The Official 2026 Off-Season Thread: Revenge of the Nerds

[Preston]

the article overstates the urgency x1000...pretty sure Auston is gonna give this admin at least a year to sort things out.

An entire essay of filling in blanks, because he got a text from a "source" that said "Auston isn't sure if he's going to return."

 

[MyNameIsJonas]

I'm on #TeamCoachingIsOverrated in that I believe a bad coach can destroy a team, but the difference between a super elite coach and a coach that is "fine" is minimal. So I don't care as long as the gameplan isn't to dig in, play north-south and "keep things simple."

I agree, i would just hope they stay away from any relic like that.

 

[CH1]

I'm on #TeamCoachingIsOverrated in that I believe a bad coach can destroy a team, but the difference between a super elite coach and a coach that is "fine" is minimal. So I don't care as long as the gameplan isn't to dig in, play north-south and "keep things simple."

Yep. You simply have to avoid the real bad ones, hope you land a unicorn (if you’re trying a rookie) but should be ok with a competent one.

There’s a reason most “fine” coaches get recycled — the system works.

Chayka does strike me as someone who won’t leave any potential edge unturned so he may surprise you

 

[leafman101]

Unless Auston is going to hold out and demand a trade he is going to be back. The media in Toronto is nuts.

 

[thehabhater]

Extending an eventful news day.

 

[Preston]

Yep. You simply have to avoid the real bad ones, hope you land a unicorn (if you’re trying a rookie) but should be ok with a competent one.

There’s a reason most “fine” coaches get recycled — the system works.

Chayka does strike me as someone who won’t leave any potential edge unturned so he may surprise you

Yeah obviously you still want to try to get the best one you believe is out there. And Chayka did say he's gonna ask Berube (and presumably other candidates after Berube is fired) about the potential of using some of the resources that the organization provides to determine some coaching tactics - he believes coaching is a partnership with the GM, R&D, sports science, etc. So yeah, in that sense, I don't really care who he hires as long as they're on board with that!

I do know Cassidy is a big believer in nerdies so he's an obvious fit, but definitely not the only one.

 

[hockeylover]

cj is the crypto maga one right.

 

[MindzEye]

cj is the crypto maga one right.

Correct

 

[hockeylover]

yeah, that tracks.

 

[Preston]

 

[zeke]

i just don't understand why anyone here is suddenly listening or reading any of these guys as if they have anything useful to tell us.

 

[WellPlayed]

Ya we could be running draft lottery sims!


Only took 5 tries before I got one where Boston didn't get our pick

 

[CH1]

i just don't understand why anyone here is suddenly listening or reading any of these guys as if they have anything useful to tell us.

 

[zeke]

Ya we could be running draft lottery sims!
View attachment 34049

Only took 5 tries before I got one where Boston didn't get our pick

not sure what this is for.

I'm not aware of anything important happening today.

 

[Aberdeen]

Third try...

 

[hockeylover]

View: https://x.com/Pete___Hughes/status/2051524811843936671?s=20


View: https://x.com/Pete___Hughes/status/2051526878020915473?s=20

 

[hockeylover]

people are so unhinged right now.


View: https://x.com/Malginholics/status/2051367750568927305?s=20

 

[hockeylover]

View: https://x.com/nylanderthews/status/2051693861756407960?s=20

 

[CH1]

#TeamBerube

 

[Preston]

I have to say, my favorite line from Pelley in the presser was "you're in for a treat."

Definitely immediately eased all concerns.