The all-star break is upon us.
Couldn't happen to me at a better time.
Been sick all week -- got the flu in Ottawa -- and haven't had much energy to do much of anything.
So your "daily" Breakaway is more like your "weekly" this week. But I wouldn't miss a mailbag. So here we go.
(And I won't miss all-star either. I made it to Tampa).
QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the goaltender interference challenges? Do you feel this process need to be centralized to the NHLs command centre by a consistent person/group?
It has gotten to the point where most of us it seems (and from his expressions on the bench, Babcock included) have no a clue what constitutes goaltender interference these days.
Matthews disallowed goal, where Bernier has no clue where the puck even was, is considered that Matthews impeded his ability to make a save (How can Bernier make an attempt to save a puck when he has no clue where it is?). Yet last night Andersen literally ends up getting hit in the head by Anisimov’s stick/glove and gets sat on, but it’s not called goaltender interference?
I know Babcock always says something along the lines of “we didn’t lose the game because of that call” but in reality it costs the Leafs possible points that could end up being meaningful down the stretch.
Peter K
ANSWER: Is there any way to put the coach's challenge video review genie back into the bottle? I hate 'em both. Offside and goalie interference. Either way the decision goes, it saps the energy right out of the building. Saps the momentum from the game.
Let's live with a few mistakes. The Leafs scored against Chicago on a missed icing call. We're not going to review icings, are we?
As for goaltender challenges, I'd rather hockey ops call it. Place a referee in there with Colin Campbell and Mike Murphy to make the call, so at least it's consistent. Even the refs on the ice can learn from the top guy in operations.
QUESTION: Kevin,
What’s the story on Dominic Moore? When he played, he seemed to be the same player he was in previous seasons and, yet, he has fallen out of favour (if, in fact, he was ever in favour). Is this a case of Lou L. having a different opinion than Coach Babcock? Has Moore lost a step? Is he hampered by an injury? If they don’t plan to use him, will they likely release him? It would be a shame for his career to end this way.
Thanks, Alan G.
ANSWER: Well Alan, I guess the Leafs answered this one before I could. It has looked to me that Babcock is using this playoff bulge he has to try certain players out, almost like a training camp. He'd never say that, but the top prospects are getting long looks. That means a veteran or two will have to sit. First it was Moore for Frederik Gauthier. Now it's Matt Martin for Kapanen. Injuries on the blue line helped give Dermott a longer look, and hasn't he impressed.
But I don't think they ever planned on releasing Moore. Whether he plays every game or not down the stretch, he's a useful depth player come playoff time.
QUESTION: Hi Kevin,
Hope you're having a fantastic new year thus far. Still an avid reader and wanted to thank you for your extremely hard work, and unlike a lot of Leafs fans - I pick and choose my moments as this is my first time writing to you this year.
Last year I wrote to you inquiring about the possibility of Travis Dermott's chances at the possibility of moving up to a full time position and you said that it was highly likely (it never happened of course), but I was alluding to my true point of how the defence was a little suspect - namely Jake Gardiner. I can't imagine how many hate mail you get about him (Gardiner) and I don't think it will end anytime soon, but I too have a love/hate relationship with Gardiner and if I had to pick a point as to why there is so much complaints about him there are several: he's been a "work in progress" for too long, he's more of a defensive liability (top 10 for giveaways) than his offensive upside, he's not physical and I can go on. I think the other thing is that Leafs fans are a little curious as 1) why Babcock gives him so many minutes (versus Dermott, Rielly) and 2) why reporters don't call out these players (like Gardiner) when they deserve to be questioned. We do live in the centre of hockey universe after all. Anyways, moving onward - I was wondering if you give out a midterm "report card" for the Leafs as I would certainly enjoy reading your opinion on their performance thus far (I think Andersen should be in the running for a Vezina). The last question I have for you is what your thoughts are on the rules regarding goalie interference? I find that referees have been extremely inconsistent this year and the recent games versus the Avalanche and Blackhawks are great examples of how the rule is not being interpreted correctly.
Regards, Owen L
Toronto
ANSWER: Thanks Owen. ... When a player makes an egregious error that costs a goal or the game, you can be sure the media will ask the player what's going on. ... More interesting, the coach often makes sure the player is the first to speak to the media ... If it's an error that amounted to nothing, then, no, there are more important questions to ask post-game. . ... Both Rielly and Gardiner made mistakes recently and answered for them. ... Generally I ask: What happened on that play? I sometimes get the impression fans want reporters to vent fan anger through reporter questions, as in: Why were such an idiot on that 2-on-1? That's not going to happen. ... Gardiner is not nearly as bad as his haters make out. More good things happen for the Leafs than bad things when he's on the ice. Yes, he has brain cramps. But he's a top-4 defenceman.
As for mid-term report cards, I'll think about it.