Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/14 Season

[shack]

Shack, sometimes people reach a point where the same old same old isn't enough anymore to keep their interest.

Pretty much what I said.

To stop watching because you're tired of watching them lose is understandable.

Why is it so wrong to expect better of the most valued franchise? To question and be critical? And yes at some to say "come back to me when you are ready to take what in many ways is your civic responsibility to place a team on the ice with the potential to win"? That's all.

Is it so much to ask for a team that is .500 in regulation witha few overtime wins? That's all it would take to win really. Its anybody's series with those stats.

Is it so diffucult to not buy the Jersey? To turn the channel? To decry them on the boards? Try it sometime. Take a couple weeks off. See how you feel.

I understand the frustration, but my point is that most of the failures over the years have not been because management didn't care, but a lot of poor decisions, a bit of bad luck (losing in 7 to LA), close but not quite good enough (Sittler/Salming/McDonald era). IMO, they took 10 steps back when Ballard fired Jim Gregory who was a very, very good GM. That was ineptitude and spite on Ballard's part and lead directly to the black hole that was the '80's.

But if management really wants to already win, how is boycotting them going to make them want to win more. You can't fix stupidity, especially if it's the owners that are stupid. They have to be able to hire the right people to build the winner. I don't think people complained when they brought in Cliff Fletcher or Pat Quinn or even an erudite hockey man like Dryden who saw firsthand what a winning franchise needs. Obviously a lot of hires were atrocious a la Floyd Smith, Gerry MacNamara, John Brophy, Mike Nykoluk and others.

I can see boycotting an era like that, but IMO current ownership seems to be trying to do things the right way (firing Burke notwithstanding) but after so many years of losing I can understand a fan getting tired of being kicked in the teeth. I just don't share the view that it will have much impact if ownership is already motivated to win.

 

[K Douglas]

big deal, he hasn,t showed up for the last 30.

couldn't agree more. an abysmal failure so far.

 

[K Douglas]

Mid term report card

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/12/30/maple-leafs-midterm-report-card

Overall I think Hornby is pretty bang on. Here is what I would change.

I would move Phaneuf's grade to a B, from C+. Leads team in plus minus playing 24 min per game, often against other team's top players.
I would move Gunnarson's grade from a C+ to a C-. He loses too many puck battles and provides zero offensive capabilities. His shot blocking and positioning is good however.
I would move Kadri from a C to a D. He's been undisciplined, not shooting enough so his offensive numbers are down.
I would move Clarkson from a D+ to an F. He's been an utter failure in every sense. Looks like he's skating with cinder blocks on his skates. Not crashing the net, always getting suspended. 36 GP 3G 5A is certainly what Leaf fans did not expect.

 

[Ironhead]

Would it surprise you to know that Franson leads the NHL in hits with 176? I don't think that's playing soft. Gunnarsson, now that's soft. I wanna buy him a lifetime supply of Halls he coughs the puck up so much. Almost cost us the game against Jersey when he failed to get the puck out. Wonder why we give up so many late leads, no need to look further than Carl. In his defense his positioning has been better than previous years and his passing has improved (although it couldn't have gotten much worse).
I'd be happy to cut ties with Kadri but his recent contract signing limits our options.
Raymond has been a bonus for us, I can't complain. But yes he has faded since the start of the season.

Wow. Franson leads NHL in hits, never saw that one coming. I will watch him closely now.
However he still plays soft on the puck.

 

[Ironhead]

Very nice move for the assist from Kadri.
Montreal D had no idea where Naz went, totally undressed him. That is the Kadri we need to see more often.

Leafs need to shoot more, too many passes on the PP just after the goal.

 

[Ironhead]

I do not have too much of a problem with what Subban did, gaming winning goal in OT, the kid got excited.
Chirping the opposing bench on the road in the first period, maybe that was not the smartest thing to do.

What gets me is Subban got away with tackling McClement twice on one shift in the first, but karma in the third when JVR tied him up to hold Montreal out of the Leafs zone for about 30 seconds.
JVR then goes out and nets the winner.
Bernier made the big saves when the Leafs really needed it.
Nice work by Lupul on the final 'goal'.

 

[SPseeker]

one noticeable change between lupul and kadri that I've seen is that before... lupul seemed to be trying to set up kadri for the goal and they were out of sync. now it's the other way around... kadri setting up lupul (or raymond). either way... seems to work now. they really need to stop playing that "all defense with a lead" style in the 3rd period. they are built as an offensive team and don't do well sitting back at all. good thing they turned it back on after the habs tied it. they gotta learn to keep their foot on the enemy's neck while they are down. killer instinct. I feel like once bolland is back, they'll shore up the defensive aspects of the game. They still need another defensive defenseman. For whatever reason, fraser can't seem to be that guy this year.

 

[Polaris]

Only four games ago, the Toronto media was going to fire coach, and the GM was actively shopping Kadri around for a trade.

The Toronto media doesn't know anything. They should just stick to interviews, the coach, the players, and if no one is available just phone up Don Cherry.

There will be a big difference in this Leafs team heading into the stretch.

Glenson has brought stability to the defense. Two solid pairings both with some offensive, and a couple of younger defense men skating wild. The whole team will be better, as they will get the puck out and go on the rush.

Lupul I really like his game lately, maybe close to the best he has been with the Leafs and there were times very good hockey from him. Although the numbers do not show it, he does it all lately. Final minute in Boston protecting an one goal lead and Lupul is on the ice fighting for the puck. Clarkson too out on the ice in the final minute in Boston. Clarkson will be a long term project. He's playing okay I think, he is playing his game, but nothing to show for it in terms of stats. That tying goal that Kulemin scored against Buffalo, Clarkson I do not think got a point, but without his screen right on top of Miller, doubt that goes in.

The big line, plays like the big line. Bozak has really surprised. He keeps on getting a little bit better every year.

The problems on the back end may have been solved for now. In case of injury, then the Leafs may be in trouble again. The Leafs may have extra defense, but that means there really is any depth.

What you have to like as Leafs fans and Leafs management, last four games against divisional opponents, the Leafs win, and the Leafs play with a lead.

 

[joe_labatt]

Agreed. Once PK was hit hard, he lost his composure and had tunnel vision for retribution. I too couldn't believe he was not called.

On a side note, anyone stick around on HNIC to watch the opening of the Calgary - Vancouver game? The game started with both sides playing their 4th lines, all active players of course when at it, and matters heated up after the first period in the Flames hallway. I have to call it a night, and get to bed, but crazy stuff... Here is a video on TSN.

00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Dale Weise
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Blair Jones
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Chris Butler
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth served by Joe Colborne Roughing - 2 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Game misconduct - 10 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Game misconduct - 10 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Game misconduct - 10 min against Dale Weise
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Game misconduct - 10 min against Blair Jones
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Game misconduct - 10 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Game misconduct - 10 min against Chris Butler
04:26 CGY Mark Giordano Hooking - 2 min against Alexandre Burrows
04:26 CGY Lance Bouma Roughing - 2 min against Zack Kassian
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
07:02 VAN Brad Richardson Holding - 2 min against TJ Brodie
11:27 CGY Lee Stempniak Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Kesler
11:27 CGY Shane O'Brien Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Zack Kassian Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows served by David Booth Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min against Lee Stempniak
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows Roughing - 2 min against Lee Stempniak


You'd swear the Chiefs where on the ice again.

Eddie Shore - Old time hockey!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i_D6oQO6b8&feature=player_detailpage

 

[Ironhead]

Agreed. Once PK was hit hard, he lost his composure and had tunnel vision for retribution. I too couldn't believe he was not called.

On a side note, anyone stick around on HNIC to watch the opening of the Calgary - Vancouver game? The game started with both sides playing their 4th lines, all active players of course when at it, and matters heated up after the first period in the Flames hallway. I have to call it a night, and get to bed, but crazy stuff... Here is a video on TSN.

00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Dale Weise
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Blair Jones
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Chris Butler
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth served by Joe Colborne Roughing - 2 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Game misconduct - 10 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Game misconduct - 10 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Game misconduct - 10 min against Dale Weise
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Game misconduct - 10 min against Blair Jones
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Game misconduct - 10 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Game misconduct - 10 min against Chris Butler
04:26 CGY Mark Giordano Hooking - 2 min against Alexandre Burrows
04:26 CGY Lance Bouma Roughing - 2 min against Zack Kassian
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
07:02 VAN Brad Richardson Holding - 2 min against TJ Brodie
11:27 CGY Lee Stempniak Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Kesler
11:27 CGY Shane O'Brien Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Zack Kassian Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows served by David Booth Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min against Lee Stempniak
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows Roughing - 2 min against Lee Stempniak


You'd swear the Chiefs where on the ice again.

That was a wild start, two seconds. It was clear what Hartley's plan was.

I just went looking for Leaf tickets for Apr 1 ...when Calgary comes to town.

 

[lovelatinas]

That article is total bullshit and just someone for the readers to read. The players don't even read that crap. Tyler Bozak a C? Now that he is back he has been the best Leaf. David Clarkson has more value than just stats, just ask the rest his team mates, he could be the kind of player that comes around as a hero in the playoffs.

 

[lovelatinas]

That was a wild start, two seconds. It was clear what Hartley's plan was.

I just went looking for Leaf tickets for Apr 1 ...when Calgary comes to town.

Old time hockey!

 

[Ironhead]

Agreed. Once PK was hit hard, he lost his composure and had tunnel vision for retribution. I too couldn't believe he was not called.

On a side note, anyone stick around on HNIC to watch the opening of the Calgary - Vancouver game? The game started with both sides playing their 4th lines, all active players of course when at it, and matters heated up after the first period in the Flames hallway. I have to call it a night, and get to bed, but crazy stuff... Here is a video on TSN.

00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Dale Weise
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Blair Jones
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Chris Butler
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Fighting (maj) - 5 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth served by Joe Colborne Roughing - 2 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Kevin Westgarth Game misconduct - 10 min against Kellan Lain
00:02 CGY Chris Butler Game misconduct - 10 min against Jason Garrison
00:02 CGY Blair Jones Game misconduct - 10 min against Dale Weise
00:02 CGY Brian McGrattan Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Tom Sestito
00:02 CGY Ladislav Smid Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Bieksa
00:02 VAN Kellan Lain Game misconduct - 10 min against Kevin Westgarth
00:02 VAN Dale Weise Game misconduct - 10 min against Blair Jones
00:02 VAN Tom Sestito Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min against Brian McGrattan
00:02 VAN Kevin Bieksa Game misconduct - 10 min against Ladislav Smid
00:02 VAN Jason Garrison Game misconduct - 10 min against Chris Butler
04:26 CGY Mark Giordano Hooking - 2 min against Alexandre Burrows
04:26 CGY Lance Bouma Roughing - 2 min against Zack Kassian
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
04:26 VAN Zack Kassian Roughing - 2 min against Lance Bouma
07:02 VAN Brad Richardson Holding - 2 min against TJ Brodie
11:27 CGY Lee Stempniak Roughing - 2 min against Ryan Kesler
11:27 CGY Shane O'Brien Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Zack Kassian Misconduct (10 min) - 10 min
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows served by David Booth Unsportsmanlike conduct - 2 min against Lee Stempniak
11:27 VAN Alexandre Burrows Roughing - 2 min against Lee Stempniak


You'd swear the Chiefs where on the ice again.

All those guys feeling shame so early.

 

[K Douglas]

Phaneuf and Gunner I think you have bang on.
Kadri, I think read your report card and took exception tonight lol. I'd keep him at a 'C' based on effort. People see Kadri as a huge upside and hold high scoring expectations. Myself, I think Kadri is better used in a physical role. Leave him with Lupul, Clarkson, or Kulemin type guys. Any three of those four can score, and hit hard.
Clarkson I too had higher expectation for. But most knew he was not brought in for scoring. Ugly goals, leadership, and pumping the team up like Bolland was expected. I'm not sure fans can truly appreciate what he might offer in the dressing room, and on the bench. Seven yrs is a long contract, I'm still optimistic he gels better the longer he is with the team.

Kadri had his best game of the season last night. He set the tone early by finishing a hard check on Markov. It really got the team motivated. His undressing of the Habs d on the first goal was brilliant. I wish he would display this talent more often. He played with an edge all night but remained disciplined. Its a matter of consistency with him we all know he has the talent and the drive.
I disagree with you on Clarkson. We didn't play him $5.5 million per season without an expectation for scoring. He has a 30+ goal and 2 20+ goal seasons under his belt. My expectation was 25G 20A for him, he's nowhere near that.
Franson had a terrible giveaway in the Leaf's end last night that led to the 3rd goal for Montreal. Seems to be a recent trend for him, I'm sure Leaf's coaches are working on it with him. At least I hope.

 

[saxon]

That was a wild start, two seconds. It was clear what Hartley's plan was.

I just went looking for Leaf tickets for Apr 1 ...when Calgary comes to town.

I disagree, Tortorella could have started whoever he wanted as the home team. His claim that if he started the Sedin's that they would have been in danger is laughable. There is no way Calgarys goons would have jumped the Canucks first line players, Hartley isn't that dumb if they did they would have been short handed for half the first period and it would have been game over. Not to mention he probably would be fined and suspended by the league. It has been past practice that if the league thinks a coach puts out a goon squad against another teams skilled players and they end up instigating a brawl the league throws the book at the coach.

 

[blackrock13]

These four point games are crucial for the Leafs to advance beyond the muddle of the pack and to get the mob just behind them off their tail. They played well with attitude and it ended in points.

 

[saxon]

Tough four game road trip coming up for the Leafs. If they stumble they could come home in 10th or 11th place. Re last nights show in Vancouver, check out the penalty summary in the 3rd period of the Canucks 9-1 loss to the Ducks on Jan. 15th. Nothing but Canuck goons getting fighting majors, 10 min. misconducts and game misconducts. Only 2 penalties to the Ducks. I find it hilarious that Torts complains about other teams sending out goon squads when he probably does it more than any coach in the league.

 

[catherinetog]

Congratulations to leafs! Remember, be aware of acting too late. too crowded. too close to our own net on defense......

Go leafs go!

 

[shack]

I disagree, Tortorella could have started whoever he wanted as the home team. His claim that if he started the Sedin's that they would have been in danger is laughable. There is no way Calgarys goons would have jumped the Canucks first line players,

You're joking, right. That is exactly what happened when Carlyle started Kessel against the Sabres 4th liners. They jumped Kessel. This would have been the exact same situation.

 

[Ironhead]

I disagree, Tortorella could have started whoever he wanted as the home team. His claim that if he started the Sedin's that they would have been in danger is laughable. There is no way Calgarys goons would have jumped the Canucks first line players, Hartley isn't that dumb if they did they would have been short handed for half the first period and it would have been game over. Not to mention he probably would be fined and suspended by the league. It has been past practice that if the league thinks a coach puts out a goon squad against another teams skilled players and they end up instigating a brawl the league throws the book at the coach.

I guess you are not aware of Hartley's reputation. Not the first time he has done this.