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Game 53: Oilers @ Maple Leafs 7:00Pm Sportsnet/am640 The duel of Hot Hands!

Don't understand for the life of me why forwards can just stand in front of the net and not get pummelled. Although I hated seeing Komi at times at least he tried to keep the front of the net clear for the most part.
 
Edmonton just keeps two guys at the opposition net and 3 guys play defense. Leafs can't try to leave the zone until they're sure the puck is going with them.
 
Potvin29 said:
Mirtle has an article today about which rebuild would you rather have: the Leafs or Oilers.  The Oilers have the higher end young talent obviously, but he points out that they might have some contract issues with them before they see the results from them.
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I don't see how that adds up. In Eberle, Hall and RNH you have three top end offensive prospects but, realistically, not one of them has shown that he's worth anything close to max money. The only long term contract they have is Horcoff and there's significant money coming off the books in the next couple of years.

I think people focus a little too much on their talent already in the NHL and ignore some of the guys they've drafted who'll take a little longer to develop. In the last two drafts they've drafted defensemen at the #19, #31 and #46 spots in the draft. That's a deep, deep organization.
 
The last couple of games it had seemed like the leafs had been packing it in effectively and hadn't been giving up too many good scoring chances ... not so much this game.
 
bustaheims said:
Potvin29 said:
Mirtle has an article today about which rebuild would you rather have: the Leafs or Oilers.  The Oilers have the higher end young talent obviously, but he points out that they might have some contract issues with them before they see the results from them.
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Yeah, it could be a big issue for them, because, right now, in addition to the issues I pointed out, guys like Hall and RNH have absolutely no clue how to play on the defensive side of the puck and their backend is terrible. They have some great offensive talent, but, they're weak everywhere else.
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And I think coaching only takes that so far. I always felt like when I was in a job where the old guard REALLY knew what they were doing I felt I wanted to emulate how they worked and wanted to take the best characteristics from them. I had a manager who was a genius when it came to Project Management and now I'm interested in getting certified. It's not the same when it comes from a coach apart from the actual team.
 
Random comment:  A lot of Phil's shifts were way to long in the first two periods.  He and Kulemin had the same number of shifts (13 I recall) but Kulemin had played approx 9.5 minutes; he had played 13.5 minutes.  Over a minute a shift.
 
Tigger said:
Cap'n Crunch said:
Yes Phil has started to turn his two way game around and has made big improvement for sure Grabbo's has been more comple?e for a longer period.

I think the only real difference between the scoreboard results from each line is that bozak has bounced back and Kuil has had emotional personal baggage that has affected him in every aspect of his life for a while. Looks like he's been getting his hustle back as of late tho.
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I'm probably being homerish a bit but I don't think Kulemin ever lost his hustle, maybe his shot totals and shooting percentage but I don't see a lot of reason to believe in projecting anything on him.

That said, while Grabovski has been a pretty fair two way player he doesn't have the top end offensive skill that Lupul and Kessel are exhibiting currently and his contract will reflect that.

I love having Mik as the second line centre so, please, don't think I'm down on him or anything but to say he's the Leafs best player is, to me, more of an 'in the moment' kind of pov. Clearly Kessel and Lupul are the best two forwards on the team, to me at least.
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I personally value a 2 way guy more tbh as he's less of a liability overall. I don't think it would be going out on a limb to say that grabbo would be putting up even more points then he has if he played with Phil and Lupes more. Phil and Lupal are good players and have elite level offensive skills but do they make others better like Grabs does?
 
princedpw said:
Random comment:  A lot of Phil's shifts were way to long in the first two periods.  He and Kulemin had the same number of shifts (13 I recall) but Kulemin had played approx 9.5 minutes; he had played 13.5 minutes.  Over a minute a shift.
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By design -  Wilson has been double shifting him the last few games. But generally yes I agree with you, Lupul and him have been getting caught out there too long. Been happening far too long (since december).

 
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