Shanahan/Players end of season press events

[rdowdall]

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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

 

[Pick]

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.

I think Shanahan craftfully bought himself a free ticket for the next couple of years. This team can stink and he will remind everybody that the plan to rebuild includes losing for a few years as an inevitable by-product.

I share your concern about management losing patience, but my bigger concern is with Shanahan. Shanny was the boss for one (if not the) worst season in Leafs history. Iknow, I know, he can't be blamed for the poor contracts and and the lack of leadership among the teams best players, but this teams problems are not player related. There's no way this group is as bad as their record the last 40 games. The biggest problem lies elsewhere.

Whatever the poison was, nobody was able to fend it off. Shanahan has to take ownership of that fact. In the end, he should have been able to identify the issues and address them better. The horrible finish is definitly a black-mark on the start of his career as President.

 

[lamajama]

You really feel that Shanahan could have what, solved the team's issues in his first year?  :

 

[mr grieves]

Whatever the poison was, nobody was able to fend it off. Shanahan has to take ownership of that fact. In the end, he should have been able to identify the issues and address them better. The horrible finish is definitly a black-mark on the start of his career as President.

I'd argue he exacerbated it by trading away 3 forwards and a defenseman, and shutting down another 2. The team was in a tailspin well before the deadline, but, by starting a rebuild, he certainly didn't try to do anything that might pull them out of it. The horrible finish was probably some confluence of a mediocre core, bad luck, worsening players, and an increasingly toxic attitude. The contribution Shanahan had to it was, I think, by design.

 

[cw]

If there is nothing else out there, he might take it but at age 63, I think he'd be looking for something that would give him a shot sooner.

Here's hoping that he's done a poor job at saving for retirement

I sincerely doubt he's hurtin' for cash. 

I think he's grown as a coach. Like nearly every coach in the NHL, not every player is going to love them because some get more ice time at the cost of that ice time to others. But he's evolved to become a pretty good guy and there are few young players in the NHL who couldn't learn something from him.

Having said that, although some might not be regarded as good, those words could be said for most if not all recent Leafs coaches to some degree.

 

[cw]

Burke was from Old School, Shanaplan is not from any credited University, he is an original thinker who understands what Burke didn't. Burke brought in his old school cronies, rotten to the core, Shanaplan is rooting out mediocrity and replacing with people of excellence, knowledge and dedication to the one thing we all want, a Stanley Cup and not just a one time deal, he wants to build a Chigaco style team that contends year in and year out.  We are the Toronto Maple Leafs and so is Shanaplan, finally I think we have someone who can do the job the only way and the right way.

Maybe someone else has posted this but I've seen it observed/alleged (not absolutely proven - it's a blur as to where I'd seen it) that a pattern in the firings is to rid them of many folks who Burke brought in. I'd also heard or read (alleged not proven) that the scouts who got shown the door were those who did not embrace analytics ... maybe many of those were hired by Burke ..??.

I don't know if there's any merit to that stuff or not. Maybe we'll never know. Maybe it's plausible ...

When they've been this bad, there's a part of me saying 'there's no place to go but up' so I kind of welcome them gutting the staff. Maybe a few good folks unfairly lost their jobs but I suspect a bunch probably merited in some way what happened to them.

 

[Redleaf]

Burke was from Old School, Shanaplan is not from any credited University, he is an original thinker who understands what Burke didn't. Burke brought in his old school cronies, rotten to the core, Shanaplan is rooting out mediocrity and replacing with people of excellence, knowledge and dedication to the one thing we all want, a Stanley Cup and not just a one time deal, he wants to build a Chigaco style team that contends year in and year out.  We are the Toronto Maple Leafs and so is Shanaplan, finally I think we have someone who can do the job the only way and the right way.

Maybe someone else has posted this but I've seen it observed/alleged (not absolutely proven - it's a blur as to where I'd seen it) that a pattern in the firings is to rid them of many folks who Burke brought in. I'd also heard or read (alleged not proven) that the scouts who got shown the door were those who did not embrace analytics ... maybe many of those were hired by Burke ..??.

I don't know if there's any merit to that stuff or not. Maybe we'll never know. Maybe it's plausible ...

When they've been this bad, there's a part of me saying 'there's no place to go but up' so I kind of welcome them gutting the staff. Maybe a few good folks unfairly lost their jobs but I suspect a bunch probably merited in some way what happened to them.

I think this is true. It looks like they are going analytics, across the board..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ha1TKFMId0

This is what makes me think Babcock will be here and will play a big part of this new, team wide 'system' moving forward. I think it could be revolutionary, if they are able to implement an analytic system that runs through all facets of the organization like Dubas envisions in the clip.

Babcock seems to share that vision...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=727093

I would bet the GM they are searching for would definately need to fall into this category as well.

 

[herman]

Burke was from Old School, Shanaplan is not from any credited University, he is an original thinker who understands what Burke didn't. Burke brought in his old school cronies, rotten to the core, Shanaplan is rooting out mediocrity and replacing with people of excellence, knowledge and dedication to the one thing we all want, a Stanley Cup and not just a one time deal, he wants to build a Chigaco style team that contends year in and year out.  We are the Toronto Maple Leafs and so is Shanaplan, finally I think we have someone who can do the job the only way and the right way.

Maybe someone else has posted this but I've seen it observed/alleged (not absolutely proven - it's a blur as to where I'd seen it) that a pattern in the firings is to rid them of many folks who Burke brought in. I'd also heard or read (alleged not proven) that the scouts who got shown the door were those who did not embrace analytics ... maybe many of those were hired by Burke ..??.

I don't know if there's any merit to that stuff or not. Maybe we'll never know. Maybe it's plausible ...

When they've been this bad, there's a part of me saying 'there's no place to go but up' so I kind of welcome them gutting the staff. Maybe a few good folks unfairly lost their jobs but I suspect a bunch probably merited in some way what happened to them.

Shanahan said it was Hunter's call on who to let go from the scouts. After nearly a year of working with them, it sounds like he just moved out the people who didn't share the management team's vision of what type of player they were looking for.

Burke did hire people to look for a certain template of player. Now the Leafs are looking to develop their players to maximize their potential and development, rather than groom them for a particular top or bottom role.

As for the coaching staff who were in a no-win situation, it's like any necessary amputation: you have to cut into the good flesh to make sure no hint of compromised flesh remains behind to infect further.

Edited for grammar and adding the article re: Dubas' development philosophy

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Burke was from Old School, Shanaplan is not from any credited University, he is an original thinker who understands what Burke didn't. Burke brought in his old school cronies, rotten to the core, Shanaplan is rooting out mediocrity and replacing with people of excellence, knowledge and dedication to the one thing we all want, a Stanley Cup and not just a one time deal, he wants to build a Chigaco style team that contends year in and year out.  We are the Toronto Maple Leafs and so is Shanaplan, finally I think we have someone who can do the job the only way and the right way.

Maybe someone else has posted this but I've seen it observed/alleged (not absolutely proven - it's a blur as to where I'd seen it) that a pattern in the firings is to rid them of many folks who Burke brought in. I'd also heard or read (alleged not proven) that the scouts who got shown the door were those who did not embrace analytics ... maybe many of those were hired by Burke ..??.

I don't know if there's any merit to that stuff or not. Maybe we'll never know. Maybe it's plausible ...

When they've been this bad, there's a part of me saying 'there's no place to go but up' so I kind of welcome them gutting the staff. Maybe a few good folks unfairly lost their jobs but I suspect a bunch probably merited in some way what happened to them.

Shanahan said it was Hunter's call on who to let go from the scouts. After nearly a year of working with them, it sounds like he just moved out the people who didn't share the management team's vision of what type of player they were looking for.

Burke did hire people to look for a certain template of player. Now the Leafs are looking to develop their players to maximize their potential and development, rather than groom them for a particular top or bottom role.

As for the coaching staff who were in a no-win situation, it's like any necessary amputation: you have to cut into the good flesh to make sure no hint of compromised flesh doesnt remain behind to infect further.

That was basically Dubas' philosophy in the Sault for drafting - they targeted skill players above all else so that they could step in and play the style the team wanted (up tempo, puck possession, expected to be able to make plays with the puck, etc). 

 

[cw]

Burke was from Old School, Shanaplan is not from any credited University, he is an original thinker who understands what Burke didn't. Burke brought in his old school cronies, rotten to the core, Shanaplan is rooting out mediocrity and replacing with people of excellence, knowledge and dedication to the one thing we all want, a Stanley Cup and not just a one time deal, he wants to build a Chigaco style team that contends year in and year out.  We are the Toronto Maple Leafs and so is Shanaplan, finally I think we have someone who can do the job the only way and the right way.

Maybe someone else has posted this but I've seen it observed/alleged (not absolutely proven - it's a blur as to where I'd seen it) that a pattern in the firings is to rid them of many folks who Burke brought in. I'd also heard or read (alleged not proven) that the scouts who got shown the door were those who did not embrace analytics ... maybe many of those were hired by Burke ..??.

I don't know if there's any merit to that stuff or not. Maybe we'll never know. Maybe it's plausible ...

When they've been this bad, there's a part of me saying 'there's no place to go but up' so I kind of welcome them gutting the staff. Maybe a few good folks unfairly lost their jobs but I suspect a bunch probably merited in some way what happened to them.

Shanahan said it was Hunter's call on who to let go from the scouts. After nearly a year of working with them, it sounds like he just moved out the people who didn't share the management team's vision of what type of player they were looking for. Burke did hire people to look for a certain template of player.

Yep. Makes sense and I wholeheartedly agree with them trying it because Burke's vision was rapidly outdated - he didn't keep up with the times.

As for the coaching staff who were in a no-win situation, it's like any necessary amputation: you have to cut into the good flesh to make sure no hint of compromised flesh doesnt remain behind to infect further.

I kind of felt sorry for Horachek and his staff some on that basis.(yes, I know they got paid lots of dough ...)

My sense from Shanahan's remarks is that he intends on continuing making amputations from the roster for the same reason which I also embrace.

There's some serious cancer there - worst within the entire franchise in my opinion. Burke identified a bad culture there and couldn't correct it. Nonis said he was "not the big culture change kind of a guy" which went against Leiweke and probably contributed to him losing his job. They cannot rid themselves of it too quickly.

I think Shanahan may forego trying to milk extra draft picks for losers like this and get them shrinking rapidly in a rear view mirror soon. They're second fiddle players - not core. Leiweke was right. They do not have the character to be integral to a successful hockey team and as such, they really won't be missed.

 

[Bullfrog]

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.

I think Shanahan craftfully bought himself a free ticket for the next couple of years. This team can stink and he will remind everybody that the plan to rebuild includes losing for a few years as an inevitable by-product.

I share your concern about management losing patience, but my bigger concern is with Shanahan. Shanny was the boss for one (if not the) worst season in Leafs history. Iknow, I know, he can't be blamed for the poor contracts and and the lack of leadership among the teams best players, but this teams problems are not player related. There's no way this group is as bad as their record the last 40 games. The biggest problem lies elsewhere.

Whatever the poison was, nobody was able to fend it off. Shanahan has to take ownership of that fact. In the end, he should have been able to identify the issues and address them better. The horrible finish is definitly a black-mark on the start of his career as President.

It's definitely not a black-mark on the start of his term as President. Almost nobody (and I only say almost because clearly you disagree) would look at this year and think "you know, if Shanahan was better at his job, he would have fixed this."

I definitely disagree with saying this team's problems were not player issues. The whole organization is/was flawed from top to bottom. This absolutely includes the players. Bozak-Kadri-Holland is one of the weakest centre groups in the NHL. The team defense was horrible and the stars didn't show up. This was easily Kessel's worst season and probably Phaneuf's too.

 

[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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

I'm not for or against Shanahan. Overall, I generally like what he's done. I think he's been very slow on the draw on a number of things but, and I acknowledge this a low bar, he certainly hasn't done anything that I can't see the wisdom in. I've advocated for a rebuild for years and I'm happy that he seems to be following that path.

But I do think that, as a fan group, Leafs fans can get awful caught up in sales jobs and slogans. When JFJ was brought in it was "Finally, someone who isn't a dinosaur" and with Burke it was "Finally, someone with a history of success". If they hire a tough coach it's "Finally, some accountability" and if they hire a player's coach next it'll be "Finally, someone who trusts the players" or something.

But ultimately all of that is nonsense. Teams can win with a non-traditional organizational chart and they can win with one guy running the show. They can win with someone who's been running teams for 30 years and someone in their first job. Player's coach, tough coach...whatever. Even if "Finally, no more Old Boys Network" were true, it doesn't mean anything. It's just the latest slogan the team is selling.

 

[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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

I'm not for or against Shanahan. Overall, I generally like what he's done. I think he's been very slow on the draw on a number of things but, and I acknowledge this a low bar, he certainly hasn't done anything that I can't see the wisdom in. I've advocated for a rebuild for years and I'm happy that he seems to be following that path.

But I do think that, as a fan group, Leafs fans can get awful caught up in sales jobs and slogans. When JFJ was brought in it was "Finally, someone who isn't a dinosaur" and with Burke it was "Finally, someone with a history of success". If they hire a tough coach it's "Finally, some accountability" and if they hire a player's coach next it'll be "Finally, someone who trusts the players" or something.

But ultimately all of that is nonsense. Teams can win with a non-traditional organizational chart and they can win with one guy running the show. They can win with someone who's been running teams for 30 years and someone in their first job. Player's coach, tough coach...whatever. Even if "Finally, no more Old Boys Network" were true, it doesn't mean anything. It's just the latest slogan the team is selling.

In my post I noted that:

1.  Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level
2.  They've ushered in a new perspective
    - they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization.  Perhaps perspective was a bad choice of words?
3.  They've effectively ended the reign of the Old Boys's Club.
    - Burke's influence in the management structure of this team has effectively been wiped out.  All of the guys who weren't on board with the use of analytics in evaluating players, whether scouts, AGMs, coaches, etc. have been removed from the team, and they're being replaced by people who are.  That seems to be the direction the successful franchises in this league are moving, and I'm happy to see the Leafs moving that way.

And I qualified it all with 'whatever that's worth'.

For this I'm being pegged a Leafs fan getting caught up in sales jobs and slogans.  A brain-washed lemming who can't seemingly think for himself.  Being hopeful as a fan and objectively analyzing what the team is doing aren't mutually exclusive.  And not everything has to be an argument for you to win.

 

[Kin]

- they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization. 

Except that absolutely 100% was the exact same thing people were saying about Burke. He didn't plan on doing it via analytics no, but he was going to invest more in scouting and development and he was bringing the Marlies to Toronto and so on and so forth.

It's the same thing, just new packaging.

 

[Bender]

- they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization. 

Except that absolutely 100% was the exact same thing people were saying about Burke. He didn't plan on doing it via analytics no, but he was going to invest more in scouting and development and he was bringing the Marlies to Toronto and so on and so forth.

It's the same thing, just new packaging.

Just because the presentation is somewhat the same doesn't mean this iteration IS the same, though.

 

[Kin]

Just because the presentation is somewhat the same doesn't mean this iteration IS the same, though.

Sure and like I said, I'm encouraged by what I've seen out of Shanahan's team so far. I just remember too many hirings to buy the hype that always gets created when a new bunch is around or pretend that it's genuinely new. Everyone comes in with a plan and everyone comes in with wanting to do things differently than the old regime because if the people who hired them didn't demand just that then they wouldn't be looking for new management in the first place.

I can buy that we're at war with Eurasia, I just don't need to pretend that we've always been at war with Eurasia.

 

[Redleaf]

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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

I'm not for or against Shanahan. Overall, I generally like what he's done. I think he's been very slow on the draw on a number of things but, and I acknowledge this a low bar, he certainly hasn't done anything that I can't see the wisdom in. I've advocated for a rebuild for years and I'm happy that he seems to be following that path.

But I do think that, as a fan group, Leafs fans can get awful caught up in sales jobs and slogans. When JFJ was brought in it was "Finally, someone who isn't a dinosaur" and with Burke it was "Finally, someone with a history of success". If they hire a tough coach it's "Finally, some accountability" and if they hire a player's coach next it'll be "Finally, someone who trusts the players" or something.

But ultimately all of that is nonsense. Teams can win with a non-traditional organizational chart and they can win with one guy running the show. They can win with someone who's been running teams for 30 years and someone in their first job. Player's coach, tough coach...whatever. Even if "Finally, no more Old Boys Network" were true, it doesn't mean anything. It's just the latest slogan the team is selling.

In my post I noted that:

1.  Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level
2.  They've ushered in a new perspective
    - they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization.  Perhaps perspective was a bad choice of words?
3.  They've effectively ended the reign of the Old Boys's Club.
    - Burke's influence in the management structure of this team has effectively been wiped out.  All of the guys who weren't on board with the use of analytics in evaluating players, whether scouts, AGMs, coaches, etc. have been removed from the team, and they're being replaced by people who are.  That seems to be the direction the successful franchises in this league are moving, and I'm happy to see the Leafs moving that way.

And I qualified it all with 'whatever that's worth'.

For this I'm being pegged a Leafs fan getting caught up in sales jobs and slogans.  A brain-washed lemming who can't seemingly think for himself.  Being hopeful as a fan and objectively analyzing what the team is doing aren't mutually exclusive.  And not everything has to be an argument for you to win.

well said!

 

[rdowdall]

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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

I'm not for or against Shanahan. Overall, I generally like what he's done. I think he's been very slow on the draw on a number of things but, and I acknowledge this a low bar, he certainly hasn't done anything that I can't see the wisdom in. I've advocated for a rebuild for years and I'm happy that he seems to be following that path.

But I do think that, as a fan group, Leafs fans can get awful caught up in sales jobs and slogans. When JFJ was brought in it was "Finally, someone who isn't a dinosaur" and with Burke it was "Finally, someone with a history of success". If they hire a tough coach it's "Finally, some accountability" and if they hire a player's coach next it'll be "Finally, someone who trusts the players" or something.

But ultimately all of that is nonsense. Teams can win with a non-traditional organizational chart and they can win with one guy running the show. They can win with someone who's been running teams for 30 years and someone in their first job. Player's coach, tough coach...whatever. Even if "Finally, no more Old Boys Network" were true, it doesn't mean anything. It's just the latest slogan the team is selling.

In my post I noted that:

1.  Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level
2.  They've ushered in a new perspective
    - they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization.  Perhaps perspective was a bad choice of words?
3.  They've effectively ended the reign of the Old Boys's Club.
    - Burke's influence in the management structure of this team has effectively been wiped out.  All of the guys who weren't on board with the use of analytics in evaluating players, whether scouts, AGMs, coaches, etc. have been removed from the team, and they're being replaced by people who are.  That seems to be the direction the successful franchises in this league are moving, and I'm happy to see the Leafs moving that way.

And I qualified it all with 'whatever that's worth'.

For this I'm being pegged a Leafs fan getting caught up in sales jobs and slogans.  A brain-washed lemming who can't seemingly think for himself.  Being hopeful as a fan and objectively analyzing what the team is doing aren't mutually exclusive.  And not everything has to be an argument for you to win.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to start an argument.  I was actually trying to figure out what Nik's thoughts were on Shanahan so far.  Sometimes I find his posts contradictory, but that's usually because I mistake there meaning. 

 

[Al14]

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.

So I am confused, are you for or against Shanahan? Or is this just a case of you pointing out something that is inaccurate that a group of fans seems to be running with.

I'm not for or against Shanahan. Overall, I generally like what he's done. I think he's been very slow on the draw on a number of things but, and I acknowledge this a low bar, he certainly hasn't done anything that I can't see the wisdom in. I've advocated for a rebuild for years and I'm happy that he seems to be following that path.

But I do think that, as a fan group, Leafs fans can get awful caught up in sales jobs and slogans. When JFJ was brought in it was "Finally, someone who isn't a dinosaur" and with Burke it was "Finally, someone with a history of success". If they hire a tough coach it's "Finally, some accountability" and if they hire a player's coach next it'll be "Finally, someone who trusts the players" or something.

But ultimately all of that is nonsense. Teams can win with a non-traditional organizational chart and they can win with one guy running the show. They can win with someone who's been running teams for 30 years and someone in their first job. Player's coach, tough coach...whatever. Even if "Finally, no more Old Boys Network" were true, it doesn't mean anything. It's just the latest slogan the team is selling.

In my post I noted that:

1.  Hunter and Dubas have done nothing at the NHL level
2.  They've ushered in a new perspective
    - they're taking an analytical approach to the game, and plan to build the team through a draft and develop philosophy, which is basically uncharted territory for this organization.  Perhaps perspective was a bad choice of words?
3.  They've effectively ended the reign of the Old Boys's Club.
    - Burke's influence in the management structure of this team has effectively been wiped out.  All of the guys who weren't on board with the use of analytics in evaluating players, whether scouts, AGMs, coaches, etc. have been removed from the team, and they're being replaced by people who are.  That seems to be the direction the successful franchises in this league are moving, and I'm happy to see the Leafs moving that way.

And I qualified it all with 'whatever that's worth'.

For this I'm being pegged a Leafs fan getting caught up in sales jobs and slogans.  A brain-washed lemming who can't seemingly think for himself.  Being hopeful as a fan and objectively analyzing what the team is doing aren't mutually exclusive.  And not everything has to be an argument for you to win.

The fact that they have no experience at the NHL level is worrisome.  However, that is why Shanahan needs to bring in an experienced G.M. IMHO.

 

[herman]

The main difference for me between Burke's team of executives and Shanahan's team is what they say when given an opportunity to share their vision and philosophies of team building.

So far, Shanahan and Dubas have been saying exactly what I've wanted to hear (analytics informed possession play style, patient focus on drafting and development), so naturally I would drink that Kool-Aid pretty hard. Sure there will be some misses here or there on picks that don't pan out due to the crapshoot that is predicting future talent, but there is also an aim to mitigate any such misses by maturing them patiently in the farm system, increasing the number of opportunities by not shipping out draft picks, and studying the players on a deeper level where market inefficiencies may be.

Dubas and Hunter now have a year of NHL experience under their belts. Honestly, I think they already have what it takes to GM a team on the rebuild because the task is really quite simple when you boil it down to the essentials.
1) Don't trade any draft picks away for the next 5 years for any reason;
2) Move any expiring contracts for more picks and blue chip prospects, taking back bad salary where expedient;
3) Draft for talent and mobility, players with the tools to be creative and the wheels to insinuate themselves into the play;

All that is missing is a coach who can teach and instill a solid foundation in system structure.