News Article: Leafs are now identifiable.

[zeke]

Zeke you are probably one of the best posters and I always look forward to reading what you have to say, truly. But there is a definite difference in AM's game on all fronts this year. Even just his positional play and physicality. He also looks faster and wants to make the players around him even better than usual.

But I also don't think he is some completely new player showing us something we have never seen before. We all saw this coming, or I hope we did.

Nope.

He has been this dominant for a few years now.

 

[TopChedder]

Nope.

He has been this dominant for a few years now.

I mean he has been dominant for sure but he seems to be reaching another gear. Even the league seems to have noticed.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Matthews 1 more minute (56 seconds) per game than last year, 7% more TOI not 25% (thought you were a numbers guy) but a 40% bump in production. For him, it's not just TOI.

Matthews lightened up,worked on quickness and if you can believe worked on improving his shot this off season. He’s quicker and is definitely not lost any strength on pucks. There are reasons he improved beyond ice time. Mitch shoots more and worked on his shot. They are much less predictable. This is natural progression of two young superstars growing their game. They are pretty much prime time right now with the improved chemistry they have built. The kicker is they are both consciences defensive players. Leading by example. This is progress. I think Marner shouldn’t be killing penalties but he wants to. He would be fresher offensively if he didn’t. He produces elite numbers playing elite defensive minutes also.
Matthews is every bit as dependable defensively too. These guys are potentially going to bring us a championship if all the proper depth is helping.
I take nothing away from the other players defensively. Team record deserved by everyone playing tight hockey. Edmonton doesn’t get knocked down because of their top players. So whats up man.

 

[Dreakmur]

I mean he has been dominant for sure but he seems to be reaching another gear. Even the league seems to have noticed.

Just like with Kyle Dubas, it seems that Zeke sees any acknowledgement that Auston Matthews has improved is some kind of pejorative.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I'm happy for him, my response was to Zeke who said that the reason why there is a bump in production for AM is because of increased ice time, not improved play, which is simply not the case.

Again I will bring it back to the OP, the article claims the improved defence is why we are a better team, its not, its the increase production from AM and MM. I would love if we were a team that could shut the game down once we get a lead but we are not. We do stupid shit, mental errors, that lets other teams think they have a chance to come back.

You are wrong I’m thinking.I’m not big stats guy but it looks better to me. The defense is better and you are the only one in the universe claiming differently. I’m not by any means saying we don’t do errors in judgment defensively. It’s a game of mistakes and we are making less mistakes.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

Nope.

He has been this dominant for a few years now.

The chemistry with Marner makes both better. Marner has stopped going to the net again and Matthews is fighting a bad wrist and the line is not strong right now. We still win. Thats strong defense working.
Matthews is much quicker and improved in numerous ways. I’m not sure why you aren’t seeing improvement in Matthews. Kind of made me go, Waaaaaaa reading he’s not better

 

[Buds17]

Every division has TWO bad teams and Ottawa is the best of the 8 bad teams for my take on how they play. They can beat any team in our division if you either have poor work ethic,goalie has a bad game,or you could simply get out played by them if they have no rookie mistakes in a game. Ottawa is a tough 2 points.

I don't believe in any game ever being an easy 2 points.

 

[Raging Bull]

The chemistry with Marner makes both better. Marner has stopped going to the net again and Matthews is fighting a bad wrist and the line is not strong right now. We still win. Thats strong defense working.
Matthews is much quicker and improved in numerous ways. I’m not sure why you aren’t seeing improvement in Matthews. Kind of made me go, Waaaaaaa reading he’s not better

I got ripped earlier this season for saying he looked the same to me too. He was a f***ing beast in the playoffs against Columbus, he just wasn't getting any luck.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I don't believe in any game ever being an easy 2 points.

Just against Edmonton

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I got ripped earlier this season for saying he looked the same to me too. He was a f***ing beast in the playoffs against Columbus, he just wasn't getting any luck.

He’s better this year consistently. Everyone knows historically obscene goaltending beat us in the playoff against Columbus but they played solid defense,gritty hockey to go with it.

 

[Dreakmur]

I got ripped earlier this season for saying he looked the same to me too. He was a f***ing beast in the playoffs against Columbus, he just wasn't getting any luck.

In the play-offs is when he raised his game significantly. He has continued that into this season.

 

[ottomaddox]

KOSHAN: Maple Leafs have forged identity as well-rounded outfit through 20 games | Toronto Sun

We are in every game because they play a patient/discipline/ solid defense. As this year goes along and next years even this team will play a better complete game. Nice transition to a competitive overall team game. Still need more grit in the lineup is still unfortunately part of this identity on the minor negative with the group. It shows up instantly after Simmonds goes down. Overall I’m pretty proud of the transformation from top management on down to the 13 forward.
They made strides bringing in the right veterans and intangibles but there is work to do on adding a bit more bite.
I’m absolutely impressed on the whole. Keeper goin!

With all due respect to Koshan a lot of us on this board in the first 4-5 games were already singing the praises of a better/likeable team identy: a mix of veteran experience (Spezza/Thornton), toughness (Simmonds/Bogo), Matthews finding more physicality, and defensive prowess in Brodie. This team has lacked this kind of thing for sometime.

go leafs go!

 

[Wafflewhipper]

With all due respect to Koshan a lot of us on this board in the first 4-5 games were already singing the praises of a better/likeable team identy: a mix of veteran experience (Spezza/Thornton), toughness (Simmonds/Bogo), Matthews finding more physicality, and defensive prowess in Brodie. This team has lacked this kind of thing for sometime.

go leafs go!

Yeah true, just posted the most recent article.

 

[Cobra777]

Nope.

He has been this dominant for a few years now.

Nope, his 200ft game has improved immense, back checking and carrying the puck with much better support than previous. His trainer said that he is in his best condition, his thighs are enormous and the few pounds he shed made him able to power through checks and fly better than he already was. Biggest improvement is his mindset and total determination to be one of the best in the league, he also now shows emotion when angry, he has taken the body with authority at times and takes a run to finish a check when upset.

Previous he was a scoring force that did not play with the same determination as we see this season, when the team was down a few goals in seasons past he was guilty and called out on this forum for floating at times. I have not witnessed that this yr. at all, I see a man on a mission with a determination that doesn't quit, which are tangibles in elite players that he is bringing to the table in spades this season, hence not just in scoring but overall play is incredible in every zone of the ice this season vs. just in the offensive zone and off the rush in seasons past. I think just maturity has brought out the best in him with his drive.

 

[Menzinger]

That's not entirely fair. If you knock off 9 goals from the top line and and 8 points of each team you will see them drop too. Edmonton will be 5th.

The point of the article is not about production, it's about the commitment to defensively sound play by the whole team. There is buy-in by everyone.
We have the best GA/GP average in the division (8th in the league). Considering this is a division is playing 80s high scoring hockey, this is quite impressive.

We used to lead the division in GF as well, but Calgary changed that by allowing 7 against to Edmonton in one game and 2 to us in two games.

Basically we are well balanced with attacking and defense. We can't hold Matthews and Marner producing elite numbers against us.

Defensively this team is doing considerably better, especially the 2nd line. Too many people seem to fixate on offensive output as the only measure of success/failure

So while a couple guys could be producing more, but odds are their scoring will pick up.

The Leafs top guys like Matthews get the money they do because they have the capabilities of generating elite level offense. So while I can appreciate caution from some fans, we're just really reaping the rewards of the teams investment in these guys

 

[Menzinger]

You don't find it unusual that these two players scored around the same pace for 4 years then have a 50% improvement in production? My point again is the W/L improvement in the Leafs this year is not system related, its 2 players related.

How do you explain the better defensive numbers then? Especially from Tavares/Nylander?

The fact they're on the ice for less GA has nothing to do with Matthews scoring the way he is

 

[Stephen]

Just like with Kyle Dubas, it seems that Zeke sees any acknowledgement that Auston Matthews has improved is some kind of pejorative.

There's definitely some 4D chess being played here... if we admit there's been growth in Matthews and Dubas and are all on the same page, it would mean we are all equally right. No fun.

But if there was no growth, and Matthews and Dubas were always this good. And you're only seeing it now, you're just late to the party.

 

[Optimist]

Of course they are better this year. They are still practically kids and are expected to get better each year. Lord help the rest of the league, but I expect them to get better yet in the next few years as well. That's why we drafted them. They are Leafs. To blame our success on the fact that we have them is rather lame.

 

[willmma]

Of course they are better this year. They are still practically kids and are expected to get better each year. Lord help the rest of the league, but I expect them to get better yet in the next few years as well. That's why we drafted them. They are Leafs. To blame our success on the fact that we have them is rather lame.

Exactly.

I've noticed that men peak athletically at around 28. They start regressing slowly after that until about 34.

So we have 10 serviceable years and...

 

[Clark4Ever]

fair but they are definitely playing better. Not all ice time is created the same, playing 16 minutes a game you are fresh the entire time. Playing 24 minutes a game you are gassed the entire time.

That depends entirely on age and conditioning.

 

[RogerR]

Are they really identifiable, or are they just better coached now and their 2 best players are entering their prime?

 

[RogerR]

Zeke you are probably one of the best posters and I always look forward to reading what you have to say, truly. But there is a definite difference in AM's game on all fronts this year. Even just his positional play and physicality. He also looks faster and wants to make the players around him even better than usual.

But I also don't think he is some completely new player showing us something we have never seen before. We all saw this coming, or I hope we did.

He turned 23. That's the difference. This was always coming.

 

[Albus Dumbledore]

Auston matthews has forsure improved in a few categories.

- Speed: He was always a fast for his size type player. This year he's just fast period. I think he could challenge any skater on our team around the lap.

-Physicality: On pace for 94 hits per 82(previous best was 47 per 82). For an elite player who scores goals and makes defensive plays thats absurd. He's out hitting other star players by a wide wide margin.
Career bests
Mackinnon: 60 per 82
McDavid: 47 per 82
Draisaitl: 57 per 82

 

[Bluelines]

How do you explain the better defensive numbers then? Especially from Tavares/Nylander?

The fact they're on the ice for less GA has nothing to do with Matthews scoring the way he is

Playing against shitty teams will make you look better than you really are, ask Montreal..

 

[Bluelines]

Matthews lightened up,worked on quickness and if you can believe worked on improving his shot this off season. He’s quicker and is definitely not lost any strength on pucks. There are reasons he improved beyond ice time. Mitch shoots more and worked on his shot. They are much less predictable. This is natural progression of two young superstars growing their game. They are pretty much prime time right now with the improved chemistry they have built. The kicker is they are both consciences defensive players. Leading by example. This is progress. I think Marner shouldn’t be killing penalties but he wants to. He would be fresher offensively if he didn’t. He produces elite numbers playing elite defensive minutes also.
Matthews is every bit as dependable defensively too. These guys are potentially going to bring us a championship if all the proper depth is helping.
I take nothing away from the other players defensively. Team record deserved by everyone playing tight hockey. Edmonton doesn’t get knocked down because of their top players. So whats up man.

I agree with everything you said in this post but the last line leads me to think you think I'm putting down MM and AM, I'm not sure how to be any clearer, my opinion is Mitch and AM are carrying this team. That's a good thing we have elite world class players.

We also have played some really crappy teams, who were struggling at the time, we built leads and were able to coast to wins. It's easy to defend against bad teams or teams playing bad when you have the lead. I hope I'm wrong but we now see what teams do when they have time to pick the Leafs system apart, those last 2 games will be more of that and less of Matty scoring for 16 straight games. We wont be wining 14 games in the next 20, we wont be buzz sawing through the teams like we did in the first 1/3rd of the season. Watch what happens when AM and MM are no longer carrying this team our supposed new system of elite defence wont help us.