Jets @ Leafs - Mar. 31st, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[L K]

Johnsson would be immensely better, yes, but Johnsson was called up specifically because Komarov got injured and taking him out of the lineup because someone younger and faster and better kept his seat warm is not great management.

Really, that kind of seems exactly what a team should be looking to do.

 

[herman]

Johnsson would be immensely better, yes, but Johnsson was called up specifically because Komarov got injured and taking him out of the lineup because someone younger and faster and better kept his seat warm is not great management.

Really, that kind of seems exactly what a team should be looking to do.

Yes, but not due to injury.

It's not like we weren't extolling the virtues of Komarov-Plekanec/Moore-Kapanen earlier in the year.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

As long as Babcock keeps playing Komarov I?m gonna keep criticizing him for it. If repeat it a lot that?s because it frustrates me a lot.

I think the team has the potential to be great with some very minor tweaks. I wish Babcock would make those tweaks instead of waiting dozens of games to make adjustments.

...

Komarov's on the PP is Hiller's call, based on the lineup that Babcock and the staff put together for the game.

...

This.

Further, the Leafs play 4 forwards on the Powerplay, so as odd as it is to see a Komarov getting PP time, you'd guess he the 8th man picked. The alternatives tonight being Hyman, Brown, Plekanec and Kapanen.I'd guess Komarov gets the nod for being a "heavy body" in front of the net.

 

[AvroArrow]

Yes, but not due to injury.

I know this is the classical thinking, but I highly disagree with it.  If a player comes in (regardless of circumstances) and proves he's better in every way, that should be sufficient to usurp the spot.

 

[Kin]

Has enough consideration been given to the idea that by not taking either of the last two games off Hyman almost certainly angered God and tonight's score, and possibly Dermott's injury, was the result?

 

[sickbeast]

Has enough consideration been given to the idea that by not taking either of the last two games off Hyman almost certainly angered God and tonight's score, and possibly Dermott's injury, was the result?

No.  But I feel in my heart that you have angered God actually.

 

[ZBBM]

tsn.ca's story on Dermott quotes Babcock as saying "he doesn't know anything" but then says x-rays showed "nothing" and they'll do some scans tomorrow.  So maybe no break.  Cross fingers.

https://www.tsn.ca/leafs-dermott-leaves-vs-jets-with-lbi-1.1043437

 

[Kin]

Has enough consideration been given to the idea that by not taking either of the last two games off Hyman almost certainly angered God and tonight's score, and possibly Dermott's injury, was the result?

No.  But I feel in my heart that you have angered God actually.

I just checked with him and, no, me and him are as tight as ever.

 

[rdowdall]

Has enough consideration been given to the idea that by not taking either of the last two games off Hyman almost certainly angered God and tonight's score, and possibly Dermott's injury, was the result?

No.  But I feel in my heart that you have angered God actually.

I just checked with him and, no, me and him are as tight as ever.

Jeff Halpern used to observe Jewish holidays during the season and he never won a cup, so take that for what it is worth. 

 

[Bullfrog]

Johnsson would be immensely better, yes, but Johnsson was called up specifically because Komarov got injured and taking him out of the lineup because someone younger and faster and better kept his seat warm is not great management.

Really, that kind of seems exactly what a team should be looking to do.

Yes, but not due to injury.

It's not like we weren't extolling the virtues of Komarov-Plekanec/Moore-Kapanen earlier in the year.

Why should the reason matter? If Johnsson's earned the spot, I don't think the reason for his opportunity should come into play. I get that it does matter to Babcock, but it's pretty tenuous for me.

 

[Andy007]

Of the 12 forwards iced in last night's game, Komarov is literally the 12th option I would choose for powerplay duty. His use is downright confounding.

 

[Redleaf]

I wonder if management is starting to seriously regret their decision not to make a splash on finding a difference making defenceman.

THEY DID go after a dman, by all accounts.  They just came up short.

Right. I was more referring to the fact that they likely didn?t go hard at getting one or they would have gotten one. They didn?t want to give enough of a piece in return. Obviously none of us know exactly what was out there and what the asking prices were, but a lot of us were surprised that they didn?t seem to have a game plan. They had 2 options really. Trade soon-to-be departing assets for incoming draft picks and players or trade picks and players for a solid D man to make a dedicated run this year, before key members (al la JVR) are gone. What we have now is a result of the approach of taking neither direction. Not quite good enough to seriously content for the cup and no build up of additonal assets for next year.

 

[AvroArrow]

The McDonough sweepstakes went LITERALLY to the last minute.  There was LITERALLY no time to change course when they lost out on him.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Of the 12 forwards iced in last night's game, Komarov is literally the 12th option I would choose for powerplay duty. His use is downright confounding.

Leo got more pp time(2:16) then Marner, JVR, Reilly, Bozak, and Kadri. Yes only a few seconds more then a few but this should never ever happen. What hurts just as bad for me is that by putting him back on the 4th line, it literally became invisible last night. The speed was gone. Even Babs seemed  to recognize this as he cut their ice time by almost 2 minutes....well Kaps and Plekanec's time decreased.

 

[herman]

Why should the reason matter? If Johnsson's earned the spot, I don't think the reason for his opportunity should come into play. I get that it does matter to Babcock, but it's pretty tenuous for me.

Let's say you work an office job but come down with some carpal tunnel; they need to call in a temp to fill your position (deadlines, ya know). After a couple of weeks, you're good to go, but sorry, temp's actually pretty good and younger and cheaper, so good luck, pal.

Your cubicle mate sees this, and is like, 'oh, definitely not going to tell them about my eye strain."

We're dealing with people, not robots. Confidence and trust are not exactly tangibles, but they clearly play out on the ice and in the stats (see Marincin).

--

What probably happens is Johnsson comes in after a bad game in the playoffs and he'll take it from there.

 

[herman]

Leo got more pp time(2:16) then Marner, JVR, Reilly, Bozak, and Kadri.

They've been rolling out unit 2 first to try to get them reps in time for the playoffs.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Leo got more pp time(2:16) then Marner, JVR, Reilly, Bozak, and Kadri.

They've been rolling out unit 2 first to try to get them reps in time for the playoffs.

Figured as much.. Just pointing out Leo shouldn't be on it.

 

[Bullfrog]

Why should the reason matter? If Johnsson's earned the spot, I don't think the reason for his opportunity should come into play. I get that it does matter to Babcock, but it's pretty tenuous for me.

Let's say you work an office job but come down with some carpal tunnel; they need to call in a temp to fill your position (deadlines, ya know). After a couple of weeks, you're good to go, but sorry, temp's actually pretty good and younger and cheaper, so good luck, pal.

Your cubicle mate sees this, and is like, 'oh, definitely not going to tell them about my eye strain."

We're dealing with people, not robots. Confidence and trust are not exactly tangibles, but they clearly play out on the ice and in the stats (see Marincin).

--

What probably happens is Johnsson comes in after a bad game in the playoffs and he'll take it from there.

I'm sorry, herman, that's just not a good analysis, particularly with respect to labour laws and the competitive nature of professional sports. While I agree the human aspect to this sport is sometimes forgotten, it's the coach's responsibility (in fact, the team's per the NHL rules) to ice the best team available. Sometimes it takes an injury to open an opportunity for a young player, but that's the breaks. Komarov's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season who has been an offensive black hole this year and last. Johnsson's looked great in his short time.

 

[herman]

I'm sorry, herman, that's just not a good analysis, particularly with respect to labour laws and the competitive nature of professional sports. While I agree the human aspect to this sport is sometimes forgotten, it's the coach's responsibility (in fact, the team's per the NHL rules) to ice the best team available. Sometimes it takes an injury to open an opportunity for a young player, but that's the breaks. Komarov's an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season who has been an offensive black hole this year and last. Johnsson's looked great in his short time.

Yeah labour laws don?t allow that for a reason and Babcock doesn?t give players? lineup spots away due to injury. You?re going to have to point me to the rules where the coach is obligated to play the best players. And even if that?s in there, it?s subjective to the coach?s determination of what?s ?best?, not fans online.

The sub gets to show what he?s got during injury time, but if he was called up for that reason, he sits or gets sent down when that reason isn?t there anymore. Babcock?s pretty regimented about that stuff. The Machiavellian approach you?re advocating for is not something the rest of the team (let alone the benched player) will take kindly to.

When the situation on the roster requires changes and this player gets called up to try to make things better, then that?s when you sit the incumbent. It happened with Martin after Kapanen clearly demonstrated capability in his multiple chances previously. Gauthier got brought up to try to shake Moore?s spot but that didn?t take.

Johnsson is definitely going to be in the lineup ? just not until Komarov healthily proves he is a detriment to winning in Babcock?s view. Komarov clearly has already proven to a lot of people here that he is garbage apparently, but the guy who watches him most closely obviously isn?t quite there yet. Moving Komarov off the Kadri line was a step in that direction, and he?s been pushed off the power play before (which didn?t really make a difference).

 

[Kin]

Herman remains the world's last passionate Wally Pipp fan.