Kap will get 60 plus points if he plays with Mathews all year, does that make him elite also?
- bobbyisno1

No but thats the fun thing when you get the chance to be paired with guys like Matthews or Tavares.

Having better players and playing a better style are two different things. The run and gun poop doesn't work when it matters. How many years did Washington lead the league with 300+ goals, finish 1st overall and lose in the 1st round?
- Unholy_Goalie

I know they’re different. That’s why I said “and”.

Kap will get 60 plus points if he plays with Mathews all year, does that make him elite also?
- bobbyisno1

60 points for Kapanen playing with Matthews isn't out of the question. I don't think that makes him elite but it makes him a suitable replacement.

Anyone of you baztards actually think Kapanen is close to Willie...?
- 21peter

He’s always been 2nd fiddle to NYlander going back to when they were linmates on the Marlies, but the difference isn’t as much as some are making it out to be. Kappy is proving that now, and he has a history of scoring very big goals.

I'm having a lot of fun watching the Leafs this year. That Hyman Tavares Marner goal sure was amazing tonight.

Ya think? I dont see it...great when hes got room though. JMO
- Garnie

I sure do. He doesn't have the puck...heads into the corner...and he has the puck. And he does this...a lot. Then try to get the puck away from him. I think he is very strong on the puck, and that is JMO too.

60 points for Kapanen playing with Matthews isn't out of the question. I don't think that makes him elite but it makes him a suitable replacement.
- Unholy_Goalie

Only guy who couldn't score with Matthews and Hyman...Jonas Hoglund.

I'm having a lot of fun watching the Leafs this year. That Hyman Tavares Marner goal sure was amazing tonight.
- TheMussel

The GTHL line is a strong line. Much better 5 on 5 than the Matthews line has been. I think Matthews is good defensively but with Babcock putting him up against other top lines, that line has been on the ice for quite a few goals against.

Kap will get 60 plus points if he plays with Mathews all year, does that make him elite also?
- bobbyisno1

An educated guess; Willie is a 20-25 points better player as of now.

I'm having a lot of fun watching the Leafs this year. That Hyman Tavares Marner goal sure was amazing tonight.
- TheMussel

Hyman would be an easy teammate to like.

Only guy who couldn't score with Matthews and Hyman...Jonas Hoglund.
- Woderwick

And Robert Reichel.

Especially in the playoffs.

Andersen starts vs Pens — Babs. We’ve survived the Sparks era

I sure do. He doesn't have the puck...heads into the corner...and he has the puck. And he does this...a lot. Then try to get the puck away from him. I think he is very strong on the puck, and that is JMO too.
- Woderwick

Ya i agree to that too, just doesnt take a hit to make a play very often.

The GTHL line is a strong line. Much better 5 on 5 than the Matthews line has been. I think Matthews is good defensively but with Babcock putting him up against other top lines, that line has been on the ice for quite a few goals against.
- Unholy_Goalie

He’s missing Nylander 5-on-5. Nylander gets them out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone better than anyone on the team.


Getting Matthews more time in the offensive zone seems like a good thing.

He’s missing Nylander 5-on-5. Nylander gets them out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone better than anyone on the team.


Getting Matthews more time in the offensive zone seems like a good thing.
- Feeling Glucky?

That's a misleading stat because Matthews has been playing against more top lines this year than last year. That's at least an equal if not bigger reason than not having Nylander. They need to get Kadri (since he's not scoring anyway) out there against top lines more often and get Matthews more Ozone starts and more favorable match-ups.

That's a misleading stat because Matthews has been playing against more top lines this year than last year. That's at least an equal if not bigger reason than not having Nylander. They need to get Kadri (since he's not scoring anyway) out there against top lines more often and get Matthews more Ozone starts.
- Unholy_Goalie

Matthews is breaking records, leafs are killing it. Enjoy.

He’s missing Nylander 5-on-5. Nylander gets them out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone better than anyone on the team.


Getting Matthews more time in the offensive zone seems like a good thing.
- Feeling Glucky?

Completely agree.

That's a misleading stat because Matthews has been playing against more top lines this year than last year. That's at least an equal if not bigger reason than not having Nylander. They need to get Kadri (since he's not scoring anyway) out there against top lines more often and get Matthews more Ozone starts.
- Unholy_Goalie

Misleading stats? I'm sure you know the league is full of them. And I'm sure you won't take the fight on this matter - it's just too obvious

Matthews is breaking records, leafs are killing it. Enjoy.
- Garnie

A lot of that is because of the PP (against a lot of bad teams too), 5 on 5, not the same story.

And yeah, it's enjoyable but the Cup isn't won in October. This team is going to make the playoffs, of that there is no doubt. It's about how you play when those playoffs start that matters. The season is the time to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that they're playing an optimal style to succeed in the playoffs rather than be that team who scores a bazillion goals, finishes really high in the standings then flops in the playoffs.

He’s missing Nylander 5-on-5. Nylander gets them out of the defensive zone and into the offensive zone better than anyone on the team.


Getting Matthews more time in the offensive zone seems like a good thing.
- Feeling Glucky?

Matthews is doing just fine without Willie. In fact, I imagine if Nylander is placed on the Kadri line teams are going to go into fits trying to decide which line to focus on.

Having said that, Nylander+ for Parayko. Make it happen Dubas!

Kapanen is a PPG player right now without being on a Powerplay unit. I'd say the Matthews line is doing just fine at 5v5.

That's pretty impressive on Kapanen's behalf.

Kessel has two rings.
So he laughs, eats a hotdog and says "is that my breath?"
- Fakepartofme

He def ended up in a better place where he was utilized differently

That's a misleading stat because Matthews has been playing against more top lines this year than last year. That's at least an equal if not bigger reason than not having Nylander. They need to get Kadri (since he's not scoring anyway) out there against top lines more often and get Matthews more Ozone starts and more favorable match-ups.
- Unholy_Goalie

Matthews is way better this year, Marner is way better this year but everyone is acting like we should expect the same Nylander as last year. He might be way better as well.

A lot of that is because of the PP (against a lot of bad teams too), 5 on 5, not the same story.

And yeah, it's enjoyable but the Cup isn't won in October. This team is going to make the playoffs, of that there is no doubt. It's about how you play when those playoffs start that matters. The season is the time to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that they're playing an optimal style to succeed in the playoffs rather than be that team who scores a bazillion goals, finishes really high in the standings then flops in the playoffs.
- Unholy_Goalie

Ok

Yes

Soon they call us the Toronto Maple Elites
- Garnie

Fender should make a Leaf signature Strat Elite series