Maple Leafs 2017-2018 Season Thread
- Thread starter smuddan
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Stay at home defensemen are a thing of the past. They are extinct in today's NHL. Every NHL defenseman has to skate and move the puck, make that first pass out of the zone. The NHL has evolved into a skill and speed game. Scott Stevens would not be in today's NHL.
Another Polak, no. Ideally Polak should be your 6th D man and plays situationally. Upgrading what he brings would make sense but not cost effective.
Another Hainesey ? Definitely worthy if one is available at reasonable cost. He seemed to have helped both Rielly and Gardiner to play at their best and I'd like to see what he can do to help Demott. He was an excellent ufa signing but to trade for another one of the same caliber will probably cost more than the Leafs are willing to pay.
Hainsey is very slow. 5 on 5 he is over-rated. But he is experienced and for the most part knows what he is doing. He is effective killing penalties cause there is no skating. Strictly positioning and stick. Same with Polack. He's only in the lineup because Babcock wants to use him for PK. I believe if you put Rielly with Gardiner that could be a very effective unit. Dermott is young but he shows tremendous poise and decision making. He's a keeper.
It depends on how you define a 'veteran'. First year guy is a rookie, 2nd year a sophomore and 3rd year up should be considered a 'veteran' right ? By that definition then you'd only want one of Rielly, Gardiner or Hainsey on the team ?
I'm all for going with young players with speed and skills, but defence is a position that experience does matter, especially in the playoffs. Going down the stretch and into the playoffs, tight checking and hitting are going to intensify and with this defence that's when troubles occur.
Given the time and space Rielly and Gardiner are great puck movers but both are timid and can easily be forced into errors. When you're protecting a lead in late game I'd much rather have a Hainsey or Polak on the ice than either one 0f them.
Gardiner was traded for Seabrook just now? If this is true, I'm on the fence as Seabrook is 32. I would've packaged more to get a younger D man.
(Dermott made Gardiner expendable)
(Dermott made Gardiner expendable)
Fake news. Upper body injury... neck spasms from watching where the hits were coming from.
I know Andersen is a voluptuous goaltender but again too many SOG - 54 fucking saves.
Currently Zeitsev is our best stay at home defenseman, the Leafs were a .500 team while he was out injured.
Currently Zeitsev is our best stay at home defenseman, the Leafs were a .500 team while he was out injured.
We shall see if Babcock agrees with you and plays only one of Hainsey or Polak the rest of the way.
voluptuous
vo·lup·tu·ous
/vəˈləp(t)SH(o͞o)əs/
adjective: voluptuous
relating to or characterized by luxury or sensual pleasure.
I didn't say that.
I disagreed with the post that says we need to acquire another D-man like Hainsey for his mentoring abilities with the younger guys.
So I guess we'll see if Lou agrees with me.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Leafs stay put at the deadline except making a trade to move either Lievo or Soshnikov. It'll be difficult to make any significant upgrade without touching the core and I don't think they'll do that now.
Good trade. He didn't look effective as a Leaf and he's 24 so that's pretty much his potential. Lack of size doesn't help since they have plenty forwards that size already. He hits? So what. He's small. Who can he hurt with his hits aside from himself. 4th round can be used in a package. Pretty much just unloading a body to free them from under the 50 contracts for more flexibility. Kapanan already passed him and they have better options and up and coming in the minors.
Soshnikov showed promises as a 3rd liner but his concussion problems started when he was crushed by Chara and has never been the same since.
Leivo will probably be the next to go, and JVR may attract a lot interests. I guess it depends on what you can get in return. Keeping him for the playoff drive should make the Leafs' offence more potent and harder to defend against.
Leivo will probably be the next to go, and JVR may attract a lot interests. I guess it depends on what you can get in return. Keeping him for the playoff drive should make the Leafs' offence more potent and harder to defend against.
JvR and Bozak now are Leafs 3rd line. Once upon a time they were 1st line with Kessel. Says a lot about Kessel
