hockeyfan1
New member
Hmm...so Lamoriello is no fan of an analytics staff. The Islanders category lists a note of absence.
2019 Toronto Maple Leafs Offseason Discussion
- Thread starter herman
- Start date
Nik the Trik said:
This is why there has been much discussion about the Cody Ceci trade here in Ottawa. On the one hand they know that Toronto has a huge analytics section. They know that they have metrics that aren't publicly available. So they questions are:
1. Does Toronto see something in Ceci that the rest of the league doesn't necessarily see because they don't have the same set of metrics that the Leafs have?
2. Is this a Babcock move, where he has basically told Dubas that he wants the player because he believes he can turn his career around?
3. Did the Leafs just make a mistake on this one? No group is infallible and the Leafs can make mistakes, so did they just whiff on this one?
The started drumming up conspiracy theories because they figured if the Leafs didn't want Ceci, they should have just walked away from him.
Kin
Active member
Significantly Insignificant said:
I tend to be a fan of simple explanations where simple explanations work. Getting Ceci was a necessary part of getting rid of Zaitsev, that much is obvious.
Keeping Ceci is probably a result of the Leafs, Babcock or Dubas or both, thinking that Ceci is a better choice for them in the role they figure he'll fit in than any of their other options. Could they think he has some sort of untapped potential or hidden value? Sure, but I don't think that has to be the case to explain their decision. Ceci is big, right-handed and plays the PK. That is more or less exactly the kind of player the defense needed. Is he actually any good? Again, the question should be whether anyone else they could have chosen would be better.
I think we're all aware that just because the Leafs went this route doesn't neccesarily mean it's the right one though.
hockeyfan1
New member
disco said:
Can hardly wait!
herman
Well-known member
Signing Ceci following the Zaitsev trade was a chip off the glass and out after being hemmed in the DZ for 3 minutes.
The Leafs needed an RHD who has PKed and got one who is, at worst, equivalent to the player traded away, at the same price with only 1 year of term rather than 4 more.
Who else was available on the market? I think they could make do with Holl, but I also understand the need for insurance (and Holl has almost no growth curve left and minimal NHL ice time). As much as I love Gardiner, he's not fulfilling that role.
The Leafs needed an RHD who has PKed and got one who is, at worst, equivalent to the player traded away, at the same price with only 1 year of term rather than 4 more.
Who else was available on the market? I think they could make do with Holl, but I also understand the need for insurance (and Holl has almost no growth curve left and minimal NHL ice time). As much as I love Gardiner, he's not fulfilling that role.
https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1168892734079414279
PAIRINGS ALERT
PAIRINGS ALERT
herman said:
Can still speculate about who gets the toughs. Could easily see either one.
Gonna lean towards thinking it'll be Rielly-Ceci. Despite a reprieve in the playoffs Babcock has always gone with Rielly for those minutes.Meaning the whole "Ceci will get easier minutes!" dream might be dead on arrival.
Highlander
Active member
herman said:
With guys like Nylander and Marner to deal with, I wonder when Dubas will start to show some grey hair.
Coco-puffs
New member
CarltonTheBear said:
I think prior to Muzzin's arrival, Babcock didn't feel he had a better choice than Rielly. (I'd say Gardiner was, but not in Babcock's eyes).
Based on Muzzin's play once he got comfortable with the Leafs, I'd speculate its going to be Muzzin-Barrie with the toughest matchup (alongside the Tavares line)