from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,

If Carlyle turns things around, with the help of quite a few roster changes by the look of things, then great, as far as Shanahan is concerned. The Leafs have continuity and all that. If there is another march off the cliff at any point in the season, well, hey, Carlyle is Nonis’s guy, eh?

And don’t get caught up in the fact Carlyle is under contract for three more seasons, which probably has the Leafs on the hook for something around $6-million (all currency U.S.). Some of the MLSE directors spill that much at lunch.

The two-year contract extension is a clear message to the players. They are being told Carlyle is no lame-duck coach; the contract security means he has the backing of management, so it’s his way or the highway.

This is why Shanahan and Nonis made the right decision. There were too many shirkers last season when it came time to play the hard hockey needed to get into the playoffs. A lot of them need to go and Nonis is planning to say goodbye if he can manage it.

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