After 20 games.......

[thewave]

Simple.

The bad or underperforming.

AM not producing to contract
MM not producing to contract
JT very poor inconsistent play
MR completely braindead
Woll injury prone and was terrible in debut
Timmins inconsistent
Benoit inconsistent

THE SPECIAL TEAMS AS A WHOLE.

The Good

Stolarz
WN scoring from L2 with inconsistent players
OEL
Tanev
Patches
Knies

 

[kevsh]

Bright spots: Stolarz (though coming down to earth), Patches, OEL, Knies (is going to be asking for a big contract), Tavares scoring again.

Bad things: Special teams, inconsistency (that's a big one), stars still being coddled (not entirely at least - Willie was at least temporarily dropped to PP2), 3rd line still a concern, still way too many careless turnovers & bad penalties, Woll's health, AM's shooting % (concerning that too many of his shots are not even close).

 

[ITM]

Surprises: Good and bad:

Good: Knies. He looks very poised and is demonstrating that he gets it. I dont know if that's Berube's effect or a function of maturation, but I suspect its the former. Could easily see Knies in a top 6 role back on that Blues team.

Bad: Woll. Like, on all fronts bad. I didn't expect the injury and I didn't expect his form upon return.

Good: OEL. Everything promised by Panthers' fans that I've come across has been accurate. He is much sturdier than I remember him in his Phoenix heydays. Grizzled vet is not something I attributed to OEL, but I do now.

Bad: Our PP. We need a managerial deep dive on the best assets we can acquire to boost that part of our game. Savard is a hire for chemistry for Berube, but I think that formula is done. Because its Shanahan's operation (and I painfully agree) there will likely be an extended period of assessment. If by January we're not clicking, we need a bench alteration.

Good: Pacioretty. Thought he was a pre-season novelty and would be let go in favour of this or that player. Couldn't be happier. He's starting to look and feel like an old-time Leaf. Genuinely surprised by this development and hope it carries on.

Bad: Holmberg. I'm a fan and in fact might have been one of the first posters here to pump his tires, and was rewarded for it in his subsequent play. But ouch - call it a learning curve, but I'm starting to think its Alex Steeves' time and Holmey might do well with a little time revisiting the A.

Good: McCabe. I think he along with OEL have been my two favourite defensemen this season so far. He's just playing soild, no frills hockey and our D-core desperately needs that as part of their character if we're going to succeed in the next couple of years. And Good x 2: That team friendly deal! More of that please!

Bad: So under the category of surprise, although it pains to say it: Matthews. But I believe he'll push through.

Go Leafs.

 

[ULF_55]

After 10 games 12% of season ... much will change even within next month, but for these 10 games.

Biggest Surprise:

Paccioretty - mind you he's been spotted 7 games out of 10​

Knies - looks faster and looks like he might be able to score goals​

Disappointments:

Berube​

Savard​

Matthews​

Domi​

Not Surprised - Expected (good and bad):

marner​

Nylander​

Domi​

Robertson​

Too Soon:

Stolarz​

Woll - coming off injury 1 game played​

Hildeby - sabotaged by no-show effort​

Not Impressed:

Defense - 3rd. pairing​

Powerplay - brutal​

Penalty Kill - average​

 

[Nineteen67]

After 10 games 12% of season ... much will change even within next month, but for these 10 games.

Biggest Surprise:

Paccioretty - mind you he's been spotted 7 games out of 10​

Knies - looks faster and looks like he might be able to score goals​

Disappointments:

Berube​

Savard​

Matthews​

Domi​

Not Surprised - Expected (good and bad):

marner​

Nylander​

Domi​

Robertson​

Too Soon:

Stolarz​

Woll - coming off injury 1 game played​

Hildeby - sabotaged by no-show effort​

Not Impressed:

Defense - 3rd. pairing​

Powerplay - brutal​

Penalty Kill - average​

Honestly, if Stolarz wasn’t as good as he’s been they’d be accused of more “no show efforts”.

 

[bax]

What we're watching with Knies this year is well beyond what I expected so that's a very nice surprise. I knew I was going to like Stolarz but not this much. Really hope he can carry the load well beyond what he's used to. I was also very much in favor of them removing Patches from the building the second he walked in, preferably face first, but man he's winning me over.

Benoit, Holmberg and Liljegren are all having very disappointing years so far. I was also obviously hoping special teams would be better.

 

[Roo]

Biggest surprise is just how good Stolarz and OEL have been.

Biggest disappointment would be Holmberg or Benoit. Was hoping for more from both.

 

[ACC1224]

Holmberg is a big one for me, really liked how his game evolved last year and expected a big step this season but it hasn't happened.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Elite McDewd Analysis After 10 Games:

Pleasant Surprises:

1. OEL - makes good passes/decisions. Plays good defensively. Plays tough.
2. Stolarz - Pretty solid. Keep going.
3. McMann - contributing with speed and forecheck. I like his game. I always did.

Polite Disappointments:

1. Robertson (buttttt...not surprising really) - not grabbing his opportunities at all.
2. Benoit - needs to get it going. Needs to be a lot better.
3. Woll - never showed up. Toronto's Ghost Goalie.

________
Secret Speculation:

You will see Rifai, A. Nylander, and Grebenkin sometime this season in a Leaf Uniform.

Power Speculation:

Robertson & Liljegren: their asses will be traded.

 

[ULF_55]

Benoit, Holmberg and Liljegren are all having very disappointing years so far. I was also obviously hoping special teams would be better.

Benoit and Holmberg have been playing so I agree they have to be better.

Liljegren was giving 1 game, safe to say Berube doesn't like him, while he'll accept mistakes from others not so much for Liljegren.

Coaches aren't perfect, and have their own bias. That's life in general.

 

[bax]

Benoit and Holmberg have been playing so I agree they have to be better.

Liljegren was giving 1 game, safe to say Berube doesn't like him, while he'll accept mistakes from others not so much for Liljegren.

Coaches aren't perfect, and have their own bias. That's life in general.

I don't disagree. I was hoping he'd win over the coach and get to play.

 

[Gallagbi]

I'd add Marner, Matthews, Nylander to the disappointments. Special teams as well

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Surprises:
OEL
Stolarz
Pacioretty

Disappointments:
Special Teams
Benoit
Liljegren

 

[1specter]

Oh ffs, this is about how they have performed thus far, not what will happen in the future.

Don't engage, it's not worth it. Same advice for DfD.

His history earns him some slack. I doubt it'll last.

Yeah, I don't think it makes much sense to put Matthews or Nylander or even Rielly on that list. They've often had slow starts before getting back to their career norms. In Matthews' case he's still generating tons of shots and chances, in fact I think he's shooting even more, so the goals will come.

 

[Gabriel426]

Surprises:

Team actually played with structure for 7 of the 10 games.
Max, McMann, Knies and esp OEL are surprises

Disappointment:

Core 5, not the individual stats but just overall play in general. None of them really showed they can be count on to lead the team when the going gets tough. Really thought AM will do it as he is Capt, MM will do it for contract year, Willie will do bc of a repeat of last season.

Special teams are expected as it is habits more than coaching esp on the PP.

 

[LeafEgo]

Good chance Toronto can finally be one of the best teams in the league this year, lots to like as pointed out.

Major disappointments so far are Matty and special teams - turn that around and we will sail. Some fringe players without much expectation to begin with will get punted along the way, but we no longer have major gaps to address like we used to.

 

[francis246]

Benoit and Holmberg have been playing so I agree they have to be better.

Liljegren was giving 1 game, safe to say Berube doesn't like him, while he'll accept mistakes from others not so much for Liljegren.

Coaches aren't perfect, and have their own bias. That's life in general.

Liljegren has had issues with every coach. That should tell you about him as a player. Babcock was desperate for a RHD and didn’t push for a call up for him, rather Dermott and Sandin.

Keefe had issues with him and didn’t trust him in the playoffs and he’s a guy Keefe had in the minors as well.

Now Berube doesn’t even want to play him in the regular season.

At some point Liljegren needs to accept responsibility. Clearly he isn’t doing what’s been asked of him.

 

[ULF_55]

Liljegren has had issues with every coach. That should tell you about him as a player. Babcock was desperate for a RHD and didn’t push for a call up for him, rather Dermott and Sandin.

Keefe had issues with him and didn’t trust him in the playoffs and he’s a guy Keefe had in the minors as well.

Now Berube doesn’t even want to play him in the regular season.

At some point Liljegren needs to accept responsibility. Clearly he isn’t doing what’s been asked of him.

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-was-a-bit-surprised-but-it-is-what-it-is-maple-leafs-defenseman-timothy-liljegren-returns-against-bruins-after-game-4-scratch

BOSTON — Timothy Liljegren is expected to draw back into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup when the club visits the Boston Bruins for a must-win Game 5 at TD Garden on Tuesday.

Liljegren was scratched during Toronto's 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4. When discussing why the defenseman was taken out of the lineup, head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the defenseman was "not 100 percent healthy".

 

[francis246]

https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-was-a-bit-surprised-but-it-is-what-it-is-maple-leafs-defenseman-timothy-liljegren-returns-against-bruins-after-game-4-scratch

BOSTON — Timothy Liljegren is expected to draw back into the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup when the club visits the Boston Bruins for a must-win Game 5 at TD Garden on Tuesday.

Liljegren was scratched during Toronto's 3-1 loss to the Bruins in Game 4. When discussing why the defenseman was taken out of the lineup, head coach Sheldon Keefe indicated that the defenseman was "not 100 percent healthy".

That’s one series out of 3 or 4 where he was scratched. Under keefe, Liljegren wasn’t ever a major fixture until Keefe’s last year.

And even Liljegren’s comments suggest Keefe wasn’t being totally honest. Why would Liljegren say he was a bit surprised if he was injured? Just sounds like Keefe was using the not 100% healthy thing as an excuse. Who is 100% healthy in the playoffs?

 

[Anthrax442]

Tanev, Patch, Stoalie, OEL, Willie, Lorentz, Knies - very good
Tavares, Matthews, McCabe, Domi - OK
Robbie, Holmberg, Benny, Marner, , Reavo - meh
Lilly, Wolliacovo, Kampf- could be much better, but need more playing time
PP is the most disappointing
Pugnacity is up which is good

 

[ULF_55]

That’s one series out of 3 or 4 where he was scratched. Under keefe, Liljegren wasn’t ever a major fixture until Keefe’s last year.

And even Liljegren’s comments suggest Keefe wasn’t being totally honest. Why would Liljegren say he was a bit surprised if he was injured? Just sounds like Keefe was using the not 100% healthy thing as an excuse. Who is 100% healthy in the playoffs?

He played all but 1 game in the playoffs 2023-2024.

 

[notDatsyuk]

I'd add Marner, Matthews, Nylander to the disappointments. Special teams as well

I know some posters are disappointed that Nylander is leading the team in goals and second in points, but I think that's personal bias.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

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

 

[Gallagbi]

I know some posters are disappointed that Nylander is leading the team in goals and second in points, but I think that's personal bias.

I'm disappointed he's a PPG player who has made a number of directly costly mistakes. You live with some of it at a lower caphit. But I'd like more for the first year of that deal

 

[francis246]

He played all but 1 game in the playoffs 2023-2024.

View attachment 923394

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.