Dreakmur
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We should have split Matthews and Marner up. Montreal can focus on one, and the other should run wild.
Trades & Free Agency Thread - Still Too Soon Off-Season Edition
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We should have split Matthews and Marner up. Montreal can focus on one, and the other should run wild.
Yupp. We need LW depth and he has a Hyman type of motor on him. Would be interesting to see what he could do in a bigger role.
McSnypsky
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That would've work too, if you see that Marner isn't having any success then put him against lesser players.
Brobust
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Jesus Christ, he's not being used in defensive situations primarily. He's being matched with the other team's top line and he's winning those minutes handily.
Eternal Leaf
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Having so much faith in a losing core is bizarre.
I like Rielly so it's not about him but Dubas' behavior with his core players is low-quality GMing. It's been like that from day one.
His biggest flaw is the inability to separate himself from the players. Stop being their friend and do your job. These guys are milking you for big money, showing minimal results, and are incredibly inconsistent during the playoffs. I'm afraid Dubas is quickly becoming a bright hockey mind that's a complete doormat when it comes to the "stars" on this team.
Most GMs have 1-2 guys they are enamored by. Usually their cornerstone superstars (i.e. Matthews). Dubas seems to have 6-7 that he will do anything for even if they have done nothing to earn his trust. It's borderline pathetic.
Dreakmur
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Keefe isn't matching him up at all, so he's leaving that to the other team, which means he's being matched with the opponent's shut down line. For teams like Boston, that happens to be their first line. Tampa Bay doesn't use Kucherov as against opposing top lines.
WTFMAN99
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This year is going to be a write off.
rumman
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Could work out better for all involved, I remember Johnny Bucyk saying he like 1 year contracts because they kept him honest, boy where did those days go?
rumman
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Punch Drunk Loov
Thought Viktor Loov was going to be a guy
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I've been an ardent supporter of Dubas since day 1. I would even say he did well in 2021 despite the results, he built the defense and found valuable depth that produced well against the Habs.
That being said, I have never felt this angry in a very long time toward the Leafs core. I am willing to give management the benefit that they are playing poker this offseason with our core. Marc Bergervin quite hilariously traded Subban on the same day he said he wasn't available - so I hope we're doing that. If we are serious about retaining the core four and Rielly and to shuffle around Kerfoot, Brown, Thornton, Simmonds, Galenchyuk, I am going to be fuming, and will likely skip the entire regular season. Marner has been a disaster, I think we'll survive without his secondary assists.
WTFMAN99
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I've been an ardent supporter of Dubas since day 1. I would even say he did well in 2021 despite the results, he built the defense and found valuable depth that produced well against the Habs.
That being said, I have never felt this angry in a very long time toward the Leafs core. I am willing to give management the benefit that they are playing poker this offseason with our core. Marc Bergervin quite hilariously traded Subban on the same day he said he wasn't available - so I hope we're doing that. If we are serious about retaining the core four and Rielly and to shuffle around Kerfoot, Brown, Thornton, Simmonds, Galenchyuk, I am going to be fuming, and will likely skip the entire regular season. Marner has been a disaster, I think we'll survive without his secondary assists.
Keep in mind that the media was all over rumors about Subban, Bergevin denied them but media was on it.
Not a word about any of the Leafs core 4 is out there.
Punch Drunk Loov
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Yeah. James Mirtle also said that based on his relationship with Kyle, he believes him when he stated the core isn't available. Per an interview on Steve Dangle's podcast.
I guess we're most likely to try it again and to just replace Hyman, Andersen and whomever Seattle takes as our offseason adjustments.
WTFMAN99
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Russo also said the other day from what he's heard from other GMs is that Dubas is genuine in that he's not talking to other teams about the core 4. That's what really frustrates me...like your job is to literally have conversations and weigh all options.
We are essentially going to take another swing with a worse team and hope it works this time. 6th time the charm perhaps? Lol
Maybe some friction in the dressing room wouldn't be a bad thing for our boy band? Hamilton has also had issues with teammates as he would rather go to a museum than party with the boys. We need a couple of pricks who can play on this team. The kumbaya vibe isn't getting it done.
2 trains of thought here. Since the lockout and prior to drafting Matthews the Leafs made the playoffs 1 time (the collapse up 4-1) . Leafs draft Matthews and have made the playoffs in 5 consecutive years. I am counting the bubble as they would have made it with the regular playoff format. So while it sucks losing in the 1st round Leafs missed the playoffs quite a bit since they put a cap in.
Their lack of playoff success always had some * next to it.
2016-17 lost to Caps. Leafs were a young team and took a vet team to 6 games. People were happy with the fight
2017-18 vs Bruins. Leafs went in as underdogs and lost in 7 games. Learning experience for a young team 2b2 playoff appearances
2018-19 vs Bruins. Lost to Bruins in seven games couldn't closeout. People blame Babs for being a stubborn coach and lost the plot
2019-20 vs CBJ - Covid and bubble but getting Keefe experience and Babs gone so new coach in 1st playoff experience
2020-21 vs MTL. Favorite and couldn't finish a team off. Stars fail to deliver
So really this is the 1st year you can go after these players like Marner and Matthews and lay the whole blame at their feet. There is no experience excuse as rookies, can't blame the coach Babs and last year Covid.
I keep flipping back and forth between breaking up the core and seeing if the pressure on them will push them to be better. I think Matthews understands the pressure and responds in a good fashion. He was criticized for his 200-foot game and last year and he could have been a selke nominee this year. Nylander showed up this year and proved he can elevate. Tavares has and will but the biggest question is Marner. If the core stays and fails to deliver I think the whole blame shifts to him. Right now his game is not suited to playoff hockey unless the NHL decides to call the rule book as they should which would help skilled teams. Marner needs to learn to pay the price in the playoffs and know he is going to get pounded but he has to deliver.
How much tweaking can be down around the core to put the right pieces into place. Dubas will be judged on that alone.
Their lack of playoff success always had some * next to it.
2016-17 lost to Caps. Leafs were a young team and took a vet team to 6 games. People were happy with the fight
2017-18 vs Bruins. Leafs went in as underdogs and lost in 7 games. Learning experience for a young team 2b2 playoff appearances
2018-19 vs Bruins. Lost to Bruins in seven games couldn't closeout. People blame Babs for being a stubborn coach and lost the plot
2019-20 vs CBJ - Covid and bubble but getting Keefe experience and Babs gone so new coach in 1st playoff experience
2020-21 vs MTL. Favorite and couldn't finish a team off. Stars fail to deliver
So really this is the 1st year you can go after these players like Marner and Matthews and lay the whole blame at their feet. There is no experience excuse as rookies, can't blame the coach Babs and last year Covid.
I keep flipping back and forth between breaking up the core and seeing if the pressure on them will push them to be better. I think Matthews understands the pressure and responds in a good fashion. He was criticized for his 200-foot game and last year and he could have been a selke nominee this year. Nylander showed up this year and proved he can elevate. Tavares has and will but the biggest question is Marner. If the core stays and fails to deliver I think the whole blame shifts to him. Right now his game is not suited to playoff hockey unless the NHL decides to call the rule book as they should which would help skilled teams. Marner needs to learn to pay the price in the playoffs and know he is going to get pounded but he has to deliver.
How much tweaking can be down around the core to put the right pieces into place. Dubas will be judged on that alone.
He needs to have a chat with 99 and get some tips on how to deal with the uptick in intensity during the playoffs.
Exactly. The 80's Oilers went thru the same thing as a skilled team that needed to learn how to win ugly
Brobust
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He only said that against Montreal. But generally he does match and he does consider Matthews to be part of the shutdown line. I looked up a couple of his home matchups and the majority of his minutes were against Scheifele, McDavid, B. Tkachuk etc.
He has the flexibility to use Matthews in any situation and there were quite a few game where he chose to match him against the other team's best offensive line.
I think it was Kevin Weekes who reported this a long time ago, but the leafs think of Matthews as an amalgam of Toews and Kane.
Dreakmur
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I already said bad coaches make bad decisions, right?
Forward line selection should be almost entirely based on a combination of keeping everyone fresh and involved and game situations. Offensive zone face-off… out goes Matthews regardless of who the other team uses. Defensive zone face-off… no point wasting Matthews there, so use somebody else.
Brobust
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Well, you should coach the team then.
It's not like the leafs dominated the division or anything.
Dreakmur
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Appreciate the support!
Yeah, they really crushed it… almost making it out of the first round…
If Rielly is willing to take 6.5M, that’s quite good and something we should do.
trade Marner though.
trade Marner though.
HomelessPepper
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Anyone familiar enough with Oleksiak to comment on the degree to which he could replace Muzzin?
Brobust
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How exactly would a shutdown centre help in that particular matchup?
Anyway, they did acquire one of the best defensive forwards of the past 5 years at the TDL. Too bad he was injured.
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