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2022-2023 Around The League

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Pokecheque said:
It's funny, I always thought Barrie was a phenomenal skater the way he used to attack the zone and jump into the play like he did, but he's really not, especially (I'm told at least, I don't really observe these things as well) when it comes to lateral movement. All it took was losing a step and his game regressed considerably. I think the one area he used to excel at that's just disappeared is getting his shot through traffic. I can almost tell you the exact Avs game where he finally figured out how to do that, but now he doesn't quite walk the line with the same quickness and as a result, I think his shot is much easier to block now.
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He's never been a good skater but never the same after the Cooke knee
 
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Pokecheque said:
It's funny, I always thought Barrie was a phenomenal skater the way he used to attack the zone and jump into the play like he did, but he's really not, especially (I'm told at least, I don't really observe these things as well) when it comes to lateral movement. All it took was losing a step and his game regressed considerably. I think the one area he used to excel at that's just disappeared is getting his shot through traffic. I can almost tell you the exact Avs game where he finally figured out how to do that, but now he doesn't quite walk the line with the same quickness and as a result, I think his shot is much easier to block now.
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When he first broke in he was fluid in his movement. He was really the first Av dman that did the tornade to perfection and he moved well laterally. Always looked light on his feet.....and then he met Matt Cooke and all that seemed to change. He was alot more stiff. I recall saying on numerious GDT's that Barrie looks very stiff and not fluid. I blame Matt Cooke and age for the loss in stepp.
 
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Meh, its the same old story with the Leafs.

I dont think people realize just how good they were defensively last year as well. Statistically they truly are one of the top tier teams and should be considered a top cup contender each year. Elite forwards and a very stingy defense. I think its also worth pointing out that Rielly is a negative value Defensive player. Him comin back will actually make them worse defensively. Same thing with Muzzin, though it sounds unlikely he returns.

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At this point it shouldn't be a shock if they go on a run, statistically they're a Top 5 team. But, playoffs are a completely different beast from the regular season and until the Leafs core guys figure out how to give 110% effort and care instead of just 100%, I dont think they'll have much success.
 
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Out of the (big) Canadian fanbases, I actually think Leafs fans are the least obnoxious. At least here in HFBoards. But nothing provides entertainment value like them sucking or crumbling in the playoffs. This is why it needs to continue.

But not going to lie, they look damn good. I'm surprised how well Murray has bounced back, because a lot of the goalie experts said he's toast even without the injuries. Samsonov I though could be good with just a change of scenery.

Assuming all healthy (not counting Muzzin here), they will probably look to add a top-6 left winger and a solid mean defensman (Manson type). Then look out.
 
LOFIN said:
Out of the (big) Canadian fanbases, I actually think Leafs fans are the least obnoxious. At least here in HFBoards. But nothing provides entertainment value like them sucking or crumbling in the playoffs. This is why it needs to continue.
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In real life Leafs fans are only rivaled by Rangers fans on how obnoxious they are. HM to Boston.
 
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Pierce Hawthorne said:
Meh, its the same old story with the Leafs. I dont think people realize just how good they were defensively last year as well. Statistically they truly are one of the top tier teams and should be considered a top cup contender each year. Elite forwards and a very stingy defense. I think its also worth pointing out that Rielly is a negative value Defensive player. Him comin back will actually make them worse defensively. Same thing with Muzzin, though it sounds unlikely he returns.

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At this point it shouldn't be a shock if they go on a run, statistically they're a Top 5 team. But, playoffs are a completely different beast from the regular season and until the Leafs core guys figure out how to give 110% effort and care instead of just 100%, I dont think they'll have much success.
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Well, I’ve already said the only move Rielly ever made that impressed me is whatever he did to get Tessa Virtue, but I think he works lower on the depth chart. The issue is they’ve run him like he’s a #1, and he just…isn’t. But if they can shelter his minutes, and now they can, he’ll look a lot better.

That said if they can flip him for scoring depth up front, they should do it.
 
Alienblood said:
He's never been a good skater but never the same after the Cooke knee
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That’s not the case at all. That knee on knee hit took place in 2014, his first good season in the NHL. Following that, he failed to post 50 points only twice as an Avs player, once when he hit 49 and the 2016-17 season when the Avs fell into the abyss and came out with newborn baby Cale Makar. Even after that his decline has been pretty gradual and IMO a big part of that is the fact that he’s not seeing the same amount of power play time as he used to.

Dude is just older now. Some wear and tear from injuries is possible but that Cooke hit did not derail his career in the slightest.
 
Barrie is just naturally regressing. Happens to players out of their prime and primes end earlier than people think… somewhere between 27-29 is the norm. 26 and 30 aren’t unusual to have the ending of primes… getting outside that becomes a bit more unusual as you get further out.
 
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Pokecheque said:
That’s not the case at all. That knee on knee hit took place in 2014, his first good season in the NHL. Following that, he failed to post 50 points only twice as an Avs player, once when he hit 49 and the 2016-17 season when the Avs fell into the abyss and came out with newborn baby Cale Makar. Even after that his decline has been pretty gradual and IMO a big part of that is the fact that he’s not seeing the same amount of power play time as he used to.

Dude is just older now. Some wear and tear from injuries is possible but that Cooke hit did not derail his career in the slightest.
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Hes been on the Oilers first unit from day one. For a stretch Bouchard was getting those minutes but Woodcroft has been going with Barrie on PP1.
 
Gawd, Adam Larsson is useless. Hard to believe he was one of the most highly touted NHL prospects in 2011. Had a chance to clear a loose puck on the PK if he just made a dive or use his reach to snag it, but decides he's Tyler Myers and just stands there, sure enough the puck is collected by the Blues and he manages to screen his own goalie a moment later on the 2nd STL goal.
 
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