GDT: Leafs at Stars-- Thursday 4/7/22

[HockeyVirus]

Exactly. He actually spoke about this in the past; creating their own adversity when he feels the team gets complacent. I don't mind it. Though I do think he is not certain what his 6 starting D look like.

I don't think anyone is. We have 8 dmen who can play top 4 minutes for us. Can't ever recall that in my years as a Leafs fan. Maybe some older folks can tell me the last time they saw that.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

 

[CabanaBoy5]

if keefe fks up another series. hes fired

He should be but you and I know that's not going to happen. They'll find an excuse:

Lose to Tampa, we lost to best goalie in the world, two time defending champions
Lose to Boston, we lost to a savvy team who we have demons against
Lose to Carolina, we weren't favoured, class of the league, solid defence
Lose to anyone, our stars didn't show up, crappy goaltending, defence issues.....

blah blah blah.....

anything but the coach's fault

 

[ACC1224]

I think people are severely underestimating how much Keefe trusts Holl. There is a reason the guy plays as many minutes as he does. There is very clearly a disconnect between what the Leafs think of Holl and what the fanbase does.

Keefes coaching and roster decisions is a whole other issue.

 

[Pinto]

Muzzin-Brodie was a pairing I wanted to see. If Muzz can regain form that’s a very solid defensive pairing.

Liljegren obviously should not be coming out.

 

[ShaneFalco]

To me, you need guys like Boosh and Muzz in there come playoff time. Assuming of course Muzz is back to.himself.

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

The rotation idea only should apply to players who are struggling.

Liljegren should be the one mainstay down the stretch anyways.

Not only because of his play (see if he can handle more), but guys liie Rielly/Brodie/Holl have logged heavy minutes lately. Giving those guys the odd game off down the stretch wouldn't be the worst idea.

 

[NinjaKick]

boys will be boys, i was born this way, lip service, jesus died for my sins so im allowed to sin...

those are my main excuses in life


i'm going to hell arn't i?

 

[LeafsOHLRangers98]

To me, you need guys like Boosh and Muzz in there come playoff time. Assuming of course Muzz is back to.himself.

Boosh has done what is asked but in reality he's a physical 5/6 D.

Brodie/Liljegren should be the top 2 RD. Holl/Boosh should be rotating.

 

[crump]

Poor Giordano

 

[Clark4Ever]

It's this type of roster BS that played a significant role in our collapse in the playoffs last season...making unnecessary changes on the blueline when things were working well.

I like Keefe and I think he has the ability to be a successful coach in the NHL...if he can stay out of his own way.

 

[stickty111]

On the positive though, I think the 4th line today could be our 4th line in game 1 and that is something I support.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

There’s no way Liljegren should be sitting.

 

[Nylander88]

Agree Spezza should be back out of the lineup, and apparently Keefe is upset with Clifford for his slashing penalty in the third period last game. Abruzzese hasn't shown enough in my opinion in his two auditions, and is definitely not a 4th line style of player. Would much rather us give Joey Anderson a look there instead with Blackwell & Simmonds. Simmonds can play the LW if Anderson isn't comfortable there.
Liljegren coming out seems wrong...however I'm sure it's going to be Holl's turn to sit on Saturday. Keefe likely trying to figure out different pairings and which one of Liljegren, Holl, Lyubushkin loses a job to start the playoffs

 

[zeke]

Not sure where the bolded is coming from, but it seems your eye test is deceiving you. The Rielly-Boosh pair's O-Zone start % is only around 37%, which ranks 2nd lowest on the team (lowest was the Dermott-Boosh pair). The pair also only averages 5.8 O-Zone starts per 60 (3rd lowest on the team), behind the Dermott-Boosh and Sandin-Boosh pair. Basically whatever pair Boosh is on doesn't start many shifts in the offensive zone

That's what has been great about the Rielly-Boosh pair so far. A Morgan Rielly pair is defending the high danger areas well, while not needing sheltered zone starts. I actually thought I would never see this on a Morgan Rielly pair.

That's good to see - any O-zone faceoffs are too many for Boosh, but at least Keefe is moving TJ up with Mo for some of those o-zone faceoffs at least.

It takes some mishmashing and coaching strain but that's the only way Boosh with Mo can work - if someone else consistently replaces Boosh when it's an o-zone start.

 

[Nylanderthal]

With the pieces currently on the roster the best line up is 11-7 imo with blackwell and your choice of cliff spezz or simmer in the 11 spot. Each of the middle 6 guys are capable enough to rotate in that last spot and creates some extra ice time for a guy like Willy who’s not in the “top 6” right now.
58-34-16
47-91-65
15-65-88
11-19/24/43
then dress the 7 healthy D and see who’s having the best game and ride them.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

With the pieces currently on the roster the best line up is 11-7 imo with blackwell and your choice of cliff spezz or simmer in the 11 spot. Each of the middle 6 guys are capable enough to rotate in that last spot and creates some extra ice time for a guy like Willy who’s not in the “top 6” right now.
58-34-16
47-91-65
15-65-88
11-19/24/43
then dress the 7 healthy D and see who’s having the best game and ride them.

I have thought about this potential line up too, but man, we really lose that exceptional 3rd line that was suffocating opponents for a month or so. It also hurts to see Willy create only to have Kerfoot or Kampf on the receiving end.

Real quandry on the 2nd and 3rd lines going into the playoffs. Can't quite make up my mind.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I have thought about this potential line up too, but man, we really lose that exceptional 3rd line that was suffocating opponents for a month or so. It also hurts to see Willy create only to have Kerfoot or Kampf on the receiving end.

Real quandry on the 2nd and 3rd lines going into the playoffs. Can't quite make up my mind.

Well Willy and JT don’t work, and Kerfoot has chemistry with Will. Unless you wanna keep forcing Willy and JT together and hope it sparks there’s not much choice.
Engvall and mik really drive play and help JT with his deficiencies and allow him to play his game (board battles and scrums in front of the net) kampf can cover while Willy and kerf whiz up and down the ice.
It is a pickle tho I will agree. They have ti go 11-7 tho to give the old guys a blow and to see what D pairings work best

 

[zeke]

I think you dress 7 dmen when you have holes on the backend and too many guys who can't play in many different situations. i.e. when you have a PP specialist that you don't want playing in defensive situations, and a number of defensive guys who are useless offensively - so you play 7 guys so you can address all situations better.

We have the opposite issue - too many good all-around dmen that can play in every situation. The only one dimensional guy back there is Boosh, who you want to be keeping away from offensive situations, but can be used in most defensive situations (just not the top matchups).

There's just no need for a 7th dman with us - regardless of which 6 we choose, we have all situations well-covered.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Don't mind if they lose and make it more difficult for Vegas to make it.

 

[Nylanderthal]

I think you dress 7 dmen when you have holes on the backend and too many guys who can't play in many different situations. i.e. when you have a PP specialist that you don't want playing in defensive situations, and a number of defensive guys who are useless offensively - so you play 7 guys so you can address all situations better.

We have the opposite issue - too many good all-around dmen that can play in every situation. The only one dimensional guy back there is Boosh, who you want to be keeping away from offensive situations, but can be used in most defensive situations (just not the top matchups).

There's just no need for a 7th dman with us - regardless of which 6 we choose, we have all situations well-covered.

Unless one of those 6 is Holl and he’s having one of those games where the pucks a grenade and he’s a half step behind in decision making.
I’d like to see all available D play in the same game to directly compare who’s playing the best together.
Game to game variance is too wild with this team to compare one pairing in one game back another pairing in another.

 

[zeke]

Unless one of those 6 is Holl and he’s having one of those games where the pucks a grenade and he’s a half step behind in decision making.
I’d like to see all available D play in the same game to directly compare who’s playing the best together.
Game to game variance is too wild with this team to compare one pairing in one game back another pairing in another.

I mean it's just not a worry. Holl has been getting the toughest matchups for years now and is always near the top whether you prefer goal differential or expected goal differential. And he's been the biggest minute guy on our top PK too. He's not a guy you have to worry about sheltering.

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

I mean it's just not a worry. Holl has been getting the toughest matchups for years now and is always near the top whether you prefer goal differential or expected goal differential. And he's been the biggest minute guy on our top PK too. He's not a guy you have to worry about sheltering.

Have we ever seen Brodie-Holl? I feel like that might be a sensible pairing. They would be good a breaking out and neither shy away from being hit against aggressive forechecks.

I guess it's not really possible with Muzz coming back on the left side.

 

[McSnypsky]

I mean it's just not a worry. Holl has been getting the toughest matchups for years now and is always near the top whether you prefer goal differential or expected goal differential. And he's been the biggest minute guy on our top PK too. He's not a guy you have to worry about sheltering.

So what you're saying is on paper he's our new Cody Ceci right? Sound's good!!

 

[zeke]

Have we ever seen Brodie-Holl? I feel like that might be a sensible pairing. They would be good a breaking out and neither shy away from being hit against aggressive forechecks.

I guess it's not really possible with Muzz coming back on the left side.

Yeah Brodie-Holl was the main shutdown pairing the last few weeks before Muzz came back. They were very good.