Yeah.. But he's crucial.. He draws so many penalties and keeps the other teams focus on him. The team absolutely loves the guy. He keeps their spirits up. He does have cement hands tho..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I guess I don't know much about the guy. I wouldn't bank on him being as big of an impact as you think. Maybe I'm wrong tho

Clarkson should have a better year you can almost be sure of that. Hopefully he will be a difference maker.
- JVR_42_PK81

He has to step up this year for the Leafs to have any chance. I hope with the new coaching they let him play in a role he's more comfortable in.

Tabbys? Florida?
- JVR_42_PK81

Yeah lol

Yeah lol
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I don't think they have a chance.

I guess I don't know much about the guy. I wouldn't bank on him being as big of an impact as you think. Maybe I'm wrong tho
- OilerFan16

He had a huge impact 2 years ago.. He brought the fans out of thier seats. He changes the dynamic of the team.

He has to step up this year for the Leafs to have any chance. I hope with the new coaching they let him play in a role he's more comfortable in.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I think he gets 25 goals and 45 points. My opinion anyways

I don't think they have a chance.
- JVR_42_PK81

Barkov, Huberdeau, bjugstad are all a year older.. Picked up experienced winners in Bolland and Mitchell.. Gudbransson and Jokinen are solid too.. The east is pretty weak and if FLA can get on a roll they might find a way.

I think he gets 25 goals and 45 points. My opinion anyways
- JVR_42_PK81

From 5 to 25 is a big jump.. 60 games and 11 points

I guess he can't do any worse...

Barkov, Huberdeau, bjugstad are all a year older.. Picked up experienced winners in Bolland and Mitchell.. Gudbransson and Jokinen are solid too.. The east is pretty weak and if FLA can get on a roll they might find a way.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I wouldn't be surprised. The East is stupid weak, there are only like 2 teams that are locks. Anyone could squeeze in IMO

Barkov, Huberdeau, bjugstad are all a year older.. Picked up experienced winners in Bolland and Mitchell.. Gudbransson and Jokinen are solid too.. The east is pretty weak and if FLA can get on a roll they might find a way.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I don't think all that can pull them out of 2nd last place in the NHL.

From 5 to 25 is a big jump.. 60 games and 11 points

I guess he can't do any worse...
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Im a Clarkson supporter. Nothing went right with his season from the suspensions to the injuries. He was coached terribly by Carlyle. IMO he set him up to fail.

Exactly, I wouldn't bank on excellent goal tending all year either. They need to allow less shots
- OilerFan16

Hey! What a great idea!

Hey! What a great idea!
- TML60

Not that it's an easy thing to fix but you guys were riding terrific goaltending for 75% of the year then were brought back to earth when Bernier went down

Not that it's an easy thing to fix but you guys were riding terrific goaltending for 75% of the year then were brought back to earth when Bernier went down
- OilerFan16

Its easier than you think. Its called a different system...

Its easier than you think. Its called a different system...
- JVR_42_PK81

There's more to it then that. If that were the case the coaching staff last season should've been able to tweak things no?

There's more to it then that. If that were the case the coaching staff last season should've been able to tweak things no?
- OilerFan16

nope.

nope.
- JVR_42_PK81

Ok

Not that it's an easy thing to fix but you guys were riding terrific goaltending for 75% of the year then were brought back to earth when Bernier went down
- OilerFan16

My point exactly. They had all year to fix it and never did. Defensive hockey takes structure and effort. Too many nights the effort wasn't there. Carlyle's got no excuse for the lack of structure. It falls on his shoulders.

Edit: Teaching a team to play good defensive hockey is not rocket science. It's as easy as operating a toaster.

There's more to it then that. If that were the case the coaching staff last season should've been able to tweak things no?
- OilerFan16

Not if they didn't want to. The system is predicated on allowing low quity shots. Problem was that near the end of the year they started to allow less shots, but gave up far more breakaways and odd man rushes.

The leafs goaltending was very good early on, but to say that it was the only reason they were successful early is not accurate. Their numbers were very good on account of the inflated shot totals and people see that and assume that the goalies were Savin the day and its the only reason they won early on. It simply isn't true.

My point exactly. They had all year to fix it and never did. Defensive hockey takes structure and effort. Too many nights the effort wasn't there. Carlyle's got no excuse for the lack of structure. It falls on his shoulders.

Edit: Teaching a team to play good defensive hockey is not rocket science. It's as easy as operating a toaster.
- TML60

My point exactly. They had all year to fix it and never did. Defensive hockey takes structure and effort. Too many nights the effort wasn't there. Carlyle's got no excuse for the lack of structure. It falls on his shoulders.

Edit: Teaching a team to play good defensive hockey is not rocket science. It's as easy as operating a toaster.
- TML60

Teaching defense is harder than you think.

There's more to it then that. If that were the case the coaching staff last season should've been able to tweak things no?
- OilerFan16

I think they're doing more than tweak over the summer though. Hopefully entirely different guys running special teams and defence, along with a total changeover of the bottom six will help. The changes on the D will help too. It's a small detail, but having a couple more right-handed shots on D will make a difference.

Not if they didn't want to. The system is predicated on allowing low quity shots. Problem was that near the end of the year they started to allow less shots, but gave up far more breakaways and odd man rushes.

The leafs goaltending was very good early on, but to say that it was the only reason they were successful early is not accurate. Their numbers were very good on account of the inflated shot totals and people see that and assume that the goalies were Savin the day and its the only reason they won early on. It simply isn't true.
- burn

I agree. The system actually worked when we made the playoffs. A lot of shots on reimer but not many quality shots on him.

I think they're doing more than tweak over the summer though. Hopefully entirely different guys running special teams and defence, along with a total changeover of the bottom six will help. The changes on the D will help too. It's a small detail, but having a couple more right-handed shots on D will make a difference.
- Zezel

I was referring to tweaking mid season. I'd expect that gigs are totally different this year. Regardless I see your point

Teaching defense is harder than you think.
- OilerFan16

Shouldn't really be teaching defense at this level.... Defensive systems.

Guys the refuse to play defense or aren't very good aren't likely to change. Coach must implement a system that is best suited for his group.