Ilya Mikheyev's breakout season.

[DraftSchmaft]

Yes, I'm not expecting anything amazing or even good with the amount of cap space we have left. But specifically for Engvall and Mikheyev, anything should be better than the 0 non empty-net goals they collectively had over multiple playoffs seasons. To be fair to Mikheyev, he is a good penalty killer and when the opposition has an empty net, but he and Engvall aren't dangerous otherwise. It's possible they should have been playing on different lines, though.

If the PK was a reason to meet Miks demands, he's behind kampf marner and kerfoot on the pk depth chart. Suddenly he's not that appealing as far as the PK is concerned. I prefer Kerfoot over Mik if we're choosing middle class salaries after Miks pay raise. I don't find Mik "structurally" interesting. Kerfoot actually knows what's going on when the game slows down. We will be fine without Mik, especially with Chynoweth as the brains of the operation.

 

[hotpaws]

yeah lets pile on and shit on him because we think he's on the way out , typical but still sad some always feel the need to do this

Mik and Soup haven't made any money yet so why shouldn't they try to secure their financial future ?

 

[CelticDruid]

If the PK was a reason to meet Miks demands, he's behind kampf marner and kerfoot on the pk depth chart. Suddenly he's not that appealing as far as the PK is concerned. I prefer Kerfoot over Mik if we're choosing middle class salaries after Miks pay raise. I don't find Mik "structurally" interesting. Kerfoot actually knows what's going on when the game slows down. We will be fine without Mik, especially with Chynoweth as the brains of the operation.

We've seen Kerfoot slow down dead in his tracks, I believe it was game six when the blue line confused the shit out of him.

 

[hobarth]

I'd prefer TO keep Mikey, get rid of Kerfoot, please.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

We've seen Kerfoot slow down dead in his tracks, I believe it was game six when the blue line confused the shit out of him.

I agree Kerfoot committed some grave sins this playoffs.

In general though I mean, if IQ is a feature, hands down Kerfoot has more hockey IQ than mik (Again, the assumption is both make 3.5 mil now....who do you take).

 

[socko]

Unless you're going to play Kerfoot with Nylander (better than Tavares IMO), I think I would take Mikey over him. But it's close.

 

[Havoc]

Kerfoot has the higher ceiling. He's smarter, has a better shot, has better passing ability and even though lacks Miks straight line top speed, his agility and edge work is better which makes him the better skater overall. He's more likely than Mik to have a good playoff performance as well.

His problem right now is he has no ice in his veins. You can see it when he shoots or flubs a play. So much self doubt, grabs his head and looks at the ceiling. Sees what he should have done instead, only after already doing something he shouldn't have done. If he can fix this a bit, there will be a clear gap between him and Mik.


Edit: The timing of this post is bad because of Kadri's game winner, I know But this is kerfoot versus mik not kerfoot versus kadri

 

[Leaf Lander]

Was it a break out season or was his other seasons just so sub par that it lowered fans expectations

 

[Mess]

Was it a break out season or was his other seasons just so sub par that it lowered fans expectations

Hey P

There is an adjustment coming from the KHL and big ice, and he has had a few hand injuries in the past impacting his overall effectiveness.

In the NHL, speed kills and Mikheyev is very likely Leafs fastest player, and he uses that speed to generate a lot of opportunities for himself.

With 4 PP goals and 4 SH goals it shows he can play in all situations including both specialty teams.

21 goals in 53 games is a breakout season for any player not named Matthews.

Lets be honest the only reason the Leafs might not be able to keep him is money and cap space and that points to bigger problems and issues elsewhere outside of Mikheyev control.

 

[dubplatepressure]

Hey P

There is an adjustment coming from the KHL and big ice, and he has had a few hand injuries in the past impacting his overall effectiveness.

In the NHL, speed kills and Mikheyev is very likely Leafs fastest player, and he uses that speed to generate a lot of opportunities for himself.

With 4 PP goals and 4 SH goals it shows he can play in all situations including both specialty teams.

21 goals in 53 games is a breakout season for any player not named Matthews.

Lets be honest the only reason the Leafs might not be able to keep him is money and cap space and that points to bigger problems and issues elsewhere outside of Mikheyev control.

Very common problem to have and one that some teams have done well constantly adjusting to - trading off or letting walk non-core pieces and recouping space and picks to continue to remain competitive around a strong core. We just may have that strong core, but we will always see this kind of YOY churn. Mik wants 3.5 to 4m and good for him if he gets it - he's priced himself out of here.

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

yeah lets pile on and shit on him because we think he's on the way out , typical but still sad some always feel the need to do this

Mik and Soup haven't made any money yet so why shouldn't they try to secure their financial future ?

yes, you crapping on the team daily, rehashing the same arguments over and over while gradually becoming more and more outlandish with proclamations of 'the truth', is much better.

typical but still sad that some, like you, always feel the need to do this.

Very common problem to have and one that some teams have done well constantly adjusting to - trading off or letting walk non-core pieces and recouping space and picks to continue to remain competitive around a strong core. We just may have that strong core, but we will always see this kind of YOY churn. Mik wants 3.5 to 4m and good for him if he gets it - he's priced himself out of here.

It's true. Tampa has done it a couple of years in a row.

Then they just trade first rounders for replacements that fit in the cost structure they have.

Good strategy, but eventually they may run out of picks to trade for replacements.

 

[hotpaws]

yes, you crapping on the team daily, rehashing the same arguments over and over while gradually becoming more and more outlandish with proclamations of 'the truth', is much better.

typical but still sad that some, like you, always feel the need to do this.

Dubas and Tavares are not the team they are employee’s of the team so “bashing” them is no different deferent than the positive posters bashing Holl and Willie .

but I do need you to explain why I should bash Mik on the way out ? When did it become his fault we can’t afford to pay him anywhere near what he’ll probably get on the open market ? and why shouldn’t he secure his financial future when he has a chance ?

 

[RoyalCitySlicker]

@hotpaws

I don't understand the first part of your post. At all. Could be that I'm dumb and don't follow, could be it makes no sense.

The second part - I haven't seen too many people bash him. I've seen them outline why it's OK that he might leave, especially if it comes down to cost. If he wants to go elsewhere for more money, he should. It's his right to get himself the best deal he can in free agency - money, situation, location etc. He's earned it.

Me saying that I think the team will be OK without him or that they can likely replace him for less money is not bashing him. He was snakebitten his first year or so here, and had a really nice year last year. I like him, but I'm not going to fret over him leaving.

Also, the guy has been mostly a non factor in the playoffs....and isn't that what people like you continue to harp on - that the regular season doesn't matter and it's only about playoffs? If so, why wouldn't you welcome moving him out for someone that might not be as effective during the regular season, but could be more effective come playoffs? And possibly at a lesser cap hit?

Seems like it's getting tough to keep all the hot-take overreactions straight!

 

[hotpaws]

@hotpaws

I don't understand the first part of your post. At all. Could be that I'm dumb and don't follow, could be it makes no sense.

The second part - I haven't seen too many people bash him. I've seen them outline why it's OK that he might leave, especially if it comes down to cost. If he wants to go elsewhere for more money, he should. It's his right to get himself the best deal he can in free agency - money, situation, location etc. He's earned it.

Me saying that I think the team will be OK without him or that they can likely replace him for less money is not bashing him. He was snakebitten his first year or so here, and had a really nice year last year. I like him, but I'm not going to fret over him leaving.

Also, the guy has been mostly a non factor in the playoffs....and isn't that what people like you continue to harp on - that the regular season doesn't matter and it's only about playoffs? If so, why wouldn't you welcome moving him out for someone that might not be as effective during the regular season, but could be more effective come playoffs? And possibly at a lesser cap hit?

Seems like it's getting tough to keep all the hot-take overreactions straight!

My post wasn’t hard to understand but I’ll splain it for you .

I’ve really only really “bashed”” Dubas and Tavares .

Also why should I be happy about getting knocked out early year every season ? so if that’s what you call bashing then that includes the vast majority of Leaf fans .

as far as replacing Mik goes , if he was that easy to replace at a cheap price then I guess he’s not going to be signing anywhere until he drops what he’s looking for

and we’ll soon see how easy he is too replace

 

[DarkKnight]

Kerfoot has the higher ceiling. He's smarter, has a better shot, has better passing ability and even though lacks Miks straight line top speed, his agility and edge work is better which makes him the better skater overall. He's more likely than Mik to have a good playoff performance as well.

His problem right now is he has no ice in his veins. You can see it when he shoots or flubs a play. So much self doubt, grabs his head and looks at the ceiling. Sees what he should have done instead, only after already doing something he shouldn't have done. If he can fix this a bit, there will be a clear gap between him and Mik.


Edit: The timing of this post is bad because of Kadri's game winner, I know But this is kerfoot versus mik not kerfoot versus kadri

Kerfoot has the weakest shot on the team? And what ceiling, he’s already reached his peak hasn’t he?

 

[Havoc]

Kerfoot has the weakest shot on the team? And what ceiling, he’s already reached his peak hasn’t he?

I'm not advocating Kerfoot's shot, but if we need someone to shoot from the slot between Kerfoot and Mik I am definitely choosing Kerfoot. Mik is more high adrenaline type of scorer.

Higher ceiling for the value they will provide as middle class players for us. Mik is going to jump into that 3-5 mil range so yes I do believe Kerfoot will offer more value at his cap hit. In terms of ceiling I would bet on Kerfoot giving us depth points in the playoffs over Mik too. Kerfoot will be at that sweet spot 27 years old next playoffs so he does have the potential to give us a solid run still even though he has peaked overall.


Let me add I'm not loyal to either of these guys, if you want to sell high on Kerfoot I'm down.

 

[Fogelhund]

There is no question, what Mikheyev brings to the table, will be hard to replace. It's too bad he wasn't one of the players that we can keep. It seems that they can only keep one of Mikheyev or Kerfoot though... Different skill sets, but perhaps close to the same value to the team.

 

[DarkKnight]

I'm not advocating Kerfoot's shot, but if we need someone to shoot from the slot between Kerfoot and Mik I am definitely choosing Kerfoot. Mik is more high adrenaline type of scorer.

Higher ceiling for the value they will provide as middle class players for us. Mik is going to jump into that 3-5 mil range so yes I do believe Kerfoot will offer more value at his cap hit. In terms of ceiling I would bet on Kerfoot giving us depth points in the playoffs over Mik too. Kerfoot will be at that sweet spot 27 years old next playoffs so he does have the potential to give us a solid run still even though he has peaked overall.


Let me add I'm not loyal to either of these guys, if you want to sell high on Kerfoot I'm down.

Fair enough.

 

[DraftSchmaft]

I'm not advocating Kerfoot's shot, but if we need someone to shoot from the slot between Kerfoot and Mik I am definitely choosing Kerfoot. Mik is more high adrenaline type of scorer.

Higher ceiling for the value they will provide as middle class players for us. Mik is going to jump into that 3-5 mil range so yes I do believe Kerfoot will offer more value at his cap hit. In terms of ceiling I would bet on Kerfoot giving us depth points in the playoffs over Mik too. Kerfoot will be at that sweet spot 27 years old next playoffs so he does have the potential to give us a solid run still even though he has peaked overall.


Let me add I'm not loyal to either of these guys, if you want to sell high on Kerfoot I'm down.

It's sticking to basic principles for me. I agree, loyalty wise, I'm not going to go out on a limb for either of them.

Whose smarter: Kerfoot
Whose the better athlete: Kerfoot
Whose younger: Kerfoot
Who can actually complete a pass to the big boys: Kerfoot
Who can setup a tip / rebound shot the best (best as in out of the 2): Kerfoot

I mean the only thing Mik wins cleanly is straight line speed. Kerfoot can make a case for almost anything else.


The goals Mik scored in the second half of the season don't even exist in the playoffs. Mik isn't a player who creates open space, he uses his legs to eat open space. He's a bit useless in the playoffs as a result when the top teams tighten up.

 

[TheScandal89]

yeah lets pile on and shit on him because we think he's on the way out , typical but still sad some always feel the need to do this

Mik and Soup haven't made any money yet so why shouldn't they try to secure their financial future ?

I've been complaining about him for well over a year for his playoff performances, he played much better this playoff in the first half of the series but with a goalie in the net he still only had what 2 assists in 19 playoff games. Not good enough imo.

Maybe its his hand injury is finally almost healed, but its not worth paying him a lot of money when I don't even want him back. I could definitely see him do well on another team since that practically always happens when players leave us, but he's done here.

 

[Racer88]

I agree Kerfoot committed some grave sins this playoffs.

In general though I mean, if IQ is a feature, hands down Kerfoot has more hockey IQ than mik (Again, the assumption is both make 3.5 mil now....who do you take).

Neither one at 3.5 million

 

[justashadowof]

At 3.5, I'd choose Kerfoot over Mikheyev as he does more things, plays more roles. But I'm expecting that both players won't be coming back. I believe Dubas will try to replace Kerfoot with league minimum signings this summer. Kadri will be a free agent this summer so the specter of that putrid trade will be gone once Kadri signs elsewhere and there is no reason to keep Blind Drop Pass around any longer.

 

[BlackAdam]

imo, Mikheyev was one of the most disappointing players for the leafs not named wayne simmonds this playoffs.