I still think our main problem is Babcock. I don't think he has ever got this team to play up to their potential.
I don't think he's the right coach for our team. I think he's probably just not a good coach anymore, period... but at the very least, he's not a good coach for our team. I think we had the Marleau - Kadri - Marner line playing really well near the end of the year, but that's about it. The Rielly - Hainsey pairing looked good in the first half of the year, but not as much in the second half (probably due to Babcock overworking Hainsey). But I never felt like any of our forward lines or D pairings really clicked other than the ones I just mentioned.
Lou has really dropped the ball on defense IMO. We could have really used an upgrade there. The Zaitsev signing is looking questionable. Doesn't seem unreasonable to ask for someone better than Polak.
I'm happy with Hunter and our scouts as I think he did a good job picking Dermott and finding Borgman.
Really disappointing game 7 from Gardiner. He was my favourite Leaf player for a long time and I've had this avatar since I created this account. I think I'll be changing it before the start of next season. I still think that Gardiner is the most in need of a Hainsey type of player, but regardless of who he was playing with... it was still a really horrible Game 7 for him. I was hoping that he would step up and become one of the best defenseman on the ice... instead he became one of the worst. Can't have that happen in such an important game. I still like Gardiner and I've seen how good he can play... but if we end up trading him or not re-signing him, I'm not going to object. I'm not going to defend that type of performance in a Game 7.
I've talked a lot of crap about Hyman over the last few years, and I think that's going to mostly stop now. He had a great series. Happy to have him on the Leafs. I think he has improved a lot over these last 2 years. I still think he would be better on the RW and in the bottom 6... but his playoff performance has won me over. He showed up when not a lot of others did and he has my respect for that. Effort was obviously never my problem with him, I always gave him credit for working hard every shift... but he also made some good plays.
Obviously it would have been nice if Matthews dominated... but he got our two least skilled wingers. I like Brown and I like Hyman now too, but compared to the other wingers in this game (Marner, Marleau / Johnsson, Nylander / JVR, Kapanen ) ... it's safe to say that Matthews basically got our "4th line" wingers. Maybe he was playing hurt... maybe not. The feeling I get (and it's just a feeling) is that Matthews is a bit frustrated having to play with Hyman and now also Brown... and that he's not on the #1 PP and does not get the ice time he needs. It just seems like it results in some frustration and him not having fun and it makes him play not as well. I notice that he will sometimes get fed up and just try to do it himself, but often shoots just a bit wide. I still think that Matthews is the best player in the NHL right now. Maybe he didn't look like it this series, but I wouldn't take anyone else over him.
I think for our team to be truly successful, we need to have Matthews - Marner on the same line (with someone like Johnsson or Marleau on the LW). We need a legit top line that is going to produce night in and night out. I think to really turn the corner, those two need to play together. Those two can create that magic spark that we really missed this series. With those two on the top line and having them score tons of goals and have lots of fun... it will be infectious. It's a lot more fun scoring goals with your buddy Marner than grinding it out in the corners with Hyman and Brown. Nylander should be #2 center and I think his competitive streak really elevate his game. Nylander is not going to like being outshined by Matthews and Marner, and he's going to step up his game to show everyone that we're not a one line team.
- Matthews - Marner
- Nylander - Kapanen
- Kadri - Brown
- - Hyman
^^^ this needs to be our template for next year.
Wont say much about Andersen, obviously not a good Game 7, but I'm still happy with him as our goalie. He had a great season and I still view him as a top 10 NHL goalie going forward.
Probably not going to post much this summer. Got too much stuff going on in real life to waste my time talking about something in the past. I'm sure I'll be ready to go in October, but for now, I've lost interest. I've said what I needed to say, and I'll leave it at that. I would also encourage the rest of you not to spend the next few months debating things we ultimately have no control over. Let's all take a much needed break, get stuff done in real life... and come back recharged in October.
