2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[ZBBM]

Brownscombe (and maybe the other MLHS guys?) seems skeptical about keeping Minten up.  I think they should be able to make a clear decision before the 10-game mark.  As they pointed out, his line was the worst last night (Knies didn't have a great game either).

While I think there's a good chance he does end up back in junior, unless the plan here was always to give him a game or two of experience before sending him back (which feels unlikely), you need to give him a legit run of games or see a clear pattern before pushing any real skepticism on it.

Opening night games are often sloppy, mistake filled affairs. Don't make any judgements on that - other than Matthews is going to have a monster year, obviously.

I don't have a judgment on it one way or the other, at this point.  Except of course that it's hard enough for pros to handle the 82-game grind (the season is about 12-18 games to long IMO) let alone a rookie who's never even played in the AHL.  Especially playing C.

 

[Arn]

If you can?t jump to an ill informed hot take after just one game, when can you?


(I jest, but yes, the media need to talk about and amplify something to fill their print/air/youtube channels)

 

[Bullfrog]

Maybe I'm out to lunch, but I've been assuming he'd get sent down prior to 10 games anyway. Maybe I'm wrong.

 

[cw]

Maple Leafs rookie Fraser Minten has an extremely rare profile for an NHLer
Minten isn't destined for greatness just because he cracked an NHL roster at a young age, but he is doing something his peers rarely manage.

Since 2005-6, only Bratt, O'Reilly & Aho made a season of it.
There are a number of 1st rounders or guys close to the criteria like 2nd rounder Lucic who turned 20 before the next season started.

Minten does have physical size which many of them did not or were not as big/strong.
Minten not trying to jump into a top 6 role.
Minten seems to be handling faceoffs well which is unusual for a young player.
Defensive part of the game can be learned and Minten comes with a good aptitude/conscience for that according to the scouts.

So it is not crazy or impossible but the historical odds are against him.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/mapleleafs/status/1712611913459236966

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The way I see it 3 factors played into Minten's NHL debut:

1) A solid preseason performance by a 19-year old who wasn't previously on the radar at all
2) The Leafs simply not really knowing who to play at 3C, which is mildly concerning for a contending team
3) Timmins' injury opening up a little bit of cap space and temporary roster flexibility

So why not use (3) to reward (1) since (2) was going to be a thing anyway. That doesn't exactly seem like something that will keep Minten here for a full season though.

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/itsmitchmarney/status/1712681333007303061
Want to hear Willy sing?
If so, watch and then change your mind for future instances

If you just want to see the highlights, this thread's got you
https://x.com/ButJools/status/1710386746364498419

 

[rdowdall]

https://twitter.com/itsmitchmarney/status/1712681333007303061
Want to hear Willy sing?
If so, watch and then change your mind for future instances

Why do I have the feeling that Herman is actually Nylander?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkFjwn-4R4g

 

[herman]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkFjwn-4R4g

https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1712269122187198899

 

[herman]

https://x.com/itsmitchmarney/status/1713250203585692103

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1713357562756657266
This smells like BellLetsTalkbutnotreally

 

[rdowdall]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1713357562756657266
This smells like BellLetsTalkbutnotreally

They should totally do Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

 

[Guilt Trip]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1713357562756657266
This smells like BellLetsTalkbutnotreally

They should totally do Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

Huge pass.

 

[rdowdall]

https://twitter.com/thegoldenmuzzy/status/1713357562756657266
This smells like BellLetsTalkbutnotreally

They should totally do Livin' on a Prayer by Bon Jovi.

Huge pass.

Only suggested it because that was the song that Matthews and Mariner were singing along to in that clip from 2016.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/zeisberger/status/1713565931106865660

 

[herman]

https://x.com/Paul__Matheson/status/1709940918487507375
This is posted by one of the Leafs' skating consultants (working directly with Tavares).
The core 4 already know how to do this (Marner, Nylander especially), and you see it a lot in Knies.
https://x.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1713334323246408147

It would help if Bertuzzi could pick up a bit more of this as he has the length and strength and enough passing vision to make this really count if he could hang onto the puck a little better
https://x.com/RinkRatReport/status/1714087011135422500

 

[herman]

https://x.com/CoachRevak/status/1713547526731706650
Matthew Knies appreciation article

 

[cabber24]

https://twitter.com/Paul__Matheson/status/1709940918487507375
This is posted by one of the Leafs' skating consultants (working directly with Tavares).
The core 4 already know how to do this (Marner, Nylander especially), and you see it a lot in Knies.
https://twitter.com/TicTacTOmar/status/1713334323246408147

It would help if Bertuzzi could pick up a bit more of this as he has the length and strength and enough passing vision to make this really count if he could hang onto the puck a little better
https://twitter.com/RinkRatReport/status/1714087011135422500

Knies behind the net there reminds me of Dougie VS Cujo OT goal.

 

[herman]

https://x.com/jonassiegel/status/1714662202567721433

 

[herman]

https://x.com/markhmasters/status/1714662978828611693
Maintenance day for Bertuzzi.