Around the League XXI: Playoffs & New Coaches Everywhere

[WJSN]

His teams over achieve? Making the playoffs for a team with a fairly solid top 6, decent top 4 and average goalie isn't exactly over achieving.

But yeah, over achieving would be making it past the 2nd round at least once in the last 6 years.

Decent top 4? Nah. Since Lidstrom and Rafalski retired, Wings D has been a mess.

Wings teams of past 4~5 years weren't that good. Gotta give Babcock some credit. His teams definitely overachieved during the regular season. They just couldn't get anything done once they got to the playoffs.

 

[Hawkaholic]

Decent top 4? Nah. Since Lidstrom and Rafalski retired, Wings D has been a mess.

Wings teams of past 4~5 years weren't that good. Gotta give Babcock some credit. His teams definitely overachieved during the regular season. They just couldn't get anything done once they got to the playoffs.

Kronwall is as good or better than Seabrook, Dekeyser is a pretty darn good Dman himself, and Ericsson isn't that bad either. Those are 3 legit top 4Dmen. and 1 legit top pairing Dman. The bottom 3 between Kindl, Smith and Quincey haven't been great, but they have each had good and bad seasons over the last few years.

They finished where they should in the regular season (barely making the playoffs) and ousted in the first or 2nd round every year. Their depth at forward is underrated, and helps offset their weaker defense. They are what they are, barely a playoff team with or without Babcock.

 

[hisgirlfriday]

Dreger is discussing it on TSN radio right now: http://www2.tsn.ca/toronto/listen/

I'm pretty shocked by this. I don't think the Leafs, in their current state, are attractive to anyone.

They will always be attractive for the same reason prestige coaches/execs sign with the Cubs. Tons of money and ego fulfillment to chase after unlike anywhere else.

 

[JaegerDice]

Wings definitely overachieved over the last several years under Babcock. He's obviously a great coach.

That said, he was working for an organization with a ridiculous development pipeline. There were constantly options for him to put together a line-up, always another guy challenging for a roster spot.

Not so much in Toronto. He's really going to have his work cut out for him... unless he's fully on board with tanking another season or two to stock the cupboards.... which he might be, given he has roster input.

 

[Ace Rothstein]

Babcock looks like an owl.

 

[ChiGuySez]

Glad Babcock decided to stay in the East. Unstood why he chose Toronto but they're beyond hope imo.

 

[CptnSerious]

Babcock to the Leafs? Huh. That's interesting.

 

[ChiGuySez]

Babcock to the Leafs? Huh. That's interesting.

8yrs - 50M estimate.

 

[Foster81]

Good news for Q when his contracts up.

Good thing for the Hawks there's no coaching/front office salary cap.

 

[Ace Rothstein]

What the hell are the Blues doing? Are they actually bringing Hitchcock back?

 

[CptnSerious]

What the hell are the Blues doing? Are they actually bringing Hitchcock back?

Meh, I think we're okay with this.

 

[hawksfan50]

Q now very very happy...

Now that Babs-Watch is over and Babcock whored himself to the Laffs for filthy lucre more than double what Q makes per annum...now that Babs is getting $50 mil over the next 8 years...Q is giddy over the barrel he can hold over Rocky at expiry of his contract...more so if we win another Cup...Q will state pay me or I test the market...at his age he probably will not get 8 years on the market but probably gets a doubling of his current $2.75 mil per on a 5 or 6 year deal by some team..It dies not affect our cap..
But it will be more ammo for Rocky to claim his Hawks are "not making any money"...and if course if coaches cam command $5.5 to $6 mil a year deals..what is the genius GM and all his Cups worth? Rocky will be crying poor and cursing the Laffs for their largesse in giving so much moolah to non-playing personnel who after all do not put bums in the seats..Get the right talent and anybody can open the gate to let them play and win..Coaching is not Rocket science...There are plenty of good coaches who just do not have the horses to win...now the Laffs have over-pass and set market prices for successful coaches into the stratosphere..Other owners like Rocky will not be amused...The cost of business now significantly more expensive and coaches who are Ufa at the end of their contract if they are deemed successful will command much steeper remuneration...Q is positively giddy at the good fortune...for his next mega-cpntract. .Head over heels giddy at his next payday from the huge sum he will command. STAN will be crying pauper...

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

What the hell are the Blues doing? Are they actually bringing Hitchcock back?

That appears to be plan at moment

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Brassard + Fast with goals for Rangers
Stamkos with goal for Lightning

2-1 game 11 minutes into 1st period

 

[Any Colour You Like]

Exciting first period. Rest of the game should be fun.

 

[CptnSerious]

How about a triple OT in this game tonight? We have only seen the Hawks have that recently. It would be nice for us to watch a triple OT game without having to deal with anxiety.

 

[Any Colour You Like]

I'm sure as hell not staying up to watch it if it does go to 3OT.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Palat ties it

 

[CptnSerious]

Lightning tie it up. 2-2.

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Johnson makes it 3-2

That line is on fire

 

[Any Colour You Like]

Beautiful goal.

 

[CptnSerious]

Tyler Johnson is ****ing amazing. 3-2 Lightning.

 

[Ace Rothstein]

Worst line nickname, Triplets or That 70's Line?

 

[CptnSerious]

Worst line nickname, Triplets or That 70's Line?

Both are pretty terrible.

 

[JaegerDice]

Tampa playing like the 2013 Blackhawks right now. Wow.