A Kinder, Gentler 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs thread
- Thread starter John Wick
- Start date
One could say better late than never but what has he done or is doing to address the grit shortage? The Leafs are also at risk of losing Clifford to free agency.
That's a good justification for a player in the regular season, but his size says he won't be able to compete at that level of physicality consistently over an 82 game schedule. The playoffs is again another level of physical altogether. They needed a big D-man, even a raw kid who can bang now and make his presence known in the defensive zone. There were 4-5 locals available in the first round to be had...the Leafs could've waited to later rounds to select yet another small forward from the KHL who won't be free of his contract for three more seasons with likely little risk of losing him.
Matt Martin is playing with a much better team now but, apparently he wasn't good enough for the Leafs.
Pat Maroon was an UFA last year and the Stanley Cup champion Lightnings grabbed him for less than $1mm.
Quote from Dubas.
“We would like to be incredibly hard to play against. It is a priority of ours,” Dubas told reporters on a Zoom call Monday morning. “There's no doubt that it is something we would like to address through free agency or through trades that come up. Some of that also does have to happen organically as our [current] players continue to mature and grow. "
Dubas says Leafs must be more difficult to play against - TSN.ca
Maple Leafs GM discusses Frederik Andersen’s future, draft strategy and free agency as the NHL off-season kicks into high gear, Kristen Shilton writes.
www.tsn.ca
Matt Murray traded, but not to Toronto.Rumors continue to have Matt Murray headed to Toronto. True or not, would this actually be an upgrade to Andersen?
On the surface I agree totally.
But I believe this is a move to move out another elite player on the team.
Interesting. That is almost verbatim the scouting report on Nic Petan from 2013, only Nic has more offensive upside.
Last edited:
I was responding to the inferrence that he doesn't have grit because he's not a big player.
He's also a mid 1st round pick in a strong draft year, he's showing something.
Let's hope he's not a Nic Petan though.
I like Hyman - just wish he was 3” and 30lbs more - with his compete and a bigger body - you have a rocking Hockey Player. I still really like him for who he is and how he plays.
Seek and ye shall find. Let us know what was noteworthy.
Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com
The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.
Nothing really, all small guys, par for the course.Seek and ye shall find. Let us know what was noteworthy.
Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com
The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.www.nhl.com
This is what I don't understand. Dubas has the theory that generally, after the 1st round there' isn't anyone significant enough to seriously target,
ergo trading down for more picks, you're looking at a "cluster" of players as opposed to one specifically.
I get drafting the undersized player who has exceptional talent, but going deeper in the draft you can't bet on a couple of bigger horses?
Reading between the lines in the link I posted earlier I get the impression that Dubas wants the existing players to be more physical.
BTW: No surprise, the Leafs will make an offer to RFA Dermott. Be interesting to see what will be that offer.
You can't make guys who have never been physical in their entire hockey career to become that way. He's talking out of his ass as usual. There were two big defensemen taken right after the Leafs pick. I would have rather had them draft one of those guys. We have enough small soft skilled players. He likes to collect those. In my eyes he traded Kapenen and then drafted someone like him. The guy is 2-3 years. away but still try something different. I really don't think he can. Hesays he doesn't want guys on his team who can't "skate" What does that mean. Mark Stone is an average skater. I wish the Leafs had a guy like that.
Yes...you can't tell Marner etc to be more physical, that's not their game...you have to question Matt Martin being let go.
