Truth!!!!!!!

Great article!
- ahjnkn

I agree.

Didn't they bring in Ceci to be a shutdown defender supposedly? That one's on the GM.
- Tojo.

As I recall though it was at the request of DJ Smith. Smith wanted Zaitsev as well. This doesn’t mean Dubas did or did not want them, who knows!

Mike Babcock is overated, he sells himself to perfection, did what good hockey men do win when it's needed, and did what cocky men do, think they don't need to adapt.

I do believe he helped when he was hired, but at the same time, his contract felt like a here we pay you for past successes, even though you probably won't bring us the holy grail.

For all the good he did,he has done as many bad and terrible things that limited this team. As he lost his slow yet Babcock 'veteran men' he struggled.

Keefe throughout the minor leagues looks like an adaptable youthful coach. The kind of coach this team needs. Keefe looks to be a much much better coach, and we better hope, because a good and decent but probably decent coach struggled with this assembled roster with little defensive depth.

Babcock will probably find work again and gain moderate success, ie. Seattle the perfect fit for him as Gallant was for Vegas. Gallant is similar in coaching as Babcock, and his motivational ways worked wonders for Vegas.

I read Tanners blog right before this one and laughed thinking these two meatballs were on the same page. Then low and behold comment #1 lol. I’d love a tag team collaboration blog conjured up by these two.
- 10inchTerror

A podcast with the two of them would probably be funny. I’m picturing a lot of whining, some really bad music, probably some good humor, and some obvious slights against Trump. Let’s get this thing going

Great article by the way, people need to see the hard truth opinions.

Bylsma Carlyle and Torts just off the top of my head.
- Feds91Stammer

I think they were all good coaches those times. Coaches can be X's and O's, great motivators or a combo of the two. In Byslma's case he was a great motivator that took the 12th placed in February Therrian coached team and motivated and inspired them to a cup that season...his X's and O's/personnel decisions were sh!t though and that reared its ugly head in the seasons after 2009.

Mike Babcock is overated, he sells himself to perfection, did what good hockey men do win when it's needed, and did what cocky men do, think they don't need to adapt.

I do believe he helped when he was hired, but at the same time, his contract felt like a here we pay you for past successes, even though you probably won't bring us the holy grail.

For all the good he did,he has done as many bad and terrible things that limited this team. As he lost his slow yet Babcock 'veteran men' he struggled.

Keefe throughout the minor leagues looks like an adaptable youthful coach. The kind of coach this team needs. Keefe looks to be a much much better coach, and we better hope, because a good and decent but probably decent coach struggled with this assembled roster with little defensive depth.

Babcock will probably find work again and gain moderate success, ie. Seattle the perfect fit for him as Gallant was for Vegas. Gallant is similar in coaching as Babcock, and his motivational ways worked wonders for Vegas.
- rebel_deucer

I don’t think Gallant and Babs are comparable coaches. I think Gallant is a fantastic coach who lost his job in FLA because of injuries. I think he’s a great systems coach, his team always seems prepared, and he isn’t afraid to ride whoever the hot hand is whether it’s his top line, second line, or his 4th for that matter. Babcock failed to respond in any way in the playoffs and flat out refused to ever try and ride his superstars to victory in the postseason

If not for the unfortunate collapse of Fleury (who was indeed bad that series) they may have beaten the Caps for the cup!

I think they were all good coaches those times. Coaches can be X's and O's, great motivators or a combo of the two. In Byslma's case he was a great motivator that took the 12th placed in February Therrian coached team and motivated and inspired them to a cup that season...his X's and O's/personnel decisions were sh!t though and that reared its ugly head in the seasons after 2009.
- MattStrat

Not just a motivator but Bylsma got the team moving the puck and opening up the neutral zone which paved the way for speed. The big issue for Bylsma was his over dedication to his aging bottom 6 combined with his inability to ever adjust to the opposition. We always always always played the same way and it led to playoff failures

I believe Rino said he’d slot Hornqvist onto the 4th line as to not upset our chemistry. What does everyone else think?

What about the absence of Schultz? We have a few days off so we feel confident enough to play 24 minutes with Dumo/Marino? Does Ruhwedel come up to play with Petts to keep the JJ-Kola third pair together? What’re you guys thinking?

Trotman was recalled some maybe Ruhwedel doesn’t even get in

you can argue about what it takes to coach a Team Canada to an Olympic gold

consider what it takes to be regarded well enough by Hockey Canada to be their #1 choice
- Coburns_Nose

you can argue it but it's a stupid argument. before Babcock took over for Canada, they struggled in best on best tournaments. they had 1 tournament win in the previous 15 years and that was in 2002 when the chips fell so much in Canada's favour that we played Belarus in the semi-final. Babcock coached Canada at 2 olympics and 1 World Cup and won every tournament.

say what you will about his time with the Leafs but it's idiotic to diminish his accomplishments with the national team.

I believe Rino said he’d slot Hornqvist onto the 4th line as to not upset our chemistry. What does everyone else think?

What about the absence of Schultz? We have a few days off so we feel confident enough to play 24 minutes with Dumo/Marino? Does Ruhwedel come up to play with Petts to keep the JJ-Kola third pair together? What’re you guys thinking?
- WSCTeton17

I’m not sure that’s exactly what I said. I don’t prefer him in the top six because of his mediocre abilities on zone-entries. But also now with that McCann line firing on all cylinders I’d hate to mess with that.

Plus it’s probably a good idea to ease him back in the lineup.

Didn't they bring in Ceci to be a shutdown defender supposedly? That one's on the GM.
- Tojo.

They brought in Ceci to get rid of Zaitsev and cap relief.

If anyone wants to watch when Mario Lemieux returned. It's on NHL.com

https://www.nhl.com/video...it/t-277350912/c-70261103

great article. The comments from people who love hockey men are apparent.

I’m not sure that’s exactly what I said. I don’t prefer him in the top six because of his mediocre abilities on zone-entries. But also now with that McCann line firing on all cylinders I’d hate to mess with that.

Plus it’s probably a good idea to ease him back in the lineup.
- Rinosaur

The lines are being rolled quite a bit this season. Im totally fine with Horny starting on the 4th line and if it turns into a good line keep him there. Remember when the Pens beat the Preds for the cup Horny and Hags were on the 4th line? That's nice wingers for a 4th line haha

Not just a motivator but Bylsma got the team moving the puck and opening up the neutral zone which paved the way for speed. The big issue for Bylsma was his over dedication to his aging bottom 6 combined with his inability to ever adjust to the opposition. We always always always played the same way and it led to playoff failures
- WSCTeton17

Bylsma was basically a perfect storm. He had a few tricks that ended up being just what we needed at that time. A year later they were figured out and he had nothing else to offer.

Many Toronto fans seem to think the roster assembled is too soft and in need of a shutdown defenseman. Sound familiar?
- sjfpp

Jack Johnson for Matthews

I believe Rino said he’d slot Hornqvist onto the 4th line as to not upset our chemistry. What does everyone else think?

What about the absence of Schultz? We have a few days off so we feel confident enough to play 24 minutes with Dumo/Marino? Does Ruhwedel come up to play with Petts to keep the JJ-Kola third pair together? What’re you guys thinking?
- WSCTeton17

I think Rino might have said Hornqvist on the 4th when everyone is healthy (correct me if I'm remembering wrong). I didn't like it at first since I figured use Hornqvist in a more offensive role, but if Tanev doesn't end up back there they need someone good defensively and it's limited once you take out the key offensive guys and he'd fit. Not sure where he fits on the other lines.

But I think Simon is the call I'd make right now since he's not in the top 6. Maybe Galchenyuk can score one with Hornqvist in front.

Not just a motivator but Bylsma got the team moving the puck and opening up the neutral zone which paved the way for speed. The big issue for Bylsma was his over dedication to his aging bottom 6 combined with his inability to ever adjust to the opposition. We always always always played the same way and it led to playoff failures
- WSCTeton17

Yeah I believe Disco was calling it "taking the leashes off" when he first came on.

I still think that if it wasn't for Therrian's defense first tendencies being instilled on the players the previous years, and them still having some of those tendencies all while being allowed to open up more offensively, they wouldnt of won that cup. I think Therrian played a factor in 2009 even though he wasnt behind the bench when they hoisted.

Well put Ryan!
When Babcock left Detroit, I said that he was bailing before he was exposed as a mediocre coach at best.
He saw what everyone else outside of Detroit did. The Wings are not going to be very good for years!

you can argue it but it's a stupid argument. before Babcock took over for Canada, they struggled in best on best tournaments. they had 1 tournament win in the previous 15 years and that was in 2002 when the chips fell so much in Canada's favour that we played Belarus in the semi-final. Babcock coached Canada at 2 olympics and 1 World Cup and won every tournament.

say what you will about his time with the Leafs but it's idiotic to diminish his accomplishments with the national team.
- DoubleDown

Those other tournies they lost were usually on the other side of the world with much larger ice surfaces that the other country's players were more accustomed too. Also, these tournies are single game elimination after the first round...hockey is a very random sport from game to game, lots of random things happen on the ice, and thats why its good that playoffs are best of 7's. Canada was one OT goal away from placing 2nd in Salt Lake vs the states. That game could of went either way.

I'm not trying to take anything away from Olympic gold medals haha those tournies house some of my more fonder memories in life haha and they were f'n awesome....did you watch the USA/Russia game in 2010? It was crazy good hockey...and I got a BJ while watching it. Good times.

I think Rino might have said Hornqvist on the 4th when everyone is healthy (correct me if I'm remembering wrong). I didn't like it at first since I figured use Hornqvist in a more offensive role, but if Tanev doesn't end up back there they need someone good defensively and it's limited once you take out the key offensive guys and he'd fit. Not sure where he fits on the other lines.

But I think Simon is the call I'd make right now since he's not in the top 6. Maybe Galchenyuk can score one with Hornqvist in front.
- Tojo.

You’re probably right about what will happen with Horn vs. Simon, but I can promise you it won’t last.

There’s a reason why Hornqvist never sticks on Sid or Geno’s line. I know I beat this dead horse to hell, but it’s his transition game.

Once in the zone he’s awesome. He cycles well, battles for pucks and creates that mayhem in front of goalies, but he stifles zone entries and the transition game in general. He’s a dump-n-chase player and that just isn’t what this team is.

You’re probably right about what will happen with Horn vs. Simon, but I can promise you it won’t last.

There’s a reason why Hornqvist never sticks on Sid or Geno’s line. I know I beat this dead horse to hell, but it’s his transition game.

Once in the zone he’s awesome. He cycles well, battles for pucks and creates that mayhem in front of goalies, but he stifles zone entries and the transition game in general. He’s a dump-n-chase player and that just isn’t what this team is.
- Rinosaur

Yeah his zone entry game blows.

Those other tournies they lost were usually on the other side of the world with much larger ice surfaces that the other country's players were more accustomed too. Also, these tournies are single game elimination after the first round...hockey is a very random sport from game to game, lots of random things happen on the ice, and thats why its good that playoffs are best of 7's. Canada was one OT goal away from placing 2nd in Salt Lake vs the states. That game could of went either way.

I'm not trying to take anything away from Olympic gold medals haha those tournies house some of my more fonder memories in life haha and they were f'n awesome....did you watch the USA/Russia game in 2010? It was crazy good hockey...and I got a BJ while watching it. Good times.
- MattStrat

Yzerman took over GM duties for team canada. Instead of building an all star team he built a hockey team. That was the key imo.