Honestly, Gillis wasn't a bad GM.

8 years away is a long time though.
- golfingsince

Gillis? He ran the Canucks from April 2008 - April 2014. In the 5 drafts he oversaw, he managed to draft Hodgson, Connaughton, Schroeder, Ben Hutton - and finally Bo Horvat with the #9 pick he received for completely (frank)ing their goalie situation and forcing himself into trading both Schneider and Luongo - plunging them into the Miller/Lack years of netminding which was solidly below average, before Markstrom emerged after a few years. Notably the first draft after he was fired, the new GM, Benning, drafted Virtanen (thank you), Demko, McCann and Forsling (of course Benning would trade McCann for Gudbranson, so not so great).

I mean he inherited Vigneault, kept him, and them when he decided to make a coaching change, he hired Tortorella - to coach the Sedins! His very trade involved giving up a 2nd and a 3rd for Steve (frank)ing Bernier.

His trades were nothing spectacular either - his best move was probably acquiring Ehrhoff from San Jose for next to nothing, getting 2 solid years out of him and then moving him before the UFA period started for a 4th - and NOT signing him to the idiotic 10 year deal that Buffalo did.

He did get the pick that landed Horvat for Schneider, although he created the situation. He also managed to land Markstrom and Mattias for Luongo, but frankly that's a pretty weak haul for one of the league's best goalies.

He wasn't that bad contractually - doing a good job of keeping the team together and not really overpaying too much for the core. He famously pursued Sundin after he debated retirement, but that didn't work out. I would say that his big UFA signings were probably Sundin, Hamhuis (worked out), Garrison (overpayment that did not work out) - which isn't much over 5 UFA periods. Internally he did sign Luongo to the "my contract sucks" contract and really overpaid Burrows.

I think there's a legitimate reason he hasn't worked. His team made it to the Cup Finals with an excellent, previously assembled core, but I don't think did anything to make it better.

Yeah you said a bunch of leafy things about Chancellor Dubas the Saint which all is pretty minute in the grand scheme that his job is to build a winner. You can’t look at a loser and be like “but look how great he loses”.
Also, kind of anti-mental health to claim that I have a problem when everyone has their own issues. I thought you folks were super sensitive about this stuff? Interesting but carry on being your best self bud.
- optimus-reim

Including this year, there have been 4 general managers in the league who have won the Stanley Cup since Dubas became a GM. Should 28 other GMs be fired?

While I didn't like the results, and didn't agree with all of the moves, building a winner takes more than just one year or more than just a few moves. I recognize that he inherited a solid young core - and by now I also think they should have accomplished more than they have; shown more than they have.

Behind the scenes, instituting proper analytics departments, sports science departments, improving scouting, trying to institute an organization system that allows young prospects to adapt relatively quickly to the NHL if they've played in the AHL and so on - these are all good. Creating a good atmosphere for the people behind the scenes is also a good thing because ideally it keeps people focused and moving in the same direction for the same thing.

That all said Shanahan and Dubas were having problems earlier in the year, so there was already a fly in the ointment.

Since Shanahan took over and Lou/Dubas started doing things, the Leafs' organization has been doing a lot of very good things to make itself appealing to free agents, appealing to agents a recommended destination and to use their resources to give themselves an advantage behind the scenes.

All I ask is that the new guy continue in a lot of those areas because I do think it's what builds a sustainable winner.

The more I watch is Vegas Dallas game the more I think the Leafs should trade Marner or Nylander for just picks …

Take that money and go sign FA that would fit better - Barbashev comes to mind - and others Along with D that work -
- dozerD10

- Santo_44

Leafs need picks... and more than a few to stockpile the cupboard - I'd say you could get 6 ??? picks maybe 5 - that all are 1 st or 2nd rounders - that's alot -

Take that 18 million and get different kind of wings. And or D men in the FA market.

Just a thought.

Leafs need picks... and more than a few to stockpile the cupboard - I'd say you could get 6 ??? picks maybe 5 - that all are 1 st or 2nd rounders - that's alot -

Take that 18 million and get different kind of wings. And or D men in the FA market.

Just a thought.
- dozerD10

Trading top end players while contending for picks is not a good idea.

Leafs prospect pool is more than fine for where they are in their contention window.

It is not happening.

Max Domi
Projected contract: $4.4 million x four years
Model value: $3.6 million

Projected Offensive Rating: +3
Projected Defensive Rating: -3

A high-risk player in the sense he brings a lot to the table with the puck, but gives a lot back without the puck.

Perfect example is his playoff performance to date: 11 points in 13 games, yet he’s getting outscored 10-9 at five-on-five thanks to 3.6 goals against per 60. His expected goals against at 3.8 is even worse, especially when compared to how staunch the Stars are otherwise. Dallas gives up 0.53 more expected goals against per 60 with Domi on the ice, the sixth-worst mark among forwards who have played over 100 minutes.



I wonder what Domi costs and it is known that he was willing to sign in Toronto for less than Chicago last offseason.

He is a player you have to utilize correctly.

It is hard to believe any team gives him 4+ million with his shortcomings.

But he does bring an element to the game.

Yeah you said a bunch of leafy things about Chancellor Dubas the Saint which all is pretty minute in the grand scheme that his job is to build a winner. You can’t look at a loser and be like “but look how great he loses”.
Also, kind of anti-mental health to claim that I have a problem when everyone has their own issues. I thought you folks were super sensitive about this stuff? Interesting but carry on being your best self bud.
- optimus-reim

The (frank) are you talking about you meatball. The issue is your inability to understand that more goes into building a winner than putting bodies in jerseys.

Dubas built systems and process that didn't exist, he refined the entire organizational system and was widely respected for it. Lou said no beards and didn't let departments talk to each other.

Pretty snowflakey to claim pointing out a lack of understanding as an attic on mental health. If we're utilizing your logic there are 31 GMs a year who are 'losers' and should be fired. That's... Stupid. You going to cry about that too?

The (frank) are you talking about you meatball. The issue is your inability to understand that more goes into building a winner than putting bodies in jerseys.

Dubas built systems and process that didn't exist, he refined the entire organizational system and was widely respected for it. Lou said no beards and didn't let departments talk to each other.

Pretty snowflakey to claim pointing out a lack of understanding as an attic on mental health. If we're utilizing your logic there are 31 GMs a year who are 'losers' and should be fired. That's... Stupid. You going to cry about that too?
- joel878

Can’t wait til the leafs hire their new GM

My guess is about 1 out of 10 HB leaf fans will like it lol

Can’t wait til the leafs hire their new GM

My guess is about 1 out of 10 HB leaf fans will like it lol
- Dozzer

It should make for some lively discussion. As long as it’s not Chiarelli I’ll be fine with it.

Can’t wait til the leafs hire their new GM

My guess is about 1 out of 10 HB leaf fans will like it lol
- Dozzer

2 out of 10 would be unhappy if the Leafs won the Cup the wrong way

The (frank) are you talking about you meatball. The issue is your inability to understand that more goes into building a winner than putting bodies in jerseys.

Dubas built systems and process that didn't exist, he refined the entire organizational system and was widely respected for it. Lou said no beards and didn't let departments talk to each other.

Pretty snowflakey to claim pointing out a lack of understanding as an attic on mental health. If we're utilizing your logic there are 31 GMs a year who are 'losers' and should be fired. That's... Stupid. You going to cry about that too?
- joel878

😆😆😆😆
People actually engage in conversation with you? That’s wild.

I’m gonna pass you seem really hot headed and low self esteem. Enjoy your day.

- Aaron_85

Oh God of course you and Joel are pals. This makes so much sense 😆😆

It should make for some lively discussion. As long as it’s not Chiarelli I’ll be fine with it.
- shack67

*waits for someone to support Chiarelli*

Lol

The first move of the new guy will likely be somewhat large and it will be discussed for years

2 out of 10 would be unhappy if the Leafs won the Cup the wrong way
- Canada Cup

Knowing my luck I’d miss their cup winning goal by needing to use the bathroom so bad I couldn’t hold it

*waits for someone to support Chiarelli*

Lol

The first move of the new guy will likely be somewhat large and it will be discussed for years
- Dozzer

Signing Holl?

Signing Holl?
- Canada Cup

I would absolutely laugh my ass off if that happened.

My guess is they’ll be getting rough ideas as to what Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are going to be looking for on their next contract and then deciding if they’re worth keeping or trading.

I would absolutely laugh my ass off if that happened.

My guess is they’ll be getting rough ideas as to what Matthews, Marner, and Nylander are going to be looking for on their next contract and then deciding if they’re worth keeping or trading.
- Dozzer

Pridham might be calling around now to get ideas about possible returns. I doubt Marner’s agent would pick up the phone if they were calling to ask what he’s looking for. They’ve probably chatted with Matthews/Nylander.

Pridham might be calling around now to get ideas about possible returns. I doubt Marner’s agent would pick up the phone if they were calling to ask what he’s looking for. They’ve probably chatted with Matthews/Nylander.
- Canada Cup

Why wouldn’t his agent answer the phone if the agency is told that not answering is on par to asking for too much to the leafs new management?

The players will need to prove they’re here for the team first

What if Matthews wants his take home to be a minimum of $8 million after taxes? He’d have to be making $14mill a year with all but $750K given to him as a bonus on every July 1st while he’s taxed in Arizona and not Ontario (like he gets now). If Matthews worth that much of a hit? I know he’s an amazing player but if he’s looking for 16-17% of the cap trading him needs to be at least considered.

Can’t wait til the leafs hire their new GM

My guess is about 1 out of 10 HB leaf fans will like it lol
- Dozzer

The options and names being floated out there are horrendous, I don't have high hopes. I am real curious what the ones who wanted Dubas skewered forever will have to say though. Not sure of the accuracy obviously but a quick google search says he made 2.3 million in endorsements last year.

Why wouldn’t his agent answer the phone if the agency is told that not answering is on par to asking for too much to the leafs new management?

The players will need to prove they’re here for the team first

What if Matthews wants his take home to be a minimum of $8 million after taxes? He’d have to be making $14mill a year with all but $750K given to him as a bonus on every July 1st while he’s taxed in Arizona and not Ontario (like he gets now). If Matthews worth that much of a hit? I know he’s an amazing player but if he’s looking for 16-17% of the cap trading him needs to be at least considered.
- Dozzer

Marner has two years to go, it's highly likely his agents would tell new GM to fly a kite if they were trying to get a number now. They're probably thinking the guy has a chance to finish top 5 in scoring for a couple years and they'll retire on commission for the contract they'll get him.

They'd be foolish to float a number at this point when the idea that Mitch probably disappears everytime a playoff series is at a critical point is still fresh on everyone's mind. He's got two years to squish that narrative.

With Matthews I'm sure there's a math equation at play, and it's does the extra taxes I pay in Canada come even close to the endorsement money I make being a maple leaf compared to the pennies it would pay playing for the coyotes.

The options and names being floated out there are horrendous, I don't have high hopes. I am real curious what the ones who wanted Dubas skewered forever will have to say though.
- joel878

Kind of hoping it’s Treliving since some big moves might need to get made and he at least has proven he will make them. Will they end up being great moves? Who knows, but at least it’s better than risking losing a guy as a UFA.

As for Dubas yeah he did a nice job but the hard truth is they made it past the first round once and once only under him, and only because the lightning were hurting, then damn near got swept in the next round under him. He’s good but he’s got a lot to prove before being considered great.

Kind of hoping it’s Treliving since some big moves might need to get made and he at least has proven he will make them. Will they end up being great moves? Who knows, but at least it’s better than risking losing a guy as a UFA.

As for Dubas yeah he did a nice job but the hard truth is they made it past the first round once and once only under him, and only because the lightning were hurting, then damn near got swept in the next round under him. He’s good but he’s got a lot to prove before being considered great.
- Dozzer

Treliving is probably the best option being floated around but I see him as a D when all the other options are maybe an F-. He's pretty much the least rotten apple, I'd prefer to eat no rotten apples though.

Without getting into the Dubas situation too much, I feel comfy saying that as little as Dubas produced results wise it was probably still on par or better than everything Treliving has done.

Marner has two years to go, it's highly likely his agents would tell new GM to fly a kite if they were trying to get a number now. They're probably thinking the guy has a chance to finish top 5 in scoring for a couple years and they'll retire on commission for the contract they'll get him.

They'd be foolish to float a number at this point when the idea that Mitch probably disappears everytime a playoff series is at a critical point is still fresh on everyone's mind. He's got two years to squish that narrative.

With Matthews I'm sure there's a math equation at play, and it's does the extra taxes I pay in Canada come even close to the endorsement money I make being a maple leaf compared to the pennies it would pay playing for the coyotes.
- joel878

I never said he’d want to play for the coyotes and that he just may want to be back in his home country. He certainly seemed to disappear after seeing the most recent American to say no to a Canadian team get less media attention than him IN Florida. Also of course he’s “interested in signing an extension”, if anyone thinks he’d say otherwise to the Toronto media while under contract they’re just flat out crazy. For him to stay outside of his home country he’s going to cost quite a bit. Also, if he were to move to a team like LA he’d get just as much endorsement money because the mediocre businesses in the US are worth as much as the big ones in Canada.

As for Mitch trade him if he doesn’t answer. His return will suck at his wage but unless he’s willing to put the team’s needs first at his wage he shouldn’t be kept with a NTC when he’s on his favourite team and likely to say no to many many many teams if the leafs try and trade him after July 1.

Congratulations! Canada have now passed Russia 🇷🇺 in World championships! 🥳