Karlsson apparently has told numerous people he won’t sign a long term deal with a Canadian based team, he now denies saying that but the cat is now out of the bag.
Maple Leafs 2018 - 19
- Thread starter Insidious Von
- Start date
The role of the tough guy was naturally phased out of the game via economics and winning. There is no room for those types of players since most teams are now fielding a fourth line that can skate and score. Teams wanting to have a line of bruisers will simply have their chances of winning diminished greatly.
Personally I have always thought fighting was immature and an embarrassment that a professional league would have even allowed it in their sport. Hard hitting, checking and speed are part of the game, not dropping the gloves. Stick work has decreased dramatically and it will eventually be phased out of the game as well.
There is too much money tied up in these teams to allow outdated practices to jeopardize those investments.
Yes and no. Look at Tom Wilson with the Caps, he was an instrumental part of their playoff success last year. Playoff hockey is tighter checking and more aggressive than the regular season so teams that have no toughness is going to find it harder come playoff time. Add in the fact that ice conditions deteriorate drastically once May rolls around puts speed teams at a bit of a disadvantage, not to mention the puck bouncing all over the place which affects the top playmakers. You still need toughness to get through 4 rounds of playoffs and the Leafs don’t have that, neither does Tampa Bay.
After ocevhkin pasted zaitsev into the boards in the playoffs he was never the same player again. Size mean and tough matters. You need some element of it on your team
I do not equate "toughness" with fighting. There are big, tough, mean, strong players that do not have to resort to fighting to justify a seat on the bench. They play a solid game and that aggressive style of play and taking the body will win games. But if I am the owner and I am cutting their pay cheque? I ain't paying them to fight.
I also do not think ice conditions in May are so bad that it will eliminate the speed and finesse of the game.
When the NHL started to participate in the Olympics the fans got a taste of what true professional hockey was. Fast, smart, excellent play-makers, tough, aggressive, hard hitting...There were numerous articles and conversations about how amazing that type of hockey was. Eventually the pro leagues figured it out that that was where the future of the game was and it took 15 years or so to get there.
If I remember correctly, Zaitsev's injury problems began when he was pasted into the boards by Nick Foligno in a game in Dec 2017 against Blue Jackets. He suffered what appeared to be a concussion and was not the same since. He was doing quite alright before that.
then that may be the 2nd concussion after the Ovechkin pasting cause he looked woozy and out of it on that one also.
So the cheapest ticket to a Leafs home game is $115 for standing room for a weekday game against a non marguee team like NJ Devils. Golds are about $450 fro a Saturday night game. Leafs sign Taveres to rises prices and sell tickets.
watch it on tv. it's cheaper. They signed Tavaras to help them win. they sell out. if you can't afford it don't go. nothing to complain about here. market dictates.
From the past, I liked Dan Kelly announcing the games, including the ‘87 Canada Cup. Today I like Gord Miller...just prefer not to look at him.
For me there is only one, how long can he keep it up? No one has a bigger timbre than Joe Bowen.
Of course, timbre isn't all about power, Jerry Howarth had a very smooth timbre (I miss him).
Of course, timbre isn't all about power, Jerry Howarth had a very smooth timbre (I miss him).
It's the job of Leaf fans to maintain the high revenue-sharing with hockey hotbeds like Phoenix and Florida where the tickets are a whopping $15, but luckily that $15 includes a free hot dog, T-shirt and parking.
The market does dictate, and the owners in those centres expect to lose a ton of money. The revenue transfer payments keep everyone competitive and Bettman happy, so $450 for a ticket in Toronto is win-win.
As an aside, if Tavares was signed to help them win I hope he doesn't mind playing defence.
Best defence is have control of the puck. If you don't then you're playing defense so yes Tavaras will help control the puck. He makes other teams play defense against him.
Interview with Auston and JT with Elliot Freedman on Tim and Sid, the season is just around the corner.
William Nylander has yet to prove he's worth $8 million, Leafs can't repeat the Oilers mistake. He should realize that he's more expendable than he thinks, Matthews will adjust. Mason Marchment looked great in the AHL playoffs, he should make the team.
The Cubs, broke their curse and won the WS - anything is now possible.
William Nylander has yet to prove he's worth $8 million, Leafs can't repeat the Oilers mistake. He should realize that he's more expendable than he thinks, Matthews will adjust. Mason Marchment looked great in the AHL playoffs, he should make the team.
The Cubs, broke their curse and won the WS - anything is now possible.
Why is Marc Bergevin still the GM of the Canadiens? Among the many mistakes he made was not having patience to develop another Scarborough native Devante Smith Pelly, he played a major role in the Caps Stanley Cup victory. A game between Toronto and Montreal has no meaning if the Habs suck.
He wasn't very good last year and he has not much of a defense in front of him. They will suck big time I'm afraid. Sad to see.
