The hype is budding as Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock praises his youngsters for their hard work, skill and progress as professionals after sixteen games. He’s thrilled with the results in the early going of the season from such a young group, and has praised a number of players in the blue and white.

If you recall at the start of the season Frederik Andersen was settling in and off to a rough start, Babcock had his back and continued to play his future goaltender. Babs stuck with Freddie when he needed the confidence boost and it worked. Obviously that among a number of other factors contributed to Andersen shaking off the rust and bringing his game up a level. Having a coach pushing the right buttons when a player needs to be disciplined and having a coach give a pat on the back at the right time are both important for a players development, and of course staying on track in Andersen’s case.

Recently Babcock has praised Marner for his outright skill and hockey intelligence; giving him the honor of saying he’s the most talented young player he’s ever coached. These are big words from a coach with Babcock’s resume, they mean a lot.

Why wouldn’t Babcock be frolicking behind the Leafs bench? Last year’s team had barely any offensive touch or hope compared to this year’s young roster full of young stallions. This is just the beginning for Babcock and Shanahan as the plan slowly unfolds and the Leafs continue to gain momentum. Of course some growing pains will be part of the process as will a few hurdles with injuries and what not. But the bottom line, Babcock is digging this new look Leafs team and he has all the right to be excited with the rise of the Maple Leafs.

Sometimes things will go great for one player and slow down for another, that’s exactly what we are seeing right now with Auston Matthews. Should we be worried? Not at all, in fact, we should be excited that Matthews is still top five in rookie scoring, playing on an all-rookie line versus a number of teams top forward and top pairing defensive lines. He’s nineteen, the team is above .500 and Matthews is doing everything right but having the puck trickle over the goal line.

Matthews leads the Leafs rookies with 63 shots on net and has continued to work hard at both ends of the ice while the Buds continue to win games. Auston has improved in the faceoff circle and just because he isn’t the flashiest player, you still hear his name a number of times throughout the game. He’s a player who is in the mix more often than not and is dangerous with and without the puck. There are threats on each of the Leafs lines and Matthews’s rookie line seems to draw a lot of attention from the oppositions best shutdown lines. After he scored four goals in the first game of the season that was a quick eye opener for any team facing the Leafs, can you blame them? The kids got talent, the Leafs have talent, and Babcock is starting to enjoy watching his team come together.

Mitch Marner and James van Riemsdyk lead the Leafs with 15 points after Marner got a goal and two assists last night. JVR buried a hat trick and had an assist in the victory over Nashville.

I must tip my hat to Tyler Bozak, he's been very good this season and that line is dangerous every night.

Even though the Leafs scored six goals last night versus the Predators, Matthews was unable to get on the scoresheet. That’s great news, it shows the Leafs don’t need to count on one player, or one line each night. They legit have three lines that can bring a fierce offensive surge each and every game, something we haven’t seen in a long time in Leafs Nation. It’s certainly something I’m going to have no problems getting used to.

Babcock isn’t the least bit worried in his future number one center in Matthews.

““In our situation, we need him to be a dominant, dominant centre for us,” Babcock said following Tuesday’s morning skate. “We think he’s going to be that by Christmas time.”

“We think he’s a very good player already, but we think he can be lights-out, both with and without the puck. He takes a lot of pride in himself.”

Matthews wants to do everything he can to learn and get better, I’m certainly glad we have Babcock guiding him and not one of Carlyle or Wilson, could you imagine? Babcock is preparing Matthews for the future; he’s been playing him in key situations both offensively and defensively and at important times of the game. Matthews may not be getting his number scribbled on the scoresheet but he’s playing the game the right way. Last night he led the Leafs with 9 shot attempts and five shots on goal; it really is just a matter of time before the red light starts rotating.

The Leafs are now 6-2-0 at home and have been electric at the Air Canada Center. They will face-off against the Florida Panthers on Thursday who have won two in a row. The Leafs will be looking for their second win in a row and I think Matthews will snap his scoring slump.

Go Leafs go!

Thanks for reading.

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