Speculation: Eastern Conference is a Beast-Should we be sellers
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If you say so. What are the weaknesses you speak of
People here really need to spend some time watching other teams.
Not saying they will win in the first round or anything, but why do you think they will get annihilated? Even going back to Matthews and Marner's rookie year, they have never lost a series before game 6. And had many chances to close out series in 6 or 7.
I do agree though, I think they should maybe spend a 2nd on a defenseman if there is one out there, but I don't see the point in spending a 1st or multiple 1sts for what is left out there now.
Isn't Muzz coming back prior to the playoffs? I thought he was already skating and practicing.
Dreakmur
Registered User
We have good defensive results because we have the puck a lot, not because we are good defensively.
Tampa's lost a lot of depth. Florida's defense and goaltending are both question marks. Both of those teams have been pretty average on special teams this year. Etc.
They're both great teams overall, like Toronto, but no team is perfect.
We have good defensive results because of both, but the why really doesn't matter much anyway.
The why always matters. If good defensive metrics are solely predicated upon puck possession, that’s an issue. It’s an issue because as we’ve all seen in the past with this team, those possession numbers get compresssed in the post season.
They're not.
What do you mean by this? For the record, our defense has been very good in the playoffs recently.
Dreakmur
Registered User
The why absolutely matters, and it gets exposed very often. The Leafs defensive zone too often resembles and episode of Benny Hill.
What a wild exaggeration. That's not true at all. People just have this ridiculous idea that elite defensive teams never give up any chances, which is completely wrong. Leafs are a very good defensive team.
Dreakmur
Registered User
It’s all about them being soft in battles and slow to read offensive shifts. Yes other teams make mistakes, but not on the scale nor with the frequency as Toronto.
Leafsfan74
Registered User
- Jul 2, 2018
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I loved Benny Hill. I hope this comment was at lesst somewhat in endearment of this clsssic show, lol.
More than the sped up running around your.commrnt invokes in my mind, I think of the Leafs being the little bald sidekick who is smacked on the top of his head by Benny, every playoff year it seems. It would be nice for the Leafs to do some smacking of their own.
More Russian Bears and less glitter this playoff please.
You must be confused. We're talking about the Leafs here. Reading and anticipating offensive plays is one of our stronger attributes. Also, just because our defense includes players that can actually play and utilize their sticks like they're supposed to, instead of 6 slow, lumbering, face-punching cross-check machines on skates, it doesn't make us soft in battles. But keep perpetuating that lazy, untrue narrative.
Yeah, most of them make more.
I'm advocating that he shouldn't... and the Leafs take a kucherov approach with him (unless somebody else gets hurt)
TheGoldenJet
Registered User
Yup, Leafs are a powerhouse especially on D and in goal.
People here really need to spend some time watching other teams.
Teeder Keon
Defeat does not rest lightly on their shoulders
One or two more 5+ GA games and we'll officially be in the bottom half of the GA column league-wide.
Must be driving the Dubites crazy, because either Dubas really doesn't know jack shit about finding good goaltending or this team isn't near as good defensively as they make it out to be. You have to admit to one or the other.
Must be driving the Dubites crazy, because either Dubas really doesn't know jack shit about finding good goaltending or this team isn't near as good defensively as they make it out to be. You have to admit to one or the other.
Dreakmur
Registered User
I'm talking about the Leafs on the ice, and you're talking about some bar graph you read online somewhere. That's the confusion.
Cheating for offensive chances isn't good reading and anticipating. That's one of the biggest reason we often struggle in the defensive zone.
Poke-checking is good in certain situations. Our problems occur when we should take the body, but can't.
Sweetpotato
Registered User
I definitely think we should've made a strong push for Lindholm, he was a better fit than any of the D out there but I don't think in our position you can be a seller. Take a shot at Chychrun and see if Fleury wants to play in TO. I cant imagine selling is a viable option.
Suntouchable13
Registered User
But again, Lindholm is not going to stop the core from choking hard. Spending premium assets only to lose in 1st round again is just digging a deeper hole. IMO, one of the big 4 has to go! Last year was on them, everything else going forward is on Dubas because he refuses to shake up the core. If they don't have that killer instinct, they will never get it. You can not learn it. Lindholm, Chiarot, Fluery, doesn't help with that. It's not like Fleury never had a history of choking in the playoffs either.
Griffin76
Registered User
Can't see Lyubushkin being moved. He was just acquired and they should be looking to re-sign him for a few years.
Holl I doubt is going anywhere although if it was me he would've been left exposed in the expansion draft.
Dermott will most likely be moved but he barely plays so it will have a very minimal impact on the team.
Mikheyev won't be moved and shouldn't because that 3rd line dominates every night. I doubt he will re-sign so they'll have to replace him but it's fine if he walks.
Mrazek should be moved for another backup that's having a similar season in hopes of a change of scenery being a solution to their struggles.
This team is not selling
Holl I doubt is going anywhere although if it was me he would've been left exposed in the expansion draft.
Dermott will most likely be moved but he barely plays so it will have a very minimal impact on the team.
Mikheyev won't be moved and shouldn't because that 3rd line dominates every night. I doubt he will re-sign so they'll have to replace him but it's fine if he walks.
Mrazek should be moved for another backup that's having a similar season in hopes of a change of scenery being a solution to their struggles.
This team is not selling
The 5th best team in the league has pretty much the same core that has lost in the first round every year. the only difference is Campbell is injured and not looked good when he was in nets. How can you honestly expect this team to get further this year with same group of guys and an inconsistent goalie? You know they say crazy is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.
Ya, the Leafs should probably stay put or even sell. Im going to assume Leafs loose the series 4-2 in the first round and sports radio and Leaf land has the same discussion like we've had the last half decade.
