The biggest problem with Babcock is his goals and objectives are way beyond the grasp of most fans.
When you see Babcock let the team roll out their offense and the game looks natural for the players,
that's a complete sign of disrespect to the opposition coming from him. He's letting his players have
fun, because there's no lesson to be had against an easy opponent. To Babcock, it's a meaningless
game that doesn't bring the club one step closer to it's objective. Win in the playoffs. When you
see the Leafs have an uncomfortable game, sure blame it on Babcock. He's not in it to win multiple
President's trophies. He's after the Stanley Cup and knows it will take more then just free-flowing
offensive game-play to get there. He want to be at the point the opposition can bring any game they
want against the Leafs and it won't work.
"We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight
with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost
may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields
and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender" -Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill
I saw someone compare the Leaf's high flying offense to the `80's Edmonton Oilers. Despite how powerful they
were, the Oilers lost to N.Y. Islanders. And the one thing the Oilers took from that was how mellow the
Islanders celebrations were. They were more concerned with putting on ice packs. The Oilers realized the
level of sacrifice and dedication needed. Babcock knows this, the fans don't know this, and heck, many of
the players don't either.
"You would watch us play…and see the puck pursuit. All of those things you talk about today: the gap
between defense and forward, the work down low in our own zone. We were stifling." - Dennis Povin.
Personally I think one of the biggest reasons Nylander is hiding is his fear/dislike of Babcock. When it
comes to a battle, Nylander runs away while Babcock wants to see no surrender. Of course star players
don't have to be a beast, but you saw Marleau go from 1 to 2.7 hits per game. Matthews, who sounds like
was injured, still went from 0.3 hits to 2.0 hits per game. Nylander went from 0.3 to 0.9. If the Leafs
want to win, really win, they need to be willing to sacrifice at times. Why did the Leafs lose? For the
same reason that Tyler Ennis is currently 5th on the Leafs for hits per game.
