Going to go against the grain here and say that Dermott was far from the worst defenseman last year against Columbus.

Obviously you aren't getting rid of Rielly this year, but he scares me more than any other dman on the Leafs.
- Aetherial

Sure that was last year though, do you think Dermott will be better than Riely in a playoff series this year with the new D that have been added?

And by no means am I saying Reily has been good lately - he just terrifies me but he terrifies me less than Dermott does.

Both terrify me alot less than the thought of seeing Martin Frickin' Marinchin come into the line up though.

I have to admit that the Shanaplan always said that they felt that stuff was easier to add than skill and they would address that need when the timing was right.

I haven't enjoyed the playoff failures, but it does seem like they have said what they would do all along.

Sounds like a bidding war drove up the price a little higher than they would have liked, but let's face it, the next 5 years for this team is going to be determined by the core and the current top of their prospect group and lots can happen between now and when they need to start rebuilding again.
- Aetherial

This.

Yes I do. You're a long suffering fan Wedgie like me, honest question, in your memory have the Leafs ever had a player as good as Matthews since you''ve been watching? Nine captains or not, the ingredients are there, now time to do.
- winsix

Gilmour, Sittler or Sundin are the only ones who would be in the discussion; perhaps Mogilny if they had him in his prime.

None of them is near the upside of Matthews. I do not believe the Leafs have ever had one of the top 2 or 3 players in the league. Over the next 2 or 3 years I expect Matthews will be that. It is debatable already.

Keeping him is a priority. I expect he gets the first Max contract.

Sure that was last year though, do you think Dermott will be better than Riely in a playoff series this year with the new D that have been added?

And by no means am I saying Reily has been good lately - he just terrifies me but he terrifies me less than Dermott does.

Both terrify me alot less than the thought of seeing Martin Frickin' Marinchin come into the line up though.
- Cush29

Can't agree, not this year. (well I agree on Marincin)

Rielly has been absolutely horrible. I fail to see where Dermott has been worse. The number of mistake and bonehead plays Rielly makes every game looks like he is on the take.

Can't agree, not this year. (well I agree on Marincin)

Rielly has been absolutely horrible. I fail to see where Dermott has been worse. The number of mistake and bonehead plays Rielly makes every game looks like he is on the take.
- Aetherial

Rielly needs a proper partner.
He's still the best Leafs d-man.
Brodie just isn't a good fit for him.

Can't agree, not this year. (well I agree on Marincin)

Rielly has been absolutely horrible. I fail to see where Dermott has been worse. The number of mistake and bonehead plays Rielly makes every game looks like he is on the take.
- Aetherial

He's certainly appeared to regress. I've lost count how many times he's made a bonehead pinch that resulted in breakaways or 2 on 1s this year and he seems to be increasing his gaffes recently even more so.

Not looking forward to Rielly playing 28+ mins a night...

I have to admit that the Shanaplan always said that they felt that stuff was easier to add than skill and they would address that need when the timing was right.

I haven't enjoyed the playoff failures, but it does seem like they have said what they would do all along.

Sounds like a bidding war drove up the price a little higher than they would have liked, but let's face it, the next 5 years for this team is going to be determined by the core and the current top of their prospect group and lots can happen between now and when they need to start rebuilding again.
- Aetherial

true, it was what they said originally...so yeah..its a slow process getting there.
but, this season is really the first where I feel this team is legit..and the underlying stats back it up. so reward the team with some intangibles, grit..etcc.

also..a part thats probably most important is "playoff hockey" and how refs call games...in the world of even up calls... the leafs tend to get shafted..since they werent a dirty team...they got called for silly poop to even the calls..hopefully that changes.

Rielly needs a proper partner.
He's still the best Leafs d-man.
Brodie just isn't a good fit for him.
- MaximusAurelius

Is it Brodie's fault that Rielly makes terribly brain decisions that leads to dangerous rushes by the opposition?

Rielly needs a proper partner.
He's still the best Leafs d-man.
Brodie just isn't a good fit for him.
- MaximusAurelius

Rielly is the best D if you dont care about playing in your own end
cuz he sucks in that regard

Can't agree, not this year. (well I agree on Marincin)

Rielly has been absolutely horrible. I fail to see where Dermott has been worse. The number of mistake and bonehead plays Rielly makes every game looks like he is on the take.
- Aetherial

I'm hoping Reilly calms the (frank) down with the bad pinches when the games matter most (playoffs) - I think he thinks he has to be that scoring threat he was when he had his big year, he doesn't!

I still prefer him over Cornrows Mc Banana Hammock. At least Reilly can score........

On Hall vs. Foligno

Last year against Columbus the Leafs gave me one of my top Leafs memories.

Jason Spezza gave us a moment of "whatever it takes". It was the only such moment I have seen from the Leafs in the last 4 playoffs, with the possible exception of Marner's blocked shots. It sparked the team to one of the most amazing wins in their history IMO.

It may not be dropping the gloves, or maybe it will be, but which player is more likely to go to the wall and give the Leafs that "whatever it takes" moment?

You can never have enough scoring but with Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, Hyman, Rielly, Spezza et al, I don't think you can say the Leafs have a scoring weakness.

Rielly needs a proper partner.
He's still the best Leafs d-man.
Brodie just isn't a good fit for him.
- MaximusAurelius

Brodie has been significantly beter then Reilly this year. IMO

I'm hoping Reilly calms the (frank) down with the bad pinches when the games matter most (playoffs) - I think he thinks he has to be that scoring threat he was when he had his big year, he doesn't!

I still prefer him over Cornrows Mc Banana Hammock. At least Reilly can score........
- Cush29

yeah but the Banana Hammock!

They need to put the reigns on Rielly and they need to keep him OFF the powerplay.

Is it Brodie's fault that Rielly makes terribly brain decisions that leads to dangerous rushes by the opposition?
- mjones242

this season rielly has the best goals for % he has ever had. 61%, even in his crazy 20 goal season he was 59%, but otherwise mostly 50%

also Brodie leads the team at 64%

you have to really galaxy brain things to think Brodie hasnt been really good for Rielly

true, it was what they said originally...so yeah..its a slow process getting there.
but, this season is really the first where I feel this team is legit..and the underlying stats back it up. so reward the team with some intangibles, grit..etcc.

also..a part thats probably most important is "playoff hockey" and how refs call games...in the world of even up calls... the leafs tend to get shafted..since they werent a dirty team...they got called for silly poop to even the calls..hopefully that changes.
- senstroll

Yeah, I think people fail to recognize that the real problem against Boston was the special teams.

Boston had the much better powerplay and the better PK, primarily because of the goaltending. It meant they could play 5v5 as dirty as they want, knowing that the penalties would come close to even and they would ultimately win the PP battle.

Brodie has been significantly beter then Reilly this year. IMO
- Archaic

maybe.
brodie is really bad on the PK though.
PK has to be better in order to have a true chance to win a SC.

Kyyyyyyyyyyle we are Waaaaaaaaaiting.......

maybe.
brodie is really bad on the PK though.
PK has to be better in order to have a true chance to win a SC.
- MaximusAurelius

Uh,

They are a -2 on their powerplay for more than a 1 month period.

How the hell is it even possible to be so bad that you are minus on your own powerplay over a period that long.

They need to fix the powerplay.

Kyyyyyyyyyyle we are Waaaaaaaaaiting.......


- Cush29

Gonna guess Vatanen or Kulikov.

Rielly needs a proper partner.
He's still the best Leafs d-man.
Brodie just isn't a good fit for him.
- MaximusAurelius

Max you're literally the only person who says this. Of course in your mind the world is wrong and you're right.

Max you're literally the only person who says this. Of course in your mind the world is wrong and you're right.
- fifty__missions

When I read Max's posts, I always check to make sure my laptop camera isn't on and that I am not being punk'd.

Dr. Max you're literally the only person who says this. Of course in your mind the world is wrong and you're right.
- fifty__missions

FTFY.

maybe.
brodie is really bad on the PK though.
PK has to be better in order to have a true chance to win a SC.
- MaximusAurelius

not sure where to dig up the stats quickly...but I think I heard that the Leafs PK has been one of the best in the league...since Campbell

I also saw some stats...and Freddy is one of the worst goalies in stats for PK
which really was dragging the team down

not sure where to dig up the stats quickly...but I think I heard that the Leafs PK has been one of the best in the league...since Campbell

I also saw some stats...and Freddy is one of the worst goalies in stats for PK
which really was dragging the team down
- senstroll

Looks like Freddie is .783% to Campbells .893% for PK S%.

Conversely, Freddie has been better at stopping short handed chances against than Jack. Go figure!

If Dubas doesn't wring every possible drop of what's left in cap space.........