In the beginning, Shanahan created the advanced statistics department and the plan. The plan was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of Dave Nonis. And the Spirit of Shanahan was hovering over the face of Phil Kessel.
And Shanahan said "Let there be prospects," and there was Mark Hunter. And Shanahan saw that Mark Hunter was good. And Shanahan separated Dave Nonis from the Toronto Maple Leafs . Shanahan called Mark Hunter the new director of player personnel, and Kyle Dubas the assistant GM. And there was progressive thinking and intelligent decisions being made in the Toronto Maple Leafs office for the first time.
And Shanahan said, “Let the organization sprout skilled players, prospects yielding better puck possession statistics, and with a desire to be good people.” And it was so. The organization brought forth assets from the Phil Kessel trade, draft picks yielding skilled players, and unsigned NCAA free agents. And Shanahan saw that it was good.
And Shanahan said, “Let the best hockey minds under the heavens be gathered together
into one place, and let the culture change of the organization appear.” And it was so. Shanahan called Mike Babcock his head coach and Lou Lamoriello he called general manager. And Shanahan saw that it was good.
For Shanahan so loved the center of the hockey universe that he gave it jughead42, that whoever loves the Toronto Maple Leafs should not be subjected to hackery. For Shanahan did not send jughead42 into the world to condemn the team or make up stories about them like other scribes, but in order that the world might be saved through his keen insight and worthwhile opinions.
