Is it safe to say the Leafs are BACK?

I think I’ve figured babcock out.

He is a very intelligent person with very detailed structure and assignments.

Unfortunately he thinks he’s teaching Harvard grads. He’s teaching hockey players. I’m sure 90% of these guys got through school on their hockey talent. They couldn’t understand the game and we’re getting away from their natural talent. Babcock made the systems to difficult for these guys to understand.

Probably why he loved hyman too. Only person to graduate university lol
- bryant

Kerfoot went to Harvard as well.
I don't think Babcock is the most intelligent coach though - it's probably just that Babcock's assignment require more effort than they were used to - they translated that into 'too difficult'.

missed it, who said what? more drama lol
- CarlitoBrigante

Tyson Barrie: "That style that you saw tonight you're going to see a lot more of it."

Not so much drama but it seems the team will get to play with more of their natural talent but they are still expected to be defensively responsible.

Essentially "I've got three new friends now in Morgs, Larry and Lou and the rest of these schmucks can eat my farts"
- lumlums

that was a Richard move on Babcock's part...

it doesn't matter what he said about Tannebaum or Lou, but he may have created a bit of a locker room problem for Rielly - that was unnecessary.

at the end of all this nonsense... I'm left wondering if Babcock was pushing the envelope... wanting out. Heck, he still gets his payday... the way he "dealt" with the Spezza situation - whether justifiable due to the players conditioning or whatever - was poopty. Same thing for the Barrie situation.. meaning we know Babcock is stubborn.. but that was just stupid.

I see those two actions are direct shots at Dubas - and his transactions - I can't really understand how that stuff adds up to anything other than pissing off the GM.

And did the system change that much since last season - did it need to? in the end they lost to the Bruins in 7 games - it wasn't a blow out... overreaction. Which when contrasted with Babcock's usual stubborness - makes no sense. Odd - to say the least.

Just die already.

I didn’t mean that.

Maybe a little.

I’ll be joining you soon anyway...
- DrunkSkunk

24 hours closer everyday....(frank)er

Kerfoot went to Harvard as well.
I don't think Babcock is the most intelligent coach though - it's probably just that Babcock's assignment require more effort than they were used to - they translated that into 'too difficult'.
- MaximusAurelius

I wouldn't say more effort - but more rigidity. They're a team built on keeping the puck, not getting it back. They're built for speed, but that means less if you're not transitioning the puck. We saw just last night much more fluidity in their attack, players moving around and filling in for each other, rather than standing in exactly the spot that they had been told to be in.

that was a Richard move on Babcock's part...

it doesn't matter what he said about Tannebaum or Lou, but he may have created a bit of a locker room problem for Rielly - that was unnecessary.

at the end of all this nonsense... I'm left wondering if Babcock was pushing the envelope... wanting out. Heck, he still gets his payday... the way he "dealt" with the Spezza situation - whether justifiable due to the players conditioning or whatever - was poopty. Same thing for the Barrie situation.. meaning we know Babcock is stubborn.. but that was just stupid.

I see those two actions are direct shots at Dubas - and his transactions - I can't really understand how that stuff adds up to anything other than pissing off the GM.

And did the system change that much since last season - did it need to? in the end they lost to the Bruins in 7 games - it wasn't a blow out... overreaction. Which when contrasted with Babcock's usual stubborness - makes no sense. Odd - to say the least.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Spot on my friend

I'm very intrigued to see what a team with this much talent can do now that every part of the organization - from players to coach to GM to president - are all on the same page and pulling in the same direction. Should be fun

Is it safe to say the Leafs are BACK?
- Scabeh

they never left... just had a little vacation

it will be interesting to see if the the bubble teams in the east start panicking a bit... with both Tampa and Leafs having had "slow" starts.

seems like the Sabres are already in a bit of a tail spin...

Yeah, the players not liking him or wanting to play his systems definitely is all on Babcock and they should immediately pretend they did nothing wrong and everything is perfect now.
- Aetherial

I dont think babs has used what he has had to its full potential for awhile now. Coupled with his inability to change things up ever....
And before you go looking dor examples...ill just ask, seeing what holl has done this year...how was he banished to the press box for 70 plus games last year? How did marincin ever play ahead of him.
The way jason spezza has looked the past 6 games....why was he healthy scratched.
There's so much more.
Do i think the players played like poop this year...definitely. do i think babs made the right moves to get the most out of this squad. Definetly not.
And by no means do i think keefe has all the answers, but last night was a good start and welcome change from what i have seen this year from this team.

they never left... just had a little vacation

it will be interesting to see if the the bubble teams in the east start panicking a bit... with both Tampa and Leafs having had "slow" starts.

seems like the Sabres are already in a bit of a tail spin...
- BorjeFan4Ever

Well if Tampa and Toronto start playing better, it should turn things around for the ones that took advantage of them sucking.

Games inside the Division will be crucial along the way.

My take (fwiw) is that they were too busy thinking about exactly (and I mean *exactly*) what Mike wanted them to do that by the time they'd made the decision it was already too late. They looked like they always had a hamster wheel turning, but also simultaneously terrified to piss off the boss.

You're right though - now they own it, and it's on them. If they blow it this time, there's no heat shield to stop the criticism.
- lumlums

Obviously we don't have the inside scoop, but I think it's basically this. They had no sustained forecheck or pressure on D because they had to be back... The useless loop forecheck is just to gain speed to skate back, not apply pressure or take the puck.

Granted, one game in and Keefe was preaching for the D to step up at the blue line, but that can only happen if the forwards are back in support. One difference is that while Babcock had them back, they weren't I really in motion leading to stationary players you could exploit.

Well if Tampa and Toronto start playing better, it should turn this around.

Games inside the Division will be crucial along the way.
- Scabeh

definitely... will be curious to see if the coaches start coaching for overtime/shootout

personally, I hate the 3 point games - but I understand why Buttman likes it... keeps the appearance of parity more obvious longer into the season

Obviously we don't have the inside scoop, but I think it's basically this. They had no sustained forecheck or pressure on D because they had to be back... The useless loop forecheck is just to gain speed to skate back, not apply pressure or take the puck.

Granted, one game in and Keefe was preaching for the D to step up at the blue line, but that can only happen if the forwards are back in support. One difference is that while Babcock had them back, they weren't I really in motion leading to stationary players you could exploit.
- Monkeypunk

exactly. fast/quick team that spent too much time standing still - I believe Lums called the 'hamster wheel'...

definitely... will be curious to see if the coaches start coaching for overtime/shootout

personally, I hate the 3 point games - but I understand why Buttman likes it... keeps the appearance of parity more obvious longer into the season
- BorjeFan4Ever

Agreed.

Habs are 1 point ahead of what they had last season.

And that's despite Domi having half the points he did at the same time last season.

GO HABS GO!

Habs are 1 point ahead of what they had last season.

And that's despite Domi having half the points he did at the same time last season.

GO HABS GO!
- Scabeh

Domi's a bust. Diabetes with it.

Going to take some time to convince everyone.
- mykokes

Ya it was all on the coach.
The same that "everyone" said was the reason they got to 100pts and playoffs 3 years in a row.

The players gave up amd embarrassed themselves.
Yes the coach was stubborn and seem to have introduced a suffocating style of play for his own team.
But the players gave up.
Theyll play well until they give up this coach.
Although keefe seems better suited for this team at this stage. Looking forward to seeing what he brings.
He seems more open to changing philosophies that arent working. Which is what a coach in 2019 nhl league needs to do. Babs failed to.

Spot on my friend

I'm very intrigued to see what a team with this much talent can do now that every part of the organization - from players to coach to GM to president - are all on the same page and pulling in the same direction. Should be fun
- lumlums

agreed... leading question


if they can manage to go on a bit of a run - head home having gotten 10 pts from 6 games...

when does Dubas need to come out from behind closed doors and get an upgrade on D? - with a view to Marners eventual return?

do they put Ceci in the pressbox for a couple of games - and I can't believe I'm going to say this - play Marincin (I think I just vomited a bit) or perhaps Lliljgren...

the same roster construction issues that existed prior to Babcock's firing exist now... so....

Tyson Barrie: "That style that you saw tonight you're going to see a lot more of it."

Not so much drama but it seems the team will get to play with more of their natural talent but they are still expected to be defensively responsible.
- bryant

Which is how they played the past couple of seasons. But were gabage defensively...i think babs tried to overcompensate

Domi's a bust. Diabetes with it.
- AdamFrench

I posted on the wrong thread too.

Ya it was all on the coach.
The same that "everyone" said was the reason they got to 100pts and playoffs 3 years in a row.

The players gave up amd embarrassed themselves.
Yes the coach was stubborn and seem to have introduced a suffocating style of play for his own team.
But the players gave up.
Theyll play well until they give up this coach.
Although keefe seems better suited for this team at this stage. Looking forward to seeing what he brings.
He seems more open to changing philosophies that arent working. Which is what a coach in 2019 nhl league needs to do. Babs failed to.
- Fakepartofme

Burkie explained it perfectly well.
Players should be ashamed.

Is it safe to say the Leafs are BACK?
- Scabeh

In the win column yes.

It will be a while before they are over .500 and are back to playing like a top team in the league.

Theres time

agreed... leading question


if they can manage to go on a bit of a run - head home having gotten 10 pts from 6 games...

when does Dubas need to come out from behind closed doors and get an upgrade on D? - with a view to Marners eventual return?

do they put Ceci in the pressbox for a couple of games - and I can't believe I'm going to say this - play Marincin (I think I just vomited a bit) or perhaps Lliljgren...

the same roster construction issues that existed prior to Babcock's firing exist now... so....


- BorjeFan4Ever

you are completely bypassing the fact that Ceci's underlying numbers look really good...

Spot on my friend

I'm very intrigued to see what a team with this much talent can do now that every part of the organization - from players to coach to GM to president - are all on the same page and pulling in the same direction. Should be fun
- lumlums

Youve seen it already.
2 seasons ago, they were all on the same page.

In the win column yes.

It will be a while before they are over .500 and are back to playing like a top team in the league.

Theres time
- Fakepartofme

January will be the real test.
Thankfully, rest of Nov and Dec is quite a relatively easy schedule.