As an old timer, I've seen this scenario before with the Leafs and elsewhere in the league and other leagues. It's too comfortable, too player friendly here now. There are no expectations of higher levels of professionalism any longer. The group is so fricking talented that they're producing somewhat, far below potential, on sheer skill metered out in timely bursts. The closest thing to this is the decade of uneven hockey produced by the Caps lead by Ovechkin.
Shanahan knew this as well. He brought in Babcock for a reason. And it wasn’t for his understanding of a left wing lock.
The country club atmosphere was alive and well. Senior execs went to the police regarding coke and coke influences around the team.
Leafs exec met with police to discuss cocaine use
As happens, the players got control. They got paid. They received long term contracts. Young and inexperienced and incredibly rich players became the core.
They quit on the coach. Complained.
Coach gets fired.
New guy comes in, lets them loose. Goals go up. Stats go up. Bonuses get earned.
Yet other teams want a Cup. They trap. They hit. The make it tough. They adapt.
And at the country club version 2.0, the complacent don’t care.
And there is no one to hold them to account.
A difficult shake up will be in order if this thing ends up outside of the playoffs. Not a Kerfoot or Barrie.
Will the rookie GM be able to trade a Matthews, Marner, Tavares or Nylander for the sake of the team?