2019 Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
OldTimeHockey
Active member
herman said:
But but but, it's something good that has happened. So obviously it has nothing to do with the coach. Coaches can only be blamed for the bad. They absolutely cannot be part of the reason that something good has happened on the ice. That's all the players.
Bullfrog
Active member
I don't know if that sarcasm is directed at me OTH, but that's certainly not what I said. In fact, I used the word "AND", in case people missed it. My only suggestion is that players such as Tavares and Matthews have always been good at creating opportunities in high danger areas.
herman
Well-known member
I agree that both Matthews and Tavares have always been good at generating quality chances. Tavares especially makes something out of nothing routinely, but he got way more space and opportunity to exercise those gifts here and it had a lot to do with how the Leafs play in the OZ (not just Marner). Funnelling looks into the middle is a hallmark of the system the coach has employed here.
I watched a lot of Matthews highlights leading up to his draft. If I recall correctly, he had a good hard shot on a pretty standard wrist shot wind up that usually clicked from the top of the circles (Nylander shoots here). That might be a function of the larger ice dimensions. Either way, since Babcock came here, the Leafs consistently generate their looks in the home plate area, limited point shots unless they are 6-8 ft further in from the line.
I watched a lot of Matthews highlights leading up to his draft. If I recall correctly, he had a good hard shot on a pretty standard wrist shot wind up that usually clicked from the top of the circles (Nylander shoots here). That might be a function of the larger ice dimensions. Either way, since Babcock came here, the Leafs consistently generate their looks in the home plate area, limited point shots unless they are 6-8 ft further in from the line.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Bullfrog said:
I think I jumped the gun a little, but it's a sensitive subject for me having been a coach for the past 20+ years. Though not at the NHL level, parents treat their kids the same way fans treat their favourite hockey players.
When something great happens, the player is congratulated. When something crappy happens, the coach is blamed.
Bullfrog
Active member
I hear you there. I think in general, we have to consider all the little influences that go into a particular player's success. Some of it is their skill, some of it is the coaching, some of it the players they play with, and some of it is simply luck.
For Tavares's jump in scoring, I think it's misleading to suggest Babcock's system is the sole (not claimed by anyone), or even main driver. That said, Tavares's and Matthews's particular gifts are well-suited to Babcock's system. If anyone is able to capitalize on a system that funnel's pucks to the middle, it's those two.
For Tavares's jump in scoring, I think it's misleading to suggest Babcock's system is the sole (not claimed by anyone), or even main driver. That said, Tavares's and Matthews's particular gifts are well-suited to Babcock's system. If anyone is able to capitalize on a system that funnel's pucks to the middle, it's those two.
WAYNEINIONA
New member
There should be a second poll. Who should be the Leafs captain.
Highlander
Active member
Sergeant Hulka's Big Toe
Strangelove
New member
herman said:
During each of the past two seasons, the Leafs' offence has significantly declined as the year goes on. This past season, the Leafs played better on the road than at home.
That seems to suggest that when Babcock's "system" is fully implemented, the team plays worse than when the team just goes out there and does its own thing.
Strangelove
New member
That's just your opinion, man.
Edit: I am not a huge Babcock fan.
Edit: I am not a huge Babcock fan.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Strangelove said:
I have no idea what you are saying here? Are you saying the system is fully implemented at home? On the road? Early in the season? Late in the season?
herman
Well-known member
Strangelove said:
Oh I know you're not a fan, but it's not my opinion.
The home and away record were exactly the same save for 4 OT losses.
Efforts and results underlying those records were a bit different.
On the aggregate, the Leafs outscored opponents while pulling up just over even on the shot clock. The offense declining narrative this past season is really just a team that is holding back after clinching the playoffs. In 2018, they nearly ran the table to close out the season.
Strangelove
New member
OldTimeHockey said:
At home, where Babcock can control line matchups because he has last change.
Strangelove
New member
herman said:Strangelove said:
Oh I know you're not a fan, but it's not my opinion.
The home and away record were exactly the same save for 4 OT losses.
Efforts and results underlying those records were a bit different.
On the aggregate, the Leafs outscored opponents while pulling up just over even on the shot clock. The offense declining narrative this past season is really just a team that is holding back after clinching the playoffs. In 2018, they nearly ran the table to close out the season.
I don't think I was saying that they didn't outscore their opponents in the second half. They're a highly skilled team - of course they will do that. It's that their scoring went from being elite (around top 3) to not elite (top 10).
I also have a hard time believing they made a decision (conscious or otherwise) to take their foot off the gas because they were satisfied with "making the playoffs". Making the playoffs without home ice advantage is not good enough for a team as strong as the Leafs on paper. To me it looked like they would have missed the playoffs altogether if the season was a few weeks longer.
OldTimeHockey
Active member
Strangelove said:
I would argue that a system is more in place on the road. I don't consider controlling matchups much of a system. It's more of a game plan.
I'd consider a system a style of play(1-2-2 forecheck/trap/Dice D zone/etc; ) and my own gut feeling is a team plays a more systematic, less run and gun style when away from home