2016-17 Centennial Leafs General Team Discussion

[TBLeafer]

Incredibly, there are 5 or 6 Leafs this season that could see over 20 goals!

Matthews could get to 40!
Kadri 35+!
JVR 30+!
Marner 20+!
Nylander 20+!

There's also a chance one or both of Brown and Bozak could get there, too.  If they both do, that would make for 7 Leafs forwards (more than 2 lines worth) with 20 or more goals!

Feels good, man.

 

[herman]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/senators-look-to-farm-for-help-amid-key-injuries-stone-hoffman-wingels-ryan/

Here's a chance to put some distance between us and the sens.

 

[mr grieves]

Incredibly, there are 5 or 6 Leafs this season that could see over 20 goals!

Matthews could get to 40!
Kadri 35+!
JVR 30+!
Marner 20+!
Nylander 20+!

There's also a chance one or both of Brown and Bozak could get there, too.  If they both do, that would make for 7 Leafs forwards (more than 2 lines worth) with 20 or more goals!

Feels good, man.

Looking at that, I thought that that's something they haven't had since the Quinn years. But no: in 2008-9, 5 were over 20: Blake, Poni, Hagelin, Antro, and Grabo. Of course, none were anywhere near 30.

For something like what we're seeing this season -- 6 on the cusp, a couple at 30+ -- you'd have to go back to 1998-99.

 

[disco]

"Maple Leafs would buck history if they make the playoffs this year
Going from dead last to a playoff spot in the span of one season almost never happens. "

https://www.thestar.com/sports/breakaway_blog/2017/02/maple-leafs-would-buck-history-if-they-make-the-playoffs-this-year.html

 

[Frank E]

Incredibly, there are 5 or 6 Leafs this season that could see over 20 goals!

Matthews could get to 40!
Kadri 35+!
JVR 30+!
Marner 20+!
Nylander 20+!

There's also a chance one or both of Brown and Bozak could get there, too.  If they both do, that would make for 7 Leafs forwards (more than 2 lines worth) with 20 or more goals!

Feels good, man.

Looking at that, I thought that that's something they haven't had since the Quinn years. But no: in 2008-9, 5 were over 20: Blake, Poni, Hagelin, Antro, and Grabo. Of course, none were anywhere near 30.

For something like what we're seeing this season -- 6 on the cusp, a couple at 30+ -- you'd have to go back to 1998-99.

*Hagman, not Hagelin.

 

[mr grieves]

"Maple Leafs would buck history if they make the playoffs this year
Going from dead last to a playoff spot in the span of one season almost never happens. "

https://www.thestar.com/sports/breakaway_blog/2017/02/maple-leafs-would-buck-history-if-they-make-the-playoffs-this-year.html

Although "dead last" last year had more points than last place in several prior years, right? If so, that's the sorta condition that would make "almost never" considerably more likely (not that they'll be able to hold off Florida)

 

[Kin]

"Maple Leafs would buck history if they make the playoffs this year
Going from dead last to a playoff spot in the span of one season almost never happens. "

https://www.thestar.com/sports/breakaway_blog/2017/02/maple-leafs-would-buck-history-if-they-make-the-playoffs-this-year.html

Although "dead last" last year had more points than last place in several prior years, right? If so, that's the sorta condition that would make "almost never" considerably more likely (not that they'll be able to hold off Florida)

Sort of. Over the last 6-7 years there's always been one team(or two in the McDavid year) that were a little separated from the pack at the bottom. Buffalo for a few years, Edmonton for some others...what the Leafs did last year was a pretty common total for a 2nd worst team though.

 

[Arn]

St Pats jerseys to be worn on the 18th March game against the Blackhawks. I'm all for that.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/834026625977180160
My goodness, it's going to be weird seeing them on the ice without any blue at all!

 

[herman]

https://theathletic.com/39315/2017/02/21/mirtle-going-1-on-1-with-maple-leafs-gm-lou-lamoriello-on-the-trade-deadline-analytics-and-the-r-word-he-hates/

There's a lot more, but these stuck out to me.

Q. What do you think is the biggest question mark remaining with the roster that you?ve got right now?

Lou: I don?t think there is a big question mark. I think it?s the constant progress that the players are making. They?re learning about the league, learning how to adapt to certain situations, learning how important it is to each and every night to bring the top part of their game. No matter who you are and what your role is, the next play might determine the success of the game. I think that?s the experience that the roster is going through.

I think the most important thing is the experience that?s being gained and the way our coaching staff is handling how to develop them going forward and creating an atmosphere of allowing each and every player to do the things they do best together to have success. To build that strength, to build that organization. That?s the major role. Dealing with what you have here and getting them to their highest potential and understanding what they can give. What their role is. What they play. All of that is a constant.

Q. Babcock said he likes the fact you?re right in the middle of this race because it?s putting the heat on all of your players and you can really see what they have in those situations and those moments.

Lou: There is nothing better than to go through that. That?s why you see and you hear the word ?core? players. They become core players [based on what they do now]. The reason they?re core players is they?re part of the foundation that you know what you?re going to get out of them every night in every situation. I?ve always said players determine who they are. Players determine how much they play.

I've certainly been guilty of wanting to buy my way to solutions on our defense early in the year, but I like the approach management is taking here: let's see what the team grows to become as is (and how much better they'll be once some get subtracted).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

This was probably my favourite part of that interview:

Q. Have you been in touch with [Vegas GM] George McPhee already?

Lou: I don?t get into any of that.

Q. I don?t need you to tell me what you did or what you talked about.

[uncomfortable silence]

 

[herman]

This was probably my favourite part of that interview:

Q. Have you been in touch with [Vegas GM] George McPhee already?

Lou: I don?t get into any of that.

Q. I don?t need you to tell me what you did or what you talked about.

[uncomfortable silence]

Yes, that too. I worried a bit for Mirtle's safety, but since it made it to publication it should be alright.

 

[dekedastardly]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/834026625977180160
My goodness, it's going to be weird seeing them on the ice without any blue at all!

I'm glad they've done away with the ugly brown pants & gloves

 

[mr grieves]

With Kadri-Leivo clicking, and Matthews-Nylander once again looking great, what do you do when Marner returns? Brown on 4L, Sosh scratched?

 

[TBLeafer]

[tweet]834452432843395073[/tweet]

Kristen ShiltonVerified account‏@kristen_shilton  now2 minutes ago
More
No Mitch Marner tomorrow vs. Rangers. Connor Carrick is day to day.

 

[disco]

I already miss Mitch Marner. Like, a lot.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/834479925948252172
www.twitter.com/sunhornby/status/834479925948252172

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/02/22/mike-babcock-on-alexey-marchenko-hes-got-an-elite-stick/

Alexey Marchenko says he knows your system well and is quite comfortable in it.

Babcock: It?s a good opportunity for us to see Marchy. Any time you?ve sat out as much as him, the first game sometimes is tough. That?s the way it goes. He?s got an elite stick. Great hockey sense. Marchy?s biggest thing is quickness, but I?m very comfortable he can help our team. I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/sunhornby/status/834479925948252172
www.twitter.com/sunhornby/status/834479925948252172

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2017/02/22/mike-babcock-on-alexey-marchenko-hes-got-an-elite-stick/

Alexey Marchenko says he knows your system well and is quite comfortable in it.

Babcock: It?s a good opportunity for us to see Marchy. Any time you?ve sat out as much as him, the first game sometimes is tough. That?s the way it goes. He?s got an elite stick. Great hockey sense. Marchy?s biggest thing is quickness, but I?m very comfortable he can help our team. I look forward to seeing him tomorrow.

I really hope Marchenko plays well, both to benefit the Leafs and hopefully supplant one of those bottom pair guys.

 

[herman]

No game tonight, so if you are craving some hockey content, have a listen to this:
https://m.soundcloud.com/leafs-geeks/episode-37-systems-analysis-with-gus-katsaros

Gus Katsaros goes in-depth on how the Leafs' various zone systems are working this year, with some really good points about some of the decisions Babcock has made (e.g. No one timer set up on standard PP).

The following episode is focused on special teams with MLHS' Anthony Petrielli, but I haven't caught up with it yet.

 

[herman]

Speaking of systems and specialty teams:
https://theathletic.com/38962/2017/02/23/how-jim-hiller-has-brought-special-teams-success-and-an-analytical-eye-to-the-leafs-bench/

TIL: Jim Hiller was actually one of those analytics hires; he was trying to sell an analytics package to the Red Wings, impressing Babcock to the point of hiring him outright. He's also one of those analytics guys that can translate what the numbers say into what options and decisions players can take next time in those situations. If you see a mid-game adjustment in offensive tactics, it's likely Hiller behind the move.