In case he's needed? Spezza's super valuable on faceoffs. In fact he's leading the league in FO% at 73.5% and Tavares is third at 69.6%. Puck possession off the draw is key.
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2020-21 Maple Leafs Thread
- Thread starter gcostanza
- Start date
When a player gets put on waivers then it means that the team is willing to take the risk that they will lose him.
Except the risk was very small. Especially when you factor in that he would have to quarantine for 14 days should a US team have claim him. That's like missing 8 games or so depending on the team.
If you remember the 2013 colossal breakdown in game 7 against Boston. Tyler Bozak, who was an excellent faceoff guy, didn't play because he was injured. Toronto lost key defensive zone faceoffs in the final two minutes of regulation play. Allowing Boston to tie the game and win the series in OT. Bozak was really missed in that final game.
Except there was no risk, as Spezza speaking through his agent, made it crystal clear that if he was claimed by anyone he would immediately retire. Even HNIC commentators bubbled that up and spoke about it on the broadcast.
Extremely low risk, but no guarantee. Not sure who, but maybe somebody who really wanted him would make him an offer that he couldn't refuse. Just saying. If a guy is exposed...
These veterans have respect around the league...he says I’m not playing anywhere but Toronto, teams will respect that.
Well, defence and goaltending were not issues last night. As well, the Leafs had a bit of an edge in territorial play. Bounces did not go their way at either end including an own-goal. As well, that was a phantom penalty call on Jets' 2nd goal. That guy was tripped by his own man, not Muzzin.
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Just bad luck on that one. Not sure why they didn't challenge that - actually can you even challenge a penalty?
Agreed! ^^^
That really was "one of those games." Bad bounce lead to the first goal and the the phantom call on Muzzin was the TSN turning point. A post here and a couple lucky bounces on the part of the Oilers was all it took to keep the Leafs from scoring. Spezza had a good chance late in the game, but it was a fluttering pass and didn't get all of it to direct it into the net. He was pissed. I'm not upset at how the Leafs played. You're going to lose a couple like that throughout the year. It was not for a lack of effort. They'll bounce back on Friday.
They both played the same game. Play it safe. No odd man rushes. The one Edmonton did get they should have scored when McD passed to Kassian who bounced it off the crossbar with Andersen sliding from one side to the other.
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I don't think so. Maybe on the delay of game for putting the puck into the stands in your own defensive zone.
I'm pretty sure Kassian's shot went off Andersen's glove, then the bar. In other words, he was positioned correctly to make the save. If the shot was a few inches lower (to go in under the bar) it would've gone in his glove.
For sure... There weren't too many odd man rushes. Both teams played a very defensive game, which wasn't what I was expecting. Kassian was just trying to bury it up top, as fast as he could get the shot away. At that speed, I don't think he much time to place it anywhere else. In hindsight, he probably thinks he should've placed it somewhere else. But too late now! lol
That sucks.
Regardless, it was a good shot though. I've played with quite a few ex-NHL players over the years. Even the worst have mad skills and can shoot the puck.
