As a rational Leafs fan lets discuss Babcock

Team: 2019-20 Toronto Maple Leafs

Initial Creation Date: Oct. 27, 2019

Published: Oct. 27, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Whats wrong with the team? Is the back to backs? Is it the coaching? Is it the players? I think its a little of all.

I want to start with that I am pro Babcock, I like the guy, and its clear to me he was told this season he needed to make changes to his game plan or he would be out of a job. I like how Matthews has been playing more mins a night, I like that Nylander has stayed on either of the top two lines, I like how the lines seem to be meshing well.

But my biggest problem I think with Babcock is hes stubbornness to change. Which could cost him his job. With the Leafs having so many back to backs I understand wanting to start both goalies. Here is my problem, when your starter plays the first game every single time, when the team is fresh, youre probably going to win (leafs record in the first half of a back to back is 3-0-1) and when you start your back up when your team is tired, you'll probably lose (Leafs are 0-3-1 on second night). So why not change it up? Start Anderson against the better team and on the back night. or better yet, when Anderson faces 17 shots only against the Sharks, start him the next night. Players are paid millions of dollars a year and youre telling me they cant play in back to back nights? BS and we all know it.

Babcock also needs to work on getting his team into the final two mins with the big guns out, not the fourth line. The Goat has been great this year, but with 2 mins left he shouldnt be out trying to get a game tying goal or keeping the puck out of his own net. Babcock needs to get the dressing room back ASAP or he could lose his job.

I would give Babcock to the end of November to figure this out, if by that time the team is still around a 500 playing level , I would look at removing him. I just think hes style of coaching of dump and chase doesnt work with the current Leafs team which is skill and attack. You can see it on all the lines. With Hyman out, Kap JT and Marner all expect someone else to get the puck for them when its dumped in and scored, none of them do. Same with Johnsson, Matthews and Nylander.

How short is his time? Or do you think he can turn it around?
I for one hope so.