Toronto is in big trouble... Matthews's injury is still there. Surgery incoming?

[Commander Clueless]

Matthews or no Matthews, Leaf success will manifest as it has always has - that is, nonexistent.

Hey it can only go up from here!

 

[Hallonbroder]

Marners agent is loving it

I dunno. Marner needs Matthews more than anyone.

 

[The Hanging Jowl]

He scored 69 goals last season...the question kind of answers itself?

He scores in many ways including an Ovi style one-timer as probably the most common way now. I'm talking about that wrister that you can barely see even in slow motion. Sorry but that's been missing for a couple of years.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

They would win more in the post season without him honestly

 

[FrozenJagrt]

I dunno. Marner needs Matthews more than anyone.

Marner played the best hockey I've seen from him last time Matthews was out. I actually prefer when they're not together as Marner becomes a much more complete offensive threat instead of just trying to force the puck to his bestie constantly.

 

[D Wakaluk]

Toronto looked way better without him. If he can't come back with a lethal shot just let him hang with Biebs or something.

He could be a great asset even with 70% healthy if they used him more wisely, but since he is the AM he has to have the +20min and Marner spoon feeding him

 

[Michoulicious]

Toronto looked way better without him. If he can't come back with a lethal shot just let him hang with Biebs or something.

He could be a great asset even with 70% healthy if they used him more wisely, but since he is the AM he has to have the +20min and Marner spoon feeding him

They looked very bad against the Islanders yesterday I must say.

My feeling is they collapse without him in the next few weeks and then he either attempts an early comeback or they trade for a top 6 C and they keep him LTIR until the playoffs hoping for the best.

Fans saying they were "fine without him in November so they will be fine of he's out months" are very, very delusional.

That team is not as good as it record shows. Eye test and metrics says that much.

 

[Hallonbroder]

Marner played the best hockey I've seen from him last time Matthews was out. I actually prefer when they're not together as Marner becomes a much more complete offensive threat instead of just trying to force the puck to his bestie constantly.

Wasn’t that just a monthly sample?…

Also, feels like Marner really needs good linemates to thrive, more than anyone, with that price tag he’s got. Not a “line driver” I’d say

 

[TeamRenzo]

Hate to see talent like that injured.

With that being said, the Leafs are a first round exit regardless.

I dont know about that

 

[D Wakaluk]

They looked very bad against the Islanders yesterday I must say.

My feeling is they collapse without him in the next few weeks and then he either attempts an early comeback or they trade for a top 6 C and they keep him LTIR until the playoffs hoping for the best.

Fans saying they were "fine without him in November so they will be fine of he's out months" are very, very delusional.

That team is not as good as it record shows. Eye test and metrics says that much.

Third game in four nights

I agree that they are not as good as their record, but still, they looked more like a team when he was out

 

[JKG33]

Do you not know what the Kucherov / Stone move is or did you just not read my comment?

Difference is Stone and Kucherov are actually good in the playoffs

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

Put him on LTIR until Game 1 of the playoffs. Learn from Kucherov and Stone, it pays off in spades.

 

[Ghost of Murph]

I don't see it as a big deal. If Matthews has to be out for the rest of the year the Leafs are still making the playoffs. The roster and coaching are stout enough. The opened up cap space could bring in some nice talent for the playoffs. Even if Matthews doesn't return in time for the playoffs, it's not like he has been guiding his team to playoff success.

 

[Bileur]

Didn’t they do just fine without him earlier this year? Obviously not ideal but I wouldn’t say they’re in trouble.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Wasn’t that just a monthly sample?…

Also, feels like Marner really needs good linemates to thrive, more than anyone, with that price tag he’s got. Not a “line driver” I’d say

His career PPG is lower than his PPG in games Matthews wasn't playing. I haven't done a full dive into the stats to look at things like ice time and linemates, but just the eye test for me says Marner plays a more creative, complete and intelligent game when they're not together. He shoots more, he sees the ice better, he finds other shooters more often.

When he's with Matthews, he can sometimes get tunnel vision. He's still a VERY good player when they're together obviously, just different.

I absolutely disagree with your statement that he's not a line driver, he has been the guy that controls the play on every line he's ever been on as long as I've been watching him (London Knights). The puck spends a lot of time on his stick, which can be problematic when he's almost exclusively looking to pass it to Matthews.

 

[Hallonbroder]

His career PPG is lower than his PPG in games Matthews wasn't playing. I haven't done a full dive into the stats to look at things like ice time and linemates, but just the eye test for me says Marner plays a more creative, complete and intelligent game when they're not together. He shoots more, he sees the ice better, he finds other shooters more often.

When he's with Matthews, he can sometimes get tunnel vision. He's still a VERY good player when they're together obviously, just different.

I absolutely disagree with your statement that he's not a line driver, he has been the guy that controls the play on every line he's ever been on as long as I've been watching him (London Knights). The puck spends a lot of time on his stick, which can be problematic when he's almost exclusively looking to pass it to Matthews.

He might’ve been in junior, but to quote Nylander….


From what I’ve seen, he’s a complimentary player that needs to gel with his linemates and they need to do the scoring, especially in the playoffs where he only plays on the perimeter. Like, on his own team right now, there’s another RW that just keeps scoring whatever line he’s on. Meanwhile, Marners been thrown in to be on the “good line” as soon as his own C is gone.

 

[TGWL]

I don't see it as a big deal. If Matthews has to be out for the rest of the year the Leafs are still making the playoffs. The roster and coaching are stout enough. The opened up cap space could bring in some nice talent for the playoffs. Even if Matthews doesn't return in time for the playoffs, it's not like he has been guiding his team to playoff success.

The big deal is losing a talent like Matthews. I'm talking about a healthy Matthews, obviously. You can bring in a piece that helps right now and get Matthews back come playoff times, and if healthy, that's best case scenario, maybe even a win. If not healthy and not able to shoot like he can, that's a big deal.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Leaf fans probably a bit overconfident. Their goal differential is only +13, and their best forward being out likely won't help that. The good news is they have a lot of breathing room based on record to date, but they've probably been overachieving in the win-loss at the moment based on their level of play to date.

 

[Mulletman]

This season has been really depressing with some of the most likeable players like Matthews, Laine, Ovechkin and McDavid getting injured.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Marner played the best hockey I've seen from him last time Matthews was out. I actually prefer when they're not together as Marner becomes a much more complete offensive threat instead of just trying to force the puck to his bestie constantly.

Yup Marner actually decides to shoot and try to score instead of deferring every chance making it very obvious to defend against.