2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs General Discussion

[bustaheims]

Yes necessarily. Struddy played in the NHL and that's how he would take it.

Okay, so because one former player would take it that way means every player would take it that way?

Also, how it's present absolutely matters. There's a huge difference between going to Marner and saying "here's a trade we've been offered that we'd like to accept" and "we've been offered this trade, our preference to keep you, but if you intend to sign elsewhere, we don't want to lose you for nothing." And, based on the way his response has been presented - that he intends to sign here - that feels like how it was presented. Not as seeing Rantanen as the better player but as the better alternative than the team being left with nothing if/when Marner decides to sign elsewhere.

 

[L K]

I really hope the PK turns it around. On paper that more than anything is probably the biggest improvement right now than any other aspect of the line-up.

I also think it might be time to take Knies off of the penalty kill. They tried it last season too and it only lasted a few months. Think he's got potential there eventually but right now there's just better options.

Lorentz has played about half as much PK time as Knies and Matthews since January 1st but his on-ice numbers are like ridiculously better. 67 CA/60 vs. about 120 CA/60 for Knies and Matthews. 3.31 xGA/60 for Lorentz while Knies is at 8.73 and Matthews 12.53. And Lorentz hasn't been on the ice for a single 4v5 goal since Dec. 23rd while Knies and Matthews have each been on for 7 in 2025. Like I'm not expecting Lorentz's numbers to stay like that with increased responsibility obviously but what else does he have to do to earn more minutes there especially while others are struggling?

PK pairings for me would be like Marner-Laughton, Lorentz-Kampf, and then Jarnkrok with maybe Marner again if they want to swing that or I guess Matthews if they want to keep trotting him out there.

Mitch is 20th in the NHL is PK TOI/Game. Everyone else around him are 3rd liner/specialist players.

Our bottom 6 doesn't score enough goals....they shouldn't be forced to have our stars cover PK duties to this extent as well. Marner is a really good Penalty killer and while I think Matthews is decent too with him injured right now they should be maximizing his 5 on 5 defense over PK duty.

Lorentz getting frozen out makes no sense. Lorentz is down to 50 seconds of PK time per game since the start of February.

Laughton and Jarnkrok eating into Lorentz minutes is fine but it should be eating into Matthews/Marner/Knies more.

 

[cabber24]

I don't think any team needs 8-figure guys killing penalties. Bad ice-time management. I like a two-way star but stars killing penalties is not a selling feature for me. We want these guys fresh and scoring. There are guys worth a lot less money who are very capable penaltykillers. I don't want to pay more for stars because they're on the PK.

 

[dappleganger]

I loved Sundin killing penalties. He was really goos at it.

I like the best players doing it all. Now, would I have my best guys being the "number one" PK unit? Maybe not.

 

[bustaheims]

I loved Sundin killing penalties. He was really goos at it.

I like the best players doing it all. Now, would I have my best guys being the "number one" PK unit? Maybe not.

Agreed. It's one thing to have their role on the PK lessened to help maximize their impact, but, when they're good at it, no sense taking them off. Having that extra threat of a potential SH goal can help put a little extra pressure on the PP. Just need to find the right balance.

 

[L K]

Agreed. It's one thing to have their role on the PK lessened to help maximize their impact, but, when they're good at it, no sense taking them off. Having that extra threat of a potential SH goal can help put a little extra pressure on the PP. Just need to find the right balance.

I like them at the end of the PK to try and catch a transition cycle or change on the fly if PP1 has been out for a while to try and take advantage of a tired offense. I think you want them on the ice but playing 2+ minutes in March.....save that for May.