Bunting is a great surprise, but it's 3 games in, and when someone surprises you like that, your excitement can get the better of your, and you overthink/overstate things.

Bunting has been good, but no, Nylander (or Campbell really) has been the best Leaf. And while I would be ecstatic if Bunting keeps it up all year, I think it's highly unlikely.

If anyone deserves criticism right now, it's MArner. But it's 3 games in, so way premature anyway.
- prock

You guys don’t factor in his defensive woes, or lack of compete. You’re blinded by his offensive flare which is very impressive.

But he’s the same ole Willy on the other side of the puck. He leaves a lot to be desired.

Willy just straight up doesn’t compete sometimes. He’ll coast to the bench when the play goes up the ice.

Yeah, he’s been in the league for six years, he’s not developing anymore, he is what he is. It’s obvious that Keefe is trying to make him a more complete player, and Willy is saying the right things in the media about wanting to be a better leader etc, but he still does the things that he’s always done.

No one is questioning his offence.

Idk what anyone’s point about Marner is supposed to be. What, you think he sucks? You think he won’t start getting points? What exactly are you trying to say? It’s a team game and Mitch is doing all the little things right, like he always does.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

uhh, not really, not the first 3 games he hasn't.

I do not disagree. Although I'm sure some would have been displeased with the penalty in a close game, I'd have advocated for it all the same. 🤷🏻‍♂️
- joel878

Ya I know, need to take someone with him…hopefully the guy he tuned up.

Dude, Nylander has easily been the Leafs best player so far and it's not even close. He's lapped the field.

Excluding Campbell, as he's a goalie, but he's also been fantastic so far.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Nah.

Watch the last 1:20 of the first game vs OTT. Watch him float to the bench last night in OT. Those are the type of things that cost games.

You guys don’t factor in his defensive woes, or lack of compete. You’re blinded by his offensive flare which is very impressive.

But he’s the same ole Willy on the other side of the puck. He leaves a lot to be desired.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

that must be it Yep, must be. Thanks for enlightening us all.

Nylander is #1 so far this season.


Not even close, but I expect MM and AM to start turning it up.
- Garnie

Agreed

All this talk about Ritchie when Marner has 1 assist, which is only one more than Ritchie and I think he was sitting on the bench while he got it.....is ridiculous.
- Barb34

Grrrrrr

This is what I’m saying, there’s a massive blind spot with the fans. He’s put up some points, but he hasn’t been their best player at all, Bunting has. Matthews and Marner do a lot more.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

the irony

Nylander is #1 so far this season.


Not even close, but I expect MM and AM to start turning it up.
- Garnie

In 4 games I would say Campbell and then Wilster for sure.
But Matthews hasnt been in the line up.

Willy just straight up doesn’t compete sometimes. He’ll coast to the bench when the play goes up the ice.

Yeah, he’s been in the league for six years, he’s not developing anymore, he is what he is. It’s obvious that Keefe is trying to make him a more complete player, and Willy is saying the right things in the media about wanting to be a better leader etc, but he still does the things that he’s always done.

No one is questioning his offence.

Idk what anyone’s point about Marner is supposed to be. What, you think he sucks? You think he won’t start getting points? What exactly are you trying to say? It’s a team game and Mitch is doing all the little things right, like he always does.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

its wild you make the blind spot comment and then post this

Nah.

Watch the last 1:20 of the first game vs OTT. Watch him float to the bench last night in OT. Those are the type of things that cost games.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I suggest you pay more attention to Marner, then. 'Cause so far in this young season, a lot of your complaints about Nylander, factor more for Marner.

that must be it Yep, must be. Thanks for enlightening us all.
- prock

You’re welcome.

Bunting has been better. Averages 5 fewer minutes a game w/o pp time, more hits, same +/-, fewer PIMs.

And fwiw Campbell has been their best player by a country mile.

uhh, not really, not the first 3 games he hasn't.
- prock

Ya, he's made some good plays for sure so far.
But only one point in 4 games. No biggie, stars have ups and downs.
He'll turn it on.

And if not.....then we've got problems

I suggest you pay more attention to Marner, then. 'Cause so far in this young season, a lot of your complaints about Nylander, factor more for Marner.
- GreatGigInTheSky

So you’re not going to go re-watch the ending of that game? It was gutless.

I suggest you pay more attention to Marner, then. 'Cause so far in this young season, a lot of your complaints about Nylander, factor more for Marner.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Marner is obviously awesome. Top 3 or 4 winger in the game.

But he's just been bad to start the season.

Willy just straight up doesn’t compete sometimes. He’ll coast to the bench when the play goes up the ice.

Yeah, he’s been in the league for six years, he’s not developing anymore, he is what he is. It’s obvious that Keefe is trying to make him a more complete player, and Willy is saying the right things in the media about wanting to be a better leader etc, but he still does the things that he’s always done.

No one is questioning his offence.

Idk what anyone’s point about Marner is supposed to be. What, you think he sucks? You think he won’t start getting points? What exactly are you trying to say? It’s a team game and Mitch is doing all the little things right, like he always does.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

For you to say this on the back of what you say about Willie is very telling.

You're straight up wrong about Willie. Period. It's an obvious hate for a certain player regardless...I get it, I do it with Marner and Engvall. I did it with Gardner and Marincin. We all do it. But some admit it.

PS, I watched Engvall, Marner and few others slow skate back to the bench last night. They all do it at times but you are apparently only watching one player do it.

I admit my hatred for Marner and Engvall isn't warranted at times. And realize their value in the line up. But I have to direct my anger and dry sense of humor some where when the Leafs lose. You do it with Willie but don't ever admit to doing it which makes it even more ridiculous.

Just sayin AA....you've been off on this one for a long time.

Ya, he's made some good plays for sure so far.
But only one point in 4 games. No biggie, stars have ups and downs.
He'll turn it on.

And if not.....then we've got problems
- Fakepartofme

Oh, I have no doubt he'll score 90 plus points this year, but its a slow start to be sure. He's just looked a little lost out there.

For you to say this on the back of what you say about Willie is very telling.

You're straight up wrong about Willie. Period. It's an obvious hate for a certain player regardless...I get it, I do it with Marner and Engvall. I did it with Gardner and Marincin. We all do it. But some admit it.

PS, I watched Engvall, Marner and few others slow skate back to the bench last night. They all do it at times but you are apparently only watching one player do it.

I admit my hatred for Marner and Engvall isn't warranted at times. And realize their value in the line up. But I have to direct my anger and dry sense of humor some where when the Leafs lose. You do it with Willie but don't ever admit to doing it which makes it even more ridiculous.

Just sayin AA....you've been off on this one for a long time.
- Barb34

once their replacement has left the bench, almost every player coasts in and hops over.

Oh, I have no doubt he'll score 90 plus points this year, but its a slow start to be sure. He's just looked a little lost out there.
- prock

It is a slow start for him....seems to be trying to do different things, he needs to get back to his game.

So you’re not going to go re-watch the ending of that game? It was gutless.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

I watched it live. I saw what happened.

I won't and don't hide Nylanders faults and mistakes, like you are doing with Marners.

Marner is obviously awesome. Top 3 or 4 winger in the game.

But he's just been bad to start the season.
- prock

He’s played well. The points will come.

Bunting is a great surprise, but it's 3 games in, and when someone surprises you like that, your excitement can get the better of your, and you overthink/overstate things.

Bunting has been good, but no, Nylander (or Campbell really) has been the best Leaf. And while I would be ecstatic if Bunting keeps it up all year, I think it's highly unlikely.

If anyone deserves criticism right now, it's MArner. But it's 3 games in, so way premature anyway.
- prock

For Bunting it will be consistency.

For Ritchie it will be finding the patterns in AM and MM's cycle and finding his groove with them. It will take a few more games but once he gets it, I think we're all going to be loving it.

Marner is obviously awesome. Top 3 or 4 winger in the game.

But he's just been bad to start the season.
- prock

Absolutely. I fully expect Marner to get his poop together and start playing like the player he can be.

once their replacement has left the bench, almost every player coasts in and hops over.
- prock

yep

I watched it live. I saw what happened.

I won't and don't hide Nylanders faults and mistakes, like you are doing with Marners.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Marner doesn’t pull poop like that.

Those are the types of things that cost games.