Shanahan/Players end of season press events

[Highlander]

God I gotta have some hope for the future, if he can't make this work then we are lost and I am running out of years here.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Quote of the day goes to Holland.

"You can only shoot so many Generals before some Soldiers have to go."

 

[Kin]

When Burke was brought on board there was a lot of talk about the deep and talented staff he was hiring too.

 

[Frank E]

When Burke was brought on board there was a lot of talk about the deep and talented staff he was hiring too.

Just to add to that, some people are suggesting that they're happy that Hunter and Dubas are in charge of stuff...good building blocks, etc...

What has either of those two proved at the NHL level? 

A prospective GM could have a pretty good argument in wanting to bring in a more experienced front office for such a great rebuilding task. 

 

[Highlander]

what I do like is thinking outside of the box, cause for the last 50 years we have followed the inside of the box paradigm and that hasn't done us a whole lot of good has it?

 

[LuncheonMeat]

When Burke was brought on board there was a lot of talk about the deep and talented staff he was hiring too.

Just to add to that, some people are suggesting that they're happy that Hunter and Dubas are in charge of stuff...good building blocks, etc...

What has either of those two proved at the NHL level? 

A prospective GM could have a pretty good argument in wanting to bring in a more experienced front office for such a great rebuilding task.

And Shanahan's argument would likely be, if that's the case then they're not a good match for us. 

Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level, but at least they usher in a new perspective and effectively end the reign of the Old Boys' Club, whatever that's worth.  And if Shanahan plans on drafting and developing, one could argue that Hunter's reputation for spotting amateur talent will translate to better player selection.

 

[herman]

When Burke was brought on board there was a lot of talk about the deep and talented staff he was hiring too.

Just to add to that, some people are suggesting that they're happy that Hunter and Dubas are in charge of stuff...good building blocks, etc...

What has either of those two proved at the NHL level? 

A prospective GM could have a pretty good argument in wanting to bring in a more experienced front office for such a great rebuilding task.

Just to add to that, Burke's team demonstrated their experience was only under a paradigm and philosophy of the sport that has proven ineffective in the new salary cap era, and there was a reticence to assess, let alone adapt.

 

[pmrules]

Nothing significant or extraordinary in Shanahan's comments today.  Didn't really say much of anything that most already didn't know.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

When Burke was brought on board there was a lot of talk about the deep and talented staff he was hiring too.

Just to add to that, some people are suggesting that they're happy that Hunter and Dubas are in charge of stuff...good building blocks, etc...

What has either of those two proved at the NHL level? 

Nothing - but the flip side is how many very experienced guys have failed miserably?  In the end you're only as good as your plan and how you go about implementing it.  Experience, no experience, you're trying to get to the same goal and one isn't necessarily any better than the other.

 

[skrackle]

I don't see how anyone can explain the dark cloud over this organization that has lasted so long, through so many years and how it can be fixed.  Whatever Shanahan says, there is nothing he can say to make me believe he knows what to do when Burke did not. 

Burke tried to fast track it. I'm fairly certain he could have sold the board of governors of MLSE any plan, as he was their high profile hire. He was the savior. I thought it was a tremendous move by the Leafs at the time.

But no, pretty soon it was "July 1st is our draft day" "Pittsburgh model my ass" and that sort of thing. Here's a couple more: "I think we can win sooner" "I don't believe in a 5 year rebuild". The Leafs were at an expansion team level, talent-wise, with pretty much nothing in the farm system on Burke's arrival. Why he didn't see that there was no quick fix is beyond me.

Shanahan, at least, seems to see what needs to be done. Now, it's going to come down to what he actually does. I'm with him so far. He's the first in the contemporary era of Leafs management to convince the board that a true rebuild needs to happen.

 

[Kin]

Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level, but at least they usher in a new perspective and effectively end the reign of the Old Boys' Club, whatever that's worth.

Yes. Brendan Shanahan's hiring of one of the Hunter brothers really is the long awaited victory for radical, unconnected hockey outsiders we've all been waiting for.

 

[Deebo]

I didn't know Mark Hunter coached the St. John's Maple Leafs.

 

[Redleaf]

I don't see how anyone can explain the dark cloud over this organization that has lasted so long, through so many years and how it can be fixed.  Whatever Shanahan says, there is nothing he can say to make me believe he knows what to do when Burke did not. 

Burke tried to fast track it. I'm fairly certain he could have sold the board of governors of MLSE any plan, as he was their high profile hire. He was the savior. I thought it was a tremendous move by the Leafs at the time.

But no, pretty soon it was "July 1st is our draft day" "Pittsburgh model my ass" and that sort of thing. Here's a couple more: "I think we can win sooner" "I don't believe in a 5 year rebuild". The Leafs were at an expansion team level, talent-wise, with pretty much nothing in the farm system on Burke's arrival. Why he didn't see that there was no quick fix is beyond me.

Shanahan, at least, seems to see what needs to be done. Now, it's going to come down to what he actually does. I'm with him so far. He's the first in the contemporary era of Leafs management to convince the board that a true rebuild needs to happen.

It's really too bad the board didn't recognize this sooner. I'm pretty sure desperation was the only reason Shanahan was able to convince them to do it now. But good on him for doing so.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level, but at least they usher in a new perspective and effectively end the reign of the Old Boys' Club, whatever that's worth.

Yes. Brendan Shanahan's hiring of one of the Hunter brothers really is the long awaited victory for radical, unconnected hockey outsiders we've all been waiting for.

If I were there, I would give you a hug and make it all better. 

 

[Bullfrog]

I do like what he said about the team he's trying to build and that a GM who has issue with Hunter and Dubas already there is essentially unwelcome.

He's doing what the president should be doing: setting the tone and direction for the organization.

 

[Fanatic]

"As far as having the patience to do what's needed to be done, yeah, you have to have a stomach in order to get through it in a place with this much passion. I have that stomach, and I can tell you the [Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] board does. We've gotten excellent support from our board that this has to be done the right way, this has to be built the correct way. They understand that there are no shortcuts. Shortcuts have gotten this organization into trouble in the past. This has to once and for all be a build that we are committed to and that we don't stray from."

The quote above is music to my ears and pretty much flies in the face of Burke's "we do not need a rebuild, more of a re-tool" idea.

Time will tell if they effectively execute, but for now at least, the vision seems right.

 

[Zee]

He sounded impressive in the press conference, but let's see if he can execute this plan. Will the board still be on board if this team is crappy for the next little while or will they demand shortcuts?  I think the fan base understands there will be pain in the short term to get where we want this organization to be.  I hope it all comes together.

 

[cw]

"As far as having the patience to do what's needed to be done, yeah, you have to have a stomach in order to get through it in a place with this much passion. I have that stomach, and I can tell you the [Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] board does. We've gotten excellent support from our board that this has to be done the right way, this has to be built the correct way. They understand that there are no shortcuts. Shortcuts have gotten this organization into trouble in the past. This has to once and for all be a build that we are committed to and that we don't stray from."

The quote above is music to my ears and pretty much flies in the face of Burke's "we do not need a rebuild, more of a re-tool" idea.

Time will tell if they effectively execute, but for now at least, the vision seems right.

It was music to me as well.

ESPN LINK
"The challenge here in Toronto is not to come up with the plan; the challenge in Toronto is to stick to it," Shanahan said during a 20-minute news conference at Air Canada Centre. "That's the hard part."

That right there is at the heart of what has plagued this Original Six franchise for so many years.
....
"As far as having the patience to do what's needed to be done, yeah, you have to have a stomach in order to get through it in a place with this much passion. I have that stomach, and I can tell you the [Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment] board does. We've gotten excellent support from our board that this has to be done the right way, this has to be built the correct way. They understand that there are no shortcuts. Shortcuts have gotten this organization into trouble in the past. This has to once and for all be a build that we are committed to and that we don't stray from."

How long will it take to bring this hockey team back to respectability?

"I know that people come up with answers and come up with years, and I sometimes wonder if they give a number of years just to simply buy themselves some time," said Shanahan. "I don't know if that's the case. The truth of the matter is and the reality and the truest answer I can give you: It takes as long as it takes. Whether people have the patience for that or not, in my opinion you don't deviate from the vision.

I agree with all of it.

If the top 5 pick this spring is a dud, that's ok. Crap happens. Roll the roster over for more young assets, keep picking another until you've got a good young core. If they get lucky and get McDavid, that shortens the timeline some but they still need a young franchise player or two to help him.

If they stick to it that way, they'll get some serious runs at a Cup. No guarantees but good shots.

 

[lamajama]

I don't see how anyone can explain the dark cloud over this organization that has lasted so long, through so many years and how it can be fixed.  Whatever Shanahan says, there is nothing he can say to make me believe he knows what to do when Burke did not. 

Burke tried to fast track it. I'm fairly certain he could have sold the board of governors of MLSE any plan, as he was their high profile hire. He was the savior. I thought it was a tremendous move by the Leafs at the time.

But no, pretty soon it was "July 1st is our draft day" "Pittsburgh model my ass" and that sort of thing. Here's a couple more: "I think we can win sooner" "I don't believe in a 5 year rebuild". The Leafs were at an expansion team level, talent-wise, with pretty much nothing in the farm system on Burke's arrival. Why he didn't see that there was no quick fix is beyond me.

Shanahan, at least, seems to see what needs to be done. Now, it's going to come down to what he actually does. I'm with him so far. He's the first in the contemporary era of Leafs management to convince the board that a true rebuild needs to happen.

Great post. I was ecstatic when Burke was hired - and as soon as he said the above I was really p***ed off. I knew then that we were going to muck around the last playoff spot - or no-mans land of draft picks.

I just hope that Shanahan can withstand the Board pressure to accelerate the process.

Hopefully the Board understands how much revenue the team could generate if they actually were in the hunt for a Cup every year. The NHL for that matter.

 

[cw]

I don't see how anyone can explain the dark cloud over this organization that has lasted so long, through so many years and how it can be fixed.  Whatever Shanahan says, there is nothing he can say to make me believe he knows what to do when Burke did not. 

Burke tried to fast track it. I'm fairly certain he could have sold the board of governors of MLSE any plan, as he was their high profile hire. He was the savior. I thought it was a tremendous move by the Leafs at the time.

But no, pretty soon it was "July 1st is our draft day" "Pittsburgh model my ass" and that sort of thing. Here's a couple more: "I think we can win sooner" "I don't believe in a 5 year rebuild". The Leafs were at an expansion team level, talent-wise, with pretty much nothing in the farm system on Burke's arrival. Why he didn't see that there was no quick fix is beyond me.

Shanahan, at least, seems to see what needs to be done. Now, it's going to come down to what he actually does. I'm with him so far. He's the first in the contemporary era of Leafs management to convince the board that a true rebuild needs to happen.

Great post. I was ecstatic when Burke was hired - and as soon as he said the above I was really p***ed off. I knew then that we were going to muck around the last playoff spot - or no-mans land of draft picks.

I just hope that Shanahan can withstand the Board pressure to accelerate the process.

Hopefully the Board understands how much revenue the team could generate if they actually were in the hunt for a Cup every year. The NHL for that matter.

I too felt that Burke could have written his own ticket. He could have done exactly what Shanahan is doing. The MLSE board may have rumbled in protest at the outset but would have gone along with him. Remember, in 2007, Burke won a Cup as GM in Anaheim. He was comfortably employed in November 2008 when he joined the Leafs. He wasn't looking for work. He was set for a number of years as a Cup winning GM.

Sadly, he wasn't as hockey smart as he thought he was and his ego fooled himself into thinking he could do a quick fix here. The rest is history.

MLSE didn't entice Burke to come here with a mandate to GM the way MLSE wanted. Naturally, MLSE preferred the quick fix that their prospective GM told them he could make happen. But I sincerely doubt that was a condition of his employment to lure Burke here. Burke had autonomy and basically blew it on failed short cuts.