Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli needs to identify possible peddling partners, deal from forward depth to boost blueline

Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli needs to identify possible peddling partners, deal from forward depth to boost blueline.

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18 Responses to Oilers GM Peter Chiarelli needs to identify possible peddling partners, deal from forward depth to boost blueline

  1. nordiques100 says:

    Its done and will be official at 230. Mike Babcock hired to coach the Leafs

    • LN91 says:

      How quickly does Kadri demand a trade?

      • TmLeafan says:

        How does that make any sense? Pretty sure you were one of the people on here who claimed there was no way Babcock was coming to Toronto

  2. doorman says:

    I am absolutely shocked he is going to the Leafs. I remember saying money and ego can be a factor, just never thought he would go.

  3. kessel_leafs81 says:

    This will be huge for the leafs because he’s tough on his players but also very good at developing the younger players.. this will be huge AS LONG as everyone still knows that the leafs are still a few years away from making the playoffs and still have to go through a rebuild.

  4. nordiques100 says:

    So what now for Toronto?

    Again, I would love for them to do whatever it takes to get the tandem of Strome/Marner.

    Add those two with Nylander, Reilly and now you maybe have something to really do something good with.

    To me, there shouldn’t be any hesitation with that. You’re trying to build a special foundation here and what better than to have two dynamic kids from the GTA to build your team around with some optimism that they turn into a fraction of the duo of Toews and Kane.

    Finding the trade partner will be hard. But outside of Reilly on the main roster, I am pretty well settled on the fact that no one else is worth keeping at all costs.

    • leafy says:

      Getting both Strome and Marner would be great, but no easy feat. I think the best possible trade chip might be JVR. I really think you can get a lot for JVR. Still young and comes with a reasonable cap hit.

  5. leafy says:

    Typical Toronto play. Overpay for what you don’t need.

    On the other hand, this team of spoiled cry babies will not be able to pull the same crap with Babcock behind the bench. That alone might make this expensive signing worthwhile.

    • leafs_wallace93 says:

      People said the same thing when we signed Cujo because we had Felix.

      • leafy says:

        I was not a Potvin fan after about ’95. He just let in too many five-hole goals. I celebrated when Dryden signed Cujo.

  6. leafs_wallace93 says:

    Whoooooo, cheers boys. What I love about this move, Babcock will help find personnel for the recently gutting Marlies. Finally the Leafs have a blueprint and are building an identity.

    Wonder how quickly the stats nerd turn on Mikey for not giving Kadri 28 minutes a night.

    • leafy says:

      Agreed with the identify and that’s all very nice, but the one thing that worries me is that they might once again delay the rebuild. Have we not learned from history?

      • nordiques100 says:

        This is why i am so big on getting both Strome/Marner. It lessens the burden of having to absolutely fall into the bottom 4 again next year.

        If they do only have 1 pick this year, then yes there is some reason to worry that the Leafs, or a Babcock coached Leafs team, will not die on the sword again going after Austen Mathews. Instead yes there is some fear they will be in and around the 10-12th overall pick, aka draft purgatory.

        But i don’t think his arrival means the group we have now, will be added to, in a feeble effort to just make the playoffs.

        I am sure, after a year, Shanahan sees what we all see. A group of players slabbed together, with talent, but no concept of dedication, teamwork, smarts or intangibles that scream success.

        Its far from it. Thus, i think Shanahan will be doing a lot of work to gut that core. Not everyone will go, that’s just the nature of the business as NTC, contract term and cap hits play such a big picture nowadays.

        But since Babcock is around 8 years, we have to figure this process will be really long and challenging, but we sure do hope in the end, successful.

  7. nordiques100 says:

    So what are some things that Babcock will bring the Leafs?

    1. Preparation.

    I don’t know if there are many who are more prepared than Babcock. His attention to detail and his brain for the game is elite. Hopefully he can bring those elements to the Leafs over the long term and establish that kind of culture.

    2. Work Ethic

    He works hard. Like they were saying on many panels yesterday, the players better be hitting the gym. Babcock is in the gym a lot and works fitness wise as hard as anyone. He also seems to live and breathe the game all the time. he is always working on how to get better, how to make others better and the team better. That is an identity the Leafs sorely need.

    3. Winning attitude

    He is a winner. WJC, 2 Olympic golds, Stanley Cup, 2 other finals appearances. Sure, others before him had a strong resume too, but with the 1st two points, he doesn’t seem to be the guy to rest on his laurels. He seems to want to get better and that is a breath of fresh air here.

    4. The challenge

    It will be a world beating challenge to turn the Leafs around. At least the Leafs currently. It will be a work in progress and may take long term. But he is signed for the long haul and having won all there basically is to win, he obviously in coming here wanted to try something different and something that is a challenge. This certainly is going to be that.

    5. Support from above

    This hiring has Shanahan’s fingerprints all over it. He is the boss. And Hunter was said to be heavily involved. Sure, there will be a GM named still and others outside the organization hired, but the reality is, the big boss, Shanahan was big in making this move and it obviously had to take some convincing. Babcock isnt going to come here for the sake of coming here. He obviously embraced the vision and future that Shanahan has in place in his mind and they must share similar ideals. Thus, its a refreshing change.

    • leafy says:

      It will be interesting what will happen with Kessel. He can’t pull that pouting crap with Babcock, and certainly not the same work ethic he showed last year. I wonder if Kessel and Babcock can even coexist. It will be VERY interesting.

  8. nordiques100 says:

    Good press conference.

    It really seems there will be a lot of patience here. I am not sure Leaf Nation will be all that happy about it. I would say there will be some for sure who will be angry that we won’t be a very good team next year and thus, yet another playoff miss.

    But I think there will be quite a few who understand this will take time and accept the growing pains. I don’t think there will be much choice.

    All I would assume is that those who don’t buy in quickly will be dispensed quickly. Its pretty simple.

    • doorman says:

      I didn’t get to see the whole press conference but watched a few clips. Was impressed a lot more then I thought I would be, TBH. I am now excited about the hire of Babcock as he seems to be on the same page as Shanny. If that is the case there is hope this will finally be done the right way. I am also not so sure Phaneuf moves now, but Kessel is probably out.

      This is an important draft and time for the Leafs, one I am very excited about and prepared to endure.

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