Post-Game Talk: ..::Leafs Win

[Voodoo Child]

9 pages in and I doubt anyone will read this but Anderson should and will play the next game. Mac played fantastically but he is Toronto's backup goalie.

Maybe if Anderson lets in a soft goal or two do you pull him but make no mistake Anderson is our #1 goalie.

Perhaps so but down the stretch, I'm all for either a. Putting Mackup in every 3 or 4 games like clockwork or b. Allowing for a 'win and you're in' scenario - so if Mac can string some solid games together we can rest Freddy.

Re: playoff race.

The way I see it is like baseball with the GB stat...which I think the NHL could implement because it would be a good indicator of likely playoff places.

Each point and game in hand is 0.5 GB.

MTL: --
OTT: 2
TOR: 2.5
FLA: 4.5
BOS: 5
BUF: 6
DET: 6
TBL: 6.5

What does this tell us? Once you take in points, remaining games and points lost, Boston should be very worried right now; behind and with less games to make up the difference, they're closer to last in the division than they are to us.

 

[blueberrie]

Ben Smith is a UFA after this year. Doesn't that make the whole expansion draft game limit theory wrong?

 

[Pucker77]

I've done a bit of research while visiting the Calder threads and for my own amusement. Drury is the last rookie forward to beat other rookies for the Calder while being behind in points in the 1998-1999 season, almost two decades ago.

Posted this in the Calder thread on the main board but these were my findings.

Jackman was the 2nd highest dman in scoring with 19 points in 82 games when he won the Calder in 2002-2003. 1st place for dmen was Jim Fahey with 20 points in 42 games and 1st for forwards was Zetterberg with 44 points in 79 games.

Drury won it in 1998-1999 with 44 points in 79 games over Brendan Morrison who had 46 in 78 games and Milan Hejduk with 48 in 82 games. So that would be the last forward to have won it without leading the rookies in points.

Pavel Bure won it in 1991-1992 with 60 points in 65 games over Kevin Todd who had 63 points in 80 games and over Tony Amonte who had 69 points in 79 games.

The last year they have on nhl.com was 1987-1988.

If you do a bit more digging you will see that the Drury example follows everyones line of thinking. Drury, Morrison, and Hejduk were all close points wise, but Drury was the leader of the pack in goals. Drury had 20, Morrison had 13, and Hejduk had 14.

What everyone has said is that even though Marner is and may finish in the lead in terms of points among rookies, Matthews and Laine will have an edge if they are close in points because they will probably have a healthy lead in goals.

The other thing in recent years has been the age of the player. In 2009-2010 Couture, Skinner, and Grabner were Calder finalists. Grabner had the most goals but least points among the three and Skinner had the least goals but a slight lead in points. The biggest difference among the 3 were the ages Grabner was 23, Couture was 21, and Skinner was 18. The lack of pro experience was what gave Skinner the Calder that year because the other 2 had a couple seasons of AHL experience.

 

[Pucker77]

I didnt get to watch too much of tonights game, but what I did see is Ben Smith lose a faceoff clean on the penalty kill which caused Dallas' only goal of the night. When claimed off waivers Babcock specifically said he wanted Smith back to win draws on the the penalty kill this is 3 games in a row where he did not do that.

Back in December the Leafs played the Anaheim Ducks and the game winner for the Ducks was a PP goal that was a clean faceoff directly to Cam Fowler in the high slot. Gauthier lost that draw to Ryan Kesler (one of the leagues best faceoff men) and was crucified for it because of how clean the win was and that the puck went directly to Fowler for the shot. The EXACT same thing happened tonight but Smith a vet who is only here to win draws and play PK lost the draw just as badly to Cody Eakin (NOT one of the best faceoff men in the league) directly to Seguin for the one-timer. Yet people are resigned to it because we know Babs wont do anything about it, but Gauthier was sent down for a bit because of it.

Also, people mentioning the whole "play Smith 9 more games to be eligible for the 70/40 rule" there are 2 problems with that idea. 1) The Leafs would have to re-sign him for another year to make him eligible and 2) there is no guarantee that Vegas takes him. If we can see the guy is pretty worthless than NHL scouts can see that as well. There is a very real chance that the Leafs could sign him just to make him eligible but then Vegas could take Martin or Marincin instead and now the Leafs would be stuck with Smith for another year.

The Leafs should just play the best team possible. Gauthier may not be "ready" but he has already shown he is more capable than Smith. If Babcock wants to play the best team possible to make the playoffs he is a better choice than Smith and if they are just using this season to give the kids experience then play Gauthier, when mistakes happen I like the idea of them being growing pains for a young player than thinking that some scrub is taking up a roster spot from somebody more deserving.

 

[Leafs at Knight]

Before Smith got injured he was at 53% on the draw, since he came back from his injury he's at 46% in those game on the draw... Useless.

 

[indigobuffalo]

Ben Smith is a UFA after this year. Doesn't that make the whole expansion draft game limit theory wrong?

No because we will re-sign him.

 

[Radomon]

No because we will re-sign him.

Why would he re-sign with the Leafs though if he knows he's gonna get exposed?

 

[taurine330]

Why would he re-sign with the Leafs though if he knows he's gonna get exposed?

Lou is going to make him an offer he can't refuse.

 

[FlareKnight]

Why would he re-sign with the Leafs though if he knows he's gonna get exposed?

Because it's nice to have a guaranteed income? Guy has done a fair amount of bouncing around between the NHL and AHL. Having a contract next year for someone in his position would be pretty comforting even if it means being exposed. Plus just being exposed doesn't guaranteed being claimed so not a huge reason for him not to re-sign.

And for the concerns about being stuck with him...since when have the Leafs been worried about burying guys? If the Leafs don't want Smith around he'll be on waivers.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

McStarter?

be serious

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

that was a BIG win. and now the Leafs are in a pretty good spot3 games in hand and now the Leafs are in a position where they can put some distance between themselves and Boston because Toronto has an easier set of games coming up than Boston

I mean Boston has the likes of SJ twice Montreal LA the ducks it could be a rough stretch for Boston

Toronto has the Likes of St Louis, The Sabres, the Sens the NYI, the Jets, the Canes

the quality of Competition is not the same forget wins, if the Leafs can pick up points even OT and Shootout losses there is a golden opportunity to open up a pretty significant gap between us and Boston and Solidify a playoff spot, this is the point, where this team can all but book their trip to the playoffs against Ottawa

 

[Iamtheliquor*]

Gardiner 25 pts +16. Rielly 20pts -9.

Gards is 4 years older. Has had more time to develop but I'd really like to see Rielly start making bigger strides here. He's fighting some injuries but he needs to finish these last twenty something games with some really good hockey.

Gards contract is starting to look better and better. He's arguably our best guy back there right now.

 

[Iamtheliquor*]

that was a BIG win. and now the Leafs are in a pretty good spot3 games in hand and now the Leafs are in a position where they can put some distance between themselves and Boston because Toronto has an easier set of games coming up than Boston

I mean Boston has the likes of SJ twice Montreal LA the ducks it could be a rough stretch for Boston

Toronto has the Likes of St Louis, The Sabres, the Sens the NYI, the Jets, the Canes

the quality of Competition is not the same forget wins, if the Leafs can pick up points even OT and Shootout losses there is a golden opportunity to open up a pretty significant gap between us and Boston and Solidify a playoff spot, this is the point, where this team can all but book their trip to the playoffs against Ottawa

True. If they just play solid hockey, nothing crazy, they have a good shot. I don't like a first round match up against the sens tho. Most of the sens have been to the playoffs and they're a much more physical team. We'd lose the series for sure.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

True. If they just play solid hockey, nothing crazy, they have a good shot. I don't like a first round match up against the sens tho. Most of the sens have been to the playoffs and they're a much more physical team. We'd lose the series for sure.

no we wouldn't I think The Leafs are a better team than Ottawa, I think the Leafs are better at forward and in net despite Freddy being in a bit of a slump right now I have no doubt he will pull out of it and when he is on he is better than craig Andersen

not to mention the special are better

not only do I think we can beat them I think we do same with Boston

 

[Wafflewhipper]

I didnt get to watch too much of tonights game, but what I did see is Ben Smith lose a faceoff clean on the penalty kill which caused Dallas' only goal of the night. When claimed off waivers Babcock specifically said he wanted Smith back to win draws on the the penalty kill this is 3 games in a row where he did not do that.

Back in December the Leafs played the Anaheim Ducks and the game winner for the Ducks was a PP goal that was a clean faceoff directly to Cam Fowler in the high slot. Gauthier lost that draw to Ryan Kesler (one of the leagues best faceoff men) and was crucified for it because of how clean the win was and that the puck went directly to Fowler for the shot. The EXACT same thing happened tonight but Smith a vet who is only here to win draws and play PK lost the draw just as badly to Cody Eakin (NOT one of the best faceoff men in the league) directly to Seguin for the one-timer. Yet people are resigned to it because we know Babs wont do anything about it, but Gauthier was sent down for a bit because of it.

Also, people mentioning the whole "play Smith 9 more games to be eligible for the 70/40 rule" there are 2 problems with that idea. 1) The Leafs would have to re-sign him for another year to make him eligible and 2) there is no guarantee that Vegas takes him. If we can see the guy is pretty worthless than NHL scouts can see that as well. There is a very real chance that the Leafs could sign him just to make him eligible but then Vegas could take Martin or Marincin instead and now the Leafs would be stuck with Smith for another year.

The Leafs should just play the best team possible. Gauthier may not be "ready" but he has already shown he is more capable than Smith. If Babcock wants to play the best team possible to make the playoffs he is a better choice than Smith and if they are just using this season to give the kids experience then play Gauthier, when mistakes happen I like the idea of them being growing pains for a young player than thinking that some scrub is taking up a roster spot from somebody more deserving.

Good post.

 

[crump]

The difference between Smith and Gauthier at this point is negligible. They have both lost draws that ended up in the net. Gauthier is a bigger body, both are pretty smart, Smith probably has better hands around the net. People like Gauthier because he's a Leafs draft pick, I like him too, but it won't hurt him to stay down this year while Smith does essentially the same job, providing a little more experience and becoming possible expansion draft fodder leaving the job open for Gauthier next year.

 

[Pinto]

Why would he re-sign with the Leafs though if he knows he's gonna get exposed?

Don't really think he's in a position to be turning down a contract from anyone, let alone a 1-way one the Leafs would probably give him.

Re-sign him for 1 year and if he doesn't get claimed (which he most likely won't) send him to the marlies.

 

[Advanced stats]

True. If they just play solid hockey, nothing crazy, they have a good shot. I don't like a first round match up against the sens tho. Most of the sens have been to the playoffs and they're a much more physical team. We'd lose the series for sure.

First round against the sens is a good scenario IMO. That's a team that is very beatable.

Much rather the sens than Montreal, Pittsburgh, NYR, CBJ, or basically anyone else.

Let's make the playoffs first though

 

[White Shadow]

Why would he re-sign with the Leafs though if he knows he's gonna get exposed?

Because he will take the security of the contract. He's not really what people call an NHL regular.

 

[White Shadow]

True. If they just play solid hockey, nothing crazy, they have a good shot. I don't like a first round match up against the sens tho. Most of the sens have been to the playoffs and they're a much more physical team. We'd lose the series for sure.

You'd prefer Washington or Pittsburgh?

 

[johnny_rudeboy]

IF we make the playoffs I want Montreal in the first round.

They had our number for way to long. The playoffs is when all that changes. When the momentum shifts to us.

 

[Gary Nylund]

First round against the sens is a good scenario IMO. That's a team that is very beatable.

Much rather the sens than Montreal, Pittsburgh, NYR, CBJ, or basically anyone else.

Let's make the playoffs first though

All this is true, especially the last part. Typical Leaf nation, yesterday it's panic city, today we're talking about playoff matchups and catching MTL.

Make the freaking playoffs. That's about 100 times more important than who we play if and when we get there. No matter what happens, it would be invaluable experience that will pay off down the line and it will also make the season a resounding success.

Make the playoffs!

 

[Leaftors]

I never once thought when the year started i would be checking the standings nightly to see how we're doing in the playoff race. incredible.

 

[GojuLeaf]

Gardiner 25 pts +16. Rielly 20pts -9.

Gards is 4 years older. Has had more time to develop but I'd really like to see Rielly start making bigger strides here. He's fighting some injuries but he needs to finish these last twenty something games with some really good hockey.

Gards contract is starting to look better and better. He's arguably our best guy back there right now.

This is a good example of looking at the stats and nothing else.

 

[SprDaVE]

I'd easily call up Froese to play over Ben Smith. 100%. Even before Gauthier.

Froese has been great for the Marlies and he's done decently well as a 4th line center before. I'm pretty shocked we haven't seen him given a bigger chance.