Unofficial 2013-2014 Armchair GM Thread

[Highlander]

Hi Nik, lets move on, I would appreciate some comments on hiring a puck possession coach and if anyone knows which ones are available it would be nice to know.

 

[Redleaf]

Continue arguing it for, I don't know, 6 or 7 more pages.  Some multi-paragraph responses would be good too.  Lots of commas to drive home your level of exasperation.

Or say the exact same thing a thousand different times in one sentence. Make sure to include lots of links to all of the people you read who feel the exact same way. Then, at some point, break to argue which person finished last and has to eat the cookie.

Lol.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Hi Nik, lets move on, I would appreciate some comments on hiring a puck possession coach and if anyone knows which ones are available it would be nice to know.

I don't think you want a 'puck possession' coach, but someone who gets the team to play a better game.  The possession stats really just help inform you about whether or not the team is performing well or not.  If the object is to score more goals than the other team, you want to have the puck in their end more, you want to get more shots at the net, and however you achieve that goal if you're successful at it then it should reflect in the possession numbers.  There's not really a 'style' that's a possession coach - maybe some stress to hold onto the puck longer rather than give up possession, etc. but I don't think you really look for a 'possession coach.'

 

[Redleaf]

Further though, I would say that a coaching change will lead to improvement. In fact, I'd say coaching change = instant improvement without much hesitation. Coaching was a major contributor to the lack of success this season. Can a new coach make significant improvement, so that they are "successful"? I surely hope so. I think success would equal making the playoffs and having a legit chance at winning the first round.

That's fine. Honestly, at this point, I genuinely wouldn't care if popular opinion was that firing Carlyle and hiring a team of hockey bloggers would result in an 82-0 season. I've stated how I feel about the coaching situation and, unlike some others, don't feel the need to have that be the single, solitary point of conversation I engage in. My comment to you wasn't a defense of Carlyle or another futile stab at discussing the relative importance of coaching. It was a comment on the tenor of the conversation surrounding the issue. No more, no less.

Is there a way to say that you know for sure, without a doubt, that a coaching change will improve the fortunes of this team, but word it in just the right way that you could deny it if you were wrong? 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Is there a way to say that you know for sure, without a doubt, that a coaching change will improve the fortunes of this team, but word it in just the right way that you could deny it if you were wrong? 

lol

 

[Kin]

Hi Nik, lets move on, I would appreciate some comments on hiring a puck possession coach and if anyone knows which ones are available it would be nice to know.

Don't you have to define what makes for a puck possession coach in the first place? The accumulation of data doesn't automatically translate into the implementation of data. What are you actually saying you want a coach to tell his players? If it's as simple as there being a system that leads to good puck possession, why bother with a coach's track record or personal philosophy at all? Just hire anyone who can command the room and get them to teach that system.

 

[Redleaf]

Hi Nik, lets move on, I would appreciate some comments on hiring a puck possession coach and if anyone knows which ones are available it would be nice to know.

Don't you have to define what makes for a puck possession coach in the first place? The accumulation of data doesn't automatically translate into the implementation of data. What are you actually saying you want a coach to tell his players? If it's as simple as there being a system that leads to good puck possession, why bother with a coach's track record or personal philosophy at all? Just hire anyone who can command the room and get them to teach that system.

Tony Robbins and a 'Hockey for Dummies' book?

 

[Crucialness Key]

Okay here's the plan.

1) Either FLA or BUF drafts Ekblad.

2) EDM, wanting defence and looking at a bunch of not-super-spectacular forward prospects, trades us their #3 pick for our #8 pick plus some defence (not Rielly). See if they'll take Gleason for the salary dump. Perhaps have a spare part from EDM come our way as well.

3) #3 pick + Kadri + Gauthier = JOHN TAVARES OH YYYEAAAAHHHHHHHHHH

It's foolproof! :-D

 

[Bullfrog]

Further though, I would say that a coaching change will lead to improvement. In fact, I'd say coaching change = instant improvement without much hesitation. Coaching was a major contributor to the lack of success this season. Can a new coach make significant improvement, so that they are "successful"? I surely hope so. I think success would equal making the playoffs and having a legit chance at winning the first round.

That's fine. Honestly, at this point, I genuinely wouldn't care if popular opinion was that firing Carlyle and hiring a team of hockey bloggers would result in an 82-0 season. I've stated how I feel about the coaching situation and, unlike some others, don't feel the need to have that be the single, solitary point of conversation I engage in. My comment to you wasn't a defense of Carlyle or another futile stab at discussing the relative importance of coaching. It was a comment on the tenor of the conversation surrounding the issue. No more, no less.

Is there a way to say that you know for sure, without a doubt, that a coaching change will improve the fortunes of this team, but word it in just the right way that you could deny it if you were wrong? 

No. I tried and failed. Therefore, my conclusion is that's impossible.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Further though, I would say that a coaching change will lead to improvement. In fact, I'd say coaching change = instant improvement without much hesitation. Coaching was a major contributor to the lack of success this season. Can a new coach make significant improvement, so that they are "successful"? I surely hope so. I think success would equal making the playoffs and having a legit chance at winning the first round.

That's fine. Honestly, at this point, I genuinely wouldn't care if popular opinion was that firing Carlyle and hiring a team of hockey bloggers would result in an 82-0 season. I've stated how I feel about the coaching situation and, unlike some others, don't feel the need to have that be the single, solitary point of conversation I engage in. My comment to you wasn't a defense of Carlyle or another futile stab at discussing the relative importance of coaching. It was a comment on the tenor of the conversation surrounding the issue. No more, no less.

Is there a way to say that you know for sure, without a doubt, that a coaching change will improve the fortunes of this team, but word it in just the right way that you could deny it if you were wrong? 

What I would like to see in these posts is the year the coaches were born along with the height and weight.  Pictures are nice as well if the coaches are standing side by side but we need to be able to see their feet so that we are confident that were are not being deceived by that forced perspective stuff I have been reading up on.

 

[Britishbulldog]

I would hate to hi jack this thread to post some Armchair GM thoughts but.... that's what I do.

With Florida winning the lottery and big RH Ekblad being the top ranked player I wonder if this is the time to try to pry Gudbranson out.  Is the Leafs 1st and Franson too much?  Not enough?  That would give Florida a top RH dman prospect, a top forward prospect for their rebuild as well as a big RH dman with PP specialties for Gudbranson.

2nd, I think the culture in Toronto has to change and player-wise the blockbuster I would suggest is Lupul and Phaneuf for Weber.

3rd See if Niskanen makes it to UFA status (or trade a draft pick for his rights) and basically double his $2.3 MIL cap hit to a long term $4.5 MIL deal.

Rielly / Weber
Gunnarsson / Gudbranson
Gardiner / Niskanen

If we are not keeping Reimer then I try a blockbuster with Winnipeg and go for Kane and Byfuglien as someone here suggested.  I would put Gardiner in the package and let Marlies like MacWilliam, Percy, Brennan, etc rotate in and out of that 6th spot.  Basically it would be Gardiner + Biggs for Kane and Reimer + Holzer for Byfuglien who would replace Lupul at forward.  Throw a Leaf 2015 2nd draft pick in if needed.  Raymond's UFA rights wouldn't be worth much but he could replace some of Kane's speed and both had 19 goals this year.

3 big shake up trades would be:
Franson + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Lupul + Phaneuf for Weber

Reimer + Gardiner + Holzer + Biggs + Leafs 2nd Pick 2015 + Raymond's rights (roughly 4th pick maybe??) for Kane and Byfuglien.

Add Niskanen as UFA and backup goalie as UFA. 

Pretty simple.  Add a new coach to that and it will be a team that will have better results than this year's team.

 

[mc]

Lupul + Phaneuf for Weber

Say what?

 

[Corn Flake]

Lupul + Phaneuf for Weber

Say what?

that would be nice, buuuuuuut....

 

[Corn Flake]

3 big shake up trades would be:
Franson + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Hmmmm I just can't see FLA doing that. They will want to add Ekbald TO the young defense they have and not create a hole just to fill it with an even younger d-man. I would love Gudbranson but I think you would be more likely sending them Gardiner to get him back. That's the type of move it would have to be for them to make it.

Lupul + Phaneuf for Weber

I would do it in a second, but I doubt it would happen.

Reimer + Gardiner + Holzer + Biggs + Leafs 2nd Pick 2015 + Raymond's rights (roughly 4th pick maybe??) for Kane and Byfuglien.

I like Kane & Byf as players but they tend to be followed around by distractions all the time.  Kane especially has a lot of attitude adjustments to make.

Add Niskanen as UFA and backup goalie as UFA. 

I'm watching Niskanen in these playoffs closely. Not sure he's the right guy to bring in and at the price point too.

Pretty simple. 

LOL not exactly simple!

 

[hockeyfan1]

Gudbranson?  I remember when I he was drafted how it would be nice if the Leafs had done the drafting.  Having read about him, and his maturity (personal family situation responsibilities; good hockey attitude of beiing 'game reasy'; etc.). I wanted him as part of the Leafs future.

Being in Florida though has done wonders for him and his further development as a player. 

 

[Britishbulldog]

Lupul + Phaneuf for Weber

I would do it in a second, but I doubt it would happen.

This is actually the only 'real' shake-up trade.  It is Shanahan and Nonis making an emphatic point regarding the culture of the Leafs.

As I have stated elsewhere, I have watched Weber a bit now and he misses the net on his heavy shot, get skated around by quick forwards, etc. Infact I would argue that when Phaneuf was in the 'zone' earlier in the year shutting down the league's top stars he was playing at least as well as Weber if not better.  Weber is making $14 MIL this year.  What I like about what I saw with Weber is the way he carries himself on the ice, especially with his team mates.

I am not happy selling Lupul at his low point because he is a top 2nd line player.  With Lupul in the line up (which admittedly hasn't been as much as it should have been because of injuries) you can pencil in 25 - 30 goals, he averages 2 hits a game and isn't afraid to fight. 

I do not want to get rid of either player but was thinking might be one of the only things drastic enough to change the culture.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Reimer + Gardiner + Holzer + Biggs + Leafs 2nd Pick 2015 + Raymond's rights (roughly 4th pick maybe??) for Kane and Byfuglien.

I like Kane & Byf as players but they tend to be followed around by distractions all the time.  Kane especially has a lot of attitude adjustments to make.

Absolutely agree with your assesment of E Kane and Big Buff.  As you guys know, I usually have to form my opinions on what I read, see on the sport reports or hi light reels.  The last 18 months these 2 boys have been making the news for a few wrong reasons.  That is why I think is why they might be available and was hoping that Weber could help them as their captain.  I don't think that Phaneuf's awkward leadership style would be a benefit AT ALL (!!!).  He would probably alienate them even worse.

Based on that I am adjusting the offer by removing Gardiner and putting in Franson instead. 

Reimer + Franson + Holzer (or another Marlie) + Biggs + Leafs 2nd Pick 2015 + Raymond's rights (roughly worth 4th pick maybe??) for Kane and Byfuglien.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Franson + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Hmmmm I just can't see FLA doing that. They will want to add Ekbald TO the young defense they have and not create a hole just to fill it with an even younger d-man. I would love Gudbranson but I think you would be more likely sending them Gardiner to get him back. That's the type of move it would have to be for them to make it.

Gardiner + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Done.  This is only a small step towards the culture change and alone wouldn't make a significant change. 

With Carlyle's vague accusation of a player comparing himself I can only assume that it was Gardiner comparing himself to Mark Fraser.  That kind of delusion will only poison the locker room.

Gardiner would be the heir apparent for Campbell.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Add Niskanen as UFA and backup goalie as UFA. 

I'm watching Niskanen in these playoffs closely. Not sure he's the right guy to bring in and at the price point too.

I have no idea regarding Niskanen.  Just getting caught up in the hype i have been watching the last couple of days.

What was really hoping is the last d pairing would rotate between current Marlies for the whole season.

I have no problem leaving Niskanen and the $4.5 MIL cap room for re-sign players like Kadri and Bernier next summer.

Rielly / Weber(Phaneuf)

Gunnarson / Gudbranson

MacWilliam (Percy) / Granberg (Holzer)

 

[Jalili]

Franson + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Hmmmm I just can't see FLA doing that. They will want to add Ekbald TO the young defense they have and not create a hole just to fill it with an even younger d-man. I would love Gudbranson but I think you would be more likely sending them Gardiner to get him back. That's the type of move it would have to be for them to make it.

Gardiner + Leafs 1st pick 2014 for Gudbranson

Done.  This is only a small step towards the culture change and alone wouldn't make a significant change. 

With Carlyle's vague accusation of a player comparing himself I can only assume that it was Gardiner comparing himself to Mark Fraser.  That kind of delusion will only poison the locker room.

Gardiner would be the heir apparent for Campbell.

I think that's a lot to give up for Gudbranson.

I'm not sure I'd move either Gardiner or our 1st for him, let alone both.