If the PP was decent then we definitely wouldn't need a tough guy.

There's no doubt that Matthews will figure it out and get better defensively. Many elite offensive talents took longer to develop their 2-way game. Look at Stamkos. He will never be mistaken for Patrice Bergeron, but he has gotten better defensively with age and his game has become more well-rounded. Matthews, like Stamkos did, has a lot of expectations riding on him to light up the score sheet. That can slow-down the 2-way development because the player feels a need to show himself offensively and focus is pulled away from defense, faceoffs, etc. Matthews has the tools, so he'll get it eventually. And when he does, look out.
- GalacticStone

Stfu Auston!

There's no doubt that Matthews will figure it out and get better defensively. Many elite offensive talents took longer to develop their 2-way game. Look at Stamkos. He will never be mistaken for Patrice Bergeron, but he has gotten better defensively with age and his game has become more well-rounded. Matthews, like Stamkos did, has a lot of expectations riding on him to light up the score sheet. That can slow-down the 2-way development because the player feels a need to show himself offensively and focus is pulled away from defense, faceoffs, etc. Matthews has the tools, so he'll get it eventually. And when he does, look out.
- GalacticStone

Assuming, he cares enough to get better in his non contact years. Which is far from settled at this point.

or it is spezza?

maybe the season can be saved.

after chara kills spezza in a regular season game, the leafs will go to AA's place for winter break to chop wood and do a montage of old school training.

they come back hard as (frank). they beat the bruins in the playoffs in such dramatic fashion that even bruins fans cheer for the win.
- Tumbleweed

Lol Not bad.

If the PP was decent then we definitely wouldn't need a tough guy.
- Aaron_85

Except most of those plays on that video didn't result in PP's. I remember watching them and yelling at the refs. Exhibit A - Tavares last night. High sticked and then crossed checked into the back of the net. *crickets* from the refs and Leafs.

In a world where goons get punched in the face for pulling sh*t like that and think twice about doing it again. Or, in a world where their star players get the same treatment and have a conversation with their own goons not to pull sh*t like that again.

Kind of been like that since the beginning of organized hockey.
- floater_willy

For 135 years the sport has been rough and physical by nature..

Dubas comes along and uses the Leafs as his own science experiment like he’s trying to cross-breed hockey with figure skating, where stats like “zone entries or primary shot assists” are more important than +/- or pts..

Except most of those plays on that video didn't result in PP's. I remember watching them and yelling at the refs. Exhibit A - Tavares last night. High sticked and then crossed checked into the back of the net. *crickets* from the refs and Leafs.
- floater_willy

95% of refs hate Babcock

- Odog

But but but you cannot measure toughness (and softness in Leafs case), it does not exist as per Dubas.
- gamerdoc

If only I had the underlying numbers.

For 135 years the sport has been rough and physical by nature..

Dubas comes along and uses the Leafs as his own science experiment like he’s trying to cross-breed hockey with figure skating, where stats like “zone entries or primary shot assists” are more important than +/- or pts..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Dubas can have his opinion. The issues is that Shanny put him in the position in which he was free to experiment at fan’s expense.

So tragic. Shanny started with so much promise. The one and only mistake he made is proving to be extremely costly. Whether that was a fatal mistake or something they can recover from, remains to be seen

If the PP was decent then we definitely wouldn't need a tough guy.
- Aaron_85

Still relying on the refs though. Leafs get least amount of PPs

For 135 years the sport has been rough and physical by nature..

Dubas comes along and uses the Leafs as his own science experiment like he’s trying to cross-breed hockey with figure skating, where stats like “zone entries or primary shot assists” are more important than +/- or pts..
- Arctic_AARDVARK

kings have clifford and campbell that could solve 2 of the problems. not like we would miss timashov's offense if he got bumped.

but dufus would basically need to move johnsson to bring those 2 guys in. we're completely handcuffed right now.

kings have clifford and campbell that could solve 2 of the problems. not like we would miss timashov's offense if he got bumped.

but dufus would basically need to move johnsson to bring those 2 guys in. we're completely handcuffed right now.
- Tumbleweed

Even if he can, he wouldn’t. That would mean admitting he was fundamentally wrong.

Even if he can, he wouldn’t. That would mean admitting he was fundamentally wrong.
- gamerdoc

And that’s just it.

He keeps feeding us lip service, but he done NOTHING to address the obvious issues. He’s only made it worse. The “grit” was a problem last season, the backup was a problem last season, the defence was a problem LAST SEASON!

I think he’s trying to be a boss, and trying to hold firm in his style of play philosophy, but it’s not working. We’ll see if he’s actually capable of change. So far it looks like he’s willing to go down with the ship.

And that’s just it.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Arctic, ya must win tonight... Anderson will back(2back) you guys out. Greetings, a Very(!) fellow aardvark.

And that’s just it.

He keeps feeding us lip service, but he done NOTHING to address the obvious issues. He’s only made it worse. The “grit” was a problem last season, the backup was a problem last season, the defence was a problem LAST SEASON!

I think he’s trying to be a boss, and trying to hold firm in his style of play philosophy, but it’s not working. We’ll see if he’s actually capable of change. So far it looks like he’s willing to go down with the ship.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I read this and simultaneously pictured a heated Elon Musk slapping a table after each sentence break on Joe Rogen

Arctic, ya must win tonight... Anderson will back(2back) you guys out. Greetings, a Very(!) fellow aardvark.
- VeryModernMan

Hello cuz!

Hope ur well!

Let’s go Leafs, mofos!!!!

I read this and simultaneously pictured a heated Elon Musk slapping a table after each sentence break on Joe Rogen
- TheMussel

#Leafs lines in warmup (vs. Colorado):

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Hyman-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Timashov
Gauthier not taking rushes

Rielly-Barrie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Ceci

Andersen
Hutchinson


I like how Keefe will try new things and isn’t stubborn

Shore gone. Hope he does well with the Jets.

Honestly, Dubas is going to have to make a cap move and sooner than later.

I hate the idea that the naysayers are right about the back up position.
- Aaron_85

Lol
Jesus
Its not the naysayers,.its everyone

Eat your peanuts.
Drink your beer.
Grab your towel.

#Leafs lines in warmup (vs. Colorado):

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Hyman-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Timashov
Gauthier not taking rushes

Rielly-Barrie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Ceci

Andersen
Hutchinson


I like how Keefe will try new things and isn’t stubborn
- bryant

Best looking lineup in a whiiile

About time Andersen plays b2b.

But i guess we have no choice eh dubie?

About time Andersen plays b2b.

But i guess we have no choice eh dubie?
- Fakepartofme

First time in 2 years.
They make it sound like it might kill ya

#Leafs lines in warmup (vs. Colorado):

Johnsson-Matthews-Nylander
Mikheyev-Tavares-Marner
Hyman-Kerfoot-Kapanen
Engvall-Spezza-Timashov
Gauthier not taking rushes

Rielly-Barrie
Muzzin-Holl
Dermott-Ceci

Andersen
Hutchinson


I like how Keefe will try new things and isn’t stubborn
- bryant

Fack ya marner is back.
It will take a few games to get him back in game shape willie wives, so chill.