Maple Leafs 2018 - 19

[Ref]

Time for a report card now that we are at or near the halfway mark.

Exceeded expectations
Kapanen, Tavares, Hainsey (plus 23), Rielly

Met expectations
Andersen, Mathews (when not injured), Marner

Disappointments
Nylander and to a much lesser degree Kadri and Marleau

Good observation. I can understand Marleau as father time will eventually catch up to him. Kadri is somewhat of a surprise. Not too sure what is wrong with him.

I would move Marner up a rung as this guy is one of the best players in the league. He is the reason so many guys are having great offensive years so far.

 

[shack]

Time for a report card now that we are at or near the halfway mark.

Exceeded expectations
Kapanen, Tavares, Hainsey (plus 23), Rielly

Met expectations
Andersen, Mathews (when not injured), Marner

Disappointments
Nylander and to a much lesser degree Kadri and Marleau

I think Tavares has met his expectations. He was expected to be great and he has been great. The main difference is we get to see the things that he can do game in and game out as opposed to mainly on the highlight reel so we have a better appreciation of what he can do. I think he is doing exactly what he has done almost his whole career. He is a consummate pro.

I'd say that Gardiner has exceeded expectations. He's a solid +17.

 

[shack]

Here's a question. Of the Leafs top 5 players, Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Rielly and Anderson, who would they miss the least if he were not on the team?

I'd say Matthews, mainly because he seems to be streaky. When he is on his game, he is amazing, but he doesn't seem to be there every game and for a big guy, he is not a physical force. I think the others are all very, very consistent and they can be counted on every single game. But that is a fantastic top 5.

 

[gcostanza]

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired G Michael Hutchinson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2020 5th Round draft pick.

 

[Indiana]

Here's a question. Of the Leafs top 5 players, Tavares, Matthews, Marner, Rielly and Anderson, who would they miss the least if he were not on the team?

I'd say Matthews, mainly because he seems to be streaky. When he is on his game, he is amazing, but he doesn't seem to be there every game and for a big guy, he is not a physical force. I think the others are all very, very consistent and they can be counted on every single game. But that is a fantastic top 5.

Well they’ve certainly shown they can win without Matthews.

Now let’s see about Anderson.

 

[glamphotographer]

Time for a report card now that we are at or near the halfway mark.

Exceeded expectations
Kapanen, Tavares, Hainsey (plus 23), Rielly

Met expectations
Andersen, Mathews (when not injured), Marner

Disappointments
Nylander and to a much lesser degree Kadri and Marleau

I would say Marner is exceding expectations. He's on pace for 114 points. This a problem cause the Leafs can't afford to pay hiim when he's a RFA.

 

[glamphotographer]

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired G Michael Hutchinson from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a 2020 5th Round draft pick.

Leafs should sign Ian Scott. Should Andersen or Sparks go down, Hutchinson is the number 1. Dubas couldn't get Reimer for a 2020 3rd round pick?

 

[Indiana]

Time for a report card now that we are at or near the halfway mark.

Exceeded expectations
Kapanen, Tavares, Hainsey (plus 23), Rielly

Met expectations
Andersen, Mathews (when not injured), Marner

Disappointments
Nylander and to a much lesser degree Kadri and Marleau

They’ve all met my expectations.

 

[saxon]

Leafs should sign Ian Scott. Should Andersen or Sparks go down, Hutchinson is the number 1. Dubas couldn't get Reimer for a 2020 3rd round pick?

Andersen out with a groin injury.

 

[bmwquay]

Marner for sure exceeding expectations. He had back to back 60 plus points and to start the year you expected him to be top 5 in league scoring?

If tavaras is exceeding expectations then so is Marner. I would say Marner exceeding more than Tavaras since Tavaras was already an established star coming in

When the season started there was still debate on who's better btwn Marner and Nylander. Would you expect Nylander to be top 5 in points? Marner has left Nylander in the dust.

I don't think you needed to qualify when not injured for Matthews cause I think the expectation for him now is that he will get injured.

 

[gcostanza]

Leafs should sign Ian Scott. Should Andersen or Sparks go down, Hutchinson is the number 1. Dubas couldn't get Reimer for a 2020 3rd round pick?

Why?
Yes.
With a 3 year commitment to Reimer, at ~2.6x the cost of Hutchinson, using a 3rd Rd pick rather than a 5th, WHY would you?
MH has a lower N.H.L. g.a.a. 2.70 vs. 2.82, Reimer a better s.p. .913 vs. .907.

I'm glad Dubas is making the decisions, not you.

 

[Sanjose16]

Forget any playoff run without Anderson.

 

[glamphotographer]

Why?
Yes.
With a 3 year commitment to Reimer, at ~2.6x the cost of Hutchinson, using a 3rd Rd pick rather than a 5th, WHY would you?
MH has a lower N.H.L. g.a.a. 2.70 vs. 2.82, Reimer a better s.p. .913 vs. .907.

I'm glad Dubas is making the decisions, not you.

Reimer is a better backup, has more NHL experience, has played 2.5x more games than Hutch, has a better win percentage (Reimer 137 wins, Hutch only 40) . The age difference is only 2 years (Reimer older). Why is Reimer backup to Loungo and not Hutch? Well in 4 games for the Panthers Hutch has a 4.17 GAA and .839 save%. In the AHL 3.33 GAA and .906 save%. Reimer's value is a little more than Hutch hence a higher price for him. Plus the Leafs can trade Reimer or burry Reimer in the Marlies, if no team claims him off waivers. Besides this is an emergency third string goalie which the Leafs will be done with as soon as Andersen is back.

Anyways, the Leafs have 4 days off before the next game. Hopefully Andersen will be back for Jan 3.

 

[glamphotographer]

Well the Leafs stunk out the joint tonight. JT couldn't live up the hype about tonight's NYI game. I do see the Leafs and JT going back to NY and getting revenge.

 

[glamphotographer]

Forget any playoff run without Anderson.

Same could be said about Carey price and Vasilevsky but good teams will find a way. Andersen will return before the playoffs. No need to panick, I'm not worried.

 

[Insidious Von]

Kaskisuo has been called up to the big club. The Marlies have turned their season around since he's come of the IR. I'm keen to see what he can do against top shooters.

Wasn't Mike Hutchinson the Jets starting goalie?

 

[jcpro]

Well the Leafs stunk out the joint tonight. JT couldn't live up the hype about tonight's NYI game. I do see the Leafs and JT going back to NY and getting revenge.

We should give the credit were it's due, instead. NY played a brilliant game, limited Toronto's chances and smothered them like a wet blanket. It was a preview of the playoffs where a hard working,well coached team with a moderate talent level will have a good chance of sending Leafs to a golf course.

 

[chuckertmg]

We should give the credit were it's due, instead. NY played a brilliant game, limited Toronto's chances and smothered them like a wet blanket. It was a preview of the playoffs where a hard working,well coached team with a moderate talent level will have a good chance of sending Leafs to a golf course.

Very well stated, with an emphasis on "well coached". The Islanders played a complete game.

 

[Ref]

We should give the credit were it's due, instead. NY played a brilliant game, limited Toronto's chances and smothered them like a wet blanket. It was a preview of the playoffs where a hard working,well coached team with a moderate talent level will have a good chance of sending Leafs to a golf course.

I also think a few other factors came into play. The hype surrounding Tavares was distracting (and unnecessary), the Leafs did not take the Islanders seriously and they were due for a loss.

 

[bmwquay]

Matthews looks to lack intensity. I remember him 2 years ago playoffs vs Washington. Every time he was on the ice he dominated. Don't see that in him right now.