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Frank E said:Anybody think we should amalgamate this thread with the "armchair" thread?
herman said:In the regular season, the Leafs feast on getting into the slot and generating a bajillion chances there. It works because penalties get called and teams aren't going to spend the regular season routinely paying playoff prices in the slot.
Different game come April-June: teams that can get behind defenses with regularity are the ones that cash in. Under Keefe, the Leafs pick their way up the ice for control at the cost of letting defenses get set up. One bobbled pass or a mis-timed pass across the top of the OZ and we're looking at an ugly rush chance against.
Valuable players for that environment (and all seasons): skaters who can control the puck across the NZ, guys who can get to board battles first and get pucks into the middle, players who are comfortable and successful with lateral puck movement. Probably best to use the regular season to set up your playoff style game patterns (at like 80-85% effort) so it's instinctive and reflexive.
herman said:herman said:In the regular season, the Leafs feast on getting into the slot and generating a bajillion chances there. It works because penalties get called and teams aren't going to spend the regular season routinely paying playoff prices in the slot.
Different game come April-June: teams that can get behind defenses with regularity are the ones that cash in. Under Keefe, the Leafs pick their way up the ice for control at the cost of letting defenses get set up. One bobbled pass or a mis-timed pass across the top of the OZ and we're looking at an ugly rush chance against.
Valuable players for that environment (and all seasons): skaters who can control the puck across the NZ, guys who can get to board battles first and get pucks into the middle, players who are comfortable and successful with lateral puck movement. Probably best to use the regular season to set up your playoff style game patterns (at like 80-85% effort) so it's instinctive and reflexive.
This is what I wanted last offseason for the path forward. I still want it because they didn't really get fully there.
New coach has to be aligned with the roster Treliving wants to build. Regardless of where you stand on snot and whatnot, a team committed to an identity is going to be more effective than one that doesn't know what it should be (which is the Leafs these past 4 seasons).
Then start moving on from the core personnel and prospects that aren't built for that type of game, whether it gets done this offseason or next.
I don't mean a full abandonment of skilled players, but re-focusing on the skills that are playoff-ready:
[*] ability to play through contact, be it through size, style, or guile
[*] willing to sacrifice aesthetics for effectiveness
[*] skills to extend plays, sow chaos, convert on sloppy opportunities
[*] improves the conditions of the puck
Let's be fasstholes; let's be fasstholes all year round.
louisstamos said:I agree with all of this, but if we're going that route, we need to make a play to get Gregory Campbell from the Florida Panthers. His dad is technically George Parros' superior, so that way the Leafs would get away with being fasstholes.
herman said:https://twitter.com/APetrielli/status/1790091076897779943
L K said:What's happening right now is Florida wiping the floor with Boston. We are so far away from being a real contender.
Thats pretty funny.Highlander said:Ya, Willie may grow into the new Sundin.
Guilt Trip said:Thats pretty funny.Highlander said:Ya, Willie may grow into the new Sundin.
Marner?s poor start to the season was notable for how joyless he appeared, how devoid of enthusiasm and energy.
He finished with three points in seven games against the Bruins. He wasn?t the offensive difference-maker the Leafs needed him to be, especially early in the series when Nylander was absent.
He might be just as ready for a change as the Leafs are. He was prepared for the possibility last summer.
Highlander said:Marner to Rangers for Fox and a 1st
It'll be fun watching 88 go bald like Sundin and 34 lol.herman said:Guilt Trip said:Thats pretty funny.Highlander said:Ya, Willie may grow into the new Sundin.
A right handed Swedish first round centre with a history of international tournament and Maple Leafs success, and a hairline trending towards the occipital lobe?
Highlander said:Marner to Rangers for Fox and a 1st