Leafs at the Olympics

[Bluelines]

So with Olympics coming up, there are several of our Leafs in the mix.

Matthews a given for USA
Marner a possibility/likely for Canada (should be, on that big ice)
Reilly is also in the mix for Canada
Tavares likely a long shot
Apparently Nylander NOT on Swedens list (not sure why, maybe because born in Canada, but played for sweden before)
Goalies are deep, but could soooooup make the mix?

Anyway, it got me thinking that a tournament like this could get their "killer instinct" kicked up a notch? Every game is huge, and for Marner having guys like Crosby etc in the room under pressure can only help right? Looking at USA not ALOT of veterans, but that atmosphere has to crank Matty up too right?

Maybe grasping at straws here a bit due to our recent struggles in the first round, but I am HOPEFUL that the change of pace with a group of very good players will rub off and help us in the long run.

Maybe?

It would be great for Marner to see Crosby and McDavid in action.

 

[Zybalto]

It would be great for Marner to see Crosby and McDavid in action.

Why?

 

[Bluelines]

I'm disappointed that not one NHL player has stated they have no interest in going to these Olympics. I won't be watching.

Why?

 

[Zybalto]

Why?

Jinx!

 

[Bluelines]

Why?

Same reason why the Leafs keep bring in players who have experience. If you cant learn something from McDavid or Crosby playing with them, hanging around off ice , you aren't paying attention. Crosby and McDavids drive to win is legendary in the hockey world... I know Marner wants to win ,perhaps playing with those to elite athletes helps him get over that playoff slump.

 

[Bluelines]

Jinx!

lol

 

[Bluelines]

Any thread......every thread.

And mods sit on their asses and make it annoying for everyone because they don't want to offend anyone. Go to any other team's board and troll like these "the Leafs are my second team (wink wink) but all I am going to do is troll and bash" posters do and see how their mods react. Or the ones that log into their secondary account to troll the Leaf board. On every other board, it's immediately poof, gone.

I will bet that the big problem right now is that it's mostly trolls left posting because they have chased away all the real Leaf fans who don't want to wade through endless crap, lies, trolling, attacks, and bullshit to find the occasional good info and conversations.

Clean up the bullshit posters.

Maybe I'm the exception but I don't need a safe space from opposing fans banter, in fact I welcome it, talk trash all you want. Part of the fun in playing sports was the chirping we got from the other bench and giving it right back to them. Not so sure there are that many delicate snowflakes on the Leafs board that we need safe harbor from those mean non Leaf fans. I love debate, I love opposing points of view. I love debating opposing points of view. If this forums purpose is just an echo chamber of Leaf fan self love fest, what's the point of posting? If everyone agrees the Leafs are great, that kinda defeats the purpose of the word "forum".

forum
fôr′əm
noun

1. The public square or marketplace of an ancient Roman city that was the assembly place for judicial activity and public business.
2. A public meeting place for open discussion.
3. A medium for open discussion or voicing of ideas, such as a newspaper, a radio or television program, or a website.

 

[Zybalto]

Same reason why the Leafs keep bring in players who have experience. If you cant learn something from McDavid or Crosby playing with them, hanging around off ice , you aren't paying attention. Crosby and McDavids drive to win is legendary in the hockey world... I know Marner wants to win ,perhaps playing with those to elite athletes helps him get over that playoff slump.

Certainly, two guys that can relate to what Marner is going through.

Crosby has captained his team to three straight 1st round upset losses as a #1 seed scoring only 6 points in 15 games over that stretch. I defend him as his underlying numbers have been elite over that stretch though as he has run into the same problem Marner has....goaltending differential between the teams. Despite his team outplaying the other side, Valamov, Price and Lehner were just flat out the difference against the play of Murray and Jarry.

McDavid has captained a team with just one playoff victory the last 4 years. In addition to goaltending differences, the Oilers also suffered from depth players really not showing up at all and it seems like they are perenially cleaning house. McDavid may look like he had decent production numbers but even he had numbers showing he was even far better than what it looked like.

Despite all three of these guys having poor playoffs success the last while, just check out where they ranked when it comes to the most offensive chances created the last 2 playoffs. I dont think you are giving the insane goaltending streaks both Columbus and Montreal went on enough credit and McDavid and Crosby will certainly be talking about their own difficulties here as well.

2020 play-ins rankings of all forwards (319 total):
Shots created while on the ice:
1. Tavares
2. Matthews
3. Forsberg
4. Marner
5. Nylander

Most scoring chances created while on the ice:
1. Matthews
2. Tavares
3. Marner
4. Geuntzel
5. McDavid

Most high danger chances created while on the ice:
1. Draisaitl
2. McDavid
3. Nugent-Hopkins
4. Tavares
5. Marner

Highest Expected goals for the round:
1. Guentzel
2. McDavid
3. Draisaitl
4. Nugent-Hopkins
5. Crosby
6. Matthews
7. Marner

2021 first round rankings of all forwards (200+):
Shots created while on the ice:
1. Matthews
2. Barkov
3. Marner
4. Hymen
5. Huberdeau

Most scoring chances created while on the ice:
1. Matthews
2. Marner
3. Hymen
4. Huberdeau
5. Barkov

Most high danger chances created while on the ice:
1. Barkov
2. Matthews
3. McDavid
4. Marner
5. Hymen

Highest Expected goals for the round:
1. Matthews
2. Marner
3. Hymen
4. Barkov
5. Huberdeau

Lets just hope the Leafs can get some better finishes and big saves this year. While it's hard to believe that Marner/Matthews, the two best players at driving play the last two playoffs, only combined for 19 points and failed to get out of the first round, it did happen but it doesnt take away from the fact they were two of the better players, not just on the Leafs but in the entire playoffs. Not sure how much Matthews surgically repaired wrist came into this or Tavares' injury but I'm sure it made some impact.

All in all, I would say Marner's drive to win is up there with all the other elite players, at least when it comes to anything we use to track hard work, effort and heart....

He's as much a lock for team Canada as any unless they want to lose and start putting Zamuners on the team instead.

 

[zeke]

Same reason why the Leafs keep bring in players who have experience. If you cant learn something from McDavid or Crosby playing with them, hanging around off ice , you aren't paying attention. Crosby and McDavids drive to win is legendary in the hockey world... I know Marner wants to win ,perhaps playing with those to elite athletes helps him get over that playoff slump.

McDavid is going to teach somebody how to win in the playoffs?

 

[Bluelines]

McDavid is going to teach somebody how to win in the playoffs?

You're asking what can Marner learn from the best hockey player in the world?

 

[zeke]

You're asking what can Marner learn from the best hockey player in the world?

Yes?

 

[Bluelines]

Yes?

Would playing with McDavid, seeing his work ethic during a tournament or seeing his will to compete close up, be something Marner could benefit from?

 

[zeke]

Would playing with McDavid, seeing his work ethic during a tournament or seeing his will to compete close up, be something Marner could benefit from?

Work ethic? Didn't he just get swept?

 

[bax]

Work ethic? Didn't he just get swept?

I’m really struggling to follow his point.

 

[bax]

Rielly will likely be only Leaf on Team Canada on 3rd pair
Willy on Sweden
and Matty on USA
Mitch and JT just can't skate fast enough to compete in best on best even though they have other admirable skills

I’m nowhere close to the hockey fan a lot of you are so maybe I’m the ignorant one here but are you predicting Marner won’t make the team?

 

[Gabriel426]

Work ethic? Didn't he just get swept?

Are you really saying Marner or any players cannot learn anything from playing and practising with McDavid for two-three weeks in the Olympics?
That’s like saying Sandin or Lilly cannot learn anything from playing and practising with Reilly bc Reilly have not lead his team to a playoff Series Win as a No.1 Dman for the Leafs.

 

[zeke]

Are you really saying Marner or any players cannot learn anything from playing and practising with McDavid for two-three weeks in the Olympics?
That’s like saying Sandin or Lilly cannot learn anything from playing and practising with Reilly bc Reilly have not lead his team to a playoff Series Win as a No.1 Dman for the Leafs.

Learn to be as skilled as McDavid?

 

[Gabriel426]

Learn to be as skilled as McDavid?

Well McDavid is more skillful than Marner and pretty much every NHL players.
Some are natural and some are through training.
There is a good chance someone like Marner can pick up a thing or two while playing and practising with McDavid.

 

[Bluelines]

Work ethic? Didn't he just get swept?

He got swept? Is hockey a one person game?

 

[Bluelines]

I’m really struggling to follow his point.

Take your field of work, if you spend 2 weeks with the best person in your field of work in the world, would you become better at your job?

 

[Bluelines]

Are you really saying Marner or any players cannot learn anything from playing and practising with McDavid for two-three weeks in the Olympics?
That’s like saying Sandin or Lilly cannot learn anything from playing and practising with Reilly bc Reilly have not lead his team to a playoff Series Win as a No.1 Dman for the Leafs.

I think he is saying that, it's a simple concept really. Not sure what is so difficult to understand.

 

[Notsince67]

Well McDavid is more skillful than Marner and pretty much every NHL players.
Some are natural and some are through training.
There is a good chance someone like Marner can pick up a thing or two while playing and practising with McDavid.

I wish someone would have thought in these terms regarding Davinci or Einstein. We all know the Pareto distribution regarding talent doesnt exist and talent is merely a function of privledge and opportunity.
.....said while I slowly exhale a plume of smoke from the devils lettuce

 

[Bluelines]

Are you really saying Marner or any players cannot learn anything from playing and practising with McDavid for two-three weeks in the Olympics?
That’s like saying Sandin or Lilly cannot learn anything from playing and practising with Reilly bc Reilly have not lead his team to a playoff Series Win as a No.1 Dman for the Leafs.

Great point...

 

[zeke]

I think he is saying that, it's a simple concept really. Not sure what is so difficult to understand.

What's difficult to understand us why you think Mcdavid has something to teach Marner in the areas of, and I quote, "work ethic" and "will to compete".

 

[Bluelines]

I wish someone would have thought in these terms regarding Davinci or Einstein. We all know the Pareto distribution regarding talent doesnt exist and talent is merely a function of privledge and opportunity.
.....said while I slowly exhale a plume of smoke from the devils lettuce

Some people think Einstein was a bit of a plagiarist, some people say he stole some of his theories from unknown scientists when he worked in the Patent Office... probably not true but thought it was an interesting theory...