They must have passed over the recent Stanley Cup winners in that poll, you know, the teams that employ functional toughness...functional being the key word.
- AdamFrench

Basically this. The winners don't have pointless ogres lumbering around.

it hasnt.. because no one has pushed it too far... why.. cause they know exactly who is sitting on that bench.

orr is a deterrent.. you choose not to validate it.. fine. doesnt make you right.
- Dozzer

I'd more inclined to believe they don't cross the line because suspensions to a guy making league minimum hurt a lot more than the guy making 8mil.

- BlowMonkey

Chicago has one middleweight guy who can still put the puck in the net. Bollig
They seem to be doing fine

Anaheim got rid of their goons, and they are doing just fine.

St Louis doesn't employ any goons, and they're doing .. fine.

Seems like most successful teams are losing the goons for 4th liners that can chip in pucks, be feisty, and throw fists only if need be. Orr and McLaren don't fit that model.
- ILoveLamp

Good for those teams, the Leafs division is packed with tough guys. Basically because of the Bruins physical dominance. You wanting keep making points for us.

Basically this. The winners don't have pointless ogres lumbering around.
- sanfordnson

its amusing how dead wrong you guys are

they had carcillo to ice when they won the cup last year.. like i said to french.. i bet both chicago and anaheim grab tough guys at the deadline.
- Dozzer

Carcillo has also scored 12 goals in one season before.

Orrs best season is 4

its amusing how dead wrong you guys are
- Dozzer

Show me then. Who are the Orr's on the last few champs?

I'd more inclined to believe they don't cross the line because suspensions to a guy making league minimum hurt a lot more than the guy making 8mil.
- markmark

remember lucic komi?

made the leafs look like a joke

then the leafs got tougher.. it didnt immediately translate into wins.. but the game changed.. boston respected the leafs more.

Show me then. Who are the Orr's on the last few champs?
- sanfordnson

without researching i know chicago iced carcillo a few times last playoffs..

dont care enough to go back further.

remember lucic komi?

made the leafs look like a joke

then the leafs got tougher.. it didnt immediately translate into wins.. but the game changed.. boston respected the leafs more.
- Dozzer

Bingo!

Basically this. The winners don't have pointless ogres lumbering around.
- sanfordnson

And when they do, they barely or don't play at all in the playoffs after the 1st round...

lol he doesnt need to be good... just there.
- Dozzer

No. You need guys who can play regular shifts, on top of being tough.

Last season Orr was useful because he was actually able to skate and hit people... that allowed Carlyle to put him out during the playoffs against guys like Chara without worrying.


This year, our 4th line has been a joke in terms of actual hockey play.

Carcillo has also scored 12 goals in one season before.

Orrs best season is 4
- ILoveLamp

really? was that back when he played on a stacked flyers club?

its amusing how dead wrong you guys are
- Dozzer

And when they do, they barely or don't play at all in the playoffs after the 1st round...
- Pecafan Fan

First round is usually the most physical, so your saying they served a purpose?

without researching i know chicago iced carcillo a few times last playoffs..

dont care enough to go back further.
- Dozzer

ILoveLamp already addressed this. Carcillo can actually contribute here and there. He's functional toughness.

First round is usually the most physical, so your saying they served a purpose?
- tmlfan17

If all a team has in terms of physicality on their roster is a George Parros or a Colton Orr, they are (frank)ed in the playoffs.

Good for those teams, the Leafs division is packed with tough guys. Basically because of the Bruins physical dominance. You wanting keep making points for us.
- tmlfan17

The only real "enforcer" on the Bruins is Shawn Thornton. Who averages almost 5 goals a season playing 4th line minutes. He'll drop them with the heavyweights, but he contributes to the team. All other "goons" on the Bs are HUGE parts of their team. Lucic, Krejci, Chara, are all top line forwards putting up big numbers OTHER than their PIMs.

Once again. Guys like Orr who are one dimensional are becoming obsolete.

The only real "enforcer" on the Bruins is Shawn Thornton. Who averages almost 5 goals a season playing 4th line minutes. He'll drop them with the heavyweights, but he contributes to the team. All other "goons" on the Bs are HUGE parts of their team. Lucic, Krejci, Chara, are all top line forwards putting up big numbers OTHER than their PIMs.

Once again. Guys like Orr who are one dimensional are becoming obsolete.
- ILoveLamp

Orr was the one guy that could physically make his presence known vs Chara in the first round if I recall correctly.

No. You need guys who can play regular shifts, on top of being tough.

Last season Orr was useful because he was actually able to skate and hit people... that allowed Carlyle to put him out during the playoffs against guys like Chara without worrying.


This year, our 4th line has been a joke in terms of actual hockey play.
- Feeling Glucky?

well.. the top lines are only just coming around.. give it time lol

They must have passed over the recent Stanley Cup winners in that poll, you know, the teams that employ functional toughness...functional being the key word.
- AdamFrench

nothing like avoiding the question.

ILoveLamp already addressed this. Carcillo can actually contribute here and there. He's functional toughness.
- sanfordnson

do you really think what the leafs need is more scoring?

lets look at this in terms of team wide need

remember lucic komi?

made the leafs look like a joke

then the leafs got tougher.. it didnt immediately translate into wins.. but the game changed.. boston respected the leafs more.
- Dozzer

A fight that happened between MTL and BOS? What does that have to do with the Leafs playing with more edge?

Sorry Dozzer, I'm with French on this one. I don't think guys like Orr who don't contribute outside of toughness are doing anything to influence the game. I don't hate Orr, I think occasionally he has a good game where he puts in a good forcheck but not often. I'd rather Ashton there. Why? Because even if he has to fight or stand up for someone (aka get his nose broken) he can also potentially be a threat to chip in a goal.

nothing like avoiding the question.

- Rockhead_37

frenchie likes his euro hockey

nothing wrong with it.. but i prefer the tougher more physical NA game myself.

Orr was the one guy that could physically make his presence known vs Chara in the first round if I recall correctly.
- magmoo

Orr was instrumental in the Leafs winning that series.