For the first time in years we entered the season/playoffs with a well rounded tough team. Reaves is the top heavyweight in the league, Edmundson, Benoit, and McCabe provide a lot of snarl on the back end. Bertuzzi/Domi finally gives us some top 6 grit. But what are they doing with it come playoffs??? Reaves lays maybe 1 big hit a game and Domis been taking some dumb penalties but where are the scrums, intimidation, fight challenges?
You see other teams do it all the time. Down 2-0 looking to change momentum so start a big scrum around the goalie and let the tougher guys try to pick fights… why did we build this team just to play the same lame perimeter skilled game we’ve been trying the last 5 years??
Well, the majority of the toughness is on the backend. Reaves is the only heavyweight. I also didn't agree with Keefes decision to break up the 4th line. If they score it's a bonus, they need to be the tough, forechecking grinding line and they were. Robertson provides a sneaky threat but you shouldn't be looking for scoring from your 4th. I get he is desperate to get some goals, but...
Bert and Domi have been involved. Matthews in game 2 was the best Matthews we have seen, scoring, hitting and looking like the Alpha Male on the ice everytime. In fact, the first two games even though it was tied 1-1 in the series had the Bruins thinking. Even Marchand stated "they are built differently". Brad did a good job on the back end.
If Leafs score to make it 3-2 in game three instead of Marchand scoring so quickly, this series is entirely different. It's as if they didn't believe the heavy hockey was paying dividends.
Look, Marner needs to go. I've said this nicely in the past even when he was having great years and his fanboys on here mocked this opinion, some even suggesting he makes Matthews a goal scorer. JTs contract has to expire. It's that simple. Brodie won't be re upped, he had a couple of good years, but is not in the future here. This Cap Space is needed and there are no gymnastics that can compensate for this.
How badly do they need this cap space in order to get the right players? I let Marner walk without any compensation if it comes down to that. Leafs management cannot be afraid to take bold decisions. They need the right DNA, it's been repeated ad nauseam. Hockey is different. I love the beautiful game too, olympics are great. NHL playoffs has always been a different animal.
Their replacements? Heavy, North/South players who don't score a tonne in the regular season but who will punch above their weight in the playoffs.
If Brad can re-sign Boosh and try and find reasonable ground with Bert and Domi, there is some room here.
The future of building around Matthews is doable. It has to be the same types throughout the line up/ They have Knies for cheap, they have McMann sewn up for three years, ditto for Benoit. There will be cap wiggle room if management can, pardon the expression, find their balls.
