Toggle sidebar

Post-Game Talk: Stolarz & Marner Steal a Point - Leafs lose 4-3

  • Xenforo Cloud will be upgrading us to version 2.3.5 on March 3rd at 12 AM GMT. This version has increased stability and fixes several bugs. We expect downtime for the duration of the update. The admin team will continue to work on existing issues, templates and upgrade all necessary available addons to minimize impact of this new version. Click Here for Updates
Status
Not open for further replies.
Ports said:
That’s a big problem isn’t it. They don’t get up for lesser opponents and don’t have the guts to win the big games. They’re not a properly built team. That needs to change this off season.
Click to expand...
It needed to change more recently but we're pretty stuck for this year. All you can do now is hope they figure it out and some of the perimeter changes come through.

For now, we don't look as good as some claimed early and we won't look as bad long term as some think we are now. I do have concerns with how we've tackled pending issues like Tavares decline and special teams
 
Stephen said:
The long term problem I'm seeing with Auston Matthews is he has no defined personality as the team alpha dog and that is enhanced in his role as captain this season.

If only he were wired to be the guy who crosschecked Rasmus Dahlin, I think you'd at least have trust in a fiery leader. But note all the suboptimal on ice everytime there's trouble. Getting roughed up and targeted by guys like Konecny, Stamkos, Chiarot, no point of pride in sticking up for yourself, let alone teammates. Historically that tells me he's not really in the fight, and can be pushed out by anyone who wants to elevate emotional hostility as a weapon. The multi season project to bring more snarl, snot, bite, size, veteran leadership all seems to be compensating for something. Furthermore, if your leader doesn't have the fight, it seems to dial down the emotional response of everyone else.
Click to expand...

I think with his history no one is afraid to push him around.

He doesn't seem to have a fuse, more like a heat exchanger than a furnace. No combustion.

www.hockeyfights.com

Nathan MacKinnon (C) | HockeyFights

Nathan MacKinnon (C)
www.hockeyfights.com www.hockeyfights.com
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ports and Stephen
I still think it is early to panic, but it is very discouraging to see them abandon the new system completely for pond hockey.

I think management are underprepared for the Markets reaction if they do not pull out of this though. Probably the worst since the end of the 2014 season we got Marner.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leterman
Gallagbi said:
It needed to change more recently but we're pretty stuck for this year. All you can do now is hope they figure it out and some of the perimeter changes come through.

For now, we don't look as good as some claimed early and we won't look as bad long term as some think we are now. I do have concerns with how we've tackled pending issues like Tavares decline and special teams
Click to expand...
Unless some miracle trade(s) come out of left field, this is the group they’re committed to this season. They will probably make the playoffs and not get out of the first round. Tavares’ cap hit and decline has been a problem for a few years now. They’ve improved themselves on defense and in goal but their core five group hasn’t changed and is not capable of delivering when it counts. It they re-sign Marner or Tavares they’re showing that they don’t have a clue. $22M can be used to build a deeper team that is harder to play against. Moving Rielly would be the cherry on top for me. He’s on the decline as well and will never be a top pairing dman. Management needs to show some courage and a stronger commitment to winning. Great organizations don’t settle for underperforming when it counts no matter how good their regular season stats look.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 57 Years No Cup
HockeyVirus said:
I still think it is early to panic, but it is very discouraging to see them abandon the new system completely for pond hockey.
Click to expand...

How do you know they abandoned the system?

Is Berube notorious for not running strict systems?
 
Blanka said:
TBH I don't think it would be that big of a deal if we did indeed let Marner go for nothing. I've heard several GM's on multiple occasions state that they rate these factors in this order: 1. cap space, 2. draft picks, 3. re-signing players, 4. free agents. Trying to sign Marner will no doubt include a NMC which will handcuff this club even more. Just let him walk, get the space and hopefully replace the production with some new signings/internally. Who knows? The bonus might actually be PLAYOFF production other than games 1 and 2 of the first round. *Bracing for feces to be thrown at my face
Click to expand...
Don’t worry. Anybody doing that cares more about individual players stats than winning a cup and doesn’t understand that hockey is a team game and the wrong mix of individual talent doesn’t build a winning culture or lead to playoff success.
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: HolyCrap and 57 Years No Cup
Dayjobdave said:
We need to inject Domi's snarl and competitiveness into Auston's body.
Click to expand...
They’ve been trying that for years now. Trying to velcro toughness onto a soft core especially at the trade deadline. But you’re not wrong, Matthews played braver when he had Domi and Bertuzzi on his wings.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jimmy Firecracker
HockeyVirus said:
I still think it is early to panic, but it is very discouraging to see them abandon the new system completely for pond hockey.

I think management are underprepared for the Markets reaction if they do not pull out of this though. Probably the worst since the end of the 2014 season we got Marner.
Click to expand...
Chief’s post game interview seems he’s accepting that these guys aren’t able to execute his game plan and he’s just going to collect his cheque and let them run the team the way they see fit. Reminds me of the old gypsy curse: “may you get everything you wish for……..”
 
Ports said:
They’ve been trying that for years now. Trying to velcro toughness onto a soft core especially at the trade deadline. But you’re not wrong, Matthews played braver when he had Domi and Bertuzzi on his wings.
Click to expand...

I wonder to what extent Matthews is resistant to playing with tougher linemates and is asking to be back with Mitch?
 
Stephen said:
I'd settle for them on the same line. Matthews is a chamelon and can follow someone into battle. He can't elevate himself.
Click to expand...

Never really thought about it this way but it seems accurate. When Reaves is fighting he is engaged. When Domi was getting in the mix so was he a lot more. Mitch wants to do a little song and dance around with he puck and AM is willing to go along with it. When he was with Nylander he was a much higher tempo guy as well.

He tries to adapt in all situations. Berube and company should be testing this out
 
notbias said:
Domi is all stick checks and cheap shots when the game is out of reach and he is mad...
Click to expand...
He can be a good player but definitely overrated by our fanbase and there is a reason he's moved a few teams. He has proven he will drop the gloves though so you omitted that. I have no issue to shake up the top line I would go either Domi or McMann for Marner and keep Knies there.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ACC1224
HellasLEAF said:
He can be a good player but definitely overrated by our fanbase and there is a reason he's moved a few teams. He has proven he will drop the gloves though so you omitted that. I have no issue to shake up the top line I would go either Domi or McMann for Marner and keep Knies there.
Click to expand...

Is he overrated by the fanbase, or does he just have a small group that feels he's more than he is?

He had a fluke 28 goal season, but he's a 52 point player who garners most points from someone else scoring.

Thinking about it, talent level he's a Michael Bunting who can play center.
 
HellasLEAF said:
He can be a good player but definitely overrated by our fanbase and there is a reason he's moved a few teams. He has proven he will drop the gloves though so you omitted that. I have no issue to shake up the top line I would go either Domi or McMann for Marner and keep Knies there.
Click to expand...

I like Domi, he is a good player, and he is tough after the whistles, I think people using Domi as an example of someone Matthews needs to emulate his game after is funny... Matthews is more physical during play.
 
notbias said:
How do you know they abandoned the system?

Is Berube notorious for not running strict systems?
Click to expand...

I mean, they look so different structurally and how they were winning games and working. That is how I know
 
HockeyVirus said:
I mean, they look so different structurally and how they were winning games and working. That is how I know
Click to expand...

Okay, well they had bad games during the first 5 as well...

Would be shocking if Berube was so bad as a coach/motivator and so weak that he lost the team after 5 games...

I think what's most likely is they have had some bad games and are still adjusting to the systems and this will all be less of an issue in 10 games.
 
thewave said:
Never really thought about it this way but it seems accurate. When Reaves is fighting he is engaged. When Domi was getting in the mix so was he a lot more. Mitch wants to do a little song and dance around with he puck and AM is willing to go along with it. When he was with Nylander he was a much higher tempo guy as well.

He tries to adapt in all situations. Berube and company should be testing this out
Click to expand...

The worst version of him is probably Harlem Globetrotter with Mitch. Even before his big OT gaffe he had a little give and go with Marner outside the Bruins blueline at center ice and just left it there. A lot of these habits are just bad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: weems and thewave
notbias said:
I like Domi, he is a good player, and he is tough after the whistles, I think people using Domi as an example of someone Matthews needs to emulate his game after is funny... Matthews is more physical during play.
Click to expand...

When he wants to be...

Domi is far from perfect and consistently reliable himself but I think you have an easier time winding him up to play the "snot" game and have him drag Matthews into the fight than for Matthews to be a consistent self starter. There's too much let up in AM34.
 
notbias said:
Okay, well they had bad games during the first 5 as well...

Would be shocking if Berube was so bad as a coach/motivator and so weak that he lost the team after 5 games...

I think what's most likely is they have had some bad games and are still adjusting to the systems and this will all be less of an issue in 10 games.
Click to expand...

No they didn't. Losing does not mean bad game. They dominated the Habs remember they had 50 shots, was just one of those games. Same with the Rangers they played awesome goaltending was the difference
 
  • Like
Reactions: Evilhomer
rumman said:
Chief’s post game interview seems he’s accepting that these guys aren’t able to execute his game plan and he’s just going to collect his cheque and let them run the team the way they see fit. Reminds me of the old gypsy curse: “may you get everything you wish for……..”
Click to expand...
I think this may be a bit over the top after 9 games. Let the season play out. I think we will like where this team ends up.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ThrowDemTongs
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Top Bottom