I hate this fan base.
- Steven_Seagull

not worse than most! - Toronto media might be though...

could be used in a trade. still can be sent to the AHL without his contract counting towards the cap if not claimed
- dmnted

I also think Sparks was resigned because he was an RFA. Doesn't mean we're going to keep him long (or even short) term. I suspect he'll be gone in the summer. Or at least, I hope so. One season was long enough for Dubas to get accurate results of his experiment.

90s leafs fan

Still curious as to what management is doing with hutch thought he did a great job when Sparks was hurt ..? Unfortunately dubas re-signed Sparks for next year..
- 1theNex

Hutchinson is worse than Sparks.

No grit, no defense and no heart with fans that jump off the band wagon as soon as things go bad. What a pathetic team and some fair weather fans.
- islansjet

the announcers kept harping on that point all night long again.


They'll have another crack at them in 2 weeks time
- dmnted

It's been a trend for weeks... Matthews seems to get burned on it regularly...

Hutchinson is worse than Sparks.
- GreatGigInTheSky

AHL stats agree with you.
NHL stats do not.

Eye test is opinion, obviously, but I will formally disagree.

Not concerned in the slightest. Better to go through this slump now, than play at top of their game a month early. Get Dermott back, call up Rosen when healthy until Gardiner back, not to mention Kap. Can be this week, next week or the week after... all good... and Andy will bounce back.

As Leaf fan in Ottawa, I have eaten a lot of crow last 18 hours, but no big deal. Still expecting a series win v B's... following round not so much.

Not concerned in the slightest. Better to go through this slump now, than play at top of their game a month early. Get Dermott back, call up Rosen when healthy until Gardiner back, not to mention Kap. Can be this week, next week or the week after... all good... and Andy will bounce back.

As Leaf fan in Ottawa, I have eaten a lot of crow last 18 hours, but no big deal. Still expecting a series win v B's... following round not so much.
- grim

There is something for everyone to hate in this post, I'm sure, but that makes you no less correct, sir.

Not concerned in the slightest. Better to go through this slump now, than play at top of their game a month early. Get Dermott back, call up Rosen when healthy until Gardiner back, not to mention Kap. Can be this week, next week or the week after... all good... and Andy will bounce back.

As Leaf fan in Ottawa, I have eaten a lot of crow last 18 hours, but no big deal. Still expecting a series win v B's... following round not so much.
- grim

Exactly. All of this.

MiB quote



Sums it up. I can count the number of games on my hands where they've had a whole 60 minute effort. Backup goalies and bottom of the lineup players are not this teams biggest problem.

I think if this is still the same story middle of next season, Babschlong is gone. We can debate whether he's a good coach of not but that's pointless. Good coaches get fired all the time. This team needs some sort or change. Name a captain or something. Their identity is that of a talented group that doesn't want to work hard.
- leafsfann

I don't think there is any question he is a good coach. However, like you said, good coaches get fired all the time. Sometimes they just don't the the players to implement their system.

I wonder if the leafs bomb out of the first round, and Quenneville is still available, if some discussion start happening upstairs in leaf management. I don't see it happening, but it is worth a discussion.

Every now and then Toronto will remind you that they are still in a rebuild. They are on the cusp of being a Cup contender, and at times they can run with the best teams in the league. But such success is not sustainable (yet) - it's coming, but it's not quite there yet.

Marner, Matthews, and the rest of the Leaf young guns are where Kucherov, Johnson, and Point were a few seasons (and heartbreaks) ago. The talent is there, they just need more seasoning.

I know Toronto fans are chomping at the bit, but any Leafs fan should be happy with the progress of things. Maybe winning the Cup is not realistic just yet, but I think clobbering Boston in the first round is a definite goal to have. Making it past the first round would be a good benchmark and how sweet it would be for the Bruins to be the victim.

Anyone who thinks home ice doesn't matter should log off and never come back

Anyone who thinks home ice doesn't matter should log off and never come back
- Cherry--Skoal

Or face offs for that matter...

Or face offs for that matter...
- SofaKingBored

But the stats back it up derrrrr

This team misses Kap big time. The speed and forecheck he provides. And back check. Hopefully his noodle is ok.

But the stats back it up derrrrr
- Cherry--Skoal

Fancy stats? Or sloppy stats?

This team misses Kap big time. The speed and forecheck he provides. And back check. Hopefully his noodle is ok.
- Trevrrrgavo

Can't deny we'd be better with him in the line up... I'm no Gardiner lover but he'd be a nice upgrade over what we're throwing out there lately...

After the game Sparks said guys need emotion, they need to get mad. Which I agree with. Babs was asked what he thought of that and he said Sparks needs to stop worrying about everyone else and worry about stopping pucks. Such a strange answer.

Every now and then Toronto will remind you that they are still in a rebuild. They are on the cusp of being a Cup contender, and at times they can run with the best teams in the league. But such success is not sustainable (yet) - it's coming, but it's not quite there yet.

Marner, Matthews, and the rest of the Leaf young guns are where Kucherov, Johnson, and Point were a few seasons (and heartbreaks) ago. The talent is there, they just need more seasoning.

I know Toronto fans are chomping at the bit, but any Leafs fan should be happy with the progress of things. Maybe winning the Cup is not realistic just yet, but I think clobbering Boston in the first round is a definite goal to have. Making it past the first round would be a good benchmark and how sweet it would be for the Bruins to be the victim.
- GalacticStone

A lot of it was looking at Chicago. The talent is through the roof in terms of forwards and people thought they would be able to do something before the cap crunch. Obviously that's not happening for a variety of reasons.

End of the day we have a super talented bunch that just are not quite there yet. It will come but requires patience. That said we are still pretty dangerous.

Healthy and everyone back and in the lineup we can do some damage come playoff time.

Need to remember just how far this team has come in how short a time really. Wasnt that long ago it was 18 wheeler off the cliff.

After the game Sparks said guys need emotion, they need to get mad. Which I agree with. Babs was asked what he thought of that and he said Sparks needs to stop worrying about everyone else and worry about stopping pucks. Such a strange answer.
- aminnes

way to hang your poor backup out to dry - and more or less 'say' that there's nothing wrong with the overall effort level...

way to hang your poor backup out to dry - and more or less 'say' that there's nothing wrong with the overall effort level...
- 21peter

Babs has been making some real strange comments lately overall. There seems to be a disconnect between him and the GM and not sure there isnt between him and the team too. Its definitely something to watch longterm there.

I think IF there is an issue and they do move on from Babs I dont think it is anyone but Keefe coming in. Ties to Dubas and has worked with most of the players/prospects we have now too.

way to hang your poor backup out to dry - and more or less 'say' that there's nothing wrong with the overall effort level...
- 21peter

I've really started to dislike Babs over the past year.

There is no denying hes a good coach but might not he the right one for this squad. I feel the players aren't very fond of him either. Their body language shows it sometimes.

Then again, I probably have no idea lol.

I give him one more season, if leafs are still struggling in the post-season I hope they try someone else behind the bench.

I've really started to dislike Babs over the past year.

There is no denying hes a good coach but might not he the right one for this squad. I feel the players aren't very fond of him either. Their body language shows it sometimes.

Then again, I probably have no idea lol.

I give him one more season, if leafs are still struggling in the post-season I hope they try someone else behind the bench.
- LeafGuy89

Everyone has issues with their boss. They tell you things you don't like to hear and make you do things you don't want to do. Sometimes they have to hand out discipline, which never goes over well. If you are best buddies with your boss then there is something very wrong with that relationship.

After the game Sparks said guys need emotion, they need to get mad. Which I agree with. Babs was asked what he thought of that and he said Sparks needs to stop worrying about everyone else and worry about stopping pucks. Such a strange answer.
- aminnes

Too bad sparks can’t play as good as he can talk. He’s barely an nhl player and he talks like he has some say in the room.