Wow, the Leafs are looking good. Dare I say it, but they look like a playoff team. To take down Vancouver so decisively is very impressive. I'm really glad and quite frankly shocked to see Clarkson playing so well. Hopefully they can keep going and get on a bit of a roll.
Canucks @ Leafs - Dec. 6th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
Britishbulldog
Active member
L K said:
My son watched the game with me tonight and I mentioned to my son that my evaluation of Clarkson is that- positive- he hits everything, has a good shot, screens in front of the net ferociously but - negative - he has no idea what to do with his team mates with or without the puck. That drives me crazy...crazy enough to wish the Leafs trade him while is value is high.
Stickytape
New member
sickbeast said:
It's early yet, but worth noting that the Leafs are 4th in the division, edging ahead of Boston with 2 games in hand. And though they're 5 points behind Montreal, the Habs have 4 wins in the shoot-out, a -2 goal differential, 3 games in hand over the Leafs, and are on a 3-game losing streak.
Things could be worse, anyway. Still, I'm far from convinced that this team isn't headed for another trademark collapse.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
2badknees said:
If he is we won't know unless he's on IT. Bozak hinted at it but yeah.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
I like you. You give credit when due.
hockeyfan1
New member
Whoa, what a way to rock those Canucks! Haven't seen the Leafs play this confident in a awhile, bashing anything that moved.
Excellent job by that fourth line.
The fact that the Leafs did not have to rely on their top line to get results means that their depth showcased itself. Hopefully, with Kessel in not so perfect condition, these results can continue. Team effort gets it done (not to mention a hot goaltender).
The lowdown on Kessel:
Elliotte Friedman @FridgeHNIC
5) @DamoSpin reports Phil Kessel is battling multiple injuries and, internally, team is debating if he needs more off-days...Er, that's it.
Excellent job by that fourth line.
The fact that the Leafs did not have to rely on their top line to get results means that their depth showcased itself. Hopefully, with Kessel in not so perfect condition, these results can continue. Team effort gets it done (not to mention a hot goaltender).
The lowdown on Kessel:
Elliotte Friedman @FridgeHNIC
5) @DamoSpin reports Phil Kessel is battling multiple injuries and, internally, team is debating if he needs more off-days...Er, that's it.
When Komarov comes back I think Kessel should come out. There is no sense in him playing hurt at all. Not at this stage of the season. If he's healthy enough to play then I don't think he'll be out for a significant length of time. Booth has been playing well and so has Panik. Lupul could slot up on the top line and Booth or Panik can get a more expanded role.
But Randy's probably gonna Randy...
But Randy's probably gonna Randy...
Bullfrog said:
I don't understand all the hate. His hard play in corners cause all three goal that line scored. He hit someone the puck came lose and Holland and Lupul scored. That is what he is expected to do. Yes his contract snicks, but he is doing what he does. He is going to score 20+ this season. No one will be happy with the contract. He is producing. He has 10 point already, I less then last year. He also is provide some grit. Give the guy a break.
Nice to see a good performance from Panik again. I really wish we were able to get him a spot in the top-9. He looked good there when we had a few more injuries.
Bullfrog
Active member
freer said:
In your post you say "his contract stinks" and "no one will be happy with the contract." This is why is trade value is never going to be good. I haven't mentioned his performance at all. Even though it is better than last year, it's still no where near a good value.
2badknees
New member
freer said:
Probably not. But I doubt we'll ever see that scenario. I agree with you though on your prior post with him softening up the opp D - there's more to the game than just stats, and Clarkson brings intangibles. But he's a 2.5M player on a shorter term. It was a bad deal. But I, for one, separate that as a criticism of Nonis, not of Clarkson, when I watch him play.
L K
Active member
Korbinian Holzer deserves a lot of credit. I haven't looked deep into the stats but on observation he looks like he belongs in the NHL. Unlike Stuart Percy who fizzled out after 3 good games or so, Holzer looks like he's trying to make an argument for staying with the team in the long-run. He looks like a legitimate bottom pairing defenseman right now. I know Polak is still out for a few weeks so no decisions have to be made in the mean-time but good for him.
L K said:
He hasn't been perfect, but I think he's looked better than Robidas so far.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
CarltonTheBear said:
Has been good on the PK too.
L K
Active member
CarltonTheBear said:
Absolutely. He gets himself out of position at times. He doesn't always take the right angle on plays either. But to me, that's pretty much what you should expect out of your bottom pairing defensemen. He's been good on the penalty kill and I think he provides a pretty good replacement for the physicality that Polak provided. He's also been on the more prominent guys defending the crease after whistles. I'm sure Bernier appreciates that seeing as our goaltenders seem to get run/snowed a few times each game.