A soft question, a hard answer

Why does GM Kyle Dubas — and I assume Brendan Shanahan — still believe that you can succeed in the NHL by getting intimidated and pushed around every night? That obvious dirty head hit on Rasmus Sandin (Oct. 12 vs. Detroit) should have awoken the pacifists that run the Leafs and made them realize protection is required. This certainly isn’t how Brendan played the game, and I can’t believe he actually believes you can win meaningful hockey games with such a soft, intimidated team. — Brian R. It’s an intriguing point that you and others have raised. Dubas certainly believes it. I believe he wants four skilled lines. Now coach Mike Babcock doesn’t really believe it, but he’s good with three skilled lines and scattered physicality. I think he’d love a bruiser who can skate and score (Tom Wilson?). But Shanahan — like you, I’m not sure he believes it. He’ll believe in Dubas, to see if he can make it work. But for how long, especially if it doesn’t work? Having been a Leaf fan for all that I remember of my 61 years, it does give one a tendency to develop a certain “glass more than half empty” outlook. Like say at the start of the season the star centre goes down with an injury, the backup goaltending is suspect, they can’t beat any good teams, the third defence pair could use an upgrade, the payroll is capped out … So, what if they somehow manage to miss the playoffs on the last day of the season? They gave up their first-round draft pick to unload Patrick Marleau, and now every non-playoff team gets entered into the lottery. Oh no! Thankfully, it’s nothing a two-game win streak against a couple of sub-500 teams can’t fix! — Allan H. Not to worry. If the Leafs end up in the top 10 of the draft, the Hurricanes will receive Toronto’s 2021 first-round pick instead. We always like to play “what ifs.” If you could turn back the clock, would you pass on the William Nylander deal and get a quality defender plus a back-up goalie? — Pete W. If I could turn back time, I’d keep Curtis McElhinney. To me, that was the biggest mistake of the Kyle Dubas era. I’d also go back and try better to sign Marner, Nylander and Matthews after their second seasons. All that said, I really don’t mind the Nylander deal. He basically got passed by all of this year’s big restricted free agents — the ones who didn’t sign short-term deals and will blow by him in three years’ time. Nylander is the 63rd highest-paid player in the NHL based on cap hit, between Max Pacioretty and Brent Seabrook. Sounds about right, really. Given the slow start by the Leafs, is this the beginning of the end of Babcock? Young Sheldon (Keefe), be ready. Your time may be closer than you think. — Dan W. Is it wrong that I want to make a Young Sheldon/Kyle Dubas/ “Big Bang Theory” joke? When are the Leafs management going to wake up and replace the coaching staff. Great team, no coach to speak of. Please wake uppppp. — Joshua B. We’ll put you in the Sheldon Keefe camp thennnnnn.