Mike Babcock still one of the best to do it - The Real Boss of the Leafs
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2 Slick
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You mean guys like Komarov shouldn't be getting 20+ minutes a game, powerplay time, 3 on 3 time, penalty kill, used in every situation? But, doesn't his 10 or 11 points warrant so much offensive playing time?
He's stagnating the third line with Marleau/Kadri and Komarov. There's probably no line in the NHL that has less chemistry than those 3 do.
Marleau has no points in weeks. Kadri has like one goal since November.
Something is definitely wrong when players like Komarov and Hyman get more playing time than your skilled players.
Stubborn as a mule he is and it's costing them points in the standings.
He's stagnating the third line with Marleau/Kadri and Komarov. There's probably no line in the NHL that has less chemistry than those 3 do.
Marleau has no points in weeks. Kadri has like one goal since November.
Something is definitely wrong when players like Komarov and Hyman get more playing time than your skilled players.
Stubborn as a mule he is and it's costing them points in the standings.
CantLoseWithMatthews
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I don't like him as much as I did when we first got him, but I still like him and want him to coach our team. I don't like what he's doing at the moment, but I trust him to move forward in a positive way from this
4 shootout wins and 1 loss.
You could make the most obtuse misinterpretation of what I said, sure, or maybe realize that the point is that they're not winning enough games in regulation/OT, i.e. the kind of wins that actually count in the playoffs.
Critical13
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If it weren't for my penis, I'd be my brother's sister, but that just aint how things work
TimPeel
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- Dec 10, 2017
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Babcock, like most coaches in this league is a victim of having too much structure. I really enjoyed watching us crush teams at the beginning of the year, and instead of building confidence, Babcock sucked the life out of the team. I have been a fan of this team since 1990, watching consistently since 93, and even throughout the Carlyle/Maurice, I have never seen my team play so stale, since at least late November.
I also partially blame the officiating for some of the garbage hockey I have seen since the start of the season. Clutching and grabbing is destroying this team, and Babcock's system amplifies this problem. We need to play to our strengths, not let other shit franchises dictate the pace of the game. Also, I believe politics are playing a huge role in sucking the confidence out of this group. Hyman, whose work ethic is commendable, should not be stapled to Matthews at all times. our best players should always start an overtime. Until the excitement returns and I see some masculine hockey I am checking out. This league is neutered.
I also partially blame the officiating for some of the garbage hockey I have seen since the start of the season. Clutching and grabbing is destroying this team, and Babcock's system amplifies this problem. We need to play to our strengths, not let other shit franchises dictate the pace of the game. Also, I believe politics are playing a huge role in sucking the confidence out of this group. Hyman, whose work ethic is commendable, should not be stapled to Matthews at all times. our best players should always start an overtime. Until the excitement returns and I see some masculine hockey I am checking out. This league is neutered.
Leads Leaf forwards in EV TOI/GP
4 secs behind JVR for the lead in PP TOI/GP
Leads Leaf forwards in Total TOI/GP
But rail on with your perceptions.
TimPeel
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Matthews hasn't looked the same since earlier in the year. Noticing some small errors he used to never make until his concussion. He will get back to normal soon, I hope. I think ultimately many players will appreciate winning with Babcock, but hate his coaching methods and systems, like Zetterberg.
Blanche Blanche
Torontoooooo
Weirdly enough, I believe Matthews is having his own star player version of the sophomore slump... Instead of being invisible for long stretches like Marner/Nylander... He just makes normal plays, and scores normally, along with normal mistakes.
For Matthews thats a slump in his own right
saffronleaf
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Honeymoon is over and the fans and media are starting to ask tough questions and that’s fair but it’s too soon judge I think. If this kind of nonsense goes on in the playoffs and they flame out in the first round look out.
socko
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Pittsburgh just won back to back Cups playing real hockey. No excuse for this crap.
Polaris1010
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Fresh From The Oven
Back in the day, Pat Quinn lowered Mats Sundin's minutes per game to the low 20s in an effort to keep him fresher. There is something to be had in keeping your top guy in his possible best condition as you get to play your other guys more and keep the 4th liners in more of a game shape. If you play guys, they won't complain about not getting ice time (who knew?). And adding to that, who is to say that a slightly more tired Matthews will produce at the same rate, and isn't it a coach's prerogative to maximize his talents? Part of that has to do with keeping them as free from injury as possible.
With that being said, Babcock's deployment has been a bit weird because unlike Matthews, Komarov's been playing way too much and it's having a noticeable impact on his skating and chippiness. There are some very deserving players, not just Matthews, that can bring similar elements that Komarov brings (Brown, Kapanen) but also guys that haven't been getting their fair shake (Leivo).
What's been bothering me is that Babcock seems to not notice this--when he was told that Komarov had played an obscene number of minutes one night, he seemed a bit surprised and have a non-answer that he'll have his guys look into that. Could those minutes have gone to the team's best player? How about the journeymen that have something to prove? He's said it himself that Brown is getting shafted...but he's also said the same thing about Leivo, and Kapanen in some way or another.
And then there's the stuff that's going on with Hainsey, Polak, and Carrick.
Shit's whack yo.
With that being said, Babcock's deployment has been a bit weird because unlike Matthews, Komarov's been playing way too much and it's having a noticeable impact on his skating and chippiness. There are some very deserving players, not just Matthews, that can bring similar elements that Komarov brings (Brown, Kapanen) but also guys that haven't been getting their fair shake (Leivo).
What's been bothering me is that Babcock seems to not notice this--when he was told that Komarov had played an obscene number of minutes one night, he seemed a bit surprised and have a non-answer that he'll have his guys look into that. Could those minutes have gone to the team's best player? How about the journeymen that have something to prove? He's said it himself that Brown is getting shafted...but he's also said the same thing about Leivo, and Kapanen in some way or another.
And then there's the stuff that's going on with Hainsey, Polak, and Carrick.
Shit's whack yo.
Polaris1010
Registered User
I still think the Leafs are alright.
Two problems this last stretch.
1. Kadri been going head to head against the best line on the other team.
That Tampa game like 2 weeks ago, their top line no points. The next game against San Jose, their top line no points. The following few games, the other team top line very few points basically, not 5 on 5.
Think about that for one second. The Maple Leafs were able to limit the other teams best lines to 1 goal or less in the games played the last two weeks (most cannot remember all of them).
So why have not the Leafs been winning all of those games? If you hold the opposition best line off the score sheet at home, you should win.
The rest of the team has not been scoring. They could criticize Kadri for not scoring, but that really is expecting too much. If his line shuts down the other team's big line, that is a big step towards winning. Kadri is good, but not that good to win games all by himself.
2. Zaitsev. The problem there is he is not in the lineup.
Zaitsev and Hainsey were the go to guys to close out the game. There were not many blown games late when he was in the lineup earlier in the season.
Babcock knows what he is doing. But when those go to guys are not there, you got no choice except to hope for the best.
Two problems this last stretch.
1. Kadri been going head to head against the best line on the other team.
That Tampa game like 2 weeks ago, their top line no points. The next game against San Jose, their top line no points. The following few games, the other team top line very few points basically, not 5 on 5.
Think about that for one second. The Maple Leafs were able to limit the other teams best lines to 1 goal or less in the games played the last two weeks (most cannot remember all of them).
So why have not the Leafs been winning all of those games? If you hold the opposition best line off the score sheet at home, you should win.
The rest of the team has not been scoring. They could criticize Kadri for not scoring, but that really is expecting too much. If his line shuts down the other team's big line, that is a big step towards winning. Kadri is good, but not that good to win games all by himself.
2. Zaitsev. The problem there is he is not in the lineup.
Zaitsev and Hainsey were the go to guys to close out the game. There were not many blown games late when he was in the lineup earlier in the season.
Babcock knows what he is doing. But when those go to guys are not there, you got no choice except to hope for the best.
Superstar
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You go, senor...what's funny is that it appears some of those TSN employees read these forums often for inspiration and might also post here as well.
While I admit that some of Babcock's decisions are questionable from outside the organization, I have no idea what the organization wants to achieve with this developing team. This team is not a finished product. There will be changes and I suggest that there is a purpose to the madness which we are not privy to. I would also suggest that we look at the roster and examine how the players are playing before we start throwing stones at Babcock. Your views may vary.
Elite: Andersen, maybe, save for the first month and determine for yourselves.
Very Good: Matthews (injury and not presently firing on all cylinders Imo). Rielly, our best D by far, including mistakes.
Good: Hainsey, Marleau, JVR, Hyman...they've all exceeded my expectations in areas, but have issues that hinder their overall grade.
Not meeting expectations, but talented and acceptable: Nylander, Marner, Borgman (could say he's good as he's a rookie, but like every rookie mistakes are made), Brown, Kadri (Kadri could be a candidate for the next category)
Talented but not acceptable: Gardiner, Bozak, Zaitsev (possibly Kadri, the last 20 games not acceptable, the first 20 quite good). I include Zaitsev here because of the number of zone entries he allows and his consistent record of not working well with his partner. Last year with Rielly, this year Gardiner.
Mediocre talent, acceptable: Martin, Komarov (pk), MacElhinny (how the heck do you spell his name?)
Mediocre talent, unacceptable: Komarov (es), Moore, Carrick
It ain't there: Polak
Not graded due to the number of games played: Freddy the Goat, Sosh, Dermott, Leivo
If you take the 50/50 gradings of Kadri and Komarov and add them together to create 1 acceptable and 1 unacceptable, the Leafs by my way of looking at things have 7 players riding an unacceptable or worse streak. That's a third of your roster. Awfully difficult to consistently win when this number of players are not playing up to their capabilities. One can argue that Babcock's usage of these players is contributing to their underperforming grades.
Nylander and Marner need to play better regardless of where they are in the line-up (a case of the sophomore slump?). Kadri has to get on the score sheet. Bozak and Gardiner...frustrations abound with these two. The point being for all 5, it's up to them to perform better.
Elite: Andersen, maybe, save for the first month and determine for yourselves.
Very Good: Matthews (injury and not presently firing on all cylinders Imo). Rielly, our best D by far, including mistakes.
Good: Hainsey, Marleau, JVR, Hyman...they've all exceeded my expectations in areas, but have issues that hinder their overall grade.
Not meeting expectations, but talented and acceptable: Nylander, Marner, Borgman (could say he's good as he's a rookie, but like every rookie mistakes are made), Brown, Kadri (Kadri could be a candidate for the next category)
Talented but not acceptable: Gardiner, Bozak, Zaitsev (possibly Kadri, the last 20 games not acceptable, the first 20 quite good). I include Zaitsev here because of the number of zone entries he allows and his consistent record of not working well with his partner. Last year with Rielly, this year Gardiner.
Mediocre talent, acceptable: Martin, Komarov (pk), MacElhinny (how the heck do you spell his name?)
Mediocre talent, unacceptable: Komarov (es), Moore, Carrick
It ain't there: Polak
Not graded due to the number of games played: Freddy the Goat, Sosh, Dermott, Leivo
If you take the 50/50 gradings of Kadri and Komarov and add them together to create 1 acceptable and 1 unacceptable, the Leafs by my way of looking at things have 7 players riding an unacceptable or worse streak. That's a third of your roster. Awfully difficult to consistently win when this number of players are not playing up to their capabilities. One can argue that Babcock's usage of these players is contributing to their underperforming grades.
Nylander and Marner need to play better regardless of where they are in the line-up (a case of the sophomore slump?). Kadri has to get on the score sheet. Bozak and Gardiner...frustrations abound with these two. The point being for all 5, it's up to them to perform better.
Oh no, some insignificant pigeons are going to light up twitter and HF? I'm sure Babs is really concerned
Not as smart as he thinks. Then again, his opinion of himself is also based on his thinker....
What he does know for sure, is that he's a big deal. And that Hyman is also 'one of the best' (the best?).
But you are right. He is the boss. That Hyman deal, that STUPID Marleau deal, the Pollack re-signing, the Nylander benchings, the banishment of Leivo,,,,,,, NONE of it, NONE,,, happens without him.
What he does know for sure, is that he's a big deal. And that Hyman is also 'one of the best' (the best?).
But you are right. He is the boss. That Hyman deal, that STUPID Marleau deal, the Pollack re-signing, the Nylander benchings, the banishment of Leivo,,,,,,, NONE of it, NONE,,, happens without him.
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saffronleaf
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I’m sure he doesn’t care but don’t underestimate this markets ability to run someone out of town there budOh no, some insignificant pigeons are going to light up twitter and HF? I'm sure Babs is really concerned
SmoggyTwinkles
Go Leafs Go
Babs is still teaching, he will unleash it next season, or perhaps he'll feel a bit rushed and we'll start to see it heading into the playoff push.
Shanny has a plan. He's a patient man. His first year here he just watched, then he took out a machete on the entire organization.
A lot of fans (must be young or new) don't get it. It's not about this year it's about every year after. This is a new organization and I've never seen the Leafs under this kind of plan, which is the right plan. I've only been a die-hard fan since 1996 though.
But aside from all that, man do I not want to hear negative crap about Babcock you know why? Because he isn't going anywhere for another 3 seasons after this and that's only if HE wants to leave. He has an 8 year contract with an opt out after year 5 for HIM if he's not happy here.
Just suck it up and accept that Babcock is the Leafs coach for the very long foreseeable future. AKA there is no point making this board negative and depressing about something that absolutely will not be changed.
Look on the bright side because there's no point fine combing the negatives.
Shanny has a plan. He's a patient man. His first year here he just watched, then he took out a machete on the entire organization.
A lot of fans (must be young or new) don't get it. It's not about this year it's about every year after. This is a new organization and I've never seen the Leafs under this kind of plan, which is the right plan. I've only been a die-hard fan since 1996 though.
But aside from all that, man do I not want to hear negative crap about Babcock you know why? Because he isn't going anywhere for another 3 seasons after this and that's only if HE wants to leave. He has an 8 year contract with an opt out after year 5 for HIM if he's not happy here.
Just suck it up and accept that Babcock is the Leafs coach for the very long foreseeable future. AKA there is no point making this board negative and depressing about something that absolutely will not be changed.
Look on the bright side because there's no point fine combing the negatives.
Babcock's going to have made the playoffs in 13 out of 15 seasons as HC in the NHL yet people still want to bitch. He's going to get us to the playoffs and anything is possible from there
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