2022-23 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[ZBBM]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

 

[Redleaf]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm not convinced that they're a weaker team than last year. Their defence feels about the same, but their offence hasn't hit its stride yet. I think Matthews, Marner & Nylander still have lots to give.

That little run against some of the top teams showed they can still pour it on when they want to. As soon as these guys decide it's time to actually play like they can, I'm guessing the results improve by leaps and bounds.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm still a little hesitant to go quite that far because if we were getting MVP calibre seasons from both Matthews and Marner like we did last season then as herman sorta said some of the other problems aren't quite as glaring.

And on the flip side if M&M played like they are now last season then things like the below average goaltending for most of the season or the completely useless 4th line would probably have been talked about more.

It's kind of impossible to really judge what this team is without the star players performing at the level we expect them to.

 

[Redleaf]

I agree with MLHS's "what I'd do" list too.

The takeaway from that article's main question is: no, the team is not as good as last year.

I'm still a little hesitant to go quite that far because if we were getting MVP calibre seasons from both Matthews and Marner like we did last season then as herman sorta said some of the other problems aren't quite as glaring.

And on the flip side if M&M played like they are now last season then things like the below average goaltending for most of the season or the completely useless 4th line would probably have been talked about more.

It's kind of impossible to really judge what this team is without the star players performing at the level we expect them to.

Yep. They're lacking... CONSISTENT EFFORT.

 

[herman]

For Matthews/Marner in the early goings, I?d say their effort has been consistent and good, but the execution is hamstringing their results. So a lot of that good consistent effort went into fishing the puck out of their own zone or rolling around the OZ perimeter and then booking it back after Marner forces a yucky pass at the blueline.

Opponents aren?t stupid; they?ve watched the video and know how to funnel the puck to Marner up high and sit on Matthews.

 

[princedpw]

What are the chances of using Muzzin?s cap space and going for broke this year?  It doesn?t seem like the fan base (or the player?s moral) can really take another first round failure.

So? Patrick Kane at the deadline to play with Matthews or to make the third line a threat?  Who else?  (Screw defense. The leafs need more depth scoring.)

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

#MakePontusPermanent

Don't get me wrong, I think he has a future in the NHL. But I think he needs a full season in the AHL before being a permanent centre on a team that has Cup aspirations right now.

Also him being in the line-up means Robertson needs to come out, which is another issue.

Guy won the Swedish Conn Smythe and isn't exactly young, I'd give him a long look.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/hockeysarsenal/status/1592490694551404550
This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It?s about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It?s about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

I actually think it is what's missing from Nylander's game at times. When he's moving, he is one of the best in the league. When he's watching, he looks disengaged.

 

[herman]

This is the sort of off-puck play/mentality missing from Robertson at the NHL level. He has looked purposeless at times, but he will get there. It?s about anticipating space and making yourself available to teammates. He knows his feet/motor are his true weapon; just needs to put it into practice.

I actually think it is what's missing from Nylander's game at times. When he's moving, he is one of the best in the league. When he's watching, he looks disengaged.

I agree, but more on the defensive side of off-puck play; he is far better at defense when moving (see NZ backchecks and cleaning up loose pucks). Once they settle into DZ zone formation, he's borderline non-existent. Offensively, Nylander is our best carrier and give-and-go winger.

Robertson is better at the DZ stuff (really it's just hounding the puck and being annoying).

 

[Bullfrog]

What are the chances of using Muzzin?s cap space and going for broke this year?  It doesn?t seem like the fan base (or the player?s moral) can really take another first round failure.

So? Patrick Kane at the deadline to play with Matthews or to make the third line a threat?  Who else?  (Screw defense. The leafs need more depth scoring.)

I don't doubt they'll use up every penny, but I'm not on board with them handing out draft picks. They've given away too many.

 

[Frank E]

What are the chances of using Muzzin?s cap space and going for broke this year?  It doesn?t seem like the fan base (or the player?s moral) can really take another first round failure.

So? Patrick Kane at the deadline to play with Matthews or to make the third line a threat?  Who else?  (Screw defense. The leafs need more depth scoring.)

I don't doubt they'll use up every penny, but I'm not on board with them handing out draft picks. They've given away too many.

I hear you, but they're running out of chances with this core.  If the goaltending ends up being good, and they're really a guy or 2 away from contender status, I can see them justifying moving a first.

 

[herman]

#MakePontusPermanent

Don't get me wrong, I think he has a future in the NHL. But I think he needs a full season in the AHL before being a permanent centre on a team that has Cup aspirations right now.

Also him being in the line-up means Robertson needs to come out, which is another issue.

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1592722940743016448

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Anyone look at Engvall and his raw skills when he's on and his size and think he should be way better than he is?

When he really turns it on he gives me Nichushkin vibes.

It's really weird seeing a player who can't flick that switch more often.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

Anyone look at Engvall and his raw skills when he's on and his size and think he should be way better than he is?

When he really turns it on he gives me Nichushkin vibes.

It's really weird seeing a player who can't flick that switch more often.

He's a passenger way too often. He watches from afar and then tries to react what is happening instead of driving the play.

 

[Bender]

I think right now we're at a point with this team that we have to hope goaltending settles in and we get a bit more depth scoring. I think especially if Murray starts playing like an average starter we should start to break away from the lesser teams in the East.

It's interesting that we've been hand wringing the team (and some nights rightly so), and Kallgren is doing his best, but I can't help but wonder if instead of 2-2-3 we had even 3-2-2 or 4-2-1 with just slightly better goaltending for those
7-8 games Kallgren played what the narrative around the team would be.

 

[herman]

I think right now we're at a point with this team that we have to hope goaltending settles in and we get a bit more depth scoring. I think especially if Murray starts playing like an average starter we should start to break away from the lesser teams in the East.

It's interesting that we've been hand wringing the team (and some nights rightly so), and Kallgren is doing his best, but I can't help but wonder if instead of 2-2-3 we had even 3-2-2 or 4-2-1 with just slightly better goaltending for those
7-8 games Kallgren played what the narrative around the team would be.

I don't think you're going to find a better 4th string goalie that you can actually pass through waivers. And when you're on your 4th string goalie, the onus is on the scorers to score and the team defense to hold the fort. Until last night, our goal differential was the same as Ottawa's while giving up fewer goals, so really it comes down to Matthews and Marner* sputtering out of the gate for a month and a half.

Kallgren has kept the Leafs in the game during this stretch, giving up no more than 3 goals until OT is frittered away by the usual suspects.

* don't cite Marner's point totals, half of which are secondary assists, and mostly on PP.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

https://twitter.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/1592904903206506496

Small sample size and all but that's really promising.

The 4th line has picked things up since a rough start as well, thanks almost entirely to Malgin (I mean ok Kampf and ZAR are playing well too).

Just need to find a 3rd line that does something now.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/lukefoxjukebox/status/1592904903206506496

Small sample size and all but that's really promising.

Sure could?ve used some of this flippy flip flip last season, chief.

edit: or the seasons before when the PP just went kaput and the solution was right there being ignored.

 

[ZBBM]

https://twitter.com/dalter/status/1592722940743016448

Sorry, but can't help but point out that that's impossible.  DA needs to check his grammar.