Highlander
Active member
I saw the Nutman on the game thread last night..HE LIVES
Toronto Maple leafs positive thinking thread.... Please.
- Thread starter freer
- Start date
Stickytape
New member
Most encouraging recent events with Leafs, not in any particular order.
1. Extended strong play of top line. All three keep getting better. Bozak must be among the top 10 under-appreciated guys in the league. No one can accuse him or Kessel of sitting on their newly minted contracts. Good stuff.
2. Second line showing signs of life (keeping Kuli on there instead of Clarkson).
3. Less gambling and fewer gaffs (not counting shorties) by the kids Gardiner and Rielly.
4. Solid role players, Gleason, Bodie, finally Ranger, and McClement as usual.
5. Bernier back into a groove.
Overall the Leafs are third in the conference, and third in goals for, yet they are -3 overall compared to the Pens +45 and the Bruins -61, who are the only teams to have scored more goals for them. So the Leafs offensive in among the elite in the conference. Since its pretty unanimous that Bernier is looking like an emerging solid #1 goalie, it is clearly team defense in front of him (and not just the d-men) that is the issue, including penalty killing. On the upside there, I think it's been improved since Gleason came onboard. I think Gardiner and Rielly are finally starting to get the defensive side of their game better, and there are some nice signs from Ranger. Team defensive can only be helped by getting Bolland back in the line-up, and the lines finally structured properly, with him Mason and Clarkson as the third unit. I'm actually kind of liking the 7 d-men, with McClement, Bodie and a swing man on that 4th line. Makes it a lot more interesting and takes some pressure off the D. Carlyle has done a nice job of distributing the minutes of late. Now we just need Bolland, stay healthy and I think we could make some real noise in the playoffs. We ARE getting closer fans...
1. Extended strong play of top line. All three keep getting better. Bozak must be among the top 10 under-appreciated guys in the league. No one can accuse him or Kessel of sitting on their newly minted contracts. Good stuff.
2. Second line showing signs of life (keeping Kuli on there instead of Clarkson).
3. Less gambling and fewer gaffs (not counting shorties) by the kids Gardiner and Rielly.
4. Solid role players, Gleason, Bodie, finally Ranger, and McClement as usual.
5. Bernier back into a groove.
Overall the Leafs are third in the conference, and third in goals for, yet they are -3 overall compared to the Pens +45 and the Bruins -61, who are the only teams to have scored more goals for them. So the Leafs offensive in among the elite in the conference. Since its pretty unanimous that Bernier is looking like an emerging solid #1 goalie, it is clearly team defense in front of him (and not just the d-men) that is the issue, including penalty killing. On the upside there, I think it's been improved since Gleason came onboard. I think Gardiner and Rielly are finally starting to get the defensive side of their game better, and there are some nice signs from Ranger. Team defensive can only be helped by getting Bolland back in the line-up, and the lines finally structured properly, with him Mason and Clarkson as the third unit. I'm actually kind of liking the 7 d-men, with McClement, Bodie and a swing man on that 4th line. Makes it a lot more interesting and takes some pressure off the D. Carlyle has done a nice job of distributing the minutes of late. Now we just need Bolland, stay healthy and I think we could make some real noise in the playoffs. We ARE getting closer fans...
Highlander
Active member
Lets mention the Red's. I am on the Leiweke train. He came in and said he would change the culture of Toronto sports. If you witnessed the TFC game on Saturday against Seattle then you saw the most complete off season transformation of a football club I have ever seen. Dafoe a sniper and Bradley (named the General whilst at Roma) was all over the field making smart play after smart play and punishing the opposition at the same time.
The Raptors also have Tim's fingerprints all over them, bringing in a new GM whom immediatly tossed Bargnagi out the door followed by Gay. When was the last time we saw T.O. sports in such good shape. And now a new stadium for TFC and the Argos, whom Tim will also acquire with the same philosphy of winning.
When he arrived he said the Leafs where in good shape and he would let Nonis run the ship without to much interference. And it looks like old Tim knows what he is doing?
Just want to say cheers to our T.O. sports scene?.how refreshing?
Now Tim why don't we talk about the Jays???
The Raptors also have Tim's fingerprints all over them, bringing in a new GM whom immediatly tossed Bargnagi out the door followed by Gay. When was the last time we saw T.O. sports in such good shape. And now a new stadium for TFC and the Argos, whom Tim will also acquire with the same philosphy of winning.
When he arrived he said the Leafs where in good shape and he would let Nonis run the ship without to much interference. And it looks like old Tim knows what he is doing?
Just want to say cheers to our T.O. sports scene?.how refreshing?
Now Tim why don't we talk about the Jays???
Hmm.. this thread seems to fit this particular post as well as any.. how's this for getting you to feel positive?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhsZhvcutE8[/youtube]
(Hello everyone by the way, I was on this site a few years back under a different handle (blaster something, I think). I thought I'd make a return, since I read the site everyday anyhow)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhsZhvcutE8[/youtube]
(Hello everyone by the way, I was on this site a few years back under a different handle (blaster something, I think). I thought I'd make a return, since I read the site everyday anyhow)
BlueWhiteBlood
New member
Good stuff! And welcome back...
Highlander
Active member
good entertainment. LOL
Highlander
Active member
We need to keep on an even keel, not act like the Lemmings we are, sit still, no?.wheres the nearest cliff?
http://thehockeywriters.com/leafs-losing-streak-nearly-bad-think/
http://thehockeywriters.com/leafs-losing-streak-nearly-bad-think/
WhatIfGodWasALeaf
Active member
Watched the Marlies game this afternoon. They play some nice possession hockey, pressuring teams for extended periods of time in the o zone.
Leivo is better than Frattin and he is still much younger.
Holland is an NHL'er, Percy is insanely poised and makes a great first pass.
The Marlies forwards come back very deep and help the breakout.
The Marlies are a young team, but very tough, they take no nonsense.
TJ Brennan could replace Franson, he is better offensively, better skater and about as inept defensively.
If we can restock the cupboard with extra picks by trading Reimer, Franson and others this off season, I think there are Marlies who can replace their NHL counterparts.
Leivo is better than Frattin and he is still much younger.
Holland is an NHL'er, Percy is insanely poised and makes a great first pass.
The Marlies forwards come back very deep and help the breakout.
The Marlies are a young team, but very tough, they take no nonsense.
TJ Brennan could replace Franson, he is better offensively, better skater and about as inept defensively.
If we can restock the cupboard with extra picks by trading Reimer, Franson and others this off season, I think there are Marlies who can replace their NHL counterparts.
Highlander
Active member
Agreed 100% with Patrick, good post. The Marlies play the game that we want the Loafs to play. Who coaches the Marlies? Time to change the coach, this collapse is unbearable. We need to infuse the team with some of these fine your players and TJ will be a great replacement for Cody. And we never ever give up so the thread stays open
Highlander
Active member
TJ Brennan has scored 22 goals for the Marlies and we are playing Franson. Ok we know that he is not the greatest defensive defensman but this kind of production is exactly what we need. Why don't we sit Cody for the last 6 and bring TJ up and see if we can get some more offence.
Dear Admins
I started this tread or post because there was nothing good being said about the team. It worked for 3 months, but to be honest there is nothing positive to point out anymore. This has been the worst ending to a season I have seen since the Bollard years. Please feel free to close this tread. I am done.
thanks
RJF
I started this tread or post because there was nothing good being said about the team. It worked for 3 months, but to be honest there is nothing positive to point out anymore. This has been the worst ending to a season I have seen since the Bollard years. Please feel free to close this tread. I am done.
thanks
RJF