After 10 games.......

[francis246]

Surprises:
Knies, OEL, Stolarz and Reaves

Reaves has been really good in the offensive zone I can’t think of a time he’s been stuck in the defensive zone.

Disappointments;
Matthews, Marner, Special Teams

Need more from these two. Point totals are there but clearly they have more to give. They need to find a high gear and better level of consistency

 

[1specter]

The Florida guys OEL Stolarz and Lorentz have been pleasant surprises.

Need to keep importing guys from teams that have actually won something.

 

[ULF_55]

I already acknowledged that in my post. It doesn’t erase the fact that in 3 out of 4 series, keefe had absolutely zero trust in him. That is also just a fact. It should be no surprise why he’s out of the lineup. Called he was gonna get traded all summer and right before training camp and got called crazy.

You aren't stating fact, you're stating an opinion.

You are not in Keefe's mind, so can't say what he is thinking.

In your opinion Keefe ...

Keefe took Brodie out and put Liljegren right back in the line-up.

 

[Gabriel426]

Need to keep importing guys from teams that have actually won something.

Sam will be next.

 

[Voodoo Child]

+:

Knies has fully taken hold of it, I wasn't always a big believer but he's a big guy who can skate, makes smart reads in both zones, is easy to play with and loves to go to the net. If he stays healthy he's going to get 35 goals, just pay him now - even a 3 year bridge at 4.5 is going to look good because if they wait they're gonna have to give him the Boldy (7).

OEL is good and we know he's good but he's a great #2D for us.

Stolarz has also held it down to the fullest, but still don't know if he can handle 40+, we'll have to see but he's big, squares up well and can handle the puck. Excellent platoon guy for Woll.

McMann obviously won't get 30 goals but he's another big guy who's responsible and goes to the tough areas, love it. A big and fast 20-15-35 guy in the middle six? Yeah, I like that.

Willy hasn't always been amazing but he has more than half the time and when he's amazing, he looks like a superstar.

A coaching note, I like Berube has everyone killing penalties, useful skills.

-:

I'm not going to hate on M&M, they havent been bad (OT gaffe aside) but more is needed. Matthews can get 60-50-110 in his sleep and mitch can do 35-65-100 easily, but I'd rather those numbers be lower if the team does something in April.

Was hoping one of Robertson, Holmberg or Liljegren would step up and grab a spot and its sad Holmgren is the closest. Nicky Bobby especially frustrates because he's been playing a smarter and more accountable game but it just hasn't happened for him. There's still time, but not much and sadly I think he's just too small to play how he likes in this league.

Woll will need some time to get to game speed, Hildeby has a great game vs. NJ (square, assertive without being too aggressive) then bombs against CBJ (timid, small in the net). Need Woll to run a good platoon.

PP Smol.

Wildly inconsistent effort and results, same same.

 

[wingman75]

Biggest Positive Surprise

• OEL
• Stolarz

Biggest Disappointing Surprise

• Special Teams (based on talent and coaching changes)
• Robertson (based on pre-season)
• Woll (health, maybe shouldn't be a surprise but it is disappointing)
• Matthews (shooting percentage)
• Same old Leafs vs weaker teams

 

[IPS]

Could someone please explain how Matthews is not the biggest disappointment by a landslide?

Why is our 60+ goal 100+ point man playing like he barely belongs most nights? Do people still not understand the gargantuan paycheck we're giving to this guy?

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Could someone please explain how Matthews is not the biggest disappointment by a landslide?

Why is our 60+ goal 100+ point man playing like he barely belongs most nights? Do people still not understand the gargantuan paycheck we're giving to this guy?

What? If he wasn't getting chances, then I would agree with you.

I don't stress (or even care) about how well Leafs fair in fantasy hockey.

 

[IPS]

What? If he wasn't getting chances, then I would agree with you.

I don't stress (or even care) about how well Leafs fair in fantasy hockey.

You don't get his money for just "getting" chances. You gotta do something with them. Jason Blake got a lot of "chances" too.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

You don't get his money for just "getting" chances. You gotta do something with them. Jason Blake got a lot of "chances" too.

Jason Blake couldn't hold a candle to Matthews.

 

[Mr_Fun]

For me, the surprise so far is Knies in that he looks like he's skipped a level or two in his development. Hot and cold streaks will happen but being a wrecking machine isn't a streak -- it's a way of life.

I guess the disappointment would have to be Robertson. His play hasn't been really bad or anything but unless that puck is going into the net for him, he doesn't bring a lot of value. He'd probably be a better fit higher up but unless there's a significant injury, he's unlikely to get a chance.

 

[notbias]

Could someone please explain how Matthews is not the biggest disappointment by a landslide?

Why is our 60+ goal 100+ point man playing like he barely belongs most nights? Do people still not understand the gargantuan paycheck we're giving to this guy?

Because people are watching the games and not just the stat sheet...

In two months when he is producing like he normally does, no one will care.

I also think many people said they were disappointed in him.

 

[Nineteen67]

Could someone please explain how Matthews is not the biggest disappointment by a landslide?

Why is our 60+ goal 100+ point man playing like he barely belongs most nights? Do people still not understand the gargantuan paycheck we're giving to this guy?

Because about 4 or 5 times every game he gets a glorious scoring chance. Eventually they’ll start going in. If not, then we’ll start asking why

 

[arso40]

It seems quite a few analysts haven’t been impressed with our third pair especially since we don’t have a number 1 d but 2 solid pairs I imagine we’d look a lot better with 3 solid pairs don’t crucify me please just a discussion looooool

 

[Rare Jewel]

Biggest Positive Surprise

• OEL
• Stolarz

Biggest Disappointing Surprise

• Special Teams (based on talent and coaching changes)
• Robertson (based on pre-season)
• Woll (health, maybe shouldn't be a surprise but it is disappointing)
• Matthews (shooting percentage)
• Same old Leafs vs weaker teams

This is a more detailed version of my post.

With one addition being, I think Marner just looks off.

 

[WillyC]

Surprised Stolarz appears to be the starter so soon.

Disappointing that Auston has not dominated the league in scoring right out of the gate.

 

[Stephen]

Not exactly surprised but Stolarz and OEL have been big positives. Stolarz has been quietly good for a few years now and it's nice that it's Toronto that scooped him up to give him a bigger chance.

Most disappointed in Auston Matthews lack of dominance and up and down transition to captain. You just want that best in the game dominance for him but the production has been so pedestrian, the lack of the big shot and shoddy defensive details isn't the best start.

The powerplay is also just representative of an organizational malaise.

Also, a bit of a thumbs down to the Toronto developmental system as a whole. When I look at the struggles of Liljegren, Robertson, Holmberg, etc. I wonder if they're doing things at some suboptimal level at the AHL level to not adequately prepare these guys to impress for jobs. Even Woll with his oddball injuries.

 

[Evilhomer]

For me, the surprise so far is Knies in that he looks like he's skipped a level or two in his development. Hot and cold streaks will happen but being a wrecking machine isn't a streak -- it's a way of life.

I guess the disappointment would have to be Robertson. His play hasn't been really bad or anything but unless that puck is going into the net for him, he doesn't bring a lot of value. He'd probably be a better fit higher up but unless there's a significant injury, he's unlikely to get a chance.

Knies will end up being one of the most important players on this team. Dubas haters will be in a tough spot.

 

[Confucius]

Knies will end up being one of the most important players on this team. Dubas haters will be in a tough spot.

1 good move in 5/ 6years doesn’t move the needle much

 

[Kurtz]

Knies will end up being one of the most important players on this team. Dubas haters will be in a tough spot.

I'm not a Dubas lover or hater, but the one thing we know Shanahan is responsible for is blocking the trade that would have dealt Knies as part of a package for Hagel and Fleury.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

I'm not a Dubas lover or hater, but the one thing we know Shanahan is responsible for is blocking the trade that would have dealt Knies as part of a package for Hagel and Fleury.

Good.

 

[Gabriel426]

1 good move in 5/ 6years doesn’t move the needle much

He also left so that’s TWO good move by him

 

[Lightsol]

I already acknowledged that in my post. It doesn’t erase the fact that in 3 out of 4 series, keefe had absolutely zero trust in him. That is also just a fact. It should be no surprise why he’s out of the lineup. Called he was gonna get traded all summer and right before training camp and got called crazy.

Keefe rarely if ever trusted young players at all; when push came to shove, he would frequently go with the veteran. We saw it multiple times with Lilj; Keefe would say he "screwed up" and then bench him for Holl or Brodie or Gio, only for the replacement to play WORSE, and rarely did Keefe reverse. I think he only did it last year because Brodie was DIRECTLY responsible for every goal Boston scored, making it really obvious he should be out.

 

[therealkoho]

Surprises

The newly signed Dmen haven't been bad for any amount of time and generally for me at least have been really good to excellent.

Seemingly Mitch Marner is still being blamed for anything that doesnt go the Leafs way. I truly question some people's critical thinking skills, maybe it's a joke and I'm missing it. Nevertheless it still surprises me people can't see how important he is to the Leafs long term success not to mention how lucky the Leafs are to have him.

Pacioretty, if we can get at least 40 games out of him like last night and break close to even the rest of time what a win that signing is. A possible 20+ goals, and a Masterton Trophy for sure is in the cards.

Knies I'll be honest I'm not surprised overall, but he surprises me on a regular basis. I could see this player in him last year, but I had no idea he'd arrive this soon. The scary thing is there's more there. Wait till his nasty comes out and he puts Barkov out in game one.

Disappointed, Robertson is running out of time jeebuzz man get your head on right.

is it over? Even though he has some A1 tools, is Timothy Liljegren done in Toronto? Secondly Pontus Holmberg had some good moments last year, but all that good has somehow disappeared and maybe he should too, unless of course he suddenly becomes a face off monster and Kampfs contract can then be moved. I'd try waiving Holmberg first though because you never know. Someone might take him.

 

[Visnovsky]

OEL has been a really pleasant surprise, as well as Stolarz. I did expect both to be good, but they've overcome my expectations by a lot.

People saying that Holmberg has been a disappointment... the positions he has been put it, have been insanely difficult. He is at 54,9% on faceoffs and his deployment has had him at 88.1% defensive zone starts - if anything, he has been brilliant and deserves more of a shot in the o-zone. I would try him with Nylander for a longer period of time.

I have been very disappointed with our powerplay, does not seem to click at all - something needs to give here. Having ostensible control means jack shit, if you are not able to convert on given opportunities.