Mike Augello: Mid-term report card - Part I, Leafs face Canucks without Pettersson

Sparks had a 6-2-1 record in the first half of the year, with a 3.0 gaa and .905 save percentage. Not top end, but not bad.

Last year through christmas break Anderson had 30 starts, this year 30 starts, the year before last 29 starts..so Babcock isnt relying on Anderson anymore this year than last year or the year before...

Furthermore last year McElhinney was only 3-4-0 in the first half of the season with a 2.75 gaa so I'd argue that Sparks is far exceeding over McElhinney as a backup thus far this year.

#freeHOHO

Gotta say Dubas deserves an A so far really. He did the right thing in hanging on to Sparks. Rare but happens the others get picked up. Freddy being hurt sucks and losing some depth on the back end hurt but very proactive in getting Hutch in now. Sparks has been saved by the offence covering for his lack of rebound control and crappy positioning but IF he can get it together finally there is still a chance he can lock his spot down too. Depth has been fixed with the addition of Hutch really.

Dubas has been very good in not blinking with Willy Ny and having the team have the depth and assets needed to weather injuries like Matthews and Freddy so far.

Deadline will really be his make or break though.

From the last blorg.

That's gonna be the most impressive hattrick ever, then. Since I'm pretty sure he's on the IR right now.
- GreatGigInTheSky

It’s the Leafs. Anything is possible.

Sparks had a 6-2-1 record in the first half of the year, with a 3.0 gaa and .905 save percentage. Not top end, but not bad.

Last year through christmas break Anderson had 30 starts, this year 30 starts, the year before last 29 starts..so Babcock isnt relying on Anderson anymore this year than last year or the year before...

Furthermore last year McElhinney was only 3-4-0 in the first half of the season with a 2.75 gaa so I'd argue that Sparks is far exceeding over McElhinney as a backup thus far this year.
- Bradbaker17

No time for facts around here.

Sparks isn't a problem. Yeah, he's a little jumpy in the net but he wins games. That's really all that matters.

On a side note; some keep saying that Freddy needs to play less, 'cause he's gonna get hurt. Well, he went 6 days without playing hockey and guess what? He got hurt in practice.

From the last blorg.




It’s the Leafs. Anything is possible.
- Dongull_Trump

I believe it.

No time for facts around here.

Sparks isn't a problem. Yeah, he's a little jumpy in the net but he wins games. That's really all that matters.

On a side note; some keep saying that Freddy needs to play less, 'cause he's gonna get hurt. Well, he went 6 days without playing hockey and guess what? He got hurt in practice.

I think that's just his style. I get a kick out of it when fans who are still mourning the loss of McBackup say the same thing, as though it's something negative. Forgetting he was a wacky arm flailing inflatable tube man in net.

No time for facts around here.

Sparks isn't a problem. Yeah, he's a little jumpy in the net but he wins games. That's really all that matters.

On a side note; some keep saying that Freddy needs to play less, 'cause he's gonna get hurt. Well, he went 6 days without playing hockey and guess what? He got hurt in practice.
- GreatGigInTheSky

So true 😢

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.
- malcolmthornton

What would have been your judgement if Melander ended up sitting the year without a contract? A year where we're tied for second in the league at the mid point.

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.
- malcolmthornton

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.
- malcolmthornton

I disagree with a lot of what you said. Most of it, even. But I'm just gonna respond to the bolded.

Bill Ny is so much better than him it's crazy why you'd bring it up.

I disagree with a lot of what you said. Most of it, even. But I'm just gonna respond to the bolded.

Bill Ny is so much better than him it's crazy why you'd bring it up.
- GreatGigInTheSky

(frank)ing Dubas hasn’t won a damn thing with this team since becoming GM. Fire the bum.

Army of Darkness is on right now. (frank) I love this movie.

(frank)ing Dubas hasn’t won a damn thing with this team since becoming GM. Fire the bum.
- Dongull_Trump

I thought Max was the only one this out of touch when it came to Dubas.

I think you are being a little generous with both the coaching staff and Dubas. I would grade them both out at a “C”, which would be deemed just average. Babcock’s team frequently does not start on time, they are generally outworked and often outshot. All of which you have to link to coaching and preparation. Given the team speed and youth, this team should rarely be outworked, yet they are. Regarding Dubas, having Nylander miss such a large portion of the season and still giving him 7.5 million per season cannot be classified as a success. By most measures he is overpaid, and the fact a player like Guentzel who signs for 6mil per after Nylander signed is yet another solid example of the Leafs GMs misstep. Also moving Leivo for virtually nothing was also a poor choice. The leafs lack depth on Defence and Dubas has done nothing to address it. The leafs also lack physically to push back against a team like Boston in the playoffs, and again Dubas has not addressed that either. There is time for changes still, but as of now. Dubas and Babcock are no better that average.
- malcolmthornton

What kind of value do you give Leivo? He’s worked out nicely for us but he’s not the kind of player GMs aggressively trade for.

What kind of value do you give Leivo? He’s worked out nicely for us but he’s not the kind of player GMs aggressively trade for.
- bloatedmosquito

Honestly, I'm happy for him. He deserved better and more ice time. Unfortunately, he just wasn't gonna get that with the Leafs.

EDIT: Would have been better if the Leafs could have gotten a draft pick for him instead, though.

Honestly, I'm happy for him. He deserved better and more ice time. Unfortunately, he just wasn't gonna get that with the Leafs.
- GreatGigInTheSky

That’s it. Because of leaf depth he was expendable. So he was shopped around before having to go on waivers. At least you got AHL filler instead of nothing. How can anyone see that as a loss?

Dubas deserves an A, borderlining on A+.

How can not one single person have mentioned Tavares. We signed this superstar who is having a career year. A couple days ago he was 2nd in the NHL in goals(f u ovy).

Mike says losing Pickard and McH to waivers was an error - which in itself is an error. One of them was always going to get claimed. It was irrelevant. Sparks is an acceptable backup and still has the potential to improve. McH and Pickard would likely have a similar performance so it's way better to keep the young gun.

Nylander signed at a hair under $7mil is a good signing. It's right around where he should be paid and exactly the amount I always expected.

Dubas deserves an A, borderlining on A+.

How can not one single person have mentioned Tavares. We signed this superstar who is having a career year. A couple days ago he was 2nd in the NHL in goals(f u ovy).

Mike says losing Pickard and McH to waivers was an error - which in itself is an error. One of them was always going to get claimed. It was irrelevant. Sparks is an acceptable backup and still has the potential to improve. McH and Pickard would likely have a similar performance so it's way better to keep the young gun.

Nylander signed at a hair under $7mil is a good signing. It's right around where he should be paid and exactly the amount I always expected.
- Njuice

Um yeah, Nylander signed for 7.5 and its debateable whether he is worth it.

Dubas deserves an A, borderlining on A+.

How can not one single person have mentioned Tavares. We signed this superstar who is having a career year. A couple days ago he was 2nd in the NHL in goals(f u ovy).

Mike says losing Pickard and McH to waivers was an error - which in itself is an error. One of them was always going to get claimed. It was irrelevant. Sparks is an acceptable backup and still has the potential to improve. McH and Pickard would likely have a similar performance so it's way better to keep the young gun.

Nylander signed at a hair under $7mil is a good signing. It's right around where he should be paid and exactly the amount I always expected.
- Njuice

- DeflatedPucks

Meh, under 7 cap hit, which is the important thing.

Meh, under 7 cap hit, which is the important thing.
- bryant

10.277 mill cap hit this year and it's unacceptable.