Post-Game Talk: Big W for Spezza & Sandin - Leafs beat CBJ 5-4

[Cap'n Flavour]

Score is a bit deceiving. Toronto was in control from the 1st. The 5-3 goal is a bit of an issue, but the goal with 0.5 seconds left means nothing. Sucks for Campbell's save percentage I guess.

The Leafs should keep tanking Campbell's save percentage with irrelevant garbage time goals so they can sign him to a cheaper extension.

 

[torniojaws]

How come Campbell played 40 minutes, according to the official stats? No other goalies

Columbus Blue Jackets - Toronto Maple Leafs - December 7th, 2021

 

[Gary Nylund]

Another complete domination game for Leafs .. well played boys .. who cares about a few garbage goals in garbage time .. no one cares except stats guys

Yup. Not much else to say about this one except good to get a win again, not the toughest opponent but we were missing a few guys and will be for some time so nice to have an easy win to start off this shorthanded stretch for sure.

 

[GhettoHockey]

The leafs can write history this year with strong play down the stretch.

Vezina, Rocket, and Calder, presented to Campbell, Matthews, Bunting, respectively.

Bunting only a few points back of rookie scoring.
Matthews creeping up on Leon.
Campbell clear cut #1 in most goalie stats.

 

[SprDaVE]

The leafs can write history this year with strong play down the stretch.

Vezina, Rocket, and Calder, presented to Campbell, Matthews, Bunting, respectively.

Bunting only a few points back of rookie scoring.
Matthews creeping up on Leon.
Campbell clear cut #1 in most goalie stats.

Bunting will never get voted for the Calder trophy unless he scores a million goals and points. The media will have this weird obsession that he shouldn't be considered a rookie, mix with the fact that this is a Toronto Maple Leafs player after all.

 

[Twine Tickler]

Hard to complain about a win. Especially one that ends a mini 2 game slide, and one where we didn't have our full compliment of players.

That said, I think we were a bit sloppy in that game. Even when we went up 3-0, I thought we had 1 too many breakdowns in neutral ice, could have easily been a different outcome if CBJ buries one of early chances.

I think there is a lot of factors that contribute to why they were so sloppy but nonetheless, they found a way to battle out a W.

We have had 4 straight games IMO where we have had some of these breakdowns creep into our game. I think Keefe said it perfectly after last game. During that unbelievable stretch there was a complete connection from the Forwards to Defense that has been missing ever since the California swing. It started to creep in against Colorado, and we haven't been as crisp IMO. Trying not to read too much into it, but I think its something they need to tighten up a bit.

I thought Steeves played well. Maybe a bit too hesitant early on. He had 3-4 shifts where he changed probably 15-20 seconds before any of his line mates. You could tell, he was trying not to make a mistake, which I can appreciate, but we also need more than a dump and change from him. He was clearly more comfortable after the 1st period, and it's very obvious this kid has NHL potential. He will be a Leaf next year.

Rubins, Very impressed with Rubins TBH. He kind of reminds me of Cody Franson. Big, steady, and he has a shockingly heavy snapper from the point. There was one shot that he put on from the point in the 1st that I swear caught Merzlikins off guard and almost went in. It looked to me that Merzlikins was expecting the shot, but was not expecting it to come in so hot, because Kristians didn't really load up for it. If he can find a way to be a bit more patient and wait for traffic, and find an ability to get that level of shot through in the same efficiency that Franson used to, I think we may have a very effective bottom pairing player in Rubins. Was very impressed for the most part.

Wasn't a pretty win IMO, but there's no pictures on a scorecard.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

Bunting will never get voted for the Calder trophy unless he scores a million goals and points. The media has this weird obsession that just because he shouldn't be considered a rookie, mix with the fact that this is a Toronto Maple Leafs player after all.

Don't see him having a better season than Zegras either way, Zegras will be a star in this league. Still a great season for Bunting so far!

 

[Deebo]

Yeah Hyman's pretty great, I'm surprised there are still people questioning that as if we were still in the year 2017. If I would have been told several years ago that his name would be coming up in conversations about who will play for team Canada I would been like WTF, you can't be serious. But here we are, he's developed into a fantastic player and he's a big part of why EDM got off to such a great start this season. It's too bad we couldn't afford to keep him, luckily it seems the new guys are doing a good job of filling the hole left by his departure, at least that seems to be the case so far.

If Hyman was still on the Leafs and he was brought up for the Olympic team, the rest of Canada would have lost their minds.

 

[Bluelines]

Bunting will never get voted for the Calder trophy unless he scores a million goals and points. The media will have this weird obsession that he shouldn't be considered a rookie, mix with the fact that this is a Toronto Maple Leafs player after all.

I don't doubt that for some reporters there is a bit of a "F" Toronto sentiment, one would hope there are enough reporters that will vote for the best rookie. In the last 20 years there have been 3 men over the age of 21 to win the trophy. No one over the age of 25. Bunting is 26 years old.

There might be a bit of a star bias too, IE, the guy is playing with Matthews and Marner, therefore he scores more because of his linemates vs he could be that good on any line.

 

[TheDoldrums]

The leafs can write history this year with strong play down the stretch.

Vezina, Rocket, and Calder, presented to Campbell, Matthews, Bunting, respectively.

Bunting only a few points back of rookie scoring.
Matthews creeping up on Leon.
Campbell clear cut #1 in most goalie stats.

Did you see Zegras' assist last night? There's no way Bunting takes the Calder, that kid is special. He looks like 3rd season Marner already.

But I hope he scores enough to get a nomination over one of the Red Wings to see people get mad lol.

 

[justashadowof]

Of the 19 points that he has, McDavid also got a point on those goals 13 times. The guy is a third liner that has always played with superstars for some reason.

He's a quality player that the Leafs couldn't afford to keep. Why must some of us resort to petty sniping like a jilted lover over our departed players?

 

[SeaOfBlue]

Yup. Not much else to say about this one except good to get a win again, not the toughest opponent but we were missing a few guys and will be for some time so nice to have an easy win to start off this shorthanded stretch for sure.

Columbus is a bubble team this year, but they struggle against good teams (dominant against bad teams + Colorado though).

 

[ACC1224]

He's a quality player that the Leafs couldn't afford to keep. Why must some of us resort to petty sniping like a jilted lover over our departed players?

It's an odd phenomena that has existed here forever.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

If Reilly plays out his contract he’ll hold a healthy amount of Leafs records.

And left money on the table and elevated his game after signing. One of my favourite Leafs of all time now and I think he's happy to be a Leaf for life. Just amazing.

 

[zeke]

He's a quality player that the Leafs couldn't afford to keep. Why must some of us resort to petty sniping like a jilted lover over our departed players?

The Leafs could afford to keep him.

And after all the hot takes by you and your ilk over the great loss of Hyman and what it said about our team and our management, your desire to move on now is a little transparent.

 

[Confucius]

Hymans contract isn't one that the Leafs need or could afford, he is on pace for just under 40 goals this year which is pretty good for 5.5m

don't know if that contract is going to look that great in 5 years but if Buster can score 150 goals over that span then it's not too bad at all

And thats the problem with on pace for...
If your calculations are correct, there are 30 players in the league on pace for ~40 or more and we know that is not happening

 

[TheProspector]

Bunting will never get voted for the Calder trophy unless he scores a million goals and points. The media will have this weird obsession that he shouldn't be considered a rookie, mix with the fact that this is a Toronto Maple Leafs player after all.

Mainly that he's a Maple Leaf, though. They had no problem giving it to Panarin.

 

[Confucius]

Mainly that he's a Maple Leaf, though. They had no problem giving it to Panarin.

Mathews was 2nd for the Hart, on the whole there is no anti Leaf media bias, sure there are individuals.

 

[Fonzieleaf]

Is Dermott injured or has he just been regular scratches lately?

 

[ACC1224]

Is Dermott injured or has he just been regular scratches lately?

Shoulder, day to day

 

[Deebo]

Is Dermott injured or has he just been regular scratches lately?

Shoulder injury

 

[Fonzieleaf]

Shoulder, day to day

Shoulder injury

Thank you

 

[ACC1224]

Thank you

Heyyyyyy!!!!

 

[justashadowof]

The Leafs could afford to keep him.

With 7 players making league minimum, for example:


Hyman: $5.5M
Simmonds $900k
Spezza: $750k

Forward 1: $750k
Forward 2: $750k
Forward 3: $750k
Forward 4: $750k
Forward 5: $750k

Defense: $750k

Total: $11.65M

or

Simmonds: $900k
Spezza: $750k

Mikheyev $1.645M
Ritchie: $2.5M
Kampf: $1.5M
Kase: $1.25M
Engvall: $1.25M

Holl $2M

Total: $11.795M

 

[zeke]

With 7 players making league minimum, for example:


Hyman: $5.5M
Simmonds $900k
Spezza: $750k

Forward 1: $750k
Forward 2: $750k
Forward 3: $750k
Forward 4: $750k
Forward 5: $750k

Defense: $750k

Total: $11.65M

or

Simmonds: $900k
Spezza: $750k

Mikheyev $1.645M
Ritchie: $2.5M
Kampf: $1.5M
Kase: $1.25M
Engvall: $1.25M

Holl $2M

Total: $11.795M

Ritchie + Mrazek = $6.3m

Also could have traded Kerfoot's $3.5m