James Tanner: Do NHL Teams Ever Learn? + The Countdowns Resume

but he's so overrated it's a bit of a turnoff.

Agree

If hiring young AHL coaches ever worked out, more teams would do it. Pretty much every time a young coach is brought in straight from the AHL, it's a disaster and they flame out pretty quickly. It usually takes a failure before they take the lessons learned and become good coaches the next go around.

Keefe is well on his way to a quick exit in Toronto, but Collitan seems like he might buck the trend.

You're a numbers guy. Run the numbers and you'll see it's never a smart move to hire a young guy straight from the AHL to run your team.

Yeah, I don't get the Ruff hiring. The old, recycled coaches don't work

If hiring young AHL coaches ever worked out, more teams would do it. Pretty much every time a young coach is brought in straight from the AHL, it's a disaster and they flame out pretty quickly. It usually takes a failure before they take the lessons learned and become good coaches the next go around.

Keefe is well on his way to a quick exit in Toronto, but Collitan seems like he might buck the trend.

You're a numbers guy. Run the numbers and you'll see it's never a smart move to hire a young guy straight from the AHL to run your team.
- Hunkulese

Based on what? Leafs had the 8th best record after he was hired with a ton of injuries. To suggest he's close to fired after 3 months of coaching is ludicrous. His small smaple size is a better start than Colitan had.
People's views on the Leafs are just odd. I know they are hated, but geeze.

Ruff had success with very different types of Buffalo teams -- first a prolific scoring team and then one that had to win low-scoring games to be successful. He had good initial success in Dallas, too, but lacked horses on D and in goal.

Ruff had success with very different types of Buffalo teams -- first a prolific scoring team and then one that had to win low-scoring games to be successful. He had good initial success in Dallas, too, but lacked horses on D and in goal.
- bmeltzer

It was sooo long ago though

Based on what? Leafs had the 8th best record after he was hired with a ton of injuries. To suggest he's close to fired after 3 months of coaching is ludicrous. His small smaple size is a better start than Colitan had.
People's views on the Leafs are just odd. I know they are hated, but geeze.
- RogerRoeper

Based on the disaster that's been 2020. Everyone was pumped to get rid of Babcock, but in the final 24 games, the Leafs were a .500 hockey team and Keefe was losing them. Throwing Kapanen under the bus like he did after Babcock was fired for being a dink wasn't a good move. Losing to David Ayers was embarrassing. If the Leafs don't even make it into the playoffs this year, Keefe and Dubas are both probably done.

If it was a young team learning and improving together, it might be okay. But they're expected to compete for Cups and getting paid to do so.

Nice pick on movie #7. Gene Hackman is wonderful in it. I've always enjoyed it.

It's almost Arrested Development like in a way.

Ruff had success with very different types of Buffalo teams -- first a prolific scoring team and then one that had to win low-scoring games to be successful. He had good initial success in Dallas, too, but lacked horses on D and in goal.
- bmeltzer

Ruff was a king in the Dead Puck Era ....its just honestly crazy that with the resources an NHL team has they make still make reputation based hires.

The game has changed a ton in just the last 5 years. I would personally want someone on the cutting edge.

Based on the disaster that's been 2020. Everyone was pumped to get rid of Babcock, but in the final 24 games, the Leafs were a .500 hockey team and Keefe was losing them. Throwing Kapanen under the bus like he did after Babcock was fired for being a dink wasn't a good move. Losing to David Ayers was embarrassing. If the Leafs don't even make it into the playoffs this year, Keefe and Dubas are both probably done.

If it was a young team learning and improving together, it might be okay. But they're expected to compete for Cups and getting paid to do so.
- Hunkulese

Hate to break it to you, but the Leafs new coach and GM both have extremely long leashes. This is the last team that is going to make results based decisions.

Also, when the Leafs played .500 hockey for the last 23 games, nine of those featured them playing without their 2 best defenseman.

22 of them without their best.

Based on the disaster that's been 2020. Everyone was pumped to get rid of Babcock, but in the final 24 games, the Leafs were a .500 hockey team and Keefe was losing them. Throwing Kapanen under the bus like he did after Babcock was fired for being a dink wasn't a good move. Losing to David Ayers was embarrassing. If the Leafs don't even make it into the playoffs this year, Keefe and Dubas are both probably done.

If it was a young team learning and improving together, it might be okay. But they're expected to compete for Cups and getting paid to do so.
- Hunkulese

This is laughable. They had the 8th best record wth all those injurioes and 30th in save %.
You honestly thik Keefe is close to being fired? He was hired in late November....

You are overrating David Ayers. It happened to Chicago too If it happens to any other team no one cares.

And what's wrong with being 500 without Rielly and Muzzin and bad goaltending?

Leafs are not firing anyone. and 2020 is far from a "Disaster". You're being a fool.

What's your most hated team? CAn I take a guess?

Nice pick on movie #7. Gene Hackman is wonderful in it. I've always enjoyed it.

It's almost Arrested Development like in a way.
- Rota's Rooter

I read that A.D was highly influenced by this movie.

Hate to break it to you, but the Leafs new coach and GM both have extremely long leashes. This is the last team that is going to make results based decisions.

Also, when the Leafs played .500 hockey for the last 23 games, nine of those featured them playing without their 2 best defenseman.

22 of them without their best.
- James_Tanner

Though that was Freddie’s fault, now it’s not having any good D?

Though that was Freddie’s fault, now it’s not having any good D?
- Garnie

I always blamed Freddy. And James pointed out injuries, not a lack of D

Anyways typical over-the-top Leaf criticism. 2020 is a disaster!!! Keefe abou to be fired!!!!! Dubas about to be fired!!!!! They have no chance this summer!!!!!

Only in Toronto

Window is still open for Steve Downie to claim that #1 Coyote spot

Let me start by saying I hate the Ruff hiring. But Tanner, how many cutting edge, innovative coaches are ready for an NHL job? Over a third of current NHL coaches are on their first head coaching position at the level, is it really fair to say they never get chances? The Devils last coach was supposed to bring an innovative system with him but he never consistently got the team playing above their talent level. Yeah, Ruff is a horrible retread hire, but coaches aren't good just because they are young and "innovative".

I always blamed Freddy. And James pointed out injuries, not a lack of D

Anyways typical over-the-top Leaf criticism. 2020 is a disaster!!! Keefe abou to be fired!!!!! Dubas about to be fired!!!!! They have no chance this summer!!!!!

Only in Toronto
- RogerRoeper

You blame Freddie because you don’t seem to understand that when the 2 best D go down the replacements had trouble covering men in their own zone. You think Freddie should save every shot, so that pretty much puts you in the “(frank)ing nuts” category and not to be taken too serious. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I don’t think either should be fired and are just fine.

You blame Freddie because you don’t seem to understand that when the 2 best D go down the replacements had trouble covering men in their own zone. You think Freddie should save every shot, so that pretty much puts you in the “(frank)ing nuts” category and not to be taken too serious. 🤷🏻‍♂️

I don’t think either should be fired and are just fine.
- Garnie

Freddy every year stinks the entier month of October. every year he also stinks for 1+ month in the middle of the season. He's treated like some star goalie but there's no evidence of that.

And why is it Lehner and Halleybuyck can put uo great stats with poor D infront of them?

Freddy every year stinks the entier month of October. every year he also stinks for 1+ month in the middle of the season. He's treated like some star goalie but there's no evidence of that.

And why is it Lehner and Halleybuyck can put uo great stats with poor D infront of them?
- RogerRoeper

If I have to explain that each team has different styles and coaching then it’s not really worth it...you’ll believe what you want regardless. I don’t think he’s a star, don’t care who was in nets for the Leafs this year...wouldn’t have ended much different IMO.

If I have to explain the each team has different styles and coaching then it’s not really worth it...you’ll believe what you want regardless. I don’t think he’s a star, don’t care who was in nets for the Leafs this year...wouldn’t have ended much different IMO.
- Garnie

Leafs had terrible goaltending this year. Every fact and stat tells us this

Leafs had terrible goaltending this year. Every fact and stat tells us this
- RogerRoeper

Yep, until you watch the games and notice the leafs D out to lunch most of the time.

Ruff was hired because Melrose was unavailable.

I just don't understand the Devils "rebuild". It seems rudderless.

This is laughable. They had the 8th best record wth all those injurioes and 30th in save %.
You honestly thik Keefe is close to being fired? He was hired in late November....

You are overrating David Ayers. It happened to Chicago too If it happens to any other team no one cares.

And what's wrong with being 500 without Rielly and Muzzin and bad goaltending?

Leafs are not firing anyone. and 2020 is far from a "Disaster". You're being a fool.

What's your most hated team? CAn I take a guess?
- RogerRoeper

They had the 19th best record since January 1st, and this season will be a disaster if they lose to Columbus. Lots of coaches have lost their jobs after injury-plagued season. There are expectations to meet and excuses don't matter.

You can try and guess my most hated team, but I'm apathetic towards the Leafs.

Let me start by saying I hate the Ruff hiring. But Tanner, how many cutting edge, innovative coaches are ready for an NHL job? Over a third of current NHL coaches are on their first head coaching position at the level, is it really fair to say they never get chances? The Devils last coach was supposed to bring an innovative system with him but he never consistently got the team playing above their talent level. Yeah, Ruff is a horrible retread hire, but coaches aren't good just because they are young and "innovative".
- rmdevil313

I just want to know what input Fitzy had. I mean if ownership pushed for this and you want that interim tag removed from your GM job then weak but understandable. But if Fitzy was down with this as a good move we have a GM problem also.

This organization is turning into such an embarrassment. First thing Lou Lams did on the Island is hire a quality coach in Trotz. And it looks like a great move.

RIDICULOUS.