Keefe, Dubas are singing from the same songbook

There has been so much talk of Sheldon Keefe being the anti-Mike Babcock, but I think that assessment is backward. It’s not about Keefe doing the opposite of Babcock and improving the team’s fortunes. I think it’s more accurate to point out that Babcock was doing his best to do the opposite of his GM. He whined about not having a right-handed defenceman, when we know now they had Justin Holl. I look at how well Jason Spezza contributes to this team. I look at how Keefe embraces the offence that Dubas has provided while Babcock often stifled it … But this isn’t about what I think, so here’s my question: When are the Leafs going to get a better goal song than one sung by Hall and Oates? — Andrea, Mississauga OMG, how I hate that goal song. I was never a Hall and Oates guy (more Hull and

Oates). But you can ask me what I think, and you’re not wrong. Babcock and Kyle Dubas were not on the same page. It’s been said of Babcock that he’d rather lose his way than win someone else’s. Seems like we have never seen what the Leafs look like due to injuries. They have depth and the coach is familiar with them, but I sure would like to see everyone healthy. Are injuries up leaguewide? Seems like a lot of players hurt. — Ken W. I doubt injuries are up. They are with the Leafs, who had been remarkably healthy the previous three seasons. There was one day the Leafs were at peak health. They waived, and lost, Nick Shore to Winnipeg on Dec.4. Andreas Johnsson got hurt the next game. Watching the Jets game on TV, it seemed to me that the Leafs were using the stretch pass more often than they have been lately. Was that just my imagination? — Judd H. Yes, it did seem the stretch pass had returned. I noticed one in which Cody Ceci was the intended receiver. Why was he up there? And why would you pass to him? Element of surprise, I suppose. I never minded the stretch pass. It made for boring hockey, until it worked. Last I checked there is no cap on how much you spend on scouting and coaches. We all know Dubas is not trading any of the big four so we better have the biggest scouting department in the NHL and the best development coaches because we need to find bargains and diamonds in the rough like Holl and Pierre Engvall for the next five years. It’s the only way we have a chance to go all the way. — Peter W. The Leafs have all kinds of patience for players. Mason Marchment is the latest example, a late bloomer they helped develop.

The guy to watch now is Justin Brazeau. Undrafted. Scored 61 goals in the OHL last year. He’s 21. Signed with the Leafs. Plays for the Growlers. He’s six-foot-six, 206 pounds and has 13 goals and 16 assists in 32 games.

I believe it would be a good idea for some Leafs to learn how to play chess in their spare time or on the chartered flights. Magnetic boards are available to help prevent unwanted movement from air turbulence. It will help them think one step ahead of their opponents on the ice. — Rob T. The smartest Leaf, at least from an activities point of view, is Frédérik Gauthier. (Accepted to Harvard, I believe). He does puzzles, sudokus, etc. I wonder if his intelligence helped him make the NHL, since his defence is almost flawless. A smart player knows how to anticipate. Playing winning hockey throughout the regular season doesn’t guarantee success in the playoffs. Last year the Tampa Bay Lightning were the toast of the NHL until they bombed out in the first round. They weren’t alone. According to Wikipedia, “For the first time in NHL history, all division winners were eliminated in the first round as all the wild cards advanced to the second round.”

Keefe has made watching the Leafs entertaining but what is more important; being entertained throughout the season or winning a Stanley Cup? And what will it take for Toronto to win a Stanley Cup this year? — David K. I’d say making the playoffs is the most important thing, and it appears the Leafs will do that by playing an entertaining brand of hockey. High risk, high reward. Lots of dangling. Lots of oohs and ahhs. Lots of outscoring their mistakes.

Now, will that translate in the playoffs? Hard to know. Playoffs are very different. Each team adjusts to the other as they see each other every second night. That’s why the playoffs are more of a grind. Doesn’t mean you have to grind your way there.

By the way, sourcing Wikipedia? Hey, I’m right here.