Hysterical, I knew Ryan would love KD but really. His press conference was sincere and authentic. What was his last Toronto conference ? “ you won’t see me anywhere else”. Guess that’s acceptable. Guess you could tell he wasn’t being honest and sincere. Then all the stories come out how Shanny kept him from all the hypothetical great moves he wanted to make. Everything had to go thru Shanny, then why is he getting credit for the good trades that were made. I thought Dubas clearly got better , he made some solid trades . Some bad moves but they were all his. When he moved away from his talent only analytics and admitted that character and grit were important he put a better team together. Can’t put all the blame on him this year , he made (I thought) good moves this year.
By the way are O’Reilly, Aciarri and Mcabe speed players ?

Find it funny that you guys are already making excuses for him with how bad the prior management was. If he is so good he will succeed. RW will be happy with him because he will hire progressive. Diversity will be hailed. Maybe a female GM. But if he goes back to the progressive talent only analytics hockey team look out below
- johnnypie

This is what I'm going to hope for. When I look at Dubas's complete body of work, there is a lot that concerns me. But if he's learned from his mistakes and evolved, should be a good hire. Seems a bright hockey mind who uses analytics but isn't a slave to them.

Still glad he's PoHO not GM so there's room for another voice.

The only move that would have been worse was Quenneville.
- burgh4life87

Babcock or Quenneville would have been my two choices if we moved on from Sully. Obviously not happening with Dubas in place.

I think he is an ideal hire for the Jackets. They need to bring in more talent but they have some really good young players coming up.

I could see them pushing for a playoff spot in Year one with a couple good moves.

Those Red Wings rosters and Canada gold winning rosters were f'n stacked hahah
- MattStrat

As far as I’m concerned his time in Detroit was a failure.

Babcock or Quenneville would have been my two choices if we moved on from Sully. Obviously not happening with Dubas in place.

I think he is an ideal hire for the Jackets. They need to bring in more talent but they have some really good young players coming up.

I could see them pushing for a playoff spot in Year one with a couple good moves.
- MacPatty

Babcock is the last coach you need when your roster includes Laine, Gaudreau, Johnson, Werenski, and whoever they take at 3OA

Babcock or Quenneville would have been my two choices if we moved on from Sully. Obviously not happening with Dubas in place.

I think he is an ideal hire for the Jackets. They need to bring in more talent but they have some really good young players coming up.

I could see them pushing for a playoff spot in Year one with a couple good moves.
- MacPatty

Oof.

Babcock or Quenneville would have been my two choices if we moved on from Sully. Obviously not happening with Dubas in place.

I think he is an ideal hire for the Jackets. They need to bring in more talent but they have some really good young players coming up.

I could see them pushing for a playoff spot in Year one with a couple good moves.
- MacPatty

If you acknowledge they have good young players coming up, why do you think a coach known for stifling the creativity of young, skilled players is a good fit here?

If you acknowledge they have good young players coming up, why do you think a coach known for stifling the creativity of young, skilled players is a good fit here?
- Victoro311

Exactly my thoughts lol

If you acknowledge they have good young players coming up, why do you think a coach known for stifling the creativity of young, skilled players is a good fit here?
- Victoro311

In Toronto he was trying to teach some good young players how to play 200 foot hockey that wins you games in the playoffs. They didn't want to buy into that and their results there still show.

He's a bit over the top hard ass at times, I think he will adjust his approach. But there is a reason he is very well respected by many vets in the league. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Columbus.

I could care less.
- Thunderbolt

Well I'm glad to know you care.

Babcock or Quenneville would have been my two choices if we moved on from Sully. Obviously not happening with Dubas in place.

I think he is an ideal hire for the Jackets. They need to bring in more talent but they have some really good young players coming up.

I could see them pushing for a playoff spot in Year one with a couple good moves.
- MacPatty

Babcock's teams win despite him, not because of him.

Babcock's teams win despite him, not because of him.
- jmatchett383

Bold is what matters. This board was littered with people fawning all over Trotz not that long ago. Yet Trotz is like a poor man's Babcock.

Anyway, we will see how it plays out.

Bold is what matters. This board was littered with people fawning all over Trotz not that long ago. Yet Trotz is like a poor man's Babcock.

Anyway, we will see how it plays out.
- MacPatty

Trotz is a better coach than Babcock.

Trotz is a better coach than Babcock.
- j.boyd919

Trotz is a better coach than pretty much anyone in the league. What he did with the talent he had on the Islanders was insane. I hope he succeeds as an exec. Loved to hate him on the Caps but dammit do I respect him.

Bold is what matters. This board was littered with people fawning all over Trotz not that long ago. Yet Trotz is like a poor man's Babcock.

Anyway, we will see how it plays out.
- MacPatty

Trotz is way better than Babcock. He was able to squeeze every last drop out of teams wherever he went. Babcock required a stacked roster to be successful. In fact, given the teams that Babcock had, his limited success is a failure in itself.

Trotz is way better than Babcock. He was able to squeeze every last drop out of teams wherever he went. Babcock required a stacked roster to be successful. In fact, given the teams that Babcock had, his limited success is a failure in itself.
- jmatchett383

Babcock is overrated and stifles creative hockey players. He’s a poopty hire for CBJ.

In Toronto he was trying to teach some good young players how to play 200 foot hockey that wins you games in the playoffs. They didn't want to buy into that and their results there still show.

He's a bit over the top hard ass at times, I think he will adjust his approach. But there is a reason he is very well respected by many vets in the league. Will be interesting to see how it goes in Columbus.
- MacPatty

Name one single set in their way coach that has ever adjusted to a new approach in the twilight of their careers. You’re either innovative or you’re not. Babcock is the opposite of dynamic. He has his shtick and doesn’t work super well outside of historically all time stacked rosters.

Babcock is overrated and stifles creative hockey players. He’s a poopty hire for CBJ.
- j.boyd919

Guy's a massive d!ck too. He tried the interesting strategy of trying to turn his young stars in Toronto against each other.

That is my least favorite thing about the NHL. Its the same coaches being recycled in and out, especially the ones that arent anything special.

Side note - Friedman reported tonight that Dubas's deal is 7 years with the Penguins... so he aint going anywhere anytime soon.

Babcock is overrated and stifles creative hockey players. He’s a poopty hire for CBJ.
- j.boyd919

Stifling creative hockey? That is literally Trotz to a T. Trotz was an ok coach but not as good as Babcock.

I dont care if you guys hate Babcock but the irony of criticizing how he coaches and praising Trotz at the same time is astounding.

Stifling creative hockey? That is literally Trotz to a T. Trotz was an ok coach but not as good as Babcock.

I dont care if you guys hate Babcock but the irony of criticizing how he coaches and praising Trotz at the same time is astounding.
- MacPatty

The guy bench bossing the most consistently scary offensive attack in the league during his time with the capitals stifled creativity? The Isles played counterattack hockey because they had garbage talent and that’s all they could do.

Everything you guys are saying about Babcock is true of Mike Sullivan as well. Off season is still a failure as long as Sullivan is still in charge.

Stifling creative hockey? That is literally Trotz to a T. Trotz was an ok coach but not as good as Babcock.

I dont care if you guys hate Babcock but the irony of criticizing how he coaches and praising Trotz at the same time is astounding.
- MacPatty

Not really. He never handcuffed guys like Ovi, Kuzi or Barzal. He let them play to their strengths.

Everything you guys are saying about Babcock is true of Mike Sullivan as well. Off season is still a failure as long as Sullivan is still in charge.
- Grinder47

Nah.

Everything you guys are saying about Babcock is true of Mike Sullivan as well. Off season is still a failure as long as Sullivan is still in charge.
- Grinder47

.

Hahaha this offseason hasn't technically even really started yet, man. Let's see what unfolds over the next few months... Then see how things are looking into November/December... Or that's what I'll do before starting to form opinions on this offseason but you do you.

any interest in a Carter Hart trade?

Not really. He never handcuffed guys like Ovi, Kuzi or Barzal. He let them play to their strengths.
- j.boyd919

Weren't Babcocks Leafs a top 5 scoring team every year?

You will recall that early after he started people were calling for Trotz head and Washington didn't even offer him a contract as his deal expired. He was also the biggest whiner head coach in the league.

Not worth beating a dead horse here.