General Leafs Talk

[bustaheims]

markhmasters: RT @LeafsPR Jesse Blacker has been re-assigned to the Marlies this afternoon. #Leafs #TMLtalk

 

[Arn]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

 

[hockeyfan1]

This year's Leafs edition reminds Sundin of the '99 team...

This team reminds me a lot of the team we had in 1999 ? a young, enthusiastic team (where) all four lines could skate, all four lines could make a good pass and could contribute offensively and defensively. I think that?s the sign of a great team, when you have that kind of a group mentality.

...and, when the make the playoffs officially, he'll be there...

?There?s no doubt about it that I?ll be back,? he said. ?If the Leafs are playing in the playoffs, I?ll be back watching them.?

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/johnston-on-leafs-sundin-sees-shades-of-99/

 

[bustaheims]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

On a per game basis, they're 4th and 16th respectively. While being 16th in goals against per isn't spectacular, it's perfectly acceptable.

 

[Arn]

That's a much more healthy stat.

Also I see the last time before last night that the leafs scored two empty net goals in one game was January 27 1988. Considering how seldom we manage to score one of late that's a pretty cool stat

 

[Zee]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

On a per game basis, they're 4th and 16th respectively. While being 16th in goals against per isn't spectacular, it's perfectly acceptable.

That's with a bad stretch and "growing pains" of a young team as well. Defensively this team is miles ahead of where they were under Wilson. 

 

[caver]

I hope that Lupul's confidence passes on to the whole team. it looks like Kessel has fed off it.

 

[leafplasma]

I hope that Lupul's confidence passes on to the whole team. it looks like Kessel has fed off it.

...and thats what leaders do, I like how RC as of late if the Leafs need a little kick in the caboose can throw Lupul on with Kessel and it seems to ignite the whole team.  This was apparent in both the Panther and the Cane games.

 

[riff raff]

I think one of the reasons that Kessel appears to be flying is that he is no longer 'the guy'. We have had this discussion (ad nauseum) that he is not really the kind of player that you build a team around, he is more of a high-end complimentary piece (imagine him with Sundin - who was someone you built a team around). Well now, there's Kadri and there's Lupul and Kessel isn't always in the brightest spotlight. I think it's helped his game.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

On a per game basis, they're 4th and 16th respectively. While being 16th in goals against per isn't spectacular, it's perfectly acceptable.

That's with a bad stretch and "growing pains" of a young team as well. Defensively this team is miles ahead of where they were under Wilson.

Having good, and not pretty-much-worst-in-the-league, goaltending will do that.

 

[Zee]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

On a per game basis, they're 4th and 16th respectively. While being 16th in goals against per isn't spectacular, it's perfectly acceptable.

That's with a bad stretch and "growing pains" of a young team as well. Defensively this team is miles ahead of where they were under Wilson.

Having good, and not pretty-much-worst-in-the-league, goaltending will do that.

Its also the players in front of the goalies collapsing in front of the net and taking time away from opposition shooters. Shot totals are high but as both goalies will tell you many of the shots are from bad scoring positions unlike previous seasons.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

After tonight's Carolina game the Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for  ;D

But 24th in the NHL in goals against  ???

On a per game basis, they're 4th and 16th respectively. While being 16th in goals against per isn't spectacular, it's perfectly acceptable.

That's with a bad stretch and "growing pains" of a young team as well. Defensively this team is miles ahead of where they were under Wilson.

Having good, and not pretty-much-worst-in-the-league, goaltending will do that.

Its also the players in front of the goalies collapsing in front of the net and taking time away from opposition shooters. Shot totals are high but as both goalies will tell you many of the shots are from bad scoring positions unlike previous seasons.

I'll have to dig around for it, but I think people have looked into whether coaches can consistently suppress shot quality and found that they can't.  But either way, Wilson got royally screwed by the goaltending, I don't think there's any way to deny that.  You saw how much better the team looked when Reimer came up and had that great 20 or 30 game stretch of .920sv%-ish goaltending, and you can see in how none of Raycroft, Toskala, Gustavsson are either in the league anymore or having any more success.  He was dealt a terrible hand at the most important position.

EDIT: Here's something: http://nhlnumbers.com/2012/7/3/shot-quality-matters-but-how-much

Carlyle deserves credit for the improved PK, which is also a huge reason for their success this season (but also due to the goalies in some measure as well).

 

[hap_leaf]

I like how we match up with Ottawa on paper in preparation for our meeting on Saturday.
Honestly, I don't know how they have gotten to where they are without Spezza, Anderson and Karlsson.  They get full credit for whatever inspiration they have found.
But on paper we appear so much better.
They have no players in double digit goal scoring.  We have 4.
They have 3 players with 7 or more goals.  We have 9.
They have Chris Neil, a middleweight.  We have 2 heavyweights in Orr and McLaren to punish them.
I hope that we destroy them and force their weak old Captain into retirement.

 

[caver]

I like how we match up with Ottawa on paper in preparation for our meeting on Saturday.
Honestly, I don't know how they have gotten to where they are without Spezza, Anderson and Karlsson.  They get full credit for whatever inspiration they have found.
But on paper we appear so much better.
They have no players in double digit goal scoring.  We have 4.
They have 3 players with 7 or more goals.  We have 9.
They have Chris Neil, a middleweight.  We have 2 heavyweights in Orr and McLaren to punish them.
I hope that we destroy them and force their weak old Captain into retirement.

If that happens on Easter weekend the Sens will rise up 3 days later...

 

[Zee]

I like how we match up with Ottawa on paper in preparation for our meeting on Saturday.
Honestly, I don't know how they have gotten to where they are without Spezza, Anderson and Karlsson.  They get full credit for whatever inspiration they have found.
But on paper we appear so much better.
They have no players in double digit goal scoring.  We have 4.
They have 3 players with 7 or more goals.  We have 9.
They have Chris Neil, a middleweight.  We have 2 heavyweights in Orr and McLaren to punish them.
I hope that we destroy them and force their weak old Captain into retirement.

If that happens on Easter weekend the Sens will rise up 3 days later...

Nicely done.

 

[caver]

How are the Leafs set for draft picks this year ? Have they traded any away or picked some up ?

 

[Kin]

How are the Leafs set for draft picks this year ? Have they traded any away or picked some up ?

The Predators have the Leafs' 4th round pick from the Lombardi/Franson for Lebda deal and the Leafs will get either a 4th or a 6th from Anaheim depending on how many games Lupul is on the roster for.

 

[Deebo]

How are the Leafs set for draft picks this year ? Have they traded any away or picked some up ?

The Predators have the Leafs' 4th round pick from the Lombardi/Franson for Lebda deal and the Leafs will get either a 4th or a 6th from Anaheim depending on how many games Lupul is on the roster for.

I remember reading it was 40 games on the reserve list in this season and its a 4th instead of a 6th for the Lupul deal, if that is the case the Anaheim pick will be a 4th.

 

[Kin]

How are the Leafs set for draft picks this year ? Have they traded any away or picked some up ?

The Predators have the Leafs' 4th round pick from the Lombardi/Franson for Lebda deal and the Leafs will get either a 4th or a 6th from Anaheim depending on how many games Lupul is on the roster for.

I remember reading it was 40 games on the reserve list in this season and its a 4th instead of a 6th for the Lupul deal, if that is the case the Anaheim pick will be a 4th.

Wikipedia has it just as a 4th if Lupul is "on the roster" for 40 games or less, a 6th if it's more. I don't know, however, how playoff games may count to that effect.

 

[Deebo]

How are the Leafs set for draft picks this year ? Have they traded any away or picked some up ?

The Predators have the Leafs' 4th round pick from the Lombardi/Franson for Lebda deal and the Leafs will get either a 4th or a 6th from Anaheim depending on how many games Lupul is on the roster for.

I remember reading it was 40 games on the reserve list in this season and its a 4th instead of a 6th for the Lupul deal, if that is the case the Anaheim pick will be a 4th.

Wikipedia has it just as a 4th if Lupul is "on the roster" for 40 games or less, a 6th if it's more. I don't know, however, how playoff games may count to that effect.

This link has it as reserve list:

http://thehockeywriters.com/several-deals-come-together-well-in-advance-of-deadline/