Dudley Believes Maple Leafs are ?So Close? to Being Good

[Fanatic]

Rick Dudley officially became the Montreal Canadiens assistant general manager on Friday, but on his way out the door the now former director of player personnel for the Toronto Maple Leafs offered encouraging words to their fans: Life is about to get much better.

Dudley, 63, is one of the most respected judges of talent in the NHL who can now view the team with the detachment of an outsider. He said the Leafs only need ?three moves and maybe two to become a really, really good hockey organization.?

Story Here

 

[CarltonTheBear]

A top goalie, a top centre, and a good defenseman. Two of those 3 are arguably the hardest assets to acquire in the league.

I don't think he's wrong, but with that logic any team that isn't good could be considered really close.

 

[Kin]

Come on. A day after being in their employ he can talk about them with detachment?

 

[jdh1]

He's right on with the goaltender comments...however that's easier said then done.

I really don't know about Lu being that goaltender whether he's on the down side of his career or just needs a change of scenery.

 

[Zee]

Thanks Dudley, all is well now.  (maybe a stipulation of his move to Montreal was that he praise the Leafs in the press, Burkie made him say that)

 

[ZBBM]

?The whole team gets better,? Dudley said. ?It took me a whole lifetime in hockey to realize that. But it puts confidence in your players and makes them all better.?

Gee Rick ? it took you a whole lifetime to realize that the most important player on the team is the goalie?  :  Go blow your sunshine in MTL.

 

[bustaheims]

A top goalie, a top centre, and a good defenseman. Two of those 3 are arguably the hardest assets to acquire in the league.

I don't think he's wrong, but with that logic any team that isn't good could be considered really close.

Suter this summer, Getzlaf next summer and trade for Thomas/Luongo/Kipper and Cup in 2014!

Seriously, there are very few teams in professional sports that aren't 3 moves away from being really good.

 

[Boston Leaf]

I think the glue in his head from that hair hat is seeping into his brain

 

[Zee]

I think the glue in his head from that hair hat is seeping into his brain

Actually as some have pointed out he's not insane.  There's parity in the league and 3 pieces, especially the 3 he named - #1 goalie, #1 center and good dman can transform a lot of teams.  With a top line and a good defensive system, it'll take you far.  That being said, good luck finding those 3 pieces.

 

[Tigger]

A top goalie, a top centre, and a good defenseman. Two of those 3 are arguably the hardest assets to acquire in the league.

I don't think he's wrong, but with that logic any team that isn't good could be considered really close.

Suter this summer, Getzlaf next summer and trade for Thomas/Luongo/Kipper and Cup in 2014!

Seriously, there are very few teams in professional sports that aren't 3 moves away from being really good.

What, no Parise?...

Yeah, those comments are nice on the surface but the reality is really tough to solve and can be applied to quite a few teams.

 

[jdh1]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

Dudley would be leaned on a lot more in Montreal. I completely understand why he'd move.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

Dudley would be leaned on a lot more in Montreal. I completely understand why he'd move.

He also has a really strong working relationship with their new GM. It's really the only reason he'd leave for a non-GM role.

 

[maplesyrup]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

Dudley would be leaned on a lot more in Montreal. I completely understand why he'd move.

He also has a really strong working relationship with their new GM. It's really the only reason he'd leave for a non-GM role.

That too.

 

[jdh1]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

Dudley would be leaned on a lot more in Montreal. I completely understand why he'd move.

He also has a really strong working relationship with their new GM. It's really the only reason he'd leave for a non-GM role.

That too.

While everything that both of you have said is true...he would really be leaned on for info and has a good working relationship with Bergevin...does he not have a good working relationship with Burke?and don't the Leafs need his expertise on player evaluation as much as Montreal.

I can see moving up to be a GM for a club..OK..but I thought Burke highly valued him..maybe they were  not getting along...doesn't matter now he's gone anyway..just seems a bit strange to me.

 

[jonlleafs]

A top goalie, a top centre, and a good defenseman. Two of those 3 are arguably the hardest assets to acquire in the league.

I don't think he's wrong, but with that logic any team that isn't good could be considered really close.

I think you have to take it with the context that we already have the talent now or up and coming that fill out the rest of the team aside from these 3 parts.  I think we saw glimpses of this, this season until the meltdown.

 

[showmethemoneyman]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

In montreal he?s one of two asst. GMs  Carriere is the other

 

[L K]

I don't get it,Dudley going to Montreal..that's only a slight upgrade going to assistant GM..he's been in hockey all his life and he needs to change...for what 50 grand a year..must be something else going on.

Dudley would be leaned on a lot more in Montreal. I completely understand why he'd move.

He also has a really strong working relationship with their new GM. It's really the only reason he'd leave for a non-GM role.

That too.

While everything that both of you have said is true...he would really be leaned on for info and has a good working relationship with Bergevin...does he not have a good working relationship with Burke?and don't the Leafs need his expertise on player evaluation as much as Montreal.

I can see moving up to be a GM for a club..OK..but I thought Burke highly valued him..maybe they were  not getting along...doesn't matter now he's gone anyway..just seems a bit strange to me.

He's one of many minds in Toronto.  While Burke may value his opinions, if Dudley's view differs from Burke and Nonis and Fletcher, he's not going to get his way. 
Fewer cooks in the kitchen, and he gets to be in more of a mentoring role in Montreal too with a younger GM who doesn't have a tonne of experience so Dudley's input is going to be much greater.

 

[showmethemoneyman]

Maybe he?s going to Montreal cause the nightlife is better and he can really let down his hair

 

[lamajama]

So is he participating in the Habs draft?