Nichols' Notes
/Toronto Maple Leafs assistant GM Kyle Dubas was on Sportsnet 590 Monday afternoon.
The 28-year-old, who is well-known for, among other things, his use of advanced stats in hockey, was asked early in the interview about the whole 'new guard' vs. the 'old guard' notion.
“I guess it’s to be expected that it would kind of go that way," Dubas noted. "People trying to determine if I’m a hockey guy or an analytics guy. The reality of it is I’m someone who’s worked in hockey my entire life that over the past number of years has begun to develop, I guess, a usefulness for analytics that have really helped us in the Soo over time and especially in the last 18 months or so as we’ve been able to gather more information.
“It’s a piece of the puzzle. It’s not the whole secret sauce or anything like that. It helps out. It’s been a big help to us in reducing uncertainty and just gathering more information. But it’s not a one-way or the other type proposition with me or with us, it’s just incorporating as much data and information as we possibly can.”
Dubas also shed some light on his perspective of what he feels is as inaccurate perception concerning the advanced stats community.
“We didn’t make every decision by just taking the numbers and nobody does that in hockey. Even those who are really strong analysts online or in print media or wherever it may be, they are all watching the games. I mean, they’re not just sitting there at the computer and generating a list of ‘this guy is good’ and ‘this guy is bad’ and this is what the numbers tell me. Everyone's watching the games and I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions.”
Justin Braun’s three-year contract with the San Jose Sharks has one year remaining on it, and the defenseman’s agent tells CSN’s Kevin Kurz that the two sides have begun negotiating an extension. Neil Sheehy indicated discussions will continue later in the month. Braun is getting married this weekend.
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender James Reimer spoke frankly with Sportsnet 590’s Jeff Blair on Monday morning.
In your heart of hearts, did you think when you left Toronto at the end of the season you’d be someplace else by the time training camp rolled around?
“Yeah. I think last year toward the end of the year I just, I think I felt the opportunity was – or the door was closed there. I think that just the way it felt, it felt like things were headed in a different direction. Over the course of the summer things just kind of changed and obviously signing a two-year contract, it’s taken a 180 from there. But I’m really excited about coming back. It’s (laughs) not a case where I wanted to leave. I just thought, like I said, things were kind of done there. I’m real excited to have another opportunity and kind of a new start there.”
The core group is coming back, which would suggest someone like Brendan Shanahan thinks this group can play better than it did last year and has faith in that core group.
“Yeah, definitely. I think that’s the case. I think we have a talented group and I think we have what it takes to make a good run at it. I think in the off-season, some of the things that have changed – I think Shanahan has brought in is just a new, maybe a new passion, and a new understanding of the game. It’s something like that can really bring together the new pieces that we already have and should make us very competitive.”
Did the media and fans make too much of what we thought was your relationship with Randy Carlyle? How would you describe your relationship?
“I think so. I think that was blown up a little out of proportion. It’s funny, as the season was coming to an end, lots of people have asked me about Randy and what I think of him. In all honestly, I’ve always defended him. I think maybe we didn’t see eye-to-eye last year, but that has no bearing on his ability to coach or what he can do with a team. I mean, sometimes you just don’t see eye-to-eye and that’s just the way things go. But I have a lot of respect for him and I think he’s a really good coach. I think he’s a great coach. Obviously he’s won a Cup. Going forward into this year, I have absolutely no qualms at all about playing for him. I think that was pretty blown out of proportion.”
It is remarkable how quick some of us are to judge a person’s look at another person in the middle of a hockey game.
“(Laughs) Yeah, I think that’s just heat of the moment. Obviously that was a long time ago. But I’m competitive and I want to win games and I want to be the guy that your team can count on. So obviously getting pulled is not on my list of things to do. I guess I was just a little choked, that’s all.”
What did you learn about yourself last year?
“First off, I learned a lot of good things on the ice. Just about my own game and areas where I can improve. So that was a good year, a good thing about last year. I learned a lot in that sense. About myself, just expectations and how to handle different types of adversity and pressure. Looking back on last year, things didn’t go the way we wanted as a team and me personally as well, toward the end. But I really felt I grew a lot, so I’m looking forward to being the guy this year.”
In your mind, are you Jonathan Bernier’s backup, or are you coming to camp intent on winning the No. 1 job?
“Yeah, obviously the latter. I mean, I was told that there’s a definite opportunity. That’s the mindset I’m coming in with, is to really take advantage of the opportunity that’s going to be given and earn the No. 1 spot.”
When did you or your agent get a sense the winds had shifted in Toronto? Was there a phone call or point where Ray said you may be going back there to play and win a job as opposed to being traded?
“That’s a good question. I don’t know if there was a definite phone call. I mean, I think you always knew that it was a possibility. But I think for me maybe it was more gradual in the last couple of weeks where we started to definitely see a shift. I don’t know if I can really answer that question really well. But I think kind of gradually in the last couple of week s where it started to become more and more real and was getting really excited about it.”
What tells you that this team can be better than last year? What gives you the confidence to say that?
“I think, and not to rehash the past, but I think two years ago when we went to the playoffs I think we had a very similar team and we were clicking on all cylinders and we were playing well as a team. That’s really all you need to be successful. I mean, we have all the talent in the world – it’s about coming together and having that chemistry and I think that’s something that’s going to happen this year. If that happens, I think we’ll be a team to be reckoned with.”
Jason Spezza joined Sportsnet 590 on Monday morning.
It sounds like Daniel Alfredsson will play with the Detroit Red Wings again, or retire. He probably already would have announced he was not coming back if he wasn’t?
“I don’t know," Spezza began. "It’d be a little premature to say that, I guess. I haven’t talked to him this summer yet. I know Alf is always a guy that wants to play at a high level. So if he’s taking his time, it’s because he wants to make sure that he’s healthy and can help out. I’d imagine he’s going to play. Had a great year last year. He’s a heck of a hockey player. But if his body doesn’t feel like it, he’s not going to put himself out there in a situation where he’s not going to succeed. So I would think he’ll play, but if he doesn’t it’s because of health and he doesn’t feel like he can play at the high level he’s used to.”