Anyone who thinks home ice doesn't matter should log off and never come back
- Cherry--Skoal

If I go, will you go with me?

Everyone has issues with their boss. They tell you things you don't like to hear and make you do things you don't want to do. Sometimes they have to hand out discipline, which never goes over well. If you are best buddies with your boss then there is something very wrong with that relationship.
- TrashPanda

True enough but if he has lost the room, if they are tuning him out, then that too is an issue. And if he isnt on the same page ashis boss...

Coaches do have a shelf life and are hired to be fired so...

Every now and then Toronto will remind you that they are still in a rebuild. They are on the cusp of being a Cup contender, and at times they can run with the best teams in the league. But such success is not sustainable (yet) - it's coming, but it's not quite there yet.

Marner, Matthews, and the rest of the Leaf young guns are where Kucherov, Johnson, and Point were a few seasons (and heartbreaks) ago. The talent is there, they just need more seasoning.

I know Toronto fans are chomping at the bit, but any Leafs fan should be happy with the progress of things. Maybe winning the Cup is not realistic just yet, but I think clobbering Boston in the first round is a definite goal to have. Making it past the first round would be a good benchmark and how sweet it would be for the Bruins to be the victim.
- GalacticStone

Yes.

There are on their way. Not there yet though. I've been saying that all season but then you get one of two responses. 1) OMG we should trade Matthews, Nylander, Snakes and Marner and just rebuild or 2) OMG Tampa lost a game back in November. Are you saying they're not a Cup contender.

It's hard work sometimes.

Not concerned in the slightest. Better to go through this slump now, than play at top of their game a month early. Get Dermott back, call up Rosen when healthy until Gardiner back, not to mention Kap. Can be this week, next week or the week after... all good... and Andy will bounce back.

As Leaf fan in Ottawa, I have eaten a lot of crow last 18 hours, but no big deal. Still expecting a series win v B's... following round not so much.
- grim

Too bad sparks can’t play as good as he can talk. He’s barely an nhl player and he talks like he has some say in the room.
- shack67

Agreed

If I go, will you go with me?
- Leafsmart

The ultimate sacrifice...

Too bad sparks can’t play as good as he can talk. He’s barely an nhl player and he talks like he has some say in the room.
- shack67

I guess thats what Babs thinks as well? I still like that someone on that team said it though. Matthews did the other night and then Kadri was asked if he thought effort was the issue and disagreed with Matthews. It could be that there is are two sides here, they guys who are blaming the tenders, and the guys who are blaming the overall effort of the team.

Yes.

There are on their way. Not there yet though. I've been saying that all season but then you get one of two responses. 1) OMG we should trade Matthews, Nylander, Snakes and Marner and just rebuild or 2) OMG Tampa lost a game back in November. Are you saying they're not a Cup contender.

It's hard work sometimes.
- walshyleafsfan

beware the snakes

True enough but if he has lost the room, if they are tuning him out, then that too is an issue. And if he isnt on the same page ashis boss...

Coaches do have a shelf life and are hired to be fired so...
- Roadrunner75

If they do get to a point where they think he's the wrong fit, I hope it's after this season because Quenville has proven he is a good coach for a young and very talented team like this. He would be the best guy to replace Babs if they go that way.

Missing Dermott is the key here, I think. Gardiner not so much. Add Travis with Rosen or Ozzy and we're good to go. ... But Babcock won't allow that pairing to go too long without inserting Marincin. Just too stubborn to let go of him. At some point, Babs and Dubas will lock horns. Mark my words.

Every now and then Toronto will remind you that they are still in a rebuild. They are on the cusp of being a Cup contender, and at times they can run with the best teams in the league. But such success is not sustainable (yet) - it's coming, but it's not quite there yet.

Marner, Matthews, and the rest of the Leaf young guns are where Kucherov, Johnson, and Point were a few seasons (and heartbreaks) ago. The talent is there, they just need more seasoning.

I know Toronto fans are chomping at the bit, but any Leafs fan should be happy with the progress of things. Maybe winning the Cup is not realistic just yet, but I think clobbering Boston in the first round is a definite goal to have. Making it past the first round would be a good benchmark and how sweet it would be for the Bruins to be the victim.
- GalacticStone

No room here for knowledgeable fans. Are you trying to get yourself banned? Next time you should say something derogatory about Dubas, Babcock, Matthews and also say the word “grit” over and over even if it doesn’t make sense.
Also talk about how we’re better without Gardiner.

And won't be shocked to see both Hutch and Sparks gone next year. No real surprise to anyone, I'm sure. Time to insert Scott or Woll. Much like Hart for Philly. He's the reason they have any chance to make the play-offs

I guess thats what Babs thinks as well? I still like that someone on that team said it though. Matthews did the other night and then Kadri was asked if he thought effort was the issue and disagreed with Matthews. It could be that there is are two sides here, they guys who are blaming the tenders, and the guys who are blaming the overall effort of the team.
- aminnes

It’s a slump, nothing more. Every mistake is going in the net. Not getting any bounces. We’ll be fine.

It’s a slump, nothing more. Every mistake is going in the net. Not getting any bounces. We’ll be fine.
- shack67

this comes to mind...

It’s a slump, nothing more. Every mistake is going in the net. Not getting any bounces. We’ll be fine.
- shack67

My issue is that they are 500 over their last 35. That's non playoff level hockey for a team with this much talent. The D isn't great but with that much talent that's way too long to play this calibre of hockey.

No room here for knowledgeable fans. Are you trying to get yourself banned? Next time you should say something derogatory about Dubas, Babcock, Matthews and also say the word “grit” over and over even if it doesn’t make sense.
Also talk about how we’re better without Gardiner.
- shack67

LOL.

Sandpaper. Intangibles. Locker-room presence. Lunchpail guy. GRIT. GRIT. GRIT.

Leafs need more GRIT. Matthews for Paquette, straight up. Solves the grit issue.

this comes to mind...

- 21peter

LOL.

Sandpaper. Intangibles. Locker-room presence. Lunchpail guy. GRIT. GRIT. GRIT.

Leafs need more GRIT. Matthews for Paquette, straight up. Solves the grit issue.
- GalacticStone

We need to copy the Oilers. Get rid of our skill guys and sign some bangers.

this comes to mind...

- 21peter

My issue is that they are 500 over their last 35. That's non playoff level hockey for a team with this much talent. The D isn't great but with that much talent that's way too long to play this calibre of hockey.
- aminnes

It’s a long season. Normally every team goes through this, but this year Tampa is the exception. And they have won quite a few games that they probably feel lucky about.

It’s a long season. Normally every team goes through this, but this year Tampa is the exception. And they have won quite a few games that they probably feel lucky about.
- shack67

Good teams do not play 500 hockey over almost half the season.

LOL.

Sandpaper. Intangibles. Locker-room presence. Lunchpail guy. GRIT. GRIT. GRIT.

Leafs need more GRIT. Matthews for Paquette, straight up. Solves the grit issue.
- GalacticStone

Nylander to CGY for Tkachuk
Sandin and Johnson to OTT for Tkachuk

Tkachuk Matthews Kapanen
Tkachuk Tavares Marner
Moore Kadri Ennis
Hyman 🐐 Korshkov

Rielly Rosen
Dermott Borgman
Zaitsev Liljegren
Hainsey

Good teams do not play 500 hockey over almost half the season.
- aminnes

So I guess Winnipeg and Nashville are horrible teams because we’re ahead of them.

Nylander to CGY for Tkachuk
Sandin and Johnson to OTT for Tkachuk

Tkachuk Matthews Kapanen
Tkachuk Tavares Marner
Moore Kadri Ennis
Hyman 🐐 Korshkov

Rielly Rosen
Dermott Borgman
Zaitsev Liljegren
Hainsey
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Not sure if trading for two LWs is the solution to the Leafs painfully obvious defensive problems.

That "updated" defense looks atrocious by the way.

Not sure if trading for two LWs is the solution to the Leafs painfully obvious defensive problems.

That "updated" defense looks atrocious by the way.
- JohnFergusonJr

It looks better than the current D.

Rosen is the best dman in the AHL, he’s ready. Dermott will need to be relied upon and I also think he ready for a bigger role. Lower zaitsev’s minutes. Liljegren will be the unknown, the others I’m fine with. I don’t think all the defensive woes is due to personnel, I think it has to do with the way Babcock is making them play.