The Leafs
I have been a Toronto Maple Leaf fan for 55 years. I actually remember them winning their last Stanley Cup in 1967. I believe they have the talent to win again within the next couple of years. Yet I feel the coaching or the player's inability to listen, is catching up to them. Let me explain.
I was a goalie for some 35 years and although I never played at a high level, I think I have a grasp of the game. I often hear people talking about the lack on defence for the Leafs. The fingers point at one guy in particular but I think the problem lies somewhere else: the system that is being used.
Babcock is a proven top-end NHL coach. However, he seems to have a blind spot, along with his coaching staff, when it comes to play in their own end and for that matter, in the neutral zone. One of the greatest strengths of this team is their speed. They go through long stretches not using that speed and instead basically stand around waiting for the puck to come to them. The most noticeable aspect of this is when they are playing 5 on 5 in their own end. Rather than pressuring the other team, they sit back as if they are killing a penalty. In fact there are times when they put more pressure on the pointmen while killing penalties. For some reason they believe they need to collapse into a shell while playing 5 on 5. Maybe not always but most of the time. As a former goalie, I hated it when my team did this because 9 times out of 10 my own teammates would be screening me and the points were completely open to pass or shoot.
So here is some unsolicited advice to Babcock and his coaching staff. It is a proven fact that when you have the puck more than the opposition, you win more than you lose. In your defensive zone coverage, always pressure the pointmen by being within a few feet of them. Think about it for a minute: that means the rest of your players are 3 on 3 plus the goalie. The Leafs do pretty good 3 on 3 and even if it means giving up the occasional scoring chance, the opposition will not control the play and our offensively skilled players will have the puck on their sticks more.
Secondly, quit giving opposition wingers a clear path to the goal when killing penalties. The Leaf defencemen seem to constantly be staying in front of their net instead of forcing the man beside the net when the opposition is setting up their PP. The goalie can't stop NHL shooters from 6-8 feet away when given that much time. Other teams watch videos and they now know that the Leaf players will give them as much room as they want to come at the net. That is coaching or as I suggested, brain cramps with the players not listening to the coaches.
Thirdly, quit giving up the blue line when your wingers are back checking. Remember, your strength is your speed and agility so work as a team. Think pressure at all times and stop retreating and allowing the other team to determine the speed of the game. The talent on this team is offence so use it and trust your goalie to make the big save when needed. However, quit playing like pansies in your own end! Pressure, pressure, pressure! No, I don't expect Babcock to read this but I feel much better.
😎
I was a goalie for some 35 years and although I never played at a high level, I think I have a grasp of the game. I often hear people talking about the lack on defence for the Leafs. The fingers point at one guy in particular but I think the problem lies somewhere else: the system that is being used.
Babcock is a proven top-end NHL coach. However, he seems to have a blind spot, along with his coaching staff, when it comes to play in their own end and for that matter, in the neutral zone. One of the greatest strengths of this team is their speed. They go through long stretches not using that speed and instead basically stand around waiting for the puck to come to them. The most noticeable aspect of this is when they are playing 5 on 5 in their own end. Rather than pressuring the other team, they sit back as if they are killing a penalty. In fact there are times when they put more pressure on the pointmen while killing penalties. For some reason they believe they need to collapse into a shell while playing 5 on 5. Maybe not always but most of the time. As a former goalie, I hated it when my team did this because 9 times out of 10 my own teammates would be screening me and the points were completely open to pass or shoot.
So here is some unsolicited advice to Babcock and his coaching staff. It is a proven fact that when you have the puck more than the opposition, you win more than you lose. In your defensive zone coverage, always pressure the pointmen by being within a few feet of them. Think about it for a minute: that means the rest of your players are 3 on 3 plus the goalie. The Leafs do pretty good 3 on 3 and even if it means giving up the occasional scoring chance, the opposition will not control the play and our offensively skilled players will have the puck on their sticks more.
Secondly, quit giving opposition wingers a clear path to the goal when killing penalties. The Leaf defencemen seem to constantly be staying in front of their net instead of forcing the man beside the net when the opposition is setting up their PP. The goalie can't stop NHL shooters from 6-8 feet away when given that much time. Other teams watch videos and they now know that the Leaf players will give them as much room as they want to come at the net. That is coaching or as I suggested, brain cramps with the players not listening to the coaches.
Thirdly, quit giving up the blue line when your wingers are back checking. Remember, your strength is your speed and agility so work as a team. Think pressure at all times and stop retreating and allowing the other team to determine the speed of the game. The talent on this team is offence so use it and trust your goalie to make the big save when needed. However, quit playing like pansies in your own end! Pressure, pressure, pressure! No, I don't expect Babcock to read this but I feel much better.
😎
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