GDT: Panthers @ Leafs - 7pm Tuesday TSN

[notdoneyet]

It's not even non-stop optimism. It's like I'm the only one who remembers that this team finished fifth overall in the league last season and fourth overall the season prior, with largely the same key players. The idea that it has suddenly devolved into mediocrity 19 games into the season is non-sensical. This was the same talk after the slow start last season, and then everyone changed their tune when the team rebounded. I am betting the exact same thing will happen this season.

The difference this year is the main fact that no one takes into account is other teams are closing the gap and getting better while we are staying the same.
Core four overpaid
Again having to spend nothing on bottom six
Defense more in shambles now than ever
Goaltending still a big question mark and not good enough
A coach who doesn’t adjust during a game

We keep rinsing and repeating hoping that somehow this year is different but again we are worse than the last few years while teams that were below us are catching up and passing us. We are losing to teams that if we were as good as some people believe we are that should never happen.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I wouldn't mind seeing Robertson sit a game and get McMann in hungry.
The team is lacking in bite, and i think Bobby can bring a bit of that to the team.

You don’t sit an nhl caliber forward like Robertson for an nhl tweener like mcmann.

Take out Reaves or keep the team the same

 

[Evilhomer]

We should probably more concerned than some of us are then .

View attachment 774493

Yup, that was a bad game. Should we also cut and paste the standings the last few seasons and see where Ottawa and Toronto have finished?

 

[ToneDog]

Pretty sure I saw the moustache, could be wrong. We will find out tonight

Both scored last night.

 

[notdoneyet]

Yup, that was a bad game. Should we also cut and paste the standings the last few seasons and see where Ottawa and Toronto have finished?

What’s happened in the past is no indication of what is in the future. There is no guarantee we even make the playoffs this year.
For shitz and giggles in our conference name a team with
Worse defense
Worse goaltending
You aren’t making the playoffs with the above
And the big plan isn’t to make the playoffs it’s to win a cup
And we aren’t even close to being a contender right now.

We have arguably bottom three defense in the league
We have arguably bottom three goaltending in the league
In goal we don’t have a number one. Samsanov isn’t a number one he is on our team because he is all we got.

 

[egd27]

Reaves would earn so much good will if he went up against Florida’s goonery.

Maybe he's resting up for Marchank Redemption on Saturday

 

[rumman]

Pretty sure I saw the moustache, could be wrong. We will find out tonight

I too thought it was Bennett, it wasn't.........

 

[Cleetus]

well pizza pizza is the new helmet sponsor, you would almost think that there is another pizza chain in Canada that the GM is familiar with?

 

[mikeyz]

Would love to see that as well. However, is Bennett back, I haven't paid attention?

Yeah he is. He played last night and was getting in Korpisalo’s face quite a bit. Giving him taps on the pads and skate by shoves.

 

[1specter]

well pizza pizza is the new helmet sponsor, you would almost think that there is another pizza chain in Canada that the GM is familiar with?

Fits the team well. Big name that makes lots of money but the product is mediocre at best and leaves you disappointed for what you paid.

 

[Budz]

I wish you were on the team then because I dont see anyone on the leafs even attempting this.

My point, is not that I think they will. However, that’s what I would do if I was Knies or Domi.

Make the rest of the team play through some really ugly games where the stars might even need to defend themselves.

If not now, when will they learn to survive in tough times.

 

[egd27]

This was the same talk after the slow start last season, and then everyone changed their tune when the team rebounded. I am betting the exact same thing will happen this season.

It didn't.

Nov 28, 2021 - 16-6-1 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2022 - 14-5-5 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2023 - 10-6-3 23 pts 5 RW

The only thing keeping them reasonably competitive at the moment is their 5 Bettman Bonus Points

 

[Macallan18]

Go Leafs Go!!!
Pulling out all the stops, wearing my Joffrey Lupul shirt!!!!!

 

[Dekes For Days]

I never understood why they didn’t just mix and match the Big 4 depending on the opposition, have multiple separate game plans to keep teams pro scouting a little off balance. If they’re planning for Matthews and Marner, give them a little Matthews and Nylander. Or slip in a Marner and Nylander shift. Or go Marner Nylander and Tavares and sneak Matthews onto another mismatch. You know, coaching.

The same coaching staff that will give you a Sandin Rielly D pairing just to check it out but won’t try different looks with their biggest stars.

Of the 3829 even strength minutes Rielly played over the previous 3 years, Sandin was only next to him for 116, and never for any consistent period of time.
Of the 3435 even strength minutes Matthews played over the previous 3 years, 919 minutes of that was with Nylander.
They've tried different looks a bunch.
In fact, even Nylander-Matthews-Marner and Tavares-Matthews-Marner both spent more time together as trios than Rielly-Sandin did as a pairing.

 

[Community]

It didn't.

Nov 28, 2021 - 16-6-1 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2022 - 14-5-5 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2023 - 10-6-3 23 pts 5 RW

The only thing keeping them reasonably competitive at the moment is their 5 Bettman Bonus Points

Nice try using the date rather than games played haha... Any chance you went with that because it suits your argument and they had a 4 game win streak (all regulation wins) in each of the last 2 years for the 4 games before Nov 28th?

19 games in the last 2 years their record was:

10-5-4 25pts (9RW) in 2022/23
12-1-6 25pts (9RW) in 2021/22

So we have 4 less RW which people are complaining about but only 2 less points. Seems a lot closer than you tried to make it appear.

We've still lost quite a few OT games. Just because we have more go to OT doesn't negate our wins. It's not like they've all gone to the shootout and we're 8-0 in the shootout.


Edit: it's also 3 "loser points" or "Bettman Bonus Points" as you claim as that's typically in reference to the 1 pt earned in an OT loss not the 2nd point in an OT win.

 

[Evilhomer]

It didn't.

Nov 28, 2021 - 16-6-1 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2022 - 14-5-5 33 pts 13 RW
Nov 28, 2023 - 10-6-3 23 pts 5 RW

The only thing keeping them reasonably competitive at the moment is their 5 Bettman Bonus Points

I think someone else has already pointed it out, but you have to go by games played rather than calendar date. If the Leafs win the next 3 or 4 games I think it will look remarkably similar to the last couple of seasons.

I have also said several times that team defense needs to improved. I think that will be addressed through trades as the season progresses.

 

[rumman]

well pizza pizza is the new helmet sponsor, you would almost think that there is another pizza chain in Canada that the GM is familiar with?

So a layer of cardboard added to the protection of a helmet, that’ll help…….

Fits the team well. Big name that makes lots of money but the product is mediocre at best and leaves you disappointed for what you paid.

I don’t think they even use real cheese, doesn’t taste like cheese if I remember correctly……..

 

[Budz]

Calling it right now, removing Marner is going to get Matthews going back to his elite form. Will be back to a strangle hold to win the Rocket by Christmas.

Marner should sit on the third line where he belongs. Mickey Mouse Marner is, in my opinion, the largest anchor on this team. Tons of talent, 0 IQ.

I hate his game, not the player.

I disagree about IQ. Tons of hockey IQ, but he is not focused on playing winning hockey. More about highlights and making crazy impossible plays.

If he was coached harder, held accountable he could easily be a Top 10 NHL player (not measured by only points). Make simple plays, move more north and south, shoot more and stop worrying about looking good.

 

[stealth1]

It's not even non-stop optimism. It's like I'm the only one who remembers that this team finished fifth overall in the league last season and fourth overall the season prior, with largely the same key players. The idea that it has suddenly devolved into mediocrity 19 games into the season is non-sensical. This was the same talk after the slow start last season, and then everyone changed their tune when the team rebounded. I am betting the exact same thing will happen this season.

The difference is this team is bottom 3 in regulation wins. Only a head of Chicago and San Jose. IMO this team has regressed a lot from that 5th overall team.

 

[Evilhomer]

The difference is this team is bottom 3 in regulation wins. Only a head of Chicago and San Jose. IMO this team has regressed a lot from that 5th overall team.

If they lose the next 5 games in a row, I'm right there with everyone in terms of their opinion of the team. But I don't think that will happen.

 

[cyris]

Reaves would earn so much good will if he went up against Florida’s goonery.

None of the Florida guys will fight him. Someone tried to force Tkachuk to fight last night. He turtled and Florida got a 5 min powerplay

 

[Cypruss]

I hate his game, not the player.

I disagree about IQ. Tons of hockey IQ, but he is not focused on playing winning hockey. More about highlights and making crazy impossible plays.

If he was coached harder, held accountable he could easily be a Top 10 NHL player (not measured by only points). Make simple plays, move more north and south, shoot more and stop worrying about looking good.

Isn't this description exactly confirming low hockey IQ? Tries for the hi-light reel, unlikely to suceed plays instead of the simple, effective, WINNING plays to have team success. Everyone can have different definitions of things, but to me, this screams low hockey IQ - doesn't know how to win and succeed. Only seems to be interested in himself.

Hope Matthews goes on an absolute tear without him.

 

[egd27]

Edit: it's also 3 "loser points" or "Bettman Bonus Points" as you claim as that's typically in reference to the 1 pt earned in an OT loss not the 2nd point in an OT win.

Only for those too young to remember ties. I'd agree with the whole "loser point" thing if they played the extra time using the the same rules as the actual 60 min game.

They're 5 - 6 -8 in actually hockey games. That's not the record of a contender.

*note - your comment on the games played is fair though. Let's see how the next 4 go

 

[rumman]

Only for those too young to remember ties. I'd agrees with the whole "loser point" thing if they played the extra time using the the same rules as the actually 60 min game.

They're 5 - 6 -8 in actually hockey games. That's not the record of a contender.

*note - your comment on the games played is fair though. Let's see how the next 4 go

I like the 3 on 3 overtime entertainment wise, but not a fan of the shoot outs. If I had my druthers I like to see it go back to tie games. Point for each team was a fair system especially for the teams without high end talent……..

 

[Sypher04]

I like the 3 on 3 overtime entertainment wise, but not a fan of the shoot outs. If I had my druthers I like to see it go back to tie games. Point for each team was a fair system especially for the teams without high end talent……..

I greatly dislike that some games are worth 3 points in the standings and others 2. The current system doesn’t incentivize teams to win in regulation.