Toronto Maple Leafs 2011/12

[maurice93]

Hmmmm. By my count the Leafs have made the playoffs 16 in the past 30 years.

At least a few of those in the Norris Division don't really mean much.

In the last 30 years the Leafs have had two decent sets of teams... a few years around Gilmour, and about 5-6 years around Sundin when they continously beat Ottawa.

Overall, its been pretty pitiful. But certainly his fact was significantly wrong.

 

[Ironhead]

OK, we all knew the Leafs were not going to go 82-0.

The Leafs suffer first loss of the season, 3-2 in OT to Colorado.
Kessel scored to take over the NHL lead in goals.
Reimer made some nice saves to get it to OT so his team could salvage a point.

It is almost a guaranteed two points tomorrow night vs the Jets, almost.

 

[Casa_Nova]

It was a good game. The dominated the 3rd period, and if it wasn't for Giggy the Leafs could've easily won during regulation. However, it looked like they haven't practiced a lot of 4 on 4 as they looked very unorganized and lost during overtime. Still early in the season I suppose, hopefully they'll continue to improve. The first line is putting up good numbers right now, though there is no way they'll sustain this pace nor healthy for the team to only rely and have the one line. Hopefully the Kulemin Grabovski and McArthur line will start clicking again soon to balance things out a bit. If and when Connolly comes back, an interesting line of Bozak, Lombardi and Armstrong makes things interesting as well. With Kadri and Colborne waiting in the wings still, they are in decent and better shape over last year.

 

[Ironhead]

OK, we all knew the Leafs were not going to go 82-0.

The Leafs suffer first loss of the season, 3-2 in OT to Colorado.
Kessel scored to take over the NHL lead in goals.
Reimer made some nice saves to get it to OT so his team could salvage a point.

It is almost a guaranteed two points tomorrow night vs the Jets, almost.

Whoa ! Did I say guaranteed two points ? Yes I did and the Leafs got it, but it was far more difficult then I imagined it would be.
A nice two goal deficit eliminated again and a shootout win. Reimer played well and Kessel continues his hot streak.
Proves they can come back and win, yes it was the Flames and Jets, but two points are two points.

This season's team has started out well again. The differences I see are the addition of Steckel, the early work ethic of Kessel and Reimer looking like the goalie we thought he was.
The Leafs have not had a faceoff guy like Steckel in a few years. Winning the draw is so important, especially on the PK.
Kessel seems to be paying more attention to other parts of the game, backchecking, battling for the puck, etc.
Reimer being the goalie Leaf Nation thought(hoped) he is. Having him for a full season if he is a number one can make all the difference.

Now if they could just fix the PP.

 

[bullitt]

is it time for schenn to sit awhile? played less than 11 mins, from what i read last nite. did not play 1 shift in ot. that gardner kid is way beyond his years over schenn and a few others. can,t see it in schenn, skates like his blades are tied together, way too slow, can,t start a breakout, he,s probably a real nice kid, i just think he don,t have it.

 

[Casa_Nova]

is it time for schenn to sit awhile? played less than 11 mins, from what i read last nite. did not play 1 shift in ot. that gardner kid is way beyond his years over schenn and a few others. can,t see it in schenn, skates like his blades are tied together, way too slow, can,t start a breakout, he,s probably a real nice kid, i just think he don,t have it.

Not sure what is wrong with him per se. Had a good Rookie season, poor sophomore, good year again last year, and this year has been a dud so far. Not sure if sitting him is the answer as Komersarik is just as deserving to be benched. In fact neither played in the OT plus was sitting pretty much most of the 3rd as well. Might as well let Franson and Gardiner play instead.

 

[Ironhead]

Not sure what is wrong with him per se. Had a good Rookie season, poor sophomore, good year again last year, and this year has been a dud so far. Not sure if sitting him is the answer as Komersarik is just as deserving to be benched. In fact neither played in the OT plus was sitting pretty much most of the 3rd as well. Might as well let Franson and Gardiner play instead.

Komisarek did not dress last night in Boston.
I am willing to give Schenn a few more games before making him a healthy scratch.

Rough night in Boston last night. I kind of thought is was going to be with what happened vs Carolina. I always want the team the Leafs are about to play to have won the game just previous.

 

[Casa_Nova]

Komisarek did not dress last night in Boston.
I am willing to give Schenn a few more games before making him a healthy scratch.

Rough night in Boston last night. I kind of thought is was going to be with what happened vs Carolina. I always want the team the Leafs are about to play to have won the game just previous.

Yup, rough game last night. Their first back to back games of the season and they boys lacked energy for a large part of the game especially the first period. Not sure if The Monster is necessarily the answer in the backup role. Sure there were a few goals that weren't has fault but he also did give up a few that he should've had. He actually looked good in the beginning but everything kinda fell apart after giving the first few goals.

Not to make an excuse for them, but my understanding was that they also had a really rough flight getting to Boston while flying through the storm. (Haha, I think there was a twitter picture of Kessel or someone where he complexly sweat through his shirt because he was so nervous) Not sure whether that played apart on the energy level as well.

 

[futurelegend]

I said it in another thread and I'll say it here too. Sometimes, benching a player is not the solution. They get diminished ice time because they can become a liability, but part of being a good coach is working with your players (ESPECIALLY when they're young) and helping them figure out what is lacking in their game. Is it a lack of mental focus? Is it conditioning? Getting through those problems is a better long term approach than just sitting them out for a game or two. That will only bread resentment and often exacerbate the issue.

 

[shack]

I said it in another thread and I'll say it here too. Sometimes, benching a player is not the solution. They get diminished ice time because they can become a liability, but part of being a good coach is working with your players (ESPECIALLY when they're young) and helping them figure out what is lacking in their game. Is it a lack of mental focus? Is it conditioning? Getting through those problems is a better long term approach than just sitting them out for a game or two. That will only bread resentment and often exacerbate the issue.

Komisarek's play in the time he has been in Toronto has, for the most part, been below expectations. Don't think anyone would disagree with that. I think he's been here 2+ years and this was the very first time Wilson made him a healthy scratch. How patient is Wilson supposed to be?

Although I may agree with you in principal, in this particular case, definitely not.

 

[JonSlid]

Komisarek is being played for a potential trade - that's all.

 

[AJstar]

Will somebody please tell the MONSTER that he is allowed to stand up on his skates.
What the hell goes when every f'n play he is flopped on his knees or worse.
Then big surprise, while the puck flies over him into the net.

 

[maurice93]

Komisarek is being played for a potential trade - that's all.

With that contract, he's untradeable unless your taking an equally bad contract in return,

 

[Manji]

Holy Fuck...

What a crazy game...

Hate to say it but I was cringing everytime Gustaffson had to make a save....He was in a tough spot replacing Reimer in the second but boy did he look shaky...

Jake Gardiner is looking really impressive...

 

[Casa_Nova]

The Leafs look like a completely different team when Reimer is in goal versus the Monster. Feels like the team doesn't have confidence in him either. Yes, he did have some bright spots in today's game, and good for him in getting the win after needing to come in half way through; but man the Leafs were always made scrambling when the puck was in their zone to avoid any shots getting to their goalie. I hope Reimer is ok, or else they better get their Marlies goalie up quick.

 

[Ironhead]

The only changes I would have made last night if I were writing the script ... Grabovski would have scored the winning goal with about 10 - 15 seconds left in regulation. The other change would be that Reimer does not get hurt. Other then that I cannot complain about the out come. Leafs go into Montreal needing to get back on the winning side after that hurting Boston put on them.
Kessel scores to maintain/increase his slim lead in NHL goal scoring, but it is far, far too early to get excited about that.
The Leafs caught a break on the tying goal, although I did not see it, when the puck hit the netting above the glass and the officials missed it. The whistle, of course, should been blown.
Nice to see Frattin playing well and Gardiner looks more and more like a veteran, still makes a rookie mistake now and then.

Leaf Nation will find out a whole lot about this years edition of the team this week.
At Philly on Monday, at NY, to play the Rangers, on Thursday and back home next Saturday to meet the Penguins. Leafs close out Oct 2011 in Ottawa on Sunday.


Go Leafs Go !

 

[Ironhead]

Flyers tonight in Philly.
Hope Franson gets in and stays in, at least for a few games. Let him build some confidence.
Wilson was never my first choice for coach. I was willing to give him a chance, but now I am not so sure he is good for this young Leaf team.

 

[bullitt]

Flyers tonight in Philly.
Hope Franson gets in and stays in, at least for a few games. Let him build some confidence.
Wilson was never my first choice for coach. I was willing to give him a chance, but now I am not so sure he is good for this young Leaf team.

totally agree about wilson.

 

[Ironhead]

Tim Connolly will finally make his Leafs debut in New York tonight. I know I will be watching with interest.

Reimer is not going to dress again. I am a little concerned now, just a little.

For whatever reason, I feel this is an important game for the Leafs.
They face Richards who chose NY over Toronto.

 

[Casa_Nova]

Connolly will run into Richards and both their seasons will be over afterwards...