Toronto Maple Leafs - 2016/17 Season

[Insidious Von]

Yes, TML hasn't had a rock steady goalie since Belfour but most of those goalies had to play behind some limp wristed defences.

Anderssen is adjusting to his situation, he's not getting much support. The Leafs need a brickhouse defenseman to stabilize the blue line. The Habs traded flash for grind in Shae Weber. The first mistake the current regime has made is not making a bid for Eric Gudbranson - even if it meant giving up Marner. Benning and Bergevin deserve high praise for those deal, look at how well the Habs and the Nucks are playing so far.

Maybe it's my calcio mentality, I prize strong defending above all else. If you took a poll on which player was the MVP of the 1993 Leafs, almost everybody would pick Doug Gilmour or Wedell Clark. I would be the only one to vote for Brad McCrimmon (RIP), he was a beast that year.

Exhibit A:

 

[maurice93]

Von, do you mean Jamie Macoun instead of Brad Mcrimmon. Mcrimmon never played for the Leafs.

Yes the leafs do miss that stellar solid defensive defence man... but I think right now it's at best a combo of the two.

The Leafs had some good D early in Burke era including beauchemin. I don't think Toskala can get off the hook that easily.

 

[Insidious Von]

My mistake, I meant Bob Rouse - but I was a fan of McCrimmon's game.

 

[smuddan]

My mistake, I meant Bob Rouse - but I was a fan of McCrimmon's game.

I was a big fan of Rouse. He was tough as nail and could punch with the best of them. Wendell once said the hardest punch he ever felt was when he fought Rouse.

However, I think the game nowadays is much different (faster)than that era with a lot less clutch and grab. Rouse would be less effective in today's game. A player like Polak would be more suited for that era.

As for the current Leafs, Matthews, Nylander and Marner have been very impressive and look to be the backbone of the team's offense for years to come. Hyman works hard every shift but lacks scoring touch. Zaitsev is steady and plays big minutes. Brown maybe on the bubble as Soshnikov may be ready for the promotion.

Tanking is not in the plan this year I don't think. They'll make a push to see how close they can get to a playoff spot. Although it's still the early stage of the rebuild, it would work better for the kids development if they can create a winning environment. They've been competitive in every game so far and with better goaltending they would be sitting a lot higher in the standings. Andersen will be the key the rest of the way.

If by trade deadline they're not in the playoff picture, I think then they may consider trading some of the veterans (JVR, Bozak, Hunwick or Kadri) to improve the goaltending and defense talent pool.

 

[Insidious Von]

At least the current regime is owing up to past mistakes. They've given Frank Corrado a chance to make the team with the slim possibility that he may turn out to be another Marc Giordano. The Leafs could have had Giordano back in 2008 after the Blues cut him. He's from the Nelson Boylen neighbourhood (Lawrence Ave east of Black Creek Drive) and they wouldn't have had to give up anything for him. And don't get me started on Anton Stralman!

 

[gcostanza]

Telll me again why Toronto should be actively looking to trade Nazem Kadri ?

 

[ultistar]

Telll me again why Toronto should be actively looking to trade Nazem Kadri ?

Cuz you should not make rational decisions based on small sample sizes.

 

[smuddan]

Telll me again why Toronto should be actively looking to trade Nazem Kadri ?

For this one game he was as good as Doug Gilmour was in his two best years with the Leafs.

 

[Insidious Von]

Fredie should be benched he sucks, Babs doesn't know what he's doing. Pipe in critics.

Both Matthews and McDavid and Matthews can breathe a little easier after this game. The Muslim wants to stay in Toronto.

The Leads covered McDavid well, if he got by Nazri he had Komarov and Zaitsev to chat with. Obviously Babs watched the North America-Russia game.

 

[gcostanza]

Cuz you should not make rational decisions based on small sample sizes.

Which is why the Maple Leafs shouldn't be looking to trade Kadri.
He is a solid NHL forward, tough to play against, with a scoring touch.

 

[gcostanza]

Fredie should be benched he sucks, Babs doesn't know what he's doing. Pipe in critics.

Both Matthews and McDavid and Matthews can breathe a little easier after this game. The Muslim wants to stay in Toronto.

The Leads covered McDavid well, if he got by Nazri he had Komarov and Zaitsev to chat with. Obviously Babs watched the North America-Russia game.

Who is Fredie?

Both Matthews and McDavid and Matthews....(all 3 of them?).

What does a player's religion have to do with anything?

Who is Nazri?

 

[Insidious Von]

Who is Fredie?

Both Matthews and McDavid and Matthews....(all 3 of them?). What does a player's religion have to do with anything? Who is Nazri?

Care for a little catnip Kathleen?

Fredie Anderssen George. I was listening to sitar legend Nazri Ali Khan, I typed his name instead of Kadri? Some people have a burr up their ass over religion, Kadri is Muslim. Correct me if I'm wrong but his family is from Morroco.

Update: Kadri is Lebanese which makes him rare, most of Toronto's Lebanese community are Druze (Christians).

 

[bullitt]

Cuz you should not make rational decisions based on small sample sizes.

agree...

 

[bullitt]

Which is why the Maple Leafs shouldn't be looking to trade Kadri.
He is a solid NHL forward, tough to play against, with a scoring touch.

solid nhl forward... seriously, cmon biff, give your head a shake. he plays 1 good game out of about 15, and he,s a gutless puke.

 

[gcostanza]

Update: Kadri is Lebanese.

Update, Kadri is Canadian, he was born in London, Ontario.

 

[gcostanza]

(Kadri) I'd like to see it workout for him in Toronto, but have never been sold on him.

It seems Lou Lamoriello & Mike Babcock are.

 

[dirkd101]

Kadri just needs to find his place on the team and I'm fairly certain that Lou, Shanny and Babcock will know the role that Kadri is best suited for. He played pretty damned good against McDavid and I think he could be a player, much like Brad Marchand is and the role he's filled for the Bruins as an agitator.

 

[smuddan]

Glad Kadri got the GWG. But one weakness is diving/trying to draw penalties. Word is out, and even if the unsportsmanlike Kadri took was marginal, he still went down like he was hit with a taser. I'd like to see it workout for him in Toronto, but have never been sold on him.

IMO, he plays a similar role to Marchand. He can score, annoy, and get into the scrums. But Kadri can't keep the intensity like Marchand or Brendan Gallagher can through a whole game.

I've tried to watch a couple games, but honestly, I miss the hits and scraps. I'd have so much more interest if the Leafs were back to being one of the toughest in the league.

The Oilers have been soft In the past, and look at the toughness they brought in Pouliot, Kassian, Lucic, Maroon, Nurse.
I know the season is early, but Edmonton is leading their conference, and second overall. But adding grit and toughness wont win games I'm told.

If I remember correctly Doug Gilmour didn't become the two way player we admired until he was over 25-26 ? I always thought Kadri had the makeup of the same mode (to the dismay of the Kadri haters) and hopefully maturity is finally bringing out the best in him. We'll see tonight if he can keep it up against another rebuilding team.

 

[GameBoy27]

Glad Kadri got the GWG. But one weakness is diving/trying to draw penalties. Word is out, and even if the unsportsmanlike Kadri took was marginal, he still went down like he was hit with a taser. I'd like to see it workout for him in Toronto, but have never been sold on him.

Kadri does draw a lot of penalties, mostly because he never stops skating. Regarding that call, I too thought it was a typical swan dive. But when I played it back in slo-mo, you could see he took a stick to the nuts.

He did have a great gave. Put McDavid on his ass on his first shift then made an incredible play in OT to get the puck up to his stick, fend off McDavid and score the GWG. That was a beauty!

 

[bullitt]

Kadri just needs to find his place on the team and I'm fairly certain that Lou, Shanny and Babcock will know the role that Kadri is best suited for. He played pretty damned good against McDavid and I think he could be a player, much like Brad Marchand is and the role he's filled for the Bruins as an agitator.

not even in the same league as marchand. you have to be able to play both ends of the ice, something kadri cant, or is not willing to do. and he has no HEART... whatsoever.