Ya, people said that last year
- Fakepartofme

Yeah. And they lost. Thlpft!

Yeah. And they lost. Thlpft!
- Monkeypunk

To the cup champs in the finals.

You know . . . it's a 4th line role for 12 minutes / game, but I still don't get the appeal for Shore over Spezza.

Shore has played 12 games; Spezza 9.
Shore has 1 point. Spezza has 4.
They've both taken 3 penalties; Spezza has drawn 1.
Shore has given 6 hits to Spezza's 3.
Shore is winning faceoffs at 60.8% to Spezza's 50.7%
Spezza's had only 3 minutes on the PK, but Shore has only had 10.

But the thing that gets me - and it's a "fancy stat", but it bears noting. They have played frequently in a similar 4th line. Because of the Tavares injury, you have to look more at Gauthier because he's the common link.

Spezza with Gauthier has a +6 shot and scoring chance advantage and +2 in High Danger chances generated.

Shore with Gauthier is -17 in shots for, -1 scoring chances, and -8 High Danger chances generated.

Spezza is slow, but he is generating. All of his predominant linemates this year - Kapanen, Moore, Petan and Gauthier have a better expected Goals For when playing with Spezza. Ignoring the fancy stats, that is also what my eyes tell me when I watch the games. He's slow, but he is contributing.

Shore so far has been good on face offs, and that's honestly about it.
- Monkeypunk

Maybe it’s the “you can’t be taking pims” if you’re only marginally better then another guy I can replace you with...I’m not sure, Shores played more games and has a pile more dzone starts...I’m too lazy to see who his oppositions been. You could be right, maybe Babs doesn’t like Spezza for some reason, maybe he showed up too cocky or who knows.

To the cup champs in the finals.
- Fakepartofme

Bah. That's loser talk.

Maybe it’s the “you can’t be taking pims” if you’re only marginally better then another guy I can replace you with...I’m not sure, Shores played more games and has a pile more dzone starts...I’m too lazy to see who his oppositions been. You could be right, maybe Babs doesn’t like Spezza for some reason, maybe he showed up too cocky or who knows.
- Garnie

Babcock has been preaching no PIMS

Spezza had two last game, it sends a message.

Maybe it’s the “you can’t be taking pims” if you’re only marginally better then another guy I can replace you with...I’m not sure, Shores played more games and has a pile more dzone starts...I’m too lazy to see who his oppositions been. You could be right, maybe Babs doesn’t like Spezza for some reason, maybe he showed up too cocky or who knows.
- Garnie

Yeah. I wish I understood it better. I don't feel that he deserves anything special because of his long career. You have to earn what you get, but in my opinion - as an outsider to the entire process obviously - it seems like he has earned more of an opportunity than he's being given.

Yeah. I wish I understood it better. I don't feel that he deserves anything special because of his long career. You have to earn what you get, but in my opinion - as an outsider to the entire process obviously - it seems like he has earned more of an opportunity than he's being given.
- Monkeypunk

He has.
Babs is just being a d!ck like always.
Set in his ways. Cant wait until hes eventually gone.
Whenever that occurs

Babcock has been preaching no PIMS

Spezza had two last game, it sends a message.
- Santo_44

Maybe?

But if Kerfoot or Johnsson don't even miss a shift, then the message he's sending would be pretty mixed.

Leafs are 4th worst in the league in GA. Boston is 1st overall.
- aminnes

And today's Downer Report brought to you by this (frank).

Maybe?

But if Kerfoot or Johnsson don't even miss a shift, then the message he's sending would be pretty mixed.
- Monkeypunk

Johnnson and Kerfoot are good players.

JT is out....Kerfoot ain’t getting benched for that. Unless you want the Goat at 2C.

Spezza and Shore are both 4th like Cs. You don’t want your 4th line C to get into penalty trouble. Ever.

He has.
Babs is just being a d!ck like always.
Set in his ways. Cant wait until hes eventually gone.
Whenever that occurs
- Fakepartofme

I’d be curious to see what a new coach would do for the team? Would he switch the lines? Give more ice time to certain players? Switch up the pp and pk setups? Obviously he would bury marincin.

I think lineup wouldn’t change much but maybe the guys give more of an effort with babs gone. I don’t know.

He has.
Babs is just being a d!ck like always.
Set in his ways. Cant wait until hes eventually gone.
Whenever that occurs
- Fakepartofme

I disagree.
In my view Babcock mainly choses his 6th d and 11th/12th fw's based on opposing team that night. Plus he doesn't want those bubble guys to 'relax' after 1-2 good games.
Leafs need to make some trades soon. It is very clear this team is not fit for purpose (winning the Stanley Cup)

I’d be curious to see what a new coach would do for the team? Would he switch the lines? Give more ice time to certain players? Switch up the pp and pk setups? Obviously he would bury marincin.

I think lineup wouldn’t change much but maybe the guys give more of an effort with babs gone. I don’t know.
- bryant

Remember when the 'cool guys' in here were so excited Babcock's assistants were let go off, and these new promising guys were brought in?
In particular that Florida guy (because young so obviously great) was almost instantly declared the new saviour.

Matthews is more and more lazy.
Nylander is lazy.
Johnsson is hardworking but lacks skill and on-ice vision (plus it is only a matter of time he'll get grabovski'ed).
Leafs will greatly improve when Hyman and Tavares back on the first line - easily one of top3 fw lines in NHL.
That will cover up a lot of negatives during the regular season unfortunately - and then in playoffs when the intensity increases and teams can't rely on a top line and a few moments - but whole team has to step it up, the team will fall through again. Babcock will be victimized while it is really Dubas' stubborness (i'll single handedly change the way nhl hockey is played!!l) and lack of insight that has put this team in this situation of good but not great enough to win a cup...

Johnnson and Kerfoot are good players.

JT is out....Kerfoot ain’t getting benched for that. Unless you want the Goat at 2C.

Spezza and Shore are both 4th like Cs. You don’t want your 4th line C to get into penalty trouble. Ever.
- Santo_44

Would be pretty funny.

Remember when the 'cool guys' in here were so excited Babcock's assistants were let go off, and these new promising guys were brought in?
In particular that Florida guy (because young so obviously great) was almost instantly declared the new saviour.

Matthews is more and more lazy.
Nylander is lazy.
Johnsson is hardworking but lacks skill and on-ice vision (plus it is only a matter of time he'll get grabovski'ed).
Leafs will greatly improve when Hyman and Tavares back on the first line - easily one of top3 fw lines in NHL.
That will cover up a lot of negatives during the regular season unfortunately - and then in playoffs when the intensity increases and teams can't rely on a top line and a few moments - but whole team has to step it up, the team will fall through again. Babcock will be victimized while it is really Dubas' stubborness (i'll single handedly change the way nhl hockey is played!!l) and lack of insight that has put this team in this situation of good but not great enough to win a cup...
- MaximusAurelius

Panthers had the 2nd best PP last year. The only people who mention his age are those who have an issue with him simply because of his age.



Bold: Your opinions are immediately dismissed.

Maybe?

But if Kerfoot or Johnsson don't even miss a shift, then the message he's sending would be pretty mixed.
- Monkeypunk

Different beast though, core pieces, play a lot, play hard etc etc

Panthers had the 2nd best PP last year. The only people who mention his age are those who have an issue with him simply because of his age.



Bold: Your opinions are immediately dismissed.
- Steven_Seagull

It’s also been 15 games.

I disagree.
In my view Babcock mainly choses his 6th d and 11th/12th fw's based on opposing team that night. Plus he doesn't want those bubble guys to 'relax' after 1-2 good games.
Leafs need to make some trades soon. It is very clear this team is not fit for purpose (winning the Stanley Cup)
- MaximusAurelius

Holy (frank) dude.

Relax.

Remember when the 'cool guys' in here were so excited Babcock's assistants were let go off, and these new promising guys were brought in?
In particular that Florida guy (because young so obviously great) was almost instantly declared the new saviour.

Matthews is more and more lazy.
Nylander is lazy.
Johnsson is hardworking but lacks skill and on-ice vision (plus it is only a matter of time he'll get grabovski'ed).
Leafs will greatly improve when Hyman and Tavares back on the first line - easily one of top3 fw lines in NHL.
That will cover up a lot of negatives during the regular season unfortunately - and then in playoffs when the intensity increases and teams can't rely on a top line and a few moments - but whole team has to step it up, the team will fall through again. Babcock will be victimized while it is really Dubas' stubborness (i'll single handedly change the way nhl hockey is played!!l) and lack of insight that has put this team in this situation of good but not great enough to win a cup...
- MaximusAurelius

If only #federov

It’s also been 15 games.


- Santo_44

“But Dubas promised us sensible fans that the Leafs would win the Stanley Cup after 15 games. Fire Dubas!”


- Max

“But Dubas promised us sensible fans that the Leafs would win the Stanley Cup after 15 games. Fire Dubas!”


- Max
- Steven_Seagull

It’s just sad, pump the breaks

It’s been pretty good in here the last few days, some good criticism, some not super dumb topics....then Max

And today's Downer Report brought to you by this (frank).
- gravyface

Its a fact.
Not sure why people get so upset over facts

Oh and fack the bruins

Its a fact.
Not sure why people get so upset over facts
- Fakepartofme

Yah. I wonder.

“But Dubas promised us sensible fans that the Leafs would win the Stanley Cup after 15 games. Fire Dubas!”


- Max
- Steven_Seagull

So true....Max is always so bang on....

via GIPHY

At the 20 -25 game is where we will get a decent idea of what this team is.
Unless a core player (am, mm, jt, mr, fa) gets injured again.