Game 27: Toronto Maple Leafs @ New York Rangers W4-2
- Thread starter McPwnage
- Start date
Tigger said:
To light a fire under him and see if he can pick his game up. He hasn't been much of anything offensively, and I think even his defensive and physical game has gotten worse this year. As I said in the Kulemin thread, he's responded well to scratchings in the past. For long-term team success, we need this kid playing better.
AvroArrow said:
He's 6pts behind last years pace, in the next nine games last year he only had a goal and 4 assists so he's got some room to shore that up. He needs to improve a bit but with less ice time and his regular centre out for a while I don't think it's nearly as drastic as that. His physicality and defensive play seem relatively fine to me, in fact he's up in plus minus compared to last year, only by 2 and it's an inexact way of expressing his play but it says something to me in a very general way.
None of that suggest a benching is warranted and the Leafs seem ok with him working his way through it, as am I.
Redleaf
Active member
I think Wilson should put Reimer back in goal tonight. I would let Gus play the weaker of the two teams in these back to backs. Despite the loss, Reimer played a solid game on Saturday. I think the final score would have been 6 or 7 to 1 with Gus in the net. I think we see another loss tonight. I just hope it's not a blow out.
Tigger said:
If I remember correctly, it wasn't until Kulemin was scratched that he really turned it on alongside Grabs.
Regardless, being only 4 points off last year's totals at this point doesn't say much when he's currently on pace for a total of 6 G and 34 PTS for the season. Yes, he could still turn it around on his own, but, offensively, he needs to be better and a 1 game scratch might be the quick way to light a fire. That's all I'm really getting at.
Like I said, for a successful season, we need this kid playing well, especially if Lupul and/or Kessel slow down at all (which is bound to happen).
I don't recall a significant 'bench' driven surge in his play, fwiw and for me it's tough to look at his play and say he deserves it the way say Schenn did, he's still fulfilling a big part of what's expected of him with less minutes and, occasionally, different linemates.
A full minute less PPtoi and EStoi compared to last year as of now...
Edit to add: I think this is an example of sorts of the 'meritocracy' we've heard mentioned. There's no doubt to me that a 12% loss of potential offensive minded toi explains a few points and the loss of toi is justified by Nik's play and the play of others like Kessel, Lupul etc..
Colborne has definitely played well enough to keep him up while it's cap friendly too ( IR wise ) but sitting Kulemin for him seems wrong to me right now, pecking order-wise-ish-y.
A full minute less PPtoi and EStoi compared to last year as of now...
Edit to add: I think this is an example of sorts of the 'meritocracy' we've heard mentioned. There's no doubt to me that a 12% loss of potential offensive minded toi explains a few points and the loss of toi is justified by Nik's play and the play of others like Kessel, Lupul etc..
Colborne has definitely played well enough to keep him up while it's cap friendly too ( IR wise ) but sitting Kulemin for him seems wrong to me right now, pecking order-wise-ish-y.
bustaheims
Active member
Madferret said:
A shootout loss is not a real loss. The sooner you come to accept this, the happier you will be.
bustaheims
Active member
longleysunsport: Grabovski a late scratch for #Leafs. His wife is in labour and he's on his way home.
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Busta Reims said:
Come on Wilson.
Potvin29 said:
He promised Grabs was playing!
S
Stebro
Guest
4-2 Rangers, Callahan will have a big game...
GhostofPotvin29
New member
Saint Nik said:
If that's the case, I'm more concerned that he is not practising or working out in between!
iwas11in67
Member
Leafs by 1.