Derrico

So he took two different teams, with different styles to the cup finals. I really don't understand the hate. The Rags were built with aging veterans. I'm not sure how much blame he deserves for the end of his term with the Rags. It's not like they lit the world on fire this year after he left. His teams made the playoffs 11 of 15 years as a head coach. If we're going with a guy having experience I would be more than fine with AV (I think I even prefer him to McLellan).

I thought he was excellent when coaching Vancouver and pretty good with Montreal too. Didn't he have one deep run with a mediocre Rags team as well?

So we all need the same luck/mojo that we had last year. Everyone is wearing the same underwear as last year just like I am right ?

That's my thought as well. I kind of like the idea of AV. Why is everyone against that?

Correct. After mcdavid went to Edmonton it confirmed to me that it wasn't rigged. Even still the buffalo market is good for the NHL. It really is. The Sabres started the year hot and sportsnet in Canada started picking up several Sabres game on local GTA TV. Then they sucked and got way fewer. Most nights it was replaced by curling hahahha.

Screw bettman let's go two in a row!!!!!

Those are outrageous points for Tage. I don't know if I'm ready to full on defend Botts but there's a very real chance he feels Tage is too good for that league and would develop better habits playing in the NHL. I could see that toe drag move working much more often in the A than the N. Hence why he was up with the big club even though some games he wasn't ready and/or had to sit in the press box. His development will be very intriguing to watch. You can't teach that shot or that size. On the other hand, his hockey IQ leaves alot to be desired....

Let's win this ***** thing again!! Again, could be franchise changing! Let's go!!!!!!

If we win a top 3 spot and have a new coach going into next season I can see myself believing again.

Anyone feeling lucky today? No I’m not talking about with your spouse....

I think this time the decision really was all Botts.

I do and appreciate the link!

This seems to be the narrative but I'm not sure it's right. Mcdavid and Eichel will always have that parallel (obv mcdavid much better) but the teams are not overly similar to me. For one, I don't see Edmonton having a Dahlin or even a Montour on their blue line to be honest.

Having a coach with a full head of hair will be a refreshing change if anything....

Wow that’s a super bold prediction considering goalies usually take the longest to develop and bots seems like a guy that really pushes developing in roch. I would think he needs at very min a full season there.

If McLellan is bots top guy then I hope this gets done. It appears ownership is staying out of the hiring process which is great. If bots wants him then get it done. Going forward this is bots guy and may be his last if things don’t turn around.

He's had one 40 goal year. Don't pay him like he's a perennial 40 goal scorer. Pay him what he is. A nice 30 goal scorer who has a shot to hit 40 over the next couple years during his prime and appreciating the last 2-3 years of the contract could be an issue.

I don't think there's much of a chance the leafs fire Babcock. Being swept in 4 is the only scenario there is a slim chance.

Here is another quick read on him https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/players-think-d-j-smith-destined-to-be-a-head-coach

Ok I'm going to throw my hat in the ring and promote DJ Smith. This is not just because I live in Oshawa and a Gens fan. He was an EXCELLENT coach when he was here. The year the Gens won the memorial cup there was no indication it would be that special of a year going in. They overachieved (imo) every single year he was behind the bench. Yes they had some good players and yes they were an older team but they overachieved with him. Plain and simple. He was named OHL coach of the year in 2013-2014 (not even the year they won the Mem cup) Won the Memorial Cup in 2015 Mike Babcock made him one of his first assistant hires in 2015 Several Leafs have praised him in their development (including Morgan Rielly who is a legit Norris candidate) Below is a good article on how he is being groomed under Babcock to be a future head coach https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-grooming-d-j-smith-become-nhl-head-coach/ I will admit that I can't recognize coaching to the point of visually seeing the adjustments they make in-game. All I know is the team was almost always better in the second period if they were behind in the first. To me it had to be coaching making the in-game adjustments. I think he will be a great head coach one day.

So instead of improve the team by getting rid of the dead weight and surrounding the core with better players you would propose the opposite? Got it. Insert a million eye rolls here.

Who would be your pick true?

I don't love the trade based on how obvious our second line centre weakness was this year. Saying that, damn I like the looks of Montour. A pairing of he and Dahlin for the next decade sounds pretty nice.

Sam has been good to very good for a full season and a half now. Jbot can extend Reinhart contract beginning July 1. Does he try and get something done before next season hoping he can get a little cheaper now or wait for more proof after next season? Ofcourse if Sam puts up huge numbers next year it will cost even more going forward. I wonder if Sam's camp even wants to talk this summer or wait until the conclusion of next season.

Same story as me brother.