The Leaf response to that embarrassment last night was to give the players a rest.

The response should have been to bag skate the (frank)ers and not say a word to them the whole time.
- Aetherial

just take them to the firing range and get it over with. waste of (frank)ing skin

I think the Leafs believe they will just go out and win tonight.

just take them to the firing range and get it over with. waste of (frank)ing skin
- senstroll

Yeah, forget what I said. It is much better to let them know that their constant failure is perfectly OK, cause after all we are all winners!

I am saying that when Nylander is completely disengaged, it affects Tavares, just a guess.

The primary problems with this team have to do with the give a poop meter.
- Aetherial

Which is why I think the Leafs need some truculence -- guys who actually take the body and make things miserable for the opposition.

Those types of sparkplugs tend to raise the compete level for the rest of the squad.

It's almost like we need Wayne Simmonds back.

He has the size to be Hyman-esque and has better hands. But he's just not that guy, y'know?
- mjones242

What gets them so far, but not far enough? The space between his ears is holding him back.

Which is why I think the Leafs need some truculence -- guys who actually take the body and make things miserable for the opposition.

Those types of sparkplugs tend to raise the compete level for the rest of the squad.

It's almost like we need Wayne Simmonds back.
- mjones242

Wayne Train and Jumbo were big losses.

If forced to guess at a reason, I would suggest Nylander is bringing Tavares down.

When they failed miserably this year, in the first round, I hope Nylander and Freddie are gone.

Is the team ever going to actually admit that this core is not even in the conversation of contending?
- Aetherial

Nylander can't cause Tavares to flub passes. He can't cause Tavares to overhandle the puck. He can't cause Tavares to miss stretch passes, leading to icings.

Tavares is off. It's not Nylander causing it.

Glad to see Nick Robertson is able to play for the Marlies.

1g2a in 2GP.
- mjones242

For sure. Is it just a rehab/conditioning stint, though? I assume he'll be with the Leafs again soonish.

Somebody needs to sit him down and say, "Dude, you're so good the Buffalo Sabres gave up a 4th round pick for you - TWICE!!!!!"
- Atomic Wedgie

Lol.
Think he’d fall for...”That’s like a 2nd round pick!”

Yeah, forget what I said. It is much better to let them know that their constant failure is perfectly OK, cause after all we are all winners!
- Aetherial

I have never been on an NHL team so dont really know..but I assume it was a scheduled day off? is that something that is bargained, they have to get so many etc..no idea.. also..maybe not great to bag skate players between games...if you want them fresh and ready.

again, I have never been on an NHL team so just making big assumptions.

also just personally.. I have really just resigned myself to the fact I will be disappointed with my sports teams...having been 27 years since I watched one of my fav teams win.

i dont get mad or upset anymore...it just makes me laugh a little..at the ridiculousness of it all. sports is 95% pain for fans..and 100% for some

Nylander can't cause Tavares to flub passes. He can't cause Tavares to overhandle the puck. He can't cause Tavares to miss stretch passes, leading to icings.

Tavares is off. It's not Nylander causing it.
- Atomic Wedgie

Looking for reasons Wedgie, I can see the facts as well as you can. Perhaps he is trying too hard to make up for the fact that he is carrying around Nylander who is doing SFA most of the time.

I find it unusual that Tavares has lost his game. This is not just a scoring slump.

Nylander can't cause Tavares to flub passes. He can't cause Tavares to overhandle the puck. He can't cause Tavares to miss stretch passes, leading to icings.

Tavares is off. It's not Nylander causing it.
- Atomic Wedgie

man, some will do anything to pass blame onto the dog they like to kick

not the worst idea... If Campbell is still week to week.. Comrie might be worth a shot
- PatC80

Keeping in mind that Hutchinson was not good, he was also given just atrocious support.

Look at last year, looking at per 60 rates on goalies who played at least 300 minutes of 5v5 hockey, Hutchinson faced the second most HD chances per 60 (10.02; Crawford in Chicago was at 10.43. For contrast, Andersen was 35th @ 8.01 - Campbell was 18th on the Leafs at 8.63), the most Rush Attempts against / 60 (2.5; second was Dell at 2.27. For contrast, Andersen was 9th @ 1.88 and Campbell was 15th @ 1.8), and also had the closest average shot distance (Andersen was 46th; Campbell with the Leafs was 18th).

When we talk about how bad last year's Leaf defense was, those numbers should be a prime and flashing indicator. Hutchinson wasn't just just thrown under the bus, they backed it up over him a few times, too.

This year is somewhat improved in that Campell has averaged 9.8 HD chances/60 (5th), and Andersen has averaged 7.69 against (28th); Campbell is 12th in Rush Attempts against (1.97) and Andersen is 26th @ 1.52. Campbell is #1 is average shot distance and Andersen is 26th.

The Leafs still allow the opposition in too close for quality chances, they allow too many chances off the rush, and still obviously play too loose with trading high danger chances.

I'm not sure any 3rd string goalie is coming into THAT mess and filling Hutch's skates any better.

I have never been on an NHL team so dont really know..but I assume it was a scheduled day off? is that something that is bargained, they have to get so many etc..no idea.. also..maybe not great to bag skate players between games...if you want them fresh and ready.

again, I have never been on an NHL team so just making big assumptions.

also just personally.. I have really just resigned myself to the fact I will be disappointed with my sports teams...having been 27 years since I watched one of my fav teams win.

i dont get mad or upset anymore...it just makes me laugh a little..at the ridiculousness of it all. sports is 95% pain for fans..and 100% for some
- senstroll

sadly, I know people will ridicule this, but I don't thnk this iteration of the Leafs will win anything. I've watched it too long also, and as near as I can tell, absolutely nothing has changed about the team or the organization.

Yeah, forget what I said. It is much better to let them know that their constant failure is perfectly OK, cause after all we are all winners!
- Aetherial

Teams don’t bag skate anymore

It has been proven unsuccessful

Regardless if it makes a fan feel better

Looking for reasons Wedgie, I can see the facts as well as you can. Perhaps he is trying too hard to make up for the fact that he is carrying around Nylander who is doing SFA most of the time.

I find it unusual that Tavares has lost his game. This is not just a scoring slump.
- Aetherial

I don't see how it could be Nylander's fault though.. Maybe Tavares just doesn't like playing without fans or maybe the 'C' is too much for him..

I think the Leafs believe they will just go out and win tonight.
- Aetherial

Meh.

It's a long season - these guys deserve to take a week or two off in the middle of it.

As long as they make the playoffs, does it really matter if they put forth a poor effort in a few games?

The players don't take these games seriously - maybe you should follow their lead.

What's the fun in being a member of the Blue and White Club if you can't relax and enjoy it?

Look at the poor frankers in Buffalo and Ottawa - they are working hard every night, and they still won't make the playoffs.

P.S. Winning a Stanley Cup doesn't really earn you a lot more money. Are you really going to fault a guy if he'd like a couple more months of vacation instead? With global warming, the Muskoka region's lakes are probably going to dry up or be diverted for drinking water. Gotta get in those summers on the dock while you can.

Yeah, forget what I said. It is much better to let them know that their constant failure is perfectly OK, cause after all we are all winners!
- Aetherial

Being objective, this is a bit hyperbolic. They are 11-3-2, and they play the living crap out of Matthews and Marner. They need the second line to step up and start contributing. They need more consistent goaltending, but I would say that "constant failure" is a bit much. I would think you want to rest Matthews and Marner so they can play another 25 minutes tonight.

Looking for reasons Wedgie, I can see the facts as well as you can. Perhaps he is trying too hard to make up for the fact that he is carrying around Nylander who is doing SFA most of the time.

I find it unusual that Tavares has lost his game. This is not just a scoring slump.
- Aetherial

Has anyone seen Gary Leeman around?

man, some will do anything to pass blame onto the dog they like to kick
- senstroll

Yep like blaming the goalie for not 'winning' any deciding games & being the reason the Leafs haven't had playoff success. I'm sure a certain someone will re post the toilet water rant about it at some point today even when the losing team scores zero goals. Zero.



Goaltening is not the greatest strength of the Leafs, nor is it the biggest flaw in my opinion but others tend to disagree.

I was reading the projected 2nd overall pick is projected to be a number 2C...definitely not worth being the worst team this year
- Santo_44

Eklund looks like he might be a Backstrom level player and that American kid is killing it, but otherwise, this is a weird year.

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton

Scroll through - she has some Keefe quotes about him.
- Atomic Wedgie

Thanks Wedginald

For sure. Is it just a rehab/conditioning stint, though? I assume he'll be with the Leafs again soonish.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Yeah, I'm not entirely sure if he can even stay past the conditioning stint. Did the OHL and AHL come to an agreement?

To be honest, I kind of wish Nick would play the whole season with the Marlies.

man, some will do anything to pass blame onto the dog they like to kick
- senstroll

It was a guess, and my observations on Nylander are what I am seeing when I watch.

I find it amazing that some people can watch complete, embarrassing failure and then come up with some number that says everything is OK.

There has been 0 progression on any front with this team. It has been masked by a hot powerplay, and weak competition. If people can't see the same warning signs that show up every year, I don't know what to tell them.

I don't see how it could be Nylander's fault though.. Maybe Tavares just doesn't like playing without fans or maybe the 'C' is too much for him..
- PatC80

This is one of the more bizarre theories here on Hockeybuzz - and man, that's really saying something.

There's no additional pressures this year from being the captain.