Sabres @ Leafs - Feb. 11th, 7:00pm - CBC, Fan 590

[azzurri63]

Lucky, but I'll take it!

Chip away and if Andersen can shut them down you never know.

 

[ZBBM]

Thanks McFate

Yeah, I mean I think you've got it pretty much diagnosed.  Sure, Nik is right that there is no magic wand Babcock can wave but there has to be some fundamental change in the makeup of the defense.  Maybe there needs to be sort of a junior-sized Weber/Subban kind of d for d trade involving one of Rielly or Gardiner.

 

[Highlander]

You're not the only one that hates it when you repeat yourself.

Well I clearly stated what I thought on another thread but someone wanted our opinion. So I gave it to him and the rest of you. Don't like it don't read it or block me.

Don't be so sensitive or you may Nik yourself shaving, we are all entitled to our own wrong opinion :

 

[azzurri63]

1st round pick for Boyle no thanks Lou.

 

[harps64]

You're not the only one that hates it when you repeat yourself.

Well I clearly stated what I thought on another thread but someone wanted our opinion. So I gave it to him and the rest of you. Don't like it don't read it or block me.

Don't be so sensitive or you may Nik yourself shaving, we are all entitled to our own wrong opinion :

Only one opinion seems to be entitled around here.....and that is well left of center.

 

[azzurri63]

You're not the only one that hates it when you repeat yourself.

Well I clearly stated what I thought on another thread but someone wanted our opinion. So I gave it to him and the rest of you. Don't like it don't read it or block me.

Don't be so sensitive or you may Nik yourself shaving, we are all entitled to our own wrong opinion :

Forgive me if my emotions take over and I'm passionate about this team. Just peeves me off watching the same mistakes and play year after year. Exciting team heading in the right direction but defensively yikes. Maybe management realizes it, part of the rebuild and they will address some deficiencies in the off season. I just feel we are right in the mix and I think surprisingly so address the issues that I feel will win us more games.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Again Foligno, teeth out, much hate.

 

[dekedastardly]

So... Why couldn't they play with this much intensity in periods 1&2?

 

[Kin]

Yeah, I mean I think you've got it pretty much diagnosed.  Sure, Nik is right that there is no magic wand Babcock can wave but there has to be some fundamental change in the makeup of the defense.  Maybe there needs to be sort of a junior-sized Weber/Subban kind of d for d trade involving one of Rielly or Gardiner.

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

 

[harps64]

So... Why couldn't they play with this much intensity in periods 1&2?

Because Buffalo didn't allow them to.

 

[Bill_Berg]

Yeah, I mean I think you've got it pretty much diagnosed.  Sure, Nik is right that there is no magic wand Babcock can wave but there has to be some fundamental change in the makeup of the defense.  Maybe there needs to be sort of a junior-sized Weber/Subban kind of d for d trade involving one of Rielly or Gardiner.

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

Guess it depends on how well you can stomach not making the playoffs this year. Since I don't have the expectation of playoffs this year,  I don't mind being patient.  Not everyone feels that way,  although I am glad management appears to feel similar to the way I feel.

 

[azzurri63]

So... Why couldn't they play with this much intensity in periods 1&2?

Because Buffalo didn't allow them to.

First period sucked since then we've been the better team but tough putting yourself in that hole.

 

[ZBBM]

Yeah, I mean I think you've got it pretty much diagnosed.  Sure, Nik is right that there is no magic wand Babcock can wave but there has to be some fundamental change in the makeup of the defense.  Maybe there needs to be sort of a junior-sized Weber/Subban kind of d for d trade involving one of Rielly or Gardiner.

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

And I agree with your position on that.  I was skeptical about whether these guys were a playoff team, and while they may make it in they are highly unlikely to go anyplace.

But even over the long term, the mix of defensemen needs to change.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yeah, I mean I think you've got it pretty much diagnosed.  Sure, Nik is right that there is no magic wand Babcock can wave but there has to be some fundamental change in the makeup of the defense.  Maybe there needs to be sort of a junior-sized Weber/Subban kind of d for d trade involving one of Rielly or Gardiner.

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

At the same time if you can turn one or two guys on your minor league team that you aren't as in love with to a team looking to retool then there is potential to get a decent depth piece or two without any real significant asset cost, especially if we're talking winger prospects. Add in a late pick and maybe you can get a decent 4th line center and a serviceable bottom pairing dman.

If you can do that while flipping your expiring vets that you're not married to, to recoup assets then you're not really risking much and have a shot at finding a better or more complementary mix.

 

[azzurri63]

Again Foligno, teeth out, much hate.

Bloody Italians can get under your skin lol.

 

[Kin]

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

And I agree with your position on that.  I was skeptical about whether these guys were a playoff team, and while they may make it in they are highly unlikely to go anyplace.

But even over the long term, the mix of defensemen needs to change.
[/quote]

Well, yeah. I don't think its likely Hunwick and Polak are here longterm and there will probably need to be at least one or two upgrades over Carrick or Zaitsev.

 

[ZBBM]

I don't think anyone really disagrees that there's likely to be significant personnel changes to the defense before the team is a real contender. The question is whether you need to force that issue in the short term because this year's team isn't very good defensively.

And I agree with your position on that.  I was skeptical about whether these guys were a playoff team, and while they may make it in they are highly unlikely to go anyplace.

But even over the long term, the mix of defensemen needs to change.

Well, yeah. I don't think its likely Hunwick and Polak are here longterm and there will probably need to be at least one or two upgrades over Carrick or Zaitsev.
[/quote]

I think Carrick would be fine on a bottom pairing, and Zaitsev as (say) a #4.  I just don't think we can have both Rielly and Gardiner filling 2 of 3 top roles.

 

[azzurri63]

Good job Nazem. Really hate these guys going after people after a perfectly clean hit.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I think if the Leafs had a better bottom pair they'd look significantly better.

If Marchenko could find some chemistry with Gardiner or Marincin it would be perfect in the short term.

Carrick is a guy who I think would improve a lot on a third pair too, wouldn't have as difficult competition and he has been a monster offensively when he played in the AHL.

 

[Kin]

I think Carrick would be fine on a bottom pairing, and Zaitsev as (say) a #4.  I just don't think we can have both Rielly and Gardiner filling 2 of 3 top roles.

If we're working under the assumption that Rielly at 22 is roughly as good as he's ever going to be, sure.