Toronto Maple Leafs: Honest Lou And The New Culture

When the Toronto Maple Leafs hired Lou Lamoriello they got a plethora of experience, knowledge and, most of all, respect.

The 2015 off-season was an exciting one for the Toronto Maple Leafs, first with the hiring of Mike Babcock, the Phil Kessel trade, and then Lou Lamoriello comes on board.

The Babcock hiring was a show of vision and financial power. The Buffalo Sabres tried their best to sway Babcock, but what Brendan Shanahan wants, Brendan Shanahan gets.

Lamoriello’s hiring further legitimized Brendan Shanahan’s culture change movement before the ink had even dried on the contract. Things were changing big-time for the Toronto Maple Leafs locker room.

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Toronto is no longer a place where players are terrified to go. It’s no longer a market where the media are savagely sent to attack the teams most prolific players. Even before Dion Phaneuf was traded to Ottawa there were no daily articles questioning his integrity, skill or leadership. Call it the Lou Factor.

The Lamoriello-led Toronto Maple Leafs release information as they see fit, unlike the Nonis Administration whose foundation would sink to the bottom of the Atlantic if it was placed in water. It’s an honest group of hockey minds that are focused on building a great franchise and not interested in petty headlines that breed negativity.

Even in a last-place season the atmosphere was positive. That’s an exceptionally impressive feat. The media was a battle that Lamoriello and Babcock won very quickly.

To have a long and powerful reputation around the league is great, but being honest with players is how the good word gets spread around and further helps the cause when trying to bring players to Toronto.

"“He told me he would send me to a contender, a place I might be able to win a Stanley Cup,” Polak said. “Executives say those types of things a lot. But he stuck to his word and I am appreciative that he did.”“It couldn’t have worked out better for me,” Polak said. “And it’s because of Lou.” (Toronto Sun)"

Polak’s words are like a free advertisement for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Lamoriello isn’t a politician trying to please everyone with words. He’s a man of his word. Whether in casual conversation or hard-nosed negotiations, a player with interest from Toronto is getting honesty.

The change in attitude toward the Toronto Maple Leafs is further evident in the Nikita Zaitsev signing. Zaitsev had a long list of teams pursuing him, but he chose the Toronto Maple Leafs over everyone. Why on earth would a young, sought-after player come to North America to play for the reigning basement champions of the league?

Vision, direction and honesty. Mike Babcock and Lou Lamoriello.

When Brooks Laich came over from Washington at the deadline he went from first to worst in one phone call. That’s devastating for a competitor like Brooks Laich. Understandably disappointed, Laich came to Toronto knowing his quest for the Stanley Cup in 2015 was over before it began.

“Bit of mixed emotions. Having put in 12 years of service there, I was really hoping to chase down a Stanley Cup.” (Laich via Terry Koshan’s Twitter – February 29th)

Sixteen days later, this was Brooks Laich on Sportsnet 590 The Fan when asked how Toronto is treating him:

“Toronto is awesome, it’s awesome buddy, I’m really happy to be here. The city, the people, the staff, the organization and my teammates have really opened their arms and welcomed me. I feel very welcome and I feel at home already and having a lot of fun, and I can’t stress that enough, having a lot of fun playing here.” (Sportsnet 590)

Next: Who Will Be The Sixth Defenceman?

That’s the new culture for the Toronto Maple Leafs. A place with a positive direction. A place where players are actually happy to be and having fun – something that hasn’t been the case for the last several years.