This is going to sound absolutely insane but hear me out

[Jojalu]

I still remember the first 2 periods against CLB but still, it does feel a bit different. The biggest thing maybe is the way Knies stood up for a teammate last night, and Domi doing the same earlier. I had pretty much given up hope after the Marchand debacle when nobody did a damn thing, now I'm starting to think that maybe there's some hope after all.

Slowly creeping up the standings. Regulation PTS% is in the top 10 for I assume the first time this season, 4th in the East. Looking forward to the Rangers game!

The Leafs have been far more physical this year.

They are 2nd in Hits/60.

They surprisingly are 1 major away from being top 7. Tied with a bunch of teams.

They will get involved anytime someone comes close to the net.

They are no Broad Street Bullies, but they have played a lot different this year.

 

[Gary Nylund]

The Leafs have been far more physical this year.

They are 2nd in Hits/60.

They surprisingly are 1 major away from being top 7. Tied with a bunch of teams.

They will get involved anytime someone comes close to the net.

They are no Broad Street Bullies, but they have played a lot different this year.

IMO the hits stat is suspect but whatever. I'm not so concerned with the number of hits as I am with standing up for each other and being a team, not a group of individuals. I was absolutely disgusted at the lack of response when Liljegren got taken out but Domi and Knies have stood up for their teammates since then, that's what gives me some hope.

 

[Jojalu]

IMO the hits stat is suspect but whatever. I'm not so concerned with the number of hits as I am with standing up for each other and being a team, not a group of individuals. I was absolutely disgusted at the lack of response when Liljegren got taken out but Domi and Knies have stood up for their teammates since then, that's what gives me some hope.

Perhaps their story about not seeing it was true. Or perhaps that is what woke them up.

You are correct about the subjectivity of hitting stats. There are many times I see hits that never show up, then other times where they magically appear

 

[studebaker17]

Perhaps their story about not seeing it was true. Or perhaps that is what woke them up.

You are correct about the subjectivity of hitting stats. There are many times I see hits that never show up, then other times where they magically appear

Hugely biased or subjevtive stat . Besides that, all hits are not equal .

 

[ULF_55]

LW Matthews Nylander
LW Domi Marner
LW Tavares Jarnkrok

LW in (Knies, Bertuzzi, Robertson)

Holmberg/Gregor-Kampf-McMann

 

[Spargon]

Manner is so much better away from Matthews.
instead of just being a Feeder for Matthews he actually shoots the puck and scores. The team is better when those two are seperated.
The question becomes is Keefe strong enough to keep them apart

What a difference a few years makes. We used to scream at Babcock to put Matthews and Marner together (despite Matthews/Nylander and Marner/Tavares both showing chemistry). Everyone rejoiced when Keefe put them together finally. Now it has come full circle and it's dare we split them up.

 

[keonsbitterness]

life doesn't revolve around Johnny Net Front

lol, it sure seems to for you.

 

[Yall are crazy]

Marner is better away from Matthews as Matthews is better away from Marner

Lol what? Most of matthews assists are from marner

 

[Martin Skoula]

What a difference a few years makes. We used to scream at Babcock to put Matthews and Marner together (despite Matthews/Nylander and Marner/Tavares both showing chemistry). Everyone rejoiced when Keefe put them together finally. Now it has come full circle and it's dare we split them up.

The opposite of Babcock forcing Matthews/Nylander isn’t forcing Matthews/Marner, it’s being adaptable and playing whoever makes sense in a given situation.

Even if it turns out Matthews-Nylander is the perfect fit that can’t be improved, it’s absurd to never try Matthews-Marner for longer than a few shifts.

 

[MarMarSab3]

Lol what? Most of matthews assists are from marner

Lol what? Most of matthews assists are from marner

Have you been watching????

 

[notDatsyuk]

If you wanted to put Bertuzzi there I'd be OK with that It's Gregor that I'd have an issue with, I like Gregor he's been very very good, he shouldn't be with John Tavares.

Although doing that keeps Domi in the top 6 at C, and I don't think management wants that seeing as Treliving was on overdrive fairly recently and specifically mentioned wanting not just a defense upgrade but also a 3rd line center.

I don't think I was suggesting Gregor with JT - I don't like that either.

Was the interview before Domi started to gel with Knies and Marner? Tre may have changed his mind. Or he may be planning on moving JT to the wing.

 

[notDatsyuk]

IMO the hits stat is suspect but whatever. I'm not so concerned with the number of hits as I am with standing up for each other and being a team, not a group of individuals. I was absolutely disgusted at the lack of response when Liljegren got taken out but Domi and Knies have stood up for their teammates since then, that's what gives me some hope.

On subjective stats like hits, I tend to filter it to only the away stats - removes the home button-counter, and the effect of the crowd on what counts.

At home, Leafs lead the league in hits and hits/60 (416 and 26.86).
On the road, they are 31st in hits (172) and 30th in hits/60 (12.90).

That's a huge discrepancy. Home and road records aren't very different, nor are their goals for and against.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I don't think I was suggesting Gregor with JT - I don't like that either.

Was the interview before Domi started to gel with Knies and Marner? Tre may have changed his mind. Or he may be planning on moving JT to the wing.

You didn't @hotpaws did which was who I originally qouted, you responded to me.

As for the interview yes it was before last night, I don't think last night changes much because that wasn't done by choice, it was done by necessity, and probably won't continue in a couple days when Matthews is back, It's the flu he probably be back by Buffalo.

I don't think 1 game is going to change Treliving opinion, especially sense that game was borderline perfect you couldn't have asked for more they played so well that realistically you can't expect THAT again.

I suspect Treliving still wants that 3rd line center.

 

[Gary Nylund]

On subjective stats like hits, I tend to filter it to only the away stats - removes the home button-counter, and the effect of the crowd on what counts.

At home, Leafs lead the league in hits and hits/60 (416 and 26.86).
On the road, they are 31st in hits (172) and 30th in hits/60 (12.90).

That's a huge discrepancy. Home and road records aren't very different, nor are their goals for and against.

LMAO that's hilarious.

 

[hotpaws]

lol, it sure seems to for you.

I guess you believe i should join the never ending bash/trade either Willie or Mitch debate , unfortunately i don't believe in moving elite play drivers who are in there prime .

 

[Evilhomer]

You didn't @hotpaws did which was who I originally qouted, you responded to me.

As for the interview yes it was before last night, I don't think last night changes much because that wasn't done by choice, it was done by necessity, and probably won't continue in a couple days when Matthews is back, It's the flu he probably be back by Buffalo.

I don't think 1 game is going to change Treliving opinion, especially sense that game was borderline perfect you couldn't have asked for more they played so well that realistically you can't expect THAT again.

I suspect Treliving still wants that 3rd line center.

I have no doubt he wants a bigger, more defensively responsible third-line centre. I don't think anyone should take the games against Nashville and Pittsburgh as a sign of anything other than the fact that Toronto is far more talented than those two teams, and when given lots of time and space they will score in bunches. The problem is that time and space become considerably reduced in the playoffs, which is why someone a bit more "traditional" is needed at third line centre.

 

[Mess]

Any NHL player that is making a double digit salary SHOULD be capable of carrying their own line, and for cap reason salary justification.

All 3 of Matthews, Marner and Tavares SHOULD therefore be on their own lines.

I've said that many times the Leafs should be building a TOP 9 forwards and not a Top 6. IMO

 

[notDatsyuk]

Any NHL player that is making a double digit salary SHOULD be capable of carrying their own line, and for cap reason salary justification.

All 3 of Matthews, Marner and Tavares SHOULD therefore be on their own lines.

I've said that many times the Leafs should be building a TOP 9 forwards and not a Top 6. IMO

I agree - but there are two ways of looking at "double digit salary SHOULD be capable of carrying their own line".

The other side of the coin is "if they aren't capable of carrying their own line, should they get double digit salary?"

Do you think Matthews, Marner, and Tavares are each capable of carrying their own line? And what about Nylander, who will likely be in that double digit salary club soon?

 

[Sypher04]

Just because Matthews is capable of carrying a line doesn’t mean you leave him with none of our high end forward as line mates. It’s important to put Matthews in a position to have the most success he can because when he’s going (as with marner and nylander as well), so goes the team.

 

[Jmo89]

I'd like to see

Mathews with Willie/Bert
Domi with Marner/Knies
JT with Jarkrok/Gregor

My thoughts as well. Bettuzzi and Nylander seem to have chemistry, I think that'll stick with either JT or Matthews. Matthews and Nylander do well together as well.

JT has played with scrubs before. I'm sure he will do fine with Jarnkrok/Robertson/Gregor who are arguably better than some of the guys he's played with.

 

[Mess]

I agree - but there are two ways of looking at "double digit salary SHOULD be capable of carrying their own line".

The other side of the coin is "if they aren't capable of carrying their own line, should they get double digit salary?"

Do you think Matthews, Marner, and Tavares are each capable of carrying their own line? And what about Nylander, who will likely be in that double digit salary club soon?

That is in essence my point.

You pay players according to their own contribution and lets say with Marner if he needs to play with either an elite #1C in Matthews/Tavares as essentially sidekick Robin to the teams Batman then your salary structure is flawed and vice versa if Matthews needs to be paid the highest paid player in the game and he needs playmaker Marner or Willy in support and you need to stack a PP with many double digit players to validate Matthews contract then again its flawed. IMO

However the strongest position a team can be in is to build a solid TOP 9 and spread the offensive wealth as well as the CAP as that makes secondary support and scoring no longer an issue and its hard for the opposition to shut down 3 offensive lines.

So I always believed if you were going to keep all 4 of the core 4 forwards and spend 1/2 your cap then your base line-up should look something like this. .

XXXX --- Matthews ----- XXXX
XXXX --- Tavares ------- XXXX
XXXX --- Nylander ----- Marner

Fill in the blanks XXXX .

PS, I believe Treliving wanted to try Nylander at C in the off-season was to allow him the opportunity to prove he could carry his own line, and play a pivitol position Centre inorder to earn a double digit salary going forward.

 

[studebaker17]

That is in essence my point.

You pay players according to their own contribution and lets say with Marner if he needs to play with either an elite #1C in Matthews/Tavares as essentially sidekick Robin to the teams Batman then your salary structure is flawed and vice versa if Matthews needs to be paid the highest paid player in the game and he needs playmaker Marner or Willy in support and you need to stack a PP with many double digit players to validate Matthews contract then again its flawed. IMO

However the strongest position a team can be in is to build a solid TOP 9 and spread the offensive wealth as well as the CAP as that makes secondary support and scoring no longer an issue and its hard for the opposition to shut down 3 offensive lines.

So I always believed if you were going to keep all 4 of the core 4 forwards and spend 1/2 your cap then your base line-up should look something like this. .

XXXX --- Matthews ----- XXXX
XXXX --- Tavares ------- XXXX
XXXX --- Nylander ----- Marner

Fill in the blanks XXXX .

PS, I believe Treliving wanted to try Nylander at C in the off-season was to allow him the opportunity to prove he could carry his own line, and play a pivitol position Centre inorder to earn a double digit salary going forward.

Elite playmakers playing with elite goal scorers isnt a new thing. Its not like either need the other to be good but together they're even better.
That said, I'm not a fan of mathews / marner duo anyways . Feel like they to often play for the highlight reel plays.

 

[thusk]

Just because Matthews is capable of carrying a line doesn’t mean you leave him with none of our high end forward as line mates. It’s important to put Matthews in a position to have the most success he can because when he’s going (as with marner and nylander as well), so goes the team.

matthews 5v5 goal-pts / goal/60- pts/60
2016 30- 12 /1.63- 2.77
2017 26-19 /1.64 - 2.87
2018 23-24 / 1.63 - 2.86
2019 30 15 / 1.69 - 2.88
2020 28-16 / 1.74 - 3.06
2021 38-28 / 1.67 - 3.08
2022 26-26 / 1.46 - 2.85
2023 10-8 / 1.8 - 3.25

lowest pts/ 60 was in his rookie season where he played with kapanen
highest seaspn 2021 when he won hart trophy

the diffenrence between both is 0.07 goal/60 and 0.31 pts/60

the biggest question is playing with marner or marner do that really raise matthews numbers that much?

 

[notDatsyuk]

That is in essence my point.

You pay players according to their own contribution and lets say with Marner if he needs to play with either an elite #1C in Matthews/Tavares as essentially sidekick Robin to the teams Batman then your salary structure is flawed and vice versa if Matthews needs to be paid the highest paid player in the game and he needs playmaker Marner or Willy in support and you need to stack a PP with many double digit players to validate Matthews contract then again its flawed. IMO

However the strongest position a team can be in is to build a solid TOP 9 and spread the offensive wealth as well as the CAP as that makes secondary support and scoring no longer an issue and its hard for the opposition to shut down 3 offensive lines.

So I always believed if you were going to keep all 4 of the core 4 forwards and spend 1/2 your cap then your base line-up should look something like this. .

XXXX --- Matthews ----- XXXX
XXXX --- Tavares ------- XXXX
XXXX --- Nylander ----- Marner

Fill in the blanks XXXX .

PS, I believe Treliving wanted to try Nylander at C in the off-season was to allow him the opportunity to prove he could carry his own line, and play a pivitol position Centre inorder to earn a double digit salary going forward.

I'm not sure I'd put the two best playmakers together, although it might be fun to watch.

I think Nylander would do just fine with a couple of fast wingers with a bit of grit.

 

[kevsh]

All 3 of Matthews, Marner and Tavares SHOULD therefore be on their own lines.

Marner is the best passer on the team so he should 100% be paired with Matthews or JT. No use wasting his brilliant setups on guys that can't bury them.

Now if you want to put Matthews, Tavares and Nylander on different lines (Willie is often a one-man show out there that can score on his own) that may just work.