2017-18 Toronto Maple Leafs - General Discussion

[Zee]

Komarov's situation is clarified but we can still fantasize about what this means for Martin for awhile. If Komarov goes back to the shutdown line next week does Martin come back into the line-up? Or do we see a line a 4th line of Kapanen-Moore-Marner, which would be absolutely bonkers.

I'm just kidding, of course Martin goes back into the line-up.

I'm half expecting us to wonder why Kapanen looks so bad on the ice tomorrow night and then midway through the first period he pulls off a mask and it's been Matt Martin all along.

 

[Strangelove]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/955863086514212864

He's ALREADY decided that these lines won't stick hahahahahah

Everything that?s wrong with Babcock encapsulated in a single tweet.

Edit: As I said in the game thread last night, it literally doesn't matter to Babcock what happens on the ice. The line matchup is king.

 

[slapshot]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/955848912757145600

It's almost like Babcock read the Athletic article by Mirtle and copied his line combinations just to troll the fans.  By game time tomorrow Martin will be back on the 4th line and Komarov with Kadri.

I would like to see these lines stick. Leo should be on the 4th line. I actually think he could play centre. Good on face-offs, defensively responsible. 4th line centre solved. More offence up the line-up.

Martin has yet to be scratched this year, yes?

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/955848912757145600

It's almost like Babcock read the Athletic article by Mirtle and copied his line combinations just to troll the fans.  By game time tomorrow Martin will be back on the 4th line and Komarov with Kadri.

I would like to see these lines stick. Leo should be on the 4th line. I actually think he could play centre. Good on face-offs, defensively responsible. 4th line centre solved. More offence up the line-up.

Martin has yet to be scratched this year, yes?

Amazing, I too agree with the moves... about friggin time. Now to permanently remove Polak from the organization...

 

[Highlander]

Break his other leg!

 

[Bullfrog]

Komarov's situation is clarified but we can still fantasize about what this means for Martin for awhile. If Komarov goes back to the shutdown line next week does Martin come back into the line-up? Or do we see a line a 4th line of Kapanen-Moore-Marner, which would be absolutely bonkers.

I'm just kidding, of course Martin goes back into the line-up.

You had me for a second, you silly man, you.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/scottcwheeler/status/956265628045803521

Starting off on the right foot!

Dubas is also doubling as Assistant to the Skating Consultant.

 

[mr grieves]

Unreal.  "We need an offensive jolt on the road, but back at home I can go back to having no offense on that 2nd line thanks to Komarov"

It's just such a weird thing to be announcing a line-up change 8 days before you have to make it too. What's the point of saying that? What if we absolutely roll over Chicago and Dallas with these lines?

Easy.

Ego!

He knows outsiders have been skeptical about what he's doing, and he has gone out of his way to trash the advanced stats department and remind the media that he's "the decider." For a guy who's a winner and projects all sorts of confidence, he spends a good deal time saying how little he cares about what people are saying about him.

He announces the changes as temporary because he knows the haters think his lineup decisions have been garbage, and he's really keen to let them all know this change -- reflecting what a lot of folks have been saying he should've been doing for months now -- isn't an admission that any of them were right. Because that's what's important to Babcock.

 

[herman]

http://faceoffcircle.ca/2018/01/25/leafs-moving-towards-life-matt-martin/

I've been watching the steady decline in TOI, but held back from getting too excited.

In the interest of smearing minutes evenly, every player has to bring some additional utility to at least one special teams unit other than the ignoble distinction of being the most obvious choice for serving bench minors.

I know the Islanders would take him back in a heartbeat and are pretty banged up up front (and all over).

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

http://faceoffcircle.ca/2018/01/25/leafs-moving-towards-life-matt-martin/

I've been watching the steady decline in TOI, but held back from getting too excited.

In the interest of smearing minutes evenly, every player has to bring some additional utility to at least one special teams unit other than the ignoble distinction of being the most obvious choice for serving bench minors.

I know the Islanders would take him back in a heartbeat and are pretty banged up up front (and all over).

Are you trying to send little Mitchy into a deep depression?

 

[herman]

Are you trying to send little Mitchy into a deep depression?

Just have Willy score more frequently.
https://twitter.com/JeffVeillette/status/956375941831450624

 

[ZBBM]

http://faceoffcircle.ca/2018/01/25/leafs-moving-towards-life-matt-martin/

I never read anything by this guy other than random tweets posted here.  He's a pretty good writer ("Who is more likely to treat the fourth line as a podium rather than a ladder" -- paraphrase).

 

[ZBBM]

Re the GIF above: what is it with coaches who never crack a smile after a win?  To look at Babcock you'd think somebody just shot his dog.

 

[herman]

http://faceoffcircle.ca/2018/01/25/leafs-moving-towards-life-matt-martin/

I never read anything by this guy other than random tweets posted here.  He's a pretty good writer ("Who is more likely to treat the fourth line as a podium rather than a ladder" -- paraphrase).

A lot of the Leafs Nation (TLN) links I've sent this way in years past were by churned out by Jeff, so while I can't verify that you've never read his work, assuming you've clicked some links I've posted before (seeing as how you clicked this one), it's likely that you have. That's a really good line you picked out there. (Chaos is a ladder, btw)

Jeff Veillette was a large reason that site has any traction in the Leafs blogosphere (judging by the direction the commentors tend to go), especially where it pertains to the shift towards analytics. He branched off on his own this year. Read his pre-season prospect rankings to get a deep dive into our prospect pool (it's free!).

 

[Coco-puffs]

http://faceoffcircle.ca/2018/01/25/leafs-moving-towards-life-matt-martin/

I've been watching the steady decline in TOI, but held back from getting too excited.

In the interest of smearing minutes evenly, every player has to bring some additional utility to at least one special teams unit other than the ignoble distinction of being the most obvious choice for serving bench minors.

I know the Islanders would take him back in a heartbeat and are pretty banged up up front (and all over).

Has Martin served that many bench minors??? Isn't it usually Marner serving them?  Why wouldn't you want a threat coming out of the box? 

 

[Highlander]

Re the GIF above: what is it with coaches who never crack a smile after a win?  To look at Babcock you'd think somebody just shot his dog.

It has to do with some Zen stuff, never get to happy when you win or to sad when you lose, take the middle road Grasshopper, and if you happen to snatch an insect from my hand you better have some tissue handy. It could get messy.

 

[Kaberle15]

Can we say that Marleau - Kadri - Marner was a success ?

Aldo the new 4th line isn't bad with Komarov - Moore - Kapenen (this kid can fly on the ice!)

 

[herman]

Has Martin served that many bench minors??? Isn't it usually Marner serving them?  Why wouldn't you want a threat coming out of the box?

You might be right there. Not sure how to look this up though! Hockey-reference indicates when it was a bench minor, but not who serves it, and the PIM are obviously not assigned.

I remember Martin being the one last season a few times, but lately it's been Marner or Nylander (e.g. last night).

 

[hockeyfan1]

Re: faceoffcircle article on Matt Martin

The followidng made for a compelling argument on why a player of Martins' caliber was needed in the lineup or on the roster.  That was then, this is now.
Can still be useful.  Or, shouldn't be needed.  Or, the Leafs have others to fill the spot.  Blah, blah, blah.  Pick your choice.

[tweet]932788673455775746[/tweet]

 

[Zee]

At Leafs practice today, Nikita Zaitsev

Hey Nikita is it cold?
In your little corner of the world
You could roll around the globe
And never find a warmer soul to know