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I can't say for what levels of journalism a guy like Simmons would stoop. Would he print that with no source? I really don't know. I don't read his stuff. Is there a precedent for him being dishonest? If so, everything he writes should filed under "G".

The part about not talking to media and the part about fitness. Possibly the part about training harder too. Granted, these perceptions are media founded, for whatever that's worth.

Yes, you did not say they would have been an upper tier team otherwise. My apologies. However, the amount of focus (around here anyway) on that particular issue was not justifiable IMO considering the big picture of the organization of the time. Some good people here argued (for 60 pages) how...

Not so sure. I don't think the Leafs were a goalie away from being an upper tier team. I remember other issues with the team at that time...although I do remember there was a large focus on goaltending. I do agree that goaltending was a problem though. Personally I was extremely disappointed...

I am going to guess that one big difference will be that Babcock will coach this team in a way that puts emphasis on development, whereas Carlyle coached in a "win now" style, We may see more of what Horachek was doing with the team as opposed to letting them cherry pick.

Yes., I can accept losing when there is a foundation being built. Considering I'm still here after a decade of directionless drivel, I think I can manage. I'll be interested to see how the media handles 3 or 4 more years of struggle, even if it is in the name of a proper rebuild. The pressers...

Good grief...it's just a perspective. I'll preface an "analogy warning" on any future post that may contain an analogy in the future, Just for you.

It seems odd that Kessel gets maligned so much, but I think it has more to do with the development of the team in general. He's not the right guy for this franchise right now. The top paid players on the Leafs should be more rounded players. as opposed to specialists. If I am building a house...

The question was in response to Nik's statement : Either Nik's statement is not true or it's a relevant question to that statement. You guys can decide.

Which comes first? The happiness/strong work ethic or the success?

I remember those complaints, and I'll wager there were many more we haven't heard about. It's only an opinion, but I think there was good justification for him playing that particular line-up the way he did. In retrospect, I'm surprised he got as many wins as he did. That team just doesn't click.

RC running them out of town is pure speculation. I'm not much into defending him, but c'mon. If you have some reference to that statement, I'll gladly rethink.

I give RC credit for knowing what this team was, and wasn't capable of. I'm not sure what a better(?) coach could have accomplished with this group. He had to leave, but the state of the team isn't likely because they were coached poorly.

I was anxious about analytics. I figured they may use it for day to day decisions and assessment of their own players. I agree it's a great tool for scouting feeder leagues. That makes sense to me.

I concur. I wouldn't be quick to lose Phil if I thought the Leafs could do that, but getting a handful of guys like that is gonna take some time.

Thanks for this thread, Zee. I checked in here often.

Thanks CTB. There's probably a lot of people like myself who don't post a lot but come here to check in on the state of the team...and it's the effort by people like you who make this a good place to visit.

Post only if you agree with crowd. Unless, of course, your so arrogant as to disagree.

That's just it. You can hire guys to keep track of obscure stats and try to change a teams play based on that, but it does nothing to pin point any real problems. If a team doesn't have the puck in the neutral zone enough, knowing that fact doesn't answer why. Did you miss all the hooplah about...

It's true. Kessel is no leader, and he probably doesn't communicate well (not a stretch to say that). Being the highest paid player in a young dressing room defaults him as a leader, whether you or I think it's right or not. The money makes him more important to the team in the eyes of the...