James Tanner: PLUS/MINUS: Blue Jays, Coyotes, Ducks, Leafs, Scheifele, HNIC +++
Plus Minus is the weekly blog that will one day turn me into an author as renown as R.L Stine.

Love the sign off

Y'know, I generally think of myself as a healthy, normal person, but I keep reading these blogs when I know Tanner is just gonna piss me off 7 times.

Keep up the good work, I guess

- Mordecai

Ha, what is that ? and what does it mean?

Y'know, I generally think of myself as a healthy, normal person, but I keep reading these blogs when I know Tanner is just gonna piss me off 7 times.

Keep up the good work, I guess
- Johnotron

Seven times? Let's break it down. I appreciate it regardless my good man. I don't hate the Ducks btw, I just don't like that Murray seems to have lost his mind.

I agree with you on Nylander. He seems like the forgotten rookie because of Marner and Mathews but I wouldn't be surprised if Nylander won rookie of the year.

You didn't mention it this blog but can't understand your love for Kadri. The Leafs should have traded him when everyone thought he had upside and was worth something. He is nothing more then a third line centre, with no upside because what you see is what he is.

MINUS: Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that Dean Lombardi is a ridiculous person masquerading as an NHL GM. If I was the owner of the team he worked for, I would have fired him the second I read his ridiculous quotes in Mike Waldner's piece for the Daily Breeze this week.

(Actually I would have fired him a long time ago, but you get my point).

2 Cups in the last 5 years. But yeah, he's terrible.

Seven times? Let's break it down. I appreciate it regardless my good man. I don't hate the Ducks btw, I just don't like that Murray seems to have lost his mind.
- James_Tanner

1. A really good movie you should watch is Whisky Tango Foxtrot
I can't say this pissed me off, but I wasn't a fan of this movie

2. Hate to say it, but it's time to get rid of Coaches Corner
IMO, your most egregious comment ever

3. 106 chabots

4. Rival GMs should be circling the Ducks like hungry sharks
Us Duck fans are very touchy about the Lindholm situation. Word is he wants near 8 mill a season

So I guess I exaggerated somewhat. On the plus side though, Ween

I agree with you on Nylander. He seems like the forgotten rookie because of Marner and Mathews but I wouldn't be surprised if Nylander won rookie of the year.

You didn't mention it this blog but can't understand your love for Kadri. The Leafs should have traded him when everyone thought he had upside and was worth something. He is nothing more then a third line centre, with no upside because what you see is what he is.
- sparky

Kadri is like a Bergeron lite. He tends to make everyone he plays with better, he's responsible defensively and he scores enough and drives possession enough to be called a first line centre (though not an elite one).

He has better career stats than Ryan Johansen.

He could use some better wingers, but he's played well this year for the Leafs in the role they've given him. Calling Kadri a 3rd line centre is hyperbolic and silly.

Ha, what is that ? and what does it mean?
- James_Tanner

I enjoyed the blog! It's from pokemon but my reaction gif folder does not discriminate

1. A really good movie you should watch is Whisky Tango Foxtrot
I can't say this pissed me off, but I wasn't a fan of this movie

I found it intelligent, hilarious, interesting and was very impressed with the acting performance of Tina Fey, who I apparently like a lot more when she's reading someone else's material.

2. Hate to say it, but it's time to get rid of Coaches Corner
IMO, your most egregious comment ever

Cherry is so out of touch and isn't as good as he used to be, or the game's changed too much or.......I don't know, but it doesn't work like it used to. I love Cherry, but it's time to go.


3. 106 chabots

I made that up. Why does it 'piss you off'? I think you need to relax.

4. Rival GMs should be circling the Ducks like hungry sharks
Us Duck fans are very touchy about the Lindholm situation. Word is he wants near 8 mill a season

He deserves it and I guess the truth hurts.

So I guess I exaggerated somewhat. On the plus side though, Ween
- Johnotron

I enjoyed the blog! It's from pokemon but my reaction gif folder does not discriminate
- Mordecai

Appreciated sir. My daughter was huge into pokeman for a while, but I don't get the appeal myself.

Appreciated sir. My daughter was huge into pokeman for a while, but I don't get the appeal myself.
- James_Tanner

You procreated? Does the Canadian government know?

Kadri is like a Bergeron lite. He tends to make everyone he plays with better, he's responsible defensively and he scores enough and drives possession enough to be called a first line centre (though not an elite one).

He has better career stats than Ryan Johansen.

He could use some better wingers, but he's played well this year for the Leafs in the role they've given him. Calling Kadri a 3rd line centre is hyperbolic and silly.
- James_Tanner

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 16h16 hours ago
Kadri line was just destroyed tonight in Chicago. 20% possession. Not sure that trio makes sense.

Yep. What a player.

You procreated? Does the Canadian government know?
- JohnnyNYR27

poop man, I have three kids.

James, I'm not big on Murray's off season either but I got to talk to some Ducks management at the golf course and this is what they told me. When Ekblad's contract was signed that was the number Hampus' agent, Lemieux was stuck on and wouldn't budge. There was no chance the Ducks were going to give him $7.5 mil although they would give him the 8 years. This went on for months until Lindhom's buddy and roommate, Rickard Rackell signed his deal. Then, all of a sudden, they drop their number to $6.5 mil for 6 years, what Friedman reported. Now there is productive back and forth going on and Murray is trying to move $4 to $5 million in salary. This doesn't explain the Jared Boll signing or, to a lesser extent the Vermette deal, although after watching Chris Wagner play I can kind of understand it. When Rickard returns Vermette can move to the 4th line where he belongs and the Ducks might actually be decent down the middle.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 16h16 hours ago
Kadri line was just destroyed tonight in Chicago. 20% possession. Not sure that trio makes sense.

Yep. What a player.
- H8terade

How is that proof of anything? The Leafs have JVR, Marner, Brown, Nylander - four amazingly talented wingers with mad skills, and Kadri gets Michalek and Komarov.

But sure, let's somehow pretend Kadri is the problem on that line.

Did you see him lay down in front of a slap shot the other night after he got hurt blocking the first one? Did you hear his comments after the game?

I got a one word description of Kadri I think you'll like: CAPTAIN.

James, I'm not big on Murray's off season either but I got to talk to some Ducks management at the golf course and this is what they told me. When Ekblad's contract was signed that was the number Hampus' agent, Lemieux was stuck on and wouldn't budge. There was no chance the Ducks were going to give him $7.5 mil although they would give him the 8 years. This went on for months until Lindhom's buddy and roommate, Rickard Rackell signed his deal. Then, all of a sudden, they drop their number to $6.5 mil for 6 years, what Friedman reported. Now there is productive back and forth going on and Murray is trying to move $4 to $5 million in salary. This doesn't explain the Jared Boll signing or, to a lesser extent the Vermette deal, although after watching Chris Wagner play I can kind of understand it. When Rickard returns Vermette can move to the 4th line where he belongs and the Ducks might actually be decent down the middle.
- duxcup07

I get the logistics of it, but I don't get the point of playing hardball with your franchise player.

Need to move salary? Hard to feel bad for them after they signed that Kesler deal.

or after they dealt with the players in reverse order of their importance.

Jared Boll, Antoine Vermette? Chris Wagner? Randy Carlye ? This team is a side-show of terrible move after terrible move.

And for the record, Hampus Lindholm deserves every penny that Aaron Ekblad gets.

Ha, what is that ? and what does it mean?
- James_Tanner

dont act like you dont know what a pokemon is

Kadri is like a Bergeron lite. He tends to make everyone he plays with better, he's responsible defensively and he scores enough and drives possession enough to be called a first line centre (though not an elite one).

He has better career stats than Ryan Johansen.

He could use some better wingers, but he's played well this year for the Leafs in the role they've given him. Calling Kadri a 3rd line centre is hyperbolic and silly.
- James_Tanner

I would trade Kadri for Johansen in a heartbeat

While I believe that getting hot at the right time and luck certainly do play a part in playoffs, the jays had some holes and didn't have near the bullpen the Indians had.
Which has proven to be a decider in baseball. Especially late in the season with only good teams left and so many tight games with brilliant pitching shutting down batters.
Not to mention the jays showed again they cant win without the long ball. Even when they get quality starting pitching.
This is a recipe for playoff failure in baseball.
And unlike hockey, it really is much easier to pinpoint these deficiencies in a game that is all numbers and moments.

Always enjoyed your writing, but there has to be a scenario when it's not luck, it's just being outplayed by a better team ?

I picked the jays too, but look past the name power and check out how deep Cleveland is..


Either way, cubs are the best team in baseball and have been all year.
They probably woulda beat either ALCS team. If they can get runs early and keep Miller out of the game/ cubs in 5 or 6

How is that proof of anything? The Leafs have JVR, Marner, Brown, Nylander - four amazingly talented wingers with mad skills, and Kadri gets Michalek and Komarov.

But sure, let's somehow pretend Kadri is the problem on that line.

Did you see him lay down in front of a slap shot the other night after he got hurt blocking the first one? Did you hear his comments after the game?

I got a one word description of Kadri I think you'll like: CAPTAIN.
- James_Tanner

There must be a reason Babs plays such an incredible talent with those two guys. I didn't hear his comments after the game but have heard plenty of his comments in the past saying how great a player he thinks he is.

I did see him lie down to block that shot, good for him. I am not saying he is garbage but when we drafted him 6th overall I think it was, I am sure they were hoping he would turn out to be something more then he is. Captain.. no thanks. Although he could teach the young guys on how to dive seeing he is probably the best at it in the league.

While I believe that getting hot at the right time and luck certainly do play a part in playoffs, the jays had some holes and didn't have near the bullpen the Indians had.
Which has proven to be a decider in baseball. Especially late in the season with only good teams left.
Not to mention they showed again they can win without the long ball. Even when they get quality starting pitching.
This is a recipe for playoff failure in baseball.
And unlike hockey, it really is much easier to pinpoint these deficiencies in a game that is all numbers and moments.

Always enjoyed your writing, but there has to be a scenario when it's not luck, it's just being outplayed by a better team ?

I picked the jays too, but look past the name power and check out how deep Cleveland is..


Either way, cubs are the best team in baseball and probably should best either al team. Even they can get runs early and keep Miller out of the game/ cubs in 5 or 6
- HB77

Sure, I think one team can be better than the other, but the Jays are better than Cleveland and I think their lack of offense just exasperated the "you have to hit more than homers" crowd, which doesn't really stand up to scrutiny.

Is there a better four player combo in a batting order than Jose, EE, Tulo, JD? Of course not. Is anyone who is close able to then trot out Martin, Travis and Saunders? Hardly.

Yes, the luck narrative can seem tiring, but only because luck is the biggest factor in just about everything.

The Indian's bullpen didn't really outpitch the Jays, the Jays held them to an amount of runs that should have all but guaranteed their victory.

They got to Kluber, but couldn't hit with two on and nobody out. Several times.

They got dusted by their no-name rotation guys.

The Jays were 2 or 3 random timely hits from going to the World Series. I don't believe they got beaten by the Indians, I believe they beat themselves with slumping bats.

But the HR or bust narrative pisses me off. Edwin and JD and Tulo do a lot more than hit HRs.