Leafs lack of toughness

[Bomber0104]

Some hockey analysts said when other teams made their playoff push, the Leafs had no extra level to go to, it wasn't lack of effort, but more the Leafs didn't have the horses. They couldn't match teams when they raised their play. There is a serious lack of talent in the right places with this team.

This team is built more as a collection of players, rather than a team with the right players.

This is a great quote and I think it needs to be more often remembered.

Not at all surprising considering the most veteran player on the team is Nikolai Kulemin...

 

[robdicks]

It depends what you mean by toughness. Do you mean that they lack guys who can fight? because if that's it, then I don't really care. Maybe we lack size? that is probably true. Do we lack the willingness to block shots, or wear down a defense with solid body checking? Perhaps, but that only pays dividends in future games for the most part, and our primary goal should be to make the playoffs. We lack size, defense, and the willingness to backcheck and kill penalties. If that counts as toughness then yes, I'm concerned.

 

[robdicks]

This is a great quote and I think it needs to be more often remembered.

Not at all surprising considering the most veteran player on the team is Nikolai Kulemin...

So you complain that we don't sell off players for picks enough, but now you're complaining that our longest serving player hasn't been here long enough? You really do argue both sides of the coin.

 

[Bomber0104]

It depends what you mean by toughness. Do you mean that they lack guys who can fight? because if that's it, then I don't really care. Maybe we lack size? that is probably true. Do we lack the willingness to block shots, or wear down a defense with solid body checking? Perhaps, but that only pays dividends in future games for the most part, and our primary goal should be to make the playoffs. We lack size, defense, and the willingness to backcheck and kill penalties. If that counts as toughness then yes, I'm concerned.

That basically summarizes it.

We lack toughness in all disciplines and applications to the sport of hockey.

And we just traded Schenn for JVR.