Expectations are bonkers, for sure.

I'm hoping when AM34 returns we'll start to see the team start to find their form. It just really sucks seeing the team so lackadaisical to being the first two games of the year.

Period 3 last night was the first glimpse into the potential this team has to dominate. More of that, please!
- mjones242

The Leafs continue their slow 1st period starts. I dunno if its the players doing, the coaching staff or both.
Its frustrating for sure.

I expected somewhere around 9M.

Anyone thinking Rielly doesn't command north of 8M is in dreamland.
- mjones242

Advanced stat guy JFresh says he is basically the best 5v5 Dman in the league.

Another thing I did not know.

I expected somewhere around 9M.

Anyone thinking Rielly doesn't command north of 8M is in dreamland.
- mjones242

Mo' is going to get paid for sure, personally I don't think he will be worth what he gets and hope the Leafs move on from him. Sandin looked really good last night and I think they can survive from Rielly leaving and should use the $ that will give them to grab a real stay at home / steady Eddie D man or 2 down the road.

Rielly looks slow to me this year so far and unsure with the puck and almost like he cares less than he should. Maybe the lack of a contract extension perhaps has him a bit off or pissed off with the Leafs? Maybe he thought he was going to be moved in the summer?

The Leafs continue their slow 1st period starts. I dunno if its the players doing, the coaching staff or both.
Its frustrating for sure.
- Fakepartofme

One time I'd like to see them dump and chase and try to score a goal on the 1st shift.

Slow.
- AdamFrench

No doubt.
First game back with a full house, checking phones and ID.

The Leafs continue their slow 1st period starts. I dunno if its the players doing, the coaching staff or both.
Its frustrating for sure.
- Fakepartofme

Keefe needs to send a message to the team to cut this bullpoop out. I don't know if that means putting out a line of bangers right out of the gate or benching stars but something has to be done to shake the slow start disease.

It's embarrassing getting absolutely dominated throughout the first number of shifts against clearly inferior opponents.

The Leafs continue their slow 1st period starts. I dunno if its the players doing, the coaching staff or both.
Its frustrating for sure.
- Fakepartofme

Whatever Keefe said to the Leafs after the first 10 minutes of the Habs game he should say earlier and more often!

I bet, good to get out. How entry into the building? Slow or what was expected?
- Fakepartofme

took no more than 5 mins from when we got in line to entering the building

Some hot takes on here. I may have miscomprehended, but my 3 favourite are (in no particular order):

Leafs are done if they lose Saturday. 3rd game of the season seemed early, but it is the Leafs.

No way Leafs would let Tavares go to acquire McDavid

There is no chance Matthews signs another contract with the Leafs, and little chance he makes it through his contract.

took no more than 5 mins from when we got in line to entering the building
- senstroll

What time did you get there? It was like 20 for me.

You guys do not get to have opinions on how to mod nor the decision making.

If you don’t like a post report it and move forward, otherwise your post will be deleted and you’re risking being banned.

Whatever Keefe said to the Leafs after the first 10 minutes of the Habs game he should say earlier and more often!
- Monkeypunk

I think a big part of the "slow start" is rivals like Ott and Mon getting pumped to play the media darling leafs on a bigger stage blah blah

no surprise, they start shot out of a cannon..

I expected somewhere around 9M.

Anyone thinking Rielly doesn't command north of 8M is in dreamland.
- mjones242

This is exactly the issue I have with what Dubas has been doing. If it was going to take that much he should have traded him in the offseason. He simply isnt worth that in what he brings. If he had a good shot from the point id be more open to it, but he's esseentially useless on the powerplay.

I know ive been saying this for years now, that Reilly shoudlnt be on PP1. I found it interesting that Bieksa noted during the intermission on Wed about the Habs powerplay, and missing Weber from the point. Its a major reason the Leafs powerplay sucks, and will continue to again this year, as they have two players on the PP1 that cant shoot.

https://twitter.com/R1ckt...tatus/1448853974396907539

Advanced stat guy JFresh says he is basically the best 5v5 Dman in the league.

Another thing I did not know.
- Leafs43

I'd love to see what he uses to justify that.

I see Morgan Rielly as the Leaf defenseman who, over the past 3 seasons cumulatively, has the highest rate of High Danger Chances Allowed. He is 7th in the league in generating HD Chances, but 75th in xG%. He's a high risk / high reward type of player, but he statistically benefits from having solid offensive players in front of him.

For instance, with Matthews on the ice, Rielly has a 59.7% xGF. Without Matthews on the ice, he's 47.8% - or a negative impact. Similarly guys like Willy or Mitch elevate his xGF by 4-5%. Now obviously any good player is going to positively affect the results of a teammate, but Rielly's stand alone results don't always shine positively in the way I see them.

I don't claim to be a analytical expert like JFresh, so I'm not being confrontational in what I'm saying - I just don't know what stats he's using. They 're not apparent to me.

What time did you get there? It was like 20 for me.
- AdamFrench

around 545

Some hot takes on here. I may have miscomprehended, but my 3 favourite are (in no particular order):

Leafs are done if they lose Saturday. 3rd game of the season seemed early, but it is the Leafs.

No way Leafs would let Tavares go to acquire McDavid

There is no chance Matthews signs another contract with the Leafs, and little chance he makes it through his contract.
- jribout

In order:

1. Is there anyone truly saying the Leafs season is done if they lose on Saturday?

2. Unfortunately, JT's full NMC will prevent the Leafs from letting him go. He's here for the duration. If the Leafs are unable to re-sign AM34 then that would open the door for McJesus.

3. Yeah, I think the chances he re-signs here are actually pretty good. Besides, he's besties with The Biebs who is a huge Leafs fanboy. Why would he leave?!

In order:

1. Is there anyone truly saying the Leafs season is done if they lose on Saturday?

2. Unfortunately, JT's full NMC will prevent the Leafs from letting him go. He's here for the duration. If the Leafs are unable to re-sign AM34 then that would open the door for McJesus.

3. Yeah, I think the chances he re-signs here are actually pretty good. Besides, he's besties with The Biebs who is a huge Leafs fanboy. Why would he leave?!
- mjones242

Cause Biebs is a Bryan McCabe fan?

around 545
- senstroll

Wow...early bird.

Cause Biebs is a Bryan McCabe fan?
- PatC80

McCabe was amazeballs until they banned his can opener move.

Wow...early bird.
- AdamFrench

we had dinner included with our tickets...so had to get our grub on before the game

we had dinner included with our tickets...so had to get our grub on before the game
- senstroll

Nice. We ate at 3 Brewers in Centrum.

In order:

1. Is there anyone truly saying the Leafs season is done if they lose on Saturday?

Yes Spatso LOL

2. Unfortunately, JT's full NMC will prevent the Leafs from letting him go. He's here for the duration. If the Leafs are unable to re-sign AM34 then that would open the door for McJesus.

JTs contract expires before McDavid’s.

3. Yeah, I think the chances he re-signs here are actually pretty good. Besides, he's besties with The Biebs who is a huge Leafs fanboy. Why would he leave?!
- mjones242

McCabe was amazeballs until they banned his can opener move.
- mjones242

that is true.. McCabe was really good here... we need another type of D-man like him.. You know, one that could get rag-dolled by Joe Thornton