Ozzie
Active member
I love this season. It's more disciplined and outcomes are more predictable. The nuanced excellence in execution of this team under Berube is a treat to watch. And I respect the results of this team more. For example, they are the leader in the NHL in winning after taking a two goal lead. In prior seasons, even 3 and 4 goal leads were blown.
Honestly, I don't respect that type of capricious effort and execution. It's fun to watch blow outs of a run and gun style, but I saw enough of it. And it appears to me like talent squandered with the prior laissez faire approach to the elite members. The result in the playoffs of this greatest American player ever, leading some of the best players the Toronto area has ever produced, and a top Swede is abysmal. Underachievement.
I'm loving see Willy Mitch and JT explode this season. The goaltending is spectacular (their results are also a reflection of the Berube system). And the two most unsung heros of this team in Tanev and McCabe have provided incredible entertainment and above all, consistency.
And even with Berube's low event, low GA system, he can at times let them loose to unleash their natural fire wagon hockey, which comes naturally to them and they have conditioned in for seasons. And if this was the second season into this system I think the Leafs would be lethal, because it takes time to break old habits in exchange for new ones.
Nothing matters till the playoffs. But I think the new system and the goaltending are good to win us at least one round this playoffs, and maybe two. Which would be a significant step over the past 7 years.
Hope I haven't drank the Kool-aid....like all the prior years. Because Leaf seasons tend to end at game 89. And I'm enjoying the hell out of the first 82 games this year. Because I respect the consistent execution.
Honestly, I don't respect that type of capricious effort and execution. It's fun to watch blow outs of a run and gun style, but I saw enough of it. And it appears to me like talent squandered with the prior laissez faire approach to the elite members. The result in the playoffs of this greatest American player ever, leading some of the best players the Toronto area has ever produced, and a top Swede is abysmal. Underachievement.
I'm loving see Willy Mitch and JT explode this season. The goaltending is spectacular (their results are also a reflection of the Berube system). And the two most unsung heros of this team in Tanev and McCabe have provided incredible entertainment and above all, consistency.
And even with Berube's low event, low GA system, he can at times let them loose to unleash their natural fire wagon hockey, which comes naturally to them and they have conditioned in for seasons. And if this was the second season into this system I think the Leafs would be lethal, because it takes time to break old habits in exchange for new ones.
Nothing matters till the playoffs. But I think the new system and the goaltending are good to win us at least one round this playoffs, and maybe two. Which would be a significant step over the past 7 years.
Hope I haven't drank the Kool-aid....like all the prior years. Because Leaf seasons tend to end at game 89. And I'm enjoying the hell out of the first 82 games this year. Because I respect the consistent execution.