Broken is a team like Montreal or Ottawa; a team that should be a contender but isn't because their GM is an idiot. Both have arguably the best player at their position in Price and Karlsson, both have gone to the Conference Finals once and both are failing to live up to their expectations because the core of their team is mediocre at best.

The Leafs are far from broken. The Leafs were broken under Wilson and Carlyle. They were always gunning for 8th place and never going anywhere. The Leafs are a very young, very talented team that is learning how to play the right way. If five years from now, they're still 3rd in the division and getting bounced in the 1st round every year (or worse than that), then you might be able to call them broken, but for right now, they're exactly where they should be.
- Unholy_Goalie

You guys break down definitions too much for me 😂

Broken: adj - needs fixing.

This team isn't playing near thier potential. Sorry, I freak out about everything that's starting to look concerning now that we live in the Trump era.

You guys break down definitions too much for me 😂

Broken: adj - needs fixing.

This team isn't playing near thier potential. Sorry, I freak out about everything that's starting to look concerning now that we live in the Trump era.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Well technically, every team that doesn't win the Cup needs fixing and a lot of times, so does the team that wins because of the cap. But I take broken to mean, they're not going anywhere, they're just spinning their tires, their wasting they're talent etc.

I see what you're saying but most of the team is under 25. Most guys aren't near their potential yet. That's why I said, if in 5 years they're exactly where they are now, when the core of the team is 25-30 (prime years), then you should be more freaked out. But for right now, everything they're doing is pretty much to be expected.

Andreas Johnson with 2 points last night in a 4-1 Marlies win

I really hope they start giving Dermott more ice time, he's played well.

I really hope they start giving Dermott more ice time, he's played well.
- burn

I hope they don't blow a third period lead tonight then lose in overtime...

I hope they don't blow a third period lead tonight then lose in overtime...
- SofaKingBored

That's what they do, it's inevitable.

Leafs not scoring last 20 or so games, let's play guys that can't score more often.

I hope they don't blow a third period lead tonight then lose in overtime...
- SofaKingBored

I will legit cry if they do lol

I hope they don't blow a third period lead tonight then lose in overtime...
- SofaKingBored

They won't.












It'll be a shootout

That's what they do, it's inevitable.

Leafs not scoring last 20 or so games, let's play guys that can't score more often.
- burn

Yes, this defensive game is working out well... we should be able to just squeak into the playoffs and be defensively outed in 6 games...

Yes, this defensive game is working out well... we should be able to just squeak into the playoffs and be defensively outed in 6 games...
- SofaKingBored

Leafs scoring 1.77 g/game in January. Playoff hockey.

Leafs scoring 1.77 g/game in January. Playoff hockey.
- burn

That would be acceptable if they were only giving up 0.00 g/game...

Leafs scoring 1.77 g/game in January. Playoff hockey.
- burn

On the flip side, since Jan 1,they've only conceded more than 2 goals in regulation once so that's positive. Once Matthew's stops being snakebitten, Nylander decides it's cool to score, and Marner learns to shoot like a teenager, we may see more goals for us.

That would be acceptable if they were only giving up 0.00 g/game...
- SofaKingBored

To be fair that is their gaa for the first 95% of the games over that stretch

On the flip side, since Jan 1,they've only conceded more than 2 goals in regulation once so that's positive. Once Matthew's stops being snakebitten, Nylander decides it's cool to score, and Marner learns to shoot like a teenager, we may see more goals for us.
- walshyleafsfan

Cannot expect to score when guys who can't score are being overplayed

Also, their gaa for this period has nothing to do with better defense and all about goaltending. Leafs despite those numbers are still giving up a ton of shots and way to many grade a chances from the slot. Andersen has been phenomenal. Leafs playing shoddy d still and now not scoring.

Cannot expect to score when guys who can't score are being overplayed

Also, their gaa for this period has nothing to do with better defense and all about goaltending. Leafs despite those numbers are still giving up a ton of shots and way to many grade a chances from the slot. Andersen has been phenomenal. Leafs playing shoddy d still and now not scoring.
- burn

I disagree. I think they've defended much better and also without their best RHD.

The Marner line is a defensive hole so can't be relied on for regular minutes. Have to give them ozone starts and hope.

I haven't noticed the Matthews line playing any less than before and then we have a 4th line.

We can try and play reckless run and gun like the first 10 ish games this year, but I can't imagine having much success when it comes to Tampa or Boston.

At some point, this team will have to learn how to defend.

There's not a lot Babcock can do when Bozak is mailing it in, Marner is playing the worst hockey of his NHL career, Matthews can't buy a goal and Nylander is struggling too.

He started them in OT like the fans and media asked/pleaded. It lasted 18 seconds

To be fair that is their gaa for the first 95% of the games over that stretch
- burn

Ooooooooh snap

I disagree. I think they've defended much better and also without their best RHD.

The Marner line is a defensive hole so can't be relied on for regular minutes. Have to give them ozone starts and hope.

I haven't noticed the Matthews line playing any less than before and then we have a 4th line.

We can try and play reckless run and gun like the first 10 ish games this year, but I can't imagine having much success when it comes to Tampa or Boston.

At some point, this team will have to learn how to defend.

There's not a lot Babcock can do when Bozak is mailing it in, Marner is playing the worst hockey of his NHL career, Matthews can't buy a goal and Nylander is struggling too.

He started them in OT like the fans and media asked/pleaded. It lasted 18 seconds
- walshyleafsfan

They're still giving up a ton of shots a way too many from the slot. Don't see how you think their d is where it needs to be. Andersen sole reason for gaa improvement. There has been no improvement. I don't see it better when I watch and th stats don't says better.

Don't disagree with the other stuff, just my point was that when komarov plays 20mins a night and hyman is playing more than he should we aren't going to score much. No surprise that playing guys who don't score that you don't score. They aren't just in a funk, these guys cannot be counted on to score.

They're still giving up a ton of shots a way too many from the slot. Don't see how you think their d is where it needs to be. Andersen sole reason for gaa improvement. There has been no improvement. I don't see it better when I watch and th stats don't says better.

Don't disagree with the other stuff, just my point was that when komarov plays 20mins a night and hyman is playing more than he should we aren't going to score much. No surprise that playing guys who don't score that you don't score. They aren't just in a funk, these guys cannot be counted on to score.
- burn

Absolutely I agree they cannot be relied on to score, but that's not why they're in the team.

When you see Bozak gliding back on Phillys 2nd goal, Marner's horrendous play recently and JVR looking distracted, are you gonna keep putting them out there as a reward? Two of these guys are veterans.

Matthews and Nylander are playing just as much as they've ever done (imagine Babcock is trying to save them somewhat for the playoffs, even though they're playing more than last year)

Then you watch Hyman play. We all agree he's not great offensively but he plays hard shift in shift out. Gives his all for the team and doesn't take a shift off.

If only 5 more Leafs players had his work ethic we'd be well ahead of Boston. But they don't.

Matthews scored 40 goals last year (0.5 per game) averaging 17.37 minutes per game.

This year Matthews has scored 19 averaging 18.37 minutes per game (0.51 per game). So pretty much on par for 1 full minute more per game this year.

I think people's perception isn't necessarily lining up with what is happening.

I don't know which line fans want to play more as we really on having 2 lines that we can rely on to not get scored on in droves.

Are we looking to play Matthews 21 mins per game?

Their defence has given up 100 shots more than any other team so far this year, we need to trade some forward help for d before Freddy loses his poop, if we had a better d he would be in the vezna convo we have too many good young forwards on the Marlies not playing on the Leafs get rid of the JVR Bozack and Komorov type of guys for d this team needs to take the next step and that's hard to to when you really only have 2 top four guys who are now injured from being played and relied on too much just look at that Calgary d ps that's what's wrong with the forwards too the d can't get them the puck

Absolutely I agree they cannot be relied on to score, but that's not why they're in the team.

When you see Bozak gliding back on Phillys 2nd goal, Marner's horrendous play recently and JVR looking distracted, are you gonna keep putting them out there as a reward? Two of these guys are veterans.

Matthews and Nylander are playing just as much as they've ever done (imagine Babcock is trying to save them somewhat for the playoffs, even though they're playing more than last year)

Then you watch Hyman play. We all agree he's not great offensively but he plays hard shift in shift out. Gives his all for the team and doesn't take a shift off.

If only 5 more Leafs players had his work ethic we'd be well ahead of Boston. But they don't.

Matthews scored 40 goals last year (0.5 per game) averaging 17.37 minutes per game.

This year Matthews has scored 19 averaging 18.37 minutes per game (0.51 per game). So pretty much on par for 1 full minute more per game this year.

I think people's perception isn't necessarily lining up with what is happening.

I don't know which line fans want to play more as we really on having 2 lines that we can rely on to not get scored on in droves.

Are we looking to play Matthews 21 mins per game?
- walshyleafsfan

Sure. .why not. He's a beast!

Sure. .why not. He's a beast!
- mykokes

He's also the most important player the leafs have had since Mats Sundin. In his second season. In a year the Leafs have no chance of winning a cup. Management will keep his minutes under check for the rest of the season.

Absolutely I agree they cannot be relied on to score, but that's not why they're in the team.

When you see Bozak gliding back on Phillys 2nd goal, Marner's horrendous play recently and JVR looking distracted, are you gonna keep putting them out there as a reward? Two of these guys are veterans.

Matthews and Nylander are playing just as much as they've ever done (imagine Babcock is trying to save them somewhat for the playoffs, even though they're playing more than last year)

Then you watch Hyman play. We all agree he's not great offensively but he plays hard shift in shift out. Gives his all for the team and doesn't take a shift off.

If only 5 more Leafs players had his work ethic we'd be well ahead of Boston. But they don't.

Matthews scored 40 goals last year (0.5 per game) averaging 17.37 minutes per game.

This year Matthews has scored 19 averaging 18.37 minutes per game (0.51 per game). So pretty much on par for 1 full minute more per game this year.

I think people's perception isn't necessarily lining up with what is happening.

I don't know which line fans want to play more as we really on having 2 lines that we can rely on to not get scored on in droves.

Are we looking to play Matthews 21 mins per game?
- walshyleafsfan

When you play as much as they do they need to provide more. Grinders that can't score cannot play that much.

You seem to be trying to make arguments that no one is disagreeing with. Bozak is a floater, we know that. These things you're pointing out aren't things that people are arguing against.

When you can't score playing guys that can't score more than guys that can makes zero sense. Brown is just as hard of a worker as hyman, he's smart and has way more skill.

Sure. .why not. He's a beast!
- mykokes

Because it's well known that young players run out of gas so easily..... Play the older guys who don't run out of gas as easily and don't break down as much as the young guy. Need to play guys that "do it the right way" regardless of how good they are, that's more improtant than playing guys who are good at hockey.

lol

When you play as much as they do they need to provide more. Grinders that can't score cannot play that much.

You seem to be trying to make arguments that no one is disagreeing with. Bozak is a floater, we know that. These things you're pointing out aren't things that people are arguing against.

When you can't score playing guys that can't score more than guys that can makes zero sense. Brown is just as hard of a worker as hyman, he's smart and has way more skill.
- burn

Yeah Brown is good as well.

But I feel like the argument is playing Matthews and Brown more and that'll fix it.

We can't play the Marner line more as they get scored on at an alarming rate.

So basically play Matthews and Brown more?

Is that the request for Mike?

Auston Matthews leads all Leafs forwards in TOI/G.