Coyotes @ leafs - Jan. 20th, 7:00pm - SN, TSN 1050

[lc9]

This isn't a Babcock issue. Babcock has done all he can. He knows what the Leafs need to do. He's said it publicly.

The Leafs don't want to play in the muck, and they aren't good enough to dictate how the game is played. This is on the players.

Coach the team you have not the one you want, he is getting less out of this group than  ability would indicate. That's on the coach.

The coach doesn't get to decide how other teams play the Leafs. The idea is that the Leafs need to be able to beat a team like the Coyotes at their game so the Leafs can destroy them with theirs.

I can't remember the last time I thought the Leaf's out-coached the opposition but I see the opposite on an almost nightly basis. Out skill the other team isn't really a good game plan.

That's why he's got Brown and Johnsson playing with Matthews. Because out skilling the opposition isn't working. He's trying to get some more muckers in to do the dirty work, and hoping that it catches on. The fact that it's not is on the players, not him.

He didn't play Komarov a lot for no reason. He was trying to set an example for his team, showing them that these are the things you need to do to win in this league. If you don't want to do those things you aren't going to play as much. Skill is not everything.

The islanders have an objectively less talented team. Komarov is playing less minutes than any time under Babcock and islanders have a better record. 

 

[TML fan]

This isn't a Babcock issue. Babcock has done all he can. He knows what the Leafs need to do. He's said it publicly.

The Leafs don't want to play in the muck, and they aren't good enough to dictate how the game is played. This is on the players.

Coach the team you have not the one you want, he is getting less out of this group than  ability would indicate. That's on the coach.

The coach doesn't get to decide how other teams play the Leafs. The idea is that the Leafs need to be able to beat a team like the Coyotes at their game so the Leafs can destroy them with theirs.

I can't remember the last time I thought the Leaf's out-coached the opposition but I see the opposite on an almost nightly basis. Out skill the other team isn't really a good game plan.

That's why he's got Brown and Johnsson playing with Matthews. Because out skilling the opposition isn't working. He's trying to get some more muckers in to do the dirty work, and hoping that it catches on. The fact that it's not is on the players, not him.

He didn't play Komarov a lot for no reason. He was trying to set an example for his team, showing them that these are the things you need to do to win in this league. If you don't want to do those things you aren't going to play as much. Skill is not everything.

Or it's just possible that the skilled players just don't want to work for this coach???  He wears thin everywhere, it just seems to have happened really fast here.

I'm not going to say it's not possible. I just think it's unlikely. He spent 10 seasons in Detroit so wears thin? Nah.

 

[ZBBM]

8-9-2 since Nylander has returned. Huge win in Tampa followed by two duds against awful teams.  Matthews is all kinds of awful right now. 

This team will beat Boston though right?  Leafs won?t make the playoffs.

Again, your legit criticisms get drowned in hype.  The Leafs are not going to miss the playoffs.

There will be changes coming to the blueline, I betcha.

At this point they could miss the playoffs just as easily as make them. You aren?t taking seriously that they have been awful for 7 weeks.  As I always ask, what tells you that they will get better?

Because they have a ton of talented forwards and a good goaltender?

 

[TML fan]

This isn't a Babcock issue. Babcock has done all he can. He knows what the Leafs need to do. He's said it publicly.

The Leafs don't want to play in the muck, and they aren't good enough to dictate how the game is played. This is on the players.

Coach the team you have not the one you want, he is getting less out of this group than  ability would indicate. That's on the coach.

The coach doesn't get to decide how other teams play the Leafs. The idea is that the Leafs need to be able to beat a team like the Coyotes at their game so the Leafs can destroy them with theirs.

I can't remember the last time I thought the Leaf's out-coached the opposition but I see the opposite on an almost nightly basis. Out skill the other team isn't really a good game plan.

That's why he's got Brown and Johnsson playing with Matthews. Because out skilling the opposition isn't working. He's trying to get some more muckers in to do the dirty work, and hoping that it catches on. The fact that it's not is on the players, not him.

He didn't play Komarov a lot for no reason. He was trying to set an example for his team, showing them that these are the things you need to do to win in this league. If you don't want to do those things you aren't going to play as much. Skill is not everything.

The islanders have an objectively less talented team. Komarov is playing less minutes than any time under Babcock and islanders have a better record.

Maybe the Islanders are better at playing in the mud so they don't need to lean on Komarov as much.

 

[BrownRolo]

The Leafs had way more quality chances and deserved to win that game. It seems like they are missing the net on prime shooting opportunities a lot.  Team is definitely unlucky right now.  Just look at the empty net goals that have been going in against them.

I don't know how that hit oh Johnsson wasn't a boarding call. But whatever...

 

[Bates]

This isn't a Babcock issue. Babcock has done all he can. He knows what the Leafs need to do. He's said it publicly.

The Leafs don't want to play in the muck, and they aren't good enough to dictate how the game is played. This is on the players.

Coach the team you have not the one you want, he is getting less out of this group than  ability would indicate. That's on the coach.

The coach doesn't get to decide how other teams play the Leafs. The idea is that the Leafs need to be able to beat a team like the Coyotes at their game so the Leafs can destroy them with theirs.

I can't remember the last time I thought the Leaf's out-coached the opposition but I see the opposite on an almost nightly basis. Out skill the other team isn't really a good game plan.

That's why he's got Brown and Johnsson playing with Matthews. Because out skilling the opposition isn't working. He's trying to get some more muckers in to do the dirty work, and hoping that it catches on. The fact that it's not is on the players, not him.

He didn't play Komarov a lot for no reason. He was trying to set an example for his team, showing them that these are the things you need to do to win in this league. If you don't want to do those things you aren't going to play as much. Skill is not everything.

Or it's just possible that the skilled players just don't want to work for this coach???  He wears thin everywhere, it just seems to have happened really fast here.

I'm not going to say it's not possible. I just think it's unlikely. He spent 10 seasons in Detroit so wears thin? Nah.

And that Generation of players were very thankful to see him leave. We have an even newer Generation and I doubt they buy into the 24/7 and I'm the Boss BS.

 

[TML fan]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

 

[Bates]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

Funny guy but most of them are retired.

 

[lc9]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

What? 

 

[TML fan]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

What?

I thought he was talking about the current generation of players, because I didn't see the relevance of what a bunch of guys who aren't playing anymore thought of him.

Regardless, the only (anecdotal) evidence I can find to support that are the bitter tweets of a washed up defenceman who wasn't good enough to play on his team. As for his comments about Datsyuk, if any of these guys end up being half the player Datsyuk was, whether they listen to the coach or not won't be an issue.

 

[Bates]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

What?

I thought he was talking about the current generation of players, because I didn't see the relevance of what a bunch of guys who aren't playing anymore thought of him.

Regardless, the only (anecdotal) evidence I can find to support that are the bitter tweets of a washed up defenceman who wasn't good enough to play on his team. As for his comments about Datsyuk, if any of these guys end up being half the player Datsyuk was, whether they listen to the coach or not won't be an issue.

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg made some interesting comments upon Babcock?s move to Toronto in the 2015 off-season.

?I want to thank Mike for the time he had here, but I think both him and us probably decided it was time,? Zetterberg told MLive.com

 

[herman]

Moore?s getting the call up

 

[Strangelove]

Babcock still overplaying low skill character guys and forcing the team to play dump and chase hockey? What a shocker.

The system is so predictable at this point that the worst teams in the league have very little trouble smothering the team at even strength and even with the man advantage. On top of that the lack of effort from Matthews and co suggests that there may be dressing room issues.

The bottom line is that the team is unwatchable right now and something has to change (but probably won?t).

 

[azzurri63]

When do you seriously consider moving on from Babcock?  Nothing has changed for 2 months.

2 months I'm going to go as far back as 2 years.

 

[princedpw]

Is the sky still up there?

 

[TML fan]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

What?

I thought he was talking about the current generation of players, because I didn't see the relevance of what a bunch of guys who aren't playing anymore thought of him.

Regardless, the only (anecdotal) evidence I can find to support that are the bitter tweets of a washed up defenceman who wasn't good enough to play on his team. As for his comments about Datsyuk, if any of these guys end up being half the player Datsyuk was, whether they listen to the coach or not won't be an issue.

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg made some interesting comments upon Babcock?s move to Toronto in the 2015 off-season.

?I want to thank Mike for the time he had here, but I think both him and us probably decided it was time,? Zetterberg told MLive.com

Yeah Zetterberg didn't get along with him. So what? It's pretty uncommon to get along with your boss. I'm sure Zetterberg didn't mind all the winning they did when he was there.

 

[dekedastardly]

While I don't necessarily agree with some of Babs line choices (Matthews & Brown), I don't know that it's time to find a new coach. Also, I seem to recall fans saying the same sort of things about Quinn, Wilson & Carlyle (unable to adapt / old fashioned coaching strategy).

Perhaps it's time for a players only meeting, a demotion, or someone getting shipped out.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Well, today is a day that I definitely won't be listening to sports radio.

 

[Zee]

Well, today is a day that I definitely won't be listening to sports radio.

That's ok you can catch up with all the podcasts tomorrow.  ;D

 

[Bates]

That generation of players is currently in a 3 way tie for last place in the East so, good for them?

What?

I thought he was talking about the current generation of players, because I didn't see the relevance of what a bunch of guys who aren't playing anymore thought of him.

Regardless, the only (anecdotal) evidence I can find to support that are the bitter tweets of a washed up defenceman who wasn't good enough to play on his team. As for his comments about Datsyuk, if any of these guys end up being half the player Datsyuk was, whether they listen to the coach or not won't be an issue.

Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg made some interesting comments upon Babcock?s move to Toronto in the 2015 off-season.

?I want to thank Mike for the time he had here, but I think both him and us probably decided it was time,? Zetterberg told MLive.com

Yeah Zetterberg didn't get along with him. So what? It's pretty uncommon to get along with your boss. I'm sure Zetterberg didn't mind all the winning they did when he was there.

So you wanted proof that players tire of Babcock, I provide it, and now It's just ok that players don't get along with coach??  Today's  Nhl'er has a much shorter fuse for an intense coach 24/7. Forgot to mention the few free agents who would not sign here and trades where players would not waive for here.