Leafs fans and media have ridiculous expectations of general managers. Although there are obviously reasonable individuals among the crowd, the collective effect of our complaining is ludicrous. We simultaneously demand a patient rebuild and instant success. We expect every trade to be a win and every signing to be a home run, and we demand that we should never let a successful prospect slide past our slot in the draft.
This is true
but i really have to think this isn't a Leaf fan thing, it's a
fan thing. I know this isn't you, but sometimes it drives nuts that people make this into a "Well Leafs things are silly."
As soon as any of those things go wrong (or appear to) people begin demanding for the GM to be fired.
Although fans claim to be patient, there is a definite correlation between losses on the ice and extreme vocal unhappiness with management. You could argue that season has been notable for sensible decisions with a view to rebuilding (in fact I would argue that). But still fans and media are insistent on calling the season a disaster.
I would counter because most of the aspects on the ice had nothing to do with the rebuild. Kessel, JVR, Bozak, Phaneuf, Lupul, [Kadri], for the most part are still there. I put Kadri in quotes because I'm not sure what they're going to do. this team's goals were to make the playoffs. it did not.
the Leafs did what most people generally do (and we generally do not), trade assets.
I would say people were vocal and angry because the team appeared. to simply take their ball, and go home and disappeared for months.
Fans and media claim to be okay with a rebuild, but only a fantasy rebuild that looks like a kid re-shaping his roster on a video game.
Our misses and failures are compared to other teams' successes- a sure way to make any management team appear incompetent.**
Not necessarily. Now, I don't listen to anything but TSN, and only listen to certain hockey clips on Sportsnet. Almost every single media guy there (or guest) has stated that this rebuild for it to take properly (and that's assuming everything goes well, and it's sports/life, so it won't) - 5 years (so 1.5 ELC cycle). a tonne of people have even stated that most of the Marlies should spend as much time in the AH as they can before they move up (ala Tampa)
There are always going to be stupid people, (I saw your example, he doesn't exist in my world), and impatient fans. that's our right. We can do whatever we want basically. It's
management's job to ignore all of that and do what is best for the organization.
Pat Gillick was with the Blue Jays starting in 1978 and became GM in 1984. He didn't win a World Series until 1992, and experienced some spectacular failures en route. I am on the verge of giving up hope that the Leafs could ever display such patience.
Should we fire our GM? Honestly it's hard to think amidst all the noise we as a fan base create. But I don't see the point in firing a respected hockey person who has only been on the job for a little over two years. As far as I'm conceded we have already made major management changes
The point would be if you look at Nonis's entire track record as a general manager it is not a very good one. I read an essay basically breaking down almost ever move he's done in both Vancouver and Toronto and it really made me open my eyes to a lot of the matter.
I honestly feel, as well, that a lot of people rightly or wrongly can't close this book on the era if he's still around in some capacity. I don't think it's a fantasy world, but I think you need a fresh slate (which is why I think Shanahan didn't rush in getting a new GM). because whoever sticks needs to be able to stay here for an incredibly long time. (10 year programme, i kept saying)
I would prefer we stick with a management team and let them learn on the job. Let them make some mistakes. Display
actual patience. Give them ten years or more to put this thing together. But if we decide to keep Nonis, I honestly wonder if I will be the only poster on these boards who approves.
Nonis was also the guy who firmly believed in his core and thought they were capable of doing right things, and making moves to support it. I understand that no GM is perfect (heck. Lombardi made a huge mistake last season). I'm not asking for perfection, but I think even with 10 years to him, Nonis is not the best guy. (again: see Vancouver).
If we fire him then people will be temporarily (very temporarily) satisfied. But make no mistake, the same silly game will begin again quickly. As soon as the new GM is hired there will already be a significant portion of posters who "know" that he was the wrong choice. As soon as a trade is made, or a player signed, or the draft happens that group will get louder. If we lose a lot of games near the start of the season, the screaming will get louder still.
Again -that's not a "Leaf fan thing" that's a "fan thing."
and - to couch that , I feel if Shanahan (and new GM) pretty much do the same thing as Davidson and Jarmo do to their STC's and say "we can't promise you much right now, but we can promise you this team will work hard, and try to do their very best." most of Leafs nation will be mollified with that. I know i would,
There are few guarantees in professional sports, but I'm confident that one year into his tenure the new GM will be widely hated around here. He will viewed as an incompetent buffoon. Fans will secretly (and sometimes not so secretly) believe they could do better than him. They will not see this as a ludicrous belief.
Only exception is if we suddenly become a winning team next season. Such things have happened before. This GM will be seen a slightly more competent, although in truth he will simply be building on the work of Nonis and Burke.
Again - i think it would depend on how everything would be presented in April [Monday] by Shanahan and September when he gives his opening State of the Union speech. There are some impatient people in the world, and again, in sports, it seems to bring out the worst. Again - I say whatever. If people,
not in charge want to hate people for a lack of a years work, or oodles of/lack of experience, etc, and make stupid claims -whatever. all that does its make them look dumb and ignorant.
And. that's their right as the fan. they can be impatient, upset, irrational as much as they want - and. that's not a Leafs fan thing
to repeat myself. I always feel like i have to beat this drum. that's
fans. Maybe it's louder because Leafs Nation is bigger and more wide spread, or theres more media coverage about it, but again - almost every fan base has out of expectation desires about their team, every fan base wants to €have the NHL15 season (or bust a move).
Failing that on-ice success, get ready to play the same game next season.
The revolving door keeps spinning.
The gentlemen who run MLSE continue to be blown by every wind. They'll always download the blame to the latest short term GM.
.
and that's Shanahan's job to once he has his people in place to stick to it regardless of what the outside noise says.
I love the Leafs, but I'm getting very tired of this circus after 30+ years as a rabid fan. Running a hockey team is not simple, but I think one thing is simple. Hire a management team and let them run the show. Let them take chances and make mistakes. Ignore the screeching media and screeching fans- we're basically idiots (not as individuals, but collectively). Plus we keep buying tickets and watching games anyway.
My only demand of management? Take a patient approach making heavy use of drafting developing, and don't be so foolish as to give up on players too quickly. Our current management appears to have bought into this thinking, so awesome. I vote for a team of Shanahan/Nonis/HUnter/Dubas.
I'm probably alone in this view, but there you go.
That ends my rant for the day. I highly doubt anyone read this far into, but if you do, you're amazing!
Again - I don't think Nonis is the best job, once you break down all of his moves, (not just the Leafs one), as a general manager. He has some incredible skillsets that would be useful, but to be in charge, I am not sure about that. And again, I personally don't think you can start "anew" and change almost every facet of ideology in the organization, and keep around a person who was fundamentally rowing the other way
I think - ideally - the right GM needs to know when to turn, and when to go straight (because you don't ever have the chance to go back). there are some GMs their patterns show they are very stead-fast and don't maneuver well at all. Nonis to me, seems like that kind of guy. I don't demand perfection, because perfection is something in fairy tales.
but I do think that Nonis needs to be removed. But i wouldn't be carrying on like a banshee if he was not - mostly due to the fact it would be that Shanahan doesn't have a person he wants that is worth a 2nd round draft pick.
and i know i am awesome. i totally read long posts, because i figure there's a reason why they are long
