Willy doesn’t want to do all the little things a coach demands.

They already have shaky a history.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Maybe.
But things could change.
Gonna take time.

Babcock's philosophy is, if you want to work with him (and try to follow what he wants to see), he'll give you opportunities. First and foremost, he wants players to put in their best effort.
He is harder on the most talented players (Matthews, Nylander, Marner) than on the less gifted (3rd/4th liners).
The reason why he puts 4th line on the ice after a goal, is because he can rely that these guys will play 100% each and every shift - not necessarily a given for some of the most talented guys on this team.

Maybe it's a generational difference - and Keefe can be a better coach on a day to day basis for these guys - since it's an 'easier life'.
I doubt however that it'll bring them a Stanley Cup - difficult without wanting to put in 100% every game.
- MaximusAurelius

And it didn't bring the Marlies a Calder cup also.

Didn't they buy him out, just over 23 mill?
- bobbyisno1

I believe MacKenzie said yesterday that Babcock didn't have a front loaded contract... and that he was beign paid a linear 6M/year. Which will continue.

Does he not get his full salary?

I think he does
- Santo_44

No, I heard that the leafs are on the hook yearly until the term runs out or if he finds a new job.

What would you do? No way he is making that bank again.

Babcock's philosophy is, if you want to work with him (and try to follow what he wants to see), he'll give you opportunities. First and foremost, he wants players to put in their best effort.
He is harder on the most talented players (Matthews, Nylander, Marner) than on the less gifted (3rd/4th liners).
The reason why he puts 4th line on the ice after a goal, is because he can rely that these guys will play 100% each and every shift - not necessarily a given for some of the most talented guys on this team.

Maybe it's a generational difference - and Keefe can be a better coach on a day to day basis for these guys - since it's an 'easier life'.
I doubt however that it'll bring them a Stanley Cup - difficult without wanting to put in 100% every game.
- MaximusAurelius

I don't think Keefe will be asking for less than 100%. He will be asking for 100% in the things that they can excel at.

Again, you can't ask a diminutive player who is a fast offensively gifted player to play shut down defense. Even if he tried to give 100%, he'd fail miserably and at some point that 100% is 80%, then 60% and so on - because what you're demanding is not achievable.

We'll see how it turns out as it has been one game - but philosophically playing to your team's strengths is a better option than forcing players to play out of their comfort zone.

I will say that putting out the 4th line after a goal was scoffed at and mocked by everyone - from analysts to former players like ODog and Johnson on down the line.

Same.

Though AA has a history of hating on Willie, presumably because Willie is prettier than he is
- lumlums

I love how people assume that..

First of all,, I’m (frank)ing gorgeous, so Willy doesn’t faze me.

Secondly, you’re projecting what’s really going on, which is you turn a blind eye to his mistakes because he’s better looking than you (facts) and you wish you were him.

And thirdly,, I don’t care what some pinko euro Brit thinks about hockey.

Great Character and teammate. Have to wonder if Matthews eventually becomes captain
- senstroll

Thats still a minimum of 5 - 6 years away.

Im hoping McDavid is our next captain.

Tee hee.

come on now... someone must have been thinking this...
- BorjeFan4Ever

I wasn't actually. And I'm (frank)ing mad at myself for not having the thought

First of all,, I’m (frank)ing gorgeous, so Willy doesn’t faze me.


- Arctic_AARDVARK

Still tho, at the rate they were going plus the damages thats already been done playoffs this year is a bit of a strech. We need to go on a decent run and hope some others go on a slump too.

He had to to face the beast that is MLSE.
- mel_vin

Colorado, Detroit, Buffalo Buffalo

Good time to pick up 3 of 4 or even 4 in a row if they can beat Colorado this weekend.

No, I heard that the leafs are on the hook yearly until the term runs out or if he finds a new job.

What would you do? No way he is making that bank again.
- mel_vin

Well he has a massive ego and if the Leafs have success I don't think he will want to go out like this.......

- mel_vin

I wasn't actually. And I'm (frank)ing mad at myself for not having the thought
- lumlums

seriously, that would have been the best troll job of Matthews possible...

it would have been fun - and now that the case has been dropped - no harm no foul.

I love how people assume that..

First of all, I’m (frank)ing gorgeous, so Willy doesn’t faze me.

Secondly, you’re projecting what’s really going on, which is you turn a blind eye to his mistakes because he’s better looking than you (facts) and you wish you were him.

And thirdly,, I don’t care what some pinko euro Brit thinks about hockey.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Meh. I rarely have to look at my own face.

And life is pretty good. Happy wife, happy life right?

You are right maybe for regular season games - but Babcock has said 1000+ times it's all about process and long-term with him.
(he did get 95/96, 105 and 100 points last three seasons - that's not bad at all).

Most of the top young guys just didn't get it.
Or didn't want to get it.
I don't think that's a good situation - you have to have guys want to be open to work with the coach and not just think they're right always.

And by the way - the whole Spezza thing is so stupid; Spezza had indicated he was aware of his role with Leafs (100%!) and Babcock basically rewarded Timashov and Gauthier for playing well in the preseason - he went with the younger guys that deserved it.
That's not a bad thing in my opinion - every player on the team has to earn his playing time.
- MaximusAurelius

Give us a break It was the first game of the year and it was against Ottawa, what a slap in the face.

Meh. I rarely have to look at my own face.

And life is pretty good. Happy wife, happy life right?
- lumlums

YOU PEOPLE!!! YOU COME HERE!! YOU LOVE OUR WAY OF LIFE, YOU LOVE OUR MILK AND HONEY! YOU MARRY OUR WOMEN AND CHANGE OUR SPORTS!

Good to hear, Lumsy!

I honestly thought Nylander played really well last night
- walshyleafsfan

I'm not a Nylander fan... never will be.

But saying he played really well or didn't last night is kind of pointless... akin to saying Keefe really had a great night behind the bench last night.

They all had a fresh lease on life last night - including Nylander.

If he continues the fly-bys and charmin soft play in general - it will only be a matter of time before his own teammates call him out. If he doesn't play soft - great.

None of this changes the FACT to improve/alter the roster make-up - Dubas only has one really option - move salary/CAP from forward to defense.

who's the most logical forward to move - who represents the greatest chance to get a good return?

that didn't change because they got new coach.

I don't think Keefe will be asking for less than 100%. He will be asking for 100% in the things that they can excel at.

Again, you can't ask a diminutive player who is a fast offensively gifted player to play shut down defense. Even if he tried to give 100%, he'd fail miserably and at some point that 100% is 80%, then 60% and so on - because what you're demanding is not achievable.

We'll see how it turns out as it has been one game - but philosophically playing to your team's strengths is a better option than forcing players to play out of their comfort zone.

I will say that putting out the 4th line after a goal was scoffed at and mocked by everyone - from analysts to former players like ODog and Johnson on down the line.
- Monkeypunk

Agree.
But we then have to assume that teams can win games, and more particularly playoff series - with some players not playing team defense?
I don't think Babcock ever wanted Nylander to become a defense-first guy - but at least get him to a minimum level..
And I still think Matthews could be a great 2 way player - but so far he is 100% offense and not willing to actually play defense..

Leafs are still missing their most dangerous player..

When Marner comes back they should move Nylander for Nurse.

Leafs are still missing their most dangerous player..

When Marner comes back they should move Nylander for Nurse.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I'm not a Nylander fan... never will be.

But saying he played really well or didn't last night is kind of pointless... akin to saying Keefe really had a great night behind the bench last night.

They all had a fresh lease on life last night - including Nylander.

If he continues the fly-bys and charmin soft play in general - it will only be a matter of time before his own teammates call him out. If he doesn't play soft - great.

None of this changes the FACT to improve/alter the roster make-up - Dubas only has one really option - move salary/CAP from forward to defense.

who's the most logical forward to move - who represents the greatest chance to get a good return?

that didn't change because they got new coach.
- BorjeFan4Ever

I doubt teams will be lining up to give up a top2 RHD d-man for Nylander ++ though.

I'm not a Nylander fan... never will be.

But saying he played really well or didn't last night is kind of pointless... akin to saying Keefe really had a great night behind the bench last night.

They all had a fresh lease on life last night - including Nylander.

If he continues the fly-bys and charmin soft play in general - it will only be a matter of time before his own teammates call him out. If he doesn't play soft - great.

None of this changes the FACT to improve/alter the roster make-up - Dubas only has one really option - move salary/CAP from forward to defense.

who's the most logical forward to move - who represents the greatest chance to get a good return?

that didn't change because they got new coach.
- BorjeFan4Ever

Cha-cha-cha!

I can’t wait til they trade him.

Does he not get his full salary?

I think he does
- Santo_44

I dunno, he might have accepted less to get out of the contract.
Or it could have already been written into the contract.

Well he has a massive ego and if the Leafs have success I don't think he will want to go out like this.......
- Santo_44

23Million reasons to head up to the cottage, relax and watch the world unfold.

It will never happen ... but he would be hilarious for a short period of time on whatever panel discussion they replace CoachesCorner with

Still tho, at the rate they were going plus the damages thats already been done playoffs this year is a bit of a strech. We need to go on a decent run and hope some others go on a slump too.

He had to to face the beast that is MLSE.
- mel_vin

Ther'es still hope, playoffs aren't that big of a stretch.