If the Maple Leafs Were Run by the Mob

As we put an end to a nightmare of a season, here comes the construction crew to fix it. The Owners are the clients, the General managers are the builders, and the players are the tools to get the job done. Of course, the coaches are the architects. It’s the President’s job to put everything together.

What I would like to discuss is the Architect. If I am not mistaken, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment, Keith Pelley, has said the organization will not undergo a total rebuild. Assuming he is telling the truth, the Leafs will likely go with an experienced architect.

Characteristics of an Architect

Must know the English language

The Architect must be fluent in English. He has to be specific about what he needs. The Architect has to bamboozle everyone into thinking he is worth millions. If he is not worth millions, no one will pay attention to him, thinking he doesn’t know what you are talking about.

The ability to kiss one’s patootie

The ability of a hustler—oops, I mean Architect—to kiss one’s royal patootie is vital to his success. Fooling employees (players) into thinking they are all good soldiers can be tricky and tiresome, but if he does not have the players’ full support, his success will be thwarted. Sooner or later, he will be executed—oh, I mean, fired. Also, holding hands may be required.

Hire the Architect assistants (The henchmen)

The Architect is usually allowed to have two assistants, one of whom has certain connections to enforce complete compliance from the employees to achieve the goal of victory. He must gently guide them toward a successful career. Keeping the Architect happy means he won’t be sent to his maker—I mean, to the minors. Sorry, slip of the tongue.  

Video assistant

For some reason, there has been a rash of complaints about tampering with video. Unfortunately, most organizations have evidence showing that they have made mistakes, but those clips have mysteriously gone missing. But I am sure that is just part of teaching players how to meet the organization’s expectations and cut down on the executions—oh, I mean demotions.

The final word

I almost forgot the last qualification: the Architect must have some artistic skills. The ability to draw stick men and diagrams. To show what happens to players who don’t comply—I mean, to hold players responsible for being where they are supposed to be. The drawing of stickmen is to help protect the innocent. We do not want to accuse anyone prematurely.

Randy 

You're the GM, Which Star Would You Bet On Now?

Wait a minute, is this the off-season? A trade involving Matthew Barzal and Elias Pettersson?

Sorry, I've never been a person to beat around the bush. I am a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy (except I am a vegetarian). Most people feel that an overhaul is not possible; a shake-up is more plausible.   

Going on that premise, if Elias Pettersson comes on the market and the price involves Matthew Barzal, would you bite? A few facts for you: Pettersson has not been the same player for the last two years. His stats have dropped to 49 and 45 points, respectively. Before that, though, he was nearly a point-per-game player for 6 seasons, topping off at 102 points in the 2022-23 season. Pettersson has been forced to change scenery in years past, a move that could revive his career. He is still in his prime.

Matthew has been a steady player, reliable throughout his career. Although his best year was 83 points, Matthew has been the better player over the last two years. This year, he scored 71 points, and, of course, he only had 30 because of an injury. He is 28 years old. He has had two 80-point seasons.

Each player is an offensive juggernaut. Both can skate and create scoring chances. Both are playmakers and leaders of the dressing rooms who can say they need a change of scenery. If this came up, would you be tempted?

Final Word

When it came down to it, the Islanders ran out of firepower. Will offensive issues be addressed in the summer? Will the Isles have a new backup for Sorokin? Then there are the vets: Who goes and who stays? The off-season will be an interesting one to watch!

Randy 

What Cost Patrick Roy His Job with the Islanders?

As the New York Islanders’ season comes to an end, I thought: What cost Roy the Isles’ job? The following article is purely conjecture; it is not an inside info story.  

Did the Players quit on him?

Is it common knowledge that a coach’s shelf life is usually 2-3 years before the players shut the coach out? When you get a strong-willed coach, it is bound to happen; he will clash with some of the players. When this happens, they usually tune him out completely.

I am referring especially to the epic 8-3 loss to the Pens. The Islanders had total control of the game until the backbreaking shorthanded goal by Rakell, which cut it to 3-2 for the Islanders. From that point on, the Pens took over, scoring 6 straight goals to an 8-3 lead.  

For some reason, the biggest issue is the Islanders’ inability to play a full 60 minutes. Go no further than the Blackhawks game in Long Island. The Hawks landed a 4-1 win over the Isles with a ferocious rally that fell short 4-3 on the 24th of March. If they weren’t so sloppy in the first two periods, they would have blown the Hawks away.

Isles hire Pete Deboer

I must admit I was shocked by the timing of the firing. I asked around, and the consensus was that if they had waited too long to hire Peter DeBoer, they would have had to compete with multiple teams vying for his services. A lot of people believe that Peter will have this team turned around for next season.

Final word

Whether Peter can save this season remains to be seen, but after what they gave up on Roy, can they recover and go 4-0? Even if they can’t, the Flyers are one of the hottest teams in the league, led by a hot goalie, and the Sens have corrected their season of late. Anything is possible; Peter will have to have this team prepared for battle.