Lucas Neilson: Leafs off to shaky start, time to hike up the Babsocks Back to back to back to back

Howdy Sailor

Washington tmrw, would be nice to get the W, and hopefully get a streak of wins going.

Any word if Hyman and/or Dermott will be playing?

Steve Simmons noted on Twitter this morning that Lou Lamoriello and the NYIslanders are 55-30-7 since he took over as GM. During the same period, the Leafs are 52-32-10.

This does not make much sense to me and I have been shocked by what that simple comparison conjurs up for me.

Steve Simmons noted on Twitter this morning that Lou Lamoriello and the NYIslanders are 55-30-7 since he took over as GM. During the same period, the Leafs are 52-32-10.

This does not make much sense to me and I have been shocked by what that simple comparison conjurs up for me.
- spatso

Who cares what that idiot says.

He goes out of his way to find any statistic that is negative towards the Leafs.

Has to try and stay relevant somehow I guess..

The Blues turned things around once they fired their head coach..
So, Leafs should do the same?

We need to ask ourselves a simple question. When a team is constructed around the astrology of analytics, does it not offer up its own pitfalls?

We need to ask ourselves a simple question. When a team is constructed around the astrology of analytics, does it not offer up its own pitfalls?
- spatso

Saw this on the Twatterverse;


The Dubas experiment: (This season)
- 2nd in goals scored
- 29th in goals against
- 16th in PP
- 22nd in PK

WHERE IS THE GRIT & TOUGHNESS ON THIS LEAFS TEAM?

Someone needs to ask MR. KYLE DUBAS, "Who is protecting your assets on the ice? Who are the guys on this team that is going to make opposing players think twice before running our star players?"

Dubas needs to be on the hot seat for this team. He lost 3 negotiations within a year (Nylander got $2 Million Per Annum too much, AM34 should of signed an 8 year deal, given the $11.7 per Annum he got, and Mitch got WAYYY to much money in his deal.

This team will NOT win a cup with this make-up..sorry to say.

I just hope the Leafs keep sending Hutchinson vs the Habs.

Seems like a great way to give up points to a division rival.

Having said that, I don't think saturday's loss is on him, at all.

Saw this on the Twatterverse;


The Dubas experiment: (This season)
- 2nd in goals scored
- 29th in goals against
- 16th in PP
- 22nd in PK
- PatC80

That is hard to figure.

I just hope the Leafs keep sending Hutchinson vs the Habs.

Seems like a great way to give up points to a division rival.

Having said that, I don't think saturday's loss is on him, at all.
- Scabeh

No, it's not on Hutch at all.. The first goal, was his fault. Have to catch that puck..

The other 4 goals were breakaways or 2 on 1's with Barrie the lone defender.. For whatever reason, Barrie didn't try to play the pass or the shooter, instead, he went down on one knee hoping for the best.. I guess?

WHERE IS THE GRIT & TOUGHNESS ON THIS LEAFS TEAM?

Someone needs to ask MR. KYLE DUBAS, "Who is protecting your assets on the ice? Who are the guys on this team that is going to make opposing players think twice before running our star players?"

Dubas needs to be on the hot seat for this team. He lost 3 negotiations within a year (Nylander got $2 Million Per Annum too much, AM34 should of signed an 8 year deal, given the $11.7 per Annum he got, and Mitch got WAYYY to much money in his deal.

This team will NOT win a cup with this make-up..sorry to say.
- Sandro

I know it is not fashionable to say but they miss Kadri. And, if it is not the real Kadri then somebody who plays a similar game that agitates the rhythm of the other guys.

Saw this on the Twatterverse;


The Dubas experiment: (This season)
- 2nd in goals scored
- 29th in goals against
- 16th in PP
- 22nd in PK
- PatC80

only 1 tough, Legit, Defensive guy on the back end (Muzzin).
-He brings in Barrie (Not tough or defensive AT ALL)
-Brings in Ceci who really is a #5 D-Man IMO
- Holl is a #5-6 guy
- Gravel is a #6-#7 Guy.

Defense has been the biggest problem on this team, in the last 3 years...and Muzzin in the only Defensive, Top 4 guy, this organization has brought in.

The Blues turned things around once they fired their head coach..
So, Leafs should do the same?
- PatC80

Mike Yeo was a horrible coach (one of the worst in the NHL, and I already stated that when he was in the process of destroying the Minnesota Wild).
Mike Babcock is a very good coach - top 5 in NHL.

In addition, Blues actually had a team with some players that know how to play D, and willing to put in an effort every game.

I know it is not fashionable to say but they miss Kadri. And, if it is not the real Kadri then somebody who plays a similar game that agitates the rhythm of the other guys.
- spatso

I agree.....Kadri is missed! and you can thank guys like Dubas, Mitch, and Nylander, for the extra Money he gave them. Not to mention, Dubas could of moved Nylander, but he likes his play better than Kadri, cause he is all about skill.

but my question is, when does Heart come into play Kyle?

only 1 tough, Legit, Defensive guy on the back end (Muzzin).
-He brings in Barrie (Not tough or defensive AT ALL)
-Brings in Ceci who really is a #5 D-Man IMO
- Holl is a #5-6 guy
- Gravel is a #6-#7 Guy.

Defense has been the biggest problem on this team, in the last 3 years...and Muzzin in the only Defensive, Top 4 guy, this organization has brought in.
- Sandro

I don't know. But, are the forwards doing their part and coming back to help in the defensive zone? The goals against numbers need to improve an awful lot.

WHERE IS THE GRIT & TOUGHNESS ON THIS LEAFS TEAM?

Someone needs to ask MR. KYLE DUBAS, "Who is protecting your assets on the ice? Who are the guys on this team that is going to make opposing players think twice before running our star players?"

Dubas needs to be on the hot seat for this team. He lost 3 negotiations within a year (Nylander got $2 Million Per Annum too much, AM34 should of signed an 8 year deal, given the $11.7 per Annum he got, and Mitch got WAYYY to much money in his deal.

This team will NOT win a cup with this make-up..sorry to say.
- Sandro

I get the feeling Dubas doesn't think players need, "protection", on the ice. He must feel they'll skate out of scenarios where they might get hit dirty, or the PP will scare the other team, until the PP dries up. The Canucks under AV did the same thing.

No pushback, just expect PP opportunities and to score on the PP. doesn't work against teams like Boston who play dirty and you don't get the PP, and when you do, they kill the penalty. So they play even dirtier and the refs feel they can't call something on them every shift. Eventually your team gets bruised and injured from all the stick work and slows down.

Then you die metaphorically.

Meh I don’t mind a little adversity early. They’ll get rolling soon. They’re to good to be this mediocre.

Mike Yeo was a horrible coach (one of the worst in the NHL, and I already stated that when he was in the process of destroying the Minnesota Wild).
Mike Babcock is a very good coach - top 5 in NHL.

In addition, Blues actually had a team with some players that know how to play D, and willing to put in an effort every game.
- MaximusAurelius

It was in response to the blog by Lucas, he said the Blues were able to turn it around and win the Cup.. They did make a HC change.. It worked for them.
Look, I agree with you, Babs is a good coach.. I don't think he forgot how to coach, I just question some of his moves.

I don't know. But, are the forwards doing their part and coming back to help in the defensive zone? The goals against numbers need to improve an awful lot.
- spatso

No, they are not.. I recall reading an article and Muzzin and essentially,(I'm paraphrasing of course) said in L.A, it was short quick passes in the d-zone to get the puck out. Here, the defensemen have to wait for the forwards to get speed going thru the neutral zone and make longer passes.

Mike Yeo was a horrible coach (one of the worst in the NHL, and I already stated that when he was in the process of destroying the Minnesota Wild).
Mike Babcock is a very good coach - top 5 in NHL.

In addition, Blues actually had a team with some players that know how to play D, and willing to put in an effort every game.
- MaximusAurelius

Also had an ECHL goaltender playing as an NHL Vezina candidate.

Meh I don’t mind a little adversity early. They’ll get rolling soon. They’re to good to be this mediocre.
- bryant

I think so too, it's good for them to go through this kind of struggle. The young guys don't have the media coddling, or babying them anymore. Even from the fans, they expect the players to be more consistent.

They are all getting paid now, it's on the players to perform consistently.

Why is there a new blog, when the other guy Mike just posted a blog?

There were literally only 70 odd comments.

I think Babcock should be gone if the leaf are below the wild card spot by the new year, or in the wild card spot at start of playoffs (but fire him after the playoffs end).

Have to be careful in assessing the overall situation.

Part of the problem is the dependence on analytics. If you ever get a chance to talk to a veteran scout you note the open disgust for the amateurs who have tried to sell a trailing statistical indicator as a predictor of outcomes.

You start to believe you can have a great rock band made up entirely of lead singers.