We keep hammering on our goalies and defense lately, but their numbers are quite good. Our GAA is way down and so is the plus/minus of most of our defensemen. Our problem is, we can't score. Since Phaneuf went down, we've seen solid games out of Gardiner, Granberg, and especially Rielly. Rielly and Gardiner are playing insane minutes and have been skating the puck out effectively. It's what scares me, when I think about the Leafs offense waking up and going on a run. It'll kill our hard worked for, draft position. We need to take a few key secondary pieces out of the lineup, to make sure that doesn't happen. Winnik, Santorelli, Lupul, need to be traded, to cause holes in the second and third lines. The top line is poor defensively, so they'll cause their own set of issues, in their own end. Cripple the penalty kill and we can coast into the bottom part of the standings and the top part of the draft.
- PrinceLH

Yes, Horachek is actually doing what he planned on doing and I like it! The problem that you now have is that you have too many guys who can't play to this style and when they focus only on their defensive play, the rest of their game goes to sheit.

I said give them 15 games since Horachek to see them round out their games...it's been 11.

Leafs looking for a 2nd round pick for Franson. They should get that easily I'd imagine.
- iTOLDu

A late first IMO...

This strategy began the second we named Horachek interim coach.

See last year's Florida Panthers. The guy is really great at getting his teams the 1st overall pick. This bodes well for us
- TheThrill

That may be so, but there are enough talented veterans, on this team, that could derail that thought. They might just start scoring all of a sudden, once the pressure is off. It will take one breakout game, for this to happen. I'd rather they dismantle their defensive forwards, on the second and third lines, and make it easier to get scored on. Moving Franson would also be of benefit, because he is a powerplay guy, that eats up allot of minutes. Just subtle trades, in the right area's, will allow this team to lose most of their games, going forward.

http://nhl.com/hockey/comments/video-the-las-vegas-ticket-drive-is-on?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter



- burn

Link doesn't work.

Any update out there in twitter on Matt Wuerst/Capgeek?

He needs a bonafide #1 guy to even possibly look like a #2...and the Leafs don't have that now and it would too much to acquire. So, you move him and try again with Rielly down down the road...
- Colin Dambrauskas

What does a "number 2" look like? The optics are distorted if you're comparing Toronto against CHI or LA (or any team that's not as disfunctional as this one).

Dion is so easy to hate on this team by fans looking for a scapegoat for all that ails this team, but he's had a solid career with Toronto despite playing with Gunnarsson, Holzer, and Franson his entire time here, Franson being the closest to a top 2 guy (he's a 3/4 on pretty much any playoff team).

Toronto, the team, sucks. Phaneuf as the team captain was never a good idea because playing as the #1 D on this team in this market is hard enough (see, Kaberle, Beauchemin, Komisarek, McCabe, etc.) without being burdened with the captaincy.

Three loses without him but the defence has looked a lot better. Polak, Holzer and Granberg are blocking out players in front of the net, haven't seen that much before, more battles and separating the player from the puck behind the net as well.. Rielly has been great the past three games, that is the benefit of no #3.
- LeafMan

The defense has been a bright spot offense.......not so much

Rielly is going to become a stud next season. He has been showing glimpses of that these last few games. I am excited to build this team around him more so than anyone
- TonkaPhaneuf

Me too. I think within 2 years, he will prove himself a legit #1

Just my personal opinion. I am just excited to build around and develop our own core of guys. Guys who have only ever been Maple Leafs.

I can't wait. I'm literally jealous of teams that have these great core groups that they didn't have to blow their brains out to acquire

Yes, Horachek is actually doing what he planned on doing and I like it! The problem that you now have is that you have too many guys who can't play to this style and when they focus only on their defensive play, the rest of their game goes to sheit.

I said give them 15 games since Horachek to see them round out their games...it's been 11.
- Colin Dambrauskas

They are close, right now. They're outplaying and out chancing teams. They should have won the New Jersey, and Philly games. There where some excellent chances to win both of those games. If they had, we'd be talking about drafting at 10 right now. They are just on the edge of a breakout. Best to disrupt that hard worked for chemistry, before it bites us on the a$$.

What does a "number 2" look like? The optics are distorted if you're comparing Toronto against CHI or LA (or any team that's not as disfunctional as this one).

Dion is so easy to hate on this team by fans looking for a scapegoat for all that ails this team, but he's had a solid career with Toronto despite playing with Gunnarsson, Holzer, and Franson his entire time here, Franson being the closest to a top 2 guy (he's a 3/4 on pretty much any playoff team).

Toronto, the team, sucks. Phaneuf as the team captain was never a good idea because playing as the #1 D on this team in this market is hard enough (see, Kaberle, Beauchemin, Komisarek, McCabe, etc.) without being burdened with the captaincy.
- gravyface

I'd post a pic, but I have a perfect "never-banned" streak going.

Yes, Horachek is actually doing what he planned on doing and I like it! The problem that you now have is that you have too many guys who can't play to this style and when they focus only on their defensive play, the rest of their game goes to sheit.

I said give them 15 games since Horachek to see them round out their games...it's been 11.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Statistically their games have actually got better …except for goal scoring.

Either this group figures out how to score by working hard or (more likely) we see some significant personnel changes.

Oh yes they are. Shanny and Nonis will listen to anyone who is willing to take Phaneuf on.
- Champ

Exactly, Toronto is not interested in him any longer..

What does a "number 2" look like? The optics are distorted if you're comparing Toronto against CHI or LA (or any team that's not as disfunctional as this one).

Dion is so easy to hate on this team by fans looking for a scapegoat for all that ails this team, but he's had a solid career with Toronto despite playing with Gunnarsson, Holzer, and Franson his entire time here, Franson being the closest to a top 2 guy (he's a 3/4 on pretty much any playoff team).

Toronto, the team, sucks. Phaneuf as the team captain was never a good idea because playing as the #1 D on this team in this market is hard enough (see, Kaberle, Beauchemin, Komisarek, McCabe, etc.) without being burdened with the captaincy.
- gravyface

I honestly think that if you don't give Phaneuf the C a few years ago, this wouldnt be an issue. But, you made him the captain, signed/paid him as "the guy" and he's...well....not the guy. So now you've kind of screwed yourself. If you use Phaneuf effectively, he could be very useful. But he doesn't have it in him to be "the guy"...I think the sample size is big enough by now.

As well, Nonis went to see Richards play his 1st game in the AHL. Obviously there is some interest.
- Champ

he didn't play

A late first IMO...
- Santo_44

If Douglas Murray can get two (frank)ing 2nd picks, then Franson can sure as hell get better than one...

Statistically their games have actually got better …except for goal scoring.

Either this group figures out how to score by working hard or (more likely) we see some significant personnel changes.
- The Law

#goontank

We all want it. Move out Santorelli, Winnik and Lupul and call up Carrick, Bodie and Devane

Move out Franson, call up Andrew MacWilliam

Let's get thuggin'

Its almost like Dion hurts his confidence or something. Even Jake the snake has looked better since Dions been out. And ive been a dion supporter.
Can I change my name to TonkaRielly
- TonkaPhaneuf

Dion takes too much space. They are young and don't want to rub him the wrong way. They need a mentor, and Dion is not a mentor. Dion is all about Dion and always has. When he gets moved to a team where he is not the top dog on the team, he will be a better player.

he didn't play
- Feeling Glucky?

Pfft. Facts

Those three were my biggest fantasy point producers. As much as I'm not a fan of Phaneuf, he racks in the fantasy points.
- Colin Dambrauskas

Yes, yes, he does. It sucks too cause I'm in 2nd and I'm going into this week facing off against the 1st place guy. Need Phanoof.

If Douglas Murray can get two (frank)ing 2nd picks, then Franson can sure as hell get better than one...
- lumlums

Exactly

What about Gaustad and his 1st round pick return

he didn't play
- Feeling Glucky?

It has been reported in the Ottawa sun that Nonis attended his 1st and only game so far.

Three loses without him but the defence has looked a lot better. Polak, Holzer and Granberg are blocking out players in front of the net, haven't seen that much before, more battles and separating the player from the puck behind the net as well.. Rielly has been great the past three games, that is the benefit of no #3.
- LeafMan

yes. Phaneuf was telling them to stay away from the net.

he didn't play
- Feeling Glucky?

Rehab ?

#goontank

We all want it. Move out Santorelli, Winnik and Lupul and call up Carrick, Bodie and Devane

Move out Franson, call up Andrew MacWilliam

Let's get thuggin'
- TheThrill

Second last thing they need to do is pull an Oilers. Don't screw up the development of the guys you'd like to keep around. You always want to compete ala Flames.

#goontank

We all want it. Move out Santorelli, Winnik and Lupul and call up Carrick, Bodie and Devane

Move out Franson, call up Andrew MacWilliam

Let's get thuggin'
- TheThrill

The NHL would know a team is tanking calling up goons. We would likely get our lottery pick taken away

We keep hammering on our goalies and defense lately, but their numbers are quite good. Our GAA is way down and so is the plus/minus of most of our defensemen. Our problem is, we can't score. Since Phaneuf went down, we've seen solid games out of Gardiner, Granberg, and especially Rielly. Rielly and Gardiner are playing insane minutes and have been skating the puck out effectively. It's what scares me, when I think about the Leafs offense waking up and going on a run. It'll kill our hard worked for, draft position. We need to take a few key secondary pieces out of the lineup, to make sure that doesn't happen. Winnik, Santorelli, Lupul, need to be traded, to cause holes in the second and third lines. The top line is poor defensively, so they'll cause their own set of issues, in their own end. Cripple the penalty kill and we can coast into the bottom part of the standings and the top part of the draft.
- PrinceLH

Imagine had we traded for quick and his .912 save percentage