Game 65: Maple Leafs @ Les Habs 7:00pm - The New Era ?

[Strangelove]

Loved to see how Carlyle has a tangible impact right out of the gate, actively managing the line-up and adjusting to the play.  It seemed like Ron would toss Kessel and co out there regardless of how poorly they were actually playing, leading to a whole lot of goals against on some nights.  Doesn't seem like the word 'entitlement' is in Randy's vocabulary.

Speaking of which, Kessel is pulling a disappearing act again.  Truly, I've never seen a guy so determined to avoid any and all potential body contact, sometimes to ridiculous lengths.  He and Bozak playing together are a defensive disaster waiting to him.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Speaking of which, Kessel is pulling a disappearing act again.

How is he pulling a disappearing act?  He has points in 7 of the last 9 games, and 11 of the last 14.  No, he's not good defensively (although no one has been the last 11 games), but he's here for his offense, and he's been putting up points.

 

[Strangelove]

Speaking of which, Kessel is pulling a disappearing act again.

How is he pulling a disappearing act?  He has points in 7 of the last 9 games, and 11 of the last 14.  No, he's not good defensively (although no one has been the last 11 games), but he's here for his offense, and he's been putting up points.

I'm not talking about points - it's his style of play that has been suspect.  When he's playing well he drives the net, is reasonably defensively responsible (at least insofar as he skates back hard), and, in general, is capable of dictating the play by rushing effectively and controlling the puck.  Right now, he looks extremely tentative, and has more or less since the losing streak started.

 

[pnjunction]

I liked alot of what I saw but I'm not ready to jump from the tank to the bandwagon just yet: the real test is against Boston.  It was a good victory tonight but Mtl is at the bottom of the conference, that's an expected win for even a bubble team. 

I wouldn't say it's over if they don't beat Boston, the team has 4-5 losses before they're out of it and Boston might as well be one of them.  I'd say they need 2 of the next 3 and then the game against Washington, them being the stiffest competition for that 8th spot right now at 5 pts above .500. 

It sure would take the pressure off and build the confidence to get 2 pts out of Boston though...

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Speaking of which, Kessel is pulling a disappearing act again.

How is he pulling a disappearing act?  He has points in 7 of the last 9 games, and 11 of the last 14.  No, he's not good defensively (although no one has been the last 11 games), but he's here for his offense, and he's been putting up points.

I'm not talking about points - it's his style of play that has been suspect.  When he's playing well he drives the net, is reasonably defensively responsible (at least insofar as he skates back hard), and, in general, is capable of dictating the play by rushing effectively and controlling the puck.  Right now, he looks extremely tentative, and has more or less since the losing streak started.

I think he's been playing well, maybe not as well as earlier in the season, but he's still been creating offense.  Against New Jersey he set up their first goal and then scored the tying goal; against Florida he sent Bozak in alone with a great pass and then scored one himself; I thought that line looked dangerous against Chicago too.

 

[Capn_Crunch]

The NOT $5 million dollar man!!!!!!!

2 goals, including the gamewinner and 3 pts tonight. Naw he's not worth 5 mill a season.

Great game. Nice to see the boys win one for randy out of the gate.

Komi and Luke had great games as well as lupal and especially grabbo.

GO LEAFS GO!!! The DRIVE BEGINS NOW!!!

Again you are being totally reactionary. One game does not 5 million dollar player make (plus Grabbo is not from Ontario!)

I'm sorry but I can only conclude that you are being daft on purpose... he has played good all season except for little spurts here and there. To say otherwise means you do not look at the complete game he brings and only look at stats. Stats do not tell everything and are not the be all end all of a players worth.

He'll make more then 5 mill on the open market, and that's a guaranteed thing. He's on pace for a 55-60 pt season, is a plus player on a team that gives up a hell of a lot of goals, who goes everywhere on the ice and pays the price for the team no matter weather it means blocking a shot or taking a pounding in the corners and end boards. Not to mention that RC showed his faith in him tonight by putting him out against the habs first line on a constant basis.His longest stretch this year without a point is 6 games and he doesn't do that on a reg basis. If you want to look at just stats then look at the right ones.

All you do is say he's not worth 5 mill but have not a single fact backing up your statement.

Name a single player on the roster that has played with more heart and desire on a night in and out basis...there isn't one. Sometimes you have to pay to retain talent. We're paying Connolly 4.75 mill to coast thru the season, adding 250k or ever 750k to that total to have a 55-60 pt two way player with heart is a good deal.

 

[Derk]

3-0 Buffalo? Luongo chased after giving up 3 goals in five minutes?

Buffalo seems to be firing on all cylinders right now.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

The NOT $5 million dollar man!!!!!!!

2 goals, including the gamewinner and 3 pts tonight. Naw he's not worth 5 mill a season.

Great game. Nice to see the boys win one for randy out of the gate.

Komi and Luke had great games as well as lupal and especially grabbo.

GO LEAFS GO!!! The DRIVE BEGINS NOW!!!

Again you are being totally reactionary. One game does not 5 million dollar player make (plus Grabbo is not from Ontario!)

I'm sorry but I can only conclude that you are being daft on purpose... he has played good all season except for little spurts here and there. To say otherwise means you do not look at the complete game he brings and only look at stats. Stats do not tell everything and are not the be all end all of a players worth.

He'll make more then 5 mill on the open market, and that's a guaranteed thing. He's on pace for a 55-60 pt season, is a plus player on a team that gives up a hell of a lot of goals, who goes everywhere on the ice and pays the price for the team no matter weather it means blocking a shot or taking a pounding in the corners and end boards. Not to mention that RC showed his faith in him tonight by putting him out against the habs first line on a constant basis.His longest stretch this year without a point is 6 games and he doesn't do that on a reg basis. If you want to look at just stats then look at the right ones.

All you do is say he's not worth 5 mill but have not a single fact backing up your statement.

Name a single player on the roster that has played with more heart and desire on a night in and out basis...there isn't one. Sometimes you have to pay to retain talent. We're paying Connolly 4.75 mill to coast thru the season, adding 250k or ever 750k to that total to have a 55-60 pt two way player with heart is a good deal.

He's on pace now for 62 points (which would eclipse last season).  Just for fun here are some players around 62 points last season:

Nash, M. Richards, Kessel, Pavelski, Backstrom, Backes, Lucic, Clowe, Krejci, Kovalchuk, Doan, Ladd.

 

[McPwnage]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

 

[lamajama]

Nice to see the win but (there's always a but...) one thing I noticed
in almost every game this season (and I've subjected myself to them all)
is the the Kessel line was always dangerous and outplayed the line it was up against. Not that they were successful in scoring obviously but always had chances. Only once this game in the 3rd did I see that. I don't know if it's nerves, or trying to be more responsible defensively or not but we need this line to dominate in offensive chances. To me, the guys that Carlyle could mentally mess with the most is Kessel and Lupul.

I hope it was just jitters as I say. They were just noticeable by being so invisible tonight.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I dunno lama, some games they have been absolutely victimized defensively.  I think the old adage that if you play solid defence the offense will come certainly applies here.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Nice to see the win but (there's always a but...) one thing I noticed
in almost every game this season (and I've subjected myself to them all)
is the the Kessel line was always dangerous and outplayed the line it was up against. Not that they were successful in scoring obviously but always had chances. Only once this game in the 3rd did I see that. I don't know if it's nerves, or trying to be more responsible defensively or not but we need this line to dominate in offensive chances. To me, the guys that Carlyle could mentally mess with the most is Kessel and Lupul.

I hope it was just jitters as I say. They were just noticeable by being so invisible tonight.

I think the difference is that Wilson rolled 4 lines most of the time, while Carlyle is matching lines, which meant last night, he just couldn't get his top line on a roll. He said as much after the game. Kessel and Lupul might have been a little apprehensive last night, as I get the feeling that they were Wilson supporters, but I don't doubt that they will get their ice time most nights and will look dangerous.

I thought Bozak was the best of the three last night, while Lupul and Kessel were a bit confused maybe. Kessel might have a bit of an injury maybe? He has been taking the long route lately to avoid contact, more than he usually does. I'm just guessing, but something was off with him last night.

 

[DK2]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

thanks, maybe half that, and we'll split the difference ok?

 

[Stickytape]

Nice to see the win but (there's always a but...) one thing I noticed
in almost every game this season (and I've subjected myself to them all)
is the the Kessel line was always dangerous and outplayed the line it was up against. Not that they were successful in scoring obviously but always had chances. Only once this game in the 3rd did I see that. I don't know if it's nerves, or trying to be more responsible defensively or not but we need this line to dominate in offensive chances. To me, the guys that Carlyle could mentally mess with the most is Kessel and Lupul.

I hope it was just jitters as I say. They were just noticeable by being so invisible tonight.

I think the difference is that Wilson rolled 4 lines most of the time, while Carlyle is matching lines, which meant last night, he just couldn't get his top line on a roll. He said as much after the game. Kessel and Lupul might have been a little apprehensive last night, as I get the feeling that they were Wilson supporters, but I don't doubt that they will get their ice time most nights and will look dangerous.

I thought Bozak was the best of the three last night, while Lupul and Kessel were a bit confused maybe. Kessel might have a bit of an injury maybe? He has been taking the long route lately to avoid contact, more than he usually does. I'm just guessing, but something was off with him last night.

I definitely saw more of Bozak last night than I have in a while, which was pretty encouraging.  Lupul and Kessel will settle in.  Tuesday's game will be really interesting in that respect.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

Stop with the personal attacks please. Btw, I never said that Grabovski won't get 5 million as a UFA. There is ton of GMs that will overpay for his services. The fact is Leafs are heavily overpaying bunch of stiffs already: Armstrong, Connoly, Lombardi, Komisarek. You add Grabovski to that list and you got over 20 million dollars (1/3 of your freaking cap space) tied to 5 players and not one of em is onf any star caliber. The point is who would you rather have? Grabovski at 5 million or Parise at 7 or 8? I know where my money would go.

 

[Zee]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

Stop with the personal attacks please. Btw, I never said that Grabovski won't get 5 million as a UFA. There is ton of GMs that will overpay for his services. The fact is Leafs are heavily overpaying bunch of stiffs already: Armstrong, Connoly, Lombardi, Komisarek. You add Grabovski to that list and you got over 20 million dollars (1/3 of your freaking cap space) tied to 5 players and not one of em is onf any star caliber. The point is who would you rather have? Grabovski at 5 million or Parise at 7 or 8? I know where my money would go.

Why not get rid of Conolly and Armstrong and re-sign Grabovski and go after Parise?

 

[azzurri63]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

Stop with the personal attacks please. Btw, I never said that Grabovski won't get 5 million as a UFA. There is ton of GMs that will overpay for his services. The fact is Leafs are heavily overpaying bunch of stiffs already: Armstrong, Connoly, Lombardi, Komisarek. You add Grabovski to that list and you got over 20 million dollars (1/3 of your freaking cap space) tied to 5 players and not one of em is onf any star caliber. The point is who would you rather have? Grabovski at 5 million or Parise at 7 or 8? I know where my money would go.

I would love to have Parise on this team but seriously if you added him to our lineup today and removed Grabs how much better would we be? Not much in my opinion. Who would he play with? We definitely need some more top 6 talent. Believe me if Burke could get both of them in our lineup he would probably do it although personally I think we need a top center and without losing Grabs who I think is a perfect #2 center.

 

[proteus2000]

Anyone who think Grabovski doesn't deserve $5 million is dumb a pointless troll whose act wore thin weeks ago. 

Fixed that for you. 

Stop with the personal attacks please. Btw, I never said that Grabovski won't get 5 million as a UFA. There is ton of GMs that will overpay for his services. The fact is Leafs are heavily overpaying bunch of stiffs already: Armstrong, Connoly, Lombardi, Komisarek. You add Grabovski to that list and you got over 20 million dollars (1/3 of your freaking cap space) tied to 5 players and not one of em is onf any star caliber. The point is who would you rather have? Grabovski at 5 million or Parise at 7 or 8? I know where my money would go.

Why not get rid of Conolly and Armstrong and re-sign Grabovski and go after Parise?

Nobody would take Connolly at 4.5 mil, Burke was the only one willing to offer that amt when Connolly was a FA, and his stock has dropped a lot since.Armstrong is a fringe player who struggles to get in a lineup that badly needs solid, sandpaper type guys like he was suppose to be.

we need to dump Komi in the minors to replace finger and free up 4.5 mil in space. If nobody picked off souray or redden off the waiver wire I don't see Komi doing it either. Possibly armstrong too if nobody will take him and the leafs feel he isn't effective enough to be consistently in the lineup.

 

[Deebo]

Burke was the only one willing to offer that amt when Connolly was a FA

I don't think this is true.