Post-Game Talk: Leafs win 3-0.

[Cotton]

Nurse sucks at hockey. He's a 3rd pair Dman at best, resorts to abandoning his position and running around headhunting every single time.

I’d have him on the Leafs pretty easily as Rielly replacement. And we would love his physicality if he was on our side.

 

[ToneDog]

Marner. That's it.

Guess how many points Mitch has had in his last 82 games.

I would do Marner for McDavid in less than a second which tells me you are not getting the best player in the world straight up for Marner today, no matter how many points Marner has in his last 82 games.

 

[Twine Tickler]

I cannot remember the last time I have seen the Leafs look so good holding on to the lead. Aside from the 1 meltdown against Ottawa, this team has been lights out in the 3rd. 2 straight games where they dictated the play in the 3rd when having a lead. Against a team will explosive generational players in McDavid and Draisatl. I am not sure if a life long leaf fan will ever be comfortable with a 3 goal lead fully. But this team is so fun to watch right now.

side note, how f***ing good is Zach Hyman?? He needs to be extended like..... yesterday

 

[BlueForever75]

When everyone is healthy....

Thornton-Tavares-Marner
Barabanov-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman
Simmonds/Vesey-Boyd-Spezza

Kerfoot becomes the odd man out. Possible trade candidate. Leafs still have Robertson, Galchenyuk waiting in the wings.

Kerfoot has been playing well. Better on the wing than C. I would love to see what this Barabonov kid has playing with big guns. Im starting to think that Tavares should be playing with Marner. Matthews gels with anyone he did really well playing with Nylander previously.

On the fence on what to do with Kerfoot though.

 

[BertCorbeau]

What could Chiasson possibly be saying here. lol

Lol crybaby move.

First suspension for a team against the Leafs in like several years, and this is what it is

 

[TheShape]

Disagree with this one.

I think he needs to dial it back a bit in terms of chasing guys, but he's made a huge step in terms of impact on the game. His skating has gotten a lot better over the course of his career and he's fast.

He's all attributes to me. Don't think he has the IQ or processes the game quick enough to play as a reliable top 4.

 

[MattySnipes]

Paul Coffey giving Leafs credit for how they playing without best players.

He says Oilers gotta show much more in big games like past 2.

Gives lots of credit to Morgan Rielly for outplaying Nurse for Norris last 2 games.

 

[Brobust]

I would do Marner for McDavid in less than a second which tells me you are not getting the best player in the world straight up for Marner today, no matter how many points Marner has in his last 82 games.

Well, lets see how many teams can offer a better player than Marner for McDavid.

 

[BertCorbeau]

One of the things I'm really enjoying seeing this season is that they've really started to develop consistency in their effort levels. Even if they're not quite on, they're still solid defensively, and then they're showing the ability to flip a switch and take over a game.

A lot of good qualities that will be needed if they're going to go far.

At this point the expectation should be making it to the ECF and the Leafs' path to a Cup Final birth is as opportunistic as it ever has been in the last few years.

 

[Peasy]

I cannot remember the last time I have seen the Leafs look so good holding on to the lead. Aside from the 1 meltdown against Ottawa, this team has been lights out in the 3rd. 2 straight games where they dictated the play in the 3rd when having a lead. Against a team will explosive generational players in McDavid and Draisatl. I am not sure if a life long leaf fan will ever be comfortable with a 3 goal lead fully. But this team is so fun to watch right now.

side note, how f***ing good is Zach Hyman?? He needs to be extended like..... yesterday

If they do extend him, it wont be until after the expansion draft.

I'm sure management has discussed this with him.

 

[TMLeafer]

Yeah I don't know if they showed on the broadcast but you knew something happened after the whistle and the ref was adamantly waving off Chiasson.

 

[Brobust]

 

[JT AM da real deal]

I believe you have found the checking line to take us into the playoffs with Micheyev-Engvall-Hyman. You keep grooming this line together the rest of the season. They have been incredible the past couple of games. I know its only 2 games but you definitely keep it together once everyone comes back. You keep Kerfoot on the wing.

Thornton-Matthews-Marner
Kerfoot-Tavares-Nylander
Micheyev-Engvall-Hyman
Barabonov-Spezza-Simmonds

I also like how Barabonov has been playing. Hard on the forecheck, uses the body and has great speed. Keeping him with Spezza and once Simmonds comes back is intriguing.

The only upgrade I would make if possible is on Tavares's left wing. If somehow we can get another winger other then Kerfoot with size that I where I would upgrade. I like how Kerfoot has been playing but we can use more size there. If not I can live with this lineup.

It won't win in da playoffs ... playoffs is cut throat no space big man hockey ... Kerfoot moves down and Simmonds provides net front, board and toughness with JT's line ... Thornton may not even be able to handle it so likely Hyman moves up with Matty to give that line net front. board and toughness ... we still need another big man net front toughness player for when real hockey starts...

and I am talking about when things really ramp up against Bruins, Tampa and Vegas in semis... we are ok against these northern teams right now but when games truly ramp up to elite level if we want a Cup then we could use a Sissons/Palmeiri/Anderson/Goodrow type ... someone who can skate with raw toughness who can play through a grind game and help Mitch/Willy/Matty when they have no open ice

 

[81Leafs50]

Based on what? he's been good the past couple of weeks and is versatile up and down the lineup.

not based on anything. Just looking at the lineup and seeing what assets the Leafs can use to get a scoring winger.

 

[TheShape]

Marner. That's it.

Guess how many points Mitch has had in his last 82 games.

This is ridiculous, let's not get carried away here. If that trade were ever on the table Dubas says yes as of yesterday and doesn't think twice.

 

[81Leafs50]

Holy smokes what is going on here?!?!

I swear the Leafs/Dubas haters were adamant that we had one of the worst defenses in the league and how Leafs fans were delusional for thinking otherwise.

Bogosian and TJ Brodie were HUGE adds in the offseason.

 

[ToneDog]

Well, lets see how many teams can offer a better player than Marner for McDavid.

Not many but that does not mean Oilers won't entertain a better package than Marner alone.

 

[Brobust]

I actually think it's really dumb of us to debate trading Marner when the team's rolling the way it is.

 

[Twine Tickler]

If they do extend him, it wont be until after the expansion draft.

I'm sure management has discussed this with him.

Ya I totally agree, I was more or less just saying this needs to be done. He is way too important to this team to not have him back

 

[showtime8]

He's all attributes to me. Don't think he has the IQ or processes the game quick enough to play as a reliable top 4.

That's fair. But I think a large majority of your play is dictated by who you play with.

Outside of some criticism this year for Rielly, I think his overall play has been quite good. But a large portion of that play can be attributed to how well TJ Brodie has insulated that pairing by being that reliable steady partner. The same goes for Muzzin and Holl. When Muzzin isn't beside Holl, he's not the same player. There's certain players that allow you the flexibility to play your game.

For Nurse, they need to pair him with a steady Muzzin type that can help his game progress. I don't think the Oilers have that on their team.

 

[ToneDog]

I actually think it's really dumb of us to debate trading Marner when the team's rolling the way it is.

@BlueForever75 commented that he thinks McD eventually ends up here for Marner+. You responded, Marner only which started any debate.

 

[Confucius]

Not many but that does not mean Oilers won't entertain a better package than Marner alone.

There is chemistry here, many great players never win a cup or even play on a good team. I wouldn't upset the applecart. Just keep dancing with the ones that brought me.

 

[Brobust]

@BlueForever75 commented that he thinks McD eventually ends up here for Marner+. You responded, Marner only which started any debate.

I include myself in it as well. That's why I said 'us'.

 

[ToneDog]

There is chemistry here, many great players never win a cup or even play on a good team. I wouldn't upset the applecart. Just keep dancing with the ones that brought me.

Agreed but McDavid is not being traded in the near future anyway. Would be best if we could sign him when he is a UFA and Johnny is off the books.

 

[Mad hatter]

Most goals for in the league and if every team had played the same amount of games the leafs have the least goals against. I’m pleasantly surprised, thought they’d be better then last year but never excepted this so far.