First 10 Games: HF Leafs' Impressions

[Menzinger]

Our record's good but then again, the quality of our competition has been extremely low and if it wasn't for covid and divisional re-alignment I don't think we'd be sitting in a playoff spot today. Don't let the record fool you, our division sucks, period.

Winning games is good so I guess could go as high as a B- but that's probably being overly generous. Still lots of time to improve before the playoffs, I sure hope we use that time wisely.

I think thats a bit of a stretch. Theyve been better than the Habs, and the Bruins have certainly not looked good either. And then you've got Florida whose only played 6 games and is on a hot street im not convinced would last either.

The Bolts would be top dog, but Leafs would be in it for a fair fight to #2 by seasons end in the old division

 

[Vaive50]

You can't dwell on that game all season. Since then we beat the Sens, we beat the Jets and the Flams and the Oils. At some point you have to scratch that loss to it being a bad game.

That game is just an example, there were so many like that (games they should have won) last season. I'd like to forget that game but I just wish they can prove me wrong by atleast winning the first game against the Canucks because it'll be the Canucks 14th game in 23 days. Even the 2nd and 3rd games, the Canucks should be pretty gassed compared to the Leafs.

 

[LeafsNation75]

I think thatsba bit of a stretch. Theyve been better than the Habs, and the Bruins have certainly not looked good either. And then you've got Florida whose only played 6 games and is on a hot street im not convinced would last either.

The Bolts would be top dog, but Leafs would be in it for a fair fight to #2 by seasons end in the old division

Out of all the teams who Toronto was with last season when they were in the Atlantic Division so I'm not including Montreal, as of today only Boston in a playoff spot currently being 3rd in the East Division and Florida is 1st in the Central Division.

 

[Willchel Marlynder]

I think Leafs are better with Matty and Willie and JT and Mitch on the first and second lines. JT is pretty much on his own on nights Willie "takes off".

I wouldn't really give JT a pass. He's looked pretty ineffective out there 5v5 at times. I agree though, if that line can't figure it out 5v5 then I would do Matthews/Nylander & JT/Marner. Nylander is really going to need to work on his endurance though.

 

[Budz]

It’s a good topic and good discussion so far.

The good:
Our record. 7-2-1 is elite pace
Matthews effort in every game
91 - 16 - 88 all playing decently
Brodie fitting in well
Power Play
Goaltending last 8 games
Simmons providing a needed element
Confidence in 1 goal games

Not so good:
Loss to Ottawa - can’t do that
Injuries. Hope Campbell is back soon
Reilly not good. I would shop him.
5 v 5 play not good.
Kerfoots line - woof.
Lack of quality structure in O zone aside from the circle around the zone thing we do.
Team speed and rush chances are worse than last year.
Soup while playing well, no goals.

The terrible:
Refs

Overall B+

 

[willmma]

That game is just an example, there were so many like that (games they should have won) last season. I'd like to forget that game but I just wish they can prove me wrong by atleast winning the first game against the Canucks because it'll be the Canucks 14th game in 23 days. Even the 2nd and 3rd games, the Canucks should be pretty gassed compared to the Leafs.

I know what you mean. It's a always a bummer when they don't show for games that they're supposed to lay a smack down in.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I think thats a bit of a stretch. Theyve been better than the Habs, and the Bruins have certainly not looked good either. And then you've got Florida whose only played 6 games and is on a hot street im not convinced would last either.

The Bolts would be top dog, but Leafs would be in it for a fair fight to #2 by seasons end in the old division

Who's been better than the Habs?

The Bruins haven't looked good?

By seasons end who knows? As of today though we haven't been that good and are really lucky the divisions are the way they are.

Next three games vs Vancouver, then after two against the only team in our division that seems to have their shit together we have three against Ottawa. Man oh man, this division/schedule is a peach!

 

[LeafsNation75]

 

[Hockey Crazy]

Good record, but I'd like to see them dominate a bit more. 5v5 stats seem to be lacking, but its a skill team with no tune up games this season. B+

 

[PromisedLand]

B because we have points but 5 on 5 play needs massive improvement

 

[Dayjobdave]

7-2-1

our team d and our breakouts have been much better.
Special teams have been great

A for sure.

 

[willmma]

Who's been better than the Habs?

The Bruins haven't looked good?

By seasons end who knows? As of today though we haven't been that good and are really lucky the divisions are the way they are.

Next three games vs Vancouver, then after two against the only team in our division that seems to have their shit together we have three against Ottawa. Man oh man, this division/schedule is a peach!

You're right man. I didn't realize how bad this team is until you pointed out our upcoming schedule

 

[Dreakmur]

I would give them an A.

The combination of Brodie’s signing and Holl’s emergence gives the Leafs a quality defense for the first time in a long while.

Forward lines, in my view, still need to be sorted out. If only we had two Hymans.

 

[Wiseguys]

Leafs are in the weakest division and their 5 on 5 is terrible ranked 24th. We really don't know how good they are until and if they reach the semi finals and play a real team.

 

[Buds17]

They're a team that's up there in GP. They'd still be in a playoff spot in the North Division though if the GP of those teams behind them were equal to theirs. They would currently seem to rank quite well in any of the four divisions. I went with B+. I could have went with A-.

 

[TMLegend]

I'll give them a B, Mostly based on the fact they've been able to win games largely on the back of their special teams. Still wildly inconsistent period to period it seems and they're middling at best 5v5, which is concerning in a mediocre division. Goaltending has only been so-so at best as well.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Probably a B. Our 5v5 needs and should be a lot better. PP carrying the offence right now. Defence has been quite good though, big improvement so far. PK has been up and down, should hopefully improve.

People looking at soley advanced stats given the circumstances is pretty weird. I like advanced stats, but we had no training camp, started the year super late, have had a very tough schedule with very little time to rest, and have already had numerous injuries. Also small sample size. Check back later in a month or so I'd say.

 

[Gary Nylund]

You're right man. I didn't realize how bad this team is until you pointed out our upcoming schedule

It was a general observation as to how soft our division/schedule is, it's not like our competition in the first 10 games was that much tougher.

I never said the team was "bad", I said they've been playing below their capabilities - that actually sort of hints that I think they're good, better than they've showed us so far for sure.

Leafs are in the weakest division and their 5 on 5 is terrible ranked 24th. We really don't know how good they are until and if they reach the semi finals and play a real team.

As bad as that sounds, the reality is even worse considering the soft opposition we've been facing. This is something obviously not considered (or ignored) by people who think the way we've played so far merits an A. No question we have to be a lot better than that.

Probably a B. Our 5v5 needs and should be a lot better. PP carrying the offence right now. Defence has been quite good though, big improvement so far. PK has been up and down, should hopefully improve.

People looking at soley advanced stats given the circumstances is pretty weird. I like advanced stats, but we had no training camp, started the year super late, have had a very tough schedule with very little time to rest, and have already had numerous injuries. Also small sample size. Check back later in a month or so I'd say.

And keep in mind that all league wide stats while not completely useless will still be skewed in our favour because of the divisions being the way they are.

 

[Spargon]

Nowhere near good enough imo.

C+ for me.

And the + is only there cuz the PP.

So basically you live in the delusion of some perfect flawless team? The fact you saying only their PP is of any good....

This team has room to improve but some peoples expectations are absolutely out to lunch.

Given the source its not surprising. I am sure there are some very nicely cherry picked and cultivated numbers that will show the Leafs are really worse then Ottawa.

 

[Notsince67]

Really wish people would stop using xgf% out of context as a ranking to other teams. It really is stupid.
1. The leafs are over penalized relatively speaking
2. The leafs power play has been awesome so they actually score early, reducing the positive xgf.
3. One game can completely distort the reality with 1 or 2 extra good shots.

Having to tolerate people explaining away losses last year with good stats and then do the opposite this year is really a bit much.
The team is 7,2,1 and we already have absurd ideas of trading our number #1 defenseman. There is more fuel here than anyone on the main boards could hope for. Just come to the leaf forum for reasons to bash the team. Stick to criticizing bad game performances instead of finding reasons to dump on the team's overall skill. This place is such a downer sometimes. Completely saw this coming with this poll
#Hottakessuck

 

[Nineteen67]

If Edmonton, Calgary , Winnipeg, and Vancouver continue to play as expected the Leafs will be in a battle for a playoff spot. I expect Montreal will cool off as well and join them.

 

[zeke]

Some people are really having a tough time understanding why some of us might not be satisfied with the team squeaking out wins against bad teams thanks mostly to a red hot PP.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Some people are really having a tough time understanding why some of us might not be satisfied with the team squeaking out wins against bad teams thanks mostly to a red hot PP.

I mean I'll take the "W" but there are some concerns with their play, especially 5x5. Hopefully this break helps

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

As of this post they are tied fir 1st overall, now that won't last past tomorrow unless the Bruins VS Capitals is postponed and nobody wants that

But right now they are right there and that deserves an A

 

[Rants Mulliniks]

There are definitely things to like. For me the biggest is overall defense seems improved. PP I expect to be good. 100% need to figure out 5 v 5 and PK. Going into playoffs I'd rather have strong PK and 5 v 5 as well as defense. We know we have game breaking horses that many teams lack. That will always be there. Whistles go away in the playoffs. Keep playing well defensively and fix the PK and 5 v 5 and we could go somewhere.