Indeed - which makes all the more bonkers!
- mjones242

Where's the fire and passion?

So I was watching the game last night for whatever reason, and mitch had the puck with a direct line to the front of net but decided to go around back to attempt a pass from behind the net into the slot to JT, which was ultimately broken up by a good carolina stick.

Slick move, sure, but honestly he could have gone dirty and crashed and banged in front of the net a little bit. Wasn't very impressed.

You guys don't give Marner enough credit.

With Mihkeyev out, Marner has really stepped up to fill his role.

Marner is now missing easy goals on glorious scoring opportunities, just like Mihkeyev last year.
- Atomic Wedgie

Worse ....We all agreed that Mikheyev was the worst finisher in the history of the world last year. He bagged 7G on 107 shots. 6.5%

So far this year JT/AM/MM have bagged 2G on 61 shots. 3.2%

Last year the Big3 clocked in around 15%.

They owe us 8G.

Spezza...

Nylander...

Campbell...

Sandin...

..................

Who is that 3rd line centre we signed?
- TheMussel

Third line has done its job. 4th line, including Spezza, was not very good last night. (I didn’t watch it all). Too many turnovers). JT hasn’t been there. Freddie gifted Auston cause he knew they’d win, but the no preseason buys him a bit more time. (Matthews/Bunting we’re completely out of sync - first game, etc). Muzzin looks like Max was right. Brodie looks terrible, etc

My patently unprovable hottake is that the Leafs would be way better if they had gone for Pietrangelo
- TheMussel

No Tavares but with Pietrangelo. Yes.

No Marner...at $10.9M...but with Josh Anderson and Parayko/Manson. Yep.

Rielly traded to Calgary for Tkachuk...or something like that. Yep.

Matthews
Kadri
McCann
Kampf
...down the middle.



Tkachuk, Matthews, Nylander
Anderson, Kadri, Kase/Micheyev
Bunting, McCann, Kase/Micheyev
Simmonds, Kampf, Spezza

Muzzin, Pietro
Brodie, Parayko/Manson
Sandin, Holl
Dermott

Campbel
Mrazek

Cup Guaranteed.

Pretty sure that's unprovable too, but bet we wouldn't be having the SAME (frank)ing conversation for the passed 5 years.

Right now I’d almost take Jumbo over Nick. They’re both slow but Joe at least thinks the game at human speed, can pass and has actually scored a goal. Oh yeah, $750K vs $2.5M
- Canada Cup

Ritchie had 15 goals and 26 pts playing bottom 6 minutes last year which was a whole lot more effective than Joe Thornton.

But he's had 7 games this year playing with superstars who can't seem to (frank)ing score but let's pile on him because he's not putting up numbers.

The team can't seem to score any goals this year but obviously Ritchie is poop, can't think the game "at human speed", etc.

OK, current Hot Take-

Id rather have Kadri than Tavares.

I know Marner’s bad play extends into the playoffs, but who would you say has played well this year? Are there more than 5 players?
- Canada Cup

Matthews, considering he's only played 4 games since surgery.

Campbell

Nylander

Bunting

Spezza

Kampf

Kase

Simmonds, is flying out there and doing what he was brought here to do, not much but a few fights, that's good enough for me for his money.

Brodie....most games

That's about it. (frank)ing sad.

Ritchie had 15 goals and 26 pts playing bottom 6 minutes last year which was a whole lot more effective than Joe Thornton.

But he's had 7 games this year playing with superstars who can't seem to (frank)ing score but let's pile on him because he's not putting up numbers.

The team can't seem to score any goals this year but obviously Ritchie is poop, can't think the game "at human speed", etc.


- mjones242

I agree. We should just focus on the stars on his line not doing enough. He will come around.

With that said, I don't mind Bunting up on the line either.

Ritchie had 15 goals and 26 pts playing bottom 6 minutes last year which was a whole lot more effective than Joe Thornton.

But he's had 7 games this year playing with superstars who can't seem to (frank)ing score but let's pile on him because he's not putting up numbers.

The team can't seem to score any goals this year but obviously Ritchie is poop, can't think the game "at human speed", etc.


- mjones242

They all suck Jones and yes in those 7 games Ritchie has been poop and yes he’s slow both in his skating and how he thinks the game. We’re doing assessments on 7 games in case you’ve missed it. He doesn’t get a pass. Not at $2.5M

OK, current Hot Take-

Id rather have Kadri than Tavares.
- Blue Cat Lodge

Yep. ALL.DAY.LONG.

Kadri at $6m...after a raise in a new contract...with good wingers is way better than JT with the C, not doing poop at $11M.

Prove me wrong.

OK, current Hot Take-

Id rather have Kadri than Tavares.
- Blue Cat Lodge

I'd say this is a dumb take but Kadri played 4 more games in the playoffs last year

Ritchie had 15 goals and 26 pts playing bottom 6 minutes last year which was a whole lot more effective than Joe Thornton.

But he's had 7 games this year playing with superstars who can't seem to (frank)ing score but let's pile on him because he's not putting up numbers.

The team can't seem to score any goals this year but obviously Ritchie is poop, can't think the game "at human speed", etc.


- mjones242

Check the games and times. He had a hot streak on the PP early on and then became a 4th liner. Hence the "bottom-6" minutes over the totality of the season. He was given his time in the sun, he always gets it. Normally he has a few good games, hasn't yet hit that low with the Leafs yet.

I agree. We should just focus on the stars on his line not doing enough. He will come around.

With that said, I don't mind Bunting up on the line either.
- Aaron_85

Yeah, Bunting definitely gives a different look on the line -- a pest rather than a gorilla. I'm curious to see how that combo goes over the next few games.

Yeah, Bunting definitely gives a different look on the line -- a pest rather than a gorilla. I'm curious to see how that combo goes over the next few games.
- mjones242

bunting has looked good so far

No Tavares but with Pietrangelo. Yes.

No Marner...at $10.9M...but with Josh Anderson and Parayko/Manson. Yep.

Rielly traded to Calgary for Tkachuk...or something like that. Yep.

Matthews
Kadri
McCann
Kampf
...down the middle.



Anderson, Matthews, Nylander
Tkachuk, Kadri, Kase/Micheyev
Bunting, McCann, Kase/Micheyev
Simmonds, Kampf, Spezza

Muzzin, Pietro
Brodie, Parayko/Manson
Sandin, Holl
Dermott

Campbel
Mrazek

Cup Guaranteed.

Pretty sure that's unprovable too, but bet we wouldn't be having the SAME (frank)ing conversation for the passed 5 years.
- underhill14

They all suck Jones and yes in those 7 games Ritchie has been poop and yes he’s slow both in his skating and how he thinks the game. We’re doing assessments on 7 games in case you’ve missed it. He doesn’t get a pass. Not at $2.5M
- Canada Cup

Since Marner makes almost 4.5x as much I want to see you female dog about him 4.5x more.

- fidopro

Laugh all you want, there was a minute this summer when Gio left and Tkachuk was having issues....wanting to go to St Louis...that a deal like that could've had a chance.

Not saying there wouldn't be more pieces involved...or even that it would have to be Tkachuk...

..but that type of player for Matthews and Rielly gone before he walks or needs a serious raise....and yes, I know Tkachuk's deal is/was up and he was getting a raise next year.

Since Marner makes almost 4.5x as much I want to see you female dog about him 4.5x more.
- mjones242

I hate when well-paid athletes whine about criticism.

To whom much is given ..much is expected. There's no way they didn't point out how awesome they each were at negotiation time ....you live by the sword you die by the sword.

More cliche's?

Check the games and times. He had a hot streak on the PP early on and then became a 4th liner. Hence the "bottom-6" minutes over the totality of the season. He was given his time in the sun, he always gets it. Normally he has a few good games, hasn't yet hit that low with the Leafs yet.
- AdamFrench

He had a middle stretch of 10 games where he went scoreless. 🤷

Laugh all you want, there was a minute this summer when Gio left and Tkachuk was having issues....wanting to go to St Louis...that a deal like that could've had a chance.

Not saying there wouldn't be more pieces involved...or even that it would have to be Tkachuk...

..but that type of player for Matthews and Rielly gone before he walks or needs a serious raise....and yes, I know Tkachuk's deal is/was up and he was getting a raise next year.
- underhill14

Rieilly is a pending UFA, what exactly do you exepct to get for him?
usually they go for a pick and a prospect.

Since Marner makes almost 4.5x as much I want to see you female dog about him 4.5x more.
- mjones242

They’ve both been poop. I’ve seen Mitch play at a high level so I have confidence that he can play that way again. I don’t know Ritchie’s game other than these games and the preseason. He was supposed to play a key role but looks slow and his decision making seems slow - he seems to read plays and opportunities after they’ve past by.

no... its simply that Marner is not skating like he did the first couple of years... he used to fly out of his own zone and either open the ice for a pass or carry the puck and push the defense back... now it is "deliberate" and he doesn't ad lib anymore.
that's on him.
- BorjeFan4Ever

it's the pressure of not being a bachelor anymore might be sinking in.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Since Marner makes almost 4.5x as much I want to see you female dog about him 4.5x more.
- mjones242

They’ve both been poop. I’ve seen Mitch play at a high level so I have confidence that he can play that way again. I don’t know Ritchie’s game other than these games and the preseason. He was supposed to play a key role but looks slow and his decision making seems slow - he seems to read plays and opportunities after they’ve past by.

I hate when well-paid athletes whine about criticism.

To whom much is given ..much is expected. There's no way they didn't point out how awesome they each were at negotiation time ....you live by the sword you die by the sword.

More cliche's?
- The Law

Precisely!

Honestly, at this point I'm thinking he needs to be talking to a sports psychologist a la Nate Mackinnon. He needs to get his mojo going as he looks tight as (frank) these days. He's in his own head and each game that goes by where he doesn't create any offence just compounds his futility.

J just find it hilarious when people pile on players who are making a fraction of the $$$ because they aren't immediately contributing but moan with the "it's only 7 games" narrative when you talk about the team at large or specific superstars who are epically underperforming.

I hate when well-paid athletes whine about criticism.

To whom much is given ..much is expected. There's no way they didn't point out how awesome they each were at negotiation time ....you live by the sword you die by the sword.

More cliche's?
- The Law

Mom always liked you best