Which is weird. He essentially got a 3rd round pick and he's not super young? He's just a depth guy. Sign Mikeyev in the off season lol
- Aaron_85

Blackwell is solid. Cheap and able to chip in some offence. Bangs and crashes well. He isn't old, now I thought he was taller than he is but guess who was banging our guys around when they met in Toronto and was chipping in offensively on us? He's been playing lately with Gourde on line 2 with Seattle. Worked his way up and was producing so yeah, he was a good add. Brings more than our 4th line has been giving us. Can also play wing and center too so not bad.

I like Mik but he isn't top 6 and he seems to think he should be playing that. I don't see him coming back at all.

Tbh I think Campbell (once he returns) will look good again. Both goalies (him and Mrazek) always seemed to play desperately and fortunately for us leaf fans it worked for Campbell to start the year since he successfully stood on his head.

Then the D played far more tightly when the rookies were tossed in net and they were able to play calmly.

So I think the addition of Giordano will help solidify how the D plays in their own zone calming down Campbell and allowing him to play a far more straightforward game with success. Not to mention the puck will get cleared more often and the leafs forwards will thrive on that as well.
- Dozzer

Is Oct/Nov or Dec/Jan/Feb the real Campbell? Which is the mirage and which is the real deal?

Hoping that the latter results were due to nagging injuries that will be healed up upon his return.

Specifically the Atlantic. The Metro ain't much but the Atlantic is ridic.
- Aaron_85

Top 4 yes the bottom 4 yuck.

Detroit Buffalo Ottawa Montreal are horrible.

Is Oct/Nov or Dec/Jan/Feb the real Campbell? Which is the mirage and which is the real deal?

Hoping that the latter results were due to nagging injuries that will be healed up upon his return.
- mjones242

Im thinking Dozzer is right and honestly with Mrazek struggling and then injured we played Campbell a whole lot more than planned too. He hasn't been a starter before so thinking we may have overused him too and fatigue may have been a bit of a factor there.

I think he will come back and be fine and with the improved d in front of him likely more calm and better.

Pretty much is, yes. The Leafs have a clearly defined system that requires fluid offensive zone movement and flow back to the point with at least one high forward to prevent odd man rushes against. Every time we have an odd man rush against (well, not every, but the lion's share of cases) is a break down in that structure. It's been happening at an alarming rate of late - whether it's guys like Matthews and Marner, who are typically smarter in those roles - or guys like Nylander and Tavares who are less responsible - it doesn't matter. We've had a number of guys making mistakes in their high coverage. Admittedly a lot of it is initiated by unexpected moves from Rielly or Sandin - but there is an expectation of coverage and if you're not providing it, you're not helping.

If I admitted that I'm still unsure of what Keefe's d-zone plan is, I don't think I'd be alone. They talk about a swarming defense that closes gaps and gets on the puck carrier, but that's very rarely what I see, so I'm a bit confused on that side.
- Monkeypunk

If that is clearly what you see why are you confused about it?
Or am I confused about your statement?

[quote=Nighthawk]

Agree.

Also I was wrong. metro is currently better than Atlantic, well the top half.

Pretty much is, yes. The Leafs have a clearly defined system that requires fluid offensive zone movement and flow back to the point with at least one high forward to prevent odd man rushes against. Every time we have an odd man rush against (well, not every, but the lion's share of cases) is a break down in that structure. It's been happening at an alarming rate of late - whether it's guys like Matthews and Marner, who are typically smarter in those roles - or guys like Nylander and Tavares who are less responsible - it doesn't matter. We've had a number of guys making mistakes in their high coverage. Admittedly a lot of it is initiated by unexpected moves from Rielly or Sandin - but there is an expectation of coverage and if you're not providing it, you're not helping.

If I admitted that I'm still unsure of what Keefe's d-zone plan is, I don't think I'd be alone. They talk about a swarming defense that closes gaps and gets on the puck carrier, but that's very rarely what I see, so I'm a bit confused on that side.
- Monkeypunk

Leafs puck cycling & creation of HD chances is fantastic. I see D breakdowns more from lazy forwards & the D not very physical

Im thinking Dozzer is right and honestly with Mrazek struggling and then injured we played Campbell a whole lot more than planned too. He hasn't been a starter before so thinking we may have overused him too and fatigue may have been a bit of a factor there.

I think he will come back and be fine and with the improved d in front of him likely more calm and better.
- Roadrunner75

We're running a bit of a risk with Kallgren (or Sateri!) as our backup though, aren't we? Putting immense pressure back on Campbell's shoulders again, no?

Also need to consider Campbell's performance last year and in the playoffs as well. I wouldn't write him off just yet.

[quote=Aaron_85]
Regardless the East is a gauntlet like the West used to be. PO’s will be fun 👍

Is Oct/Nov or Dec/Jan/Feb the real Campbell? Which is the mirage and which is the real deal?

Hoping that the latter results were due to nagging injuries that will be healed up upon his return.
- mjones242

November is hotter than Campbell typically is, but October is probably closer to what you get.

In October, Campbell posted a .918%. The League average is .903%.

His 4 years with the Kings, Campbell was a .918%. Last year with the Leafs he was .921%.

Put in perspective, Vasilevskiy is .919% and Bobrovsky is .917%.

Blackwell is solid. Cheap and able to chip in some offence. Bangs and crashes well. He isn't old, now I thought he was taller than he is but guess who was banging our guys around when they met in Toronto and was chipping in offensively on us? He's been playing lately with Gourde on line 2 with Seattle. Worked his way up and was producing so yeah, he was a good add. Brings more than our 4th line has been giving us. Can also play wing and center too so not bad.

I like Mik but he isn't top 6 and he seems to think he should be playing that. I don't see him coming back at all.
- Roadrunner75

He already wanted a trade once, I don't see him coming back as I think as you said, he wants top 6 minutes, PP time and likely a raise.

If that is clearly what you see why are you confused about it?
Or am I confused about your statement?
- the_eye

Because either it's a complete inability to perform on what they are supposed to be doing, or they have a different defensive approach than was previously stated.

We're running a bit of a risk with Kallgren (or Sateri!) as our backup though, aren't we? Putting immense pressure back on Campbell's shoulders again, no?
- mjones242

I feel like with most teams, the goalie position is the one where if your first option blows up, you're basically screwed anyway. There's a few exceptions to this in recent memory obviously, but generally with goalies you gotta dance with the one that brought ya.

What is your take on Campbells style in net?
- Nighthawk

Leafs fans are all hoping he will be better when he returns.

But it’s just hope.

There is no reason to believe he will be better.

Leafs fans are all hoping he will be better when he returns.

But it’s just hope.

There is no reason to believe he will be better.
- Atomic Wedgie

Sure there is.

We're running a bit of a risk with Kallgren (or Sateri!) as our backup though, aren't we? Putting immense pressure back on Campbell's shoulders again, no?
- mjones242

Mrazek hasn’t worked out as a 1B. Campbell is hurt by that being he isn’t established for a 60+ game load. Tbh there aren’t enough good to elite goalies to go around & hurts the back up position as well.

Sure there is.
- Zezel

Because we need him to be better?

[quote=Aaron_85]
I dunno, they both add up to 338 points.

Leafs fans are all hoping he will be better when he returns.

But it’s just hope.

There is no reason to believe he will be better.
- Atomic Wedgie

He only needs to be solid & team D not be the culprit.

ace starting goalies seem like such a rare commodity in sports, yet they dont get paid like it. why

We're running a bit of a risk with Kallgren (or Sateri!) as our backup though, aren't we? Putting immense pressure back on Campbell's shoulders again, no?
- mjones242

I don't see an option in the NHL and neither did Dubas apparently lol. Used the leafs other asset in pure cash and brought a KHL "star" in. Hope he slips through waivers!

Sure there is.
- Zezel

Cause odds are he can't be worse..

Because we need him to be better?
- Atomic Wedgie

he has shown he is capable

there is no reason to believe justin pogge will be better

campbell there are reasons

Leafs fans are all hoping he will be better when he returns.

But it’s just hope.

There is no reason to believe he will be better.
- Atomic Wedgie

Also, you shut up...