Offense VS Defence
- Thread starter budzz
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Evilhomer
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He might as well have titled this article "I miss Sheldon Keefe and want him back". Justin Bourne is a twit.
Tak7
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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
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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
History is just that.
- Jan 26, 2015
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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
They Fired Sheldon!
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
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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
We won’t know how this will affect Matty’s goal totals until he shows up to play
Maple Leaf
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notDatsyuk
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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%.
That drop in offensive possession and rush chances is concerning...
People love spouting this, but there's no actual evidence of it.
Dreakmur
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Just because you can pick a few outliers doesn’t mean the vast majority of winning teams are good defensively.
Evilhomer
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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
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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
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Tak7
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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.
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
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
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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.
Not sure what you're even trying to say.
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
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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.
