Kyle Dubas is new Leafs GM

[hockeyfan1]

He certainly is a departure from all of the GMs who only want dumb, slow, unskilled players.

Jesus Nik... that's my exact conclusion from reading that too. Our own resident Debbie Downer.

Who are you calling a Debbie Downer.  I'm not being negative.  In fact, I was in favour of Dubas and very optimistic for the Leafs. ( I'm still optimistic for the Blue Jays too, though not for this season.).

So what's the negative here?  I stand by what I posted.  Nothing negative there.

I'm surprised you replied so heavily to Nik's response.  For both of your information,  I wasn't comparing him to other NHL GMs.  I merely said: ..it's actually a departure from the traditional route of Lamoriello & Hunter.

Know what, you both need counselling.

 

[Highlander]

Although Nik and I have not butted heads for a long time (Maybe he took charity for me on my depression quotes, LOL), I think you have to take Nik for what he is, a highly intelligent, very very dry, shaken not stirred fellow, he can seem very clever, which he is. That does not always rub right with our own egos.
However none on this board should be insulted by Nik, but welcome him and his perceived one-upmanship. I actually am very amused by almost all of it.
Most of what Herman and Nik have to say is extremely intelligent and both of them may be alter egos, but may be one step away from the Athletic.

 

[herman]

Haha what?s up, Highlander? Why are you pulling me into this?

 

[hockeyfan1]

Although Nik and I have not butted heads for a long time (Maybe he took charity for me on my depression quotes, LOL), I think you have to take Nik for what he is, a highly intelligent, very very dry, shaken not stirred fellow, he can seem very clever, which he is. That does not always rub right with our own egos.
However none on this board should be insulted by Nik, but welcome him and his perceived one-upmanship. I actually am very amused by almost all of it.
Most of what Herman and Nik have to say is extremely intelligent and both of them may be alter egos, but may be one step away from the Athletic.

Yes you have a valid point.  However, they seem intelligent for the express purposes of discussions concerning issues pertaining to the Leafs and sports in general.  This doesn't absolve the fact that there are plenty of others who also debate intelligently and agree to disagree constructively.

I find myself conversation-wise to speak far better in person than posting through a keyboard.  I'm perfectly capable of debate, in fact I  made a presentation at a recent condo annual general meeting.  A family member was cut-off from speaking further, so I politely asked for the microphone and went about my argument on the lawyer's assertion of what constituted the topic of maintenance responsibilities as per owners/corporation/etc.,etc. pertaining to a maintenance issue we dealt with in our condo unit. He was impressed by my presentation and suggested I seek a board member seat, for which I politely declined.

My whole point is, aside from Herman who seems respectful with his responses, as compared to Nik who can grate on others, no one should be judged by how many posts they've achieved on this site.  Nor if they haven't participated or have contributed in-depth knowledge.  Perhaps there are reasons why some do not engage themselves so freely or frequently in the discussion debates/topics.  One of those reasons may be a dislike or a turn-off of a specific poster's attitudinal and/or verbal disposition towards the respondent.

I used to know a friend who worked as an executive at a communications dealership.  He was Jewish and he showed the utmost respect towards his customers.  He appreciated my patronage and even though he could be quite firm on certain issues, he acknowledged my advice & practicality.  If he had had some of the standoffish personality traits such as Nik's  towards his customers, he would have been out of business a long time ago.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I do love a respectful tribesman.

Is there any video of this condo presentation?

Perhaps a PowerPoint?

Did Dubas consult you on the JT pitch?

 

[Bill_Berg]

I know it must they be off topic, but I get the feeling some of Dubas' picks were with the Marlies, and only the Marlies, in mind. Draft players that fit the model the Leafs want to play even if they are AHLers at best to make the transition to the NHL easier for the players that do stand a chance. 

 

[Coco-puffs]

I know it must they be off topic, but I get the feeling some of Dubas' picks were with the Marlies, and only the Marlies, in mind. Draft players that fit the model the Leafs want to play even if they are AHLers at best to make the transition to the NHL easier for the players that do stand a chance.

Mac Hollowell probably fits this description the best.  He's also eligible to play pro hockey this year as well.

 

[herman]

I know it must they be off topic, but I get the feeling some of Dubas' picks were with the Marlies, and only the Marlies, in mind. Draft players that fit the model the Leafs want to play even if they are AHLers at best to make the transition to the NHL easier for the players that do stand a chance.

Mac Hollowell probably fits this description the best.  He's also eligible to play pro hockey this year as well.

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I know it must they be off topic, but I get the feeling some of Dubas' picks were with the Marlies, and only the Marlies, in mind. Draft players that fit the model the Leafs want to play even if they are AHLers at best to make the transition to the NHL easier for the players that do stand a chance.

Mac Hollowell probably fits this description the best.  He's also eligible to play pro hockey this year as well.

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

I knew that Sandin was, because he's a european import (like Liljegren).  Didn't realize Durzi was born in October, so he's eligible by a few months despite only going into his D+2 season. 

I don't project Sandin to be ready for the AHL at this point (especially with our depth on the left side), so for his development I think he either plays pro in Europe or goes back to junior for one more year.  Otherwise, he'd probably be put in the ECHL and I'm not on board with doing that to an 18-year old.

Durzi, who will turn 20 in October, I can see them trying to determine whether junior or ECHL is a good option if he can't make the Marlies (who are much thinner on the right side).

 

[Highlander]

Haha what?s up, Highlander? Why are you pulling me into this?

LOL Hermanator, just commented on the bright hockey minds here.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Durzi, who will turn 20 in October, I can see them trying to determine whether junior or ECHL is a good option if he can't make the Marlies (who are much thinner on the right side).

Pretty good chance that their right side will still be LoVerde-Holl-Liljegren next season. The AHL's schedule means not everybody plays every single game sometimes but that'll still be a tough situation for Durzi to get decent minutes in.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Durzi, who will turn 20 in October, I can see them trying to determine whether junior or ECHL is a good option if he can't make the Marlies (who are much thinner on the right side).

Pretty good chance that their right side will still be LoVerde-Holl-Liljegren next season. The AHL's schedule means not everybody plays every single game sometimes but that'll still be a tough situation for Durzi to get decent minutes in.

Right.  But, at 20 yrs old, maybe he's better suited for the ECHL than Junior.  In which case, he can be called up to the AHL if required.  (He can't be called up if he's in Junior)

 

[bustaheims]

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

Are you sure about Sandin? He was drafted out the OHL instead of Europe, and I'm pretty sure that's a consideration when it comes to AHL eligibility.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

Are you sure about Sandin? He was drafted out the OHL instead of Europe, and I'm pretty sure that's a consideration when it comes to AHL eligibility.

If Sandin was drafted in the OHL Amateur draft, then he'd have the same status as most north american players.  Since Sandin was drafted in the CHL Import Draft, he's still considered European even if he played in the CHL.

Edit:  For the same reason, Sandin can leave the CHL and return to Europe to play next season (just like Rasanen is doing this year).  Players selected via the OHL Amateur draft cannot do that- they can only leave the OHL for the NHL until they are 20. 

 

[Kin]

Also, Hunter was around for the 2015 draft and by most accounts was very much in the "Draft Marner" camp. So the idea that he really emphasized size doesn't entirely wash. He may have thought it was an area to consider but I think that's sort of because it is. Being small can hurt a team, especially in the playoffs.

Skill is never a bad thing but I think you always want a well-rounded group of prospects. Especially if you've got picks where you can take guys with size and skill.

 

[Bender]

Although Nik and I have not butted heads for a long time (Maybe he took charity for me on my depression quotes, LOL), I think you have to take Nik for what he is, a highly intelligent, very very dry, shaken not stirred fellow, he can seem very clever, which he is. That does not always rub right with our own egos.
However none on this board should be insulted by Nik, but welcome him and his perceived one-upmanship. I actually am very amused by almost all of it.
Most of what Herman and Nik have to say is extremely intelligent and both of them may be alter egos, but may be one step away from the Athletic.

I for one would like to welcome our Nik-ian overlord. I'd like to remind him that as a respected forum poster I can be helpful in rounding up others to toil in his underground sugar caves.

 

[herman]

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

Are you sure about Sandin? He was drafted out the OHL instead of Europe, and I'm pretty sure that's a consideration when it comes to AHL eligibility.

If Sandin was drafted in the OHL Amateur draft, then he'd have the same status as most north american players.  Since Sandin was drafted in the CHL Import Draft, he's still considered European even if he played in the CHL.

Edit:  For the same reason, Sandin can leave the CHL and return to Europe to play next season (just like Rasanen is doing this year).  Players selected via the OHL Amateur draft cannot do that- they can only leave the OHL for the NHL until they are 20.

Thanks, Coco. My understanding was that Sandin is under contract with Rogle and was on loan to the Soo so I thought that was what qualified him as non-CHL, but the draft definition there helps set an objective demarcation.

 

[herman]

Also, Hunter was around for the 2015 draft and by most accounts was very much in the "Draft Marner" camp. So the idea that he really emphasized size doesn't entirely wash. He may have thought it was an area to consider but I think that's sort of because it is. Being small can hurt a team, especially in the playoffs.

Skill is never a bad thing but I think you always want a well-rounded group of prospects. Especially if you've got picks where you can take guys with size and skill.

Yeah, Hunter valued skill as much as Dubas, but where they obviously differed was philosophy on defense player profiles.

It looks like it from the surface, but Hunter wasn't targeting big the way Burke did: Hunter appeared to be looking for wingspan and ice coverage as the 'inefficiency'. I suspect the thinking was: well we've got Rielly and Gardiner pretty locked in, Dermott and Lindgren as smaller options, but really nothing providing a 'defensive' element on the backend. I've characterized it as them hunting for the next Parayko (but Parayko has puck skills and skating).

Dubas favours defenders who excel at transition and gap control (which in and of itself requires above average skating) but were not leaned on for direct offense. The way the Leafs and Marlies play, the defense needs to be mobile to fill in for forwards to cause mini-powerplays on isolated sections of the ice, and they need to be good forcing dump-ins (gap control), and retrieving dump-ins to spring exits. Size helps, but is not a requirement. Hunter's preferred profile accomplished those tasks through stick reach, but the cost was to skating capability.

 

[Coco-puffs]

Sandin and Durzi are both Marlie eligible if the Leafs want as well.

Are you sure about Sandin? He was drafted out the OHL instead of Europe, and I'm pretty sure that's a consideration when it comes to AHL eligibility.

If Sandin was drafted in the OHL Amateur draft, then he'd have the same status as most north american players.  Since Sandin was drafted in the CHL Import Draft, he's still considered European even if he played in the CHL.

Edit:  For the same reason, Sandin can leave the CHL and return to Europe to play next season (just like Rasanen is doing this year).  Players selected via the OHL Amateur draft cannot do that- they can only leave the OHL for the NHL until they are 20.

Thanks, Coco. My understanding was that Sandin is under contract with Rogle and was on loan to the Soo so I thought that was what qualified him as non-CHL, but the draft definition there helps set an objective demarcation.

You are also correct.  Typically, if you come in under the OHL Amateur draft, you won't be under contract/on loan from a European club because your parents need to reside in the jurisdiction of the league. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CHL_Import_Draft

However, players selected in the import draft may or may not be under contract to a European club.  If they are, then a loan agreement is necessary. 

 

[Frank E]

This is good stuff for us nerdy types around here.  Thanks guys.