I question things when I see mistakes, which I have all year with Babcock, sir Wedgie.
- LeafMan

With all due respect Leafman - Babcock is the best coach in NHL, Edmonton, Buffalo and a raft of other teams wanted to sign him badly and luckily for the Leafs he is in TO.

There are a few really good coaches in the NHL. Before the season began - all I kept reading on this site was how Winnipeg and Buffalo and especially Edmonton were all ahead of the Leafs in their progress to being a playoff team. Does Babcock get any credit for doing better than any of those coaches.

When it appeared Babcock was going to Buffalo - the second choice for the Leafs and they had a deal in place was Guy Boucher. Guess what? he is having a good season - that might have a bit to do with one Anderson doing better than the other Andersen.

When judging Babcock, all I ask is that Leafs fans first look at the defence he has to work with.

It's not a pretty sight.
- Atomic Wedgie

I really hope the Leafs fix this defense this summer. They can come back with the exact same forward group. That is fine with me but the D must be fixed.

I don't think this defence will be fixed next year as well, might be more of the same.
- LeafMan

They need to trade a young forward or two - otherwise, we are the Edmonton Oilers 2.0 (not the good Oilers).

I'm going to need plenty of Gravol to get through the session.
- LeafMan

i need gravol just knowing you would even consider it

Waitress: What can I get you, honey?

Dozzer: Gardiner is what he is... a second pairing PMD who can QB a PP with that good low hard shot of his.

expecting anything more will only lead to disappointment.

Waitress: I'll get you a pitcher of beer and a plate of nachos, sweetie. You'll feel better.

Cook: Hurry up, Flo - you've got tons of tables waiting!

Waitress: Mel, kiss my grits!
- Atomic Wedgie

the last time i tried ordering like that i only got the old leftover soup

what restaurants are you going to?

gardiner is what he is... a second pairing PMD who can QB a PP with that good low hard shot of his.

expecting anything more will only lead to disappointment
- Dozzer

Agree completely - Lots of dough coming off of the cap and Robidas Island - Defense will be addressed in the offseason.

They need to trade a young forward or two - otherwise, we are the Edmonton Oilers 2.0 (not the good Oilers).
- Atomic Wedgie

They can put together a JVR package.

I think they get a top 3 defensemen and a bottom pairing.

They need to trade a young forward or two - otherwise, we are the Edmonton Oilers 2.0 (not the good Oilers).
- Atomic Wedgie

If you are going to go for it, it better be a damn good D man, second option is one UFA and add Dermott and Nielson and have the D grow with the team ala Carolina.

Agree completely - Lots of dough coming off of the cap and Robidas Island - Defense will be addressed in the offseason.
- winsix

yup... get through the expansion draft and take it from there

the last time i tried ordering like that i only got the old leftover soup

what restaurants are you going to?
- Dozzer

Mel's Diner.


Frank, I'm old.

Sigh.

i need gravol just knowing you would even consider it
- Dozzer

Wedgie is working out, I only anticipate a couple hours of vomiting.

If you are going to go for it, it better be a damn good D man, second option is one UFA and add Dermott and Nielson and have the D grow with the team ala Carolina.
- LeafMan

People seem to hate it but... Leafs should pay up for Shats then. True #1 D can't be had in a trade for anything less than a kings ransom so unless you grow one, it's the way they might need to go get a quality D man. (Before you dinks mis-read, I'm not saying Shats is a bonified #1, I'm saying he's good and can be had for cash instead of for players+picks)

They need to trade a young forward or two - otherwise, we are the Edmonton Oilers 2.0 (not the good Oilers).
- Atomic Wedgie

Kapanen our 1st and dermott seem like our best trade assets. Maybe some combination of that can land us a dman from a team squeezed by the expansion draft.

A year from now if this is not addressed, it could mean nylander will be on his way out.

If you are going to go for it, it better be a damn good D man, second option is one UFA and add Dermott and Nielson and have the D grow with the team ala Carolina.
- LeafMan

That's all I'm hoping for - 1 top pairing guy from free agency (don't ask me to name names - I don't even know if this is possible).

But the joy of hockey is one guy can make a difference - it would steady Rielly on top pairing (something he will hopefully grow into), push Zaitsev down to 2nd pairing, keep Gardiner there, and I don't really give a poop about 3rd pairing, although hopefully some rookies will step up and grab the opportunity.

They can put together a JVR package.

I think they get a top 3 defensemen and a bottom pairing.
- Santo_44

With only 1 year left on his deal, I don’t think jvr brings back the established young long-term dman we need.

If you are going to go for it, it better be a damn good D man, second option is one UFA and add Dermott and Nielson and have the D grow with the team ala Carolina.
- LeafMan

i'd like to see dermott get a shot sooner than nielsen.... in the words of keefe:

“Defensively he’s getting better. He was giving up a lot of chances against. He has been able to cut down on that. His confidence is coming back, but there’s a lot of work to be done. We’re going to stay on him.”

I may be one of the few here that think he really has not done a good job with coaching or with roster decisions.
- LeafMan

Most didn't expect them to be where they are today, fighting for a playoff position. He has exceeded expectations imo. Special teams have come miles as well.

Wedgie is working out, I only anticipate a couple hours of vomiting.
- LeafMan

And doing the entire sculpture will take less time than it normally does - you don't have to do much work in the groin region.

They can put together a JVR package.

I think they get a top 3 defensemen and a bottom pairing.
- Santo_44

In my view there are less than 15 true top pairing guys in the NHL - JVR does not get any of them. I think it would be interesting to start making a list of those guys and who the Leafs should target.

Not worth talking about a second pairing guy.

People seem to hate it but... Leafs should pay up for Shats then. True #1 D can't be had in a trade for anything less than a kings ransom so unless you grow one, it's the way they might need to go get a quality D man. (Before you dinks mis-read, I'm not saying Shats is a bonified #1, I'm saying he's good and can be had for cash instead of for players+picks)
- markmark

From everything I've read on the interdweebs, the dude is on a flight to Madison Square Garden the day his season ends.

i'd like to see dermott get a shot sooner than nielsen.... in the words of keefe:

“Defensively he’s getting better. He was giving up a lot of chances against. He has been able to cut down on that. His confidence is coming back, but there’s a lot of work to be done. We’re going to stay on him.”
- Dozzer

I'm thinking the one D man to target (if available) is Karl Alzner, steady D guy.

I'm thinking the one D man to target (if available) is Karl Alzner, steady D guy.
- LeafMan

Alzner is the UFA signing and Manson out of Anaheim is the trade I'd make (I don't think it will take some crazy offer and he's a big solid dman). Depending how much money is left I'd take a run at Oshie as well.

From everything I've read on the interdweebs, the dude is on a flight to Madison Square Garden the day his season ends.
- Atomic Wedgie

They've only got 9smill and a bunch of FA's to sign. It'll be interesting to see what they do to make the money work. If that's where he lands that is.

Mel's Diner.


Frank, I'm old.

Sigh.
- Atomic Wedgie

i remember that show too so i guess i'm in the old category with ya


Jaromir Jagr
Shane Doan
Matt Cullen
Zdeno Chara
Jarome Iginla
Shawn Thornton

the 6 guys in the league older than me... and in fairness the bolded are the same birth year but an earlier month

I hope jagr plays forever

With all due respect Leafman - Babcock is the best coach in NHL, Edmonton, Buffalo and a raft of other teams wanted to sign him badly and luckily for the Leafs he is in TO.

There are a few really good coaches in the NHL. Before the season began - all I kept reading on this site was how Winnipeg and Buffalo and especially Edmonton were all ahead of the Leafs in their progress to being a playoff team. Does Babcock get any credit for doing better than any of those coaches.

When it appeared Babcock was going to Buffalo - the second choice for the Leafs and they had a deal in place was Guy Boucher. Guess what? he is having a good season - that might have a bit to do with one Anderson doing better than the other Andersen.
- winsix

He's up there for sure, no doubt about it. But that doesn't mean that he's perfect, and if anything, at times that makes some of his decisions and preferences even more baffling. We're obviously much better off with him than without him, but there's still room for improvement.