Toronto Maple Leafs: Will Babcock Be The Coach He Needs To Be?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have exceeded expectations for many, but the head coach hasn’t lived up to his superstar status so far this year.
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock has been an average coach through the first quarter of the season and, if we’re handing out grades, he’d be at the bottom of the pile for marks.
Babcock has flip-flopped with his lines on a regular basis and hasn’t allowed chemistry to be built – particularly on the back end.
Nazem Kadri’s offensive weaponry was left untapped for most of the first quarter, Jake Gardiner’s abilities were left stagnant thanks to his defensive partners and Tyler Bozak continues to take regular shifts with players who could be playing with Kadri/Matthews.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs are almost a top-ten possession team with a goaltender who is playing well and finding his stride. They are an offensive team who creates chances and cashes in on many occasions.
With the group that Mike Babcock has, they can be a playoff team – even if we don’t want them to be, or don’t expect them to be.
The Eastern Conference is ripe for the picking when it comes to Wild Card teams.
Toronto is a better team than Columbus and New Jersey is rolling the dice with goaltending yet again. Those are the two wild card teams that Toronto is chasing.
With the draft class in 2017 being, generally, weaker than usual, the Toronto Maple Leafs making the playoffs would have little impact on their future if they are to finish in the 10-14 range outside the playoffs anyway.
As much as people want to blame Frederik Andersen for losses, Mike Babcock is just as responsible for some of the L’s. Even superheroes have weaknessess, despite the desire to keep them on a pedestal.
Mike Babcock needs to start coaching this team for what they are, and what they can do. The trial period is over. The kids have proven themselves worthy and the expected play is where it was expected to be.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a team that can push for a playoff spot, but only if the head coach truly wants them to.
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