Kyle Dubas is new Leafs GM

[Kin]

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.

Right but, again, I think that drafting specifically to fit into a system or with defined roles inherently limits what a coach/team can do. Passing on a prospect because they don't have the specific toolkit you're looking for means that you'll probably miss on some talented guys but also you're going to have limited options for when a specific strategy is effectively countered.

That's what I think we've seen in the last couple of playoff series. How does the team adapt when things that worked during the regular season stop working? Teams usually won't build their special teams units specifically with another team in mind but in the playoffs that changes so having a wide range of skills/talents/whatever provides a coach with options that can be required if matched up against another good coach.

No matter your mindset or approach, you can't fall in love with it to the extent that you miss on diversifying the talent base.

 

[herman]

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.

Right but, again, I think that drafting specifically to fit into a system or with defined roles inherently limits what a coach/team can do. Passing on a prospect because they don't have the specific toolkit you're looking for means that you'll probably miss on some talented guys but also you're going to have limited options for when a specific strategy is effectively countered.

That's what I think we've seen in the last couple of playoff series. How does the team adapt when things that worked during the regular season stop working? Teams usually won't build their special teams units specifically with another team in mind but in the playoffs that changes so having a wide range of skills/talents/whatever provides a coach with options that can be required if matched up against another good coach.

No matter your mindset or approach, you can't fall in love with it to the extent that you miss on diversifying the talent base.

This is wise advice.

 

[herman]

Per Mirtle via Leafs Report podcast, Lemaire and Caron are out, as are a handful of scouts (Ladygin, Namestnikov are the ones I remember off hand).

I'm fairly certain I had about as much of an impact on the team as Lemaire and Caron did.

Here we are with the list:
https://twitter.com/mirtle/status/1012349137151356928

 

[Zee]

Lemaire and Caron?  I totally forgot they were with the Leafs.  Exactly what is a "special assignments" coach?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Lemaire and Caron?  I totally forgot they were with the Leafs.  Exactly what is a "special assignments" coach?

Hard to nail down an exact definition, but they reported directly to Cliff Fletcher.

 

[Zee]

Lemaire and Caron?  I totally forgot they were with the Leafs.  Exactly what is a "special assignments" coach?

Hard to nail down an exact definition, but they reported directly to Cliff Fletcher.

;D ;D

 

[Coco-puffs]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1012421210301501444

I really hope this happens.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1012421210301501444

I really hope this happens.

Yes that'll be magnificent.

Wickenheiser is someone who has played the game what seems like forever, at a crazy high level + day job, and professionally with/against men, and there's a lot that can be learned from her experience and the way she processes the game, especially for smaller players.

 

[Bates]

I thought she was in medical school??

 

[Average Joes]

Yes that'll be magnificent.

Wickenheiser is someone who has played the game what seems like forever, at a crazy high level + day job, and professionally with/against men, and there's a lot that can be learned from her experience and the way she processes the game, especially for smaller players.

She certainly would have learned to deal with pressure, time constraints, healthy food on a budget, etc.  I am being very general here but women tend to foster unity and communication better than men. My concern is that the level her teams typically played at was probably close to 16-17 boys AAA hockey with no checking. There may be a learning curve in coaching how the game is played at the NHL level but it is an interesting idea.  I can see a women being able to motivate a guy on a different level.  By that I mean like an aunt or mother type figure not what you all were thinking.

 

[Kin]

My concern is that the level her teams typically played at was probably close to 16-17 boys AAA hockey with no checking. There may be a learning curve in coaching how the game is played at the NHL level but it is an interesting idea.

There's a similar gap between men and women's basketball but Becky Hammond has, by most accounts, done a terrific job as an assistant coach with the Spurs. I really don't think high level playing experience is all that necessary for an effective coach, man or woman. There are quite a few successful NHL coaches who never came close to being pro players at any level.

  I can see a women being able to motivate a guy on a different level.  By that I mean like an aunt or mother type figure not what you all were thinking.

I'm not sure that's a ton better but, you know, sure.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

My concern is that the level her teams typically played at was probably close to 16-17 boys AAA hockey with no checking. There may be a learning curve in coaching how the game is played at the NHL level but it is an interesting idea.

There's a similar gap between men and women's basketball but Becky Hammond has, by most accounts, done a terrific job as an assistant coach with the Spurs. I really don't think high level playing experience is all that necessary for an effective coach, man or woman. There are quite a few successful NHL coaches who never came close to being pro players at any level.

  I can see a women being able to motivate a guy on a different level.  By that I mean like an aunt or mother type figure not what you all were thinking.

I'm not sure that's a ton better but, you know, sure.

No kidding.
Also, are we assuming that every coach on every NHL team played NHL calibre hockey?

 

[bustaheims]

No kidding.
Also, are we assuming that every coach on every NHL team played NHL calibre hockey?

Especially considering how many of those who are considered to be among the best never did.

 

[Average Joes]

I never said anything about having to play high level hockey to coach but it is an advantage. I do think girls play somewhat differently than boys. I coach girls hockey. There is no checking. They interact and are motivated differently. I just said there would be a learning curve. Maybe she already has that experience.

 

[bustaheims]

I never said anything about having to play high level hockey to coach but it is an advantage. I do think girls play somewhat differently than boys. I coach girls hockey. There is no checking. They interact and are motivated differently. I just said there would be a learning curve. Maybe she already has that experience.

Is it really, though? So many of the best coaches in the history of the NHL never played at a high level. They clearly weren't disadvantaged. Meanwhile, many players who have tried to transition to coaching have been failures. That tells me that having played at the NHL level has no real impact on a coach's ability.

As for the differences between mens and womens hockey - the fundamentals are still the same. The strategies are not significantly different - especially with today's NHL being much more about speed and skill than physical play. You've putting too much value on the addition of checking on the men's side of things. These players have had to deal with it for a number of seasons. If they can't execute with checking in the mix, that's on them, not on their coach.

Also, ultimately, all serious athletes are motivated by the same basic drive - winning, being the best, whatever you want to call it. You don't reach the professional level without that being one of the most significant driving factors.

 

[princedpw]

The leafs are going to many coaches. She would just be one. The potential advantage could be that she?d bring different experiences and she?d be able to relate to the players in different ways.  I?d say it is certainly something worth considering.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I have no idea if she'd be a good coach, it's not like Gretzky was. But it's nice to see the Leafs broadening their scope a little when searching for ways to improve the team.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Yes that'll be magnificent.

Wickenheiser is someone who has played the game what seems like forever, at a crazy high level + day job, and professionally with/against men, and there's a lot that can be learned from her experience and the way she processes the game, especially for smaller players.

She certainly would have learned to deal with pressure, time constraints, healthy food on a budget, etc.  I am being very general here but women tend to foster unity and communication better than men. My concern is that the level her teams typically played at was probably close to 16-17 boys AAA hockey with no checking. There may be a learning curve in coaching how the game is played at the NHL level but it is an interesting idea.  I can see a women being able to motivate a guy on a different level.  By that I mean like an aunt or mother type figure not what you all were thinking.

Magnificent. 

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I have no idea if she'd be a good coach, it's not like Gretzky was. But it's nice to see the Leafs broadening their scope a little when searching for ways to improve the team.

The difference is, Hayley has been a public speaker, and a ambassador for the sport throughout her career and even more so since she retired.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I never said anything about having to play high level hockey to coach but it is an advantage. I do think girls play somewhat differently than boys. I coach girls hockey. There is no checking. They interact and are motivated differently. I just said there would be a learning curve. Maybe she already has that experience.

Kevin Dineen coached the National women's team for a few years. He was quite successful.

I think hockey is hockey. I know that women and men process the game differently. I've also been coaching girls hockey for several years and run a girls only hockey camp. If anything, from my experience, girls/women visualize the game much better than boys of the same age. They're able to process and integrate systems much easier and have no real issue with new concepts. Boys on the other hand are very selfish players that are like a dog on the bone when it comes the puck but to actually be organized on the ice is a very hard concept for them to follow.

I see no issue whatsoever with a woman coaching men's hockey in any capacity.