Way to go Leafs
Posted 4:22 PM ET | Comments 5
There are fires burning across leafland and Dave Nonis VooDoo dolls being poked with pins in every corner of the GTA. Everyone wanted heads to roll, but it clearly made no sense to fire Randy. Keeping him was a smart move from a hockey and business standpoint.
Allow me to explain before you throw me under the bus with Shanahan. Lets start with a few facts:
1: There is no more qualified or better respected coach available to be had.
2: Barry Trotz is NOT suited to coach this team and a coach has to fit the team as much as the team has to fit the coach.
3:There are only 2 more qualified coaches to be head of the buds and they are under contract to other teams.
4:Kevin Dineen is a great coach but not ready for the bright lights of Toronto he needs some seasoning and should make that in a carolina or washington.
5:A message had to be sent so see ya to the assistants.
6:The extension is a message to the players, that poor play will not dictate who coaches this team but who plays on this team.
7:Rob Babcock and Ken Hitchcock may well be available next year.
8:A lame duck coach does NOT get response from any player, and money for MLSE is easy to shoot out the door.
9:If its super awful they can still fire him.......WILSON contract............
This was the best hockey move, there is no coach ready for this team more than Randy (unfortunately). Suck it up bud faithful its a work in progress and this was defibately the right move. Besides its Nonis and Shanny if you are expecting reaction your barking up the wrong net pole. These guys are future thinkers and builders and will not submit to fan pressure.
Way to go Dave now get us some leadership, defenseman, a vet back up ,dump Kadri and Gardiner and 2 not 3 Awesome experienced asst coaches.
Let her rip
Allow me to explain before you throw me under the bus with Shanahan. Lets start with a few facts:
1: There is no more qualified or better respected coach available to be had.
2: Barry Trotz is NOT suited to coach this team and a coach has to fit the team as much as the team has to fit the coach.
3:There are only 2 more qualified coaches to be head of the buds and they are under contract to other teams.
4:Kevin Dineen is a great coach but not ready for the bright lights of Toronto he needs some seasoning and should make that in a carolina or washington.
5:A message had to be sent so see ya to the assistants.
6:The extension is a message to the players, that poor play will not dictate who coaches this team but who plays on this team.
7:Rob Babcock and Ken Hitchcock may well be available next year.
8:A lame duck coach does NOT get response from any player, and money for MLSE is easy to shoot out the door.
9:If its super awful they can still fire him.......WILSON contract............
This was the best hockey move, there is no coach ready for this team more than Randy (unfortunately). Suck it up bud faithful its a work in progress and this was defibately the right move. Besides its Nonis and Shanny if you are expecting reaction your barking up the wrong net pole. These guys are future thinkers and builders and will not submit to fan pressure.
Way to go Dave now get us some leadership, defenseman, a vet back up ,dump Kadri and Gardiner and 2 not 3 Awesome experienced asst coaches.
Let her rip
I hope the Sens can steal Kadri and Gardiner. These guys are good young players, they need to be given a lot of rope.
I hope the sens get Kadri and Gardiner as well, Then it would be extremely easy for the leafs to beat the sens as their puck possession numbers are some of the worst.
Honestly not at all surprised. You are spot on, and the fact two of the three were holdovers from Ron Wilson and not Carlyles guys has to be considered too. Farrish was a Carlyle guy and the message was sent loud and clear there. Results matter. That allows for bringing in fresh ideas and minds, as well as voices for the coaching staff. Its a good move. After that it now falls on Nonis head to address the glaring holes and needs in the roster and reshaping it to suit the style and how the coaching staff expects them to play. If I was Kadri, Gardiner, Franson etc I would be worried. VERY few players are going to really be safe I think.
Rob Babcock?