2020-2021 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[Guilt Trip]

Are his skates the wrong size or something?

I defended Vesey earlier in the season but he's quickly playing himself out of the line-up with the way guys like Petan and Boyd have played and with Robertson still waiting for a real shot.

Agreed... he is almost invisible...

Except when he falls, at least once a game. With a full healthy line up, he's not in it. I fully expect him on waivers whenever Spezza, Boyd are done. I think Engvall has 1 more game and he's not waiver exempt anymore. 

 

[Zee]

Good to see Jumbo and Campbell back on ice. Also good if Robertson gets back soon too. Things are looking up! (Oh we're still in first place )

 

[Chris]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1360998787897036801

Sabourin?!

While I have no objection to putting him in the lineup to see what he can provide (maybe some physical play), that is a potentially brutal 4th line.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I was excited about the acquisition, but after watching him play, I've very, very pessimistic about Thornton playing a top 6 role.

CTB has the numbers but Matthews with Joe and Marner were like 73% Corsi..the same hasn't been true with Hyman even though the line has produced.
JT and Willy need to get going so Keefe is hoping Hyman can help them. 

If Matthews didn't shoot like 4% or whatever it was to start the season absolutely nobody would be questioning Thornton's spot on that line.

I would. It was beyond obvious that thornton wasn't keeping up with M&M on line rushes. He simply can't play the game at the pace that the other two play at. The idea that he's an upgrade over Hyman is simply ludicrous. I don't know what Keefe was thinking putting him on the top line.

I thought he was acquired to play 3rd line center, and even then, he might be better on the wing.

 

[Chris]

I was excited about the acquisition, but after watching him play, I've very, very pessimistic about Thornton playing a top 6 role.

CTB has the numbers but Matthews with Joe and Marner were like 73% Corsi..the same hasn't been true with Hyman even though the line has produced.
JT and Willy need to get going so Keefe is hoping Hyman can help them. 

If Matthews didn't shoot like 4% or whatever it was to start the season absolutely nobody would be questioning Thornton's spot on that line.

I would. It was beyond obvious that thornton wasn't keeping up with M&M on line rushes. He simply can't play the game at the pace that the other two play at. The idea that he's an upgrade over Hyman is simply ludicrous. I don't know what Keefe was thinking putting him on the top line.

I thought he was acquired to play 3rd line center, and even then, he might be better on the wing.

This is what is seemed like to me. M&M seemed to be succeeding largely in spite of Thornton, not because of him. Hyman is a far better match on that line. The question is, once Thornton is back where does he go. Does it make sense to try Hyman with Tavares and Nylander to give them a boost? I might be tempted to try putting Thornton at 3rd line center and moving Kerfoot up to LW on one of the top 2 lines. At least he can keep up and maybe that inspires him to play better.

Ultimately I think we need to get Robertson into the top 6 and see what he can provide. Not sure if he's ready for it yet, based on what I saw in the play in series against Columbus.

 

[Bender]

I was excited about the acquisition, but after watching him play, I've very, very pessimistic about Thornton playing a top 6 role.

CTB has the numbers but Matthews with Joe and Marner were like 73% Corsi..the same hasn't been true with Hyman even though the line has produced.
JT and Willy need to get going so Keefe is hoping Hyman can help them. 

If Matthews didn't shoot like 4% or whatever it was to start the season absolutely nobody would be questioning Thornton's spot on that line.

I would. It was beyond obvious that thornton wasn't keeping up with M&M on line rushes. He simply can't play the game at the pace that the other two play at. The idea that he's an upgrade over Hyman is simply ludicrous. I don't know what Keefe was thinking putting him on the top line.

I thought he was acquired to play 3rd line center, and even then, he might be better on the wing.

This is what is seemed like to me. M&M seemed to be succeeding largely in spite of Thornton, not because of him. Hyman is a far better match on that line. The question is, once Thornton is back where does he go. Does it make sense to try Hyman with Tavares and Nylander to give them a boost? I might be tempted to try putting Thornton at 3rd line center and moving Kerfoot up to LW on one of the top 2 lines. At least he can keep up and maybe that inspires him to play better.

Ultimately I think we need to get Robertson into the top 6 and see what he can provide. Not sure if he's ready for it yet, based on what I saw in the play in series against Columbus.

Columbus was over 6 months ago. I'd let him play a bit first.

 

[caver]

https://twitter.com/kristen_shilton/status/1360998787897036801

Sabourin?!

While I have no objection to putting him in the lineup to see what he can provide (maybe some physical play), that is a potentially brutal 4th line.

It could be Keefe playing him against his old team as a courtesy...

 

[Bullfrog]

Flip Hyman and Thornton.

They essentially flip when they're in the offensive zone. Joe's always gravitated to the right side down low. but they're on their strong sides when in the defensive and neutral zone.

 

[Bullfrog]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafs/status/1361024039993630721


herman, willy you be my swede-heart?

 

[Kin]

I want a Thornton one that says "You make me feel like I've scored four goals."

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

https://twitter.com/PamelaVoorhee10/status/1359538485238116357

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976?s=19

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976

One sorta weird thing about Engvall that I noticed is that he hasn't gotten any PK time this season. Just a total of 26 seconds. Last season he finished 6th among Leafs forwards in total PK minutes in only 48 games. Granted they're trying a lot of new faces there this season in Vesey, Kerfoot, Spezza, and Matthews and Engvall has been in and out of the line-up so far. But if he's going to be getting consistent minutes while Simmonds is out he should probably get a regular spot there, he's a pretty good penalty killer.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976?s=19

Definitely an interesting situation. I like Engvall a lot more than Vesey, and I'd imagine they'd like to keep him to potentially expose to seattle. I'd think there'd be at least a couple teams with interest if they gambled on him clearing waivers at some point.

 

[L K]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976?s=19

Definitely an interesting situation. I like Engvall a lot more than Vesey, and I'd imagine they'd like to keep him to potentially expose to seattle. I'd think there'd be at least a couple teams with interest if they gambled on him clearing waivers at some point.

He his stride is ummm interesting but he's not slow.  He's big even though he doesn't consistently use his size and he can killpenalties.  That is always going to get a waiver claim unless it is tied to an albatross of a contract.

 

[herman]

herman, willy you be my swede-heart?

I thought you?d never ask

 

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976?s=19

Definitely an interesting situation. I like Engvall a lot more than Vesey, and I'd imagine they'd like to keep him to potentially expose to seattle. I'd think there'd be at least a couple teams with interest if they gambled on him clearing waivers at some point.

It's not an issue now but when healthy if they want flexibility I think Vesey is going on waivers. He's played himself down to the 4th line. I don't see them putting Spezza or even Boyd on waivers again.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

https://twitter.com/reporterchris/status/1361348431072083976?s=19

Definitely an interesting situation. I like Engvall a lot more than Vesey, and I'd imagine they'd like to keep him to potentially expose to seattle. I'd think there'd be at least a couple teams with interest if they gambled on him clearing waivers at some point.

It's not an issue now but when healthy if they want flexibility I think Vesey is going on waivers. He's played himself down to the 4th line. I don't see them putting Spezza or even Boyd on waivers again.

Yeah, maybe. I don't think vesey will go on waivers before Elliotte Freidman's "written on a piece of paper" super trade deadline acquisition, though.

 

[herman]

Kind of laughable after the Leafs disconnected their controllers for half a game against Ottawa and ended up blowing a 4 goal lead, but the Leafs have an improved defensive scheme (when they are playing purposefully) that allows them to keep the puck and get it back more readily.

https://twitter.com/JhanHky/status/1362063236145807361
It's an umbrella!

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Kind of laughable after the Leafs disconnected their controllers for half a game against Ottawa and ended up blowing a 4 goal lead, but the Leafs have an improved defensive scheme (when they are playing purposefully) that allows them to keep the puck and get it back more readily.

https://twitter.com/JhanHky/status/1362063236145807361
It's an umbrella!

I wonder if the Leafs would consider signing Charlie Huddy.