I think people preferred to not live in Detroit. Maybe some players don't like his style. But he has a lot of respect with those two Gold Medals, I think he has a good bond with a lot of guys that have played for Canada internationally.
Being financial bullies outside of the cap is how the Leafs always should been acting. It's a billion dollar franchise with the highest ticket prices in the league. I'm hoping Babcock gives the franchise more respect in the eyes of free agents. The Leafs now remind me of the Cubs a year or two into Theo's tenure. They're just making all the right moves, contention in a few years feels inevitable with such intelligent people in charge.
and it's almost a baseball mogul lineup which isn't that big of a deal for any tangible reason but is pretty freaking cool lol, this move made the roster match my baseball mogul roster. Addy was the only difference, had to have him playing.
Don't be surprised if McLellan winds up in Toronto. San Jose was a possession juggernaut for years under his watch, appealing to the analytics-inclined front office. Apparently Shanahan loved McLellan when they were together in Detroit, when McLellan was in charge of the power play that featured Shanny.