64 regular season fights over the course of his career

But it definitely has faded downward the last couple years tho
- Dozzer

I was really hoping he could be an effective player for the Leafs.

But good lord, he did nothing last year.

All Leafs Nation remembers is the one fight he had.

They don't remember he had 9 points in 38 games, was often injured, and generally looked 10 years older than his age of 32 (33 this year).

Simmonds is not a tough guy.

If he's expected to play that role, he's going to be injured in 20 minutes.
- Atomic Wedgie

Most of you guys misunderstand when I say 'tough' guy.

The league doesn't have many Reaves/Colton Orrs left, we have Gabriel tho

When I say tough guy, I mean a guy that plays like....I don't know....Gallagher. A guy who annoys the opponent, mixes it up in front of their net or ours....you know, a guy that takes/gives those jabs, face washes, little whacks here and there because they aren't afraid.

I really believe making the other team miserable and accountable stops some of the bullying that goes on towards the Leafs.

Don't really care about fighting, I do like a good mixer now and again, but I do care about punishment and pay back and the psychological effects that players with balls have on the opposition.

I was really hoping he could be an effective player for the Leafs.

But good lord, he did nothing last year.

All Leafs Nation remembers is the one fight he had.

They don't remember he had 9 points in 38 games, was often injured, and generally looked 10 years older than his age of 32 (33 this year).
- Atomic Wedgie

I’m basically assuming he’s going to be told to basically protect Spezza and whoever else plays on the 4th line with the coaches taking a “so be it if he gets hurt” attitude

Simmonds is not a tough guy.

If he's expected to play that role, he's going to be injured in 20 minutes.
- Atomic Wedgie

Tanya Harding style kinda hurt?

I would agree with almost all of it.

I have less faith in Simmonds. Ritchie probably won't be my favourite player, but I'm really hoping to like what he's bringing instead of being irritated by what he's doing!

I also don't think Marner's going to get tougher - he's just not built to fight back, but he's going to have to play through the adversity. Hopefully having Ritchie on his line will give him that freedom.
- Monkeypunk

Exactly. I hoping Ritchie helps Marner a bit that way too.

But, and more importantly, I'm also hoping Marner is getting too old to be too wimpy or afraid and has been exposed to some of the online criticism and steps the (frank) up finally.

Most of you guys misunderstand when I say 'tough' guy.

The league doesn't have many Reaves/Colton Orrs left, we have Gabriel tho

When I say tough guy, I mean a guy that plays like....I don't know....Gallagher. A guy who annoys the opponent, mixes it up in front of their net or ours....you know, a guy that takes/gives those jabs, face washes, little whacks here and there because they aren't afraid.

I really believe making the other team miserable and accountable stops some of the bullying that goes on towards the Leafs.

Don't really care about fighting, I do like a good mixer now and again, but I do care about punishment and pay back and the psychological effects that players with balls have on the opposition.
- underhill14

Something like what Cizikas does for the Islanders 4th line.

I was really hoping he could be an effective player for the Leafs.

But good lord, he did nothing last year.

All Leafs Nation remembers is the one fight he had.

They don't remember he had 9 points in 38 games, was often injured, and generally looked 10 years older than his age of 32 (33 this year).
- Atomic Wedgie

All good points. If he's poop then he's off to pasture. But it's an easy gamble and he was "decent" those first two weeks before he broke his wrist. In 12 GP he bagged 5 goals and had 3 major penalties. I only remember the Chariot fight but that's not bad for a 4th line veteran. it's surely better than all the other Zeros were getting from the bottom 6 group (except Spezza).

His return after the wrist was poop though ....like really real poop ..not pretend poop ..real poop.

Something like what Cizikas does for the Islanders 4th line.
- dmnted

Yep, exactly. Not a fan of nondescript players like Engvall.

((frank) you Garnie )

Exactly. I hoping Ritchie helps Marner a bit that way too.

But, and more importantly, I'm also hoping Marner is getting too old to be too wimpy or afraid and has been exposed to some of the online criticism and steps the (frank) up finally.
- underhill14

I think Rirchie may start on Matthew and Marner line but I don't think he stays there.
I also think Marner and Mathews should be on their own line. Play them together on the 1st PP
Bunting/ ?? Matthews Nylander
Ritchie Tavares Marner

I think Rirchie may start on Matthew and Marner line but I don't think he stays there.
I also think Marner and Mathews should be on their own line. Play them together on the 1st PP
Bunting/ ?? Matthews Nylander
Ritchie Tavares Marner
- dmnted

dude! ...whats up with the porch guy and his phone?

I just read in the Athletic that Ritchie is a scratch golfer 🏌️‍♂️. He’ll be able to work on his game even more now that he’s a Leaf.
- shack67

I saw him at my course this summer. He didn’t look like a scratch golfer but hes a big boy. Doesn’t strike me as a quick skater at his size.

I’m basically assuming he’s going to be told to basically protect Spezza and whoever else plays on the 4th line with the coaches taking a “so be it if he gets hurt” attitude
- Dozzer

How does the protecting thing work?

Bunting has a 34 goals per 82 game pace in his career ...im sure he keeps that up
- senstroll

He better b/c he's competing with guys that score 3.4 per 82.

dude! ...whats up with the porch guy and his phone?
- The Law

the phone was getting so many text and no one was calling

his g/f called finally.

Dude partied heavily last night

she's coming over to get his stuff later today.

I think Rirchie may start on Matthew and Marner line but I don't think he stays there.
I also think Marner and Mathews should be on their own line. Play them together on the 1st PP
Bunting/ ?? Matthews Nylander
Ritchie Tavares Marner
- dmnted

Ritchie can't be any slower than Thornton so I think he will get a good look there.

Gotta think everyone in coaching and management saw the embarrassment made of Marner and Matthews in the playoffs and want to correct that. Ritchie gives them the space to work.

Bunting might be a surprise too, looking forward to seeing him. He might be a better fit, who knows.

I do like the idea of splitting up Matthews and Marner.

Ritchie, Matthews, Nylander
Bunting/Robertson, JT, Marner

I see Robertson as a really good possibility because he's a second shooter on that line for Marner's passing but only if Bunting is not skilled enough.

All good points. If he's poop then he's off to pasture. But it's an easy gamble and he was "decent" those first two weeks before he broke his wrist. In 12 GP he bagged 5 goals and had 3 major penalties. I only remember the Chariot fight but that's not bad for a 4th line veteran. it's surely better than all the other Zeros were getting from the bottom 6 group (except Spezza).

His return after the wrist was poop though ....like really real poop ..not pretend poop ..real poop.
- The Law

Pretty much my thought on simmonds too.

I thought he was good pre wrist injury. If he plays the same was as he did post wrist injury then he won’t be playing so whatever.

Stubhub going to kill me to go to game against Yankees. Also flagged for complaining about refs
- Canada Cup

Umm, they are Umpires...

the phone was getting so many text and no one was calling

his g/f called finally.

Dude partied heavily last night

she's coming over to get his stuff later today.
- dmnted

Haha ....love it. I'd probably send my wife/gf to avoid the embarrassment too. Also it would establish that I didn't sleep at some other girl's house ...

"Babe, I really did sleep on some guys front porch last night ...I swear!"

How does the protecting thing work?
- Canada Cup

Be the most physical so he draws the attention of the opposition’s most physical

Haha ....love it. I'd probably send my wife/gf to avoid the embarrassment too. Also it would establish that I didn't sleep at some other girl's house ...

"Babe, I really did sleep on some guys front porch last night ...I swear!"
- The Law

Sure you did.... You smell like booze and regret....

After 42 years, Hall of Fame PxP commentator Jim Hughson has announced his retirement from broadcasting.

As one of Canada's iconic hockey voices, Jim leaves a lasting legacy at
@Sportsnet
& across the entire broadcasting industry.

Be the most physical so he draws the attention of the opposition’s most physical
- Dozzer

And I'd add that the Leafs have been a pretty "keep it quiet" team the last few years. Low penalties taken, low penalties drawn. The Leafs have good special teams and so getting a little more emotion into the games ...getting more 4v4's and special teams time is good for them I think. He can't be stupid but as we know the NHL is all about make up calls and keeping the calls relatively even so in theory more penalties = more PP time no matter what.

I think upping the emotional tone of their game might help the kids get out of their heads and take this poop over. Management has been consistent in this teams problem the last two playoffs - lack of compete.

Simmonds, Ritchie, Bunting, even Robertson and Sandin ...for better or worse all add to the compete level.

Sure you did.... You smell like booze and regret....
- bixll

Stop smelling down there!

- Archaic

Best

Day

Everrrrrrr!!!

Stop smelling down there!
- The Law

Ewwwhhh,,