@Nylanderthews: (posted video clip) Elliotte Friedman on the NHL Network, who is in the coaching search for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They have spoken to more than 50 people. Why does it seem absurd?
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Mike Johnson. “It's not a question of whether he's smart or maybe talented, but the Leafs' coaching search in general has been very flawed. It's hard to pinpoint what kind of coach you want, and when they're trying to do it. And you hear (Joe) Pavelski, and you hear (Peter) Laviolette, and you hear (Jay) Woodcroft.
Like who, like, what are they doing? What do they want? Why are they interviewing so many people, and taking, taking their time?
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Friedman: “Well, I don't mind taking their time. Like, look at Nashville, like, people were making fun of Nashville. Matt Marchese, who hosts the show on our station, was calling, he said the longest search for a Pope in the history of the world was three years, and he was comparing it to the search for the pope. But, like, they got their boy, right?
And then, like, I don't mind anyone taking a long time if they find the right person. I think, Mike, it seems that one thing I really realize is that I don't know everything. I know bits and pieces. So I think it looks flexible to us from the outside, but until you get the full picture, I don't know if it's as flexible as it seems.
Like, I, there was a time yesterday morning, when I was thinking Saturday morning, when I thought they were going to hire Peter Laviolette. And now I think there's a good chance that Peter Laviolette ends up being the next coach of the Kings.
They told at least one of the people that they didn't go through to the next round, that they wanted experience, and then I heard about Pavelski. So I will judge this when this is over, as opposed to what I hear during the search.”
Jason Demers: “You think again, because you know, Johnny said that we were talking, you think it's also possible that they're trying to cast such a wide net to pick the brains of all the people, to see what they really need, and then (inaudible).
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Friedman: “Yes, I think that's absolutely true, and I would do it if I was… So I think Chayka said in the interview that they talked to 50, or they had 55 people, I think…”
Johnson: “Can you even name 55 people who want to coach? That's a big number.”
Friedman: “As one of my friends said, like I can't even name 55 people who would want to talk to you.” And, and I think they've done zooms like 15 or 16. And now it sounds to me like we're going to get a small group, three, five, I don't know what, and we'll see where we go.
Like, like I think they're talking to Patrick Roy. Like, so, one of the guys they're scouting is Eric Lacroix, who knows Patrick Roy really well, so they're going to have somebody who knows on staff.
But I'm sure there are.. Me, I don't think they ever talked to Woodcroft. I think they think about it, and I don't think they ever did. See, I don't know if they…”
Johnson: “They're 55 deep, and they didn't want to go to Jay Woodcroft?”
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Demers: “56 is too big.”
Friedman: “You know, I think, I think they considered that, but they decided not to. And I don't think they asked (Bruce) Cassidy. I think they're just being kind, I think everyone is just here waiting to see. Like, like Vegas is making noise behind the scenes, like they're not going to change their minds. I think everyone is waiting to see.”
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