What I believe the REAL problem with this team is

[613Leafer]

I wasn't "trying to grasp at straws" I remembered that the schedule during the 7 game road trip was very hard and it seemed like they played every night, which was close to being true. Why have so many teams got games in hand on the leafs? probably because they played fewer games in the same time...., which is an EASIER schedule.

Yes, and look through those teams schedules. They ALSO had bad schedules at some point in the season, it balances out.

Examples:

Detroit: Oct 10-17th, played 5 games. 5 games in 7 nights, Nov 1st-9th, 5 games in 9 nights, Nov 21-29th, 5 games in 8 nights, etc.

Columbus: Oct 17th-25th, 5 games in 8 nights, Dec 9-16th, 5 games in 7 nights, etc.

We are NOT behind Detroit/Columbus because we had a dense part of the schedule. We're behind Detroit/Columbus because we performed WORSE during the dense parts of our schedule compared to how they performed in theirs. But the schedule itself isn't the problem (because all teams go through similar stretches), it's the way this team played.

We similarly had an "advantage" (if you want to call it that) during their stretches with lots of games. It evens out. The team is the problem, don't blame the schedule. As I said before, you're grasping at straws, and continuing to do so.

 

[ACC1224]

the reason for the Leaf's losing streak is the schedule. When the Leafs went out west they played 5 games in 6 nights, which also shows why so many teams have games in hand. The leafs played too many games against rested teams and it tired the Leafs, which resulted in Bernier's injury. That part of the schedule killed them, why have the Leafs played 2 or 3 games more than most teams? this not only caused them to lose, but it makes it harder to get a wild card spot because the teams they're trying to catch have more games to play.

Without a doubt the losing streak is avoided if Bernier doesn't get hurt.

 

[colchar]

the reason for the Leaf's losing streak is the schedule. When the Leafs went out west they played 5 games in 6 nights, which also shows why so many teams have games in hand. The leafs played too many games against rested teams and it tired the Leafs, which resulted in Bernier's injury. That part of the schedule killed them, why have the Leafs played 2 or 3 games more than most teams? this not only caused them to lose, but it makes it harder to get a wild card spot because the teams they're trying to catch have more games to play.

 

[613Leafer]

Without a doubt the losing streak is avoided if Bernier doesn't get hurt.

We've been healthier then most teams. Can't really blame injuries. Sure, it affected this losing streak. But that just shows how much we were relying on ONE guy to win our hockey games. Which means there was a fundamental problem with the team to begin with, before accounting for injuries. Our shots against have been absolutely ridiculous all year, but luckily we've had ~top 5 goaltending for the majority of the season. The second we started getting average goaltending, we plummeted.

Other teams have missed more players, more important players, and for longer periods of time then we have. And yet still have better records then us (look at Detroit for example).

 

[ShaneFalco]

They may not have lost 8 games in a row with Bernier, but every team can play the what-if game.

 

[Punch Drunk Loov]

Like Icarus - we flew too close to the sun letting that many shots per game

 

[moonbal]

Hope we continue to tank. We could use another pick like Rielly.

 

[Orfieus]

I think it is rather simple why we are here

Our PK.

I think it is rather simple TBH and is the one thing that needs to improve.

We improve on our PK we make the playoffs, it is that simple.

SIMPLE!

 

[hockeyes]

Also defence.. break out.. effort level.. secondary scoring..

 

[SprDaVE]

Our PK is 30th in the league at home. That's just sad.

 

[613Leafer]

PK is part of it. But defence 5 on 5 is terrible too.

Sure, if we had an average PK, we'd be a playoff team. But its not like we'd be even close to contenders given how bad we are in our own zone and the number of oddman rushes we give up.

 

[ForSpareParts*]

Our PK.

I think it is rather simple TBH and is the one thing that needs to improve.

We improve on our PK we make the playoffs, it is that simple.

I can't disagree. We just can't kill penalties. The Leafs also used to ice the puck a little more last year when they were hemmed in.

Dion still has quite a few brain farts when he thinks he can skate out with the puck (on the pk?), shooting the puck around the boards, or placing the puck in the right place.

 

[hoglund]

it should balance out in the last week because now other teams are going to play more games than the Leafs to even up. The schedule should be more balanced for the whole season and for all teams. This year being and Olympic year screwed everything up.

 

[-DeMo-]

the biggest reason were losing is commitment period our players don't play hard enough, are not willing to pay the price to win and only care about there stat line.

 

[ShaneFalco]

PK is part of it. But defence 5 on 5 is terrible too.

Sure, if we had an average PK, we'd be a playoff team. But its not like we'd be even close to contenders given how bad we are in our own zone and the number of oddman rushes we give up.

But...but...they're just perimeter shots

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

the biggest reason were losing is commitment period our players don't play hard enough, are not willing to pay the price to win and only care about there stat line.

That sure is a hockey word salad.

If they only cared about their stat line, wouldn't they score more? If Clarkson only cares about his stat line then he must be a tormented soul right now.

 

[thewave]

But...but...they're just perimeter shots

Logic in boxing terms. We have a strong jaw and are hard to knock down so don't bother putting our gloves up to block anything. Just swing when we can. It'll be ok champ.

 

[-DeMo-]

That sure is a hockey word salad.

If they only cared about their stat line, wouldn't they score more? If Clarkson only cares about his stat line then he must be a tormented soul right now.

well they sure don't care about defense as very few if any put any effort at all at that end of the ice, they really only care about the offense, and there play shows it imo. why would they score more? they're not good enough to score more.

 

[hoglund]

It seemed like last year's leafs, which is pretty much the same roster played more defensively and were a better team. I'm not sure what happened this year, the schedule didn't help, but last year's team was a good team and even an 82 game schedule would have made the playoffs.

 

[hockeyfanz*]

It seemed like last year's leafs, which is pretty much the same roster played more defensively and were a better team. I'm not sure what happened this year, the schedule didn't help, but last year's team was a good team and even an 82 game schedule would have made the playoffs.

This is a joke. Make a statement that cannot be proven or unproven. Last years team was a FLUKE and most likely the same crappy team as this years except for more consistent goaltending. A team that implodes as many times as this one needs to be blown up.

I hope Toronto gets a GM with a brain for a change. Not these moronic losers who like the sound of their own voices. I dont expect Nonis to be much better than Burke considering he was mentored by the loudmouth.

MLSE should have scrapped the whole front office and coach when they canned the dumb GM.

 

[vybnji]

lol

The only way the team can enter the offensive zone and not immediately give up the puck is through carrying it in, and all teams have to do is set up 5 guys at the blue line. To add, we have guys like Franson that can't skate when we turn it over for the counter attack. Thats the problem....

 

[Mess]

This season is almost identical statistically to the 2012 18-wheeler season that got the previous GM fired.

Goals For
2011-12 = (231 goals for) 82 games = 2.82 average
2013-14 = (223 goals for) 77 games = 2.86 average [pace = 237]

Goals Against
2011-12 = (264 goals against) 82 games = 3.22 GAA
2013-14 = (241 goals against) 77 games = 3.13 GAA [pace = 257]

Leafs are on pace for a +6 goals for improvement and a +7 goals against improvement over 2 years of time to allow for the young team to age and improve.

Specialty Teams

PK%
2012 - 77.3% (28th)
2014 - 78.5% (28th)

PP%
2012 - 18.4% (10th)
2014 - 20.3% (8th)

Why is this team statistically almost identical to the 2012 team with little to no improvement, despite a young team now 2 years older and wiser?.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[Commander Clueless]

From what I gather from his history, Nonis is not really a GM to make bold moves.

I posted it in the proposals thread, but this team is built backwards from the way most teams are build - wingers in, weak centers and defense.

To change this, our GM should agressively pursue young high end centers and defense. We have some valuable pieces that we acquired painfully, and there should be NO untouchables. None.

Kessel and JVR are great pieces, but should totally be available for a young center of similar potential. We may nerf our winger situation a bit, but I'd rather do that and have strong centers. Gives us a foundation to build on.

For defense, we could build around young D like Gardiner and Rielly, and maybe bring in a few stabilizing vets short term while hiring a defensively-minded coach (like a Barry Trotz type). At least short term, we need to learn a strong defensive game. It could be ugly on D for a bit, but it needs to be done. Our philosophy needs to be corrected.

Bernier should remain, as he's an excellent young goalie and all teams need that. Not necessarily untouchable, but no real reason to move him.

I like Nonis. Sadly, he is probably not the guy to do this. This is why I'm okay with firing him. I doubt it will happen though.

Like Mess' post above shows, we need fresh, idealistic blood in the GM chair. Time for a new strategy, not repetition.

 

[Gallagbi]

This season is almost identical statistically to the 2012 18-wheeler season that got the previous GM fired.

Goals For
2011-12 = (231 goals for) 82 games = 2.82 average
2013-14 = (223 goals for) 77 games = 2.86 average [pace = 237]

Goals Against
2011-12 = (264 goals against) 82 games = 3.22 GAA
2013-14 = (241 goals against) 77 games = 3.13 GAA [pace = 257]

Leafs are on pace for a +6 goals for improvement and a +7 goals against improvement over 2 years of time to allow for the young team to age and improve.

Specialty Teams

PK%
2012 - 77.3% (28th)
2014 - 78.5% (28th)

PP%
2012 - 18.4% (10th)
2014 - 20.3% (8th)

Why is this team statistically almost identical to the 2012 team with little to no improvement, despite a young team now 2 years older and wiser?.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Out of curiosity what's the average age in those 2 seasons.

 

[JackJ]

The real issues:

1) Soft one dimensional top six
2) Defensive depth
3) Adequate backup goaltender
4) Mismatch between system and personnel