Home MLHS Mashup Leafs Links: Babcock on cementing his legacy in Toronto – “It’s not...

Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock, left, reacts during his team's 6-4 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in preseason NHL hockey action in Toronto on Friday September 25, 2015. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

MLHS Mashup

Leafs Links: Babcock on cementing his legacy in Toronto – “It’s not if. It’s when.”

Aug 31, 2016

Mike Babcock speaks, Auston Matthews skates, and more in your mid-week links.

Mike Babcock talks coaching legacy, Maple Leafs outlook (Toronto Sun)

Q: You obviously took on a big challenge with the Leafs. Is it safe to say you’d cement that legacy, if you turn things around in Toronto?
It’s not if. It’s when. The second thing I’d say is yes — the Leafs opportunity is a big, big challenge. But we’re going to make it happen. It’s a great city, an unbelievable hockey market. And now we have to get the hockey team back to its rightful place.

Will the Leafs have a captain this year? (Pro Hockey Talk)

At first glance, the Leafs still seem to lack a leading candidate, at least for the present. If Lamoriello and team president Brendan Shanahan wanted to go the veteran route, they could anoint Brooks Laich or Matt Hunwick as a placeholder, though neither projects to play a significant role on the team beyond this year and into the future. Rielly could be the guy but, at 22, he’d be awfully young.

Maple Leafs’ Top 25 Under 25: Martin Marincin is No. 8 (PPP)

I think Martin Marincin is a passenger. We say that like an insult, but I’m not sure it is. A good passenger doesn’t actually drive you anywhere, but they don’t disrupt the driver, and may offer some help occasionally, working the GPS or saying, “Um, that was the turn-off, I think.” They are more remarkable for their lack of negatives than for their positives, and their worth is so much harder to see.

NHL rookies not conceding Calder Trophy race to Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine (National Post)

“They’re special players,” said Ottawa Senators defence prospect Thomas Chabot, the 18th overall pick in 2015. “When I played against them it’s like when I played in the Prospects Game two years ago against (Connor) McDavid. I don’t think they should have any trouble playing in the NHL next year.”

Maple Leafs’ Morgan Rielly ready to take on mentor role for younger teammates (Toronto Star)

“When you get that many young guys that are extremely talented that have a chance to make the jump, you have to take it upon yourself to help them out,” said Rielly. “But they are mature young men who know what they have to do. It comes down to making them feel comfortable, treating them like equals like you would anyone else. It goes without saying. It’s important but it can go a long way to making people feel comfortable.”

Auston Matthews excited to ‘get things rolling’ with Leafs (Toronto Star)

Matthews skated some over the summer in Arizona. But now with September — and the World Cup — around the corner, Matthews is keen to get going. “It’s great to be out on the ice here and kind of get things rolling,” said Matthews. “Just to be in Toronto, it’s very exciting. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming World Cup and training camp. It’s definitely an exciting time.”