Seems to be some very blind opinions on here. Two sides to the game and keeping the puck out of your net is as important as scoring. I was at the game Monday and Komorov and often Polak were on the ice in many of the most critical defensive situations. Both are sound positionally and two of the strongest players on the team. Both are key penalty killers as well. Everyones darlings Nylander and Marner barely see the ice when the game is on the line.... and that is not because Babcock is dumber than random people watching on T.V. From where I sit, his record isn't bad.
You need both types of players but fans love the flash while intelligent educated coaches respect the savy and strength of role players as well.
Offence looks great on TV, I learned long ago that you can't judge defensive play on tv. The biggest key to good defence is positioning and anticipation, those need to be watched in person as most of it is off camera. There is a reason coaches game film is super wide angle, they don't care how pretty a dangle is, they care about players doing their job and you need to see the whole ice to be able to read that.
The other factor defensively is being willing and able to do the dirty work in the corners and along the boards, neither Willy or Mitch are either of those things. As for Soshnikov, like him but he is 5'11" and generously 185lbs with a concussion history. I don't want him over Komorov at 209lbs on the ice to finish off a game and neither does Babcock.
The Leafs have a good thing going and a nice balance right now. Don't be in a hurry to dump assets just because you have been remarkably healthy this year and they seem redundant at they moment. If you have an opportunity to significantly upgrade, great. If not, hold on to your assets. You will likely need them if you go on a significant playoff run and if not, next year there will be room as some of the UFA's will walk.
You need both types of players but fans love the flash while intelligent educated coaches respect the savy and strength of role players as well.
Offence looks great on TV, I learned long ago that you can't judge defensive play on tv. The biggest key to good defence is positioning and anticipation, those need to be watched in person as most of it is off camera. There is a reason coaches game film is super wide angle, they don't care how pretty a dangle is, they care about players doing their job and you need to see the whole ice to be able to read that.
The other factor defensively is being willing and able to do the dirty work in the corners and along the boards, neither Willy or Mitch are either of those things. As for Soshnikov, like him but he is 5'11" and generously 185lbs with a concussion history. I don't want him over Komorov at 209lbs on the ice to finish off a game and neither does Babcock.
The Leafs have a good thing going and a nice balance right now. Don't be in a hurry to dump assets just because you have been remarkably healthy this year and they seem redundant at they moment. If you have an opportunity to significantly upgrade, great. If not, hold on to your assets. You will likely need them if you go on a significant playoff run and if not, next year there will be room as some of the UFA's will walk.
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