Leafs '22/'23 Thread

shack

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Oct 2, 2001
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Nylander's points this year are a red herring. Yes, his overall game is better/more consistent this season. He has indeed set up/scored a small handful of really nice goals. But he's the master at piling up meaningless points in meaningless games, which is how we got to this false impression his game has gone to the next level just in time for the playoffs. I still see him only weakly stick checking opponents, going on lone rushes where he rags the puck uselessly then gives up the puck without creating a scoring chance, going for a long skate or immediately coasting off to the bench when he does give up the puck instead of stopping and going right back after it. Now it feels like he's pissed that he's again moving down the depth chart, playing with weaker players instead of the team's stars. Won't be surprised if he once again essentially disappears as a consistently effective player against much tougher teams in the first round.
I can't say that I haven't seen examples of many of those things.
 

superstar_88

The Chiseler
Jan 4, 2008
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Marner -3 TOI 17:40 hence loses his superstar status
Matthews -2 TOI 17:31
Tavares -3 TOI 16:23
Bunting -2 TOI 15:57
Jarnkrok -2 TOi 14:37
Kampf -2 TOI 13:31

N Y L A N D E R even TOI 20:31 highest of all forwards almost 3 minutes more than second place Marner
and he has to carry 4th liner Lafferty and minor leaguer McMann
 
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Gooseifur

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I'm really worried about their goaltending come playoff time. It wouldn't surprise me if they got swept in the 1st round
 

Darts

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Leafs lineup experiment continues as Florida is desperate to make the playoffs, Leafs are 1-8-1 in Florida in their last 10 games, expect the Panthers to claw the Leafs tonight.
I'm not a fan of sitting out healthy key players.
 

superstar_88

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Leafs have a 12-2-1 record without Rielly this season
 
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K Douglas

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well said mr wick. at least someone on this thread sees it the way i do. bill nylander, cant effin stand him. lazy, soft as shite. he could be a REALLY good player, but does not want it, IMHO.
That was my criticism of Nylander in years past. But this year's been different. He's actually engaging (and winning) in puck battles more and his defense has improved significantly. He still goes into lapses where it looks like he's giving little effort but so does AM34.
 

K Douglas

Half Man Half Amazing
Jan 5, 2005
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Leafs have a 12-2-1 record without Rielly this season
We play much better defensively when he's not in the lineup. He gets caught out of position far too much, truly a defensive liability. When the Raptors traded DeRozen for Kawhi look what happened. Hopefully Dubas can move Reilly in the off season for a more capable d man.
 

superstar_88

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Gio is a key Defenseman. He's also the oldest player in the NHL that's not a goalie. It would be a huge mistake not to make him a healthy scratch on occasion and rest him for when it really counts ... The Playoffs
 
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John Wick

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That was my criticism of Nylander in years past. But this year's been different. He's actually engaging (and winning) in puck battles more and his defense has improved significantly. He still goes into lapses where it looks like he's giving little effort but so does AM34.
He could learn a lot from watching/emulating aspects of Jarnkrok's game.
 

bullitt

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Nov 7, 2005
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That was my criticism of Nylander in years past. But this year's been different. He's actually engaging (and winning) in puck battles more and his defense has improved significantly. He still goes into lapses where it looks like he's giving little effort but so does AM34.
i,ll take # 34 on my team anytime...ANYTIME ;) .
 

shack

Nitpicker Extraordinaire
Oct 2, 2001
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That was my criticism of Nylander in years past. But this year's been different. He's actually engaging (and winning) in puck battles more and his defense has improved significantly. He still goes into lapses where it looks like he's giving little effort but so does AM34.
(y)
 
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