Goonface2k14
Registered User
I’m not sure if Babcock ever has or ever would entertain this idea, but what if the Leafs went to using 5-man units rather than thinking of the forward lines and defense pairings separately?
I get the challenges (more forward lines than defense pairings, forwards take shorter shifts), but it’s been done before. The Red Wings did it back in the 90s when they had their “Russian 5”. Their chemistry was magical as depicted in the documentary called “Red Army” (which by the way is a very good documentary for any hockey fan, if you haven’t seen it already).
We likely lack the proper line up to do it, and Babcock probably wouldn’t ever go down that road anyways, but it’s interesting to think about.
Maybe what I’m really hoping for is our top up-tempo style of play forwards to be out there with our top up-tempo style defensemen (i.e. Reilly-Matthews) as much as possible. I feel like there is chemistry to be had there, just like there’s chemistry between forwards.
I get the challenges (more forward lines than defense pairings, forwards take shorter shifts), but it’s been done before. The Red Wings did it back in the 90s when they had their “Russian 5”. Their chemistry was magical as depicted in the documentary called “Red Army” (which by the way is a very good documentary for any hockey fan, if you haven’t seen it already).
We likely lack the proper line up to do it, and Babcock probably wouldn’t ever go down that road anyways, but it’s interesting to think about.
Maybe what I’m really hoping for is our top up-tempo style of play forwards to be out there with our top up-tempo style defensemen (i.e. Reilly-Matthews) as much as possible. I feel like there is chemistry to be had there, just like there’s chemistry between forwards.