Eric grew up playing where he never needed to keep his head up. Different era also where hitting is not the name of the game. Hence why Martin is not playing anymore even though he's one of the best hitters in the league. Matthew's style is to avoid getting hit and doesn't look to hit anyone. He'll be fine. Just bad luck. He played 82 games in his rookie season. Plus they have playoffs locked and have nothing to play for. There's no reason to play him now. Gives Leafs opportunity to see how other players can step up. Nylander at center for one and now Jonsson seeing what he can do.
Maple Leafs 2017-2018 Season Thread
- Thread starter smuddan
- Start date
Sundin gets smoked here. Probably the only time ever in his career but give him credit. He gets up almost right away with no wobbly knees. That hit would have put Lindros in a stretcher for sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2SdJGhkZK4
Sundin rarely delivered hits, but when he did, they didn't get up right away.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qljQjmV-eB0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qljQjmV-eB0
Does anyone remember the forearm shiver Sundin gave Marian Hossa the enxt game the Leafs and Sens played after Brian Berard lost an eye? Thought he was going to take half his face off. This is the last time Jagr had his head down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RCf9OE5w_U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RCf9OE5w_U
Leafs come back to beat Dallas in SO. At a price of losing Andersen. I guess we will see Pickard or Sparks called up.
12 straight wins at home, a new Leafs record. Now is worth it to try to move the standings to get home ice advantage for the playoffs?
Well, I believe they have the best home ice record in the league. Worth taking into consideration.
Stop dreaming. They'll finish 3rd and playoffs is a whole different ball game. Standings mean nothing then. Head to head matchups for all the marbles. President's Trophy winner rarely wins the cup. Sometimes they even get knocked out first round.
Right now it's just tune for the playoffs. They beat a Montreal team that was clearly not in the same league right now. They're tanking. Leafs looked like the Globtrotters passing the puck around.
They'll need Matthews and Anderson to play against Elite teams in TB and Boston. Although they are deep now.
With 10 games left, the Leafs will have to win them all and hope the Boston and/or Tampa play .500 or worse in order to catch them. Don't think that's going to happen.
Based on games played so far, the Leafs should be underdog against either team, but with so many young guns with so much still untapped potential, there's a chance that they can take their game to an even higher level that we've haven't seen yet. We can add Johnsson to that list of fine young guns as he showed he had the skill set to be a very good player in this new era of little body contact hockey.
They haven't looked outclassed playing against the elite teams and haven't been in must win game situations much so how they'll react in pressure filled playoff games remains to be seen. The soft and mistakes prone defence will be tested but there's Andersen who has shown ability to steal a game or two by himself.
At this point it's about avoiding injuries, home ice advantage comes second.
Shany has a hard decision to make. He doesn't want to lose Kyle Dubas to another NHL team but t's doubtful Lou will take a secondary role.
Shany has a hard decision to make. He doesn't want to lose Kyle Dubas to another NHL team but t's doubtful Lou will take a secondary role.
Then win it in 6. Which part of Presidents Trophy winner don't win cups did you miss? Winning the regular season championship means nothing. Once playoffs start just throw everything out the window
Regular season you play 30 other teams and have to beat most but not necessarily all within a 6 month span. Then there's deadline day to load up or injured players you had all year but gone now. Playoffs you have to beat the same team 4 times before they do and do that 4 times straight. Whole different ball game
I'd rather Leafs be underdogs. Less pressure. This years Leafs could easily beat last years Capitals
I'm not asking for the President's trophy, I'm asking for home ice in the 1st round. They should get as much points as possible, it could come into play for home ice advantage in the later rounds, should the top seeds get eliminated early.
With Lou stepping aside after this season, do you think Kyle Dubas will get the GM ? OR Mark Hunter ?
Mark Hunter is an excellent judge of talent, look at the prospects the Leafs have called up from the Marlies. I though he was selecting from his heart when he chose Marner over Hanifan, I was wrong. Kyle Dubas is the numbers man and has done excellent work as GM of the Marlies. Lou was brought in to stabilize the front office, he knew his role when he signed up for the project.
There were speculations that Babcock wanted Hanifin but Hunter insisted on Marner and Shanahan had to step in in favour of Hunter's pick. Marner has been both entertaining and productive and I don't think we're close to seeing his best yet. JVR will not find a better playmaker to play with should he choose to leave.
As for LL's successor choice, I'd like to see Hunter gets the nod. The Marlies' success would not be possible without all these great picks made by Hunter.
JVR is spoiled for playmakers on this current Leafs...makes you wonder what Sundin could have done if he had him on his line. He won't find such riches elsewhere. With AM's contract looming and Nylander this summer, I doubt the Leafs can ante up for JVR - unless the salary cap goes up substantially.
There was a time when Marner was playing on the 4th line there were questions if Leafs made the right pick.
Not worried. Leafs coaching staff and players will take something from this game and be ready next time.
