Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON Joined: 06.22.2015
Sep 22 @ 6:33 PM ET
Absolutely it is. Did you see our powerplay for half the season and the playoff disaster?
Did that look "gifted" to you?
Watch Boston's powerplay. - fifty__missions
We outscored Boston by a fair margin last year despite our PP crashing and burning.
I expect the Leafs to change things up this year. Ritchie parked in front of the net on the PP would be a nice dimension. Nylander getting PP1 time with AM34 would be a nice change that would bring multiple, elite shooting threats.
They're definitely more gifted. It's not for lack of skill that the PP fizzled -- it was a stubborn lack of creativity and ability to evolve that killed it.
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow since I’m way up high Joined: 09.15.2010
Sep 22 @ 6:33 PM ET
Nope. Ritchie cannot get in on the forecheck, create chances, and score like Hyman.
There is a reason Ritchie couldn't crack the top six in Boston.
I would also argue that other teams have better top lines than Toronto and Edmonton, despite the skillsets on the Leafs/Oilers. - fifty__missions
Yup I see what you mean….. The LW depth in Boston is far more significant. Marchand and Hall are honestly far better for that position than who the leafs have for sure
Location: Pretentious Beer Snob, ON Joined: 06.22.2015
Sep 22 @ 6:36 PM ET
Yup I see what you mean….. The LW depth in Boston is far more significant. Marchand and Hall are honestly far better for that position than who the leafs have for sure - Dozzer
Sure.
The Leafs have better RW and C depth than the Bs though. Works out for Nick.
Pretty impressive that Ritchie was trending for 20+ goals with limited mins last season with Boston.
Location: Henry Hudson's Fairchild 24 South Porcupine Joined: 04.03.2016
Sep 22 @ 6:39 PM ET
Nope. Ritchie cannot get in on the forecheck, create chances, and score like Hyman.
There is a reason Ritchie couldn't crack the top six in Boston.
I would also argue that other teams have better top lines than Toronto and Edmonton, despite the skillsets on the Leafs/Oilers. - fifty__missions
Yes and their names are Marchand and Hall.
Disagree about top lines as well. You could suggest that Boston's top line is better, Bergeron is 36, Marchand is 33 (I'd take my chances with the Matthews line this year, one elevator is definitely on the way up!) You could argue Av's top line is better - I would agree, not much else. McDavid and Draisaitl are dynamic offensively but rather weak on defense.
Location: Burkie's Rented Barn, ON Joined: 02.12.2013
Sep 22 @ 6:50 PM ET
Yes and their names are Marchand and Hall.
Disagree about top lines as well. You could suggest that Boston's top line is better, Bergeron is 36, Marchand is 33 (I'd take my chances with the Matthews line this year, one elevator is definitely on the way up!) You could argue Av's top line is better - I would agree, not much else. McDavid and Draisaitl are dynamic offensively but rather weak on defense. - winsix
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow since I’m way up high Joined: 09.15.2010
Sep 22 @ 7:05 PM ET
Sure.
The Leafs have better RW and C depth than the Bs though. Works out for Nick.
Pretty impressive that Ritchie was trending for 20+ goals with limited mins last season with Boston. - mjones242
That’s just strengthens my belief that’s why the leafs are seeing Ritchie top 6, I do think he’s top line mind but I suppose seeing him on line two wouldn’t be a huge surprise either.
Location: Not here to sell jerseys , ON Joined: 07.06.2007
Sep 22 @ 7:08 PM ET
That’s just strengthens my belief that’s why the leafs are seeing Ritchie top 6, I do think he’s top line mind but I suppose seeing him on line two wouldn’t be a huge surprise either. - Dozzer
I expect to see a lot of experimentation. Leafs have a pretty easy early schedule. Parades will be planned.
Location: I'm excited to see that Joined: 08.28.2010
Sep 22 @ 7:25 PM ET
Oh, would you look at that.
The NHL's investigation revealed that Kane did not bet on any of his teams games nor threw any of his teams games.
Did I call vindictive wife...
Location: God Leafs Satan The Oneness, ON Joined: 02.28.2011
Sep 22 @ 8:01 PM ET
Oh, would you look at that.
The NHL's investigation revealed that Kane did not bet on any of his teams games nor threw any of his teams games.
Did I call vindictive wife... - bobbyisno1
Oh, would you look at that.
The NHL's investigation revealed that Kane did not bet on any of his teams games nor threw any of his teams games.
Did I call vindictive wife... - bobbyisno1
Good thing there was an investigation to help clear his name.
