Leafs Talk

29 Nov 2023 03:31:56
Gotta give it to Woll, kid looked great.

Mathews looks so disinterested out there right now, I'd consider putting him on the 4th line.

28 Nov 2023 20:16:06
Calling it now, Perry made a Kyle Beach joke.

27 Nov 2023 19:20:54
I honestly don't see Treliving looking at this year as the year unless he can improve the D greatly to take a shot at it.

He knew this from the start though. He knew what Dubas had left him an almost impossible situation. Basically no prospects. No picks. A porous defence, no grit and questionable goaltending.

All those one year deals would suggest he is evaluating more than anything. The one year gamble on Klingberg when he couldn't get who he wanted is another example. Ironically, if Klingberg is done, Tree has that cap space to use and it turned out to be a very good move. If this has been persisting for a quite some time with Klingberg as suggested, did Tree know this may happen and make the signing easier.

Just my prediction, but if ha can't drastically improve the defence this year, he won't make much of a move. Maybe some small depth stuff that doesn't cost too much in assets.

I think he will be more looking at next year when the cap goes up and he has a better grasp on what he has. Don't get me wrong, he wants to win, but I don't think he will go all in and trade all his best assets for a chance at it this year unless the moves are drastic defence improvements.

In all honesty, I think it would be the right move to hold off if he can't improve the D a lot. The forward group is there, the defence isn't.

27 Nov 2023 22:15:16
@RLF 100% agree.
His trades and signings will be made in the off season. He just wants to sit back and learn his team.

From the presser:

Question
The Leafs are involved in so many trade rumours. Is part of the job of the manager canvassing the league to see what players might be available to help the team?

Answer
Treliving: That is your job all the time. You are trying to help the team. Now, the idea that you are going to trade yourself out of issues is not realistic.

To me, this basically means you're not trading yourself out of trouble, so don't hold your breath.

Maybe a small move or two like you said.

27 Nov 2023 22:32:51
@Tags. I didn't see his presser so that is interesting based on what my thoughts are. Thanks.

27 Nov 2023 23:44:57
@RLF that's my thoughts on the 1 year deals as well. From the start I thought he was positioning himself for an overhaul. 30+ million in cap space after this season.

I also don't blame him in not going for it. Mathews is locked up, so if you do well great if not, reevaluate in the off season.

I think he wants Zadorov so he can resign him to a long term extension. He seems to really like the guy.

@Tags I hadn't seen that. Good info.

28 Nov 2023 00:36:26
You're welcome guys. I read the Q&A from Maple Leafs Hot Stove MLHS site. I find they have the best and most knowledgeable writers on their staff.
Really like the Game in 10 write ups after the games & Leafs Notebook, which comes out every Monday or Tuesday (normally really good insights) .

28 Nov 2023 16:15:18
i agree with this statement as well. but think hif can add a young player like Peeke to add to next year or even a deal for Walker would be nice. other than small moves but for non UFA players I can see him doing. unless he want's to go for 1 big fish like Hanifin where the player resigns for 8 years to have a solid left side D of

Rielly
hanifin
McCabe

then get cheaper fillers for next year for right side like Peeke, Walker and Liljegren for bottom 3rd pair

But Tre was brought in so quickly and had to deal with a star C needing a contract. along with the Willy deal . very bad defense group and no clear cut #1 goalie with Murray's health and Samsonov going to arb. he definately just plugged some holes withthe left over cap space and did not sign anyone to silly long term deals. all show me contracts so he could evaluate what he has and add to it next year

Dunno if anyone listens to former enforcer Jay Rosehill on YT but his latest assessment of this team is bang on. he thinks Marner needs to that this team's top guys will make fancy places and go on streaks but are soft and don't have the toughness you need to win in the playoffs, The D is porous and needs to be rebuilt and out goaltending is shaky. still lots of work for Tre.

26 Nov 2023 23:19:01
I think Keefe really has to split up Matthews and Marner for a bit.
Simple switch in my mind, which will hopefully get both going. Right now they are just looking for each other, so everything they do is telegraphed and Knies is like a 3rd wheel playing with them.

Jarnkrok to top line
Knies Matthews Jarnkrok

Marner to third line
Robertson Domi Marner

Marner has played with Domi in juniors, so should be good chemistry between the two.
Plus Marner can always get more minutes playing on PP1 and PKing.

Something has to be done to get both guys going.

27 Nov 2023 13:19:48
Tags. Yea I said the same thing a little while ago about putting Marner on the 3rd line. Hopefully he would dominate against tougher competiton and regain his form. The other thing is when Willy wouldn't work hard or struggled, Keefe would demote him to the 3rd line. Be consistent. Marner has earned the demotion like Willy did in the past. ALL players should be accountable.

27 Nov 2023 14:24:38
@RLF 100% agreed, but not expecting it.

26 Nov 2023 20:08:16
To Toronto loses 2 games that they should have won and the coach says we played pretty good.

Vancouver loses to the Sharks and their coach says this is not what playoff teams do!


The problem is not with the players it is TORONTO'S SOFT COACH!

TIME TO FIRE MR DOUGHNUTS

26 Nov 2023 23:43:25
Is that why Babs was always calling then soft, and they played soft?

Two things can be true at once.

26 Nov 2023 13:52:48
Leaf needs: two D, goalie, new coach.

26 Nov 2023 15:04:33
Which goalie exactly?

Everyone wants a goalie if you haven't noticed. Only maybe 5 goalies are consistently good enough to win a cup. It's about a goalie getting jot at the right time.

Hell boy isn't available
Vassy isn't available
Sorokin isn't available
Saros isn't available
Shesterkin isn't available

Can you name another one that you think is an upgrade, that is available?

2D I agree on, but that's more a deadline deal coming. I'm almost certain Zadorov will be a Leaf.