TORONTO - He didnt talk about the Vatican of hockey. NMD Sale . He didnt mention the centre of the hockey universe. He shied away from dream job talk. He didnt wax on about pugnacity, testosterone, truculence, or belligerence. He didnt lay out his vision for how his Toronto Maple Leafs would play or what ailed them this past season and in seasons before. "Im not here today for big speeches, big words, big proclamations," Brendan Shanahan said Monday morning from the Air Canada Centre. "Today is my first day at work and theres a lot of work to be done." It was more than five and a half years ago that the Maple Leafs hired Brian Burke to change the "culture" of an organization which had veered further and further off the rails toward an eventual Stanley Cup. But unlike the bombastic Burke on that excitable day in Nov. 2008, the new President and alternate governor in Toronto made few bold statements or declarations. "This is the time for me to start learning about the organization from top to bottom," he said. "Its a time for me to listen, to learn and get to work and thats all thats really worked for me in my career. Its whats worked for me when I was done playing hockey and thats what I intend to do here." Tim Leiweke, the President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, says he hired the 45-year-old to become the leader of the hockey team in Toronto - a presence he was unfit to fill - to instill an identity, to become the culture, heart, soul and character of the organization. He spoke glowingly of Shanahans track record - both as a player and in the league office - his leadership skills as a player for 21 seasons, his first-hand familiarity with winning cultures in Detroit and New Jersey, his passion, his work ethic, his analytical skills and his knowledge of the game. And with that full faith came final authority on all hockey and business matters. "I couldnt find anyone to say anything bad about him," Leiweke said of fact-finding conversations which came to include Ken Holland, Lou Lamiorello and Luc Robitaille. "…what everyone talks about is the man fights," Leiweke said, selling his new management piece with vigour. "He fought as a player. He fought for the union (during the second NHL lockout). He fought for the game. And now he fights for the integrity of the league. Now he comes here to fight for the Leafs. And the one thing I know about Shanny is hes going to fight for us every day. He may be analytical, he may be patient, he may not knee-jerk, but in that heart beats a man that is extremely committed to winning and doing whatever is necessary." Whatever credentials Shanahan may boast as a former player (three Stanley Cups) and league disciplinarian, he lacks the same in actual front office experience - an obvious source of skepticism for the hiring. A growing trend in the NHL has seen teams sweep up former star players for management roles to only middling success. Maybe the most recent example of disappointment saw local legend Pat Lafontaine plucked for a senior position in Buffalo only to depart less than four months later. Brett Hull, also of limited experience, was brought back to Dallas and eventually named co-general manager. He lasted less than two seasons and now works in St. Louis. Those that found success in the transition typically gained experience before eventually ascending to the type of role Shanahan has inherited in Toronto. Steve Yzerman toiled in the Red Wings front office, also managing Team Canada at the Worlds and Olympics before becoming the Lightning GM. Cam Neely was a vice-president for a few years before he was promoted to team president. Joe Sakic, now the overseer of all hockey matters in Colorado, joined the club initially as an advisor and alternate governor. Because of that inexperience its difficult to project which direction Shanahan will take the Leafs. Will he try to follow Hollands philosophy in Detroit - skill over brawn - or lean in the direction of what Lamiorello built in New Jersey - a stifling defensive system - or try something different entirely? Above all, he said hed be open to new ideas, even spending his flight to Toronto reading all about the merits of Corsi and Fenwick (analytical tools for measuring the game). Learning the business side of the game under the tutelage of Gary Bettman in his past business role with the NHL, Shanahan also was keen as a player, claiming to have picked the brains of superiors like Holland, Lamoriello, Glen Sather and Jim Rutherford. "I was always curious from their perspective, the difficulties and the challenges of operating and running a team," he said. "He was like a sponge and he took it all in," Leiweke claimed. Shanahans more recent gig as the leagues head of discipline offered opportunity, additionally, at the centre of controversy - something hell become familiar with in a hurry with the Leafs. "I had a job in which everyone questioned my decisions, everybody thought they knew better than us, they second-guessed everything we did and didnt like us," Shanahan said. "So now I get to come do this." Leiweke was blunt that the Leafs pre-Shanahan were lacking in direction, lacking in identity and lacking the culture of a winner - damning with Dave Nonis seated just a short distance to his left. He wanted someone to change that, much in the way, he said, that Masai Ujiri has quickly altered the course of the Raptors - though he failed to mention good fortune in that case, notably with the unexpected post Rudy Gay-trade ascension and emphatic growth of Kyle Lowry. Burke, too, talked about culture when he first landed from Anaheim, harshly critical of a "blue and white disease" that he felt had infected the club. He tried to change that and ran out of time. He also could not deliver the nasty, black and blue squad he imagined on the day of his arrival all too long ago. Shanahan wouldnt stray down a similar path as far as bold proclamations and statements were concerned on this day. If anything, it seems he aimed to undersell and over-deliver. He wouldnt get into what his vision for the club would be, wouldnt say what went wrong this year - he didnt feel it was his place - detailing instead his immediate plans, which included a full review of the coaching staff, roster, management team, and farm system, all to be done with his standing general manager, Nonis. "It would be premature for me to tell you right now where were going to go," Shanahan said. "Were going to work together to try to find the right answers together," Nonis added. "If we have questions or concerns were going to work them out, but at the end of the day Brendans the boss. He runs this team." How the dynamic between Shanahan and Nonis plays out remains of some intrigue and uncertainty. Its uncertain how much of a say Shanahan will have in the day-to-day operations of the team and more broadly speaking, how strong an influence hell exert over the bigger picture and to what effect. What direction he wants to take the Leafs wasnt immediately clear nor was how that approach will jive with that of Nonis, who helped build the current group, formerly as the No. 2 under Burke and eventual No. 1 until Mondays present. In terms of shifting the identity and culture of the Leafs, Shanahan will have to start with Randy Carlyle, quickly determining whether he is, in fact, the right head coach to guide the push forward. Though Carlyle found some success with the group in the lockout-shortened 2013, his message never seemed to hit home this season, culminating in all too familiar collapse. Both Shanahan and Nonis said all the right things as to Carlyles prowess as a coach, but neither would rightly commit to his future. Beyond the urgent matter of coaching - and who might be a suitable replacement - is a roster full of questions - be it with the core group and bundle of free agents - and a draft and development system that needs refreshment and considerable improvement. A lot, quite simply, lies on the plate of the new boss with little time to learn on the job. "Winning is just a very simple solution," he said. "Were not going to win a game sitting up here today. We have to get results." NMD On Sale . After losing Brett Cecil to groin tightness on Friday, the Blue Jays watched as R. NMD Clearance . Its the second straight year he has decided not to play as he cuts back his schedule. Stricker was replaced in the field by Ryo Ishikawa of Japan. https://www.cheapnmdoutlet.com/ .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory.The Jets are getting good goaltending, the Red Wings are on the rise since Datsyuk’s return, a star in the making in Nashville, lineup news, Fantasy tips and more in Scott Cullen’s Statistically Speaking. HEROES Jets Goaltenders - Ondrej Pavelec had a 38-save shutout in a 1-0 shootout win over the Rangers Saturday; then Michael Hutchinson delivered a 33-save shutout, in his sixth career NHL game, against Chicago in Sunday’s 1-0 win. Getting quality goaltending is a major step forward for the Jets, considering Pavelec has ranked 24th, with a .907 save percentage (out of 26 qualified with minimum 150 games) over the past four seasons. Additionally notable about Pavelec’s play in this first month of the season is that, compared to last season, he’s facing shots from a closer distance, on average (33.02 feet last season, 30.54 feet this season, according to Sporting Charts), yet is delivering a higher save percentage. PAVELEC SHOT DISTANCE vs. SAVE PERCENTAGE YEAR AVG. SHOT DISTANCE SV% 2009-10 33.7 .906 2010-11 34.3 .914 2011-12 34.1 .906 2012-13 34.2 .905 2013-14 33.0 .901 2014-15 30.5 .921 (data from www.sportingcharts.com and www.somekindofninja.com) Taking small samples of goaltending performance doesn’t tell a whole lot. It’s great that Pavelec has a .921 save percentage this season – it would be a career-best for him – but if given the choice between using four years or one month of data to project future goaltending performance, the odds side with the larger sample of games and if Pavelec is facing closer shots this year than ever before, the odds are further stacked against maintaining this level of play. Red Wings forwards - Pavel Datsyuk and Gustav Nyquist each had two goals and an assist in a 5-2 win over Los Angeles Friday. Then, in Sunday’s 3-2 shootout loss to Buffalo, Datsyuk had a goal and an assist while Datsyuk, Nyquist and Henrik Zetterberg held better than 82% possession against the Sabres. Filip Forsberg – Scored two goals, and added an assist, in a 3-1 win at Vancouver Sunday, generating a dozen shot attempts with eight shots on goal. Forsberg has put up a point-per-game through 11 games this season, and has strong possession stats, with the Predators getting 55.7% of the shot attempts when he’s on the ice for 5-on-5 play. ZEROES Anaheims top line - The Ducks’ No.1 line of Patrick Maroon (returning from injury), Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry was pinned into their own zone – all under 20% possession -- Friday night, getting the worst of their most frequent head-to-head matchup against Antoine Roussel, Cody Eakin and Ryan Garbutt, a Stars trio that generated at least 78% of the shot attempts when they were on the ice. Zac Rinaldo - The Flyers agitator wasn’t on the ice for a shot attempt in Saturday’s loss at Florida, the second straight game in which he’s drawn a blank, compared to 17 shot attempts against during 5-on-5 play. Travis Zajac - New Jerseys top line centre failed to register a shot attempt in 21:46 against Columbus Saturday. SHORT SHIFTS Maple Leafs G James Reimer turned back 45 of 47 shots (including 26 in the third period) in a 3-2 win over the visiting Chicago Blackhawks Saturday...Maple Leafs RW Phil Kessel and LW Daniel Winnik both had a goal and two assists, while C Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist in Toronto’s 4-1 win at Columbus Friday…Predators RW James Neal scored two goals in Friday’s 4-3 loss at Calgary, then added two assists in Sunda’s 3-1 win at Vancouver…Red Wings D Niklas Kronwall and C Henrik Zetterberg each had two assists against Los Angeles Friday…Flames C Sean Monahan and LW Johnny Gaudreau both had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win over Nashville Friday, then Gaudreau added two assists in Sunday’s 6-2 win against Montreal. Penguins C Sidney Crosby tallied three assists in 15:27 during a 5-0 win over Buffalo Friday…C Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists, LW Chris Kunitz had two goals and an assist, while RW Patric Hornqvist chipped in a goal and an assist…Kunitz and D Olli Maatta had the Penguins’ best possession stats (both 21 shot attempts for, 6 against, 77.8%)…Bruins LW Matt Fraser scored a pair of goals in a 4-2 win against Ottawa Saturday…C Carl Soderberg assisted on both…Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook recorded a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss to Toronto Saturday…Lightning C Tyler Johnson picked up a couple of assists and RW Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist in Saturday’s 4-3 win over Washington. Panthers G Roberto Luongo stopped 36 of 37 Philadelphia shots in a 2-1 win Saturday…Blue Jackets LW Nick Foligno had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss to New Jersey Saturday…Devils D Marek Zidlicky contributed a goal and an assist, both on the power play, in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Columbus…Hurricanes RW Elias Lindholm scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Arizona Saturday, then added a goal and an assist in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Los Angeles…Hurricanes G Cam Ward recorded a 25-save shutout against Arizona…Avalanche C Nathan MacKinnon and RW Ryan O’Reilly each had a goal and an assist, while D Erik Johnson had a pair of assists in a 3-2 shootout loss at St. Louis Saturday…MacKinnon also had Colorado’s worst possession stats (4 shot attempts for, 14 against, 22.2%)…Blues RW Vladimir Tarasenko buried a pair of goals in Colorado’s 3-2 shootout win over Colorado...New Jersey’s top three possession players against Columbus Saturday: RW Reid Boucher (78.6%), D Jon Merrill (70.8%) and D Adam Larsson (68.7%). Capitals LW Alex Ovechkin ended his five-game point drought with an assist at Tampa Bay Saturday, registering 10 shot attempts (6 SOG)… Ovechkin put up a goal and three assists, and C Nicklas Backstrom chipped in three assists, in a 6-5 loss to Arizona Sunday. Ovechkin generated 14 shot attempts (7 SOG)…Flyers D Mark Streit had 10 shot attempts (6 SOG) at Florida Saturday. Coyotes D Oliver Ekman-Larsson had 10 shot attempts (5 SOG) vs. Carolina Saturday then 13 shot attempts (4 SOG) at Washington Sunday…Jets RW Dustin Byfuglien had 11 shot attempts (5 SOG) in a season-high 23:03 against the Rangers Saturday. Flames D T.J. Brodie had three assists in Calgary’s 6-2 win against Montreal Sunday...D Mark Giordano, and LW Curtis Glencross also had two points in the win…Flames rookie C Josh Jooris scored a pair of goals against Montreal…Sabres G Michal Neuvirth stoppeed 36 of 38 shots in Sunday’s 3-2 win against Detroit…Sabres D Josh Gorges was stuck in his own end (5 shot attempts for, 23 against, 17. NMD Discount. .9%) in the win over Detroit…Hurricanes rookie LW Chris Terry contributed a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win against Los Angeles Sunday…Coyotes captain Shane Doan had two goals and an assist in a 6-5 win at Washington Sunday. C Antoine Vermette tallied a goal and two assists…Coyotes C Martin Hanzal had a dominant possession game (14 for, 3 against, 82.4%) in the win over Washington…Jets LW T.J. Galiardi was stuck in the defensive zone (1 shot attempt for, 14 against, 6.7%) in just 3:56 of even-strength ice time against Chicago Sunday…Flames D Dennis Wideman had 11 shot attempts (6 SOG) against Montreal Sunday. LINEUP NEED TO KNOW Oilers LW Taylor Hall left Saturday’s loss to Vancouver with a knee injury, suffered when Chris Tanev knocked him off balance into the Canucks’ net. Hall will be out 2-4 weeks. That could mean more ice time for David Perron, who has been playing three fewer minutes per game this season. Maple Leafs LW Joffrey Lupul is out three weeks with a broken hand. As a result, Daniel Winnik has moved up to the Leafs’ top line and RW David Clarkson moved up to play with C Tyler Bozak and LW James van Riemsdyk. Red Wings D Kyle Quincey suffered an ankle injury Friday, opening the door for Brian Lashoff to play his first game of the season against Buffalo Sunday. Rangers D Ryan McDonagh left with a dislocated shoulder and Kevin Klein suffered a foot injury Saturday against Winnipeg, leaving Daniel Girardi to play 34:50, the high water mark for an individual player’s ice time this season. Bruins C David Krejci missed Saturday night’s game against Ottawa with a hip injury. Veteran Chris Kelly moved up to play with LW Milan Lucic and RW Seth Griffith. Blackhawks D Trevor van Riemsdyk played a career-high 19:21 at Toronto Saturday, putting up stellar possession stats (23 shot attempts for, 8 against, 74.2%). Lightning RW Ryan Callahan scored a goal Saturday night in his return to the Tampa Bay lineup after missing 11 days with a lower-body injury. LW Alex Killorn, however, left with an upper-body after playing 6:32 against Washington. The Panthers had to dig into the minors to fill out their lineup Saturday night, with Jonathan Huberdeau (illness), Sean Bergenheim (lower body) and Aleksander Barkov (lower body) all unavailable. Wild D Jared Spurgeon is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury, suffered against San Jose Thursday night. The Hurricanes, getting LW Nathan Gerbe and RW Patrick Dwyer back into the lineup, made RW Alexander Semin a healthy scratch Saturday and Sunday. Stars RW Ales Hemsky left Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Minnesota with an upper-body injury. Hemsky is off to a miserable start with zero goals and one assist in 11 games this season. Sharks LW Tomas Hertl played on the fourth line Saturday, a season-low 9:30 time on ice, but did score a goal, snapping an eight-game goalless streak. Ducks G John Gibson suffered a lower-body injury Sunday, leaving Jason LaBarbera to start against Colorado. Red Wings LW Johan Franzen returned to the lineup, after more than two weeks out due to lower body issues, playing 16:19 against the Sabres Sunday. Second-year Sabres D Rasmus Ristolainen played a career-high 25:30 against Detroit Sunday. Kings C Anze Kopitar returned to the Los Angeles lineup in a 3-2 loss to Carolina Sunday, one week after suffering an upper-body injury and LW Marian Gaborik played his first game since October 12. Canucks D Kevin Bieksa left Sunday’s loss to Nashville with an eye injury, leaving Alex Edler to play 28:09 on the Vancouver blueline. Capitals RW Tom Wilson tallied a goal and an assist, playing a career-high 15:04, against Arizona Sunday. Avalanche RW Daniel Briere has been scratched for each of Colorado’s last two games, and played under 10 minutes in each of the five previous games. FIRSTS Panthers D Aaron Ekblad scored his first NHL goal, and had superb possession numbers (14 for, 3 against, 82.4%) in Saturday’s 2-1 win against Philadelphia. Coyotes rookie LW Tobias Rieder scored a goal in his first NHL game, playing 11:30 at Washington. Rieder had four goals, six points and was plus-2 in nine AHL games before getting promoted. Playing in his first NHL game of the season with Columbus, LW Brian Gibbons notched a pair of assists in Saturday’s 3-2 loss to New Jersey. Flames LW Michael Ferland, who had nine points in nine AHL games, played his first NHL game Friday against Nashville and suffered a concussion. That led to LW Sven Baertschi playing his first NHL game of the season against Montreal Sunday. Baertschi had three points and was minus-8 in 10 AHL games prior to getting called up. Avalanche RW Dennis Everberg scored his first career NHL goal Sunday, his eighth game in a Colorado uniform. Maple Leafs LW Sam Carrick played his first NHL game Satu-12rday vs. Chicago, getting 4:15 of ice time. Panthers RW Rocco Grimaldi played 6:11 in his first NHL game Saturday against Philadelphia. D Colby Robak and C Vincent Trocheck also played their first games of the year for the Panthers. Blue Jackets G Anton Forsberg made his NHL debut at New Jersey Saturday, stopping 26 of 29 shots in a 3-2 loss. Enforcer Tom Sestito played his first game of the season for the Canucks Saturday, chipping in an assist in 6:25 of ice time against Edmonton, then left Sundays game with an injury. FANTASY FOCUS Some players available in more than 50% of TSN leagues: Nikita Kucherov – The Lightning right winger has five goals and nine points in the past six games, yet he’s still available in nearly 55% of leagues. Michael Raffl – In a great spot, playing the wing with Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek on Philadelphia’s top line, Raffl has scored four goals and five points in the past five games. Carl Soderberg - The second-year Bruins centre has seven points in the past eight games, and 10 points in 13 games this season to lead Boston’s scoring race, yet he’s available in more than 60% of leagues. Jason Zucker – After producing early in the year on the fourth line, Zucker moved up the Minnesota depth chart and has three goals and five points in the past five games, and played a season-high 18:55 last game. Much of the data included comes from www.war-on-ice.com, www.puckalytics.com, www.hockeystats.ca and www.naturalstattrick.com Scott Cullen can be reached at scott.cullen@bellmedia.ca ' ' '