Maple Leafs 2017-2018 Season Thread

[smuddan]

We just need two more Hainsey's. One each for Reilly, Gardiner and Demott and we'll be all set for a cup run lol.

Speaking of Demott, he's already looking better than both Reilly and Gardiner at similar age and playing with Hainsey should do wonders for his development.

 

[Ref]

Lanny without a 'Stache

http://www.vintagehockeycardsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/lanny-mcdonald-rookie-card.jpg

 

[smuddan]

No Reilly, no Hainsey, no problem. Dermott and Holl are here and when was the last time two rookie defence men on the same team scored their first goal in the same game ? Both kids played great and Dermott keeps impressing. Just who's that bum who says we need to upgrade our defence ? Lol

 

[Insidious Von]

What did we learn from the show tonight Craig: never underestimate Lou's plan.

The son of Rhode Island fisherman may be getting long in the tooth but he still has a keen eye for talent. Every rookie defenseman that's been in the lineup has played great. He's doing for the Leafs what he did for Mickey Mouse.

Let's not forget a returning defenseman - Zaitsev. Without a World Cup and culture shock behind him, he's been lights out on the blue line this year. He arrived in Toronto almost a full month before training camp, no jitters in his second season. Lou was right to give him a generous long term contract.

When Gretzky made his Mickey Mouse comment, Lou was in his first year of GM of the Devils.

 

[tribunus]

No need to gut the current roster or trade futures for a Dman. Just roll with what you got, and don't play Polak or Marincin.

 

[Insidious Von]

Did a background check on Justin Holl, he's 3 months younger than Zaitsev. Sometimes, Dmen take longer to mature.

He was drafted last in the second round by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. He never signed an entry level contract preferring to play hockey at the University of Minnesota. The Leafs signed him to a minor league contract in 2015. Impressive first game let's see what he does the rest of the way.

Zeitsev is a disciple of CrossFit in the off season.

 

[gcostanza]

..... Just roll with what you got, and don't play Polak or Marincin.

Or Martin (forward).

 

[smuddan]

Or Martin (forward).

The 4th line of Moore/Kapanan/Komarov has looked very good the last 3 games, but I'm not convinced that the presence of a tough guy is no longer required in the NHL's regular season.

What happens if the scores get lobsided and the other teams decide to take free runs at your best players or goalie ? Do you have faith in the refs' ability to stop that before one of your guys gets wracked or would the presence of a Martin be a safer bet ?

 

[Insidious Von]

I have no faith in the refs protecting players, this isn't the NBA. Good point.

Good thing the Leafs are in Madison square Gardens tonight or else Dermot and Holl would be buying the fish tacos at Playa Cabana tonight.

 

[superstar_88]

Tornoto's D has gone to shits without Zeitsev.

Z comes back and Leafs shut out the highest scoring team in the League without their top pairing D of Hains and Reilly although there is an article that finds Z having the worse corsi of the top 4 by a large margin.

 

[superstar_88]

Leafs are pretty much a .500 team.

The Leafs have won 8 games more than they have lost, which puts them tied for 14th in that category.

8 more wins than losses is hardly 500. You're referring more to the medium if they are indeed 14th based on your calculations.

 

[superstar_88]

I believe we've seen enough games to determine that this team is not ready to compete for the cup yet. As such, I hope Leafs management will make a determined effort to stack the team with more blue chip prospects at the trade deadline by moving at least a couple of the pending ufa's or any player(s) that they don't see fit for the long term plan.

Some might argue that icing the best possible lineup to win a round or two would do great to boost the young guys' confidence but that could also mean less meaningful ice time for
the young guys like Brown, Kapannan, Leivo, to gain valuable playoff experience.

If Lamoriello & co should decide to take a run to see how far this team can go, then they're going to need to make some improvements in the centre and defence positions by acquiring more veteran help. I just hope they decide which way to go and go for it and just dont make any half ass effort either way.

Their last 3 games vs Chi, Dallas, and NYI has shown they looked really good in their defensive style. Perhaps this is the way. Those are high scoring teams they shut down. Without key defenders as well. Granted sitting out Martin has also made a huge difference.

 

[superstar_88]

We just need two more Hainsey's. One each for Reilly, Gardiner and Demott and we'll be all set for a cup run lol.

Speaking of Demott, he's already looking better than both Reilly and Gardiner at similar age and playing with Hainsey should do wonders for his development.

Have to say Dermott does look very good. That goal is scored showed everything you need to see. Right from when he got the puck. Cagy move to get around the forchecker. Skated past a few into the corners. Nice move to protect the puck but it got away. Quick feet and nice reach to knock puck off the best rookie in the league. Smart, poised, and skilled. Uses his body also unlike Reilly or Gardiner. Hunter got him in the 2nd round.

 

[superstar_88]

The 4th line of Moore/Kapanan/Komarov has looked very good the last 3 games, but I'm not convinced that the presence of a tough guy is no longer required in the NHL's regular season.

What happens if the scores get lobsided and the other teams decide to take free runs at your best players or goalie ? Do you have faith in the refs' ability to stop that before one of your guys gets wracked or would the presence of a Martin be a safer bet ?

Play Komarov at center with Kapanen and Martin where a little banging and grit in the playoffs is required.

 

[gcostanza]

Play Komarov at center with Kapanen and Martin where a little banging and grit in the playoffs is required.

Or, play more talented players on the 4th line.

 

[glamphotographer]

Or, play more talented players on the 4th line.

Disguise Matthews as a 4th line player. It worked before.

 

[glamphotographer]

Leafs look good tonight. Holl 2 goals in 2 games.

 

[superstar_88]

Or, play more talented players on the 4th line.

Sure, put Marner and Nylander on the 4th. And Brown too. You genius.

 

[Insidious Von]

To be a Stanley Cup contender a team has to be adaptable.

I thought that depth on the blue line was still two years away; Borgman, Dermot and Holl are all exceeding expectations. Holl scores his second goal, he's come up from the the depth. After his college career ended, he got no favours. The Leafs signed in him while he was playing in the ECHL.

 

[Insidious Von]

Lou is the same age as Harrison Ford - obviously he don't need no fucking force.