Toronto Maple Leafs 2010/11
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
Unbelieveable.
Althought not the best team in the league, after three games, the Leafs have shown a lot of promise.
There are two lines that can score some goals.
There is a checking line that actually checks, and is not a liability.
There is a crash and bang line that is not a defensive liability, and one winger doubles as a pentalty killer.
The Leafs are winning faceoffs, and battles for the puck, especially the defencemen.
The defense core has been solid for the most part.
The goaltending is solid so far.
Up front, it is a young team. On the blueline, they are in their prime.
Keep playing like this, the Leafs will make the playoffs.
They just beat three playoff teams from last year. Not only that, two were one goal games, and Leafs did not look like the weaker team in all three games.
I don't remember a Leaf team like this, and so young too.
Althought not the best team in the league, after three games, the Leafs have shown a lot of promise.
There are two lines that can score some goals.
There is a checking line that actually checks, and is not a liability.
There is a crash and bang line that is not a defensive liability, and one winger doubles as a pentalty killer.
The Leafs are winning faceoffs, and battles for the puck, especially the defencemen.
The defense core has been solid for the most part.
The goaltending is solid so far.
Up front, it is a young team. On the blueline, they are in their prime.
Keep playing like this, the Leafs will make the playoffs.
They just beat three playoff teams from last year. Not only that, two were one goal games, and Leafs did not look like the weaker team in all three games.
I don't remember a Leaf team like this, and so young too.
I have noticed other players take that approach, the wide slow arc, but they usually at least hit the net.
LOL Malkin threw a hissy fit on the bench afterwards.
At least Blake hit the net with his attempt and one other thing ... SCORED !
I was discussing with my neighbour that Leafs look faster than they did last year (like MUCH faster).
And sure enough after the game the commentators state that exact same thing, they are indeed a much faster skating team, especially on the break
And sure enough after the game the commentators state that exact same thing, they are indeed a much faster skating team, especially on the break
They are much improved from 2009/10. Players were brought in to play specific roles and it is going well so far.
As the Leafs win more obviously their confidence will grow. So long as the goaltending holds up playoffs are a possibility and after watching the 2010 playoffs a surprise or two may be in the future, no Cup, but an upset or two maybe.
As the Leafs win more obviously their confidence will grow. So long as the goaltending holds up playoffs are a possibility and after watching the 2010 playoffs a surprise or two may be in the future, no Cup, but an upset or two maybe.
Agreed, I'll be happy if they make the semi's this year, and then shoot for the Cup in 2012 or 2013. Thats being more realistic
That is such a gay figure skating "Toller Cranston" move. Just skate right at the goalie and blast it or try a deke and slide it between the 5 hole.
Speed in the modern NHL is such a powerful weapon now because without the hooking and cratching, you can apply a lot os fore-checking pressure to create scoring chances from turnovers. The Leafs have been able to bury their chances. It also helped that the 3 teams they've faced all are struggling off the gate and Leafs goaltending have been superior.
Remember this from 1 year ago?
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/11/20/11825756-sun.html
It seems even though Ron Wilson claimed that he was right to hire a cycling trainer for their strength and conditioning last year, he DIDN'T RENEW that training for this off-season and he took GARY's advice and ordered leafs s&c coach, Anthony Belza, to restructure their program with kinesiologist Andy O'Brien (who also happens to be Sidney Crosby's personal trainer for the last 9 years)!
predictions: leafs win northeast division in 2011!
Go fuckin' leafs go!
http://www.torontosun.com/sports/hockey/2009/11/20/11825756-sun.html
It seems even though Ron Wilson claimed that he was right to hire a cycling trainer for their strength and conditioning last year, he DIDN'T RENEW that training for this off-season and he took GARY's advice and ordered leafs s&c coach, Anthony Belza, to restructure their program with kinesiologist Andy O'Brien (who also happens to be Sidney Crosby's personal trainer for the last 9 years)!
predictions: leafs win northeast division in 2011!
Go fuckin' leafs go!
This year is the first truly "Brian Burke" edition of the Leafs (except Mitchell, Finger and Kaberle). Last year (which was his real first season) was spent in trying to get rid of the chaff which he accomplished (except the aforementioned). I love how all the naysayers already wanted Burkie's head last and now are jumping on the bandwagon. Love him or hate him, you've got to respect Burke. He has a vision and conviction of how to win the cup which we haven't seen in Leaf land since...?
......and brains and a proven track record. Love the guy (figuratively, I can assure you all).
He backs up his talk with actions. He is not afraid to take (calculated) risks and all the idiots who say the Leafs can't be bothered to spend since they already sell out, Burke just ate $7 million to send Finger down to clear up cap space. He knows how to play that game as well.
Let's see how they do in Manhattan tomorrow. I may actually start liking hockey again.
Absolutely. People love to mock the Kessel trade but only history (at least a few years from now) will prove who won that trade. Right now any team in the league would love to have Kessel.
I posted this earlier, but I still think it is amazing that Burke can have the following forwards in the starting lineup:
- Orr (NYR from last year) - don't really care for him, but I guess we need an "enforcer"
- Sjostrom (NYR from last year) - good role-player
- Armstrong (ATL) - we mostly know about him cause of the Hossa trade (and played with Sydney)
- MacArthur (Buf drafted 2003)
- Brown (Ana/Van drafted 2004)
- Brent (Marlies drafted 2004)
- Zigomanis (drafted 2001)
Many are doing well, a la, Clarke MacArthur.
How long can those guys stay in the lineup? Orr / Zigomanis hardly played last night.
- Orr (NYR from last year) - don't really care for him, but I guess we need an "enforcer"
- Sjostrom (NYR from last year) - good role-player
- Armstrong (ATL) - we mostly know about him cause of the Hossa trade (and played with Sydney)
- MacArthur (Buf drafted 2003)
- Brown (Ana/Van drafted 2004)
- Brent (Marlies drafted 2004)
- Zigomanis (drafted 2001)
Many are doing well, a la, Clarke MacArthur.
How long can those guys stay in the lineup? Orr / Zigomanis hardly played last night.
That's the second time I've seen that. Pretty sure we got him from Calgary last year in the multi-player trade that brought Phaneuf.
Intresting comment on Wilson being gone by December... I would have said the same thing this time last year at this time! However, the Leafs appear to be playing hard and smart (as of late) which means they are buying into what the coach is saying! So as long as that is happening...
The TV guy said that losing the "A" means that Tomas can concentrate strictly on hockey hockey. He can play on my pickup team anytime. Does everything a D man is suppose to do and never complains.
