GDT: Pre-Season Game #2: Toronto @ Montreal | 7pm

[egd27]

Back for playoffs

Let's get at spending that $11M while he's out on some magic beans then

 

[Stephen]

If Rielly isn't signed, he is staying:

Muzzin Brodie
Sandin Holl
Dermott Liljegren

Terrible if we over pay Rielly and terrible if this is the best we can ice.

Well, we would be counting on significant improvement by Sandin and Liljegren. Boston let Torrey Krug walk and the much inferior Matt Grcelzyk was slotted in with room to grow.

 

[Rude Dog]

I'm actually expecting that Dermott and Sandin will be in competition with one another as much as (or more than) Liljegren.

Lilly is actually our #3 RHD while Sandin and Dermott are our #3 & 4 LHDs. While we have some guys that can/have played on the right, I think Lilly will have every chance to lock down the #3 RHD position.

leafs need to figure out what they have with Lily, Sandin, Dermott. They need to know if they can help replace Rielly next year or not. Muzzin getting older.

 

[therealkoho]

Mikheyev playing back-to-back. Showcasing him?

no the Leafs have been very clear that they aren't shopping him and Ilya doesn't want to leave, if anybody goes I have to think it will be Engvall, Kampf is about to take his spot as a centre

 

[VanW27]

Point doesn't have a booming shot either, but he is able to score off of one-timers. Marner needs to be able to get better shots off if he wants to have anything remotely close to Point's success in that spot, and to this point in his career, he hasn't shown that he can consistently score goals from distance, or off of one-timers, or from snipes, unless it hits off someone or the goalie is heavily screened and it finds a hole. Marner scores most of his goals in tight, usually by way of his hands or by being in the right place at the right time.

He might score a few goals, but it is not going to be enough for him and I think you'd be able to find a bunch of other guys who can have just as much, if not more, success in that spot at that point.

I'm not sure I like him there in the long run, it may not work well, but I like it in the short term to try and get him to adjust his thought process on the PP.

To me he's overthinking, you put him in the bumper where there's less time and space and he's forced to react instead of having time to think.

It's a similar approach to something one of my coaches used to do for me playing baseball growing up: I played short stop and was generally a strong fielder, however in my younger days I had a tendency to get in my own head, boot a routine grounder then all of the sudden I was making errors all over the place. When that happened he'd put me at 3rd base, at 3rd the ball comes at you that much faster and there's no time to think, all you can do is react and let your instincts take over. Reset the mindset so to speak, and get back to doing what you do best.

 

[therealkoho]

Where’s Mathews?

asked for a trade and currently working out with the 'Yotes

 

[crump]

Plot lines: Gusev vs Ho-Sang
Hi-Sang had a pretty good game at both sides of the ice. Will be interesting to see Gusev’s D side of the puck and PP.

Kase and Kampf old buddies together, speaking the same lingo, will Kase avoid the heavy going? Or like many have said, go all out. I think that will be a sneaky good line with Gusev

Ritchie...mail-in effort special or will being a Leaf go right to his legs.

Semyonov vs Kampf - defensive centre dual. I predict one will even score.

Mrazek Campbell: dual shut out? Who plays the shoot out?

Menell with PP time. This kid could be ready. Keefe is at least giving him a chance to show his stuff.

 

[SeaOfBlue]

I'm not sure I like him there in the long run, it may not work well, but I like it in the short term to try and get him to adjust his thought process on the PP.

To me he's overthinking, you put him in the bumper where there's less time and space and he's forced to react instead of having time to think.

It's a similar approach to something one of my coaches used to do for me playing baseball growing up: I played short stop and was generally a strong fielder, however in my younger days I had a tendency to get in my own head, boot a routine grounder then all of the sudden I was making errors all over the place. When that happened he'd put me at 3rd base, at 3rd the ball comes at you that much faster and there's no time to think, all you can do is react and let your instincts take over. Reset the mindset so to speak, and get back to doing what you do best.

I guess it comes down to Marner's ability to process things quickly. I think he can process things at a high level, but a lot of that comes down to him having time and space. That can lead him going for a pretty move. However when things go tight and fast, he still goes for the pretty move. In both cases, he often gets burned.

It's preseason, so it is whatever, but I think they should be using him up high in a 2-2-1 formation before they consider using him in the bumper.

 

[therealkoho]

Plot lines: Gusev vs Ho-Sang
Hi-Sang had a pretty good game at both sides of the ice. Will be interesting to see Gusev’s D side of the puck and PP.

Kase and Kampf old buddies together, speaking the same lingo, will Kase avoid the heavy going? Or like many have said, go all out. I think that will be a sneaky good line with

Ritchie...mail-in effort special or will being a Leaf go right to his legs.

Semyonov vs Kampf - defensive centre dual. I predict one will even score.

Mrazek Campbell: dual shut out? Who plays the shoot out?

Menell with PP time. This kid could be ready. Keefe is at least giving him a chance to show his stuff.

Gusev in all the years he's played hockey has only ever been in his own end when there was a face-off otherwise he's kind of a centre redline into the opposition net kind of guy

 

[Twine Tickler]

regional blackout here in BC. Anyone know where else i can get a feed for this game?

 

[Dion TheFluff]

Switch Reilly with Muzzin.

switch Muzzin with Sandin

 

[zeke]

I'm not sure I like him there in the long run, it may not work well, but I like it in the short term to try and get him to adjust his thought process on the PP.

To me he's overthinking, you put him in the bumper where there's less time and space and he's forced to react instead of having time to think.

It's a similar approach to something one of my coaches used to do for me playing baseball growing up: I played short stop and was generally a strong fielder, however in my younger days I had a tendency to get in my own head, boot a routine grounder then all of the sudden I was making errors all over the place. When that happened he'd put me at 3rd base, at 3rd the ball comes at you that much faster and there's no time to think, all you can do is react and let your instincts take over. Reset the mindset so to speak, and get back to doing what you do best.

I wouldn't sell short the actual skills fit either, tho. Not just psychological.

Skills-wise the bumper spot requires soft hands, poise, and creativity/vision. The need for a big shot is minimized, with accuracy and quick release taking over in importance.

And just as importantly is not only his own skills fit for that role, but also his teammates' skills fit for their roles - i.e. that it allows the two opposite-handed dual threats Willy and Auston play in their ideal spots, giving the PP the rare asset of having two-opposite handed one time sniper threats that also have plenty of skill to hold and dish as well.

And of course, there's no way the PP should be allowed to stagnate and simply be 5 guys sticking in their one slot all PP long. Hopefully movement and switching is stressed even more this year. Marner should have plenty of freedome to be more than just a strict bumper guy.

 

[TopChedder]

I wonder how long until they see what they could have on the PP with Robertson on one side and Matthews on the other side ripping one timers?

They both have elite shots, or am I out to lunch on this?

 

[ACC1224]

I wonder how long until they see what they could have on the PP with Robertson on one side and Matthews on the other side ripping one timers?

They both have elite shots, or am I out to lunch on this?

Kid has to make the team first.

 

[TopChedder]

Kid has to make the team first.

Fair point. I think he has the talent to make this team, I just hope he is stronger on the puck and plays within himself.

But think of how deadly that would be, and how much it opens up the PP having two guys with that shooting ability (kinda like Tampa)

 

[Sypher04]

Fair point. I think he has the talent to make this team, I just hope he is stronger on the puck and plays within himself.

But think of how deadly that would be, and how much it opens up the PP having two guys with that shooting ability (kinda like Tampa)

we kinda already have it tbh, we just need to put Willy there as it appear they are going to, and tell him to shoot. He’s got a wicked release when he uses it

 

[supermann_98]

Where’s Mathews?

Honestly man first time reading anything Leafs related in the last month?

 

[TopChedder]

we kinda already have it tbh, we just need to put Willy there as it appear they are going to, and tell him to shoot. He’s got a wicked release when he uses it

I was also thinking that as well. I think Willie is going to take another big step this year, but I do find Robertsons shot to be even better.

 

[ottomaddox]

I wonder how long until they see what they could have on the PP with Robertson on one side and Matthews on the other side ripping one timers?

They both have elite shots, or am I out to lunch on this?

I think if N. Robertson had an elite shot he would be an NHL regular.

 

[Sypher04]

I was also thinking that as well. I think Willie is going to take another big step this year, but I do find Robertsons shot to be even better.

new plan, 5 forward powerplay with Matthews, nylander and Robertson all sniping lol. Not serious though.

I will say though, I do think putting Muzzin between Auston and Willy would be pretty crazy. One timers on both sides, Matthews being the pure sniper he is, and Muzzin hammering bombs in between them with JT and Marner waiting closer to the net. My only worry there would be a really quick penalty killer getting behind Muzzin

 

[egd27]

Fair point. I think he has the talent to make this team, I just hope he is stronger on the puck and plays within himself.

But think of how deadly that would be, and how much it opens up the PP having two guys with that shooting ability (kinda like Tampa)

IMO, waiver eligibility will be significant factor for him not making the team out of camp.

 

[zeke]

new plan, 5 forward powerplay with Matthews, nylander and Robertson all sniping lol. Not serious though.

nothing wrong with that idea.

I will say though, I do think putting Muzzin between Auston and Willy would be pretty crazy. One timers on both sides, Matthews being the pure sniper he is, and Muzzin hammering bombs in between them with JT and Marner waiting closer to the net. My only worry there would be a really quick penalty killer getting behind Muzzin

never forget that point shots are still the worst of all PP shots, even if the guy has a big shot.

 

[supermann_98]

I will say though, I do think putting Muzzin between Auston and Willy would be pretty crazy. One timers on both sides, Matthews being the pure sniper he is, and Muzzin hammering bombs in between them with JT and Marner waiting closer to the net. My only worry there would be a really quick penalty killer getting behind Muzzin

Dude if it's between Muzzin or Sandin chasing down a quick penalty killer I'd much rather see it's Muzzin. Sandin legit looks like he's skating on soft ice out there compared to anyone else

 

[Sypher04]

nothing wrong with that idea.

never forget that point shots are still the worst of all PP shots, even if the guy has a big shot.

well, I don’t fully agree. As it’s own scoring chance, sure but if you’ve got bodies in close enough to the net a rebound can create just enough confusion for a great scoring chance.

 

[Sypher04]

Edit: Ugh. I’ve had a lot of duplicate posts lately