• For users coming over from tmlfans.ca your username will remain the same but you will need to use the password reset feature (check your spam folder) on the login page in order to set your password. If you encounter issues, email Rick couchmanrick@gmail.com

R1, G2: Bruins vs. Maple Leafs - Apr. 22nd, 7:00pm - SN, 680 News

The line of Domi - Matthews - Bertuzzi has been dominant so far in these playoffs.

The 4th line has been great as well. Boston really seems to be struggling with the size of that line, even though Dewar isn't that big (He seems pretty strong though).

Domi, Bertuzzi, Reaves, all looked like signings that didn't pan out halfway through the season. Now they all look like great additions. What a turnaround.
 
Dappleganger said:
Domi, Bertuzzi, Reaves, all looked like signings that didn't pan out halfway through the season. Now they all look like great additions. What a turnaround.
Click to expand...

Quick, get Klingberg on the ice!
 
Everyone loves Marner but I think the conversation is could +$12M be better utilized elsewhere. Using his lack of timely playoff contributions to further justify this stance is certainly understandable.
 
First off, I have to admit - I LOVE seeing another Domi on this team. Gives me chills every time I see that name on his sweater.

The Leafs are currently playing with almost a third of their expected forward lineup either out (Nylander, McMann) or not yet back to 100% (Marner, Jarnkrok). Add in whatever is going on with Knies - did he just hit "the wall", with all those hits having caught up to him? He looks slow and indecisive. Anyway, despite that they are 1-1 in the series and have outplayed the Bruins most of the time. Overall, the Bruins don't look great to me. They are a couple of goaltenders and a couple of good defenders, but the rest of the team (Pastrnak aside) looks rather ordinary for the most part. This series is for the taking...just need to be smarter about the physical stuff (including pinching), better on special teams (last game was a big step in the right direction), and we NEED Samsonov to play like he did last night.

I won't comment much more on Marner, as I don't think he's back to 100%. He's got two playoff runs available to prove that he is worth that next contract. If it goes well, I think they'll sign him and use the JT money to shore up other areas. If not, all options should be on the table. If things flame out in these playoffs I do think the first bullet will be a coaching change.
 
No update on Nylander or McMann at all. A bit concerning. I thought the Bruins looked dejected at the end of the game. Never seen that look on a Bruin face ever. We can beat them.
 
I am also open to trading Marner's money for defense and goaltending, but as often is the problem, who is that? Better to keep Marner than spend his money on guys that won't improve the team.
 
Highlander said:
No update on Nylander or McMann at all. A bit concerning. I thought the Bruins looked dejected at the end of the game. Never seen that look on a Bruin face ever. We can beat them.
Click to expand...

Refs looked dejected too. 
 
Highlander said:
No update on Nylander or McMann at all. A bit concerning. I thought the Bruins looked dejected at the end of the game. Never seen that look on a Bruin face ever. We can beat them.
Click to expand...

McMann was a nice story but Nylander out is the big issue.  I hope whatever is wrong with him isn't long term.  Need that stud back ASAP.
 
Want to fix Marner? Want him to speed up quickly?
Give him what he wants.

Domi-Matthews-Marner
Bertuzzi-Tavares-Nylander
McMann-Holmberg-Jarnkrok
Dewar-Kampf-Reaves
 
Big Daddy said:
Want to fix Marner? Want him to speed up quickly?
Give him what he wants.

Domi-Matthews-Marner
Click to expand...

If Marner is sucking right now because he's not getting what he wants, thus holding the coaching staff hostage... that will definitely sell well when he asks for 13M.

I think he is just trying to play within his comfort zone, which was catered to immediately upon Keefe's promotion by being strapped to Matthews' hip and changing the team play style to a slow, methodical regroup and finesse game.

There is no subtantiated proof of anything said behind closed doors, but by their outward facing actions, it appears the management and coaching staff (post-Babcock) in previous years really coddled Marner to try to get the best out of him (scintillating regular season highlights!). Any potential criticism was always couched in generalities to the leadership group as a whole, pointed postgame remarks got walked back immediately followed by personal on-ice tete-a-tetes at practice, vociferous and eloquent treatises from Dubas about how valuable Mitch and his happiness is to the dressing room, etc. All this after his agent threatened offer sheet signings or playing in the Swiss League if he didn't get Matthews money.

To Keefe's credit, he has pushed the team to a faster, heavier, simpler game, and for whatever reason, Marner is a work in progress to get with the program.
 
herman said:
https://twitter.com/fan590/status/1782875258300530956
Kypreos is vying to be Marner?s agent
Click to expand...
He's not totally wrong but I think 16 can still elevate his game. I kind of wonder if he's totally healthy. High ankle sprains seem to take a long time to heal.
Either way L2 overall, needs to be better. Hopefully they'll get going.
 
Bender said:
Am I getting old or has Kyper been more right than wrong lately?
Click to expand...
Most times he's still a headscratcher but occasionally he makes sense. This is one of those times where he makes some sense.
 
Bender said:
herman said:
https://twitter.com/fan590/status/1782875258300530956
Kypreos is vying to be Marner?s agent
Click to expand...

Am I getting old or has Kyper been more right than wrong lately?
Click to expand...

Wait, so because he's asserting that having Matthews on your line will make you perform better, he's suddenly more right than wrong? Of course Matthews on your line makes you better. He's a top 3 player in the league.

Marner is an $11 million dollar guy(looking for a raise). Tavares is an $11 million dollar guy. If they can't create or get the puck, that's a huge problem. If Marner wants to be paid like a top 10 player in the league, he shouldn't need a top 3 player in the league to go get him the puck. Heck, he shouldn't need Tavares to get him the puck either. It's not like they're saddling him up with Kampf and Reaves.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top