Leafs @ Predators - Oct. 10th, 8:00pm - LeafsTV, SN 590

[BermudaBudsFan]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

But how long should the experiment last, assuming he continues to play poorly, until he doesn't play any longer?  If he is going to make a significant number of mistakes, I would rather see McWilliam or Percy gain some experience.

I have a sinking feeling about this one -- Leafs lose 3 - 1.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm afraid Ranger is being Beauchemin'd right now.

I don't know about that. Or maybe my definition of the term isn't the same as yours. Beauchemin took a ton of heat for his play but he was constantly playing against the teams top players and was playing in between forwards who didn't give a crap defensively and goalies who couldn't stop a beach ball.

Ranger might not 100% deserve the flack that he's getting because expecting him to play mistake free hockey after the time he's taken off is pretty insane, but I don't think you can blame the criticism on the team around him.

 

[proteus2000]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ranger has a great skillset: good shot, big strong body which he uses, decent speed. His decision making is very concerning through 4 games; he's given the other teams too many chances. Chasing after the man with the puck and leaving the front of the net open on COL second goal was a novice play; Gardiner had him angled just fine. Ranger just had to take the man in front of the net.

I really hope that he pans out as a #4-5 dman, as our defence is definitely our weakest area right now.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'm afraid Ranger is being Beauchemin'd right now.

I don't know about that. Or maybe my definition of the term isn't the same as yours. Beauchemin took a ton of heat for his play but he was constantly playing against the teams top players and was playing in between forwards who didn't give a crap defensively and goalies who couldn't stop a beach ball.

Ranger might not 100% deserve the flack that he's getting because expecting him to play mistake free hockey after the time he's taken off is pretty insane, but I don't think you can blame the criticism on the team around him.

I felt that Beauchemin had a tough first stretch of games with the Leafs and that, no matter what he did after that, the fanbase by and large had turned on him and never appreciated what he brought to the table until his trade.

I feel like that's going to happen here.

 

[Zee]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

How many NHL games has Rielly played since 2010?  He already looks better than Ranger.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

How many NHL games has Rielly played since 2010?  He already looks better than Ranger.

And Sean Monahan looks better than 90% of the defensemen in the league through 3 games.  Why are we comparing him to highly touted players?  They tend to look better than most players to begin with.

EDIT: And, from what I understand, Ranger was OUT of hockey and not playing at all until he came back with the Marlies, so it's not like a player who has continuously played at a high level jumping to the NHL.  Again, if I remember his story correctly, he left hockey completely before coming back with the Marlies.

 

[Frank E]

It's been 3 games.

 

[Zee]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

How many NHL games has Rielly played since 2010?  He already looks better than Ranger.

And Sean Monahan looks better than 90% of the defensemen in the league through 3 games.  Why are we comparing him to highly touted players?  They tend to look better than most players to begin with.

EDIT: And, from what I understand, Ranger was OUT of hockey and not playing at all until he came back with the Marlies, so it's not like a player who has continuously played at a high level jumping to the NHL.  Again, if I remember his story correctly, he left hockey completely before coming back with the Marlies.

Sure but by all accounts he was great in the AHL and has had lots of NHL experience, you would think it would come back to him unless he's lost steps that he'll never get back. 

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

How many NHL games has Rielly played since 2010?  He already looks better than Ranger.

And Sean Monahan looks better than 90% of the defensemen in the league through 3 games.  Why are we comparing him to highly touted players?  They tend to look better than most players to begin with.

EDIT: And, from what I understand, Ranger was OUT of hockey and not playing at all until he came back with the Marlies, so it's not like a player who has continuously played at a high level jumping to the NHL.  Again, if I remember his story correctly, he left hockey completely before coming back with the Marlies.

Sure but by all accounts he was great in the AHL and has had lots of NHL experience, you would think it would come back to him unless he's lost steps that he'll never get back.

It's possible.  It will take quite a number of games to know for sure, though.

 

[Zee]

I don't know what the hell is wrong with Ranger.  He was getting so much hype and apparent interest from other NHL teams and he's so bad right now.

Ainorite? He's playing like a guy who has only played 4 NHL games since 2010!

How many NHL games has Rielly played since 2010?  He already looks better than Ranger.

And Sean Monahan looks better than 90% of the defensemen in the league through 3 games.  Why are we comparing him to highly touted players?  They tend to look better than most players to begin with.

EDIT: And, from what I understand, Ranger was OUT of hockey and not playing at all until he came back with the Marlies, so it's not like a player who has continuously played at a high level jumping to the NHL.  Again, if I remember his story correctly, he left hockey completely before coming back with the Marlies.

Sure but by all accounts he was great in the AHL and has had lots of NHL experience, you would think it would come back to him unless he's lost steps that he'll never get back.

It's possible.  It will take quite a number of games to know for sure, though.

I'm hoping he plays like they thought they could, the pairings are counting on him right now.  Not sure how they'll move forward if he's not able to contribute.  They may be forced to keep Rielly up after 9 games if Ranger is still slumping.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'm hoping he plays like they thought they could, the pairings are counting on him right now.  Not sure how they'll move forward if he's not able to contribute.  They may be forced to keep Rielly up after 9 games if Ranger is still slumping.

I don't think Ranger will have any impact on the Rielly decision. Even ignoring those two we still have 7 NHL defencemen in Phaneuf, Gunnarsson, Gardiner, Franson, Fraser, Brennan, and Liles. Plus a ton of depth on the Marlies in case of injuries (Holzer, Blacker, Percy, MacWilliam).

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Some line-up notes:

It sounds like Lupul will play tonight, but he should still be considered a game time decision. Bernier starts.

For Nashville, Nick Spaling will return from injury and replace Gabriel Bourque in the line-up.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Also:

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris 13m
It looks like Josh Leivo and T.J. Brennan are the #leafs scratches in Nashville. Joffrey Lupul is in despite bruised calf.

That's somewhat disappointing as I wanted to see both those Marlies in the line-up. Brennan in for Ranger seems like a no-brainer for me at this point. And while I get that Leivo was likely Lupul's replacement, I don't see the need for Ashton, Bodie, Broll, and Orr all in the line-up at the same time. Especially if Randy will continue to load up the top-6 and have Kadri play with two of those guys. But hey, that's Carlyle hockey I guess.

 

[Frank E]

Will somebody please converse with Carlton...he's on his own here, and it's sad.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Will somebody please converse with Carlton...he's on his own here, and it's sad.

Anybody but Frank guys.

 

[Tigger]

Didn't Ranger himself say something about game 17 playing in the AHL was where he felt he was back? It's going to take 20 or 30 games before he'll know what he's capable of at this level.

 

[Crucialness Key]

I'm hoping he plays like they thought they could, the pairings are counting on him right now.  Not sure how they'll move forward if he's not able to contribute.  They may be forced to keep Rielly up after 9 games if Ranger is still slumping.

I don't think Ranger will have any impact on the Rielly decision. Even ignoring those two we still have 7 NHL defencemen in Phaneuf, Gunnarsson, Gardiner, Franson, Fraser, Brennan, and Liles. Plus a ton of depth on the Marlies in case of injuries (Holzer, Blacker, Percy, MacWilliam).

FIFY.  But I agree, I think the Ranger / Rielly situations are separate issues.

 

[princedpw]

Also:

Chris Johnston ‏@reporterchris 13m
It looks like Josh Leivo and T.J. Brennan are the #leafs scratches in Nashville. Joffrey Lupul is in despite bruised calf.

That's somewhat disappointing as I wanted to see both those Marlies in the line-up. Brennan in for Ranger seems like a no-brainer for me at this point. And while I get that Leivo was likely Lupul's replacement, I don't see the need for Ashton, Bodie, Broll, and Orr all in the line-up at the same time. Especially if Randy will continue to load up the top-6 and have Kadri play with two of those guys. But hey, that's Carlyle hockey I guess.

Kadri needs a guy who can shoot on his wing.  Has Randy forgotten all those key games we won last year because our "3rd line" with Kadri and Frattin or Kadri and MacArthur outscored the opposition while the other lines were neutral with their competition?

 

[Boston Leaf]

can we use Darcy Tucker? Arent we paying him anway?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

FIFY.  But I agree, I think the Ranger / Rielly situations are separate issues.

As far as 13th defencemen go Holzer's alright.