Around the League - Offseason Edition

[SprDaVE]

Because Babcock isn't stupid. Far from it. He's trying to restart his career and openly stated that he's going to adjust his coaching tactics to the modern world.

He would have to literally be a crazy person to, in his situation, demand his players unlock their phones and hand them over to him to dig through.

There's no POSSIBLE way that's what's happened. None.

If I'm wrong I'm wrong. Time will tell I suppose.

Projecting that it's not possible because he's not stupid isn't how it works. Smart people make mistakes all the time, especially when they don't think they've done anything wrong in the moment. Even if it comes out that nothing bad was done, it's still possible that a line was crossed.

"I am not wrong... unless I am!"

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[Throw More Waffles]

You go to the nba subreddit and the big drama is spousal abuse and players on film holding guns.

You go to the nhl subreddit and the big drama is a coach asking his players how they're doing and if he can see pictures of their family.

It's as though hockey fans are all just searching for drama.

 

[Menzinger]

The longer the investigation/review goes on the less it seems as if it was just 'nothing' - but still not enough public info to say one way the other

 

[keonsbitterness]

View attachment 743281

I heard a Leaf fan in the platinums is willing to give up sushi for a week for a Cup win.

 

[Da Cool Rula]

If Babcock demanded phones from his players and went through their pictures, then yes, that is an invasion of privacy. Not a scandal. Not anything close to a scandal. But still worthy of the nhlpa stepping in and telling Babs he can't do that. Nothing more.

But I highly doubt it's even that. It seems he just asked if he could see some pictures of his players families and interests. And a few privileged adult entitled millionaires felt... GASP... "uncomfortable" about it.

Like, how did we get here?

Has anybody on these forums ever experienced any real problems or trauma? I doubt it. Seems to be all young privileged middle class kids who have things like "And I didn't even get to go to my favourite restaurant" listed as the worst day of their lives.

For freaking adults with real life experiences, a coach trying to get to know his players by asking to see some family pictures is not "abuse". I'm almost speechless here. I can't believe I even had to write that sentence.

Wow that sums it up. Fantastic post bro.

 

[uncleben]

If Babcock demanded phones from his players and went through their pictures, then yes, that is an invasion of privacy. Not a scandal. Not anything close to a scandal. But still worthy of the nhlpa stepping in and telling Babs he can't do that. Nothing more.

But I highly doubt it's even that. It seems he just asked if he could see some pictures of his players families and interests. And a few privileged adult entitled millionaires felt... GASP... "uncomfortable" about it.

Like, how did we get here?

Has anybody on these forums ever experienced any real problems or trauma? I doubt it. Seems to be all young privileged middle class kids who have things like "And I didn't even get to go to my favourite restaurant" listed as the worst day of their lives.

For freaking adults with real life experiences, a coach trying to get to know his players by asking to see some family pictures is not "abuse". I'm almost speechless here. I can't believe I even had to write that sentence.

While I agree it's hardly much to write home about, 1) with Babcock it's more an issue of a pattern of behaviour 2) while the request may have been fairly innocuous, he is in a power of authority and power of these players careers and livelihoods - its less that he asked and they felt uncomfortable or not, and more that they could have felt like they didn't have a choice

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Russo, who covers the Wild was on a Podcast yesterday giving his take on the situation, and this is how he's heard the situation explained.

The way I'm hearing it from players was that he was pulling people in and saying 'show it to me.' Like, on the spot, not like, "hey send it to me to put on a big screen."

 

[Gabriel426]

This Babs thing is weird. Did Babs just thought of new ways to torture players while he was collecting salaries from the Leafs the past few years?
Or is this something that taken it out of context completely?

 

[Stephen]

This Babs thing is weird. Did Babs just thought of new ways to torture players while he was collecting salaries from the Leafs the past few years?
Or is this something that taken it out of context completely?

In this case, the "context" is Mike Babcock himself, a coach who has a track record for playing uncomfortable mind game with players in the past while fostering this exaggerated people person, family man brand.

 

[Gabriel426]

In this case, the "context" is Mike Babcock himself, a coach who has a track record for playing uncomfortable mind game with players in the past while fostering this exaggerated people person, family man brand.

That’s the thing though, if this is Cooper would players or medias even say anything?
I am not defending Babs but I am leaning toward more or less Babs was saying along the line of what did you do in the summer, do you have pictures than unlock your phone, hand it over….

But then again, I could be wrong as I am thinking like a normal person.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Q&A: Luke Schenn on reviving his career and why he still believes in the Maple Leafs

Schenn, now with the Predators, detailed his resurgence, his Leafs return and why he thinks Toronto has what it takes to get over the hump.

theathletic.com

I miss Schenn so much.

 

[Daisy Jane]

Has anybody on these forums ever experienced any real problems or trauma?

yes.

 

[takumi111]

You go to the nba subreddit and the big drama is spousal abuse and players on film holding guns.

You go to the nhl subreddit and the big drama is a coach asking his players how they're doing and if he can see pictures of their family.

It's as though hockey fans are all just searching for drama.

This is a good example of whataboutism.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

If someone asked to see pictures of my wife and kids I wouldn't hesitate to pull out my phone and show them.

They're the ones embarassed of me.

This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. Or maybe mutiny is a better analogy. But at first pass it appears to be much ado about nothing.

The players are just looking for any reason to revolt.

Spoiled whiny entitled brats. Too privileged to show off pictures of their wives and kids. I can't understand why they wouldn't be honoured to show anyone who asked pictures of their family.

My kids look like me and I'm still proud of them.

 

[Peasy]

If someone asked to see pictures of my wife and kids I wouldn't hesitate to pull out my phone and show them.

They're the ones embarassed of me.

This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. Or maybe mutiny is a better analogy. But at first pass it appears to be much ado about nothing.

The players are just looking for any reason to revolt.

Spoiled whiny entitled brats. Too privileged to show off pictures of their wives and kids. I can't understand why they wouldn't be honoured to show anyone who asked pictures of their family.

My kids look like me and I'm still proud of them.

We don't know all the details lol.

What if rumours started during the Mitch Marner stuff and all that was heard in the public was "He made Marner write a list about work ethic" and thats all we knew? People probably woulda called marner a spoiled whiny entitled brat for making a fuss about having to write a list.

Context and nuance matters.

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

We don't know all the details lol.

What if rumours started during the Mitch Marner stuff and all that was heard in the public was "He made Marner write a list about work ethic" and thats all we knew? People probably woulda called marner a spoiled whiny entitled brat for making a fuss about having to write a list.

Context and nuance matters.

If Marner had scored the cup winning goal that year how many people's opinion about that stupid list would be different?

Marner is supposed to be a leader.

Putting pen to paper what he should have already been saying doesn't sound like a big deal to me. Like seriously, what did Marner think Babcock was gonna do with that list? I'll give Marner credit in that he was smart enough to put himself at the top of players that needed to be held accountable.

It's amazing how much things have changed since then.

 

[Fogelhund]

If someone asked to see pictures of my wife and kids I wouldn't hesitate to pull out my phone and show them.

They're the ones embarassed of me.

This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. Or maybe mutiny is a better analogy. But at first pass it appears to be much ado about nothing.

The players are just looking for any reason to revolt.

Spoiled whiny entitled brats. Too privileged to show off pictures of their wives and kids. I can't understand why they wouldn't be honoured to show anyone who asked pictures of their family.

My kids look like me and I'm still proud of them.

Imagine painting such a picture without any real understanding of the situation!! No facts at all.

 

[hamzarocks]

Just one rookie tourney game but bedard looked disgusting vs the blues. Had a hatty and could have had another goal and assist

He looks like Matthews+Marner mixed. Insane shot and some incredible vision

Fantili also dominated in his game. Rookie race going to be stacked next year

 

[SprDaVE]

If someone asked to see pictures of my wife and kids I wouldn't hesitate to pull out my phone and show them.

They're the ones embarassed of me.

This sounds like a bit of a witch hunt. Or maybe mutiny is a better analogy. But at first pass it appears to be much ado about nothing.

The players are just looking for any reason to revolt.

Spoiled whiny entitled brats. Too privileged to show off pictures of their wives and kids. I can't understand why they wouldn't be honoured to show anyone who asked pictures of their family.

My kids look like me and I'm still proud of them.

This isn't about you though.

 

[francis246]

If Marner had scored the cup winning goal that year how many people's opinion about that stupid list would be different?

Marner is supposed to be a leader.

Putting pen to paper what he should have already been saying doesn't sound like a big deal to me. Like seriously, what did Marner think Babcock was gonna do with that list? I'll give Marner credit in that he was smart enough to put himself at the top of players that needed to be held accountable.

It's amazing how much things have changed since then.

Marner was 19 years old, this is a very stupid take. Babcock was using that list to leverage his power over Marner. I’m going to tell the vets you said this, they are gonna get pissed off at you for saying this about them. If Marner was 25 then I’d agree with you, but Marner was a kid when Babcock did that, he wouldn’t have known better.

 

[Stephen]

Q&A: Luke Schenn on reviving his career and why he still believes in the Maple Leafs

Schenn, now with the Predators, detailed his resurgence, his Leafs return and why he thinks Toronto has what it takes to get over the hump.

theathletic.com

I miss Schenn so much.

Yeah me too. Ironically was never really a fan during his first tenure but wanted to see that reunion and when it happened it was great. Should never have let him go to Nashville from the hockey side, but the cap being what it is I'm glad he's making a lot of money to set himself up.

 

[Stephen]

Marner was 19 years old, this is a very stupid take. Babcock was using that list to leverage his power over Marner. I’m going to tell the vets you said this, they are gonna get pissed off at you for saying this about them. If Marner was 25 then I’d agree with you, but Marner was a kid when Babcock did that, he wouldn’t have known better.

If I read the Babcock/Marner situation correctly, Babcock definitely went after the more vulnerable soft target rookie to make whatever point and flex whatever he was flexing. I don't see that nonsense going over well with a 19 year old Matthews, 1st overall and franchise player. On the other hand, I seem to recall Bozak and van Riemsdyk kind of dismissing the issue at the time, didn't blame Marner one bit for making his list or whatever... so maybe if it was a different personality the whole situation would have gone over differently.

 

[SprDaVE]

 

[Fogelhund]

You go to the nba subreddit and the big drama is spousal abuse and players on film holding guns.

You go to the nhl subreddit and the big drama is a coach asking his players how they're doing and if he can see pictures of their family.

It's as though hockey fans are all just searching for drama.

Babcock out at Columbus. Clearly you’ve got your finger right on the pulse and have incredible judgement.