It's also a size issue. The Leafs only have Ashton, Bodie, Orr, JvR, Dion and Franson that are bigger than me, (with Holland, Jake the same kinda size) and I'm not exactly a giant. Take a relatively young team lacking in size and strength and they will not be able to compete physically with others. Maybe the "defend space" tactic is trying to protect that a little bit?
- lumlums

datsyuk and toews are two of the best way centers in the game
neither would ever be considered strong

All depends on what he wants.
To grow up in a Leaf crazed area like Markham, and to grow up a huge Leaf fan, there will be a small part of him that dreamed up playing for the Leafs when he grew up.
Priorities change as you grow up, but considering he'll get close to a max deal anywhere he goes, the money won't be any different. (unless Tampa cannot afford another Lecavalier)
- ILoveLamp

max is what, 20% of the Cap? that'll be around $15-$16 million over 7 years. i don't know how many teams are going to offer that.

Grrr...It is not a system issue when you cannot win puck battles one on one, that is a compete issue.

It is a system issue when your positioning makes it hard to get to the puck battles, this is a separate issue that we already know. I'm talking about one on one battles that players are already there to engage in.
- LeafMan

It was a system that did reasonably well for a D corps filled with very slow immobile guys (Holzer, Fraser, etc). Keep everybody in tight and defend the front of the net. It is also a system that can make it hard to gain possession and then clear the zone - especially if much of the offense comes off the rush. Will be interesting to see if new guys allow them to do something different.

Some guy in the ek blog saying Reimer isn't even worth a 3rd round pick. Maybe a 4th round pick.

They're quite apparently being told to fall back and defend space rather than attack the puck (as it's what they all do, all the time).

That is not only a problem with the system, it will also look like they give zero (frank)s...
- lumlums

Was it the system or the players to blame for continually coughing up the puck at the defensive blue line? We saw that play way too many times last season.

Some guy in the ek blog saying Reimer isn't even worth a 3rd round pick. Maybe a 4th round pick.
- JVR_42_PK81

Maybe before he was signed. Now he's probably worth a 2nd!

Maybe before he was signed. Now he's probably worth a 2nd!
- iTOLDu

He's a habs fan so it makes sense

Again...its not up to RC....its on the players.
Not sure why the coach gets blamed for lazy players.
- Fakepartofme

because I dont buy the its "compete" RC is selling

if they players are lazy and thats the reasons they give up 36 shots a game..how is that going to change? tear the team down.

i suspect next season... the system is improved...and suddenly players are Competing again.

datsyuk and toews are two of the best way centers in the game
neither would ever be considered strong
- Sammich

not sure about Toews but pretty sure Datsyuk is known for being a workout fiend and being incredibly strong.

Was it the system or the players to blame for continually coughing up the puck at the defensive blue line? We saw that play way too many times last season.
- magmoo

system

It was a system that did reasonably well for a D corps filled with very slow immobile guys (Holzer, Fraser, etc). Keep everybody in tight and defend the front of the net. It is also a system that can make it hard to gain possession and then clear the zone - especially if much of the offense comes off the rush. Will be interesting to see if new guys allow them to do something different.
- Canada Cup

I think people are missing the point, the sytem was a major problem, we all can see this.

What I saw was one on one puck battles in both zones that some of the wingers bailed on, that is not size, system, coaching etc.. that is a lack of competing for the puck and winning more than you lose, that falls on the players.

Maybe the players don't want to compete because of a lousy system and coach?

Maybe the players don't want to compete because of a lousy system and coach?
- Pecafan Fan

If so then that is the failure of the management, that includes Shannahan who could have demanded a change instead of accepting the new deal for Carlyle.

how short of a leash do you think Carlyle has? Like a 2-8 start is that enough to get him canned?

how short of a leash do you think Carlyle has? Like a 2-8 start is that enough to get him canned?
- Popcorn Kid

i don't think a leash should ever be that short. if it is, you have no business going into the season with that guy as your coach. (Laviolette last year)

not sure about Toews but pretty sure Datsyuk is known for being a workout fiend and being incredibly strong.
- DoubleDown

Datsyuk is in better shape at 36 than most 26 year old NHLers. His strength is absurd if you watch him keep a puck or steal a puck.

i don't think a leash should ever be that short. if it is, you have no business going into the season with that guy as your coach. (Laviolette last year)
- DoubleDown

Oh I agree, but I am wondering what Shanahan might do.. Barry Melrose was another with a tiny leash too

Oh I agree, but I am wondering what Shanahan might do.. Barry Melrose was another with a tiny leash too
- Popcorn Kid

Yes well when you shout nonsense like "Stamkos isn't good enough to play in the NHL"... you deserve to be hanged.

Yes well when you shout nonsense like "Stamkos isn't good enough to play in the NHL"... you deserve to be hanged.
- Scabeh

didn't he do that after he was let go? All part of his sour grapes act

didn't he do that after he was let go? All part of his sour grapes act
- Popcorn Kid

Pretty sure it was while he was still coaching. (nope, you were right)

Either way, he's an idiot.

Some guy in the ek blog saying Reimer isn't even worth a 3rd round pick. Maybe a 4th round pick.
- JVR_42_PK81

They'd pretty much be right. Maybe with the contract and better play this season, he could be a 2nd

Oh I agree, but I am wondering what Shanahan might do.. Barry Melrose was another with a tiny leash too
- Popcorn Kid

my guess is he gets a good 30-40 games. because that would give them enough time to turn around the season with the new hire.

Maybe the players don't want to compete because of a lousy system and coach?
- Pecafan Fan

Then they shouldn't be in the nhl

my guess is he gets a good 30-40 games. because that would give them enough time to turn around the season with the new hire.
- DoubleDown

Problem is, the leafs always do well in the first half, it's the second half they fall apart in lately.

Some guy in the ek blog saying Reimer isn't even worth a 3rd round pick. Maybe a 4th round pick.
- JVR_42_PK81

He's a backup goalie.

A 3rd would be a good trade for the Leafs.

It has nothing to do with Reimer - you never get squat in return when you trade a goalie.