2024 2025 Around the League Part 2

[Tommy Shelby]

Leafs D for playoffs last year:

Rielly - Lyubushkin
Benoit - McCabe
Edmundson - Liljegren
Giordano/Timmins

Leafs D for playoffs this year:

McCabe - Tanev
Rielly - Carlo
Benoit - Ekman-Larsson
Myers

This is the best Leafs D in over 20 years.

The last time they had a D that looked that good, a different McCabe was on it

 

[Pokecheque]

As far as we know, he only got involved when Dubas attempted to trade a core player.

He blocked Dubas from firing Mike Babcock in 2019, which ended up happening anyway two months into the following season, and he admitted doing so was a huge mistake.

That's the one I know of for sure, I don't think for a minute that was the only one.

 

[dahrougem2]

Blackhawks prospect refusing to sign an ELC with them and will instead become a UFA and he is a *checks notes* NCAA prospect! That dreaded Russian Factor strikes again!

 

[Pokecheque]

What's the report on Jones with the Panthers? Last time I checked they got the Chicago version of Jones rather than the Jackets version of Jones.

I guess we'll see in the playoffs but...I'm still not a fan. If the Avs were really trying to get him, they dodged a bullet.

 

[dahrougem2]

Jones is very, very strange. Was obviously fantastic in Columbus, then fell off a cliff seemingly the instant he arrived in Chicago, yet looked great this season prior to the trade to Florida.

Now it's like he's reverted back to the early-Blackhawks version of himself which was trash.

That said, just like we preach patience with our new guys I imagine it's difficult for him to go to a new team and immediately be asked to play top pair minutes and thrive.

 

[Balthazar]

Jones is very, very strange. Was obviously fantastic in Columbus, then fell off a cliff seemingly the instant he arrived in Chicago

Actually he fell off a cliff while he was still in Columbus, which is why so many people were horrified by his UFA contract in Chicago. He hasn't been good in several years, he peaked early in his career and it was relatively short, similar to OEL.

 

[CobraAcesS]

The story was Dubas wanted to trade one of Nylander or Marner but Shannahan didn't allow him to do it.

Dubas' evolution as a GM with the Leafs was....impressive:

Phase 1: Completely neglected physicality and defense, added Tavares, screwed his cap structure

Phase 2: Team is too soft and defense is shit, must add tough guys and stay at home D

Phase 3: Core is too soft, must make changes (but got blocked by Shanny and fired)

Shanahan did way more blocking than you're implying here. He didn't wait until "phase 3."

Phase 4: Take over the Pens, get blocked by Crosby.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I guess we'll see in the playoffs but...I'm still not a fan. If the Avs were really trying to get him, they dodged a bullet.

I still think like Lindgren, he'd have looked better in a more appropriate role.

He chose his path though, so he's dead to me. Flame away lol.

 

[Foppa2118]

I still think like Lindgren, he'd have looked better in a more appropriate role.

He chose his path though, so he's dead to me. Flame away lol.

I also think Pratt just somehow gets the most out of D men with Bednar's system.

He gets them thinking the game differently. Gets them realizing they can do things with the puck, and with their skating, they didn't think they could do on other teams, and does a great job teaching them to improve their stick when defending.

As much as I prefer a more physical brand of defense, and think some still have weaknesses in their game, a guy like Girard has taken great strides with his stick in defending to mitigate those weaknesses under Pratt, and I think guys like Toews and others have as well.

 

[John Mandalorian]

Does anyone remember the 2020 draft when it came out that the Avs tried to trade up for Schneider but ended up drafting Barron instead?

NYR has been really reluctant to get rid of him but maybe that’s changed now? Could Manson and Schneider be involved in a deal given the pressure in NY to right the ship?

If Nelson walks, maybe something involving Zibanajed, Manson, Colton, and Schneider?

 

[CobraAcesS]

Does anyone remember the 2020 draft when it came out that the Avs tried to trade up for Schneider but ended up drafting Barron instead?

NYR has been really reluctant to get rid of him but maybe that’s changed now? Could Manson and Schneider be involved in a deal given the pressure in NY to right the ship?

If Nelson walks, maybe something involving Zibanajed, Manson, Colton, and Schneider?

I just don't think anyone is taking a chance on Zbad at his age, and with that contract.

If he's bad next year I bet they buy him out. I wouldn't make that prediction with most teams, but NY will NY.

 

[CobraAcesS]

I also think Pratt just somehow gets the most out of D men with Bednar's system.

He gets them thinking the game differently. Gets them realizing they can do things with the puck, and with their skating, they didn't think they could do on other teams, and does a great job teaching them to improve their stick when defending.

As much as I prefer a more physical brand of defense, and think some still have weaknesses in their game, a guy like Girard has taken great strides with his stick in defending to mitigate those weaknesses under Pratt, and I think guys like Toews and others have as well.

I've had very little complaints with Pratt. Our PK is too passive for my liking at times, but that's about it.

The other hobgobblin is long past his expiration date.

It's been clear for years he was never the tactician behind those SJ power plays that systematically broke teams down.

When we hired him it was said his value was his work ethic and behind the scenes small details. Which we did need at the time, anyway, but it's obvious why he wasn't running the power-play when we actually hired him.

I've never seen our PP have the kind of structure and set plays those prime SJ teams had.

Maybe it was all Thornton who knows, but we've had guys like Mikko, Makar and Drouin for the passing plays.

 

[John Mandalorian]

I just don't think anyone is taking a chance on Zbad at his age, and with that contract.

If he's bad next year I bet they buy him out. I wouldn't make that prediction with most teams, but NY will NY.

Maybe they’d retain over buying him out?

 

[CobraAcesS]

Maybe they’d retain over buying him out?

That contract is until 29-30 at 8.5M, but it's the Rangers. I'll avoid taking any hard line on what those nut jobs will or will not do lol.

 

[missionAvs]

Blackhawks prospect refusing to sign an ELC with them and will instead become a UFA and he is a *checks notes* NCAA prospect! That dreaded Russian Factor strikes again!

Those f***ing Russian NCAA'ov teams. Huge risk for teams.

 

[The Merchant]

The difference between last year's Leafs and this year's Leafs is they cut down on high danger chances allowed in a big way - almost 100 less overall at 5v5 this season.

Still giving up the same level of scoring chances but the high danger chances are down. Call it both the Berube and Tanev effect. Also a big reason why their goaltending looks better.

Stolarz has also provided some of the best goaltending this version of the Leafs have ever gotten. Could see them finally making a run. Could also see them Leaf it up and choke in round 1

 

[Foppa2118]

I've had very little complaints with Pratt. Our PK is too passive for my liking at times, but that's about it.

The other hobgobblin is long past his expiration date.

It's been clear for years he was never the tactician behind those SJ power plays that systematically broke teams down.

When we hired him it was said his value was his work ethic and behind the scenes small details. Which we did need at the time, anyway, but it's obvious why he wasn't running the power-play when we actually hired him.

I've never seen our PP have the kind of structure and set plays those prime SJ teams had.

Maybe it was all Thornton who knows, but we've had guys like Mikko, Makar and Drouin for the passing plays.

Think you may be thinking of St Louis? Bennett coached there for 10 years with multiple coaches before the Avs. Before that he was in LA.

I don't personally have a big issue with Bennett. The PP has always been hot and cold, IMO mostly because of the players getting stuck in their routines, and apparently from a lack of another right hand shot according to them and Bednar, but I can totally understand the viewpoint.

Doesn't help that we never really know what he does, other than stand there and not even react or look at Bedsy when he's talking to him behind the bench.

I keep wondering if he may be thinking of retiring soon and they're planning on replacing him with Hinote?

Odd for Danny to go from NHL assistant for two different teams, to AHL assistant, as a former player, unless he thinks Schneekloth may leave, and they'll give him the head coaching gig.

 

[CobraAcesS]

Think you may be thinking of St Louis? Bennett coached there for 10 years with multiple coaches before the Avs. Before that he was in LA.

I don't personally have a big issue with Bennett. The PP has always been hot and cold, IMO mostly because of the players getting stuck in their routines, and apparently from a lack of another right hand shot according to them and Bednar, but I can totally understand the viewpoint.

Doesn't help that we never really know what he does, other than stand there and not even react or look at Bedsy when he's talking to him behind the bench.

I keep wondering if he may be thinking of retiring soon and they're planning on replacing him with Hinote?

Odd for Danny to go from NHL assistant for two different teams, to AHL assistant, as a former player, unless he thinks Schneekloth may leave, and they'll give him the head coaching gig.

I could have sworn he was working for SJ lol. That's a long time to have something ass backwards.

No wonder, the only thing good we ever got from STL is EJ.

Our power play is shit for having two of the three best players in the NHL. I get they get hot on occasion, but it relies purely on the level of skill. There is so rarely something that happens in a way that surprises me. If they can't fool my ass, they're not fooling a NHL PK unit.

Mack, Mikko, and Makar are just god mode players. If they're cold, there isn't obvious tactics and structure that would fool even a bad chess player to fall back on.

Edit.. You see bad teams look more dangerous structurally even if they don't score.

I love watching a power play move the pk around the ice, in preparation for a kill shot. You can feel it coming, but you don't know what will happen next.

Our players hold onto the puck way too long and telegraph themselves way too much. There is way too much thinking in the moment going on way too often, and not enough of the player knowing where he is going before the puck arrives on his stick IMO.

It's been this way for a very long time.

 

[Balthazar]

Good stuff from Tocchet.





He walked on eggshells with EP but admitted that isn't practicing enough/properly. Didn't directly call him lazy but he kinda did when he said that teammates work hard and EP could use them as inspiration.

 

[Balthazar]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but to me it sounds like Miller was frustrated with EP for being lazy, and since that wasn't changing it was never going to be resolved.

Perhaps EP has a Patrik Laine personality and there's nothing anyone can do to fix that.

 

[dahrougem2]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but to me it sounds like Miller was frustrated with EP for being lazy, and since that wasn't changing it was never going to be resolved.

Perhaps EP has a Patrik Laine personality and there's nothing anyone can do to fix that.

Maybe, but Pettersson has had great seasons in the very recent past. Not just good - fantastic seasons.

Something must have happened over the last two years with this guy. I don't ever recall a regression to a player this fast.

 

[Foppa2118]

Good stuff from Tocchet.





He walked on eggshells with EP but admitted that isn't practicing enough/properly. Didn't directly call him lazy but he kinda did when he said that teammates work hard and EP could use them as inspiration.

That is good stuff. Standup dude. Tried to give honest and thoughtful answers to tough questions without dodging them. I have more respect for Tocchet now.

 

[RoyIsALegend]

Maybe I'm reading too much into this but to me it sounds like Miller was frustrated with EP for being lazy, and since that wasn't changing it was never going to be resolved.

Perhaps EP has a Patrik Laine personality and there's nothing anyone can do to fix that.

Didn’t Miller also call him a p*ssy and a f*g a million times in a night club while pushing him to do something?

I’ve said for a while that I just don’t like both.

Miller is a huge prick and EP is a lazy soft boi.

 

[dahrougem2]

Didn’t Miller also call him a p*ssy and a f*g a million times in a night club while pushing him to do something?

I’ve said for a while that I just don’t like both.

Miller is a huge prick and EP is a lazy soft boi.

What kills me about J.T. Miller is those types can get away with it if their play warrants it. If they're absolute winners who dominate night in and night out, people might look the other way. Jordan was hated by teammates, so was Kobe.

J.T. Miller has himself one phenomenal game then 5/6 mediocre games while sprinkling in 1/2 god awful effort style games, but thinks he's the alpha male of every team he plays for.

I've never seen someone like him where the mentality so clearly does not match the output.

 

[dahrougem2]

Craig Button has the Jets beating the Avs in the 2nd round. He also has the Jets going all the way to the SCF and defeating the Lightning to win the Stanley Cup.

Very, very ambitious given they won't have Nikolaj Ehlers for the 1st round in all likelihood and Gabriel Vilardi is playing banged up. That's two of your top five scorers potentially not available/playing hurt against arguably the most physical team in the league in St. Louis.

I said it before I'll say it all first round: St. Louis is going to upset Winnipeg.