Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Panthers - Wednesday 7:30 - SN

[Dekes For Days]

Holmberg has as many goals and more points and plays 20 seconds more. He PK’s a lot and can take faceoffs.

Holmberg has one assist from the puck hitting him (which ironically, removed an assist from Robertson), and one secondary assist from a defensive zone pass that's so meaningless to the goal that it didn't even make the highlight. Let's not pretend that makes him better. The fact that he can PK doesn't change anything. Nobody is talking about taking one out of the lineup. He doesn't need to play in the top 6 to PK. It would make way more sense to put Robertson in that spot with the injuries we have.

 

[wingman75]

You know golf and Thanksgiving football is on the agenda for Thursday.

I mean really, win tomorrow night and enjoy it even more...

Yea, no avoiding that for sure.

 

[Roo]

While Holmberg has accomplished jack all offensively, he still brings value on the other side of the puck. He’s good on faceoffs, the pk, and when his forecheck game is on, it can be pretty solid. Still an offensive abyss, but I think there is more there than we’ve seen.

 

[budzz]

Anyone heard anything more on Patches? There's a guy that can provide secondary scoring.

 

[crump]

McCabe out just for maintenance today (per Berube) is good to hear.

Some doubt that Matthews plays based on both his and Berube comments. Matthews would like a few practices under his belt, Berube says you have to be careful. We’ll see after practice tomorrow I guess (if they have one)

Robertson vs A Nylander watch is on.

 

[wingman75]

McCabe out just for maintenance today (per Berube) is good to hear.

Some doubt that Matthews plays based on both his and Berube comments. Matthews would like a few practices under his belt, Berube says you have to be careful. We’ll see after practice tomorrow I guess (if they have one)

Robertson vs A Nylander watch is on.

Yea, if you read between the lines there, McCabe will play tomorrow, Matthews will not.
At this point, there is no reason to rush him back... or anyone else for that matter.
Bet 34 and 23 are back vs Tampa.

 

[Nineteen67]

Feels like a game we have to keep within a goal... if FLA gets a couple goal lead, I doubt we are able to make a comeback.

Agree with your take that we will be on the other side of the bounces at some point.

At least they didn't go down on Monday and bask in the sun or on the beach for a day and a half. The Tampa game could be more of a problem lol.

The high hovers around 80 degrees this week in Miami and much less than that in Tampa, Perfect for golf but not beach weather.

 

[thewave]

And here it is again. The Panther.

 

[Mr_Fun]

I guess the glass half full for Robertson is that based on those projected lines, he at least isn't saddled with Holmberg. It's a good opportunity for all three members of that projected 3rd line. At any rate, I trust Berubes judgement here as he's gotten a lot out of players so far.

 

[TheDoldrums]

More than Holmberg.

I wouldn't call the 10th most TOI/GP and 10th most PP TOI/GP among forwards on the team, putting him in positions to succeed. I wouldn't call playing him exclusively in the bottom six despite countless injuries, on lines that don't mesh, with other players that are struggling, putting him in positions to succeed. We need to decide if we want to punish him for not yet producing (just like a lot of our depth), despite playing well, generating chances, drawing PPs, etc., or if we want to get him going and have a valuable depth player. I'd prefer the latter.

How has Robertson been exclusively in the bottom 6 when John Tavares is his second most frequent linemate. His forward teammates by TOI

Holmberg
Tavares
McMann
Domi
Pacioretty
Nylander

That looks more like middle 6 linemates than exclusively bottom 6.

He started on the second line in literally the most recent game. Matthews is unlikely to play anyways, probably ends up being the same lines as the last game with Robertson taking Matthews place and Grebenkin going on the 3rd line.

 

[Dekes For Days]

How has Robertson been exclusively in the bottom 6 when John Tavares is his second most frequent linemate.

That was largely at the beginning of the year when Tavares was put on the 3rd line, but fair point. That said, Tavares is the core 4 member that meshes with Robertson the worst, so I'm not sure how much that counts as putting him in positions to succeed, even if it is a higher quality linemate for a stretch.

 

[Clark4Ever]

Id like to see Matthews playing with Domi when Domi returns. Nylander will drive his own line, and JT will stay with Marner. That gives us the most balance, just my opinion.

It's a no brainer in my opinion. Matthews and Domi have proven that they have chemistry and Domi needs something different to get him going.

 

[Evilhomer]

This will be a Leafs win. I feel like the Tampa game may end up being a loss.

 

[GoonieFace]

Holmberg has one assist from the puck hitting him (which ironically, removed an assist from Robertson), and one secondary assist from a defensive zone pass that's so meaningless to the goal that it didn't even make the highlight. Let's not pretend that makes him better. The fact that he can PK doesn't change anything. Nobody is talking about taking one out of the lineup. He doesn't need to play in the top 6 to PK. It would make way more sense to put Robertson in that spot with the injuries we have.

Holmberg vs Robertson is like deciding which turd to flush first

 

[LeafalCrusader]

Is Hakanpaa banged up? Or just wasn't playing good enough to make the top 6?

6 guys better than him.

 

[arso40]

6 guys better than him.

As it stands right now

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I'm not surprised that Robertson wants to be traded. Perfect opportunity to play him with one of the core 4, and Holmberg is getting chances above him. Holmberg hasn't done anything to earn that, and I don't know what that 3rd line is supposed to be. They're not putting him in positions to succeed. Not playing him with players that can get him the puck. Not rewarding two posts last game, and a real noticeable improvement in the other areas of the game that they're asking him to focus on.

You can tell that he's getting frustrated about good process not leading to good results, and he's gripping his stick too tight. You would think they'd want to get him going, but they seem so disinterested in helping him open the floodgates and get him feeling better and more relaxed. Even despite praising his game. It's odd.

What has Robertson done to earn that opportunity? 1 point all season and it came in a 6-2 loss to Columbus so it barely counts.

Robertson has been completely worthless all season

 

[Leafs98]

Matthews said he loved playing with Pontus last season.

 

[arso40]

Matthews said he loved playing with Pontus last season.

More Marner then him but your right

 

[HellasLEAF]

^^ Marner is a huge fan of Pontus

 

[Fogelhund]

""

 

[Jacquestrapless]

^^ Marner is a huge fan of Pontus

So is Rielly.

Holmberg is Berube's Justin Holl

 

[Maple Leaf]

As it stands right now

you think hakanpa is back?

 

[arso40]

you think hakanpa is back?

No I don’t just not sure if it stays as is right now

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Remember this game last year? Maybe the year before... I forget when it was. But basically, Paul Maurice used the "opportunity" of being in the big bad bwoy capitol of Toronto, to take a time out in a game they were getting smoked in - and make this spectacle out of lambasting his players on the bench. That team never turned back after that night, turning their whole season around, and ultimately resulting in a Stanley cup.

well.. at least this one's not in Toronto.