What's the GM situation up there?
- jochfr

Officially the GM position remains "vacant."

It's looking like they'll head into the draft with a "committee" approach, but Mark Hunter appears to have the inside track on the position. Shanny just said that "Mark has been planning our draft."

Right. Sorry. Some of us working.
- grand-magus

I am offended by your location.

Don't put words in my mouth.

There's not a whole lot of places guys can come from. NCAA, AHL, promotion from Assistant, the Jr ranks, or currently unemployed. Take your pick.
- HonkFortheGoose

THANK YOU.

Some people think Toe Blake or Scotty Bowman are going to magically appear out of some mystical mushroom.

Nobody is expecting Babcock to be an immediate Savior.

You may have noticed that Babcock has been talking about " the process," "pain," "developing a program" and "acquiring picks."

He just got here yesterday, trust me, there will be significant player changes.
- As_I_See_It

One thing nobody talks about is the ' program' in its entirety. Do you think the Red Wings just decided to have a solid draft and developing program and it was so? People forget that the Wings won multiple championships off the backs of trades and free agent signings in the 90's, with a small handful of drafted players like YZermanistheMan and Lidstrom...but somewhere along the way they saw into the future and developed a solid program sometime in the new millennium to promote internally, as times were changing.
But let's not get too far ahead ourselves with the Detroit model. If their scouts were such geniuses , why did they wait so long to draft Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Franson and Lidstrom, and why did they pick all those busts ahead of them?

My point in all this is that Babcock most likely likes Shanahans commitment to putting a similar program together. To not only win a Championship, but to become a 'model' franchise for the next 20 years. If Babcock can contribute to that kind of success, what does that do to his legacy? I think is the challenge Babcock should be most amped up for. That and, 50 million clams.

I am offended by your location.

Don't put words in my mouth.
- Der Kaiser

I'm not saying that the Leafs will be immediately better next season but they do have some nice pieces. JVR former #2 overall pick is a really good young player. Morgan Reilly former #5 overall pick will be a very good defensemen for them. Nylander put up 32 points in the AHL at 18. Also they are going to get Strome or Marner. They do have some nice things going for them. I can see why Babcock went there, Toronto is a very nice city with deep rooted hockey history. Maybe it works out for them, maybe not. I'm still a big Sabres fan I'm still excited about the future with Eichel.
- Punch70

I can see why he went there as well but unless they absolutely crush the next 3 or 4 drafts, move a bunch of dead weight off thier current roster and hit it big on some other free agents they will be spinning thier wheels just like us if we don't get some good luck with the young guys we have.

THANK YOU.

Some people think Toe Blake or Scotty Bowman are going to magically appear out of some mystical mushroom.
- grand-magus

I forgot one. A Euro league/KHL.

The point is the guy they get is going to be someone from another league somewhere or that has previously been an NHL coach and isn't currently working as one. Every coach is a "re-tread" of some sort.

I don't really see how its embarrassing. He didn't want to coach here. Its his life and he has the right to make the wrong choice. He's not the only guy who can coach hockey.
- Buffalo--Sabres

The fact that all of buffalo thought this was done and etc

Then boom we lost it's heartbreaking

I can see why he went there as well but unless they absolutely crush the next 3 or 4 drafts, move a bunch of dead weight off thier current roster and hit is big on some other free agents they will be spinning thier wheels just like us if we don't get some good luck with the young guys we have.
- BigStew

From all accounts at that presser they had, that still is the plan they have. That being said I hope they aren't smart, and don't tank haha

The fact that all of buffalo thought this was done and etc

Then boom we lost it's heartbreaking
- gerbe75pts

You take what you hear in the rumor mill way too seriously. I said the other day when it was mentioned he was in contract negotiations with us that I wasn't getting excited until there was an official release from the team saying that the deal was finalized.

The fact that all of buffalo thought this was done and etc

Then boom we lost it's heartbreaking
- gerbe75pts

I think it was seen as a done deal because everyone told you the Leafs were a joke in this and Babcock would not step foot in Toronto.

It was all very silly.

I forgot one. A Euro league/KHL.

The point is the guy they get is going to be someone from another league somewhere or that has previously been an NHL coach and isn't currently working as one. Every coach is a "re-tread" of some sort.
- HonkFortheGoose

You forgot one more. If you're really, really desparate, you can reach all the way down to some guy who is toiling away with the Olympic team from some minor Baltic state.

The fact that all of buffalo thought this was done and etc

Then boom we lost it's heartbreaking
- gerbe75pts

Screw it.
Let's move on!!
There is only ONE coach that has won championships with multiple teams (Scotty Bowman).
Now, Babcock is a great coach, no questions there.
However, if you ask me, he is up for a great challenge, if not impossible task with Toronto.

From all accounts at that presser they had, that still is the plan they have. That being said I hope they aren't smart, and don't tank haha
- Punch70

They really don't have any other option than to basically do what every other weak team has done the last couple of years, purge your roster and draft. The one bad thing about it, they will be applauded for it while we were crucified for it.

They really don't have any other option than to basically do what every other weak team has done the last couple of years, purge your roster and draft. The one bad thing about it, they will be applauded for it while we were crucified for it.
- BigStew

They absolutely will, and that will suck. They will be lauded for being "smart" meanwhile Buffalo was the scum of the Earth. Don Cherry will be leading the charge no doubt.

You forgot one more. If you're really, really desparate, you can reach all the way down to some guy who is toiling away with the Olympic team from some minor Baltic state.
- Der Kaiser

HEY!



No love for our friends south of the border in the THL?

Tijuana Hockey League.

They absolutely will, and that will suck. They will be lauded for being "smart" meanwhile Buffalo was the scum of the Earth. Don Cherry will be leading the charge no doubt.
- Punch70

The past few days I think people were kissing Buffalo's asses and ripping the Leafs.

The fact that all of buffalo thought this was done and etc

Then boom we lost it's heartbreaking
- gerbe75pts

Losing happens in season. Nothing is decided now, unless you are Tampa, NYR, Chicago or Anaheim.

They absolutely will, and that will suck. They will be lauded for being "smart" meanwhile Buffalo was the scum of the Earth. Don Cherry will be leading the charge no doubt.
- Punch70

Oh boo hoo...us Oilers fans went through it and still are, deal with it. It is the right way to do things in today's era. It was right when we did it, it was right when you did and it's the right thing for the Leafs. What people fail to grasp is that it takes a lot longer than 4 or 5 years. Nobody has done it quicker outside of the Penguins and that was because of the quality of players available with their picks). You guys will find this out shortly, and Leafs a while after that.

You guys are starting year 3 of the rebuild? It will be 3-4 years before you see the playoffs.

Leafs are 6 years away.

Oilers are 2 ( which is too long by about 2 years).

The past few days I think people were kissing Buffalo's asses and ripping the Leafs.
- RogerRoeper

The Sabres have been made fun of, and ridiculed for tanking for months.

Oh boo hoo...us Oilers fans went through it and still are, deal with it. It is the right way to do things in today's era. It was right when we did it, it was right when you did and it's the right thing for the Leafs. What people fail to grasp is that it takes a lot longer than 4 or 5 years. Nobody has done it quicker outside of the Penguins and that was because of the quality of players available with their picks). You guys will find this out shortly, and Leafs a while after that.

You guys are starting year 3 of the rebuild? It will be 3-4 years before you see the playoffs.

Leafs are 6 years away.

Oilers are 2 ( which is too long by about 2 years).
- Jeropotato

Id take the under on that bet any day

The Sabres have been made fun of, and ridiculed for tanking for months.
- Punch70

Good. The Leafs get that for not tanking.

The Sabres have been made fun of, and ridiculed for tanking for 2 years.
- Punch70

Fixed

Oh boo hoo...us Oilers fans went through it and still are, deal with it. It is the right way to do things in today's era. It was right when we did it, it was right when you did and it's the right thing for the Leafs. What people fail to grasp is that it takes a lot longer than 4 or 5 years. Nobody has done it quicker outside of the Penguins and that was because of the quality of players available with their picks). You guys will find this out shortly, and Leafs a while after that.

You guys are starting year 3 of the rebuild? It will be 3-4 years before you see the playoffs.

Leafs are 6 years away.

Oilers are 2 ( which is too long by about 2 years).
- Jeropotato

The Oilers are NOT the rule but the exception in a rebuild. They have been inexcusably bad. The have refused to take defense and goaltending seriously. They waited too long to make changes at coach and management. Much as you could say the Sabres did with Lindy/Darcy.

man talk about a misconception on babcock part in this whole process. could have certainly handled this a lil more professionally to say the least but sending all of buffalo's media to toronto for his announcement to toronto as the next head coach was funny and the hard questions that was asked was even better.
wonder what the game between toronto and buffalo is going to be like? to be a duzzy for sure.will mark this one on the counter for sure.