Maple Leafs 2018 - 19

[superstar_88]

They play against 3rd line competition, They better be good. That was suppose to be the Leafs advantage right from the get go.
Matthews probably thinking he needs to change things up so he's shooting along the ice now rather than top glove corner.
Marleau's line-mates are practically half his age. He'll collapse by season end if they keep this line together.
This is the way Matthews needs to play, skate with intensity and purpose.
Can't see Moore playing anything but the 4th line. He's like an Ennis.

 

[smuddan]

Can't see Moore playing anything but the 4th line. He's like an Ennis.

Maybe, but I thought he brought energy when he's on the ice and very noticeable even on the 4th line. Can't say the same about Gauthier though. He's big in size not play. He's weak on his skates. Only advantage over Moore is that he's a natural centre.

 

[Insidious Von]

Impressive game tonight but the Leafs are still Letterkenny super soft on defense. They won't get past the first round if Andersen has to face 40+ shots. Dubas is weighing his options, he has to bring in another defenseman. I have no confidence in either Marincin or Ozhiganov.

On the bright side, playing with someone as abrasive as Kadri will wake Nylander up.

 

[saxon]

Didn’t hurt playing the Capitals as they have now lost 7 in a row and are giving up goals in bunches.

 

[superstar_88]

Holtby wasn't good last year as well until he got going in the playoffs. Brown is a natural right winger moved up to play left wing with Kadri and Nylander. Moore certainly is energy. If he wasn't he wouldn't be called up. Johnson is injured. There's no way Marleau is playing 4th line. No way Hyman is playing 4th line as well.

 

[shack]

Maybe, but I thought he brought energy when he's on the ice and very noticeable even on the 4th line. Can't say the same about Gauthier though. He's big in size not play. He's weak on his skates. Only advantage over Moore is that he's a natural centre.

I think Babcock values his ability to win faceoffs in the defensive zone. I read some stat about a month ago about how often the Leafs get the puck out of their zone when Gauthier takes the faceoff. It was pretty good.

 

[superstar_88]

The problem is when Gauthier doesn't win the faceoff the puck never gets out of the defensive zone.

 

[shack]

The problem is when Gauthier doesn't win the faceoff the puck never gets out of the defensive zone.

He may not be that bad in that regard:

Goal differential is a measure of success for fourth-liners and Gauthier — who signed a two-year, two-way contract extension in July — has been on the plus side, despite the fact that his shifts start in the defensive zone 66 per cent of the time. He has been on the ice for 10 Leaf goals and seven by the opposition.

 

[superstar_88]

Well, he's paid peanuts and he's big and he does look better than last year where he looked lost so sure keep him. They have enough tiny players. He's a 4th line center regardless on a team supposedly with the best center core in the league.

 

[saxon]

Leafs have acquired Muzzin from the Kings. Leafs give up forward Grundstrom, the rights to defenceman Durzi and 2019 first round pick. Muzzin has 1 more year on his contract at $4 million a year.

 

[K Douglas]

Leafs trade for D Jake Muzzin. YES!!!!!
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/maple-leafs-acquire-defenceman-jake-muzzin-kings/

 

[Insidious Von]

Porco Juda!

Finally our super soft defense gets some fiber. They gave up a first round pick along with Grondstrom and the right to a player I've never heard from. Dubas has learned something from Lou. What's Muzzin's contract like?

 

[saxon]

Porco Juda!

Finally our super soft defense gets some fiber. They gave up a first round pick along with Grondstrom and the right to a player I've never heard from. Dubas has learned something from Lou. What's Muzzin's contract like?

He has 1 more year left at $4 million, Leafs pick up all of his cap hit. Issue here is the Leafs need to win it all in the next 2 years as too many key players will be up for new contracts with huge raises involved.

 

[Insidious Von]

From what I've read he's a late bloomer, he has a Stanley Cup ring which helps. He could be the medicine to cure Gardiner's yips. Zaitsev plays better with Rielly anyway. Hainsey has been logging too much ice time and it's shows.

Hopefully we can start putting these days behind us.

 

[HOLLYWOODG]

We overpaid for Muzzin. Essentially, we gave up 2 second round prospects and a future first rounder. With this move I don't see another big deal being made before the trade deadline by the Leafs.

Muzzin is a rental for 1.5 seasons...

 

[superstar_88]

huge difference btwn top 10 first rounder and bottom 10 first round. Top 10 more likely to get a player. Bottom 10 more likely to get a dud. What's with this rental? Everyone is a rental. No player is a lifer and this is a cap world. You make it sound like teams will be giving away defensemen for free. Leafs needed an upgrade on D. Hainsey is gone next year and Gardner as well if not sooner. With Muzzin now they have a shot. Without a D upgrade is tough sledding. You want Gardner out there protecting a lead in the 3rd against Boston? Number 6 for Leafs is retired though. Would be nice to see 6 again.

Probably to get any D from Carolina or St Louis they'd need to start with a 1st and Kapanen. Much rather keep Kapanen. He's a real player. And that's not saying they'd have more of an impact than Muzzin. He's plus 10 on a terrible LA team and only at 4 mill rather than other higher priced D out there. They already have cap issues next year.

 

[K Douglas]

We overpaid for Muzzin. Essentially, we gave up 2 second round prospects and a future first rounder. With this move I don't see another big deal being made before the trade deadline by the Leafs.

Muzzin is a rental for 1.5 seasons...

Couldn't disagree more. We gave up 2 marginal prospects and a 20 something pick this year. We get a much needed boost to our D and more importantly it signals to the current Leafs that management is serious about winning right now.

 

[glamphotographer]

We gave up 2 marginal prospects and a 20 something pick this year. .

It could be the 31st pick.

 

[glamphotographer]

Muzzin will be the first paring with Reilly. He was plus 10 on a crappy team.

 

[superstar_88]

Since 6 is retired give him number 51 once Gardner is traded. 51 adds up to 6. He is the replacement for Hainsey. Hainsey was brought in to do what Muzzin is brought in to do now. Muzzin is in his prime. Hainsey is past his best due date.

Hainsey will move down to play with Dermott. Next year's draft is not deep so it's the one to trade. After about 20 it drops off.