So Shanahan cleans house...

[Oddmott]

Shanny will not be the man to fix that franchise. As bad as things have gotten... they're still not bad enough for anyone pulling the strings or cutting the cheques to be forced to fully, truly, rebuild.

It takes 10-20 years to build a strong NHL franchise, and it starts at the bottom with strong youth development - something TO has completely ignored since... forever.

[Dythbringer]

Shanny will not be the man to fix that franchise. As bad as things have gotten... they're still not bad enough for anyone pulling the strings or cutting the cheques to be forced to fully, truly, rebuild.

It takes 10-20 years to build a strong NHL franchise, and it starts at the bottom with strong youth development - something TO has completely ignored since... forever.

Oddmott,

I agree. You can get to the post season dance in four years after a rebuild (Sens and Sharks did it as expansion teams when they came into the league). However, to have a team which consistently qualifies for the playoffs, you need a bit longer. Good, solid hockey teams are built from the goal out. The two top teams in the league (Ana and NYR) didn't have their highest scoring player anywhere near the scoring leader but they were 1st and 3rd in goals against per game.

Dyth

[JBen]

Shanny will not be the man to fix that franchise. As bad as things have gotten... they're still not bad enough for anyone pulling the strings or cutting the cheques to be forced to fully, truly, rebuild.

It takes 10-20 years to build a strong NHL franchise, and it starts at the bottom with strong youth development - something TO has completely ignored since... forever.

Bingo and that's something Leaf Fans can't seem to grasp, and the most galling thing is. Post salary cap

Would you not expect the "richest" franchise, to have a significant advantage over the rest of the league, because they more than anyone have the money to spend on scouting, player development, training/conditioning and more????

[trimmer21]

There's a cancer in that team and nobody seems willing to do the tough things that need to be done to completely heal the disease. Mr.Shanahan was a tremendous player and super star in his own right,but,I doubt even he has the business accumin to turn this team around unless two things happen. First,the executive must give him complete,unfettered reign to hire,fire and maintain strict discipline from the water boy all the way to the head coach and all his staff. Second,he must maintain strict PR control over the media as afr as all team contact in all forms. He must completely and strictly bar them from the locker room and all private player areas,including practices,without exception. Players can't play if they must deal with the intrusive and in most cases,downright ignorant reporters as well as do what they've been hired to do. They're players,not PR people and should never be exposed to that kind of pressure because it's too distracting. That's the job of the executive.

[rippin_355]

I'm not a die hard fan of any team or a huge hockey fan for that matter. But from what I've seen is that Kessel is fat and lazy and doesn't deserve to wear any jersey of a Canadian team. And I believe Diane Phaneauf needs to go. To build a team that meshes and has talent takes time and money. Plus you have to overcome the curse

[chesapeake]

Trimmer I think your on to something. Every professional let alone professional athlete has up and down days, and worst... Stumps.

Would you guys recover quickly or easily after hearing your name and ethic dragged through the mud after a poor outing. Paper press, radio, TV, word of mouth. all these guys hear is negative.

I understand they are paid handsomely to perform, and the media should not be an excuse for not doing so.

[Sharon]

The Zamboni driver is probably in better shape than Kessel so maybe they need to suit him up.

While Shanahan made a good move, I hate to say this but I think the fans of the Leafs are in for more than five years of rockiness from their team. First, Shanahan had zero experience running a hockey team when he was hired. This entire year he has been getting his feet wet. Toronto isn't exactly a great place to gain on the job experience running a hockey team. He inherited Nonis as a GM and Carlyle as a coach (as well as everyone else). Now he is going to be the one who directly or indirectly affects how the team is shaped over the next five years and he is no doubt going to make some massive blunders.

Everyone is running hot on Connor MacDavid (and from what I have seen of him, rightly so). If the Leafs happen to gain the number one pick, how many people out there think he should be drafted by the Leafs? Considering the Leafs have a horrible track record of developing their own talent and the problems with the leadership on the team, one player isn't going to fix what is wrong with this ship. The Leafs need an overhaul, not an oil change. One draft pick isn't going to do that.

So true. We forget how young these kids are. That would put tremendous pressure on Mac David. I'm sure fans will look to him to be the cure-all.

[Wahoo]

I'm optimistic that within 4 or 5 years the Leafs will be a different organization that is competing in the playoffs. IMO, it is irrelevant that Shanahan doesn't have experience - he knows what it takes to win as he's won at every level. All he has to do is look around for examples of WHAT NOT TO DO - lot of screwups made by so called, highly paid 'best in the business' executives. (he should have a picture of David Clarkson in his office )

Just follow these very simple lessons - don't fall in love with your players, don't overpay, be very careful with the length of term and develop your new talent. And like he made clear during the press conference - BE PATIENT!

[fishy steve]

I'm optimistic that within 4 or 5 years the Leafs will be a different organization that is competing in the playoffs. !

i think this will happen, but they may be called the windsor oak leafs by then lol

[BIG MAC]

I think the biggest problem they will face is getting players ( real players ) to come play for them, what 27-30 year old good hockey player wants to come to a rebuilding team, at that stage in their career they are looking to move to a cup contender, thus the leafs will have to over pay to get quality talent to come play for them, the next 5 years are going to be tough on leaf fans as they will almost certainly lose more games than they win, it is going to take some smart scouting and salary cap management to get this team back on track and that is a hard thing to do in this day and age. Shanahan might not even be here by the time this team is ready to contend for a cup run, that has to be at least 7-8 years out, players that should be moved right not are Kessel for sure, Phaneauf for sure, Gardiner for sure, to me the only untouchable on this team right now is Reilly and I think management knows that as well,

But on a bright note, tonight starts the best part of the hockey season, PLAYOFFS, so sit back and enjoy the next 2 1/2 months of what REAL hockey teams can do. not sure how Shanahan can tape every game and watch them but he should as this is when you see the hidden talent on teams, that 3rd line guy plugging away who comes up with a timely goal or assist, those are the guys you need playing for you,