After back-to-back shutout losses the Leafs coach Mike Babcock gave his veteran forwards a blasting after the game for their lack of production. “We’ve got to get them playing. We can talk about kids; that’s a nice sideline story in exhibition but you’ve got to get your players to play.… Obviously Babcock was disappointed with the lack of emotion and possession his so called ‘core’ of players. Something that may take him getting used to coming from years of success in Detroit, into this mess of a team we have right now.
It’s not all doom and gloom though in Leaf land as the prospects and young Leafs played a decent game generating most of Toronto’s scoring changes versus Buffalo last night. “You can’t just count on kids to do it… mentioned Babcock after the game. Connor Brown and William Nylander both had solid outings but were unable to put the puck past Lehner.
It’s important that Mike can get his players going sooner than later as pre-season is starting to wind down and the season will be starting before we know it. Toronto is going to have to increase their time with the puck, especially in the offensive zone where possession numbers have gone down in the last couple of seasons. A hard fore-check and dedication to winning battles is going to have to increase for this mediocre-talent leveled team to make progress. There is an astounding amount of work that needs to be done up front and on the back end; fixing past coaching mistakes from the Carlyle era.
Gardiner & Rielly
Two guys who seemed quite inseparable last season are likely going to be split up in a few ways this season. First and foremost the young guns for the Leafs are no longer roommates and there is a good chance they won’t be playing together on the second pairing this season as Babcock may split up the two young left handers.
Without question they both enjoy playing together, but perhaps they would be better off apart where they can both excel their game upfront and have some help on the back-end. Babcock is quite the believer in both Jake and Morgan as he said “I took Gardiner away from Rielly most of camp because I don’t want Jake taking a back seat to him. I want Jake to be a player.… Obviously Babs is quite fond of Rielly and certainly sees some potential in the youngster Gardiner. As we all do, we are still waiting for him to remove the brain cramps and continue to make better decisions. I for one am counting on Babcock to help out Gardiner, hoping he can get the best out of him like his resume would reflect.
Gardiner and Rielly are both thrilled to be playing under their new coach and will do what it takes to buy into his system and play wherever is best suiting for the team to succeed and of course get back on track to winning games. Gardiner praised Mike saying “He’s been great with the little things every single day…. Stuff I never really think about, with my stick, pushing my foot up the boards, making them turn one way, always face the puck. Little things like that help…. Hopefully he can learn to use his body in a better fashion to help with his defensive part of the game.
So where do the defensive lines stand as of now? Here is my take as October is just a sleep away…
Phaneuf-Rielly Gardiner-Hunwick Polak-Percy Harrington-Loov Robidas
With only two preseason games remaining the Leafs have to get themselves prepared as best as possible for opening night puck drop. Friday and Saturday versus Detroit we should see somewhat close to a starting lineup unless Babcock and his gang want to take a look at a couple players. He will likely make his decision soon for players like Nylander and Brown to return to the Marlies; or to give them one last look in pre-season before sending them down (or not), which is very doubtful as the Leafs have most of their roster set with the addition of Boyes and Grabner.
How many games in the first ten do you predict the Leafs will win?
Thanks for reading, enjoy the final two pre-season games and get primed up for game one!
twitter: @LucasNeilson84