Leafs search for a new coach/GM

[Zee]

Good that they've appointed one guy so that there's no confusion from other teams. Dubas was a great evaluator of talent in junior, hopefully he's up to the task at the NHL level. Maybe the start of a great GM career, would be nice if the Leafs have the next bright mind in hockey in place.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The Maple Leafs sent out a communiqu? last week indicating any team wanting to talk trade should go through assistant GM Kyle Dubas. This led to speculation maybe Dubas would be elevated to the full-time GM position, but that appears premature. Director of player personnel Mark Hunter is responsible for draft selections, so it doesn?t look like Toronto wanted to add another 72-ounce Lone Star steak to his plate. What it does say, though, is Brendan Shanahan really trusts Dubas. That?s big responsibility at this time in the franchise?s existence.

30 Thoughts

Simmons said the same thing in his Sunday column:

With the draft getting close, the Leafs have divided up work in their front office without a general manager. Mark Hunter is doing draft preparation. Kyle Dubas is working the phones, talking trade

 

[mr grieves]

The Maple Leafs sent out a communiqu? last week indicating any team wanting to talk trade should go through assistant GM Kyle Dubas. This led to speculation maybe Dubas would be elevated to the full-time GM position, but that appears premature. Director of player personnel Mark Hunter is responsible for draft selections, so it doesn?t look like Toronto wanted to add another 72-ounce Lone Star steak to his plate. What it does say, though, is Brendan Shanahan really trusts Dubas. That?s big responsibility at this time in the franchise?s existence.

30 Thoughts

Simmons said the same thing in his Sunday column:

With the draft getting close, the Leafs have divided up work in their front office without a general manager. Mark Hunter is doing draft preparation. Kyle Dubas is working the phones, talking trade

Much as I thought Nonis had to go -- that his record of signings, buy-outs, and re-signings should disqualify him from having a hand in overhauling the roster -- I do think he showed last season that he was useful in trading players for futures. Whether or not it was his idea to package Franson and Santorelli, move Winnik, or swap Clarkson for Horton, he did work the phones to get those done. I'm sure Dubas is bright enough to assess pro talent and see what fair value is, but I do wonder whether Nonis's membership in the old boys' club wouldn't be helpful in getting deals for Phaneuf, Lupul, Bozak, maybe Kessel consummated in the short timeframe they've got before the draft.

 

[herman]

Much as I thought Nonis had to go -- that his record of signings, buy-outs, and re-signings should disqualify him from having a hand in overhauling the roster -- I do think he showed last season that he was useful in trading players for futures. Whether or not it was his idea to package Franson and Santorelli, move Winnik, or swap Clarkson for Horton, he did work the phones to get those done. I'm sure Dubas is bright enough to assess pro talent and see what fair value is, but I do wonder whether Nonis's membership in the old boys' club wouldn't be helpful in getting deals for Phaneuf, Lupul, Bozak, maybe Kessel consummated in the short timeframe they've got before the draft.

My take on this is that as sellers, we're likely to be receiving and fielding offers more than we'd be pursuing them, so Nonis' network wouldn't be as useful in this situation.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

McCrimmon will be staying with the Brandon Wheat Kings next season:

Brandon Wheat Kings? Owner, General Manager and Head Coach Kelly McCrimmon has announced plans to return for the 2015-16 Western Hockey League season.

The WHL?s Executive of the Year in 2014-15, McCrimmon had discussed a management position with the National Hockey League?s Toronto Maple Leafs.

?I have made the decision to remain with the Wheat Kings,? says McCrimmon. ?I was honoured to have been considered for a position with the Maple Leafs. It would have been a tremendous opportunity.?

?With our team expected to contend this season, I felt I owed it to the group to stay here and try to help us take the next step,? McCrimmon went on to say.

http://wheatkings.com/article/mccrimmon-to-stay-with-wheat-kings

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I suspect giving up complete autonomy to become a small cog in the Leafs front office was a bit of a bridge too far.

 

[Highlander]

How true, better to be a Wheat King in your own fife than a pack of linguini in Loaf land

 

[Frank E]

I suspect giving up complete autonomy to become a small cog in the Leafs front office was a bit of a bridge too far.

That, or they couldn't agree on money/term/responsibility/holidays/gas card/T&E account.

 

[LuncheonMeat]

I suspect giving up complete autonomy to become a small cog in the Leafs front office was a bit of a bridge too far.

That, or they couldn't agree on money/term/responsibility/holidays/gas card/T&E account.

There were reports of McCrimmon interviewing coaching replacements for the WKs.  Given he wore so many hats with the organization, and still does, it may have been too much to find his own replacements.  If he was simply an employee of that organization, perhaps it would have been different, but he's heavily invested and I can't imagine he wouldn't want more time to find the right people.

Perhaps the Leafs/McCrimmon revisit this next year?