Then they’re just guessing because the media is too damn scared to blame the stars when it’s purely their fault.
- Dozzer

Or maybe they’re just being honest about how they see Ritchies performance so far. Yeah, give him a few more games to settle in, but so far he hasn’t looked like he belongs.

Or maybe they’re just being honest about how they see Ritchies performance so far. Yeah, give him a few more games to settle in, but so far he hasn’t looked like he belongs.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

They’re trying not to blame the stars as to why the line isn’t functioning on the high end. They don’t want to piss them off because they’ll be requesting interviews with them over the course of the season, so they’ll lay it onto the guy who’s there to do nothing more but augment them.

His line literally played together for the first time this year yesterday.

He’s got until Mikheyev is back at the minimum before they consider removing him.
- Dozzer

It was the same with Tavares and I’m not saying anything needs to happen in any time period. The team is doing well, Matthews is just back and no one is panicking. IMO, Richie is one of the few weak points so far and hopefully that turns around.

They’re trying not to blame the stars as to why the line isn’t functioning on the high end. They don’t want to piss them off because they’ll be requesting interviews with them over the course of the season, so they’ll lay it onto the guy who’s there to do nothing more but augment them.
- Dozzer

🤔

They’re trying not to blame the stars as to why the line isn’t functioning on the high end. They don’t want to piss them off because they’ll be requesting interviews with them over the course of the season, so they’ll lay it onto the guy who’s there to do nothing more but augment them.
- Dozzer

Matthews played incredible in his first game last night. Mitch looked engaged too.

I doubt MJ cares if AM/MM doesn’t like what he says. They criticize guys when they deserve it all the time.

🤔
- fifty__missions

They’ll blame the new guy because they don’t want to say that the stars aren’t at their own talent level yet

It was the same with Tavares and I’m not saying anything needs to happen in any time period. The team is doing well, Matthews is just back and no one is panicking. IMO, Richie is one of the few weak points so far and hopefully that turns around.
- Canada Cup

Once Matthews gets his shots back to their prime Ritchie banging in rebounds will begin to happen

Matthews played incredible in his first game last night. Mitch looked engaged too.

I doubt MJ cares if AM/MM doesn’t like what he says. They criticize guys when they deserve it all the time.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Matthews played good but not his best. He only hit the net 50% of the time on his shot attempts

That’s below his level

What you are completely ignoring is the fact that they got those points with Zack Hyman on their line. He is a huge upgrade on Nick Ritchie and many people vastly underrated his importance on that line. They will not both be top 5 scorers with Nick Ritchie on their line all season.
- fifty__missions

How do you account for all the points they amassed while Hyman was injured? Example in 2019/2020 Hyman only played 51 games and maythews 70. Hyman had 37 pts and matthews had 80.

Matthews is nothing without Hyman. Clearly.

Montreal has gotten embarrassed every game. Now san jose is ruining yhem. 4-0, half done.

I'd like to see the play ten games before forming opinions on the intricacies of the lineup.
- Zezel

Nope, if it doesn’t work after 1 shift you gotta move Engvall to 1LW

Nope, if it doesn’t work after 1 shift you gotta move Engvall to 1LW


- Garnie

He’d become a 49 goal scorer

Wait, the 4 wasn’t intentional, my apologies

How do you account for all the points they amassed while Hyman was injured? Example in 2019/2020 Hyman only played 51 games and maythews 70. Hyman had 37 pts and matthews had 80.

Matthews is nothing without Hyman. Clearly.
- Aaron_85

I don’t agree with the time here but I do with the ultimate point.

1. Matthews did pretty darn well playing with Johnsson and Kapanen…and yes when he was with Hyman and Hyman was hurt. Matthews doesn’t rely on his line mates. It certainly helps but his output isn’t reliant. That’s why he is elite.

2. Marner needs line mates to excel. He doesn’t ‘drive a line’. I think that’s why when Babcock demoted Marner to the 3rd line that one year was terrible. He needs to play with good players to be good…not to mention having his talent on a 3rd line is stupid (even if it’s to send a message)

3. Tavares (not sure what’s up so far this year…tough luck?) but as was seen in Long Island can play with mediocre players and excel.

4. Not sure how well Ritchie will do in that tile but he certainly deserves at least 10 games to make an impression. Marner as well yo be honest. That line literally just played together last night.

5. Tavares can now settle in with his line as well.

Patience darlins, patience. You guys have a teal good team - relax and enjoy it man….someone said the 82-0 thing and I thought it was spot on.

Matthews played good but not his best. He only hit the net 50% of the time on his shot attempts

That’s below his level
- Dozzer

With all due respect - Matthews was arguably the best player on the ice not named Russian Goalie.

It was his first game since Game 7 last year. He’s also barely shot pucks all training camp.

I don’t agree with the time here but I do with the ultimate point.

1. Matthews did pretty darn well playing with Johnsson and Kapanan…and yes when he was with Hyman and Hyman was hurt. Matthews doesn’t rely on his line mates. It certainly helps but his output isn’t reliant. That’s why he is elite.

2. Marner needs line mates to excel. He doesn’t ‘drive a line’. I think that’s why when Babcock demoted Marner to the 3rd line that one year was terrible. He needs to play with good players to be good…not to mention having his talent on a 3rd line is stupid (even if it’s to send a message)

3. Tavares (not sure what’s up so far this year…tough luck?) but as was seen in Long Island can play with mediocre players and excel.

4. Not sure how well Ritchie will do in that tile but he certainly deserves at least 10 games to make an impression. Marner as well yo be honest. That line literally just played together last night.

5. Tavares can now settle in with his line as well.

Patience darlins, patience. You guys have a teal good team - relax and enjoy it man….someone said the 82-0 thing and I thought it was spot on.
- Big23Questions

Before Matthews was with Marner yeah he may have played with these guys a few times but his primary linemate then was Nylander. So it wasn’t typically those two at the same time. However your point is correct when it comes to his talent.

And it was me that made the 82-0 comment and how it’s surprising that the leafs get judged for not accomplishing that even though they were tied for first in the league today (could get knocked down to being tied for 2nd or 3rd depending on tonight’s games…. Oh no lol)

With all due respect - Matthews was arguably the best player on the ice not named Russian Goalie.

It was his first game since Game 7 last year. He’s also barely shot pucks all training camp.
- Big23Questions

He played extremely well but like I said he’s typically a higher percentage than 50% when it comes to the shot attempts that hit the net.

All I’m saying is give the guy a couple games to knock all the remaining rust off that’s all

Before Matthews was with Marner yeah he may have played with these guys a few times but his primary linemate then was Nylander. So it wasn’t typically those two at the same time. However your point is correct when it comes to his talent.

And it was me that made the 82-0 comment and how it’s surprising that the leafs get judged for not accomplishing that even though they were tied for first in the league today (could get knocked down to being tied for 2nd or 3rd depending on tonight’s games…. Oh no lol)
- Dozzer

Haha - even 82-0 the chirps would be that they gave up too many scoring chances.

With the line combo - I was trying to say he played with Johnsson/Kapenen a lot actually. Nylander absolutely! He for sure played with him primarily as well. I remember that being a Babcock chirp that he kept rotating wingers on Matthews. But yes it was almost always a combo of 2/3 three guys with probably Nylander the most games (I agree)…but not consistent at all. I also know he basically only played Marner since Keefe. Babcock did it time-to-time but it always seemed like he didn’t want to because people said he should ha.

Habs are doing something. Yeesh

I'm going to think this is the reward for going to the finals. Juggernaut

Haha - even 82-0 the chirps would be that they gave up too many scoring chances.

With the line combo - I was trying to say he played with Johnsson/Kapenen a lot actually. Nylander absolutely! He for sure played with him primarily as well. I remember that being a Babcock chirp that he kept rotating wingers on Matthews. But yes it was almost always a combo of 2/3 three guys with probably Nylander the most games (I agree)…but not consistent at all. I also know he basically only played Marner since Keefe. Babcock did it time-to-time but it always seemed like he didn’t want to because people said he should ha.
- Big23Questions

Marner probably didn’t shoot enough to make Babcock happy so he wouldn’t give him a stable chance with Matthews

Babcocky is likely a more appropriate name for that coach, either listen to him perfectly or get punished lol

Habs are doing something. Yeesh

I'm going to think this is the reward for going to the finals. Juggernaut
- senstroll

If the season ends up like this for them watch them end up with the first overall pick

And Arizona and Buffalo end up sad

If the season ends up like this for them watch them end up with the first overall pick

And Arizona and Buffalo end up sad
- Dozzer

I think their coach is throwing games - he wants to get fired so he can go a US based and avoid having to wear a mask properly on the bench.

I think their coach is throwing games - he wants to get fired so he can go a US based and avoid having to wear a mask properly on the bench.
- Big23Questions

Making coaches wear those is absurd as it gets… they all grab it and hold it down while they’re female doging at refs anyways lol

I think their coach is throwing games - he wants to get fired so he can go a US based and avoid having to wear a mask properly on the bench.
- Big23Questions

This is the second craziest conspiracy theory posted here today.

Making coaches wear those is absurd as it gets… they all grab it and hold it down while they’re female doging at refs anyways lol
- Dozzer

I agree with masks in general for fans, ushers, time keepers and that - but I do agree if the coaches are in the room with the players, on the busses/planes, etc., why wear them? They are in contact too much for it to make a difference. I’m sure there must be some logic with it but it makes no sense on the surface.

This is the second craziest conspiracy theory posted here today.
- Arctic_AARDVARK

Haha - what’s the first?…hockey based?