Pre-Game Talk: Habs @ Leafs - Season Opener

[tmlms13]

Last time the ESPN had NHL right the Leafs made the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I like those odds

 

[JSn0w93]

According to Chris Johnston, there's an outside chance he'll play Saturday.

Where did he say this? Not questioning you just curious. Would be great news.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Last time the ESPN had NHL right the Leafs made the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I like those odds

Jim Hughson was also not with HNIC when we got past the first round. Two things going for us.

 

[DarenX]

That "depth" has a 30 million dollar combined cap hit (23.6 not counting Marleau). They combined for 59 goals between 5 players (used Johnsson's 2019-20 year).

Ritchie, Spezza, Bunting, Mikheyev, and Engvall combined for 49 goals in less games at a grand total of 7.1 million. This is also with our list of players getting bottom-6 time while Kapanen, Kadri, and JVR all get top PP usage and linemates that aren't 3rd/4th liners.

For context, those 5 "depth" forwards cost more than Anaheim, Ottawa (even with Brady signed at 8x8), Detroit's entire forward roster. Tampa's top 6 most expensive forwards combined clock in at just under 40 mil, their entire cup-winning top-6 minus Kucherov makes basically the same money as your "depth". If you count Coleman and Goodrow last year instead of Killorn and Palat it's even worse.

Do not make it complicated for the "fans" driving in the tunnel.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

What a weird barometer to assess depth. 20 goals, that's it. Who cares about assists, playing time/games played/PP time, if you scored 19 goals, etc. The only way to assess depth is if you scored 20 goals. You could be paid 6 million like Marleau or 3.5 like AJ/Kapanen and still, be considered depth. Also we use numbers from a few years ago for whatever reason, last year when someone like AJ has like 5 goals doesn't count. Let's also ignore players like Ritchie, Bunting, Kase (if stays healthy) who will all most likely score 20 goals.

 

[DingerMcSlapshot]

Edmonton without mcdavid and Drai would be last place team I’m fairly confident

Probably not. Depends who replaces them. They may even be better. With the right couple decent team players.....instead of a me players.

 

[therealkoho]

wtf back to back to start the season?

NHL is a freakin' JOKE

Olympic year get used to it.

 

[TheGreatOne11]

Johnny Toronto better get the reception he deserves.

Captain had a goal last year, now he has redemption on his mind and glory in his heart.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

Probably not. Depends who replaces them. They may even be better. With the right couple decent team players.....instead of a me players.

I feel like I can say with confidence that there are zero scenarios where Edmonton loses McDavid and ends up a better team from it.

 

[Nylander88]

Just put them both on LTIR and call them up during playoffs

Regardless we should be able to win this game. They still don't have a Tavares or Nylander

On top of that we have a power forward in Simmonds.

That's a bold strategy, cotton. Let's see if it pays off.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Last time the ESPN had NHL right the Leafs made the 2nd round of the playoffs.

I like those odds

We need to do a lot more than make it to the 2nd round for me to get even mildly excited.

Where did he say this? Not questioning you just curious. Would be great news.

I listened to overdrive for a bit yesterday, IIRC he said it then.

 

[al secord]

The 2 years "Ritchie" Valens was tearing up the music charts in the 50's, the Leafs made the finals. There are too many coincidences for this season not to go well.

 

[ottomaddox]

Johnny Toronto better get the reception he deserves.

Captain had a goal last year, now he has redemption on his mind and glory in his heart.

This thread was given a 110% effort.

 

[nsleaf]

The 2 years "Ritchie" Valens was tearing up the music charts in the 50's, the Leafs made the finals. There are too many coincidences for this season not to go well.

Things didn't end well for La Bamba the day the music died.

 

[Marshy]

Things didn't end well for La Bamba the day the music died.

And we'll be singing ....Bye bye Mr. Stanley Cup Drive.

 

[Maple Leaf]

No idea what you guys are talking about. Just win

 

[VanW27]

I feel like I can say with confidence that there are zero scenarios where Edmonton loses McDavid and ends up a better team from it.

I disagree on that, and this is no knock on McDavid.

I'm sure there would be at least a couple teams who would make some outrageous offers if McDavid were available to secure the star power and excitement that comes with adding a player like McDavid.

 

[ZEBROA]

No idea what you guys are talking about. Just win

Most annoying avatar. I like it!

 

[93gilmour93]

LFG

 

[Gary Nylund]

I disagree on that, and this is no knock on McDavid.

I'm sure there would be at least a couple teams who would make some outrageous offers if McDavid were available to secure the star power and excitement that comes with adding a player like McDavid.

I agree completely. The Lindros trade should have forever put to bed the idea that anytime you trade a star player, you lose the trade but what can you do, it's one of those myths that just doesn't want to die. It applies to McDavid, it applies to any player you'd care to name. Even Marner.

Most annoying avatar. I like it!

+1

 

[The90]

What a weird barometer to assess depth. 20 goals, that's it. Who cares about assists, playing time/games played/PP time, if you scored 19 goals, etc. The only way to assess depth is if you scored 20 goals. You could be paid 6 million like Marleau or 3.5 like AJ/Kapanen and still, be considered depth. Also we use numbers from a few years ago for whatever reason, last year when someone like AJ has like 5 goals doesn't count. Let's also ignore players like Ritchie, Bunting, Kase (if stays healthy) who will all most likely score 20 goals.

Most likely score 20 is a stretch. I’d say ‘will have every opportunity to’ is more accurate. I think at least 1 does. With the others, health willingly at 12-18 which would be great.

 

[Jozay]

Did we get word if Marner is in tonight?

 

[PuckMagi]

Top line looks good. Nylander is good. The rest of our forward group looks pretty bad.

 

[Cor]

listened to the Leaf Report on the way to work, and Mirtle/Siegal seem to be assuming Marner will miss these first two games at least.

They said neither Simmonds or Marner were trying to hit the other, they just accidentally collided and Marner hit his head on Simmonds.

Marner sorta got up and went over to the trainer, and Mirtle/Siegal seemed to indicate it seemed like he was telling the trainer what he is feeling, Marner went and told Keefe and then left.

They said they don’t know more and Leafs haven’t said anything yet, but if they had to guess based on what they say, Marner could miss these games

 

[napoleon in rags]

Jim Hughson was also not with HNIC when we got past the first round. Two things going for us.

Oddly, Jim Hughson was calling Blue Jays games the last time they went all the way. Bananas!

Random non sequitur factoid