October Game Thread

ColdSoxPack

Well-Known Member
Silver Supporter
Jul 14, 2005
2,356
Simi Valley, CA
I see Dubas as the fall guy. Canadians dont like his geeky look and they don't like analytics. Shanny is next methinks. They should have kept Lou in charge.
 

MiracleOfO2704

not AWOL
SoSH Member
Jul 12, 2005
9,528
The Island
They won’t fire Keefe. They already pushed the coaching change button with this group. The regular season is pretty irrelevant for them. It’s been bumpy in the past but they’ll likely make the playoffs. That’s what they’ll be judged on this year. Drastic changes will be made, probably far above Keefe (I think Shanahan maybe) if they flame out again.
Don’t rule out the possibility theymiss the playoffs entirely. Their 2019-20 was coming down to the wire and they had just lost the Ayres game a couple weeks before the stoppage. If they play those last 12 games, playoff hockey wasn’t guaranteed.

They really miss Zach Hyman. He did so much for their top players.
This is made all the funnier when you realize their Plan B was Nick Ritchie.
 

cshea

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
36,047
306, row 14
Don’t rule out the possibility theymiss the playoffs entirely. Their 2019-20 was coming down to the wire and they had just lost the Ayres game a couple weeks before the stoppage. If they play those last 12 games, playoff hockey wasn’t guaranteed
My point was that I don't think they'll do anything panicky mid-season. They can't really make any trades because of the cap and their stars make too much money to trade one of them mid-year. I don't think they'll fire Keefe. He just got an extension and has a long history with Dubas. They were digging out of the Babcock hole in 19/20. Under Keefe, they've played at a 108 point 82-game pace (obviously aided a bit by the shitty North division last year). If it goes off the rails, I don't think they'll use him as the scapegoat. I think the organization plays out the year and the big decisions are made after the season, be it a playoff DNQ, first round flameout or a deep run. If the season ends with a DNQ or first round flameout, big changes will occur and Keefe may be part of the collateral damage.

I actually think Tampa is in a bit more trouble than Toronto right now. They are essentially playing without 5 of their top 12 forwards from last year. Kucherov (injured), Gourde, Coleman, Goodrow, Johnson (cap casualties). They replaced thos players with AHL fodder. We joke about the LTIR stuff but I think they actually do need Kucherov this year and they are walking a tightrope this year. They can't afford another injury to a top player.
 

LogansDad

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 15, 2006
29,067
Alamogordo
Wow. My first time tuning into them this season, but I think you guys have undersold just how bad the Leafs are. Their dumpster fire might be threatening the whole trailer park soon.