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Who sits when Muzzin returns

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6 hits for Lyub last night and Keefe relying on him more and more. Look the detractor”s” didn’t like him the moment he hit the ice and obviously aren’t actually watching. Nobody is claiming he’s Norris calibre, but if you can’t see he’s effective in some key areas, you simply don’t know shit about the game. Seriously. Guy has been a nice addition.

I sit Holl, Lil is getting better and better and Lyub is good on PK, don't need him there.
 
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For me it's an easy call, if all the D are healthy Sandin and Lilly sit.

Playoffs are a different animals. After so many losses in a row with sub-par defense outside of last year, a year in which Gallagher said the Habs knew they were going to win the series after Muzzin was injured, it should be clear. The Leafs need big, mean, unpleasant veteran defenseman who hit, block shots, clear creases and give the opposition forwards something to think about when they enter the zone.

Our young D have at least given me some faith that they can play on the bottom with an experienced D Men and next year at least one of them should take the step. Until then, without taking anything away from their impressive development; this team needs a calming, confident presence on the blue line which other teams forwards won't even consider trying to get an edge on.
 
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Muzzin was playing ackwardly before the consussion I know their are protocols on respect and time honoured, but the Muzzin I was watching made even Lybushking look good. And that ain't easy, Bushkings defence is admirable, but watching him with the puck? I have to think opposing playoff defences will be sharpening sticks and teeth to play against Bushking in the playoffs.

Heh, if they don't take the puck off of him, they might very well draw a penalty,.
 
DarkKnight said:
6 hits for Lyub last night and Keefe relying on him more and more. Look the detractor”s” didn’t like him the moment he hit the ice and obviously aren’t actually watching. Nobody is claiming he’s Norris calibre, but if you can’t see he’s effective in some key areas, you simply don’t know shit about the game. Seriously. Guy has been a nice addition.
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If Bush re-signs here, I will be grabbing his jersey. Dubas pulled off a great trade getting this guy in the lineup. The Bear brings Game, even as he is eager to learn and improve with this team. A great fit in my eyes.

I almost grabbed a Yushkevich jersey when he played. He was the type of D that I appreciate as a fan (watch how fans in the arena react when Bush throws a check, they love him too) as I know how valuable they are when the big boys come to play, how much larger his teammates played with him on the ice.

Like Salming before him (and I only caught the tail end of his career), the true epitome of warrior in NHL D-Men terms. Just rare breeds who I want more of in the post season if I am the coach. Before him the "soft European" term was in the vernacular. It disappeared after he played in the NHL, he is the type you want to go into battle with. I wouldn't go so far as to compare Lybushkin to Salming, but he is a Gamer from what I can see. He does what is needed to win.

I have respect for the attributes that Reilly and Brodie bring, each D Man on this squad really. Both play key roles of course, and of late, I've noticed them also playing a physical game. Vital for playoff success. You need a balance in the pairings and the Leafs have options they haven't had before.
 
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zeke said:
PK TOI since deadline:

Brodie 2:54
Holl 2:04
Gio 1:50
Boosh 1:29
Mo 1:22

And of course with Muzz back he'd go right back on the PK so no more PK for Boosh.
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Muz plays on the left side. Boosh plays on the right.
Maybe Mo will have no PK time
 
Guessing Lily will sit unfortunately, seems unlikely the leafs would trade a 2nd for a guy only to sit him for the playoffs. Maybe Holl rebounding has complicated things?
 
Dominant stuff here. Against top matchups and extreme dzone usage the whole time no less.

So much for only being good because of Muzz.

 
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I'm not entirely sure about the playoffs, but I'll tell you this right now. If you can start getting Giordano to take Spezza type, league minimum deals after this year (1 million or less) and Sandin comes back healthy off the knee, I'm moving Jake Muzzin's contract in the off season, in a heartbeat.

If you move Jake Muzzin (5.6 million), Alex Kerfoot (3.5 million), and Peter Mrazek (3.8 million), combined with the expected $1 million cap raise and Kessel's 1.2 million retained finally out of the picture... Reilly gets his raise, you can negotiate from a place of strength with Campbell, find a better goalie solution and add to your forward depth with some cap room.

Defense core next year could be some combination of...

Reilly
Brodie
Giordano
Liljegren
Sandin
Lyubushkin
Holl

If, of course, you can get everybody extended.
 
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Liljegren likely will sit, but that won't be the case next year.

I think space cadet is the odd man out next year, especially if they can somehow retain Giordano.
 
zeke said:
Dominant stuff here. Against top matchups and extreme dzone usage the whole time no less.

So much for only being good because of Muzz.

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Brodie-Holl are good but I don't like it coming at the expense of Rielly playing with Boosh. Would rather roll with Rielly-Brodie and Gio-Holl
 
1specter said:
Brodie-Holl are good but I don't like it coming at the expense of Rielly playing with Boosh. Would rather roll with Rielly-Brodie and Gio-Holl
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Game 83:
Mo Boosh
Gio Tj
Muzz Holl
Sandman Lilly
Opening game 22-23 szn:
Mo Boosh
Gio tj
Sandin Lilly
Muzz & holl for cap flexibility, sign a cheap 1m cross checking specialist or try out Rubins & Kral early in the year & find a vet if need be at TDL
 
From my memory everytime we've gone 11F and 7D in a game it's been a gongshow with bench management and the team never looks in sync and dominant. Anyone remember any 11/7 wins?
 
The younger guys will sit, Liljegren and Sandin

Coaches love experience in big games and tend to sit the up and comers

I may not agree with that outlook but I'd be very surprised if Keefe doesn't go that way
 
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Liljegren/sandin are too unpredictable ans holl or boosh game are not perfect but they are stronger and safer defensive end so thats why liljegren/sandin will sit.
 
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