GDT: LEAFS @ DUCKS – NOV. 28th, 2021 (8:00pm EST on TSN4)

[smitty10]

What did Clifford do to suggest he should be playing? He's been awful for awhile. It isn't about gifting, it's also about the process and development.

Leafs and Keefe are capable of making mistakes. I think this is one of them, even if it feels pretty minor. They've already thrown away really good depth players for nothing... let's not keep making the same mistakes in favour of bad veterans.

I disagree to an extent.

While I agree that it's a minor move, Semyonov has been absolutely mediocre in his limited time. Amadio and Brooks are both also fringe players who didn't being much of anything to the table.

Clifford's experience and style of play allow him to enter the lineup and immediately make an impact, as small as it may be. What he may lack in terms of skill can be made up with his skating and physicality. He's being given an opportunity to show what he can bring tonight and I hope he makes the most of it.

Having a physical vet like Clifford as our 7th bottom 6 forward can be beneficial and impactful.

 

[NinjaKick]

i like hockey

glg

 

[bax]

The Leafs are a good regular season team that's never been the issue! They remind me of the Sharks/Caps, teams that dominate in the reg season, only to fall to pieces come the post season.As for JT, he is slow, but he's not going anywhere due to his NMC.

There were a lot of very vocal posters here all summer long stating that the leafs were a bubble team and now that the North was gone they most likely wouldn’t make the playoffs. Still early but that’s not looking very likely.

 

[James Blackley]

I mean against the Bruins the team was just not good enough in net and on D. That much is obvious.

Against the CBJ we were good enough defensively but not offensively.

Against the Habs we just weren't good.

But during all of that, the team was very young. Teams like the Rangers and Devils don't get the hate we get because their teams are losing and not making playoffs. Our teams growing pains were in the spotlight. Other "young" teams that passed us had heavy vet presence in key roles.

If they can build on how they have played, and mentally play the same way, I don't see how we can't win a round. Of course, it seems we are destined for a top NHL team in the league again no matter what. I don't know if we can beat Tampa. But maybe being an underdog is what we need at this point to keep the pressure off.

The common denomitor is the core just doesn't preform well in the post season, let's review shall we?

Matthews: Out of 5 series, he's had 1 decent outing
Nylander: Out of 5 series, 1 decent outing, the rest meh
Marner: Has yet to understand what the post season is
JT: Atrociocous in all 4 (I won't count the Montreal series)

The lesson to learn here? You can't win jack shit, if your best players aren't your best players.

 

[Apex Predator]

I know what you are saying but I see a difference in our team from previous yrs.
Playing tighter games just not relying on our offense.
We have a true shutdown line .
4th line with some teal bite.

We will see.

I came into this season with the mindset of don’t get too excited wait till you see what they do in the playoffs. The boldest point makes me think things could be different this time because they’re already playing playoff hockey.

 

[James Blackley]

There were a lot of very vocal posters here all summer long stating that the leafs were a bubble team and now that the North was gone they most likely wouldn’t make the playoffs. Still early but that’s not looking very likely.

Oh I have no doubts this team makes the dance, never questioned it. Where the jury is out, is the playoffs, and sorry, this team does NOT get the benefit of the doubt this time around.

 

[Nylander88]

Hoping to see a solid game out of Clifford. Never wanted to see him leave. Also, really hope Ritchie busts the goose egg against the team that drafted him. We need him to get rolling, badly.

 

[Apex Predator]

There were a lot of very vocal posters here all summer long stating that the leafs were a bubble team and now that the North was gone they most likely wouldn’t make the playoffs. Still early but that’s not looking very likely.

I was one of those who thought that and I can admit i was wrong.

 

[Nylander88]

This team has been playing great. At full health, if Clifford can prove to be a regular...we have a really hard nosed team for once come playoff time.

Bunting-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Ritchie-Kampf-Kase
Clifford-Spezza-Simmonds

This would be a mean lineup come post season play. Clifford is decently responsible defensively as far as him taking Engvall's spot goes. And Mikheyev we haven't missed even a little bit, so I hope we trade him at some point

 

[Aashir]

The common denomitor is the core just doesn't preform well in the post season, let's review shall we?

Matthews: Out of 5 series, he's had 1 decent outing
Nylander: Out of 5 series, 1 decent outing, the rest meh
Marner: Has yet to understand what the post season is
JT: Atrociocous in all 4 (I won't count the Montreal series)

The lesson to learn here? You can't win jack shit, if your best players aren't your best players.

2017-2018 says hi…. He was our first second and third best player. 9 points in 7 games, carried our team when Matthews was scared of Bergeron and nylander was being a non factor. Played with plekanec and marleau.

Just because his last 18 games have been bad doesn’t mean his first 13 weren’t good. He had 13 in his first 13, he’s struggled as of late

the big three have each had a good playoff series and I’d rank them
Marner vs Boston
Nylander vs Montreal
Matthews vs Boston 2

but I fully agree with your end statement, can’t win without best players being the best. Especially when we pay them half the cap, they gotta go all out all at once

 

[Gallagbi]

The common denomitor is the core just doesn't preform well in the post season, let's review shall we?

Matthews: Out of 5 series, he's had 1 decent outing
Nylander: Out of 5 series, 1 decent outing, the rest meh
Marner: Has yet to understand what the post season is
JT: Atrociocous in all 4 (I won't count the Montreal series)

The lesson to learn here? You can't win jack shit, if your best players aren't your best players.

Doesn't look like you can count at all from the above

 

[James Blackley]

Doesn't look like you can count at all from the above

2017/18/19/20/21=5. JT got wiped out in Game 1, of the Habs series, which means I'm counting the 4 series prior. Logic, math and most importantly reading comprehension seem to be very weak points for you no?

 

[HockeyVirus]

The common denomitor is the core just doesn't preform well in the post season, let's review shall we?

Matthews: Out of 5 series, he's had 1 decent outing
Nylander: Out of 5 series, 1 decent outing, the rest meh
Marner: Has yet to understand what the post season is
JT: Atrociocous in all 4 (I won't count the Montreal series)

The lesson to learn here? You can't win jack shit, if your best players aren't your best players.

JT has only been in 2 for the Leafs if you don't count the Habs, right? 1 series with Babs, the bubble with Keefe, and then the Habs which he didn't play.

You can't even get that right why should I listen to you (and you ignore Marner's good series vs the Bruins..)

 

[James Blackley]

2017-2018 says hi…. He was our first second and third best player. 9 points in 7 games, carried our team when Matthews was scared of Bergeron and nylander was being a non factor. Played with plekanec and marleau.

Just because his last 18 games have been bad doesn’t mean his first 13 weren’t good. He had 13 in his first 13, he’s struggled as of late

the big three have each had a good playoff series and I’d rank them
Marner vs Boston
Nylander vs Montreal
Matthews vs Boston 2

but I fully agree with your end statement, can’t win without best players being the best. Especially when we pay them half the cap, they gotta go all out all at once

Shit your right I forgot about the Marner vs Caps series, you're right about that, I was wrong on that. My point still stands this core is weak come the post season overall, and we need them to finally grow up if we want to go deep.

 

[Gallagbi]

2017/18/19/20/21=5. JT got wiped out in Game 1, of the Habs series, which means I'm counting the 4 series prior. Logic, math and most importantly reading comprehension seem to be very weak points for you no?

Oh man, you're so confident in this too

 

[as Pure as Evil]

feeling a liljgren goal today timmy's gonna let the liljhammer lose

 

[HockeyVirus]

feeling a liljgren goal today timmy's gonna let the liljhammer lose

He's scratched for Dermott

 

[kb]

I know what you are saying but I see a difference in our team from previous yrs.
Playing tighter games just not relying on our offense.
We have a true shutdown line .
4th line with some teal bite.

We will see.

That's exactly what I and most others not vested in a specific agenda see as well. The Leafs can grind out dull wins, or play any style, which rarely happened in the past.

It just feels different. Very hard to explain. I have no sickening feeling late in games.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

He's scratched for Dermott

figured it would be the day i finally said something about him scoring a goal lol

 

[SprDaVE]

I disagree to an extent.

While I agree that it's a minor move, Semyonov has been absolutely mediocre in his limited time. Amadio and Brooks are both also fringe players who didn't being much of anything to the table.

Clifford's experience and style of play allow him to enter the lineup and immediately make an impact, as small as it may be. What he may lack in terms of skill can be made up with his skating and physicality. He's being given an opportunity to show what he can bring tonight and I hope he makes the most of it.

Having a physical vet like Clifford as our 7th bottom 6 forward can be beneficial and impactful.

I'm not saying he's completely awful and I actually do like him. I'd just rather have players with a little more potential given a shot, or some leash. They have a chance to be here long-term and they need experience more than the vet that's been struggling since he left and we know what he brings already.

You make a good point about Brooks and Amadio, heck could even add Leivo to those players, but I think it's important go give a shot to your "younger" depth, especially if they are going to be counted on going into next year.

 

[Pete2000]

 

[Nylander88]

2017/18/19/20/21=5. JT got wiped out in Game 1, of the Habs series, which means I'm counting the 4 series prior. Logic, math and most importantly reading comprehension seem to be very weak points for you no?

What year do you think we signed Tavares?

 

[ACC1224]

He's scratched for Dermott

What? Dermott needs to play but the wrong guy came out

 

[Gallagbi]

I'm not saying he's completely awful and I actually do like him. I'd just rather have players with a little more potential given a shot, or some leash. They have a chance to be here long-term and they need experience more than the vet that's been struggling since he left and we know what he brings already.

You make a good point about Brooks and Amadio, heck could even add Leivo to those players, but I think it's important go give a shot to your "younger" depth, especially if they are going to be counted on going into next year.

I'm with you, I'd much rather see a guy like Anderson/Steeves rotating in as our 13th forward. Especially when we're down a forward before the Kase's situation.

 

[smitty10]

I'm not saying he's completely awful and I actually do like him. I'd just rather have players with a little more potential given a shot, or some leash. They have a chance to be here long-term and they need experience more than the vet that's been struggling since he left and we know what he brings already.

You make a good point about Brooks and Amadio, heck could even add Leivo to those players, but I think it's important go give a shot to your "younger" depth, especially if they are going to be counted on going into next year.

There will be some more talented players who will be given a shot at some point. I can imagine Ho-Sang will end up with a contract and playing some games sooner or later. Joey Anderson and Nick Robertson will also likely get some games this year.

Clifford isn't the type of player who's blocking these guys from opportunities though, IMO. The guy who is blocking our more skilled prospects is Engvall. Clifford is built to be a role player on the 4th line. We need those other guys to get minutes when they come in so that they can be impactful. That's why I referred to him as our "7th bottom 6 forward" in my first post, as opposed to our 13th forward. He's a purely 4th line role player. There's a spot on this team for him if he can still play.