Toronto Maple Leafs: Babcock, Marner, Bernier

I am happy to report that each Monday I will be posting a new “Goals, Assists, and Penalties” where I give you my two cents on the weeks news around the NHL and Toronto Maple Leafs. I break it down into Goals (positive news), generally positive news or something is lacking (assists), and negative news (penalty). These are purely my subjective opinions.

Assist: The Bernier trade. This is clearly one trade announced is parts over two weeks. Lou always had Bernier going to Anaheim when he traded for Andersen. But he needed the deal to happen before free agency so they could use it to court Stamkos.

But Anaheim did not want to pay his $2M bonus on July 1 ultimately taking his salary down to $2.15M for the cap ($4.15M cap hit). It was a win-win how they dealt with it by technically breaking it up into two deals.

Goal: Marner is looking good at the Toronto Maple Leafs development camp. Mitch Marner showed that he was not about to let his smaller stature get in the way of making an impression at development camp. Scoring more than Matthews in scrimmages and even holding his own up against the big bodied first overall pick in a drill of keep away. Marner has a real chance of making this team this season.

Goal: Toronto Maple Leafs new logo. More specifically, how big the logo is on their new jersey. It’s huge!

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Penalty: Babcock not being at the beginning of training camp. Mike Babcock will be busy coaching team Canada in the World Cup when training camp starts and therefore he will not be around to kick things off for the Toronto Maple Leafs. While the likes of JVR, Komarov, and Reilly won’t be there either, it is not a helping factor for guys like Marner who need time to impress Babcock enough in training camp to make the team this season.

Also, with such a young and inexperienced team, shouldn’t they have their head coach around every moment possible? Not a fan of Mike Babcock not being around at the beginning of camp. Given $50M to go coach…another team? It’s not like he hasn’t had this gig before and wants to try it for the first time.

Goal: Opening training camp in Nova Scotia. Spread the love.

Assist: Auston Matthews being a Maple Leaf still hasn’t fully sunk in.

Goal: Will no longer have to deal with the Stamkos to Toronto situation…

…Penalty: We will still have to hear about potential trades of Stamkos going to Toronto as soon as Jon Cooper puts him back on the wing and he shows his dislike for it or “likes” another tweet.

Goal: Dave Keon, Tim Horton, Turk Broda will all be added to Legends Row. Legends Row is a great idea that helps educate the fanbase, and build upon the culture.

Penalty: Those saying Matthews doesn’t yet have a contract because Lou doesn’t give out rookie bonuses. “Mitch Marner got bonuses, and Lou did his contract,” – Shanahan. Whatever happens, it’s not like Matthews isn’t getting signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Penalty: Slow time of year for hockey news…

Goal: Could you imagine one day Babcock icing a line of Nylander – Matthews – Marner? OR, William – Auston – Mitch. The “WAM” bam thank you mam line.

Next: Toronto Maple Leafs: Cap Space, Backup Goalie

Assist: Who will the Toronto Maple Leafs get to backup Andersen? Enroth? Lindback? Emery? Dare I say Bryzgalov? OK, yes too far. Maybe.

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