2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/DaveAMcCarthy/status/958053551015514112

Not reading too much into this is a safe idea but it is nice to see that it seems like the lines from the road trip are still intact.

Zaitsev and Rielly still probably both a few days away. Maybe Saturday? Would be a good boost since it's our 3rd game in 4 nights.

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/DaveAMcCarthy/status/958053551015514112

Not reading too much into this is a safe idea but it is nice to see that it seems like the lines from the road trip are still intact.

Zaitsev and Rielly still probably both a few days away. Maybe Saturday? Would be a good boost since it's our 3rd game in 4 nights.

I am thrilled these lines are practicing together! It's a beautiful thing.

That third D pairing though...

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/DaveAMcCarthy/status/958053551015514112

Not reading too much into this is a safe idea but it is nice to see that it seems like the lines from the road trip are still intact.

Zaitsev and Rielly still probably both a few days away. Maybe Saturday? Would be a good boost since it's our 3rd game in 4 nights.

That could have been the lineup if the Leafs didn't win the lottery and grabbed someone other than Matthews like Puljujarvi.

 

[herman]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2018/01/29/toronto-maple-leafs-notebook-jake-gardiners-second-half-pattern/

? I mentioned this a few times when William Nylander and Nazem Kadri were paired together ? they don?t play at the same pace. Conversely, I think Mitch Marner is fitting in there with Nazem Kadri because they actually do. Marner and Kadri both like to slow the game down (compared to Nylander and Matthews, who play full speed ahead) and look to cycle off the wall and make plays. They are both creative players that will go to the dirty areas. When you add in Marleau?s speed, veteran savy and finishing ability, it makes for a nice line. Against Chicago, they were the best line on the team, often creating cycling opportunities.

I can't remember when I mentioned this before (last year, I think), but I am so glad we're finally getting Kadri - Marner.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://mapleleafshotstove.com/2018/01/29/toronto-maple-leafs-notebook-jake-gardiners-second-half-pattern/

? I mentioned this a few times when William Nylander and Nazem Kadri were paired together ? they don?t play at the same pace. Conversely, I think Mitch Marner is fitting in there with Nazem Kadri because they actually do. Marner and Kadri both like to slow the game down (compared to Nylander and Matthews, who play full speed ahead) and look to cycle off the wall and make plays. They are both creative players that will go to the dirty areas. When you add in Marleau?s speed, veteran savy and finishing ability, it makes for a nice line. Against Chicago, they were the best line on the team, often creating cycling opportunities.

I can't remember when I mentioned this before (last year, I think), but I am so glad we're finally getting Kadri - Marner.

I liked this point about Kapanen and Komarov:

4.  I think, similarly, the Leafs should consider using Kasperi Kapanen the way they move Komarov around, except for offense. That means the odd shift up with Matthews to provide a jolt, or swapping in for Brown on the Bozak-JVR line. His speed backs off defenders and changes the dynamic of any line he joins. It?s a different look that can provide a spark and change a game.

I don't think anybody here really thinks that Komarov is a legit 4th line player, just like I don't think anybody is really arguing that Matt Martin isn't a NHL player. It's just with this team that's where they should be. But there's nothing wrong with still giving Komarov spot duty in the top-9 when the situation calls for it. Defensive zone face-offs and late shifts when we need to hold leads and such are definitely prime opportunities to get him out there.

I also like the idea that Kapanen should be getting that same spot treatment. Imaging going up against the Matthews or Bozak line all game long and then all of a sudden you've got a lightning bolt like Kapanen replacing Hyman or Brown?

 

[herman]

I liked this point about Kapanen and Komarov:

4.  I think, similarly, the Leafs should consider using Kasperi Kapanen the way they move Komarov around, except for offense. That means the odd shift up with Matthews to provide a jolt, or swapping in for Brown on the Bozak-JVR line. His speed backs off defenders and changes the dynamic of any line he joins. It?s a different look that can provide a spark and change a game.

I don't think anybody here really thinks that Komarov is a legit 4th line player, just like I don't think anybody is really arguing that Matt Martin isn't a NHL player. It's just with this team that's where they should be. But there's nothing wrong with still giving Komarov spot duty in the top-9 when the situation calls for it. Defensive zone face-offs and late shifts when we need to hold leads and such are definitely prime opportunities to get him out there.

I also like the idea that Kapanen should be getting that same spot treatment. Imaging going up against the Matthews or Bozak line all game long and then all of a sudden you've got a lightning bolt like Kapanen replacing Hyman or Brown?

One of my ideas/observations last season was about our pipeline of wingers being plug and play to take advantage of their various flavours. Brown, Hyman, Soshnikov, Kapanen, Johnsson are all flexible utility wingers who can keep up with the team speed, play a reliable structured game, and chip in offensively or defensively as well as on either special teams. Other than Brown, all of them can and have played off-wing as well.

As Babcock learns to trust the core players, I think we'll see more hot swapping. Ideally, there'll be a backbone of centre fixtures as well as secondary centres (a la Nylander, and sort of Marleau) filling in the rest of the forward corps, but those we probably have to buy at the market.

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/DaveAMcCarthy/status/958053551015514112

Not reading too much into this is a safe idea but it is nice to see that it seems like the lines from the road trip are still intact.

Zaitsev and Rielly still probably both a few days away. Maybe Saturday? Would be a good boost since it's our 3rd game in 4 nights.

That could have been the lineup if the Leafs didn't win the lottery and grabbed someone other than Matthews like Puljujarvi.

HAHAHA... I didn't even notice Martin's name I assumed Matthews but I assume it means the same thing. Matthews is probably getting the day off and Meatin is standing in for him.

 

[Hobbes]

HAHAHA... I didn't even notice Martin's name I assumed Matthews but I assume it means the same thing. Matthews is probably getting the day off and Meatin is standing in for him.

Probably a CBA-mandated day off after spending the weekend "working" at the all-star game.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371946323902467
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371390394159104

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Who would have ever guessed that Babcock would scratch Martin and Polak and play Komarov on the 4th line all in one game? Seriously if this happens I might cry.

edit: I'm still not convinced this type of set-up sticks after one loss but I'll enjoy it while I can.

 

[herman]

I can't get excited about it until they're literally off the roster.

 

[Highlander]

I can't get excited about it until they're literally off the roster.

Jettison immediately Mr. Sulu...make it so

 

[Strangelove]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371946323902467
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371390394159104

The only thing I'd change is switching Carrick with Zaitsev, who will still be getting up to speed (and who didn't look particularly good even prior to his injury). I'd also love to try Kapenen in place of Hymen.

Otherwise, I think this is as good as the team gets during a Rielly injury. Has Babcock finally seen the light?

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371946323902467
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/958371390394159104

AMAZING... it's really happening.

Now ltet's swap Borgman for Reilly and Carrick for Doughty and call it a day.

 

[Hobbes]

Has Babcock finally seen the light?

The onus is going to be on the players to make it impossible for him to revert. I think generally speaking that was the case in Detroit, too, where they let players over-ripen in the minors until they blew down the door to make it to the NHL and stay there. Much the same was the case in New Jersey.

I think there's a theory of development for these kids to make them stew and be incredibly hungry for that shot; and the Leafs decided that they're rather ice a bit of a weaker team to make that happen. I can't imagine with the people they have on staff (including analytics types) that they're utterly blind to the deficiencies in the Martins or Polaks of this world.

I just can't believe they're that dumb so when they do something mystifying I tend to look for some underlying reason other than "they're idiots and I'm not" that might rationalize their decision.

 

[cabber24]

I just wanted to reiterate how ridiculous Martin's contract is. They gave HIM a $10M contract? I don't think anyone thought things would get this good this quick.

 

[Frank E]

https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2018/1/30/16942850/maple-leafs-news-analysis-narrative

Thoughts?

 

[ZBBM]

I really don't get the point. The season as it unfolds is THE narrative, at least the only one that counts. All leagues are stories that everyone agrees to follow. Anything else is ultimately not very interesting.

 

[caver]

agreed...does the data give a definitive forecast for the Leafs success ?...somewhat..but I think this team is growing by the month...and plays entertaining hockey...they don't have to win a cup this year.. anything after the first round will be great to experience..

 

[Highlander]

I just wanted to reiterate how ridiculous Martin's contract is. They gave HIM a $10M contract? I don't think anyone thought things would get this good this quick.

I can envision Martin on a boat and this boat is heading to a tropical island....Robidas Island..get out the fruity drinks with umbrellas.