bixll
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Location: New Glasgow, NS Joined: 09.04.2008
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Hadn't paid too much attention to Le Sabres...holy (frank). - AdamFrench
Do they trade Jack ?? |
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Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON Joined: 12.22.2014
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They made some roster changes that seemed small at the time (4th line this, old vet that) which are seemingly paying off in spades. + the bigger one in Brodie.
Simmonds, Jumbo, Bogo in the room, on the ice when it's getting a bit tense or chippy seem to have made a real difference and the typical Leafs panic we are used to seeing in close games hasn't reared it's ugly head (for the most part) this year.
I was really noticing the Leaf's breakouts last night and how effortless they made it look and that was confusing to me as I'm accustomed to seeing one of two things the past few years:
1. D man in a panic ridden state tries to just clear it out side the blue line and Leafs get hemmed in because they have no options / wingers way too high
2. A star player carries to centre and because nobody has speed if they can't dangle past 2 guys they dump and chase and half the time recover the puck, half the time they have given up possession.
The coaching seems to be sinking in as they are being not only much more patient with the puck (possession) but now making much better decisions with the puck as well as buying in as a whole unit. Wingers seem to be coming back much deeper and giving the D good options, they are using those for a couple quick passes and they are out of the zone, with speed and options.
It's catching teams off guard - I just hope they keep it up.
I've seen way too many Leaf games in the past few years where it felt like the mantra of the Leafs D core was "just get it past centre, that's our job - forwards can deal with it from there". |
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Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON Joined: 12.22.2014
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This is the point of a GM and coach having a shared vision.
Whether we loved them or not, Lou & Babs were on the same page. The players Lou liked are the players Babs liked, and they suited one another.
Here we have Dubas plan & vision and Keefe's plan & vision are aligned as well, and it works.
It typically starts with good players! But the point remains that the styles and ideas need to be aligned. I very like the fluid hockey we see. The naysayers will say that when the playoffs come and the game gets hard the Leafs aren't built to respond, but I think we'll see. - Monkeypunk
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bixll
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Location: New Glasgow, NS Joined: 09.04.2008
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Its funny I hear the critics say this, but holding McDavid/Drai scoreless in 2 straight games shows the improvement from the Leafs defensive game this year. - Archaic
When was the last time that was done. Even by 2 teams. |
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Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON Joined: 12.22.2014
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I think a big part is in how they’re playing. Dubas said he wanted better defensive play, more consistency and mental toughness. A lot of those wins last year and earlier were the offense turning it on in the first or second, building a nice lead with the third turning into white knuckle time as they seemed to lose focus.
I’ve seen way more 60 minute games from this team this year and that has been hugely impressive. I think Nylander is getting less ice time in the third partly to reinforce that message and partly because there are better defenders. But if you’re not seeing a lot of ice with a 4-0 lead, the coach is sending a message - Canada Cup
Well said. |
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mr.sir
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC Joined: 01.18.2015
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Finally having an effective 3rd line is a game changer👍
MEH or HEM? |
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Canada Cup
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: “Give me Point, Cirelli and Paul all day against anybody.” Mr. Cooper , ON Joined: 07.06.2007
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Luckily, I found something about last night’s game to get irrationally pissy about:
They gave Woll #60 to wear.
What a huge show of disrespect. - Atomic Wedgie
Kosknen chose #19 which is an idiotic number for goalies. He deserved to get shelled. |
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Monkeypunk
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
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Coach #26 incoming for Jorts Boy. - AdamFrench
I'd be inclined to blame Eichel, except it's the entire team, including guys like Hall, who are just absolutely sucking. It's not like it's because of focusing on team defense or a transitional stage in learning something more. They just have no system. I don't know. It seems like Krueger says some peppy stuff and then sends them out to get their ass handed to them time and time again. |
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Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON Joined: 12.22.2014
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Finally having an effective 3rd line is a game changer👍
MEH or HEM? - mr.sir
MEH when they play like poop.
HEM when they play well? |
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Cush29
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Who Owzzzzz da' Chiefs?, ON Joined: 12.22.2014
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Kosknen chose #19 which is an idiotic number for goalies. He deserved to get shelled. - Canada Cup
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mr.sir
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC Joined: 01.18.2015
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MEH when they play like poop.
HEM when they play well? - Cush29
Yes guy
Engvall is playing 1 ft taller with Mikheyev and Hyman out there
Love the size, speed and chemistry that Mikheyev and Engvall have |
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Adam French
Atlanta Thrashers |
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Location: Isn't Cooley 5"11? You know who else is 5"11? Sydney Crosby. - Scabeh Joined: 04.06.2011
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Do they trade Jack ?? - bixll
He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already. |
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gravyface
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: I wouldn't even trade [Marner] for McDavid -- UsernameUnknown Joined: 02.19.2009
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Hadn't paid too much attention to Le Sabres...holy (frank). - AdamFrench
How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.
On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad. |
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He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already. - AdamFrench
So Leafs are adding both McDavid ánd Eichel??! |
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Monkeypunk
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
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How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.
On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad. - gravyface
That's where they should just 2012 Leafs-it. No defense? No goalie? Just float the forwards and play stretch-pass bingo with Hall and Eichel. Sure you'll lose a lot, but you'll also win more than you are - and most importantly, Eichel will get points which will help those unfortunate souls that picked him in their pools. |
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Canada Cup
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: “Give me Point, Cirelli and Paul all day against anybody.” Mr. Cooper , ON Joined: 07.06.2007
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Actually it wasnt at all.
It was just one route.
FA was another route, we just thought it would cost an arm and a leg. It didnt. Ex. Brodie
A 3rd route was internal improvement. Having our own players take the next steps to become better. Ex. Holl. - Fakepartofme
The arm and leg cost was only because of the “we need Pietroangelo” mindset. We needed to improve on Ceci and count in internal growth. I think we overestimated Lehtonen (which could still happen) and underestimated Holl and Dermott (which is keeping Lehtonen out) |
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senstroll
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Location: New Fan, Needs to watch Ballet, ON Joined: 02.22.2008
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He's going to want out eventually. If he doesn't already. - AdamFrench
just dont trade him to Boston
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mr.sir
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC Joined: 01.18.2015
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just dont trade him to Boston - senstroll
What was the rumour last year
Carlo
Debrusk
Beecher
1st
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Monkeypunk
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Whenever, wherever, ON Joined: 06.27.2013
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just dont trade him to Boston - senstroll
Yeah. Heaven forbid he gets Cassidy fired! |
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Adam French
Atlanta Thrashers |
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Location: Isn't Cooley 5"11? You know who else is 5"11? Sydney Crosby. - Scabeh Joined: 04.06.2011
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How much of that is puck luck? It's insane how many donuts they have individually.
On paper, that should be a bubble roster. D is still woof though, same with goaltending... I don't know, maybe they should be bad. - gravyface
They are kind of like the Leafs in 2016, they should be fun to watch and electric offensively, but poop defensively. Instead they can't score and also suck defensively. |
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What was the rumour last year
Carlo
Debrusk
Beecher
1st - mr.sir
Beecher is the exact type of player Leafs could use. |
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Garnie
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: ON Joined: 11.30.2009
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The narrative going into the season was that the north division was amazing and the leafs were going to have to battle to even make the playoffs.
Leafs dominate the division and it’s now a weak division.
What narrative will the media follow next month? - Santo_44
Every article I read had writers picking the Leafs to win. 🤷🏻♂️
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mr.sir
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Vancouver Island, BC Joined: 01.18.2015
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This team has virtually no weaknesses
Vesey- sub in with Simmonds
Kerfoot- trade bait for cap space or depth
Parade pending....
Get your vaccines boys! |
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Fakepartofme
Toronto Maple Leafs |
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Location: Living rent free... in your head, ON Joined: 09.20.2010
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I think a big part is in how they’re playing. Dubas said he wanted better defensive play, more consistency and mental toughness. A lot of those wins last year and earlier were the offense turning it on in the first or second, building a nice lead with the third turning into white knuckle time as they seemed to lose focus.
I’ve seen way more 60 minute games from this team this year and that has been hugely impressive. I think Nylander is getting less ice time in the third partly to reinforce that message and partly because there are better defenders. But if you’re not seeing a lot of ice with a 4-0 lead, the coach is sending a message - Canada Cup
Agreed
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