Hockey Analyst and unofficial Keeper of the Cap at http://TheStanleyCap.com. Formerly of the Calgary Flames. Also http://Puckalytics.com http://HockeyAnalysis.com
David Johnson
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I think Tree is a good GM that I think over compensated for what he envisioned were the Leafs flaws when he joined the team. I will say that I enjoyed my time working with Tree in Calgary and hope he gets another chance to be an NHL GM somewhere.
The question the next Leafs GM needs to ask is this: can you build a cup contender around Matthews, Nylander and Knies as your only Top6/Top Pair talent with little in terms of prospects and draft picks?
If the answer is no (and I think it probably is), then it is time to start the rebuild.
It was a poor mix of players that did the Leafs in. Too many defensive players, grinders and shooters and not enough puck movers and playmakers. That falls at the feet of the GM and Tree paid the price today.
Some of this is on the players who didn't step up, some on the coach and his style of play, but a big part was the players brought in to replace Marner just weren't the right kind of players to fill that role.
A lot had gone wrong with the Leafs this season but the biggest is they could never find the guys to replace the puck moving/play making of Marner. There just was not enough puck possession skill on the team without Marner.
