{"id":57956,"date":"2019-10-03T08:30:33","date_gmt":"2019-10-03T12:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/?p=57956"},"modified":"2020-12-21T15:01:48","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T20:01:48","slug":"nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-new-jersey-devils-winnipeg-jets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2019\/10\/03\/nhl-rumours-toronto-maple-leafs-new-jersey-devils-winnipeg-jets\/","title":{"rendered":"NHL Rumours: Toronto Maple Leafs, New Jersey Devils, Winnipeg Jets"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to another Thursday of NHL Rumours with Last Word on Hockey. The regular season got off to a rousing start last night after an offseason filled with anticipation. Even as the season starts, there are always moving pieces and changes to discuss. Today’s round of NHL rumours covers the Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a>, New Jersey Devils<\/a>, and Winnipeg Jets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NHL Rumours<\/h2>\n

Toronto Maple Leafs<\/h3>\n

Rumour: While many fans disagreed with coach\u00a0Mike Babcock\u00a0<\/strong>at the end of last season, no-one assumed he would be immediately let go. However, The Star columnist Dave Feschuk reveals just how close that firing was to reality<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Analysis:<\/em> The disconnect revealed in the article between GM\u00a0Kyle Dubas\u00a0<\/strong>and Babcock doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Babcock is a representation of the old guard, Dubas is a representation of the new. While they do seem to dispell any sort of buffer between the two to the media, it’s now become obvious there are some disagreements.<\/p>\n

Babcock, throughout his tenure, has shown an over-reliance on certain players that fit his style. Dubas surely wants the load to be spread out more and feels that the Leafs need to rely more on their strengths. A fundamental disconnect about how a team should be run isn’t a good thing to have between a coach and a GM. Changes could come soon in Toronto, especially if they fail to get out of the first round yet again. While Babcock has had much success in the league, he has now failed to win a playoff series since 2013 with the Detroit Red Wings<\/a>. If Babcock decides to adapt a bit more to the new NHL this season, he could see his job with the Leafs last longer.<\/p>\n

Winnipeg Jets<\/h3>\n

Rumour: Insider Michael Russo reports that\u00a0Jets defenceman\u00a0Dustin Byfuglien<\/a><\/strong>, currently on leave from the team, will opt for retirement.<\/em><\/p>\n

\n

Michael Russo on the Russo Souhan show: “I don’t think Byfuglien is going to play again”<\/p>\n

\u2014 James (@Account4hockey) October 2, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n