Line-up changes

[princedpw]

Bozak was one of our better players that game and looked decent in the first period.

Our vaunted 2nd line however, could be replaced by a potato, a peanut and a donut and they'd have the same number of points in the last 4 games.

The 2nd line just doesn't seem to have the same kind of possession that they had last year and their shots are way down I'll bet. Especially kulemin's.

 

[Strangelove]

Bozak was one of our better players that game and looked decent in the first period.

Our vaunted 2nd line however, could be replaced by a potato, a peanut and a donut and they'd have the same number of points in the last 4 games.

The 2nd line just doesn't seem to have the same kind of possession that they had last year and their shots are way down I'll bet. Especially kulemin's.

At this point it's pretty hard to believe they all scored +/- 30 goals last season.

 

[pnjunction]

Bozak was one of our better players that game and looked decent in the first period.

Our vaunted 2nd line however, could be replaced by a potato, a peanut and a donut and they'd have the same number of points in the last 4 games.

The 2nd line just doesn't seem to have the same kind of possession that they had last year and their shots are way down I'll bet. Especially kulemin's.

Yep.  I think Kulemin could still put them away if he got the chances (last year a clear shot from the slot was almost a sure goal) but it just seems like they can't cause the same mayhem and generate the chances they did last year.  This year it's nothing but garbage goals on rebounds or in tight or lucky shots like Mac had there for a bit.  When you're counting on those chances it's not going to be consistent.

The $8.5 million question is why.  Have other teams 'read the book' on them?  Are they riding high on their success from last year and not working as hard?  Was last season an abnormality (as many suspected) never to be seen again?  None of these sound very good but I suppose at least the first two could be overcome with some new tricks and hard work.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Bozak was one of our better players that game and looked decent in the first period.

Our vaunted 2nd line however, could be replaced by a potato, a peanut and a donut and they'd have the same number of points in the last 4 games.

The 2nd line just doesn't seem to have the same kind of possession that they had last year and their shots are way down I'll bet. Especially kulemin's.

Yep.  I think Kulemin could still put them away if he got the chances (last year a clear shot from the slot was almost a sure goal) but it just seems like they can't cause the same mayhem and generate the chances they did last year.  This year it's nothing but garbage goals on rebounds or in tight or lucky shots like Mac had there for a bit.  When you're counting on those chances it's not going to be consistent.

The $8.5 million question is why.  Have other teams 'read the book' on them?  Are they riding high on their success from last year and not working as hard?  Was last season an abnormality (as many suspected) never to be seen again?  None of these sound very good but I suppose at least the first two could be overcome with some new tricks and hard work.

As in last year, I still feel that MacArthur is the weak link.  During the 3 complete games I saw MacArthur seem to try to guess where the other Leafs players were/were going to be and threw pucks wildly usually with the other team getting possession back.  He seems to lack hockey sense especially on the rush.

He has positive attributes like a good shot, he is feisty and can skate half decent which is not bad for a player that didn't cost the Leafs any assets to acquire.

 

[leafplasma]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

 

[Jalili]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, because the Leafs forward group is certainly one of the softest in the league, but we need guys with toughness that can actually play as well.

Guys with offensive ability who can wear the opposition down through cycling the puck, laying the body, fighting for puck battles, etc.

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, because the Leafs forward group is certainly one of the softest in the league, but we need guys with toughness that can actually play as well.

Guys with offensive ability who can wear the opposition down through cycling the puck, laying the body, fighting for puck battles, etc.

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

 

[bustaheims]

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

Perhaps you should put the lid back on that particular can of worms.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

Perhaps you should put the lid back on that particular can of worms.

Way to ruin my 1000th post.

 

[bustaheims]

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

Perhaps you should put the lid back on that particular can of worms.

Way to ruin my 1000th post.

That's just how I roll. You knew that when you signed up for this gig.

 

[Jalili]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, because the Leafs forward group is certainly one of the softest in the league, but we need guys with toughness that can actually play as well.

Guys with offensive ability who can wear the opposition down through cycling the puck, laying the body, fighting for puck battles, etc.

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

lol.... This is like the equivalent an agitated mother hen fiercely defending her eggs.

I'm very sorry if I indirectly insulted the honour of the great Colby Armstrong.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, because the Leafs forward group is certainly one of the softest in the league, but we need guys with toughness that can actually play as well.

Guys with offensive ability who can wear the opposition down through cycling the puck, laying the body, fighting for puck battles, etc.

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Colby Armstrong?  Or someone like him, because even though we win a heck of a lot more with him in the lineup, he doesn't really impact the team.

But you understand what I mean.

lol.... This is like the equivalent an agitated mother hen fiercely defending her eggs.

I'm very sorry if I indirectly insulted the honour of the great Colby Armstrong.

You didn't, it was a joke.

 

[Bullfrog]

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Oh how I long for Antropov.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Oh how I long for Antropov.

This.

 

[leafplasma]

We have mentioned over the last few seasons how soft this Leaf team is.  I would have to say that at no other time has this been more apparent as it has the last 3 games against the Bruins, Blues and Sens.  I think at the expense of skilled forwards we may have to bring in some size and grit. 

Rosehill and Orr in place of Dupuis and Crabb on the 4th line and maybe a big body like Mueller in for Frattin.  The compete level and toughness is non existent right now and we need a spark.  We need Rosehill hitting everything in site, we just need to play a lot tougher and let the offence work it self out.  It is not like the 3rd and 4th line are providing any secondary scoring right now anyway so they may as well be tough.

Not that I disagree with what you're saying, because the Leafs forward group is certainly one of the softest in the league, but we need guys with toughness that can actually play as well.

Guys with offensive ability who can wear the opposition down through cycling the puck, laying the body, fighting for puck battles, etc.

Unfortunately players with that type of skillset are not readily available, at least not normally. Hence the reason why Toronto drafted Tyler Biggs... The best shot we might have is a Ryan Malone or Scott Hartnell type, who has contract/age/injury issues.

Oh I couldn't agree more and I certainly don't advocate playing Orr, Rosehill and Mueller FT.  We just need a shot in the arm of toughness to hopefully knock us out of this rut and unfortunately as a short term fix they are all we have.

 

[pnjunction]

Oh how I long for Antropov.

This.

Yep I never liked letting him go, he was one of the few that looked really mad when the team was losing in those days. I think many lump him in with Poni in terms of compete level when really it wasn't even close.

 

[maplesyrup]

HennyTweets Paul Hendrick
Macarthur and grabovski to miss at least 2 weeks. No callups expected. A personal day for frattin. He'll join the team in nashville.

TSNScottyMac Scott MacArthur
Ron Wilson: Mikhail Grabovski (lower body) out at least 2 weeks. He emphasized "at least." #Leafs #Predators #NHL

 

[Bender]

HennyTweets Paul Hendrick
Macarthur and grabovski to miss at least 2 weeks. No callups expected. A personal day for frattin. He'll join the team in nashville.

TSNScottyMac Scott MacArthur
Ron Wilson: Mikhail Grabovski (lower body) out at least 2 weeks. He emphasized "at least." #Leafs #Predators #NHL

Sonofabitch.

 

[cw]

HennyTweets Paul Hendrick
Macarthur and grabovski to miss at least 2 weeks. No callups expected. A personal day for frattin. He'll join the team in nashville.

TSNScottyMac Scott MacArthur
Ron Wilson: Mikhail Grabovski (lower body) out at least 2 weeks. He emphasized "at least." #Leafs #Predators #NHL

HennyTweets Paul Hendrick
Correction...grabovski is out for at least 2 weeks. Macarthur will see a doctor today for further clarification. No timeline yet.

mirtle James Mirtle
Scrivens to start in Nashville. Grabovski out at least two weeks. MacArthur out for tomorrow. A lot happening with Leafs.

 

[freer]

we are so screwed