Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 5-3

[DANTHEMAN1967]

Doesn't Freddy know it's not October?

 

[Superstar]

Ok ppl shtting on Barabanov remember it took Soup 15-20 games to acclimate to the NHL it’s a massive step from the KHL smaller rink faster play...the guy is always in the play and he competes...don’t give up on him yet

If we're relying on Barabanov to win games, we're in a heap of trouble.

 

[Fogelhund]

I think the -7 our #1 pair were says a lot about how they played tonight but then again maybe I am a knob.

Knob...

I like the Brodie signing... I really do.

Anytime I put up a mock trade, during the offseason, it was to find the right D for Rielly. He needs a Defensive first guy, a guy who can be physical. It's no secret that his best NHL partner was Hainsey, and his best overall partners were Tanev and Parayko. Rielly can be a fantastic D.. but he really needs someone covering him, so he can be a rover.

Brodie is a pretty good D too, and should make for a fantastic pairing 5 v 5 with Muzzin.

I'm not really sure how we address Rielly's partner at this point. Liljegren? Do we really expect him at this stage of his career to be THAT? Holl?

 

[Stanley Sumdae]

I don't get the Vesey hate though, thought he's been effective.

I think Barabanov and one of Thornton or Spezza have to come out of the line-up

I'd get Robertson and Joey Anderson in the line-up. Maybe Lehtonen for Bogo.

I don't hate Vesey, but he wouldn't be on my top 6, neither would Thornton. I'd move Mikheyev up to play with Matthews and Marner. And Hyman up to the 2nd line. Thornton to center Kerfoot and Robertson. And build your 4th line with the guys left.

 

[ItsFineImFine]

They look pretty weak in front of their net (and the opponent's). I don't think coaching can fix that either, seems to be a roster issue.

 

[Gary Nylund]

I'm looking for panic city, am I in the right place?

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I'm not sure the core really lost the game for the team though.

They didn't win it either. They are either good enough to lead by example with effort or they are not.

 

[Confucius]

Thornton-18:25 Tavares-15:57

Wow, that is just brutal. Why?

 

[Fogelhund]

Ready? The kid played in a playoff series and was good. I'd rather watch him go through growing pains then watch Vesey play. I know he'll be given a chance, but I thought he earned that last spring.

The kids good... but we've signed some UFA's, and they need to be given a chance, or we won't be looked upon as desirable places for the UFA's in the future. Besides, the leadership group of this team is currently a tire fire, so I'm not worried about Robertson not getting out there during this. He's certainly not the difference maker in all this, nor should he be. He'll get his chance, no worries.

 

[IPS]

They look pretty weak in front of their net (and the opponent's). I don't think coaching can fix that either, seems to be a roster issue.

The top pair got abused physically all night. Rielly has always had problems stopping the cycle and clearing the front of the net and Dubas solution was to acquire a 180lbs puck mover to be his partner.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Thornton-18:25 Tavares-15:57

How does this make any sense at all?

 

[RoadWarrior]

Knob...

I like the Brodie signing... I really do.

Anytime I put up a mock trade, it was to find the right D for Rielly. He needs a Defensive first guy, a guy who can be physical. It's no secret that his best NHL partner was Hainsey, and his best overall partners were Tanev and Parayko. Rielly can be a fantastic D.. but he really needs someone covering him, so he can be a rover.

Brodie is a pretty good D too, and should make for a fantastic pairing 5 v 5 with Muzzin.

I'm not really sure how we address Rielly's partner at this point. Liljegren? Do we really expect him at this stage of his career to be THAT? Holl?

I'd give Holl or Dermott a shot. Can't be much worse.

Lehtonen can slide in on the left side for Dermott.

 

[Fogelhund]

138:36 minutes played
2 Assists
-5

That's Matthews and Marner through two games. Not acceptable for 22.5 million dollars and substantially more minutes than any other forwards on the team.

I'm not sure how many times I've said it this offseason. This season has to be about the will to win.

For us to make that step forward, these guys have to have the will to win, bring it every game, and play in whatever manner it takes to win. Forget about being soft, and complaining about a cross check, just get out there and do it. You wanted to be paid like a MVP, now play like one... be the leaders in a positive way.

If these guys are going to play like this, nothing else matters.

 

[Future]

I cant believe I stayed at home on a Friday night to watch this sh*t...

Where else are you going to go, Chuck Woods?

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I think dubas as the gm of the team needs to be let go. The leafs have stagnated or gotten worse under his leadership. Problem is I don't think there is a better gm availible. As for coaching I'd be calling gallant.

 

[ryno23]

The leafs need to trade for a legit 1 d. Reilly has had years to turn into one and I'm sad to say its just not gonna happen. Hes a solid 2d on most nights. Nothing more nothing less.

seeing this more and more. He needs a old school stay at home D who is physical and can skate a bit. Reilly is poor in his own zone and soft as butter. I would rather see him play with Bogo who complements him better to cover up his softness. Now the problem is you can't play Bogo 20 mins so you need to mix and match.

I would do

Bogo - Reilly
Brodie - Muzzin
Holl/Dermott/Sandin. Lethonen

Now on the top 2 pair, you have a puck mover and good skater (Reilly and Brodie) and 2 guys who can play physical (Muzzin and Bogo). 3rd pairing can rotate around finding the right combo.

Simple switch to balance things out

Hyman moves back to the top line and Thornton goes to 3rd line to be facilitator and guy with the puck on his stick in the O zone

 

[hockeynorth]

The core has not been the problem. It's been a systems problem so far. Nylander has been as good as you can ask for, Tavares has been better than most of last season, Matthews can't pot one but he's been outright dominant with possession, and Marner at least seems to be trying but I feel like he isn't clicking with Matthews right now.

Our problems are:

Thornton - too slow for L1 and doesn't fit well at all
Andersen - He's leaking goals
Barabanov - Keefe doesn't trust him and he's been invisible
Spezza - Been relatively ineffective so far
Holl - Not doing much, he doesn't look like the confident player he did at the start of last year
Muzzin - Rusty, this I'm confident will get fixed
Bogosian - Doesn't seem to know the system yet, would like to see Lehtonen get in
Brodie on the power play - I think Muzzins shot would be a better threat

 

[PromoterDave]

Should try Robertson or Mikko next game

 

[hockeynorth]

I don't hate Vesey, but he wouldn't be on my top 6, neither would Thornton. I'd move Mikheyev up to play with Matthews and Marner. And Hyman up to the 2nd line. Thornton to center Kerfoot and Robertson. And build your 4th line with the guys left.

I'm cool with Vesey on L3, think he'd be ineffective on L4. Kerfoot looks really engaged as 3C so far, I wouldn't move him.

 

[Fogelhund]

Through 2 games - Thornton sits 3rd on the Leafs in F 5v5 TOI at 26:55. Nylander is 6th.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

seeing this more and more. He needs a old school stay at home D who is physical and can skate a bit. Reilly is poor in his own zone and soft as butter. I would rather see him play with Bogo who complements him better to cover up his softness. Now the problem is you can't play Bogo 20 mins so you need to mix and match.

I would do

Bogo - Reilly
Brodie - Muzzin
Holl/Dermott/Sandin. Lethonen

Now on the top 2 pair, you have a puck mover and good skater (Reilly and Brodie) and 2 guys who can play physical (Muzzin and Bogo). 3rd pairing can rotate around finding the right combo.

Simple switch to balance things out

Hyman moves back to the top line and Thornton goes to 3rd line to be facilitator and guy with the puck on his stick in the O zone

That defenceman will still be Swiss cheese. They need to move a high end forward for a really good all situations d man, and our charmin soft forwards need to buy in.

 

[Menzinger]

The Leafs haven't been great defensively so far this season. But the skaters haven't been so bad as to justify giving up 9 goals against in only 2 games.

Goaltending has been subpar by a greater degree than we should expect as normal

 

[ToneDog]

Wow, that is just brutal. Why?

How does this make any sense at all?

I believe JT was shaken up in the second and missed a few shifts.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Brilliant way to not keep young talent on your team.

You think Marner would have actually left for Europe instead of taking 9 million?

 

[Cpt Maple Leaf]

Is priority number one for Keefe post-game once again to protect Andersen's fragile ego?

Shoulda yanked him out earlier to give the team a lift, didn't want a tantrum though as it is all about the ego lol