The second half was advertised, stated by Shanahan as the most important part of the season in which these players would tell management who they are. And the answer is: An inconsistent group, unable to defend, score and adapt to either need on the fly within a fundamentally flawed roster composition.
I wouldn't be surprised if the following players were moved: Kessel, Phaneuf, Bozak. This is, was, supposed to be the core. These three players represent (unlike Lupul) that consistent group who have failed repeatedly to lead this team to incremental success.
I don't think Gardiner, Kadri, Reilly, Bernier and JVR are being held in like regard. I don't think Franson is either, but Clarkson and Phaneuf provide contractual impediment to retaining Franson at the 5x5/6 he 's reportedly seeking.
Santorelli,Winnik,Robidas,Polak all represent astute veteran supplement. There's nothing wrong with these players, however modest their contribution. And then there's Komarov...A bright light in this dark season.
There are plays available to shore up 2nd-7th round selections, certainly. I wonder if the Phaneuf to LA scenario is dead. Apparently, including Pearson or Toffoli was a deal breaker. I don't blame LA in this instance...But I wonder if our side asked about Colin Miller and/or J.F. Berube?
Miller is a former Soo (Kyle Dubas' club) captain. He just set a record for hardest shot in the AHL breaking Nygren's record (MTL-D prospect), and in the same competition, won fastest skater. And Berube seems another cog in the LA goaltending factory performing up to Kings' standard. I can't see LA declining an acquisition for a top 3 on any team defenceman for Richards and one of or both of those two...And I can't see Miller not being on Dubas' radar. If it allowed signing Franson, I think we would be best served retaining our RHD, plus ridding ourselves of Phaneuf's contract and gathering championship cultured prospects at positions we actually need.
Speaking of Nygren, he seems wasted in Montreal. A player like Winnik or Santorelli would seem appropriate for a Cup run. Nygren and a late pick (See SHL/KHL high skill Hail Mary pick) would be my target. Whatever his deficiencies may have been advertised as, a former SHL D of the year is certainly worth a free agent signing like the above mentioned.
I think we can still hit the 3-5 draft position while keeping JVR, Reilly, Gardiner, Kadri and Bernier, sad as that is.
Kessel is the obvious cash cow, and one would have to think now while still in his prime is the chance to trade him. Buzz seems to be that Poile and Laviolette are interested.
Should Franson be available, I would hope Vancouver is considered. Kassian, Horvat are the kind of players that would at the very least seek to play a 200 ft game with heart...just a few thoughts going forward at any rate...
After Randy Carlyle was fired, the chief problem repeatedly identified as that most crucial element that needed to change with the club was consistency. Shanahan noted that the difference between successful, championship clubs and unsuccessful clubs is consistency.
The assessment of the club's first half play was characterized as inconsistent. Inconsistency provided by Carlyle and Co resulted in Carlyle's fire, despite the previous extension. In his address to the media, Shanahan repeatedly identified himself, Nonis, Dubas and Hunter as that group which determined through discussion that the second half of the season was "the most important part of the season" for the players. The time in which "that group" would tell the management "who they were". That if improvement in consistency wasn't provided by the club who were put on notice that management wasn't going to "back off of them" that changes - big and small - were coming.
We can certainly point to contract extensions and various contract offers and marshal arguments that state the only consistent characteristic about this group lead by Brendan Shanahan has been more of the same - failed player valuation, reflexive short sighted reaction rather than proactive long term action and a collective lack of constitution in the face of adversity, whether off the ice from the media or on the ice from opponents in situations dealt with in previous successful fashion.
Shanahan was hired in April of last season. He characterized his start as one that would indicate a period of evaluation. If memory serves, the coaching staff was replaced while allowing Carlyle to stay. Then the draft and Nylander, etc. Then July 1st and the season beyond that netted useful pieces, a welcome surprise in bringing back Komarov and a culture shift bringing in Kyle Dubas, the order of which doesn't really matter in this instance.
What matters is the deliberation that's been exampled. Despite an extension, we can see a consistent momentum in addressing change quickly. We can also see that Shanahan and Co. divided the season into periods of finite analysis followed by action. It happened with Carlyle's staff being let go. It happened passively with Dubas coming in. It happened again with Carlyle being fired after a first half collapse...And note, in previous interviews while Toronto was at the tail end of their winning streak, Randy Carlyle pointed out that the club's bad habits were returning. He wasn't being modest. He was worried. Literally a game later, the signs of collapse materialized into another streak and his ultimate departure. So, consider the importance of this...Carlyle brought this group along in a model that would emphasize their strengths, while obligating industry. They won. They were winning. But Carlyle could see the cliff coming, even while we cheered.
That couldn't have been lost on the management group when they declared that the second half of the season would be the most important part of the season for the players. Couple that with Shanahan's statement that Horachek would be given time to audition the rest of the season and that an evaluation would continue into the off-season. So by changes big and small, with a statement that he, Shanahan, personally spoke to the on-ice group and emphasized that they were aware of what was expected, and the fact that the coach won't be one of the changes, we can reasonably expect something monumental in the next couple of weeks.
The more Shanahan's albeit limited statements are examined, the more balanced and consistent his actions seem. Monumental change has been affected with minimal advertisement. This to say, even with the streak, the fact that the management group has been quiet should actually encourage us as a fan base.
I think we're shell shocked by the result. I know am. I thought I saw signs of authentic quality of players Burke brought in. I saw possibilities to supplement the deficiencies in Phaneuf's lack of leadership and Kessel's lack of grit - not to be mistaken with consistent production.
Being a fan as well of Detroit over the years, when I hear Shanahan describe qualities that are expected of his Toronto Maple Leafs club, I hear a Red Wings analysis and approach.
Consistency has to provide everyone an opportunity to succeed or fail in a great hockey club. It's the kind of integrity we haven't been used to. Sure there's Burke's loyalty to players and the imposed policy preferences but with Shanahan, I sense a loyalty to the club's identity. Great, not good is the aim. And inconsistency won't be rewarded and better yet, hasn't been.
I expect something definitive is about to happen. That a new era actually is approaching. My hope is that this present is the quiet we've all be waiting for.
