Paul McCann: My Eastern Take

Toronto has a coach that has been there before, that's whats going to help them? What has Babcock done in the past decade? He has one cup with an insanely talented team he inherited .

In the East, the only series that is a question mark is Toronto vs. Boston. I'm not saying the others will be sweeps or easy, but there's little chance that any of Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, or Washington lose a best-of-7.

Toronto has a coach that has been there before, that's whats going to help them? What has Babcock done in the past decade? He has one cup with an insanely talented team he inherited .
- ClaudeFather

You may have missed, he picked Boston in 6. He did not pick Toronto.

And BTW, if Babcock gets no credit for Detroit's cup win then Q should not for the 3 in Chicago. Seriously, what's the difference?

You may have missed, he picked Boston in 6. He did not pick Toronto.

And BTW, if Babcock gets no credit for Detroit's cup win then Q should not for the 3 in Chicago. Seriously, what's the difference?
- RogerRoeper

Umm the difference is one guy won 3... I did not miss him picking Boston in 6, I was only pointing out the Toronto has a coach that has been there comment, this means nothing to me.

In the East, the only series that is a question mark is Toronto vs. Boston. I'm not saying the others will be sweeps or easy, but there's little chance that any of Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, or Washington lose a best-of-7.
- jmatchett383

I agree, I can't see the ISles overcoming Crosby and Malkin and Washington has a confident swagger about them, I have the caps coming out of the east.

You may have missed, he picked Boston in 6. He did not pick Toronto.

And BTW, if Babcock gets no credit for Detroit's cup win then Q should not for the 3 in Chicago. Seriously, what's the difference?
- RogerRoeper

Babcock walked into a dressing room with guys like Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Rafalski who all had at least one Stanley Cup (Lidstrom and Rafalski having 3 each). Plus, as a perennial playoff contender since Lincoln was in office, every player on Detroit had tons of playoff experience, plus one of the 3 best defensemen in NHL history. He won one with that group, lost in the SCF the next season, and started trending downward after that.

Q took a very young team with vastly less playoff experience who had zero cups among the group aside from John Madden and turned them into a dynasty.

That being said, I'd take Boston unless Scotty Bowman was coaching Toronto because it's more about the on-ice matchup than the coaches.

People arguing the degree of Stanley Cup winning coaches...lol

Gotta love social media or message boards. So many unemployed experts.

The only series I am looking forward to in the first round of the East is the Toronto/Boston series. Still remember that choke job Toronto did a few years back. I'm hoping it's payback time, but the Leafs give up way too many goals. Here's hoping it goes to triple OT of game 7.

People arguing the degree of Stanley Cup winning coaches...lol

Gotta love social media or message boards. So many unemployed experts.

The only series I am looking forward to in the first round of the East is the Toronto/Boston series. Still remember that choke job Toronto did a few years back. I'm hoping it's payback time, but the Leafs give up way too many goals. Here's hoping it goes to triple OT of game 7.
- FoxMulder

Some detailed points were made from Jmatch especially. What's the difference between Babcock and Dan Byslma?

Umm the difference is one guy won 3... I did not miss him picking Boston in 6, I was only pointing out the Toronto has a coach that has been there comment, this means nothing to me.
- ClaudeFather

3 with a stacked team. He got fired twice and could not win anything before coming to Chicago.

Babcock walked into a dressing room with guys like Datsyuk, Lidstrom, and Rafalski who all had at least one Stanley Cup (Lidstrom and Rafalski having 3 each). Plus, as a perennial playoff contender since Lincoln was in office, every player on Detroit had tons of playoff experience, plus one of the 3 best defensemen in NHL history. He won one with that group, lost in the SCF the next season, and started trending downward after that.

Q took a very young team with vastly less playoff experience who had zero cups among the group aside from John Madden and turned them into a dynasty.

That being said, I'd take Boston unless Scotty Bowman was coaching Toronto because it's more about the on-ice matchup than the coaches.
- jmatchett383

I find it interesting you bring up Bowman when you don't want to give credit for Babcock due to talent. Have you ever studied the rosters Bowman coached under?

And let's not forget the 03 Ducks. Terrible team that got to game 7 of the finals under Babcock.

3 with a stacked team. He got fired twice and could not win anything before coming to Chicago.
- RogerRoeper

3 cups as a head coach is hell of a lot harder than 1. Babcock can't even get out of the first round in the past 10 years, stop this nonsense.

3 cups as a head coach is hell of a lot harder than 1. Babcock can't even get out of the first round in the past 10 years, stop this nonsense.
- ClaudeFather

But if Babcock had 3 cups with a stacked team you'd downplay it. Q is nothing and was fired twice before Chicago.
Babcock has 2 gold medals as well.

But if Babcock had 3 cups with a stacked team you'd downplay it. Q is nothing and was fired twice before Chicago.
Babcock has 2 gold medals as well.
- RogerRoeper

Team Canada Gold Medals Take a hike

Team Canada Gold Medals Take a hike
- ClaudeFather

Babcock has won 2. Only 1 other coach won a goal medal in the past 68 years.

Umm the difference is one guy won 3... I did not miss him picking Boston in 6, I was only pointing out the Toronto has a coach that has been there comment, this means nothing to me.
- ClaudeFather

Well that’s good because your opinion means nothing to anyone else. Cool story bro.