{"id":1321,"date":"2023-03-21T18:05:08","date_gmt":"2023-03-21T18:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/?p=1321"},"modified":"2023-03-21T18:05:09","modified_gmt":"2023-03-21T18:05:09","slug":"calle-jarnkrok-help-maple-leafs-critics-trust","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oldprof.nhltradetalk.com\/index.php\/2023\/03\/21\/calle-jarnkrok-help-maple-leafs-critics-trust\/","title":{"rendered":"What Has Calle Jarnkrok’s Success Taught Maple Leafs’ Critics?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To generate this post today, I looked back to a post I had written when Calle Jarnkrok was signed<\/a> by the Toronto Maple Leafs. At the time, I had supported Jarnkrok’s signing but only because I believed in the process the Maple Leafs (as an organization) had engaged to create a team. I have become comfortable with a wait-and-see approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Approach Are the Maple Leafs Using to Make Decisions?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

That process fitted with a research approach I had written academic books about as a professor at the University of Alberta. That approach is both rigorous and iterative. It’s a process used by researchers (including those in business – and sports) – to make decisions. It’s not necessarily the same as Moneyball, but it shares many of the same principles. Specifically, it uses data to inform decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In simple terms, iterative processes are a way of managing complex problems by repeating a cycle of evaluating successes and failures, making adjustments based on what was learned, and using that knowledge to inform the next cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Kyle Dubas, Maple Leafs GM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

What we know from problem-solving research is that, by continuously evaluating their successes and failures, the Maple Leafs as a team can adjust their approach and make better decisions moving forward. In the specific case of the Maple Leafs, each season and offseason serves as a single iteration in this process, with the outcome of each iteration informing the next decision made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This approach is not only effective in sports, but it’s also a good practice in business. By continuously evaluating and adjusting their approach, organizations can better achieve their goals. In computer science, algorithms are used to build sets of instructions that can help transform information into actionable insights, which can then be used to inform decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related: Maple Leafs\u2019 Quick Hits: Scoring, New Line Combos & Acciari<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Maple Leafs Did Their Homework When They Signed Jarnkrok<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From my perspective, it’s great to see the Maple Leafs using a considered and rigorous approach to decision-making. Signing Jarnkrok was no exception. At the time, some Maple Leafs’ fans were critical of the move. One reader noted that some of the moves general manager Kyle Dubas made as general manager seemed “cobbled together.” [Implying a lack of consideration, I believe.]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About Jarnkrok, the move was called a “head-scratcher.” Specifically, a reader noted that Dubas “wasn\u2019t finished lifting rocks and beating the bushes yet. There will be more unforeseen additions \u2013 like Jarnkrok \u2013\u00a0 to come.”\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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MAPLE LEAFS NOTES: Calle Jarnkrok providing head coach with another top-six option https:\/\/t.co\/Z2oSO3eF1t<\/a><\/p>— Toronto Sun (@TheTorontoSun) March 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>