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Toronto Maple Leafs Player Grades at the All-Star Break

ByJarrett Noakes|
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate on the ice before playing the Florida Panthers at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 25: Auston Matthews #34, William Nylander #29, and Andreas Johnsson #18 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skate on the ice before playing the Florida Panthers at the Scotiabank Arena on March 25, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe watches a play develop on the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 3, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 03: Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs Sheldon Keefe watches a play develop on the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers on December 3, 2019 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)

Coaching

Sheldon Keefe: A+ (16-7-3)

Since joining the Leafs as head coach two months ago, Sheldon Keefe has been instrumental in the team’s turnaround this season and his possession-focused style of play has squeezed the most out of his player personnel.

The Leafs have had the best power-play (32.8%) in the NHL since Keefe’s arrival and their penalty-kill improved from 27th under Mike Babcock to 14th under Keefe.

The Leafs have also scored more goals than any NHL team since the coaching change, which is a direct result of Keefe putting his confidence in his best players.

Mike Babcock: D (9-10-4)

With the right personnel, Babcock is a prolific motivator and coach. However, his message didn’t get through to the Toronto Maple Leafs this season.

Babcock forced the team to play his style of game, rather than assessing what the team’s personnel did best. Furthermore, his motivational tactics, don’t sit well with the new generation of NHL players.

Babcock’s pedigree is strong and he will have another shot at an NHL coaching job. Hopefully he can learn from his time with the Leafs to benefit a team in the future.

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