Confirmed with Link: Leafs sign Pacioretty and Lorentz - 1 year deals

[Jimmy Firecracker]

100% it is. And not just 5 on 5
I would go as far as to say, defensively, Kampf does nothing at all that we can’t replace at $1M or maybe ever so slightly over

Yep.

 

[Kurtz]

Effort is part of it, but defensive instincts is a huge part of it. Reading passing lanes and spaces. Obliviously, you’re outnumbered, so you don’t just cover somebody. You have to identify which person or area is the priority - and that changes second by second.

Ok, but as a winger you're mostly just defending a zone - the coach tells you how high and how aggressive he wants you to play it. There's not much improvisation to it, in fact the more disciplined and cohesive the unit is, the better imo. Sure, if you can anticipate like Marner, that can be a plus, but as long as you can skate and have some general quickness imo most wingers could be turned into fine penalty-killers.

 

[Leafs87]

kampf makes too much for what he brings

 

[Dreakmur]

Ok, but as a winger you're mostly just defending a zone - the coach tells you how high and how aggressive he wants you to play it. There's not much improvisation to it, in fact the more disciplined and cohesive the unit is, the better imo. Sure, if you can anticipate like Marner, that can be a plus, but as long as you can skate and have some general quickness imo most wingers could be turned into fine penalty-killers.

Other than the faceoff, there’s no difference between the winger and centre on the PK.

The intelligence and anticipation is vital. In zone, you’re flipping between zone, to stick, to passing lane, back zone, to shooting lane, to passing lane, back to shooting lane second by second. When to attack vs when to play passive.

Being fast is great, but if you can’t read the play, it doesn’t matter. Working hard is a must, but again, if you don’t know where you’re supposed to be, it’s just wasted energy.

 

[Dreakmur]

I think Kampf's defensive prowess at 5-on-5 is overstated.

Two years ago he centred a lined that regularly cleared the Leafs' d-zone like clockwork. I really can't remember off the top of my head who were his line mates, but just that it was impressive how they would take the defensive-zone faceoffs and clear the zone with ease. That lead to good line changes and a better use of the top two lines.

Last season I saw Kampf's line getting trapped in their own zone for extended periods of time. If they were able to get a whistle, Matthews' line would often be called on to bail them out. It was not a good look.

As to the PK, I think he was fine but nothing special.

Kampf did well to sign his contract when he did. Timing is everything.

Who knew Ryan Reaves and Noah Gregor would hurt a line’s ability to break out effectively….

 

[ponder]

I think Kampf's defensive prowess at 5-on-5 is overstated.

Two years ago he centred a lined that regularly cleared the Leafs' d-zone like clockwork. I really can't remember off the top of my head who were his line mates, but just that it was impressive how they would take the defensive-zone faceoffs and clear the zone with ease. That lead to good line changes and a better use of the top two lines.

Last season I saw Kampf's line getting trapped in their own zone for extended periods of time. If they were able to get a whistle, Matthews' line would often be called on to bail them out. It was not a good look.

As to the PK, I think he was fine but nothing special.

Kampf did well to sign his contract when he did. Timing is everything.

Last year, his main linemates were Gregor and Reaves.

The year before, his main linemates were Engvall and Kerfoot.

Pretty major difference in 2-way hockey ability there. Obviously his linemates last year brought more toughness, but were also dramatically worse at hockey. Not sure Kampf was much different, just a very different role.

 

[MilkofthePoppy]

Yep.

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Statistics are like short skirts, teasing but ultimately reveal nothing.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Statistics are like short skirts, teasing but ultimately reveal nothing.

Do you have any stats to back that up?

 

[Roo]

Yep.

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how about faceoffs?

 

[weems]

how about faceoffs?

Kampf

Dewar with Minnesota

Huge difference in defensive zone faceoff win % between the two.

 

[notbias]

He's better at scoring, but they're not competing for scoring roles. Who are the internal replacements who can lead an NHL PK unit?

Honestly, Matthews is our best PKer.

I'd like to add him to the PK though and roll Matthews/Marner and then Kampf/Jarnkrok and then Dewar/McMann or something.

A lot of people on this board (obviously not you), think we should try to win 10-9 because everything I see is removing anyone good defensively.

 

[Roo]

100% it is. And not just 5 on 5
I would go as far as to say, defensively, Kampf does nothing at all that we can’t replace at $1M or maybe ever so slightly over

Kampf

View attachment 909227

Dewar with Minnesota

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Huge difference in defensive zone faceoff win % between the two.

Thank you. I would suggest then that when it comes to PK'ing, we will absolutely feel that delta in faceoff win %. Maybe something we can replace at $1M, but as of now it's not going to be Dewar.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Thank you. I would suggest then that when it comes to PK'ing, we will absolutely feel that delta in faceoff win %. Maybe something we can replace at $1M, but as of now it's not going to be Dewar.

You can teach and improve faceoffs, Dewar is only 25. And in any case Holmberg is cheaper and has a better D-Zone FOW than Kampf, throw him out there then.

If the Athletic weren’t dumb and had a card for Holmberg and his stats I’m sure they’d grade out better than Kampf too.

 

[Roo]

You can teach and improve faceoffs, Dewar is only 25. And in any case Holmberg is cheaper and has a better D-Zone FOW than Kampf, throw him out there then.

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Yeah you can teach, but it takes time, and no guarantee he excels. You also need two options on the draw. Maybe if they stick with AM34 on pk, but I don’t love the idea of him killing penalties.

 

[Dreakmur]

Honestly, Matthews is our best PKer.

I'd like to add him to the PK though and roll Matthews/Marner and then Kampf/Jarnkrok and then Dewar/McMann or something.

A lot of people on this board (obviously not you), think we should try to win 10-9 because everything I see is removing anyone good defensively.

I’ve always wondered why Matthews doesn’t PK like Marner, and have suggested that PK together in the past. I don’t think they should be our primary PKers in the regular season though, since I don’t like the idea of them blocking a lot of shots for little benefit. They should go like one shift a game just to stay in rhythm and build chemistry, so they can go regularly in the playoffs though.

You can teach and improve faceoffs, Dewar is only 25. And in any case Holmberg is cheaper and has a better D-Zone FOW than Kampf, throw him out there then.

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If the Athletic weren’t dumb and had a card for Holmberg and his stats I’m sure they’d grade out better than Kampf too.

The problem with using raw faceoff percentages is that it ignores the competition. Kampf most goes head to head with the opponent’s best faceoff guys.

 

[Its not your fault]

Statistics are like short skirts, teasing but ultimately reveal nothing.

You're right no one knew how many Gretzky would score just that he would!

 

[TMLBlueandWhite]

I don't understand this signing.

Is it just so they can have an OGWAC on the team again. I'm sick of seeing them bring in vets who can't contribute anything other than being a positive locker room presence. How about getting vets who are good in the room AND on the ice.

A better idea would be to give the kids an opportunity.

They need more room for growth from young players. All these vets with one foot out the door have no business playing large roles on this team. Like when they signed Thornton it wasn't the dumbest move they could've made.

Playing him on the top line was.

Thornton was given a position he neither earned through his play or deserved through entitlement. An enviable reward for a long illustrious career playing for teams not named the Toronto Maple Leafs. I expect Pacioretty to be given similar red carpet treatment.

Another Leafs sales job on a player on his way out of the NHL.

 

[SprDaVE]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1842665463932727631

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

It'll be funny if Pacioretty and Robertson become linemates when the narrative coming into training camp was that they were in direct competition.

 

[darrylsittler27]

He was brought in to give the illusion of competition. Bye..

 

[Menzinger]

He looked fine in preseason. No issues here from me

 

[Evilhomer]

There is really no downside in having him on the roster. He is not blocking a young player. He probably easily gets 20 goals this season. Who knows if he does anything in the playoffs, but even if he can score two or three goals that is a good addition.

 

[no2ninja]

He looked fine in preseason. No issues here from me

Agreed achilles heel injuries are no joke for a hockey player, his stats last year don't seem to do him justice in how he has played in the preseason. He is smart and experienced, I take experience in the playoffs over youth any day.

EDIT: He seems hungry and in much better health, I think he feels he has a lot to prove.

 

[tmlfan98]

He was brought in to give the illusion of competition. Bye..

In order for this to be true Pacioretty would have to not make the team.

 

[Budz]

He’s moving better than years before. He’ll get a few cookies, but defensive game is NOT good.