Pre-Game Talk: TOR @ VAN Jan 20

[LeafalCrusader]

Never ever, never ever, start Samsonov again, never ever!
He went through waivers once, doesn't that say something that our #1 goalie is not wanted by any of the 31 teams.
If we put Reaves on waivers no one would take him either. So how do we get to the point that we signed 2 guys in off season that nobody in the league wanted, and paid a premium.
Woll is on the trip. If he is not ready why would you take a guy rehabbing on a this swing trip, or, you expect Jones to play because you think Samsonov will have another meltdown

Woll's not ready and Keefe's not playing Jones back to backs during such a busy stretch of games no matter how much people pout. Get ready for Sammy this weekend.

 

[andora]

They should try something different. They can’t maintain possession so get away from that boring ineffective style.

They also cant take their time moving the puck out. Vancouver is good at gettimg a forward reset in neutral zone allowing a defenceman to sweep up meeting the pass

Play like carolina and puck out fast.. flips glass whatever

 

[leafsfan5]

How is there any pressure on Vancouver?

Win or lose they are comfortably winning their division. We on the other hand are still a risk of missing playoffs.


Why would there be more pressure on Vancouver?

Of course there's pressure, the center of the universe is coming to town and they know it

 

[Space umpire]

Should start a pool on when Reaves will play his next game.

Could have had Lafferty (superior bottom 6 defensive forward for less).
Most of you cheered moving him and many cheered signing Reeves … who is a waste of a roster stall.

 

[ACC1224]

Should start a pool on when Reaves will play his next game.

Is he healthy?

 

[Mess]

I hope we don't lose this one as Vancouver fans can be insufferable to those living among the enemy.,

 

[Evilhomer]

Is he healthy?

Hasn't he been healthy for a while now? I think they've basically just given up on playing him.

 

[BallardEra]

Canucks are frauds.

Leafs will find a way to win.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Pretty crazy that Robertson still isn't getting games.

Games in Vancouver are historically rough, but actually have a good feeling about this one.

Should at least be an exciting one.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Pretty crazy that Robertson still isn't getting games.

Games in Vancouver are historically rough, but actually have a good feeling about this one.

Should at least be an exciting one.

We'll give him away for Denis Malgin 2.0 and watch him blossom into a 20 goal forward for another franchise like Verhaghe and Marchment.

 

[ACC1224]

Hasn't he been healthy for a while now? I think they've basically just given up on playing him.

We won’t know until he’s healthy

 

[rumman]

Not sure what to expect Saturday. Nuckleheads are already upset at the 4pm local start. I would welcome a Leafs 10pm Eastern game once in a while, especially on a Saturday night!

Twitter Roundup for Jan 19:

Early start means they won’t lose their audience to the UFC 297, which will no doubt be far more entertaining, go Strickland……..

 

[Shooter2x]

Could have had Lafferty (superior bottom 6 defensive forward for less).
Most of you cheered moving him and many cheered signing Reeves … who is a waste of a roster stall.

Canucks would have the same record today if you removed Lafferty from their team. Lafferty's of the league don't make or break a team.

Lafferty doesn't overcome any of the reasons we threw points away this season.

 

[rumman]

Tochett has the Nucks playing a brand of hockey the team has totally bought into playing, now that’s effective coaching………

 

[bax]

Should start a pool on when Reaves will play his next game.

And Robertson

 

[rumman]

And Robertson

Keefe’s got a hate on over Robertson, don’t know how or why, but he’s in the coach’s doghouse………

 

[Space umpire]

Canucks would have the same record today if you removed Lafferty from their team. Lafferty's of the league don't make or break a team.

Lafferty doesn't overcome any of the reasons we threw points away this season.

Lafferty is a guy you want on the ice in games you’re winning. The problem isn’t scoring, it’s keeping other teams from coming back seemingly at will.
Lafferty type players don’t win games for you but they help keep you from losing them.

Now please share with us what is the teams major issue? (Hint; holding leads is th correct answer)

So that you can keep it that way. Reeves is … a waste of space and he costs more.

But you are correct, Lafferty isn’t the single solution. Getting Matthews and Nylander to stop hanging out in the high slot hoping to flip to offense is a bigger issue but I doubt either changes because their offense got them paid.
AM is getting praise from Leaf fans and the TML centric press for intercepting a few cross ice passes in the high slot yet escapes being called out as the D is constantly out manned in the slot and corners because he won’t come down (like a center should).

 

[Darcy Tucker]

Tonight would be a good time for Bert and Tavares to do something. We have 16.5 million tied up in these two and they are providing no offense.

 

[nuck]

Canucks would have the same record today if you removed Lafferty from their team. Lafferty's of the league don't make or break a team.

Lafferty doesn't overcome any of the reasons we threw points away this season.

But imagine they kept him and let Kampf walk. I guess I am more disappointed in the Kampf extension but keeping Laff would have salvaged more value out of that Hawks trade. And $1.25M more in cap space.

 

[Cleetus]

just a heads up Game is on Sportsnet not CBC

 

[ZEBROA]

Matthews could get one more hattrick but i would not underestimate EP.

 

[ACC1224]

just a heads up Game is on Sportsnet not CBC

Isn’t it always?

 

[Cleetus]

Isn’t it always?

no most of the time the leafs get CBC, but lately more games are sportsnet only

 

[IPS]

Early start means they won’t lose their audience to the UFC 297, which will no doubt be far more entertaining, go Strickland……..

Sean Strickland is a national treasure. God I hope he wins tonight. The night he beat Izzy was one of the best nights I've ever had watching fights.

 

[Stephen]

Lafferty is a guy you want on the ice in games you’re winning. The problem isn’t scoring, it’s keeping other teams from coming back seemingly at will.
Lafferty type players don’t win games for you but they help keep you from losing them.

Now please share with us what is the teams major issue? (Hint; holding leads is th correct answer)

So that you can keep it that way. Reeves is … a waste of space and he costs more.

But you are correct, Lafferty isn’t the single solution. Getting Matthews and Nylander to stop hanging out in the high slot hoping to flip to offense is a bigger issue but I doubt either changes because their offense got them paid.
AM is getting praise from Leaf fans and the TML centric press for intercepting a few cross ice passes in the high slot yet escapes being called out as the D is constantly out manned in the slot and corners because he won’t come down (like a center should).

The assessment of Lafferty seems a little bit on the flattering side. He's an okay depth piece with speed but I think Tocchet is getting every last drop out of him vs the Leafs who seem to be getting minimal juice out of their mid line up guys Bertuzzi, Jarnkrok, Domi, Robertson, Knies, etc.

Matthews defense can be overrated a bit. He certain is better than a Draisaitl or McDavid and can be very active stripping pucks all over the 200 feet of ice to create turnovers. And he's sometimes incorporated shot blocking into his repertoire. But his lack of physical commitment in a board battle, (just use your weight to stop the cycle ) and puck focus seems to indicate he's always thinking transition without just making sure the dirty work is done. Just pin a guy and stop the cycle. Just wallop a guy kill that cycle momentum, prevent the puck from getting cleanly bumped back to the point, etc.