Which Leaf(s) do you think will drop the gloves.

[Leafsfan74]

Many a glove will be dropped this year. The function of playing the same teams so often in a condensed season where a point here or there could mean the difference between golfing or going to a Cup Final. It is going to be a sprint to the finish, may the fastest team win.

With a pandemic, pro-rated salaries, different faces on all teams all trying to leave their mark, the bad blood of getting hit by the same guys often, is all certain to increase hostility levels.

In a tight, intense game or two, when that inevitable desperation sets in, someone will cross the line and a score will have to be settled. As such, fights will organically occur, whether we like it or not.

 

[meefer]

Going by the OP's figure and the shortened season the Leafs would be accruing fighting majors at higher rate than any team in the last two seasons...

So I'm going to say that's probably not happening.

As the OP, allow me to respond. As mentioned already, this season will see teams playing each other 9/10 each. That's going to lead to a lot more 'hate' than we see in a normal season. Players are going to 'snap' more than before. I'm also of the opinion that Spezza's tilt against Columbus is going to play well in the dressing room when Thornton, Simmonds and Bogo arrive. They'll needle him, all in good fun, but they, like everyone else on the team will know that the jokes for Killer Spez is actually a call to arms for the rest of the team; shaming the rest with praise for JS. I think more than a few will respond to the challenge. Finally, hey, I took a stab at some numbers, who knows how it'll play out? Be it 12 or 21 I just think there will be more fighting this season. I'm much more surprised that people haven't laughed me off the board because I suggested Bad Boy Willy Ny might create havoc

 

[Ryan Michaels]

As the OP, allow me to respond. As mentioned already, this season will see teams playing each other 9/10 each. That's going to lead to a lot more 'hate' than we see in a normal season. Players are going to 'snap' more than before. I'm also of the opinion that Spezza's tilt against Columbus is going to play well in the dressing room when Thornton, Simmonds and Bogo arrive. They'll needle him, all in good fun, but they, like everyone else on the team will know that the jokes for Killer Spez is actually a call to arms for the rest of the team; shaming the rest with praise for JS. I think more than a few will respond to the challenge. Finally, hey, I took a stab at some numbers, who knows how it'll play out? Be it 12 or 21 I just think there will be more fighting this season. I'm much more surprised that people haven't laughed me off the board because I suggested Bad Boy Willy Ny might create havoc

I think those are valid points I just don't think they'll translate to those numbers, but as you said you took a stab at them and that's hard to guess I just figured I'd put them in context of the last couple years because I think this board has something of a misconception about how often fights occur league wide in the modern NHL. As you said though they may go up in this format.

 

[Leafsfan74]

As the OP, allow me to respond. As mentioned already, this season will see teams playing each other 9/10 each. That's going to lead to a lot more 'hate' than we see in a normal season. Players are going to 'snap' more than before. I'm also of the opinion that Spezza's tilt against Columbus is going to play well in the dressing room when Thornton, Simmonds and Bogo arrive. They'll needle him, all in good fun, but they, like everyone else on the team will know that the jokes for Killer Spez is actually a call to arms for the rest of the team; shaming the rest with praise for JS. I think more than a few will respond to the challenge. Finally, hey, I took a stab at some numbers, who knows how it'll play out? Be it 12 or 21 I just think there will be more fighting this season. I'm much more surprised that people haven't laughed me off the board because I suggested Bad Boy Willy Ny might create havoc

Not to mention the Leafs in particular are under pressure. There have been trades. Another failed season and there will be BIG trades, probably a firing or two also. The Kid Gloves have been thrown out.

Guys like Hyman And Andersen are playing for their piece of the pie in their next contract. The big dogs are playing to show they actually care. The newly acquired veterans are playing to try and get what has eluded them. Habs have become bigger and meaner. Calgary will face their old teammate.

The season is short and pressure will be there for the vast majority of the games. Fights are going to happen. Of this opinion, I agree with you.

 

[tmlms13]

Or worse, breaks his hand on a visor?

McDavid 14-15. Broke a finger on the boards in Erie when he missed a punch. Almost cost him the WJC and definitely cost him the scoring race.

 

[jaric1862]

Simmonds and Bogosian may have a few. Besides that you might see Vesey or Hyman drop the gloves. My guess is they end the season with 5 or 6.

 

[Hclass47]

How about the guy that drops his pants?

Does that count?

 

[Gabriel426]

There will be a fight in the first game, and it will set the tone for the rest of the season.
I think Marner will come out and fight Suzuki. Simmonds will drop Anderson. While Jumbo is facing off against Weber.

 

[darrylsittler27]

How about the guy that drops his pants?

Does that count?

This has been known to scare many opponents causing them to flee in terror,so yes!

 

[darrylsittler27]

The Leafs will need a Tkachuk type forward to exit this division. Montreal has made it clear they intend to beat them in a dark alley. The regular season is a different animal to the playoffs but with us playing the same teams over and over grudges will be formed and injuries will mount.

 

[Wafflewhipper]

This is a different type of animal in a condensed Canadian division. Blocks of games in a row and the amount of games against each other should get some bad blood going. If this team goes through this season without any pushback and just a few scraps,misconducts and roughing penalties very very low, it won’t be a good impression made. All the ingredients are there that indicates they all might have to. Lets see who has any Balls beyond the obvious 3 of Muzzy,Simmonds and Bogosian. That said, i expect few if any fights from them other than the three. So the rest should play hard and take advantage of discipline and powerplay.

 

[JT AM da real deal]

There will be a fight in the first game, and it will set the tone for the rest of the season.
I think Marner will come out and fight Suzuki. Simmonds will drop Anderson. While Jumbo is facing off against Weber.

That would be a DREAM game but it would set us up well for season if everyone knows we are in it to win it

 

[Cobra777]

And how many cups did this legendary passion get Clark? Nothing against him as a player, definitely fun to watch, but shouldn't we want our players taking cues on how to win from actual winners?

So? how many greats and hall of famers who played the game never won a cup? Are players new way of thinking supposed to be "Oh I'm only going to give half an effort because it may not pay off? is that the new example? Play fortnite get a huge contract and play only 1/2 the game because you might never win the cup? That is the most lame excuse. AM should try to example himself to a Jamie Benn style of play which would benefit this team HUGE more than he already does because that brings the whole load and sets a big example and if he gets hurt like most players do because that is hockey not water polo. When he separated his shoulder and was out a few months this team stepped up and still produced. Wish people would stop making excuses for players putting them in glass houses so they don't get hurt, mabe they should have taken up soccer instead. Oh and Clark and Gilmour and the rest of the gritty team got as far as they did because of that passion and unfortunately robbed by a Carey Frazer call or they would have probably played the Habs in the Stanley cup finals and would have done a much much better job than L.A who I think if I remember(not 100 sure) got swept.

 

[De Montreal]

 

[FraumBallard]

Exactly and what about his concussion history from the 2017-18 season.

Well.
Let's just bubble wrap everyone.
No risky physical stuff for our super skilled team.
All other Teams will be so scared of the Bubble Boys.