Kinda crazy how much the leafs are getting railed on. Talk about firing Babcock, they have no identity, etc. they are 2nd place in The atlantic with 21 points in 17 games.

Kinda crazy how much the leafs are getting railed on. Talk about firing Babcock, they have no identity, etc. they are 2nd place in The atlantic with 21 points in 17 games.
- Just5

Nearly identical record to ours

Unbelievable the injury luck this kid has had. Simply not fair.
- MJL

Especially because he missed zero games with injury in his first two pro seasons.

Well I guess that solves the too many D men issue. Wish him the best. Incredibly frustrating to watch this kid develop over the past 6 years with all the ups and downs of thinking you have something and then getting it taken away over and over.
- hereticpride

I don't think carrying 8 dmen was an issue. AV likes to use 8 dmen in practice anyway. The issue is having a 13th forward who isn't able to play at the NHL level anymore.

Kinda crazy how much the leafs are getting railed on. Talk about firing Babcock, they have no identity, etc. they are 2nd place in The atlantic with 21 points in 17 games.
- Just5

Fans in Philly are fickle and frustrated cause they haven't won a Cup since 75 and a playoff series since 12.

In Toronto those numbers are 67 and 04, plus they have three guys making $11m. That's a recipe for rancor.

Shuffling continues, Andreoff up and Vorobyev down.

Unfortunately it looks like Morin is a bust. Kid should call it quits. His body doesnt seem to be built for this and whatever Gods are out there dont want him to play.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

I wouldn't classify him as a bust. Won't know if he can play full time in the NHL if he can't stay healthy. He should not call it quits. He can still work his way back and build a career for himself in hockey.

It has some bearing. Morin is clearly 1 less to worry about protecting.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

At what point was he considered a player that might need to be protected?

He's going to have bad games from time to time.

Wonder if AV will make him a healthy scratch like Hakstol did to Konecny to make him play the right way or whatever the reason was. Something about veterans won't change from their stupid ways, so scratch the kids in favor of them.
- jmatchett383

Hyperbole. Hackstol scratched players such as Konecny when they made the same repeated mistakes over and over. What many won't realize is that Hackstol's guidance made Konecny a better player. To the point where he is now a reliable player with puck management and away from the puck.

They dominated MTL in possession/shots with the Coots line having an off night. Hayes and G lines really picked up the slack both ways.

Myers has been playing shut down defense since he came into the lineup.
- Tomahawk

Myers anticipation and read on plays was off the charts last night. The entire team, especially for most of the second period played the best systems hockey they've played all year. It seems like it's beginning to kick into auto mode.

Hyperbole. Hackstol scratched players such as Konecny when they made the same repeated mistakes over and over. What many won't realize is that Hackstol's guidance made Konecny a better player. To the point where he is now a reliable player with puck management and away from the puck.
- MJL

And Lindblom is great because Hack (lol) benched him for Lehtera less than a year ago.

And Lindblom is great because Hack (lol) benched him for Lehtera less than a year ago.
- Feanor

More hyperbole. Why did he do that?

Hyperbole. Hackstol scratched players such as Konecny when they made the same repeated mistakes over and over. What many won't realize is that Hackstol's guidance made Konecny a better player. To the point where he is now a reliable player with puck management and away from the puck.
- MJL

There's no way to tell if he would be better/worse without Hackkk, Hackstoll was crap, TK was Under Gordon/Hack last year and is now flourishing under AV. More of natural progression of the player and a system more fitting his game with AV, plus more opportunity (great line with Coots and PP2 seeing much more time and having success).

More hyperbole. Why did he do that?
- MJL

Veteran presence....That was literally why.

More hyperbole. Why did he do that?
- MJL

Because he had a bizarre fascination with slow, useless veterans who played a "heavy game".

Because he had a bizarre fascination with slow, useless veterans who played a "heavy game".
- Feanor

You don't know why that was done and neither do I.

You don't know why that was done and neither do I.
- MJL

But you know they are better players because of Hack what if Babcock had them, better/worse? or how about Trotz?

There's no way to tell if he would be better/worse without Hackkk, Hackstoll was crap, TK was Under Gordon/Hack last year and is now flourishing under AV. More of natural progression of the player and a system more fitting his game with AV, plus more opportunity (great line with Coots and PP2 seeing much more time and having success).
- ClaudeFather

To suggest that coaching had nothing to do with a young player improving his play in the details of the game is absurd.

But you know they are better players because of Hack what if Babcock had them, better/worse? or how about Trotz?
- ClaudeFather

Absurd questions.

I’m rooting for Sam Morin and hope he goes through the rehab and gives it a try. If he can come back after this, to any level of hockey, that would be an amazing story of will and perseverance. Good luck Sam, we are hoping for the best and pulling for you.

To suggest that coaching had nothing to do with a young player improving his play in the details of the game is absurd.
- MJL

Not nothing but the onus is on the player, did Therrien/Bylsma make Crosby the best player, no he wanted it. The player has to put in the work, the coach is not some almighty being leading the way.

Absurd questions.
- MJL

Absurd answer.

To suggest that coaching had nothing to do with a young player improving his play in the details of the game is absurd.
- MJL

no its not. so what you're saying is that every single time a young player improves, a head coach had a hand in it every time?!

yeah, that's not even close to being something you can prove.

now if you mean the coaching staff, well then yeah that's a given, who else. but it isn't absurd to think that Hakstol had nothing to do with say, Lindblom's development, it could have been Lappy, or Knoblauch or even gordon exclusively working with him. very real possibilities here.

Myers anticipation and read on plays was off the charts last night. The entire team, especially for most of the second period played the best systems hockey they've played all year. It seems like it's beginning to kick into auto mode.
- MJL

With Myers it’s hard to know his ceiling right now. He has potential to be really amazing if he continues to grow. Could he develop into a top pair D? Why not

I think the G with Farabee is going to take off. G is just kinda getting back into playing center and I hope he and Farabee get some chemistry. Also hoping that Hayes and Voracek together will develop something.

no its not. so what you're saying is that every single time a young player improves, a head coach had a hand in it every time?!

yeah, that's not even close to being something you can prove.

now if you mean the coaching staff, well then yeah that's a given, who else. but it isn't absurd to think that Hakstol had nothing to do with say, Lindblom's development, it could have been Lappy, or Knoblauch or even gordon exclusively working with him. very real possibilities here.
- sjk540

MJL is acting like Hackstoll single handily brought these kids along and would be horrible without him.