Conference: Here’s the Host of Overdrive

Brian Hayes: Leafs management is emphasizing that nothing matters except winning. Brian, team president Brendan Shanahan said there are sacrifices that need to be made in the off-season. Does that mean management is ready to call it quits with the core four?

No, it doesn’t. Actions will speak louder than words. I wasn’t expecting Shanahan or anyone else to announce today that we’re trading Mitch Marner or John Tavares; that obviously wasn’t going to happen. But actions will speak louder than words. I’ve heard this before from the Maple Leafs’ front offices in the past, not just during the Shanahan era but even before that. They always say the same thing: it’s not just about selling jerseys or making money; they want to win. Proof will be in the pudding, and I think it’s long overdue because this team has to change. The core four needs to change, maybe even the core five if you include Morgan Rielly. A lot of things need to move in a different direction for this team. What I heard today was that they might be open to that, but how uncomfortable are they willing to make it? That is the question. Brendan Shanahan returning is the biggest news today. A lot of people were wondering if he would come back as the president of the club, and it was established immediately that he is still the man in charge. Everything will land on his desk in terms of major player personnel decisions. So if you’re going to make a move, are you willing to make life uncomfortable for Mitch Marner or John Tavares, and at least pose the question, “Will you waive the no-move clause because we don’t want you here anymore?” I’ll believe it when I see it. It doesn’t matter what they had to say today.

Does the Leafs need a new coach?

GM Brad Treliving also mentioned that he strongly feels a new voice is needed behind the bench for the Leafs. But do you think the Leafs are really just a new voice away from having on-ice success in the postseason?

No, I don’t. Not in the postseason. I mean, they’ve had Sheldon Keefe here, Mike Babcock was here; they lost in the playoffs in 2018 and 2019 with Mike Babcock, and prior to that against Washington in the first year they made it with the Matthews, Marner, and Nylander era. I do believe the coach is important; I’m not downplaying that. I think it was the right move. I think Sheldon Keefe knew it was coming. Coaching changes in the NHL happen quickly, and to Shanahan’s credit, he has been very patient and loyal to his guys—the core four, Morgan Rielly, Sheldon Keefe. Even last year, he said he wanted to bring back Kyle Dubas, and then things changed. So he’s a loyal guy, and they finally moved off Sheldon Keefe. They have to get it right with the next head coach. He has to play an integral role; there’s no disputing that. But I just don’t see what a new voice is going to do. Scotty Bowman in his prime might not get all these guys to perform in the playoffs. There’s too much data and a track record—eight years of Matthews, Marner, Nylander together, and Tavares for six years—they’ve won one round. I don’t see how a new voice alone will change things unless it’s a magician.

Should the new coach have input on personnel?

Goal-scoring and power play issues continue to be problems every year. We also heard from new CEO of MLSE, Keith P, for the first time. He talked a lot about unity and chemistry. Do you think the next coach should have input on personnel decisions as well?

No, I think there are already too many chefs in the kitchen. Who doesn’t have a say? You have P up there, Shanahan, Treliving, Shane Doan, and assistants. They have the biggest staff in pro sports. Everyone is involved somehow, and I think that might be part of the problem—too many chefs. You hire the coach and let him coach. Prioritize coaching and know where you want to take the team, but you can’t have a say in who Treliving and Shanahan are going to bring in or what they’ll do with the core four. The new coach hasn’t been here and doesn’t know what’s happened in the past. He knows on a surface level but not exactly what’s been going on behind the scenes. To be fair to the players, I don’t think the new coach can come in and say, “I don’t like this guy or that guy’s not going to fit.” I don’t think that’s a working relationship that will lead to success in the future.

Where do the Leafs go from here?

Considering Marner and Tavares both have no-move clauses, and if they are reluctant to waive those this offseason, where do you think Toronto goes from here?

Ultimately, they gave them those deals, and there’s not much they can do. The Players Association, their agents, their families, and the players themselves will support them. If the players decide they’re not moving and not waiving, there’s not much more that can be done. But it gets back to my original point: actions will speak louder than words. Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving might actually see the issue and want to change it. I’ll believe it when I see it, but maybe they do want to make that happen. If so, they have to be proactive. They need to be the ones to go to Marner, Tavares, or whoever it’s going to be and make it clear: “You are not part of this team anymore. We don’t want you here anymore. We need change, and we’ve targeted you.” It’s going to be uncomfortable and not easy. These guys are well-liked in the room; it’s not personal, it’s about trying to win hockey games. If you truly want to win a Stanley Cup and do whatever it takes, like other teams have done in the past, then at a minimum, you owe it to your fan base. If you believe the core four needs to be broken up and something has to change, Shanahan and company must be willing to make it uncomfortable. I have to think if you approach Mitch Marner with “We want to trade you; we don’t want you here anymore,” he’s not going to want to stay. Currently, over 53% of next year’s projected cap is tied up with the core four alone. Thanks for this, Brian.