- Dec 12, 2017
- 25,069
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How they handle Matthews and Nylander could be that “something stupid” we expect from them.
Thoroughly unexcited.
- Thread starter The Hanging Jowl
- Start date
TMLBlueandWhite
Registered User
- Feb 2, 2023
- 1,992
- 2,045
Thanks for the response.
If they handle Matthews and Nylander's contract extensions the same way they handled Dubas that'll be really exciting.
Speaking of which, Keefe still hasn't got an extension yet. I'm hoping it's a sign of things yet to happen that should have already. Big changes may be coming soon to Leafs Nation.
Exciting times indeed.
I couldn't disagree more with this.
I LOVE how this off season has gone so far.
People wanted scoring depth and they got it in Bertuzzi and Domi who give this team an actual top 6, not a top 4 with 2 other random plugs that you hope work.
You have Jarnkrok on 3rd line where he should be and he scored 20 goals last year, so we know he's not an offensive black hole maybe he doesn't score 20 on the 3rd line but he's still probably going to get you 15 regardless.
You got Matthew Knies on the other wing who looks like he's going to be a gem.
I think this team is stronger on wing then It's been in 20 years, for the 1st time in 20 years I don't think anybody is miscast, and If they are It's Matthew Knies, and If he is it means he should be in the top 6, and that would be a good thing.
I don't feel quite the same way about our center position, I think 3rd line center is a potential problem spot.
But I will only say potential problem spot because I'm not convinced Pontus Holmberg can't fill that spot We know he can contribute he did it last year but that was a 4th line role, this would be a bigger role but maybe he can do it.
In fact between
Knies
Woll
Lilly
Timmins
Holmberg
Samsonov
I think the Leafs are in good shape when it comes to young and/or cheap contributors, and that's a credit to Dubas because he brought in most of those guys except Lilly.
I do think another piece on defense is needed but overall this this is a VERY strong opening night lineup
I LOVE how this off season has gone so far.
People wanted scoring depth and they got it in Bertuzzi and Domi who give this team an actual top 6, not a top 4 with 2 other random plugs that you hope work.
You have Jarnkrok on 3rd line where he should be and he scored 20 goals last year, so we know he's not an offensive black hole maybe he doesn't score 20 on the 3rd line but he's still probably going to get you 15 regardless.
You got Matthew Knies on the other wing who looks like he's going to be a gem.
I think this team is stronger on wing then It's been in 20 years, for the 1st time in 20 years I don't think anybody is miscast, and If they are It's Matthew Knies, and If he is it means he should be in the top 6, and that would be a good thing.
I don't feel quite the same way about our center position, I think 3rd line center is a potential problem spot.
But I will only say potential problem spot because I'm not convinced Pontus Holmberg can't fill that spot We know he can contribute he did it last year but that was a 4th line role, this would be a bigger role but maybe he can do it.
In fact between
Knies
Woll
Lilly
Timmins
Holmberg
Samsonov
I think the Leafs are in good shape when it comes to young and/or cheap contributors, and that's a credit to Dubas because he brought in most of those guys except Lilly.
I do think another piece on defense is needed but overall this this is a VERY strong opening night lineup
If Domi and Bertuzzi are top 6 our bottom 6 is probably the worst in the league.
I am excited we have scoring depth, but we lose it in your scenario.
Matthews/Marner are already a top 5 line with anyone beside them.
Put Nylander on the third line (he can still get 2nd line minutes), and let him drive his own line.
Give Tavares two guys who aren't going to leave him behind on the rush.
Knies - Matthews - Marner
Bertuzzi - Tavares - Jarnkrok
Domi - Holmberg - Nylander
Looks way better to me.
I am excited for the season if they deploy something like this. Not sure if the team is better, but they are for sure more exciting and should score more.
- Dec 12, 2017
- 25,069
- 11,726
Sign, trade, own rental, whichever route they take I fully expect them to mess it up.
Kazparov
Registered User
- Jan 2, 2017
- 1,358
- 1,345
Thanks for reminding me why I don't visit this site much in the summer.
This is the first season in a long time I’m actually going to be interested in the regular season. Leafs could finish anywhere from first to 4th lol, maybe even lower. The Atlantic will be the most competitive division, so it’s a possibility we may not face Tampa in the first round which will be a nice change. I also think the playoff race will be tighter so every game will matter.
- Dec 12, 2017
- 25,069
- 11,726
Lack of quickness and speed was evident last year, I’m not sure getting slower is the best remedy.
- Dec 12, 2017
- 25,069
- 11,726
The Atlantic will have tight competitive races but with Boston and TB transitioning im not sure it’ll be better than the Metro this season.
I disagree with that too, I think most of our bottom 6 problems are at center, I have no issue with Jarnkrok and Knies as 3rd line wingers, don't even really have a problem with Lafferty as a 4th line winger because he's probably capable of 10 goals and that's fine for a 4th line winger.
My issue is largely 3rd line center.
But in terms of winger depth.
Marner
Nylander
Bertuzzi
Domi
Jarnkrok
Knies
Lafferty
Reaves.
No issue whatsoever with that.
That's 5 guys we know can get 20, And Marner, Nylander and Bertuzzi can get more.
A 6th guy in Knies that should score 20
Lafferty can get you probably 10
Reaves won't get many he's the enforcer.
The big issue when it comes to the bottom 6 is 3rd line center.
HockeyVirus
Woll stan.
- Nov 15, 2020
- 19,447
- 29,720
I already know the likely result. Make the playoffs as a top 10 regular season team, while the sky falls after a few losses and they've learned how to win after a few wins. Likely same result, first or second round exit unless magically we get a few players who find another level and drag us there which is unlikely.
That said, I love the sport. I love discussing the games with you guys, reacting to shit and the highs and the lows. I enjoy watching other teams and seeing story lines play out. And we still have elite talent on our roster which is a treat to watch most nights.
That said, I love the sport. I love discussing the games with you guys, reacting to shit and the highs and the lows. I enjoy watching other teams and seeing story lines play out. And we still have elite talent on our roster which is a treat to watch most nights.
Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 31,158
- 24,573
Yeah, pretty much this. This team has almost everything you could ask in a hockey team, the exception being that we have little reason hope that they will do much in the playoffs. It just sucks so hard that that is the #1 thing that I would hope for in a team, oh well.
therealkoho
Him/Leaf/fan
Maybe if we move one of our 4-5 "core" then i'll be "excited" I just have this sick feeling that Tre will cave and sign Nylander to 9-10 mill. Till then GO JAYS GO!!
I’m all for spreading out a top 9 instead of loading the top 6, in fact that’s my preference as well, but the bolded statement seems pretty hyperbolic.
Lafferty, Kampf and Jarnkrok are proven quality bottom 6 players. Holmberg is a solid rookie who hardly ever makes mistakes (great quality for 4th line) and has some offensive upside. Knies looked great in his first taste of NHL action. Could provide a real offensive spark on line 3. I’m not a fan of Reaves, but he does bring a different element.
I get wanting some different style people in bottom 6, and likely a C upgrade, but the options we have aren’t bad by any means
A third line of some assortment of Lafferty/Kampf/Jarnkrok/Knies/Holmberg is likely in the bottom 5 in the league, I can't think of any teams worse off the top of my head. Maybe there are some non-playoff teams that are.
Maybe the OP should've added "appreciation thread: thoroughly unexcited" that way the OP could've complained to the mods about your posts and had you removed from the thread for not sticking to appreciating not being excited. That's the loop hole right? See what I did there?
Notsince67
Papi and the Lamplighters
- Apr 27, 2018
- 16,376
- 11,467
I don't trash the team. Do you mean posting critical opinions of Marner?Lol why do you keep referring to Marner as the team? He's not the team. He isn't the Toronto Maple Leafs. Why do you keep insisting that someone not being a Marner fan means your not a fan of the Maple Leafs? It's weird... Go make a Mitch Marner fan board, and fuel your obsession.
Really? You don't want to see a loaded up top 6? I think you have to try it, there is to much talent there not to try it.
I do agree with needing a better 3rd line center that's the major weak spot up front in my opinion.
I suspect Backlund will be a deadline target if Calgary falters.
TheDoldrums
Registered User
I don't love how this offseason has gone. But I watched a lot of bad Leafs teams and this will be a good one. Appreciate that while we have it before we slip back into our natural state of mediocrity that was the entire Cap era before we drafted Mattthews.
