This was interesting for me because it's another line to file under the "Leafs don't actually care about the scoreboard result this season" category.
But we've also heard that Babcock's aiming for 6 points every 5 games (~98 point pace?).
I pulled this from the Kings GDT because I forgot to reply and it actually fits better here.
Babcock's challenge of 6 pts in 5 games is just a motivational goal. I think we're easily 7 pts in 5 when the team hits its stride in the next few years.
The decision to ice Hunwick, Martin, Polak, Smith speak much louder towards angling the Leafs for development-like results. It's the exact template they applied to the Marlies last season (go young, but bring in some classy pseudo-goons).
I can't remember who noted this first, but Polak has been shadowing Matthews-Nylander since he got into the lineup (and you wonder why they're in an even strength scoring drought? See all the plays that die on the sticks of Polak and Hyman
). Because Babcock needs to play Polak to 'deter' untoward behaviour towards Mattlander (thanks to UFA coup Martin turning out to be not at all good enough), he also needs to saddle Gardiner on Polak's line because Rielly's on matchup with Kadri, and Marincin/Hunwick are lolz.
Prior to the season starting, Lou also said this camp was a bit of a special one for the rookies because, and this was implied, they were taking on more rookies than they will normally consider in the future with an established core. Year 0 of the Build, so to speak. Brown and Soshnikov, who are both waiver exempt, make the team at the expense of Laich, Michalek, Greening, to show they are serious about a meritocracy (except for the muckers?). This is a long-view decision for the future, not a we're winning this season decision (to be fair, keeping Laich, Michalek, Greening would've been a more bald-faced tank move).
You can see the long-view in every Babcock post-game conference so far too. He is steamed about losing, but every word is about the process, and doing the details right the next time, and reinforcing that every player is growing. He's literally talking about Corsi/Fenwick and PDO, just without using the terms.
