Matthew Lombardi update/information thread

[maplesyrup]

I guess he didn't. Maybe if Lombari figures he needs more time... Hope that doesn't happen though.

Even if Lombardi does need more time, there isn't really a spot for Colborne - not for more than 2 games, at least (and, he'd more than likely be on the 4th line for those 2 games also). I mean, after the suspension is dealt with, if everyone's healthy, the top 2 lines are set, the 3rd line will likely be Lombardi/Frattin-Bozak/Lombardi-Armstrong, and the 4th will be Brown-Dupuis/Boyce/Bozak-Dupuis/Boyce/Orr.

I was just takin' the 2 games but yeah, even still. Wow.... depth at last!

 

[Bender]

How did Lombardi play?

 

[4th Liner]

How did Lombardi play?

A definite "meh" - he played well defensively, but didn't seem to be much of a threat on offense. But hey, considering a year off, and with a new team and linemates - he didn't look out of place.

He had 17 mins of ice time, played some PP and PK. Give him some time.

 

[cw]

I'm truly surprised after what he's been through and in consideration of where he was in July - unable to train. He may be a few weeks/couple of months getting the cobwebs out of his game but he's way ahead of where I expected him to be.

 

[slapshot]

Kabs ability to lug the puck wasn't appreciated by Wilson as he was trying to implement a 'first pass' attack, I think that's the biggest reason he lost ice time though he was slowing down a little too, not that he couldn't make a strong first pass it just wasn't his predominant preference. Liles seems like he can do both but also seems like he's doing what the coach is asking him to do in the very small window I've seen.

It's a great example of the Leafs trying to ram a style/approach through that they really didn't have the horses for but to me it's what I would prefer them to play if they had the team to do it, they're getting closer.

In other words, maybe it is bad coaching if the coach can't orient his strategy around the skills his players have?  The leafs offense under Quinn was better than since he left.  Quinn had no problem maximizing the effect of kaberle's talents.

Quinn was operating under the no cap era and could spend freely. He had players like Sundin, Mogilny, Roberts, Leetch, Francis, Nieuwendyk and a host of others. You could throw anybody on a powerplay with those guys and rack up 50 points. This the first year Wilson had anything close to a decent roster starting out. I like what I'm seeing out of Liles A LOT more than Kaberle, though to be frank I've like to see how Liles handles the big forwards once the real competition starts. He seems smart enough to hold his own.

 

[slapshot]

In other words, maybe it is bad coaching if the coach can't orient his strategy around the skills his players have?  The leafs offense under Quinn was better than since he left.  Quinn had no problem maximizing the effect of kaberle's talents.

Not to turn this into the 'bash wilson' thread, but that was the thing that bothered me most about his coaching style. That he'd expect players to change their style to fit his system, and when it became obvious to even the most casual of fans that that doesn't work, he still didn't change. He never once adapted his system to the players he had. He expected them to change how they played. I've never once seen that approach work...in any industry.


On topic, I'm glad to see Lombardi is progressing better than we'd been led to believe. We need all the help we can get!

Every coach has his own system and his EXPECT their players to play to it. New Jersey has had a lot of offensive minded players that have had to play the trap. The Leafs are doing what make sense, moving out parts that don't fit their vision.

 

[L K]

In other words, maybe it is bad coaching if the coach can't orient his strategy around the skills his players have?  The leafs offense under Quinn was better than since he left.  Quinn had no problem maximizing the effect of kaberle's talents.

Not to turn this into the 'bash wilson' thread, but that was the thing that bothered me most about his coaching style. That he'd expect players to change their style to fit his system, and when it became obvious to even the most casual of fans that that doesn't work, he still didn't change. He never once adapted his system to the players he had. He expected them to change how they played. I've never once seen that approach work...in any industry.


On topic, I'm glad to see Lombardi is progressing better than we'd been led to believe. We need all the help we can get!

Every coach has his own system and his EXPECT their players to play to it. New Jersey has had a lot of offensive minded players that have had to play the trap. The Leafs are doing what make sense, moving out parts that don't fit their vision.

The Devils, until last year, won games.  The Leafs still don't look like a team that is going to be much more than a 7th seed at best. 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

He says he wants to play Thursday.

"My goal is to play Thursday," he said. "That's the plan. I don't want to take any steps backward here."

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=377237

 

[L K]

He says he wants to play Thursday.

"My goal is to play Thursday," he said. "That's the plan. I don't want to take any steps backward here."

http://www.tsn.ca/radio/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=377237

It would be nice if Bozak/Connolly were in the lineup too to let him play 4th line minutes in meaningful games though.  I didn't see the game, but on the highlights he didn't look awful, but you can't expect much out of a guy who hasn't played in over a year.  There would have been a huge surge of adrenaline for this game and that will wear off, especially with the sparse schedule to start the season.

 

[Bender]

How did Lombardi play?

A definite "meh" - he played well defensively, but didn't seem to be much of a threat on offense. But hey, considering a year off, and with a new team and linemates - he didn't look out of place.

He had 17 mins of ice time, played some PP and PK. Give him some time.

Well, I'm happy with that, as long as he's not a liability. He still needs to get his legs under him.

 

[leafplasma]

How did Lombardi play?

A definite "meh" - he played well defensively, but didn't seem to be much of a threat on offense. But hey, considering a year off, and with a new team and linemates - he didn't look out of place.

He had 17 mins of ice time, played some PP and PK. Give him some time.

Well, I'm happy with that, as long as he's not a liability. He still needs to get his legs under him.

Yeah, he wasn't a liability but he is far from being a difference maker at this point and is far off from being ready for any significant role.    He seemed tentative with the puck which is to be suspected.  I think we have to sit back and look at the player Lombardi is though.  Even a healthy Lombardi before the concussion isn't a first line centre.  The CBC crew last night were penciling him into that role because he could dish the puck off to Kessel on the forehand like a Savard whereas with Connoly it would be on the backhand.  Lombardi should never be a first line centre.  He is a defensively responsible  small forward with speed that I would be happy with putting up 35-40 points in a third line role.  Sure he could fill in in the top 6 if needed but lets not get to pumped about this guy.  He isn't a saviour, he will make the team better at some point yes but lets be realistic with our aspirations.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

How did Lombardi play?

A definite "meh" - he played well defensively, but didn't seem to be much of a threat on offense. But hey, considering a year off, and with a new team and linemates - he didn't look out of place.

He had 17 mins of ice time, played some PP and PK. Give him some time.

Well, I'm happy with that, as long as he's not a liability. He still needs to get his legs under him.

Yeah, he wasn't a liability but he is far from being a difference maker at this point and is far off from being ready for any significant role.    He seemed tentative with the puck which is to be suspected.  I think we have to sit back and look at the player Lombardi is though.  Even a healthy Lombardi before the concussion isn't a first line centre.  The CBC crew last night were penciling him into that role because he could dish the puck off to Kessel on the forehand like a Savard whereas with Connoly it would be on the backhand.  Lombardi should never be a first line centre.  He is a defensively responsible  small forward with speed that I would be happy with putting up 35-40 points in a third line role.  Sure he could fill in in the top 6 if needed but lets not get to pumped about this guy.  He isn't a saviour, he will make the team better at some point yes but lets be realistic with our aspirations.

Well 4 of the last 5 healthy seasons of his career he's put up 46 or more points, so a healthy Lombardi should be good for more than 35-40 points I would think.

 

[Scot4bz]

I'm just glad he is back playing - it gives us more choices. He was thrown into the fire rather quickly with the unexepected additional workload as a result of the Grabbo injury and I thought he played ok based on the circumstances. Always nice to have more options to choose from and juggle lines now that he is back. Some additional time for him to get his game legs back is required before making any real assessments.

 

[leafplasma]

How did Lombardi play?

A definite "meh" - he played well defensively, but didn't seem to be much of a threat on offense. But hey, considering a year off, and with a new team and linemates - he didn't look out of place.

He had 17 mins of ice time, played some PP and PK. Give him some time.

Well, I'm happy with that, as long as he's not a liability. He still needs to get his legs under him.

Yeah, he wasn't a liability but he is far from being a difference maker at this point and is far off from being ready for any significant role.    He seemed tentative with the puck which is to be suspected.  I think we have to sit back and look at the player Lombardi is though.  Even a healthy Lombardi before the concussion isn't a first line centre.  The CBC crew last night were penciling him into that role because he could dish the puck off to Kessel on the forehand like a Savard whereas with Connoly it would be on the backhand.  Lombardi should never be a first line centre.  He is a defensively responsible  small forward with speed that I would be happy with putting up 35-40 points in a third line role.  Sure he could fill in in the top 6 if needed but lets not get to pumped about this guy.  He isn't a saviour, he will make the team better at some point yes but lets be realistic with our aspirations.

Well 4 of the last 5 healthy seasons of his career he's put up 46 or more points, so a healthy Lombardi should be good for more than 35-40 points I would think.

In a third line role and after missing a full season he won't reach those numbers.  He played big minutes in Pho the year he put up 53 points.  A small 29 year old forward coming off a career threatening injury will surely never reach those numbers again.  I prefer the leafs use him in more of a defensive role at this point in his career and if he can put up 35 points in the process I would be thrilled.

 

[princedpw]

Well, I certainly didn't think Lombardi would be playing until Christmas if at all this year.  I assume it will take him at least a month or two (maybe more -- maybe a full year) before he returns to something approaching his typical level of play going forward.  If we were to get strong defensive play on the third line with Bozak and Armstrong in tough defensive situations against opposing top lines, above average penalty killing, and 35 points, it would be a major contribution to the team.  I'd be very happy.

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, I didn't think Matthew would showing much before then either. He played well defensively and sprung Kessel for a breakaway but looked pretty gassed in the third which was probably the least surprising thing for me.

Good for him. The Leafs can really use his skillset when he gets into game shape.

I still have to wonder what Poile thinks about it.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Anybody know if Vince is confirmed in the lineup tomorrow night?

 

[Bonsixx]

I'm excited. Throughout sports history, Lombardis are proven winners.

 

[Kessel Run]

Anybody know if Vince is confirmed in the lineup tomorrow night?

I believe he is yes.

 

[nutman]

Wow after reading all these comments, and watching him score the winning goal in the first game, tells me people tend to put there feet in there mouth far to fast some times. lol.