News Article: The Athletic: Mitch Marner's re-emergence alongside Nazem Kadri makes the Leafs scary again
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CantLoseWithMatthews
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- Sep 28, 2015
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it was definitely a completely dominant night for them, and it was about time to move Komarov away. Bozak and JVR are still a pretty underwhelming duo
Man Bear Pig
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It's as if the fans knew what they were talking about. Crazy. For our next trick we'll keep Roman Polak in the press box and keep Komarov on the fourth line!
Fans are too quick to react, though. It's up to the professionals to know when they have enough information to support a move, and that's the jungle Babcock et al. are navigating as they make these moves.
WTFMAN99
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- Jun 17, 2009
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I agree that we can be a bit knee jerky but I think Babcock really lagged on some of the changes. The Polak thing still hasn't sunk in 100% I don't think.
That being said, Marleau-Kadri-Marner is a heck of a line. Super fun to watch, and it's easy to shut down the other team's line when you're torching them.
Although the article has stated that Matthews has been given that privilege lately. I don't mind that move for the next little while. Matthews is likely to go head to head in the play-offs and he is going to learn how to come out ahead in match ups against the likes of Bergeron. They are hard match ups that will frustrate him but as he wins those match ups, it only makes us a more dangerous team.
Man Bear Pig
Registered User
But it's not about being quick to judge. We've seen Roman Polak play meaningful minutes. We've seen Komarov start OT, be on the PP and play in the top 6. We've seen Zach Hyman play beside Matthews for every single game of Matthews' career thus far. Babcock isn't a genius. He's stubborn and quite frankly, the media and fans seem to know better than he does when it comes to lineups and roster management. I'm not saying he can't coach, he's a great coach structurally, but he's absolutely lost when it comes to what actually benefits the team. It takes him far too long to figure out that Polak is a #7 D, that Komarov is a fourth line player whos minutes should be cut in half, that Marner needed to be put on the Kadri line, that Kapanen is much more effectivethan Matt Martin. The only thing he hasn't figured out yet is taking Hyman off the first line. The fact that he hasn't even tried it for ONE game should tell you something. It's as if Carlyle is still here sometimes. One thing all those guys have in common is that they're all physical, low talent players. And he loves them.
It's easy to become vocal about how long it's taken Babs to make some changes when Marner jumps on Kadri's line and gets hot. But at the same time we have to acknowledge that the line isn't as good as it looks the last few games, and with Komarov it isn't as bad as it looked either. Players and lines will go through slumps and hot stretches and from one game to the next it can change dramatically. JVR/Bozak/Marner was just as hot as one point, then severely cooled down for a stretch and a change was needed.
When you make a change to a line that is doing some things great and other things poorly (e.g., Kadri line wasn't scoring but they were still a strong matchup line with Komarov on it), you're taking a risk that you're going to reduce their effectiveness in what they were doing well and not having a substantial impact on what they were doing poorly. I think it's worth letting it continue to be an effective matchup line for a stretch of games to see if the offense can pick back up, even if all the fans are noticing is the offense.
Man Bear Pig
Registered User
Great response. Never looked at it that way before. Interesting perspective.
matthews with nylander or marner, kadri with either, even nylander with marner...skilled players can and should play with other skilled players...thats how magic can happen
crump
~ ~ (ړײ) ~ ~
Marner was flying last night with some pretty goals. Also set up Kadri and Marleau a few times.
Kapanen will find his way onto the Bozak line pretty soon. Brown always works hard, but that speed would do wonders on that line.
Kapanen will find his way onto the Bozak line pretty soon. Brown always works hard, but that speed would do wonders on that line.
DarkKnight
Professional Amateur
- Jan 17, 2017
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Another plus, we don’t have to hear the word “sheltered” anymore for Marner, it was his two linemates, who’ve been “sheltered” for years, prior to and after Mitch...again last night those two lead the team in offensive zone starts. Marner seems to be doing just fine against tougher matchups, having linemates helps.
cookie
Fresh From The Oven
Right now we've got two quality 1st lines, a legit 2/3 line, and a useful 4th line. The defense corps has two top-15 defense scorers and features 3 pairings that can move the puck by rushing it or with an outlet. The goalie is a legit Vezina candidate whose puck playing abilities are not only safe but the kind that consistently lead to breakouts and offense. There's also that coach.
When was the last time we had it this good? The Pat Quinn era?
When was the last time we had it this good? The Pat Quinn era?
SprDaVE
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- Sep 20, 2008
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Not playing with Moore or Bozak can actually be better for a player? Huh...
ToneDog
56 years and counting. #FireTheShanaClan!
Let’s not pretend like you’re here to consider other perspectives.
Macallan18
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- Aug 10, 2015
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lol maybe, my theory is Babs' wife laced into him about his stubborness, and so he had to give it a try.
Swedish Gretzky
Registered User
Babcock is stubborn. But there's a method to his decisions. And its not just him calling all the shots.
Name 3 coaches you wo7ld prefer the leafs to be coached by. Id like to know given your disdain for babcock.
Macallan18
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I suggest he, and other fans are sick of the Bobcat can't be wrong or criticized. I'll accept he is a wizard of a couch. His main flaw is his stubborness in the selection and deployment of players.
Well, lets look at his history, did he ever exhibit this trait in Detroit? Hell yes! Exactly the same issues accroding to the fans.
So why should we cut him slack on this point?
If the emperor has not clothes, he has no clothes.
Well, Bozak, JVR and Komarov won't be the Leafs next year. Time to move on from those guys....although they have been fine players for the Leafs for years. I'm looking forward to the Kapanem, Johnson and others being important forwards though gotta find the unknown centre to replace Bozak.
Macallan18
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Not disdain, reasoned and logical criticism of a glaring flaw he also exhibited in Detroit.
Quenneville, Laviolette, Sullivan are all good coaches as well.
Not saying to dump Babcock, just stop drinking the Kool-aid.
Was saying it for months
It was one of the leagues biggest jokes having komarov play a top 9 role
Since he has been put where he belongs the leafs have been incredible
It was one of the leagues biggest jokes having komarov play a top 9 role
Since he has been put where he belongs the leafs have been incredible
Macallan18
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I think there is a chance we will re-sign JVR. Dumping Martin, Lupul off the books, Kommy either gone or signed cheap, Bozzie gone, Polak gone, all of that frees up some cash.
Wouldn't be shocked to see JVR signed.
What fans project as "stubbornness" is more likely "patience" and having more information and responsibility with which to make decisions. Fans for over a decade drooled over the Wings' prospect development strategy that was based on... wait for it... patience and process.
So of course a frustrated fan will lash out and demean a, as you put it, wizard of a coach, by just referring to it as a character flaw. Unfortunately, many fans need to coexist with other fans who are not knowledgable enough to consider they are unknowledgeable. It wouldn't be so bad if they'd stop @'ing me with nonsensical evaluations of the character of one of the best coaches of our generation.
