Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/14 Season

sasemohan123

Active member
Sep 23, 2010
4,172
2
38
Same here. I only hope for certain teams to lose very game and also hope they do really bad as individual players while on those teams and only get minor injuries, nothing serious.:eyebrows:
I only hope Leafs can build up to the level of teams like Pens, Hawks, Wings.. and being able to compete for the two points every games, never hope for another team to LOWER their competitiveness so Leafs can get 2 easy points.

What's the point of watching hockey if you do not want to see skills, hearts, determinations...?
 

The Oracle

Pronouns: Who/Cares
Mar 8, 2004
25,556
51,246
113
On the slopes of Mount Parnassus, Greece
Wow, I admire your candor :clap2:

Hating another team for being a winner? That's some kind of sport fan to the extreme..
If you were a big habs fan in the 70's Boston was the team you loved to hate.

The Bruins in the Cherry era were tough as nails and they could finesse you as well. I secretly admired them too tell the truth ( keep that under your hat though)

The Sens just lost at home to the Oilers, oh no!

Could it be that all those over achievers from last year are just that and are not ready for prime time after all.

Let's see what Maclean can come up with because this bunch looks lost in their own end.
 

sasemohan123

Active member
Sep 23, 2010
4,172
2
38
Nobody comment on the game last night?

What a painful awakening... Back to basic, back to the drawing board, the party is over, let's start working....

Glaringly obvious is the difference between the true good team and the "lucky" one, against Hawk the Leafs are out of their depth! They have been winning and start to ignore what RC been telling them all these games. Thanks to the Hawks, Leafs have to admit to themselves now that unless they work hard, and be on the same defensive system the coach had preached to them they will accomplish nothing: outshot, outchanced, outplayed, outsmart...

I start to think even with clarkson and Kulemin, Frazer... in the line up, they have to listen to the coach and fall in line, no more run and gun kind of games.

I wouldn't want to be near the dressing room after last night game, must have been a lot of sh*t flying around inside.

Still, GO LEAFS GO! OOpsee, just start walking first.
 

Baller Time

I can't remembe..Romnesla
Dec 13, 2011
2,111
1
38
Nobody comment on the game last night?

What a painful awakening... Back to basic, back to the drawing board, the party is over, let's start working....

Glaringly obvious is the difference between the true good team and the "lucky" one, against Hawk the Leafs are out of their depth! They have been winning and start to ignore what RC been telling them all these games. Thanks to the Hawks, Leafs have to admit to themselves now that unless they work hard, and be on the same defensive system the coach had preached to them they will accomplish nothing: outshot, outchanced, outplayed, outsmart...

I start to think even with clarkson and Kulemin, Frazer... in the line up, they have to listen to the coach and fall in line, no more run and gun kind of games.

I wouldn't want to be near the dressing room after last night game, must have been a lot of sh*t flying around inside.

Still, GO LEAFS GO! OOpsee, just start walking first.
Agreed. My biggest problem with the leafs so far in what I have seen is the effort that they give. You have to admit that the quality of the 4 forward lines is quite good but the level of disinterest during most of the game is stunning. The reason I say this is that in every game when they turn up the intensity level, they can play with anyone and dominate, but unfortunately this only happens for about 3-4 minutes in each of the last few games. Fuck.... even Colton Orr is out-hustling 90% of the team. We've gone away for the tough game we played last year.

As for the defense, I hope that Reilly gets to stay. I'm liking his game so far and if I had to make room when Fraser returns I would get rid of Gardiner and Gunnerson way before anyone else. Gardiner in my opinion is a talented bonehead. I don't know how Gunnerson has stayed in the linep-up this long. Non-stop giveaways, outworked for the puck in his own end like he's afraid of getting hit. Ranger despite is plus/minus is getting better with each game, but unfortunately it seems like he's getting no help from his linemate Gardiner.
 

sasemohan123

Active member
Sep 23, 2010
4,172
2
38
As for the defense, I hope that Reilly gets to stay. I'm liking his game so far and if I had to make room when Fraser returns I would get rid of Gardiner and Gunnerson way before anyone else. Gardiner in my opinion is a talented bonehead. I don't know how Gunnerson has stayed in the linep-up this long. Non-stop giveaways, outworked for the puck in his own end like he's afraid of getting hit. Ranger despite is plus/minus is getting better with each game, but unfortunately it seems like he's getting no help from his linemate Gardiner.
Well, when the other team can pressure you, knowing that you are kind of lost in your own zone because nobody is on the same page, no system at all, we know what happen: give aways. Unlike last year, the Dmen who has the puck panic of the pressure because his partner is running places unbeknownst to him, he would likely throw the puck ANYWHERE. Leafs got "lucky" when playing against lesser teams just because they do not take full advantage of this. Chicago is different, they know where and how to cut off the pass, they SHOULD/COULD have blown Leafs out of the water for many more goals, but just for the brilliant effort of #45. It seems that the Leafs are giving away too much, in reality they are forced to by the systematic pressure of Hawks. This is, in MHO, why Leafs need to fall back into the system like last year so everyone will know where/what his teammates are or doing in any situation. No more blind passes, no more doing things on your own, no more laid back lackluster effort...go back to RC's way, then games should be easier to watch. Even if they lose playing the system, it is much less painful to watch than last night game.
 

LoveThemGirls

World Champion Girl Lover
Nov 18, 2001
575
0
16
Toronto
October was/is a tough month, mostly Western conference teams who are a lot better than the Eastern conference teams. It's been good to see different teams though after the shortened season and getting sick of only seeing the Eastern teams.

Ranger shouldn't be on the Leafs, every time he's on the ice he seems to either give the puck away, fail to keep it onside, or fail to cover his man. Surely there's a better solution for the Leafs, they have a few guys on the Marlies including Brennan.
 

Polaris

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2007
3,076
58
48
hornyville
Nobody comment on the game last night?

What a painful awakening... Back to basic, back to the drawing board, the party is over, let's start working....
It was a strange game.

It was like David Bolland's home coming, and no one wanted to be too intense, just play but show a lot of sportsmanship.

No fights. Not many hits. No heavy hits. No body wanted to run anybody. The only player on either side who tried to stick it to people all night was Phaneuf. No wonder he's always voted the most overrated. Orr tried, but not often because he could not catch up to speedy players. Macleran is a better player than Orr. Orr probably does not belong in the league. Can that Broll guy play? He got into a fight the other night. I think Broll has some potential. Seems okay, except he did a bad job of covering the point on Kosta's goal. Will Orr and Ranger be with the Leafs all season, press box?

The Leafs have to forecheck. If there is nothing on the rush, hold onto the puck, or forecheck.

During the 1st and 2nd periods, this was how the game was played. View it from the perspective of a Leafs defense man. The Leafs defense man sees the puck go into the other zone. That should be good. But immediately the break out happens and they are coming right at you even faster.

That was strange. It was like the Leafs forwards, did not know how to play hockey.

On the positive, after Carlyle seen enough, started switching up the lines, Leafs played better. Really no urgency in their game, but just played better in the third period with better line combinations.

The loss of Kulemin is huge as we see now. He forechecks, a good two way hockey player. He should put up more points. Try a line of Clarkson, Kadri, Kulemin. Pushing and shoving after every shift. Don't you guys think Kadri plays bigger when he has someone bigger playing with him? Clarkson has to be paired up with Kadri. It going to be too much fun to watch. Clarkson is good for 40 points and over 100 penalty minutes. Lupul is tough, and going at a point a game pace, like Kadir, but unlikely to hit 100 penalty minutes.

Too many passengers last night.

:deadhorse:
 

smuddan

Well-known member
Mar 7, 2007
2,297
295
83
Is it a coincidence that since the Montreal game (in which Perros got hurt in a fight), the Leafs seem to have abandoned their physical game ? There have only been a couple of fights since and the Leafs seem to think they can win now with a fitness game ? I believe they still lead the league in hits, but its nowhere near the in your face/truculent (learned that word from Burke lol) style that made them successful last season ? Is it because upper management care so much about corporate image that they don't want to be labelled "the Bay Street bullies" ?

One big reason why the Leafs always get outshot and have no puck possession game, I believe, is the absence of a legitimate number one centre. Someone who has great puck control, faceoff skills and play making abilities. We have a few very competent wingers but weak in the middle. This has been the Leafs weakest link in the lineup for the longest time and this team won't go very far until that void is fulfilled. Perhaps Reimer, Gardinar and a high draft can be packaged to get a good young centreman ? I don't like to see Reimer get traded as we do need two good goalies, but he's probably the best trade bait the Leafs have got now.
 

Bargnani_

Bargnani_
Apr 28, 2008
1,821
0
0
Is it a coincidence that since the Montreal game (in which Perros got hurt in a fight), the Leafs seem to have abandoned their physical game ? There have only been a couple of fights since and the Leafs seem to think they can win now with a fitness game ? I believe they still lead the league in hits, but its nowhere near the in your face/truculent (learned that word from Burke lol) style that made them successful last season ? Is it because upper management care so much about corporate image that they don't want to be labelled "the Bay Street bullies" ?

One big reason why the Leafs always get outshot and have no puck possession game, I believe, is the absence of a legitimate number one centre. Someone who has great puck control, faceoff skills and play making abilities. We have a few very competent wingers but weak in the middle. This has been the Leafs weakest link in the lineup for the longest time and this team won't go very far until that void is fulfilled. Perhaps Reimer, Gardinar and a high draft can be packaged to get a good young centreman ? I don't like to see Reimer get traded as we do need two good goalies, but he's probably the best trade bait the Leafs have got now.
Isn't the fact the Leafs have the 5 defenseman who are in the top 13 in giveaways more of a problem ?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats....n=D&country=&status=&viewName=rtssPlayerStats
 

Ironhead

Son of the First Nation
Sep 13, 2008
7,014
0
36
Leafs lose two in a row. That has tossed a bid of cold water on the hot start.
Now we see what happens. I think they bounce back. There is a good chance they finish the month well.
They close October with an Alberta trip. Oilers on the 29th and Flames on the 30th. They go further west and open November in BC.

The Chicago game was a dud. Leafs did not seem to care or they were waiting for the Hawks to do something.
I was disappointed with the effort against Carolina. I think they could have won the game if they would have put in the effort.

Well tomorrow evening the Ducks visit, then it is the Clarkson debut.
I know what you get in Clarkson, I just want to get the first game out of the way and get on with the season.
Get the team healthy and see what we really have.

Everyone seems to go nuts over shots against, I think they need to get more shots on the opposition goal.
They always seem to get a low shot total. With 30 goals for, tied for third in the league, they must have the best shot to goal ratio.



Go Leafs !
 

Baller Time

I can't remembe..Romnesla
Dec 13, 2011
2,111
1
38
Isn't the fact the Leafs have the 5 defenseman who are in the top 13 in giveaways more of a problem ?

http://www.nhl.com/ice/playerstats....n=D&country=&status=&viewName=rtssPlayerStats
Not sure if this means a whole lot as there are some great d-men on that list other than Leafs. Also 4 Leaf d-men in top ten takeaways. However Carl Gunnerson who is as useless as tits on a bull leads the list in giveaways, but also top 2 in blocked shots. He just drives me crazy
 

Bargnani_

Bargnani_
Apr 28, 2008
1,821
0
0
Not sure if this means a whole lot as there are some great d-men on that list other than Leafs. Also 4 Leaf d-men in top ten takeaways. However Carl Gunnerson who is as useless as tits on a bull leads the list in giveaways, but also top 2 in blocked shots. He just drives me crazy
Okay how about the fact that the Leafs have 150 + giveaways and the second worst team't total is in the 80's .. This was occuring during the hot start also and so goaltending will be the key to the Leafs not going on a long extended lossing streak ..

The great positive is their special teams .. It has won them a lot of games .
 

sasemohan123

Active member
Sep 23, 2010
4,172
2
38
Ducks shot down after 8 teams tried. Leafs found their way in the last haft. Kessel earned his 8 mils in one night. O/C I am only kidding here :D.

Go LEAFS Go!
 

Ironhead

Son of the First Nation
Sep 13, 2008
7,014
0
36
Kessel scores three ! The HAT !

The game winner was one of the best snips I ever saw.
Leafs real turned it on in the second.
Great kill on the two man pk.

Clarkson is back.


Go LEAFS !
 

Ironhead

Son of the First Nation
Sep 13, 2008
7,014
0
36
He WILL be back on Fri, hehe, can't help...
Actually he is back as of now.
As soon as the final buzzer sounded signaling the end of game number 10 the suspension was over.

That said ... yes your point being ... ha ha ... he is not in uniform until Friday night.
 

Ironhead

Son of the First Nation
Sep 13, 2008
7,014
0
36
Pondering(even spelled it correctly this time :wink: ) the shots on goal phenomenon.

It seems to me that they like to make a lot of passes before they shoot. As if they are looking for that prefect set up.
I think they need to just blast some pucks at the net, especially on the PP ASAP. Pepper the goalie early. Try some long, bouncing shots.

I think RC will start to rein in the players. Part of the problem so far, at least this is my opinion, is he knew the team was up against the Cap. RC likely did not have much room to shuffle players in and out. Do well, you play ... too many errors and take a seat.
 

Baller Time

I can't remembe..Romnesla
Dec 13, 2011
2,111
1
38
Reilly is staying with the leafs. Hopefully the kid has a good head on his shoulders as he's here for good.
 
Toronto Escorts