After 20 games.......

[Evilhomer]

Berube is a superior coach but Tre has played a significant role as well. A strong defensive corps and goaltending makes it's much easier to get structured play and consistency. It's a necessary foundation to bring everything together - Tanev, OEL, and Stolarz have made a big impact.

Completely agree.

 

[conFABulator]

It's hard to write a review of this team when i'm on a high from the game vs. VGK.

Elite Negatives:

Robertson has been bad beyond recognition. The hockey media has changed in that they don't mention his name anymore. Commenting on his bad play is now considered kicking a dead horse. I used to think that he was wrecking TOR's chances to trade him for an asset. His play is so bad that he's just hurting himself. With Minton and Grebenkin exploding in their season debute, it's all but over Robertson.

The bottom 6 is still a jumble but mostly a stumble. Reaves, Robertson, and Holmberg are not so good. Lorentz/Kampf have been decent. Dewer might help. Jarnkrok might too. Perhaps Grebenkin/Minton are the makings of something much better...

The power play has started quite bad. I think they are on their way to improving it, but it certainly makes you wonder how it will iron out when the playoffs come.



Elite positives:

OEL. Just so good to have a player like him in the top 4 defence. He makes good defensive plays, makes good decisions with the puck, and stirs it up in terms of physicality. I hope he can play like this continually. Does anyone know how many nhl fights he's had? He might have to answer the bell one of these days.

Chris Tanev has been a rock so far. I thought he would be more noticeable (crashing/bashing). Just steady. He's just really good.

Goalies: Stolarz & Woll. They seem to be solid so far. No back breaking goals. Sturdy/Big goalies!

The Star Wingers: Nylander + Marner. Both playing great so far. Knies as well.

Team system/team defence. Credit to Berube for coaching so well despite many players having to learn a new system
Also TOR keep winning despite many injuries.

Young Stars - It's just 1 game, but what a meteoric debut for Minton and Grebenkin.

The penalty kill has improved quite a bit.

Great summary. I think we would have to include Domi in the elite negative so far, no?

You may be right. In any event. after this season I think that fans will completely forget about 2019 through 2024. This team is going to the Cup final this season, unless Shesterkin stops them.

Shesterkin would likely be stopping us in the Conference Final. That would still represent a huge step forward.

 

[Ianturnedbull]

Great summary. I think we would have to include Domi in the elite negative so far, no?

Yeah. He has been off his game. Perhaps injury is taking him off his full ability. He needs to be better. Hopefully he will.

 

[conFABulator]

Yeah. He has been off his game. Perhaps injury is taking him off his full ability. He needs to be better. Hopefully he will.

Yeah, he has been a negative but unlike the other ones there is reason to believe he will get it going soon.

 

[Evilhomer]

Shesterkin would likely be stopping us in the Conference Final. That would still represent a huge step forward.

That is where I think they will meet. The Leafs will come out of the Atlantic and the Rangers will come out of the Metro.

 

[tmlms13]

It's only 20 games but Stolarz will be nominated for the Vezina

 

[Evilhomer]

It's only 20 games but Stolarz will be nominated for the Vezina

I think his biggest risk is his own teammate taking games from him. That said, barring an injury Hellebuyck will win the Vezina again. But Berube will win coach of the year, and Marner will finally win the Selke.

 

[meefer]

Positives:
*Stolarz and Woll
*McCabe and Tanev pairing, honourable mention, OEL
*Marner and Nylander, or Nylander and Marner...I ain't trying to rank 'em folks

Negatives:
*I'd hoped that Liljegren would pop this year, c'est la vie.
*Robertson, unlike most I believe I see a kid who, while still getting knocked on his ass too much, has substantially cleaned up his game. Far more reliable defensively, but obviously cannot drive his own line. He needs to be playing with someone who can distribute, and another who can power/forecheck, with Nick to finish. His 3.8 shooting % is killing him, but that, should it be here or elsewhere, should revert to career average 10.5%, or hopefully closer to last year's 14.5% avg.
*Secondary scoring has been poor, throughout the bottom six, however constructed.
*Injuries.

Surprises:
*John Tavares, who'd a thunk? I don't go around trashing JT, but he's exceeded my expectations in a big way, huge.
*Culture! Players standing up for each other. Treliving's snot comment finally arriving, player additions, Berube? I don't care, but gosh darn it, I'm happy to see it.
*Conor Timmins and the PK.

Too Early To Say:
*Minten and Grebyonkin, encouraging, but after 1 game? I'll wait a bit on this, but they sure are likeable after that game vs Vegas.

 

[Mr_Fun]

Positive: best defence and goaltending in decades, three or four legit power forwards, wuss factor lowest in AM era, nice home record.

Negatives: “blue mirage” - a lot of our record is from playing mostly homes games; we are mediocre so far on the road, NR is a veritable bust this year after promising preseason, injuries galore.

 

[DarkKnight]

After 20 games.... the Cup champions are like "hmmmm".

 

[LeafEgo]

I think his biggest risk is his own teammate taking games from him. That said, barring an injury Hellebuyck will win the Vezina again. But Berube will win coach of the year, and Marner will finally win the Selke.

I think we have a better shot at the Jennings than the Jack Adams.