2020-21 Maple Leafs Thread

[chuckertmg]

It's just fucked up that you have to sit your starting goalie until the playoffs and the constant moving players in and out hoping that some discard will catch fire with the team.

I don't know if anyone feels the same or I just grew up in a different time.

It starts to look like late-stage capitalism.

The golden age was the game prior to free agency - now the Leafs have progressed to where they have a handful of $11 million dollar salaries and they want everyone else to work for the league minimum.

The middle class is a dying breed.

 

[Sonic Temple]

Its sad isn't it - agree with a lot of the comments here. I don't think Dubas' days are numbered, he has a good team, injuries will kill the best of them. He has provided the team every option to go and win it - unfortunate that all the goalies are not performing. Def. need FA31 back - best chance for a run as JC36 and DR33, and we don't even have a goalie to bring up - bring back Felix.

 

[superstar_88]

Talk about hyperbole. The playoffs haven't even started yet. No, Dubas is not being fired after this year. Even if they lose in the first round. I believe Leafs executed the TB model. They put Kucherov on injury for the whole season to be activated for the playoffs. They're doing the same with Andersen. He's the starter for the playoffs. How he'll perform? Well, that's a different question.

The season has ebbs and flows. Campbell was sure to come down to his career average. Season wide he is at his career average so there's nothing to be alarmed here. Rittich played well his first game. Looks like once he gets rattled he loses total focus. Leafs were 9 wins in 10 games prior to this. The sky is not falling. The playoffs are a different animal. Leafs are guaranteed to make the playoffs. Once the playoffs start the regular season means nothing. This is not their intended playoff starting lineup. Nylander just played his first game after layoff. Foligno hasn't played a game yet. Hyman expected to be back for playoffs and more than likely Andersen will be starter.

Leafs are 1st in their Division with their starting goalie having only played in half their games. How is there even any discussion of a Dubas firing at this point? If anything he's more likely to get GM of the year votes than being fired.

 

[K Douglas]

Good win tonight now 6 points clear of the 2nd place Jets. Campbell played well and Keefe made the absolute correct decision putting Foligno with Matthews and Marner.

 

[smuddan]

The most encouraging sign of this win is the performance of Campbell. He made some big saves in the third to preserve the win. I thought his slip of play started just before the streak ended and I was concerned with the state of his confidence during the losing streak. No matter how well the skaters play, this team is not going to last more than one round if they don’t get better goaltending than what they had in the previous 6-7 games.

Another guy who needs to play better at both ends is Rielly. Perhaps that’s why Sandin played the point in a pp. His defence has always been very average and he’s supposed to be our no. 1 d man. His shot is so bad that in the third with no one within 5 feet he shot wide from between the circles.

 

[Indiana]

The most encouraging sign of this win is the performance of Campbell. He made some big saves in the third to preserve the win. I thought his slip of play started just before the streak ended and I was concerned with the state of his confidence during the losing streak. No matter how well the skaters play, this team is not going to last more than one round if they don’t get better goaltending than what they had in the previous 6-7 games.

Another guy who needs to play better at both ends is Rielly. Perhaps that’s why Sandin played the point in a pp. His defence has always been very average and he’s supposed to be our no. 1 d man. His shot is so bad that in the third with no one within 5 feet he shot wide from between the circles.

I’m more concerned about a team that thinks Justin Holl is a top 6 D.
Also starting to wonder about Muzzin of late. He doesn’t seem to be focused anymore.

 

[Sonic Temple]

Great win last night - lets hope they can maintain it for the next 2 games. How sweet would it be that we take the next 2.

 

[smuddan]

I’m more concerned about a team that thinks Justin Holl is a top 6 D.
Also starting to wonder about Muzzin of late. He doesn’t seem to be focused anymore.

‘I share your opinion on Holl but I think Muzzin will be fine come playoffs time. He along with Brody and Bogosian are guys I’d trust more over both Rielly and Holl in protecting a lead. I would‘ve liked the defence much more had they picked up a guy like Manson or Oleksiak.

Some other thoughts:

- I’d like to see Sandin on the pp more; Rielly has not been good enough;

- Foligno seems like a very good complimentary player to the skilled guys. When Hyman comes back the offence should look really good;

- I like Brooks much more over Engval;

- as playoffs draw near, physicality seems to pick up.

 

[superstar_88]

Leafs got the memo.
Galchenyuk knocks out Lowry with hit.
Thornton fined for hit on Perreault.
Simmonds roughs up Dubois and gets a penalty.

 

[chuckertmg]

Leafs got the memo.
Galchenyuk knocks out Lowry with hit.
Thornton fined for hit on Perreault.
Simmonds roughs up Dubois and gets a penalty.

We are all about the head shots!
It’s a way of knocking opposing players out for a few weeks without risking suspension.

Thornton takes out Perreault, Galchenyuk takes out Lowry, and Hyman with his axe swing to the head of Neil Pionk last week was only fined, so it’s a good thing he didn’t hit him on the knee.

 

[superstar_88]

We are all about the head shots!
It’s a way of knocking opposing players out for a few weeks without risking suspension.

Thornton takes out Perreault, Galchenyuk takes out Lowry, and Hyman with his axe swing to the head of Neil Pionk last week was only fined, so it’s a good thing he didn’t hit him on the knee.

You obviously missed my point.
Don't you think I pointed out infractions for a reason.
Come on man. Get with the program.

 

[smuddan]

We are all about the head shots!
It’s a way of knocking opposing players out for a few weeks without risking suspension.

Thornton takes out Perreault, Galchenyuk takes out Lowry, and Hyman with his axe swing to the head of Neil Pionk last week was only fined, so it’s a good thing he didn’t hit him on the knee.

When you try to play with physicality questionable hits are unavoidable. The Leafs were usually on the receiving end like the cross checks on Matthews by Weber and Charot on the same shift that caused Matthews to miss a couple of games and the knee on knee hit on Hyman. None of the Leafs you mentioned were know as head hunters so they’re entitled to the benefit of doubt that the hits were ”accidental”.

 

[glamphotographer]

BOGO out for 4 weeks due to a shoulder injury.

 

[gcostanza]

BOGO out for 4 weeks due to a shoulder injury.

Should the Maple Leafs place Zach Bogosian on L.T.I.R. and he misses 23 days, that's ~$198,000 (more) in cap space suddenly available, should another player be healthy enough to return to the active roster.

 

[smuddan]

Leafs got a couple of bounces their way but overall they dominated in every aspect. Campbell didn’t have to make many tough saves. Usually I don’t get too excited with a regular season game but I’m happy to see that the Leafs are no longer taking the “turn the other cheek” approach. They engaged physically and Thornton and Simmonds got under the skin of Dubois and Ehlers. A good trade off for the Leafs. Sandin looks more ready for prime time and I hope he gets auditioned on the pp more.

 

[tribunus]

Agreed, Sandin looks slick with his skating, puck movement and poise. And I'll point out again how shitty Rielly is on the PP with his poor decision making and lack of shot. Someone needs to tell him until he has something that resembles a half decent shot he'll never be considered elite. That and less scrambling around in his own end.

Actually, I thought Thornton was being a dick and a bully to Ehlers. The kid wanted to disengage but the old man wouldn't let it go.

 

[glamphotographer]

Leafs got a couple of bounces their way but overall they dominated in every aspect. Campbell didn’t have to make many tough saves. Usually I don’t get too excited with a regular season game but I’m happy to see that the Leafs are no longer taking the “turn the other cheek” approach. They engaged physically and Thornton and Simmonds got under the skin of Dubois and Ehlers. A good trade off for the Leafs. Sandin looks more ready for prime time and I hope he gets auditioned on the pp more.

The Jets are pissed that the Leafs went from a soft team to an angry team. Now they call the Leafs dirty. I would worry if the Leafs meet the Jets in the playoffs, if the Leafs get home ice it wouldn't be, as the Leafs win in Winnipeg and the Jets win at Scotiabank Arena.

 

[Toxboy75]

With only 8 games left, have about a 70% chance to clinch first place unless that have a total breakdown.

 

[superstar_88]

When Montreal challenged Toronto for 1st early in the season Leafs brushed them off.
When Edmonton challenged Toronto for 1st mid season Leafs brushed them off.
When Winnipeg challenged Toronto for 1st late in the season Leafs brushed them off.

 

[shack]

With only 8 games left, have about a 70% chance to clinch first place unless that have a total breakdown.

I just happened to look at it today. If Edmonton (they have a better winning %age than the Jets) wins all of their remaining games (11), the Leafs would need 14 points in their last 8 games.