2019-2020 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Hobbes]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I'm not excited to move anyone out for Johnsson. I think they should start him on the 3rd/4th line and leave the top 2 alone. I haven't really liked Johnson's game this year and wanted him moved off Matthews' line.

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but I think what Nik was saying is with the line-up currently clicking so well, he doesn't want to pull someone out of it (or shuffle them around) to make room for Johnsson's return.

I'd agree (if that's what he meant). I like Johnsson but he wasn't so fabulous on Matthews' wing prior to his injury that I'd be chomping at the bit to get him back into that spot. I like your suggestion to ease him back in with some 4th or perhaps 3rd line time. If he's lights out good, sure, let him earn back that plum assignment. He's got to "replace" what Hyman's bringing, though, which is a pretty tough ask.

 

[Bender]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I'm feeling exactly the same here.

 

[ZBBM]

Johnsson slots back in when he's ready.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Timoshov get moved right before then.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/chartinghockey/status/1213836050495426561

Running a bit hot against a soft schedule (as we should). We have one of the easier remaining schedules in the league (after two months of insane compression against tough teams).

The trick will be staying patient and continuing to build on this success and find our way to play through and out of adversity.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1213874029330882563

Johnsson and Moore must be chomping at the bit to get back in, they haven't played since the old regime.

 

[Coco-puffs]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

 

[herman]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

I'm down for that experiment.

 

[Hobbes]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

I'm down for that experiment.

And Spezza as 4C and Goat as bench-warmer/mascot.

The question there is whether Engvall can play an effective, safe, 3C which is a much tougher job than playing wing. He's done a bit of center in the AHL but the NHL is a whole different beast.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

I'm down for that experiment.

And Spezza as 4C and Goat as bench-warmer/mascot.

The question there is whether Engvall can play an effective, safe, 3C which is a much tougher job than playing wing. He's done a bit of center in the AHL but the NHL is a whole different beast.

They can try him there because if it doesn't work out they can always throw Spezza back to 3C or even move Kerfoot back again. They have options.

 

[Frank E]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

And just to add to this, Johnsson is a pretty damn decent forward.  Any lineup decisions that have the possibility of him in instead of Timashov or Gauthier, I'm all for.  New guys may be the flavour of the month, but Johnsson is a more proven commodity. 

I also think guys should be given the proper opportunity to resume their jobs once they've recovered from injury. 

 

[Highlander]

I know you all really like the guy but man, I am really not excited about reshuffling a lineup that really seems to be clicking for Johnsson.

I agree with you when it comes to the top 6.  But there is a Spezza-sized "I'm not sure about this" on the third line right now.  I'd really like to see Johnsson-Engvall-Kapanen to start and leave Kerfoot with JT-Willy.  Those three are really playing well together.

I'm down for that experiment.

And Spezza as 4C and Goat as bench-warmer/mascot.

The question there is whether Engvall can play an effective, safe, 3C which is a much tougher job than playing wing. He's done a bit of center in the AHL but the NHL is a whole different beast.

We will only find out about Engvall if they give him the chance. I have a feeling this guy can do anything we ask of him.

 

[Bullfrog]

Engvall probably would have stopped McDavid.

 

[herman]

Engvall probably would have stopped McDavid.

There was one sequence where Engvall caught up to McDavid and smeared him out along the bench boards.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Engvall probably would have stopped McDavid.

Yup, I remember that.

There was one sequence where Engvall caught up to McDavid and smeared him out along the bench boards.

 

[Zee]

Seeing the Andersen reaction and comments from last night, today, who's doubting he'll have a monster performance tomorrow night?  I've never seen the guy so pissed off before.  I think he'll put the team on his back tomorrow even if the Leafs don't play well.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Seeing the Andersen reaction and comments from last night, today, who's doubting he'll have a monster performance tomorrow night?  I've never seen the guy so pissed off before.  I think he'll put the team on his back tomorrow even if the Leafs don't play well.

He was pissed but made it clear today he wasn't mad at Keefe. He was pissed at being down 3-0. He'll be motivated tomorrow, not that he ever needs it. I think the team will be also.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1214593362789109765
https://twitter.com/kevin_mcgran/status/1214594503341944833

In light of Rielly getting turnstiled, the Leafs have Underhill working on a non-traditional in-stride pivot to keep up with forwards barreling through.

According to Luke Fox/Sportsnet, there were 6 coaches on the defense pad.

 

[Zee]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1214593362789109765
https://twitter.com/kevin_mcgran/status/1214594503341944833

In light of Rielly getting turnstiled, the Leafs have Underhill working on a non-traditional in-stride pivot to keep up with forwards barreling through.

According to Luke Fox/Sportsnet, there were 6 coaches on the defense pad.

Underhill would have rode McDavid into the corner.  "Is that all you got hotshot?"

 

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1214593362789109765
https://twitter.com/kevin_mcgran/status/1214594503341944833

In light of Rielly getting turnstiled, the Leafs have Underhill working on a non-traditional in-stride pivot to keep up with forwards barreling through.

According to Luke Fox/Sportsnet, there were 6 coaches on the defense pad.

Underhill would have rode McDavid into the corner.  "Is that all you got hotshot?"

Haha...Good one!

 

[Hobbes]

There's quite a good piece on Mo in The Athletic today (paywall). Apparently he's still ailing from whatever it was that was hampering him earlier in the season and reading between the lines I have a suspicion it might require surgery after the season.

?It was a pretty significant amount of pain,? Rielly explained to The Athletic. ?But I did my MRIs and everything like that and there was no damage to the real important things. So it was just a matter of pain management.?

Whatever the injury is, Rielly explained that it?s something that just built up over time ? ?normal wear and tear stuff? ? not any one incident or flare-up. He conceded that it was a lower-body ailment.

?We took some action over the Christmas holidays and I?m feeling much better after some minor stuff that we did,? he said. ?And I think it?s just having confidence ? and the pain is way lower than it was, and I?m able to just go out and play more.?

He's never been a great defenceman, but this year he's been noticeably worse than usual and it's hard not to think that a lot of it is attributable to whatever this mystery ailment is. Even now, when he's looking a lot more like his normal self, I expect he's still being hampered. I'm not sure even at 100% he doesn't get undressed by McJesus, but it might help explain some of his other play.