Babcock hasn’t liked the game of the Maple Leafs‘ veterans since he’s come on board—that’s of no surprise to fans and media who have watched this team for years—calling them out and lauding the play of the rookies on the team instead. A common theme with the team’s current ‘core’ is a carelessness toward detail and a lack of urgency in their approach to the game. Babcock looks to be dressing a veteran-laden squad, challenging them to step it up against his former team.
The last two preseason games typically begin to resemble something closer to early regular season games, and there’s going to be less acceptance of excuses when it comes to the feeling out process.