Is it just me, or is Jake McCabe pretty bad?
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sdf
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ULF_55
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He should be the weaker player on his pairing, not the better player.
RunItBackAgain
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If you don’t think Rielly is a #2 at least we’re done talking.
ULF_55
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Looked like you had him as a 1.
Which I can accept as a 1 with no top end talent. Used to believe his skating was but not in today's game.
Leafs best for how meaningless that is. Like saying Leafs have a best keeper.
RunItBackAgain
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I think he carried his weight and then some for a #1 when it mattered almost every playoff. But in my post I did say either a specialized partner (Schenn) or he should be the #2 on the line.
Mess
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McCabe is a -6 +/- on the season after 4 games the WORST mark on the Leafs and people were concerned about Klingberg who is currently -3 and only 1/2 as bad defensively.
Myers is not very good. I was thinking what the Leafs need is more like oleksiak or Nic Hague
Why move lily ?? I don’t get it am I missing something ?? To me other than the gaff that cost us a goal he’s been playing very good he’s young and he’s and rfa get rid of the guys we don’t need
Buds17
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I can agree with finding McCabe's number to be a bit more concerning because of defensive prowess having to be his bread and butter in opposition to an offensively inclined blueliner like Klingberg (who is at least putting up points).
Mccabe more of a two way defensemen so playing him with klingberg was always going to be risky atleast with lily McCabes pinches and odd plays can be countered by someone we groomed to do Juss that
Buds17
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Any offensive production will obviously also help McCabe's number on the +/- ledger. He still isn't likely to be surpassing Klingberg as an option for offence/point producer though. In any case, it should work to the benefit of the team if the new pairings on the blueline are able to successfully jell.
He looked fine when he got there because he played a simple, physical defensive game.
That changed when Keefe called him out for not bringing enough offense.
Now he pinches at bad times, gets caught in the offensive zone.
On the rare occasions that it works he lacks the offensive skills to bury any chances.
Most of you blame Dubas (for the trade) or McCabe for not doing very well at what he’s doing. I’d look to blame the guy who changed how McCabe plays.
He is a third pairing D man and unfortunately being asked to play second pairing minutes is showcasing how overwhelmed he is. Honestly as I see it we have some major areas to address on D. Trade TJ Brodie, likely Nylander needs to be moved to make cap room, ideally with a younger cheaper player-i get they won't be as talented as Nylander. I would love it if we could pick up Foudy.
Nylander unfortunately must become a cap causality to make us better:
Reilly Pesce
?????? Liljegren
McCabe Timmins
Gio
Nylander unfortunately must become a cap causality to make us better:
Reilly Pesce
?????? Liljegren
McCabe Timmins
Gio
34
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Nylander and Matthews are the 2 best players. Willy should not be traded. Find a way to dump Tavares.
RunItBackAgain
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TheScandal89
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I said after game 1, he will be the new Holl and it didnt take long. He started off great after the trade, but we started noticing he kinda sucks in the playoffs and its led into this season.
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Stephen
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The conversation with Rielly is always about what he needs in terms of support to activate a higher level of play. I feel like this excludes him from being a true number one by definition, as a number one's role is usually to shelter and elevate whomever is there with him. I look at Giordano, who has Norris level pedigree and there are just flashes of what he used to be able to do to calm the waters, take the extra half beat that I don't think Rielly has.
Rielly is fantastic when he plays with speed and uses his instincts, but I don't like his slow down game. It's like when he slows down his feet to assess he stops seeing the ice as well and tunnel visions into traffic or trouble.
Would be curious to see what he looks like beside/behind a Cale Makar though. That would be an interesting experiment.
Stephen
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I actually like Jake McCabe but you have to realize he's also a player with bottom feeder team pedigree who has probably not played in any meaningful moments, so being on a team with expectations could be a new experience with new standards and expectations.
Dumb comment, but expectations with this guy need to be tempered by the fact that he's not Bryan McCabe offensively, and he's not Jake Muzzin in terms of defensive versatility, physical dominance and do it all everything. He's got a nice physical element and bite to his game and we pay him nothing. But hopefully he gets better and more consistent.
Lafferty, Schenn and Acciari are good players which ofcourse of why none of them are still around. The leafs aren't allowed to have depth.
