I think he is even better than Bing Crosby
- PatC80

He’ll never be David Crosby, though.

I'm looking for a cliff to jump off but they all seem to be taken.. 5 games into the season.

Winnipeg.

Until Big Buff went away.
- Scabeh

He'll be 350 lbs when he reports in December

That's Mega Downer ™

Hate watching a kife game when I specifically plan my evening around it, but I'm not really freaking out at all.

Andersen has been October poopy, as per usual. The whole Kapanen on the LW kinda drives me crazy when we have Moore playing on _his_ off-wing, but Babs is gonna Babs, so whatcha gonna do about it?

Once Hyman is back, we should be in better shape, so it's not like it's March and we're going into the playoffs with a sub-optimal lineup.

Having said that, Leafs are .500 since December of last year, not including playoffs, so that's a bit concerning.
- gravyface

Yeah I was looking forward to a 7-6 game after the first period, so that was a drag. Their record in the second half last year doesn't concern me, things change. I wouldn't bet money on them being at that same winning pct this whole year, I don't see it.

He'll be 350 lbs when he reports in December
- winsix

He's on the Buster Douglas workout plan.

I have no issues with Shanahan..

Dubas, it's still too early to tell, IMO.

Babs, I wish he wasn't so dang stubborn
- PatC80

I would get rid of in this order

Babs > Dubas > Shanny

each day I feel more and more that Babs is just not the right coach for the team Dubas wants. I just dont see a change until the off season (assuming disappointment)

Babs has an iron clad rep out there,,but he really only won with some (frank)ing amazing talent. Lidstrom one of the best ever..might even be a little under appreciated for overall contribution.. but also the same for Datsyuk, he might be the best positive impact player because of his defensive play in the last 20-30 years. Wish we had fancy stats for thier prime years

spezy helpin Marny with his faceoffs

https://twitter.com/markh...tatus/1182723436168257537

Ok, thanks chief.
- PatC80

Happy to bring clarity to confused fans

I would get rid of in this order

Babs > Dubas > Shanny

each day I feel more and more that Babs is just not the right coach for the team Dubas wants. I just dont see a change until the off season (assuming disappointment)

Babs has an iron clad rep out there,,but he really only won with some (frank)ing amazing talent. Lidstrom one of the best ever..might even be a little under appreciated for overall contribution.. but also the same for Datsyuk, he might be the best positive impact player because of his defensive play in the last 20-30 years. Wish we had fancy stats for thier prime years
- senstroll

Its easy to say a coach won with a talented team and diminish the accomplishment. Lots of exceptionally talented teams never win championships. Babcock is a good coach - and he speaks his mind. I am convinced he does not agree with Dubas' approach to not valuing size when drafting and building a team. The Leafs were badly out hit, out played and out - muscled against Tampa. The special teams were also not too special. Marner was a ghost.

I would get rid of in this order

Babs > Dubas > Shanny

each day I feel more and more that Babs is just not the right coach for the team Dubas wants. I just dont see a change until the off season (assuming disappointment)

Babs has an iron clad rep out there,,but he really only won with some (frank)ing amazing talent. Lidstrom one of the best ever..might even be a little under appreciated for overall contribution.. but also the same for Datsyuk, he might be the best positive impact player because of his defensive play in the last 20-30 years. Wish we had fancy stats for thier prime years
- senstroll

I think Babs would be the first to go as well. Seems to be some disconnect, and usually the coach goes first.

Babs has done a lot of good for us, brought us to the playoffs within a year of being the worst team in the league.

I have no issues with Shanahan..

Dubas, it's still too early to tell, IMO.

Babs, I wish he wasn't so dang stubborn
- PatC80

Top issues with Shanny.

1. Goal song
2. The Maple Leaf logo isn’t even a maple leaf, looks more like an oak.
3. He jumped the gun naming Dubas GM

I mean, what has he actually done other than turn this once proud, tough, franchise into a safe space for the other 30 teams?

Its easy to say a coach won with a talented team and diminish the accomplishment. Lots of exceptionally talented teams never win championships. Babcock is a good coach - and he speaks his mind. I am convinced he does not agree with Dubas' approach to not valuing size when drafting and building a team. The Leafs were badly out hit, out played and out - muscled against Tampa. The special teams were also not too special. Marner was a ghost.
- winsix

The only player last night that looked like he could hang with Tampa's big 3, was Matthews..

Tavares and Marner did not look very good last night.

Top issues with Shanny.

1. Goal song
2. The Maple Leaf logo isn’t even a maple leaf, looks more like an oak.
3. He jumped the gun naming Dubas GM

I mean, what has he actually done other than turn this once proud, tough, franchise into a safe space for the other 30 teams?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

1. goal song, really? I'm happy it's not a franking cannon..

2. It's a tribute to the original logo. (kinda, sorta)

3. No issues with Dubas being the GM. If Shanny was going to name Hunter the GM, he might as well have kept Lou there..

I would get rid of in this order

Babs > Dubas > Shanny

each day I feel more and more that Babs is just not the right coach for the team Dubas wants. I just dont see a change until the off season (assuming disappointment)

Babs has an iron clad rep out there,,but he really only won with some (frank)ing amazing talent. Lidstrom one of the best ever..might even be a little under appreciated for overall contribution.. but also the same for Datsyuk, he might be the best positive impact player because of his defensive play in the last 20-30 years. Wish we had fancy stats for thier prime years
- senstroll

If Dubas gets rid of Babcock, the spotlight and timer starts on Kyle. Given the recent contracts and the play of some of the guys he brought in, I'd imagine Kyle would want to give Babcock all year to keep that buffer.

The only player last night that looked like he could hang with Tampa's big 3, was Matthews..

Tavares and Marner did not look very good last night.
- PatC80

what has Matthews done that he looked this good? (according to you)
He's had a few minutes of brilliance, but by far I would call his play so far 'dominant'.
the guy can shoot a puck and has the best hand-eye coordination in the league imo - but I expect more of him than a few goals.
Remember last season I said Matthews could be a Selke winner one day? Apparently Babs thinks the same - and wants more out of Matty than just piling up the points...

1. goal song, really? I'm happy it's not a franking cannon..

2. It's a tribute to the original logo. (kinda, sorta)

3. No issues with Dubas being the GM. If Shanny was going to name Hunter the GM, he might as well have kept Lou there..
- PatC80

Both were bad options.
Shanahan took Dubas because he doesn't want to have a guy that actually pushes back..
yes I said it - I absolutely do not like Shanahan.

Both were bad options.
Shanahan took Dubas because he doesn't want to have a guy that actually pushes back..
yes I said it - I absolutely do not like Shanahan.
- MaximusAurelius

Good Stuff

1. goal song, really? I'm happy it's not a franking cannon..

2. It's a tribute to the original logo. (kinda, sorta)

3. No issues with Dubas being the GM. If Shanny was going to name Hunter the GM, he might as well have kept Lou there..
- PatC80

It’s just all so bubblegum now.

Imo, Babs would be the last to go out of the 3. I don’t agree with everything Babs does, but I know Dubas wanted to fire him and Shanny (or MLSE) blocked it.

The Leafs problems are due to Dubas’s approach to building a team. No one has ever gone full-cupcake before, the games been played physically for 140 years or whatever.

But Dubas has the ingenious to completely overhaul the way the game is played. He’s either the smartest hockey mind to ever live, or he’s in over his head.

It’s just all so bubblegum now.

Imo, Babs would be the last to go out of the 3. I don’t agree with everything Babs does, but I know Dubas wanted to fire him and Shanny (or MLSE) blocked it.

The Leafs problems are due to Dubas’s approach to building a team. No one has ever gone full-cupcake before, the games been played physically for 140 years or whatever.

But Dubas has the ingenious to completely overhaul the way the game is played. He’s either the smartest hockey mind to ever live, or he’s in over his head.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

in just my lifetime of watching hockey since the 80s the game has changed many times. who gives a poop what was done 50 years ago.

It’s just all so bubblegum now.

Imo, Babs would be the last to go out of the 3. I don’t agree with everything Babs does, but I know Dubas wanted to fire him and Shanny (or MLSE) blocked it.

The Leafs problems are due to Dubas’s approach to building a team. No one has ever gone full-cupcake before, the games been played physically for 140 years or whatever.

But Dubas has the ingenious to completely overhaul the way the game is played. He’s either the smartest hockey mind to ever live, or he’s in over his head.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

he thinks he's moneyball-smart - however hockey is not comparable with baseball at all.
as well, toronto maple leafs is not the equivalent of oakland - it makes sense for the arizona coyotes to hire Chayka to 'try and do something different.
The Leafs need to get the best of the best though - should have gotten Poile / Doug Wilson or kept Lou.
Dubas as an assistant GM is great - I didn't mind that at all. He could even handle the media. But he's still very green and lacks negotiation skills.

in just my lifetime of watching hockey since the 80s the game has changed many times. who gives a poop what was done 50 years ago.
- senstroll

I can't believe these pussies where helmets to be honest. Never used to

what has Matthews done that he looked this good? (according to you)
He's had a few minutes of brilliance, but by far I would call his play so far 'dominant'.
the guy can shoot a puck and has the best hand-eye coordination in the league imo - but I expect more of him than a few goals.
Remember last season I said Matthews could be a Selke winner one day? Apparently Babs thinks the same - and wants more out of Matty than just piling up the points...
- MaximusAurelius

What are you talking about? Matthews has been the best Leaf so far this season. 6 goals in 5 games.. A CF% of 62.7, winning 59% of faceoffs, and he's not a liability defensively either.

If you haven't been impressed with his play so far, then I don't know what to tell you... Maybe, go fly a kite and get some fresh air?

What are you talking about? Matthews has been the best Leaf so far this season. 6 goals in 5 games.. A CF% of 62.7, winning 59% of faceoffs, and he's not a liability defensively either.

If you haven't been impressed with his play so far, then I don't know what to tell you... Maybe, go fly a kite and get some fresh air?
- PatC80

i expect more of Matthews.
mind you - I said 2 seasons ago I would pick Matthews over McDavid to build a team around.
He should be much better and do much more - he's not dominant like some other players in this league. right now, he's a 'moments guy'.

i expect more of Matthews.
mind you - I said 2 seasons ago I would pick Matthews over McDavid to build a team around.
He should be much better and do much more - he's not dominant like some other players in this league. right now, he's a 'moments guy'.
- MaximusAurelius

Honestly, what do you expect him to do? Still averaging 18 minutes per game, which is 7th on the team

Honestly, what do you expect him to do? Still averaging 18 minutes per game, which is 7th on the team
- PatC80

Anything under a 164 goal season is a disappointment in my book.