those 2 (Nylander/Matthews) should each be on the dots on their off wings waiting for 1-timers, our biggest issue is the point is NOT a threat, we have no shot back there, so, they defend the pass, and not the shot. We dont have 1 player that can man the point that has a good enough slapper to force defenders to go high, which would open Matthews or Nylander down low.
He's gonna for surgery - and the whole media will do what they do best and blame his terrible play on it, and I'm guessing by about July or August the short memories of Leafs nation will forget about all of it and go back to clamouring what amazing elite players we have in Toronto.
This. Byfield for Matthews would be trash in trash out on both sides.
if there are players in the lane (and you arent on the blue line) I'd drive it as hard as possible, and make them regret being in the lane for next time... a limping/hurt d-man is much less effective and it wears them down. this is why any time Tanev handles the puck every Florida player finishes the check on him, it wears the guy down, and it really showed last game.
Agreed, get Marner out of the QB role, he's a clown with a muffin shot that is easily blocked. Put JT in the second unit, put Marner in the bumper, and have OEL on the point.
the million dollar question is, would McDavid be more willing to move if they win the Cup or lose out because of poor goaltending again, since they can outscore and win with average goaltending.
Lots of reason to not like AM right now but people are taking things too far. AM was still lighting it up last year when he wasn't playing with Marner and was playing with guys like domi and bertuzzi.
Draisaitl has something to do with it too. Those two players elevate their game in the playoffs while Matthews and Marner disappear. The Leafs have had 10 years since the ping pong balls to figure it out and they haven’t.
you cant say that for any player that has McDavid flanking him. McDavid is the best player since Gretzky and he draws all the defenders to him, and has an ability to make cross seam passes like nobody else in the league. Drais is 'good' but, McDavid makes him exceptional.
Matthews can barely shoot or handle the puck right now. you never see the puck rolling off his stick like this season, and not being able to elevate a shot or get one off fast.
So why would he want to go to a team that is old, lacks talent and assets?
You could very well be right, but whats his excuse the other 8 playoffs?
He said we have to be better myself included. Him saying himself included means he's talking about himself.
Both need to be gone. And the truth is they have little control over either situation. Marner will walk on his own and Matthews may not waive his NMC. As usual, MLSE has totally f…ed thenselves.
Have you ever spoken to a true narcissist? This is such a common deflection method when faced with criticism. He doesn't really want to own up to the fact that this is his team and as captain (and highest paid player), he should be held to a higher standard than the rest of them.
Yes I have and unless you don't know them individually it's nearly impossible to draw conclusions from sound bytes. If he goes out plays well on Friday isn't that being accountable? We also don't know what's said privately either. Nothing is achieved by going off in front of the media in Toronto.
