A Kinder, Gentler 2020-21 Toronto Maple Leafs thread

[Darts]

A lot has changed in dressing rooms since 1968.

I'm not convinced the change is all good.

Anyway, I think the Montreal Canadiens are still old school.

In game 2 against Vancouver, the Canadiens targeted undersize defenseman Quinn Hughes and lightweight Pettersson. Also, when 6'8" Tyler Myers blindsided Armia, he (Myers) was immediately jumped by two Montreal players. The next game Joel Edmundson thrashed Myers in a fight. The spirit of John Ferguson is alive and well in Montreal.

Also, Matthews got beaten up by Weber in front of the Montreal net in game 1.

 

[smuddan]

I'm not convinced the change is all good.

Anyway, I think the Montreal Canadiens are still old school.

In game 2 against Vancouver, the Canadiens targeted undersize defenseman Quinn Hughes and lightweight Pettersson. Also, when 6'8" Tyler Myers blindsided Armia, he (Myers) was immediately jumped by two Montreal players. The next game Joel Edmundson thrashed Myers in a fight. The spirit of John Ferguson is alive and well in Montreal.

Also, Matthews got beaten up by Weber in front of the Montreal net in game 1.

The Leafs are supposed to be tougher and harder to play against according to Dubas, but they’re no better than they were. One tough guy like Simmonds is not go to change that, he’s not on the top lines to protect Matthews or Marner so he’ll just end up fighting the other team’s tough guy. You need your players to stick up for each other. You don’t have to fight, but rushing in to give the guy a face wash or something, to let the other team know you’re backing each other up. No one did anything when Matthews was cross checked hard twice the same shift, no one gave hell to Tkachuk when he jumped and kneed Campbell. The refs are not calling every cheat shot. Your skilled guys have to watch out when they’re on the ice because they know they’re targeted, but the other teams’ skilled guys have a free pass to make plays.

 

[mellowjello]

The Leafs are supposed to be tougher and harder to play against according to Dubas, but they’re no better than they were. One tough guy like Simmonds is not go to change that, he’s not on the top lines to protect Matthews or Marner so he’ll just end up fighting the other team’s tough guy. You need your players to stick up for each other. You don’t have to fight, but rushing in to give the guy a face wash or something, to let the other team know you’re backing each other up. No one did anything when Matthews was cross checked hard twice the same shift, no one gave hell to Tkachuk when he jumped and kneed Campbell. The refs are not calling every cheat shot. Your skilled guys have to watch out when they’re on the ice because they know they’re targeted, but the other teams’ skilled guys have a free pass to make plays.

Wait until the playoffs.

 

[Fun For All]

Lot of Leaf critics here...you'd almost think they weren't the #1 team in the NHL.

 

[smuddan]

Lot of Leaf critics here...you'd almost think they weren't the #1 team in the NHL.

Fans come in different species, some choose to be totally cheer leaders, some choose to brag about any flashes of brilliance, some choose to resent and reject any criticism and some choose to support the team with an critical eye because this team with its core hasn’t accomplished any success other than qualifying for the playoffs. I for one belong to the last category and maybe very critical at times, but I’d love to be proven wrong and gladly apologize for it if this team with it‘s “turn the other cheek” approach wins the cup.

 

[mellowjello]

Lot of Leaf critics here...you'd almost think they weren't the #1 team in the NHL.

How many years are do we have to hear this and then they blow a tire in the first round?
If truth be told, the critics here have been right the last three years, and not just in here but
out there in the hockey world.
On every account, lack of defense, lack of toughness, and lack of heart (Nylander).
Loving your team and looking at them with clarity are not mutually exclusive.
The only reason critics in here get harsh is because of idiotic pushback from fans that can't hear a negative word said about their heroes.
You can't make a reasonable observation around here without getting peppered with childish sarcasm, kind of
like the quote in question.

 

[chuckertmg]

Lot of Leaf critics here...you'd almost think they weren't the #1 team in the NHL.

You can't make a reasonable observation around here without getting peppered with childish sarcasm, kind of
like the quote in question.

Rather than making a reasonable observation then, we'll ignore the fact that Dallas and Florida are both undefeated so far and the Leafs don't even have the highest points percentage in their division, let alone the league.

 

[Fun For All]

Rather than making a reasonable observation then, we'll ignore the fact that Dallas and Florida are both undefeated so far and the Leafs don't even have the highest points percentage in their division, let alone the league.

I did make a reasonable, fair and accurate observation...the Leafs are #1 in the overall standings...

 

[gcostanza]

...we'll ignore the fact that Dallas and Florida are both undefeated so far

Note:
Both of those clubs have played 3 games.

Elsewhere in the NHL, one team is at 5, 27 teams are at 6-7-8-9.

 

[Darts]

but I’d love to be proven wrong and gladly apologize for it if this team with it‘s “turn the other cheek” approach wins the cup.

Turning the other cheek is great for sex but not a good idea in hockey. So far, team is holding it together. Having Simmonds helps but

Rather than making a reasonable observation then, we'll ignore the fact that Dallas and Florida are both undefeated so far and the Leafs don't even have the highest points percentage in their division, let alone the league.

The Canadiens haven't lost a game in regulation so far this young season. They picked up at least one point in every game.

 

[smuddan]

Note:
Both of those clubs have played 3 games.

Elsewhere in the NHL, one team is at 5, 27 teams are at 6-7-8-9.

With uneven number of games played at a given date, a better way imo to judge the performance of the teams in terms of wins and losses is to look at their points over games played. Toronto is +5 (14pts 9games) Montreal +5 (12/7), Winnipeg +3 (10/7) and Vancouver at Even (10/10). Toronto and Montreal are virtually tied.

With four teams making the playoffs , it looks like a team with 56 points can make it.

 

[shack]

And yet 1 more way to assess teams' performances, seeing as not all games are created equally, i.e. some games are worth 2 points in the standings and some are 3.

In the North Division 28 games have been played and 60 points have been gleaned by the 7 teams. That works out to and average of 1.07 points/team/game. Under the current system that is what should be considered a .500 team's (an average team gets 1/2 of the points available) performance.

Mont.--1.71 pts/gm
Leafs--1.56 pts/gm
Winn--1.43 pts/gm
Van--1.00 pts/gm

As of now those would be the playoff teams and Van would make the playoffs with under a .500 record.

 

[Darts]

Simmonds is proving to be a good addition to the Leafs. He stands in front of the opposing net, plays physical and gets into a fight now and then.

Marner appears to be shooting more this season as he should.

 

[gcostanza]

Marner appears to be shooting more this season as he should.

Appearances can be deceiving.

1st 9 games this season: 2 shots/game
1st 9 games 2019-20: 3.3 shots/game

 

[Darts]

Appearances can be deceiving.

1st 9 games this season: 2 shots/game
1st 9 games 2019-20: 3.3 shots/game

Shoot, so he is actually shooting less this year (statistics don't lie). The talking heads on Sportsnet gave me the impression that he is shooting more this year. Maybe they meant he should shoot more this year. Or, maybe they meant he wants to shoot more.

Maple Leafs benefiting from Marner's new shooting mentality

For three winters now, pass-first Mitchell Marner has vowed to adopt a shooter’s brain, knowing full well that becoming a double threat would keep goalies guessing and the Toronto Maple Leafs winning. So far in this young season, his labour is bearing fruit.

www.sportsnet.ca

 

[gcostanza]

Shoot, so he is actually shooting less this year (statistics don't lie). The talking heads on Sportsnet gave me the impression that he is shooting more this year. Maybe they meant he should shoot more this year. Or, maybe they meant he wants to shoot more.

Or, in three words: You were wrong.

 

[Darts]

Or, in three words: You were wrong.

Actually no. Hockey "experts" say he should shoot more. Marner himself said he wants to shoot more.

"For three winters now, pass-first Mitchell Marner has vowed to adopt a shooter’s brain,"

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-benefiting-marners-new-shooting-mentality/

 

[Jiffy Pop]

I am not sure what you guys are arguing about but I have been impressed with Marner this year. You can find a small weakness in almost all players in the NHL. A little off topic but it used to piss me off when people would put down Luc Robitaille and is skating. Well screw them and if Marner keeps playing like he as so far he will also one day be in HOF.

 

[Darts]

It's not my fault Marner isn't shooting more. People other than myself have been saying that Marner should shoot more. I think even Marner himself said he should shoot more.

"But Marner has a couple of added elements to his game this year — a terrific one-timer and a shoot-first, or at least shoot-more-often, mentality — that may make him a threat for the Art Ross."

The Leafs’ Mitch Marner decided to shoot more this season, and he’s shot right to the top

The forward entered Wednesday tied for the NHL scoring with his shoot-first, or at least shoot-more-often, mentality.

www.niagarafallsreview.ca

 

[Darts]

I am not sure what you guys are arguing about but I have been impressed with Marner this year. You can find a small weakness in almost all players in the NHL.

That's the nature of sports. The Canadiens passed on drafting Bossy (a Montreal boy) because he was weak defensively and perceived to be fragile. Yes, Bossy is in the HHOF.

I think some people, including Marner himself, think he would be a better player if he shot more. Not saying he is a bad player now.