Which of our core players will Babcock have the largest impact on?

[GordieHoweHatTrick]

Voted JvR.

Turns out to be the unpopular decision

 

[Auston Matthews]

Even though Bernier got no votes in this poll, im sure with a better defensive structure in front of him, he will have to make less saves, and he will be a better goalie. Same thing can be said for Reimer. Both of them were hung out to dry the last two seasons.

I voted Gardiner, he lost all of his confidence under Carlyle. I believe he went into the playoffs with an attitude that he is just going to play his game and ignore Carlyle, and look how well he played, he was a dominant force and really looked like a Norris calibre defenceman, at least for that series. Babcock will bring out the best in him, Jake will benefit from playing in the safe environment Babcock will try to create.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

2013 he definitely broke out and surprised.

I'm not sure what to make of the 48 game season. Many players had PPG average career seasones like Paranteau, Wheeler, Tlusty with an abbreviated season.

A truer gauge would be a full 82 game season.

 

[leafers]

Jake Gardiner = Brendan Smith in Detroit.

Under Babcock not many defenceman have exceeded expectations. Babcock seems better for forwards.

Brendan Smith has not put it together under Babcock, infact, Babcock didn't really play to his strenghts. Some of Smith's best tools are his offensive qualities and Babcock barely gave him any powerplay time.

If he is the same with Gardiner I doubt he will be able to put it together.