Good thing they addressed the defensive problems. Both on offense and defense IMO.
- iTOLDu

Agreed.
On paper, none of the moves seem mind blowing and that seems to be what Leaf fans are freaking out about.

However, looking a little deeper at the moves, they've attempted to repair the D, they're following a RD LD pairing system which works for good teams, and they're pairing puck movers with good, all around defensive guys. Robidas was brought in for leadership and will help to mentor the youth. Guys like Rielly and Gardiner should show improvements. decreasing the shots against to a normal 25-30 per game will make a MASSIVE difference.

As for our Forwards. Our top two lines were fine. JVR, Kessel, and Bozak score at a rate of a number 1 line or even higher. Our second line does its job of secondary scoring and Kadri will grow as a C. Our problem has been that the third and fourth lines were useless. Kuli, McClement, etc, were guys that couldn't contribute offensively, and even though people think they were defensive guys, they were the main pieces of a terrible PK. I expect to see the third line rolled out with Holland, Komarov and Clarkson. All three can cycle the puck down low and should show significant gains in our possession game.

The new Finnish guy
- lumlums

Konts and Komas baby. Other teams are on mother(frank)ing notice.

I think one thing that is getting glossed over is that just because Carlyle is back, doesn't mean he will simply do things the exact same as last year.

My bet is that Shanahan likes some things that Carlyle does, and he wasn't prepared to throw the baby out with the bathwater right away. But at the same time, the stuff that drove us so crazy (over-reliance on vets, poor usage of 4th line, forcing the use of enforcer vets over energy Marlies, etc.) is being directly addressed.

Basically a case of 'we like this stuff, so keep doing that. But this, that and the other? Yeah, if you don't change that, you're out'.

Konts and Komas baby. Other teams are on mother(frank)ing notice.
- Bigzby

Just saw that Gleason signed in Toronto South for 1.2M

I agree.. That's what I've been saying. But if he does end up staying here it's better than most other back-ups. He's motivated.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Except he's easily influenced. When he was the Rieminister of Defense he was awesome.

Then we got on him. Now he's poop. He's washed up here. Will reinvent himself somewhere else.

I think what you fail to understand from what others are telling you, is the Leafs multiple collapses over the last few years seem to become a recurring theme.
Be it because of injuries or flat out chocking.
- Pecafan Fan

Different situations for the different ones. But in general, it's an immature team.

Adding a guy like Robidas should help stabilize them.

Agreed.
On paper, none of the moves seem mind blowing and that seems to be what Leaf fans are freaking out about.

However, looking a little deeper at the moves, they've attempted to repair the D, they're following a RD LD pairing system which works for good teams, and they're pairing puck movers with good, all around defensive guys. Robidas was brought in for leadership and will help to mentor the youth. Guys like Rielly and Gardiner should show improvements. decreasing the shots against to a normal 25-30 per game will make a MASSIVE difference.

As for our Forwards. Our top two lines were fine. JVR, Kessel, and Bozak score at a rate of a number 1 line or even higher. Our second line does its job of secondary scoring and Kadri will grow as a C. Our problem has been that the third and fourth lines were useless. Kuli, McClement, etc, were guys that couldn't contribute offensively, and even though people think they were defensive guys, they were the main pieces of a terrible PK. I expect to see the third line rolled out with Holland, Komarov and Clarkson. All three can cycle the puck down low and should show significant gains in our possession game.
- ILoveLamp

we're missing a line 2 RW. Heatley? Or whats your plan for that?

Just saw that Gleason signed in Toronto South for 1.2M
- MTL1

They've only got 5 ex-Leafs, what could go wrong???

we're missing a line 2 RW. Heatley? Or whats your plan for that?
- CanadianBodmon

clarkson at 5.5

I think one thing that is getting glossed over is that just because Carlyle is back, doesn't mean he will simply do things the exact same as last year.

My bet is that Shanahan likes some things that Carlyle does, and he wasn't prepared to throw the baby out with the bathwater right away. But at the same time, the stuff that drove us so crazy (over-reliance on vets, poor usage of 4th line, forcing the use of enforcer vets over energy Marlies, etc.) is being directly addressed.

Basically a case of 'we like this stuff, so keep doing that. But this, that and the other? Yeah, if you don't change that, you're out'.
- mcleafs

It's his defensive systems that are falling apart and are outdated.
One of my fave things when watching teams like the Kings is when they are deep in their own zone and the puck is on the boards, they set up a triangle. One guy goes for the puck, the other offers a short pass either up or down the boards, the third is a few feet out in case the puck squirts out towards the slot. If they gain control, they do short passes and rush together. Our team (MayRay was the WORST) hovers around the line waiting for breakaways.

Agreed.
On paper, none of the moves seem mind blowing and that seems to be what Leaf fans are freaking out about.

However, looking a little deeper at the moves, they've attempted to repair the D, they're following a RD LD pairing system which works for good teams, and they're pairing puck movers with good, all around defensive guys. Robidas was brought in for leadership and will help to mentor the youth. Guys like Rielly and Gardiner should show improvements. decreasing the shots against to a normal 25-30 per game will make a MASSIVE difference.

As for our Forwards. Our top two lines were fine. JVR, Kessel, and Bozak score at a rate of a number 1 line or even higher. Our second line does its job of secondary scoring and Kadri will grow as a C. Our problem has been that the third and fourth lines were useless. Kuli, McClement, etc, were guys that couldn't contribute offensively, and even though people think they were defensive guys, they were the main pieces of a terrible PK. I expect to see the third line rolled out with Holland, Komarov and Clarkson. All three can cycle the puck down low and should show significant gains in our possession game.
- ILoveLamp

Absolutely. Only scoring we lost was Raymond's. And I won't miss his puss play at all. Would really like it if they added Legwand or Ott. Legwand could add some offense but I would still love to see a Komarov-Ott-Clarkson line.

This team is staked.

And we added Konts who is basically the KHL Crosby were going to win the art rosskov for the first time ever.

clarkson at 5.5
- big_dion

What ever happened to Heatley. Holy garbage.

What ever happened to Heatley. Holy garbage.
- iTOLDu

He killed a guy drunk....

we're missing a line 2 RW. Heatley? Or whats your plan for that?
- CanadianBodmon

At this moment, it looks like they're going to give Frattin a shot at it, based on his previous chemistry with Kadri. If that doesn't work, they'll look to bring Leivo up.

If both of those don't work, then they'll slot in someone they gain in a trade as a temporary solution. I'm sure Clarkson will be moved up into that spot during the season as well.

what have they improved? team defense was terrible, we relied on scoring. We lost alot of scoring, and arguably (yes arguably, i have seen robidas and polak play many times) improved our D, not overall team D, which can be considered weaker without Kuli, mcclemant, bolland.

We're not tougher either, however people seem to think we are. We were a playoff team last year as we had decent depth (which is now gone).

What went 'wrong' last year is our play caught up with us. We play like Pittsburgh with half their offensive capabilities. It works for Pit until they come up against a stellar D team (NYR, Bos). It doesn't work for us as we don't have the weapons.

How anyone can say we imporved is beyond me. Didn't get much worse? OK i'll agree with that as it's all subjective. But to sit here and people seem so confident is baffling.

Matt Fratttin and komarov don't make your team better or tougher. I'm sorry. Komarov led the league in hits; guess what? Franson was top 5 in D hits. Is he tough?
- clark_griswold

We didn't lose any of our main offense. Raymond was hot at the beginning of the year and invisible for the rest. McClement and Kulemin didn;t bring poop offensively. Bolland didn't play.

Komarov comes in and plays Kulemin's role just as well, cheaper, and brings way more grit and pestiness. I don't care that Franson lead the league in bumps, Komarov was a heat seeking missile.

Robidas is a very smart defensive veteran. Brings stability to the dressing room, and a lot better defensive play than we've seen up till now.

Polak is an improvement over Gleason, and plays a tough game as well.

This team is staked.

And we added Konts who is basically the KHL Crosby were going to win the art rosskov for the first time ever.
- Bigzby

what have they improved? team defense was terrible, we relied on scoring. We lost alot of scoring, and arguably (yes arguably, i have seen robidas and polak play many times) improved our D, not overall team D, which can be considered weaker without Kuli, mcclemant, bolland.

We're not tougher either, however people seem to think we are. We were a playoff team last year as we had decent depth (which is now gone).

What went 'wrong' last year is our play caught up with us. We play like Pittsburgh with half their offensive capabilities. It works for Pit until they come up against a stellar D team (NYR, Bos). It doesn't work for us as we don't have the weapons.

How anyone can say we imporved is beyond me. Didn't get much worse? OK i'll agree with that as it's all subjective. But to sit here and people seem so confident is baffling.

Matt Fratttin and komarov don't make your team better or tougher. I'm sorry. Komarov led the league in hits; guess what? Franson was top 5 in D hits. Is he tough?
- clark_griswold

We lost a lot of scoring? WTF Kulemin, Bolland and McClement?

He killed a guy drunk....
- Bigzby

..I meant without bringing up the obvious..

We didn't lose any of our main offense. Raymond was hot at the beginning of the year and invisible for the rest. McClement and Kulemin didn;t bring poop offensively. Bolland didn't play.

Komarov comes in and plays Kulemin's role just as well, cheaper, and brings way more grit and pestiness. I don't care that Franson lead the league in bumps, Komarov was a heat seeking missile.

Robidas is a very smart defensive veteran. Brings stability to the dressing room, and a lot better defensive play than we've seen up till now.

Polak is an improvement over Gleason, and plays a tough game as well.
- Feeling Glucky?

It blows people's mind that, if you concede less goals, you do not have to score as many to still win a game.

At this moment, it looks like they're going to give Frattin a shot at it, based on his previous chemistry with Kadri. If that doesn't work, they'll look to bring Leivo up.

If both of those don't work, then they'll slot in someone they gain in a trade as a temporary solution. I'm sure Clarkson will be moved up into that spot during the season as well.
- ILoveLamp

I'd like to see Leivo there. He looked good there early last season.

You can't help but attack me eh? Some serious grudge issue you have there brows.. Why the (frank) would I debate the merit of burger flipping?
- Arctic_AARDVARK

You start using an analogy, and think I'm attacking you by continuing it?

wtf?


Reimer didn't do his job.

That's why they're looking to get rid of him.

End of story.

They've only got 5 ex-Leafs, what could go wrong???
- lumlums

6 if Komisarek re-signs there

We lost a lot of scoring? WTF Kulemin, Bolland and McClement?


- Garnie

Forgot Raymond who i hate, but had offense. not that they're great scorers, but replacing them with frattin and komarov?