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Toronto Maple Leafs: Weird Signings and Hirings In NHL News Round-Up

By James Tanner

May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul (20) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nick Paul (20) celebrates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second period of game seven of the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are rumoured to be making several moves, but so far things have been quiet.

The Toronto Maple Leafs signed Mark Giordano almost as soon as they were eliminated from the playoffs, and they signed Timothy Liljegren earlier in the week to a two-year extension.

But otherwise, they’ve been pretty quiet.

Although there are some interesting Jack Campbell rumours, and some Ilya Mikheyev rumours, nothing has happened yet.  (Well, nothing had happened up to the  time I wrote and submitted this. Please forgive this preamble if action  has occurred in the interceding minutes).

Not so for the rest of the NHL, including an unpopular ex member of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

NHL News and the Toronto Maple Leafs

Ex Leafs coach Paul Maurice was hired by the Panthers to replace Andrew Brunette, and this has got many people asking – WHY?

Brunnette took over a team with a perfect record but ended up winning the President’s Trophy, and definitely deserved to keep his job.  Paul Maurice on the other hand is a terrible coach with a caustic personality that  I wouldn’t want anywhere near my favorite team.

In other coaching news, Rick Bowness was hired to replace Maurice in Winnipeg.  The NHL is an absolute joke. The minor leagues are absolutely swarming with talented, young coaches ready to innovate and take the game of hockey into the next decade and beyond.  But in the game’s top league, they recycle the same useless losers over and over again.

Are you seriously  telling me that a guy who was their coach in 1989 is the best they can get in 2022?  Like there isn’t a single innovation or development in the LAST 33 YEARS YOU’D LIKE TO CONSIDER TRYING?

Absolutely speechless.

In other news, the Sharks fired their coach *big surprise* and the Lightning signed Nick Paul to a seven year contract.

Seven years?

For Nick Paul?

OK Then.  When you make three straight Cups and win two of them, you get to do what you want.  I like Nick Paul, but I certainly wouldn’t pay him $3 million for one year, let alone seven.   When will NHL teams learn that cap flexibility trumps even good mid-range players?

Next. An Absolute Disgrace. dark

Don’t sign bit-players to term and money.  This is a terrible contract, even if Nick Paul doubles in value, which he won’t.  It’s not quite as ridiculous as hiring the coach you had in the 1980s, but it’s not great either.

As for the Toronto Maple Leafs?  Whatever they do, at least it won’t be this crazy.

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