2021-22 Maple Leafs Thread

[mellowjello]

What about Timothy Liljegren. wasn't he the steal of the draft and the next Nick Lidstrom.

Not really, he went from 1st to 17th, even an injury or temporary illness wouldn't drop you that far if you had all the goods.
They gambled a bit, if it had payed off it would have been huge, not like they took him in the top 5 and passed over better prospects.

 

[seagerbuzz]

Not really, he went from 1st to 17th, even an injury or temporary illness wouldn't drop you that far if you had all the goods.
They gambled a bit, if it had payed off it would have been huge, not like they took him in the top 5 and passed over better prospects.

They thought they had a steal in that draft. Either way they had high hopes for him and he hasn't delivered.

 

[seagerbuzz]

The Leafs didn't draft any defensemen (2 forwards and a goalie) in the first 3 rounds of the 2021 amateur draft (not sure about after that, lost interest). Does this mean that the Leafs are content with the defensemen they already have? Maybe they're still hoping Liliegren will still be the next Lidstrom, LOL.

It's only been a measly 4 years since he's was drafted.

 

[Darts]

It's only been a measly 4 years since he's was drafted.

We're both being sarcastic. LOL! Here's the thing I don't see any talent in the pipeline.

He isn't even NHL caliber right now after 4 years. Robertson is injury prone. Sandin is probably no better than a low 2nd line or 3rd line D-man.

 

[mellowjello]

They thought they had a steal in that draft. Either way they had high hopes for him and he hasn't delivered.

Agreed.

 

[John Wick]

So if you need to explore trades now in case things continue to go south this week (public outcry is likely to be at max levels by Sunday) who do you target, and what do you offer?

Does Dubas go hunting again for a primo goalie, a stud d-man, or some top talent grit at forward? What should his priority be?

Who does/can he realistically offer without making himself look stupid based on past moves?

 

[Fun For All]

So if you need to explore trades now in case things continue to go south this week (public outcry is likely to be at max levels by Sunday) who do you target, and what do you offer?

Does Dubas go hunting again for a primo goalie, a stud d-man, or some top talent grit at forward? What should his priority be?

Who does/can he realistically offer without making himself look stupid based on past moves?

Fortunately for the Leafs, you have no input...

 

[chuckertmg]

Who does/can he realistically offer without making himself look stupid based on past moves?

Maybe he should offer up our first round draft pick for a 34 year old stud like Nick Foligno?

 

[smuddan]

Being on the side of cheering for the team still, I would say there are signs in the last two games that perhaps Marner’s game is coming around. His line with Tavares and Kertfoot was very effective. On the other hand the Matthews Nylander Bunting line was shut out and minus 5 combined. Nylander had three decent games at the start. He has 0 goal 1 assist and minus 4 in the past 5 games.

‘The shut out is not a surprise considering the Knights are without their top four scorers. The difference between this game and the game against the equally injury riddled Pittsburg team is the performance of the Leafs top players. When Marner, Matthews and Nylander are playing great the puck just seems to follow them. When the forwards are skating well it makes the defence better because it allows the d men avenues for passes. Marner’s goal and Nylander’s pass to Matthews for his first goal were just beautiful to watch.

 

[John Wick]

It was nice to see the forwards climb out of the dumpster for a minute and look like they were finally starting to meet expectations. Although a shutout, the D corps still looked a tad too shaky and flaky. Jack looked good with 26 SOG although not too many were quality shots. To me it was more a case of Vegas looking really bad, and in turn the Leafs looked extra good. Good on em' though for taking full advantage. I expected much more from Lehner though.

 

[Fun For All]

Assuming things go sour and the LEAFS only pick up one, maybe two wins in the next 5 games, my sense is that Dubas will be toast. So who does Shanny bring in as the next GM?

They are 3-0 since then...

 

[John Wick]

They are 3-0 since then...

True, but when I wrote that, they were on a 3 game losing streak. Yes, they barely pulled out a squeaker in OT @ CHI (against the worst team in the league btw). They followed that up with a decent if not unspectacular win against another bottom feeding team @det, and then put on a dominant performance last night against VGK - an injury riddled team - as they rightly should have.

Now they have two tough ones upcoming against TB and BOS.

In post #93 I implied over a 5 game stretch, they'd probably go 2W/3L and they did just that. Now we have another 3 game run where I suspect they'll go 1W/2L. Over eight games, that's only 4wins. Should really be 3 wins but they got lucky in CHI.

With PHI and LA on the horizon, over the 10 game run they probably wind up 5W/5L. Far from fan or management expectations. I still say there will be moves afoot before the end of Nov if not sooner. There is nothing to indicate this roster has improved over last year at all. Actually, the opposite is true, particularly in light of performances from departed guys like Hyman and Andersen, even Thornton in FLA.

 

[Fun For All]

In post #93 I implied over a 5 game stretch, they'd probably go 2W/3L and they did just that. Now we have another 3 game run where I suspect they'll go 1W/2L. Over eight games, that's only 4wins. Should really be 3 wins but they got lucky in CHI.

You’re wrong...when you wrote post #93 on October 27 they’ve only played 3 games since and won all 3...

 

[John Wick]

You’re wrong...when you wrote post #93 on October 27 they’ve only played 3 games since and won all 3...

Better look again, pal. I wrote post #93 on Oct 21st. Not Oct 27th.

 

[Fun For All]

Better look again, pal. I wrote post #93 on Oct 21st. Not Oct 27th.

Few things...my eyes aren't as good as they use to be...you suggesting they would fire Dubas was completely off...and you suck and you know it.

 

[John Wick]

Few things...my eyes aren't as good as they use to be...you suggesting they would fire Dubas was completely off...and you suck and you know it.

Uh-huh. BTW - I made that assertion on Oct 27th after the OT win over CHI. I seem to remember specifying that potential outcome might come after a 5 game block of games to come, which we're only 2 games into so far (DET and VGK). Still have BOS, TB and LA to tackle before we know what might happen. If TOR loses in stinker fashion, I don't like Dubas' prospects.

 

[Fun For All]

Uh-huh. BTW - I made that assertion on Oct 27th after the OT win over CHI. I seem to remember specifying that potential outcome might come after a 5 game block of games to come, which we're only 2 games into so far (DET and VGK). Still have BOS, TB and LA to tackle before we know what might happen. If TOR loses in stinker fashion, I don't like Dubas' prospects.

Dubas job is safe...next three games are at home...

 

[shack]

Dubas job is safe...next three games are at home...

Which means that losing the next 3 at home would be a worse result than 3 on the road.

Not that I think that's gonna happen. Just saying.

 

[John Wick]

Well.....powerplay goal in OT gets the Buds the win over the defending cup champs. Someone in hockey heaven is taking pity on these guys! LOL!

Well played and well deserved win; Tavares and Willy Styles came through like they're paid to do (cutting it a bit close IMO - empty net, 42 secs to end of game, but they never gave up). Can't ask more than that I guess.

 

[Fun For All]

Well.....powerplay goal in OT gets the Buds the win over the defending cup champs. Someone in hockey heaven is taking pity on these guys! LOL!

Well played and well deserved win; Tavares and Willy Styles came through like they're paid to do (cutting it a bit close IMO - empty net, 42 secs to end of game, but they never gave up). Can't ask more than that I guess.

They've won 4 in a row now...