Former player agent and Maple Leafs Assistant GM Bill Watters joined me to discuss the current state of the club, the future of Randy Carlyle, Dave Nonis and a number of players on the Toronto roster:
With the pair of losses to Philadelphia and Detroit over the weekend, the Maple Leafs post-season hopes have virtually evaporated. The eight game losing streak has wiped away any positive aspects of the 2013-14 season and what is now left are questions regarding the makeup of the roster, the decisions made by management last summer and at the trade deadline and the future of head coach Randy Carlyle.
It’s again time to take questions from followers on Twitter and from Hockeybuzz viewers.
Q: LeafMan asks - Only one question is pertinent, who takes the fall for this mess?
A: The opinion is fairly divided on that question and somehow I think that the answer will disappoint many. MLSE Chairman Tim Leiweke puts a premium on winning but does not exactly have a quick trigger finger. He stuck with Kings GM Dean Lombardi for six years when many critics in Los Angeles wanted him replaced after numerous first round exits. Leiweke has been effusive in his praise of Dave Nonis ever since joining MLSE and gave him a new five-year contract extension last July, so there is no chance Nonis is in danger of being replaced.
Randy Carlyle is taking the most heat for the collapse and the fact that his club has shown little or no concept of being able to play team defense, but the fact that he has been with Toronto just two years and that under him the Leafs ended their nine year playoff drought are factors that may buy him a reprieve. If Carlyle stays, the likely scenario would be to shake up the coaching staff to help change some of the voices in the room, rather than firing a Stanley Cup winning bench boss after just two years with the Leafs.
Other than that, there is going to be significant roster changes before next season, which will include youngsters from the Marlies, as well as new players brought in via trade.
@MikeInBuffalo Do you think leafs will shake up bottom 6 forwards?
— Scott M Holmes (@scoresscotty) March 31, 2014While the Leafs likely want to re-sign Jay McClement and bring back Leo Komarov from the KHL, they are likely going to give youngsters Peter Holland, Carter Ashton, Jerry D'Amigo, Josh Leivo and David Broll an opportunity to make the team and more of a chance to contribute, while letting Mason Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin test the free agent market. I've long said that Nazem Kadri is not long for Toronto and his departure could be forthcoming this summer, if Nonis can re-sign Dave Bolland and swap Kadri for reinforcements on the blueline.
@MikeInBuffalo 2 questions: If we assume that Carlyle's days in TO are numbered, who do you think comes in and why them vs other candidates?
— Paul lummis (@Lummis83) March 31, 2014Trotz is a defensive oriented coach but has never piloted the Predators past the second round of the playoffs.
@MikeInBuffalo With his new contract, is it possible to trade Phaneuf? If so, what could we reasonably expect in return?
— steve clay (@steveclay) March 31, 2014@MikeInBuffalo what's with all the Shea weber to Toronto chatter? how could that even be possible?
— Rivergothigh (@dennis__nikki) March 31, 2014The perception is that the Predators are looking to rebuild their franchise and get out from under the 13 years and $86 Million remaining on Weber's deal, which Nashville was forced into by an offer sheet by the Flyers two years ago. The Preds could trade the Norris Trophy finalist, but it would take three or four quality assets to get 28-year-old and an organization with deep pockets to take on that high price tag.
Q: Not_Stee asks - You think Nonis just makes a few status quo changes or does he finally try to hit a home run like Burke used to do? A: Nonis did make the Luongo deal while in Vancouver and acquired Jonathan Bernier from LA last June, so he does have a little riverboat gambler in him. With the precipitous drop off this season and holes at center and defense continuing to be areas in need of addressing, I would say it is a good bet that the Leafs GM will try to make an impact addition this summer and makes some depth changes as well.
Q: jaumiller asks - Do you think that a complete rebuild is the only way to fix the Leafs issues or is there a simpler solution such as signing a few key free agents?
A: Most of the Leafs assets are in their early to mid 20's, unlike the veteran laden club during John Ferguson Jr tenure as GM. A complete rebuild like Buffalo is currently going through is not feasible. Toronto is at the point where they need to make asset-for-asset trades to bolster their blueline and add size up the middle. Free agency will help in adding a depth player here or there, but unless a Toews or Stamkos decides they want to hit the open market in the next few years, it is not the best place a club can spend their money.
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