Offense VS Defence

[budzz]

Interesting article from Justin Bourne about the Leafs O vs D, and how it fits with this group. This was after they got shut out by the Sens...

Maple Leafs have succeeded at playing low-event hockey, but should that be their goal?

Click to read more...

 

[Evilhomer]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

 

[Tak7]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

 

[Evilhomer]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

To be fair, do Sheldon Keefe's results scream "best utilization of this roster"? Everyone loves offense, but the reality is that "low-event" hockey is generally what wins.

 

[budzz]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

Agreed. It is a valid question. While I love the idea of a harder north south game that is proven to be more effective in the playoffs, I wondered how it would play out with this group. I honestly think we're on the right track, including having a pretty competent larger D-Core capable of supporting it (and better goaltending helps alot). I wondered if it would stunt Matty's goal totals, which remains to be seen, although Willy and JT seem to be still getting theirs. I definitely think it affects a guy like Roberston more, who is a bit more free-wheeling and not the typical "dump and go get it" guy (although he has been decent at that).

At the end of the day in a tight low scoring playoff game, you only hope everyone keeps their D tight and we make less mistakes than the other guys, and even if totals are down, top talent gets that one or 2 plays that make a difference.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

It's just taking time getting used to Berube's system. Doesn't help that we've got numerous injuries up front, not least of all to our Captain and the best goal-scorer in the game. Regardless, I'm not too worried. It'll be easier and cheaper to add an impact forward at the TDL than an impact defenseman that we've had to acquire at multiple trade deadlines this era (Muzzin, Giordano, McCabe).

 

[Racer88]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

The fact is that this core never accomplished squat with the previous utilization, coach and GM so I’m all for trying a different method

Agreed. It is a valid question. While I love the idea of a harder north south game that is proven to be more effective in the playoffs, I wondered how it would play out with this group. I honestly think we're on the right track, including having a pretty competent larger D-Core capable of supporting it (and better goaltending helps alot). I wondered if it would stunt Matty's goal totals, which remains to be seen, although Willy and JT seem to be still getting theirs. I definitely think it affects a guy like Roberston more, who is a bit more free-wheeling and not the typical "dump and go get it" guy (although he has been decent at that).

At the end of the day in a tight low scoring playoff game, you only hope everyone keeps their D tight and we make less mistakes than the other guys, and even if totals are down, top talent gets that one or 2 plays that make a difference.

We won’t know how this will affect Matty’s goal totals until he shows up to play

 

[Maple Leaf]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

wow sheldon's new josey devils actually look pretty good

 

[notDatsyuk]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

I don't think it's okay to criticize the current utilization, which is only a couple of months old, by blaming it for 7 years of playoff failure.

Last year the Leafs scored 19% more goals at 5on5 than they allowed. This year it's 22%.

 

[Dekes For Days]

That drop in offensive possession and rush chances is concerning...

Everyone loves offense, but the reality is that "low-event" hockey is generally what wins.

People love spouting this, but there's no actual evidence of it.

 

[Dreakmur]

People love spouting this, but there's no actual evidence of it.

Just because you can pick a few outliers doesn’t mean the vast majority of winning teams are good defensively.

 

[Evilhomer]

That drop in offensive possession and rush chances is concerning...

People love spouting this, but there's no actual evidence of it.

Does scoring historically go up or down in the playoffs relative to the regular season? I've not looked at the numbers, but that would be a factor to consider in the analysis.

 

[notDatsyuk]

Over the last 5 seasons we outscored our opponents by 19% at 5on5.

So far this season we have outscored our opponents by 22%.

 

[Nineteen67]

They said there was change coming and this is the change. I don’t think they’ll go very far in the playoffs but at least you can watch the games this year and be somewhat entertained.

 

[BTP]

He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.

Is there anyone you guys like? Or are all media members just evil?

 

[Roo]

Pretty sure Berube stated that they expected goals to come down a bit. Regular season numbers don't really matter, this is all in preparation for the games to come this Spring.

 

[Evilhomer]

Is there anyone you guys like? Or are all media members just evil?

None of them are evil. They mostly just aren't very insightful or entertaining.

 

[Tak7]

The fact is that this core never accomplished squat with the previous utilization, coach and GM so I’m all for trying a different method

They are trying a different method - time will tell whether it's the right one or not.
Early results suggest they aren't a cup contender, which is what we had them pegged as before the season started.
So when media discuss that, I fail to see why people get so upset by it.

I don't think it's okay to criticize the current utilization, which is only a couple of months old, by blaming it for 7 years of playoff failure.

Why not?

Thinking this is some sort of new distinct era of Leafs hockey is .... inaccurate? The same roster building mistakes, playoff wounds, and insecurities still plague this roster.

 

[HockeyVirus]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

This is how the GM built the team. You want us to play run and gun with Tanev, McCabe, Benoit, Haakanpa etc on defense? These guys were brought in because they want the forwards to force other teams to dump and chase and think these dmen can win those battles reliably and get the puck back out.

I am curious to see the salary allocation next season once half our core expire. I am betting the money will be used on depth.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Just because you can pick a few outliers doesn’t mean the vast majority of winning teams are good defensively.

Not sure what you're even trying to say.

Does scoring historically go up or down in the playoffs relative to the regular season?

It's pretty much the same. A 3% drop through the cap era, with no evidence of lower event hockey, or low event hockey being more successful.

 

[PROUD PAPA]

Agreed. It is a valid question. While I love the idea of a harder north south game that is proven to be more effective in the playoffs, I wondered how it would play out with this group. I honestly think we're on the right track, including having a pretty competent larger D-Core capable of supporting it (and better goaltending helps alot). I wondered if it would stunt Matty's goal totals, which remains to be seen, although Willy and JT seem to be still getting theirs. I definitely think it affects a guy like Roberston more, who is a bit more free-wheeling and not the typical "dump and go get it" guy (although he has been decent at that).

At the end of the day in a tight low scoring playoff game, you only hope everyone keeps their D tight and we make less mistakes than the other guys, and even if totals are down, top talent gets that one or 2 plays that make a difference.

Even if it doesn’t work this year with this group and least Tre will see who isn’t on board and try and swap them out.

 

[Dreakmur]

Not sure what you're even trying to say.

I’m entirely sure you’re entirely sure what I’m saying.

It's pretty much the same. A 3% drop through the cap era, with no evidence of lower event hockey, or low event hockey being more successful.

We keep forgetting that you don’t believe that the results are evidence…

 

[Dekes For Days]

I’m entirely sure you’re entirely sure what I’m saying.

Either you made a mistake when posting, you made a mistake when reading, you replied to the wrong person, or you're trying to agree with me in a really weird way.

We keep forgetting that you don’t believe that the results are evidence…

You keep forgetting to stop lying about what I believe. You haven't shown any results that show that low event hockey is more successful.

 

[Torontonian]

It's just taking time getting used to Berube's system. Doesn't help that we've got numerous injuries up front, not least of all to our Captain and the best goal-scorer in the game. Regardless, I'm not too worried. It'll be easier and cheaper to add an impact forward at the TDL than an impact defenseman that we've had to acquire at multiple trade deadlines this era (Muzzin, Giordano, McCabe).

Some players simply won't be able to play in Berube system, doesn't suit there game. Robertson seems like one of those players, Domi is struggling so far this year, but I think in part has to due with how he is being used (I really don't like him playing center over wing). I have more faith in McMann being able to adapt to the system due to his size.

There might be some adjustments Berube will have to make to make the team more efficient if this is the forward group they are going to run. The dump and chance system while not cheating in your own zone for offence has made them less enjoyable, but over the course of the season and going into the playoffs, I think will lead to more success.

 

[All Mod Cons]

For a team that has accomplished precious little, it still amazes me how defensive fans here get when media members state very obviously correct things.

The Leafs are playing low event hockey. The Leafs are not scoring much at even strength. The Leafs aren't driving play. The Leafs don't win in the playoffs.

It's okay to let people criticize them and ask very valid questions like "is this the best utilization of this roster?"

Agreed. People have been getting angry while everyone in hockey, past or present, have suggested paying 4 forwards half of the cap might not be the best way to go.