Why do Leafs break out up the middle? It works

Why haven’t the Leafs corrected the issue of the D constantly passing the puck into the middle in their own end? It’s a turnover most of the time. Jake Muzzin did it twice in 30 seconds, second time ended up in our net. It’s a breakout play that doesn’t work. Why is that so hard to figure out. Watch Tampa — it’s straight up. Nashville same way. We’re trying to be too fancy. — Vince B. Address it? They practise it. It’s their play, their bread and butter. They make more stretch passes than anyone else. When they work, they create scoring opportunities at a high rate. When they don’t work, the scoring chances against barely register. However, when one stretch pass doesn’t work and ends up in the Leaf net, everyone says the stretch pass doesn’t work. It does work. It’s incredibly successful for them. They crunch the numbers on all their plays. They know. Three questions: Are you surprised the Leafs didn’t do much at the trade deadline? Do you feel they have enough star power to beat Boston in the first round based on the team they have now? Do you think it will be a disappointing season if they don’t get past the first round? Thanks! — Deepak S. Three answers: I’m not surprised they didn’t add much at the deadline, only because GM Kyle Dubas was more interested in adding players with term left on their contract. He didn’t want a rental. Given how defencemen got injured in the days following, we’ll see if he changes his stance next year ... I don’t think it’s “star” power that will beat Boston, but yes, I think it’s a fair fight. John Tavares isn’t going to care what happened last year ... It depends how they go out — fighting or meekly. Been watching the Leafs for over 50 years and I must say Freddy Andersen needs a rest, and they need a better second goalie. — Michael M. I’ll argue they have a better second goalie than Garret Sparks in the minors with Michael Hutchinson. He’s really their No. 2, starting all the time. He’ll be ready if needed. That said, I was glad Sparks got his act together against Buffalo. It’s quite the struggle to go from a starter, as he was last year with the Marlies, to a backup. Been watching the Leafs for years. I’m 75 years old. The problem is Mike Babcock. He is consistently outcoached. He will not change from what worked in Detroit, that doesn’t work here. The breakout passes are a joke … Also Nazem Kadri needs to be put on left wing with Auston Matthews in order to maintain puck possession in offensive zone and to get him on the ice more. I have been preaching this for 2 years. Patrick Marleau is done. Make him a fourth-line centre. — Eric T. I’ll do my best to pass it along. Can’t disagree, by the way, with Marleau as a fourth-line centre. Next year perhaps. Can kill penalties and play power play. There are two major problems with the Leafs: 1. Ba(D)cock. The most overrated coach in the history of the NHL. Every winning team he had was stacked with talent and the Leafs have stop playing for him. No motivation or discipline; 2. Early spring and tee-off times are already booked, players just going through the motions. The dead wood and fifthliners feel secure, star players got their money in the bank already. — Don S. Your letter made it because of “Ba(D) cock.” That might catch on. Just read your Monday morning piece and I have to ask you: You saw a man bleeding from his forehead and you asked yourself what are Friday nights like? How come your first thought was not to help this person? As a tired old aside, why is it OK to use a stick to hit someone in the context of a game but not in the real world? Why the double standard? I mean, I know the answer, I guess. I just want to make the conversation relevant again. — Mike Ah, my Nashville moment. He was surrounded by bar security and what I took to be his buddies. It was under control. In the real world, you can’t use sticks, but you can use backpacks.