According to a recent Lucas blog, Gardiner was really impressed with Babcock's tips like "face the puck." I'm glad the same minor hockey wisdom is now being bestowed upon the captain as well.
- 1979AD

Next up: Cross-overs!

I see that. Seems everyone is just dying for Babcock to fail and can't wait to shove it in the faces of the Leafs fans..
- bixll

I'm curious to see if a coach can really have as big an impact as some believe.

I expect a few improvements such as a better penalty kill and fewer shots against.
Which ultimately should lead to more wins.

That's about it.

According to a recent Lucas blog, Gardiner was really impressed with Babcock's tips like "face the puck." I'm glad the same minor hockey wisdom is now being bestowed upon the captain as well.
- 1979AD

I just hope that Reimer's mom remembers that it's their turn to bring the Timbits and juice boxes for after the first game (the Leafs set up a schedule on Team Snap).

He is team President, not VP of Player Ops or Development or some other cushy ex-player title. I am not going to lose sleep over it, but it is certainly out of the norm for a team president in my hockey experience and extremely uncommon. If he was cool with it and wanted it to be a regular occurrence I'm sure Babcock would've squashed it...the "no comment" spoke volumes to me. We don't have to agree. I hope we can still be friends.
- Deeps27

yup.

JEN!

I can tell you've been doing, lot's of

Squaaats

-BatDad

I'm curious to see if a coach can really have as big an impact as some believe.

I expect a few improvements such as a better penalty kill and fewer shots against.
Which ultimately should lead to more wins.

That's about it.
- Pecafan Fan

Coaches have little affect on the games, ask any of them..

I just hope that Reimer's mom remembers that it's their turn to bring the Timbits and juice boxes for after the first game (the Leafs set up a schedule on Team Snap).
- Atomic Wedgie

Remier is starting Saturday, that is his mom's night to bring the snacks, this is too easy Wedgie.

yup.
- bixll

Holy crap, he was on the ice one time with his team.. He was one of the best to ever play in the NHL.. What is teh problem with that.
- bixll

I figured it was all just a koombya moment when the final cuts had been made. Kind a whole lot to do about nothing.

I'm curious to see if a coach can really have as big an impact as some believe.

I expect a few improvements such as a better penalty kill and fewer shots against.
Which ultimately should lead to more wins.

That's about it.
- Pecafan Fan

this year is flat out about assessment

why didnt rookies make the team?

because babcock is assessing who they currently have on the roster

since there isnt enough space (or maturity from the kids) to bring up a notable amount of them back down to the marlies to learn the trade for another year

so.. they bring in guys on 1 or 2 year contracts to offer good ice time to in hopes of flipping them at the deadline.

the entire year is to establish the brand of hockey they are going to play, discard those who dont fit the mold for picks/prospects, and get a feel as to which vets are worth keeping.

anyone thinking this year is about being remotely competitive and/or offering prospects a chance to take the next step isnt in line with what this current management group has said they intend to do.

finally. this team is being run by people who are sticking to their guns.

about.

(frank)ing.

time.

Coaches have little affect on the games, ask any of them..
- bixll

Coaches can't transform players.

I've been fairly tongue in cheek on here today - but - I don't think it's a Leafs Nation issue having a problem with this one...team Pres. should not be on the ice in their suit giving players direction. Period. Richard Peddie was too hands on, but this is okay? If he has some notes, give them to the coaches to address. This was offside in my opinion.

EDIT: Also, think it was pretty clear he wasn't just "shooting free throws" - he was giving direction to players, which is not his job. He paid $50M+ for 8 years to someone to do this.
- Deeps27

I actually heard, he was walking them through 2 of his favourite PP goals that he scored in the 90's.

Coaches can't transform players.
- Pecafan Fan

That's what I tell the parents of the kids on my team every Sunday, after every loss.

Coaches can't transform players.
- Pecafan Fan

I some what disagree. Pat Burns turned Todd Gill into a good Dman, it can happen.

this year is flat out about assessment

why didnt rookies make the team?

because babcock is assessing who they currently have on the roster

since there isnt enough space (or maturity from the kids) to bring up a notable amount of them back down to the marlies to learn the trade for another year

so.. they bring in guys on 1 or 2 year contracts to offer good ice time to in hopes of flipping them at the deadline.

the entire year is to establish the brand of hockey they are going to play, discard those who dont fit the mold for picks/prospects, and get a feel as to which vets are worth keeping.

anyone thinking this year is about being remotely competitive and/or offering prospects a chance to take the next step isnt in line with what this current management group has said they intend to do.

finally. this team is being run by people who are sticking to their guns.

about.

(frank)ing.

time.
- Dozzer

I expect a big change in system both for the Leafs and Marlies. Which will take time.

Those who won't "fit", as you say, will/should be moved.

I some what disagree. Pat Burns turned Todd Gill into a good Dman, it can happen.
- LeafMan

Or Pat Burns found a way to make the best out of Todd Gill.

this year is flat out about assessment

why didnt rookies make the team?

because babcock is assessing who they currently have on the roster

since there isnt enough space (or maturity from the kids) to bring up a notable amount of them back down to the marlies to learn the trade for another year

so.. they bring in guys on 1 or 2 year contracts to offer good ice time to in hopes of flipping them at the deadline.

the entire year is to establish the brand of hockey they are going to play, discard those who dont fit the mold for picks/prospects, and get a feel as to which vets are worth keeping.

anyone thinking this year is about being remotely competitive and/or offering prospects a chance to take the next step isnt in line with what this current management group has said they intend to do.

finally. this team is being run by people who are sticking to their guns.

about.

(frank)ing.

time.
- Dozzer

Heard an interesting thing from Babcock on Saturday, which I think we can extrapolate.

He said that he's been playing the vets more in pre-season games than a coach normally would, because it's his best chance to get to know them and be able to evaluate them.

To extrapolate this, it would stand to reason that he'd rather hang on to them for a while, send the kids down to the Marlies, and basically hold on to as many guys as he can, until he figures out which ones he wants to stay, and which ones he wants to go.

Remier is starting Saturday, that is his mom's night to bring the snacks, this is too easy Wedgie.
- LeafMan

Well that's too bad, because you know Bernier's mom is going to bring Pepsi and Vachon cakes.

Or Pat Burns found a way to make the best out of Todd Gill.
- Pecafan Fan

Putting people in a position to succeed is certainly a good strategy for getting people to succeed.

I expect a big change in system both for the Leafs and Marlies. Which will take time.

Those who won't "fit", as you say, will/should be moved.
- Pecafan Fan

there is no substitute for patience.

period.

there is no substitute for patience.

period.
- Dozzer

true that

My side is....Panik is better than Corrado. If you're going to waive Panik for a player to pick up, you waive him to pick up McBain...because McBain is better than Corrado and Panik in terms of what they could bring to a team.
- ThePresident

what their cap hit? could be why they choose Corrado instead of McBain.

Or Pat Burns found a way to make the best out of Todd Gill.
- Pecafan Fan

Other side of the coin. Todd Gill was like Gardiner, stupid mistakes and giveaways, Pat Burns made into a reliable Dman, but the biggest difference is, Gill could play tough, Gardiner can skate.

there is no substitute for patience.

period.
- Dozzer

Any chance we could trade a draft pick or two for some patience?

Well that's too bad, because you know Bernier's mom is going to bring Pepsi and Vachon cakes.
- Atomic Wedgie

and a carton of Du'Maurier's