Based upon the way the Leafs have played so far and the way they are coming together as a team, looks like my ore-season prediction is becoming reality
Maple Leafs 2017-2018 Season Thread
- Thread starter smuddan
- Start date
As someone who's been watching hockey at least since the Cashman era, you'd probably agree that if they meet in the playoffs, the Bruins will likely rev up their physical game to wear down the young skilled players, or will you still expect to see the same kind of non contact hockey like tonight's game ?
1)Playoff hockey is always more physical than reg season.
2)Today's hockey is more skill and speed than that earlier era.
In light of those two comments I think it will be somewhat more physical than tonight but nothing like the '70 Bruins. I think the current team relies more on skill and speed than physicality and it may be a mistake to try playing a different game in the playoffs than what they have played all season. I haven't looked at the roster stats but are the B's significantly larger than the Leafs if you exclude Chara and Marner?
There's a good one at about 2hrs 9min. Enjoy.
Chara can be a bit of a Brontoburger when he's not on his game, just look at the Sens exits vs the Leafs in the playoffs.
the game has totally changed in the last 10 years or so. you cant play physical now, [hence the chara penalty] for a tap on the stick. or even a tap on the pants with your stick. give me 70,s 80,s hockey any day over this crap.
Not only the rules but the coaching philosophies would have to change. The players had more freedom to be creative which is the beauty of the game back then.
The game evolves and the players are more athletic.
There are a few things I did not like about the 70's/80's hockey.
* Corner scrum face-offs. They used to call face-offs constantly when the players battled for a puck. It was common to "freeze" the puck against the boards.
* Fighting. I admit that it was entertaining for the fans, but there were too many fights over stupid non-fighting on ice incidents.
* Skill level. Most teams had 1 - 2 lines that were unskilled or designated fighting lines. Those players were not their for their skill.
I prefer today's fast paced game with hard hits and teams loaded with skilled players. I would prefer that fighting was totally eliminated from the game, but in the past 5 years the players have made dramatic strides in addressing that issue - Primarily because most teams need 4 lines of skilled players if they want to win.
The game, players and fans have evolved over the years and I do respect that people will have different opinions on each era in hockey.
Not asking this to be critical at all but how much does he have left in the tank?
Just a replacement for Moore on the 4th line cause Babcock is not happy with Moore. We may find that Babcock could soon dislike Plekamic too.
Despite their smaller size (by NHL standards) Nylander and Marner have played every game this season with the possible exception of one. Marner is now the Leaf's leading scorer.
He only needs to have ~3 months left in the tank, that's as long as he'll be a Maple Leaf.
I wouldn't be surprised if there are still some moves Lou makes before the deadline. Picking up Plekanic doesn't necessarily mean that Bozak will be traded, especially with Matthews out for a month or so. He may be of interests to teams battling for playoff spots as he has the shoot out skills to earn you those extra points.
Babcock likes to have as many centres as possible. Leivo and Martin are waiting impatiently for playing time, and are we going to keep all ufa's as own rental and just let them walk for nothing ?
I love the offensive production of Marner since playing with Kadri and Marleau, but has anybody noticed that the line has not been as effective in shutting down the other teams' top lines without Komarov ?
Babcock likes to have as many centres as possible. Leivo and Martin are waiting impatiently for playing time, and are we going to keep all ufa's as own rental and just let them walk for nothing ?
I love the offensive production of Marner since playing with Kadri and Marleau, but has anybody noticed that the line has not been as effective in shutting down the other teams' top lines without Komarov ?
I haven't watched too many habs games this year, so let me rephrase my question.
Is he still good enough to make a significantly positive difference to the Leafs for the rest of this season?
