News Article: Mirtle: It’s time to ask some tough questions about these Maple Leafs

[Kamiccolo]

Mirtle: It's time to ask some tough questions about these...

He talks about what many of us have been saying and a few other things. Basically talks about how our stars have been good but our misuse of the supporting cast might be a problem.

Taking one portion of the article:

"
But Toronto has some ugly inefficiencies elsewhere. Two of Lou Lamoriello’s biggest mistakes as GM — signing Patrick Marleau and Nikita Zaitsev to large deals — account for almost 14 percent of this team’s cap space, despite the fact neither’s contributions warrant those dollars.

Marleau is down to 1.24 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season, which is fourth-liner production.
Zaitsev is producing just 0.20 primary points per 60 minutes, which is second-to-last among defenceman logging more than 20 minutes per game.

....

What compounds Toronto’s issues, however, is these players’ usage. Marleau plays more than 14 minutes a game at 5-on-5, fifth among Leafs forwards, despite producing less than every regular on a per-minute basis. Zaitsev, meanwhile, is among the top 50 most-used defencemen in the NHL (and top 90 in minutes per game) with nearly 1,500 minutes played.

Those are far from the only examples, too."

He then talks about Hainsey's usage even after acquiring Muzzin.

Click to read more...

 

[MapleLeafs9]

Don't have an Athletic subscription, but sounds like he's basically saying it's coaching? Go figure.

 

[2022 Stanley Cup]

I honestly have been thinking lately that either Babs needs to change his style or either we change our coach. We have Sheldon Keefe waiting for a chance and he seems to be on the same page as Dubas when it comes to usage of the Marlies.

 

[ShaneFalco]

It's a pattern with Babcock, Polak, Hunwick, Hainsey, Brown, Komarov - he doesn't see what most everyone on the planet sees. OR refuses to change
And that's the biggest reason why change is needed. Don't build a lineup to appease Mike Babcock

 

[ShaneFalco]

Mirtle: It's time to ask some tough questions about these...

He talks about what many of us have been saying and a few other things. Basically talks about how our stars have been good but our misuse of the supporting cast might be a problem.

Taking one portion of the article:

"
But Toronto has some ugly inefficiencies elsewhere. Two of Lou Lamoriello’s biggest mistakes as GM — signing Patrick Marleau and Nikita Zaitsev to large deals — account for almost 14 percent of this team’s cap space, despite the fact neither’s contributions warrant those dollars.

Marleau is down to 1.24 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season, which is fourth-liner production.
Zaitsev is producing just 0.20 primary points per 60 minutes, which is second-to-last among defenceman logging more than 20 minutes per game.

....

What compounds Toronto’s issues, however, is these players’ usage. Marleau plays more than 14 minutes a game at 5-on-5, fifth among Leafs forwards, despite producing less than every regular on a per-minute basis. Zaitsev, meanwhile, is among the top 50 most-used defencemen in the NHL (and top 90 in minutes per game) with nearly 1,500 minutes played.

Those are far from the only examples, too."

He then talks about Hainsey's usage even after acquiring Muzzin.

Are you happy with the Athletic? Was thinking of checking it out

 

[A1LeafNation]

We are predictable.

Our right side defence can't exit the zone. Teams look for the stretch pass against us.

Even in football a pass game is disguised with some runs.

Our coaching is dated and not in line with the new wave of NHLers.

 

[Nineteen67]

Well that’s all quite obvious. Marleau should be sitting, but as far Zaitsev goes, there’s no other option.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Interesting point here too:

There has been a lot of research over the years into whether getting hot late in a season matters. Most of it seems to indicate that second-half performance is more important than playing well early in the year. Historically, one statistic that was used to evaluate this was score-adjusted possession (Fenwick) over the 25 games leading into the playoffs, as that correlated well with postseason results.

 

[ShaneFalco]

And:

Choices like that contribute to the Leafs’ possession problems, but there are also stylistic concerns. The Leafs’ reliance on chip-out plays from the D zone means they ice the puck more than any other team in the NHL. They rarely control the play on the cycle in the offensive zone, like the other top teams they’ll face in the postseason. And they often use their slower, less-skilled defencemen on the penalty kill — which is down to 80.6 percent (19th overall) the last 25 games — and when protecting a lead.

 

[Trapper]

And:

Choices like that contribute to the Leafs’ possession problems, but there are also stylistic concerns. The Leafs’ reliance on chip-out plays from the D zone means they ice the puck more than any other team in the NHL. They rarely control the play on the cycle in the offensive zone, like the other top teams they’ll face in the postseason. And they often use their slower, less-skilled defencemen on the penalty kill — which is down to 80.6 percent (19th overall) the last 25 games — and when protecting a lead.

Haven’t some of us been saying this all year?
Not starting in March.
Forecheck
Aggression
Cycle
Stretch pass
Defense

 

[ShaneFalco]

Since Christmas (35 games ago, almost half of their season), the Leafs have now played to a tie for the 17th-best record in the NHL and just a +6 goal differential.

 

[Brock Radunske]

If Dubas has any spine, he'll fire Babs this summer after the Leafs get bounced by the Bruins again in a few weeks from now.
Imagine this core with a coach like Trotz. The Leafs would be favourites with Tampa.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Are you happy with the Athletic? Was thinking of checking it out

It depends on your free income IMO. If you need the money don't bother but I find that the quality of the articles are complete night and day difference to what you will get from TSN or Sportsnet. If you are a fan of advanced stats, they go in depth in all of their analysis and actually back up their analysis with easy to read graphs, and they explain everything in detail.

But what makes it worth it for me is their exclusive interviews. It's not every week or anything but they get guys on and get more than the typical 1 - 2 questions. THey sit down and talk a ton about stuff.

And they ask intelligent questions. For example in the last year they have had Dubas, Matthews, Kapanen, etc on there.

I think they have a free trial for a week I would suggest trying it out and seeing what you think of it. It's really good in the summer because they find quite a bit to talk about surprisingly and that's when they get most of their interviews.

 

[DarkKnight]

Don't have an Athletic subscription, but sounds like he's basically saying it's coaching? Go figure.

He was on TSN a couple weeks ago saying he thought overall Babcock had done a good job this season, with a couple caveats. It was ignored on here because it didn't fit the narrative.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

If the leafs started flat out benching Marleau, and told him that's what they would continue doing next year, would it further entice him to retire after his July 1st signing bonus? Or would it piss him off and make it more likely for him to stick around?

 

[WTFMAN99]

Don't have an Athletic subscription, but sounds like he's basically saying it's coaching? Go figure.

Considering who Mirtle is tight with in the front office, it isn't all that surprising that he is pointing the finger elsewhere.

No one is blameless.

Dubas has messed up this year
Babcock has messed up this year
The player have messed up this year.

Who's gonna step up and fix the problem?

 

[Martin Skoula]

And:

Choices like that contribute to the Leafs’ possession problems, but there are also stylistic concerns. The Leafs’ reliance on chip-out plays from the D zone means they ice the puck more than any other team in the NHL. They rarely control the play on the cycle in the offensive zone, like the other top teams they’ll face in the postseason. And they often use their slower, less-skilled defencemen on the penalty kill — which is down to 80.6 percent (19th overall) the last 25 games — and when protecting a lead.

The icings are the biggest problem IMO. Say what you will about our defense, but they're out there dog-tired on double/triple shifts because of icings regularly. Boston really abused that facet of our defense in the playoffs, they'd get 2-3 fresh cycle shifts against the same unit until someone cracks and makes a mistake.

We need a guy who can exit his zone cleanly on the right side more than we need a big shutdown guy (ideally it would be both in 1, but those players are expensive).

 

[Ciao]

If the leafs started flat out benching Marleau, and told him that's what they would continue doing next year, would it further entice him to retire after his July 1st signing bonus? Or would it piss him off and make it more likely for him to stick around?

No different. 35+ contract. They have his cap hit with or without him.

 

[Jozay]

Everyone realizes this except the one guy who makes the decisions lol

 

[Throw More Waffles]

No different. 35+ contract. They have his cap hit with or without him.

I know, but he has a nmc and can just turn down a trade if he chooses to play next season.

If he retires, the leafs can trade his cap space, as it's only $1.2 million in real salary.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I thinks Babs could get a little more out of team using personnel better and developing a better system for his existing personnel BUT the issue is the management has not given him defensive dmen to stop goals from going in our net. I don't care who the coach is when you have 3 guys out of 6 playing who should not be there you are going to have issues in the NHL. Z, Marincin and Holl are 4-5th liners or AHL players. Z is too small and lacks puck skills. Marincin is trying but just does not have the skill required. Holl it is a maybe for me if he can develop into a #6 at best. And your 3rd best guy has the brain/skills but not the legs anymore. So you are left with 2 guys. One of whom is an offensive guy who still has issues when pressed in his own end. The other guy is tough as nails but is trying to play a game that is not his game. So really he has NO one who he can put on ice who he can 100% rely on to control the play and stop the other team.

It is a very bad situation to be in. On top of that his forwards seem to be the type of only decide to go balls to the wall when they get behind.

I can't see a worse defense right now in the entire NHL. With injuries right now we have the worst defense core in the league. When Ottawa is dominating your defense it says it all. Nothing could be more clear.

And their are too many Leaf fans who think our D is ok. Largely because they believe what the brass is saying. When everyone else in hockey thinks our defense even with a full compliment is below average. Our brass is spouting out stuff that real hockey people know is garbage.

We need to focus on spending our limited money next year on our defense. Sorry to the Johnsson fanboys but we don't have money for another winger. So he needs to be traded with Z for a vet defensive defenseman with a great contract. Marleau needs to retire and his contract traded with a pick for CAP relief. Than another vet defensive dman needs to be picked up with a great contract.

Dubas is clearly bad at negotiating contracts so he must trade for guys with good ones already.

 

[Ciao]

I know, but he has a nmc and can just turn down a trade if he chooses to play next season.

If he retires, the leafs can trade his cap space, as it's only $1.2 million in real salary.

If he retired it's zero in real salary. He's retired.

 

[diceman934]

Considering who Mirtle is tight with in the front office, it isn't all that surprising that he is pointing the finger elsewhere.

No one is blameless.

Dubas has messed up this year
Babcock has messed up this year
The player have messed up this year.

Who's gonna step up and fix the problem?

Yes that is the truth. Friends backup up friends.

I agree lots of blame to share and Shanny has to shoulder some as well.

 

[diceman934]

If he retired it's zero in real salary. He's retired.

Yes but his cap hit stays on the books for this year as he signed after he was 35.

 

[Brock Radunske]

Considering who Mirtle is tight with in the front office, it isn't all that surprising that he is pointing the finger elsewhere.

No one is blameless.

Dubas has messed up this year
Babcock has messed up this year
The player have messed up this year.

Who's gonna step up and fix the problem?

A meteor?