Both of you gentlemen are exactly right. Lou knew what this team needed to take the next step--he brought in guys like Marleau and Hainsey, etc. If he had his way, he would have brought in the Thorntons and Niskanens of the world, etc. but there are cap limitations.
And Babcock--why do you think he visited Matthews in Arizona in the offseason? It was always to "smooth things over." If us fans on TV could see Matthews' eye-rolls when Babcock was telling him things, don't you think Babcock knows what's going on with his star players? Babcock is as sharp as they come--he knows everything about every single one of his men.
Babcock fully believed this was going to be a 5-7 year plan. Remember when he said, "there will be some pain"? He knew this team needed to learn how to play winning hockey, and it wouldn't be easy. Then the Leafs surprised everyone, made the playoffs, and took the Caps to the brink. At that point, the media, fans, and probably management decided--"screw the build, let's go all in"--which is why they strayed from the plan, brought in Tavares for big money, then ultimately fired Babcock because they weren't fulfilling the "win now" prophecy. Nothing has changed under Keefe. This team started out great under him, now look even worse than with Babcock.
This is on the players--they are like the criminals running the asylum. Babcock was a gatekeeper (and they disliked him for it) but it appears Dubas and Keefe are enablers--they are both part of the "too cool for school kids club" with the players and Shanahan is just all-in because he was seduced by Dubas' intellect and wanted to appear to be this young, progressive executive himself.
This Leafs team is young and extremely talented. But the mix is wrong and the leadership (meaning Shanahan, Dubas and Keefe) isn't willing to right the ship IMO and make the necessary decisions to advance the team--at least they haven't so far. This offseason will 100% tell if Shanny or Dubas truly learned anything yet, or if they are bullish to their own detriment.