2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[cw]

Sportsnet: Maple Leafs recall goalie Ilya Samsonov from AHL

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov will be the backup Thursday night when the team faces the Islanders in New York.

"Today it was really just a chance for us to get him in here, get him back into practice with us, get him back on the ice with (goaltending coach) Curtis Sanford and really see where he?s at since we?ve left," Keefe said. "So it?s partly about that but it?s equally if not more about Dennis Hildeby, quite honestly, who we gave the day off to today, assigned to the Marlies but a day off today, and a chance to practice with the Marlies tomorrow while we?re away and then get a game in with the Marlies on Friday.

"That?s really what it?s about but at the same time, it gives us a chance to assess Ilya and give him an opportunity to get back with the group."

According to Keefe, the priority behind the transactions was to get Hildeby a game with the Marlies to help keep him sharp. Side benefit but less important was to get a look at Samsonov. Aside from waivers, those words speak louder than the stats - Hildeby is now the higher priority over Samsonov who has sort of or effectively slipped to 4th on the depth chart.

Hopefully, those words don't come back to haunt Keefe - like if Jones gets hurt in the near future ...

But everyone knows where they stand now.

 

[Bender]

Sportsnet: Maple Leafs recall goalie Ilya Samsonov from AHL

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov will be the backup Thursday night when the team faces the Islanders in New York.

"Today it was really just a chance for us to get him in here, get him back into practice with us, get him back on the ice with (goaltending coach) Curtis Sanford and really see where he?s at since we?ve left," Keefe said. "So it?s partly about that but it?s equally if not more about Dennis Hildeby, quite honestly, who we gave the day off to today, assigned to the Marlies but a day off today, and a chance to practice with the Marlies tomorrow while we?re away and then get a game in with the Marlies on Friday.

"That?s really what it?s about but at the same time, it gives us a chance to assess Ilya and give him an opportunity to get back with the group."

According to Keefe, the priority behind the transactions was to get Hildeby a game with the Marlies to help keep him sharp. Side benefit but less important was to get a look at Samsonov. Aside from waivers, those words speak louder than the stats - Hildeby is now the higher priority over Samsonov who has sort of or effectively slipped to 4th on the depth chart.

Hopefully, those words don't come back to haunt Keefe - like if Jones gets hurt in the near future ...

But everyone knows where they stand now.

That's much stronger words than I'd ever thought he'd use but barring some kind of miracle happening Sammy is a non-option and will not be an option going forward. He's not just mentally in a bad place, he's also terrible technically as soon as things don't go perfectly. What he is now is not what he was last year, end of story.

 

[cw]

Sportsnet: Maple Leafs recall goalie Ilya Samsonov from AHL

Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said Samsonov will be the backup Thursday night when the team faces the Islanders in New York.

"Today it was really just a chance for us to get him in here, get him back into practice with us, get him back on the ice with (goaltending coach) Curtis Sanford and really see where he?s at since we?ve left," Keefe said. "So it?s partly about that but it?s equally if not more about Dennis Hildeby, quite honestly, who we gave the day off to today, assigned to the Marlies but a day off today, and a chance to practice with the Marlies tomorrow while we?re away and then get a game in with the Marlies on Friday.

"That?s really what it?s about but at the same time, it gives us a chance to assess Ilya and give him an opportunity to get back with the group."

According to Keefe, the priority behind the transactions was to get Hildeby a game with the Marlies to help keep him sharp. Side benefit but less important was to get a look at Samsonov. Aside from waivers, those words speak louder than the stats - Hildeby is now the higher priority over Samsonov who has sort of or effectively slipped to 4th on the depth chart.

Hopefully, those words don't come back to haunt Keefe - like if Jones gets hurt in the near future ...

But everyone knows where they stand now.

That's much stronger words than I'd ever thought he'd use but barring some kind of miracle happening Sammy is a non-option and will not be an option going forward. He's not just mentally in a bad place, he's also terrible technically as soon as things don't go perfectly. What he is now is not what he was last year, end of story.

8 months ago, he beats Vasilevskiy in the playoffs after winning the starter's job and putting up a .919 save% regular season.
8 months later, waived, 4th on the depth chart, on the way out the door with an .862 save% and an expiring contract
It's pro sports. They get paid the big bucks to win. I get it.
At the same time, a 26 year old new father - a seemingly nice guy who sincerely seemed to love his team and the city - just got crushed.
It can be a tough business if you are not in the upper echelon ...

 

[Joe S.]

Goalies are weird. Not that it?s the greatest example but Belfour was a tire fire his last season with the leafs and then had a perfectly fine season with Florida the next year.

And not that his last year in Dallas was bad stats wise, I remember the narrative back then that the leafs had signed a washed up Belfour.

I wouldn?t say Samsonov?s career is over. He just lowered his asking price dramatically for next season.

 

[Deebo]

Goalies are weird. Not that it?s the greatest example but Belfour was a tire fire his last season with the leafs and then had a perfectly fine season with Florida the next year.

And not that his last year in Dallas was bad stats wise, I remember the narrative back then that the leafs had signed a washed up Belfour.

I wouldn?t say Samsonov?s career is over. He just lowered his asking price dramatically for next season.

I remember going into Belfour's first season, I bought one of those season preview magazines and it had both leaf goalies for that season as 2 of the 3 worst goalies in the league the year before.

Belfour and Kidd.

 

[Joe S.]

I remember going into Belfour's first season, I bought one of those season preview magazines and it had both leaf goalies for that season as 2 of the 3 worst goalies in the league the year before.

Belfour and Kidd.

Well they were half right, Kidd was awful.

 

[cabber24]

MLSE has a new president, Keith Pelley. Local guy, hopefully, the Leafs winning will be a passion for him.

 

[Zee]

Things just seem -- off lately.  The whole sale line juggling last night makes me think Keefe might be in trouble. Not sure what it is, don't think the players have quit on him or anything but maybe they need more of a "kick in the butt" type coach who actually holds players accountable.  So yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if Keefe is canned here and they bring in Berube especially if this western trip goes off the rails.

 

[bustaheims]

No matter how much success - tons, barely any, or none - coaches grow stale after a while. Maybe that time has come for Keefe. He doesn?t seem to be getting the most of the players more often than not, and is struggling to put together 4 lines that work. Part of that is roster construction, for sure, but not all of it. Easier to change the coach than overhaul the roster. Much lower asset cost, too.

I don?t think Keefe getting removed is imminent, but his position is definitely less secure than it was when he signed his contract extension,

 

[Chris]

No matter how much success - tons, barely any, or none - coaches grow stale after a while. Maybe that time has come for Keefe. He doesn?t seem to be getting the most of the players more often than not, and is struggling to put together 4 lines that work. Part of that is roster construction, for sure, but not all of it. Easier to change the coach than overhaul the roster. Much lower asset cost, too.

I don?t think Keefe getting removed is imminent, but his position is definitely less secure than it was when he signed his contract extension,

I think it's been stale for a while but it's hard to know how much is on the coach vs the players. Does this group just not have that extra gear, that willingness to do whatever it takes? The only way to find out is to get a new coach in there and see if he can push them to new heights. I think we're getting close to that point. If the road trip goes off the rails it could be time.

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

 

[cw]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

If the MLSE board has to sit around the All Star break looking at their ~$100 million roster (cap +LTIR) that is on the outside looking in at a wildcard spot, I doubt they'll wait for Pelley's arrival Apr 2nd. They'll probably order Keefe's head on a platter with the sushi & caviar.

 

[bustaheims]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

 

[Chris]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

I don't know - everything seems business as usual. Maybe someone like Treliving isn't satisfied, but who knows about those higher up. Team will probably make the playoffs which seems to be the thing that matters to them.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

I don't know - everything seems business as usual. Maybe someone like Treliving isn't satisfied, but who knows about those higher up. Team will probably make the playoffs which seems to be the thing that matters to them.

Winning is good for business. 

 

[Britishbulldog]

How long was Babcock signed for?  I assume his buyout is off the books now.  Also, didn't Brad just re=sign Keefe for 2 more years after this one?

 

[herman]

How long was Babcock signed for?  I assume his buyout is off the books now.  Also, didn't Brad just re=sign Keefe for 2 more years after this one?

Babcock's deal came off the books this past end of June. Keefe's 2-year deal kicks in after this season.

 

[Britishbulldog]

How long was Babcock signed for?  I assume his buyout is off the books now.  Also, didn't Brad just re=sign Keefe for 2 more years after this one?

Babcock's deal came off the books this past end of June. Keefe's 2-year deal kicks in after this season.

Thanks!

 

[Frank E]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

They've spent the moon on the team and all that hockey staff, and they'd have lost a lot of money during COVID years, so I can't think that they're satisfied with a first round and second round quick exits since.

I think something to consider is if they're firing too many bullets this season if they fire a coach as well as move on from a GM.  The cadence might suggest that you don't fire the coach after giving him a 2 year extension 6 months ago unless they're falling flat on their faces. 

We all see that the roster is a bit flawed, and injuries, and goaltending is a lottery ticket...but unless the brass is displeased with them doubling down on the core, you kind of have to see it through for the season...and if they were displeased with them doubling down on the core, then they wouldn't have backed up that dump truck for Nylander last week.

So my take is that they're not firing Keefe this season.

 

[bustaheims]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

I don't know - everything seems business as usual. Maybe someone like Treliving isn't satisfied, but who knows about those higher up. Team will probably make the playoffs which seems to be the thing that matters to them.

It always seems like business as usual from the outside, until it?s not. Can?t make many conclusions from outside beyond it not being an obvious and deeply concerning panic.

 

[bustaheims]

Of course, if management is satisfied with the product as is, none of this matters.

I can?t imagine anyone in the organization is satisfied with the team and their play/results so far. They may not be as upset as some, but they can?t be satisfied.

I don't know - everything seems business as usual. Maybe someone like Treliving isn't satisfied, but who knows about those higher up. Team will probably make the playoffs which seems to be the thing that matters to them.

Winning is good for business. 

This, too. More playoff games means more tickets, more concessions, more merchandise sales, etc. Making the playoffs is the baseline minimum for this management group with this roster and their investment in it.