I really don’t have much of an opinion on this one. I think comparing the GM job in Toronto to the GM job in Calgary might be a bit of an exercise in apples and oranges. Very different set of circumstances there, very likely leading to decisions that wouldn’t get made here.
I think keeping Keefe is a mistake, feel like I’ve seen more than enough of him. But I also think Dubie catered to him, rather than insist he buy into the game plan. Treliving won’t have that same weird relationship, and if anything, will be waiting for the chance to hire his own guy, so Keefe will be on a short leash. And if he wants to extend his time here, he’ll have to march to the beat of Treliving’s drum. So if he gives him the roster we want, with Knies, Lilly and others, and doesn’t also arm him with grenades like ZAR, then Keefe may need to be the better version of himself despite his own preferences.
That was another Dubie failing, whether he was of like mind with him or just too weak to impose his will on his subordinate.
Anyway, we’ll get to see some major work from Treliving right out of the gate with the extensions, draft, and free agency. Won’t be long before he’s got his own early track record here to judge.
