2019-2020 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion
- Thread starter herman
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herman
Well-known member
https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2019/11/11/leafs-notebook-is-mike-babcock-really-putting-the-clamps-on-the-offense/
Lots of chatter in the older fanbase about kicking Dubas and Nylander to the curb; lots of chatter in the analytics fanbase about kicking Babcock to the curb for stifling offense.
Both takes are amusingly stupid.
Lots of chatter in the older fanbase about kicking Dubas and Nylander to the curb; lots of chatter in the analytics fanbase about kicking Babcock to the curb for stifling offense.
Both takes are amusingly stupid.
herman
Well-known member
We've got the day off before the next game, so we might as well discuss it:
How has Babcock stifled the Leafs offense?
I'll start: he has limited this team's total offensive potential to round out their overall balance. Far less cheating blowing out of the DZ for rush chances (2016-2019), a lot more earned offense through attacking as a group with short passes (as previously requested by everyone). He also limits the offensive potential by curating his top guns' minutes to the 18-20 range as much as possible, theoretically for more intensity on a shift-to-shift basis and full season + playoff stamina. This is offset by zone start control, where offensive talent gets all the OZ starts and non-shooters get all the DZ starts.
So, yes he has (sort of), but for the purpose of sustainable winning when it counts.
How has Babcock stifled the Leafs offense?
I'll start: he has limited this team's total offensive potential to round out their overall balance. Far less cheating blowing out of the DZ for rush chances (2016-2019), a lot more earned offense through attacking as a group with short passes (as previously requested by everyone). He also limits the offensive potential by curating his top guns' minutes to the 18-20 range as much as possible, theoretically for more intensity on a shift-to-shift basis and full season + playoff stamina. This is offset by zone start control, where offensive talent gets all the OZ starts and non-shooters get all the DZ starts.
So, yes he has (sort of), but for the purpose of sustainable winning when it counts.
herman
Well-known member
RE: Matthews minutes
People are going to compare Matthews/Tavares' usage to the likes of Colorado's top line, Edmonton's top line, Florida's top line, who check in at 23+ min on average. I agree with Babcock that that is stupid. They do so out of necessity.
Should your team have to go, as the kids say these days, "balls to the wall" every regular season game just to win? In October/November? Regular season wins are nice, but when your top scorers get iso'd in the playoffs and their tanks are just a bit more empty, what was the point?
The regular season is for ramping up your rhythm, chemistry, and execution to a consistently high level. This is a process-driven organization, and judging by how the previous seasons went, October is get warmed up time, November-January is buckle down to develop defensive execution time, and February and on (trade deadline) is click and go time. Right now, it's about figuring out how to execute defensive sort outs, wall stops, taking high-percentage plays instead of cheating for offense, and then layering more offensive push once your execution on defense puts the puck on your stick more often.
https://twitter.com/SteveBurtch/status/1192947866681167872
People are going to compare Matthews/Tavares' usage to the likes of Colorado's top line, Edmonton's top line, Florida's top line, who check in at 23+ min on average. I agree with Babcock that that is stupid. They do so out of necessity.
Should your team have to go, as the kids say these days, "balls to the wall" every regular season game just to win? In October/November? Regular season wins are nice, but when your top scorers get iso'd in the playoffs and their tanks are just a bit more empty, what was the point?
The regular season is for ramping up your rhythm, chemistry, and execution to a consistently high level. This is a process-driven organization, and judging by how the previous seasons went, October is get warmed up time, November-January is buckle down to develop defensive execution time, and February and on (trade deadline) is click and go time. Right now, it's about figuring out how to execute defensive sort outs, wall stops, taking high-percentage plays instead of cheating for offense, and then layering more offensive push once your execution on defense puts the puck on your stick more often.
https://twitter.com/SteveBurtch/status/1192947866681167872
hockeyfan1
New member
herman said:
The part about comparing Matthews/Tavares usage to other team?s top lines is just plain non-practical. Each team to their own.
With all of the new players, and especially the defence that still needs to adjust itself, plus a different game playing strategy (drop pass, etc.), I never expected the team to gel so fast nor to perfect their game to precision so soon.
I think that people?s anxiousness about this year?s Leafs stems from the public?s expectations of the team?s stars considering that the Leafs are top four heavy (contracts included) and that somehow many expect these guys to be the saviours of everything on ice, regardless of the still rickety defence.
Also, the fanbase is already looking ahead towards the playoffs (even though we?re not even half-way there yet in the season) and want to believe that all of the changes made by Dubas & Babcock will translate to bringing the team to a higher-still plateau, one in which the Leafs are attempting to reach but looks can be deceiving, The perception that this team is both progressively better on one end, and regressively worse on the other merely is adding to the fans? anxiety.
The LeafNation is restless.
Andy007
Active member
Frank E said:
Other than the few small missteps here and there (that plague just about every skilled player) I'm not sure where this "underperforming" narrative has come from. He's looked pretty consistently great to me, has a dominating Corsi, is sitting at nearly 54% on faceoffs all while playing 2 minutes less than Marner with a paycheck 4 million dollars lighter. Oh, and he mostly plays on the 2nd PP devoid of all the big guns.
Any notion that he has to be moved or that his Cap hit is sinking this team (not that you said this Frank, just a common complaint I see all the time) is just completely and utterly baffling.
https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1194271338409660416
Petan and Kaskisuo get the call.
Petan and Kaskisuo get the call.
herman
Well-known member
Michael said:
I really like Kapanen in the 3rd line slot, where he is well above average to great, vs in a top six role where he is frustratingly middling or detrimental to sustained offensive effort from a creativity standpoint.
I really like Kerfoot in the 3C slot but what the Leafs need more than a super 3rd line whil Marner is out is a 1B attack line to draw heat off Nylander's line and still win their matchup regularly. Kerfoot brings a huge dose of speed and playmaking to Tavares' wing.