New 2019-20 Maple Leafs thread

[smuddan]

Darts, you’re not wrong in saying this team is “soft” - I said so myself, but Matthews, Marner or even Nylander are the wrong guys to pick on or to blame for that image.These guys have played all their hockey lives the same way and it would be unreasonable to expect them changing their style at the pro level.

This is where “team chemistry” comes into play, and I don’t interpret this term to mean that players are getting along with each other. To me “chemistry“ means you have the right kinds of players at the key positions. We have a forward core consisting of play makers and scorers that should rank right up there with the serious contenders and we need that scoring punch, but the supporting cast, be that 3rd and 4th line guys and the 5th/6th d men should be the ones that provide the necessary grittiness and toughness to make it harder for the other team.

 

[superstar_88]

Darts, you’re not wrong in saying this team is “soft” - I said so myself, but Matthews, Marner or even Nylander are the wrong guys to pick on or to blame for that image.These guys have played all their hockey lives the same way and it would be unreasonable to expect them changing their style at the pro level.

This is where “team chemistry” comes into play, and I don’t interpret this term to mean that players are getting along with each other. To me “chemistry“ means you have the right kinds of players at the key positions. We have a forward core consisting of play makers and scorers that should rank right up there with the serious contenders and we need that scoring punch, but the supporting cast, be that 3rd and 4th line guys and the 5th/6th d men should be the ones that provide the necessary grittiness and toughness to make it harder for the other team.

Wholeheartedly concur with this assessment. Dart, however, won't be able to comprehend. Just give it up. Save your breadth. He is fixated on Marner, Matthews, and Nylander. He goes so far as to not like the way they dress. Now what does that tell you? If Matthews ever gets himself a black girlfriend Dart will amplify his tirades. He may even stop watching hockey. Oh, wait, Dart doesn't watch hockey.

 

[Darts]

but the supporting cast, be that 3rd and 4th line guys and the 5th/6th d men should be the ones that provide the necessary grittiness and toughness to make it harder for the other team.

Except the Leafs don't have these guys either.

Even 1st and 2nd liners need to be more physical. Maybe break a couple of eggs to paraphrase one member. Be a bit more like Hyman. They don't need to be like OV or Benn or McDavid but at least do a bit of push back.

The concern with Matthews is that he might get hurt like in year 2 and 3 and miss 40 games if he plays a bit physical. Marner, Nylander and Tavares will probably never get hurt.

The record speaks for itself. The team never got past round 1 in the 4 years Matthews has been here. They barely got into the playoffs last year and got bounced in the 1st round and didn't even make the playoffs this year.

 

[smuddan]

Except the Leafs don't have these guys either.

Even 1st and 2nd liners need to be more physical. Maybe break a couple of eggs to paraphrase one member. Be a bit more like Hyman. They don't need to be like OV or Benn or McDavid but at least do a bit of push back.

The concern with Matthews is that he might get hurt like in year 2 and 3 and miss 40 games if he plays a bit physical. Marner, Nylander and Tavares will probably never get hurt.

The record speaks for itself. The team never got past round 1 in the 4 years Matthews has been here. They barely got into the playoffs last year and got bounced in the 1st round and didn't even make the playoffs this year.

We can agree that this team needs more toughness, I don’t think many would disagree except Dubas and his faithful followers. Getting Clifford was a step in the right direction but we needed more than just one guy. With him gone we now need at least a couple tough guys on both ends who are strong along the boards, win puck battles and would take a hit to make play.

A forward who is tough and has skills to compliment the top two lines is hard to get. Hyman is the only guy and I just hope they will lock him up for a few more years.

 

[shack]

They don't need to be like OV or Benn or McDavid.

McDavid is a real bruiser. Reminds me of 88.

 

[Darts]

Getting Clifford was a step in the right direction but we needed more than just one guy. With him gone we now need at least a couple tough guys on both ends who are strong along the boards, win puck battles and would take a hit to make play.

I thought Clifford was happy to come to Toronto. Wonder why he decided to leave? Anyway, the loss of Clifford and feisty Kapanen means the Leafs also loss some toughness and grit.

This soft Leaf team is no accident, it is actually by design,
"What they are is a skill-first team that, in general manager Kyle Dubas’s rookie season, has been stripped of nearly all vestigial nods to hockey’s vigilante heritage. Even last season the Leafs employed a small cadre of players whose arsenal included physical intimidation, among them Matt Martin, Leo Komarov and Roman Polak, all of whom have since departed. It wasn’t long ago that Babcock lauded the likes of Martin for “keeping the flies off” Toronto’s young core. "

Dave Feschuk: Leafs redefining toughness in modern NHL

Lack of physical response to the Wings’ hit on Auston Matthews is the latest example of the Leafs’ shift toward relentless offence as payback. Says coach Mike Babcock: “Our toughness is our power play.” It’s hard to argue with the results this season, Dave Feschuk writes.

www.thestar.com