Post-Game Talk: Murray's first Win as a Leaf!, 5-2 leafs

[Obo]

I’m just pleased that Murray made it thru the entire game

Now we just have to see if he can make it through practice.

 

[PromisedLand]

Matthews not much of a factor tonight. Given his play this year (2 even strength goals and only a few games where he made an impact offensively), what is the likelihood that he is battling some kind of injury?

congratulations on your 1st HF board post

RE: Matthews not a factor tonight

1)


2)


3) empty net goal (Matthews' defensive positioning helps bunting shoot looking for a hatty but miss with willy to finish it)

 

[Racer88]

Now we just have to see if he can make it through practice.

Good point

 

[PromisedLand]

Surprised Nylander didn’t pull up to find Bunting for his 3rd.

probably a good thing.

looks like Willy has finally developed some "Killer Instinct"

 

[Ianturnedbull]

I'm stunned by how well Benn has played. I don't know if it's because of the prime usage he's getting but he's contributing in all areas.
Whodathunkit?

Me!

I'm here to collect.

A lot of people made jokes and called him an AHL defenseman when he was signed.

I don't see it as the first thing on Dubas' agenda, but why can't we conclude that this signing makes the most budget/cap friendly sense for the Leafs.

Can he come in and play the number 6 role on any NHL team? Yes. He's not ideal, but he can play.

Does it make sense to play a League Minimum player in the number 6 role? On TOR it does. Does it make sense to have Holl playing there at 2 million? No it doesn't.

As someone said earlier in this thread: Benn hasn't played in the AHL in 10 years. He's an NHLer.

Rielly Brodie
Gio Liljegren
Muzzin Benn
Sandin
Mete

 

[Obo]

probably a good thing.

looks like Willy has finally developed some "Killer Instinct"

Yeah, give me the the guys that just say "#### it" and put the puck in the net. No messing around.

 

[as Pure as Evil]

even with all the injuries our goaltending has been better and much more consistent then in the past few seasons and its not even close... i was early ruoff this summerimplying it could be the case but stoked to seeit working so far nearly 20 games in

 

[Srsly]

Benn is making a case for remaining in the lineup. Sandin had a terrible game, that pass to Crosby was pretty embarrassing but eh…he’ll get better. Tavares stayed hot. Murray was an NHL goalie. Not much to see here. I’m happy overall.

 

[Jojalu]

Holl+Sandin+Muzzin +2nd for Chychrun

• Holl 2M in salary (UFA after this season)
• Muzzin 2M bonus already paid; only 2M in salary lelft
  • Muzzin next year 4 million in salary but 5.625 in AAV)
• Sandin 1.4AAV cap hit and 1.6 million in salary next season
  • this season 450K salary already paid in signing bonuses

Chychrun (4.6 AAV)

• Salary this year 4 million (Holl 2M, Muzzin 2M, Sandin 1.4M) they will have to pay extra 1.4 million
  • Muzzin cap hit is 5.6AAV
• salary next year 5.4 million (Muzzin 4 million + Sandin 1.6 million)
  • muzzin caphit is 5.6 AAV
• salary in his last year 7 million (Sandin RFA) -> savings of about 7M less RFA Sandin
• net savings (in real money) for yotes: 7-1.4-Sandin RFA = 5.6M-RFA Sandin

Chychrun Brodie
Rielly Benn/Lily
Gio Liljegren/Benn
XXX (can be someone from Marlies or acaquired in trade for Kerfoot(3.5AAV)/Engvall (2.25AAV) (both UFAs) +4th or something)

Bunting-Matthews-Nylander
Robertson-Tavares-Marner
ZAR-Kampf-Malgin
Engvall/Kerfoot-Holmberg-Jankrok




Yotes get some real money relief and an additional LHD (Sandin) and also get Muzzin that will help them get to cap floor next season with his high AAV without spending actual money which yotes can use

Question is whether Yotes would do this or would they want more?

I think the Leafs would have to add. Probably a first. Maybe a top 5 prospect.

 

[BlueBaron]

Holl+Sandin+Muzzin +2nd for Chychrun

• Holl 2M in salary (UFA after this season)
• Muzzin 2M bonus already paid; only 2M in salary lelft
  • Muzzin next year 4 million in salary but 5.625 in AAV)
• Sandin 1.4AAV cap hit and 1.6 million in salary next season
  • this season 450K salary already paid in signing bonuses

Chychrun (4.6 AAV)

• Salary this year 4 million (Holl 2M, Muzzin 2M, Sandin 1.4M) they will have to pay extra 1.4 million
  • Muzzin cap hit is 5.6AAV
• salary next year 5.4 million (Muzzin 4 million + Sandin 1.6 million)
  • muzzin caphit is 5.6 AAV
• salary in his last year 7 million (Sandin RFA) -> savings of about 7M less RFA Sandin
• net savings (in real money) for yotes: 7-1.4-Sandin RFA = 5.6M-RFA Sandin

Chychrun Brodie
Rielly Benn/Lily
Gio Liljegren/Benn
XXX (can be someone from Marlies or acaquired in trade for Kerfoot(3.5AAV)/Engvall (2.25AAV) (both UFAs) +4th or something)

Bunting-Matthews-Nylander
Robertson-Tavares-Marner
ZAR-Kampf-Malgin
Engvall/Kerfoot-Holmberg-Jankrok




Yotes get some real money relief and an additional LHD (Sandin) and also get Muzzin that will help them get to cap floor next season with his high AAV without spending actual money which yotes can use

Question is whether Yotes would do this or would they want more?

So the Muzzin situation pretty much means you don't trade him and just enjoy his Cap space.

Trading Sandin and Holl creates a hole.

You've targeted an injury prone player to replace two players....I guess we like Benn alot.

I'm more of the mind we get someone more durable who is defense first, like Connor Murphy.

We likely don't trade D out but rather a Kerfoot or something along with picks.

Sandin a first and something probably gets him but I highly doubt we trade anyone under 23.

 

[Gilmour1996]

Good work guys. Even the guys that are being bashed lately played well. In contrast, here are the +/- of some Pens high priced help in the game tonight:

Crosby -4
Guentzel -5
Letang -4
Rust -4

Time for the Pens to fire their coach and rebuild! Sometimes the grass grows greener!

 

[Ho Lee Mackinaw]

congratulations on your 1st HF board post

RE: Matthews not a factor tonight

1)


2)


3) empty net goal (Matthews' defensive positioning helps bunting shoot looking for a hatty but miss with willy to finish it)

Thanks for your response. Yes, to your point, he was involved in a couple of goals. But when it comes to the eye test (and his stats), he just seems to be a shadow of himself from last year. I hope he turns it around. But the difference is so stark I think there has to be some kind of explanation other than just bad puck luck.

 

[Blanche Blanche]

even with all the injuries our goaltending has been better and much more consistent then in the past few seasons and its not even close... i was early ruoff this summerimplying it could be the case but stoked to seeit working so far nearly 20 games in

The sparks era was a joke. That one was on Dubas

 

[CabanaBoy5]

Observations and musings on the game:

-Murray was terrific, especially in the 2nd with that terrible defensive effort
-Benn has been great, a solid dependable controlled veteran effort…saved a few goals
-Tavares showing leadership
-Sandin needs to be replaced. While we’re at it, get rid of Engvall and Kerfoot
-I still say Matthews ain’t right
-Not impressed by the third line

All in all a decent game, but we got a long way to go to be considered SC contenders.

 

[WillNy29]

The sparks era was a joke. That one was on Dubas

lol that was clear tanking for Matthews

 

[Antropovsky]

Time on ice was balance pretty much throughout the lineup... Matthews split from Marner. Leafs appeared to be all over the oppositions crease...a defenseman who just hammers it at the net (Benn)... I only watched the highlights but the leafs looked like a different team. Maybe players are more engaged when they get minutes and feel important instead of watchingarner and Matthews play 25 and 26 mins a night?

 

[cupcrazyman2]

Sandin with another helper tonight.
Not skilled enough or durable enough for this NHL imo.

 

[Leaffan1991]

Sandin has had some rough games this year. If he doesn't smarten up maybe we should package him for a more defensive D man or a young 3C with good potential

 

[notDatsyuk]

I missed half of the game but from what I saw Nylander and Tavares looked much better away from each other.

Much better apart.

Funny how they were together for about 15 seconds when JT's man scores.

I think there was too much AM+MM, and Bunting got left out. With Nylander it looks more like a threesome.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Glad for the win but a bit concern with AM. Hope it's just a dry spell.

Two assists and a +3, and looking better with Willy - I'm not concerned.

 

[TopCheeseShotta]

Murray a lil scrambly, but can't knock the hustle - or the Save % for that matter!

I dig 2 lines both being a threat all night. It clearly needed to be tried to give each M&M some room and to just - take a breath.

Jordie and Jarnkrok were strong once again, and always seem to be on the right side of the puck.

Daftness abounds with Holl and Sandy. At least Sandy has hope.

JT is in Season long beast mode, and I'm here for it. One of the only guys who appreciated how important a good summer is after last year, and it's showing.

Good on Bunts. He was getting away from his game this year, playin' the role of superstar with his linemates - but he restarted grinding last game, and bam - got rewarded with a 2 goal game!

Good def. attention to lanes and backdoor plays for the most part. Earned the win that way, tonight.

Tie-breaker with Pitty later this month, too - so get it done, boys.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Murray looked a bit sloppy at times, but made the saves. Call it rust.

JT and Willy look much better apart.

Congrats to JT on #400 and Holmberg on #1.

Benn looking very solid - nice surprise.

Sandin decent except for the fanned pass.

Fourth line excellent again.

I think Bunting was too far back for Willy to wait - and too much time left to risk not scoring.

 

[81Leafs50]

Great game from the boys. Pens got a couple of gifts or else this game was going to be over early. Murray looks better than Campbell and thats all that really matters isn't it?

to be honest Samsonov and Kallgren have also looked better then Campbell to start the season.

 

[Menzinger]

Murray looked like a good goalie that hadn't played in about 4 weeks!

First period was a perfect nothing-burger. Great road period.

Weird second period. We seemed to fall asleep as soon as we got up by three... righted the ship a bit as that period went along and important goal in the dying minutes I think turned this game for us.

Ate up the minutes in the third the way a good team does. Murry made a couple good stops, but the boys kept on the attack and put pressure on the Pens.

There is no doubt that Sandin is on the lowest rung for the defence right now.

I loved Kampf's game!

Benn is definitely playing like a man who wants to keep a roster spot. So far I think he's looked good for a bottom pairing role.

The team should try and get Kampf extended. Give him 7 years if he wants as long as the aav is low enough.

 

[6ix]

Nice to see JT pot #400.