Hey let's talk about the Leafs

overthere · December 26, 2014

Katz has not yet been hurt in his wallet, but it is beginning. The building is sold out every night, but there are many empty seats. Merchandise sales are down, and concessions sales have to be much slower.

Katz can afford all of it, and he cherishes his relationship with the old boys like Lowe and MacT and others, like Semenko, Buchberger etc. Katz is not stuorid, he did not build a multi billion dollar business empire by being dumb. Hockey is a hobby and passion, the money is secondary and the team remains profitable. He isn't using crap-to-great- teams like Chicago or Pittsburgh(both were awful, both has serious financial problems, both are now great franchises). He's using Toronto, where prolonged losing doesn't seem to matter to the fans. They still pay through the nose.

I think it will take an event he cannot ignore to make him act. It will be something like one of the core: Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle asking for a trade- and that could happen anytime. Those guys can make big money anywhere, and eventually one or all will get sick of being worst. When that happens, Lowe will be lynched on Jasper Avenue.

kimmy · January 4, 2015

With the price of oil crashing, there will be less disposable income floating around in Edmonton and people will be more careful how they spend their entertainment dollars.

And with the Can-US exchange rate plunging, Katz is going to feel it, because the team's biggest expense-- player salaries-- gets paid in US dollars. The Oilers' cost of doing business has jumped by almost 20% in the past year.

And he'd be a real idiot to assume that the fans' goodwill and patience is inexhaustible. I can't believe that Daryl Katz became a billionaire by being an idiot. I just can't.

Lowe and MacTavish are a pair of delusional morons. Check out this video clip from the press conference where they announced MacTavish as the new GM. Watch the Exalted One flip his shit when a reporter questions his track record:

"I know a thing or two about winning, if that's ever a concern." What a complete ass. What a freaking clown.

-k

PrimeNumber · January 4, 2015

With the price of oil crashing, there will be less disposable income floating around in Edmonton and people will be more careful how they spend their entertainment dollars.

And with the Can-US exchange rate plunging, Katz is going to feel it, because the team's biggest expense-- player salaries-- gets paid in US dollars. The Oilers' cost of doing business has jumped by almost 20% in the past year.

And he'd be a real idiot to assume that the fans' goodwill and patience is inexhaustible. I can't believe that Daryl Katz became a billionaire by being an idiot. I just can't.

Lowe and MacTavish are a pair of delusional morons. Check out this video clip from the press conference where they announced MacTavish as the new GM. Watch the Exalted One flip his shit when a reporter questions his track record:

"I know a thing or two about winning, if that's ever a concern." What a complete ass. What a freaking clown.

-k

There's been a few "better" trades coming out of Edmonton recently. If they can make one more big move mostly regarding Eberle or Yakupov and snag a new goalie at the deadline or offseason then gear up for McDavid. They can come out next year with a fairly decent team. If that exact situation doesn't work out then I think a repeat may be in order. I just hope they don't ruin McDavids career if they get him.

But in other news how about Big Buff and my Jets raking some Leafs tonight? 5-1 ouch, looks like all those home games are catching up to the leafs, this road trip has proved what the underlying metrics have been all along. Regression.

kimmy · January 4, 2015

There's been a few "better" trades coming out of Edmonton recently. If they can make one more big move mostly regarding Eberle or Yakupov and snag a new goalie at the deadline or offseason then gear up for McDavid. They can come out next year with a fairly decent team. If that exact situation doesn't work out then I think a repeat may be in order. I just hope they don't ruin McDavids career if they get him.

Yeah, better trades like trading David Perron for a 4th liner and a draft pick they'll waste on some useless slob. That'll turn the tide!

And we picked up some deadbeats on waivers last week. Woo!

But in other news how about Big Buff and my Jets raking some Leafs tonight?

I watched the game and was completely blown away by Big Buff! I honestly had no idea he could play such a complete game. The Jets look pretty good this year!

-k

PrimeNumber · January 4, 2015

Yeah, better trades like trading David Perron for a 4th liner and a draft pick they'll waste on some useless slob. That'll turn the tide!

And we picked up some deadbeats on waivers last week. Woo!

Perron from what I hear was wanting to go, players like that drag down a team. This is possibly one of the deepest drafts we've had in a long time so maybe they can get a decent late round defencemen to help in the future. They need get rid of Eberle and Yakupov and I think they are in line for a better year next year.

I watched the game and was completely blown away by Big Buff! I honestly had no idea he could play such a complete game. The Jets look pretty good this year!

-k

Ever since Paul Maurice moved Buff from RW back to D because of all the injuries hes been playing like he wants to stay there. Buff is an all around Defencemen but he's only an okay Winger. I hope once our D-core gets healthy again and we have surplus we can maybe see a trade for a top 6 winger and as long as Hutchinson can continue being a beast bewteen the pipes, I think we're set for a solid playoff run.

For the last few seasons Boston has typically been the team with the toughest players in the NHL but this year I think the Jets take the cake which can really help come playoff time.

Black Dog · January 6, 2015

Carlyle canned. Terrible news, Leafs might actually get decent now.

Boges · January 6, 2015

Dallas Eakins is available. :unsure:

Michael Hardner · January 6, 2015

Carlyle canned. Terrible news, Leafs might actually get decent now.

I don't see how this will lead to a winning team, but ok.

Boges · January 6, 2015

I don't see how this will lead to a winning team, but ok.

The players have clearly tuned him out.

Black Dog · January 6, 2015

The players have clearly tuned him out.

Or maybe they're implementing his system to a T but the system sucks?

Boges · January 6, 2015

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/phil-kessel-randy-carlyle-toronto-maple-leafs-fault-fire-difficult-to-coach/

Black Dog · January 6, 2015

Kessel showing once again why he's awesome. Hope he gets traded. The ACC pressbox is full of more turds than a a Port-a-john at Lollapalooza. Feschuk, Steve Simmons, Damien Cox, Darren Dreger, just a murder's row of guys who alternate between smugness and utter servility.

overthere · January 6, 2015

Dallas Eakins is available.

So is Ralph Krueger.

Tom Renney

Craig MacTavish

Pat Qu....

never mind.

guyser · January 6, 2015

Say hello to...............................................Mike Babcock.

overthere · January 6, 2015

Why would Babcock want to coach in Toronto?

guyser · January 6, 2015

Why not ?

Biggest Hockey market there is , even bigger challenges than in Detroit, he has already won in Detroit, huge payday (altho Illitch can afford anything)......and he never did sign that extension and plans on waiting out the year and see whats out there.

Wherever he lands, he could well use the Leafs as bartering agent .

overthere · January 7, 2015

He can get monster money nearly anywhere.

Why would he want the relentless media and fan bull*** that awaits every coach in Toronto?

What is his incentive?

His 'bartering agent' is his record in Detroit and internationally, he doesn't need Toronto to tarnish his resume of success.

guyser · January 7, 2015

He can get monster money nearly anywhere.

Correct, but hasnt signed that monster contract in Detroit even though he knows he is loved by Illitch

Why would he want the relentless media and fan bull*** that awaits every coach in Toronto?

Big fish like to play in big ponds.

He handled Team Canada with no problems and the media/fan bs was more than he would get in TO. He knows he can handle it.

What is his incentive?

Oh I dont know......breaking the spell and bringing a Cup to TO maybe?

His 'bartering agent' is his record in Detroit and internationally, he doesn't need Toronto to tarnish his resume of success.

And if he can bring a cup here his record is improved .

Its easy to see why he might just do it.

Born and raised in Manitouwadge.

History suggest he likes to move to bigger things, witness his leaving the Ducks after taking them to to ST Cup final.

Hey it might not work out......but you can bet he is thinking it.

PrimeNumber · January 7, 2015

Leafs fans are salivating for Babcock but I honestly think there is no way he leaves what he has helped build in Detroit quite yet. Even when people think Detroit is out they are in. You couldn't pay me any amount of money to be a coach in Toronto, or a player, or fan. What a thankless job. Then again there's Edmonton..
Babcock stays put in Detroit after they make the playoffs again this year for the 23rd straight season. Babcock is typically considered to be at the $2 mill mark, considering Quenneville is at the $2.75 mil mark and he's the highest paid in the league. Babock is making great money.

Shady · January 7, 2015

It's about time Randy got the boot. I think there's a decent chance they get Babcock in the summer. There's a reason he didn't sign an extension with the red wings last year when the offered him one. Shanny's gonna get him!

Shady · January 7, 2015

Correct, but hasnt signed that monster contract in Detroit even though he knows he is loved by IllitchBig fish like to play in big ponds.He handled Team Canada with no problems and the media/fan bs was more than he would get in TO. He knows he can handle it.Oh I dont know......breaking the spell and bringing a Cup to TO maybe?And if he can bring a cup here his record is improved .Its easy to see why he might just do it.Born and raised in Manitouwadge.History suggest he likes to move to bigger things, witness his leaving the Ducks after taking them to to ST Cup final.Hey it might not work out......but you can bet he is thinking it.

Exactly. There's already stories in the Detroit sports media of his possible departure to Toronto with Shanahan.

BubberMiley · January 7, 2015

Now they just need to fire the players.

Black Dog · January 7, 2015

Now they just need to fire the players.

Totally agree, they need to trade bums like Kessel and Phaneuf and JVR and Kadri. Need more heart-and-soul types like Clarkson. That's the ticket.

overthere · January 7, 2015

Big fish like to play in big ponds.

Big fish can play anywhere they want. You have not answered the question of why Babcock would seriously want to play in a place where life is hell for a coach, win or lose.

He can coach anywhere he wants, why wouldn't he pick a place where he can have a life outside the rink, which is impossible in Toronto? Why wou;dn't he pick a place where he can win a Cup, a place that has a core of better players?

Oh I dont know......breaking the spell and bringing a Cup to TO maybe?

Oh my.

He handled Team Canada with no problems and the media/fan bs was more than he would get in TO. He knows he can handle it.

Of course he handled the players well, he is an excellent coach . That's why he was the coach. But he had little to do with the media, that was all handled by Steve Y and the rest. he specifically did not engage the media in Sochi except for the bare minimum. He stated that in brief interviews: my job does not involve talking to anybody but management and the players, and mostly the players.

But why would he want the relentless nonsense of the Toronto(or Montreal) media when he can get a better job elsewhere for big money and far less grief??

I can tell you a team that he would like to coach and that would like to have him: St Louis. They have better players than Toronto, non corporate management, and he could enjoy a personal life away from the rink.

But in the end, Detroit will pay him $3 to $3.5 million and everybody will be happy.

Except the Toronto media, who will run stories for years on 'the coach who got away'.

Exactly. There's already stories in the Detroit sports media of his possible departure to Toronto with Shanahan.

Yes, sportswriters across Southern Ontario are wanking on and on about the Leafs. Now there is a surprise. Shanahan played for him once. Big deal.

Shanahan has had some really bizarre management moves since he started. Fired assistant GMs but kept the GM. Fired assisatnt coaches but kept the coach. Now he has fired the coach but will hire somebody else behind the back of Nonis? Weird stuff.

Black Dog · January 7, 2015

I knew I forgot a name or two on my list of T.O. media turds above. Cathal Kelly, come on down!

At the end, he wigged out when asked a tough question by Toronto Star columnist Dave Feschuk.

“Phil, it’s been suggested within the organization that you’re a difficult guy to coach. Is there anything to that?”

Only a person who exists in the self-congratulatory circle jerk of the press box would think that was anything resembling a tough question. Christ, when I was in j-school, one of the first lessons they taught us was to construct questions so that the interviewee would have to respond with more than a yes or no. Feschuk failed to do that and got a predictable response.

Kessel brushed Feschuk back, channeling De Niro – “You think it’s my fault? Is that what you’re saying? Is that what you’re saying? Is that what you’re saying?”

Of course when you watch the video, you see this came after Kessel answered the initial dumb question ("i don't think so.") and was a response to Feschuk pushing the same question.

Kessel is a wonderful athlete, bordering on a savant. It’s difficult to let go of that sort of talent. But the Leafs have to, for the long-term health of this club.

Even if what they get in return isn’t equal to what Kessel provides in performance-terms, they might think of this in terms of a whole rather than its parts.

Before they contemplate the small– or large-scale rebuild that begins with a new coach, it’s a time for amputations.

Trade Kessel. Decide who his worst cronies are in the room, and trade them as well. The structure needs extensive repair, but it’s the culture that requires a tear down.

This is wonderful. Trading talent for "culture" reasons is why Boston traded Seguin (47 points in 39 games this year that the Bruins could probably use). It's why the Flyers traded Richards and Carter (2 Cups and counting in LA). It's what shitty teams do. So it's a perfect next move for Toronto.