Leafs talk 2

26 Nov 2023 11:32:47
At this point idk what the leafs do their top line has played like their third line the 2nd line has been their best and the third line has been consistently scoring but to me tree put them in this position look at what he brought in Bertuzzi- good offensively poor defensively
Domi- same thing
Klingberg- same thing
Gregor- 4th line two way guy

He doubled down on offence and abandoned the defensive side of the puck I really don't know what the leafs could do at this point to make this team better other than try and get some defensive dmen but I mean accari looked great last night laferty has looked good as well imagine if they still played on this team

26 Nov 2023 12:25:29
I can't tell if you're against the signings or not. Bert and Domi have been great lately and Gregor is a perfect fourth liner.

26 Nov 2023 22:45:59
I’m kinda both ways I just think by thinking only offence with this lineup it has impacted this team a lot more than people think but I agree I like how domi and Bertuzzi have played the last week or so.

26 Nov 2023 11:29:48
As was the case last year the defencemen are awful. Until tre adjusts it they will be going nowhere
Samsonov is a basket case teammate's have zero confidence in him. Really any shot has a chance to go in on him.
Marner is a shell of himself right now.
Mix it up Keefe

Robertson Matthews nylander
Knies Tavares Jarnkrok
Bertuzzi domi marner
Mcmann Gregor Steeves

26 Nov 2023 03:38:00
Ok, bring up Steeves and McMann and don't play them, sit Reaves and go with 11 forwards and 7 defense.

This coach is an IDIOT!

OH WHAT LINE ON PITTSBURGH KILLED YOU TONIGHT, DUMBASS , TEAH THEIR FOURTH LINE.

THIS COACH HAS TO GO, IF MARNER AND MATTHEWS THINK THEY CAN PLAY LIKE THE HARLEM GOLBETROTTERS THEN SPLIT THEM UP.
EVERY TEAM KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO.
JUST LIKE MCDAVID AND DRASITAL TOGETHER.

TRADE MARNER OF PUT ON THE THIRD LINE. MATTHEWS LIKE TO PLAY WITH JARNKROC SO PUT WHINEY MARNER ON THE THIRD LINE WITH DOMI AND ROBERTSON AND FOR CHRIST SAKE PLAY A FOURTH LINE OF STEEVES GREGOR AND MCMANN,
SIT KAMPF HE LOOKS OVERWHELMED AND CONFUSED

PEACE OUT!

25 Nov 2023 16:26:26
After yesterday's game I think it time for 2 things. The first thing is too fire Keefe, the players aren't buying what he is trying to sell them and therefore it is time for a new voice behind the bench.

The second thing that needs to happen is the new coach must send Marner and Matthews to the press box for a couple of games, with Klingberg on the LiTR I believe they could bring up Steeves and sign Bellows to a league minimum contract and bring him up as well. The message needs to be sent loud and clear that if you don't give a maximum effort game in and game out then you can sit in the press box.

It's pretty sad that Reaves seemed to have a better game than M&M (yes I know Reaves didn't get the same minutes that those two did) but with the giveaways that Marner dished out yesterday I was surprised that he wasn't nailed to the bench in the 3rd.

25 Nov 2023 18:49:16
Mathews can stay, Marner can be sent to Rob dias Island with Klingberg. He's fallen apart.

25 Nov 2023 22:38:13
I happened to catch the Kyper & Bourne show. i know not everyone is a fan but they said a few things after Hawk game that kinda made sense as to why the top line is not working. we have kinda mentioned it here in chat and dunno how to fix it cause we don't wanna mess with the second line. but one point they brough up was Marner is a passer and Matthews a shooter. and cause they are such good friends. it kinda leaves the third guy "out" who in this case is Knies who is different from both of them. you wou almost need another passer to feed Matthews cause 3rd guy does not get to play.

They also pointed out that Knies might be having trouble keeping up with them right now and that he seems to stay on the ice for a little longer even after they have both gone off. has anybody else noticed this and what can be done? is there another good passer out there that can be acquired for cheap?

Also. is it time to think about upgrading the net. thinkin Saros myself.

26 Nov 2023 11:14:59
I think knies has been the best of that line he keeps his game simple and has been putting the puck in last night every time Matthews and marner stepped on the ice they killed the leafs momentum.

26 Nov 2023 13:20:44
@Loxley good point. Seems like Hyman is the only one that ever actually fit in well with the top 6. They didn't like Bunting's agitator style, Bert couldn't keep up, and now Knies seems like the only one with an effort.

Marner fell off a cliff this year. He really can't drive a line without a dedicated corner guy, digging out pucks.

24 Nov 2023 04:09:06
Can anyone tell me what GM's see in Cody Ceci?

OTT thought he was the second coming for far longer than they should have, then traded him to Toronto

Dubas thought he was worth 4.5m while LeafsNation scratched our collective heads and Sens fans laughed at us. He leaves Toronto in free agency as a bottom pairing guy.

EDM Signs him to a big deal and he continues to be horrible. I'm expecting his contract to expire in a year or two and Tree to start a bidding war for Cody Ceci.

I just don't see the appeal. I've watched him on all 3 teams, and he's always been brutal.

24 Nov 2023 15:15:57
@LL. As a leaf fan living in Ottawa. sens found he leafs taking Murray off their hands and not having to eat half the contract even funnier. Ceci was that young prospect people kept hoping to reach that next level and never did. and let's not base the fact that Dubas signed him as good judgement. again see the Murray trade. why oilers picked him up. I dunno. desperation perhaps. I figure Ceci must have something on someone high up that allows him to keep a good paying roster spot. only explanation.

24 Nov 2023 23:21:53
If no one had responded yet, I was going to write, it seems like no one can.

Now that Loxley jumped in their and gave an explanation I can't. Lol.

25 Nov 2023 16:46:55
@RLF. WHAT? . I think you been reading to many mackin posts. next thing we will see is you trying to trade away tarnkrik and kampf. lol.

25 Nov 2023 17:58:26
@Loxley. It is kind of blustery sometimes. Lol

LL asked can anyone explain why GM's wants Ceci. So, I was saying I would have posted "it seems no one can" if no one answered his post. You posted, now if I posted what I was going to because it wouldn't make sense.
Get it?

25 Nov 2023 22:40:42
@RLF. i think we'd still value your opinion unless it's basically what i said. lol. i did get that part of what you said the first time. i guess i was just expecting your answer. lol.

27 Nov 2023 13:30:46
Probably too late to post this, but what the heck.

Ceci is not as bad as some say, but he is not that good either. He is another Holl. Useful in limited situations. Ceci is a big, right shot RD. They have value and GM's will hope to get the Ceci that can actually play. They both block shots, they both PK fairly well. Neither are really physical, but do play the man. Neither will fight, despite their size.

Like Holl, Ceci can have stretches of very good play, but like Holl, his decision making is questionable at times. Like Holl, his positional play questionable at times. Not sure if it was a lack of confidence with Holl at times or a lack of focus, but Ceci seems to suffer from the same issues.

Despite all of this, GM's will pay for the stretches he can look like a #4D, hoping for him to put it together for longer stretches. imo.

23 Nov 2023 13:55:36
How come it takes so long for comments to go through on this site? For some reason, I feel like “dart guy” is in the back looking at all the comments to make sure no one says anything inappropriate. lol. Sometimes it takes hours for one of my comments to appear but I’m assuming he was on a smoke break.

24 Nov 2023 15:16:56
I'd would be nice if there was a site we could allive chat with somewhere for live debate.

23 Nov 2023 13:28:20
Who would be everyone’s favourite D (or two) to get in a trade? I’ll throw some ideas out here, feel free to add if I missed one.

In no particular order;

Dumba
Durzi
R. Andersson (would take a lot to get)
Tanev
Zadorov
Weegar
Murphy
Pulock
Pelech
Romanov
Larsson
Oleksiak
Parayko
Savard
Petry
Pionk
Demelo
Dillion
Stanley
Lauzon
Peeke
Ferraro
Ruuta

I personally prefer two RHD as I have stated in the past, so we can have everyone play their own side.

23 Nov 2023 16:54:39
Ferraro and Tanev.

23 Nov 2023 18:24:11
Nice LL. I think I’d like Murphy and Lauzon. Tough choices though. I’d be happy with Tanev/ Durzi too.

23 Nov 2023 19:40:54
My guess is Zadorov will be a Leaf.

Who I would want depends on so many factors. So, If I go realistically looking at the Leafs cap situation and the assets they can/ would move and the cost of the player being acquired.
I will say Zadorov and Peeke. Both big and physical. One lefty and one righty. Both under 30 and Leafs could possibly re-sign Zadorov while Peeke is under contract moving forward.

23 Nov 2023 21:07:02
@RLF Clarky Durzi is a good young D, but I don't think be fits the team.

24 Nov 2023 00:22:14
My choices are. Hanifin. Peeke and Walker. I've seen a few flyers games recently and the announcers are always talking about how good he has been this year.

24 Nov 2023 04:03:52
@Loxley I like Walker as well. Solid add if he's available.

24 Nov 2023 04:09:59
@RLF is a LHD needed at all? Reilly-Mccabe-Gio looks fine to me. Zadorov is a minor upgrade on Gio if any in actual play, but takes a tonne of dumb penalties.

24 Nov 2023 12:50:49
@LL. for one, Zadorov, Brodie and McCabe can all play the right side if needed as I am sure you know. We also know Tree wants more size and toughness on the backend. He has basically said he wants to redo the backend and all he was able to get was Klingberg. I can't imagine that is all he wanted to do. Let's assume they get Peeke and Zadorov. In this case one/ some D are going out, I believe Lily will be one of them used in a trade.

You could end up with

Rielly Brodie
McCabe Peeke
Gio Zadorov
Timmins/ Benoit/ Lagesson (one of)
Switch Zadorov and Peeke if needed.

If Timmins shows he can produce, he is probably kept and slots in giving Gio a rest when needed or when injuries occur. Looks more like a playoff style D to me.

24 Nov 2023 13:48:43
I think if they are out to get two D. I think it should be somewhat important to get right hand shots. Seen so many times where the D get hand cuffed on their backhand either at the blue line or in the corners. If it’s available. Murphy is one of my favs on this list because he provides a bit of everything, just unfortunate he has been on bad teams. Big strong D that can play with Rielly, moves the puck well, good speed and is a jerk in front of the net. Here’s what I’d like to see.

1st. ) To Chi: Brodie,
Niemela
To Tor: Murphy

2nd. ) To Cgy: Lily, Abbruzzese, 3rd pick
To Tor: Tanev

3rd. ) To Phi: Jarnkrok, Minten, Sammy, Hildeby
To Tor: Hathaway, Hart

Buyout Reaves for $400,000 next couple years
Klingberg on LTIR

Bertuzzi. Tavares. Nylander
Knies. Matthews. Marner
Robertson Domi Gregor
Steeves. Kampf. Hathaway (fighter that can play every game and will be a factor in playoffs)

Rielly Murphy
McCabe Tanev
Lagesson Timmins
Gio

Hart
Woll

This team looks like it could cause some damage in playoffs.

24 Nov 2023 15:27:01
Id like to see the D as follows:

Reilly. Brodie
Hanifin. Peeke
McCabe. Walker
Giordano

Once next year comes along the money Brodie is getting goes to Hanifin who signs for around 7million. you still have Peeke and can resign Walker. I'd like to see Gio as a seventh d. as we all know he is slowing down and will be tired by the time the playoffs come.

25 Nov 2023 16:50:33
@Clarky. id gave to double check but I think it's cheaper to just bury Reeves in minors if you are wanting to get rid of him during the season. I'd have to check cap friendly though.

25 Nov 2023 17:59:52
You can't buyout Reaves until after the season when buyouts re-open.

25 Nov 2023 22:50:43
@RLF i know we can't buy him out right now but Clarky suggested it

@Clarky. Reeves would be on the books for 4 seasons as $450K wehere as we can just send him to minors where he costs us $200K against the cap. makes more sense to do that.

25 Nov 2023 23:13:27
@Loxley. It was meant for Clarky. I should have been clear on that.

22 Nov 2023 13:31:57
It looks like Marner is starting to get the Bunting treatment from the Refs. Has anyone else started to see that or just me posting it making anyone think , yea, it does seem that way. He's getting less and less calls and they are even starting to call penalties on him.

He is whining constantly and the Refs are looking the other way. I have said this many times that Marner whines too much. I hope someone talks to him and tells him he needs to SHUT UP and just play the game. Your not entitled Mitch.

22 Nov 2023 14:49:29
I agree for so many reasons. Whining only pisses the refs off more, you look like a pansy when you’re always complaining, he is a leader in this team and that is not what you want your young players looking up to. Body language is also huge, if you look defeated as a leader, the team will follow. If it’s bad and the ref missed it, let him know but don’t scream at him all the way down the ice and continue from the bench. Matthews gets it just as bad and you never see him doing that crap.

22 Nov 2023 15:01:40
@Clarky. Very true. You don't see it from anyone else really. Not JT or Willy either. You give a quick bark and move on. Refs don't like being shown up, especially on national TV. Every player knows this.

22 Nov 2023 20:25:49
@RLF I wouldn't be surprised. He's been whining about everything for years. To the point of taking himself out of plays so he can whine longer.

@Clarky good point. No one else on the team behaves that way.

23 Nov 2023 13:06:28
Agree with all you guys. you keep hoping he'll grow out of it but at his age that's not gonna happen. it's a shame we can't move on from him and replace his cap space with konecny and Hanifin. could greatly improve our D and replace him with a guy that has more heart. could move willy onto first line with Matthews and have a second line of Bert. JT and konevny.

18 Nov 2023 16:06:49
So...how nice would if be if Klingberg was sent to Robidas Island to keep Murray company....just red an article that mentions Keefe not sure when he will be back...

My question is what is it with these players that search out the Leafs to go on Robidas Vacation!!!

18 Nov 2023 19:14:37
$4.15M and a case of Hawaiian Tropic. Not a bad deal for Klingberg.

19 Nov 2023 01:41:32
It would probably be in his best interest to do that. says it's an injury he's dealt with most of his career. considering his play on leafs so far. blame the injury. go to Ribidas Island with your case of Hawaiian Punch and try again for a big contract next year. just not in Toronto. blame the gad start on the injury.

20 Nov 2023 21:31:59
If Klingberg goes to Robidas Island I'll send him a couple beers to enjoy on the beach.

I'd rather have almost anyone in that spot.

So, how's the Justin Holl hate looking now everyone? Lol. (Not you two specifically)

21 Nov 2023 06:14:11
I never had a real problem with Holl. he was good on defensive side for what he was paid. unfortunately this team built around forwards and he probly had to play out of position. wish a guy his size would have hit more. probly would not have signed him for what Detroit did.

21 Nov 2023 13:04:26
I know you said not us two in particular LL, so I am sure you guys remember that I defended Holl quite a bit. Very good Pker, he was fine as a bottom pair guy. Not every D will play like a top pair D, but that seems what many compare every D to. I have read on here that McCabe is a 6/ 7 at best. If you compare him to Rielly, I guess he can look that way, but I see him as good as pretty much every other D on the team. Brodie probably still has a slight edge. McCabe is a solid 4, very good 5.imo Holl a solid bottom pair D-man.

21 Nov 2023 13:41:20
@RLF. actually McCabe has looked pretty good the last few games. and how can ya not love the cap hit. also agree. above a 5th D good 4th D.

21 Nov 2023 18:00:03
@RLF I do remember you defending Holl. I did quite a bit of that myself as well. Bottom pairing D put on the ice for 22+ mins a game was never his fault, it was Dubas'

@Loxley agreed on McCabe. As soon as he got away from Klingberg he looked better.

21 Nov 2023 22:59:11
Yea, the McCabe hate baffles me.

22 Nov 2023 02:44:37
@RLF it's for the same reason as the Lafferty hate. Media made Lafferty sound like a top 6 forward and McCabe a top pairing D. They're both exceptional for what they are, but we aren't confusing them with Makar and Mcdavid.

22 Nov 2023 08:52:16
It's something to do with Leafs Fans not liking our Dmen. history of it al the way back to Larry Murphy. i'd say the same for Phaneuf. Burke pumped him up to such a high level and making him captain he could not stand up to the hype.

@LL I think the same could be said of anybody getting away from Klingberg. lol . McCabe was/ is on the slippery slope as Holl was with fans. cheap contract but when they try to get him to do to much the fans turn on him.

22 Nov 2023 13:21:30
I agree guys. It's a fan mentality which makes it a tough market to play in. It's either great to play here or really bad because mistakes or even just getting beat on a good play is unacceptable. There are so few exceptional players in the League, but somehow ALL Leafs players must be exceptional or at minimum, the best at their respective position League wide. Not that any team in the League actually has that, but the Leafs should be able to somehow.

23 Nov 2023 13:11:00
@RLF. my question is why to fans have so much hate for the little guys. low cap hits like Lafferty. McCabe and Hill. all bargain deals. playing specific roles. yet someone like Marner who whines all the time and is cap wise part of the reason our bottom pairing players are more blue collar and less fancy gets to skate by. he hardly gets any heat from the fans.

23 Nov 2023 19:32:16
@Loxley. Points and dazzle. imo
Many fans (imo) want to see the guys who can make all the fancy plays and dangle around guys. They don't have a lot of use for the guys who are mostly straight line (north/ south) hockey players unless they are fighters. I think the team values those guys, many fans don't.

24 Nov 2023 00:24:31
@RLF. I was just gonna say. but they loved Domi. Sr that is never the in between guys.

17 Nov 2023 22:34:45
I didn't get to watch much of the game, but what's going on with that top line? Marner and Mathews (especially Marner), have been ghosts.

18 Nov 2023 01:12:05
@LL. well. Matthews has decided he's only gonna score when he can get a hat trick every night. Knies hasn't been benched yet and well Marner just really seems to be off his game. and is probly trying to hard at this point.

18 Nov 2023 05:14:43
@Loxley Lol. Had the same thoughts about Mathews.

I only caught bits of the game in-between work, but I really haven't had an issue with Knies. I'd let him keep his spot there.

Marner may be trying too hard, but I'd really like to see a demotion. Send him to the third line with the way he's hitting the ice. We'd all say anyone else making 11m should be, why not him?

18 Nov 2023 06:16:33
@LL. I watched the game. Marner looks lost out there. thought he was gonna cry at one point. things aren't going well for him. i agree he needs to be demoted but second line is hot. can't mess with that one.3rd line might be 2 low for Mitchy's feelings plus they seem to be coming around as well. Knies played well. but he's still a rookie. dunno what Austin's problem is. no Marner helping out i guess

Dunno what they should do. do you sign an older Willy for 8@11mil and worry about his age and wether he tallies off his current mad man pace. or do we walk away from a younger Marner who although plays both ends. prefers a softer game.

D needs improving and the more i look at it. the more I would prefer Hanifin i think on this team being younger and more of a 2way player.

18 Nov 2023 14:29:24
Marner made a great play on Willy's PP goal. Credit where credit is due. That said, he is not as dominate this year and does look a little lost at times. I think he is struggling with things not going his way because he is used to them doing so. Maybe he is thinking about his next contract and with Willy outplaying him, he is wondering how this affects his future. I have said this before, he needs to stop whining to the refs and just play the game. He needs to get his emotions in check. He has the skill, just play the game.

18 Nov 2023 15:35:58
I agree on Marner. I think he needs to move lines. I’ve been saying for two years now that Marner and Mats shouldn’t be on the same line. Always looking for the fancy play. They need to shoot more and drive the net. If they did, Bertuzzi would have worked great on that line but too many spin backs is not Bert’s style. It’s not that they can’t find the right LW for that line it’s that the line needs to change the way they play. Would love to see this lineup for a game:

Bertuzzi. Tavares. Nylander
Knies. Mats. Gregor
Robertson Domi Marner
McMann Kampf Jarnkrok

Rielly. Brodie
McCabe Timmins
Gio. Lagesson

Don’t want to touch the Tavares line right now, too hot. Get a chance to promote Gregor for a game because he has deserved it and Marner would probably find good chemistry with Domi and Robo. Again, I’m excited to see what Timmins can bring now that he is healthy. He may not be back in the lineup until after Sweden though.

16 Nov 2023 20:27:04
I'm becoming very irked by the "Willy took a discount when Noone else did" narrative surrounding this team.

He had 60pts coming out of his ELC, then held out, and was paid close to 8 million for 6 years, but it was prorated going forward, so his cap hit is 6.9.

16 Nov 2023 21:57:41
Hir send accidentally.

That isn't a discount. It's completely in line with his peers across the league.

Marner being overpaid, does not mean Willy was underpaid.

16 Nov 2023 23:51:55
He didn't take a discount. He got $7.5M per. Way above his comparable. And you are so right, just because Marner was overpaid by $1.5-$2M, doesn't mean Willy took a discount.

17 Nov 2023 00:22:33
I agree I think it’s more to do with the gap between him and marner that people make that assumption.

18 Nov 2023 01:14:49
Who has said Willy took a discount. I remember fans were up in arms for him sitting out . them not being very good after he signed. I agree with Goat . people have forgotten how much it was back then and now compared to the other 3 it's seen as a great deal. a narrative that is often pushed by the media.

18 Nov 2023 14:36:15
@Loxley. The media is the narrative, but you know a certain portion of the fan base is very influenced by the media. People also seem to forget that for the first two years of his deal, he didn't outplay his comparables that made less. He was brutal his hold out year. It wasn't until year 3 that he was even getting on par with his comparables. Year 4 he took of offensively, but was still a massive defensive liability. Last year he started to put it more together. This year, he is a beast. He isn't great defensively, but he is better than he was.
Many seem to forget that yes, Willy has outperformed offensively many of his comparables from the time he signed, but defensively, most of them are better. That never gets weighed in for some reason.

19 Nov 2023 01:45:41
@RLF Damn media. I remember being upset at what he got after sitting the first part of season. got exactly what he wanted. and your right. willy is all offense needs a good two way player or players on his line. much like Mogilny had Gilmour to bail him out and whoever played the other side. Roberts or whoever else it was.