A Kinder, Gentler 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs thread
- Thread starter John Wick
- Start date
Wonder if it is COVID again. Heard that the antibodies from last time lasts for about a year and not forever. He also took a beating from Weber in the game against Montreal.
Update: Upper body injury. Will miss to-night's game. Thornton has a broken rib.
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Geez, that sucks - just as the scoring race between he and Nikita Zaitsev is heating up.
Matthews is 1.00 points per game and -1
Zaitsev is 1.25 points per game and +5.
Someone's stats may be close to their historical average and someone's stats may be an aberration.Geez, that sucks - just as the scoring race between he and Nikita Zaitsev is heating up.
Matthews is 1.00 points per game and -1
Zaitsev is 1.25 points per game and +5.
Some of the other boys need to start contributing to the scoresheet too...Rielly, Simmonds, Spezza, Vesey, Muzzin...need more from them, particularly Rielly and Muzzin who play tons of minutes. Nylander hasn't picked up an even strength point since the first game. That needs to change if they're going to go on a run and win a few in a row.
Better overall effort from the buds in this one. Most of the boys worked hard consistently, and once again Marner and Tavares showed why they're considered top talent on this team. Had to laugh when o-Dog called out Nylander on national TV after the first period for his consistent lack of physical play and perpetual, ineffective stick checking. Who knew? Then that very same Nylander stick checking wound up costing the Leafs an embarrassing shorthanded goal by Draisaitl early in the second. SHOCKER. To be fair, he lucked out when his too far behind the play pass was rescued by Vesey for a open net goal. He did at least have the right idea, will give him some credit there. But then he picks up a garbage second assist (getting rid of the puck quickly so he wouldn't be hit) on a nice play by Marner and sweet touch by Tavares for the lead, and comes out smelling like roses. <SMH>
Glad the new lines seemed to mesh for the win...hope it lasts as Thornton will be gone a month, along with Robertson. Who knows what Matthews will be when he gets back in the lineup. Good entertainment for 2/3 period at least. Pens / Rangers tonight was better though.
Glad the new lines seemed to mesh for the win...hope it lasts as Thornton will be gone a month, along with Robertson. Who knows what Matthews will be when he gets back in the lineup. Good entertainment for 2/3 period at least. Pens / Rangers tonight was better though.
If NBC Sports Network ends, what would it mean for the NHL?
A media expert says this could be great news for the NHL.
theathletic.com
A Leaf might come close, tie or break this record even though it is a short 56 game season.
www.statmuse.com
What Is The Most Empty Net Goals In A Season | StatMuse
Alex Ovechkin and Pavel Bure are tied for the most empty-net goals in a season, with 9 goals.
Canadiens have two against Calgary and 3 vs. Vancouver in next 5. Leafs have two against Calgary, two more vs. Edmonton and Vancouver in next five. Wonder who will have the better record against similar opponents? Buds have couple well-known injuries, MTL has nothing significant.
Joel Armia suffered a concussion when blindsided by 6'8" Tyer Myers. Two Canadiens went after Myers immediately after that hit and Joel Edmundson cleaned Myers clock in a fight to-night.
Cowan: Old-school hockey rules as Canadiens lose Joel Armia to concussion
NHL Department of Player Safety (which needs to come up with another name) decides not to suspend Canucks' Tyler Myers for vicious hit.
montrealgazette.com
At this point we have to accept that's who Nylander is.
If the Leafs are going to keep him they're going to have to work around his liabilities.
Comes down to cost/benefit analysis.
I hear you mellow, and you're not wrong, although I'd like to think either the coaching staff, or even a leader like John Tavares who must be seeing these trends and feeling the on-ice frustration would take him aside and try to 'coach' some of these bad habits out of his game.
That said, if he's not really racking up meaningful points and showing some real offensive impact, it won't surprise me to see the Leafs begin to explore trade options. To my understanding, he has zero 'no trade' clause until the final year of his contract when it kicks in, and I doubt the Leafs will wait that long if he's struggling. This is a season that could be a big opportunity to Toronto to go deep and make a cup run. If WPG can walk away from Laine, Leafs can do the same with Nylander - anything's possible.
From the little I've watched so far, it seems like he's going to another level offensively,
he's got this ability to freeze the other team when he's ragging the puck in their zone.
I feel this REAL confidence oozing off of him.
He still soft on the back half of the game but if he can rack up major points it' could offset his shortcomings.
He's one of those guys I get frustrated with, but I would hate to play against him.
I don't know, let's see.
Sometimes I think what bugs the Nylander doubters like myself on this board more than his actual deficiencies are the constant praising of the flashes of brilliance from his backers. These posters seem to be totally ignorant of his bad plays. I’m a big fan of Marner and Matthews but I’d call them out when warranted. I’m one of the worse Nylander critics but I’d give him credit when due, but I don’t remember seeing any kind of criticism from the same posters who sing his praises and mock his critics whenever Nylander makes good plays.
A little misleading right now. The Leafs have played 7 games so far while most other teams have only played 4 or 5.
