McClement playing too much, no Komarov were big factors. Those nights with Orr McLaren and Smithson were like an anvil around McClement's neck.
- gravyface

Yeah, the year before if nothing else, when the punchy line was actually fighting pretty much every game, at least you're giving the overworked top line an extra breather once or twice a game, and pumping the team up. If they're not fighting and they can't play 8 or 10 safe minutes, you may as well be down three men on your bench.

If the bottom six could do something, anything more this year that helps on its own and takes pressure off the Kessel line, otherwise teams will just key on Phil and JVR and hammer the poop out of them.

Haven't liked Neymar's diving this WC, but there is no doubt that Colombia were hunting him yesterday. That was a nasty display in the 2nd half by both teams, really.

So... whats the Leafs next move?
- Hockey_Reverend

Assistant coaches?

Signing RFA's.

Ugly arbitration with Reimer and/or trade.

Trade Franson.

Production should come as a result of that but the Leafs relied way too much on the top 2 lines for production and we finished 16th in offence because of that. It was really a two line team with Bernier standing on his head that got us the wins (and shoot outs were a huge part).
- gravyface

Rightfully so. That's their job.

The bottom 2 lines didn't carry their weight. It put more pressure on the top 2 lines, but I don't think the team relied on them too much. I mean, it is their job. Between injuries and disappointments, the top 2 lines did their job...the bottom 6 didn't do theirs.

To me, Im more concerned about reducing the GA and time spent in our zone, more than Im looking for more offense. Sure it would help, but we won't need to score as much if we give up less goals.

Toronto finished 14th, not 16th, in goals for. They finished 26th in goals against. I think it should be pretty clear what this teams needs to improve if they plan on competing. Rangers, Habs, Kings, Wild all scored less than us yet did much better overall. Not really any teams that had a bad GA did anything. Just shows, you can be good without a top offense, but you can't be good without a top defensive game.

If he can stay healthy I can see Santorelli being a solid player for us. Just the type of bargain, good reward signing we needed. Raymond/Mac style.
- systemtool

I'll be the first to admit I had no clue really about Santorelli, but I really noticed Nuck fans liking the guy. Some people saying he was one of their hardest working players. I'll take a gamble on that.

Haven't liked Neymar's diving this WC, but there is no doubt that Colombia were hunting him yesterday. That was a nasty display in the 2nd half by both teams, really.
- fifty__missions

That's crazy he fractured a vertebrae, you never want to see that.

Haven't liked Neymar's diving this WC, but there is no doubt that Colombia were hunting him yesterday. That was a nasty display in the 2nd half by both teams, really.
- fifty__missions

Live by the missed sword die by the sword

Anyone know what UFA goalies are still out there? With McIntyre gone, Reimer may be here next year. Big distraction as Reimer asked for a trade?

Assistant coaches?

Signing RFA's.

Ugly arbitration with Reimer and/or trade.

Trade Franson.
- fifty__missions

Randy will coach all 3 spots next year
He's that good

Yeah, the year before if nothing else, when the punchy line was actually fighting pretty much every game, at least you're giving the overworked top line an extra breather once or twice a game, and pumping the team up. If they're not fighting and they can't play 8 or 10 safe minutes, you may as well be down three men on your bench.

If the bottom six could do something, anything more this year that helps on its own and takes pressure off the Kessel line, otherwise teams will just key on Phil and JVR and hammer the poop out of them.
- Zezel

I also think the kind of offensive production we get is important. Kessel line generally scores off the rush with much less coming off the cycle. Kadri line the same but maybe a bit less. That means lots of time back in our end. Third and hopefully fourth lines absolutely need to be able to cycle and provide some serious pressure in the offensive zone to take some of the pressure off our D. Hopefully these guys provide some improvement on that score.

To all the Cody Franson haters here, you guys know squat. You are all sheep. You agree with the idiots here who condemn the guy and than write "Oh ya, he must stink". On TSN player rankings he placed 220 out of the top 400 players & was ahead of some really good players. He ranked 200 in scoring last year out of 886 players that played in the NHL. Guess he really sucks, you people know squat.
- isitin

Yeahh..he sucks.

I also think the kind of offensive production we get is important. Kessel line generally scores off the rush with much less coming off the cycle. Kadri line the same but maybe a bit less. That means lots of time back in our end. Third and hopefully fourth lines absolutely need to be able to cycle and provide some serious pressure in the offensive zone to take some of the pressure off our D. Hopefully these guys provide some improvement on that score.
- Canada Cup

Absolutely, if nothing else we need effective grinding out of the bottom six. Even just a guy like Komorov running around smashing into people in the corners will help, hopefully.

they plan on using komorov in a more important role this season so don't be surprised if he doesn't finish as many checks and pays a little more attention to the puck.

morgan rielly ✔ @mriles4
Follow
“@DarrenDreger: Leafs have agreed to a 1 year deal with Mike Santorelli, $1.5 mil.” #workhorse #trainingpartners
2:55 PM - 3 Jul 2014

they plan on using komorov in a more important role this season so don't be surprised if he doesn't finish as many checks and pays a little more attention to the puck.
- Sammich

Komarov will still do what he does. It's how he plays. I think it's a matter of being asked/expected to do more than it is a change in his style of play or choosing one or the other.

What are the odds gauthier makes the team out of camp? He would be a great 4th line centre and throughout the season move him up if needed. I also would take a risk on signing Heatley or Seto for a year or 2 which gives nylander enough time to develop with spott on the marlies

What are the odds gauthier makes the team out of camp? He would be a great 4th line centre and throughout the season move him up if needed. I also would take a risk on signing Heatley or Seto for a year or 2 which gives nylander enough time to develop with spott on the marlies
- Leafer749

Gauthiers next stop in his development should be the Marlies. No to Heatley.

What are the odds gauthier makes the team out of camp? He would be a great 4th line centre and throughout the season move him up if needed. I also would take a risk on signing Heatley or Seto for a year or 2 which gives nylander enough time to develop with spott on the marlies
- Leafer749

Nylander more then likely playing in AHL sounds like right?

Nylander more then likely playing in AHL sounds like right?
- ClarksonDavid

Hopefully they send him to the marlies. He would play with somewhat men nhl size and NA ice.

Gauthiers next stop in his development should be the Marlies. No to Heatley.
- systemtool

A second line of Lupul kadri Heatley would like nice though.

There has to be a trade in the works for a top winger. E Kane would like nice beside kadri and Lupul

Rightfully so. That's their job.

The bottom 2 lines didn't carry their weight. It put more pressure on the top 2 lines, but I don't think the team relied on them too much. I mean, it is their job. Between injuries and disappointments, the top 2 lines did their job...the bottom 6 didn't do theirs.

To me, Im more concerned about reducing the GA and time spent in our zone, more than Im looking for more offense. Sure it would help, but we won't need to score as much if we give up less goals.

Toronto finished 14th, not 16th, in goals for. They finished 26th in goals against. I think it should be pretty clear what this teams needs to improve if they plan on competing. Rangers, Habs, Kings, Wild all scored less than us yet did much better overall. Not really any teams that had a bad GA did anything. Just shows, you can be good without a top offense, but you can't be good without a top defensive game.
- systemtool

Without getting into advanced stats and all the insanity that surrounds it, having a bottom 6 that can contribute offensively through possession and zone time is where we've been lacking and this bunch seems much more capable of that.

Gauthiers next stop in his development should be the Marlies. No to Heatley.
- systemtool

yeah

Without getting into advanced stats and all the insanity that surrounds it, having a bottom 6 that can contribute offensively through possession and zone time is where we've been lacking and this bunch seems much more capable of that.
- gravyface

I don't disagree it would be nice to get more offensive contributions from them, but it's more important that they are group that can shut the other team down. Santorelli will give the offense a spark. Hopefully Frattin gets back to what he showed last time he was here. If the Leafs are to have any success the priority to should be to find a way to reduce the goals against. The offense will be fine. What we need most of all is a bottom six that can play fair minutes and not be a liability or a burden defensively. Keep the play in the oppositions end. If the puck goes in, bonus.

How about David Moss to fill out the bottom 6, with a one year contract similar to Santorelli and Kontiola?

Without getting into advanced stats and all the insanity that surrounds it, having a bottom 6 that can contribute offensively through possession and zone time is where we've been lacking and this bunch seems much more capable of that.
- gravyface

Leafs need a bottom 6 that can control the puck a ware down the other team and add some offense, not a bottom 6 that just dump, chase and give away the puck which leads to getting caught in their own end, like last year