It's a fair criticism. Babcock didn't sign Nylander to a garbage contract and Babcock had no say on what defensemen that were acquired during the season. That was Dubas. Mussin is a good defenseman, but the team required help on the right side. That's on Dubas, as is the toughness issue.
- PrinceLH

wrong.
you have to understand that this is dubas' first seaason as a gm.
we have to be patient and give him some tine to learn on the job what it's really all about.

(frank) that - writing this, i'm blaming shanny for this failure. all he had to do was keep lou.

Take Abdelkader for that. He’s faster and a better contract. Do it b
- RafiDRW

Simmonds has no contract. Admittedly it's probably gonna be poop, but if he wants a 1 or 2 year deal for cheap, I'd look at it.

Honestly Hyman should be with Matthews. Kapanen and Johnsson don't help Matthews' game imo. Nor can they play with Kadri really is Kadri isn't that great with very fast linemates.

Most of the puzzle is there. Need to rearrange some pieces, wait till Marleau and Horton's contracts are completely gone and add some bottom 6 toughness.

It's weird Marleau gets a free pass. Nylander's cap hit next season is 600K more than Marleau.

Cap space, a 1st round pick, and an amazing top pairing dman. We will also throw in Marleau.
- walshyleafsfan

U realize that’s for Kadri and not Marner...
Right?

If a team is taking Marleau as part of the deal,
then u aren’t getting a 1st OR another good player for Kadri

Not imo anyways

Rasmus Ristolainen wants out of Buffalo and he fits the bill. Large, plays 25+ minutes a game. Plays the PP and PK. Can play the roll as a douchebaggery type of player. He's exactly what the Leafs require and he shoots right and is young enough.
- PrinceLH

He’s also garbage defensively. A big RH Gardiner.

He did, however, regularly put Gauthier on the ice in the 3rd period of a game 7 in which they were trailing.
- BINGO!

He played the poop out of that 4th line when they were behind hoping for some 4th line magic.

Problem is, the Bruins 4th line actually gets goals. Leafs 4th line? Not so much.

Dumb move.

wrong.
you have to understand that this is dubas' first seaason as a gm.
we have to be patient and give him some tine to learn on the job what it's really all about.

(frank) that - writing this, i'm blaming shanny for this failure. all he had to do was keep lou.
- MaximusAurelius

And thanks to Lou, we have 10.8 million in cap tied-up in Marleau and Zaitsev.

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Babcock on Jake Gardiner: He's not mobile, it's unfortunate, but he tried to give us what he could and tried to help us. You know, obviously any time you're playing a guy that's not 100 per cent, you think he's better than the guys that are available that are 100 per cent...



Another shot at Dubas.
- RogerRoeper

definitely a shot at Dubas... but Babcock owns some of that as well... his(meaning Babcock's) use of Ozighanov and Holl was just plain dumb... doesn't play a guy for the whole first half and expects him to step in... plays Oz with a break until the 20th game or whatever... and Marincin.. .and that's on Babcock for not adequate finding out about his options.

and Babcock put Gardiner on the ice - knowing full well he wasn't close to 100% Don't make excuses afterwards - that you're choice.

It's weird Marleau gets a free pass. Nylander's cap hit next season is 600K more than Marleau.
- RogerRoeper

From who?

And thanks to Lou, we have 10.8 million in cap tied-up in Marleau and Zaitsev.
- RogerRoeper

. Yup. And Shanny approved it all.

Best choice.
- RogerRoeper

How do we know who's gonna be available. If Laviolette becomes available, he'd be interesting.

Cant imagine a Dubas/Keefe tandem right now. Could be very risky.

wrong.
you have to understand that this is dubas' first seaason as a gm.
we have to be patient and give him some tine to learn on the job what it's really all about.

(frank) that - writing this, i'm blaming shanny for this failure. all he had to do was keep lou.
- MaximusAurelius

Yes, should’ve kept Lou so he could’ve signed another 38 year old to a 3 year 6M+ contract. Lou never made a mistake ever. Blame it all on Dubas.

And thanks to Lou, we have 10.8 million in cap tied-up in Marleau and Zaitsev.
- RogerRoeper

zaitsev played really well this series

Simmonds has no contract. Admittedly it's probably gonna be poop, but if he wants a 1 or 2 year deal for cheap, I'd look at it.

Honestly Hyman should be with Matthews. Kapanen and Johnsson don't help Matthews' game imo. Nor can they play with Kadri really is Kadri isn't that great with very fast linemates.

Most of the puzzle is there. Need to rearrange some pieces, wait till Marleau and Horton's contracts are completely gone and add some bottom 6 toughness.
- walshyleafsfan

Simmonds isn’t coming cheap or short. Not when people like Backes, Lucic and Neal get nice long, bloated contracts. He’ll be a 6x6 or 7x7 player. You don’t want him. Even on the short. Better off getting a reclamation big dude. Get Dano or something.

Nothing, you can’t have him.

But we’ll trade you Willy for Alex.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Sure
But that would never happen

zaitsev played really well this series
- MaximusAurelius

Yes, but you think it's a good contract?

Rasmus Ristolainen wants out of Buffalo and he fits the bill. Large, plays 25+ minutes a game. Plays the PP and PK. Can play the roll as a douchebaggery type of player. He's exactly what the Leafs require and he shoots right and is young enough.
- PrinceLH

He is (frank)ing awful defensively. Like Jake Gardiner bad in his own zone.

He did, however, regularly put Gauthier on the ice in the 3rd period of a game 7 in which they were trailing.
- BINGO!

Gauthier and the 4th line kept the pressure on, the whole game. They didn't score, but kept the pressure on the Bruins. They were better then the Nylander line and had more offensive zone time then the Matthews line. Babcock should have sat the Nylander line and spotted Willy on the Matthews line and double shifted 34. That's the only criticism that I can put on Babcock.

zaitsev played really well this series
- MaximusAurelius

He’s mostly a non factor. Babcock blew this series, not Dubas.

Simmonds is 30. AVOID like the plague. Guys like him breakdown at 30. He's the next Lucic.

Rasmus Ristolainen wants out of Buffalo and he fits the bill. Large, plays 25+ minutes a game. Plays the PP and PK. Can play the roll as a douchebaggery type of player. He's exactly what the Leafs require and he shoots right and is young enough.
- PrinceLH

Also, he (frank)ing sucks.

U realize that’s for Kadri and not Marner...
Right?

If a team is taking Marleau as part of the deal,
then u aren’t getting a 1st OR another good player for Kadri

Not imo anyways
- jdfitz77

Oh I agree 100%

But that's what we need

Simmonds is 30. AVOID like the plague. Guys like him breakdown at 30. He's the next Lucic.
- RogerRoeper

This. I actually agree with you.

He is (frank)ing awful defensively. Like Jake Gardiner bad in his own zone.
- walshyleafsfan

His biggest issue is the number of minutes he plays and the Sabres are a terrible team. Play him 22 minutes a game and you'd see an uptick in his game.

Also, he (frank)ing sucks.
- BINGO!

This. RR is overrated. Second pairing dman who needs lots of PP time.