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In this edition of the hotstove, we share our thoughts on Toronto’s decision to fire Mike Babcock and replace him with Sheldon Keefe.
Todd Cordell
I think the Maple Leafs made the right move.
While Babcock is still a good coach, I don’t think he’s the *right* one for Toronto at this point in time. His preferred style of play and beliefs simply don’t jive with the roster the Maple Leafs have right now.
Trying to play a low-event, defensive minded game neutered all the offense without making significant gains defensively. The results, unsurprisingly, weren’t good. It’s just not the way to maximize players like Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, Morgan Rielly, and Tyson Barrie.
I expect Sheldon Keefe to bring in a modern, possession-based approach and play a faster game more suited for the players on hand. More skating, more possession entries, fewer dump-ins, fewer low percentage shots and low-to-high plays, etc. I think the Leafs will be better for it.
James Tanner
Firing Mike Babcock was the absolute right move. The Leafs were losing, but they were losing by playing a style of hockey that didn't make any sense for the team they had. Babcock tried to adjust, tried to make the team play better defense, but all it did was neutralize their offense.
The players don't like him, he made insane decisions (Zach Hyman led all forwards in ice time the game he returned from a six month injury; Cody Ceci, top pairing defenseman) and most of all, he refused to adjust things that weren't working between games (let along in games).
The Leafs also have a coach who is clearly the GM's guy waiting in the wings, they're a contender playing lottery hockey, so I don't see that they had a choice.
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