Toronto Maple Leafs 2014/15 Season
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
Shit! Oh well off to another bad start. I've won nothing on football this year either maybe I should give it up. Didn't see any of the game but judging by the stats it seemed pretty even except for the last minute goal.
As far as speculating goes, every World Cup I've handicapped (except for 2006 but I'm not complaining) as been in the black.
As for the Leafs; I've said it before, bad decisions have a way of lingering in the long run. There's nothing Nonis or Shany can do in the short run. The Habs were by far the better team last night, this current roster will not make the playoffs. Hopefully they get in on the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
Btw did anyone attend Richard Peddie's lecture on successful management?
As for the Leafs; I've said it before, bad decisions have a way of lingering in the long run. There's nothing Nonis or Shany can do in the short run. The Habs were by far the better team last night, this current roster will not make the playoffs. Hopefully they get in on the Connor McDavid sweepstakes.
Btw did anyone attend Richard Peddie's lecture on successful management?
What an annoying way to end the game on opening night. So pissed off, I can only post about it today when the weekend has arrived.
The problem is this. If there is no play, get the puck in deep. Twice Bozak was at the attacking blueline, and did not get the puck in deep. It winds up in the back of the net behind Bernier. Twice! You would think he'll learn the first time.
Just like that.
Then in the final minute after tying it, who to put on the ice? The line that scored, the third line, was resting on the bench, and after how Bozak played, forget about it, and the fourth was invisible, so no choice but to put Kadri, Lupul, and that new guy, and of course the new makes a bad pass easily giving up posession of the puck leading to an odd man rush the other way in the final minute, which on a bad bounce is in the back of the next again.
The same old story, you create your own breaks. If you're in a bad position enough times, you lose.
How many damn times does the coach has to repeat this! Why won't they listen coach Wilson, I'll bet his face is blue talking about this to the same players, same guys making the same bone head plays at the blueline.
Actually, there were a lot of positives from that game too.
The development of those two young defense men Gardiner and Riley will continue, they were okay for the most part, except when Gardiner got beat on the puck behind the icing line leading to the Subban goal. Stewart Percy was a real surprise. That seems to be the Leafs defense this year, young guys mobile defense, old guys slow but tough along the boards. So yeah, the Leafs defense looks better than it did last year, even only after one game.
Hey look, the Leafs got a third line who were effective in applying forechecking pressure, which did lead to the tying goal.
The fourth line seems to be a perpetual work in progress in Toronto.
I like to see Clarkson play with Kadri, even though Clarkson does not have the foot speed, but Kadri likes physical contact, and with Clarkson patrolling the wing, maybe Kadri plays bigger, and maybe get some more forechecking, as that new guy on that line with Kadri and Lupul does not look like a great forechecker. The game I saw, the Leafs only had one line that was able to forecheck effectively.
They better win the next game, otherwise people will start talking about firing the coach already.
:blah:
The problem is this. If there is no play, get the puck in deep. Twice Bozak was at the attacking blueline, and did not get the puck in deep. It winds up in the back of the net behind Bernier. Twice! You would think he'll learn the first time.
Just like that.
Then in the final minute after tying it, who to put on the ice? The line that scored, the third line, was resting on the bench, and after how Bozak played, forget about it, and the fourth was invisible, so no choice but to put Kadri, Lupul, and that new guy, and of course the new makes a bad pass easily giving up posession of the puck leading to an odd man rush the other way in the final minute, which on a bad bounce is in the back of the next again.
The same old story, you create your own breaks. If you're in a bad position enough times, you lose.
How many damn times does the coach has to repeat this! Why won't they listen coach Wilson, I'll bet his face is blue talking about this to the same players, same guys making the same bone head plays at the blueline.
Actually, there were a lot of positives from that game too.
The development of those two young defense men Gardiner and Riley will continue, they were okay for the most part, except when Gardiner got beat on the puck behind the icing line leading to the Subban goal. Stewart Percy was a real surprise. That seems to be the Leafs defense this year, young guys mobile defense, old guys slow but tough along the boards. So yeah, the Leafs defense looks better than it did last year, even only after one game.
Hey look, the Leafs got a third line who were effective in applying forechecking pressure, which did lead to the tying goal.
The fourth line seems to be a perpetual work in progress in Toronto.
I like to see Clarkson play with Kadri, even though Clarkson does not have the foot speed, but Kadri likes physical contact, and with Clarkson patrolling the wing, maybe Kadri plays bigger, and maybe get some more forechecking, as that new guy on that line with Kadri and Lupul does not look like a great forechecker. The game I saw, the Leafs only had one line that was able to forecheck effectively.
They better win the next game, otherwise people will start talking about firing the coach already.
:blah:
IMO, Carlyle has lost the team. Whatever he is preaching the results are the same old, same old. Only two games played but there are already hints of finger pointing and sniping bubbling over. He doesn't sound quite so defiant talking with the press.
Will he make it to Christmas?
Will he make it to Christmas?
We haven't got the talent to move foreword...so yeah I guess we need to get really bad before we can get good. A Connor McDavid comes along once a decade. We need to be shittier than Edmonton this year. Assuming of course we haven't traded away our first round pick.
After these two weekend games, back to back, a clearer picture of the strength and weakness of the team may be starting to emerge.
First a review of Saturday's game. A blank off the back boards right on to the stick of a Penguin and between Bernier legs for a goal. Then another blank of the back boards right on to the stick of a Penguin for another goal. Then 5 on 3, and the game looked like out of reach. Since the players knew they had a game tomorrow, maybe they did not give it the old college try. It is not often to see a goal coming from the bank off the back boards, and they got two straight that way. It might not have been the Leafs night Saturday night.
Sunday night, it was the Leafs night as everything they directed towards the net went it. That Clarkson goal. I think Percy threw it towards the middle of the ice, hits a Ranger stick, bounces up to another Ranger who tried to glove it, but bounces about 6 inches off the ice, when Clarkson who just happen to be there, took a whack at it, and it deflects up into the net off the stick of the Ranger who tried to glove it. From the stick of Percy to Clarkson to the net, the puck literally bounced 5 times exactly where it had to bounce. You don't see that often, but you take it.
The Leafs put a full 60 minutes together tonight. That was the big thing. Those New York goals, the first one was offside. Then another goal against the 4th line. They might over-haul the entire 4th line sooner or later. A late goal when the game basically was over. The Leafs played well.
The first line finally got it going. Bozak I think, probably is the key. If he is strong defensively, then this line should be excellent. You cannot help it, Kessel and JVR will always makes plays. If Bozak plays it safe, then one shift these guys break loose. It does not have to be every shift. Don't force it if you don't have to.
Kadri and Lupul have been playing well. Put Winnick on the wing with them, and they able to forecheck as they always are able rush the puck too.
Then the third line, they really know how to forecheck. It has been a long time since Toronto had a line like this.
After three games, looks like three lines you want to watch play together for an extended stretch of games. As for the 4th line, who knows. Really no different than having Colton Orr and Fraser Maclaren warming the bench.
The defense, young guys mobile, old guys with experience, slow. The more Stuart Percy plays, the better he looks. Smooth skater, poise with the puck, can read the play defense and offense, deft passer. They bench Gardiner, but seems like he always starts slow. Will Carlysle dress seven defense men, after all the 4th line don't do much.
First a review of Saturday's game. A blank off the back boards right on to the stick of a Penguin and between Bernier legs for a goal. Then another blank of the back boards right on to the stick of a Penguin for another goal. Then 5 on 3, and the game looked like out of reach. Since the players knew they had a game tomorrow, maybe they did not give it the old college try. It is not often to see a goal coming from the bank off the back boards, and they got two straight that way. It might not have been the Leafs night Saturday night.
Sunday night, it was the Leafs night as everything they directed towards the net went it. That Clarkson goal. I think Percy threw it towards the middle of the ice, hits a Ranger stick, bounces up to another Ranger who tried to glove it, but bounces about 6 inches off the ice, when Clarkson who just happen to be there, took a whack at it, and it deflects up into the net off the stick of the Ranger who tried to glove it. From the stick of Percy to Clarkson to the net, the puck literally bounced 5 times exactly where it had to bounce. You don't see that often, but you take it.
The Leafs put a full 60 minutes together tonight. That was the big thing. Those New York goals, the first one was offside. Then another goal against the 4th line. They might over-haul the entire 4th line sooner or later. A late goal when the game basically was over. The Leafs played well.
The first line finally got it going. Bozak I think, probably is the key. If he is strong defensively, then this line should be excellent. You cannot help it, Kessel and JVR will always makes plays. If Bozak plays it safe, then one shift these guys break loose. It does not have to be every shift. Don't force it if you don't have to.
Kadri and Lupul have been playing well. Put Winnick on the wing with them, and they able to forecheck as they always are able rush the puck too.
Then the third line, they really know how to forecheck. It has been a long time since Toronto had a line like this.
After three games, looks like three lines you want to watch play together for an extended stretch of games. As for the 4th line, who knows. Really no different than having Colton Orr and Fraser Maclaren warming the bench.
The defense, young guys mobile, old guys with experience, slow. The more Stuart Percy plays, the better he looks. Smooth skater, poise with the puck, can read the play defense and offense, deft passer. They bench Gardiner, but seems like he always starts slow. Will Carlysle dress seven defense men, after all the 4th line don't do much.
Dallas Eakins isn't a good coach he's proven that in Edmonton and he's arrogant as hell.
If Shanahan has the power most of the front line Leafs wont be with the club come April, I expect both Kessel and Phaneuf to be gone. Unless ownership wants to muddle along as a mediocre team, then Shany should tender is resignation. The Rangers game was an aberration, this is a very poor team. Losing the aforementioned players wont be the disaster that the loss of Sundin was, they are not team leaders.
If Shanahan has the power most of the front line Leafs wont be with the club come April, I expect both Kessel and Phaneuf to be gone. Unless ownership wants to muddle along as a mediocre team, then Shany should tender is resignation. The Rangers game was an aberration, this is a very poor team. Losing the aforementioned players wont be the disaster that the loss of Sundin was, they are not team leaders.
That shot off the back boards was a set play to Crosby. Many teams use that play including the Leafs. Pitt totally dominated the play. They were fast and all over the Leafs. Gave them no time to look up to make plays.
Rangers had many injuries already. They weren't fully staffed. Lunquist played terrible. Rangers did come on. Leafs have a more balanced team but ultimately like last year the goal tenders have to stand on their heads. Any slip and they're doomed. They'll need both 1A and 1B.
They don't have a legit 2nd line winger. Bozak is not elite but he's serviceable between world class players in Kessel and JVR. Clarkson has found ideal linemates. They all play the same style. Cycle and board work and hitting. Can't score much though but they do pretty much everything else. Pretty much the difference between this year's team and last years is the 4th line that is useable. They'll miss the top 6 scoring of Mason Raymond.
Rangers had many injuries already. They weren't fully staffed. Lunquist played terrible. Rangers did come on. Leafs have a more balanced team but ultimately like last year the goal tenders have to stand on their heads. Any slip and they're doomed. They'll need both 1A and 1B.
They don't have a legit 2nd line winger. Bozak is not elite but he's serviceable between world class players in Kessel and JVR. Clarkson has found ideal linemates. They all play the same style. Cycle and board work and hitting. Can't score much though but they do pretty much everything else. Pretty much the difference between this year's team and last years is the 4th line that is useable. They'll miss the top 6 scoring of Mason Raymond.
Because I suck! And lazy too.
Don't ask me to spell the name of the new host of Hockey Night In Canada, the Greek fellow with the metrosexual beard. I'll have a seizure.
Go Leafs Go!
BTW, anyone bet on those fantasy sports? Nothing sexual here that I am talking about, we have to be clear in a place like this.
Last night, if you took the Kessel line, basically the entire Leafs team, you could have won a bet.
These threads should help with such intel about such things.
:hippie:
Last night, if you took the Kessel line, basically the entire Leafs team, you could have won a bet.
These threads should help with such intel about such things.
:hippie:
Kessel in OT !
Reimer in back to back wins.
Percy is cool under pressure, but yes it is still very early.
On another topic;
Eric Staal to the Leafs ? ... I will believe it when it is finalized, until then it is just more stupid media crap.
I do not see Carolina trading him anyway ... so much ado about nothing.
Reimer in back to back wins.
Percy is cool under pressure, but yes it is still very early.
On another topic;
Eric Staal to the Leafs ? ... I will believe it when it is finalized, until then it is just more stupid media crap.
I do not see Carolina trading him anyway ... so much ado about nothing.
Joe Thornton is a big time choker, he was in Boston and he is in San Jose (blew 3-0 lead to the Kings last year in the playoffs), Leafs don't need chokers, they need winners.
