GDT: Game #3/56: Re-Set. | Toronto @ Ottawa | Jan 16th 2021

[SeaOfBlue]

Make some changes, send a message.

I mean they are taking out a guy who has played less than 10 minutes in two games and has been okay, but not great, during that time.

Not really sure that is sending much of a message. Especially since Barabanov is going to get more chances.

It could allow Hyman or Mikheyev to move up, Thornton to move down to the 4th line, and Robertson in at 3LW.

 

[DarkKnight]

I think this is the biggest game of Campbell's career.

With all the uncertainty surrounding Freddy, if Campbell goes out there and shuts the door he can create that goalie controversy and maybe even steal the starter role.

The thing is, with the uncertainty about next year, the brass is going to give him every opportunity to create that controversy. It’s a unique dynamic this season.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I think this is the biggest game of Campbell's career.

With all the uncertainty surrounding Freddy, if Campbell goes out there and shuts the door he can create that goalie controversy and maybe even steal the starter role.

I wouldn’t mind that at all. I hope he takes the net and Andersen takes his job more seriously

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I mean they are taking out a guy who has played less than 10 minutes in two games and has been okay, but not great, during that time.

Not really sure that is sending much of a message. Especially since Barabanov is going to get more chances.

It could allow Hyman or Mikheyev to move up, Thornton to move down to the 4th line, and Robertson in at 3LW.

More a big lineup change coming than a message

 

[Blanche Blanche]

I think this is the biggest game of Campbell's career.

With all the uncertainty surrounding Freddy, if Campbell goes out there and shuts the door he can create that goalie controversy and maybe even steal the starter role.

If Ottawa is playing like yesterday and Campbell gets a shutout.

Freddy better be pulled a lot faster if he’s on.

short season we need to ride the hotter goalie.

go leafs go!!

 

[IrishInOntario]

because we need Nylander to get Matthews going; and we need Tavares to get Marner going

also....

Matthews-Nylander duo has had more success than Matthews Marner
Tavares-Marner duo has had more success then Tavares-Nylander

Auston Matthews makes 11.7 million dollars per year. It's his job to carry a line, not be carried by his right wing. I'd hate to separate the two studs who are playing and producing together, simply because #34 hasn't got going yet. I understand your argument in principal, but why give Matthews the way way out. Give him Hyman back on his left wing and tell him and Mitch "you're two of the very top paid players in the league. Figure your shit out and be the leaders you're paid to be."

It's important to remember that while you're correct about who has had more success playing who, that Matthews and Marner have made it clear that they want to play together. They made that bed, while squeezing every penny possible out of the Leafs it's their job to sleep in it and be hyper productive.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

More a big lineup change coming than a message

Mostly seems like Thornton is likely moving down to the 4th line where he belongs. I don't think that means Robertson is playing top line, but Thornton on the 1st line is not something that really works.

 

[Advanced stats]

I wonder if Simmonds could keep up with Matthews and Marner?

 

[JT AM da real deal]

Auston Matthews makes 11.7 million dollars per year. It's his job to carry a line, not be carried by his right wing. I'd hate to separate the two studs who are playing and producing together, simply because #34 hasn't got going yet. I understand your argument in principal, but why give Matthews the way way out. Give him Hyman back on his left wing and tell him and Mitch "you're two of the very top paid players in the league. Figure your shit out and be the leaders you're paid to be".

He has played 2 games with 2 stiffs and he is only one fighting hard for pucks ... we better fix or he may check out like last year

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I wonder if Simmonds could keep up with Matthews and Marner?

Probably not, but he'd be a better fit than Thornton.

 

[IrishInOntario]

He has played 2 games with 2 stiffs and he is only one fighting hard for pucks ... we better fix or he may check out like last year

I'm all in favour of putting Hyman back on his line in order to do some of the dirty work for him. I've said that numerous times. Thornton is not a fit there at this point in his career.

Maybe somebody ought to sit Mitch and father down and tell them that he gets paid 10.8 million dollars for hit setup skills and to pass the puck to #34, not to have some early 20's epiphany that he's going to win to win the rocket suddenly.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

I mean they are taking out a guy who has played less than 10 minutes in two games and has been okay, but not great, during that time.

Not really sure that is sending much of a message. Especially since Barabanov is going to get more chances.

It could allow Hyman or Mikheyev to move up, Thornton to move down to the 4th line, and Robertson in at 3LW.

I'd like to see some line tweaking. Put Hyman back with Matthews and Marner, it just works.

 

[Brobust]

The Simmonds signing was a mistake. People were saying he lost his legs, but he lost his hands as well.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

I think this is the biggest game of Campbell's career.

With all the uncertainty surrounding Freddy, if Campbell goes out there and shuts the door he can create that goalie controversy and maybe even steal the starter role.

Might be an overstatement but it would be nice if Campbell surprises and steals the net this year. Going from paying your starter $5M to $1.7M next year would give us a lot of flexibility.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I'm all in favour of putting Hyman back on his line in order to do some of the dirty work for him. I've said that numerous times. Thornton is not a fit there at this point in his career.

That is fine but get Mitch off it too ... if he does not show some signs of wanting to play i would give him 2 shifts tonight and then hit da pine

 

[Suntouchable13]

The Simmonds signing was a mistake. People were saying he lost his legs, but he lost his hands as well.

I think Thornton was a mistake too. But I guess we will see in the long term.

 

[Cor]

It might be something where Matthews and Marner want to play with each other, but I have always liked Matthews - Nylander and Tavares-Marner better

 

[IrishInOntario]

That is fine but get Mitch off it too ... if he does not show some signs of wanting to play i would give him 2 shifts tonight and then hit da pine

That's not very fare to Tavares, who plays like a consumate professional every night and is producing at an elite level through 2 games (5 points). Why screw the captain, whose line is playing as they should?

I'd just flip the minutes tonight and let the JT / Willy line play 23+ minutes and let Matthews and Marner play 17 minutes and earn their time on the ice.

Professional hockey is at it's best when it's a competitive meritocracy. Put up or, shut up.

 

[gabeliscious]

Thornton on top line is not a fit. I dont know why they keep trying to reinvent the wheel.

Hyman Matthews. Marner
Soup. Tavares. Nylander

^^^^ whats to think about.

3rd line. Vessey. Kerfoot. Simmonds
Thornton. Spezza. Anyone

 

[JT AM da real deal]

That's not very fare to Tavares, who plays like a consumate professional every night and is producing at an elite level through 2 games (5 points). Why screw the captain, whose line is playing as they should?

I'd just flip the minutes tonight and let the JT / Willy line play 23+ minutes and let Matthews and Marner play 17 minutes and earn their time on the ice.

Mitch has to decide if he wants to really play anymore ... outside of collecting his $$$ that is ... he is such a good kid but talent only takes you so far if you truly want to get to next level

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'd like to see some line tweaking. Put Hyman back with Matthews and Marner, it just works.

I imagine if Robertson is coming in for Barabanov, it is not to take over Barabanov's 5 minutes a night. IDK if he ends up on the 4th line, but it means the 4th line is likely playing more (or he is getting a crap ton of PP minutes, which he likely takes away from Spezza, Hyman, or Thornton) if he does.

Since this is a back to back, I can see the Leafs cutting his minutes in half. Maybe strip him of some PP time and giving it to Robertson.

 

[Brobust]

Thornton on top line is not a fit. I dont know why they keep trying to reinvent the wheel.

Hyman Matthews. Marner
Soup. Tavares. Nylander

^^^^ whats to think about.

3rd line. Vessey. Kerfoot. Simmonds
Thornton. Spezza. Anyone

Simmonds is significantly worse than both Thornton and Spezza. He's 13th forward material.

 

[IrishInOntario]

Mitch has to decide if he wants to really play anymore ... outside of collecting his $$$ that is ... he is such a good kid but talent only takes you so far if you truly want to get to next level

It starts by him accepting his role. He's an elite facilitator and needs to embrace it. He's not going to win the rocket, no matter how hard his 175lb brain tries to convince his body that he's going to.

Martin St. Louis didn't disillusion himself into thinking his job was to seek out hat tricks. His job was to pass the puck to Richards and Lecavalier so those guys could do what they do and be a functional scorer when opportunities were too good to pass up.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

It starts by him accepting his role. He's an elite facilitator and needs embrace it. He's not going to win the rocket, no matter how hard his 175lb brain tries to convince his body that he's going to.

Martin St. Louis didn't disillusion himself into thinking his job was to seek out hat tricks. His job was to pass the puck to Richards and Lecavalier so those guys could do what they do.

Sad to say but it starts with a hit a blocked shot or a drive to net he has to get himself back to not trying to get hurt ... then gradually he will get his stickback ... but it comes in gradual steps ... right now he can't even take or receive a pass

 

[Critical13]

Simmonds is significantly worse than both Thornton and Spezza. He's 13th forward material.

Spezza has been by far the worst forward this year.

Simmonds deserves more than 2 games before you jettison him.