Babcock has instituted a system that helps out the defense. They are not run and gun. They defend first but once they get possession their speed shines. They also use speed to pressure. Matthews line is the best at that. Marner uses speed to pressure also. Komarov and Kadri uses the threat of a hit to pressure as does Martin. Nylander and Shosh also has speed to pressure.
Toronto Maple Leafs - 2016/17 Season
- Thread starter GameBoy27
- Start date
As much as I knew that Babcock was a good coach, I am thoroughly impressed by they way he has become everything to the players. He is their instructor. mentor, boss, authoritarian figure, strategist and on and on. They have totally bought into him and fortunately what he espouses is working.
He has done an amazing job. If they maintain anything close to what they are doing so far he should be COTY.
My enthusiasm for hockey has been gratefully improved.
From top to bottom this Leaf team is run so professionally and it is a great environment for the young kids to succeed ... Nobody is bigger then the organization ...
With the "dream team" at management level, it should be no surprise that the on ice product is starting to show great improvement. There was little doubt of their talent, but the biggest surprise is how quickly the rookies can adapt to the NHL game. Especially Marner who graduated directly from junior and had never before played a professional game, and that makes it even more incredible to see his success in the NHL.
Back to winning tonight. Leafs host the Senators, defeated them last Saturday night in Ottawa. Do not want to get to much into playoff implication, but it is almost impossible not to. Leafs have been bumped to a wildcard spot but hold six games in hand on Boston and are only two points back. A win, in regulation, puts all the way into second in the division.
Leafs could only get one point in two games without Reilly. His ability to move the puck up ice was sorely missed. I have been hoping to see more from him but I guess he's like a s/o that you always find something to pick on but you find out how much you miss him when he's not around.
The good news is teams competing with the Leafs for playoffs didn't do so well either. If Leafs can achieve Babcock's goal of 6 points every 5 game segment, they should finish no worse than 3rd in the division.
The good news is teams competing with the Leafs for playoffs didn't do so well either. If Leafs can achieve Babcock's goal of 6 points every 5 game segment, they should finish no worse than 3rd in the division.
This is rare.
The Leafs have luck on their side. Reilly will not be back the rest of this month and the All-Star break is forthcoming. That's a big break, except of AM no one else is going (even though Kadri should be there). They're going to be well rested with a least four games in hand.
The Leafs have luck on their side. Reilly will not be back the rest of this month and the All-Star break is forthcoming. That's a big break, except of AM no one else is going (even though Kadri should be there). They're going to be well rested with a least four games in hand.
Happy 30th Uncle Leo, what a way to celebrate the occasion!
Some retrospective is in order, Uncle Leo was drafted by JFJ as the Leafs last pick in 2006. Except for one, all the players he drafted that year are currently playing in the NHL. He also drafted 3 goalies while he was GM: Justin Pogge in 04, Tukka Rask in 05 and James Reimer in 06. Overall his draft record is very good with 68% of the drafts still in the NHL - Birke traded all of them away. That included Anton Stralman whom JFJ drafted in the 5th round in 05. I still ponder where the Leafs would be today if he had full control of the club. He wanted to do a complete rebuild but was vetoed by Peddie who knew better.
Some retrospective is in order, Uncle Leo was drafted by JFJ as the Leafs last pick in 2006. Except for one, all the players he drafted that year are currently playing in the NHL. He also drafted 3 goalies while he was GM: Justin Pogge in 04, Tukka Rask in 05 and James Reimer in 06. Overall his draft record is very good with 68% of the drafts still in the NHL - Birke traded all of them away. That included Anton Stralman whom JFJ drafted in the 5th round in 05. I still ponder where the Leafs would be today if he had full control of the club. He wanted to do a complete rebuild but was vetoed by Peddie who knew better.
Great for Marner.
I think Matthews will be credited with an assist on Kadri's first goal(NHL can add later). Referee did not give a first assist, I assume because he did not see it.
That will put the two rookies in a tie for the lead in points.
Not worthy of being a 1st Round pick (7th overall)?
Where should he have been selected, who would you have taken instead?
Nazem Kadri is a solid NHL centre.
There were few (3, maybe) selected after Kadri in that draft that I "might" switch for:
Ryan O'Reilly, and no thank you.
He's had off-ice issues that would make me shy away.
Ryan Ellis (11th overall)
Nick Leddy (16th overall)
I'm happy with Kadri, though either Dman would've been a solid pick, but the Leafs weren't the only ones who passed on those 2.
I don't want to sound confident but last nights game may have been the best I've seen in 6 years. Team is young and well coached. In todays NHL it's vital your goaly is strong. Not sure Andersen is the answer but he did stop 30 shots last night. The mix of young legs and some high talent players coupled with strong showing in the net may lead to a play off spot this year.
fuck I just ruined it
fuck I just ruined it
While I too question Andersen's ability, he is far better than what they had. Like young players, he could turn into a better goalie than he's shown thus far, as being a the number one goalie is something they need to wrap their head around, knowing that they are it. As long as he's a decent, making the saves that he has to, knowing that the team is behind him and that the players on the ice are there for him, he doesn't have to be the "best" in the NHL. Like the Chicago teams that won the cup, their goal tending wasn't the best, but their team play helped them, as they knew as a team, that they had to help out defensively.
I have been a Kadri supporter through the years, as I have always felt that he was a better player than he's shown. I think he will get better under Babcock, as I think that Mike and the coaching staff have taken the time necessary with him and other players, to develop him into a better player. This year I have seen more maturity out of him and I think we will see a better player in the years to come with him. I'm sure they are doing this, but he really needs to be better on the draw, bringing his percentage up.
Nobody can argue that they need a good number one D-man. Reilly is good and will continue to get better, but they could really use a good number one as they just don't have that guy now. Gardiner is at best a number 3, he's got skill, but he still makes too many mental mistakes in my books.
I have been a Kadri supporter through the years, as I have always felt that he was a better player than he's shown. I think he will get better under Babcock, as I think that Mike and the coaching staff have taken the time necessary with him and other players, to develop him into a better player. This year I have seen more maturity out of him and I think we will see a better player in the years to come with him. I'm sure they are doing this, but he really needs to be better on the draw, bringing his percentage up.
Nobody can argue that they need a good number one D-man. Reilly is good and will continue to get better, but they could really use a good number one as they just don't have that guy now. Gardiner is at best a number 3, he's got skill, but he still makes too many mental mistakes in my books.
I'm not questioning Andersen's ability.
Here's why. If you look at where the Leafs are this year compared to last, Andersen is a big part of it. While they are enjoying better offence this season, they're still lacking defensively. They're giving up an average of 32.6 shots/game which put them in 27th. place for that category. Andersen is making initial saves that Bernier just couldn't do last year. He became famous for letting in a softie in the first few shots. The combination of Andersen, their ability to score first and play with the lead has made this a much better team overall.
The missing piece of the puzzle moving forward is a #1 D. But they're extremely hard to find. Any team who wants to trade theirs is going to want a lot in return.
I do love the progress they've made, they're on the right track. It's giving Leafs fans hope. Something they haven't had in a very long time.
So the Leafs are going to trade William Nylander to the Flames for Dougie Hamilton, Birke isn't letting this end. I wish he would STFU, he's not the GM and Lou's middle name isn't pucurone. And why would we want another Luke Schenn?
Still I am anxious, the front office has never been this stable. I've seen someone come in and fuck things up too many times before. Larry Tanenbaum shouldn,t be allowed within a continent of the current team, his Argos adventure is going swimmingly!
Richard Peddie should be in the HOF, Ballard is.
Still I am anxious, the front office has never been this stable. I've seen someone come in and fuck things up too many times before. Larry Tanenbaum shouldn,t be allowed within a continent of the current team, his Argos adventure is going swimmingly!
Richard Peddie should be in the HOF, Ballard is.
I think they'll be more consistent and we won't see a 5-6 game losing streak in the second half of the season.
Can I buy Leaf tickets at Air Canada Centre, or do I have to buy from Stubhub or Ticketmaster??
