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Leafs search for a new coach/GM

CarltonTheBear said:
Eichel's really what separates Buffalo from Toronto I think. Especially when you consider the big pieces I think it's pretty close. Reinhart/Ristolainen is roughly on par with Nylander/Rielly (Buffalo might have the edge in the forward, but the Leafs have it on D). Girgensons and Kadri could be a draw. Bogosian=Gardiner. Kane=JVR. Buffalo has the edge in the depth of their prospects pool but the Leafs have the edge in terms of other NHL talent that could be shopped (Kessel, Phaneuf, Bernier).
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True. Eichel is definitely a better prospect than whichever of Marner, Strome or Hanifin the Leafs end up with.

But, for the sake of argument, let's say one of my suggested trades from a while back comes true and the Leafs deal Phaneuf and Percy to Carolina for Semin and the #5. Heck, let's say the Leafs throw Kessel into the deal for free. Is Eichel significantly better than, say, having two of those guys?

He might be. Although, that said, I think the Leafs might be able to, if they trade the guys we're talking about add enough that the margins we're talking about are really slim.
 
Nik the Trik said:
True. Eichel is definitely a better prospect than whichever of Marner, Strome or Hanifin the Leafs end up with.

But, for the sake of argument, let's say one of my suggested trades from a while back comes true and the Leafs deal Phaneuf and Percy to Carolina for Semin and the #5. Heck, let's say the Leafs throw Kessel into the deal for free. Is Eichel significantly better than, say, having two of those guys?

He might be. Although, that said, I think the Leafs might be able to, if they trade the guys we're talking about add enough that the margins we're talking about are really slim.
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To be honest I could never see Carolina making a deal like that, but yeah lets say we move Kessel for the 6th and take Barzal and Phaneuf gets moved somewhere for a decent prospect, that would definitely make the gap quite a bit smaller. So I am in agreement that Toronto and Buffalo are closer in terms of their rebuild than some might think. They still of course have work to do with Kessel/Phaneuf, but considering that Buffalo has technically had the headstart in terms of traditional rebuilds that's good news for the Leafs.
 
Lets say next season the Leafs land Matthews and the Sabres pick 5th, assuming they've made good decisions regarding Kessel and Phaneuf I'd be very comfortable taking Toronto over Buffalo at that point.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Nik the Trik said:
True. Eichel is definitely a better prospect than whichever of Marner, Strome or Hanifin the Leafs end up with.

But, for the sake of argument, let's say one of my suggested trades from a while back comes true and the Leafs deal Phaneuf and Percy to Carolina for Semin and the #5. Heck, let's say the Leafs throw Kessel into the deal for free. Is Eichel significantly better than, say, having two of those guys?

He might be. Although, that said, I think the Leafs might be able to, if they trade the guys we're talking about add enough that the margins we're talking about are really slim.
Click to expand...

To be honest I could never see Carolina making a deal like that, but yeah lets say we move Kessel for the 6th and take Barzal and Phaneuf gets moved somewhere for a decent prospect, that would definitely make the gap quite a bit smaller. So I am in agreement that Toronto and Buffalo are closer in terms of their rebuild than some might think. They still of course have work to do with Kessel/Phaneuf, but considering that Buffalo has technically had the headstart in terms of traditional rebuilds that's good news for the Leafs.
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And I wonder how much this comes into play while negotiating with Babcock.  That the Leafs more or less promise Babcock that they will deal their veteran players and speed up the rebuild.
 
LuncheonMeat said:
And I wonder how much this comes into play while negotiating with Babcock.  That the Leafs more or less promise Babcock that they will deal their veteran players and speed up the rebuild.
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I imagine not much. The Leafs are going to be doing their best to do that anyway.
 
My prediction that Babcock is coming to Toronto hasn't died just yet. Apparently there is  bidding war going on now for his services.
 
Deebo said:
McKenzie reporting BUF is out on Babcock
Ward reporting he is leaving DET
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This suddenly got interesting. I was out of the loop on this thinking he was going anywhere but Toronto, but now.....
 
[tweet]601075533120671744[/tweet]

So St. Louis, Boston, Detroit, and San Jose are all out. Edmonton and Philly have their coaches.
 
I haven't seen anything definite saying St. Louis is out.

edit: And the reason I make that point is that they'd be the easiest to say so. Just say Hitch is coming back.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
[tweet]601075533120671744[/tweet]

So St. Louis, Boston, Detroit, and San Jose are all out. Edmonton and Philly have their coaches.
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I think that means we win? Any other teams reported interested?
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Nik the Trik said:
I haven't seen anything definite saying St. Louis is out.
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One of their beat reporters said it. They're back to talking with Hitchcock.
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No, I saw the tweet. He said "Best not to assume things but signs point to that means they'll work it out" or something to that effect.
 
Nik the Trik said:
CarltonTheBear said:
Nik the Trik said:
I haven't seen anything definite saying St. Louis is out.
Click to expand...

One of their beat reporters said it. They're back to talking with Hitchcock.
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No, I saw the tweet. He said "Best not to assume things but signs point to that means they'll work it out" or something to that effect.
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Mike Babcock still hasn't decided where he'll be coaching in 2015-16, but it won't be St. Louis, according to league sources and multiple reports.

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/hockey/professional/article_6f6d1cbd-8ae7-5986-84d0-653e62df351c.html
 
so if the tidbit about the leafs plane going to detroit means anything then I guess they probably wouldn't announce this until 6:30?  like i would imagine the whole point is to have him in toronto for the press conference ....again...the big IF that means anything.
 
Up until an hour ago I would have bet:

1. Buffalo
2. Wings
3. Any team other than Toronto
4. Toronto

Shows why I don't bet I guess. If this is real then I am impressed with Shanny.
 
I think Babcock to the Leafs was set in stone months ago. The only question that remains, at least in my mind, is what role he'll play when he arrives. Will he be both coach & GM, or some sort of hi-bred version of both?
 
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