Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose 5-3

[Hockey 4 Life]

I think swapping in and out non core players is just rearranging deck chairs on the titanic. Might look better but the ship is still gonna sink.

 

[Gert B Frobe]

I cannot stand Marner and his contract. He should have been dealt for a defenseman or 2 good forwards long, long ago.

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

I cannot stand Marner and his contract. He should have been dealt for a defenseman or 2 good forwards long, long ago.

If he played like he did a few seasons ago hes worth that contract all day everyday but since his contract was signed hes played like he doesn't want to get hurt.

 

[Leaf Fans]

The Isles went further in the playoffs last year than we have in almost 3 decades.

Yes, they did. Semi final I think.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

There's really no point in Barabanov being on the team, especially if he's only going to play 4 minutes

Yea giving one of our euro signing 4 minutes a game, and the other scratched (birthday Saturday too). Keefe burning some bridges.

 

[jaric1862]

I am not sure Thornton should even be on the 3rd line.

So Thornton-Spezza-Simmonds 4th line?

 

[Matthews4Calder]

He can't surround them with the right players because of the money he gave to this spineless core.

Got that right. Said it when the 2 were signed it was an overpayment and it was going to hurt us.

 

[kevsh]

All four forward lines have at least one new player, 2 of the 3 D pairs have never played together. Freddy off to his typical slow start. It will take time for Brodie to get used to a new team, system, partner and opponents he has only faced a couple of times per year.

They'll be fine. Patience is a tough sell, I know, but they'll get it together.

 

[Byron Bitz]

Hard to surround them with good players when they take up so much cap money.

It’s hard but it can be done with some shrewd moves and good drafting and development. Would have been a lot easier if Dubas didn’t overpay Marner but it can still be done.

 

[Leafsfan74]

All four forward lines have at least one new player, 2 of the 3 D pairs have never played together. Freddy off to his typical slow start. It will take time for Brodie to get used to a new team, system, partner and opponents he has only faced a couple of times per year.

They'll be fine. Patience is a tough sell, I know, but they'll get it together.

Yes they will, or they won't be together in T.O...

 

[Critical13]

It’s hard but it can be done with some shrewd moves and good drafting and development. Would have been a lot easier if Dubas didn’t overpay Marner but it can still be done.

Luckily, we do seem to have done quite well in terms of value with our picks since Dubas took over.

Coming down the pipeline and stepping into the roster:

Immediate - Sandin, Robertson
Soon - Liljegren, Amirov, Hiroven
2-3 years - TOPI!, Abramov

There is definitely help coming, all on ELCs.

 

[fahad203]

I can understand if one player has a bad night like Marner or Nylander who was really good the night before

But this is a trend. Whenever 1 player has a bad night, everyone has a bad night. Everyone plays bad

I wonder if Matthews watched McDavid the night before and show pride and leadership. Matthews is really pissing me off with his mood swings

 

[6ix]

For god's sake, get Thornton off the first line. What a joke.

the honey moon period is over. It’s ridiculous to put a 43 year old on the first line. Maybe a few shifts here and there with Matthews but that’s it.

 

[Celly Hard]

Marner pisses me off more each day.

They should have kept the duos of Matthews Nylander, and JT with Marner. Idk why they let the kids run the show and let marner and Matthews play together because they are best buds.

 

[Critical13]

Marner pisses me off more each day.

They should have kept the duos of Matthews Nylander, and JT with Marner. Idk why they let the kids run the show and let marner and Matthews play together because they are best buds.

Matthews and Marner lit it up together last year, and Tavares and Nylander are one of the best duos in hockey so far.

 

[fahad203]

Matthews and Marner lit it up together last year, and Tavares and Nylander are one of the best duos in hockey so far.

Lighting up and being effective are not the same thing. Feasting on Ottawa and Montreal means nothing.

These guys have need to start producing when games are tight. Just because something worked last year doesn't mean it will work this year
Other teams are adjusting

 

[Celly Hard]

I agree that you don’t touch the second line with the way they’re playing.

BUT

Marner had his best season playing with JT. JT had his best season playing with marner.
Nylander and Matthews have always been money together. I’m just sick of the way this organization is bending over and letting Marner run over them. First the contract, then his line mates.

 

[fahad203]

I agree that you don’t touch the second line with the way they’re playing.

BUT

Marner had his best season playing with JT. JT had his best season playing with marner.
Nylander and Matthews have always been money together. I’m just sick of the way this organization is bending over and letting Marner run over them. First the contract, then his line mates.

Did you see what Montreal did? they got players who are hard nosed, classic hockey players
Josh Anderson drove the net, paid the price, scored the goal.

Last night, Nick Paul tried the same thing, drove the net and almost scored

McDavid last night did the same thing ( as if he doesn't do anything or everything)

Our players, pretty goal or nothing

 

[Critical13]

Lighting up and being effective are not the same thing. Feasting on Ottawa and Montreal means nothing.

These guys have need to start producing when games are tight. Just because something worked last year doesn't mean it will work this year
Other teams are adjusting

I’m willing to give them another 3-5 games before I consider making that switch, especially with the 2nd line playing so well with limited minutes.

I foolishly would like to see Tavares - Matthews - Marner for a few games and let Willy try to run a line if things go very south...

 

[Celly Hard]

I’m willing to give them another 3-5 games before I consider making that switch, especially with the 2nd line playing so well with limited minutes.

I foolishly would like to see Tavares - Matthews - Marner for a few games and let Willy try to run a line if things go very south...

lmaooooo my god. Keep catering to Marner to pad the stats. If you’re getting paid 11 million + per year, you should be able to carry your own line. It’s absurd to have 3 11 million dollar forwards on the same line.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

I can understand if one player has a bad night like Marner or Nylander who was really good the night before

But this is a trend. Whenever 1 player has a bad night, everyone has a bad night. Everyone plays bad

I wonder if Matthews watched McDavid the night before and show pride and leadership. Matthews is really pissing me off with his mood swings

How many dumb posts are you going to make about Matthews? He was all over the ice again tonight. He shows more heart than the majority of others on the team. He's the only one on his line that has looked really good. He's had 2 very solid games so far, the fact that people are blaming him is just more circus hot takes.

 

[AllDay28]

the sky is falling!!!!! Leafs didnt go 82-0, pathetic. They lost to a professional hockey team?

 

[fahad203]

How many dumb posts are you going to make about Matthews? He was all over the ice again tonight. He shows more heart than the majority of others on the team. He's the only one on his line that has looked really good. He's had 2 very solid games so far, the fact that people are blaming him is just more circus hot takes.

For the money he's making, probabaly 100s, if you don't like it you can't ignore them.

So called superstar doesn't show up when games matter doesn't seem to concern you. You remember Columbus? everyone else does

He has good games, but superstar games for the price he has been paid. Did you see the 4th or 5th goal Ottawa scored? The one Button pointed out, how non challant he was? how casual from their end? he has his moments then he disappears. It's almost like you get a superstar game from him or nothing

Take a look at Mackinnon what he does year in year out and in important games. Also a friendly reminder, he gets paid less that Matthews. Connor McDavid gets paid less than Matthews. Let that sink in. All he does is win Heart, MVP and scoring title

 

[Hockey 4 Life]

the sky is falling!!!!! Leafs didnt go 82-0, pathetic. They lost to a professional hockey team?

The whole you guys are overreacting schtick is getting old. Its been 5 years with little to no improvement. I love the leafs and our players but time is running out for this core.

 

[1specter]

How many dumb posts are you going to make about Matthews? He was all over the ice again tonight. He shows more heart than the majority of others on the team. He's the only one on his line that has looked really good. He's had 2 very solid games so far, the fact that people are blaming him is just more circus hot takes.

That poster offers nothing but hot takes.

I've been quite critical of this team and pretty much gave up on them after the Columbus series but there's been no training camp and there's a bunch of new players vying for ice time, plus this is the first time Keefe will have them from the start of the season.

I think they will be okay, my concern is more so Andersen, who I don't really have faith in anymore.