I'm not sure that MacArthur would be of much use in a shutdown role. Kulemin certainly would though.
Post-Game Talk: Well poop: Sabres win 2-1
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I'm not sure that MacArthur would be of much use in a shutdown role. Kulemin certainly would though.
I actually prefer Grabo as a winger- Lets be honest the guy stinks at using his linemates, and he's not overly good on faceoffs either. Him being on the wing allows him to use his speed to drive past the oppoisiton and create chances.
The difference between buffalo and toronto is goaltending.
Scrivens wasn't bad but don't count on him on "stealing" games for you. If TO can get a goalie like Miller that stands on his head to get these wins, playoff contention.
Naz looked better than most forward tonight. Lupul, Kessel, Bozak definitely shined (especially the last 3 minutes). Everyone else was meh. Our forwards were really weak on the boards and couldn't get a cycle game going. JvR looks a step slower than everyone.
On to the pens to see what the leafs are really made of compared to stanley cup champs.
Scrivens wasn't bad but don't count on him on "stealing" games for you. If TO can get a goalie like Miller that stands on his head to get these wins, playoff contention.
Naz looked better than most forward tonight. Lupul, Kessel, Bozak definitely shined (especially the last 3 minutes). Everyone else was meh. Our forwards were really weak on the boards and couldn't get a cycle game going. JvR looks a step slower than everyone.
On to the pens to see what the leafs are really made of compared to stanley cup champs.
Giving up 2 goals or less which Scrivens has done is all you can do for your team. If the team can't score you won't win.
zeke
The Dube Abides
- Mar 14, 2005
- 66,937
- 36,957
Our Top6 is WAYYYYYY too easy to play against.
3rd+4th lines showed up.
Defence played well - couple lapses but thats to be expected.
Scrivens stood tall - not much to compain about on either goal.
We desperately need a PWF in our Top6 - someone mean - someone that doesn't play scared. Until we can find someone I'd like to see:
JVR Grabo Frattin
Lupul Bozak Kessel
Kulie Kadri Mac
Brown McClement Komorov
Mac is and will continue to be a problem on this roster.
3rd+4th lines showed up.
Defence played well - couple lapses but thats to be expected.
Scrivens stood tall - not much to compain about on either goal.
We desperately need a PWF in our Top6 - someone mean - someone that doesn't play scared. Until we can find someone I'd like to see:
JVR Grabo Frattin
Lupul Bozak Kessel
Kulie Kadri Mac
Brown McClement Komorov
Mac is and will continue to be a problem on this roster.
Yeah, he wouldn't be my ideal choice, but it's more of a case of not being able to fit him anywhere else, than praising him for his defensive game. McClement, and Kulemin should be able to handle the majority of the defensive roles of the line, and Mac could add some limited offense.
SeenSchenn2
Itchin' For Mitch
I really don't think its MacArthur's issue on that line, it's Grabovski lol. His passes are all miscalculated, that backhand pass to MacArthur was lucky as hell. He just seems to force things and is handling it like a grenade right now.
Let's hope that changes.
Let's hope that changes.
I'm not saying he's playing bad. He just won't "steal" games. he's been great so far - Can't really say anything about the two goals. You can't deny though that he still looks "shaky". Hopefully experience will patch that up.
A great goaltender will intimidate shooters and make them shoot wide/make unnecessary moves. that's what Miller/Thomas/Quick/Lunq can do when they're playing at their best.
Just get rid of him - he doesn't excel at anything - he's not gifted offensively - he's not a defensive minded player - he's not going to win many battles due to his size. He can't get anywhere near the front of net - just get rid of him.
Rare Jewel
Patience
He was good on draws tonight.
The problem I think Grabs so far is he's adjusting to being back in the middle, He was playing LW on a line with Datsyuk and Radulov at CSKA.
Jerkini
Registered User
- May 31, 2003
- 8,398
- 23
I thought Scrivens looked weak on the second goal. He looked to be in position but then it went right through his legs.
I thought Scrivens looked weak on the second goal. He looked to be in position but then it went right through his legs.
Theres goalies and then theres goalies..
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=72&id=194744
Tak7
Registered User
Few thoughts on the game:
1 - Scrivens looked much more comfortable tonight than he did at any point in Montreal. Wasn't great, but was efficient, and was (once again) well protected.
2 - We dominated puck possession, and out shot the hell out of them. We also defended really well for most of the game - two games in a row now where we've outworked and out hussled the other team. If nothing else, we look a much harder team to play against which is comforting.
3 - Kessel is getting a ton of chances. Hard to imagine he didn't score tonight, but when your star winger is getting those chances they will fly in sooner rather than later.
4 - James van Reimsdyk has made a very underwhelming start to his Leafs career; only two games, and playing with new line mates and a new system sure, but he's looked well off the pace. Some pointed to his improvement in the third period. Maybe so.
5 - Kulemin = soft on the second goal. Inexcusable, especially in a Randy Carlyle system whose message has strongly emphasized accountablitiy.
6 - Grabo-Mac-Kulemin line was awful. So uninspiring to watch. Rarely got into any cycles, and when they did, they led to nothing almost every single time. Poor puck management on the rush as well, which killed a lot of momentum.
7 - Kostka has been a great story. You hope he stays, but I fear that against some of the best skaters in the league, he's going to struggle. Seemed to be a bit slow footed behind his own net on a few occasions.
8 - 5 on 4 powerplay, Bozak on the point might not be a bad option. Good movement, smart with the puck, bright. But on 5-on-3 powerplays you just cannot use him there. You need a shooting threat on the point - if it's a right hander you want, get Franson back in the lineup, or try Kostka. If you want someone else, try Liles. Just don't think the Bozak on the point experiment worked at all today.
9 - That being said, powerplay wasn't bad at all. People will be critical of it in that it didn't score, but it created enough chances too and if it wasn't for Miller, the crossbar, and a bit of luck, the Leafs would have had a few PP goals tonight. Much like Kessel - the PP is getting chances; they will start to go in at some point.
10 - Ryan Miller was first star. Sure. But goodness me could we not make the night a little harder for him?? First period shorthanded he was outstanding, but beyond - ill advised shots, no traffic in front of the net, everything into his pads or chest. It's no surprise that the only way we scored tonight was because someone decided to lift the puck above his pads. Poor quality. He stole them the game in the first period alone though. Does anyone look at Scrivens and Reimer and think "our goalies can do that!" because I know I don't.
1 - Scrivens looked much more comfortable tonight than he did at any point in Montreal. Wasn't great, but was efficient, and was (once again) well protected.
2 - We dominated puck possession, and out shot the hell out of them. We also defended really well for most of the game - two games in a row now where we've outworked and out hussled the other team. If nothing else, we look a much harder team to play against which is comforting.
3 - Kessel is getting a ton of chances. Hard to imagine he didn't score tonight, but when your star winger is getting those chances they will fly in sooner rather than later.
4 - James van Reimsdyk has made a very underwhelming start to his Leafs career; only two games, and playing with new line mates and a new system sure, but he's looked well off the pace. Some pointed to his improvement in the third period. Maybe so.
5 - Kulemin = soft on the second goal. Inexcusable, especially in a Randy Carlyle system whose message has strongly emphasized accountablitiy.
6 - Grabo-Mac-Kulemin line was awful. So uninspiring to watch. Rarely got into any cycles, and when they did, they led to nothing almost every single time. Poor puck management on the rush as well, which killed a lot of momentum.
7 - Kostka has been a great story. You hope he stays, but I fear that against some of the best skaters in the league, he's going to struggle. Seemed to be a bit slow footed behind his own net on a few occasions.
8 - 5 on 4 powerplay, Bozak on the point might not be a bad option. Good movement, smart with the puck, bright. But on 5-on-3 powerplays you just cannot use him there. You need a shooting threat on the point - if it's a right hander you want, get Franson back in the lineup, or try Kostka. If you want someone else, try Liles. Just don't think the Bozak on the point experiment worked at all today.
9 - That being said, powerplay wasn't bad at all. People will be critical of it in that it didn't score, but it created enough chances too and if it wasn't for Miller, the crossbar, and a bit of luck, the Leafs would have had a few PP goals tonight. Much like Kessel - the PP is getting chances; they will start to go in at some point.
10 - Ryan Miller was first star. Sure. But goodness me could we not make the night a little harder for him?? First period shorthanded he was outstanding, but beyond - ill advised shots, no traffic in front of the net, everything into his pads or chest. It's no surprise that the only way we scored tonight was because someone decided to lift the puck above his pads. Poor quality. He stole them the game in the first period alone though. Does anyone look at Scrivens and Reimer and think "our goalies can do that!" because I know I don't.
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,096
- 62,008
Mac is a scoring forward on an expansion or losing team. He's not truly reliable offensively, he's prone to coasting and his defense is so so. He's the kind of guy who you dump when your team starts climbing in the standings.
SpeakerForTheDead
Registered User
Why are people underwhelmed with Komarov? He has been a great forechecker, is great at getting the defense stuck behind their net, finishes his checks, causes turnovers and cycles the puck well. He showed good patience when he got the pass from Kadri at the blueline, allowed Kadri and JVR to get to the net, then passed it across the ice to Phaneuf to take a shot.
In my opinion, he has done his job almost perfectly in these two games and has looked very good alongside Kadri.
In my opinion, he has done his job almost perfectly in these two games and has looked very good alongside Kadri.
Leaf4Life
Registered User
- Feb 8, 2010
- 2,567
- 1,995
Kulemin was the problem on both goals. First goal he failed to block the shooting lane. Second goal he didn't get the puck deep into the corner and instead gets bumped off the puck. I hate to say it but it might be time to sit him for a game or two. He needs to WAKE UP.
Fair enough, but who do you replace him with? Man, only if we would have taken that first for him during last TDL, huh?
Stephen
Moderator
- Feb 28, 2002
- 83,096
- 62,008
I think Macarthur needs to get traded, bring up Frattin, let him play the year out.
That line really needs his shot.
Kulemin should be dropped to 3rd line (i love kulemin but man, he's lost again.)
JvR has been garbage so far but i would be interested in moving him to Kulemins spot, JVR-Grabo-Frattin
Kadri and Bozak swap.
Our D is deadweight, this team needs Gardiner back ASAP.
That line really needs his shot.
Kulemin should be dropped to 3rd line (i love kulemin but man, he's lost again.)
JvR has been garbage so far but i would be interested in moving him to Kulemins spot, JVR-Grabo-Frattin
Kadri and Bozak swap.
Our D is deadweight, this team needs Gardiner back ASAP.
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