Islanders @ Maple Leafs - Feb. 5th, 7:00pm - SN, TSN 1050

[ZBBM]

I agree with Robertson on L1 for a spell.  Knies should be in the AHL, TBH.

 

[cabber24]

I am guessing an unspectacular playoff will conclude with a new coach this summer. Attempting to play only two lines doesn't work.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I agree with Robertson on L1 for a spell.  Knies should be in the AHL, TBH.

I dont think he's an AHLer...he just needs to be down the lineup. 

 

[Guilt Trip]

I am guessing an unspectacular playoff will conclude with a new coach this summer. Attempting to play only two lines doesn't work.

He doesn't have much choice. The 3rd and 4th lines are terrible. Domi and Gregor looked horrible on the 1st goal.  Domi goes to nowhere land and Gregor is in the middle and leaves Barzal. Both are not good defensively..

 

[Joe S.]

I am guessing an unspectacular playoff will conclude with a new coach this summer. Attempting to play only two lines doesn't work.

If they even make the playoffs.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I am guessing an unspectacular playoff will conclude with a new coach this summer. Attempting to play only two lines doesn't work.

If they even make the playoffs.

They're making the playoffs

 

[cw]

I am guessing an unspectacular playoff will conclude with a new coach this summer. Attempting to play only two lines doesn't work.

If they even make the playoffs.

They're making the playoffs

Before the game:
They're in the first wild card position. Ilses in 3rd wildcard position.

After the game:
They're in the same positions but instead of the Isles being 8 pts back with a regulation win, the Isles are 4pts back with the regulation loss.

Leafs have a couple of games in hand.

A good team should have stepped on the Islanders neck and snapped it last night.

The Isles seem to be responding to Roy.

There are a few teams within striking distance.

If a couple of teams within that striking distance like the Islanders and one other start playing well, if the Leafs falter or have a serious injury, they're vulnerable.

No one will save Keefe if that happens.

It is arguable that this roster shouldn't be in that position but not impossible.

 

[princedpw]

Sell Bertuzzi at the deadline if you can get a good pick for him. And maybe other peripheral assets.  Then challenge the kids to win it with a nobody-believes-in-us rallying cry.  They haven?t won much when they are favored.  Why not try the underdog mentality?  I?d rather go in as an underdog and maybe get surprised anyway.

 

[ZBBM]

I agree with Robertson on L1 for a spell.  Knies should be in the AHL, TBH.

I dont think he's an AHLer...he just needs to be down the lineup. 

He needs (needed) seasoning.  He's getting it after a fashion, but he would have benefited by starting with the Marlies.  They had no choice, though, since the high picks were piddled away prematurely.

 

[L K]

I agree with Robertson on L1 for a spell.  Knies should be in the AHL, TBH.

I dont think he's an AHLer...he just needs to be down the lineup. 

In a perfect world I think he could use some AHL time to keep his minutes up but face easier competition but this roster can't afford to not have him in the lineup.

Bottom line, our forwards aren't good enough.  Our defense isn't good enough.  Our goaltending isn't Carey Price/Vasilevskiy/Hellebyuck levels of good to compensate for bad skaters.

It's a poorly constructed roster.  Nylander has been extremely mediocre since he signed his extension.  Matthews has to score every game to have a chance to win.

Punting on this season seems like reasonable argument at this point.  The team is arguably good enough to still make the playoffs if they traded Domi/Bertuzzi but they aren't good enough to win if they keep them and I don't want them trading their limited assets to marginally improve a substandard team.

 

[cabber24]

I agree with Robertson on L1 for a spell.  Knies should be in the AHL, TBH.

I dont think he's an AHLer...he just needs to be down the lineup. 

In a perfect world I think he could use some AHL time to keep his minutes up but face easier competition but this roster can't afford to not have him in the lineup.

Bottom line, our forwards aren't good enough.  Our defense isn't good enough.  Our goaltending isn't Carey Price/Vasilevskiy/Hellebyuck levels of good to compensate for bad skaters.

It's a poorly constructed roster.  Nylander has been extremely mediocre since he signed his extension.  Matthews has to score every game to have a chance to win.

Punting on this season seems like reasonable argument at this point.  The team is arguably good enough to still make the playoffs if they traded Domi/Bertuzzi but they aren't good enough to win if they keep them and I don't want them trading their limited assets to marginally improve a substandard team.

I am on team punt.

I think we have to look forward to a post-$11M-Tavares-contract-season (25/26) to recalibrate. This recalibration may or may not include Marner. +$12M for a meek winger is bad cap management (prove me wrong Marner, I would love that). I would even be open to a Shanahan-less organization. Nylander should be playing center because that's where we'll need him. Robertson and Knies on top lines to develop. Gas all the pending UFAs for what you can get. UFA target list should be D first.