An uneasy Zoom call rattles the Maple Leafs staff as drastic changes signal the end of old school guesswork
Nobody in the Maple Leafs organization is safe and a recent Zoom call just made everyone even more uneasy regarding their future with the club.
Keith Pelley is holding everyone accountable and is putting the coaching staff on notice, as a recent team meeting made sure to know that the changes aren't stopping at Brad Treliving and the rest of their jobs are on the line.
This wasn't your typical group huddle either.
Keith Pelley demanding boardroom proof to justify all decisions made inside the building
If things weren't already tense, they certainly are now and according to Elliotte Friedman it's due to the cutthroat process Toronto is instilling and that loyalty means nothing if it doesn't bring production:
I believe there was a Zoom call this week and everyone was told, changes are coming. I don't think this is only about the manager I think there is more, they will look hard as they do things.
Now there was no real public knowledge as to what was said or what exactly the details of the conversation were but when it comes to the coaching staff — it's pretty clear they have to go, and it seems like they know it too.
The team also wants to have someone who can confidently walk into an MLSE meeting and put forth a plan that is results-driven and can justify why certain players and coaches are brought in.
It's not good enough to just have an idea, you have to explain why. Think Shark Tank but for roster decisions.
The board is gambling on a management promise to keep Matthews convinced the team is back on track
But this is all centred around Auston Matthews and having the confidence of their captain. It's all fine and dandy if you have ideas about what you want, but if Matthews isn't on the same page then it's not going to work.
It's about convincing Matthews that the players they want to bring in will elevate him, and that the coaching staff will do everything in their power to ensure he not only gets back to his offensive dominance, but has more than enough protection down the stretch.
But it's also a huge risk to just say, wait and see what we do then let us convince you. It's a heavy ask from a guy with a decade of failure, numerous career-altering injuries and someone who may feel like his team doesn't care about him.
While we can't know for certain how the moves made will make the team better or worse until they take the ice for an extended period, but there has to be a framework that allows it to have a higher chance of succeeding. Get everyone with the same vision then put that into action.
It's the only way they can convince Matthews to stay at this point. He's spent the last ten years subsiding on hope. Until Toronto proves they are more bite than bark, that last bit of hope could walk out the door with the captain following right behind.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Chris Pronger warns the Maple Leafs must trade Auston Matthews if he refuses to 'win at all costs’
Chris Pronger warns the Maple Leafs must trade Auston Matthews if he refuses to 'win at all costs’
Previously on Hockey Patrol
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 3|1293 ANSWERS An uneasy Zoom call rattles the Maple Leafs staff as drastic changes signal the end of old school guesswork Do you believe in Keith Pelley's vision for the Toronto Maple Leafs? | ||
| Yes | 355 | 27.5 % |
| No | 938 | 72.5 % |
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