GDT: Habs @ Leafs - 7pm - Sportsnet

[Mess]

If Matthews is a no go tonight, this would be a great opportunity to run Nylander and Marner together.

Running Nylander and Marner on their own lines to see you can carry the offense on their own abilities would be a true test to validate contracts.

Thursday, the London Knights standout Easton Cowan mentioned that he believes that he's playing alongside Mitch Marner and Max Domi on the team's top line for tonight's pre-season matchup.

Why does Marner always need to be paired up with someone else, to prop him up statistically?

If he wants to be paid like Nylander shouldn't he be capable to do that on his own merits?

Nylander is being moved and tested as a centre because its a more impactful and carries more resposnsibilities, which means he won't be propped up by Matthews/Tavares other centres at ES 5V5.

 

[SprDaVE]

You guys are getting the Laval Rockets tonight..

congrats on the 3-0 pre-season start

 

[SprDaVE]

I wonder how the Lorentz, Kampf and Reaves line will do against a fairly young and fast team. Just seems like a line that can't play more than 5 minutes in a regular season game. I guess with a bunch of injuries it was bound to happen.

 

[stickty111]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839332386523562021

Niemela listed as the 4th pair in the non playing group which means Berube has no desire to play him. Thats very questionable. We'll see though.

 

[Mess]

This team without Auston Matthews gives a clear vision where this team really stands overall in Cup competitiveness.

Take the 70 goal scorer out of the picture [temporarily] and you get a pretty good vision of depth and team building strategies.

This team is going to go as far as Matthews will carry it, and who are the other impact players or just the followers/passengers.

 

[Torontonian]

Pacioretty wasn't brought here to be a 4th line guy

I wouldn't read into what I posted there for line combos - just a general idea of the 12 players that are going to be in the lineup. Was just easier to post it like that.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Running Nylander and Marner on their own lines to see you can carry the offense on their own abilities would be a true test to validate contracts.

Why does Marner always needs to be paired up with someone else, to prop him up statistically?

If he wants to be paid like Nylander shouldn't he be capable to do that on his own merits?

Nylander is being moved and tested as a centre because its a more impactful and carries more resposnsibilities, which means he won't be propped up by Matthews/Tavares other centres at ES 5V5.

Nylander's contract is done so Marner should be the focus and we need to know what he can do. The way Domi seamlessly stepped into his place alongside Matthews and did the job just as well for a fraction of the cost, strongly suggests that compiling points next to Matthews is simply not enough.

Marner needs to show that he can drive a line on his own, not just during the regular season but also in the playoffs. If he can't do that, what good is he? I mean sure he's still a good player, but not over 10+ million a year good, never mind more than that.

If Marner's an elite player, he should be dying for the opportunity to show that he doesn't need Matthews (or Nylander) to look like a superstar. I hope Berube gives him that opportunity and let's see what the kid can do.

 

[Al14]

A few years back the Avs went undefeated in pre-season and finished the year with 49 points. 2 seasons ago the Panthers went winless in pre-season and won the presidents trophy.

The results of these games mean literally nothing for the season

OurLeafs have a history of playoff failures. For the last 8 playoffs they have on;y once got by the 1st round.

IMHO, our Leafs need to take this pre-season more seriously. They need to establish a winning culture, especially with a new coaching staff, and the fact that they have had a poor record of success in the playoffs the last 8 seasons.

Our very highly paid core needs to start leading this team to higher success. Let's progress towards winning the division at least. Our Leafs needs to show progress in reaching the conference finals too.

I don't give a crap about other teams and their records. Our Leafs need to change their playing standards now, that leads to better playoff success now. IMHO, this starts the moment that they play against regular season opponents in pre-season.

Every year they seem to stall in the 1st round. That needs to change if a Stanley Cup championship is going to become reality before this group of players ages out.

JMHO.

 

[Rude Dog]

congrats on the 3-0 pre-season start

Yeah, I have watched enough vet vs ahl guys to realize they are never easy. Kids are playing for their hockey lives.

 

[SmoggyTwinkles]

Leafs win a preseason game - oh it’s only preseason, relax etc.
Leafs lose a preseason game - haha leafs lost, leafs suck etc.

The mental gymnastics Leafs haters have to guide themselves through to remain mentally stable is astonishing. I used to think it was only a joke that a large section of NHL fans hated the Leafs more than supporting their own teams.

But now I’m starting to think this might actually be true.

Yeah but it's only true if you pay attention to it.

Try tuning it all out and just watch the games, you won't even care about what others think anymore and be happier for it.

 

[notbias]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1839332386523562021

Niemela listed as the 4th pair in the non playing group which means Berube has no desire to play him. Thats very questionable. We'll see though.

Hopefully, he gets some games, unless he is hurt.

It seems weird not to play our best D prospect but play a bunch of guys who will likely never be full time NHLers with us (Webber, Myers, Mattinen, Mermis, Rifai)

Niemela was likely not getting games this year (or very few), but still thinks he should get some time.

Running Nylander and Marner on their own lines to see you can carry the offense on their own abilities would be a true test to validate contracts.



Why does Marner always need to be paired up with someone else, to prop him up statistically?

If he wants to be paid like Nylander shouldn't he be capable to do that on his own merits?

Nylander is being moved and tested as a centre because its a more impactful and carries more resposnsibilities, which means he won't be propped up by Matthews/Tavares other centres at ES 5V5.

Nylander was propped up by $11 million Tavares, he doesn't deserve his raise.

Isn't this how your "everyone is only as good as their cap hit" argument works?

 

[notbias]

Nylander's contract is done so Marner should be the focus and we need to know what he can do. The way Domi seamlessly stepped into his place alongside Matthews and did the job just as well for a fraction of the cost, strongly suggests that compiling points next to Matthews is simply not enough.

Domi is a blackhole defensively, and I'd like to see more than half a season of them together.

Marner needs to show that he can drive a line on his own, not just during the regular season but also in the playoffs. If he can't do that, what good is he? I mean sure he's still a good player, but not over 10+ million a year good, never mind more than that.

This is how Marner got his first contract and now everyone cries about it.

Shouldn't you bring up the playoffs and how Domi dropped off significantly when discussing how good he was too?

If Marner's an elite player, he should be dying for the opportunity to show that he doesn't need Matthews (or Nylander) to look like a superstar. I hope Berube gives him that opportunity and let's see what the kid can do.

Pretty much anyone who followed hockey for more than the last few seasons already knows, who is he supposed to be showing?

 

[AvroArrow]

Yea, but what’s going on that he already needs a “maintenance day”? it’s a concern. He is young in his prime, not 35 and at the end of his career. Like if Crosby needs a day, I get it. But Matthews? Not a great sign.

It's pre-season chill lol, just cause he's young doesn't mean you can't have a bone bruise or something (not saying his injury is a bone bruise)

 

[Mess]

Nylander's contract is done so Marner should be the focus and we need to know what he can do. The way Domi seamlessly stepped into his place alongside Matthews and did the job just as well for a fraction of the cost, strongly suggests that compiling points next to Matthews is simply not enough.

Marner needs to show that he can drive a line on his own, not just during the regular season but also in the playoffs. If he can't do that, what good is he? I mean sure he's still a good player, but not over 10+ million a year good, never mind more than that.

If Marner's an elite player, he should be dying for the opportunity to show that he doesn't need Matthews (or Nylander) to look like a superstar. I hope Berube gives him that opportunity and let's see what the kid can do.

Exactly !!!

Remove Matthews from the equation shows a players abilities in isolation to his contribution, without needing to be propped up to make him look good. .

Apparently tonight's game plan is to play JT, Willy and Marner on their own lines.

According to Easton Cowan own words (as per Berube) he believes he will be riding shotgun on an all former London Knights line with Max Domi centering Mitch Maner and himself tonight.

 

[ULF_55]

I wonder how the Lorentz, Kampf and Reaves line will do against a fairly young and fast team. Just seems like a line that can't play more than 5 minutes in a regular season game. I guess with a bunch of injuries it was bound to happen.

Just a suggestion.

 

[kevsh]

The results of these games mean literally nothing for the season

I remember baseball being like this way back. May still be but I don't watch so no idea now.

The simple explanation on why good results in pre-season don't equate success for the season (and vice versa) is that for most of the good/great teams the roster is pretty set, so the veterans can coast during pre-season. The bad teams have a lot of prospects and new players vying for jobs and so the intensity is there.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Domi is a blackhole defensively, and I'd like to see more than half a season of them together.

This is how Marner got his first contract and now everyone cries about it.

Shouldn't you bring up the playoffs and how Domi dropped off significantly when discussing how good he was too?

Pretty much anyone who followed hockey for more than the last few seasons already knows, who is he supposed to be showing?

You'd like to see more than half a season of Domi and Matthews together? If that's what you mean than I agree completely.

Marner's first contract - didn't he start out playing on a line with Bozak and JVR? Two experienced vets who were better offensively than defensively, and ideal situation for Marner to put up points and a far cry from him proving he can drive a line. The same goes for him playing with JT later who had already established himself as one of the best players in the world, not clear who was driving what at that point.

Domi got more points than Marner in these playoffs for a fraction of the cost. I know you love pumping up your boy Marner but you'd do better to not even bring up the last two playoff series cause Marner was a massive disappointment in both.

If I'm the GM, he needs to show that he can play like a superstar in the playoffs before I agree to another contract that pays him like a superstar.

Pretty much anyone who has followed the Leafs knows that he's a great regular season player but in the biggest playoff games, all too often he's no better than mediocre. That's what he's shown, you are either blind to this simple fact or maybe you're on Marner's payroll or something.

 

[supermann_98]

Keep your head up with Reinbacher’s cheap-shotting ass out there tonight, don’t wanna end up like Minten who he already took out.

At least it isn’t Michkov I guess

 

[WTFMAN99]

I'm just starting and 2-10 tonight, hopefully find a stream later to watch but gonna rely on here and Twitter for the updates.

 

[Nineteen67]

You guys are getting the Laval Rockets tonight..

Good. Probably a tougher game than playing TTOE

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[Fogelhund]

""

Cowan, Holmberg and Robertson given opportunities to succeed. Lorentz given his first look, on a 4th line where nobody on paper should be together.

 

[leafsfan2point0]

Keep your head up with Reinbacher’s cheap-shotting ass out there tonight, don’t wanna end up like Minten who he already took out.

At least it isn’t Michkov I guess

Maybe Reavo should take him into the boards from behind and we’ll see how he likes it. True, very happy they took that plug instead of Michkov.

 

[Confucius]

Leafs win a preseason game - oh it’s only preseason, relax etc.
Leafs lose a preseason game - haha leafs lost, leafs suck etc.

The mental gymnastics Leafs haters have to guide themselves through to remain mentally stable is astonishing. I used to think it was only a joke that a large section of NHL fans hated the Leafs more than supporting their own teams.

But now I’m starting to think this might actually be true.

As has been already alluded to. Its not about winning or losing, its about trying. The culture of just show up and take your bows, should have ended but I guess not and its ok.

 

[notbias]

You'd like to see more than half a season of Domi and Matthews together? If that's what you mean than I agree completely.

Yes, I'd like to see them together longer before I call them a good duo.

They've been great in their time together though.

Marner's first contract - didn't he start out playing on a line with Bozak and JVR? Two experienced vets who were better offensively than defensively, and ideal situation for Marner to put up points and a far cry from him proving he can drive a line. The same goes for him playing with JT later who had already established himself as one of the best players in the world, not clear who was driving what at that point.

Marner led our team in points during his contract year.

If we want to question if Marner was a driver during that year, I question who was driving the line for Matthews last year.

Maybe Domi and Marner were driving the line with Matthews and he was the passenger?

Domi got more points than Marner in these playoffs for a fraction of the cost. I know you love pumping up your boy Marner but you'd do better to not even bring up the last two playoff series cause Marner was a massive disappointment in both.

Marner sucked these playoffs, no complaints with that statement, Domi wasn't good either though.

If I'm the GM, he needs to show that he can play like a superstar in the playoffs before I agree to another contract that pays him like a superstar.

He has shown that, our board just ignores it.

If you added consistently to that, I'd agree.

And all our stars need to.

Pretty much anyone who has followed the Leafs knows that he's a great regular season player but in the biggest playoff games, all too often he's no better than mediocre. That's what he's shown, you are either blind to this simple fact or maybe you're on Marner's payroll or something.

No, I am not blind, I just have the ability to remember the good he's done in the playoffs as well as the bad.