Why would a player ask for less money. You make no sense whatsoever.
In a negotiation, you explain your side of the argument, then the opposing side explains their side. Very very basic stuff.
If the coach was someone all the players loved, would management use that as an advantage to signing in Toronto ? Absolutely they would.
So when the team was playing well it was because of Babcock, but when they lose or have a bad season it's because of Dubas ? And you say I'm 1 sided ?
The team wins or loses as a team, that's how team sports work. Does Dubas deserve some blame, yes (and he admits it), does Babcock deserve some blame , yes (But he doesn't admit it), do the players deserve some blame, yes (for the most part they admit it).
They had a 100 point season and you make it sound like they missed the play offs. Talk about grasping at straws
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The team doesn't have to win a Stanley cup to be able to say the GM made some good moves, in the same way you talk about Babcock like he is god's gift to hockey even though he has won nothing in the NHL in 10 years.