Avalanche @ Leafs - Jan. 14th, 7:00pm - TSN4, Fan 590

[ZBBM]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

 

[BermudaBudsFan]

Seems other teams have upped their games into the second half and this team hasn?t.  Thinking they can win games with their skill.  At this rate they will be a wild card team.  That may be better because they certainly can?t compete with Boston.  Another first round exit.

Every team has slumps but going 1-7 or whatever recently against playoff teams is a pretty sure sign of basic weaknesses that need to be addressed.

Agreed.  I think this collection of players seems to have difficulty taking their game to another level when required to match the intensity of the opponent.  It will be interesting to see the reaction against Tampa.  You know Babcock will be doing everything he can to motivate them.  If they have another poor performance I think there are serious concerns.

We really need Matthews and Tavares to step up.  They have not been good of late.

 

[lamajama]

Ok...I am optimistic the Av's will break out of their slump tonight....

The more I anticipate a great game by the Leafs the more they disappoint.

 

[dekedastardly]

Where's the leadership gone? Marleau? Kadri? Tavares? I'm pretty sick of Bab's excuses. As for Gauthier, why is he still here? Surely someone at the farm could offer something more. I would like to see a shake up of some sort, Trevor Moore at least showed a bit of energy, moved his feet.

 

[lc9]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

Devils fired Ftorek with 9 games left in a season.  They were in similar playoff position. Went on to win the Stanley cup.  Leafs have a decent record because they have a lot of talent.  But the talent is under performing. 

Nylander 3 points in 17 games.  Matthews 1 goal in 10 games.  Gardiner playing the worst of his career.  Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed. 

 

[azzurri63]

Quenneville still looking for work?

I would rather have Joel. Babcock is a moron and again how was Gardiner tonight guys. All I saw was the one goal and that was enough.

 

[ZBBM]

Tavares is not the problem.  He's been consistently the best forward night in and night out.  I'll say it again, these last 2 bad games stick out all the more because he's been so good all the time up 'til then.

Matthews also had a good game up until that first EN goal.  He's not the problem.

I do wonder whether not having a captain is a bit of a liability in slumps like this.  I expect Tavares as the senior A wearer may assume the role of leading in the dressing room, but in the olden days right about now the C might call a players-only meeting.

 

[ZBBM]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

Devils fired Ftorek with 9 games left in a season.  They were in similar playoff position. Went on to win the Stanley cup.  Leafs have a decent record because they have a lot of talent.  But the talent is under performing. 

Nylander 3 points in 17 games.  Matthews 1 goal in 10 games.  Gardiner playing the worst of his career.  Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed.

Your valid criticisms of Babcock get undermined when you try to push this as a serious thing.

 

[lc9]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

Devils fired Ftorek with 9 games left in a season.  They were in similar playoff position. Went on to win the Stanley cup.  Leafs have a decent record because they have a lot of talent.  But the talent is under performing. 

Nylander 3 points in 17 games.  Matthews 1 goal in 10 games.  Gardiner playing the worst of his career.  Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed.

Your valid criticisms of Babcock get undermined when you try to push this as a serious thing.

Where do you draw the line?  If the leafs lose in the first round, or miss the playoffs then can you have serious debate?  Or does he get next year as well, no matter what?  Leafs are 6 points from being out of the playoffs, with this roster and no one is concerned. 

 

[dekedastardly]

I would rather have Joel. Babcock is a moron and again how was Gardiner tonight guys. All I saw was the one goal and that was enough.

Can't wait to listen to the same old regurgitation from Babs in the presser. I'm in full support of the booing of Jake and any other player who continually costs the team games. Too often, too many players here get a free pass, and it seems the coaching staff do nothing to curb this.

 

[ZBBM]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

Devils fired Ftorek with 9 games left in a season.  They were in similar playoff position. Went on to win the Stanley cup.  Leafs have a decent record because they have a lot of talent.  But the talent is under performing. 

Nylander 3 points in 17 games.  Matthews 1 goal in 10 games.  Gardiner playing the worst of his career.  Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed.

Your valid criticisms of Babcock get undermined when you try to push this as a serious thing.

Where do you draw the line?  If the leafs lose in the first round, or miss the playoffs then can you have serious debate?  Or does he get next year as well, no matter what?  Leafs are 6 points from being out of the playoffs, with this roster and no one is concerned.

If they miss the playoffs or get smoked in the 1st round, absolutely you have this conversation but even then I don't think he'd get fired.  Even if Dubas were inclined in those cases (which I doubt) Shanahan wouldn't allow it.

 

[Bullfrog]

Me, 20 minutes ago: "I missed the game, I'll go read the GDT for an objective summary of what happened."

Me, now:

 

[Bullfrog]

Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed.

Jesus, man. Marner is on pace to have the highest-scoring season of any Leafs winger -- ever. All you can do is claim he plays lazy too often?

Their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team? I don't even....

 

[azzurri63]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

I get frustrated with Babcock too but honestly man, you don't do your credibility any favors by calling for the coach to be fired when the team is 28-15-2.  That isn't happening, and it shouldn't happen.

If we didn't have Andersen the team would not be 28-15-2 I'm sorry.
The record is not due to Babcock.
Team is kinda just going through the motions the last few years with the same weaknesses that management has failed to improve.
Coaching staff has not improved the TEAM DEFENCE since he arrived.
What the f do they see? Game in game out.What the f does he get 7 million dollars a year for? Hasn't addressed or improved the things that have been costing us since his hiring.
I personally don't think Babcock is getting these guys to play to their potential.
Personally I don't think some of them want to play for him and his mismanagement of players is downright frustrating.
You look at a team like Vegas last year making it all the way to the finals. With who. Most on here couldn't name a half dozen players besides Fleury.
We have so much more talent on this team and with a Vezina contending goalie who's played lights out for the season.
Again where would we be without Freddy?
I can tell you.
Not in the playoffs.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Me, 20 minutes ago: "I missed the game, I'll go read the GDT for an objective summary of what happened."

Me, now:

LOL!

Me, I was yelling at the tv...?you dumbbells, wake up!? 

Actually, Gardiner?s Three Stooges-like faux pas had me...

 

[hockeyfan1]

Andersen played fairly well considering he missed nearly a month of play.

The Leafs basically hung him out to dry.  He made key stops and despite everything, kept his team in the game.

It?s worth noting that the team has been getting basically nothing out of guys like Kadri, Lindholm, Nylander, and yes, Matthews (even though the latter has one goal in his last ten games, let?s cut him some slack in the assists department).  When you think about it, can?t help wondering if the Leafs have become too ?predictable?, and still lack that mental toughness that Babcock alludes to, the playing heavy part which that is a large part of.

The fans booing Gardiner, well no one is a fan of hearing a rain of boos but in this case it was warranted.  Gardiner is an enigma.  Talented at times yet still prone to making the kind of mistakes ? be it a stray pass or being out of position, or failing to read the play correctly or taking proper defensive action ? that leave one wondering where he ever learned defence.  He?s been with the Maple Leafs for so long now that he should have polished his game a notch. 

Leafs will take the day off tomorrow then back to practice.  Hopefully, they can regroup and take it from there.

 

[IJustLurkHere]

The fans booing Gardiner, well no one is a fan of hearing a rain of boos but in this case it was warranted.

No. Hockey fandom is a wide church, but anyone who was booing Gardiner is a moron.

There is literally nothing easier in the world than being a sports fan: cheer for the guy wearing your jersey. There is no upside to booing, there is downside, the boo birds people just failed at life?s easiest task.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Nylander 3 points in 17 games.  Matthews 1 goal in 10 games.  Gardiner playing the worst of his career.  Marner and Tavares have been really good, but even they still play with a lazy mindset too often.  This has to be the leafs physical team in the league and their entire game plan is geared toward a physical team.  There is good reason they continually get outplayed.

Please, in all your hockey wisdom, tell me how the above complaint falls on Babcock's plate? Blaming the coach for the lack of effort is an easy, uneducated complaint.

Again, they're a young team. The players we are expecting to be their top players are under 25 years old and in the case of the top 3 forwards(sans Tavares), 22 and younger. They show it. They, as hockey players have two choices, learn to overcome it and grow from the diversity they face early in their careers, or write themselves into the history books as extremely talented players that just didn't give a crap. Crazier things have happened and better teams have never realized success. Here's the thing, you're looking at a two week window and screaming that you want heads to roll. Seems a bit shortsighted.

 

[princedpw]

Things going bad?  Play the leafs. 

If I?m Dubas, Babcock doesn?t make it to Tampa.

Oh get real.  Let's not go stark raving crazy on our grief.

Step back for a minute. When has Babcock ever motivated this group to play above their head for any stretch?  They always under perform.  Even that aside, the lackluster play for most of the past 2 years is hard to watch. The leafs show up expecting to win just because they showed up.  And nothing ever changes.  PP changed players, but same dumb seam pass strategy remains.  Leafs refuse to play physical, yet employ a dump and chase game.  For the makeup of this team the entire game plan is obsurdly wrong.  This is bad coaching more than it?s anythign else.

The playoffs against Washington?  That whole year when they unexpectedly made the playoffs?  The last game against Tampa where they dominated most of the game but lost?

I have some minor things to complain about but I always do with any coach and with any GM.

 

[princedpw]

Me, 20 minutes ago: "I missed the game, I'll go read the GDT for an objective summary of what happened."

Me, now:

If people are this upset after losing a random game in January when the team remains easily top 10 league-wide (and has so many legit allstars they don't all fit on the allstar team), how did you all make it through the last couple of decades?  Why didn't you just end when Kessel was leading us to down the drain year after year?