Post-Game Talk: Ladies and Gents- The Core of the Maple Leafs does it again. Leafs lose

[sxvnert]

McMann Matthews Knies
Nylander Domi Marner
Lorentz Tavares Robertson
Holmberg Kampf Reaves

 

[A1LeafNation]

I dont really care about wins and losses this early...all I gotta say is Knies is a problem for the NHL

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849620335898812516

 

[Rare Jewel]

It's almost like they are a pressure-averse group. (the core not the periphery)

It's more than almost...


Right? @notbias

 

[Suntouchable13]

Berube needs to channel his inner 90s on these f*** heads and beat the living shit out of each and every one of them other than Knies

I'd love to see that actually.

 

[Moonman]

It's more than almost...


Right? @notbias

We just need to run it back enough times. They'll figure it out!

 

[Stephen]

Matthews is very weak on the defensive side of the game. He is one dimensional. MacDavid is a force on offense and works hard on his defense. Mathews puts no effort on defense. even on the bench when Berube was chewing him out he didn't even look at Berube like he had that I don't give S*** attitude.

Matthews has great defensive tools. Has the elite active stick on the backcheck, is a shot blocking machine, can be dogged defensively, be a faceoff machine, and was called an elite drive train player when drafted. That's why people whisper Selke from time to time...

But the problem I see is he's not actually an elite drive train player at all and gives you something random and different on the effort scale every night of the week. Overall, I'd say it's somewhat hit and miss and kind of overrated.

 

[Racer88]

To me, it's asinine to think that they would even consider signing him before the conclusion of the playoffs.

Agreed 100%. If they give that guy even a sniff of a contract before that then they are not a serious group

 

[al secord]

"This team is different "

 

[hamzarocks]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849629069291188348

Tanev at the bottom of the list again, meanwhile OEL and Rielly had bounce back games after a terrible Columbus showing. Nicky Bobby and JT(?) again with strong games again. Knies plummeted tonight compared to Tuesday but McMann stayed steady.

Matched the eye test

Rielly, OEL, Lorentz, Tavares, & Robertson were the best 5-man unit for us this entire game and got our only goal

 

[wingman75]

"This team is different "

Yea, they're wearing Fanatics jerseys ;-)

 

[Leaf Rocket]

 

[Rare Jewel]

We just need to run it back enough times. They'll figure it out!

Well, they're not under contract to run it back

Yet...


Treliving had an excellent opportunity to shuffle the core properly by playing hardball with two of them, but no, he just shuffled some deck chairs instead.

 

[Racer88]

I think that is dramatic.

But, it is a struggle for the players to align to what the coach wants shift in and shift out. And it is a struggle for the coach to find a way to get through to his players, and work with them to ensure they are all on the same page.

As brutal as those last two games were, we all (should have) know(n) there would be struggles in the first quarter of the season as the players and coaches adjust.

I don't think it is some us vs them kind of thing like you suggest. And if it is, trade Marner now to show these assholes who is in charge (i.e. not them).

This is the same type of effort and result we have seen from the the last 8 years. It’s well beyond adapting to a new coach. Since they got Babcock fired they have pretty much run the show. The real culprit is Shanny for allowing this to go on so long

 

[Leafblooded]

I'd love to see that actually.

Me too, bloodied

 

[Stephen]

It's almost like they are a pressure-averse group. (the core not the periphery)

Their only motivation is showing up when counted out, but even then they'll be mission accomplished before they get the thing done all the way.

 

[LaPlante94]

Holmberg probably shouldn't see the ice on the Leafs again unless it's an emergency imo. Hopefully Dewar is back soon or call up Steeves and send Holmberg down. Split up Matthews and Marner and split the PP up because it's getting old seeing the same crap every game and them just going back to old habits.

 

[Racer88]

It is highly unlikely this is the case. I get that the management is obtuse, but their is zero chance after 8 games the Leafs core is rebelling against Berube.

The team won 4 out of 5 and looked good and suddenly they decided they didn't like it?

I bet after 2 games where he asked for maximum effort and tough aggressive play they begin the subtle passive revolt.
We were mistaken to think that this core had that kind of sustained effort in them. We havnt seen it from them in 8 years

 

[Antropovsky]

I dont really care about wins and losses this early...all I gotta say is Knies is a problem for the NHL

https://x.com/i/web/status/1849620335898812516

C Matthews, Tanev A, Knies A.

Maybe things would change around here if compete was rewarded.

 

[wingman75]

This is the same type of effort and result we have seen from the the last 8 years. It’s well beyond adapting to a new coach. Since they got Babcock fired they have pretty much run the show. The real culprit is Shanny for allowing this to go on so long

Maybe. We'll see. It's a long season, and anyone who thought the team we see in the first quarter of the season is the one we'll see in the playoffs I think it mistaken.

At least I hope that to be the case.

I am a 'break up this f***ing core' guy though. 8 years is more than enough to know it does not work in crunch time.

 

[Racer88]

Maybe. We'll see. It's a long season, and anyone who thought the team we see in the first quarter of the season is the one we'll see in the playoffs I think it mistaken.

At least I hope that to be the case.

I am a 'break up this f***ing core' guy though. 8 years is more than enough to know it does not work in crunch time.

We are on the same page as far as breaking up the core. You are right it is a long season and should be really interesting to see how the coach/ players dynamic plays out

 

[NJG]

Reaves and Kampf can not be on this roster. f***ing trash upon trash.

Woll was trash but expected after being out

Timmins is trash

The core was worse then trash

Reilly was and is trash

Tanev was trash but has been good

Rielly makes Tanev trash, having to bail him out all the time. Tanev needs to play with someone that plays the same style he does.

 

[thewave]

Rielly makes Tanev trash, having to bail him out all the time. Tanev needs to play with someone that plays the same style he does.

Rielly is a freaking mess

 

[TheDoldrums]

That was a fun first two weeks when things felt different.

Marner always starts slow but now Matthews is as well. For the love of god break them up.

That was as bad a defensive game I can remember from Matthews. People saying this is his usual are out to lunch but he deserves to get chewed out for this one.

Hard not to get doomer and see another road playoff start against a good team, here we go again.

 

[Evilhomer]

Good job guys, nice effort for your coach's first game against his old team. Just like the Zamboni driver game, Tavares' first visit back to Long Island and all the game 7 chokes.

Another game to add to the long list of Leafy performances.

Couldn't the exact same thing be said about New Jersey after they lost to the Leafs at the start of this season?

 

[Stephen]

This is the same type of effort and result we have seen from the the last 8 years. It’s well beyond adapting to a new coach. Since they got Babcock fired they have pretty much run the show. The real culprit is Shanny for allowing this to go on so long

This whole era seems like a Groundhog Day lacking any kind of maturation or self-reflection the way the core guys operate. They're just deeply in their rut and have such established patterns of playing that you can basically schedule a trap game, losing streak, hot streak, personal ups and downs. It's just funny how this group is so set in their ways, and how those ways always take you to that Game 7 showdown. Maybe we just have to accept this as our Thornton-Marleau era. We did bring those goofs in to mentor this group.