Pre-Game Talk: Toronto @ Montreal - Wednesday 7pm - SN

[notDatsyuk]

What's all this nonsense about Tavares not even being a 2nd line centre? Come on guys, let's be seriouis.

Last year, with the help of Nylander, he was a decent 2C (ignoring the cap hit).

I'm more concerned about this year.

 

[Gary Nylund]

Last year, with the help of Nylander, he was a decent 2C (ignoring the cap hit).

I'm more concerned about this year.

I'd be very surprised if he didn't still play at a level that justified the #2C label but we'll see. His cap hit is obviously too much for a #2C but that's a whole other issue.

All I care about is the playoffs, maybe JT and Marner can both surprise me next spring. I'm not counting on it that's for damn sure but I guess you never know. Would be a crying shame if they kept sucking though, if those 2 played anywhere near a level that would justify their cap hits, we'd be a tough out for anyone.

 

[ACC1224]

Ugh they still do that circle jerk ceremony? Price going pass it to Suzuki again? Lamest new season ritual.

The Habs have certainly gotten their money's worth out of that torch.

 

[ACC1224]

even though we talk about all the playoff dissappointment, I'm still looking forward to tomorrow's game + the devils b2b

maybe I like being sad about this team lool

As any fan would.
They'll be enough whining all year about playoffs, don't lower yourself to it.
Let the Eeyores self loathe.

 

[1specter]

You know I'd think so too, but they did spank Dumbass 7-0 his first time back so maybe there is hope lol

Also idk but I really liked what I saw from stolarz in the preseason so I am comfortable that even if we get outplayed he will still give us a chance.

We lost our first one in Pittsburgh in choke fashion if I remember correctly. But yeah I hope with some more seasoned leadership and Berube we see less of that crap

 

[HockeyVirus]

We lost our first one in Pittsburgh in choke fashion if I remember correctly. But yeah I hope with some more seasoned leadership and Berube we see less of that crap

Those things happen. Every single team, contender, cup winners, have games they blow leads or play like dog shit or lose to tanking teams. No team goes 82-0 and no team only loses games to contenders.

What I want to see is just consistency. If in March we are sharing around how the Leafs have the worst record in the league against the bottom 5 teams again then Berube has failed IMO. They will lose some of those games, but each game should look close to the last until we know what we get out of them each night.

Then when those big moments come, they are so used to going 100% day in and out when they can give just a tiny bit more they will do special things.

 

[VanW27]

Those things happen. Every single team, contender, cup winners, have games they blow leads or play like dog shit or lose to tanking teams. No team goes 82-0 and no team only loses games to contenders.

What I want to see is just consistency. If in March we are sharing around how the Leafs have the worst record in the league against the bottom 5 teams again then Berube has failed IMO. They will lose some of those games, but each game should look close to the last until we know what we get out of them each night.

Then when those big moments come, they are so used to going 100% day in and out when they can give just a tiny bit more they will do special things.

They did seem to take a pretty big step forward last year as far as not mailing it in against bad teams. Unfortunately they gave back all those gained points over previous years by being complete garbage within the division.

 

[HockeyVirus]

They did seem to take a pretty big step forward last year as far as not mailing it in against bad teams. Unfortunately they gave back all those gained points over previous years by being complete garbage within the division.

Same concept. They should be pretty consistent (with an understanding there will be statistical noise always). It just feels like for a long time now, from period to period we were wondering which team comes out?

Playoffs we always hoped that team came out at the right time and never did. If they can find that level consistently I feel really good about this year

 

[Rare Jewel]

Only thing that stays the same is you dragging out that silly thought endlessly

Now, now...

Tanev and Pacioretty are kids to some people.


And Marner made it through the summer. Rejoice!!!

 

[Budz]

I hate the 3rd line.

Prefer:

Knies Matthews Domi
Robertson JT Marner
Patches Holmberg Nylander

 

[Jojalu]

Only thing that stays the same is you dragging out that silly thought endlessly

It's not like in the past 8 years the Leafs have rolled out Matthews, Nylander, Marner, Hyman, Brown, Knies, Robertson, Lily, Sandin etc.

They have always had a couple of youngsters in their lineup

 

[rumman]

McMann should not be sitting

Based on his preseason performance, he definitely shouldn’t be playing until somebody screws up…….

 

[Sypher04]

What's all this nonsense about Tavares not even being a 2nd line centre? Come on guys, let's be seriouis.

It’s so stupid.

Leaving his 11M AAV out of it, since it has no bearing on whether he’s a 2C or not. Tavares’ down year still put him offensively in the top third of 2Cs league wide. He’s also one of the best face-off men in the league.

But oh no, he plays with high end players like Nylander at even strength and on the #1 PP with more high end players. So what?

 

[Rare Jewel]

It’s so stupid.

Leaving his 11M AAV out of it, since it has no bearing on whether he’s a 2C or not. Tavares’ down year still put him offensively in the top third of 2Cs league wide. He’s also one of the best face-off men in the league.

But oh no, he plays with high end players like Nylander at even strength and on the #1 PP with more high end players. So what?

His general play for long stretches last year was not 2c quality, and any idea of that was mostly propped up by the fact he was still on the #1 PP unit.

Skating looked rough(er than usual), and he had fair stretch where he went goalless (can't remember the exact number)

This is why he was on a line with McMann, Domi was moved to center in the playoffs vs. Boston, and why Nylander was once again tried at C this camp.


I don't know if it's an injury or an off-ice accountancy issue, but his play regressed pretty sharply last year.

 

[Sypher04]

His general play for long stretches last year was not 2c quality, and any idea of that was mostly propped up by the fact he was still on the #1 PP unit.

Skating looked rough(er than usual), and he had fair stretch where he went goalless (can't remember the exact number)

This is why he was on a line with McMann, Domi was moved to center in the playoffs vs. Boston, and why Nylander was once again tried at C this camp.


I don't know if it's an injury or an off-ice accountancy issue, but his play regressed pretty sharply last year.

Except this isn’t really true.
Okay, let’s leave out the powerplay.
JT was 25th in even strength goals and 31st in even strength points for all centers in the entire league last year which is effectively 1st line center production.

Even his skating was also clocked in season as nearly identical to the previous season.

He is still an above average 2C; just a very overpaid one for 1 more year.

He did have a goalless stretch. I think only scoring 20 is a big part of why people say he had a down year. Wouldn’t at all be shocked if he bounces back to 25-30 this season.

 

[Rare Jewel]

Except this isn’t true.
Okay, let’s leave out the powerplay.
JT was 25th in even strength goals and 31st in even strength points for all centers in the entire league last year which is effectively 1st line center production.

Even his skating was also clocked in season as nearly identical to the previous season.

He is still an above average 2C; just a very overpaid one for 1 more year.

I guess his stellar play is what got him bumped down to the 3rd line, then?

Stats don't tell the whole story. Let's not forget Nylander was brilliant last year, and that is who he was with 5v5 for most of first part of the season, pumping those numbers.

 

[Sypher04]

I guess his stellar play is what got him bumped down to the 3rd line, then?

Stats don't tell the whole story. Let's not forget Nylander was brilliant last year, and that is who he was with 5v5 for most of the season, pumping those numbers.

The Leafs were trying different looks. That’s really it as far as I see it.

And no, stats don’t tell the whole story but they do dismantle parts of what you’re claiming.

Ok, he played with Nylander, so what? I get Nylander had a great year last year but he did so playing primarily with JT, not in spite of him.

Sure, take nylander away and Tavares’ point production most likely drops, but he’s not unique at all in that way. Except for the truly elite talents, top 6 forwards do have a reliance on other top 6 talents to produce.

 

[keonsbitterness]

""

I don't like Marner and Rielly on the same PP unit.

 

[Sypher04]

I don't like Marner and Rielly on the same PP unit.

I think it really depends on how they are being used and the overall powerplay tactic.

I’ve seen Marner behind the net a lot on the preseason powerplays.