Gear doesn't block everything, the risk is still there. Not worth the risk. 30 seconds at the end of a PK, fine but a regular PKer, that's just stupid. Let the dime a dozen 4th liners block the shots.
- Unholy_Goalie

I agree. Maybe send Matthews out with 30 seconds to go or something, but why risk your best players on the pk? Not only are they forced to block more shots, you want your best offensive players playing in the offensive zone when they are on the ice, not defending on the pk. Even if they are decent pk guys, they'd spend most of their time hemmed in their own zone, and then need a rest, rather than being good to go out and try to score.

It just means they are wasting their energy in an environment where they are unlikely to score (not much anyways), then needing to rest when they could be out trying to score 5 vs 5. If you want to increase Matthews' minutes, have him on the first power play or give him more 5 vs 5 time, where he has a better chance to get a goal.

I agree. Maybe send Matthews out with 30 seconds to go or something, but why risk your best players on the pk? Not only are they forced to block more shots, you want your best offensive players playing in the offensive zone when they are on the ice, not defending on the pk. Even if they are decent pk guys, they'd spend most of their time hemmed in their own zone, and then need a rest, rather than being good to go out and try to score.

It just means they are wasting their energy in an environment where they are unlikely to score (not much anyways), then needing to rest when they could be out trying to score 5 vs 5. If you want to increase Matthews' minutes, have him on the first power play or give him more 5 vs 5 time, where he has a better chance to get a goal.
- Thecakeisalie

If Crosby is on the PP and you are on the PK and Matthews is on the bench for the PK, that means when Crosby has to come off after the PP, Matthews can hop on the ice without Crosby being out there. That gives you many more offensive opportunities than hoping to steal a puck on the PK for a breakaway.

If Crosby is on the PP and you are on the PK and Matthews is on the bench for the PK, that means when Crosby has to come off after the PP, Matthews can hop on the ice without Crosby being out there. That gives you many more offensive opportunities than hoping to steal a puck on the PK for a breakaway.
- Unholy_Goalie

Agreed. While having your best players on the pk might make your pk slightly more dangerous (maybe they score an extra 4 or 5 shorthanded goals), you could be resting them and playing plugs (although our "plugs" are pretty good), then giving them more 5 vs 5 time where they'll score more goals than those few shorties.

I also think there are probably average times for different players where they are at their most effective. While Matthews might score more with more ice time, the amount he scores compared to his total ice time may decline after a certain point. Babcock is likely aware that overplaying people makes them less effective during the time they are playing, and we have enough good forwards he can manage that to ensure they are all playing at their peak efficiency. I doubt playing Matthews on the pk helps him score more per 60.

Agreed. While having your best players on the pk might make your pk slightly more dangerous (maybe they score an extra 4 or 5 shorthanded goals), you could be resting them and playing plugs (although our "plugs" are pretty good), then giving them more 5 vs 5 time where they'll score more goals than those few shorties.

I also think there are probably average times for different players where they are at their most effective. While Matthews might score more with more ice time, the amount he scores compared to his total ice time may decline after a certain point. Babcock is likely aware that overplaying people makes them less effective during the time they are playing, and we have enough good forwards he can manage that to ensure they are all playing at their peak efficiency. I doubt playing Matthews on the pk helps him score more per 60.
- Thecakeisalie

Patrice Bergeron is one of, if not the best two-way center in the NHL. He broke his foot blocking a shot last year. That use to be Campbell breaking his leg blocking a shot and for good reason. When the playoffs rolled around, he was playing way more than most other players because he was playing 5 on 5, the PP and the PK. He was good enough to get past the Leafs but it caught up to him against the Lightning. With the Leafs having the luxury of being able to roll out Matthews, Tavares and Kadri, they're better off just letting the 4C and Kadri kill the penalties and not burn any one guy out. The season and the playoffs are a marathon and more often than not, the healthiest teams are usually winning Cups so anything you can do to avoid overworking or putting a player at risk for an injury, the better.

this thread reminds me of...

- Steven_Seagull

Not worth it. I didn't read a single thing about taxes or Vermette except that he's ranked just above JT amongst centres in the league. But I already knew that anyway.

Not worth it. I didn't read a single thing about taxes or Vermette except that he's ranked just above JT amongst centres in the league. But I already knew that anyway.
- BlueBallz

I wonder if there are tax benefits for those with a faceoff percentage of 60%.

I wonder if there are tax benefits for those with a faceoff percentage of 60%.
- Steven_Seagull

You can shelter the same percentage of your income as your faceoff win percentage. That's why every April I dress up a homeless guy in hockey gear and head down to H&R Block.

You can shelter the same percentage of your income as your faceoff win percentage. That's why every April I dress up a homeless guy in hockey gear and head down to H&R Block.
- BlueBallz

That’s some out-of-the-box UG style of thinking. I like it.

You can shelter the same percentage of your income as your faceoff win percentage. That's why every April I dress up a homeless guy in hockey gear and head down to H&R Block.
- BlueBallz

i see a high chance of Matthews stripping the puck from Weber and scoring. That's the way of the future on the PK, more skill. Players have gear on, they can block shots.
- Zezel

Ya, that sounds fun, but not really.
Don't want Matthews blocking too many shots.
If the future is more skill, don't want your skill sitting in the press box injured.

this thread reminds me of...


- plantheparade

My buddy got mad at his neighbor who he was letting use his internet access. My buddy got mad and at them and unplugged his entire network in his apartment.
I go over and fix it up for him and I changed his wifi password to nofreewifi4U.
They were insulted and refused to use the wifi.
No they go to Timmy's to use the internet or a hot spot from there phone.


NO ZOUP 4 U!

nvm, bad idea..

He needs to be dialed in and not paying attention to ref poop.




I think Babs will give either JT/AM first PK duties. Make one of these guys a true two-way #1C in the NHL... Too many people complaining about not wanting Matthews to block shots, (frank) off. He's a grown-ass man making soon to be stupid money.. He can jump in front of a few pucks. Let him show he can handle that and then give him the C
- Arctic_AARDVARK

No.

Jesus???!?!?!!!?

What was the bloody bet?
- As_I_See_It

Oh it ain't going to be a year for me.

I didn't lose the bet

Bobby Orr says the rumors about the captaincy and Matthews aren't true. But why isn't Tavares captain yet?

I think after this year plays itself through, let the room decide who is captain. The hockey world is small, guys know each other even when they don't play with each other so in that respect, I think everybody knows Tavares is captain material. But, for the sake of giving everyone a chance, maybe after this coming season is over, let the players decide.
- Unholy_Goalie

Dubas already said he wasn't going to rush the captaincy. In fact, I think he said it might not happen this year.

No.
- gravyface

A 'regular' PK, it won't be Matthews / Tavares / Marner on there (but Brown, Hyman, Kapanen, Johnsson)

If it's a PK late in 3rd period against direct competitor from the division, we might see Tavares on the ice to kill off the penalty. Same for the playoffs.

Normally, the highest skilled forwards are the ones that are best on the PK.

A 'regular' PK, it won't be Matthews / Tavares / Marner on there (but Brown, Hyman, Kapanen, Johnsson)

If it's a PK late in 3rd period against direct competitor from the division, we might see Tavares on the ice to kill off the penalty. Same for the playoffs.

Normally, the highest skilled forwards are the ones that are best on the PK.
- plantheparade

Yup, Tavares was somewhat regular on the PK in NYI and Babs snuck Marner out there too before at the end of a PK.

But no way those guys are playing a minute and a half on the PK every night.

I bet Kadri starts getting PK minutes though now.

Yup, Tavares was somewhat regular on the PK in NYI and Babs snuck Marner out there too before at the end of a PK.

But no way those guys are playing a minute and a half on the PK every night.

I bet Kadri starts getting PK minutes though now.
- gravyface

Brown
Hyman
Kapanen
Johnsson
the 4th line C (whoever that might be)
the 3rd/4th line LW (Ennis or whoever)

are surely the 6 fw's first in line to kill penalties.
not sure who of those will take faceoffs in defensive zone though (Hyman, Brown, the 4th line C?)

Here's a thought.

Not every player his good on the PK.

Even good offensive ones, or fast ones.

I'm not sure throwing young guys like Kapanen or Johnsson would work.

Maybe it will but.... sounds risky to send so much inexperience to defend against the other teams top guys no?

I will lead the PK.

all my clothes are made with the best captain material

is Auston still upset that the Leafs for Tavares?

Here's a thought.

Not every player his good on the PK.

Even good offensive ones, or fast ones.

I'm not sure throwing young guys like Kapanen or Johnsson would work.

Maybe it will but.... sounds risky to send so much inexperience to defend against the other teams top guys no?
- Scabeh

Kapanen was on the pk last year and did ok

I will lead the PK.
- AdamFrench

Subban?