HockeyBuzz Hotstove: Early season takeaways from the North Division

Ehlers is an absolute beast and makes his playing partners better. Trading Laine has allowed him to come out from under Laine's shadow and be the player he has shown he can be.

and it got Ehlers away from Laine's negative influence.

Ehlers is an absolute beast and makes his playing partners better. Trading Laine has allowed him to come out from under Laine's shadow and be the player he has shown he can be.
- Hosstyle

Agreed. Too much effort was wasted looking for him in the slot. Scheiffs/Connor/Ehlers/Copp all are all about puck possession, and patience. Laine never holds the puck. It off his tape in a fraction of a second, and if it is not a snipe, its coming back the Jets way. I like their dynamic right now, and if they can snag a quality RD, they could become a real threat to the top dogs in this league.

I don’t think anyone is surprised about Ottawa. They were projected to be terrible. The Van insight is a good one. They are shockingly bad on the defensive side

My takeaways:

- EDM is paper thin. That stat about winning their first game since 2017 without McD or Drai getting a point is absurd, and tells you everything about their team

- The Matthews / Marner combo is unstoppable. Co-MVPs right now

- Leafs are vastly improved defensively, and clearly the best team in the division. Odd that neither blogger mentioned the best team in their takeaways, lol

I don’t think anyone is surprised about Ottawa. They were projected to be terrible. The Van insight is a good one. They are shockingly bad on the defensive side

My takeaways:

- EDM is paper thin. That stat about winning their first game since 2017 without McD or Drai getting a point is absurd, and tells you everything about their team

- The Matthews / Marner combo is unstoppable. Co-MVPs right now

- Leafs are vastly improved defensively, and clearly the best team in the division. Odd that neither blogger mentioned the best team in their takeaways, lol
- AxlRose91

The leafs can be the best team in the north division all they want. When it comes to the playoffs they will be humbled again in the first round. But hey, they can do a Nashville and raise a banner to the rafters proclaiming them regular season champions.

and it got Ehlers away from Laine's negative influence.
- bennythehat

Jets are the Sleepers in the North division. Your D is somewhat questionable but if Hellybuck gets hot he can cover that up.

I don’t think anyone is surprised about Ottawa. They were projected to be terrible. The Van insight is a good one. They are shockingly bad on the defensive side

My takeaways:

- EDM is paper thin. That stat about winning their first game since 2017 without McD or Drai getting a point is absurd, and tells you everything about their team

- The Matthews / Marner combo is unstoppable. Co-MVPs right now

- Leafs are vastly improved defensively, and clearly the best team in the division. Odd that neither blogger mentioned the best team in their takeaways, lol
- AxlRose91

The Leafs are expected to be the best. Not a surprise.

The leafs can be the best team in the north division all they want. When it comes to the playoffs they will be humbled again in the first round. But hey, they can do a Nashville and raise a banner to the rafters proclaiming them regular season champions.
- JRocknRoll

Same thing everyone said about Washington every year, until they made a few key additions and won a cup

As badly as you want it to be true, these aren’t the same Leafs, champ

Same thing everyone said about Washington every year, until they made a few key additions and won a cup

As badly as you want it to be true, these aren’t the same Leafs, champ
- AxlRose91

Yep, they are still the same...champ, they just don't have to compete with TB and Boston.

Yep, they are still the same...champ, they just don't have to compete with TB and Boston.
- JRocknRoll

Yes what dont these people get? They certainly are the best team..... in a terrible terrible division.
Not to mention the smallest division. They only have to be better than 3 teams to make the show, and one of those teams is ottawa who is pretty eliminated already.

Yes what dont these people get? They certainly are the best team..... in a terrible terrible division.
Not to mention the smallest division. They only have to be better than 3 teams to make the show, and one of those teams is ottawa who is pretty eliminated already.
- Shynes57

“These people”....you mean Canadians? People with an education?

“These people”....you mean Canadians? People with an education?
- AxlRose91

Ha well i would say mostly i meant leaf fans, but i suppose it also contains folks who think the leafs are a much better team. Right now even florida looks decent but we havent played the big boys yet. There arent any big boys in the north

I don’t think anyone is surprised about Ottawa. They were projected to be terrible. The Van insight is a good one. They are shockingly bad on the defensive side

My takeaways:

- EDM is paper thin. That stat about winning their first game since 2017 without McD or Drai getting a point is absurd, and tells you everything about their team

- The Matthews / Marner combo is unstoppable. Co-MVPs right now

- Leafs are vastly improved defensively, and clearly the best team in the division. Odd that neither blogger mentioned the best team in their takeaways, lol
- AxlRose91

I think there are enough reporters on TSN and Sportsnet chugging off the leafs right now you don’t need to concern yourself with every single opinion.

They are a good team, no doubt. I wouldn’t say they will cruise through this year as easily as some assume.

They have won more than a few games this year after getting outplayed. You can look at this and say it’s because they are that good that they don’t have to play 60 minutes or you can say there is some luck involved. All I know is I have no issue with the Leafs playing this well 40 games before playoffs start.

Ehlers is an absolute beast and makes his playing partners better. Trading Laine has allowed him to come out from under Laine's shadow and be the player he has shown he can be.
- Hosstyle

It be hasn’t just been Ehlers. The whole line with Stastny and Copp has been awesome.

Ha well i would say mostly i meant leaf fans, but i suppose it also contains folks who think the leafs are a much better team. Right now even florida looks decent but we havent played the big boys yet. There arent any big boys in the north
- Shynes57

You do realize the leafs, lightning and Boston were battling for the div lead over the last 3 years. The Atlantic was the best division in hockey and the leafs finished with 100 pts every year. That makes them a pretty great team. Every one was pumping Calgary and Vancouver when these divisions were made and now they suck apparently lol. You leaf haters are hilarious

Didn’t get to see game how did PLD do?

Didn’t get to see game how did PLD do?
- Tee56

Laine - 8 points in 7 games
Roslovic - 9 points in 8 games

PLD - 1 point in 7 games

Jarmo is a stud. He’s pulled off some of the best heists of the past decade

Laine - 8 points in 7 games
Roslovic - 9 points in 8 games

PLD - 1 point in 7 games

Jarmo is a stud. He’s pulled off some of the best heists of the past decade
- AxlRose91

Not a very fair assessment as PLD played very limited time. Yes, Raslovic did not get a fair shake. Glad to see a coach use him properly. When PLD starts to elevate his game back to last years playoff form, it will start to make a lot more sense as to why they gave up so much for the kid. Aside from goalies, centre is the most important position in the game. As for Jarmo, he has done an excellent job bringing decent hockey to Columbus every year. On the other hand, every good player seems to run away from Columbus as fast as possible.

The leafs can be the best team in the north division all they want. When it comes to the playoffs they will be humbled again in the first round. But hey, they can do a Nashville and raise a banner to the rafters proclaiming them regular season champions.
- JRocknRoll

Smart as a tack this one.

They'll play another North division team int he first two rounds.