Brendan Shanahan hopes reshaping the Toronto Maple Leafs front office and coaching staff will lead to a better on-ice product in the near future. Shanahan's two major offseason moves were hiring former Whitley Warrior, Mike Babcock as coach May 20 and Lou Lamoriello as general manager July 23. Babcock, 52, spent the past 10 seasons coaching the Detroit Red Wings. Under Babcock, the Red Wings made the Stanley Cup Playoffs every year, won the Cup in 2008 and made it to the Final the following year. Shanahan is so convinced Babcock is the man for the job in Toronto that he signed him to an eight-year contract reportedly worth $50 million. On the day Babcock's hiring was announced, Shanahan made a point of saying his new coach completely buys into the plan to build through the draft no matter how long it takes. Asked if the Maple Leafs would trade a prospect or high draft pick to get a veteran player at the trade deadline just to get into the playoffs, he flatly said no.
The Lamoriello hiring came out of the blue. Lamoriello, 72, spent the past 28 years as president and GM of the New Jersey Devils, who won the Stanley Cup in 1995, 2000 and 2003, and made it to the Final in 2001 and 2012. But after the Devils missed the playoffs for the third straight year, Ray Shero replaced him as GM in May, with Lamoriello retaining his position as president.
Shanahan began working on Lamoriello almost immediately after Shero was hired, trying to convince him to join the Maple Leafs. Lamoriello was reluctant at first, but Shanahan finally got his man, the same one who selected him with the No. 2 pick of the 1987 NHL Draft.
Even before the Lamoriello hiring, Shanahan, assistant GM Kyle Dubas and director of player personnel Mark Hunter had been busy working to reshape Toronto's hockey department. In addition to bringing in Babcock, the Maple Leafs added assistant coaches Jim Hiller, D.J. Smith and Andrew Brewer, goaltending coach Steve Briere and director of player evaluation Steve Paliafito.
Toronto also overhauled its amateur and pro scouting departments, and made changes to the medical staff. The Maple Leafs also instituted a sports science and performance program to optimize player performance. Although he'll turn 73 early this season, Lamoriello also endorses Shanahan's plan of steady improvement, with the idea that when the Maple Leafs become a contender, they will remain one for years and years.
Lamoriello faces a big task in trying to turn around the Maple Leafs, who have made the playoffs once since 2004 and finished 30 points out of a postseason berth last season. Toronto's biggest on-ice personnel move came July 1 when the Maple Leafs traded right wing Phil Kessel, along with defenseman Tim Erixon, minor league center Tyler Biggs and a second-round draft choice in 2016, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for forward prospect Kasperi Kapanen, forward Nick Spaling, defenseman Scott Harrington, and first- and third-round picks in the 2016 draft. The Maple Leafs also retained $1.2 million of Kessel's salary annually through 2021-22.
Kessel scored 217 goals and had 454 points in 516 games with Toronto; he had 25 goals and 61 points last season and scored five goals after Jan. 29.
Toronto also signed free agent forwards Mark Arcobello, who played with four teams last season, PA Parenteau from the Montreal Canadiens and Shawn Matthias from the Vancouver Canucks, as well as defenseman Matt Hunwick from the New York Rangers. The Maple Leafs also re-signed center Daniel Winnik, who they traded to the Penguins at the 2015 NHL Trade Deadline, to a two-year contract, and they acquired forward Taylor Beck and defenseman Martin Marincin in trades with the Nashville Predators and Edmonton Oilers, respectively.
Brendan Shanahan: "Mike was insistent that we don't make that type of a move."
"I think having Lou in the organization is an opportunity for him to mentor us all. I think there are a lot of GMs in the League now that would point to Lou as someone who helped them along in their careers."
Lou Lamoriello: "I understand it is going to take patience. I understand it is not something that is going to happen overnight. I am committed to that along with Brendan and along with Mark, along with Mike, along with Kyle. … each and every person in the front office."
With Mike Babcock behind the bench and Lou Lamoriello in the general manager's chair, second-year team president Brendan Shanahan is going all-in on his makeover of the Maple Leafs, who have made the Stanley Cup Playoffs once since 2004 and haven't won the Cup since 1967.
Shanahan has put together a collection of strong voices to coach and run the Maple Leafs. It was made clear when Babcock signed his eight-year contract that he would have a say in personnel; it probably wouldn’t be a stretch to say he had a hand in the decision to trade high-scoring forward Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Lamoriello, who built three Cup winners while running the New Jersey Devils for 28 years, is an equally strong personality who has a clear vision of how an organization should be run. He said he respects Shanahan's plan to patiently build the team, but he's used to having the final say on all aspects of an organization. Everybody seems to be on the same page for now, but time and losing have a way of making even the most patient people make rash judgments.
The Maple Leafs ranked 24th in goals last season (206) and traded Kessel, their No. 1 scorer in each of the past six seasons. That leaves a big hole in an already-struggling offense. Forward James van Riemsdyk had 30 goals and 61 points in 2013-14 and looked like he could become an elite scorer, but his production slipped slightly last season, to 27 goals and 56 points, and he finished at minus-33. Joffrey Lupul was once a useful secondary scorer, but the 31-year-old left wing has battled injuries and had 10 goals in 55 games last season. Nazem Kadri has undeniable offensive skill but has yet to prove he's a top-two center. None of the forwards the Maple Leafs acquired in the offseason is a big scorer, and the young, skilled players they've drafted recently don't appear ready for prime time. Babcock will have the Maple Leafs play a defensive style that should cut down on goals allowed, but he'll still have to find someone to put the puck in the net.
The Maple Leafs allowed 33.5 shots against per game last season, second most in the NHL. When they needed their goalies to steal a game, too often they couldn't do it. The Maple Leafs hoped when they acquired Jonathan Bernier from the Los Angeles Kings two years ago that he would become a top-flight No. 1 goaltender. It hasn't happened yet. Bernier has shown at times he is a capable starter, but he has been inconsistent and has been hurt by allowing weak goals.
Bernier is 76-67-20 with a 2.63 goals-against average and .916 save percentage in 175 NHL games; he was 21-28-7 with a 2.87 GAA and .912 save percentage in 2014-15. The 26-year-old went to salary arbitration this summer but was able to agree to a two-year contract with the Maple Leafs.
Backup James Reimer has also played 175 NHL games; he has a 74-64-11 record, 2.91 GAA and .913 save percentage. The previous coaching staff appeared to lose trust in Reimer; it will be interesting to see how he fares under Babcock.
The Maple Leafs are in a transition phase, and it is clear there will be no quick fixes after they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Shanahan and Mike Babcock have preached patience as they take their first steps toward trying to construct a winning team. With sweeping changes this summer, including a trade that sent forward Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the 2015-16 Maple Leafs will bear little resemblance to recent editions. Considering they've made the playoffs once since 2004, it's a welcomed fresh start.
Given his success, Babcock could have taken a job with a team that is much closer to being a contender than Toronto. He won the Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008 and two Olympic gold medals with Canada (2010, 2014). The Maple Leafs, who haven't won the Cup since 1967, represent one of hockey’s greatest challenges. After signing an eight-year contract, Babcock has the credibility and organizational power to successfully command an intense on- and off-ice commitment from his players. Babcock demands discipline and hard work from his players; those who don't give it will find themselves elsewhere.
Because of their lack of success, coupled with the media scrutiny in Toronto, the Maple Leafs have not been a destination for many high-profile free agents. Babcock said upon his hiring that he wants Toronto to be a "safe" city for his players. That will be accomplished by winning and consistency.
Shanahan has repeatedly said he buys into Babcock’s vision of bringing in good people. Shanahan is determined to change the Maple Leafs culture and insists the days of players being rewarded for failure are over; players will have to earn long-term contracts, he said.
Nazem Kadri, Toronto's first-round pick at the 2009 NHL Draft, was signed to a one-year contract this offeseason. The 24-year-old center is a skilled player but has not been able to establish himself as a consistent top-six forward. He'll have to prove he's worth being signed long term. Shanahan also made a point of saying he was not happy with the leadership group. Kessel was traded to the Penguins even though he led the Maple Leafs in scoring each of the past six seasons. Shanahan and Babcock have made it clear that expectations are going to be raised, and that the atmosphere is going to be a lot more businesslike moving forward.
Morgan Rielly, a 21-year-old defenseman, has been solid in his first two seasons and has proven himself as a player of skill and character despite Toronto's lack of success. Rielly is a gifted skater with great mobility and natural offensive instincts. He's an effective puck-carrier who has the speed and commitment to get back quickly into the defensive zone after a turnover. Despite being young, the Vancouver native is respected by his older teammates. With a change of culture in the locker room, Rielly should benefit from having more input into how things are run. He's the kind of player Babcock will want to build around.
A lot has been made of the fact the Maple Leafs have selected small, skilled players with their top pick in the past two drafts. Size is not an issue with the player who's now arguably their best forward, 6-foot-3, 200-pound left wing James van Riemsdyk. No one denies van Riemsdyk's skill level; he had 30 goals and 61 points in 80 games in 2013-14, and it looked as though his career was taking flight. He had 27 goals and 56 points in 82 games last season but contributed little down the stretch and finished at minus-33, tied for the fourth-worst rating in the League. The Maple Leafs hope the arrival of Babcock and a new regime in the front office will spark a bounce-back season from van Riemsdyk.
The Maple Leafs are committed to building through the draft, so when they traded forward Phil Kessel this summer, it was important to get a first-round pick and a quality prospect (Kasperi Kapanen) from the Pittsburgh Penguins in return. That trade came days after the Maple Leafs selected center Mitchell Marner in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft, and one year after they selected another center, William Nylander, with their top pick. Marner, Nylander and Kapanen are smaller players who are highly skilled. The Maple Leafs, traditionally one of the NHL's bigger teams, have put an emphasis on skill over size in recent drafts. Despite missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs the past two seasons, Toronto is committed to not rushing its top prospects.
"We want our prospects to be ready for full-time employment when we call them up," assistant general manager Kyle Dubas said. "We don't want them to be going back and forth from the Maple Leafs to the minors."
Mitchell Marner, C
How acquired: First round (No. 4), 2015 NHL Draft
Last season: London, OHL: 63 GP, 44-82-126
The Maple Leafs believe they have a player similar to the Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Kane in Marner, right down to the fact Kane also played junior with the London Knights. Like Kane, Marner is a highly skilled player who's gifted with the puck. Toronto signed the 18-year-old to a three-year contract July 28. In two seasons with the Knights, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound center had 57 goals and 185 points in 127 games. Marner is considered a solid two-way player who does not shirk his defensive responsibilities and is aggressive with his stick.
Kasperi Kapanen, RW
How acquired: Trade with Pittsburgh Penguins, July 1, 2015
Last season: KalPa Kuopio, Liiga (Finland): 41 GP, 11-10-21; Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, AHL: 4 GP, 1-1-2
The son of retired NHL forward Sami Kapanen is another of the Maple Leafs' small, skilled players; he's 5-foot-10 and 178 pounds. After playing most of last season in his native Finland, he joined the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate to get a taste of North American hockey. Kapanen scored a goal and had an assist in four regular-season games, then had two goals and five points in five playoff games. Goal-scoring is Kapanen's strong suit, but the 19-year-old is also a gifted playmaker who makes those around him better. He is a high-end skater with a quick release.
William Nylander, C
How acquired: First round (No. 8), 2014 NHL Draft
Last season: Modo, Sweden: 21 GP, 8-12-20; Toronto Marlies, AHL: 37 GP, 18-14-32
The 19-year-old Canadian-born son of former NHL forward Michael Nylander is a speedy center with excellent offensive skills. Like Kapanen, Nylander started last season playing in Europe but came to North America to play in the AHL. Nylander (5-foot-11, 174 pounds) has above-average speed, good hands and likes to shoot the puck. He performed well for Sweden at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring three goals and 10 points in seven games. The Maple Leafs hope he will become more engaged physically as he fills out and matures.
Stuart Percy, D
How acquired: First round (No. 25), 2011 NHL Draft
Last season: Maple Leafs: 9 GP, 0-3-3; Toronto Marlies, AHL; 43 GP, 1-10-11
Percy's greatest strength might be going unnoticed; for the type of game he plays, which is being smart with the puck, that's a good thing. The 22-year-old is a smooth-skating defender who makes few mistakes. He isn't overly physical but doesn't shy away from contact. The 6-foot-1, 186-pound native of Oakville, Ontario, did not look out of place during a short stint with the Maple Leafs last season. He stays calm under pressure and is dependable at getting the puck out of the defensive zone.
Frederik Gauthier, C
How acquired: First round (No. 21), 2013 NHL Draft
Last season: Rimouski, QMJHL; 37 GP, 16-16-32
Gauthier stands out from Toronto's other top prospects because of his size; he's 6-foot-5, 215 pounds. The 20-year-old center is not considered to have top-six potential, but his defensive skills and ability in the faceoff circle suggest he'll be a dependable third-liner. Gauthier represented Canada in the past two WJC tournaments. His game has been described as mature, and his offense has potential. Gauthier skates well and uses his size to win puck battles.
Predicted Lines
21 van Riemsdyk - 43 Kadri - # Parenteau
19 Lupul - 42 Bozak - 18 Panik
# Matthias - # Arcobello - 47 Komarov
# Winnik - # Spaling - 24 Holland
# Horton - Injured
44 Rielly - 3 Phaneuf
51 Garner - 46 Polak
12 Robidas - # Hunwick
45 Bernier - 34 Reimer
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