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Mike Babbad joined Wednesday Night Hockey on Sportsnet before the Toronto Maple Leafs match against the San Jose Sharks, discussing the return of Auston Matthews, the Nazem Kadri rivalry against Joe Thornton and magical abilities from Mitch Marner.
What are you waiting for Auston Matthews in his first game back?
Babbad: I'm waiting for it to be good. He had the type of injury where he was allowed to skate all the time. He has been away for a long time and he has worked a lot. It does not necessarily put you in the rhythm of the game, but he is eager to play and we are delighted to have it.
How was he at the time he was gone? You said that he really wanted to come back and that he was frustrated. How was he to you?
Babbad: Well, I mean, agree. To be honest with you, more of our specialists and badistant coaches are dealing more with him because I'm dealing with the team. Saying that, in all my conversations with him, it was obvious at the end that that was enough and that he wanted to go. But that's part of the competition and I thought he was getting involved and working hard, and it's going to show. If you do not do the job, it shows as well.
What did you learn about your team with Matthews apart from the composition?
Babbad: I do not know if you're learning so much. I think we have a very good team. We did not have Willy and Matty for much of the season. I think it gives more opportunities to guys. I thought that at the beginning, when he was injured, it took us a little. We won the match when he was injured, lost 2-0 and came back and won. And then it took a bit to get there, and then we found a rhythm.
We will have to find a rhythm with him in return. There is no difference. With each change, you must find your rhythm.
Nazem Kadri against Joe Thornton and Nazem Kadri against the San Jose Sharks are among the pillars of tonight's match. They played strong in the first game. What are you waiting for tonight?
Babbad: I think we talk a lot about nothing. Joe Thornton started the fight here. Let's say it clearly. There are not often 190-pound guys chasing men of 220 pounds. But Naz was standing up. But in the last game, we basically said do not get involved and let the game play. I thought it worked in our favor.
Is it the same tonight? No conversation with Nazem Kadri, just play your game? Did you have a word with Kadri?
Babbad: Did not even talk about it. Naz does not get too excited about business. Sometimes something like this will make him even better, so I'm excited for him.
Mitch Marner – We talk a lot, not only in Toronto, but throughout the league, that he is among the top five in the NHL at points. When you see Mitch Marner playing, what does he come to mind?
Babbad: I just think that he is an elite player. But what I like about Mitch, is that he knows how to win. It's not about scoring. It's about winning for him. He tracks harder than anyone. He can play without the puck. He can play at the center. He can play with punishment. He can play on the numerical advantage. He makes the right decision most of the time.
Like Morgan Rielly, he has incredible enthusiasm and energy for the game and makes everyone better around him.
It looks like every time he has the puck, ice appears around him. Is it an illusion of optics or what is it specifically to breach the defenders?
Babbad: There is no question about it. I thought that when Pastrnak was here the other night, we saw the same thing. No one else has time in the game. There is no time and there is no space. But when these guys understand it, it seems everyone is backing up.
Obviously, it's the limit, the brain, the ability to create space. This is called talent. They are lucky to have it.
You are facing a talented team tonight. If you succeed tonight, what are you going to do well?
Babbad: You have to take care of the puck. We must engage on this D. This D, when they stand on the offensive blue line, can be very dangerous. It's a good cycling team. They have really failed well; one of the best preliminary verification teams in the league. They do not abandon their line. We will have to take them. We must grind. We have to spend time in the offensive zone.
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