Lucas Neilson: Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild? Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?

He is not but it doesn't matter, with the salary he is getting, he can afford to be patient.

Babcock will establish what is expected from A Toronto Maple Leaf and put in a system and structure. Results are 2-3 years away.
No worries with Babcock - NONE!

There are $50 million reasons why he is the right choice.

great blog Lucas!
i don't think you can ever really go wrong with Mike Babcock as your coach.
and the 8-year contract is a real game-changer. in most situations nowadays, players know that even a brand new coach really has about 100 or so regular season games worth of honeymoon period but that's not the case with MB and it should grab players' attention. i see him more as a tenured college football coach whose program is rebuilding than the typical "gotta win now" hockey coach.

great blog Lucas!
i don't think you can ever really go wrong with Mike Babcock as your coach.
and the 8-year contract is a real game-changer. in most situations nowadays, players know that even a brand new coach really has about 100 or so regular season games worth of honeymoon period but that's not the case with MB and it should grab players' attention. i see him more as a tenured college football coach whose program is rebuilding than the typical "gotta win now" hockey coach.
- DoubleDown

tell that to stee who thinks the Leafs will challenge for the conference this year

tell that to stee who thinks the Leafs will challenge for the conference this year
- Symba007

tell that to stee who thinks the Leafs will challenge for the conference this year
- Symba007

conference basement maybe

Taking a look at the Leafs roster, it is pretty damn bad. It looks worse than the Sabres or the Oilers last year.

This is going to be a long season.

conference basement maybe

Taking a look at the Leafs roster, it is pretty damn bad. It looks worse than the Sabres or the Oilers last year.

This is going to be a long season.
- Aetherial

stee told us Parenteau is good for 20 goals, Lupul for 30 and Kadri will break out with 80pts, the loss of Kessel won't even be felt.

Leafs will end 7-12 in the Eastern Conference this year.

NJ, Carolina, Buffalo, Ottawa all have worse teams than Leafs.
Boston, Florida, Philly and Detroit quite simlilar in strength.

Leafs will end 7-12 in the Eastern Conference this year.

NJ, Carolina, Buffalo, Ottawa all have worse teams than Leafs.
Boston, Florida, Philly and Detroit quite simlilar in strength.
- MaximusAurelius

You underestimate a few teams IMO. Ottawa will make the playoffs, Karlsson is healthy to start the season

Leafs will end 7-12 in the Eastern Conference this year.

NJ, Carolina, Buffalo, Ottawa all have worse teams than Leafs.
Boston, Florida, Philly and Detroit quite simlilar in strength.
- MaximusAurelius

can't tell if you're a pecafan fan alt or if there's just something wrong with you

stee told us Parenteau is good for 20 goals, Lupul for 30 and Kadri will break out with 80pts, the loss of Kessel won't even be felt.
- Symba007

well he said that was a best case. but he also said he can't see how Toronto finishes behind Florida.

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? Nobody
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? No
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? No
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? No
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? No
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Yes
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? No
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? No

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? Nobody
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? No
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? No
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? No
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? No
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Yes
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? No
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? No
- AdamFrench

So you are saying there is a chance?

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? Nobody
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? No
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? No
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? No
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? No
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Yes
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? No
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? No
- AdamFrench

did you factor in the "Babcock factor" factor?

did you factor in the "Babcock factor" factor?
- DoubleDown

I didn't. Let me get back to you with the B-Factor.

Who will replace Phi Kessel’s offense? PAP who has something to prove and Marner who makes the team with AWE
Will Kadri finally be able to produce as a #1 or #2 center? Yes. He has Caresi.
Will Bozak be able to put up decent offensive numbers without Kessel on his wing? Yes. Kessel was holding Bozak back. Bozak is a young two-way superstar and should compete for the Selke.
Will Lupul be able to stay healthy this season and regain offensive form from years past? Yes. Lupul has been working out with Max Pacciorety
Will JVR be able to take the next step in his career and become a consistent 30+ goal scorer? Yes. JVR has 100 point potential.
Without a legitimate top pairing defenseman to play with will Dion Phanuef’s play continue to trail off? Babcock wanted Dion. THERE'S A REASON
Will Rielly and Gardiner be able to carry the load as the Leafs #2 and # 3 defenseman? Yes. Rielly is the best player in the 2012 draft and will finally have a coach that understands him. Gardiner is an elite advanced stats machine.
Will Bernier bounce back from an off year and be able to justify his new contract? Sadly still no, Babcock can't save this French monstrosity, but Reimer will have a career year with God as his witness.

Lucas Neilson: Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
- Lucas.Neilson

Who cares. We have him for 8 years.

But yes

yes and no... No because 2 more pure tank (but not tank) season would be ok, yes because he will start instilling a winning attitude immediately and changing culture.. He just doesn't need to go over coaching and put this team and brink of playoffs

Mike Babcock did say winning was the most important thing but he didn't put a time frame on it, maybe he looked at what was being assembled in Toronto and liked where it was going? True they are going to stink the place up for a couple years but it's a process and Mike Babcock understands that. In addition the insane salary they tossed his way must be a nice bonus for him.

One more thing that I am sure is floating in the back of his mind, just imagine the legendary status he would attain by being the coach of the leafs if/when they win the cup.

You underestimate a few teams IMO. Ottawa will make the playoffs, Karlsson is healthy to start the season
- Symba007

Craig Anderson when playing 50+ games has not gotten to a .920 save %.
In fact, Anderson might be the best NHL backup in league, but he's not a starter that can bring you consistent play for 50games or more.
Ottawa will end last in the Eastern Conference.

Lucas Neilson: Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
Is Mike Babcock the Right Fit at this Stage in the Rebuild?
- Lucas.Neilson

No

No. The team is built to tank and collect draft picks but he might have them playing just well enough to finish outside of the bottom five. 6 year rebuild coming up, plus the last 4-5 years wasted... What a mess.


Go habs go!!

can't tell if you're a pecafan fan alt or if there's just something wrong with you
-double down

It's the 2nd one...