As the Maple Leafs hope to continue their winning ways against the Nashville Predators at Air Canada Center Thursday night, general manager Dave Nonis indicates that his expectations for the club have not been reached and hopes that their performance will improve in the second quarter of the season.
“We’ve found a way to win whether it’s been excellent goaltending or special teams on certain nights or some of our top players having good games, but we haven’t played as well as I know we can play.…Nonis said to Sportsnet FAN 590’s Jeff Blair Thursday morning.
The Leafs are fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 13-7-1 record, have been outshot by their opposition on most nights, have not put in a complete 60 minute effort throughout the first six weeks of the regular season and are near the bottom of the league in advanced puck possession statistics like Corsi or Fenwick, but Nonis does not necessarily see a correlation between those statistics and winning hockey games.
“Three or four years ago, we were regularly outshooting our opponents and we were losing.… Nonis said. “I think you can’t put too much stock into shots on goal, you can’t put too much into puck possession. ……we need to do a better job of cycling the puck, we need to retrieve it better. We’ve shown at times that we’ve been capable of doing that, we haven’t done it with enough consistency.…
The status of Dion Phaneuf is one of the bigger things on Nonis’s plate, as the Leafs team captain is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent next summer. While complementary of Phaneuf’s play so far, the Leafs GM was careful in choosing his words as contract negotiations are ongoing with the defenseman’s representatives.
“His play has been good. You look at how many minutes he plays every night, he plays against the other team’s top players, he doesn’t complain about how he’s used.… Nonis said. “I think at the end of the day we are going to try to get Dion signed and whether or not that comes to fruition, you never know, but it is our intention to get him signed.…
Reports emanated last month that the 29-year-old defenseman was looking for a seven-year deal, with an annual salary of over $7 Million per season, but the Leafs are likely looking for a more cap-friendly deal or a shorter term and keeping their options open if the two sides cannot reach an accommodation.
“It has to be the right number, it has to fit for us so we can continue to build our team, so whether it’s next week or March 1st, it doesn’t make a difference to me.…
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The Leafs will have Nazem Kadri back in the lineup against Nashville centering James van Riemsdyk and Phil Kessel after serving his three game suspension for the hit on Minnesota’s Niklas Backstrom. Injured center Tyler Bozak participated in the morning skate, but head coach Randy Carlyle will exercise some caution and not push Bozak back into the lineup, as he has missed nearly a month with an injured hamstring.
“Just not ready yet.… Bozak said at the ACC Thursday morning. “Hopefully by Saturday, I’ll be ready to go.…
To make room for Bozak being activated off of the injured list, forward Carter Ashton was demoted to the Toronto Marlies.
Jonathan Bernier will get his second straight start in goal for Toronto against the Predators. Bernier for his career is 8-1-0 against Nashville, with a 1.67 GAA and .941 save percentage.
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