female dog please.

All you and the glowies do is female dog and moan about me.
- Tanooki

If that is what gets you through the day then sure AA, sure.

I think Zaitsev could be a solid bottom pairing guy on a team that plays with structure.

I think the same could be said about any of the supposedly horrible dmen we have. Bogosian looks terrible, but he was just fine when he had a role to play in Tampa and everyone else played their role also. Want to bet Barrie looks a lot better in Edmonton, a team with even less depth and arguably worse goaltending than the Leafs.
- Aetherial

NOt at 4.5 per.

I dont care if you are banned, you walk the line and it shows us your true character. Do as you please, Im not the one that has to wear that personality on my sleeve.
- Santo_44

It's allll about him, he's got the UG Napoleon complex. Don't take that away from him, it's all he has. Be a good citizen, keep his ego propped up... And act like you care. 👍

Dubas letting them off the hook with hiring Keefe, its a horrible take and shows how strongly biased he is against the Leafs.

It was a coaching change after Babcock got stale that is it. 100% of teams have done the exact same thing.
- Santo_44

It *could* be a hot take. We really don't know.

I think that the team was starting to badly underperform under Babcock. My problem is that I see no area that is better under Keefe? What I would like to see is someone's ass stapled to the bench once in a while; just some sign of accountability.

That interview with Matthews after the game was very telling. It was as if this was just another unfortunate loss. ZERO ownership of the horrible effort. That isn't on Matthews. I think the whole team (some notable exceptions) plays that way.

One positive sign is that Tavares looks like he is back to the guy we thought we signed, hopefully that isn't a two game blip!

Observations after 2 games:

Leafs were outworked by both the Habs and Sens. This needs to change fast or it will be another lost season.

Thornton has no business on the top line. Keefe knows this and will make an adjustment. Hyman needs to be on one of the top 2 lines.

I really don’t care if it’s Matthews with Marner or Matthews with Nylander. But change it up when things aren’t going well.

Simmonds is not a good hockey player but we need him and his intensity. I would move him up the lineup to create a spark and get him more involved.

Vesey is just a guy. Not terrible but doesn’t bring much to the table. I would much rather see Robertson in the lineup.

Kerfoot is better than most people give him credit for. I think he has a good season this year however he is used.

Rielly is a very gifted skater with good offensive instincts. Was really hoping Brody would create a good pairing that could also be good defensively but so far we haven’t seen that(I know it has only been 2 games). They are both soft and cant(won’t) take the body.

Muzz and Holl look fine out there. Not great, a little slow but fine so far.

Bogosian is very slow and not really an intelligent player. But is a physical presence and will move guys out in front of the net. We need him, but we should also be looking for an upgrade for next season if possible.

Dermott is Dermott. A number 5-6 defence man. I think what you see is what you are going to continue to get from him. We need Sandin to take a big step so soon to add to this D core.

Andersen is an average goalie period. He is not as bad as some people say but will never never carry this team like other goalies can do. He makes great saves regularly but also lets in goals at the worst times consistently. We will see a lot of Campbell is this year. Freddie is gone next year.

If the Leafs lose tonight it will show again that this team hasn’t changed at all. No heart, no grit, no work ethic, and worst of all no pride. They better come out flying!

Being a Leaf fan is so painful at times. Lol

GLG

*triiiigered*
- Tanooki

🤣🤣🤣

Full child activated.

NOt at 4.5 per.
- RogerRoeper

I meant to finish with that. I agree. He had to go because he was overpaid and had term left.

It really is time to stop heaping ALL the blame on the Leafs defensemen. Defense is a team effort, or at least it should be. Scoring chances happen, regardless, and goalie sometimes need to make a save.

I don't find any of them unreasonable. I actually agree with them most of the time. There are only a couple people who are ever on the Leafs boards that are a complete waste of time, all the time.
- Aetherial

It *could* be a hot take. We really don't know.

I think that the team was starting to badly underperform under Babcock. My problem is that I see no area that is better under Keefe? What I would like to see is someone's ass stapled to the bench once in a while; just some sign of accountability.

That interview with Matthews after the game was very telling. It was as if this was just another unfortunate loss. ZERO ownership of the horrible effort. That isn't on Matthews. I think the whole team (some notable exceptions) plays that way.

One positive sign is that Tavares looks like he is back to the guy we thought we signed, hopefully that isn't a two game blip!
- Aetherial

Wasn't Matthews one of the only guys visibly and vocally upset and embarrassed after the loss to Columbus in the bubble? I think he's done a better job owning some of his/the teams issues than a lot of the guys

THe Thornton idea on the 1st line was always so puzzling to me. Way too risky to go with to start the year.
Thornton can be very good, with WAY less TOI on the 3rd or 4th line.

So let's earmark this ....you began this narrative today. Surely fans can talk about what looked bad last night without being accused of whining?
- The Law

I was very clearly satirizing the over-the-top panic from some individuals in this thread.

I'm allowed to accuse those types of whining. It's game two.

Constructive criticism is cool -- but openly admitting that it's time to push the panic button is patently absurd.

When Dubas signed him I knew it would be a disaster from the beginning.

What good could possibly come from signing him? Just an other stupid decision. He did NOTHING to improve the roster.
- Tanooki

The signing was fine.

It's the deployment we should all hate.

Wasn't Matthews one of the only guys visibly and vocally upset and embarrassed after the loss to Columbus in the bubble? I think he's done a better job owning some of his/the teams issues than a lot of the guys
- PlatosRepucklic

He admitted he was embarrassed at losing 4 straight years.

Observations after 2 games:

Leafs were outworked by both the Habs and Sens. This needs to change fast or it will be another lost season.

Thornton has no business on the top line. Keefe knows this and will make an adjustment. Hyman needs to be on one of the top 2 lines.

I really don’t care if it’s Matthews with Marner or Matthews with Nylander. But change it up when things aren’t going well.

Simmonds is not a good hockey player but we need him and his intensity. I would move him up the lineup to create a spark and get him more involved.

Vesey is just a guy. Not terrible but doesn’t bring much to the table. I would much rather see Robertson in the lineup.

Kerfoot is better than most people give him credit for. I think he has a good season this year however he is used.

Rielly is a very gifted skater with good offensive instincts. Was really hoping Brody would create a good pairing that could also be good defensively but so far we haven’t seen that(I know it has only been 2 games). They are both soft and cant(won’t) take the body.

Muzz and Holl look fine out there. Not great, a little slow but fine so far.

Bogosian is very slow and not really an intelligent player. But is a physical presence and will move guys out in front of the net. We need him, but we should also be looking for an upgrade for next season if possible.

Dermott is Dermott. A number 5-6 defence man. I think what you see is what you are going to continue to get from him. We need Sandin to take a big step so soon to add to this D core.

Andersen is an average goalie period. He is not as bad as some people say but will never never carry this team like other goalies can do. He makes great saves regularly but also lets in goals at the worst times consistently. We will see a lot of Campbell is this year. Freddie is gone next year.

If the Leafs lose tonight it will show again that this team hasn’t changed at all. No heart, no grit, no work ethic, and worst of all no pride. They better come out flying!

Being a Leaf fan is so painful at times. Lol

GLG
- rSole

Awesome post.

The only thing I disagree with is that I think maybe they will re-sign Andersen.

The signing was fine.

It's the deployment we should all hate.
- Atomic Wedgie

This. The usage of him has changed what the signing can be. Odd decision to say the least.

It *could* be a hot take. We really don't know.

I think that the team was starting to badly underperform under Babcock. My problem is that I see no area that is better under Keefe? What I would like to see is someone's ass stapled to the bench once in a while; just some sign of accountability.

That interview with Matthews after the game was very telling. It was as if this was just another unfortunate loss. ZERO ownership of the horrible effort. That isn't on Matthews. I think the whole team (some notable exceptions) plays that way.

One positive sign is that Tavares looks like he is back to the guy we thought we signed, hopefully that isn't a two game blip!
- Aetherial

Keefe can't do that.

First time coach - has won nothing at the NHL level.

PSA: don't shoot the messenger here. I'm not saying that it's fair. But it's a fact that he doesn't have the gravitas that a Scotty Bowman or Torts would have in the same situation - benching Matthews isn't going to work. It's just going to get you fired faster.

It *could* be a hot take. We really don't know.

I think that the team was starting to badly underperform under Babcock. My problem is that I see no area that is better under Keefe? What I would like to see is someone's ass stapled to the bench once in a while; just some sign of accountability.

That interview with Matthews after the game was very telling. It was as if this was just another unfortunate loss. ZERO ownership of the horrible effort. That isn't on Matthews. I think the whole team (some notable exceptions) plays that way.

One positive sign is that Tavares looks like he is back to the guy we thought we signed, hopefully that isn't a two game blip!
- Aetherial

Keefe has had like 60 games, where he has the 3rd best current winning percentage in the league. He has barely had any time to get going with this team.

Babcock went sour on himself, he did a lot of bad things that outweighed the good after 3 years. The change was needed as DOES any team once a coach goes sour. The Leafs aren't special here, it wasn't to let players off the hook. It was to get a new mind behind the bench to get the best out of the players because Babs wasn't doing it.

Keefe needs time, and the league has been a poop show the first few games and it will be for a while, lets just hope the leafs come out of the first 6 or 7 games at 500. and go from there.

Leafs dont do well without structure and unfortunately that's the story around the league right now, hopefully they can gain structure quick.

Keefe can't do that.

First time coach - has won nothing at the NHL level.

PSA: don't shoot the messenger here. I'm not saying that it's fair. But it's a fact that he doesn't have the gravitas that a Scotty Bowman or Torts would have in the same situation - benching Matthews isn't going to work. It's just going to get you fired faster.
- Atomic Wedgie

Keefe just called out Andersen and Babcock never did that. I don't think beinga first tiem coach matters.

- Steven_Seagull

Oh, uh, hi bird. Nice to see you, *cough*.

So you think this kind of effort has only gone on for 2 games.
Do you see any evidence that Matthews or Marner have improved their game? Is Andersen a good goalie? If it was 2 games this post makes sense. It is a lot longer than that.
- Aetherial

I think it's been 2 games. I think the team has 6 new faces playing roles in the lineup and there is an adjustment period that should be allowed.

There was no extended training camp. We're in a pandemic and still figuring things out from that front.

The only part of my satire I actually think has merit is Ander5en who I'm entirely convinced is a legit contending #1 starter. His "slow start" narrative seems more and more a sign that he lacks any kind of true consistency. But... would another goalie in between the Leafs pipes prove to be of much higher quality?

I don't know. I'm willing to give this team 10 games before I start to truly settle in on some concrete answers.

Keefe can't do that.

First time coach - has won nothing at the NHL level.

PSA: don't shoot the messenger here. I'm not saying that it's fair. But it's a fact that he doesn't have the gravitas that a Scotty Bowman or Torts would have in the same situation - benching Matthews isn't going to work. It's just going to get you fired faster.
- Atomic Wedgie

Probably true, but it shouldn't be.

Therein lies the problem. Matthews and Marner haven't won anything either.

I think it's been 2 games. I think the team has 6 new faces playing roles in the lineup and there is an adjustment period that should be allowed.

There was no extended training camp. We're in a pandemic and still figuring things out from that front.

The only part of my satire I actually think has merit is Ander5en who I'm entirely convinced is a legit contending #1 starter. His "slow start" narrative seems more and more a sign that he lacks any kind of true consistency. But... would another goalie in between the Leafs pipes prove to be of much higher quality?

I don't know. I'm willing to give this team 10 games before I start to truly settle in on some concrete answers.
- mjones242

Freddy has looked bad for 70 straight games now....hard to believe he is turning this around. He could still be an average goalie but JC should get a real opportunity here.

Matthews and Marner will explode very soon and put up fantastic numbers. They are not a concern. We all know they will score soon.
Campbell needs more starts and this odd "Live and die with Freddy" attitude like he's Patrick Roy needs to go.

Freddy has looked bad for 70 straight games now....hard to believe he is turning this around. He could still be an average goalie but JC should get a real opportunity here.
- Santo_44

This. His prime has ended. He is regressing. You'll only get better by replacing him.

Keefe can't do that.

First time coach - has won nothing at the NHL level.

PSA: don't shoot the messenger here. I'm not saying that it's fair. But it's a fact that he doesn't have the gravitas that a Scotty Bowman or Torts would have in the same situation - benching Matthews isn't going to work. It's just going to get you fired faster.
- Atomic Wedgie

Smith scratched Colin White, why can't Keefe bench one of Toronto's big names?

Babs used to bump Marner down to the third line, and it worked.