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This page last updated: 02:25:29
27 Mar 2023 21:50:10
After seeing what's going on with Bunting now, something is clearly wrong with this team. Favouritism, coaching issues, lack of effort, etc.
I'm not sure exactly what it is, but if I was Bunting or Willy I'd feel singled out by management.
Mathews, Marner, JT and Mo have all had some suspect stretches where the effort was seriously lacking. Keefe did nothing about this nor said anything about it.
Bunting seems to be Keefe's whipping boy along with Willy. They both get called out publicly, they both get demoted and they both get benched (rarely for Willy, but does happen) .
Kerfoot makes us all rip our hair out on a nightly basis and he's still getting cracks at top 6 time whenever Keefe feels like it. This isn't looking like a winning attitude on a team right now.
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28 Mar 2023 03:53:03
@LL completely agree about Keefe. He has his favourites and his whipping boys.
I know Willy says that he wants to be pushed when needed, but push behind closed doors. Or show the same critique towards other players not performing. Its complete BS to single out certain players, especially since lots of other have gone through their slumps (Kerfoot year long slump basically) .
One thing about Torts, no matter what you think of him, he calls a spade a spade no matter who the player is and I can respect that.
Plus I don't think we'll have to worry about Dubas (or next GM) making the decision to trade Nylander. I bet Willy asks for a trade in the off season because of this BS. Even when he was playing great and reporters asked about Willy's game, Keefe still had a hard time giving him a solid compliment. He would always add another player to share in Willy's praise.
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28 Mar 2023 06:18:41
@Tagz that's exactly my thoughts on Keefe vs Torts as well.
I've never seen a coach specifically call out one player so many times, while ignoring the effort from others. We've all seen large stretches of games where Mathews and Marner both looked disinterested, nevermind Rielly essentially looking like he wants to play in the AHL all season. Yet he loves to openly admonish Willy and Bunts.
The first time Bunts was demoted/ benched this year we were all bewildered. The entire team didn't show up and Keefe singled out Bunting.
Look at the standard Tampa sets. Benching an entire top line. Now, that may be extreme, but it shows that he doesn't play favourites to the same extent.
If I'm Bunting, I take my 5 million for 7 years wherever it's offered and don't look back. I can't imagine him being willing to take a discount to do this for another 8 years.
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28 Mar 2023 08:27:55
LL I remember Keefe making some negative/ harsh/ honest comments about his stars earlier in the season (don't remember what was exactly said though) .
BUT I do remember the VERY NEXT DAY, Keefe retracting those comments, saying they didn't come out as intended.
WHY? Did he hurt some of the star's fragile EGOS? Did upper management get involved? Personally we don't know the specifics but we've seen what happened.
Comments have been made by more than one departing player about the devide in the room, the 'clique' in the room. Who knows if true or not.
I honestly think that more things will come to the surface if Leafs don't achieve their goals these playoffs.
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28 Mar 2023 13:13:32
I agree that there is definitely favouritism by coaching and management. Let's not look past management as well. It is not all on Keefe. Dubas has been the grand defender of his core players. He basically said as long as he is GM, he will not trade them. Is that not massive favouritism and at times, also unjust favouritism? Shouldn't Hyman have gotten that treatment by Dubas?
(I know you won't like this Tagz)
Imo-Nylander has earned his call-outs by the coach. I do not believe for a minute that there has been no attempts behind closed doors to talk to Willy about his compete and commitment level prior to going public. Willy has not looked the same since his all-star snub. We are talking about 7 years of having a $10M talent that they pay $7.5M, but plays too often like a $4-$5M uninvolved point producer. How many years should Willy get a free pass and handled with kid gloves in public? Willy plays a sulky game when things don't go his way which is where we are at right now. Instead of digging in and working harder to get on track, he regresses and plays frustrated. If his shift starts well, he is pumped and makes plays. If it doesn't, he loafs around and sulks making lazy line changes and refusing to compete. I'm tired of this from him. It is beyond frustrating to watch. I can only imagine what it is like for his coach.
He earned praise for the first 2/ 3rds of the season. Keefe said more than once he was the best player out there, he has been doing this for us all season etc. But recently it is just another example of Willy having the ability, but rarely wanting to actually do it.
Bunting is a different animal all together. Hard to claim he doesn't compete. But his temper tantrums when he wasn't getting calls was getting embarrassing. The final blow was when he lost it on the non highstick call and was crying out from the bench at the refs like a toddler in his crib. If you watch the video, his teammates weren't even looking at him. My opinion, his teammates were embarrassed. He epitomized everything teams say about the Leafs being whiners etc. It also shows the other team how important power plays are to your team. Gives the impression that without power plays, we can't. It also put the Leafs at a disadvantage because now Bunting isn't getting anywhere near as many calls, which hurts the team. It was selfish. I can't believe that Keefe had no discussions with him about this prior in private.
Now, Marner could use to stop yelling as well. He doesn't go anywhere near the level Bunting does though. But it seems to be getting more often and louder. I don't like it and I hope Keefe has been talking to him to calm it down. Matthews and JT hardly say a word and are pretty much a model of what you want from a super star. Why call them out? They lead by example. Although I believe he said both Willy and JT need to be better recently. Rielly IIRC correctly has been said by Keefe that he needs to be better this season. Not to the extent of Willy or Bunting I agree.
I am not trying to defend Keefe as there are things he does that I do not like. But Willy and Bunting are two of the most egregious for their actions or lack of action. I think with Murray, enough is already said publicly that they just don't pile on because they see no positive in it.
As for comparing Keefe to Cooper, it just isn't a fair fight. Cooper has earned his respect with two Cups and a Cup final in the last three seasons. Whereas Keefe hasn't got them out of the first round. Cooper is trying to squeeze one more run out of an aging team that has many stars already over 30. Stamkos, Hedman, Killorn along with Perry, Maroon all on the wrong side of 30 and Kucherov 29. He knows his time as near the end. Possible even his tenure near the end if the team starts to decline.
Maybe the Leafs could use more call-outs of its stars, but I am not sure that it will help when they have been given a free pass by Dubas. Hopefully when O'Reilly is back and he and guys like Schenn, Gio etc can help internally to get Willy motivated and keep Bunting on track and under control.
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28 Mar 2023 13:38:03
"Gives the impression that without power plays, we can't win. "
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28 Mar 2023 14:51:56
@RLF I know Nylander has his faults and I don't deny them, but I don't think every player is on his game 100% of the time. I just feel Nylander gets singled out more often than the others and when Keefe did call out all their stars, he retracted his comments. Probably came from above as I stated also.
Nylander is who he is and if you don't like his game, it's your prerogative. Not every player plays the same way. Leaf fans love their grinders.
Let the Leafs trade him in the off season then and get some good pieces to compliment the rest of the team.
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28 Mar 2023 17:09:58
@RLF sorry, I re-read my post and it sounds a little harsh. I didn't mean it to sound this way.
I just like Nylander better than you and hope that he performs when it counts.
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28 Mar 2023 17:50:20
Tagz. Agreed that all players are not always on their game. I accept that they are not. But how often being off their A game is acceptable?
I don't dislike the fact that Nylander won't "grind", I dislike his lack of effort. Those are two very different things. I would find it hard for anyone to argue that it is not obvious that Marner and Matthews have tried to improve their game and become more complete. I would also find it hard for anyone to question eithers compete level as a comparison to Nylander's.
Think of it this way. I told you how what you said about your wife is impressive. You admire her work ethic, dedication, long hours she is willing to put in etc to her business. What if she only tried for 25% of her customers. Would she be as successful? Would her customers have as many great things to say about her, or would some possibly want some money back as they did not feel like they got what they were promised? Etc etc.
Now she may still "do her job" with all customers and most would say "she is good, but this or that happened" and those who got her best would likely say "she is great, awesome! ". Let's say for the most part (75% of the time), things were missing because she forgot to order it, or plans didn't go as smoothly because she just seemed distracted etc. She was capable of providing a great service because she did 25% of the time, but she seemed comfortable with just "doing her job" and taking full pay whether she put in a full effort or not.
Would you admire her as greatly as you do in regards to the attributes you wrote about since she would not be displaying the same attributes you wrote you admire?
This is what I mean about Nylander. It's about effort. He does put up very good numbers offensively, but they could even be better. He can play pretty solid defensive hockey, but he often chooses not to. He can play with some physicality, but chooses not to. He can be dominant more often, but chooses not to. The one thing I guarantee he always does, is cash his cheque no matter how he has played or intends to play.
If they do trade Willy this summer, I will miss his talent because that kind of talent is hard to replace, but I won't miss his lack of compete and lack of effort and the negative results that come with that (scoring chances against, prolonged defensive zone time, offensive cycles ended because of a lack of will to battle hard etc) .
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28 Mar 2023 19:54:12
@RLF you're 100% right about my wife. She even adds a couple of upgrades free of charge if she can.
I understand your points about Nylander and really can't disagree. I'm just good taking Willy for who he is and hope/ expect him to ramp up his game in the playoffs.
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28 Mar 2023 21:11:22
@RLF I agree that Wee Willy has been lacklustre since the break and does deserve to be called out. More my point was, why is it only ever Bunts and Willy? It doesn't always have to be a public callout either. Bunting-Mathews-Marner line had an extended stretch where they didn't play well at all. Bunting was benched, called out publicly and demoted while the core was called out and immediately apologized too.
Many different personalities form a team and Mathews/ JT are exactly what you want, I agree there. They are not the leadership group I would want though. Is hope for some more vocal leaders pushing the team to do better. I think Keefe is right in Benching Bunting at times, but how much of that attitude wouldn't come out if the culture surrounding this team was better?
I agree on Nylander as always. I want Kerfoot on the fourth line because he doesn't have the same talent. That's on Keefe. I want Nylander on the top line because he can be a superstar in this league, but half the time he doesn't look like he deserves to be there. That's on Nylander.
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28 Mar 2023 22:48:06
Tagz. All good. Let's hope Willy does find his top compete level.
@LL. What if Keefe had been trying to get through to those two privately and they just aren't listening. We just saw Bunting ignore Keefe on the bench the other night. That is why he was benched. Again, Bunting doesn't seem to care about his emotional actions lately and how it may affect the team.
Maybe Dubas just gave him a lowball extension offer.
Maybe the other stars respond to talks behind closed doors and Willy doesn't, so he needs to go public to get his attention. Maybe Bunting has become difficult to deal with and won't listen, so Keefe called him out to the media.
Just speculating.
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29 Mar 2023 00:09:51
@RLF I see what you're saying and it's obviously speculation from all of us, so you may be correct.
As I said, I understand why Bunts was benched this time. Keefe can't let that type of thing slide or he'll lose complete control over this team.
When Keefe called them out publicly, he immediately apologized. That leads me to believe that at least at the time, his private conversations weren't doing anything.
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29 Mar 2023 02:22:29
@LL. Maybe he needed to go public back then and then caved because he thought his guys would sulk.
OR
He went to the media and had not had many or very few or No one on one's and realized he went to the media too soon so kind of back tracks. Coaches do some dumb, emotional things sometimes.
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27 Mar 2023 02:34:44
Woll has impressed me. I'm not ready to name him starter, but I'd confidently say, he should be the backup (behind Samsonov) going forward at this point.
If Hailey can find a way to move on from Murray, I'm confident in Woll/ Samsonov as a tandem.
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27 Mar 2023 13:34:51
@LL. Are you meaning right now it should be Samsonov and Woll?
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27 Mar 2023 17:41:49
@RLF now and in the future.
Woll has played well enough to earn the spot and Murray has played badly enough to lose it.
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28 Mar 2023 12:16:57
I think for this season, he would be my emergency goalie for all and any circumstance. Injury. Poor performance. Team boost. Whatever the reason, put him in if necessary, but only if necessary. For next season, should he continue to perform this season, buyout Murray and let Woll fight for an NHL job.
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26 Mar 2023 02:16:24
Am I the only one noticing Mathews elevating closer to playoffs, while the rest let up? I'm not liking this.
Matt Murray, as usual, looks like Matt Murray.
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26 Mar 2023 15:22:58
Matthews ramping it up doesn't surprise me because I had a feeling he would. Liljegren and Nylander are the two I am worried about. Willy has not been the same since his All-star snub. I said it at the time and not many agreed with me, but his lack of will to get the puck out along the boards on the 4th goal was a direct cause of that goal against. He actually let up when he could have beat the D to it. The old Willy is showing up more than the version we saw for the first 2/ 3rds of the season. Liljegren just looks lost.
I still think part of the issue is all the roster shuffling. When you are not familiar with those you are playing with, there is that split second you have to think about where the guy might because it can depend on who is on the ice with you. I am hoping we can see some set looking pairs etc. like yesterday. I have noticed Kampf and ZAR seem to be together, Acciari and Lafferty, Matthews and Jarnkrok. I think Keefe is getting there and I agree with these pairs. He has got to start setting the D though. imo.
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26 Mar 2023 17:51:17
I honestly think keefe moving guys around so much is a big factor in the leafs play which I mean they have had some stinkers but they are in most games murray.
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26 Mar 2023 19:46:53
@RLF I agree on Nylander especially. He's just slowly devolved back into the Nylander we all know. He still puts up points, but that drive is gone.
@Goat yes, Matt Murray really deflates them, doesn't he lol.
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24 Mar 2023 12:37:47
11 Games left. Then playoffs. By now, coaches and management should know what they have. No?
My take. Up front, it is great to see Matthews starting to ramp it up just before playoffs. Magically a wrist injury that has been apparently bothering him all season suddenly healed itself overnight. lol
Jarnkrok looks like he may be a fit with Matthews and Marner. This would be a huge bonus if Bunting can play with JT and Willy because then the Leafs could go 3 strong down the middle. If the Leafs go this way, I would like to see O'Rielly with Lafferty and Acciari on his wings as a 3rd line. It would have speed from Lafferty, physicality, experience and solid defensive responsibility. Leaving Kampf with Kerfoot and ZAR. I would still like to see Keefe load up the top 6 at times throughout the games as well.
D is still a bit of a mess. Holl, you never know what you are going to get, but he is a very solid Pker. Liljegren has taken a big step backward. His regression is a massive issue for the Leafs as it has created a hole in the possible pairings. Sandin was really the partner he was most comfortable with. McCabe has been just Ok. Rielly seems to be rounding more into form, which is a plus. Brodie is very consistent, Leafs best D this year imo. Gustavsson is looking better, but I still don't see anything that suggests he should be in the top 6. Schenn is a solid 3rd pair, low minute, physical presence. Playing him more would be a mistake. Gio is very good 3rd pair D. I have Rielly, Brodie, McCabe, Gio, Holl and Schenn as the 6 at the moment with Gustavsson as the 7th. Which would mean pairings of Rielly and Holl, McCabe and Brodie, Gio and Schenn. The D was suppose to look better than this come playoff time.
My biggest concern is goaltending. Not because of the way Samsonov has played. But because it is hard to trust Murray and the Leafs may need him. Anyone with kids knows what it is like with a new born. Samsonov's first kid was just born. Can he stay focused enough on hockey? I think that is the biggest question right now for the Leafs. I think it is very possible that the Leafs will need Murray to carry the load.
Keefe? I think he is a solid enough coach, but I don't think he always puts players in a position to best succeed. Obvious he has his favourites, like Kerfoot.
The Leafs have made a lot of recent roster changes and continually screwing around with the lines, D pairings and 11-7 and 12-6 lineup isn't creating any chemistry.
I think there is a reason that Matthews came out and said he likes Jarnkrok's game. I think he wants at least one consistent winger on his line going down the stretch. O'Reilly and Acciari should have some familiarity. JT and Willy do. Bunting has played with both Willy and Marner. Time to set some D pairs and pairs in the bottom 6.
I would like to see Keefe set the two top lines. Keep Lafferty and Acciari together. Keep Kampf and ZAR together. Put Kerfoot on the 3rd line for now and let Simmonds play games on the 4th line until O'Reilly comes back. At least Simmonds would provide a bit of a taking liberties deterrent down the final stretch and others keep building familiarity and chemistry.
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25 Mar 2023 00:30:16
I don't like the Brodie-Mccabe pairing personally. I know everyone wanted a shutdown pair, but I don't think either one skates well enough. I'd rather see Rielly with Brodie.
I'm really on the fence about ROR and where he fits in the lineup. I really liked him on the second line, but having him as 3C beings back centre depth akin to the Kadri time. I'm probably leaning towards having ROR at 3C, but it's tough having seen so little of him.
I have 4 kids. I can agree completely, it isn't just sleep issues, it's stressful. I can't imagine the stress of flying across the continent to Florida multiple times during a series with a newborn at home.
Matt Murray never should have been brought in. Whoever assists Dubas in his assesment of goalies needs to find a new job.
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25 Mar 2023 15:18:54
@LL. Personally, I have no issue with Brodie's skating and in a perfect world I would like Liljegren with Rielly and have Gio and Holl, but Liljegren has just been awful. He is getting hit all the time again, moving the puck slowly, not skating, not looking confident. Brodie and McCabe isn't about a shutdown pair, it is more about a stabilizing partner for McCabe. I guess it all depends on who the starting 6 are.
I wanted to see JT with Matthews and Marner and then Bunting with O'Reilly and Nylander. That said, if we can make 3 strong lines because of the play of Jarnkrok, who as you know I have wanted in the top 6 over Kerfoot all year, then maybe the Leafs can go with three good lines.
Yea, the loss of sleep is one thing. But as you said, it is not the lack of sleep I am most worried about.
The poor goalie evaluations are a great point. How many times can they keep making these mistakes? Hutchinson, Mrazek, Murray. . . Who's next? Bring back Campbell?
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25 Mar 2023 18:50:46
I think we can play O'Reilly in top 6 against Tampa, but he would be of more value playing 3C against Boston.
I like against TB
Tavares Matthews Marner
Jarnkrok O'Reilly Nylander
Bunting Lafferty Acciari
ZAR Kampf Kerfoot
***2 solid defensive players of each line.
Liljegren has disappointed me as well. I think missing Sandin is part if it, but also him playing musical chairs with different partners doesn't help (he has moved down to 8th spot IMO) . I do think Rielly benefits more being paired with Brodie. I would try something completely different.
D-pairs
Rielly Brodie
Giordano McCabe
Gus Holl/ Schenn
Liljegren
Giordano may be iffy in the top 4 at his age, but he's hands down better than the rest and would probably help McCabe best.
As far as goalie, I still think we have the best chance with Murray, even before Samsonov had the baby.
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25 Mar 2023 22:28:07
@Tagz why is Murray the one that gives the best chance? Samsonov has been a stud all season.
Murray has had some good games, some really, really bad games and a whole lot of mediocre games. I have zero faith in him at this point.
I have a bad feeling about goaltending regardless though. Once again, this team is in a huge hole comparatively in net. First Vassy and then Ullmark, possibly followed by Shesterkin. That's a rough time for Samsonov or Murray to try and match.
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26 Mar 2023 02:52:41
@LL agreed we have some great goalies to get through.
I just like Murray's 2 cups and playoff experience. He plays a quiet game in the net which makes me more calm watching. Sammy has been great this year but when he gets nervous, he swims too much and that worries me.
Maybe best solution is to play Samsonov at home and Murray on the road.
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26 Mar 2023 04:28:22
@Tagz Hasek looked panicked din net as well. Best goalie of all time nonetheless. He had 5-6 years that no other goaltender will ever match.
I'd take that over Murray letting in 5 picks a night while looking calm.
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26 Mar 2023 11:51:51
@LL fair point on Hasek.
Look, I'm not really a Murray fan or an advocate of that trade either. But I just think he gives us a better chance to win with his playoff success and calm style of play especially for playoff hockey. His current play doesn't back me up in the slightest, but I guess it's just a gut feeling from my end.
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26 Mar 2023 15:35:13
@Tagz. I am not trying to suggest that Sandin leaving is why Liljegren seems lost. I am just saying he seemed comfortable with Sandin and that option is not there anymore. Yes, the musical chairs probably plays a big part and was the point I was trying to make about Keefe. Not very well I guess. lol
As for Murray, valid points from both you and LL. imo
I tend to lean toward LL's thinking here. Murray looks calmer, I agree. But if the puck is being blown past you too often, what difference does it make how calm you look? I thought Hutchinson was pretty calm looking between the pipes as well. Still have to actually stop the puck though. The calm, confident demeanor doesn't keep the players confident they will get a stop if the stops aren't there. Also, his Cups runs were years ago and he has struggled since the last one and IIRC, he was replaced in favour of Fleury during the last Cup run. No?
I think the Leafs need Samsonov on top of his game and I am not sure that is going to happen night in, night out.
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26 Mar 2023 15:43:21
Or was the the last Pens playoff run where Murray started, was replaced by Fleury and then they went back to Murray?
I am almost sure the first of the two Cups Murray replaced Fleury.
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26 Mar 2023 20:25:08
@RFL I'm not sure if Fleury started both runs, but I know Murray finished both.
Agreed on Liljegren. It's a combination of everything which is shattering gis confidence.
Also, Murray should of had a least 1 goal last night if not for 2, but Keefe has to bear some of the blame as well. Why play Rielly and Lily together in the last 3 minutes after they just tied the game? Doesn't really make much sense to me.
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20 Mar 2023 12:01:34
RLF has posted a new article entitled, Will William Nylander Leave The Toronto Maple Leafs?
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20 Mar 2023 16:50:29
Solid article RLF. Agree on all of it as well.
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20 Mar 2023 17:51:24
When did a post turn into an article with a link? Is this new?
{Eds Note - Long posts have been converted into articles on our other sites for years. This is the first time this has happened on this site.
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20 Mar 2023 19:22:56
@RLF no idea lol. I'm not even sure what that site is the article was on.
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20 Mar 2023 22:05:54
I too agree with Willy's assessment. contract time. time to start showing signs of caring and hard work. got to get the big bucks.
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20 Mar 2023 22:17:53
Thanks for the explanation "Ed". Just curious.
{Eds Note - Thanks for posting.
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21 Mar 2023 18:06:30
Ironically, Willy has just been called out by Keefe for his lack of compete over the past few games. lol.
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21 Mar 2023 20:07:27
Couldn't have timed it better lol. Hopefully Willy responds well.
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16 Mar 2023 05:26:04
Anyone else not a fan of the shootout? Not just because of the loss, I just don't find it as exciting as if was supposed to be post lockout.
I'd honestly rather see a tie.
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16 Mar 2023 11:24:53
I have never liked it. It's a team game that a point is being decided by and individual competition. Penalty shots are extremely rare in the game. But the NHL decides, what a great way to decide a winner at the end of a tied game, we will have a Penalty shot competition. I think it is something you would think you would see in minor hockey because they only have the ice booked for so long.
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16 Mar 2023 13:45:26
It's a tragedy that a game between 2 teams that has players with so much offense has to end in a shoot out. i liked the shoutout for about a minute because penalty shots were/ are so rare but am over it. give them an extra 5 minutes at 3 on 3.if there is no winner then they each get a point. these are thoroughbred athletes and should be able to go another 5 minutes. and while we are at it. get rid of the loser point if there is a winner.
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16 Mar 2023 16:00:40
@Loxley I didn't mention that, but I'm not a fan of loser points either.
I would say to keep the loser point if the league went to 3 points for a win. That's about the only time though.
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18 Mar 2023 00:05:26
@LL. ya. i'd just as soon have it end as a tie.3 points will just make it tougher to calculate.2 points for a win.1 each for a tie. just as simple as it was years ago. but we all know Uncle Garry will never go for it. his special teams like Coyotes need to be able to stay close to parity in the league.
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18 Mar 2023 01:40:43
@Loxley I'm with ya.
When we see teams make the playoffs with 12 OT losses it tells the whole story.
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24 Mar 2023 00:59:14
I have never been a fan of the Shoot Out.
Start OT at 4 x 4 for 5 minutes.
If still tied then 5 minutes of 3 x 3.
After 10 minutes a tie would result in both teams being awarded a point!
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24 Mar 2023 11:52:02
I don't think the players would go for 10 minutes of overtime, especially if it started 4 on 4. I would think moving it to 7 mins of 3 on 3 would close out most games. And I agree that after that it is a tie. No 3 point games imo. 2 pts for a win whether it be regular time or overtime. 0 pts for a loss and 1 pt each for a tie if overtime does not settle it.
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14 Mar 2023 10:29:55
Idk about you guys but I'm over the 11-7 lineup seemed like the top guys were gassed I understood it at first to get a look at all the d but it's time to make a decision
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14 Mar 2023 11:39:35
I have been over it for games now. I know O'Reilly getting hurt put a kink in getting lines together etc. But it is past the time to tinker with combos etc and figuring out who you want in the lineup. Go back to 12 and 6 and let your pairs get comfortable. Same with the lineup up front. Plug a guy into a spot for O'Rielly (I would choose Lafferty) . This is what I would do.
JT Matthews Marner
Bunting Lafferty Nylander
Jarnkrok Kampf Acciari
Kerfoot (Holmberg/ Steeves) ZAR
McCabe Brodie
Rielly Liljegren
Gio Holl/ Schenn
When O'Reilly comes back, Lafferty moves down to 3C and Kampf to 4C. At least the wingers from lines 2 to 4 get their time together. Eventually they would have Bunting/ OReilly/ Nylander, Jarnkrok/ Lafferty/ Acciari, Kerfoot/ Kampf/ ZAR. Rielly isn't having a good year, reduce his minutes and responsibility some. Maybe he gets going and top 2 pairs would play most of the minutes anyway. I don't see anything in Gustafsson that says he should be in there and Timmins just doesn't have the experience. imo Timmins will get his chance next year to earn a fulltime spot.
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14 Mar 2023 19:41:18
Linebup looks good. Can't wait till O'Reilly is back.
Not sure if anyone really remembers this:
Game 1 line up against Tampa last year:
Kerfoot-Matthews-Marner
Mikheyev-Tavares-Kase
Nylander-Kampf-Engvall
Clifford-Blackwell-Simmonds
Rielly-Lyubushkin
Muzzin-Brodie
Giordano-Liljegren
Extras: Spezza, Holl, Bunting, Sandin
I'd say we're in a bit better shape than last year, other than Muzzin of course.
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15 Mar 2023 05:49:07
@Tagz that 4th especially is a face palm lol.
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15 Mar 2023 12:46:49
@LL agreed lol. And we took Tampa to 7 games with that line up.
I feel much better about our chances this time around.
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16 Mar 2023 00:49:48
Right now, both Gustavsson and Liljegren should sit. imo. no, not because of Liljegren bobble in OT, he just hasn't been very good for a while. Gustavsson hasn't impressed me at all. Will you please end this ridiculous 11-7 mismash Keefe.
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16 Mar 2023 01:45:19
@RLF Gustafson is just a European Tyson Barrie. I am perplexed by the acquisition.
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16 Mar 2023 11:40:17
Right at the trade I said I wish they just told Washington to keep him. The guy is a career 6/ 7 D. He only got his big mins in Washington due to injuries. Dubas wanted him because his stats were pretty decent.
Sandin has looked pretty good in Washington playing over 25 mins a night and QBing the PP. lol.
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16 Mar 2023 19:44:37
@RLF I know everyone will say Sandin shouldn't have been traded, but I don't think he ever looks this good in Toronto. Keefe and Dubas seemed to dislike him and he's always going to be behind Rielly.
That could be a trade that haunts this team for a decade though.
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17 Mar 2023 01:49:52
@LL. I have said all along that Sandin is top 4 potential even when I was being told otherwise on here. Now, I am not saying Sandin should be playing 25 mins a night and will keep up this pace, but I won't be shocked if he ends up being a top 4 for many years. He is too smart a player. I still don't mind the trade at all and I was one of Sandin's few supporters.
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17 Mar 2023 23:43:51
@RLF I can't betray my former self and say I liked Sandin. I never have. I always thought his skating was too poor and his IQ was suspect.
I watched a couple Caps games since he started playing there though and he looks like a different player. He's not making those brutal decisions he was famous for, he isn't getting caught out of position (as much) and he looks confident with the pick on his stick.
I wouldn't take the trade back unless Rielly was being shipped out all the same.
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18 Mar 2023 14:51:37
@LL. Honestly, I felt the IQ was there. Some guys need to play a decent amount of minutes to be "in the game". When they sit too much, they try and do too much with the limited minutes they get in order to show they deserve more and then make more mistakes.
That is Sandin to me. Give him 19+ mins a night and I think he will actually play better than a 3rd pair getting 14-16 mins a night. That's how I see him anyway.
In general, the Leafs rarely put young guys in a position to succeed in a way they did in the A. They give them limited minutes and expect them to make a big impression. We may have never seen what Sandin could be. But I remember when there were lots of injuries and Sandin's time got elevated. He always played his best when that happened.
I am worried they will bring McMann up (this year or next), play him limited 4th line minutes and if he doesn't produce, we may have another Mason Marchment situation. Not that I am saying McMann will be another Marchment, but he may get traded for peanuts and he will go on to be a solid top 9 NHLer.
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19 Mar 2023 05:07:41
@RLF I remember Sandin being given minutes as well. I remember him playing like poo at those times as well.
Development has an issue or its Dubas/ Keefe.
I won't say I thought Sandin was a top 4, because I didn't think he was, but I do think this system doesn't work with younger players.
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19 Mar 2023 12:44:21
@LL. I guess we see his game differently. When Rielly and Brodie were out and Sandin and Liljegren were put together as the 2nd pair, I thought for the most part, Sandin played well. Last season before his injury, he had worked himself into the top 4. That injury really set his development back and he didn't look good at the start of this season. Of course, he was getting limited minutes and missed part of camp while holding out (which I didn't like) . Anyway, we see him differently. All good.
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24 Mar 2023 01:04:22
Sandin may well be another Mason Marchment moment.
That said though Sandin has 12 points in 9 games played with the Capitals he is a - 5 so his warts are still visible.
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24 Mar 2023 12:45:54
Yea, he has warts. He just turned 23 so he is still learning. He had a 3 game poor stretch where he went -9 over 3 games while only picking up 2 pts. He played the other 6 games as a +4 with 10 points playing 25 mins a night. Like I said, he isn't a 25 min a night, top pair D. I do believe he will be a sloid 20 min a night 2nd pair guy. Something I have said all along. Of course, his development will be based on if the Caps show trust in him and play him even if he makes a mistake.
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12 Mar 2023 00:29:38
Anyone else having a hard time watching everytime Murray starts?
I'd rather see Woll out there.
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12 Mar 2023 01:04:49
He's definitely starting to worry me as well. Finally made a big safe to keep Edmonton at 3, but we shouldn't have been in that position in the first place.
I'm still holding out some hope (as feeble as it may sound) that he'll turn things around. He's coming off his injury and hasn't been on the ice much (ya I know lots of excuses lol) .
Anyways big come back in the second and let's hope they kill that penalty to start off the 3rd. Marner has been unreal tonight.
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12 Mar 2023 02:06:03
He worried me when it was rumoured Dubas was interested in trading for him.
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12 Mar 2023 02:14:17
@Tagz I'm not a fan of Marner at all, but credit where it's due. He's been solid.
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12 Mar 2023 03:03:33
@RLF you and me both, but I tried to give the benefit, it just isn't looking good.
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12 Mar 2023 03:34:01
I wasn't particularly happy with the Murray signing either, but I honestly believe he would give us a better chance of winning. Really hoping Woll can become that internal draft goalie we've been craving for decades.
@LL Marner is growing on me, but I'm not really a fan of his contract negotiations. Granted he was young and I'm sure his dad and agent were the ones behind the media circus. As I posted earlier, hopefully he's grown up (and not swayed by his dad as much) and signs for no more than $10.5M/ 8 years.
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12 Mar 2023 04:47:00
@Tagz with the cap going up and he already making roughly 10.5, I can't imagine him taking less than 12. Especially with the way the media portrays him.
Samsonov is all I'm hoping for right now. I don't think Murray or Will really change anything. If Samsonov can't win a few rounds this year then it's just over and Dubas (rightfully so) will be fired.
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12 Mar 2023 10:54:22
@LL you're probably right about Marner, more wishful thinking on my part.
And yes, Dubas's future will depend on the goalie pickups. I hope one of them or possibly both come through. The regular season is really just filler at this point, we're finally getting closer to crunch time. Let's see what we have.
Go Leafs Go!
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12 Mar 2023 13:51:32
And if LL is right. It begs the question that if you can re-up Nylander at let's say $9.25M as Tagz suggests and the Leafs know Marner will want $12M+. . . is it better to trade Marner this year before his NMC kicks in?
That said, it will mostly depend on who is GM. Since Dubas gave Matthews and Marner NMC's and Nylander only got a partial NTC, it seems pretty obvious whom Dubas had decided he will build around. Of course, that may have changed, but I can't imagine it have based on Marner's play that Dubas would have switched over to Willy instead.
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12 Mar 2023 16:39:56
@RLF personally, I'd trade Marner over Nylander.
Marner may be the better player, but he's not 3-5million better.
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12 Mar 2023 16:46:57
When it's Marners time to resign, the Tavares contract will come off the books giving us ample money, so I don't think his contract size will have a direct bearing on Nylander and Matthews contract negotiations. It will depend on the cap increase and I'm hoping it goes up $4M by 2024/ 2025 as I'm hearing. If there isn't enough room to sign both, then yes, I agree Nylander will be the odd man out unless Matthews has made it clear he doesn't plan to extend with the Leafs.
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12 Mar 2023 19:58:27
@RLF I said it for a long time, Nylander will be a motivated man this year and next year, he'll be a top 5 player in the NHL.
He knows this is when he gets his payday and will be more motivated than you've ever seen him before. I'd expect Nylander to sign a 7-8 year huge money deal, then go back to skating in circles in his own end for the rest of his career.
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12 Mar 2023 21:19:56
@LL most athletes play their best during contract year (s), or atleast try to. But making a statement like this seems unjustified.
I don't know if Nylander will continue being a 90 to 100 point player for the remainder of his career, but I'm confident that he will continue being the type of player he has matured into this season and the latter half of last year.
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13 Mar 2023 00:31:05
@Tagz Only time will tell. Just my read on him.
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14 Mar 2023 12:10:25
I don't know. I wouldn't say LL's statement is unjustified. I mean, we have seen Willy put together small stretches in the past and then go back to his old non-contact non-compete self. This year seems different and I think it may be real.
This is just my own speculation, but I think last season, even Willy's teammates were even getting tired of him not competing the way he should. When Engvall last year didn't give Willy the puck and shot it into the empty net himself instead, even though the empty netter would have given Willy the hat trick, that said a lot. Willy came over and kind of bumped Engvall after with a smile like "buddy, that would have been my hatty", Engvall didn't even look at him. Keefe putting him on the 3rd line at times. He was never out there protecting a lead at end of games etc. There were signs that the patience for him was wearing thin.
Things ARE different this year in Willy's game and compete level. One ting I am curious about. Willy went to a tinted visor hoping to reduce migraines. Were his migraines so bad that he played through them, but he was in pain? If anyone has had migraines, man, some are brutal and getting hit would be hard to take. Has he got the migraines under control and they aren't affecting him now? AND/ OR, has the message from coaching/ teammates finally got through? OR, is Willy playing for his next big contract and once he gets it, does his compete tail off? That last one is a fair question. imo
After all, it is Willy who put the doubt in peoples minds in the first place with his lack of consistent compete. What this year shows, is that he may have been capable of competing harder and driving the net, but he chose not to. If the migraines played no part in it, it has been Willy's choice not to take a hit, not to drive the net, not to use his body at all etc.
I think to question his motivation this year is justified. I am not saying what LL believes is necessarily true without doubt, but I would bot be surprised either. I need to see a couple consistent effort seasons before I would be more confident that the new Nylander is for real.
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14 Mar 2023 14:12:32
All valid points, hopefully his compete level was mostly due to his migranes, which seem to be more under control now.
My wife suffers from migranes constantly and I see the toll it has on her. And not to kiss butt lol, but my wife is probably the most energetic and hard working woman I have ever met. Works 14 hour days supporting her wedding, floral & decor company, especially during the wedding season.
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14 Mar 2023 18:38:43
Tagz. Impressive of your wife. I am hoping Willy has matured, but I am not convinced yet.
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14 Mar 2023 21:01:46
Thank you RLF.
Let's hope Nylander has matured, but if he hasn't, let's hope Leafs get a truck load for him in a trade.
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