Randy Carlyle relieved of his duties by Leafs

[Smite 399]

Toronto Maple Leafs ‏@MapleLeafs 3m

3 minutes ago

Randy Carlyle relieved of his duties by #Leafs. READ: http://bit.ly/14s0MMY #TMLtalk

and queue the Babs talk

[kipwinger 8,755]

In the final analysis, Carlyle just couldn't make the toast in Toronto.

[LeftWinger 5,130]

Make room for Babcock! Let him go I say...sometimes coaches just come to an end of a run. Maybe its time. Hey, maybe Scotty will come back!

Seriuously though, Blashill will probably get the nod when Babcock goes.

Edited January 6, 2015 by LeftWinger

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

[rick zombo 3,739]

Desperation move by the Leafs to do this now. IMO.

edit to add: If Babcock's stupid enough to go to the Leafs, then let him go.

Edited January 6, 2015 by rick zombo

[toby91_ca 620]

There has been talk of Babcock in Toronto, but just talk, certainly nothing of substance behind it. This firing doesn't make me think it's any more likely though, makes me think the opposite actually. If the plan was really in place to try and bring Babcock in as coach, you'd think they'd keep Randy for the rest of the year and then replace him in the off-season. Now, they will need to bring in someone else, who I'm sure wouldn't be planned to just be around for half a season.

[rick zombo 3,739]

There has been talk of Babcock in Toronto, but just talk, certainly nothing of substance behind it. This firing doesn't make me think it's any more likely though, makes me think the opposite actually. If the plan was really in place to try and bring Babcock in as coach, you'd think they'd keep Randy for the rest of the year and then replace him in the off-season. Now, they will need to bring in someone else, who I'm sure wouldn't be planned to just be around for half a season.

I thought this as well. But then I remembered it was the Leafs and that "the plan" probably wasn't very well constructed, or the organization caved and deviated from whatever plan they had because of media pressure.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

[kipwinger 8,755]

Jesus, please let Babcock go to Toronto. Then he can put Kessel on the fourth line, Phaneuf can play 27 minutes a night because he's "heavy", and a their shutdown line of Bozak-Pannik-Clarkson will be an example to the league on how to suppress shots. All associated with MLSE, the Toronto Press, and Maple Leafs nation will back slap themselves silly and marvel at Babcock's genius.

They will lose every other game 2-1, of course.

[Hockeytown0001 7,652]

Jesus, please let Babcock go to Toronto. Then he can put Kessel on the fourth line, Phaneuf can play 27 minutes a night because he's "heavy", and a their shutdown line of Bozak-Pannik-Clarkson will be an example to the league on how to suppress shots. All associated with MLSE, the Toronto Press, and Maple Leafs nation will back slap themselves silly and marvel at Babcock's genius.

They will lose every other game 2-1, of course.

[GoWings1905 2,694]

Jesus, please let Babcock go to Toronto. Then he can put Kessel on the fourth line, Phaneuf can play 27 minutes a night because he's "heavy", and a their shutdown line of Bozak-Pannik-Clarkson will be an example to the league on how to suppress shots. All associated with MLSE, the Toronto Press, and Maple Leafs nation will back slap themselves silly and marvel at Babcock's genius.

They will lose every other game 2-1, of course.

I agree with you. Hypothetically though, do we believe Blashill would be that different from Babcock? Because I think Blashill gets the job should Babs leave after this season.

[kipwinger 8,755]

I agree with you. Hypothetically though, do we believe Blashill would be that different from Babcock? Because I think Blashill gets the job should Babs leave after this season.

I do. Superficially it seems like his teams play the same system, but generate more offense. Which is exactly what I wish the Wings would do.

But that's a question better left for folks who watch more Griffins hockey than I do. Admittedly I only catch about every fourth or fifth game.

Edited January 6, 2015 by kipwinger

[Smite 399]

Someone must have watched the Canadian Jrs win last night and thought "wow you can win in this building"

[Ram 240]

Carlyle has been on thin ice for a while, regardless of Babs availability. Real fall from grace for Carlyle since his winning of the Cup, bummer. It's strange timing for the firing, I wonder if they'll just mail it in or try and get someone like Bylsma. It's not even the All-Star Break and it's hockey, so I think that riding it out with assistants for the rest of the season is kind of dumb if Babs is their guy, he may not even be available to negotiate until (hopefully) late into the playoffs. I think at this point Shanny would make a play for Bylsma. Shanny knows what he's doing, he ain't clowning, shown by this action of canning Carlyle. But if Babs is really his guy...well I fail to believe he would put Bylsma in a temp roll. Maybe a tryout for the rest of the season, then choosing between him and the possibly available Babs. Just for $0.02, my Babs backups are, Blashill, Bylsma, Carlyle, in that order.

[kipwinger 8,755]

Bylsma is the right guy for that job. It's a team built for offense, and he's won a Cup with a team built for offense. If they get a guy like Babs they're going to have to spend the next three seasons (or so) trying to restructure the roster.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

Carlyle didn't compete hard enough

[Jesusberg 1,256]

Seriously... best case scenario = they hire Bylsma within the next few days. That or Babcock signs a four year extension... but that would be a distraction, or something. Not like this situation right now.

I'm going to have to avoid Facebook and Twitter until one of the two happens.

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

No surprise here. Probably Caryle should have competed harder.

Bylsma is the right guy for that job. It's a team built for offense, and he's won a Cup with a team built for offense. If they get a guy like Babs they're going to have to spend the next three seasons (or so) trying to restructure the roster.

They actually might do just that :

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun

Nonis: ``I've said before, players are move-able.'' Hint, hint.

[motorcitykid 42]

Desperation move by the Leafs to do this now. IMO.

edit to add: If Babcock's stupid enough to go to the Leafs, then let him go.

Nothing can save that franchise, and their media and fan base are very much the problem. Plus they hire s*** personnel because they may be a friend or "former" superstar or "former" successful management guys. But nothing can help that team. Horrible drafting, horrible hiring, one of the worst teams in terms of depth in the league - especially their farm and overseas. I mean BUFFALO and CAROLINA are in better long term shape.

As for Babcock - there is ZERO chance he will go north. He might want a change of scenery, more money, more control or whatever else, but the man is NOT stupid and even with Shanahan up there, it's not a big secret their team is in shambles top to bottom. No plan, just like their Toronto Raptors who win almost by accident with MLSE as owners. The Leafs just figure they are a great organization because they are based in Toronto - hockey central for Canada.

I thoroughly enjoy watching such an arrogant city [why?] lose and lose and lose. As recently as yesterday, they were fawning over Tie Domi's son on Team Canada - all because Domi was a Leaf and is considered one of their best ever! LOL. The local media wouldn't shut up about him. He is a decent player but superstar in the making? Nowhere I have read.

All signs point to Babcock leaving but bet your last dollar it will not be to Toronto. Their media is ridiculous. Babcock will look at 28 other teams first.

GOWINGS!

Edited January 6, 2015 by motorcitykid

[rick zombo 3,739]

Carlyle didn't compete hard enough

But he was certainly "heavy" enough

[kipwinger 8,755]

No surprise here. Probably Caryle should have competed harder.

They actually might do just that :

Well hopefully they send Franson and/or Van Reimsdyk this way lol.

[derblaueClaus 1,668]

Well hopefully they send Franson and/or Van Reimsdyk this way lol.

You think Babs demands another overskilled, overpaid and underused 4th-liner ?

I doubt the Leafs will part with van Riemsdyk, especially they won't trade him to a division rival. Would be great though, van Riemsdyk would be a natural fit for the Wings.

[kipwinger 8,755]

You think Babs demands another overskilled, overpaid and underused 4th-liner ?

I doubt the Leafs will part with van Riemsdyk, especially they won't trade him to a division rival. Would be great though, van Riemsdyk would be a natural fit for the Wings.

I know. I wouldn't expect them to trade ANYONE to the Wings, being inter-divisional and all. Then again, Shanny and Holland do have a good relationship so they'd be a natural fit for a "hockey trade".

But you're right, Van Reimsdyk isn't going anywhere.

[Euro_Twins 4,485]

But he was certainly "heavy" enough

Hahaha.

I hope they hire torts. Miss that guy

[number9 3,297]

Hahaha.

I hope they hire torts. Miss that guy

OMG TORTS WOULD BE PERFECT IN TORONTO