The pressure on Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock fires up as they near the season’s climax.
Being an NHL head coach is no easy job, let alone being the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Both a blessing and a curse, Mike Babcock seems to be handling the job fairly well, considering his relationship with the media.
Coming in as one of the most successful coaches in Canadian history, the pressure on Babcock was somewhat proportional to the weight Atlas carried on his shoulders. Nevertheless, it’s something he shrugged off rather easily with the unexpectedly successful 2016 – 2017 campaign.
What followed were 2 consecutive playoff campaigns that ended in the first round, both hard-fought defeats.
Thirst for Playoff Success
It’s April 20, 2004, as Joe Nieuwendyk scores the game and series-winning goal against the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the playoffs. It’s also the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs ever advanced beyond the first round.
With the acquisition of John Tavares, the breakout seasons of Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, and possible captain-to-be Morgan Rielly, expectations are, obviously, huge.
Merely qualifying isn’t enough anymore. There’s an insatiable thirst for playoff success.
Starting the season, despite missing former RFA William Nylander and the injury-plagued Matthews, the Toronto Maple Leafs were on route to meet those expectations. challenging the dominant Tampa Bay Lightning for the Presidents Trophy.
Now, 21 games from the regular season’s end, the Toronto Maple Leafs are closer to sliding into a non-playoff spot than challenging the Tampa Bay Lightning for the league’s lead. They now sit in a familiar spot, behind the Boston Bruins.
Assuming the Toronto Maple Leafs qualify for the playoffs, regardless of the position they land in, the assignment is simple; advance.
Babcock’s Fate
It raises the fair question, should Mike Babcock’s fate be sealed with the Toronto Maple Leafs success in the upcoming playoffs?
While a re-run from last years playoff would be a huge disappointment, it should not directly seal Babcock’s fate. Improvement is the least to be expected. But improvement, however, is not always shown directly in the results.
Despite all the disappointment that would meet a third straight loss in the first round of the playoffs, it’s a process moving forward.
This is the first year the actual blueprint of the Toronto Maple Leafs is as it will be, hopefully, for many years to come is together. Give this core some time to adjust and become the league’s absolute unquestioned new dynasty.
Despite what the standings say, the difference between the league-leading Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs isn’t justified by points. It’s a lot tighter than that.
As dominant as the Tampa Bay Lightning are at this point, they are the team to beat in the playoffs this year. The Toronto Maple Leafs have that what it takes to do so, but don’t write off Babcock when they lose.
Thanks for reading and please share your thoughts on whether Mike Babcock should stay if the Leafs won’t advance past the first round.