difference. Didn't make a difference in most of the series we've played over the last 7 years despite being the favourite and in complete control in the vast majority of them.

You aren't firing Keefe for the sake of firing Keefe, you are firing Keefe because it's years overdue.

The man should have been fired after he blew a 3-1 series lead to Montreal.

Or about 3 seconds after he talked about "respect in the handshake line."

That was the most pathetic thing I have heard a coach say, and that's ANY Coach, in ANY sport.

Then there was earlier this season when instead of telling the media to go f*** themselves which is what he should have done, he walked back his comments like a gutless coward, because that is what he is, and always has been.

I call people like him "bitch boys."

He is a bitch boy, and short of a miracle come back he's got to go.
 

Suntouchable13

Registered User
Dec 20, 2003
44,534
20,723
Toronto, ON
Yeah that might be enough to save Dubas job, getting extensions done with them is probably easier with Dubas as GM.



Steve Ott has no credibility

And why oh why would we want to extend all of them? A new coach won’t matter unless the core is shaken up. Babcock didn’t work, Keefe did not work, why would next coach work? The core is the biggest issue, and it has not been touched yet.
 

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,330
15,947
And why oh why would we want to extend all of them? A new coach won’t matter unless the core is shaken up. Babcock didn’t work, Keefe did not work, why would next coach work? The core is the biggest issue, and it has not been touched yet.

Trading good players is always a bad bad idea, you aren't winning a Matthews or Marner trade, and a Nylander trade is unlikely to be won too, although not impossible.

How do you get better by trading Matthews, Marner or Nylander?

The answer is you don't
 

IPS

Registered User
Sep 28, 2017
16,458
27,035
You don't replace an ELITE coach in Sheldon Keefe. Silly move.

And why oh why would we want to extend all of them? A new coach won’t matter unless the core is shaken up. Babcock didn’t work, Keefe did not work, why would next coach work? The core is the biggest issue, and it has not been touched yet.
This exactly. I could honestly give 2 shits if they replace Keefe if they keep Dubas and the core. Firing Keefe gives this core yet another out, one that they absolutely do not deserve.
 
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makbeer

Registered User
Sep 28, 2006
1,234
1,251
I want Torts just to see the core play for him. Hahahahahhahahahahaha.
 

IPS

Registered User
Sep 28, 2017
16,458
27,035
Trading good players is always a bad bad idea, you aren't winning a Matthews or Marner trade, and a Nylander trade is unlikely to be won too, although not impossible.

How do you get better by trading Matthews, Marner or Nylander?

The answer is you don't
Dude how can you still make comments like this after watching 3 games of this series?

They flat out don't care about winning. Actions speak louder than words.
 
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Suntouchable13

Registered User
Dec 20, 2003
44,534
20,723
Toronto, ON
Trading good players is always a bad bad idea, you aren't winning a Matthews or Marner trade, and a Nylander trade is unlikely to be won too, although not impossible.

How do you get better by trading Matthews, Marner or Nylander?

The answer is you don't

There is probably some way, surely there is. I am not content with just making the playoffs and losing 1st or 2nd round all the time. A new coach won’t make a difference. Surely signing them all to even more money will make us better, right?
 

ShaneFalco

Registered User
Jul 15, 2012
21,414
15,770
London, On
Trading good players is always a bad bad idea, you aren't winning a Matthews or Marner trade, and a Nylander trade is unlikely to be won too, although not impossible.

How do you get better by trading Matthews, Marner or Nylander?

The answer is you don't
These blanket statements are ridiculous
So carry on, roll it back, because guys like Forsberg, Bure, Selanne, Hall, Tkachuk, Eichel, Seguin, Karlsson etc etc never get traded

AM may even choose to leave, And how anyone can say "there's no way you win a trade trading x player" - you have no clue what the return would be, or if the players acquired would be a better fit.
The coaches have changed, the D, the 3rd and 4th lines are a revolving door. What's the common denominator here?
 
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LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,330
15,947
There is probably some way, surely there is. I am not content with just making the playoffs and losing 1st or 2nd round all the time. A new coach won’t make a difference. Surely signing them all to even more money will make us better, right?

You completely avoided the question how you get better by trading Matthews or Marner? Let's take Nylander out of that because while I see it as unlikely to win a Nylander trade I don't see that as impossible.

I suspect you completely avoided the question because you know I'm right.

You can't win a Matthews or Marner trade.
 

LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,330
15,947
You completely avoided the question how you get better by trading Matthews or Marner? Let's take Nylander out of that because while I see it as unlikely to win a Nylander trade I don't see that as impossible.

I suspect you completely avoided the question because you know I'm right.

You can't win a Matthews or Marner trade.
 

IPS

Registered User
Sep 28, 2017
16,458
27,035
You completely avoided the question how you get better by trading Matthews or Marner? Let's take Nylander out of that because while I see it as unlikely to win a Nylander trade I don't see that as impossible.

I suspect you completely avoided the question because you know I'm right.

You can't win a Matthews or Marner trade.
You'll win a Matthews or Marner trade by getting someone back who actually cares about winning.

This is 7 years running now that these 2 just decide they don't wanna play hockey anymore and just mail it in.
 
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LEAFANFORLIFE23

Registered User
Jun 17, 2010
47,330
15,947
These blanket statements are ridiculous
So carry on, roll it back, because guys like Forsberg, Bure, Selanne, Hall, Tkachuk, Eichel, Seguin, Karlsson etc etc never get traded

AM may even choose to leave, And how anyone can say "there's no way you win a trade trading x player" - you have no clue what the return would be, or if the players acquired would be a better fit.
The coaches have changed, the D, the 3rd and 4th lines are a revolving door. What's the common denominator here?

Who said anything about running it back? I'm open to significant changes but you still need to tell me how you get better by trading Matthews or Marner?

You won't be able to answer that question because there is no answer to that question because you can't do it.
 

AvroArrow

Mitch "The God" Marner
Jun 10, 2011
18,907
20,145
Toronto
Gallant.

He coaches a physical tough brand of hockey, he demands the most out of his players. Florida firing him was the most random thing ever, and him being fired now was just the GM saving his own ass and scapegoating him. I think he's exactly what this team needs, he coaches similar to Brindamour, they demand physicality and intensity from everybody.
 
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ACC1224

Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
Aug 19, 2002
76,479
42,886
Gallant.

He coaches a physical tough brand of hockey, he demands the most out of his players. Florida firing him was the most random thing ever, and him being fired now was just the GM saving his own ass and scapegoating him. I think he's exactly what this team needs, he coaches similar to Brindamour, they demand physicality and intensity from everybody.
You'd have to remove the GM and many of the players to change the brand that drastically.
 
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