MLSE apologizes to Randy Carlyle

Leafs to nominate him for Jack Adams Award

The front office of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment today issued an apology to fired former Toronto Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle, and tomorrow plan to nominate him for the NHL's Jack Adams Award, which goes to the Coach of the Year. The MLSE statement, signed by Brendan Shanahan, read:

February 5, 2015

To: Randy Carlyle

From: Brendan Shanahan, MLSE

MLSE and the Toronto Maple Leafs extend a sincere apology for firing you in the middle of the 2014-2015 season. There were extenuating circumstances, and due to several mini-collapses, our GM Dave Nonis felt at the time that if he did not act decisively it could be his job that was on the line. The games since that fateful day have proven once again what an excellent coach and motivator you are, and that having the Leafs lead the NHL in goals and be in a playoff position were both significant accomplishments. In light of this, tomorrow we will submit your name for consideration for this season's Jack Adams Award. 

To be fair, we knew that this total collapse was a possibility, and if it had happened under your watch, you would not be nearly as employable as you are right now, smelling like roses and anticipating the offers that will surely come. Now that we have witnessed how this squad performs without your guidance and helmsmanship, it becomes more important than ever that we get a high draft pick this year. Anybody who watches future NHLers in junior and college hockey knows that there is a generational player and several franchise players available in the 2015 NHL Draft. Our focus for the remainder of this year will be on giving our younger players more and more ice time, to see who should be kept for the future and who will be packaged with a veteran or two at the trade deadline. You wouldn't have enjoyed being around for this sort of tailspin.

We want to thank you for your years of service to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and wish you luck in your future coaching positions.

Your friend,

Brendan

by Joseph Trainor (Satire)

Dandy Dozen MAY Update: Top 12 Toronto Maple Leafs prospects

Top Twelve Toronto Maple Leafs Prospects - May 2012

This Month (Last Month)

1. (1) Nazem Kadri - Nazem was great during the final weeks of the seasion and has been steady to spectacular during the AHL playoffs. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a winning record with Kadri in the lineup, both this year and last, so he will stick with the Buds for the full 2012-2013 schedule.

2. (2) Matt Frattin - Matt looks able to secure a Big Nine position coming out of Carlyle's training camp this September. In this Spring's AHL Calder Cup playoffs, Matt has been a hard-hitting sniper, and his rough'n'tumble style of play appeals to the Toronto Maple Leafs new coach.

3. (3) Ben Scrivens - His season has gathered momentum from month to month, and though I have ranked Owuya as a better NHL prospect in the past, Ben appears ready for a shot. The AHL playoffs have seen Scrivens continue exhibiting his late season fortress-type goaltending; BRAVO!

4. (/) Jerry D'Amigo - After a so-so regular season, D'Amigo's trade value has skyrocketed because of his explosive offense in the AHL playoffs, with 6 goals and 2 assists in the first seven games. As an American, he may be moved for Luongo or Nash, or could find himself on a Leafs youthful KFD line with Kadri and Frattin.

5. (4) Korbinian Holzer - Only a few months ago the Leafs D looked impenetrable for a stay-at-home defender such as Holzer. Now with Aulie gone and Komisarek likely to be moved to free up cap space, Holzer could see plenty of NHL action next year. The AHL playoffs will also be crucial for him; look for him to be included in a big trade or to be given every shot to make the Leafs team this September.

6. (5) Joe Colborne – An uneven regular season and an injury in the playoffs mean that Joe is most likely headed back to the Marlies for at least part of next season.

7. (10) Brad Ross – Named WHL Player of the Week during the playoffs, the Portland Winter Hawks star looks able to contribute to the Marlies next season, and is likely only a year or two from the NHL.

8. (6) Carter Ashton – Currently out with an injury, Leafs brass would love to see Carter back in the lineup to contribute to a Calder Cup victory.

9. (7) Tyler Biggs - Will turn pro for 2012-2013 and will probably play for Marlies.

10. (8) Jesse Blacker

11. (9) Mark Owuya

12. (/) Greg Scott

More top prospects: Greg McKegg, Stuart Percy, Josh Leivo, Jamie Devane, Marcel Mueller, Spencer Abbott, Sam Carrick, Nicolas Deschamps

To qualify as a prospect, the player must be 25 years or younger and have played less than 50 NHL games.