2023-24 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[cw]

SPORTSNET: ?I definitely hate it?: Maple Leafs' Reaves discusses string of healthy scratches

And then there's Reaves, peeling off his gear and dripping with sweat after a longer practice session than the Leafs. First the hockey pads, then the high-tech, hinged knee braces strapped to each leg.

The braces have been a staple long before Reaves' recent injury, though.

"I have very loose knees. I've torn both knees, like, a ton of times, and I just don't feel comfortable on the ice without them anymore," Reaves tells Sportsnet.

"I've tried taking them off, and my knees are so loose that when I cut, like, to get out of bed the next morning, sometimes they pop out. So, keep 'em on.

"I wouldn't even practice without them."
...
Tomorrow is Saturday, Reaves' 37th birthday, which he'll celebrate by missing his 17th consecutive game since catching a rut and popping out a kneecap in an awkward crash into the boards.

In a league where there is an increased premium on skating, how can a forward - a big man - play effectively on knees like that?

That little media interview will probably accelerate however they're going to have to dispose of him.
Problem is, after he clears waivers, the balance of his salary will add ~$250k to their cap which by my calculation will put them over meaning someone else will also have to go.
I suspect management and the team may not be too enchanted with him.

Doesn?t this just highlight was an awful, awful signing this was? 3 years???

I?m struggling to think of a worse leafs free agent signing in the cap era.

Maybe Jeff finger?

I think Klingberg-Reaves-Kampf trio of contracts might be the worst trio in Leafs history.
Bertuzzi's is not looking very good either - not worth $5.5 mil.
That Kampf deal is worse than many realize.

Finger was BAAAD

 

[Bill_Berg]

If they dump Reaves, that becomes a super embarassing signing.

 

[Joe S.]

If they dump Reaves, that becomes a super embarassing signing.

It?s super embarrassing regardless.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

SPORTSNET: ?I definitely hate it?: Maple Leafs' Reaves discusses string of healthy scratches

And then there's Reaves, peeling off his gear and dripping with sweat after a longer practice session than the Leafs. First the hockey pads, then the high-tech, hinged knee braces strapped to each leg.

The braces have been a staple long before Reaves' recent injury, though.

"I have very loose knees. I've torn both knees, like, a ton of times, and I just don't feel comfortable on the ice without them anymore," Reaves tells Sportsnet.

"I've tried taking them off, and my knees are so loose that when I cut, like, to get out of bed the next morning, sometimes they pop out. So, keep 'em on.

"I wouldn't even practice without them."
...
Tomorrow is Saturday, Reaves' 37th birthday, which he'll celebrate by missing his 17th consecutive game since catching a rut and popping out a kneecap in an awkward crash into the boards.

In a league where there is an increased premium on skating, how can a forward - a big man - play effectively on knees like that?

That little media interview will probably accelerate however they're going to have to dispose of him.
Problem is, after he clears waivers, the balance of his salary will add ~$250k to their cap which by my calculation will put them over meaning someone else will also have to go.
I suspect management and the team may not be too enchanted with him.

Doesn?t this just highlight was an awful, awful signing this was? 3 years???

I?m struggling to think of a worse leafs free agent signing in the cap era.

Maybe Jeff finger?

I think Klingberg-Reaves-Kampf trio of contracts might be the worst trio in Leafs history.
Bertuzzi's is not looking very good either - not worth $5.5 mil.
That Kampf deal is worse than many realize.

Finger was BAAAD

Dave Clarkson. 

 

[Deebo]

SPORTSNET: ?I definitely hate it?: Maple Leafs' Reaves discusses string of healthy scratches

And then there's Reaves, peeling off his gear and dripping with sweat after a longer practice session than the Leafs. First the hockey pads, then the high-tech, hinged knee braces strapped to each leg.

The braces have been a staple long before Reaves' recent injury, though.

"I have very loose knees. I've torn both knees, like, a ton of times, and I just don't feel comfortable on the ice without them anymore," Reaves tells Sportsnet.

"I've tried taking them off, and my knees are so loose that when I cut, like, to get out of bed the next morning, sometimes they pop out. So, keep 'em on.

"I wouldn't even practice without them."
...
Tomorrow is Saturday, Reaves' 37th birthday, which he'll celebrate by missing his 17th consecutive game since catching a rut and popping out a kneecap in an awkward crash into the boards.

In a league where there is an increased premium on skating, how can a forward - a big man - play effectively on knees like that?

That little media interview will probably accelerate however they're going to have to dispose of him.
Problem is, after he clears waivers, the balance of his salary will add ~$250k to their cap which by my calculation will put them over meaning someone else will also have to go.
I suspect management and the team may not be too enchanted with him.

Doesn?t this just highlight was an awful, awful signing this was? 3 years???

I?m struggling to think of a worse leafs free agent signing in the cap era.

Maybe Jeff finger?

I think Klingberg-Reaves-Kampf trio of contracts might be the worst trio in Leafs history.
Bertuzzi's is not looking very good either - not worth $5.5 mil.
That Kampf deal is worse than many realize.

Finger was BAAAD

Dave Clarkson. 

This one.

 

[cw]

SPORTSNET: ?I definitely hate it?: Maple Leafs' Reaves discusses string of healthy scratches

And then there's Reaves, peeling off his gear and dripping with sweat after a longer practice session than the Leafs. First the hockey pads, then the high-tech, hinged knee braces strapped to each leg.

The braces have been a staple long before Reaves' recent injury, though.

"I have very loose knees. I've torn both knees, like, a ton of times, and I just don't feel comfortable on the ice without them anymore," Reaves tells Sportsnet.

"I've tried taking them off, and my knees are so loose that when I cut, like, to get out of bed the next morning, sometimes they pop out. So, keep 'em on.

"I wouldn't even practice without them."
...
Tomorrow is Saturday, Reaves' 37th birthday, which he'll celebrate by missing his 17th consecutive game since catching a rut and popping out a kneecap in an awkward crash into the boards.

In a league where there is an increased premium on skating, how can a forward - a big man - play effectively on knees like that?

That little media interview will probably accelerate however they're going to have to dispose of him.
Problem is, after he clears waivers, the balance of his salary will add ~$250k to their cap which by my calculation will put them over meaning someone else will also have to go.
I suspect management and the team may not be too enchanted with him.

Doesn?t this just highlight was an awful, awful signing this was? 3 years???

I?m struggling to think of a worse leafs free agent signing in the cap era.

Maybe Jeff finger?

I think Klingberg-Reaves-Kampf trio of contracts might be the worst trio in Leafs history.
Bertuzzi's is not looking very good either - not worth $5.5 mil.
That Kampf deal is worse than many realize.

Finger was BAAAD

Dave Clarkson. 

This one.

We probably have the winner

 

[Joe S.]

Dave Clarkson.

Yup for sure he?s up there. I think what makes Finger worse is that Fletcher had no idea who he was signing. He thought he was someone else. Even finger was shocked at the offer. I?m pretty sure his agent said to the leafs ?no taksies backsies?

 

[ZBBM]

Dave Clarkson.

Yup for sure he?s up there. I think what makes Finger worse is that Fletcher had no idea who he was signing. He thought he was someone else. Even finger was shocked at the offer. I?m pretty sure his agent said to the leafs ?no taksies backsies?

Finger was an actual player who played.  Clarkson is your choice here, hands down.

 

[Joe S.]

Dave Clarkson.

Yup for sure he?s up there. I think what makes Finger worse is that Fletcher had no idea who he was signing. He thought he was someone else. Even finger was shocked at the offer. I?m pretty sure his agent said to the leafs ?no taksies backsies?

Finger was an actual player who played.  Clarkson is your choice here, hands down.

I can?t argue with that.

 

[Kaberle15]

I am glad that Samsonov had a great game last night. He was outstanding.

 

[Bullfrog]

Dave Clarkson.

Yup for sure he?s up there. I think what makes Finger worse is that Fletcher had no idea who he was signing. He thought he was someone else. Even finger was shocked at the offer. I?m pretty sure his agent said to the leafs ?no taksies backsies?

I remember an interview with Finger where he was excited by the offer. Then his agent explained that the amount offered was PER SEASON and he was shocked. He thought that was the total contract term.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Two games this week, of course both against the Jets. Then the team has their week off during the All-Star break and won't be back until Feb. 5th. By that time I think it's pretty likely that both Woll and Reaves will be coming off the IR. Team needs to clear 2 roster spots to make that happen. Candidates for that are:

Holmberg, Robertson, McMann, Benoit, Lagesson, Timmins, Reaves, Jones

Holmberg and Robertson are of course the only two who wouldn't require waivers to be sent down, which may or may not impact the decision.

I included Benoit here mostly just to highlight how he definitely isn't going anywhere.

After Benoit I think Jones would be the next least likely to be sent down. The Leafs will be in a tricky spot here because even if Samsonov has played himself back into a tandem or back-up role to Woll right now I don't think they risk losing Jones on waivers. Woll could get hurt again, Samsonov could struggle again. And they clearly want to avoid Hildeby playing in the NHL at all costs right now. And even with Jones' recent struggles I still think he's a waivers risk, especially with a team like Carolina and their goalie issues out there. That means we possibly see the team carry 3 goalies, at least for a little while.

Reaves is the easiest and most obvious candidate to go on waivers to be sent down, but will they bite the bullet there? I still don't know.

 

[Guilt Trip]

Two games this week, of course both against the Jets. Then the team has their week off during the All-Star break and won't be back until Feb. 5th. By that time I think it's pretty likely that both Woll and Reaves will be coming off the IR. Team needs to clear 2 roster spots to make that happen. Candidates for that are:

Holmberg, Robertson, McMann, Benoit, Lagesson, Timmins, Reaves, Jones

Holmberg and Robertson are of course the only two who wouldn't require waivers to be sent down, which may or may not impact the decision.

I included Benoit here mostly just to highlight how he definitely isn't going anywhere.

After Benoit I think Jones would be the next least likely to be sent down. The Leafs will be in a tricky spot here because even if Samsonov has played himself back into a tandem or back-up role to Woll right now I don't think they risk losing Jones on waivers. Woll could get hurt again, Samsonov could struggle again. And they clearly want to avoid Hildeby playing in the NHL at all costs right now. And even with Jones' recent struggles I still think he's a waivers risk, especially with a team like Carolina and their goalie issues out there. That means we possibly see the team carry 3 goalies, at least for a little while.

Reaves is the easiest and most obvious candidate to go on waivers to be sent down, but will they bite the bullet there? I still don't know.

I think they go with 3 goalies for a bit. Don't see Jones clearing. The best move for me would be Reaves and Gregor but I have a feeling they take the easy route and barring a trade send Robertson and Holmberg down. I guess we're going to find out soon.

 

[ZBBM]

Dave Clarkson.

Yup for sure he?s up there. I think what makes Finger worse is that Fletcher had no idea who he was signing. He thought he was someone else. Even finger was shocked at the offer. I?m pretty sure his agent said to the leafs ?no taksies backsies?

I remember an interview with Finger where he was excited by the offer. Then his agent explained that the amount offered was PER SEASON and he was shocked. He thought that was the total contract term.

And I gotta say, overpaid as he was, he was a legitimate defenseman.  Unfortunately he should have been paid like Marty Marincin, who is a comparable.

 

[ZBBM]

Petrielli on MLHS has a piece up where he calls out Brodie for regressing and calls for Gio to be relegated to spot duty.  He also wonders why Lagesson fell out of favor.  Leafs PK was best when he was on it.

I agree on all points.

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

Petrielli on MLHS has a piece up where he calls out Brodie for regressing and calls for Gio to be relegated to spot duty.  He also wonders why Lagesson fell out of favor.  Leafs PK was best when he was on it.

I agree on all points.

Because Sheldon Keefe is a NUMPTY. 

 

[herman]

https://x.com/koshtorontosun/status/1749854710746501121
*Raffi voice*
Baaabyy Bertuuuzzzi

 

[Highlander]

https://twitter.com/koshtorontosun/status/1749854710746501121
*Raffi voice*
Baaabyy Bertuuuzzzi

First toy will be Burt from Sesame St.   

 

[Jolly good show chaps]

Regarding Reaves, wouldn't he have needed to pass a physical/medical before the Leafs signed him? I can only assume that didn't happen, because how on Earth would he have passed if he needs those knee supports to function?

 

[Joe S.]

Regarding Reaves, wouldn't he have needed to pass a physical/medical before the Leafs signed him? I can only assume that didn't happen, because how on Earth would he have passed if he needs those knee supports to function?

It?s because Treliving is a bad GM.