Totally agree on all this.

I'd also point to brown as having worked hard last night, jvr and bozak couldn't have looked less enthused/less interested.
- burn

Oh yeah I forgot about Brown.

He has been truly impressive this season, tied with Kadri I would say for the 3rd best forward on the team.

Winning teams have guys like Brown.

Kadri and Marleau are pretty great defensively. Marner was actually pretty decent defensively last year, I think being on that line will help him bring that part of his game out of him.

At the end of the day Marner is a big part of this team when he's firing on all cylinders, especially on the PP. The Leafs have to find a way to get him going.
- Santo_44

I agree mostly, but Babcock leans very hard on Kadri-Komarov defensively breaking that up means his most trusted defensive line becomes the Matthews line. I understand the hesitation.

That was actually painful to watch. I thought they could pull it off after the Matthews goal, smart time out by Boucher. Boucher is a top echelon coach in this league last nights game showed it.

Giveaways were brutal. To get through that kind of neutral zone trap (they're still pretty aggresive) you either need the real high end skill plays that apparantly only Matthews-Nylander can pull off. Or you force it through with some blue collar play. Bulldog your way to the red line and dump and chase hard.

I'm slowly starting to turn on Bozak. Yes I don't think he deserves he the flak he receives and he can produce, but with him and JVR paired there's just not enough backpressure. I can live with JVR because at least he's big, good around the net and he's a winger. Only problem is UFA centers are pretty slim pickings. Nylander probably could make the jump to center next year but does anyone want to break up that combo?

Brown has made that line look better because finally they have someone to grind in the corners. Sadly the 4th line looks worse with Brown gone. Martin naturally just wants to get Marner the puck instead of his usually get it deep hold and bang around. Then Marner is always looking to dish so who do you dish to on that line?

I figured that was the plan anyways what we started to see last night. Marner with Marleau and Kadri. Komarov has played well and Kadri-Komarov pair has been Babcock's by far most trusted defensively so I see the hesitation to break them up.

Still I think the only way Marner gets some confidence back is by not only playing with players who can bury their chances but to stick with them so some of his fancy passing plays will actually work.

I think the key to that working is by the Matthews line taking on more of the defensive matchups and top lines head to head, which is what we've seen so far this year anyways. Marner even with two solid defensive players, should not match up against stars.

Borgman looked pretty good last night.
- Blazed

I agree on most fronts.

I just think Babs needs to do something to get Marner's confidence back. He isn't even making those dazzling plays we are used to.

He's trying to get by 3 guys at once or just trying to do too much on what should be an easy out of our zone. Do whatever it takes to get his confidence back then put him on a line that makes sense. We could use Marner being a offensive force again. Just another player the opposing team has to worry about

Oh yeah I forgot about Brown.

He has been truly impressive this season, tied with Kadri I would say for the 3rd best forward on the team.

Winning teams have guys like Brown.
- Aetherial

Babcock wants at least one blue collar guy like Brown on every line, which is why Hyman stays on the top line.

JVR-Bozak-Marner was the only line that all 3 guys will do a fly-by. Hard to break up the the line that outproduced every 3 man unit in the league last year though.

I like JVR and hope they sign him....but not for a whole lot which is unlikely.

But what about signing Perron as a replacement? Probably 4x4 is what makes sense for him.

I agree on most fronts.

I just think Babs needs to do something to get Marner's confidence back. He isn't even making those dazzling plays we are used to.

He's trying to get by 3 guys at once or just trying to do too much on what should be an easy out of our zone. Do whatever it takes to get his confidence back then put him on a line that makes sense. We could use Marner being a offensive force again. Just another player the opposing team has to worry about
- Santo_44

Marner is not just having trouble making dazzling plays but he's having trouble simply controlling the puck at all. He's mishandling the puck and falling down without anyone even pressuring him. It clearly is just a confidence thing, I think we are all in agreement there. I'm not sure there's a simple fix like "put him on X line", he just needs a few things to go right and slowly build his confidence back. That can happen anywhere in the lineup imo.

I like JVR and hope they sign him....but not for a whole lot which is unlikely.

But what about signing Perron as a replacement? Probably 4x4 is what makes sense for him.
- Santo_44

If they decide to let JVR walk I'd rather let the young wingers get a shot.

Marner is not just having trouble making dazzling plays but he's having trouble simply controlling the puck at all. He's mishandling the puck and falling down without anyone even pressuring him. It clearly is just a confidence thing, I think we are all in agreement there. I'm not sure there's a simple fix like "put him on X line", he just needs a few things to go right and slowly build his confidence back. That can happen anywhere in the lineup imo.
- daeth

He looked good with Matthews and nylander on that one shift. Other then that it’s been tough.

I don’t blame on the 2nd goal either. It was a short pass from borgman but almost like taking a blind pass. No time for him to gain control of it before the sen player was coming straight for him.

That was actually painful to watch. I thought they could pull it off after the Matthews goal, smart time out by Boucher. Boucher is a top echelon coach in this league last nights game showed it.

Giveaways were brutal. To get through that kind of neutral zone trap (they're still pretty aggresive) you either need the real high end skill plays that apparantly only Matthews-Nylander can pull off. Or you force it through with some blue collar play. Bulldog your way to the red line and dump and chase hard.

I'm slowly starting to turn on Bozak. Yes I don't think he deserves he the flak he receives and he can produce, but with him and JVR paired there's just not enough backpressure. I can live with JVR because at least he's big, good around the net and he's a winger. Only problem is UFA centers are pretty slim pickings. Nylander probably could make the jump to center next year but does anyone want to break up that combo?

Brown has made that line look better because finally they have someone to grind in the corners. Sadly the 4th line looks worse with Brown gone. Martin naturally just wants to get Marner the puck instead of his usually get it deep hold and bang around. Then Marner is always looking to dish so who do you dish to on that line?

I figured that was the plan anyways what we started to see last night. Marner with Marleau and Kadri. Komarov has played well and Kadri-Komarov pair has been Babcock's by far most trusted defensively so I see the hesitation to break them up.

Still I think the only way Marner gets some confidence back is by not only playing with players who can bury their chances but to stick with them so some of his fancy passing plays will actually work.

I think the key to that working is by the Matthews line taking on more of the defensive matchups and top lines head to head, which is what we've seen so far this year anyways. Marner even with two solid defensive players, should not match up against stars.

Borgman looked pretty good last night.
- Blazed

You sexy beast.

If they decide to let JVR walk I'd rather let the young wingers get a shot.
- Blazed

I'd rather use those young wingers for a package for a top 4 d 👀

You sexy beast.
- Atomic Wedgie

Sorry typo I meant turned on by?

I'd rather use those young wingers for a package for a top 4 d 👀
- Santo_44

I'm listening...

Brown matthews nylander
Marleau kadri marner
Hyman bozak jvr
Komorov Moore leivo*


*not going to take out Martin for whatever reason so it'll still be him

Marner is not just having trouble making dazzling plays but he's having trouble simply controlling the puck at all. He's mishandling the puck and falling down without anyone even pressuring him. It clearly is just a confidence thing, I think we are all in agreement there. I'm not sure there's a simple fix like "put him on X line", he just needs a few things to go right and slowly build his confidence back. That can happen anywhere in the lineup imo.
- daeth

Completely agree. It's all confidence.

A confident Marner would of held onto the Puck on that Oduya give away, Deke out the goalie and put him on his ass, go behind the net, avoid going for the easy wrap around and pass it to the oncoming Gardiner for a tap in lol

(frank) Tavares or Thornton or whoever, could Doughty possibly/realistically be acquired this off-season?

Seemed the more bad plays Gardiner and Z made, the more ice they received...and they get to play with the Matthews line.

Brown matthews nylander
Marleau kadri marner
Hyman bozak jvr
Komorov Moore leivo*


*not going to take out Martin for whatever reason so it'll still be him
- burn

Has JVR ever played a game RW in his Leaf career? I don't think so?

Has JVR ever played a game RW in his Leaf career? I don't think so?
- Blazed

Pulled fom a hat

Sorry typo I meant turned on by?
- Blazed

Well a rental JVR won't bring back a good roster player back. He'd get you tons of prospects and picks at the deadline but we don't need any of that.

I like LA. They are deprived of forward talent and that Carter injury dosnt help at all. According to Lebrun and some other reporters they are interested in trading Muzzin or Martinez for forward help...LA and Toronto are probably the by far best trading partners out there. You can throw Anehiem into that as well.

Brown matthews nylander
Marleau kadri marner
Hyman bozak jvr
Komorov Moore leivo*


*not going to take out Martin for whatever reason so it'll still be him
- burn

Imo these are horrible

They are 6-2 and got into the playoffs with the lines they have now. Minor tweaks is all that should be done not a full on jumble cluster (frank)

Well a rental JVR won't bring back a good roster player back. He'd get you tons of prospects and picks at the deadline but we don't need any of that.

I like LA. They are deprived of forward talent and that Carter injury dosnt help at all. According to Lebrun and some other reporters they are interested in trading Muzzin or Martinez for forward help...LA and Toronto are probably the by far best trading partners out there. You can throw Anehiem into that as well.
- Santo_44

Ana just lost Fowler, not sure they move any D now or at least for awhile.

Imo these are horrible

They are 6-2 and got into the playoffs with the lines they have now. Minor tweaks is all that should be done not a full on jumble cluster (frank)
- Santo_44

Brown boner

Well a rental JVR won't bring back a good roster player back. He'd get you tons of prospects and picks at the deadline but we don't need any of that.

I like LA. They are deprived of forward talent and that Carter injury dosnt help at all. According to Lebrun and some other reporters they are interested in trading Muzzin or Martinez for forward help...LA and Toronto are probably the by far best trading partners out there. You can throw Anehiem into that as well.
- Santo_44

Muzzin is playing like a godamned stud right now and Martinez ain't done poop.

Well a rental JVR won't bring back a good roster player back. He'd get you tons of prospects and picks at the deadline but we don't need any of that.

I like LA. They are deprived of forward talent and that Carter injury dosnt help at all. According to Lebrun and some other reporters they are interested in trading Muzzin or Martinez for forward help...LA and Toronto are probably the by far best trading partners out there. You can throw Anehiem into that as well.
- Santo_44

Jake Muzzin is interesting for sure. Two more years at 4mil per though he will carry significant trade value to any team in the league.

Rielly-Muzzin
Gardiner-Zaitsev
whoever-Hainsey

Does look a lot better.

Ana just lost Fowler, not sure they move any D now or at least for awhile.
- annoyed

I dont think so either, just stating that they are good trading partners